Why I'm a fan of the Indians: My dad, Luke Easter and my '70s Tribe

I’m an Indians fan because my dad’s family moved to Cleveland in 1950, when he was 11. He spent his adolescence listening to – and occasionally seeing – the exploits of Bob Feller, Early Wynn, Al Rosen, Larry Doby, and his favorite player, Luke Easter.

I grew up listening to my dad’s stories about how the very good Tribe teams of the early-to-mid ‘50s would fight valiantly, only to be thwarted – usually by the hated Yankees. The cherished highlights of any season were victories over New York, particularly if Luke Easter hit a mammoth home run in the winning cause. My dad insisted on going to doubleheaders almost exclusively, so I’d like to think he was able to attend this June 3, 1951 sweep of the Yankees; Easter hit two two-run homers in , off Vic Raschi, and another blast in , off Spec Shea.

Luke Easter vs. New York (AL) - 1951

It’s clear that my dad couldn’t wait to get me into Indians fandom. Shortly after I was born in 1968, he must have gone to the Stadium and purchased this batting helmet for me.

(I still like the scarlet red cap and wishbone C of this period, no matter how many people say it reminds them of the Reds.)

I remember seeing some games on television in 1974, but I was taken to my first games in ’75. As an African American, my dad was particularly proud to see Frank Robinson managing the Indians, and since he admired the three-time defending World Champion Oakland A’s, it’s not surprising that we went to a May 25 doubleheader against those A’s – Reggie Jackson, Joe Rudi, Sal Bando, Gene Tenace et.al.

I certainly had no idea at the time, but in , Dennis Eckersley made his first MLB start, shutting out the A’s 3-0

. Frustratingly, the only things I remember clearly are the fact that it was Jacket Day (they gave out a cheap, red slicker-sort of jacket), the Indians wearing their navy blue tops, the A’s in their green road tops, being fascinated by the announcer saying "Claudell Washington" (I repeated it a few times, for whatever reason), and that we were in the upper deck, on the first base side. The Tribe lost the second game, 6-3; we left before that one was over.

I love the concession prices in those old programs. Hot dog: 65 cents; Foot-long: 95 cents; popcorn: 40 cents; 12 oz. beer: 65 cents; 16 oz. beer: 85 cents…

We went twice in ’76, including a doubleheader against the White Sox in June. The Indians swept this one (Game 1, 2) – lulling me into a false sense of security. The memory that stands out about that day is Rico Carty, went 3-for-4 in the opener with a home run, and blasted a bases-clearing double in the nightcap. It was Jersey Day, but what they gave out was more of a t-shirt (It strikes me now that this must’ve been the infancy of this kind of merchandising by MLB Properties). This is our dog Max and I in the backyard later that summer.

In any case, I was hooked. As the Indians stumbled through seasons like 1977 (my dad was furious that Phil Seghi fired Frank Robinson, when he had guided the club to its only winning season since 1968 just a year earlier), 1978 and ’79, I tried to mirror my dad’s stoicism about it all. Not that he didn’t complain – anytime Luis Tiant, Chris Chambliss, Oscar Gamble or anyone else he thought they traded away without getting anywhere near enough in return would appear on TV, he never failed to tell me how bad the relevant deal was. He would shake his head at pitching changes made too soon or three batters too late. But generally he was just resigned to the idea that spending time with the Indians usually meant losing. When they did win, it really was cause for celebration.

Through all the triumphs and disappointments since then, I’ve managed to hang on.

My dad is gone now. How he would’ve loved the teams of the ‘90s and the contenders of this century. I’m sure he would’ve wanted to be at each of the statue unveilings, particularly those for Larry Doby, and now, Frank Robinson. Most likely, he would have found reason to bring up his main man – No. 9.

I’ve had two jerseys made up for me as a tribute to my dad and his favorite player. I’ll be wearing the home version when I head to Cleveland next month.