Who would have dared to think back in early April this 2016 version of the Cleveland Indians, with all the myriad of question marks coming into the season, would be playing in October in the World Series ?
It's already been a magical year, what with the Cavaliers securing an NBA title in June. The city of Cleveland needs another parade ! Now, it's the Indians' turn to win a championship, which would be the teams first since 1948, 68 long agonizing years ago. The team came real close in both 1995, when they should have won it, and then 1997 in an over-achieving year when in essence they came within one pitch, a potential double-play ball of winning it all.
Game 1 of the series is Tuesday night at Progressive Field in Cleveland, ironically and fittingly the very same night as the Cavs raise their well deserved championship banner and present rings to players, coaches and so forth. And, just as fittingly, the opposition is the lovable losers, the Chicago Cubs, a club that won 103 regular season games to 94 for the Indians.
But, make no mistake, this dynamic version of the Cubs is no loser, no team wins 103 games by accident. Wrigley Field in Chicago is yet another historic venue, just as Fenway Park in Boston was, for the Tribe to prove doubters wrong. Games three and four will definitely be played in Wrigley, as will game five barring a four game sweep by either club. The ghosts of Ron Santo, Ernie Banks and Fergie Jenkins will no doubt make their presence felt.
At Progressive Field, there may be several ghosts floating around the park as well, all of whom know all too well this team has unfinished business leftover from the at times, dominant 90's teams. Heck, Sandy Alomar will be coaching at first base.
All-stars like Thome, Ramirez, Belle, Vizquel and Lofton made those teams a feared bunch for opposing pitchers, often turning games into just another round of batting practice.
The 2016 version of the Indians are led, of course, by their two-time title winning manager with the Red Sox, Terry Francona. Every move he made seemed to pan out for the most part, even batting Carlos Santana leadoff for much of the season. Santana, to his credit, came through with a career year everyone has been waiting for.
Guys like Mike Napoli, Jose Ramirez, Jason Kipnis, Tyler Naquin and the supremely gifted one Francisco Lindor, got it done all season long, including a team record 14 game winning streak which began in late June. Of course, let's not forget the stellar pitching staff leading the way, despite a few hiccups in July and August. Ace Cory Kluber essentially came to the rescue when all-star Danny Salazar began having arm issues, while Josh Tomlin had a string of horrible starts.
Carlos Carrasco had a somewhat inconsistent season finishing the year on the disabled list. Fortunately, Trevor Bauer took up some of the slack in the rotation while the key trade deadline acquisition of ace reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees has given the club a tremendous boost, particularly thus far in the postseason. Paired with saves leader Cody Allen, this dynamic duo has proven nearly unhittable.
A special mention should be given to Michael Brantley, the injured outfielder whom was the Tribe's best hitter last season. His injured shoulder never came around after off-season shoulder surgery. Maybe the teams rallying cry should be, 'let's win it for Michael !'
It's a tremendous fall classic matchup. Either the seemingly eternally suffering Chicago Cubs fans, or the decades loyal Cleveland Indians fans will at long last get to bask in the glory of an all too evasive World Series title. Can the unthinkable be possible, two parades for the city of Cleveland in one year ?
DAVE BURKEY
Email: daveywriter@yahoo.com
