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My Highlights from the 2019 Indians season

My Highlights from the 2019 Indians Season - Just a note that These games are chosen not only for significance to all Indians' fans but for me personally. I think this reflects how we all experience the Indians, on both an individual and communal basis.

1. Monday, April 1st – Indians 5, White Sox 3 – My first home opener was a cold one, but a fun one as the Indians scored 4 runs in the 8th inning to take the game. This was back when I thought Max Moroff might be a decent option at second-base (he had a hit and an RBI) and when I thought Jose Ramirez might be coming out of his slump (still two months away from that). It was fun to go and see the spectacle and a win! Clevinger also pitched 7 strong with 12 strikeouts in the beginning of a strong season for him (albeit while missing a couple months due to an injury).

2. Friday, April 5th – Indians 3 Blue Jays 2 – The Indians of April and May 2019 were absolutely carried by Carlos Santana. Notoriously a slow starter, Santana was driving the ball over the field including the game-winning walk off homer in this one in the bottom of the 9th. Santana reportedly tells the Indians General Manager how happy he is to be back in Cleveland and that this is his home, and you have to love that, and the leadership he provides. Plus, he’s always good for a ton of walks and 25-30 homers a season. Bieber also pitched well in this game.

3. Tuesday, May 14th – Indians 9, White Sox 0 – Oscar Mercado Debut – May was a terrible month for the Indians, and, at this point, fans were feeling especially disappointed that the Indians didn’t spend some money on getting an outfielder or a DH to store up the lineup. Cue the debut of Oscar Mercado, who brought life to the Indians’ offense and was a bright spot all year long. Now, he struck out three times in this game, but it wasn’t long before he took Leonys Martin’s spot in centerfield. This was a great game for Jordan Luplow, who was another star performer for the Tribe’s beleaguered outfield. This game also featured one of Carrasco’s last good starts before his leukemia diagnosis.

4. Tuesday, June 4th - Indians 5, Twins 2 – This game was a great picture of the kind of team the Indians were at their best in 2019. Shane Bieber, Oliver Perez and Brad Hand locked down the potent Twins’ lineup, Lindor hit two homers, and Roberto Perez added a homer, also. Roberto Perez was a great surprise for the Indians this year, offering amazing defense but far exceeding anyone’s expectations as a hitter also. This game let the Twins know that the Indians weren’t quite done yet…

5. Friday, June 7th – Indians 5, Yankees 2 – It’s always worth noting when you get to go to an Indians’ game where they beat the Yankees. In this case, I saw another clutch home run from Santana, saw Zach Plesac pitch well, and saw Brad Hand look untouchable (a dead arm would change that starting in July). Even in a season that ends without your team in the playoffs, I think it’s important to remember good memories like this one!

6. Tuesday, July 4th – Indians 8, Royals 4 – After a very distressing beginning to the season, Jose returned from Paternity leave a new dad and a new man – he hit two homers in this game and I finally began to believe he was back. And, until he broke his hamate bone in late August, he was a force again in the Indians’ lineup. This was the closest game to my birthday the Indians played this year, and it was present enough to see that Jose Ramirez might be an MVP-level hitter again.

7. July 12th – Indians 3, Twins 5 – Before this game, I had the chance to go to the Home Run Derby and All-Star game due to the generosity of my wife and family. Those were incredible experiences I will always remember! But, foremost in the memories of that week was taking my three-month old son (our firstborn) to this game! Sure, the Indians lost an important inter-division battle, but he got on the big screen and got his first certificate as a baseball fan (he also decided we should leave while the Tribe was still ahead, smart on his part). Something I’d always dreamed of experiencing happened and it put baseball in the right perspective.

8. Monday, August 12th – Indians 6, Boston 5 – After launching a go-ahead grand slam in the 10th inning against the Twins to put the Indians into a tie for the division lead (after being 11 games back in June), Carlos Santana hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th to salvage a game that Brad Hand blew to the Red Sox and give the Indians a (brief) half-game lead in the division. Euphoria in Cleveland! Even though the bullpen’s struggles would continue, and Jose’s injury was just around the corner, it is still worth celebrating this special moment in the season.

9. Thursday, August 15th – Indians 19, Yankees 5 – It’s also worth celebrating when the Indians absolutely tattoo the Yankees in New York, leaving Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone to suggest that baseball should get a mercy rule. I don’t know what else to say but you should go read and re-read the box score for this one, because it was a blast in more ways than one. I remember thinking, "Plutko starting in Yankee stadium... this is not going to go well."

10. Sunday, September 1st - Indians 2, Tampa Bay Rays 8 - A rough loss, and costly in the playoff hunt, but this game is a highlight because Carlos Carrasco made his way back to the mound after his diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia. Perhaps it is fitting that the Indians lost the game while Carrasco won the first stage of his battle with leukemia by returning to the mound, reminding us that there are far more important things than winning and losing in life. Cookie seems like an outstanding human being, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he continues to beat the disease and help others in the future.

11. Monday, September 2nd – Indians 11, White Sox 3 – This was my favorite game of the year. In reality, it was a slog, with 18 walks and 3 errors. BUT, thanks to the generosity of friends, I got to take my wife and son and sit in seats right behind home plate, and MY SON WATCHED THE GAME. He was locked in for the first 3-4 innings, before he napped for a bit, but, man, that was just the best experience to see him take some early, baby interest in the sport I love. Every game is meaningful to someone. This game also featured good efforts from Jake Bauers, who had a disappointing season, but will hopefully learn from his mistakes (and perhaps his laziness) and improve next year.

12. Tuesday, September 24th – Indians 11, White Sox 0 – The Indians enjoyed their last day of looking like a possible wildcard entrant in spectacular fashion, as Jose returned amazingly early from hamate surgery and hit two home runs, a grand slam and a three-run homer. It’s kinda shocking that so many of these games I’ve highlighted were wins agains the White Sox, as the Indians actually lose the season series to the White Sox, which was a big blow to their playoff hopes. But, for one beautiful night, a magical run was still possible, and, if nothing else, we were reminded again of the special kind of player Jose Ramirez is.

Summary: I am disappointed the Indians did not make the playoffs. I think their chances were hurt by ownership’s decision to cut payroll entering the season, a couple of small mistakes by the Front Office in choosing players in whom they would invest the resources they had, some poor, strategic maneuvering by Tito (the Indians led the AL in sacrifice bunts by a wide margin, bunting at least four times the amount of any other American League contending team), and, most importantly, prominent injuries to players like Kluber, Clevinger, Lindor, Ramirez, and others, as well as Carrasco’s leukemia. There need to be some additions made to shore up next year’s roster – more on that later – and some development of prospects who are on the verge of helping the major league club to help next year’s team make a playoff run. But, with that said, I loved following this year’s team, I loved MANY additions the team made (Franmil Reyes is so much fun, I like James Hoyt, Logan Allen, Scott Moss, Christian Arroyo, Daniel Johnson and Jefry Rodriguez for the future), and I especially loved sharing the game I love with my son in his first few months of life. Looking forward to 2020 already!

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