Read a young Indians fan's adorable letter from 2007 asking the team to bring back Coco Crisp
The year was 2007. "The Sopranos" was just wrapping up. Purchasing ringtones was still a thing. And the Cleveland Indians were on their way to their first AL Central title since 2001, led by a lineup featuring Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez and the pitching of soon-to-be AL Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia.
One player they were not led by, however, was Coco Crisp -- looking to accelerate the rebuilding process, the team had dealt away their talented center fielder to the Red Sox in the winter of 2006 for a package of prized prospects. But the thrill of a run to the ALCS would help ease the pain of losing a face of the franchise, right?
Alas, on Tuesday the team unearthed a letter written by a young fan circa 2007, and it confirms a simple truth: There's nothing like the bond between a kid and his or her favorite player.
Stumbled upon this gem about @Coco_Crisp from 2007...
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) September 13, 2016
This kid may have been onto something. pic.twitter.com/qnuzS4KK3e
After introducing themselves as a fifth grade student, the fan gets right to the point. He's not mad, he's just disappointed.
"I would love it if you could try to get Coco Crisp back on the Indians. He was a good outfielder. He could hit home runs like crazy. His batting average was off the charts."
But while Crisp's on-the-field production was sorely missed, that was nothing compared to the emotional toll his departure took: "When he left, my [spirits] went with him," the fan writes. "And when he left I was devastated."
Should you find his airtight case persuasive, Indians, our intrepid hero wants you to know that he's perfectly willing to dispense some more sage advice. In closing: "If you need any more advice on how to manage the team I'm currently looking for a job."
