Believe It Or Not Browns Ownership Could Be Even Worse

Cast Your Vote -- Randy or David

The Devil You Know or the Devil You Know

I've always blamed former Cleveland mayor Mike White for running Art Modell out of town. It was White and the entire Gateway movement and their smug attitude toward Modell that led us down the primrose path.

"Don't worry about Modell," White said. "He's not going anywhere. Take care of the Indians and the Cavs."

Organized Baseball repeatedly threatened us that we would lose the Indians if a new ballpark were not built. Over the years Seattle and New Orleans almost stole them. So the Indians, a franchise that had not even tried to win under several owners for 30 years, got its new ballpark and Modell, who won a championship and came close several other times, got nothing. Even worse, Modell had his prime tenant taken away from him.

Remember, Modell had a deal with the City of Cleveland to manage the old Stadium. He maintained the aging joint. He was the custodian. Over the years he re-wired it, re-plumbed it and re-roofed it. He needed the rent from the Indians and Browns to cover the costs and that didn't always cover them. He brought in tractor pulls, rock concerts and high school football doubleheaders to help cover the costs.

In the end, he was treated badly. His prime tenant, the Indians and their 81 home dates, were stolen from him. He was not compensated for the loss. Jacobs Field was built and handed over to Dick Jacobs. Jacobs Field opened in 1994. Modell, discouraged and envious, watched from a distance. His move to Baltimore was announced in November, 1995.

Now, let's imagine none of that happened. Suppose Modell was treated honorably, that he also got a new stadium. He never would have moved. The Super Bowl that he won in Baltimore, he would have won here. And he still would be here, contending year after year.

But Art is old and in failing health, just as he got old in Baltimore. And the next generation would be running the Browns.

Yes, Art's son, David, would be the man. He would be poking his nose into every aspect of the operation, including the locker room. He would be the archetype of the "involved" owner.

So now, here's the question. Would you prefer David Modell, smoking his outrageous stogie and pointing his finger in the faces of his players, or are you fine with Randy Lerner's disinterest while panic and chaos grips the franchise, as it has done for 11 seasons.

Cast your vote. Click on Randy or David. We'll update the results regularly. Submit any other ballot issues you would like to resolve.

This article reprinted from CoughlinUnplugged.com, through a partnership between Dan Coughlin and The Cleveland Leader. To read more of his writing, visit his website.