CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are the toast of the NBA. The Cavs won their first league championship last month, in the process presenting a beleaguered sports city its first major professional title in 52 years.

The Cavaliers’ amazing comeback against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals in claiming the Larry O’Brien Trophy includes some Eastern Ohio flavor.

Mike Sansone works in the Cavs’ front office as accounts manager. The 1984 Bridgeport High graduate has been with the team for more than two decades.

The Eastern Ohio native, who has experienced the highs and lows with the team, is relishing the best of times in a city long known for losing.

“When LeBron announced that he was returning it was instant excitement for our franchise and the entire region,” Sansone said. “When he said he was coming back to the Cavs it obviously energized our fanbase and raised the hopes for a championship.

“The victory celebration after the Finals was simply amazing. There were 1.3 million people packed in the city. People took off work just to be a part of it. There were fans standing on the interstate watching. It was ridiculous and there were no real issues,” he added. “I was on one of the floats, and going up 9th Street I looked over and couldn’t believe how many people were cheering us on. They were 50-100 deep at the intersection. I was in total awe. The parade was scheduled to last two hours. It took 4.5 hours because of so many people. It was probably the most surreal moment of my life.”

The championship was the second Sansone experienced recently. The Lake Erie Monsters captured the Calder Cup which goes to the champions of the American Hockey League.

The Monsters and the Cleveland Gladiators — members of the Arena Football League — are tenants of Quicken Loans Arena, along with the Cavaliers. Sansone works for all three.

“This city will support a winner. The Monsters attracted a sellout crowd of 19,000 in the playoffs, largest in AHL history. The Gladiators are in the top three in attendance,” Sansone noted. “It’s been a great run. It has added electricity to the entire region.

“It is fun times. The downtown area is springing up with new life. We are experiencing a rebirth much like Pittsburgh went through,” he added. “World-class restaurants are popping up, shopping is coming back and we have a casino. Now we are transforming into holding a national political convention. Cleveland has a lot to offer.”

Sansone’s journey to the NBA began in Lansing, home to pro sports legends John Havlicek and Phil and Joe Niekro. After he was graduated from Bridgeport High School, he matriculated to Columbus where he earned his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.

Sansone then earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Kent State University. He subsequently landed an internship with the Cavaliers which morphed into a full-time position. He has been with the team ever since.

In his current position, Sansone handles corporate partnership accounts for all three of the teams (Cavs, Monsters and Gladiators).”

“I am busy 12 months a year. Quicken Loans Arena is home to sporting events 11 months a year. September is the only month with no events,” Sansone said. “We are always up and running. It is hard finding down time.

“I went with the team and staff to Oakland for Game 2 of the NBA Finals and also traveled to Hershey (Pa.) for the AHL finals,” he continued. “It is a great and exciting job, and one that keeps you quite busy.”

Sansone sings the praise of the Cavaliers’ owner (Dan Gilbert) and well as the players.

“We have a close-knit group of players. The camaraderie is phenomenal,” Sansone said. “Mr. Gilbert is always looking to do the best, be it players, staff or technology. We were the leaders in electronic ticketing.”

Sansone’s career with the Cavaliers has spanned the full gambit of on-court success and failure.

“Early on we were a low-seed playoff team with Mike Fratello as our coach and players like Larry Nance. Then we went through some real lean years,” Sansone said. “Our success has increased our demographics, stretching into Pittsburgh and even Southeast Ohio. We are a regional team.”

The icing on the sweetest of seasons for Sansone is he will receive a championship ring along with the Cavs’ players and coaches while also getting one for the Monsters’ championship.

Sansone and his wife, Dawn, have a daughter Amanda, who is a student at Miami of Ohio, and a son, Anthony, 17. The family lives in Brunswick.

Mike’s parents — Joe and Mary Lou — still reside in Lansing.

MONARCHS & MONTY

I COVERED several Edgar Martin Beast of the East games last week. My final one was Wheeling Post 1’s win over the New York Diamonds to claim second place in the 19U division.

The game was played at John Marshall High’s field in Glen Dale. It is as good as any high school facility in the state, featuring theater seating behind the plate, a spacious and well-equipped pressbox, scenic viewing and a well-manicured playing surface.

I had the pleasure to sit next to and talk with legendary Monarchs’ baseball coach Bob Montgomery for the entire seven innings. Monty proved an entertaining host.

He was forced to miss several games with the Monarchs this past spring due to serious medical issues. Those maladies appear to be in check as Monty looks super and in great spirits.

BUBBA’S BITS

WHEELING POST 1 is holding its Alumni Day today. Post 1 will play 2015 Maryland state champion Funkstown and perennial West Virginia powerhouse South Charleston in the three-team round-robin play. Post 1 plays Funkstown this morning at 11 o’clock with alumni activities to follow the game at approximately 2:15 p.m. Post 1 then plays South Charleston at 4 p.m. Funkstown and South Charleston battle in between. At the Alumni Day events, all alumni are invited. Post 1 will honor the state champion teams from ’63, ’64 and ’66 and the 1970 team that won the longest game (21 innings) in the National American Legion History, beating the Pittsburgh “Little Pirates” 3-2.

MANY PEOPLE are now conceding the 2017 NBA title to the Golden State Warriors after they landed superstar Kevin Durant in free agency. The Warriors do have a big four now but they do have some issues. Size is one while another are there enough of basketballs to keep everyone happy? Durant can also be physically fragile.

THE OHIO High School Athletic Association is doling out $36,000 in college scholarships to recent high school grads after selections made by each of the OHSAA’s six District Athletic Boards. Each of the 36 honorees will receive $1,000 awards. St. Clairsville high three-sport standout Daniel Trouten is one of the recipients. The scholar-athlete recipients are selected based on a point system which rewards students for grade point averages; class rank; ACT or SAT scores; varsity letters earned; and individual and team athletic honors.

GOLF’S THIRD major unfolds this week across the pond at Royal Troon in Scotland. My call is for Justin Rose to win the British Open, although I still hold out hope for Rory McIlroy, my choice in the first two majors.