Here is another one of my favorite songs about the Tribe;
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/cle/downloads/itstribetimenow_track15.mp3
Copy and paste the link into your browser if the link doesn't work.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Indian Fever
There was a jingle introducing the Indians games on radio when I was younger called: Indian Fever. Even thought the attendance has been HORRIBLE, if the Indians start to put some wins together, the fans will show up and Tribe fans will have a case of Indian Fever. After reading my son, Drew, tweets, it sound like he has Indian fever. I know Rachel, Emily, and Mark do as well. If only Luann would catch it (ha ha). I found this link. I hope you enjoy! If you can't click on the link, copy it and paste it in your browser.
http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/CLEVELAND-OH/WTAM-AM/Indian%20Fever_2.mp3
http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/CLEVELAND-OH/WTAM-AM/Indian%20Fever_2.mp3
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
League Park
Perhaps a future post will discuss my favorite baseball parks. One such park, League Park, ceases to exist.
League Park was the first home of the beloved Featherheads. Located at the corner of Lexington and East 66th in Cleveland, League Park (also known as Dunn Park) has been torn down since the early 1960's. I had the opportunity to play in League Park, to pitch on the very same mound that Cy Young pitched from when I played for Lutheran East in the early 1970's. We played East Tech High School, as that was their home field. I was in awe as I walked in the outfield, looking up in right field at the tall fence that was only 290 feet from home plate, and imaging Babe Ruth lofting a high homer onto the street below. I wanted to go into the wreckage of what once was the dugout and clubhouse to see if I would catch a glimpse of history, but I was afraid of rats. Seriously, my coach warned us not to stray too far from our bench, but just the thought of walking the hallowed grounds of Speaker, Cobb, Ruth, etc was like living a dream.
I can't remember HOW I pitched but I remember that I did get the opportunity to pitch, and for that I am thankful.
I share this with you to let you know that there is an effort to restore League Park. Do yourself a favor and visit www.LeaguePark.org to catch a glimpse of history. If you feel so inclined, sign the petition to restore the facility for others to see.
Perhaps that visit to League Park planted the seeds for my love of old ballparks. I would have loved to have seen the old Polo Grounds, Sportsmans Park in St. Louis, and other old ball parks. Maybe that is why I would like to travel to Pittsburgh to see their new park, as well as St. Louis to see the new Busch. At any rate, enjoy www.Leaguepark.org. It is a step back in time, and helped me remember the time when a freshman pitcher for the Falcons toed the rubber at old League Park.
League Park was the first home of the beloved Featherheads. Located at the corner of Lexington and East 66th in Cleveland, League Park (also known as Dunn Park) has been torn down since the early 1960's. I had the opportunity to play in League Park, to pitch on the very same mound that Cy Young pitched from when I played for Lutheran East in the early 1970's. We played East Tech High School, as that was their home field. I was in awe as I walked in the outfield, looking up in right field at the tall fence that was only 290 feet from home plate, and imaging Babe Ruth lofting a high homer onto the street below. I wanted to go into the wreckage of what once was the dugout and clubhouse to see if I would catch a glimpse of history, but I was afraid of rats. Seriously, my coach warned us not to stray too far from our bench, but just the thought of walking the hallowed grounds of Speaker, Cobb, Ruth, etc was like living a dream.
I can't remember HOW I pitched but I remember that I did get the opportunity to pitch, and for that I am thankful.
I share this with you to let you know that there is an effort to restore League Park. Do yourself a favor and visit www.LeaguePark.org to catch a glimpse of history. If you feel so inclined, sign the petition to restore the facility for others to see.
Perhaps that visit to League Park planted the seeds for my love of old ballparks. I would have loved to have seen the old Polo Grounds, Sportsmans Park in St. Louis, and other old ball parks. Maybe that is why I would like to travel to Pittsburgh to see their new park, as well as St. Louis to see the new Busch. At any rate, enjoy www.Leaguepark.org. It is a step back in time, and helped me remember the time when a freshman pitcher for the Falcons toed the rubber at old League Park.
Monday, April 4, 2011
My favorite baseball team (s)
As you know, I am a die hard Indians fan. I will be until the day I die, and even then they won't win the World Series. But I digress. As I sit in my easy chair on my day off, I am watching the Brewers pregame show. I am a Brewers fan, sort of. After going to a few games with Emily when she was at Mequon, I developed an interest in the Brewers.
Then again, I am a Cardinal fan, sort of. I watched the Cards while on vicarage and maintain an interest in them. So too the Nationals, as I was able to attend a Nationals game in Washington in their first season in DC. I got to see the Astros play at Minute Maid Park last year during the LCMS convention. I am not presently followed the Stros, but I could be persuaded to follow them. Funny, though, I don't follow the Cubs or the White Sox. Even though I went to games in Chicago when I went to RF, I never really developed an interest in them.
Now, I may develop an interest in the Pirates this year. Pittsburgh? Why Pittsburgh? Well, I do get to see them for free on tv, and I really would like to make a trip to Pitt to see their ballpark, so who knows?
Now the Reds, they are a different story. I never liked the Reds, but I do appreciate their history. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the Reds ALWAYS send me a clergy pass to see games for free each season (are you listening Mark Shapiro????). So I will watch the Reds, and hope to go to at least one game this season to make good on that clergy pass! Those are the teams I follow, but it is the Tribe until I die!
