Same Old Tribe

The Cleveland Indians are having another miserable season and I'm alright with that. It's comfortable for me when the Indians are wretched, like wearing an old pair of sneaks or dungarees.
When I was growing up, the Indians were always horrible. Here is a good example of ineptitude. From 1960 through 1980, the Tribe never finished within 10-games of first place. The closest they came was 14 games out in 1972 and 1974. In 1969, they finished a whopping 46 1/2 games behind first place Baltimore.
When the Indians were good, in the mid to late 90's, going to (and losing) the World Series in 1995 and 1997 it didn't seem right to me. It felt uncomfortable. Like the ugly, fat girl in high school who ended up being a super model. That's what it seemed like when the Indians were winning Central Division titles and American League pennants.
I have nothing against the Indians personally. For most of my life they've been harmless fodder for the Yankees and others. Just another team to beat up on the schedule. This year, the Indians are scuffling along at 25-37, 10 1/2 games out of first place. Even the Royals are ahead of Cleveland in the mediocre Central.
The Indians are averaging around 15-thousand fans per game and while they don't play in desolate Cleveland Stadium any more, their current ballpark, (corporate name) is reminding folks of the old days when only the guy banging the drum in the bleachers was making any noise.
These are the Indians I grew up with. These are the Indians I've come to know and love. This is the Indians tradition I can feel good about.