The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
BACK TO BACK CHAMPS
Tribe celebrates AL Central crown following its victory over the Royals
Cleveland Indians fans celebrate winning the Americal League Central Division Championship for the second year in a row before a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Cleveland, Sunday, Sept. 17. The Tribe went on to beat the Royals, 3-2.
Online: Check out photos of the Indain’s game at MEDIA.MORNINGJOURNAL.cOM
The postgame scene in the Indians clubhouse on Sept. 17 was wet, loud and joyful.
After hanging on to beat the Kansas City Royals, 3-2, the Indians got down to the business of celebrating their clinching of the American League Central Division title for a second straight season.
The clinching was finalized the previous day by an Indians win and Minnesota Twins loss. But the celebration waited because the Indians’ game was over long before the one involving the second-place Twins and Toronto.
No matter, the adult beverages flowed and the players exulted in their accomplishments during a season that has featured ups, down, injuries to key players and an American League-record 22-game winning streak.
All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor earlier in the day had been asked how the feeling of clinching the AL Central title this season compared to last season. “I’ll let you know later, when I get some champagne and shaving cream in my eyes,” Lindor said.
Spotting the reporter who asked the question, Lindor approached, smiled and said:
“It feels the same. It feels great. I never get tired of this.”
Lindor, the same as his teammates and team officials who made their way into the clubhouse, wore a T-shirt and hat signifying the Indians as AL Central champions for 2017.
“This means a lot, but our work is just getting started,” Lindor said, referring to the 12 remaining regular-season games and, then, the playoffs.
Last season, the Indians moved on from winning the AL Central to sweeping Boston in the AL Division Series, beating Toronto in the AL Championship Series and then losing to the Chicago Cubs in a riveting World Series that wasn’t settled until the 10th inning of Game 7.
Second baseman Jose Ramirez, celebrating his 25th birthday, was in the middle of many raucous scenes during the celebration.
Veteran outfielder Austin Jackson said he was savoring every moment of the celebration in a clubhouse encased in plastic sheeting to keep the liquids being sprayed by players from soaking into carpets, furniture and the contents of player stalls.
”It takes a special group of guys to make this happen, but we’re far from finished,” Jackson said. “We’ll enjoy this for one day, .then it’s back to work.”
The Indians are off on Sept. 18, then begin a threegame road series against the Loa Angeles Angels.
Jason Kipnis made his debut in centerfield in the series finale against Kansas City.
“We’re enjoying this, but everyone in this room has their eyes on a bigger prize,” Kipnis said.