The Indians had their rally chicken last season. Perhaps the squirrel that invaded Progressive Field on Monday night, entertaining the crowd and causing a brief delay on the field, will bring a little luck this year.
Cleveland will take any help it can get.
“He was OK by me,” manager Terry Francona said.
In the opener of a four-game series with the American League Central rival Royals, starter Zach McAllister gave a solid performance and the Tribe’s offense came through with a couple well-timed home runs to claim a 4-3 victory. The win was the second in a row for the Indians, who are still looking for their first three-game streak of the season.
Last September, following a rough stretch that included six losses in eight games, Cleveland’s players brought a chicken to the field during batting practice. It roamed the outfield and wore a small cape with the Tribe’s block “C” on display. The Indians then went on to win 19 of their last 24 games en route to the AL’s top Wild Card spot.
You can decide whether it was all a big coincidence.
As for Indians’ setup man Cody Allen — the inspiration behind the team naming the chicken “Cody” last season — he is not counting anything out. He logged one clean inning in Monday’s win, as did lefty Marc Rzepczynski, who was in the Cardinals’ bullpen when the famous Rally Squirrel ran in front of home plate during the Fall Classic in ’11.
“It happened to them in 2011 and they won the World Series,” Allen said with a smirk. “I know it’s April, but you never know.”
Cleveland’s squirrel has hardly reached Rally status, but the critter that arrived to the ballpark on Monday certainly brought some energy. It sprinted through the outfield in the top of the second inning and ventured into the infield, forcing a momentary delay until it darted by the glove of first baseman Nick Swisher and into right field.
“I just kind of thought I’d put my glove down and give him a nice little home to come into,” Swisher said with a laugh.
A group of workers eventually surrounded the squirrel and forced him into the Indians’ bullpen beyond the center-field wall. There was a smattering of boos from the crowd as the small animal was escorted off the field.
“They could have got him for trespassing because I doubt if he bought a ticket,” Royals manager Ned Yost joked. “And that’s the first time I’ve seen a spectator run on the field where they didn’t tackle him and arrest him.”
Cleveland’s relievers did what they could to help the squirrel retrieval crew.
“I was like, ‘Bring it in here. Bring it in here. Get him out of harm’s way,'” Allen said. “I didn’t want [center fielder Michael Bourn] to be running back on a fly ball, look down and a squirrel be there. I don’t think you can review that play.”
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