Indians reliever Joba Chamberlain once had a memorable -- and terrible, from his point of view -- outing in Cleveland while pitching for the Yankees and dealing with a swarm of midges.
Obviously, that's what people relate when hearing about Chamberlain and Progressive Field. Take note of the team's official Twitter account when he was signed:
We apologize sincerely, @Joba_44, about the bugs. They won't be back, we promise.
— #VoteTribe (@Indians) December 1, 2015
It would appear this promise has a chance to be broken, because ...
Attention @Indians & Fans!
— Monte the Color Man (@Monte_Colorman) June 21, 2016
May be a rough night tonight.
Cc: @Joba_44pic.twitter.com/ETmzq4srcw
So technically those aren't midges, but instead mayflies. Close enough, right?
They are all over the place in northeastern Ohio (I can vouch, having returned on Tuesday from Cedar Point -- RIDE ON!) right now. Chamberlain, however, has the mentality of someone who has conquered a past issue.
Not this time midges. Bring it. I will own u https://t.co/AYuKF2Oyh7
— Joba Chamberlain (@Joba_44) June 21, 2016
For those unaware of why this is a funny little story, Chamberlain took the hill with a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS. The Indians had a 1-0 lead in the series, so the Yankees were in good shape to even things up, sitting with Chamberlain (who was basically unhittable that season with a 0.38 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 24 innings) and Mariano Rivera for the final two frames.
The midges took over, though. Chamberlain was noticeably rattled and allowed the Indians to tie the game.
He didn't even allow a hit. He did walk two and hit a batter. The Indians would win the game and the series.
Not all was lost, though. Chamberlain was immortalized in our Bobblehead Project in 2013.
After bugs won Round 1 in 2007, Chamberlain may get the chances to even the score against the mayfly invasion nine years later, with the Indians hosting the Rays at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Hat-tip: MLB.com Cut 4