Twelve Highlights from
My 2019 Indians Season
1. Monday, April 1st
– Indians 5, White Sox 3 – My first home opener (thank you, Ken Simko!) 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 – 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. Wednesday, 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 Chelsea, Chelsea’s family, and my family. Those were incredible experiences I will always remember! But, foremost in the memories of that week was taking Elliot to this game! Sure, the Indians lost an important inter-division battle, but Elliot 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. Thanks to my wife, Chelsea, for her loving support of my love of the game.
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.
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 between the two teams. BUT, thanks to the
generosity of our friends, Mark and Debra Strang, I got to take Chelsea and Elliot and sit
in seats right behind home plate, and ELLIOT 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 Nick Wittgren, 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!
