Sellout streak needs a boost

Unless there's an incredible surge of ticket buying, the Cleveland Indians' six-season sellout streak will come to a halt next Wednesday.
The Indians haven't used their ticket windows at Jacobs Field since the summer of 1995, the season their five-year American League Central Division championship streak began.
What's available: But because the Indians missed the AL playoffs last fall by one game, baseball fans along the shores of Lake Erie are protesting by not buying the least-impressive seats in the house.
Of course, it doesn't help the marketing department when Manager Charlie Manuel assesses pitcher Chuck Finley's latest start (10 runs over five innings) by saying, "Finley's close, he'll be fine."
Yes, the Tribe's marketing department needs a boost and we're here to help.
The Indians need some sure-fire promotions to fill the unsold seats. Since you can't hold a Fireworks Night every game, here are our contributions:
April 4, 7 p.m., White Sox -- It'll be cold, so the Tribe needs something hot. How about Bruce Springsteen Night in honor of the E Street Band's first televised concert? The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame City loves Springsteen.
Only Bruce songs would be played between innings and during pitching changes. (However, the seventh-inning stretch remains reserved for "Take Me Out to the Ballgame.") And how about giving away CDs to the fans sitting in the top rows of the right-field upperdeck?
April 6, 7 p.m., Baltimore Orioles -- What better night to say "Farewell to Albert Belle?" Mr. Cheerful won't be patrolling right field for the Orioles any more, not after a huge insurance buyout triggered by his degenerative hip. But the scoreboard could revive many of Belle's finer moments (his 50 home-run season, the Fernando Vina knockdown, the corked bat caper, the smashed clubhouse thermostat, his 1997 return with the White Sox).
Oh, the memories.
Selections: April 20, 7 p.m., Detroit Tigers -- "IRS Night." OK, the tax deadline will be over by five days, but nobody parties quite like the men and women of the Internal Revenue Service. Just ask U.S. Rep. Jim Traficant. The Indians could invite five fans to participate in a one-minute floor of Congress speech contest. The goofiest speech would win someone free tax preparation for next year.
April 24, 7 p.m., Anaheim Angels -- "Manny Ramirez Doll Night." OK, the Boston Red Sox won't be at The Jake until July, but why wait to salute the former Tribe right fielder who so desperately wanted to remain in Cleveland?
When you pull the string on the Manny doll, there's no talking. Instead, you hear the doll's hamstring pop and you can't play with it for seven weeks. Jump Stretch rubber band is optional.
April 25, 7 p.m., Angels -- "Melissa Stark T-Shirt Night." Like this needs explaining.
April 26, 7 p.m., Angels -- It's still cold outside so how about a Jimmy Buffett Night to get the fans up and dancing? Again, the fans in the faraway seats would be eligible for Buffett concert tickets.
May 8, 7 p.m., Kansas City Royals -- "Tawny Kitaen Night." The Cleveland Convention Bureau could shower Finley's wife with reasons why Northeast Ohio isn't such a bad place to live.
May 9, 7 p.m., Royals -- "Drew Carey Night." Cleveland's best-known television star could throw out the first pitch. Fans in those high outfield seats would be eligible for a drawing where the winner would do sound effects on ABC's "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" Joe Walsh will sing the national anthem.
May 10, 7 p.m., Royals -- "XFL Obituary Night." This celebration could last all weekend.
May 11, 7 p.m., Devil Rays -- "Wild Thing Night" -- Charlie Sheen look-alikes will be invited to sit in the injury-depleted bullpen and await the call from a confused Manuel.
May 22, 7 p.m., Detroit Tigers -- Anna Kournikova Swimsuit Poster Night.
XTom Williams covers baseball for The Vindicator.