After an early flight this morning I am here in Cleveland and at the Jake. It's my first time to Cleveland, and after walking around the ballpark, it's a pretty nice stadium - reminds me a little of Coors Field without the views.

So far through the first inning, the team likes playing loud random rock songs - but not the usual stadium rock songs. Cleveland is seemingly too cool for "standard" stadium rock songs, so they've been playing anything from the Beastie Boys to Akon. It's all a bit annoying as every PA sound bounces off the big scoreboard in left field and echoes back across the stadium. And someone(s) in the bleachers in left brought a drum and continues to bang on it relentlessly - perhaps that will let up just a tad.

Anyway, more thoughts from Cleveland as the game goes on.

Update [2007-6-15 20:0:45 by gondeee]:

Sitting in the press box above home plate and looking around the stadium, there are a lot of open seats in the outfield upper deck and on around to behind home plate. The lower decks are pretty full, and so are the luxury suites – of which there are tons of; multiple decks, almost like a football stadium. I mention the open seats because Atlanta and her fans always get dinged for not selling out games. Well the Indians are a first place club and tonight is fireworks night – and one thing about Atlanta fans is that they can at least sell out fireworks night.

This crowd is also 99% white, which sort of freaks me out a bit. That’s probably another reason this stadium reminds me of Coors Field.

Also, much like the Chop House is to the Ted, the Jake has a bar area called the batter’s eye behind the right field stands. And also like the 755 Club at the Ted, there is a white tablecloth restaurant in the left field area.

Update [2007-6-15 20:27:15 by gondeee]:

I know there’s a lefty on the mound, but McCann is batting behind Salty tonight, in the eighth spot… and he’s looking like he deserves to be there. I really wish he would break out of the funk he’s been in for the past month.

Update [2007-6-15 22:11:48 by gondeee]:

It was another nice start from Buddy Carlyle. He wasn’t on his game, but unlike our other 3rd-4th-5th starter options, he "managed" the game well, keeping the Braves close and giving them a chance to come back - and come back they did… twice.

There was not much of a reaction when Bob Wickman entered the game in the ninth. There was a tiny amount of booing, and a few people clapping, but not a big response for the big guy. By the way, the Cleveland rally video they played on the jumbo-tron (can we still call it that) was not very motivational and didn’t do too much to rally the crowd. Honestly, this crowd doesn’t need much external prodding to get it to make some noise – just a very annoying drum beat coming from the outfield.

Anyway, Wickman got into a little trouble in the ninth, but closed it out for the win… finally, a win. I would think it would be pretty embarrassing for Andruw Jones to be hitting .215, but his ugly and unproductive at-bats continue. Oh well, that was just a final jab on the night. Tomorrow I’ll be in Toronto at the Nationals-Blue Jays game, eh.

Here is a blurry cell phone picture: