CLEVELAND INDIANS FANS ARE USED TO watching their best players sign for big money in other cities.

CLEVELAND INDIANS FANS ARE USED TO watching their best players sign for big money in other cities. Albert Belle and Manny Ramirez did it. Now, Jim Thome, the club's career home run leader, has agreed to sign with the Phillies.
Fans may be used to it, but it doesn't take away the sting.
"I thought Thome was a little different," said Dave Smith, 33, of Akron.
Thome has spent his entire 12-year career in Cleveland, where he became a fan favorite because of his folksy charm and knack for hitting majestic home runs.
Money talks
"He sold out. I thought he said he wanted to retire in Cleveland. It's all about the money," said John Najeway, 33, of Randolph, while sitting at the bar at Thirsty Dog Brewing Company near Akron.
"Thome became a hero here. They're trying to buy a hero."
Isaak Parker, 8, of Copley, put his hands over his face when he heard the news that Thome was leaving while eating with his family at On Tap Grille and Bar in Fairlawn.
"I feel horrible. I can't believe it," said Isaak, who considered Thome his favorite player.
His 12-year-old brother, Alec, said Thome once threw him a ball in the stands at Jacobs Field.
"I'm disappointed, but I think he got a better deal," Alec said. "I would have taken it."
Thome turned down a $60 million, five-year offer from the Indians for a six-year deal with Philadelphia worth about $87.5 million.
Blaming the team
"Management didn't make a good enough offer," bemoaned Greg Stecklow, 27, of Cuyahoga Falls.
Thome, who has hit 334 homers for the Indians, is the third slugger to leave the team through free agency since 1996. Cleveland also tried to re-sign Belle and Ramirez, only to be beaten out by teams willing to spend more money.
"The Indians are a cheap franchise," said Steve Brown, 31, of Akron. "They have not stepped up to bat to keep any of their big names."
Stecklow said Indians owner Larry Dolan should have paid up to keep one of the most popular players in team history.
"Take a page out of [George] Steinbrenner's book," Stecklow said, referring to the Yankees owner who spends whatever it takes to sign big-name players.
Indians' attendance is sure to suffer with the loss of Thome. It started to slide last season when the team traded stars Roberto Alomar and Bartolo Colon and decided to rebuild with younger players.
The club finished 74-88, its first losing season since 1993.
John Kalas, 23, of Cleveland, said reading the Indians' roster next year will be like looking at an election ballot when you don't know any of the candidates.
"I expected it with everybody leaving. They got rid of Alomar. They got rid of the heart and soul of the team. The only one left is [Omar] Vizquel," Kalas said.