Lil Red Machine

Is this a real rivalry? Not really. From first hand experience, having attended this matchup at both parks at various times over the years, it’s nothing more than a geographic rivalry. I think most fans consider the other team to be their favorite in the other league. I know I do. The Indians are an easy team to root for. Their centerpiece player, Grady Sizemore, despite having a bad year, busts his tail out on the playing field, has immense talent, and represents himself well. Plus, I know that probably most Ohioans, despite their loyalties, were rooting for them to knock off the big, bad Boston Red Sox in the 2007 ALCS.

It’s great for the state. The attendance figures are solid, and to me, interleague play has managed to not lose any of it’s luster. It’s an event. Given that the Indians usually field a solid team, though, it’s a bit unfair for the Reds to have to play them every year, while their division rival, St. Louis, gets gimme games against Kansas City (who for the first time in years, is no longer a joke).

With this being the peak of the Cavaliers’ season, I saw a few people wearing Cavs jerseys and what not to the game this past Saturday. I probably looked like a rather confused individual, decked out in my Cincinnati gear while pointing to them and yelling out “Lets go Cavs!” I got their back 156 games out of the year, but for the remaining six, not so much. It’s friendly, though. Save the aggression for football season, or perhaps the day when Ohio dukes it out in the world series.