SEATTLE -- You might not think two cities separated by thousands of miles might have a lot in common, but when it comes to sports, Cleveland and Seattle can share a pint (or a venti, in Seattle's case) over sports futility.

Right now, Cleveland Browns fans can sympathize with the plight of Seattle Sonics fans. The Browns were ripped from Cleveland by then-owner Art Model -- their Public Enemy No. 1 to our Clay Bennett -- in 1995 when the Browns moved to Baltimore. Only then, Cleveland was promised a new franchise by the NFL as part of their settlement. The Browns returned as an expansion franchise in 1999.

The Sonics have no such guarantee that the NBA will return, but if they do, like the Browns, the team will get to keep its colors and name.

How about titles? Of the Big 3 sports, Cleveland holds the record for longest title drought among major cities -- 1964 when they won the NFL title. For Seattle, the Sonics' 1979 title stands as our only one, although the Seattle Storm won the WNBA title in 2004. (Cleveland's WNBA team folded in 2003.)

Both cities' NBA teams made it to the late rounds of the playoffs, only to have their hearts broken by Michael Jordan.

Both cities' baseball teams we well known for futility for most of their years, before finally righting the ship in the mid 90s (remember, it was Cleveland that ended the M's miracle 1995 run).

Both teams have suffered with Jose Mesa as their closer. Both teams have thrived with Omar Vizquel at shortstop.

Both teams got shiny new baseball stadiums in the 90s -- now both named after insurance companies.

And both the Mariners and Indians are way underperforming expectations in 2008.

The Mariners had one of the best players in baseball, Alex Rodriguez, leave for greener pastures.

Cleveland's Cavaliers have one of the best players in basketball in LeBron James, who is already making overtures that he'll be leaving for greener pastures once his contract is up.

Oh sure, there's some differences. Seattle has yet to set Puget Sound on fire, but Cleveland has yet to botch a massive mass transit project before it even does its groundbreaking.

On the good side, both cities also pay major homage to rock and roll -- Cleveland with the Hall of Fame, Seattle with the Experience Music Project.

But when it comes to rocking out with a big championship parade, both cities are sorely missing out.