Indian Fever

Almost Everything We Could Expect on the Last Day of the Regular Season!

2011-09-29T08:20:00.004-04:00

2 out of 3 ain't bad...so says Meatloaf!

Disappointing

The Tribe loses to the Tigers to finish under .500. Although most expectations were met by this rebuilding team, it sure would have been a bonus to finish this season 82-80 instead of the reverse. However, Manny Acta did get thrown out early arguing balls and strikes...that's a light at the end of the tunnel!

Expected

St. Louis Cards beat Astros handily and advance to the playoffs! they did get some help from the Phillies who took it to the Braves late in the night.

Elation

Rays beat Yanks with walk off despite the Red Sox balking about the Yanks laying down.

Red Sox have no one to blame (except maybe Carl Crawford) for their loss to the Orioles last night and the entire team for their September results.

Did the Orioles over-celebrate? Naw! They played hard and earned the celebration.

Every baseball fan is tired this morning!

What about Reyes of the Mets?

Although he is not the 1st to pull out of a game to win a batting crown.

As we wait for next year again in Cleveland, we also look forward to a great second season of baseball 2011!

Who are you pulling for?

Me? Like this;

Tigers over Yanks

Rays over Rangers

Cards over Phillies

Brewers over Diamondbacks

That's not exactly how I see it but how I hope it comes out!

What Do You Think?!

2011-09-28T19:36:00.005-04:00

Did the Indians let up too early?

Manny Acta has been talking for two seasons now about how important each game is to the season. That was a refreshing contrast to previous manager Eric Wedge who believed in wait and see or some nonsense like that. Eric never put any importance in just one game.
But look at some of the games we should have won. Of course no one could foresee the collapse of the Red Sox. As late as September 1st everyone thought Boston had a lock on the wild card if they didn't win the division outright. Could the Indians have been playing tonight for the wild card?

Injuries you say?

Yes, Cleveland has been plagued by injuries all season long. Manny Acta has been missing more than half of his regulars for more games than we care to think about.
But why so many injuries?
You have to go back a few years when we still had the likes of CC, Cliffy, and Jake who all suffered oblique muscle pulls on several occasions.

Ankles, knees, forearms, elbows, stomach muscles (obliques), calf muscles, hamstrings...sounds like not enough strengthening and conditioning, huh?
When the assistant head trainer jogs out on the field being heavily overweight, what message does that send to the players? We all could stand to lose a few pounds but when you have constant access to the best exercise and strengthening equipment, is there any excuse?
I maintain that for years the Cleveland Indians do not focus enough on strengthening and conditioning.
Want to disagree?
So what if I am wrong (which I am not)?
Could stronger players in better condition hurt anything?

Who are you pulling for tonight for the wild cards?

If it was up to me, Boston loses and Tampa wins...I am just so tired of the Red Sox but not as tired of them as I am of the Yankees.

I am also pulling for the Cards!

Maybe I want the long shots because we could have been there as well.

Isn't Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal the top reason to buy a Plain Dealer?

Will Fausto be released and become a star somewhere else when he gets his head straight?

When will Hafner be Full-ner?

Does Grady Sizemore need to take his game down to 99% to stay healthy?

Don't you just want Jack Hanahan to bat over .300 and play 3rd everyday?

It was great to have Thome back but where will he play next year if he plays 'cause it won't be here.

Are you a Manny Acta believer? He converted me but I just want him to protect his players with ferocity!

The Cards are winning 4-0!

Both the Rays and Red Sox are losing...Cool! The regular season may be extended!

Psst!...Watch the Waiver Today!

2011-08-23T06:38:00.001-04:00

Could Big Jim be on his way back to Cleveland?

Time To Get Real!

2011-08-22T13:21:00.003-04:00

So Manny Acta is determined to get back the games that he lost to Detroit and get back in the race.

I would love to see it but it ain't gonna happen.

Let's do the math...

The Tigers are 68 and 58, playing at a .540 clip. They have 35 games remaining. If they continue to play no worse or no better (which isn't that great anyway) they will finish the season with 87 wins.

The Indians are 62 and 61, playing at a .504 clip. They have 39 games remaining. To over take the Tiger and win the division, they must play at a .666 clip, winning 26 of their remaining 39 games.

Impossible? No.

Improbable? Absolutely!

Why?

Because like all other Cleveland teams, they lack the killer instinct. And that starts with their manager.

I am a Manny Acta fan but really Manny, something has to change.

Manny was quoted in the Akron Beacon Journal today in response to the blown call (one of them) yesterday when Lou Marson threw out (but didn't get the call) Austin Jackson stealing second base. The replay clearly showed Jackson was out. Astrubal Cabrera got a severe finger wagging from umpire Tim McClelland who blew the call and then was way out of line reprimanding Cabrera for being upset by the call. Manny hurried out to save his player but missed his opportunity to blast the entire umpire crew for a terrible weekend, from behind the plate to the bases. Manny said, "I guess eventually we're going to have to press that buzzer and use instant replay."

Holy cow, Manny, don't have a stroke over the shitty calls, OK?

Minutes later on a call much less controversial that that, Jim Leyland came back from the dead, and charged out to 3rd base like Teddy Roosevelt going up San Juan Hill! He let the entire umpiring crew as well as the world of baseball know how pissed he was. "You're outta here" was the result and the Tigers felt their manager did what was necessary to keep the playing field level and even.

Want to know why the Red Sox and Yankees games with each other last so long? Because those 2 managers will not stand for any call going against them and argue about everything! In fact, the players on those teams are the best at carping I have ever seen.

So Manny, do I want ya to argue every call? Hell no, just make yourself heard when necessary. Umpires used to say about Ted Williams, "If Ted doesn't swing at it, it's a ball!" The reverse can be said of players with much less talent or experience. A rookie looks at a borderline pitch with 2 strikes and he gets little if any respect, unless he plays for the Red Sox or Yankees.

So what if an umpire gives a warning to the bench because the manager and his coaches are riding him about balls and strikes. That umpire is hot but also aware that every call he is making in being scrutinized. He's a better ump for it.

Manny had the perfect opportunity to get thrown out yesterday defending his catcher and his short stop. That action would have unified the team and possibly changed the outcome of the game yesterday.

OK, OK, enough...what does it matter? They aren't going to win 26 more games, are they?

Not unless Lou Brown comes back and says, "I think we are contenders, we just need something to pull it all together."

Couldn't you just hear Lou say, "The way I figure this thing, we need 26 wins to win it all!"

We're all listening Lou...I mean Manny!

She's Hoarse and Can't Sing No More!

2011-08-21T14:52:00.003-04:00

Pretty good season, huh?
Too bad we couldn't hang on.
Went to Detroit on Saturday to see the Indians give up on the season, from the manager to the ineffective DH. When Travis Hafner jogs to first base (when he doesn't strike out), he is displaying the roll-over attitude that this team appears to have adopted.
Need more?
Manny Acta continues to stay put in the dugout when he should be protecting his players.
Instead his pitcher gets thrown out of the game and then goes back out on to the field to let the umpire know that he should find another line of work.
I love ya Manny but why don't you forget about trying to win the Nice Guy Award, especially with the umpires?
He's not alone though.
The Tigers have a very talented team, much more than they are showing. It appears that they will win the division but I doubt that they will advance past the first playoff series.
Why?
Jim Leyland has become ineffective during the game. He has adopted an Eric Wedge type of style that when the game starts, the manager's job is done.
He just got a one year extension from Detroit.
I think he may be El Cid.
I think he died but they have him propped up in the dugout just to make other teams think they still have a manager.
Did anyone ever thing Joe Girardi or Terry Francona stop managing or fighting for their players during a game?
Of course not, that is why if the Yankees or Red Sox don't win their division, the 2nd place team between them wins the Wild Card.

What an embarrassment Saturday night's game was.
Blow out the candles and cut the cake!
Today isn't much better. Throw at our guy so we get penalized and cannot react. Where was Manny during all of that?
How about Cabrera tagging out the runner stealing 2nd and the runner is called safe on a blatantly blown call?
The ump wags his finger in Astrubal Cabrera's face. Manny comes out and did not get thrown out! he failed to take advantage of the opportunity to fire up his team.

Sing if you can. Sing to a season where expectations were exceeded but resulted in underachievement.

The division was there for the taking.

We wait for next year again, hoping to add some inspiration and infuse a "never quit" spirit.

That really is all that was missing.

Teams with less talent have achieved more.

Sing 'cause it's over.

Too bad because the Yankees and Red Sox don't have what it takes this year either.

Other than being fierce competitors and never quiting, neither the Yanks or Sox will win the world series.

Too bad.

Cinderella left the ball early.

No, Not Good Enough!

2011-08-08T17:27:00.004-04:00

Plain Dealer writer states the following;

Cleveland Indians need to take at least 2 of 3 games against Detroit Tigers, says Dennis Manoloff

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/08/cleveland_indians_need_to_take.html

No, the Cleveland Indians must enter this 3-game home stand with the division leaders with a "SWEEP" mindset.

This is the team that surprised nearly everyone in the baseball world with their fabulous start of the season as well as with their ability to stay in contention to this point.

This is the team with their top management putting on a different hat prior to the trading deadline more that a week ago. In the previous 3 seasons, they have been cleaning house of their soon to be free agent stars. Instead, they admitted that their team is a contender by making recent acquisitions to bolster that belief. Good or bad acquisitions? I applaud the front office for going for it instead of sitting pat!

This is a team that has put together a starting rotation that has kept them in not only most ballgames, but in contention for the division. The starting pitching was thought to be the weakest part of this team back when the snow was flying in Cleveland.

Detroit is thinking they need to take 2 out of 3 from us.

That is why they were trailing us most of the season until lately.

We must think 3 out of 3!

If we think 2 out of 3, we may settle for 1 out of 3.

Time is running out. It is time for this team, the team that has already exceeded expectation, to not settle for mediocrity any longer!

Manny must put the best 9 on the field, not the best rested 9 and not the best righty/lefty match-up 9, but the best 9 for this series.

Back in late April, we took 3 of 3 from Detroit at home with swagger, confidence, and yes, some late game heroics.

Take all 3 and get within 1 game at the same time!

Remember, to make the playoffs, we must win the division!

Manny Stays With Fausto!

2011-06-22T07:25:00.004-04:00

Manny Acta was asked what he will do with Fausto Carmona since his most recent failed start. Manny's response was, "Fausto will start again in 5 days."

What options does he have?

He can relegate him to the minors to see if he can get his form back. Fausto would have to agree to that but that would not be out of the question if he wants to get back to his winning ways. This seemed to work before in 2009 but the fix didn't stick.

He could "physically disable" him (it has been done before) and assign him to rehab work in Columbus and/or Akron. This could be in Fausto's (and his agent's) best interest.

He could trade him but his value has plummeted with his pitching woes of 2011.

He could stay with him and hope that through coaching he will work out the problems that are plaguing this gifted pitcher.

But if Manny is going to stay with him as he has indicated, he must get into his head. He has to make him pitch his pitches and stop reacting to the home plate umpire. To do that, Manny Acta and pitching coach Tim Belcher must position themselves on the top step of the dugout and fight for the low strike calls every inning that Fausto pitches. Instead, Manny is shown on TV with a look of deep concern on his face when Fausto gets into trouble.

I am a big Manny Acta fan and he is certainly closer to the issue than any of us but would fighting for some pitches really hurt?

The good news is that pitching coach Tim Belcher has made Fausto his focus now through Sunday when Fausto pitches next...Should be very interesting!

Hey Manny, hope to see you on the top step of the dugout Sunday...It could be fun and rewarding!

How Long Do We Stay With Carmona?

2011-06-15T19:33:00.003-04:00

Come on Guys, it's over...Fausto Carmona on the big club, that is.
No matter how you figure it, Fausto cannot continue to take up space on this ball club while he tries to figure out what happened to his pitching mojo.
Send him down Now!
Fausto, I love ya man but you are killing the team!
No one will ever forget what you did in 2007...
Wedge relegated you as the closer early in the season and that was a disaster.
You began starting and pitched very well as other were nursing minor injuries.
Then, just as you threw a gem vs. Baltimore, you were going to be assigned to the minors until Jake Westbrook pulled an oblique muscle and went on the DL.
That was all you needed and the rest is history as you almost beat out your teammate C.C. for the 2007 Cy Young Award.
So where is that guy?
We can't wait anymore to find him.
Go down, take all the time you need to get back to your old form.
Go down now.
Manny, Chris, Mark...send him down and stop the madness.
While you are at it, what about Phelps, Buck, and Kearns????
Goodbye, goodbye, and goodbye!
Hurry back Pronk!

What's Wrong With the Wahoos?

2011-06-13T14:59:00.004-04:00

Nothing!

This is the youngest team in major league baseball.

Have they not surpassed all of your expectations until lately?

We knew they would make mistakes, those mistakes just all came at the same time against very good teams.

They will win again!

How about the fact that they are the youngest team in MLB. They are striking out more than they should, not going deep enough into pitch counts, and certainly not getting many calls at the plate. When a team is very young, it is up to the manager and his staff to fight for them until they earn the respect of not only the other teams, but of the umpires as well. What was the line about Ted Williams? If Ted Williams didn't swing at a pitch, the umpire called it a Ball. It is going to take Manny Acta and Tim Belcher a few ejections before the playing field is completely level. They should be on the top step every time one of our hitters gets two strikes on them. They should be jawing from the dugout from the start of the game to the last pitch. You have to love what Manny Acta has done with these guys. Did you see him go after Girardi? The umpiring in the NY series has been so inconsistent that batters on both teams kept turning back and looking at the umpire as if he left his guide dog in the kennel. But truth be told, the Yankees are expert at "getting" calls. They bellyache so much, they get over on many calls. Case in point; During Sunday's game, Orlando Cabrera hit a 2-hopper sharply to Derek Jeter at Short. The ball took off after the 2nd hop and skipped over Jeter's right shoulder and into left field. Pretty quickly announcer Rick Manning speculated that the play would be ruled a hit and Cabrera would have career hit #2000. Prior to a decision on the play by the scorekeeper, Jeter could be seen mouthing "Wow!" over and over as if it was such a cleanly hit ball. Ruling; Base Hit. I thought Jeter should have fielded the ball but apparently he and the scorer felt differently. I believe that Jeter had much to do with the play being ruled a hit.

When Fausto Carmona pitches, I wouldn't care if he walked every other batter until he starts getting the low strike calls, as long as he induces ground balls to every other batter. Think of it; Fausto is trying to pitch his game. He is most effective when he is keeping the ball at the bottom of the strike zone, inside or outside. He can walk the first batter, get a ground out, walk the second batter, get a ground out, walk the third batter, then induce a 3rd out ground out with no one scoring. what can help him is Belcher and Acta complaining about called balls. Instead, Fausto gets into trouble and changes his location then Wham! He has lost control of the game and gives up 3 to 5 runs. I don't have the confidence in Carmona because he lacks so much in self confidence. Too bad, he is very talented. He needs Acta and Belcher jawing at the ump.

This is the team, minus Hafner, that was the best team in major league baseball until a little over a week ago. They have faced Tampa Bay, Texas, a Minnesota team that they should have beaten more than once, and the Yankees to cause their demise of late. Look at the standings, they are still in first place by .001 point!

Tonight they finish the series with a win over New York if Acta and Belcher fight for the guys instead of letting them fight and get frustrated on the field. They are too young to do what the Yankees do...Situational Bellyaching!

Tomorrow they face the Tigers and they need to beat 'em 2 out of 3.

What if they don't?

These guys have already exceeded our expectations for 2011. However, they will get back on track and make the rest of the season very interesting.

Come on Manny Acta and Tim Belcher...start getting thrown out for standing up for your hitters and pitchers!

Can't Win If You Don't Score...

2011-05-19T09:46:00.006-04:00

Justin Masterson pitched very well for the Cleveland Indians last night. Jake Peavy pitched better and got the win.

You can't win if you don't score.

The Tribe is coming off of a 2 game win vs. the Royals where they scored 26 runs.

So why the flat performance last night?

Were they too aggressive as was suggested during the telecast?

Let's give credit to Peavy, he was masterful over Masterson and the rest of the Indians.

But we have game 2 of the series tonight.

Once again, we need our ace, Fausto Carmona to step up!

Sometimes I think manager Manny Acta should pair up Fausto not with the opposing team as much as with the umpire behind the plate!

If Fausto gets the low ball strike call, he generally has self confidence and pitches well.

Come on Fausto, throw low and hard no matter who is at, or behind the plate!

On another note, I was disappointed to see that Austin Kearn's attorney was fighting his DUI case in Kentucky on a technicality. the officer that stopped Austin may have been out of his jurisdiction but that doesn't change the fact that Kearns was weaving and under the influence.
Apparently the arresting officer was within his jurisdiction.

