It’s all over but the crying. And the champagne pouring, beer drinking, lots of man love celebration. With the Indians sweep of the Tigers, only a historic collapse will keep the Tribe out of the playoffs. I guess as Cleveland fans we shouldn’t count our eggs before they hatch. Or our touchdowns before we score, our World Series titles before the final out and our upsets until the final shot, but come on. It’s over. The magic number is three there’s no way they don’t clinch at home this weekend. Detroit might just fold the rest of the season. I see the Royals taking two of three from them and the Tribe winning two of three from Oakland. At the worst, the means Sunday will be the division title clincher, but we’re still hoping that it comes Saturday so I’ll be at the Jake for the party.
There’s something about baseball playoffs and pennant races that’s different from other playoffs. I was listening to the game at work and was generally excited when Cleveland scored three in the fifth. I was even more excited when Joe Borowski closed the game out. It reminded me of the time, I think back in 1995, I was at basketball camp at who knows where. In the dorms we were staying in, everyone was in the hallway listen to a game. The game ended on an Albert Belle walk-off home run. Everyone went nuts. Everyone was so excited then because in our lifetime the Indians had never been good.
This year, that same feeling is coming back. The Tribe hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2001. After the disappointment in 2005, the fans are ready to explode for a postseason appearance. They showed that in the Detroit series. The Jake looked like it did in the mid-late 90s and that was awesome. Expect that to continue well into October.
A few more Indian notes…
… Charlie Manuel, former Indians manager and hitting coach and current Philadelphia Phillies, said his current team is the best offensive club he’s been around. Lumped into the clubs that aren’t the best are the Indians teams from the mid-late 90s. Teams that had Kenny Loften, Carlos Bearga, Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Manny Rameriz, Eddie Murray, Robbie Alomar, Sandy Alomar, even Paul Sorento, Omar Vizquel, Matt Williams for a year, Jeff Kent another, and so forth. Manuel must be crazy. There are four for sure Hall of Famers there with case to be made for three more. No wonder Manuel’s teams suck. He’s an idiot.
… How good is Grady Sizemore? Since he was put back in the leadoff spot, the Tribe is 20-5 and picked up six games on Detroit.
