CLEVELAND -- If LeBron James was going to win another NBA title, heal broken hearts and continue building his legacy, he knew there was only one place to go. To Ohio. Home. Four years after he left for Miami, a widely criticized departure that damaged his image and crushed a long-suffering citys championship hopes, James is coming back to play for the Cavaliers to try and end Clevelands half-century title drought. Hes returning to his basketball roots, to the people who know him best, to make good on a promise. James made the announcement Friday with a powerful essay written for Sports Illustrated. His decision ended two weeks of speculation with the entire league waiting on his move. When he finally made it, Cleveland was his choice over re-signing with the Heat. ESPNs Brian Windhorst later reported the deal is worth $42.1 million over two years. "I looked at other teams, but I wasnt going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland," he said to SI. "The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy." James had not yet signed a contract, but he made it clear he will wear a Cavaliers jersey next season. "When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission," James said in the SI first-person story. "I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasnt had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But whats most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio." The talented kid from Akron, now a homecoming king. Cleveland is thrilled to have him back. James is the leagues best all-around player, a four-time MVP who was dubbed "The Chosen One" as a cant-miss high school star who learned the game on the playgrounds of Akron, about 40 miles from Cleveland. At 6-foot-8, 260 pounds, he can score from all over and is one of the games best passers and defenders. Staying in Miami would have been easy. He could have made another run at a third title and fifth straight NBA Finals appearance with close friends Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the other members of a "Big 3" who have been the leagues team-to-hate since 2010. Instead, James picked the young, unproven Cavs, with a rookie coach, David Blatt, who spent last year in Israel. Almost unbelievably, hell again work for owner Dan Gilbert, who torched James on his way out the door in 2010. For Cleveland, a city accustomed to so much sports heartache -- as the Cavaliers, Browns and Indians have come close but failed to win it all -- news of James return triggered a spontaneous downtown celebration during Fridays lunch hours. Car horns blared and strangers high-fived on the sidewalks outside Quicken Loans Arena, where James had so many big moments during his first seven seasons as a pro. Four years ago, some fans burned his jersey. On July 11, 2014, all was forgiven. The Cavs were considered a long shot when free agency opened. But as the days went by, Cleveland emerged as the leader, especially after clearing salary-cap spaces to offer him a maximum contract. While he was in Las Vegas earlier this week, James met with Heat president Pat Riley, the architect of Miamis back-to-back championship teams. Riley made a final pitch, but he had nothing to match the overwhelming lure of home. "Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio," James told SI. "People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like Im their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me." James exit ends an era in Miami, but its not the end for the Heat. Bosh agreed Friday to a five-year contract worth about $118 million, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the team nor Bosh had publicly announced the deal. The Heat are negotiating with Wade, who learned of James departure on a flight to Miami late Thursday. He may be gone, but part of James will forever be in Miami. "I went to Miami because of D-Wade and CB," James told SI. "I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And thats exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys." James was scorned for turning his back on Cleveland in 2010, announcing his decision on a poorly conceived TV special. His critics said he wasnt good enough to win a championship by himself, and that he needed to surround himself with All-Stars. James may never surpass Michael Jordans six titles, but his legacy could be bringing one to Cleveland, devoid of a championship in any sport since 1964. "Im not promising a championship," he said. "I know how hard that is to deliver. Were not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but Im realistic." Hes starting fresh with Gilbert, who famously wrote a blistering letter condemning James and calling him disloyal, narcissistic and cowardly. At some point, the two worked out their differences. "Ive met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man," James said. "Weve talked it out." Gilbert, too, has moved on. "I am excited for the fans and people of Cleveland and Ohio. No fans and people deserve a winner more than them," Gilbert said on Twitter. Like a kid who spent four years away at college, James is coming back home. James comes back a different man, more mature for his encore. He grew up in Miami. Hes a proven champion, married