Here is hoping that the case does not get dismissed. Look for the charge to get reduced to Physical Control.

Too bad the story made the paper, I guess.

I will have little respect or use for Austin Kearns if he doesn't take responsibility for his actions.

Man up, Austin!

That's What He's Paid For!

2011-05-13T21:41:00.004-04:00

Travis Hafner delivers a 2 out, 2 run homer to win the game tonight 5-4 for the Cleveland Indians in the bottom of the ninth inning!
Did you watch it?

They never quit!

They were down but never out!

What a game!

There is no doubt that this young Cleveland Indians team is the most interesting in major league baseball!

Stay entertained my friends!

Wow!...Now How?

2011-05-08T12:50:00.004-04:00

As the Cleveland Indians are off to their best start in franchise history, you first have to say "WOW!" and then ask, "How will they continue this great season?" The answer appears to be falling on the shoulders of pitcher Fausto Carmona. Fausto's last start was solid but his season has been anything but solid.

Last year he spent time in the minors trying to work things out. This is the same guy that was runner up to team mate CC Sabathia in 2007 for the Cy Young award. This is the same guy that had such laser focus during the bug game that he tamed those dreaded Yankees as they whined and complained about the midgies during the infamous 2007 playoff Bug Game.

So today, Fausto gets the call against a 1st place, good hitting, good running team in Southern California.

We need that same "Focused Fausto" to toe the rubber and take charge of this wonderful and delirious Indians' season!

Come on Fausto, but you can't do it alone...

You will need run support, at least 3 runs to take the series today in Anaheim.

Forget Jobu! We need hitting with less than 2 outs today.

This has been a wonderful and exciting season that I, for one want desperately to continue!

How bad do you guys want it?

It appears just as bad!

Come on Fausto, be it...bring it!

The Game That Wasn't May Haunt Us!

2011-04-20T21:54:00.002-04:00

Carlos...I love ya, man but ya just can't stand there!
The Indians battled back in the top of the ninth inning only to leave the bases loaded down one run.
Carlos Santana, with "Hero" written all over him, stood and looked at three straight pitches for strikes.
Did somebody super glue the barrel to his shoulder?
So I understand a young team will make mistakes but is there really ever any excuse for not swinging the bat...at all?
I do believe that this team will grow and mature this year and win a fair share of games.
They may even make a run for the playoffs just like '05 and '07 when they were picked then to finish in the cellar of the ALCD. (I KNOW they will make a run for it!)
But it is games like last night in Kansas City that will come back and haunt us.
Oh Hell, it will come back and bite us in the behind!
Think back to 2005 when the Indians came up about a game short of making the playoffs.
There were many games that if they went to other way, we would have been in and Boston would have been out.
Think back to the final home stand in Cleveland when Ozzie Guillen swept us.
Remember Ozzie giving the Indians' fans the choke sign?
Or the weekend before when we lost to Lou Pinella and his Devil Rays.
It is one thing to get beat but you just can't stand there with 2 out and the bases loaded and your team is down by 1 run in the ninth. That is movie material!
Just as Manny Acta has his pitchers firing first ball strikes (and that has been the key to their success season to date), he must get these guys to know when they have to swing.
When in doubt, clout it out!
Come on Carlos, a city is waiting to anoint you "Savior!"

Get On Board!

2011-04-17T14:36:00.004-04:00

Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer is bracing for the collapse.

Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal is enjoying the ride with guarded optimism.

How about you?

Have you looked into the dugout to see what is going on?

FUN!

EXCITEMENT!

ENTHUSIASM!

CONFIDENCE!

This isn't Murderers' Row and we don't (yet) have the Fearsome Four but we are winning.

So if we were losing as expected, these sportswriters would be telling us about how hard it is to compete in a small market with little payroll and a lack of fan support.

Instead, we are leading the ALCD with a 10-4 record (as today's game is in progress with the good guys ahead 4-2) and we are being cautioned to look at reality.

WHY?

How will we ever get a winner in Cleveland if we don't believe?

As Orlando Cabrerra said when asked if this team was a contender, "Not yet, we need about another month and a half into the season but I think we have what it takes."

If anyone has told this team they are not supposed to win, they aren't buying it.

Look in the dugout, watch them grow together on the field, and strap in! We are in for a fun summer ride!

Come On Pluto, Throw Us A Bone!

2011-04-12T20:24:00.003-04:00

Things are tough when perennially positive Cleveland Plain Dealer sports writer Terry Pluto warns that the Indians will not continue in their winning ways. Terry wants you and I to enjoy the ride while it lasts. Thanks Terry because that is just NOT what we need or want to hear right now. We have team owners with short arms and long pockets that will trade a free agent if there is even a hint of a collapse. Terry, did you forget 2005 and 2007? Those teams did the unexpected against huge odds against them. The 2005 Tribe made an August & September run and just missed the playoffs. The 2007 Tribe provided us with one of the most exciting and entertaining seasons we have ever had. The odds were stacked against that team from the snowed out opening weekend through the 7 game series vs. the Red Sox. I see many similarities in this 2011 team with the 2007 team.

Solid offense

Solid defense

Solid relief

Starting pitching that will require at least 2 of these guys to have career years

Yes, it is way too early to start printing playoff tickets but it is not too early by any stretch of the imagination to put some distance between the Tribe and the rest of the ALC teams. Tonight we go for 9 wins in a row. Fausto goes for his first win with one very good and one very bad outing season to date. He must be one of the guys that has to have a career year (like he did in 2007) for this run to be real. We can all sit back and wait for the collapse to come and say like Terry, "See, I told you so!" Better yet, I will stand and cheer at Progressive Field and when the "unexpected" successful 2011 season is over, I will say, "See, I told you so!"

Manny Boner #1

2011-04-03T14:22:00.003-04:00

What the hell are you thinking, Manny???? 4 right handed hitters sitting on the bench today with lefty John Danks on the mound for the White Sox! Currently the score is only 1-0 Chicago in going to the top of the 6th inning but the rain is falling a getting stronger. Who's on the bench? Austin Kearns while lefty hitter Travis Buck is in! Shelley Duncan sits with Travis Hafner and Michael Brantley playing. Michael Brantley is not Grady Sizemore and has not earned the right to play everyday regardless of a righty or lefty pitcher. With Shin Soo Choo struggling so badly, it might have been a good idea to rest him early in the season as well. As good as Jack Hannahan has been in the early going, why is right handed hitting Adam Everett sitting? Top of the 6th and we have only 4 hits with only one of them by a lefty, Michael Brantley. And what's up with Acta playing his starters almost entirely through the first 2 games? Come on Manny, let's see some strategy. These guys are going to need some help to win, especially with the poor starting pitching in our 1st 2 games. OK, hold it...Orlando Cabrera just put us ahead 2-1 with a 2 run HR! Still, use the bench! How about the Silent 1st Pitch by Anne Feller on Friday? Very classy!

I watched and watched the ball sit on the rubber until Fausto Carmona took the mound. Then I wasn't sure if he used that ball or gave it up for a game ball but he did pick it up. I kept thinking, from Anne Feller's hand to Fausto Carmona's hand...what inspiration that could have been knowing that the man being honored had pitched a no hit opener in Cleveland in 1940. That's Hollywood stuff but Fausto failed to seize the moment.

Anyway, if we lose this game today, I gotta put the blame on the skipper.

We need this win today...Come on Manny, lead the youngest team in the majors to their 1st victory today!

Opening Day, Hooray!

2011-04-01T09:16:00.004-04:00

It's finally here, the Home Opener in Cleveland, Ohio!

And we are in first place this morning!

The festivities of the day are always so entertaining and moving at the same time.

I am so looking forward to the tribute to Bob Feller. Remember that the only opening day no hitter was pitched by Rapid Robert in Cleveland in 1940!

Fausto, this is a huge game for you in so many ways! Bigger than the Bug Game in 2007 when you were so dominant against those Skankees!

After the tribute to Bob Feller and the Silent First Pitch by his widow, you take the mound with a lot heaped on your shoulders. A city looks to you to lead us through this very important first game and set the tone for the season. After all, that is what the opener is all about!

It's time for a prediction, at least one for today...

Fausto comes out pumped and focused like he can, like he was in the Bug Game.

This fine fielding team that the Indians have assembled plays error free ball.

Despite the cold weather, we out hit the White Sox.

Final score, Cleveland 5, Chicago 3

A great start, setting the tone for what could be a very interesting and surprising season of Cleveland Indians Baseball!

Chris Perez Hurls For The Tribe!

2011-03-29T08:09:00.003-04:00

So you think you have heard about all of the Indians' hurlers? Well wait until you digest this little tidbit (if you can)! It seems Indians' closer Chris Perez was about to sail comfortably through the 9th inning yesterday against the Cubs with a 4-1 lead when the ride got a little bumpy. A hit batter, a walk, and a double later with one out and Perez became more than a little upset! After screaming through his mitt at catcher Carlos Santana, Perez apparently called time out, laid down briefly on the grass behind the pitcher's mound, and then sat up and barfed on the field! Perez related the incident to when he played ball in the hot sun as a youth and having similar experiences. After eating lunch a little too early, he became overheated and experienced low blood sugar, thus causing the reaction. Chris, I am glad that you are OK but I gotta tell you, I love your style! Oh don't worry, the Tribe pulled the game out 4-3 but not until after the reliever found his own relief on the field. It kinda takes you back to a couple of scenes in the movie, "Major League." Jake Taylor and Ricky Vaughn are sitting in a bar and a young man asks Wild Thing for his autograph because Vaughn had been elected into the Hall of Shame that day for walking the bases loaded and then giving up a grand slam. Jake looks at Ricky and says words to the effect of, "You don't have to do something well if you do it colorfully." Later in the movie just before the playoff game vs. the dreaded NY Yankees, Willie Mays Hayes stops Jake Taylor to tell him that power hitter Pedro Serrano is looking for extra power and wants to sacrifice a live chicken in the club house. "Hey Jake man, we can't have guys throwing up all over the place!" Oh yes you can, Willie! There were probably a few other guys who got the dry heaves when Perez upchucked yesterday. You know that almost barfing sensation you get when someone else is in peril? This is big! We need to capitalize on this for the season! It is like the bubble gum bubbles that El Presidente (Dennis Martinez) was putting on guys hats in '95 while they were being interviewed. It's as good as the whipped cream pies in the faces of game MVP as they are telling Matt Underwood all about it after the game in '07. Chris Perez has put a new spin on "Hurler" as well as "Pitching in Relief!" Oh, there is money to be made and fortune to find! Can't you just see Alka Seltzer as a new sponsor of the Cleveland Indians? Picture Chris Perez holding up that little blue box of relief and saying, "I don't take the mound without it!" Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, oh what a relief it is! Chris Perez, not only have you become a very good reliever and closer in the American League, but you are doing it very colorfully as well!

How Close Are They To Contending?

2011-03-24T21:32:00.003-04:00

Is it the thrill of the upcoming season just one week away that changes our outlook to a more positive view?

After going to see my beloved team in Cactus League play, and now seeing them win lately with the regulars getting the majority of the playing time in spring training, I really like what I am seeing!

Our hitting was decent last year but is much improved in 2011.
Our base running was poor last year but much better right now!
Our fielding has improved...
Our relief pitching continues to improve since mid season last year...
Our starting pitching is keeping us from contending!

Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson, Mitch Talbot, Carlos Carrasco, and Josh Tomlin...Ouch!

But if we could acquire just one more strong starter, this could be a very interesting season!

Two starters having a great season becomes contagious to the rest of the pitching staff!

Chris Antonelli and Mark Shapiro have a big decision to make in the next 7 days...contend or stay put?

I was disappointed in their recent decision to send Lonnie Chisenhall down to AAA. With Jason Donald on the DL for the start of the season, that gives 3rd base to Jack Hannahan, a good fielder who has not done well at the plate but has had a strong hitting spring. At least he is a 3rd baseman! The very last time I remember a AA ballplayer having a great spring and sticking with the team for the season because of injuries, he was the American League Rookie of the Year!

In 2005, the Tribe deep thinkers sent Grady Sizemore to the minors for more seasoning the day before the season started but quickly called him back up after the opener when "Roids Boy" Juan Gonzales wrecked his leg running out a grounder in his at bat of the season. Look at the season Grady had that year!

Come on Mark and Chris...roll the dice on 2011! Put some butts in the seats by contending with one more strong and proven starting pitcher!

Different Year, Same Results?

2011-03-12T12:05:00.011-05:00

This is my first time ever at Spring Training. It is a great opportunity to view the Cleveland Indians prior to Opening Day.

What's new? What's the same?

Well, this is their third year in Goodyear, Arizona and the facility that they share with the Cincinnati Reds is fabulous.

When you enter the ballpark, looking around you are immediately reminded of the loss of Bob Feller in the off season.

Gaylord Perry was on hand to sign autographs and tell his wonderful stories.

Mark Shapiro was seen everywhere, from talking to ex-manager Eric Wedge on the field to walking the entire stands greeting fans. In fact, he and Bob DiBiasio were on our plane home on Sunday.

But somethings just don't seem to change.

Before Friday's game, the Indians were 4 and 9 and dwelling in last place in the American League season to date this Spring. Yes, we all know that Spring games mean little in the regular season and that it all starts anew April 1st. Well, try telling that to the world champion San Francisco Giants who dwell at the top of the National League this Spring.

The Indians played to a 5 to 5 tie in 10 innings with the Seattle Mariners on Friday, 3/11/11. Neither Eric Wedge or Manny Acta seemed very intent on winning the game.

The new infield duo of Astrubal Cabrera and Orlando Cabrera looked like they needed some more time to practice their double play exchanges as Astrubal flipped a ball to Orlando. Astrubal should have continued on across 2nd base and completed the double play. Instead, Orlando dropped the flip and was charged with one of the 2 errors made by the Tribe.

Lonnie Chisenhall made a slick running/throwing play on a hot grounder to 3rd base. This is our 3rd baseman of the future...Why not now? Yeah, yeah, yeah...options and all of that...who cares?! This guy has game, he hits, he fields, he is ready! Jason Donald suffered a wrist/hand injury over a week ago and has been delayed in his opportunity to take over 3rd.

Grady Sizemore has yet to get into a game this Spring. Grady more than likely will not be ready for the opener in Cleveland. The question that needs to be asked, will he ever be able to play again at full speed?

On Saturday, 3/12/11, the Tribe beat the Angels by a score of 2-1. The Angels were represented by a crew of guys mostly made up of guys you are not likely to hear about again this year.

Fausto Carmona started the game and was dominant. He pitched 4 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit and 1 walk, striking out 5 and "sinking" 6 ground ball outs.

Michael Brantley led off the game with a crisp hit. He looks very comfortable in center field. We need him to get off to a great start.

I have said this before but the game is beginning to resemble other sports with the constant barrage of entertainment. Between every batter there is a different blaring song and between almost every half inning there is a silly contest. The good thing is that there is no clock in baseball otherwise this sport would be out of hand with distractions like NBA games.

Some fans have no respect for the game getting up mid inning to get food, standing to take a picture just when a pitch is about to be delivered, etc. Other fans still maintain baseball etiquette and speak well of the game and it's lore between innings. It is refreshing to hear fans talk about their fantasy league picks, discuss prospects, and remember great performers and performances from the past.

So how will this team perform?

Starting pitching is the big question. But the lineup in the field is tough. Here is how I see the everyday lineup shaping up;

1. Michael Brantley, CF

2. Astrubal Cabrera, SS

3. Shin Soo Choo, RF

4. Travis Hafner, DH

5. Carlos Santana, C

6. Austin Kearns, LF

7. Matt LaPorta, 1B

8. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B

9. Orlando Cabrera, 2B

I like this lineup! They hit and they field well. There is versatility with Shelley Duncan, Trevor Crowe, Luis Valbueno, Jayson Nix, and Jason Donald (when healed). The bullpen continues to improve since the second half of last season and they are quite stable now. It's starting pitching that will hurt this team. Fausto is solid but after him...Carasco got roughed up today...Tomlin needs to have a career year...Masterson must get consistent...same with Talbot, Gomez, and Huff...weak rotation!

If we want to compete, as Shin Soo Choo says we can, we must get another proven starter very quickly.

Let's see if we can change those same results!

Hard To Say Goodbye...

2010-12-16T08:24:00.002-05:00

Robert Feller, 1918 - 2010

Through the years there was that smile. Rapid Robert was just as quick to give a pat on the back as he was to flash that big smile with teeth gritted.

What accomplishments!

What a leader!

What unselfishness!

Many times Bob was asked, "What was your greatest victory in your fabulous career?"

