Indians top Royals, 3-2, and celebrate clinching division; three takeaways

3. Champagne for days

After the game, the Indians got to partake in a well-deserved locker room celebration.

Yes, the team clinched the division, but there was also plenty to celebrate beyond that. There’s no doubt that Sunday also served as a celebration recognizing the end of their 22-game win streak.

This is also the first time since the 1998-99 seasons that the team has clinched the division in back-to-back years, and after last year when the team had to celebrate on the road, the players recognize how special it was to be able to celebrate in front of their home fans today.

“Last year we didn’t have a chance to share with the fans at all,” Kluber said. “They’ve been so supportive of us all year, so it’s nice to kind of share it with them and give them a chance to celebrate with us.”

“I think for the fans with how supportive they’ve been, obviously this weekend with the winning streak and the special moment when that ended,” Trevor Bauer said. “And how supportive they were even in the loss, and, recognizing what that accomplishment meant. And then there was no lull after that, they came out the next two days and supported us.”

There’s no doubt that the feeling is mutual. The club sold out their third straight game today. Sunday also marked their 12th sellout of the season at Progressive Field, making 2017 the season with the most sellouts since 2001 when there were 34.

“We’ve clinched the division, but I think we all realize there’s still things to be done,” Kluber said. “We want to try to get home field… I don’t think we’re gonna coast or anything like that for the rest of the regular season.”

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