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It is about an hour before the first pitch and playoff baseball is in the air.
A few signts and sounds:
I chatted with local Cleveland weatherman Mark Johnson was doing his forecast from the field before the game.
For a while it appeared everything was in place for The Return of the Midges, those pesky bugs that helped in the elimination of the New York Yankees. That was until the winds started.
He also gave me a lesson in the life cycle of midges.
“They come from Lake Erie and they hatch twice a year; once in May and then again in July or
August,” he said. “But because it has been so warm this time of year, they hatched again a few weeks ago … Everything was perfect for midges, the humidity and the warm temperatures. But there appears to be too much wind.”
I saw several near the Red Sox dugout before the game.
“They are attracted to carbon dioxide,” Johnson said. “So when people breath, it attracts them.”
I thought I got bit by one, but Johnson shook his head.
“They’re harmless,” he said. “They just are a pain in the neck.”
I guess Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain would attest to that.
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Terry Francona’s dad, Tito, stopped by the dugout and soaked in the pregame atmosphere.
“It’s a big game,” tonight said Tito, 73. “I’m sitting right behind the dugout. They’re good seats. I’m hoping they can get it back to Boston.”
***
The Red Sox and Indians were all business before game. Really, I was surprised at how little chatting, hugging, and fooling around, etc. that usually happens, was non-existent.
“There is so much at stake,” said Indians GM Mark Shapiro. “I think this is the way we are most of the time. I can’t speak for the Red Sox.”
I can. The Red Sox are a veteran team that enjoys itself, whether it’s David Ortiz playing the role of mayor or Jonathan Papelbon dancing in the outfield. There was none of that last night.
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There was much talk about Trot Nixon addressing the Indians players near the end of Wednesday’s workout at Jacobs Field. Nixon, in the players’ only gathering, stressed the importance of putting the Red Sox away.
Nixon, while a part-time player, was worth the small investment ($3 million).