Why Isn't Indians Fan Support Higher?

One of the theories as to why more fans have not paid to watch the Indians this year is that they've had a hard time letting go of the past.

The past not only includes Omar Vizquel, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, etc., but six division titles and two trips to the World Series from 1995 through 2001.

A point of reference might now be needed.

This year's Indians team already has won more games than the American League Division champions from 1997, 1998 and 2001. The Indians have 92 victories. They won 86 games in 1997, 89 in 1998 and 91 in 2001.

It is hard to believe that this year's Indians team has more wins than those teams, but the numbers are deceptive. This year's Indians team had to catch up with a White Sox team that was playing some amazing baseball early on and ran out to a huge lead in the A.L. Central. You will always play to the level of your competition to a certain extent, and those Indians teams (1997, 1998 and 2001) weren't pushed with the level of competition that this year's squad has faced since the start of the season.

In 1997, Cleveland (86 wins) won the central by 6 games over the White Sox.

In 1998, Cleveland had 89 wins, but they won the division over the White Sox by 9 games.

In 2001, Cleveland had 91 wins and beat out the Twins by 6 games.

This was a year where the Indians trailed by over 10 games for parts of the season. The challenge was greater and they have felt the push all year. I think in this case there is something to be said for being able to see, not only the finish line, but the team leading the race. Many of the dominant tribe teams from the past had almost no real competition in the central division.

To the Plain Dealer's point about fan support for this year's team compared to the number of wins they have, I would say that it is hard to start a bandwagon for a team, no matter how good it is playing, if they aren't in first place. Cleveland's sports dollars are a finite amount, and with the Browns always selling out, and the Cavs with one of the most exciting superstars in the game, it only makes sense that Cleveland Indians fans are still holding back a little bit.