Donovan understood Cleveland, and its fans

Before he was the voice of the Browns, Jim Donovan was known as the sports anchor on Channel 3 in Cleveland. In that role, Donovan was at most of the big moments that happened in Cleveland sports from the 1980s on. In 1995, Donovan did the postgame interviews with Cleveland Indians players in Seattle after the Tribe clinched its first American League Pennant in 41 years. Less than a week later, Donovan was at the World Series at Jacobs Field, interviewing catcher Sandy Alomar after Game 3 against the Braves. Alomar hit a key RBI double late, and Cleveland was celebrating winning its first World Series game since 1948. At the end of the interview, Donovan stopped and practically lunged toward Alomar. "Sandy," he said, "big hug, on behalf of all of Cleveland!" Maybe it wasn't the typical role of a reporter. But Donovan – even though he was born and raised in Boston – knew Cleveland sports and he knew the fans. He knew what that moment meant to them. The fans watching – every one of them -- wanted to embrace Alomar after what he'd done. Everyone felt that hug. It was that connection to Cleveland sports – and Cleveland fans – that made Donovan so special, and so important. Jim Donovan, a fixture in northeast Ohio for four decades, and a close friend to every Browns fan over the last quarter century, died this weekend at 68. He had been battling leukemia for years, but had kept fighting, kept returning to the Browns radio booth, where he had established himself as one of the best play-by-play announcers in the sport. Donovan had an entire career before he became the Browns radio man in 1999. He'd worked as an announcer for NBC, calling NFL games and the Olympics. But as the Browns radio announcer, Donovan became a legend. He was an elite announcer for a team that was anything but. The man called the expansion Browns, who were 5-27 in their first two seasons, then, 16 years later, somehow got worse, going 4-44 over a three-year span. But you would never know that listening to Donovan. It wasn't that Donovan was oblivious to the Browns hideous product on the field; far from it. He was honest when a play was botched, or another game was slipping away. But he brought a cheerfulness to the job. When the Browns were in the midst of a 17-game losing streak, then missed a potential game winning field goal against Pittsburgh and settled for a tie, Donovan paused. "I guess," he told his listeners, "we're gonna take it in increments." But there were great moments. Donovan's "Run, William, run!" call on a 64-yard touchdown by William Green in 2002 – which led to a rare playoff berth -- is still remembered. As is his call of "Chubba-wubba-hub!" after Nick Chubb's 92 yard touchdown dash in 2018. But there's one call I will always think of when remembering Jim Donovan. That was in 2020, when the Browns clinched their first playoff berth in 18 years. They beat the Steelers at home, but because of the pandemic, only a few people were in the stadium to celebrate with the players. "The only thing that's missing," Donovan said, "is all of you." I'd like to think that someday, the Browns will make a Super Bowl. And when it happens, there will be just one thing missing: The voice of Jim Donovan to call it. PLAYER OF THE GAME: The Browns provided the fans with a much needed – and downright stunning – 29-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The season is not saved; I tend to look at the win as more of a self-contained feel-good moment, than a harbinger of things to come. That said, two players really stood out in the victory, which moved Cleveland to 2-6: Quarterback Jameis Winston threw three touchdown passes and went for more than 330 yards through the air. Second-year receiver Cedric Tillman had seven catches for 99 yards, and two touchdowns. The second one – which will probably go down as Cleveland's best play of 2024 – was a 38-yard, game-winning snag with less than a minute remaining. Winston and Tillman not only helped secure an emotional victory, but they also gave a glimmer of hope that there may be some good moments left in this otherwise forgettable season. NEXT WEEK: The Browns host the Los Angeles Chargers, a team led by former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers aren't a great team, but they aren't bad, either. At 4-3, and with a formidable quarterback on Justin Herbert, the Browns will have their work cut out for them. Beating the Ravens made for a great afternoon. I just don't know if the Browns can count on Winston to protect the ball. It felt like he almost threw eight interceptions Sunday. MY PICK: Chargers 22, Browns 16.