The Cleveland Indians are 12-4 to start the season. Wahoo!
I was born and raised an Indians fan. Back in the day when people understood the sport namesake was intended to be a sign of heritage for the area, not slight to a group of people. Back when the municipal stadium on the edge of the lake held 80,000 people - and there was always a good seat left for a last minute drive down for the game.
That stadium has since been replaced with a new home for the football team and a separate one for the baseball team. First it was Jacob's Field. A shiny new park, with beautiful views, great seats, easy access and parking, and during the 90's some really good winning seasons.
Here's a day when the sun was bursting all over and the wind downtown wasn't the main factor of the day. I love the rainbow streaks on the left of the sign in this photo. I have no idea how I caught them, I imagine it was lack of skill with the (then new) digital camera. I was shooting far too much into the light and it was glare on the lens.
Personally, I like to think of it as a direct line to heaven.
(Now the field has been renamed Progressive Field.)
Funny Story: In college a few friends and I went to Savannah, Georgia for spring break. It was sunny and warm, and heavenly after the long Ohio winter. One day while in a mall sports shop, we noticed a large display of baseball apparel. Always on the lookout for good Tribe wear (because real fans wear it no matter how the season has been going), we tried on some winter coats. The native of Savannah asked why on earth they would put baseball emblems on winter clothing. We just laughed and said "so you've never been to Cleveland on opening day, have you?" Yes, it snows on opening day some years and if we are blessed enough to make it deeper into post season, you're going to need those woolens under your pants/shirts to ride out the 9 innings after dark. Cleveland gets a bad rap sometimes, but Indians fans are as true as you'll ever find.
Happy Baseball season!