Without hesitation, Bob would reply, "Winning World War Two!"

How many people do you know that have the an ounce of the dedication and passion to their country, to their ambitions, to their employer, to fair play that this great man possessed?

I know I am a better person for knowing you, Bob.

I won't say goodbye, I'll see you at Gate C.

What's "FREE" About Free Agents?

2010-11-09T09:16:00.004-05:00

USA Today lists the top 50 MLB free agents. Paul White of USA Today ranks Cliff Lee #1.
Here is an interesting ranking, he lists Derek Jeter as 27th. Can you imagine Jeter playing for any other team except the Skankees? You have to believe that New York would never let him go, regardless of his diminishing skills…I haven’t heard that term since Billy Bellycheck banished Bernie Kosar from Northeast Ohio! Still, wouldn’t that be almost as sweet as Texas beating New York in the ALCS?...Almost! I am still in a euphoric state since the night of 10/22/10! (Holy Crap! I have to go back to that wretched city in two and a half weeks!)
Look at the list if you get a moment. It is hitting and pitching rich.
Who catches the eye immediately? Well of course, Victor Martinez who told me in an airport he did not want to leave Cleveland and wished he were still there since the hiring of Manny Acta.
How about Adam Dunn? Forget it, the Dolans…never mind, they are not even worth talking about.
Realistically, who would take less or no money to come back and finish out their career in Cleveland?
It is not likely unless they still had property in the “Best Location in the Nation.”
Jimmy Boy Thome! I understand he still has a house in Aurora! He certainly could produce much more than Hafner and be the Eddie Murray for this band of youngsters.
A real stretch would be Manny Ramirez. Perhaps he just misses snow at Christmas..or on opening Day.
There will be much speculation on free agents and other type baseball related items and issues as the snow begins to fly. Other than an occasional Browns upset of a Superbowl contender or a LeBron-less Cavs team in first place with a .500 record, all we can do is buy Opening Day tickets and keep or fingers and toes crossed for the reincarnation of a Dick Jacobs kind of visionary to show an interest in our beloved baseball team.
I think it’s snowing…

I Never Shed A Tear For You...

2010-10-24T08:42:00.006-04:00

This was almost as much fun as when the Indians beat the Yankees in the 2007 ALDS!

27th payroll in the league...Who wanted it more?!

Class act, on and off the field!

A very fitting triumph!

Each time there was a "bad" call, the Rangers responded with a big inning. Here, Nick Swisher eludes a HBP call in favor of a wild pitch. How do 6 umpires on the field all miss this?

On to the World Series!

Yankee Fans Once Again Show Lack of Understanding, Respect, and Sense of Fair Play for the Game of Baseball

2010-10-19T22:23:00.002-04:00

National television audiences witness what umpires miss...again!

How is this not fan interference?

Come on Rangers, put a bullet in the New York Yankees.

I hate the Yankees!

I hate their town!

I hate their cab drivers!

I hate the people who work in NY and think you owe them something for doing their jobs!

More than anything, I hate the Yankee fans who think they know the game of baseball...apparently they don't know anything about fair play as caught in photos above.

Who was that kid who selfishly interfered in the 1996 playoff game in NY...Jeffery Maier. They probably erected a statue to the little shit somewhere in Da Bronx.

Tonight these morons not only interfered with play on the field, they taunted Nelson Cruz after they interfered with the ball and Cruz's glove. And they were proud of it. So were the rest of the so called fans in the toilet bowl called Yankee Stadium.

Score right now; Rangers 5, Skankees 3 in the top of the 7th.

Go all the way Rangers! Take your 29th ranked payroll and stick it to these pampered prima donnas and their neanderthal fans!

League To Rule On Cell Phone Usage By Players During Games!

2010-10-16T11:04:00.005-04:00

Nelson Cruz is tagged out by CC Sabathia last night while apparently asking caller, "Am I Safe?"

The Seattle Mariners hired Eric Wedge to manage at least part of next season.

Heads in the clouds...or somewhere else?

Would you trust this man with your business?

Don't look for the fortunes of the Cleveland Indians to change anytime soon, at least as long as they are owned by the Dolans and they keep Mark Shapiro in charge of the daily operations of the team. Apparently job performance doesn't matter as Marky was promoted from GM to President of the club. Who takes his place? His protege, Chris Antonelli, the assistant GM. Do as I did AND as I say!

We can thank Mark and the Dolans for giving us the ability to see some of our favorite players in the playoffs again this year. You know, guys that labored for the Indians and have found the brass ring and their fortunes elsewhere as we continue to develop talent for the rest of the league.

Manny Acta was a somewhat pleasant surprise this year as he was palatable as the manager of the team. But don't look now, Tony LaRussa will be moving on from the Cards and we will stand pat with Acta. Acta is somewhere between Wedge and LaRussa, kind of like hamburger helper to filet mignon and gruel...Lucky us!

How Do you See Things?

2010-08-10T21:38:00.008-04:00

This is how Mark Shapiro sees himself wheeling and dealing Cleveland Indians' soon-to-be free agents;

This is how the fans in Cleveland see Shapiro's deal making;

This is how Braylon Edwards sees the city of Cleveland;

This is how the fans and coaches in Cleveland repeatedly saw Braylon Edwards;

LeBron's "Lady" sees the fans of Cleveland as unfair to the King;

You know what? I hated to see the guy go but we can take consolation in one thing...He didn't go to New York!

Today was "Take Your Best Shot At Cleveland Day!"

Is that all you got????

It's the Dog Days of Summer and tempers flare more and more at the old ballgame.

Did you see the Cards and Reds tonight?

Check it out;

http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100810&content_id=13276098&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl

Lovely, isn't it? And it was all pretty much started by a guy who holds the City of Cleveland in just as high esteem as anyone, Brandon Phillips.

Perhaps Milton Bradley would like to drive through Cuyahoga Falls for old time sake...Oh, bad idea Milty!

Why not have an Albert Belle bobble head night? Shake him just a little bit and he smashes a thermostat in the clubhouse, or hits a guy in the face with a ping pong paddle, or throws a strike at a camera man's chest, or...runs down some teens in his SUV.

We love and worship our sports heroes here in the city that once gave itself the phrase, "Best Location In The Nation!"

They just don't love us back!

So It Begins Again...

2010-07-31T11:24:00.004-04:00

Well, just when things begin to turn around, the fire sale begins again. Why Austin Kearns had to be taken out of the game last night because he didn't belong to the Indians anymore! Johnny Peralta goes to the Tigers for a Happy Meal. Austin Kearns goes to the Yankees for a hand full of beans to be named later. Jake Westbrook is starting today. If he comes out early for no apparent reason...guess what? He's traded!

It feels like the '70s and the '80s again. We almost lost the team until Dick Jacobs built a new stadium and saved the franchise. He enabled GM John Hart to extend long contracts to young players to ensure a future for the team and it worked. We have become a Triple A farm team for MLB once again. The funniest thing last night was that broadcaster Rick Manning kidded fellow broadcaster Matt Underwood that he heard rumors that Underwood was being traded. Funny, but sad.

So who is to blame, the Dolans for their shoestring budget and almost absentee ownership?

Or is it Mark Shapiro who sits on the edge of his seat ready to pull the trigger on any player making more than the league minimum?

I'll say it again, if my job performance read like Shapiro's, I wouldn't be gleaming for the cameras with the eventual promotion he will receive at the end of the season. When results are less important that the immediate bottom line, there is little hope for the future of the franchise...unless there is another Dick Jacobs out there. The city of Cleveland longs for another hero like Mr. Jacobs but does that person or group exist?

Until then, we are subject to the annual fire sales and poor baseball in Cleveland.

Too bad...too bad! But the true fans of the Cleveland Indians will still support the team and keep the faith. After all, that is what the city of Cleveland is so good at and all about. Time to pop in "Major League" again in the DVD player and dream about...I don't know, next year? Perhaps 10 years from now.

It's Been A While...

2010-07-27T21:18:00.009-04:00

Yes, it has been a while...since June 5th. So what's been going on? Well, LeBron James set the city of Cleveland on it's (R)ear with his tasteless and classless theatrical announcement that he was going to the Heat. We will miss you LeBron but not the circus sideshow. How about Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cavs? He paled in comparison to "The Announcement" in his "Rebuttal" letter but he laid just as big of an egg as his ex-superstar.

While this was going on, I received many calls, texts, and e-mails asking how the town was going to handle another loss. Well, my response was that we all got up and went to work the next day, just like any other day. Of course, the USA Today had to remind everyone about the heartbreak Cleveland suffers in sports what with "The Drive", "The Shot", "The Fumble", etc. But they forgot more than they remembered and the lights are still on in the city by the lake. Why stop with sports anyway? We have the city that went into default. The river that burned...heck, that same year our mayor caught his hair on fire!

We still love ya, Ralphie! So don't worry about Cleveland and it's people...they are a hardy bunch that even "Red Right 88" couldn't keep down. It is a city of eternal hope. Our theme song should be, "I Will Survive!"

On another bright ray of hope, look at our Tribe!

They have won 7 out of their last 11 games since the All-Star break from 1st or 2nd place teams; Detroit, Minnesota, Tampa, and New York and they are in the process of beating the Yankees tonight.

The problem is these guys don't know they aren't supposed to win.

This is a pretty solid lineup that will only get better. Crow, Cabrera, Choo, Santana, Peralta, Nix, Brantley, and Kearns are hitters with good defense. They are getting better and better as they begin to believe in themselves. And the pitching is improving too!

So here it is...How we set ourselves up for disappointment in Cleveland...

The Cleveland Indians, despite the front office sitting on their hands, will grow into a contender next year...

But wait, there is more...

Just as I predicted in 2005 and 2007, this little team will win some games and make the division interesting in August and September! Are they going to the playoffs? No, of course not but could they finish 3rd in the division?

Here is how I see it on September 30th;

Twins

Sox

Indians

Tigers

Royals

Buckle up and hang on 'cause these guys are gonna win some games in August and September!

This is my Tribe!

Sportsmanship

2010-06-05T19:48:00.005-04:00

You saw it probably 20 times by now. If you saw it live, it was even more incredible. We all looked at every angle to see what umpire Jim Joyce could have seen. Did Galaragas miss the bag? No, no, and no. Did he bobble the ball? Yeah, a little but each closeup on replay showed he had control before the runner got to the bag.

No doubt Jim Joyce erred on the call and only he will ever know what really went through his mind in that split second in eternity...or perhaps he will never know.

So what did you see? It is probably a better question to ask what you did not see. You did not see a George Brett-like tantrum. Instead you saw a young man who was truly cheated of a perfect game and all of the fame that goes with it. In a moment he realized what he had lost. You could see it in his face for the second or two that he stared in amazement at the "safe" call. But immediately he gently smiled as he truly maintained his composure and went back to the job of finishing the game.

The word "Class" has been used and overused in describing what happened. The true definition of Armando Galaragas is "Sportsman."

So now what? One faction is screaming for replays and the purists are defending the "human" aspect of the game.

Where do you stand?

We could go completely high tech and wire everything from the strike zone to the bases, to the foul poles to the balls and bats.

Before a batter stands in, electrodes in his uniform defining his specific strike zone would be synchronized with an electric 3-D strike zone that calls balls and strikes for those pitches not swung at.

The same type of electrode could decide if a bat or a body part made contact with the ball. The foul lines could call fair or foul. An electrode in spikes and first base could make the call at the bag. Umpires would be obsolete.

Well, that would end the game as we know it and put it into the hands of this techy society that does not get the beauty of this timeless game between cell phone calls and text messages. They have no patience to take the time to understand the mental battle that each pitch presents.

Probably the best suggestion I have heard was on the Cleveland Indians' telecast this evening. Matt Underwood suggested that the scorer become a 5th umpire that would decide when a play should be under review and when a replay would be necessary. That scorer/umpire would then review the replay and decide is there was conclusive evidence to change a call.

This way the human aspect of the game stays in tact until it is evident that a serious error could have been committed.

It will be very interesting to see what develops.

Questions, Questions, Questions...

2010-05-18T22:23:00.009-04:00

I Still Watch...I Still Believe...

2010-05-17T21:09:00.004-04:00

I do!

As often as I can, I watch...even out of town on the web...This is my team and this is my city.

Yes, we were all reminded that Cleveland has not had a winner since the '64 Browns at the conclusion of the Cavs/Celtics playoffs. As the Celts celebrated, the world had to see again the suffering of Cleveland teams and fans with all of the heartbreaking plays that have crushed dreams over the last 46 years. Thanks for that...but guess what? We can take it.

Are there more heartbreaks to come...some sooner than later?

Is LeBron really LeGone?

I hope with all of my heart that LeBron stays but if he doesn't, guess what? We all get up and go to work the next day.

So why hope and believe in Cleveland?

This is my town. I have lived here for almost 61 years and I am not about to relocate now.

My sport is baseball and my team will always be the Indians, no matter who poorly owns them or who miss-manages them.

I still think this team can make a lot of noise in the AL Central. The door is open with the Red Sox tanking. Except here comes Tampa Bay again!

So what! Did you see the Indians come back on Baltimore on Saturday night with 8 runs in the 9th inning? That set the table for a big performance by pitcher Jake Westbrook on Sunday.

They are still fun to watch and they keep showing signs of life with some pitching that is coming on fast. Get Grady back on track and who knows how close they can come.

Let the rest of the world look back on the heartbreaks and laugh, or even feel a little sorrow.

We will still get up in the morning and go to work with hope in our hearts...that a man the likes of Dick Jacobs steps up again in the city that he loves (like D.J. did) and rescues this franchise for the better.

Time to go to work...

What The...

2010-04-20T10:38:00.005-04:00

While hanging out in beautiful and fun downtown Cleveland recently, I was thinking back to my college days where I spent quite a bit of time walking between classes in the heart of the city. I met Steve Allen once and on another occasion Bob Hope as he tooled around the corner of 9th and Euclid in a limo. Most of those old buildings that I should have been taking classes in are long gone to make way for Gateway. I spent most of those days in the local bars drinking 3.2 beer, eating more than my share of beer nuts, dropping quarter after quarter into the juke box, and dancing when I should have been in class. You can look North and see the new Browns' Stadium adjacent to the Rock and Roll Hall and the Science Center. There are still some pretty cool bars and some very nice restaurants, many of them elegant in the area around Progressive Field and the Q Arena. A trip slightly further east provides some of the greatest culture available anywhere in the University Circle area. Of course just over the bridge to the West of the Q offers many, many cultural and culinary treats as well as historic and entertaining places.

Here is another good thing about Cleveland, Joakim Noah will not have to return to Cleveland for two very good reasons. First, the Cavs will finish the playoff series in Chicago winning 4 straight and second, Noah apparently does not appreciate the finer attributes of our fair city.

What kind of moron would make statements as he did publicly, even if he did feel that way?

Well, you don't have to look to far to see the ramblings of another such moron. He puts those statements daily in the sports section of the Akron Beacon Journal. His name is Sheldon Oker and perhaps it is time for he too to leave the area.

Shelly, apparently it is time for you to retire when all you can find to write about, or lately complain about is the paint on the dugouts at Progressive Field. In the midst of this young teams most recent and modest winning streak of 4 games, you chose to write about how they are not much different under Manny Acta than they were under Eric Wedge. Wedge took a wait and see approach to everything. He was just that deliberate in deciding which end of the bench to fall asleep on. Acta has been everything Wedge wasn't so far. He is upright and breathing and that is an improvement over Wedge. And your flip, sarcastic, and condescending answers to your "fans" who write in to you are out of line. The Akron Sports section has not been the same since Terry Pluto defected back up north to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Perhaps it is time for the two papers to merge and merely have an Akron section.
I am disappointed in Michael Brantley. He was not able to make the best of his time in the Bigs and was sent down to make room for Russell Branyan. Brantley is the future and he will be back, hopefully soon. Branyan amounts to a mercenary playing for any team that will have him in between constant and tiring injuries. Let's play him now until he goes out with another surgery requiring injury. He puts me in mind of Roger Dorn in the movie about our Indians, "Major League."

"Oh come on cut the rah rah shit Taylor! Year after this I go free agent. Plus me and my agent got a couple of plans for life after baseball. So I am not about to risk major injury or displace this property for a collection of stiffs!"

Never thought much of you when you were here before, still don't think much of you Russell.

Time for the Tribe to get back on track tonight in Minnesota!

The Good, The Bad, And The Predictable!

