Who doesn’t like the Terminal Tower at Christmas time? Merry Christmas to all.

Here in the waning hours of Christmas 2012, I wanted to bring you Believing Since 1999’s first-ever Christmas edition. I didn’t spend a whole lot of time planning what was going to make this so special, except for the fact that the site has made some small strides over this past year, and I look forward to watching it grow even more. So really, this post is to thank all of you, the readers, for actually taking the time to read and support Believing Since 1999.

I’ve had a lot of fun thinking of things to write about and occasionally just ranting on important (sometimes completely irrelevant) stuff. Furthermore, thank you to all who have liked the page on Facebook and followed BS1999 on Twitter. It has been fun to watch my “likes” skyrocket to 80 in a day and then plateau at 80 for the past couple of months. In other words, thanks to the people that got invited and gave me a “oh what the hell, Chris is an OK person and would probably take a big hit to the psyche if I didn’t like his little Cleveland page” like. We’ll have to work on that.

As for Twitter, the followers keep trickling in, and I have really enjoyed hearing from some people about their love for Cleveland. After all, that’s the whole reason this blog was started, other than my strange attraction to writing for fun. Like Facebook, I hope more and more people follow me and tell me whatever it is they’re thinking about Cleveland, my scintillating writing style, or my horrible writing style that gives them no hope for the future of sports writing.

The last few days of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 should bring some exciting things for all of the teams here in the 216. Luckily, the Cavs weren’t part of Christmas Day NBA, which cut out the risk of any sort of loss to dampen Christmas (face it, you would have been kind of upset for at least five minutes). My Christmas wish for the Cavs is to have a solid month where we get to see the whole starting lineup healthy.

Also, as much as I don’t want to see Varejao go, it could be a long-term gift in disguise if Chris Grant and his staff get a package they like. Some of the rumors that have been floating around seem promising. We’ll see what happens.

The Browns’ annual Christmas card came in the mail a few days ago. Somehow, that always makes me feel like a valued fan, even though it shouldn’t in any way, shape, or form. My Christmas wish for them is that the new brass realizes how good Tom Heckert is at his job and keeps him as General Manager. I know this is looking less and less likely, but I have heard multiple people say that they won’t renew their season tickets if Michael Lombardi is hired as GM. I can’t blame them. Please, Mr. Haslam. Let Heckert continue to grow this roster. He’s the most competent person this franchise has ever had.

Also, beat Pittsburgh next week.

Finally, the Tribe. Deep down, Cleveland has a true love for the Indians that was proven during the 90’s. While the 90’s are a long way away and are certainly not going to return anytime soon, I like Antonetti and Shapiro. I don’t think they’re going anywhere, and if they were to be fired, it would be the biggest scapegoat slash in history. Say what you may about Shapanetti, but never forget the kind of cheap ownership they have to work under. It’s nothing short of crippling. I could go on for days about that, but my Christmas wish for the Indians is for one veteran pitcher and (getting greedy) a solid option at DH.

Also, Spring Training needs to hurry up. It’s that simple.

This Christmas season has certainly been good to me. It has been great to come home to good ole Medina,Ohio and be with family and good friends. Highlights of my gifts today include a ton of fast food gift cards, and funds from my relatives to help defray the cost of heading down to New Orleans to watch my Louisville Cardinals stun Florida in the Sugar Bowl (save the logic, it won’t shake my bias). I’ll be writing about that excursion in the coming weeks on some Louisville blogs that I will link on here somewhere or my personal Twitter, @cdgehring.

To close, I sincerely hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for sticking with me so far, and stay tuned for much more Cleveland sports talk that occasionally makes a good point or two.

Regards,

Chris Gehring

P.S. This ended up feeling like a Christmas letter, so I ended it like one by adding this “P.S” to hammer it home. Keep believing.