Cleveland Browns

The venerable giant of the Cleveland sports scene, the Browns are a tentpole for any serious area sports fan. Currently owned by Jimmy Haslam, whose Flying J truck stop empire is embroiled in controversy following a raid by FBI and IRS officials, the Browns are one of football’s most storied franchises. Founded by Paul Brown, who also founded the rival Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns are Cleveland mainstays despite their ups and downs.

Last season, the Browns went a disappointing 5 and 11 for a combined .313 percentage, adding to a similar 2011 season record of 4 and 12. Despite previous seasons’ misfortunes the Browns are hinting at a promising 2013 season, winning preseason matchups against the Rams and the Lions. They will finish out preseason play with road games against the Colts and the Bears. The regular season begins with a home game against the Dolphins on September 8.

Though tickets can cost a pretty penny, especially on a college student’s budget, many of the games are televised.

Cleveland Indians

Like their cousins in FirstEnergy Stadium, the Cleveland Indians are one of baseball’s most historic teams. Though they have gone through numerous iterations, this season’s lineup under two time World Series winning manager Terry Francona has produced moderate, though promising, results, including bringing on Nick Swisher, who returned to Ohio after graduating from Ohio State University and playing for the Yankees, Athletics and White Sox.

At press time, the Indians are second in the AL Central. Detroit leads the league, and the Indians are five and half games behind.

Like all Major League Baseball teams, the Indians play regular season games from March 31 until Sept. 29. The post-season begins on October 1. Though tickets can be a little pricey, the Indians run numerous promotions for cheaper tickets, along with $1 hot dog nights on Fridays during home games.

Lake Erie Monsters

The Lake Erie Monsters are Cleveland’s resident hockey team. An affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, the Monsters replaced the Cleveland Barons in 2006 and have been competing in the American Hockey League since. For the uninitiated, the American Hockey League is the minor league development circuit of the NHL and is generally considered the highest level of competition before professional play.

Last year, the Monsters went 35 and 31 and finished third in their division, the AHL Western Conference, North Division. They haven’t made the playoffs since the 2010-2011 season, where they were eliminated in the first round. But with tickets as cheap as $10 and the possibility of seeing a star rise to NHL fame, a game is well worth the trip downtown.

Lake County Captains

The Lake County Captains, located in the Cleveland suburb of Eastlake, Ohio. The Captains play in Classic Park, which is a quick half hour drive down route 90. Previously the Columbus Redstixx (of Georgia, not Ohio), the team moved to Eastlake in 2003 and joined the Midwest League in 2009. They play a 140 game schedule that stretches from April to September and have fostered several major league talents, including Fausto Carmona, previously of the tribe and currently of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Though they’re currently middling in the league, at press time there are still three home games left in the season. With cheap tickets, convenient access from University Circle and relatively cheap beer for those of age, the Lake County Captains are a quality way to spend an evening.

Like their cousins in FirstEnergy Stadium, the Cleveland Indians are one of baseball’s most historic teams. Though they have gone through numerous iterations, this season’s lineup under two time World Series winning manager Terry Francona has produced moderate, though promising, results, including bringing on Nick Swisher, who returned to Ohio after graduating from Ohio State University and playing for the Yankees, Athletics and White Sox.At press time, the Indians are second in the AL Central. Detroit leads the league, and the Indians are five and half games behind. Like all Major League Baseball teams, the Indians play regular season games from March 31 until Sept. 29. The post-season begins on October 1.  Though tickets can be a little pricey, the Indians run numerous promotions for cheaper tickets, along with $1 hot dog nights on Fridays during home games.