TopThrill182
Towel Waver
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2009
- Messages
- 56
- Reaction score
- 131
- Points
- 33
This hurts.
I respect the fact that the Indians accomplished more this postseason than anyone outside of Cleveland (and many Clevelanders themselves) thought possible. The team suffered some seemingly devastating injuries early and still found a way win into November. I realize I should be content with that accomplishment alone, but...
The Indians came so close to winning the title! Even last night when it seemed at times like all hope was lost, they still found a way to create some unlikely magic. It's hard not to wonder "what if" and wish the Tribe had taken that final step. A World Series championship would have been amazing for the city, especially coming so soon after the equally gratifying NBA one.
I live outside of Ohio now, and I keep hearing at work today how last night offered a "great game." It was certainly epic. Even though I'm primarily a Cavs fan now and only seriously followed the Indians during the postseason (sorry!), I felt a full range of emotions last night. Davis's HR in the 8th was one of the most incredible sports moments I've witnessed. But we still lost. I'm having a hard time embracing a loss at that level as "great," no matter how justifiable that choice may seem. I'm left wishing that "great game" could have been incorporated into our championship story.
The Indians had some mistakes and missed opportunities last night (not to mention Games 5 and 6). I would have pulled Kluber and Shaw earlier than they were. (I'm not convinced the rain delay negatively affected the Indians. Shaw barely survived pitching in the rain beforehand.) Gomes swinging at an unraveling Champan instead of taking the probable walk was frustrating. Some infield, outfield plays could have been cleaned up. And Kipnis's foul ball in the bottom of the 9th was a reminder of how meaningful a hard hit from the top of the order would have been at that point to close out the game.
But in the end, the Cubs had a number of miscues, too. The wild pitch that allowed two Indians runs comes to mind. A tired Champan helped as well. So I don't think the final result can be blamed so much on mistakes. The Cubs' pitching staff rightfully had more energy left than did ours, and Cleveland's offense couldn't come through with as many timely hits as could Chicago's.
I agree that the Indians' season this year reminds me a lot of the Cavs' 2014-15 season: a lot of early promise; some untimely injuries that seem irrecoverable; the team finds a way to keep winning when everyone says they can't; the team appears to be in a position to win it all; but luck and bodies run out, reality sets in, and the opposition with greater depth triumphs.
Hopefully the Indians' trajectory continues like the Cavs' and the Tribe comes back to win it all next year. Regardless, this year was fun. As is the Cleveland way, we'll continue to believe.
I respect the fact that the Indians accomplished more this postseason than anyone outside of Cleveland (and many Clevelanders themselves) thought possible. The team suffered some seemingly devastating injuries early and still found a way win into November. I realize I should be content with that accomplishment alone, but...
The Indians came so close to winning the title! Even last night when it seemed at times like all hope was lost, they still found a way to create some unlikely magic. It's hard not to wonder "what if" and wish the Tribe had taken that final step. A World Series championship would have been amazing for the city, especially coming so soon after the equally gratifying NBA one.
I live outside of Ohio now, and I keep hearing at work today how last night offered a "great game." It was certainly epic. Even though I'm primarily a Cavs fan now and only seriously followed the Indians during the postseason (sorry!), I felt a full range of emotions last night. Davis's HR in the 8th was one of the most incredible sports moments I've witnessed. But we still lost. I'm having a hard time embracing a loss at that level as "great," no matter how justifiable that choice may seem. I'm left wishing that "great game" could have been incorporated into our championship story.
The Indians had some mistakes and missed opportunities last night (not to mention Games 5 and 6). I would have pulled Kluber and Shaw earlier than they were. (I'm not convinced the rain delay negatively affected the Indians. Shaw barely survived pitching in the rain beforehand.) Gomes swinging at an unraveling Champan instead of taking the probable walk was frustrating. Some infield, outfield plays could have been cleaned up. And Kipnis's foul ball in the bottom of the 9th was a reminder of how meaningful a hard hit from the top of the order would have been at that point to close out the game.
But in the end, the Cubs had a number of miscues, too. The wild pitch that allowed two Indians runs comes to mind. A tired Champan helped as well. So I don't think the final result can be blamed so much on mistakes. The Cubs' pitching staff rightfully had more energy left than did ours, and Cleveland's offense couldn't come through with as many timely hits as could Chicago's.
I agree that the Indians' season this year reminds me a lot of the Cavs' 2014-15 season: a lot of early promise; some untimely injuries that seem irrecoverable; the team finds a way to keep winning when everyone says they can't; the team appears to be in a position to win it all; but luck and bodies run out, reality sets in, and the opposition with greater depth triumphs.
Hopefully the Indians' trajectory continues like the Cavs' and the Tribe comes back to win it all next year. Regardless, this year was fun. As is the Cleveland way, we'll continue to believe.
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