2010-04-14T12:31:00.002-04:00

Going into the Cleveland Indians’ Opening Day 2010, the 110th opener celebrated on the shores of Lake Erie, this club had established a record of 2 wins and 4 losses. That record could easily have been 4 wins and 2 losses due to a costly error and two predictable bullpen failures.
Anyway, there we were at opening day, a new beginning. The town looked sparkly driving in from I-77. The snow was gone, the weather was great, and Progressive Field welcomed us from far away. Soon we were in the stadium in the Club section where it was all you can eat. Most people seemed to have forgotten the blown game the day before and were ready to greet their team.
As we moved into our Club seats, the park looked great. The grass was so green and manicured as the Rangers took batting practice. There was a buzz in the air.
For me, the true highlight of the day was seeing 92 year old legend Bob Feller purposefully make his way to the mound, toe the rubber, and throw out the first pitch to Sandy Alomar Jr. 70 years earlier, Bob Feller had pitched a no hitter on an opening day that he still remembers like it was yesterday.
When the teams were announced, something occurred to me. After we had to endure the introductions of the guy who shines the shoes, the guy who cleans the toilets, etc., etc., etc., finally the players were announced by radio voice Tom Hamilton. Where were the applause and cheering? The biggest ovation seemed to come for past fan favorite Sandy Alomar Jr. who is now a coach. Grady Sizemore sat this game out and as concerning as that is, he received a somewhat mild reception. As the team took the field, there was much milling around by the “fans” that lasted throughout the game. There was a total lack of respect for the action of the field as well as people sitting in seats they did not have tickets for. Most disturbing was people coming in late and prying others out of the seats that they paid for. A group sitting next to me was apparently enjoying mass quantities of Bud Light out of the safety bottles allowed for sale within the park. Many times during the game, mostly during action on the field as I stood up repeatedly so they could go get more beer, I was tempted to ask them what the score was. I am sure they didn’t know who was playing much less the score. The “ASS Parade” continued throughout the game making it impossible to see such plays as in the 6th inning when Travis Hafner tried to score on a single by Jhonny Peralta and was apparently thrown out at the plate…I saw the replay at home.
Sportswriter Bill Livingston wrote the next day that there was very little fan recognition for the players, especially the newer players because of the lack of ovation when they were announced. Bill, had you been down in the throng, you too would have discovered it was amateur day at Progressive Field. Most of the people who were there Monday will not be seen again in the later months of the season unless the fortunes of the Indians change abruptly, they find themselves in contention, and these so called “fans” will benefit from company perks or just buy cheaper admission and look for empty party seats in a better location.
So, that aside, the game started out good, went bad, and became predictable. Shin Soo Choo put us ahead with a 1st inning home run. He had a great day until he lost count of the outs and was doubled off 3rd base, aggressively advancing from 1st on a Hafner pop-up with only 1 out. How do you not know there is only 1 out?
The bullpen wasted a very good effort by Fausto Carmona who appears to have regained his control and command. This same bullpen wasted a great effort by Jake Westbrook a day earlier in Detroit.
OK, so they are 2 and 5 instead of 5 and 2 as they really should be. New Manager Manny Acta vowed to play to win and stressed the importance that wins in April are as important as wins in September. Time to review your notes and quotes, Manny.
I still maintain that this is a good team. If Manny Acta and Tim Belcher can put together some kind of bullpen or bring up a prospect or two, this team will score runs and be very interesting. Two of our losses so far are very troubling, forgetting the one Peralta blew with a huge error Friday night, I am much more concerned with the bullpen. React now and revive the confidence in these young players and they will win some ballgames.
Let’s see what happens tonight and what adjustments Acta will make as well as what he will allow between the foul lines going forward.
This is my team, I like what I see in offense and defense, we just need to fix the bullpen again. Adjust and fix it now and we are in for some fun. Wait the obligatory Shapiro 40 games into the season and the bargain basement trading will soon begin.
Manny…be the man!

Bottoms Up!

2010-04-03T21:14:00.004-04:00

I am lovin' the Manny Acta Kool-Aid!

Of course it is no secret that I expressed my disappointment when he was chosen to lead the Tribe. But Manny Acta has a plan and he is stickin' to it.

So let's see, Manny compiles a spring record of what, 18 and 9?

We haven't seen that since 1973 when the Tribe was, if memory serves me correctly, 18 and 6 and a flash crowd of over 76,000 showed up on the shores of Lake Erie for a Saturday home opener...I was one.

Go ahead and argue that spring games mean little. That might be the case if you are the Yankees but look at what Manny established by winning...he established winning!

This is part of the plan he is sticking to. If you remember, he vowed to make winning a team focus from the moment the camp opened right though 162 regular season games. I do remember listening to Manny explain how wins in April are just as important as wins in September.

I have been asking, suggesting, even screaming to move Grady Sizemore to the #2 spot in the line-up for almost 5 years. Another part of Manny's plan that he is sticking to is doing what is right for the team. He knows he has the ultimate team player in Grady Sizemore. Asking Grady to move to #2 is the right thing to do. For Grady to give up a few extra at bats per season to help the team is not only the right thing to do, it is the Grady thing to do. (We gotta keep this guy in Cleveland!) Shapiro wouldn't dare trade him, would he? Not unless he or GM to be Antonelli fashion themselves as the second coming of Frank "Trader" Lane. Can you imagine the upheaval?

Anyway, the big...the one move that may help define Manny Acta is to keep Michael Brantley on this team out of spring training because he earned the spot, even though the move will cost the team arbitration time for Brantley.
Why keep Brantley when no one gives the team a chance in 2010?
Because Manny believes the team has a chance in 2010.
How much of a chance?
This team is going to hit.
This team has improved their ability to run.
This team has a strong defense.
Pitching is the question. Fausto Carmona appears to have regained his 2007 command. Jake Westbrook is probably better than he performed in pre-season as he was testing everything.
Manny's plan for pitching? attack the strike zone.
Pitching coach Tim Belcher is making a difference with the starters and the relievers but he will have a big job keeping them effective.
So again, how much of a chance does this team have?
Realistically they will improve over last year but how much has yet to be determined.
Most experts are picking the Tribe for 4th in the division.

Taking a much more positive or hopeful view, this team will beat some teams and spoil some chances for some teams to reach the playoff. If they are more than mildly successful, they could find themselves competing for the A.L. Wild Card spot with Boston again, just like 2005 when nobody gave them a chance that year as well.

Whatever happens, Manny Acta plays to win and he staffs his team with the best available players.

So far, very good!

I can't wait for Monday when it counts for Manny, when it counts for everyone!

Manny could be a big hit!

WWMD?

2010-03-22T07:45:00.004-04:00

What will Manny do?

New Cleveland Indians' manager Manny Acta faces his first real challenge, at least publicly with the ownership and upper management of the team.

Left Field heir-apparent Michael Brantley had a great end of season in 2009 when the Tribe called him up in September. He batted .313 in 28 games after the call-up. Brantley was batting .357 with a .447 on-base percentage and a .419 slugging percentage this spring prior to rolling his ankle Saturday.

Brantley appears more than ready to assume duties full-time for the Indians in left field, providing his ankle sprain is minor as the team has reported.

But this may or may not take place, based on the recent financial misfortunes of the team.

Here is the struggle; Put Brantley on the opening day roster as he has earned the position or hold him back in the minors until 3 - 4 months into the season to defer his arbitration ability for the future, as has been the practice recently.

Owner Dolan and GM Shapiro have to be salivating over this ankle sprain thinking this is the deciding factor at giving Brantley more time in the minors and delaying his future at arbitration. It is no secret that ownership and upper management don't give the Indians chances to be competitive this season a snowball's chance in hell.

But manager Manny Acta has been charged with putting the best 25 men on the field on a daily basis when the season begins. His reputation and future depend on it.

It is no secret that I detest the ownership of the Cleveland Indians by the Dolans and the management of the team by Mark Shapiro. As a lifelong fan of the team, I can only wait out these circumstances until they improve. Long standing Indians fans have been through this many times in the past; the most infamous GM in Tribe history, Frank "Trader" Lane put this team in a tailspin that took decades to overcome, the near loss of the franchise in Cleveland in the 70's and 80's until they were heroically rescued by the Jacob's brothers, and now the short-armed ownership of the Dolans combined with the painfully economical management of Shapiro have brought this team to the brink of disaster once again. We need another hero and Dick Jacobs is no longer with us.

That said, Manny Acta is at a crossroads himself early on in his management of the Cleveland Indians. Does he knuckle under to Shapiro and see Michael Brantley off to Columbus for a few months or does he insist on having Brantley on the opening day team?

Unlike the Dolans and Shapiro, Acta has to believe this team can be competitive in the American League Central right now. The team is 11 - 5 in spring training games. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it is only spring training but what would you say if they were 5 - 11?

Manny, here is hoping you are your own man and Brantley is in Chicago with the team on opening day.

I still insist that, given the ability of the other 4 teams in our division, this Indians team will be competitive this season, just as they were in 2005 and 2007 with many such "unknown" ballplayers. Call me a dreamer, a homer, or whatever, but come August, you may be a believer as well. Come on Manny Acta, be all that you can be and put the best 25 on the field and that includes Michael Brantley.

This will be a very interesting two weeks!

That's Right, we're 3-0!

2010-03-09T07:52:00.003-05:00

Yeah, yeah...it's only Spring Training but what would you rather have, 3-0 or 0-3? All I can say is, so far, so good!

The pitching has been very good to date with a little bit of a rough outing for Jake Westbrook yesterday. He claimed that he felt strong but did not have command of his pitches. Regardless, he walked 3, gave up 1 hit, and allowed only 1 run. He may not have had great command yet, but he was in control. Pitching coach Tim Belcher has his guys attacking the strike zone early on and it is paying off.

The hitting has been an attack of its own. Michael Brantley came alive yesterday with a single, a double, and a triple as the Indians beat the Diamondbacks 3-2 for their 3rd win against no defeats in this very young Spring.

Something else that stands out; new manager Manny Acta is already in "win mode" as he is playing these games with late inning defensive and offensive strategies that are normally employed in the regular season. It is refreshing to see that this manager is playing to win from day 1 as opposed to his predecessor who was satisfied to "grind it out" and then "get after it" when the time is right.

We have a long way to go before we make any noise at all in the Amercan League, but aren't you pleased with how we are starting out?

"It's starting to come together Pepper!"

Manager Lou Brown to his coach in the movie "Major League".

USA Today, Part Two...

2010-03-03T09:33:00.003-05:00

Is this a face you can trust?

Another excerpt from the USA Today;

['"We made the critical decision halfway through last year," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro says, "that we didn't think the club this year was certain enough to contend if we had kept Lee and Martinez. So what we're doing is dealing with the reality of cycles. You try to govern against going into a long-term downside.
"If you aggressively manage your cycles, you hope the talent you get back in those trades will get you back into contention much faster."
The Indians certainly are better off now, Shapiro says, than in 2002, when they last rebuilt. They have more proven position players in the lineup. The farm system is considered among the best in baseball. And they're in a forgiving division.
"I know it hurts for the fans," says Shapiro, who will become team president after the season and will be replaced by assistant Chris Antonetti. "It's not that I don't go through moments where I'm not disappointed too. But I look at it from a business reality, with total focus on how do we get back as fast as humanly possible."]

Mark, I hear there are some great baseball prospects in the rain forests in South America. These talented ballplayers are so good, they really require your personal attention. Take team owner Dolan with you because he will need to assess this talent first hand as well. You both should plan on staying for about 36 months because the talent is so plentiful. Please do pet the big snakes as they are quite harmless and yes, do drink all the water you can find, it is very healthful.

Promoted to team president?
If I did my job half as bad as you, I would have been fired long ago.
I am hoping that the line above about "Hurts the fans" is out of context;
"I know it hurts for the fans," says Shapiro, who will become team president after the season and will be replaced by assistant Chris Antonetti.
Yes, the fans should become team president but as soon as possible.

It Ain't (Just) Me, Babe!

2010-03-03T08:32:00.004-05:00

You called me crazy in 2005!

You dissed me in 2007!

You may be laughing now!

Read the link below to the USA Today story from this morning and you may just stop for a moment as think, "Hmmmm....Naw!"

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/indians/2010-03-02-indians-veterans_N.htm

Grady Sizemore was on the 2005 team that made a late season run only to lose their wild card play-off bid by one game to the Boston Red Sox.

Grady was an integral part of the Indian's team that was one game short of the World Series in 2007.

If Grady says that the future may be sooner than we think, that's more than good enough for me!

It is March 3rd and we have not yet played a Spring game yet (Friday is our first game). I will say it again; the 2010 Cleveland Indians have the ability to shock the baseball world as thy did in 2007 (everyone except me).
This team will be a factor in teams not getting to the playoffs. with the American Central Division as weak as it is, they could possibly be a factor in getting to the playoffs themselves.

[Center fielder Grady Sizemore says if the veterans play up to the numbers on their baseball cards and the pitching comes together, the future might arrive sooner than expected.
"It's a whole different feeling in here," Sizemore says. "It's tough to see good guys go, but when you're not playing well, moves have to be made.
"This is a new start. We know we can't control what people are saying about us, but you can change that when you step on the field. We still think we can do some damage."]

"This is my kind of team Charlie, my kind of team!"

Free Agents Over-rated?

2010-02-27T12:14:00.008-05:00

Besides the Yankees and Red Sox, it appears most teams are not rushing to sign the high priced free agents or players on the trading block. Is this a sign of the future for major league baseball? If so, it just further substantiates my point that a small market team with talented young, relatively unknown players could make things difficult for the teams that have bought their way into the playoffs.

I still maintain that the Cleveland Indians could very well be one of those upstart, small market competitors. Of course they would need career seasons from two pitchers and three to four position players but isn't that what happened in 2005 and 2007?

I like new Cleveland manager Manny Acta's early approach to the season. What else can he do but try to make these young but hungry guys believe they are first, big leaguers and second, a team. There is much to make up for with Victor Martinez gone. Victor was first a hitter, second a pitcher handler, and third a defensive catcher. Acta has baseball beliefs that he will not waiver from. Initially, he is taking superstar Grady Sizemore from the lead off to the second batting position, a move I have been screaming about for three years. Acta has to believe in himself as well. He is coming off of an unsuccessful stint with the Washington Nationals. He professes to be a John Wooden disciple. Wooden had 14 losing seasons before he became the best college basketball coach in the land. Manny Acta knows he doesn't have that luxury.

There have been some strange twists in player personnel over the last couple of seasons that lead you to think that the front office is flip flopping on rebuilding and contending. Dumping players like Cliff Lee and Martinez prior to their free agency season is purely a money saving move. But then they acquire Russell Branyan to ensure they have a somewhat bona fide power hitting 1st baseman. Did GM Mark Shapiro switch gears recently and decide that the American League Central is weak enough for this team to contend in?

Whatever the reason, this team doesn't know they don't have a prayer and for that reason they are very dangerous.

Manny Acta has a Win-Win philosophy beginning with the first practice pitch in Spring. The previous manager had a wait and see, mind-numbing, patient, grind-it- out approach that rivaled watching grass grow for entertainment.

The next few weeks will give us an indication of what could be possible for the 2010 season. Veterans must lead and prospects must quickly overcome the mystique of the "Bigs" and make an impact quickly and regularly. If this happens, they certainly will not beat the Yankees or the Red Sox to the World Series but they may make it difficult along the way for those teams and find themselves in a run for the playoffs come late August.

As Jim Gammon said as manager Lou Brown in the movie Major League, "This is my kind of team, Charlie, my kind of team!"

Tickets, Tickets, Get Your Tickets!

2010-01-20T08:13:00.003-05:00

Baseball's Opening Day is only 74 long, cold days away!
The Cleveland Indians' Home Opener is 81 days away!
Do you have your tickets yet? I do, in the Club Seats thanks to a very special Christmas gift!
Thinking of the time that will pass from now until then, it is quite entertaining to ponder what will take place.
Pitching coach Tim Belcher probably has the biggest challenge on his hands of all of the coaches. How strong will Jake Westbrook be after elbow surgery?
How do you get Fausto Carmona back to his near Cy Young performance of 2007?
As a starter, will Aaron Laffey find his groove and be the pitcher he can be?
How will Jeremy Sowers react to Belcher?
Is this the coach that can get the most out of these four guys?
Jake appeared healthy in Puerto Rico...Spring Training will be very telling.
It is my opinion that Fausto has been miss-handled for years. From the failed closer role in 2006 to superstar in 2007 to the deep minors in 2009, you have to give this guy the ball, reassure him that keeping the ball low will produce strike calls, and just let him pitch. Remember his gutsy performance in the "Bug" game? That's the Fausto we so desperately need.
Does Justin Masterson round out this starting five?
Will there be a free agent or trade?
Fun stuff to ponder!
Who is our everyday catcher?
Is Lou Marson ready?
Can Sandy Alomar get him to be the field leader needed by April?
I love, love, love the rest of this line up. This infield should be known as the No-Name Defense. They are slick fielders that have played together at different levels and they are going to hit, hit, hit! The outfield is superb if Grady comes back healthy and strong. The only knock is they all three bat left-handed in an everyday lineup.
While waiting in an airport recently, I saw ESPN pick the Tribe early on to finish 4th, just ahead of Kansas City. The division isn't that strong and this Indians team is going to be competitive and surprise many people.
If they make the right moves, they could compete for the division...I expect nothing less!
This is my kind of team...a gutsy, nothing to lose breed of hard-nosed ball players who don't know they are not supposed to win. I would rather play with them than against them. You will see. They have the ability to win the hearts of this town once again. They already have mine!
See you at the Opener!

