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Jacobs Field
Experience
Cleveland, OH -
9/17/2004
by: Anthony Lorenzo
Cleveland Ohio was
the second leg of our Midwestern Ballpark tour. Mike and I drove
from Cincinnati on a rainy Friday Afternoon. We were worried that
the 7:10 game would be rained out, but where happy to see the
weather improve as we neared our destination. The Cleveland Indians
are one of the American League’s most historic organizations. They
were the first integrated American League team; Larry Doby took the
field for the Tribe in 1949. Since that historic day in 1949 the
Cleveland Indians and their fans have shared some of the worse
seasons in baseball history. After losing the 1954 World Series to
the underdog New York Giants the Indians spent the next 41 years on
the bottom of the American League standings. Never mind returning
to the World Series the Indians could only muster a top 3 finish in
4 of those 41 years. The Indians and their loyal fans where given
something to cheer about in 1994 when Jacobs Field opened. The
opening of Jacobs Field coincided with the arrival of future All
Stars Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Carlos
Baerga and Sandy Alomar. A winning decade was to follow, the Indians
won the American League pennant in 1995 and 1997 and made the
playoffs in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2001. The Indians have enjoyed
the greatest stretch in the franchise’s 104-year history. The impact
Jacobs Field had on the franchise was immeasurable; it put Cleveland
back on the baseball map and encouraged fans to flood the ballpark.
Mike and I where happy to find a
Sheraton Hotel located within walking distance of Jacobs Field and
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, just another site to see while in
Cleveland. Our hotel room had a great view of Lake Erie and Browns
Stadium, which is located on the same site as old Cleveland Stadium
aka The Mistake by the Lake. After settling in Mike and I decided
to catch a pregame meal. We decided on a Caribbean restaurant
called Key West, located in a downtown Galleria. For some reason or
another Caribbean food is a big part of the Cleveland restaurant
culture. Jacobs Field actually offers a Cuban sandwich. While
eating the weather took a turn for the worst. The clouds rolled in
and the wind began to howl, this wasn’t exactly optimal baseball
weather, but we where in town only for the night. So after a great
dinner it was back to the hotel for an extra shirt and pair of socks
before heading out of the Jake.
Although the game
between the hometown Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals
meant nothing in the standings I was looking forward to seeing the
Indians young lineup in action. Indians’ catcher Victor Martinez
and designated hitter Travis Hafner where putting up the best
numbers for players at their positions in Major League Baseball.
The Royals had high hopes coming into the 2004 season, but injuries
and poor pitching made the month of September a showcase for their
young players like John Buck and David DeJesus. The weather kept
many fans away that evening; Mike and I where only two of the 14,347
in attendance. With that much room to roam Jacobs Field we enjoyed
the game from different angles. One of these put us in prime
position to catch a foul ball, which is now proudly displayed in
Mike’s home. A 3-4 3 RBI game by David DeJesus and an Abraham Nunez
inside the park home run helped the Royals to a 6-4 win. After the
game Mike and I hit a few local bars to experience Cleveland
nightlife. I enjoyed its’ laid back style. Everyone was friendly
and the local brews where excellent, but we could not stay out all
night. We had to wake up the next morning and visit the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame before driving to Pittsburgh, our third city in as
many days.
Since its’ opening
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has brought millions of visitors to
Cleveland. It has added a sense of class to a city that is
otherwise known for its’ football fans who wear dog masks and throw
bones at opposing players. Mike and I were excited to see unique
exhibits, many of which where personal items of the artists. This
small detail prevents visitors from taking pictures throughout the
Hall. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame attracts all types of
individuals. Great music, like baseball, stands the test of time.
It allows a connection to be made throughout history. Music defines
generations. It brings its’ audience a constant experience while
the world around them has changed. Baseball provides its audience
with a similar experience. These sentiments can be best expressed
by a quote from the movie Field of Dreams when James Earl
Jones said, “ The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been
baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has
been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But
baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of
our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it
could be again.”
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