These Cleveland Indians have been fun to watch in 2016. The Tribe has won five straight games and ten straight at Progressive Field.
Along with the potent offense, great starting pitching, excellent base running, and a bullpen that gets the job done more often than not, the Tribe has several quirky themes that have been fun to follow throughout the season.
Here are the top five.
#5. Jose Ramirez’s Helmet
The Tribe super utility man is having a breakout season, hitting .294 with 4 home runs and 24 RBI. What’s most impressive about Ramirez is his ability to produce in the clutch. The 23-year-old is hitting .414 with runners in scoring position and two outs.
If you follow along with the Tribe regularly, something that has stood out throughout the season is the plight of Jose’s helmet.
It tends to fall off when he runs the bases.
There’s even a Twitter account pretending to be his helmet: @JoseHelmet.
According to Zack Meisel, the helmet count is at 14 for the season.
Jose Ramirez helmet-flying-off counter: 14
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) June 12, 2016
Here’s one of the highlights, in which Jose’s helmet defies the laws of physics.
“That thing does not obey the laws of physics at all.” pic.twitter.com/XyXLdfnbLU
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) May 10, 2016
On Tuesday night, Ramirez hit a home run. His helmet stayed on the whole way.
#4. Juan Uribe’s Awesomeness
The veteran third baseman was brought to Cleveland to be a leader in the clubhouse, defend the hot corner admirably, and at times deliver clutch hits.
One of the coolest stories that has developed with this Indians team is the leadership role that Uribe has grown into since the start of the season. We mentioned Ramirez’s breakout year above, and much of that has to be credited to Uribe being a mentor and a father-figure to the utility man.
Ramirez calls Uribe his father. Uribe calls Ramirez his son. It could not have been easy for Ramirez in past years to play on a team where he was never sure of his job in the long-term and speaking very little English only makes it more difficult to get through the day-to-day in a major league clubhouse.
It helps to play better of course and the rest falls in line, but all of the factors that make a player more comfortable in the clubhouse and more comfortable on the team can contribute to the improved play.
Uribe has been a great leader, especially for Ramirez.
The 37-year-old was sidelined for nearly a week after taking a hard hit ball below the belt, while playing third base.
When asked if he would wear a cup the next time, he told reporters, “They don’t make any in my size.”
Since then, he has been on a tear.
Uribe has homered in four straight games for the first time of his 15-year career.
Also, this GIF of Uribe dancing is now a universal sign of happiness.
Here’s your reminder that you will never beat Juan Uribe in a dance contest: https://t.co/PIWIb3bMxE pic.twitter.com/Uas9GpviRw
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 24, 2016
The comparisons to DJ Khaled also have grown funnier by the day.
We can't keep up — Uribe follows his son's lead for his 4th HR in as many games!
6-0! pic.twitter.com/ZVDfnsITsP
— #VoteTribe (@Indians) June 22, 2016
3. Mario Coins For Days
If you ever attend a game at Progressive Field, you may notice the sound that’s played whenever runs come across the board for the Tribe. It’s the “bing” from Super Mario Brothers.
This year, whoever operates the audio at the stadium has been wearing out the Mario Coin button.
The Tribe has scored 339 runs in 70 games.
Last year, the Tribe scored 347 runs before the All-Star Break. There are still 18 games left between now and the All-Star Break. The Tribe is averaging just under five runs per game.
Safe to say there will be plenty more Mario Coins stacking up between now and mid-July.
Whether you’re at the ballpark or following along with the game on Indians Twitter, #MarioCoins is a thing. It’s pretty fun to see and hear.
#Indians stacking up Mario Coins
While the #Cavs hunt for rings.
What a fun night so far. pic.twitter.com/xKr4SkU2ZF— ClevelandSportsMemes (@BrownsMemes) May 18, 2016
#2. Party At Napoli’s
#PartyAtNapoli’s started out as something we’d occasionally see on Twitter. Shout out to @HipsterTito and the gang at the Corner in Right Field. Don’t know you guys, but keep up the beeramids and all the good work.
Signs at the ballpark, like this:
PARTY AT NAPOLI'S#TribeLive @Indians @MikeNapoli25 pic.twitter.com/TzczYtZTW1
— HIPSTER TITO (@HipsterTito) April 20, 2016
Players would say it after the games.
Rajai knows. #PartyAtNapolis @HipsterTito pic.twitter.com/s1iUt8ApJ9
— Emily Andriko, SPT (@ylime_16) June 19, 2016
Now the Indians are selling t-shirts at the Team Shop.
#PartyAtNapolis tees ??
Great demand so far — don't worry if they're out, more are on their way to the team shop! pic.twitter.com/Ukfr16vuwT
— #VoteTribe (@Indians) June 21, 2016
The legend of #PartyAtNapolis continues to grow as the party never stops. Mike Freaking Napoli (#MFN) has crushed 15 home runs and driven in 49 runs this season.
#1. Jobu Locker
On Tuesday night, it was revealed that Jason Kipnis and the aforementioned Napoli have built a Jobu shrine between their lockers.
Jason Kipnis & Mike Napoli created a makeshift Jobu shrine in the empty locker between them. Two figurines & three tiny bottles of Bacardi.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) June 22, 2016
Paul Hoynes mentioned the locker in a recent article, revealing that a sweater with a picture of Jobu and the inscription, “It is very bad to drink Jobu’s rum. Very bad,” hangs above the shrine.
As of now, there are no pictures and media is not allowed to take still photos in the clubhouse, but hopefully the players or the team themselves will give fans a glimpse into its awesomeness soon.
With all these positive vibes going on in Cleveland, this team has been so fun to watch, and all the fun themes on the side only make it better. Whatever the Tribe and its fans have been doing, keep it up and #RollTribe.
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