Chief Sleep-Hoo

2010-01-14T08:13:00.003-05:00

What is going on with the Tribe?

Not much...Jake Westbrook is looking promising and we need him strong with great leadership for 2010.

Why did we get Dave Duncan's kid? Is he slated to step up into a right-handed hitting outfield position or 1st base?

Look what Cincinnati did!

They signed Chapman!

I still maintain that this Indians team could be very competitive if the stars align properly...minimal to no injuries...2 pitchers have career years while others have very good seasons...Grady comes back strong...Sandy Alomar develops a catcher quickly and assembles a good pen...and Manny Acta plays to win from the first workout in Spring Training.

It sure would be nice to help us out though with a solid free agent...Any movement would be a good thing...Wake-up my Chief, a city is counting on you!

It's Only Words But...

2009-11-23T15:56:00.005-05:00

Last week, new Cleveland Indians' manager Manny Acta was in town and took part in a pretty extensive interview with Plain Dealer sportswriter Paul Hoynes. During that interview, many topic were covered and the following caught my attention.

When asked about the slow start the Indians have become accustom to over the last 5 out of 7 years, Manny replied in a very positive and pro-active way. He said that being ready for the season at all positions in both offense and defense along with avoiding injuries in Spring Training were his priorities. He also added that he does not buy into the adage that it is a long season and there are 162 games. He was very committed to ensuring that everyone in the organization knew that a win in April is just as important as a win in September.

That is a direct contrast to his predecessor Eric Wedge who could win a contest versus anyone in watching his chin hairs grow or viewing the impending girder bolt in the top of the dugout rusting through.

There is no denying that under Wedge's leadership, this team was seldom ready coming out of Spring Training and not in great shape either.

I believe that Manny Acta has keyed in on a huge deficiency in Cleveland Indians' baseball of late. I have been screaming about the conditioning of this team. Why do the pitchers year after year suffer from abdominal muscle pulls? How many guys (Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner) have hidden injuries during the Spring only to pull out of the season for an impending operation when the GM sells off the high-priced talent at mid season?

Manny Acta had many good comments during the interview but these were the thoughts that impressed me. No more extended Spring Training for the entire team. Stop blaming things like the desert air for a team not ready to compete. Wedge is gone and their is a new manager in place. I have the distinct feeling that Manny Acta will not be "Nanny" Acta.

So what kind of team does he have to start with?

A solid outfield in Sizemore, Choo, and Brantley who can hit and play "D" although all three are lefties.
A pretty solid infield of Peralta, Cabrera, and Valbuena who also can hit and play "D" as well. The 2 question marks in the infield are 1st base and Catcher but relax. At 1st, the talent is there with LaPorta if he is healthy by February or some strength at AAA in Jordan Brown. Same/same at catcher with Santana and Toregas looking to hit their stride under the leadership of new coach Sandy Alomar Jr.
The biggest wild card in all of this is pitching, both starting and relieving. Can Acta and Belcher put together a band of arms that can have good to great years? If Westbrook comes back strong and Carmona gets his head on straight and figures out what other pitch to throw when he doesn't get the low, low strike call, winning could become infectious.
There is a lot of left-handed hitting on this team that could bring an interesting trade or two before the start of Spring Training.
Look at the American League Central...pretty weak. Minnesota has the best manager who keeps getting the most out of the talent given to him as free agents walk to big money teams. How long can they just win the division and fold in the playoffs? The Tigers have a manager that apparently is a bit too old to weave all of their high-priced talent into a winner. Chicago has Ozzie Guillen who could have written the new comedy routine for Robin Williams, "Weapons of Self Destruction". Kansas City is still two years away at least.

The Cleveland Indians could be on the verge of shocking the baseball world once more. All the right moves have to be made but it is not out of the realm of possibilities for 2010. Acta has been compared to Terry Francona who won the World Series with the Red Sox in his 1st year managing the team.

If Acta puts his words into actions, hang on...The thrill could be back!

Stop With The Cleveland Jokes!

2009-11-19T15:54:00.004-05:00

Sports in Cleveland have really hit the skids. This is a town that has an avid fan base but rewards those loyal fans with lousy teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to be our only hope to a major sports title but can they grab the brass ring this year and keep Lebron James? With the season just under way, it looks doubtful.

Then there is the Cleveland Browns football team. How did things get so out of control? The owner is absentee and clueless about the sport, there is no general manager at this time, the head coach has failed to impress anyone in Cleveland or anywhere else for that matter and he has alienated the players and the fans. What would Cleveland football be without a raging quarterback controversy? The fact is that Brady Quinn is a controversy all by himself; from his initial holdout, to his alleged "gay-bashing" in Columbus, to his poor play as a starter, to his cheap shot on national television. This team is in such disarray they make the Cleveland Indians look like a well-oiled machine.

What about the Cleveland Indians?

Maybe things aren't so bad. Yeah, OK, I said it. Is it wishful thinking? To some degree, yes. They sure aren't the New York Yankees but they are not the Washington Nationals either...uh, except we got their manager.

It is true, I did not want Manny Acta to manager this team but he is the manager at least for now so he deserves a chance. His coaching hires have not been all that impressive until he secured Sandy Alomar Jr. as the first base/catching coach. Sandy had many a big game for the Indians through the '90s. From Rookie of the Year, through All-Star MVP at the corner of 9th St. and Ontario, to helping to guide the team to two appearances in the World Series in 1995 and 1997 while winning the American League Central title five years.

So there is some good news in Cleveland.

Welcome back Sandy!

Run Sandy, Run!

Now, if we can get Randy Learner to sell the Browns to someone or some group that will bring respectability back to the area of the country just north of the cradle of football, life will become liveable without that annoying twitch we get when someone mentions "Football".

And, if Dan Gilbert will let Lebron James sign on as a part owner of the Cavaliers, the greatest player ever in the game without a championship can at least stay right here until we match him up with a Scottie Pippen-like player. Sorry, Shaq ain't it!

And, if the Dolans and Mark Shapiro would go get lost in a rain forest somewhere for the next 12 months, maybe, just maybe the Indians could keep a contending team together past June and shock the sporting world once again!

Keep your head up!

Hurry To Sell, Rush To Buy!

2009-10-26T06:51:00.004-04:00

Manny Acta is the new manager of the Cleveland Indians. He got his first Cleveland perception right; there will be no parade or fanfare over his hiring in Cleveland. What this amounts to is another low salary manager who is deemed very valuable by this organization because he is bi-lingual but has a losing record as a major league manager. What it really amounts to is that they replaced one yes man with another. Could you imagine some of the conversations between Bobby Valentine and Mark Shapiro? "Well Mark, we thought we might try to beat these guys today with our guys. Just who are our guys today?"
or
"Mark, put down the cell phone and back away!

So now that we have settled into another 3 years or so of the same Indians' baseball, what else could go right, wrong, or anything but the same catatonic boredom we have become so oblivious to?
Well, if the Dolans would do the right thing, they would have the team up for sale. One possible buyer could be Rush Limbaugh! After all, the NFL snubbed him on his attempt to buy the Rams. Think of the possibilities...The team is already considered politically incorrect with their Chief Wahoo mascot. But Rush could turn a "Deaf Ear" to this. The team already plays ultra conservative baseball and that should suit Rush just right. Rush could be right at home handling the steroid issue. He could compare 'roids to his own dependency of prescription drugs.
Yes, a new low has been hit when considering the possibilities of who could wind up buying the Indians...and finding the possibility an improvement!

Valentines Day?

2009-10-23T20:44:00.005-04:00

OK, so we have a bona fide manager interviewing for the job of Manager of the Cleveland Indians! Getting this proven winner in the wigwam is the first step to rebuilding and putting a light at the end of the tunnel for becoming a winning franchise once again!

We need Bobby Valentine...Now!

There is a lot of speculation and otherwise horse shit in the local daily paper about the good, the bad, and the ugly of hiring Bobby as manager.

One guy claims that Bobby Valentine is a bit of a loose cannon and will buck upper management. Yeah, Cleveland doesn't do too well with loose cannons as some of those all star players are showing up on every body's post season playoff rosters! A loose cannon is just what this team needs! We have had it with the yes men who go along with the fire sales and the injury cover-ups, and all of the weaknesses associated with losers!

This guy Valentine is a winner!...And he hates to lose!!!

He is hailed as a great baseball mind but some of our sports writers would prefer to mire in the fact that Valentine has been out of American baseball for 6 seasons, that he doesn't have a good knowledge of the American League and the Central Division, and that he is unfamiliar with the new OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage). OK, so what challenges can you think up for day two?! Give me a break!

You can be sure that this team will leave Spring Training ready to play and compete everyday instead of whining about the desert air affecting our hitters and pitchers.

Are there risks for Bobby Valentine? Sure there are! But in analyzing this young team, he would have to be very excited about the talented outfield and infield already in place. Pitching is the big question mark with this team. Valentine has got to be thinking that this is an opportunity to grow a young team quickly into a contender...It just takes the right leader!

This guy is personable, knowledgeable, likable, talented, driven, and a winner!

This town will open their hearts (and wallets) to him and his team. Little Italy will probably name a street after him and make him the Grand Marshall of the Columbus Day Parade!

Let's not let this guy get away. The Indians need Bobby Valentine and right now, Bobby Valentine needs the Cleveland Indians!

Dolan, Shapiro...Have You Completely Given Up?

2009-10-21T21:40:00.003-04:00

Here is an excerpt from a story about Manny Acta on the Cleveland Indians official website;

[Manny Acta is a realist.
He knows the average baseball fan, given a preference, would like to see a big name manage his team.
"Everybody in this town and probably every town in America would want a top-[name] guy, a Joe Torre, a Tony LaRussa, one of those guys to walk in and manage their club," Acta said.
Acta, who was in town Tuesday to interview for the Indians' managerial job, also realizes names like his won't result in a ticker-tape parade with people lining the streets downtown.
"The reality is those guys don't go for those jobs," Acta said of baseball's big name managers. "Those type of jobs go to guys like me."
Acta managed the Washington Nationals for two-plus seasons and compiled a 158-252 record before being replaced in July.]

So Manny, what are you saying...this is a second rate job?

Perhaps that is the way the job is being portrayed to him.

Until the ownership and upper management of the Cleveland Indians grasp the reality that they must compete at a higher level than they have been or even want to, they will continue to challenge for last place in the American League Central Division.

In August, Indians' President Paul Dolan stated that this team in this small market can only be expected to be competitive one to two years in a five to six year span.

Now we have to swallow the fact that managing a major league baseball team in Cleveland is a second rate job. Sure it is, if all you are willing to pay for is a second rate manager!

Manny Acta, take your .385 major league managing "losing" record and go manage Houston!

Mr. Dolan, SELL THIS TEAM!

MY2K Could Cheat Us!

2009-10-18T10:04:00.002-04:00

By now, you have heard of the movie, seen the previews, read something in the paper about the Internet hysteria developing, or you have just been working so hard that you are unaware of the craze sweeping the world. Yeah, it's all about the movie "2012" depicting the events of the end of the world. Silly you say? Yeah, probably, but the momentum the movie is giving the quickly developing panic is of some serious concern, now known as MY2K. Want to write it off? Google 2012 and see what you get.
It seems the basis of the movie and the concern is the fact that the ancient Mayan calendar ends in 2012, December 21, 2012 to be exact. A prediction of a Planet X or possibly two planets on a collision course with Earth is raising the speculation that the Mayans may have had more insight to this instead of just getting lazy and ending their calendar when they did.

But hold on a sec...What if they did know something? After all, about the time the Mayans were building their great temples, Egyptians on the other side of the world were building pyramids of similar size and shape. OK, so what the heck does this have to do with a Cleveland Indians blog?

Well, when you visit some of the 2012 web sites, there is so much speculation, some out of prophecy, some out of fear, some even humorous. I tend to take a humorous approach to these things. Why? Well I live in Cleveland where we haven't had a major sports championship since 1964 and every day appears to be cataclysmic in not only sports but the weather, the economy, etc. So it seems that these Mayans were Indians, right? It would be fitting that the Cleveland Indians should win the world series two months before the end of the world. If these guys can predict the end of the world they certainly ought to be able to make book on something as simple as who wins the 2012 world series, don't ya think?
But wait, what if they got part of this wrong? What if they got the end date wrong? What if the end date is really October 21, 2012? Now that would make a lot of sense in Cleveland. Picture this; The Tribe handily wins the division, breezes through the ALDC and the ALCS to reach the 2012 World Series in mid-October. They begin play in the series where the lights are not needed to be turned on because of the brilliance of the two approaching planets on a collision course with Earth. Then, just as the Indians are about to go 3 games to none on their series opponent, WHAM-BAM, catastrophe hits!

Well, don't get overly concerned. This team is far from being competitive until at least the 2013 season. Hell, they don't even have a manager yet!
Enjoy the movie but don't lose any sleep over it, unless you are an Indians' fan where sleep is constantly interrupted by other catastrophes caused by a lack of solid ownership and management.

Who Dat Man?!

2009-10-14T20:54:00.002-04:00

As the Cleveland Indians trick or treat through their search for a new manager, I cannot help but unmask who I believe to be the right man for the job, Bobby Valentine. While managing the Mets, Valentine was ejected from a game and later appeared back in the dugout with sunglasses and a fake mustache. He was fined and suspended for this action.
I loved it then and I love it now!
Here is the important part; Bobby has big league management experience, a winning record, and a pennant. How many of the other candidates have that? I guess we don't really know until the also rans are announced when the new manager is named. But speculation leads us to understand that they may be talking to John Farrell (no big league management experience), Travis Fryman (NBLME), and Brad Mills (NBLME).
Of course, names like Buddy Bell surface and even though he has big league managerial experience, he lacks a winning record...too often. Mike Hargrove keeps surfacing as well. Commitment would be the big question. Remember he quit on Seattle.
So Bobby Valentine is probably the leading candidate. Come on Bobby, there is no hiding the fact that you want to manage in the bigs again so dust off the sunglasses and mustache and bring your passion for the game and sense of humor to the shores of Lake Erie!

Good Fit? Yeah!

Go Joe...And All Of Your Ex-Indians!

2009-10-10T21:17:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers on their completion of a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals tonight! From my view, my ex-Indians had plenty to do with helping the sweep and they will have plenty of contributions in getting to the World Series for Joe Torre and his Dodgers. Manny being Manny and Casey being Clutch are at the heart of a very good team.

As much fun as it is to see these guys doing so well in the post season for other teams, it still pains Indians fans to reflect on what could have been if these guys were still maintaining lockers on the corner of 9th Street and Ontario. Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake, Ryan Ludwick, Carl Pavano, Cliff Lee, CC Sabathia, Mark DeRosa, Victor Martinez, Rafael Betancourt, Ronnie Belliard, Ben Francisco, and even Jim Thome to name a few of the guys who got away and are littered through the playoffs this year.

Perhaps it is our image. I love smiling Chief Wahoo. I do not think of him as degrading but he truly is politically incorrect. That doesn't bother me at all. What bothers me is that he resembles a nice guy, maybe a push over. The front office could use the above logo to help encourage some think-tank time to stop the dismantling of the team and bring back a winning tradition. Don't look for that to happen...the deep thinking until the current upper management and ownership are banished from the shores of Lake Erie.

No, it may be time to get pissed.

I mean really pissed! Who would have thought that building a new ballpark would have made us competitive in 1994?

Perhaps an image change is due.

In the mean time, congratulations Joe Torre and his Los Angeles Dodgers. One more series to go and they are closer to my dream World Series (for this year)...

Dodger vs. Yankees in the revenge of Joe Torre!

Go Joe!

Sincerely, Indians!

2009-10-05T20:44:00.005-04:00

Today, the Cleveland Indians sent a thank you e-mail to their loyal fans with the mention of excitement for the 2010 season. OK, that's nice but no one signed the e-mail! It was signed Sincerely with an Indians banner as the signature!
See Below...

