Browns, Netflix TV, and Smashing Pumpkins: While We’re Waiting
September 8, 2016Brandon was the right Guy(er) at trade deadline for Indians
September 8, 2016Those darn midges! Well, no, actually. Fans of the Cleveland Indians (80-58) should only have warm memories of our little insect friends helping our beloved Tribe win when it is most needed. On Wednesday, the midges invaded Progressive Field once again, and the Indians won just as they had on that warm October night years ago. This time around, the Tribe won 6-5 over the Houston Astros (74-65) in a much-needed game, having dropped the first two of a four-game set.
For Wednesday, it was about Carlos Carrasco who pitched well all the way into the eighth inning despite giving up four runs in 7 1/3 innings. He focused and hunkered down while his neck visibly was spotted from the midges.
On the other end, the Indians put good wood on pitches from Doug Fister all night, yet struggled to plate runs early on. After spending some time trading runs with the Astros, the Indians broke through in the fifth inning. They would enter down a run, and leave up three.
https://vine.co/v/552qh3TAdVI
Mike Napoli began the party with a 400-plus-foot, two-run home run into the left field bleachers as he continues to strike fear into the drum of John Adams. Lonnie Chisenhall and Rajai Davis would reach base safely before the Astros would put left-handed Kevin Chapman on the mound. Terry Francona, despite the early inning, would counter with his southpaw killer, Brandon Guyer. The move would pay off as Guyer doubled home both men on base.
Sure, Andrew Miller would give up a home run, and Carrasco’s final line was not spectacular, but all is well that ends well, and this fairy tale had a happy ending.
https://vine.co/v/55Vvnut90TT
Magic Midges
Back in the olden days of 2007, Joba Chamberlain was a feared 21-year-old rookie reliever for the New York Yankees. He pitched 24 innings down the stretch run and allowed one earned run. One! He also struck out 36 hitters while only walking six. Chamberlain was not feared by the opposition as much as their fates were accepted. When Joba came in, threats ended, games were locked up, and everyone moved onto the next game.
The Indians, however, had a secret weapon—approximately 10,000 of them. Yes, the famous Midge Game of 2007 was where this swarm of harmless, non-biting bugs descended upon Game 2 of the ALDS and upon Joba Chamberlain, in particular. These magical creatures were not commonly known to even most natives of the Northcoast other than as some form of gnat they saw along the shoreline sometimes. However, they were so much more. These little buggers had the ability to humble even the Mighty Joba.
Under the trance from the midges, Chamberlain’s feared arsenal of pitches faltered. He walked two batters, he hit another with an errant throw, and he allowed a save-blowing run on a throw that met the backstop, allowing Grady Sizemore to advance from third. Having his aura besmirched, Chamberlain would allow another run in Game 3 even without the midges present.
Joba would go on to pitch another 17 appearances and 12 innings of postseason work as a member of the New York Yankees. He would win a World Series ring in 2009. He would only give up three runs and would never again blow a save for New York. Yet, for all of eternity, the story of how the tiny little midges defeated him will live on.
Love for Joba
The midges did more than defeat Joba Chamberlain, they transformed him into a loveable man whose presence on the Cleveland Indians relief corps in 2016 signalled a likely return of his old friends.
And, Chamberlain was quite happy to discuss the legend.
I don't know if shudder is the word, but we will go with that one @Cut4 https://t.co/Zycwsvhik7
— Joba Chamberlain (@Joba_44) September 8, 2016
Of course, Chamberlain learned a few things from his last meeting of the midges…
https://twitter.com/BBTN/status/773724014535671809
And he commisserates with the focus needed from Carlos Carrasco on such a night.
We have just bonded on the deepest of levels!! https://t.co/ZtBfL4yDdu
— Joba Chamberlain (@Joba_44) September 8, 2016
Thank you Joba Chamberlain for being such a great sport about the midges. While some might see it a stain on an otherwise fantastic career, it is refreshing to see one understand that such amazing events are what humanize even the most dominant of players. Godspeed and here is hoping that you receive another World Series ring when the Indians win in 2016 for your early season efforts.
8 Comments
I agree, that was really cool to see Joba remember the midge game playfully. We are 2-0 when the midges swarm… maybe we should just keep a fresh batch of them rolling for each home game.
Gotta save them for special events or the opposition will learn to combat them.
Seriously though, how are the Indians not trained to just douse in water and NOT use bug spray? Cmon guys!
” … Party time!” A new and fitting home run call? Maybe retiring the abominable, midge-in-my-eye “souvenir city”? Thank you, Matt Underwood. Appreciate the freshness, even if a trifle late in the season.
I couldn’t agree more if I had five hundred hands to raise.
If I ever get to call an Indians game, then I would utilize the phrase “Bang the Drum!” but I agree “Party Time” is fitting for this year’s team.
I just hope that is the last time Allen faces Altuve this year. That nod was a nice sign of respect, and a warning that it won’t happen again.
I wouldn’t mind facing the Astros in the playoffs. I’ll trust Allen to set him down.
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