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Cleveland Indians: After A Magical Season, Let’s Enjoy October

By Kristopher Grimes

Aug 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (center) celebrates his game-winning RBI single with first baseman Mike Napoli (26) and Tyler Naquin in the tenth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (center) celebrates his game-winning RBI single with first baseman Mike Napoli (26) and Tyler Naquin in the tenth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Mike (26) and left fielder Rajai  (20) celebrate the Indians 12-1 win over the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Mike (26) and left fielder Rajai  (20) celebrate the Indians 12-1 win over the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Let’s Enjoy Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis

The old men are getting it done. Much like Jason Giambi in 2013, first basemen Mike Napoli and outfielder Rajai Davis are big reasons the Indians are in the playoffs. They brought veteran balance to a team full of young talent, and in turn have turned back the clock on their careers.

While the team had originally targeted third basemen Todd Frazier from the Cincinnati Reds over Napoli, the Reds dealt Frazier to the rival Chicago White Sox instead. That move left the Indians to turn to the former Red Sox slugger. The result is a career season at age 34. With 34 home runs, and 101 RBI, Napoli solidified himself as the right-handed threat the Indians lineup lacked for years.

Meanwhile, on the base paths Rajai Davis made his mark. In 134 games, the 35-year old speedster hit a career best 12 home runs and stole 43 bases in 49 attempts. His speed on the base paths and in the outfield provided the Indians with the player they thought they were getting with Michael Bourn in 2013. Much like Napoli, the play of Davis has given the young Indians a spark. When most people would have written him off because of his age, Davis is showing the league he still has a lot left, and the Indians are benefitting from it.

As we head into the playoffs, let’s enjoy what these two brought to the Indians magical season, but look forward to what they can do in October. Napoli and Davis are both playoff tested veterans who know what it takes to win. If the regular season showed us anything, it’s that Tribe fans can expect more towering drives soaring through the autumn nights from Napoli, and key stolen bases in tight moments of the game from Davis. Their play will be key to the Indians success this post season.

However, Napoli and Davis play isn’t the only reason the Indians were successful this season. The Indians also maintained a core of young talent that’s blossoming at the right time.

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