October 5, 2009
Dear Indians Fan,
THANK YOU! We truly appreciate your support throughout the 2009 MLB season. We enjoyed entertaining the nearly 2 million fans who made the choice to visit Progressive Field - as well as those Tribe fans around the world who caught Indians baseball on STO, the Indians Radio Network and online at indians.com.
It is now time to move forward. There will be keen interest this off season, highlighted by the search for a new manager and coaching staff. As an organization, we are excited about the story that will be unfolding in 2010. It is a story featuring a new voice in the dugout and a young, talented team on the field poised to compete in the AL Central Division.Our top priority remains the same – to make you proud of who we are as an organization, how we represent your city and how we provide superior entertainment and customer service.Thank you again for your continued support of Indians Baseball.

Sincerely,

No one from the front office or ownership could sign the e-mail?
I know when I opened the e-mail I immediately forgot about the poor handling of the team over the last two years and also forgave them on the spot...NOT!
Forgive who?
Who wrote the e-mail?
This is like getting an e-mail from Barack Obama apologizing for the misappropriations of the Bail-Out money and then signing the e-mail "America"!

"Sincerely, Indians!"

Who Indians?...The Sioux, Crow, Seminoles?

This is unbelievable.

I will always be a fan of the Cleveland Indians but this ownership and upper management can't even have the nuts to sign an e-mail and take responsibility for the train wreck they created.

Mr. Dolan...Fire Mark Shapiro and sell this team!

Part 1 of the Tribe Trilogy Is Complete!

2009-10-01T11:02:00.004-04:00

Yes, as we all know, it finally happened. Cleveland Indians' manager Eric Wedge and his coaching staff were fired yesterday. But as much as some of us wanted to see Wedge go, me in particular, you must give him credit for handling the situation with tremendous class. No one outside of the Cleveland Indians' inner circle will know what exactly transpired but however this unfolded, Eric Wedge kept his composure and will continue to apply his strong work ethic through the remaining 4 games of the season in Boston.
The radio talk guys in Cleveland are apparently applauding the change but at the same time questioning the timing, with 6 games remaining in the season (at the time of the news conference) and raising a toast to Wedge for his ability to stay cool while he "grinds out" the remaining games as the lame duck manager.
Could there be another possibility why the announcement was made so hastily Wednesday afternoon? Was the termination beginning to leak out? Perhaps Wedge had been cleared to speak to say...the Astros. Yes, the Indians' organization is generally very classy when dealing with sensitive events but let's not rule out the fact that a leak may have occurred. It happens everywhere else, it certainly could have happened here. It is hard to believe that the organization wanted to give the fans a chance to say goodbye to their manager at the last home game of the season. Hardly, many fans were signing petitions for his removal, especially in the wake of the 11 game losing streak.

So good luck to Eric Wedge. Take the lessons you have learned in your first big league management job and go and prosper, perhaps like one of your predecessors, Charlie Manual. After all, it is only fitting that you too, like all of the players traded away become more successful in life after Cleveland.

OK so now what? Part 1 of the Tribe Trilogy is complete. When does parts 2 and 3 take place? In fact, they can occur in either order. To complete the trilogy, general manager Mark Shapiro should be run out of town for his part in the dismantling of the Cleveland Indians and the Dolans must sell this team to an owner or group that can support the business sense of the competitiveness needed on a daily basis for this team to be successful. The Dolans raised the white flag a couple of months ago when president Paul Dolan made the statement that in this small market, this team could only be expected to be successful one to two seasons out of every five or years. Is that how you ran your cable business? Same market, right? Did you just succumb to the dish guys because it was too hard to compete?

Here is hoping a man like Dick Jacobs doesn't only come around once in a 41 year span of time. Eric Wedge needed to go away but he only erred on the playing field. The owners and senior management are the guilty parties in the demise of the Cleveland Indians.

I Am Seeing A Pattern…

2009-09-26T10:50:00.006-04:00

You are a young baseball player with what you have been told are major league skills. You are playing for your college baseball team or you are playing in an instructional league. You are hitting and fielding well and gaining much attention. Scouts are coming to see you play. Offers will soon be streaming in and your baseball future is very bright.

So who do you sign with? Do you sign with the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, or Phillies where you will experience extreme competition and wait possibly longer than you should to finally get your chance in the majors? Or, do you sign with the Indians where, if your success continues, you will be on a fast track to the big club?

I might sign with the Indians. Why?

Sure, they are not the prestigious Yankees, the team that everyone dreams of playing for. They are not exactly rich in winning tradition. But what they do have is a roster made up of mostly guys that started this season in AAA ball.

Sign with the Indians. You move up quickly through their organization, when they deal free agents to unload payroll, you get called up to the “Bigs".

Then what?

You catch on and become a regular until you approach free agency, then you get traded to the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, or Phillies.

I know I have over simplified the process but perhaps this is the short to medium term plan for loading up the Indians minor league system with talent.

OK, now I get it!

So when do we start winning Mark?

If Wedge Walks, Who Managers?

2009-09-21T17:52:00.004-04:00

Interesting that the Dolans and GM Mark Shapiro are going to wait until the end of the season to determine the fate of manager Eric Wedge. I cannot imagine that a high level meeting takes place and the decision is really shelved. No, the fact is that the decision has been made for the future of the coaching staff but the wild card in the whole mix could be manager Eric Wedge. How so? Well, everyone knows changes will be made but not to what extent those changes will encompass.

Remember Joe Torre in 2007? His high-priced Yankees got beat by the Indians in the ALDS 3 games to 1. Joe Torre was the fall guy. The brain trust that is the modern Yankees didn't fire Joe, they just made demands so that he wouldn't stay. You gotta think something like that may take place in Cleveland in a couple of weeks. One thing Eric Wedge is, is loyal. He will probably be told that his coaching staff is gone and he may stay on if he agrees. You can bet that will be the last straw with Wedge.

So Wedge up and leaves, then what? Who manages the team?

The betting money in Cleveland says it is a pitching coach for the Red Sox named John Farrell. But would he do it? Let's look at why he shouldn't;

He's doing a good job in Boston, why leave?
Why would someone want to manage a team where the owner has no money to spend and suggests that the team cannot be competitive in this small market?
He can hold out for a better offer as there are sure to be openings at season's end?

Now let's look at why he might do it;

He played and coached for the Indians
He knows the organization top to bottom
He still resides in a suburb of Cleveland
He can take the job to break into managing in the Majors
The team can only improve

So, I think he does it. Perhaps this is a long range plan coming to fruition.

If not Farrell, it could be a long Winter looking for the right man for the job. But what exactly is the job? Why do sows ears and silk purses come to mind?

Perhaps there is a tire salesman still untapped...

Who Are You, Who-Who, Who-Who?!

2009-09-19T09:02:00.004-04:00

There was a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer this morning regarding the Cleveland Indians request of DNA testing of minor league draft picks.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2009/09/cleveland_indians_requesting_d.html

Apparently the team has been duped in the past. It was reported that the Tribe paid a 17-year-old shortstop Jose Ozoria $750,000 as an international free agent last year only to discover Ozoria wasn't Ozoria. Instead of a 17-year-old shortstop, Ozoria turned out to be 20-year-old shortstop Wally Branyan. Ozoria/Branyan and his agents duped the Indians into a big payday with forged documents.

Makes you think who else may not be who they appear to be...Hmm!

Yeah, there is a guy posing to be a MLB owner and he is living right here in Cleveland. Best get this guy to the Cleveland Clinic for a quick swab to find out who really is sucking the life out of this team!

Then there is GM Mark Shapiro. Beware...! To hold down his position for as long as he has with his record he must be calling on some extra-terrestrial powers.

What about CC Sabathia? If I were Joe Girardi, I would find out real quick before the playoffs who will be starting the post season in CC's body.

Hey, aliens (Shapiro & Dolan) took CC away from us...he must have gone over to their side!
Remember some trades we had before DNA testing was available? Ken "Hawk" Harrelson comes to mind. How about Brandon Phillips? Who was really here in his place until he got traded to Cincinnati?

The one guy I wouldn't waste the cost of a DNA exam on is Tribe Skipper Eric Wedge. He's the real deal. Call him what you would, question his every move, non-move, incessant lineup changes, etc., he's Eric Wedge. The one thing you can call him though is GONE! He will absolutely be looking for work come October 4th, 2009. Eric Wedge will take the fall for the poor performance of this team. Do I disagree? No, but he is not alone in the undoing of the Cleveland Indians. The entire management staff has chugged Larry Dolan's Kool-Aid. What else can they do, stock groceries at Giant Eagle?

Wanna fix the team? Start at the top! Sell the team to someone or a group that can manage a competitive business instead of making up excuses and blaming the "market" for our inability to secure talent and win games. Dick Jacobs did it right here in Cleveland.

Mr. Dolan, SELL THIS TEAM!

What A Season!

2009-09-14T22:49:00.004-04:00

It's Gonna Be A Shootout!

Look at the division and wild card races this year! The last few games of the season are going to be crazy but fantastic!

Boston is making a late charge on the Yankees. Currently they are 7 games out with 20 games remaining. Who plays who when?
The Red Sox play the Yankees on the 25th, 26th, and 27th of September…in NY! Don’t forget…the Red Sox finish the season in Boston with my spoilers, the Indians!
The Twins are still just 5.5 games back of the Tigers. However, they are currently losing 3-0 to my Tribe tonight!
The Tigers have 6 games left with the Twins and 6 games left with the White Sox…look for the Tigers to lose their lead in late September! Who will take the American League Central? Can the Tigers hold on?
The Angels remain 6 games ahead of the Rangers who are getting hammered tonight by the A’s, 7-0. But after losing to the Yankees tonight, the Angels will face the Rangers 7 more times, the Yankees 3 more times and the Red Sox 3 more times as well. Anything can and probably will happen in the A.L. Wild West!
Texas is still in the Wild Card hunt with Boston but their best chance for the playoffs will be head to head with the Angels for that division.

Philly is holding off Florida but at a 6.5 game difference, they cannot afford to get sloppy or get cold. They play each other 6 more time…Hmmm!
St. Louis cooled down just enough to let the Cubs back into the race or so it seems. But at 9.5 games ahead, the Cards should be a lock.
The hottest race in baseball is going on between the rock-solid Dodgers and the ever streaky Rockies! With a 3 game Dodger lead right now, guess who plays each other the last 3 games of the season?!
Florida’s best shot is going after Philly for the division because if Colorado doesn’t overtake the Dodgers, they are sure to take the Wild Card.
All in all, the last 3 weeks of the season are looking very exciting!

Here is how I see it:
American League
Yanks vs. Tigers (as the Cats hold off W.Sox & Twins)
Red Sox vs. Angels (Texas comes up short)
Red Sox and Yankees advance for a breath-taking ALCS
Yanks move on to the World Series after crushing the Bosox!

National League
Dodgers vs. Cards
Phillies vs. Rockies
Dodgers and Rockies advance and the ex-Indian-laden Dodgers take the NLCS in 7 games!

World Series
Revenge is sweet for Joe Torre as he beats his former boss in 7 dramatic and exhausting games!

What a game this is!

Go Joe!

MR. DOLAN, SELL THIS TEAM!

2009-09-13T22:09:00.007-04:00

Is there no relief in sight from the constant bungling of the Dolan family's ownership of the Cleveland Indians?!!!

The following statement was taken from a story that appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal Sports section on Saturday, September 12th;

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/59087977.html

[Club officials have said that it's unlikely that the team will contend for a postseason berth next year. If that is the case, Carroll, who will be 36 in February, might not fit the Indians' plans.]

Just what are those plans beside not winning and unloading talented players?

Jamey Carroll is batting .291 as a part-time player for the Cleveland Indians. It is well documented that most players struggle to perform consistently when they do not know from day to day if they will be in the next game. Playing in 77 games this year, based on the current 25 man roster and including Grady Sizemore, Carroll is 4th in batting average behind Brantley, Cabrera, and Choo, 5th in runs scored, 6th in hits, 8th in doubles, 4th in triples, 8th in RBIs, 8th in total bases, 7th in walks, 6th in stolen bases, 3rd in On Base %, and 11th in Slugging %. Not only is he a consistent performer, he is a positive clubhouse influence and he is a much needed spark plug that drives energy on the field, both offensively and defensively.

So why would we want to keep a guy like that around?

Read the story referred to above and ask the Dolans that question. If his current $2.5M salary is the reason, this team is in far more trouble that we can even imagine.

MR. DOLAN, SELL THIS TEAM!

Something To Look Forward To...

2009-09-10T21:29:00.008-04:00

Take a look at the the last 4 games of the season...October 1st through the 4th.

Yeah, that's right...4 games in Boston!

The way the season is shaping up, these 4 games will very likely be critical to the Red Sox getting into the playoffs.

Could we get a bit of revenge for 2007?

Would knocking the Bosox out of the playoffs be sweet?

You bet!

In reality, there is every reason to believe that the Boston Red Sox will sweep the Tribe just like the Texas Rangers did over the last 3 games. Look at this Indians' team; all of the true veterans are traded away with the exception of Travis Hafner, Jhonny Peralta, and Kelly Shoppach, and of course Grady Sizemore who has been shut down by injuries for the remainder of the season. Our most experienced guys are Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin Soo Choo, and Peralta. The remainder of the team is AAA and AA players.

How could they ever expect to compete with a playoff-bound team in the last series of the season?

Well, these guys are hungry as well as talented. Sure they are raw rookies but what have they got to lose?

Even if Boston wins the first 3 games, it still could come down to the final game of the season.

Look, right now we will take any win, no matter how big or small. But if we can ruin Boston's playoff hopes, now that is S-W-E-E-T!

They're getting ready for the playoffs in Boston,

Let's see if we can spoil their plans!

She Sings!

2009-09-05T13:10:00.004-04:00

Yeah, it's over and it's been over...ya just hate to admit it. Even Yogi would say, "It's over BEFORE it's over!"

This train wreck of a season started in Spring Training when we heard excuses like, "The thin air of Arizona is having it's effect on our hitters and pitchers." Thanks Eric, how come it didn't effect other teams?

When the season went into the tank early on, it was only a matter of time when the bargain basement discounting of future free agents would take place.

Just want to thank Cliff Lee for his recent comments last week pertaining to the poor attendance at Progressive Field. Cliff blamed the Cleveland fans for non-support of the team. He told Dennis Manoloff of the Plain Dealer words to the effect of, if the fans had come out to support this team, the owners may not have had to unload the free agents a year early.

Nice, Cliff!

Once again, he showed his wisdom and tact. The problem with the Indians has never been the fans. This has got to be one of the most loyal fan bases in all of major league sports. Our 455 consecutive sellout record stood until last season when the Red Sox finally beat the mark. Hmm, same Red Sox that blasted Cliffy in 2007, prompting him to tip his cap to the Cleveland fans as they let him know how they felt about his pitching that season. That was his next home game since beaning Sammy Sosa in Texas on Sammy Sosa Night. You still have so much class, don't you Cliff?!

Questions still to have answered;

1. Why can't everyone play like Grady Sizemore?

Grady is done for the season and will have 2 operations, one on his elbow and one on his abdomen, both injuries that have been nagging Grady all season long. (The abdominal injury was just reported recently.) When asked why the surgeries didn't take place early on, Grady replied that he wanted to play! Funny thing, so did manager Eric Wedge and head trainer Lonny Soloff!

2. When will Hafner be Full-ner?

What is wrong with our gentle giant? Just when it seems he is over his right shoulder ailment, his left shoulder acts up! Conditioning/Rest...Conditioning/Rest...Conditioning/Rest!

3. When will we get the ownership for the Cleveland Indians to take us to the World Series?

There is no doubt that the Cleveland Cavaliers have the very best chance to bring Cleveland it's first major league championship since 1964. Why?...Ownership! The Indians went to the World Series twice with Dick Jacobs. The Dolans were more lucky than smart in 2007 as we missed the World Series by one game. Please talk to Peter Lewis and his Progressive empire to buy this team!

As the sun sets on another season of Indians' baseball, we are thrust back to our resolve of the '60s, '70s, and '80s...Bad baseball is better than no baseball.

Mr. Dolan, if you love the Cleveland Indians as much as you say you do, then...

SELL THIS TEAM!

What The...?!

2009-08-27T22:26:00.002-04:00

OK, when you get a guy wrong, you gotta admit it. My apologies to Andy Marte. Marte has found a home at 1st base and is tearing the cover off of the ball! Tonight, he hit a dead center triple and a go ahead 2-run homer in the top of the 9th inning which proved to be the game-winner in Baltimore. Congratulations to Marte on his play since being promoted again to the Bigs! I honestly did not think you had it in you, I had you wrong, especially when I saw you go for a 3-bagger tonight!

What is going on with the Rockies again? It is 2007 all over again...only one month earlier! They could be one of two roadblocks to my '09 dream World Series, Dodgers vs. Yankees...

