1. Irrational Expectations
Every off season Indians fans peruse the roster. They figure out how each player is going to be healthy, each player is going to fall into the role which we all envision and even if something goes wrong we can go with plan B.

Example: Look at the year Victor had last year. If he does that again, we’ll role and even if he doesn’t Shoppach won’t have any problem coming in. He should be starting for every other team in baseball, right now.

2. Discouragement

As the glow and promise of Spring Training dwindle, every year Inidans fans make the trip back to the snow belt and wonder why things didn’t play out the way they were supposed to.

Example: We should be 8-2 right now instead of 5-5. Grady has 3 homeruns already. Our starters have gone into the 7th inning 8 times and everyone except Victor is healthy.

3. Rationalization

Cleveland isn’t made up of a bunch of wusses that can’t take a little hardship. They might remember past frustrations, but there’s got to be some reason for hope, right.

Example: If we would have gotten that runner home from 3rd with no outs in game 2, Betancourt not give up that homer in game 4, and if Marte wouldn’t have gotten picked off first before Grady hit that one out in game 7 we’d have taken all three of those games. If a few balls bounce our way, we’re having a different conversation. When things balance out, we should be in good shape. Just wait till Victor gets healthy.

4. The Search for Meaning

There has to be a reason things aren’t working out. Indians fans are never sure what it is, but they sure as heck know it’s one thing, and one thing exactly. And nothing else. But nobody ever knows which one thing it really is. One thing for sure, is that you won’t get any clues from Indians beat writers – or will you?

Example: Fan A might say "This is all Wedge’s fault. He refuses to play Marte, he keeps making mistakes with the bullpen and there is no way Blake should be batting as high as 8th in the batting order." Fan B is positive it’s the hitting coach. He’s the only common link to all the hitters, so what else could it be. Fan C thinks it’s because we failed to make a trade to acquire a guy tearing it up for another team. Imagine if we got him, none of the rest of this would happen.

5. Adoration of the Unworthy

Cleveland loves their guys. Sometimes their guys haven’t been here in years. Sometimes their guys are years from being here. But one thing is certain. Their guys are not currently in the every day line-up.

Example: Why the heck aren’t we playing Andy Marte? Nick Weglarz is going to be amazing in a few years. I miss Omar. What, Grady’s doing what? Who cares!

6. Acceptance of Abject Failure

Cleveland fans can only hold out hope for so long. They believe down to their core that someday the other shoe will drop. All their fears will be realized, and they will be sad once again this year.

Example: Screw it. I knew this was going to happen. This always happens. Remember the ALCS last year? Remember Edgar Renteria. We might as well just give up.

7. Planning for the Future

Time once again to peruse the Indians roster and figure out who we can pawn off to others for some players that can help next year. Time to take a look at other guys we already have. Next year, we should be able to bounce back if everything goes to plan. If not, we’ve always got plan B.

Example: Let’s trade everyone who is good and everyone who sucks and get a bunch of guys that are better. Let’s bring up everyone from the minors because they can’t be any worse. How long till Weglarz is ready? We should trade Casey Blake for Tim Lincecum. Then if Westbrook gets healthy, our starters will be amazing. That way Marte can play too. I miss Omar.