Nothing better than beating the Yanks!

Independence Day 2011!

There is absolutely nothing more American than baseball! After an excellent 4th with the family eating, laughing, relaxing, playing with the pups, and just spending quality time with those I care for freely doing what I love in this great country I adore, on to the ballpark!

A fantastic match up: The New York Yankees against my Cleveland Indians! Josh Tomlin battling A.J. Burnett. SS Derek Jeter in the midst of his quest for his 3K hit! Would it happen here? Could it happen here? Anything is possible. We are in the United States of America, and it is Independence Day.

What an amazing evening at the ballpark! A fantastic sold out game surrounded by Cleveland AND New York fans. Cleveland and the Indians really put on a great show for all of our visitors. Be proud C-Town! The pre-game festivities moving for the 4th....and the fireworks shows at Progressive Field are THE absolute best you've ever seen around!

My Indians did not disappoint. A tremendous game to take in and feel proud about being not only an American, but a Clevelander and Cleveland Indians' fan. The scrappy boys played hard and strong. Austin Kearns hit his very 1st homer of the season to put the Indians ahead and they kept tacking them on to beat the Yankees 6-3 ultimately. Derek Jeter just back from the DL and went 0-4. Yes, I cheered him back as did the 40,000+ fans who flashed their cameras everytime he came up to the plate.

Carlos Santana's homer in the 8th sealed the deal. Josh Tomlin pitched a fantastic game. He became the ONLY pitcher in MLB to pitch at least 5.0 innings in each of his first 29 career appearances --since 1919! Tomlin went 7 innings then enter: The Bullpen Mafia! Tony Sipp, Vinnie 'boom bah' Pestano and Chris Perez entered the game and held it for their buddy Josh Tomlin.

I am a true baseball fan. I enjoy watching Major League Baseball (and minor league baseball too). I see talent for what it is worth. If a member of the opposing team makes a great play, I'll clap and give kudos where it's due. The Indians are my boys, but yes, I think I may have a favorite player on every team. The New York Yankees are a talented team. Some of you may say that is absurd, of course they are one of the best. Well, they are good. The New York Yankees get calls they should not because they are the Yanks. They make their share of mistakes. And I can not believe how arrogant A-Rod is strutting around his spot at 3rd base. I'm not a fan. Yes, I do like Jeter, Teixeria, Posada, and other dreaded Yanks.

I don't know what it is but even though winning is always accompanied by a tremendous feeling, beating the New York Yankees has it's own special feeling. You've not experienced that feeling of sheer ecstasy and satisfaction until you've sat in the stands at Progressive Field and watched the Indians pummel the Yankees or just win by one. It's a feeling like no other with any other team (except maybe the Red Sox) where you want to scream at the top of your lungs and party all night long after a win.

Yes, Independence Day 2011 brought that feeling to all Cleveland Indians' fans past and present. You feel like hugging everyone you come in contact with while wanting to just jump out of your skin and float on cloud 9. It's truly a phenomenal feeling that you never want to release. For the moment, after seeing the Indians beat the Yankees and one of THE best Cleveland fireworks shows ever, it is time to savor this feeling. I wish I could bottle it.

Sitting out in the open air watching my favorite sport & my favorite team on the 4th of July epitomizes what it means to be an American to me. I thank my forefathers from the bottom of my heart allowing me to be at this point where I can be me, say what I want, do what I enjoy, have hobbies and passions that bring tears of joy to my eyes knowing that no one can take any of this away from me.

Thank you, I love you, I have no idea how to pay you great forefathers back except to try and live the life you began and emulate you all as best as I can standing up for this great country and her ideals while keeping the definition of freedom ringing loudly!