A Farewell to Wick
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by user Ross K.
As Friskysman recently reported, Bob Wickman has been traded to the Atlanta Braves.
Over his career in Cleveland, Wick quickly became a fan favorite for his blue collar attitude and everyman quality.
Clevelanders could identify with Bob Wickman. He wasn't perfect, but he took pride in what he did and he got the job done. It was expected that when he came into the game in the ninth, he would give up at least one baserunner, if not load the bases before getting out number three. But more times than not, he'd get that third out in the nick of time and got it enough times to become the career saves leader for the Cleveland Indians.
Wickman's overweight. He likes to kick back with a cold beverage and enjoy his life. Wickman was a Clevelander at heart. In the end, Wickman's career as an Indian modeled Cleveland sports in general. It was good, almost great, but ended a little short of where everyone hoped it would be.
So now he moves on and rebuilds his life in another city. One that probably won't appreciate him for the blue collar guy he is. As a member of the Atlanta Braves, he probably won't see two full rows of the fans in the bleachers spelling out Bob Wickman is the Greatest Baseball Player Ever on their chests as he did in Cleveland this year - on Travis Hafner's birthday no less. Coming into a playoff situation in the middle of the year, Braves fans probably won't sit back in the stands and tell their friends about how Wick is missing part of his finger, how he lost it and how he probably would have been playing for the Packers if that missing part didn't help him pitch.
But like Indian's fans, he'll have the memories. The memories of what was, what could of been and what never happened.
Goodbye, Bob Wickman. We'll miss you. And I'm sure 40,000 people or so will keep a cold one in their fridge just in case you ever come back to visit.
Date
Thu 07/20/06, 11:08 am EST
