Buzz in Cleveland: Excitement around LeBron's return surges into Tribe clubhouse
CLEVELAND -- The reaction in the Indians' clubhouse to LeBron James' return to the Cavaliers was greeted with the same joy that it generated around the rest of Northeast Ohio.
"This city is reinventing itself. All teams from the Browns to the Cavs to the Tribe it seems like everyone is stepping their games up," Nick Swisher said. "I can't wait to meet him and so stoked he is coming back. A guy like that with the talent he has. Single-handedly he can win you a championship.
"With what we did last year and this year, so many awesome things are happening. Now we have to go out there and keep winning. It's hot in the 2-1-6 for sure."
Earlier in the week Terry Francona said that he would be making more trips back to Cleveland during the offseason if James was coming back. Francona, who is a big basketball fan, saw two games in Miami in 2011 when James was with the Heat.
"I'm thrilled because it is going to bring a lot of happiness and joy to basketball fans. I think it's good for the city bringing in extra revenue and excitement. As for the basketball fan in me I'm really excited," he said. "This is a guy coming home that grew up here and achieved unbelievable success. Not only here but to go on and win, some of it is kind of personal. It's not just the team but who it is."
With LeBron's return to the Cavaliers and the buzz around the Browns after the drafting of Johnny Manziel, the Indians have been under the radar for much of the season after making the playoffs last season. They have the second-lowest average attendance in baseball at 18,144 but have averaged 27,577 over the past 10 games that included two sellouts -- Omar Vizquel's Indians Hall of Fame induction on June 21 and the July 4 game against the Royals.
"This team has had an interesting past with the fans, going back and forth with them. We can't worry about it," second baseman Jason Kipnis said. "We love the fans that come out and cheer for us. Our job is to win and play baseball. We still believe it is a Tribe Town. If we win games, they are going to come out."
