When it comes to Major League Baseball and especially the Cleveland Indians, I would be considered a "die-hard" fan. I subscribe to MLB.TV early on so I can catch all the spring training games in addition to every single ball game across the league being played. If the New York Yankees' CC Sabathia is taking a no-hitter to the top of the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox, I can tune right in. Nothing trumps the Indians however, be it at Progressive Field, on television, or sneaking a radio broadcast through my iPhone.
In Cleveland, the Indians unfortunately do not rally the same excitement like they did back in the 1990s. We have a first place team to cheer for but you would never know it. The stadium is typically half full on a good day and the attitude around town is geared more toward the opening of Cleveland Browns' training camp than that of "America's Pastime."
I do not blame Cleveland for their lack of interest. I for one would have no interest if a professional soccer team called Cleveland home but I do tend to take offense to "fans" with a bad attitude toward the team. I am irked by excuses such as who owns the team as "justification" to bad mouth a collection of players who are giving their all every game on the field.
Casual fans believe a blank check is all it will take to lure big-time free agents to the team. Indians closer Chris Perez said it best in his recent rant regarding fan interaction when he stated "I have talked to ex-players, guys we have released in recent years and it's a consensus- It's not a good atmosphere, it's not fun to be here."
It may or may not be a tough pill to swallow depending on how much you care, but when players state fan apathy and poor attitude as a primary reason why they do not want to play here and not "ownership" as is the popular battle cry on forums and talk radio, perhaps it is time to reconsider some popular opinions.
What does it matter? The Browns are going to the Super Bowl and the Cavs will be in the NBA Finals next season while the first place Indians will just falter come next month anyway. That is unless of course Dolan sells the team.
More Cleveland Indians Commentary from Paul Rados:
Cleveland Indians' highs and lows against the Minnesota Twins, May 14-15: A fan's take
Cleveland Indians' highs and lows against the Boston Red Sox, May 10-13: A fan's take
Cleveland Indians to "Fill the House" for Our Lady of the Wayside on May 8
Cleveland Indians' highs and lows against the Texas Rangers, May 4-6: A fan's take
Sources:
All data provided by MLB.com
Paul Rados is an avid Cleveland Indians fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook.
