As I write this, the Indians are leading the Red Sox, 7-3, in the 6th inning of Game 4 of the 2007 ALCS. It would be great if Cleveland went on to win this game – and take a 3-1 lead in the series. Why?

I’m rooting for the Indians to win it all now.

It’s a Yankees fan thing. I want to know that the team that knocked the Yankees out of the playoffs was a team that was good enough to reach the World Series or win it all. Look at the following since the last Yankees ring (in 2000):

2001: Diamondbacks eliminate Yankees – and win ring.
2002: Angels eliminate Yankees – and win ring.
2003: Marlins eliminate Yankees – and win ring.
2004: Red Sox eliminate Yankees – and win ring.
2005: Angels eliminate Yankees – and then lose in the ALCS.
2006: Tigers eliminate Yankees – and win pennant.

Sans 2002, it took the best team in baseball, or, at the least, the best team in the league, to send the Yankees home.

Hey, if you have to lose, better to get beat by the best than to lose to a team that’s a loser themselves. So, at this point, for me, it’s: Let’s go Tribe!

Oh, and, for the record, I root this way most of the time. And, yes, in 2004, I was rooting for the Cardinals in the World Series. Without question, some things do override other things.