Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Odds On Peyton Manning's Next Home Includes Three Teams

Happy Feeling

Little story.

For those that missed it in the bios page, i'm currently serving in the US Navy on active duty in Groton, CT.

I grew up living, eating, drinking, and always believing (mostly foolishly) in Cleveland sports. My pops worked at old municipal stadium as a security guard, so he smuggled me in to many Indians games and Browns games as a child. It was my favorite pastime, hands down. I remember all the guys in my high school gathered around the big screen at our homecoming dance, dressed in our best clothes and ignoring our dates as the Indians beat Baltimore (97?) in the 1-0 game to keep the team rolling in the playoffs.

I left for boot camp in the summer of 2000; the Indians were locked in a tight pennant race, and watching them play ball was the only thing that really kept my mind off my upcoming boot camp "vacation". I rode the long bus ride into Chicago and felt sorry for myself, with no idea how the next few months would play out.

My biggest correspondences were from my mother, who would cut out sections of the Cleveland Plain Dealer sports page detailing the Indians games. As I had no contact with outside, it was the only way I could keep up with the tribe. I got mail once every week orso, so I would stay up late at night in my bunk with a flashlight and pore over the box scores and hope the indians could miraculously pull out and win the central crown.

My favorite player in the days was Kenny Lofton; as a center fielder in high school, I really admired what he did with the glove and bat. Lofton caught fire in the last month of the season, almost carrying the team into the playoffs. They lost that year by 1 game-ish to the White Sox, ending the playoff run of the 90's.
It was heartbreaking, but really kept me from feeling too homesick or left out.

I still keep those newspaper clippings in my correspondences folder from boot camp. When the Indians re-signed K-love, I felt just like most everyone else; regardless of how it pans out, it is the best feeling in the world (if only for a day) to see our boy back in the Jake. I can't even express how deep the feelings go.

Sorry for the novel...Just wanted to share my joy with yall.

Comment 11 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

Re: Happy Feeling
I feel the same way. I love you. I love everyone. I love this team. I love this site.

Oh bother, I'm drunk.

by Gradyforpresident on Jul 27, 2007 10:53 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Happy Feeling
Oh, bother? Either you're Pooh bear or like 90 years old.

by Joe. on Jul 29, 2007 3:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Happy Feeling
Or both?

See I'm drunk right now but it's not a bother. It's the best I've felt all week.

by Joe. on Jul 29, 2007 3:37 AM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Happy Feeling
I was in the military at one time and missed the season when they traded Colon and saw the end of an era.  I totally understand how you feel and wish you the best of luck in the military.  Hopefully you don't have to go overseas but if you do don't feel alone because someone loves and misses you.
Champion of the Kelly Shoppach for Catcher and Franklin Gutiérrez for Right Fielder campaigns. LGT resident kineisologist

by E5 on Jul 27, 2007 10:58 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Happy Feeling
Nice post. Isn't amazing how attached we get to our teams?

I know how much those clippings meant to you in boot camp.  I found boot camp the most disorienting thing I'd ever gone through. Good luck in the Navy. Stay safe.

by LeftyCatcher on Jul 28, 2007 9:49 AM EDT reply actions  

Re: Happy Feeling
Wanna hear about my teams of the 60s?

Aw, never mind.

by ploni on Jul 29, 2007 12:14 AM EDT reply actions  

Re: Happy Feeling
They were bad - real bad - Royals/Pirates bad.
Sometimes you just gotta be lucky

by mauichuck on Jul 29, 2007 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Happy Feeling
You think worse than the 80's?

by Jay on Jul 29, 2007 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Happy Feeling
It's like trying to chose between chicken manure and pig manure as a main course.  Both of 'em are awful bad.
Sometimes you just gotta be lucky

by mauichuck on Jul 29, 2007 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Re: Happy Feeling
If the browns could do anything, we'd almost be living in a golden age of cleveland sports. Buckeyes are good, cavs in the finals, and the Indians building a strong foundation for years to come.
God truly does hate cleveland sports.

by Gradysmanldy on Jul 31, 2007 9:38 AM EDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Constantly updated Indians news, lots of in-depth analysis, live in-game discussions — and more fanatical and thoughtful Indians fans than every other web site combined.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Featured Poll

Poll
Will Matt LaPorta be on the opening day roster?

  179 votes | Results

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

Jared Goedert is Puddin Head Jones
Chisenhall v.  Hannahan
After watching Lindor in the Fall Instructional League, I have very little...
Coming off of an optimistic 80-82 season, is this the Indians window to win?  

See full post on Beyond the Box Score
Praising the Indians offseason
Brooks Baseball Stats
Hello my friends! I hope you guys are ready for Super Bowl Weekend? Make...
Heyman reporting Indians will sign Kotchman
Perez, Indians reach deal
Nationals pick up Durbin

+ New FanShot All FanShots >


Managers

427px-nap_lajoie_1913_small Ryan

Dosequisman_small Jay

Editors

3444ant_black_small APV

47b8dd28b3127cceb64839d9746800000026102bauwjrq3za_small afh4