The revenge of Joe Torre!

The second roadblock could be Charlie Manuel and his Phillies trying to repeat. Charlie is the latest edition of the Indians' "manager who got away!" That's OK, Charlie was a hard worker but more of a "Doer" in Cleveland than a guy who "Got after it." He has matured with the Phillies in his old age. He still sounds like Casey Stengle on Quaaludes.

Come on Joe Torre, don't make us suffer through another October of Charlie!

What's Wrong With Cleveland?

2009-08-25T08:51:00.005-04:00

Over the last few weeks, business has required me to be spending most of my time in the great city of New York. It was only 10 months ago that I first visited the city for the very first time. Honestly, you can have it and the people, too!

The major pass-time of New Yorkers is jay-walking. In fact, if you don't walk against signals, you get left behind.

The service industry in New York is an oxy-moron. There simply is no service, from basic needs all the way up to what should be a luxury experience. I have never spent so much money to be treated so rudely. And it certainly brings out the not so nice side of me as well. I have verbally ripped hotel receptionists, deli counter workers, cashiers, and airline gate attendants regularly since December. They are extremely cocky and rude, argue about everything, and refuse to do the most basic parts of their jobs like provide a receipt.

LaGuardia Airport should sink into the East River and take all of the American Airlines employees along for a good dunking. These people should be subjected to themselves by being on the other side of the gate counter. Basic politeness doesn't exist ever, but when things get tough, their total lack of compassion and their selfishness are well displayed.

OK, so all that said, they do get things done here!

Fabulous theater
Great museums
Fine dining
Winning sports teams

It's that last one that gets me...winning sports teams. Year after year the Yankees are in the playoffs. From baseball to football to basketball to hell, you name it...these crabby-ass bastards win!

In New York, sports teams are expected to win every year. In Cleveland, the owner of the Cleveland Indians claims that he can only be successful one or two times in a five to six year period...Wussy!

There it is, right there...Cleveland is a town of Wussies! We let that wussy Dolan make bigger wussies out of us because he can be a wussy and get away with it!

Not me, when in New York, I get my receipts and my money's worth of chewing somebody's ass when they piss me off! And that's OK because the clerk or cashier or whoever just gives me what I want (what he or she should have done in the first place) and then moves on to someone else to bully.

That's what I like about these current Cleveland Indians. Throw at them and they are gonna knock down 3 of your guys! If this team gets pissed enough, they win 15 games in a row and make the next 30 to 35 days very interesting and exciting!

They Still Have Heart!

2009-08-25T06:51:00.004-04:00

After everything that has happened this year, despite the trades, the owner with deep pockets and short arms, the stubborn manager, the executives scrambling to save their jobs, the bewildered coaching staff, despite all of that...this team still has heart!

Grady Sizemore has said it many times in the past few weeks, "We got nothing to lose, we are playing all out!"
How else do you explain these guys hanging tough? Sizemore, Choo, Carroll producing every day and night...Peralta getting tough at 3rd and overcoming his streaky hitting...Fausto being who he can be...the rise of a star in Valbueno...Astrubal threatening to crack the top 10 in league batting average while playing a slick SS...some gutsy pitching...even Marte is starting to produce!

There is still time for one last winning streak!
Eyebrows would be raised once again!
This pesky bunch of misfits could make things very interesting with a little over a month to go!
They could steal the show!

Still On The Warpath!

2009-08-17T06:41:00.006-04:00

As asked last week, what would it take to win the American League Central?

Well, the good news is that the Indians are only 1 game off of the plan (See below, see previous blog).

· Win today’s game (8/13) vs. the Rangers...Nope, lost that one!

· Win 2 of 3 at the Twins...Yes, we took 2 of 3!

· Win 2 of 3 from L.A.

· Sweep the Mariners

· Sweep the Royals in K.C.

· Win 3 of 4 from the Orioles

· Win 2 of 3 from the Tigers

· Win 2 of 3 from the Twins

· Win 2 of 3 from the Rangers

· Sweep the Royals here!

· Win 2 of 3 from the Twins

· Win 3 of 4 from the A’s

· Win 2 of 3 from the Tigers

· Win 2 of 3 from the Orioles

· Win 2 of 3 from the White Sox

· Win 3 of 4 from the Red Sox!

It's that simple!...Well, why not?
The Rockies did it in '07...so did the Yankees only they started their move about 30 days earlier...so what! We need something to salvage from this season of waving the white flag early and "scalping" our future free agents.

It's like Grady Sizemore said Sunday, "We have nothing to lose, we are relaxed and playing all out."

True, but you could have something to gain...a far-fetched but possible shot at the Central Division!

There are others who would have something more to say about it. The cover of the USA Today touts the Angels (our next opponent) as having a hot hitting lineup, all hitting .297 or better! We play them pretty good and there is no reason we cannot take 2 of 3.
The Tigers have Rick Porcello pitching well and just signed big hitter Aubrey Huff. They still don't scare me.

Grady is right! There is nothing to lose and everything to gain so let's beat the drum, stay on the warpath, win some games, and have some excitement!

Note; A win streak sure makes all of this come together...we have 2 in a row!

How The A.L. Central Division Can Be Won…

2009-08-13T15:27:00.002-04:00

Apparently neither the Tigers, White Sox, or the Twins seem to be very engaged in winning the American League Central Division so, as written yesterday, here is how our Indians can do it;
We have 49 games remaining and we must win 37 of those games…Yes, it is a tough road but with no one running away with the division, why not consider the possibilities. Here are the must win scenarios of the final 16 series;
· Win today’s game vs. the Rangers
· Win 2 of 3 at the Twins
· Win 2 of 3 from L.A.
· Sweep the Mariners
· Sweep the Royals in K.C.
· Win 3 of 4 from the Orioles
· Win 2 of 3 from the Tigers
· Win 2 of 3 from the Twins
· Win 2 of 3 from the Rangers
· Sweep the Royals here!
· Win 2 of 3 from the Twins
· Win 3 of 4 from the A’s
· Win 2 of 3 from the Tigers
· Win 2 of 3 from the Orioles
· Win 2 of 3 from the White Sox
· Win 3 of 4 from the Red Sox!
Of course, if we run up a nice win streak, this all becomes much more achievable!

“All right people, we got 10 minutes 'till game time, let's all gather 'round. I'm not much for giving inspirational addresses, but I'd just like to point out that every newspaper in the country has picked us to finish last. The local press seems to think that we'd save everyone the time and trouble if we just went out and shot ourselves. Me, I'm for wasting sportswriters' time. So I figured we ought to hang around for a while and see if we can give 'em all a nice big shitburger to eat!” Lou Brown, fictional manager of the Cleveland Indians in the movie, “Major League”.

Wassuppppppppp?!

2009-08-12T12:47:00.003-04:00

Wassupppppp?!!!!!!!

In case you hadn’t noticed, and based on attendance you probably hadn’t, the Indians have won 7 of their last 10 games and trail the division leading Tigers by only 10 games. Yes, the hapless Tribe is still 14 games under .500 but the Tigers are only 6 games over .500…stranger things have happened!
With 50 games to go, what would it take to capture the division? Forget about the wild-card as that is out of the question…gotta go for the division!
So, what would it take?
· A combination of the weakest division in baseball continuing that trend with a hot streak by the Indians
· To catch the Tigers at their current wins to losses, the Tribe would have to win 37 of their remaining 50 games. That is a .740 winning percentage. Hey, they just won 7 of 10, can they make it 9 of 12? That is one more game than 2 of every 3 in a 12 game set.
Here is the thing, Detroit is ripe for getting knocked off…somebody is gonna do it…why not the Tribe?
This plays very well into the ownership’s collective thinking; in a 5 year span this team can get lucky and contend 2 seasons. Let’s say the 5 year span starts this year. It’s time to get lucky! Besides, this team has put together very dramatic 2nd halves of the season in 3 of the last 4 years.
Plain Dealer sports columnist Bill Livingston wants the Tribe to collapse in the second half of this year to force ownership and management of the team to not stay pat with the current talent. Great call-out Bill but they are going to stay pat anyway!
So let’s have some fun now!
“There’s 3 or 4 potential all-stars and the regulars are starting to play well. I think we are contenders right now!” Lou Brown, fictional manager of the Cleveland Indians in the movie, “Major League”.

Defeated!

2009-08-09T15:42:00.003-04:00

Did you read what Cleveland Indians' president Paul Dolan said?????

"If every four or five years we can have a shot at the World Series like we did in 2007. And compete for a playoff spot like we did in 2005, that's as good as it gets in this market.”

No wonder we are not competitive this year or last, it's not our year. According to Paul, we have shot our competitive wad until 2011. What kind of businessman makes a statement like that?! The big boys in the big markets play too tough so we will settle? Tell that to Detroit...or Tampa Bay...or Texas...or Minnesota...or Florida...or Colorado. You can't tell those teams that because each one of those small to medium (at best) market teams is either leading their division or is a bona fide contender for the playoffs...and they do it every year. The Dolans believe that they cannot compete because of the market size in Cleveland so they don't compete. Mr. Dolan, please don't even begin to tell us that 2005 and 2007 were engineered because they were not. The then Cleveland Indians put those seasons together despite ownership of the team. Admit it, 2005 caught you by surprise just like it did everyone else. That team played "also-ran" ball through most of the season just to put together a strong August and September and come up one half game short of the playoffs with a major choke. Same goes for 2007. They battled Detroit all season long in the weakest division in baseball, got hot in September, won the division, beat NY in the playoffs, and pulled off one of the biggest chokes in team history in giving the World Series berth to the Red Sox. Why the chokes? Not enough horses to finish the job! Truly what you are saying is, we will maintain status quo, spend little or no money on high profile ball players, and we should get lucky once or twice in a span of 5 years. Defeated! Loser! Unmotivated! Complacent! Content! Apathetic! Lethargic! Inadequate! Incompetent!

Cleveland Plain Dealer sportswriter Terry Pluto had the following to say this morning, "Fans often say the Dolans should sell the team. Fine, who is your buyer?" Where would the Cleveland Cavaliers be if they adopted that same defeated attitude that now Pluto apparently has been sucked into???? Guys like Dan Gilbert don't fall out of trees but they do exist and they know how to run an organization with a positive attitude, putting their money where that thought process is.

The Dolans are out of their league...please get out of the league!

SELL THIS TEAM!!!!!!!!!!

Cleveland Indians owner Larry Dolan and president Paul Dolan share a game recently with fans.

"Good morning, gentlemen, and welcome to another season of Indians baseball."

2009-08-08T19:16:00.003-04:00

Once again, life is imitating art. In this case, the real Cleveland Indians' ball club is very much like the 1989 hit movie version, "Major League". You might ask yourself, "Just what are the intentions of ownership?!" Apparently, their intentions are good but their ability to run a successful baseball team is completely questionable.

"The fact is we lost our two best players to free agency [I wish it was only two]. We haven't won a pennant in over thirty-five years [12 years now], we haven't placed higher than fourth in the last fifteen [close enough]. Obviously it's time for some changes."

"Maybe the problem is... we're coddling these guys too much. Yeah!"

At any rate, despite the poor performance of the team to this point and the poorer performance of ownership, this team is still trying and they are having a very good second half again! They have won 5 of their last 7 games against the top Central Division teams and they are fun to watch!

However, with the team still only 11.5 games out of 1st place, it will be a long time until happier times return to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario streets.

Mr. Dolan...SELL THIS TEAM!

Who's Flying The Plane?

2009-08-07T22:28:00.006-04:00

Cleveland Indians' President Paul Dolan reports to the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the Cleveland Indians ball club will lose $16 million this season. This number is despite the revenue sharing from Major League Baseball. What Paul was really doing was justifying the annual dumping of high priced and talented ball players. In addition to Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, All-Star Victor Martinez, Ryan Garko, Raphael Betancourt, Mark DeRosa, and Ben Francisco, we can now add Carl Pavano.
Dolan claims that the team must look longer term, like 2010, 11, 12, 13...etc. Unfortunately he did not say what we would be looking at, probably more of the same. Dolan claims that attendance will miss the projected 2.2 million mark by about a half million fans. He expects attendance to drop even more next season. (Let me know when we may hear something that resembles strong management or something to look forward to!)
Oh, this may be it..."Our losses aren't expected to be as great next year," Dolan said. Guess what Prez, neither is the team!
"The fans aren't happy with us now," Dolan said. Why should that be a factor now, Paul? It never was before.
"Eric Wedge and others deserve a lot of credit," said Dolan. For what?!!!
Then he goes on to say, "Despite that, we have not been successful the last few years with a team that should have been successful." Oh, I see, that's what Eric Wedge and others deserve credit for!
Dolan said the Indians' losses will be made up from loans and cash from the Dolan family. Too bad he found out the truth about the Tooth Fairy, Santa, and the Easter Bunny.
The Dolan family is not considering selling the team.
OK, so let's summarize;

Losses of $16 million
Fans are angry with ownership
Attendance will be down this year and down more next year
The team has not been successful over the last few years with a team that should have been
Eric Wedge and others deserve a lot of credit
Loans and personal finances will make up the losses
The team is not for sale

Personally, I don't think the fans are angry enough. This kind of double-talk makes Casey Stengel a toastmaster award winning speaker!

Yogi Berra might say, "It over before it's over."

Satchel Paige might say, "Look back!"

Mr. Dolan, SELL THIS TEAM!

So, You're Surprised Because...?!

2009-07-31T21:55:00.010-04:00

Come on, you knew it was going to happen...but it doesn't take away the hurt though, does it?

Mark DeRosa, Gone!

Rafael Betancourt, Gone!
Cliff Lee, Gone!

Ryan Garko, Gone!

Ben Francisco, Gone!

Victor Martinez, Gone!

As sportswriter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer Bill Livingston said, "Why shouldn't the fans think that this ball club is anything but a farm club for teams in contention?"

Well, maybe it shouldn't stop there. Since things are so bad, perhaps we could look at other ways to save, or gain revenue.

Yeah, perhaps we can trade long time bleacher drummer John Adams to Milwaukee for a polka band! (Barf!)

Or, what do you think we could get for our self-proclaimed "Beer-Man", maybe a Sausage Racer from Pittsburgh?

Since nobody is listening anymore, we could trade radio voice Tom Hamilton!

How about we see what we can get for TV commentator Rick Manning? Do you think he would mind if we traded him...again?!
Then there is the guy who wears the fluorescent hats at all of the home games. He sits with his wife in the front row behind the visitors dugout and changes hats about every inning.
Dude, wake up that guy behind you!

Here he is seen picking out a new hat!

What a guy, he lets his wife pick them out too!

If anyone remembers the decline of the Cleveland Indians of the early 60's, it can be traced back to then GM Frank "Trader" Lane. He single-handedly ruined the team. Once he even traded one complete team for another complete team! Current GM Mark Shapiro's trades pale in comparison to "Trader" Lane...but not for long!

What could we get for Shapiro? Better yet, give him away now before it is too late! Actually, tarring and feathering seems a bit too lenient.

Larry Dolan, owner of the team is a very nice man, a life-long fan, but a poor owner who will never put together a winner. He does not have the financial power to do so.

Please Mr. Dolan, sell this team!

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

2009-07-25T20:57:00.006-04:00

Visiting Louisville, Kentucky for business on Thursday, I decided to play a little "hooky" in the late afternoon. Knowing that the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory was only open until 6 pm, I headed to downtown Louisville. I had not been in the downtown area since I had my first 3-day pass from Army basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky back in 1970. It's a very nice area, all about the Ohio River. It was easy to spot the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory because of the 8-store replica bat that adorns the entrance. It is however difficult to navigate to the place due to so many one-way streets. After parking and walking a short distance to the facility, it wasn't long before the younger person in me emerged and dominated the next two and a half hours. There is a very informative tour of the factory that lasts about 20 minutes with Q & A at the end. The museum itself is somewhat small but very entertaining, informative, and fun to view. There is a theater that shows a short movie narrated by none other than Jame Earl Jones. The movie is graced with many shots of Progressive field and past and current Cleveland Indians to my surprise. There is a batting cage and an area where you can "Hold a Piece of History."

I was caught by surprise by the life-size likeness of Babe Ruth standing in the middle of the museum, in a pose concluding a swing that produced one of the Bambino's home runs. I almost thought this was a mime who would come to life any second as the likeness looked so real. The eyes of the Babe were so focused on the trajectory of the ball that he had just launched.

Of course there is a store in the museum and the most active part of that store is the back where you can order a customized genuine Louisville Slugger for yourself. The line for this was incredible when you consider the average price of the creation is about $60. (Mine cost me $74 plus shipping as orders after 4:15 pm must be picked up the next day or shipped.)

