CLEVELAND — Even the most fervent Rockies fan would have to admit it’s hard to fathom the wild ride that has led the team to the World Series.
Rest assured the sentiment can be found in the American League Championship Series as well.
“Well, I can’t understand it,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said with a laugh Tuesday before Game 4 against the Boston Red Sox. “It’s almost freakish, but it’s baseball and if you respect the game, anything is possible.
“The game continues to amaze people. What Colorado is doing is a tremendous accomplishment.”
While Cleveland’s run to the postseason wasn’t filled with nearly as much drama as Colorado’s – as if such a thing were remotely possible – players and team officials say there are some similarities. While the Indians were well above .500 throughout the season, they were in a pitched battle until late in the season with Detroit for the AL Central title, as well as with New York and Seattle for the wild-card berth.
And of course, there’s the small-market/reduced-payroll thing.
“No one picked them to do what they’re doing,” third baseman Casey Blake said. “I think we’re real similar teams. I’m sure those guys feel they belong where they are, and so do we.”
That’s not to say the big-money Red Sox haven’t marveled at the accomplishments of the little mountain team that could.
“It’s phenomenal; the run they’re on is phenomenal,” manager Terry Francona said Tuesday. “They seem to be all over the field … every time a ball is hit, they’re moving.
“And that place can get … I remember back sometime, the Blake Street Bombers and all that, and that area of downtown. It was so enthusiastic, it’s kind of cool to see it happen again.”
