Twistity Sports Exclusive: INDIANS DO HOME REPAIRS

 
The Cleveland Indians used to win, and they used to fill their ballpark. Then they and the economy got worse at about the same time. The economy has since done better. The Indians? Uh, no.

To lure the formerly faithful back to Progressive Field, the Indians are about to embark on a two-year makeover of the stadium. Well, they have to do something (and they could try winning again but cosmetics always offer a certain appeal). The team hasn’t announced the details of the renovations, which will be privately funded, but they will shrink seating below its current level of about 43,000.

Attendance has dropped by more than half since 1999. Those were the good old days. Back in the ‘90s and the turn of the century, the Indians qualified for postseason play five years in a row and in six of seven. They twice reached the World Series but didn’t win either time. In 1999, attendance peaked at 3.46 million. Last year? About 1.57 million.

The Browns and Cavaliers are also doing work on their buildings. Whatever the Cavaliers do, it won’t be as significant as adding LeBron James. That’s about winning. The Indians need a similar plan. Since 2001 they’ve been in the playoffs once, not at all since 2007. They’re at exactly .500 as Thursday dawns, in third place in the American League Central, after winning 90 games last year.

No Cleveland team has won a major sports title since the Browns in 1964. The Cavaliers are again the brightest hope. The Indians can fix up the stadium but they’re going to have to do a little work on the roster as well.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .