Emotional week for Cleveland Indians' fans

I have to thank the good Lord above for helping me cope with this week.

For those of you not interested in Baseball, Cleveland Indians Baseball, or any hobby, you are saying, 'this girl has to get a grip and prioritize.'

I admit, I am an extremely emotional person. I may not show it almost never. But, I even cry at certain commercials, when a favorite song comes on--especially if it fits in with the scene and sign of the times, and am extremely passionate when it comes to 'my' Cleveland Indians.

I have stuck with them through thick and thin. When everyone else is saying, 'they suck,' I am saying they have a great group of guys who will start coming together. I've believed that for years. I do not like Eric Wedge. I've never liked the 'snorting,' 'eye blinking' crazy guy who makes, in my estimation the worst decisions as a major league baseball manager.

I get the game of baseball. I understand the strategies. We HAVE had talent for years! We technically were one game away from winning the world series a few years ago--we just needed one more game and we would have most definitely creamed the National League Champs.

But no, we have a so-so catcher turned manager leading the pack.

That said, this has been quite the emotional week.

I was speechless when Ryan Garko was traded to the San Francisco Giants Monday. Seeing him walk to his car with all of his bags, just surreal. Then to hear him on STO a few days later saying he was STILL in shock and at times speechless. He did say he is now on the outside looking in and has seen quite a mess over the last week (in regards to the dealings going on with the Cleveland Indians).

To date, my favorite players have been dealt away one by one --Casey Blake, Mark DeRosa, and now Ryan Garko.

And what did we get for them, really? The guy in the Mark DeRosa trade came in and immediately beaned two Chicago White Sox --one of them in the head! Nice going Shapiro!

Then the big deal so far, Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco to the Phillies for 4 'prospects.'

We all saw this coming but still can not fathom it.

For the 2nd year in a row, an unprecedented move which no other team has ever done--trading away the Cy Young Award winner.

Now, if we were getting ANYTHING in return, then maybe. But so far, a bunch of young players who are not even worthy of the major league level who we will probably trade down the road for something else never even getting a chance to play in a Cleveland Indians' uniform.

I hope this all pans out and Mark Shapiro comes out smelling like a rose. But, I really hope Mr. Dolan has the balls to ditch Shapiro and Wedge. We have HAD the talent for at least 5 years. We have. It has been HOW the talent has been utilized. Heck, when you shake up the lineup every single night and the same player plays every position, that's not the players' fault. Hmmm!! You don't see that happening in New York. You don't see it happening in Tampa or Philadelphia unless the star is getting a needed night off.

I have been able to handle this up til now. At first, with Garko, I was a bit disappointed but fine with it.

I must admit, the weekend with my best college friends last weekend has given me the added boost to deal with adversity whether it has to do with family issues, caregiving decisions, work, or the little irritations that occur in daily life.

If I would not have had that jaunt, this entry would have a much different tone.

That said, I still believe in my heart of hearts we had, and to some extent, still have good major league ballplayers who are willing to give their all (except Travis Hafner, who should have been giving 75 percent of his salary back for the last 3 years).

I will never abandon 'my' Indians even though it appears Mr. Dolan, Mark Shapiro, and Eric Wedge did that a long time ago.

On the go from 8am to 9pm

You have got to be kidding me!

On the go from 8am until roughly 9pm.

I thought this was the weekend. A time to rest, to rejuvenate, to escape from work.

Well, I never have a weekend. I may not physically be at my paying job, but I have a much bigger 'job' 24/7 which does not pay in money but gives great satisfaction and joy (as well as pain and stress).

Sunday's are yet another early early day for me being that I sing at Mass.

So I hoist my plump body from my makeshift bed/love seat and sing all morning long.

Then Mom and I made our way to the Indians' game. A 'fun' event in spirit but traveling with an older person makes it a challenging adventure with more stress than relaxation. But it's worth it seeing Mom's eyes light up as we enter Progressive Field and listen to her cheer on the guys rattling off stats that I never even knew she knew!

Sunday's they have a great brunch in the Terrace Club so we made our way upstairs.

Delicious!

Then we made our way down to our seats and our usher, who just loves Mom, saved her a seat at the top of our section so she did not have to sit in the sun. That is what I am talking about. With the stress comes such wonderful graces from God and amazing acts from our fellow humans.

The game sucked. I know that's not very literary but simply stated, the truth.

After the game, both of us were bushed. However, we had tickets for an event at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo with the Cleveland Indians. I told Mom, we may not get this chance again. So on we went to the Zoo.

Mom had not been there is eons. I was excited to share this with her. Not just seeing some of our favorite Tribesmen, but the whole zoo experience!

We wound up staying the entire event! WOW! Basically, members of the Indians were on hand to sign autographs and greet their fans. There were a few players at each exhibit. No way in heck to get every one's autograph but Mom and I were banking on just 2. We lucked out and got a few more than that, but had an amazing time.

We buzzed around the zoo seeing all of God's creatures. Each animal seemed to be more beautiful than the last. It turned out to be an extraordinary day. Pouring in the morning and sunny and 86 in the afternoon. A PERFECT day for a visit to the Zoo.

As we greeted fellow Indians' fans who we, on occasion, see at the games, we got glimpses of our boys in street clothes and made our way to most of the animal exhibits.

We were able to actually speak with Ryan Garko, Jeremy Sowers, Shin Soo Choo, David Huff, and a few more...they really are a nice group of guys.

And frankly, the Cleveland Indians are the best looking baseball team in the Major Leagues. Hands down. WOW! But, I've always known that!

As the sun began setting, and the little carts began leaving with our favorite ballplayers, we were not tired anymore. We were past the point of exhaustion. We casually made our way to the zoo exit realizing we had a God-given day filled with magic and memories.