Awkward celebrations are the best

The Cleveland Indians are the 2007 American League Central Division Champions. How nice that is to say again after six years of nothings. I just wish they could have done it on Saturday night when I was there.

Watching the celebration brought back memories of the ‘95-’01 seasons. Only this time, I think it was more enjoyable. During the Indians run in the late ‘90s, it was almost like winning the AL Central was a given and, therefore, the celebration after the division title clinching game was forced. Sure, was a party, smiles, hugs and champagne being poured, but it wasn’t a celebration. (1995 and 96 obviously weren’t like that since it was the first time the Indians were relevant in the baseball world, besides Major League since 1954 but by the last few titles it was) Sunday’s celebration was full of pure joy. And that was great to see.

My favorite part of the celebration is how bad it went. After the final out, everyone was hugging and what not on the infield, then C.C. Sabathia wondered off by himself. I didn’t know where he was going but he was walking to the outfield. He kept looking back as if to say, “OK fellas, I think I’m suppose to walk out here and you’re suppose to follow me, right? I think so? Maybe not? I’ll just walk out slowly and see what happens.” Then someone started raising the 2007 AL Central Division Champions banner. So I thought that must be where C.C. was going. He wanted to see the banner raised. Well, it turns out, he was suppose to be the raising the banner. Only for whatever reason, the two guys out in centerfield did it with out him. It was probably two stupid interns who thought it would be sweet to say, “I raised the Indian’s 2007 AL Central Division Champions banner, which it is sweet to say.

While the flag was going up, the team was still making their way out to centerfield. Once they got all the way to centerfield, the banner had been up for a few minutes. The team stood there, did some more cheering and hugging, then didn’t know what to do next. So they turned around and walked back to the infield. The whole thing was awkward but it was only about to get weirder.

Someone handed C.C. a mic and he addressed the crowd like he was talking in public for the first time. Then he passed the mic on to Victor Martinez. I don’t know if C.C. just gave it to him or if Victor asked for it but someone should have stepped and not allowed this to happen. Victor, in broken English, thanked the crowd, said something like this is for you, then after a few seconds of silence, just screamed “Yeah!”

Sensing the moment was about to be ruined with more crowd thanking, the guys working the sound system saved the day by quickly turning on music and played “Shout.” A perfect song for the situation because everyone can sing along and dance to it and forget what was just said to them.

Other than those awkward moments, the party was genuine and a welcomed sight. I thought it was great when Dolan, Wedge and Sharpio got “pied.” I love the old pie-in-the-face thing this team has going on but it was starting to get old. Then, just when you think you’re done liking it, they go and do something like this and you realize it still fantastic. Nothing like a 70-year millionaire getting a whipped cream pie to make you appreciate comedy. Well done.

Of course, I didn’t get to fully enjoy the game and celebration because of a personal problem. I was at grandma’s eating dinner when all of a sudden I felt my lip getting swollen. Before I knew it, my top lip was the size of four lips. I took some medicine and was so tired during the post game party I struggled to fully appreciate it.

That may sound like a minor problem but let me try to make appreciate the situation even more. It looked like I was frowning the whole time. At first it was just the left side of my lip and it made for one crocked lip. Then it expanded all the way across. I looked in the mirror and I looked like a duck. My girlfriend said I looked like a Simpsons character. That comment was later echoed by Girlfriend’s Dad, even without knowing The Girlfriend had said it earlier. Anytime you can see your upper lip in your normal line of vision, something’s not right. Luckily, the lip is back down to normal size this morning.

As for the Browns, they should have won that game. They didn’t deserve to win because they played awful and sloppy but the should have. How does Phil Dawson say, “I didn’t hear the whistle. I thought we had won the game.” Who didn’t know Oakland was going to call a timeout before he kicked the ball? Denver had just done the same thing to them last week. A team always calls a time out. Dawson, you should have known that and you should have been ready for it. Your second kick was awful. The guy who blocked it didn’t have to even raise his arms. It basically hit him in the face. Awful, but typical Browns.

Oh well. The Indians are back in the postseason and it doesn’t even matter who we play. Boston or New York. With the way they are playing and chemistry they seem to have, plus C.C. and Fausto going 1-2, I like our chances.

One more note. You know how at games they always put the dance weirdo on the jumbotran, well I’ve always wanted to be that guy. On Saturday, at the Indians game, I was that guy and I wasn’t even trying to. It was after the game and there was a party at the bar at the Jake, I was walking up the steps to get there and just started being an idiot and dancing. Little did I know, the camera was filming me and put me up on the screen. I’m so proud of myself.

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