October baseball is a special time of year. In recent years, Cleveland Indians fans have not had much to celebrate. They have not made a significant run in the playoffs since 2007 against the Boston Red Sox. Cleveland is a rejuvenated city. After the Cavs miraculous championship run this past summer, it has been very contagious to other Cleveland teams. The browns try very hard every week and the Indians had a red hot season. I don't feel like any other state has a city of professional sports teams that are so hot.
This all comes back to what what LeBron James once said. "In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have." The Cleveland Indians have earned their keep this season. They strung together a 94 win season earning them first place in the AL Central. It was such a fun season up to this point. Every game was exciting to watch. There were many walk-off wins and it was just a very exciting team to follow on a nightly basis. They were the sleeper team of the year. They were not talked about much throughout the season. They were acknowledged but many wrote them off due to some key injuries.
Michael Brantley, Cookie Carrasco, Yan Gomes, and Danny Salazar were all injured during this season. They were very much significant pieces to the team. I feel that they would make the current squad even better, but it just goes to show how resilient the Indians have been this year. Players really stepped up and contributed. Mike Napoli has really emerged as the leader of the team. Many considered his best years behind him, but he was very productive. New players also came in and made an impact. Selling the farm for relief pitcher Andrew Miller has to be one of the best moves Cleveland has ever made. The dude is an absolute stud. He has been superb in the playoffs so far and will continue to contribute throughout the duration of this playoff run.
Coaching is a big part of the Indians success. Terry Francona has to be one of the best managers in the MLB. He can get the most out of each and every one of his players. He gets very creative and strategically makes his players very successful. He has won on the biggest of stages and with him alone it is easy to feel that the Indians have a legit shot at winning a world series.
The Indians are currently up 2-0 on the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS as the series moves to . In the first round, the tribe managed to make quick work of the Boston Red Sox. Avenging their defeat from the 2007 playoffs. They also ended Big Papi's baseball career. The tribe are two games away from making it to the world series and the city is starting to believe once again.
It has been a magical year for Cleveland sports. We easily have the best fans in the country. The wait has been long over due, but it is safe to say we have two winning teams in Cleveland. There is still a lot of tribe baseball left this October and we can't wait to see what happens next. Cleveland is the city once again.
