Future Signage?

I got to thinking, which is dangerous, I know, about what Jacobs, er, Progressive Field would like should Cleveland do away with the "Indians" moniker altogether... Here is my first rough draft:

I suppose I would have to change the name of my blog as well.... nah.

My trip to The Jake

Monday, my family and I loaded up and headed to Cleveland from Pittsburgh. We spent the day checking out a couple things before heading to the Indians game. Just as we approached, the bottom fell out of a threatening sky.

It rained for a while, and since we weren't sure at that point if there would be a game, we snapped some pics. We happened to park on the centerfield side of the park near Gate C. So, we got in, each of us snagging a cool Cabrera bobblehead, and headed to Heritage Park.

Heritage Park is amazing in the rain, so I bet it is even sweeter when one is not being showered by an evening rain. The rain wasn't heavy, but it was constant. I love the Bob Feller wall. My favorite spot, of course, is the future home of the Thome statue.

We took Emily to KidZone where she made a foam visor with lots of decorations and I played a very fun card game with some of the zone staff. The cards are round with various pictures, logos, etc. each player gets a card. The center pile gets one card flipped over. Players look for a match on their card and the center card. Yell out your match first and you win the card. The player with the most cards at the end wins. My daughter climbed the rock wall after her crafting was done. To 4 year old, the wall must seem huge. To my daughter (not quit a teen), it was almost too small to enjoy. But, she did enjoy it anyway. We also managed to get in a fast-moving photo line and took our pic with Aaron Cunningham. He is a very nice guy.

The whole time, I had been talking and texting with Jack (known as Baseball Dad in the blogosphere). After the game was underway, we finally met near the bleachers. That was cool! We chatted a bit. I have saving wrappers from the breaks to give him but with the rain, I left them in the car. Turns out I will be mailing them after all. Haha, figures.

The game itself was great - a sweet battle back and forth between the two Ohio teams. Even sweeter: the Indians won, putting the horrid playing in Pittsburgh behind them.

I took lots of pictures that will get posted after we get back from our trip. In the meantime, here are some from my iPhone (I am using the Blogger app to post while on the road).

Heading to the Big Show!

Every year, our family takes a road trip for vacation.  For the past several years, we have tried very hard to incorporate a Major League Baseball game into that trip.  This year is no different.  Actually, this year will be a LOT different!

You see, this year, we are going to see TWO baseball games at two different parks.  That's not even the best part.  The best part?  I will finally get to see the Cleveland Indians play at The Jake! Wahoo! (Yeah, yeah, to me it will ALWAYS be The Jake.)

Most of my side of the family lives in/near Pittsburgh, so this year our vacation will take us back to my hometown.  When we go, we will catch a game in Cleveland at the beginning of the week and then a Pirates game near the end of the week! Wahoo!  I have never looked forward to June so much - not even when I was a kid waiting for the first day of summer break!

The great thing about seeing the Pirates play? Some of my extended family will be joining us!  I can't even remember the last time I saw a ballgame with my Mom's brother and and sister.  Heck, I'm not even sure we ever did, though I think we did.  Probably back in '77 or '78 maybe?

This is the #5 thing on my Bucket List, and since two of those have already been crossed off, seeing the Indians play *IN* Cleveland is actually #3 on my of things still to do! Wahoo!!  I.AM.EXCITED!

Dick Jacobs, Rest in Peace

83-year old Dick Jacobs passed away Friday, and Indians fans have lost a significant figure in Cleveland baseball history. He is the reason the field was called "Jacob's Field" before the whole Progressive thing. He's the reason the Indians stayed in Cleveland at all. He's the reason many Indians fans will always fondly refer to the current field as "The Jake."

I learned of his passing from Baseball Dad's post on his blog. I've been watching ESPN all morning, and never once had they mentioned it. That's unfortunate, and perhaps they will put together something for later today.

The simple fact is that the Tribe sucked and Jacobs became the reason the Indians remained in town. When things looked bad for the team and their staying power in Cleveland, Jacobs was courted to come in and save the team. A new attitude, a new team, a new field (eventually) and the Indians became a force to be reckoned with. In the early days of his ownership (late 80's - early 90's), he took the full brunt of the blame while building the minor league system up to par. Luckily for the Tribe, Jacobs was more than able to handle the cost himself (having been worth an estimated $500 million in 1986!). There are always growing pains when a new owner comes in, and this was no different. But, like most things in life: where there is pain, there is growth.

The Indians got the players they needed, the branding they needed, and managed to find themselves in multiple post-season (including a couple World Series) appearances - a long stretch from the Tribe of the 80's.

Even though the Indians are struggling this season, as far as I'm concerned, the principles, ideas, and heart that Jacobs put into effect to turn the Tribe around makes all the headache and heartache worth it.

I can only imagine Jacobs was met at the pearly gates by former Tribers tipping their hats to the man who brought back that Indians pride.