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Today is the kind of day that makes you happy to be alive. It’s a mild, sunny September day, and the Indians have won 15 of their last 18 and are 6.5 games ahead of the second-place Tigers with two and a half weeks to go in the regular season. They appear to be set to roll into the playoffs as the Central Division champs.

But like any other tortured Cleveland fan, it is hard not to revert to past struggles and ponder what has changed from last year to 2007. The roster appears to be almost identical, and the off-season additions – Josh Barfield, Aaron Fultz, Trot Nixon, David Dellucci, and Co. – are no where near responsible for the recent success.

So what is different?

The difference is leadership, and the man stepping up to be that leader is Victor Martinez. He has proven that he is the man that this team should turn to for inspiration, character, motivation, support in the dugout, or just some hardnosed, team ball.

Since the days of Thome, Vizquel and Alomar, there has been no identity on this club. As the franchise built back up into a contender, new young faces began to emerge as the future of the franchise, but no one has really stepped up and served as the face of the franchise.

2005 was a surprising treat as a young club overachieved and made a run at the playoffs. 2006 was the year it was supposed to all come together, but the apparent faces of the franchise faded and disappointed.

The difference in 2007 is Victor Martinez, who has emerged as the best-hitting, and most clutch-hitting, player on the team. His play behind the plate cannot go unnoticed as well. The Indians’ pitching staff, led by three 15-game winners (the first team to accomplish this), and Martinez’s leadership behind the plate are major keys to their success. It’s hard to say what the Indians would’ve gotten out of Fausto Carmona, Rafael Perez and Rafael Betancourt this season without him.

In addition to his play, he has stepped up and been the emotional leader on the club. When someone homers, he is the first to shake their hand. His attitude and consistency are unmatchable, and it appears he really brings this team together as a unit.

He is the leader on this club – it just took the past four seasons for the team to find out. There were other candidates: Grady Sizemore is the spark at the top of the lineup, but is generally quiet; Travis Hafner has had an off year and has no presence on defense; C.C. Sabathia is the foundation of the pitching staff, but only plays every fifth day.

Granted, a lot of other things have gone right for the Tribe this year, in a season where they have faced some adversity. Similar to Jason Varitek in Boston and Derek Jeter in New York, it’s time to acknowledge Victor Martinez as the leader of the Indians. If the Tribe wants to play with the big boys, they need a “captain” to direct the charge, much like Boston and New York have had during their recent reins of success.

It’s time to honor Martinez with a “C” on his jersey as he leads the Tribe into October.

Tags: cleveland indians