Sheldon:
I have been a Tribe fan for nearly 40 years — yes, even when the Tribe lost over 100 games, I listened to all the games (back when not every game was televised).
You don’t realize the desperate financial times the majority of us are currently facing. You say, “Do you really know how little it can cost to watch a baseball game?” What seems like a little to you seems like a lot to most people.
You must factor in the price to park, etc. But a large majority of people throughout our area have suffered financially and struggle daily, worried if there will be enough money to retire.
Cheryl Madigan
Wadsworth
Dear Cheryl:
I hate to be the bearer of good news, but about 92.5 percent of the grown-ups in this area are employed, and the depth of the recession was two years ago, when the Cavaliers were filling up Quicken Loans Arena with 20,000 fans who were paying $60, $80 and more for tickets. How do you explain that?
I know there are people who truly can’t afford to attend Indians games. But a majority? No way. There are about 4 million people in the Tribe’s market, and more than enough of them have the means to attend at least a few baseball games, if they are given a reason.
Sheldon Ocker
Sheldon:
You have to be kidding me if you actually believe the spin you were given by Chris Antonetti.
Contend next year? How?
There are holes all over the place with position players, horrific starting pitching, no right-handed hitters, hardly any trade bait to use, nothing in the minors due to mainly a full decade of lousy drafting and mediocre trading.
There’s a lousy front office and an owner who will simply not pay to bring in or keep a top quality free agent. This does not bode well for next season. The best news may be that we can lose Travis Hafner and his bloated government contract.
Not much to get a fan to come to the ballpark.
Bill Ridenour
Dear Bill:
Other than the seven or eight acute problems you pointed out, it’s a great team.
Earth to Bill: Was there anything in that story you read that leads you to believe I’m buying in? I was reporting what the general manager said.
By the way, I’m not forming an opinion about next year’s team until next spring. Just in case.
S.O.
Sheldon:
Your articles really don’t make much sense anymore. The Indians organization and you are living in a fantasy world, grasping at straws, hoping for that elusive championship. Just stay in your fantasy world, because the Indians have a better chance of winning a championship there than in the real world.
Gary Kuder
Dear Gary:
You definitely have a point. If I was living in the real world, I never would have read your email all the way through, let alone published it in the newspaper.
S.O.
