That ball is going exactly where he wants it to. Because Cliff Lee is pitching it.

Was it just me, or was this the hardest Game One of a World Series to watch, ever?

I am twenty-four years old, and thus, I have spent the majority of my baseball-loving life watching tonight’s two starters work their way through our organization, expose and work through their flaws, mature from inefficient throwers to All-Star caliber pitchers, and, ultimately, win Cy Youngs in back-to-back years of each other — only to then get shipped off to “contenders” in each of the following years. And tonight I had to watch them face off in Game One of The Most Important Series In Baseball.

Proud of them? Sure.

Happy for them? Of course.

Easy to digest? No, sir or madam. Not in the slightest.

Now, before I go further, allow me to clarify that I am not your Average Cleveland Sports Fan, kicking the dirt after every transaction this team makes (see “Prelude To Acta I” for proof of this). I understand there is a process to the business side of our beloved pastime and that we are a small market team who can’t reasonably expect to contend every single year. So, when our Cliffs and Vics and CCs grow from prospects to All-Stars and pack their bags for teams with bigger checkbooks, bitter as the pill can be to swallow, I believe it is important to trust in the process and look for the light at the end of the tunnel (note: I acknowledge there is a tunnel).

But seeing the bright side doesn’t help on nights like tonight.

Both of these gentlemen, whom we have spent nearly a decade rooting for, shedding tears for, traveling across the country to watch in Spring Training (and let me just say, watching CC warm up from only a couple of feet away is one hell of a show — the hiss from that ball, man…), and making creative signs for when we want them to get their 23rd win on our 23rd birthday (see below), pitched beautifully tonight. One better than the other, but only one had to face Chase Utley. Yet with every cheer came a sobering reminder that these two craftsmen were once our stoppers. Our aces. Our heros.

Road Trip: 7 Hours. Articles of Indians’ Clothing: 3. Watching Cliff beat the Twins: Priceless.

It certainly doesn’t help that I spent the past five years living in Philadelphia, and thus am treated to a bevy of in-game and post-game Facebook updates regarding this phenom Cliff Lee — a man who apparently came out of nowhere!

“Who is this guy??”

This guy is Clifton Phifer Lee, the same guy I met outside of a Garfield’s near Winter Haven, FL in 2006 and prematurely imparted was the best pitcher on the staff. He’s the same guy ESPN debated would be better than Oliver Perez back in 2003. (They were right). He’s the guy who won 22 games as a member of the Tribe last year, with a 2.54 ERA — in the AL!

He’s Cliff Lee. And as of tonight, if you search for him on Google, it’ll prompt you to add “catch” or “behind the back catch” to your search.

If you want to know why, clearly you didn’t watch the game. But you can click here and enjoy.

In any case, we all knew it was coming. The jokes and rumors about CC going to the Yankees from years ago have come true — to the tune of $160 MILLION, no less. And now Mr. Lee is out to prove that with a little run support he can be about as ridiculous as any pitcher in the game. I guess he figures, while he’s at it, he might as well snag a World Series MVP trophy to put alongside his Cy Young.

It was fun watching Cliff’s post-game as well. He was never one to pat his own back until he got to Philadelphia, but you can tell he’s having the time of his life there. He was fighting off a smile the entire interview, and when he was asked about his performance, Cliff was not shy about the fact he had just all-out dominated the New York Yankees on the grandest possible stage. It was an awesome thing to witness.

So, I guess that’s it. There really is not much more to be said. Our aces are gone and capitalizing on the opportunities that have been handed to them, and for that, I can’t help but to be happy for them. But it will never get easier watching my guys pitch in another uniform. Win in another uniform. Celebrate in another uniform…

Le Cy…

God speed, boys.