So I am breaking my Monday/Thursday routine because I am upset with my Cleveland brethren. Now I grew up going down to the old stadium, watching bad Tribe teams lose game after game, but I still loved them. Then the Jacobs Field era was born and a new breed of Indians fan emerged. This Indian fan couldn't decipher Brook Jacoby from Brooke Shields. They expected 100 wins, sell out crowds, and 50 HR seasons from its sluggers like Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome. But with the large crowds, big revenues, and large payroll, came an fan base arrogance. When anything bad happened, the sky was falling. Throughout that era, we saw so many great players come and go, but there was one particular player that the crowd loved and gravitated to. Jim Thome. His country boy, folksy ways resonated with the fans. He was always smiling and always hitting. Fans loved Omar Vizquel too, but Thome's big power stroke and clutch hitting made him beloved.
By 2001, new ownership came in, overpaid for the team, then had to gut the payroll to make ends meet as the crowds began to dwindle. While REAL Tribe fans like myself, MD, My father, Jeremy, Ags, Fritzer Friedman, etc still went to games, watched games on TV, and read the articles; Typical Jacobs Field era fans stayed away in droves as the Indians had to rebuild. The downsizing in payroll saw all of the star leave. Manny Ramirez left for Boston, Bartolo Colon had to be traded to Montreal, Juan Gonzalez left for Texas, Roberto Alomar was traded to the Mets. That left one big ticket free agent, Thome. His contract was about to be up. While he said he loved Cleveland and wanted to stay - he met his wife there and built a big home - Philadelphia wanted him badly. So much so that they were willing to trump any offer we would give him. After going to a 5 year deal, which we didn't want to do to begin with, Philadelphia gave him a 6th year guaranteed at more money per year. It was a no-brainer for Thome, so to Philly he went. On the way out, he said nothing but great things about the Indians organization, the people of Cleveland, and said he would continue to make Cleveland his home. After three years and a back injury in Philly, he was on the trading block. Again, he said he would love to return to Cleveland. With our payroll restrictions, a trade wasn't possible, and he was dealt to the rival Chicago White Sox.
So last night was Jim Thome's first game back in Cleveland. A man who was so beloved and adored by Indians fans was returning home. In interviews leading up to the series, he again threw bouquets at the city of Cleveland. He couldn't wait to come home again to the city he loves. So I tuned in last night and as he stepped to the plate, Jacobs Field fans booed him. They booed him! What a joke. The man gave his heart and soul to the organization, was a model citizen and teammate, and still makes Cleveland his home. Yet boos rained down on him. There was signs all over the stadium saying "Jim Traitor" and "Cash Cow." This is so typical Cleveland. There is an inferiority complex and a bitterness that lies deep in every Cleveland fan's soul. I'll be the first one to admit it. But anyone who booed Jim Thome last night should have their tickets revoked. The bitterness and the booing sickened me. I defy anyone in his position to say they wouldn't have done the same thing given his position. The Indians were rebuilding and offered less money. The Phillies were contenders and had a blank check in front of him. Thome did what was right for him. He is still my favorite athlete of all time and a man I respect greatly.
For my dad's 60th b-day, as a surprise, MD arranged for my dad to throw out the first pitch at the Jake. We were all there. My dad came back up and told us the following story. As he went down to the field, he got to go into the dugout and sit with the team for a few minutes. As he was sitting with the Tribe p.r. guy, Thome approached them. My dad said he was huge. He stuck out his hand and said "Jim Thome, nice to meet you." My dad said "yes, I know, its great to meet you. I'm Bob." Thome said "good luck out there, Bob." He was just a regular guy who happened to play baseball. By the way, Jimmy got the last laugh last night, as he delivered a key, 2 out, RBI single in the 9th in the White Sox 8-6 win.
Song of the Day: "Money in my Pocket" by Dennis Brown
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