While We’re Waiting…Ubaldo Gets The Win As Thome Returns To Cleveland
August 27, 2011A night filled with more than just Thomemotions
August 27, 2011The Cleveland Indians wore high socks last night in honor of Jim Thome’s return to Cleveland, and as a result the Indians won. In 1997, as I was reminded before the game by a friend on twitter (@EJMaroun), the Indians collectively wore high socks in celebration Jim Thome’s birthday that season as well. They won that game too, but more importantly, they went on to win 9 of their next 11 from there and advance to the World Series.
Tonight is once again Jim Thome’s birthday, and maybe he’ll even get a hit tonight. But even if he doesn’t, the most important thing he can do is inspire his teammates to keep collectively wearing their socks at the prideful height that he’s been rocking his for decades. If the Indians do that, there’s a pretty good chance they can rip off 9 of their next 11 as well, and follow Jim Thome’s 41st birthday just like they did his 27th.
After tonight’s game against the Royals, the next eleven include four more with KC, four with the A’s, and then a three game set with Tigers at Progressive Field ending on September 7th. If the Indians wear high socks for those games as a show of unity, respect, style, and collective coolness, I really don’t see how it’s possible that they won’t find themselves right back in the thick of this thing with just over 30 games to go to the finish line starting on September 8th.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are people much smarter than me who also realize the importance of high socks in a race to the postseason. Included in this group of forward thinkers with a retro-fashion sense are Indians reliever Joe Smith. It was Joe who spearheaded last night’s campaign, and I say good on you for doing that Mr. Smith.
This via MLB.com last night after the game:
In a movement sparked by reliever Joe Smith, the Indians welcomed Thome back to Cleveland with the slugger’s patented high-socks look.
“I thought it looked great,” Smith said. “Everybody, coaches included, did it. Maybe it means something, maybe it doesn’t, but I thought it was pretty cool. He definitely deserves that for what he’s done for the game.”
The idea was originally intended for Thome’s birthday on Saturday. But the players couldn’t resist sporting the look in Thome’s first game back as a member of the Tribe, Smith said. It took some pressuring and convincing to get everyone to don the look, however.
Outfielder Shelley Duncan claimed one player considered passing on the idea out of fear for how he would look. Smith said insecurities ran rampant before everyone finally agreed to wear the high socks.
“I heard some stuff going around,” Smith said. “Guys were saying, ‘I don’t look good in high socks; I have cankles,’ so I think it was more than one person.'”
Originally planned as a one-day event, the team is considering maintaining the look until its winning fortunes run out.
It was also noted that Thome appreciated the gesture, but not so subtly he reminded his teammates that it wasn’t about simply wearing their socks high once in August. It’s about wearing high socks all the way to the World Series, Thome inferred.
“It was very nice,” Thome said. “It was similar to ’97 … and everyone knows we went to the World Series that year. So, we’ll see what happens.”
We will see indeed. Carmona’s on the mound for the Tribe tonight, first pitch is at 7pm ET.
11 Comments
I heard a Mike Jackson interview earlier in the season and the high sock thing came up on a west-coast road trip as a way for them to come together. Maybe this time its just a way push til the end?
Including tonight, they need to go 9-3 in the next 12 ending with the Detroit series. That might make up a few games- key thing is winning against Detroit.
Seconded. I think high socks are essential if we want to go far in the postseason.
LOVED the high socks. I’d love to see it all the way to the World Series!
You gotta love major league baseball players being insecure about their cankles though.
High socks and home whites (the script Indians ones) are the key to winning… And some offensive production.
i hope they keep wear em up too.
ive never understood why its so hard to enforce a uniform. because, after all, it’s a uniform. it’s not like marines get to choose nike or adidas shoes or cuff their slacks four inches high if their friends are doing it too. these guys get paid well enough… how hard is it to say: ‘you dont get to make your baseball pants into pajamas.’*
*cleveland trivia: the pajama look started right here with george hendrick circa 1974. and lest you think i’m a grouchy old man, i hated hendrick’s pajama look back then in my early teens.
did anyone ever see the “Cankles” episode on Weeds? Hilarious!
It doesn’t matter if they keep wearing their socks up or not if they continue to score two runs or fewer a game. Get some freaking hits!
Anyone know the name of the song Thome came up to in his first at bat. I know its the same song that he came out to all through the 90s.
“It’s about wearing high socks all the way to the World Series, Thome inferred.”
He implied it, not inferred it. But good, let’s hope the message isn’t lost on the young guys.
not to be overly obsessive (but I am a long-time UNIWATCH reader.) but I love that Ubaldo not only goes with the high socks, but actually wears stirrups. I wish the Indians still wore the striped socks, always a good look and to me, the way a ball player should look.