The time has come to take pity on Cleveland — Even in Pittsburgh.

When Game 1 of the World Series featured CC Sabathia of the Yankees against Cliff Lee of the Phillies — two Cy Young Award winners with Cleveland within the past three years — that was it.

That was a slap in the face to a city with a sports scene filled decades of disappointment.

The Browns haven't won an NFL title since 1964 and are one of five franchises — Houston, Jacksonville, New Orleans and Detroit are the others — never to play in a Super Bowl.

The Indians haven't won a World Series since 1948. They took two shots in the 1990s. The 1995 team was the only one those powerful Atlanta Braves were able to beat in a World Series. The 1997 team became the first to lose to a wild card team in the Series as the Florida Marlins claimed the title.

But the Lee-Sabathia thing goes beyond "The Drive," featuring John Elway or "The Fumble," featuring Earnest Byner. It goes beyond "The Shot," featuring Michael Jordan, Super Joe Charboneau, Albert Belle scaring trick or treaters, etc.

When it comes to sports, if it can be screwed up, Cleveland will screw it up.

The Cavaliers got off to an 0-2 start this season, becoming the first NBA team in history to do so after winning at least 65 games the year before.

The Cavs were 66-16 last year and had a chance to provide the league with its dream LeBron James-Kobe Bryant matchup in the NBA Finals. Instead, they lose to Orlando in six games.

The team acquires Shaquille O'Neal in the offseason to aid LeBron — a good move if it had been done five years ago.

Only two years ago, the Indians appeared on the verge of contending in the Amnerican League Central. Besides dealing Lee and Sabathia since then, the Tribe has parted ways with Casey Blake and Victor Martinez as well.

One-time slugger Travis Hafner has been ravaged by injuries and the Indians melted down this summer.

Then there's the Browns.

Ouch.

Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, William Green, Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards — all first-round picks since 1999 and all well out of the picture.

Eric Mangini comes in as head coach, keeps his starting quarterback a secret right up to the first regular-season game, then winds up benching the guy anyway.

The Browns would be the worst team in the NFL if it wasn't for the league's cellar-dwellers being so bad.

Actually, they might be the worst team, anyway.

Art Modell moved the old Browns to Baltimore because Cleveland wouldn't build him a new stadium. Then he wins a Super Bowl.

The new Browns got the new stadium. Now they can't get out of their own way.

So now Cleveland fans have to watch Sabathia and Lee battle it out in the World Series?

Enough is enough.

Well, maybe not.

LeBron James might be leaving town next year.