Then again, I am a Cardinal fan, sort of. I watched the Cards while on vicarage and maintain an interest in them. So too the Nationals, as I was able to attend a Nationals game in Washington in their first season in DC. I got to see the Astros play at Minute Maid Park last year during the LCMS convention. I am not presently followed the Stros, but I could be persuaded to follow them. Funny, though, I don't follow the Cubs or the White Sox. Even though I went to games in Chicago when I went to RF, I never really developed an interest in them.
Now, I may develop an interest in the Pirates this year. Pittsburgh? Why Pittsburgh? Well, I do get to see them for free on tv, and I really would like to make a trip to Pitt to see their ballpark, so who knows?
Now the Reds, they are a different story. I never liked the Reds, but I do appreciate their history. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the Reds ALWAYS send me a clergy pass to see games for free each season (are you listening Mark Shapiro????). So I will watch the Reds, and hope to go to at least one game this season to make good on that clergy pass! Those are the teams I follow, but it is the Tribe until I die!
Retiring, Sort of
Well I am retiring, sort of. As some of you know, I have spent the past couple of years as a play by play man on WFCO radio and LSN TV. By my count just this year, I have done over a dozen football games either on radio or tv, and close to 30 basketball games on radio and tv. Last week I was able to call the Fairfield Christian baseball game on WFCO (most of the games can be listened to again, if you have nothing better to do, by going to www.wfcofm.com and clicking on the sports section). It will be my last game for a while. While I enjoy doing the games, my schedule becomes tighter in the season of Lent. Baseball games begin at 5 pm and go into the early evening. I DO have evening meetings, so that necessitates my inability to call baseball games. More importantly, though, I want to see my son, Mark, play baseball during the season and Mark takes a priority over the play by play duties. I still get invitations to do some games, and perhaps I will take a game or two, but family comes first. So, for the next few months, I will be taking a break. So I am retiring, sort of, until I am asked again to call a high school game.
Time begins
There is an old baseball saying: Time begins on Opening Day. I went to the Indians opener last Friday after the District Board of Directors meeting in Cleveland. I took my daughter Emily and we enjoyed the day together. You can't really have a bad day at the ballpark. The Tribe lost in typical Indians' fashion, giving up a slew of runs in the first four innings, driving most fair weather fans out of the ballpark. This was fortuitous for Emily and I, as we moved down into the box seats in the lower deck to watch the rest of the game. While disappointed in the Tribe loss, it was great to spend the day with Emily at the ballpark. There were some reasons for optimism regarding the Indians this weekend: the play of Jack Hanaman at third, the hitting of Travis Hafner, the pitching of Justin Masterson and the rest of the bullpen. If the Tribe gets some pitching they MAY surprise this year. But what do I know, I thought OSU would win the NCAA tourney and I picked the Blue Jackets to make the playoffs. That being said, it is good to have baseball back. After running some Coroner errands I will be watching some baseball this afternoon, thanks to the free MLB preview this week. The Brewers are on, followed by the Cardinals/Pirates tonight.
The National Championship Game
U Conn vs. Butler. It is the national championship game in college basketball tonight. I must admit, seeing as OSU is out of the tournament, I have lost a lot of interest in the games. My attention is turned to baseball right now. But who do you like tonight? I think U Conn will win, but I will be rooting for the Bulldogs. I hope I see a headline tomorrow as in: Butler Did It
April Fool
Usually my lovely wife plays an April Fool's joke on me. Her sense of humor is notorious: last year she called my barber to ask him to tell me that I had lice in my hair. April Fools! A few years ago she had a friend call me and offer to sign me and my hard of hearing pooch up for dog hearing aids. April Fools! Luann hasn't struck yet, but it is only April 4. She can strike at any time. I must be ready.
Seeing as it has been a while since I posted (I apologize) I noted that my last post dealt with my faith in the Blue Jackets ability to make the playoffs. Was I ever wrong! April Fools! The joke has been on Blue Jacket fans for the past ten years. The team has largely been incapable of putting forth an effort night in and night out. And seeing as how this team did not compete last night against the Blues, I am wondering if my faith will prove to be in vain. Oh, I know that this team has been out of the playoff hunt for a while. But will they be able to compete next year? This team has so many holes, can any GM fill them all in one off season? Major changes are needed for the Jackets. The fan base is eroding. I will remain a fan, but will the others? The Blue Jackets have proven to play an April Fool's Joke on all hockey fans in Central Ohio again. Yes, the joke is on me.
Seeing as it has been a while since I posted (I apologize) I noted that my last post dealt with my faith in the Blue Jackets ability to make the playoffs. Was I ever wrong! April Fools! The joke has been on Blue Jacket fans for the past ten years. The team has largely been incapable of putting forth an effort night in and night out. And seeing as how this team did not compete last night against the Blues, I am wondering if my faith will prove to be in vain. Oh, I know that this team has been out of the playoff hunt for a while. But will they be able to compete next year? This team has so many holes, can any GM fill them all in one off season? Major changes are needed for the Jackets. The fan base is eroding. I will remain a fan, but will the others? The Blue Jackets have proven to play an April Fool's Joke on all hockey fans in Central Ohio again. Yes, the joke is on me.
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