Mixed feelings about season reflected in fans' comments

Expectations for the Indians and Pirates aren't high.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Spring training is well under way, and another season begins April 5 for the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates.
But each team is coming off of a below-.500 season, and it has tempered expectations for area fans.
The Indians finished with their worst record since 1991 (68-94) and in fourth place in the American League Central Division. The Indians have young talent like outfielder Jody Gerut, who was named Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News last season for his performance. But Ken Kreidler said the Indians are still "a couple years away."
Interest wanes
"Hopefully, when they get them to where they do something, they will keep them," said Kreidler, 40, of Greenford. "I'm not as religious about it as I was. I still follow them but, more or less, just read about them. I think we need a new owner."
John Kufleitner, 37 of Solon, said he is excited about baseball but not the Indians.
"You don't know who anybody is that's playing for the Tribe," Kufleitner said. "I'm probably like most Indians' fans; I'm disappointed they sold all of their high-caliber players. When Jim Thome left, that pretty much did it for me."
Pirates' fan Scott Baldwin, 33, of New Castle, Pa., said he rarely follows the Pirates for many of the same reasons. The Pirates finished 75-87 and in fourth place in the National League Central Division in 2003.
"They don't have any money to buy anybody. They're always picking up leftovers," said Baldwin. He said he is now more of a fan of the Boston Red Sox.
But Beau Banfield, 19, of Austintown, said baseball will always be a favorite of his regardless of the struggles of local teams. He said he cannot wait for the regular season to start.
Sick of football
"You get sick of football," Banfield said. "You look forward to baseball. It's a long season, but it always seems to be dependable. You can always turn on the TV and catch a baseball game. You can just take a drive and go watch [the Indians]."
Banfield said he will remain optimistic about the Indians each spring because the last two world champions -- the Anaheim Angels and Florida Marlins -- were unexpected contenders at the start of the season.
"I think it definitely creates a lot of optimism for teams getting a fresh group of guys in for a new season," he said.
But despite the approaching beginning of the season for the Indians and Pirates, Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees also dominated conversation. The February trade of Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers to the Yankees sent shockwaves throughout the country.
For some, they cannot wait to see how Rodriguez performs for the Yankees. For others, they said his trade was terrible for baseball.
"They have a general manager and an owner that aren't afraid to spend the money -- more power to them," Banfield said. "Everybody else can open up their wallets too."
Dave Bundy, assistant manager of Sportstown in the Southern Park Mall, said sales of Yankees' merchandise rose quickly immediately after the trade.
Boston fan
Even as a Boston fan, Baldwin said the trade turned up his interest for the upcoming season. He said he was not disappointed the Red Sox could not pull the trigger on the same trade earlier in the winter.
"I was not wanting them to lose [Nomar Garciaparra], so I'm not too upset," Baldwin said. "I like him better than I like A-Rod. He's kind of an icon with Boston.
"Whether you like or hate the Yankees, they're still the Yankees, and they're still baseball."
But Kreidler said the Rodriguez trade and the rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox is why his feelings for the Indians and baseball in general have turned over the past few seasons.
"They're ruining the game," Kreidler said. "Baseball needs a salary cap. The Red Sox are no better."