with two sons and his wife, Savannah, has a daughter on the way. He wanted to raise them in his hometown. James has "loyalty" tattooed on his body. Akron is everything to him, "theres no better place to grow up." Scarred by economic woes, the area needs his help, and James intends to make it a better place. "I feel my calling here goes above basketball," he said. "I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where Im from. In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have. Im ready to accept the challenge. "Im coming home." Viktor Arvidsson Jersey .com) - Oregon wasnt going to let Arizona ruin its national title dreams for a second straight season. Kyle Turris Jersey .com) - Coming off a pair of tough losses last week, the Syracuse Orange will try to put an end to their first losing skid of the season when they pay a visit to the Maryland Terrapins at the Comcast Center on Monday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action. http://www.authenticpredatorspro.com/. - After three days of light, make that very light, workouts, Team Irvin and Team Carter are ready for tonights Pro Bowl. Filip Forsberg Jersey . The team of Lars Nelson, Daniel Richardsson, Johan Olsson, and anchor Marcus Hellner cruised to victory in the 4x10 km event, winning in a time of one hour, 28 minutes, and 42. Juuse Saros Jersey . -- Felix Girard scored on the power play in the third period to lift the Baie-Comeau Drakkar past the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4-3 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action Friday.CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo called his first two at-bats a battle. The last one was a whole lot better. The first baseman capped his return to the Cubs lineup with a walk-off home run in the ninth inning that gave Chicago a 1-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night. Rizzo had missed the last 18 games due to a back problem but led off the ninth by driving a 1-0 pitch from Pedro Villarreal (0-1) over the wall in centre field. Rizzos homer was his 31st of the season and gave Hector Rondon (4-4) the win after he pitched a scoreless inning of relief. "The game is over (with) one swing of the bat, and its a good feeling," Rizzo said. Thanks to the end of the minor-league season, Rizzo didnt get a chance to go on a rehab assignment before returning to work off some rust. It showed when he struck out against Alfredo Simon in his first two at-bats. He was credited with an infield single in the sixth. In the ninth, Rizzo looked as though he had never left. "He certainly made the adjustment in his last at-bat," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. Chicago starter Travis Wood didnt get run support and couldnt earn his ninth win despite producing one of his best outings. Wood threw six scoreless innings and allowed three hits. Simon gave up five hits in seven innings. The Reds right-hander, who is 3-0 against the Cubs this season, was a pleasant first-half surprise but had been struggling recently. He was 2-7 with a 4.96 ERA in the second half before a strong outing on Monday. "This is my first season with the Reds to be a starter and I want to show them I can be a starter for a real long time here," Simon said. "I try to finish strong." He might have earned a win if Cubs centre fielder Arismendy Alcantara didnt run down Kristopher Negrons drive to right-centre witth two outs in the eighth when speedy Billy Hamilton was on first.dddddddddddd "The ball that Negron hit, he absolutely crushed that ball out to right-centre," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Alcantara made a great catch." Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler went 1 for 3 after he missed a weekend series in Pittsburgh due to the birth of a child. TRAINERS ROOM Reds: 1B Joey Votto took infield during pregame warmups but didnt take part in batting practice. Votto (left quadriceps) hasnt played for the Reds since July 5 but did take underhand flips in a batting cage on Sunday. Cubs: Renteria said SS Starlin Castro (sprained left ankle) is improving but "hes not likely to be able to come back" this season. Renteria also said starting pitcher Edwin Jackson (right lat strain) will throw a simulated game this week. UP NEXT Reds: RHP Johnny Cueto and Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta will face off on Tuesday. Cueto (18-8) will attempt to match Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw for the most wins in baseball this season. Cueto is 5-1 with a 1.84 ERA in his last nine starts against the Cubs. Arrieta (8-5) leads the Cubs with a 2.82 ERA. MINOR MATTERS The Cubs named Single-A Kane Countys Jen-Ho Tseng their minor league pitcher of the year, and Triple-A Iowas Kris Bryant their player of the year. Chicago general manager Jed Hoyer said "its way too early to speculate" whether Bryant will make next seasons opening day roster. YOUTH MOVEMENT Recent call-ups SS Jake Elmore, RF Yorman Rodriguez and LF Jason Bourgeois were in the lineup as part of a look-see for some of Cincinnatis younger players. "This is a great opportunity for them to play and for us to get a little more evaluation time before spring training in 2015," Price said. ' ' '