It's been six years since the Indians were last in the playoffs. As he though about both teams, west side fan John Chimurra said the current roster doesn't have the star power of 1997, but there's nothing wrong with that.
John Chimurra: These guys are just pure Cleveland -- they work their butts off. And they got there.
Elton Erick of Barberton and his buddy Elton Erick of Akron felt the same way.
Elton Erick: We don't have the super stars, but we have a team that plays together, very well.
Elton Erick: It's a team effort, everyone's playing together, there's no superstar, they're all one. Indians -- Number One.
And theses guys were pretty upbeat about Cleveland's chances against the Yankees, who arrive at Jacobs Field to start the playoffs, this Thursday. But, Anthony Thomas can't shake the hard reality that the boys from the Bronx swept the Indians during the regular season.
Anthony Thomas: I'm a Tribe fan at heart, but I don't know. Going 6 & 0 against the Tribe, as the Yankees did, this year. I don't know.
A few feet in front of him, a boy perched on his dad's shoulders holds aloft a sign that says, "Pies in the face, put us in first place" -- an allusion to outfield prankster Trot Nixon, who sneaks up on unsuspecting teammates and smacks them in the face with a pie. Last night, one got the impression that many of the rain-soaked faithful held out the hope that -- come Thursday -- their team will still have a surprise or two behind its back. David C. Barnett, 90.3.