{mosimage} You just have to be there. Monday night in Cleveland was what playoff baseball is all about. And while the games are great on television and radio, there is no comparison to the excitement that fills the stadium. It starts outside with the people heading to the stadium in all their team paraphernalia. It builds with the vendors and the scalpers hawking their products. It is heightened by the crowds that have jammed the outdoor patios of the establishments close to the park.

The fans have only one issue on their mind and it is the game shown by the game faces being displayed. This is not simple amusement - these people are going to battle with their team. If a fan of the opposing team appears, no quarter is given and no quarter is sought.

And once the game is started the fans are intent on every pitch, every swing and every play. It is as if their collective wills can aid their team and its players to achieve extraordinary feats on the field.

The 3rd game of the Cleveland - Boston series was such a game. You found that you did not recognize your regular seats because the team had filled the isles with additional seats. Each person entering the park had their team towel for visual encouragement. You quickly breached the usual isolation from others in the crowd because every success and failure had to be celebrated or suffered in common.

And while the excitement was there from the 1st pitch, it simply kept building throughout the contest. Each player on each play was your personal champion going into battle for your honor. And the players on the opposing team were villains that you still admired and feared for their talents which often seemed superhuman.

The game had its stars and its moments - Garko slipping while fielding a grounder but being redeemed by the great double play moments later. "King" Kenny Loften staking the team to a lead with his only home run after his return. Travis Hafner lumbering to first base fast enough to beat out a double play so that an additional run could score just as Ortiz had in the 1st game. Finally the Borowski closing it out in the 9th by retiring the side in order when most were calling for Wedge to leave in Betencourt.

The game was great, but you have to be there to really experience it. So as MLB says it, Catch the Fever!

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Lloyds Apple said:

	I can't help but pull for the Tribe.
	report abuse vote down vote up

October 17, 2007
Votes: +0

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