Home-grown Indians deserve the spotlight

Every Indians fan has a favorite photo from the moments after the clinching out of the American League Championship.

For some, it was Roberto Perez jumping into Cody Allen’s arms. For others, it was Troy Tulowitzki’s disgusted bat flip with Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor hugging off in the distance.

Mine was of Carlos Santana’s catch and reaction while teammates Carlos Carrasco and Michael Brantley raced to meet him.

With each Mike Napoli home run and Andrew Miller strikeout, the Indians bandwagon filled during the past two months.

There is nothing wrong with that except World Series tickets costing about $1,000 per.

It has been a joy to scroll social media and see friends and family re-connect with the Indians and to get to know the 2016 Indians the same way they fondly remember the 1995 or ‘97 rosters.

In that moment the Indians had eliminated the Blue Jays, however, I was reminded of where this journey began.

Santana was acquired by the Indians from the Dodgers in 2008 during one of the multiple unpopular rebuilds oversaw by former executive Mark Shapiro. Santana has been one of the most consistent players in baseball since his debut in 2010, playing virtually every day through bumps and bruises while receiving harsh criticism from a fickle fan base for not being Victor Martinez.

Carrasco was acquired in 2009 from the Phillies, and his Indians career was a roller-coaster ride until two years ago. Carrasco, whose immaturity nearly derailed his career, now is the Indians’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente award for his community service work.

Brantley was acquired in 2008 from the Brewers and deserves this World Series as much as anybody except he has been hurt virtually the entire season. One of the Indians’ bright lights in a pair of frustrating seasons the past two years, Brantley has had to watch the postseason from the dugout.

The Indians are not the best team money can buy. Instead, the Indians are home grown and were forced to endure the struggles of young players.

Eight of the nine hitters in Tuesday’s lineup plus starting pitcher Corey Kluber made their major league debut with the Indians. Six have spent their entire professional career in the organization.

This season is for them. Those players led the Indians through the wilderness. This season was not a fluke powered by a 30-15 start or a 10-game winning streak to finish.

This season is for the players who suffered through a 5-24 August in 2012 and for the players who kept grinding despite veteran teammates pouting when their performance did not match their contract the previous two seasons.

This season is for the players who played in front of 9,000 fans night after night in April and September hoping that if they won people would come.

Those people will be there Tuesday, and the home-grown Indians will deserve every cheer.