Travis Kelce was in attendance to watch the Cleveland Guardians when they clinched Game 5 of the ALDS to complete a comeback. He recently spoke about what baseball means to Cleveland.
The Cleveland Guardians are currently tied 1-1 with the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series. The team is just three wins away from returning to the World Series for the first time since 2016.
Although Cleveland hasn’t seen their team win a World Series since 1948, the fanbase remains incredibly passionate. This was on display in their glorious Game 5 ALDS win against the Chicago White Sox. Cleveland Heights native and three-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce was there to soak it all in.
Travis Kelce says Cleveland has been a ‘baseball town’ since he was a kid and they ‘always desired’ playoff baseball
The Cleveland Browns are technically the city’s most successful franchise. Although they have never won a Super Bowl, they won four NFL championships in the 50s and 60s, and four AAFC Championships in the 40s. The Cavaliers have won the city’s most recent major sports title in 2016.
According to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, though, baseball has always meant just a little more. Speaking on his podcast, he explained the city’s passion for the game.
“Man, it was absolutely electric, as it always is,” Kelce said. “Cleveland always shows up for the Guards. Ever since the 90s when we were kids, Cleveland’s always been a baseball town. They’ve always desired playoff October baseball, and I always remember watching them on TV when I was younger.
“Finally got to get to one with dad back in 2016, the last time we were in the World Series. And sure enough man, this last one, this game five of the ALDS was so electric. Everybody was just sitting there waiting for the Guards to find a way to go up, and sure enough Jose Ramirez comes up big.
“(He) takes a ball from what feels like his ankles and throws it over the wall. Man, it was just, it was electric. The whole stadium felt like it was rattling with excitement.”
Cleveland sports fans are likely to enjoy any sporting success that comes their way after years of torment with all their franchises. Should the Guardians make it out of the ALCS and somehow win the World Series, though, it might be the biggest celebration the town has seen in a decade.
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