My Favorite Indian is...

mjschaefer — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:54:34 -0000

First let me say I don't know if this qualifies as a fanpost or a fanshot and I apologize for being so naive.

I can't speak for all fans, but in general I've learned to never become attached to one player specifically. For example in basketball Shawn Kemp was traded from my Sonics nearly killing the NBA for me, Randy Moss was traded from the Vikings for nothing, and numerous of my favorite Indians have left via FA or some by trade. However there is always another player to take their place. So without any more boring chatter here is my list of my favorite Indians ever......

10. Cliff Lee- I certainly don't expect anyone to believe me given the success that Lee has had this year, but allow me to show some facts. In 2004 Cliff Lee just started up with the Indians. He was 5-0 through May. I picked my Legion baseball number because of him. I wore 31 for that year and again in Varsity baseball. I was also a pitcher. A pitcher who had extreme temper tantrums....leading to my favorite Cliff Lee infamous moment. Lee threw a glove into the crowd after a poor start against Toronto. 2007 and the subsequent off-season was tough because I wanted him to do well but never envisioned him to get another chance here. Glad to see him running with it now. Below is a picture of me pitching in Cliff's number!:
http://b6.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/00818/62/84/818004826_l.jpg
Number isn't visible sadly......

9. Manny Ramirez- This guy was the man when I really got caught up with the Indians. He was post Albert Belle, which I figured meant he'd be around forever...his sweet song has since moved on and he's won two titles and will generally be revered as the most dangerous hitter in baseball over the past decade. When we didn't resign him in 2000 I took it as a sign that the Indians would never be the same. Aside from 01...they weren't.

8. Jaret Wright- I was never so wrong about a guy in my entire life. I was 100% sure he would be the next big thing starting in 1998. How in the world can anyone forget how well he pitched in the post-season of 1997? Arm problems plagued the rest of his career and he was never the same. Any time I see that he's pitching in the box score I think of him as the Yankee-Killer.

7. Kenny Lofton- Any fan of the Indians during the past decade and a half that I've been a fan had to love Lofton. He enjoyed three stints with the team and was generally one of the more exciting players to ever wear the uniform.

6. Jim Thome- This man broke my heart when he left for the Phillies. I don't know why but it just seemed like he would be the type of guy that would hang around even during the down times. Thome is a great man and great player, but as WhySox player I could never root for him.

5. Travis Fryman- Perhaps one of the more underrated members of the Indians. Fryman just showed up and did his job, day in and day out. He was never flashy. He was what he was. His best season occurred in 2000 with his .321 average and a Gold Glove. I think injuries cut him short a few years.

4&3. Alomar Bros- These two dudes were a sheer joy to watch playing together. Sandy Alomar hit the game winning homer off Mariano and hit an exciting homer in the All-Star game hosted at Jacob's Field. Roberto was part of the best double play duo in baseball history. Roberto is widely considered to be one of, if not the best second baseman ever. So eat your heart out Joe Morgan. I got Sandy's autograph last year. He was extremely nice. The sad part was I was at a AAA game to do so.....

2. C.C. Sabathia- I'm not sure if there is any player who better represents the Indians peaks and valleys the way that Sabathia's career arc does. I loved the big guy from the moment he burst on to the scene in 2001. However as the team goes, so does C.C. During their mad dash to the finish line in 2005 it was Sabathia who carried that pitching staff. In August and September he went 9-1 in 11 starts including a 1.54 era in September. Last year's run would have been impossible without him anchoring the staff. With his contract situation up in the air I've been vocal in my feelings that we need to resign him, but only if he takes another discount. I'm unsure of his future.

1. Omar Vizquel- The little O was quite amazing to watch. His defense is the best of all-time for any shortstop and he never ceased to amaze me with his wild acrobatic plays. Vizquel helped key the comeback against the Mariners in 2001 with a triple down the line late in the game. Vizquel went 5-6 against the Yankees in the infamous 22-0 game. Vizquel did something that few of the players before on this list had done....he hadn't left. Vizquel was just there. He was the one constant from 1994-2004. Now he plays for the Giants and more importantly at the ripe age of 41 he is going to come of the DL today and play. I wish him the best luck in the world and hope that the Little O continues to dazzle others the way he dazzled me. He won't make the HOF even though I contend he should.

Now that I've wasted your time........feel free to make your own list!

Visit To Cleveland

mjschaefer — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:51:43 -0000

I sadly have never been to the glorious metropolis of Cleveland. However it appears this year I will finally get to go to my first Indians game, and I have a few questions:

Are there any seats that I just "have" to watch the game from? What are some of your favorite seats and etc.
What are some points of interest to hit up while at the game? Like is there an Indians Hall of Fame? How much time before hand will I need to see these sites?
As for Cleveland itself...what are some points of interest there? Any good sports bars etc.?
Are there some hotels fairly close to the ballpark, so I won't need to rent a car?

Thanks for your help guys......Go Tribe!

SB Nation User Blog: mjschaefer

My Favorite Indian is...

Visit To Cleveland