Doggedly Excited, Cleveland Fans Ready For World Series

In the fashion world, this is what used to be known as the “full Cleveland:” Polyester leisure suit. Bell-bottom pants. White shoes. White belt.

This was the full Cleveland on Friday: Indians cap over custom-made, natural fiber suit. Indians sweatshirt under Armani blazer. Chief Wahoo face paint. Indians lapel pin. Indians hair ribbon. Indians sunglasses. Indians pennant. Flag. Banner. Poster. Balloon. Bobbling-head Chief Wahoo doll. Foam-rubber “We’re No. 1” glove. Tattoo.

Thousands of decked-out Indians fans jammed downtown’s Public Square to cheer the Indians on the eve of their first World Series in 41 years. As the team prepared to face the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 Saturday night, fans cut loose with four decades of pent-up pennant fever.

“This is wonderful. I was pretty little the last time (the Indians were in the World Series),” said 50-year-old Gayle Mester, who was alternately leading and being led by her 185-pound English mastiff, Babe. The 15-month-old dog wore an Indians T-shirt and cap.

Despite Cleveland’s history of sports teams that never quite make it to the top, Mester said she has confidence in the Indians’ ability to go all the way.

“They’ve shown that they can do it, that’s why. Just the enthusiasm of all the people - it’s catching,” she said. “And even if they don’t win, everyone will think they can win next year. It will just keep going.”