Jackie O’Dowd Comforts Her Son

This photo still resonates 28 years later.

{% caption "Jackie O'Dowd comforts her son, Christopher, 6, after the Tribe lost to the Baltimore Orioles to end postseason play. Photo by Phil Masturzo (October 5, 1996)" %}

This photo still gets to me. It was 28 years ago. The Cleveland Indians had lost the 1995 World Series to the Atlanta Braves in six games, so we were all so sure that 1996 would would be the year the Indians would go all the way.

And then heartbreak.

The Baltimore Orioles eliminated the Indians in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, at Jacobs Field, Cleveland’s home park.

This photo ran in the Akron Beacon Journal and captured perfectly how we all felt that day.

I remember posting the picture on my website back then, and every once in a while I still think about it. Today, while sifting through some old files, I came across it. I can’t believe I still have it! I’m shocked really. I tried search online to see if the photo is still out there somewhere, but I couldn’t find it.

So here it is again and I’m happy—and sad—about that.