History gives Hart reason to root for Cleveland

ATLANTA — Twenty-five years have passed since Braves president of baseball operations John Hart was persuaded to become a general manager for the first time. His assignment wasn’t necessarily enviable as he was tasked with healing the hearts of Cleveland sports fans, who had too often been tortured by their baseball, football and basketball teams.

With thoughts of Michael Jordan’s jumper, John Elway’s drive and Earnest Byner’s fumble still fresh in their memory, Cleveland fans saw the once hapless Indians prosper under Hart’s direction, winning two American League pennants during his first six full seasons as general manager. Some heartache lingered, when a loss to the Braves in the 1995 World Series was followed by a dramatic Game 7 loss to the Marlins in the ’97 Fall Classic.

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Still, as the Indians won six division titles within a seven-season span (1995-2001), a rust belt town that had gone nearly 40 years without an AL pennant and closer to 50 years without a World Series title came to love Hart, who likewise developed an indelible bond that he feels as the Indians battle the Cubs in this year’s World Series.

“I have so many ties to Cleveland, I’d love to see them win,” Hart said. “I always pull for them. It was where you did something for the first time. It was just a special time in my life and we were wildly successful, almost beyond my imagination.”

Game Date Time (air time/game time) Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 25 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE …

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