Exiting the store, there is a wall of signatures of major league ball players. It did not take me long to find Rocky Colavito and then to view many, many more.

The museum and factory is a great place to visit, reward yourself with a genuine Louisville Slugger, and learn about the great traditions of the 125 year history of the factory. I think it is someplace that you would not want to miss if you were nearby.

Upon walking out of the museum, it was fitting to learn that Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox had just pitched a perfect game that afternoon!

Let The Buyer Beware!

2009-07-19T16:47:00.003-04:00

Is this what it has come down to on the corner of Carnegie and Ontario?

This team is now 21 games under .500 and showing no signs of life after the All-Star break. "Let the buyer beware" apparently has become the new motto of the Cleveland Indians' current ownership as they do nothing but sit on their deed to the team.

Well, don't blame the fans. We are going to continue to be an avid and loyal fan base to the team, the Cleveland Indians, but not necessarily to current ownership. For too long bad baseball was better than no baseball here where unemployment, cost of living, and home ownership continue to trend higher than the rest of the country. But yet, the fans continue to pay attention to this team...and I do mean "Pay!"

For team ownership with the second worst record in baseball to do absolutely nothing for two seasons is unforgivable. Worst of all, the Dolans aren't even trying to spin things favorably...they just do nothing! However, with the trading deadline approaching fast (July 31st), you can be sure some additional payroll unloading will take place in the next two weeks. See ya, Carl Pavano! You too, Victor! Cliff, it's been nice! Ryan Garko is probably going to go to a team where he can play every day and drive in the runs he is capable of with his .270+ batting average. Mark Shapiro just spent the last week in Columbus, Ohio assessing the talent on our AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. Matt LaPorta is being switched to 1st base again. Goodbye Garko! Andy Marte is hitting homers again. He is sure to get the call up again to the big league. The trouble is, he is comfortable at the AAA level. Bring him up again and he will look complacent once again. The good news is that we will get to see Michael Brantley soon. He will more than likely trade places with an underperforming Ben Francisco.

For a team to be one game away from the World Series just one and one half seasons ago, things just ain't right and show no signs of getting any better.

Please Mr. Dolan, sell the team!

Can You Stand By And Watch?

2009-07-10T21:10:00.005-04:00

Can you stand by and watch the demise of the 2009 Cleveland Indians? Speaking for myself, I want to throw 25 life preservers. I have never been one to stand by in a crisis. I want to take action...lead the rescue of the cat in the tree, help the confused lady cross the street (probably my mother-in-law...Hmmm), volunteer to build a home for Habitat for Humanity (someday), and good stuff like that. But what can a guy like me do to help my beloved Cleveland Indians? It seems like anything helpful would just be as much a waste of time as rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
There is much that stinks on the corner of 9th and Carnegie. Unfortunately to rid the team of the stench that is them right now would take a sizable amount of money and that just isn't gonna happen with the current ownership. Until last week, I took my car to a "conveniently located" dealer near my home. They have terribly inconvenient hours, rude service people, salesmen that think they are owed a living, and just downright piss-poor customer service to go along with their inability to fix cars right and satisfy customers. Unfortunately, their convenient location has made me put up with too much too long. No, the Dolan family does not own the car dealership too. My point is, even the most die hard fans will become disenchanted. Not me of course as I will always have my first baseball loyalty to the Cleveland Indians. Aurora Chrysler Plymouth can burn down for all I care because I will never go back there!

Cleveland Plain Dealer sports columnist Bill Livingston wrote earlier this week that he hopes the Tribe will stop winning in the second half of the season. As shocking as that sounds, there is a method to this madness. Bill feels that if the Tribe puts together a second half this year like they did last year, the team will again stay pat, not spend any money, and say that they just need a spare part or two just to put the team back to playoff bound in 2010.

I must agree to disagree; Never stop trying to win, you owe that to the fans and yourselves. Do come to the realization right now that the team needs a major overhaul to be competitive once again. And for #@#!! sakes Mr. Dolan, sell the @#@!! #@#@#@!!! team! If you love the Indians and the town, sell!

No matter what happens, Shapiro and his lunatic coaching staff must all go! They have been given a reprieve until the end of the season. Talk about stink, PU! These guys are a total embarrassment to the community and the game of baseball. As long as you recruit bargain basement coaching and management, your team will dwell in the basement...what a bargain!

Could you imagine turning in numbers and results where you work that these guys do and keeping your job? These guys are so lame duck right now you have to watch where you step around the dugout...maybe that's what stinks so bad! Here's an idea to fill the seats each night at Progressive Field...or at least 1 seat. Fire Wedge and hold a lottery for "Manager of the Night." What harm could it do and it would make each game very interesting. Joe Fan gets an opportunity to manage the Cleveland Indians for a night! Of course, there would be rules and regulations;

"NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter, complete the entry form from our Manage the Indians Contest. To be eligible, entries must be completed and received on or by the closing date of the draw. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. All entries shall become the property of the Cleveland Indians. The Cleveland Indians will not be responsible for lost, misdirected or delayed entries. Entries received by telephone, fax, courier or personal delivery will not be accepted. The contest is open to anyone upright and taking oxygen. Knowledge of the game of baseball is preferred but not required. Winners must be prepared to travel with the team in the event that their managing day/night is outside of the Cleveland area. Winners must pay their own expenses to and from the game, including air fare, meals, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation. Current management or anyone closely resembling any Cleveland Indians organization employees are not eligible.

Shin-Soo Choo, Self-Made Hitter!

2009-07-04T14:57:00.004-04:00

Last night, Cleveland Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo led the offensive attack that drove the Cleveland Indians to a 15-3 win over the Oakland A's at Progressive Field. Choo went 4 for 5 with 2 home runs and 7 RBIs. Choo is his own biggest critic. Despite being the most productive hitter for the 2009 Indians, Choo believes he is capable of much more and has promised so recently. Perhaps that is what drove him to his "Extra Credit" work on Thursday's "off" day. While being interviewed in the post-game last night, Choo revealed the following. He said that he watched 3 hours of hitting DVDs on Thursday. "I tried a wider stance so I could see the ball better and see it longer," he said. "I didn't swing at bad pitches."

So, during the interview, I posed an even deeper question in my mind that I was hoping would be asked of Choo, or Wedge, or Shapiro, or even the grounds crew..."Where was Derek Shelton on Thursday and why do you have to come up with this "self-coaching" on your own?!"

It has been apparent to me and to anyone else that pays even the slightest bit of attention to this team that they have been under-coached for years. Here's a guy that is leading his team offensively, knows he can do even better, promises the fans that he will, and then he develops his own coaching techniques.

Over the last 7 days, Choo has put on a masterful defensive display, cutting down Cincinnati and Chicago base runners with laser throws from right field. Perhaps if he was asked what he attributes his strong throwing arm to, he may refer that to live grenade training in his South Korean homeland. Choo still has a military obligation that he will be required to serve soon unless he receives a "pass" from South Korea for his baseball career.

Now that I think of it, this team reminds me more and more of the Bill Murray platoon in the movie Stripes. You remember, their drill Sergeant Hulka was blown up during basic training and the platoon was left to train themselves.

Is this your 2009 Cleveland Indians?

Mr. Dolan...Puleeeeeeeze sell the team!!!!!

Did It Start Again?

2009-06-28T10:29:00.005-04:00

Yes, apparently the "Annual Fire Sale" of Cleveland Indians potential free agents has started again...or better yet, has been re-ignited. During last night's loss to the Cincinnati Reds, infielder/outfielder/ball-basher Mark DeRosa was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals for a handful of beans. Hell, these beans were not even advertised as magic beans!

I don't even want to get into trying to defend or analyze this trade as something that would remotely help this season because it will not and it wasn't intended to help this season despite GM Mark Shapiro's spin. Giving up a high quality player in DeRosa for a reliever with a bloated ERA and a minor league player to be named sometime when few fans will care signals raising the white flag on the '09 season in Cleveland.

OK, we expected it. It just hurts to see it.

The core problem with the Cleveland Indians is ownership. How long must we suffer with this relationship with "The Cable Guy?"

Is it time to start canvassing the greater Cleveland area for a savior? For a business leader to wrestle this team away from the financially strapped Dolan family?...Absolutely!

OK then, who?

How about Peter Lewis and his monster insurance company? The field is already called Progressive Field! The only problem is that this bleeding heart will go soft and eject our beloved Chief Wahoo for a more politically correct mascot...Forget it!

How about Eaton Corporation? They appear to be a financially sound rock of Cleveland with roots dating back to founder and Clevelander Cyrus Eaton. Does anyone know exactly what they do?

American Greetings....no, forget it, their bottom line has dropped.

Cleveland Clinic! Now there is a thought! This world power in medicine could keep the team healthy if not in contention! "Cleveland Clinic Heartland Field!" Naw, they would dump the Chief too.

Forest City Enterprises? This mega-real estate mogul certainly has the bucks. Their roots are deep in Cleveland...Hmmmm!

Here's a laugh...The Cleveland Plain Dealer! Forget it! Although they are out performing many news papers in the country, the economy and future of printed news is quite in jeopardy.

How about a savvy businessman like Mike Feuer? He is experienced at bringing investors together in a united effort. He loves to tell the story of how he founded OfficeMax on a blank piece of paper. He is about to do it again with his new company, Max Wellness, a chain of health super-stores about to open in September across the nation. While the CEO and President of OfficeMax, Mike began an advertising campaign in major league ballparks, beginning with the right field wall of then Jacobs Field. His apparent love affair with baseball was rekindled as he could be seen many nights in the field box seats next to the Indians' dugout. He is a tough businessman who get the results he wants...I love it!

Our bottom line is that the Dolans gotta go!

Somewhere out there in the greater Cleveland area is a hero. Someone like Dick Jacobs who has the ability to put together a purchase for this team and run it day in/day out as a successful and competitive business. I long for that day and wait with anticipation with millions of greater Clevelanders for such a hero...

Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The Cure...

2009-06-21T12:03:00.004-04:00

Apparently what ails the Cleveland Indians will not be cured in this season. Yes, they have suffered many injuries to many key players. However, scoring 12 runs and not winning the game cannot be blamed on injuries. Blowing a 7 run lead also cannot be blamed on the missing injured. It was almost one year ago that the Tribe brass gave up on the season and traded away their future free agents CC Sabathia and Casey Blake. Through yesterday, the Indians are 29 and 41. On this same date last year, they were 35 and 40.

Is it time again to throw in the towel on this season?

You bet it is.

Yesterday, the Dolan family (owners of this hapless team) were on hand in Chicago to see their team blow yet another lead twice in the game to lose in extra innings in the most embarrassing ways. Kerry Wood may have a banner raised to his accomplishments in Chicago in 1998 but the best remembrance of this failed Indians' closer will be the door hitting him in the behind as he leaves Cleveland.

You can trade off the free agents but the problems will still remain. The team has ownership that cannot finance the business to compete on a daily basis. The talent pool is dwindling and management is forced to play injured players when they should be rested or have career saving operations without being rushed back.

Solutions?

Let Grady Sizemore have the operation now on his elbow that is inevitable.

Do not rush back Jake Westbrook as the white flag will be raised on this season in the next few days.

Manager Eric Wedge need to be replaced but not with another sub-caliber manager. He might as well stay until ownership is in the position to replace him with a winner that will command a much higher salary.

Mark Shapiro claims that this season is no one's fault except his. Agreed, see ya!

The Dolan family must quickly find an interested buyer with the capital to run the team as Dick Jacobs did, as a profitable business that could compete with the best teams in the league.

I remain a loyal fan to the Cleveland Indians. The likes of Frank Lane and the Dolans have come and gone and we weathered the storms they brought with them. I can only hope that a community leader and businessman the likes of Dick Jacobs will step forward, purchase the team, keep them here in Cleveland where they belong, restructure the management from top to bottom, and finance the club as a profitable business.

It has been done before, here and in other cities.

Why not now?

12 Runs...12 Runs!

2009-06-16T15:21:00.001-04:00

Ya know, if yer gonna score 12 runs, ya outta at least win da game!

Outstanding!

2009-06-15T15:21:00.002-04:00

Cliff Lee led an inspired Cleveland Indians Team to a well-played victory last night on national television. I am sure the national audience was cut down a bit with the NBA finals opposite but the good guys in white looked great! Cliff Lee was excellent as he took a no hitter into the top of the 8th inning. The first inning started out a little rough for Cliff as he walked the lead off and 3rd batter, but after he got out of the inning with "a zero" as he calls it, the Indians' hitters set the pace for the game. Patience at the plate was not the theme for either team but sparkling defensive plays were executed by both ball clubs. The Indians won the game by a score of 3-0 and the way Cliff Lee was pitching, 3 runs were more than enough. The game did not go without incident. Late in the game with a no hitter on the line, a ball was hit near the right field stands. Shin Soo Choo was there in time to position himself under the nearly out of play foul ball when a spectator (not a fan) attempted to interfere. Joe Morgan of the ESPN Baseball Tonight team was cordial as he dismissed the action saying words to the effect that people want to catch a ball at the ball park but they do not always think of the circumstances. Luckily Choo was not interfered with and he made the catch. Had this moron spectator touched the ball or had been lucky enough to accidentally catch it, the batter gets another chance and who knows how the game could have turned out (Ala Chicago Cubs run for the championship a few years ago). Where were the "Fans" of the game in right field who could have sat this idiot back in and on his seat?
Perhaps tickets should come with the instructions, "Keep your head and arms inside the railing at all times!"
Oh well, the city looked great, so did the ball park, and the team played a great game despite some flounder in the outfield stands who should have stayed home and watched the NBA.

We get another chance to shine on national television tonight as we take on the Brew Crew on ESPN at 7:05 pm...We can gain another half game on the idle Tigers tonight...Go Tribe!

I was thinking about the passing of former team owner Dick Jacobs and all he did for the city and team that he loved. I know that the naming rights to the stadium have quite a few years to go before they come up again but think of the possibilities that still exist right now to remember this great man. Is it possible to call the stadium, "Jacobs Field at Progressive Park?" How about the reverse, "Progressive Field at Jacobs Park?" At the very least a street in downtown Cleveland could be named after Jacobs, perhaps Ontario Blvd.?...Hmmm...

When Nature Strikes Back...

2009-06-14T14:07:00.013-04:00

Who could forget the infamous "Bug Game" at Jacobs Field (now Progressive) vs. the Yankees in the ALDS in 2007? Yes, the Cleveland Indians won that game in 11 innings and took a 2-0 lead in the series. Oh, there were those that carped and moaned that the Indians had an unfair advantage. Roger Clemens, then still with the Yankees, chastised then manager Joe Torre for not pulling his team off of the field because of the apparent plague sent to punish the Yankees.

Well, recently nature struck again at a home game here in Cleveland and it played a hand (or should I say a "wing") in the outcome of the game.

Almost from out of the movie, "The Birds" came a flock of seagulls that have been hanging around Progressive Field since the start of this season. Ominously lurking in the rafters, flying over home plate casting distracting shadows, calling for scraps of food from fans, and gathering in the outfield, these birds have been biding their time, just waiting for the chance to help out the home team.

Well, they took their best shot on this past Thursday night. With the score tied at 3 in the bottom of the 10th inning, Shin Soo Choo sent a hit up the middle with Mark DeRosa on second base and Victor Martinez on first base. As the ball bounced towards center field, KC outfielder Coco Crisp charged the ball to keep DeRosa at third base. But that is when the seagulls decided to help their adopted team. The ball apparently bounced off of one of the flocking birds and glanced away from Coco Crisp. As the ball went left of Crisp, he very cautiously maneuvered out of an encounter with the flock. Crisp motioned to the umpires as if to ask for interference from the birds. He was very careful to stay away from the birds as he looked quite afraid of them. Final score, Cleveland 4, KC 3, Seagulls 1.

As this season continues and the Indians await their injured stars to come back from the disabled list, they will take any and all help while staying in contention with their young players. Bugs and birds...what's next? Lightning bolts, vampire bats, locusts, and boils? Bring it on!

This past Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of Cleveland favorite Rocky Colavito hitting 4 home runs vs. the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, June 10th, 1959.

Rocky was a fan favorite and had the entire city of Cleveland devoted to him until he was dealt away in 1960 by then general manager Frank "Trader" Lane...shoulda been "Traitor" Lane. Rocky was also a very colorful and entertaining figure as he led the Indians in 1959 in a chase for the American League Pennant vs, the Chicago White Sox.

Also on that wonderful team of '59 was shortstop Woody Held. Woody played for the Indians from 1959 through 1964. He passed away last week at the age of 77.

Woody was a great guy, one of the top 100 Cleveland Indians of all time, and was know as a great team mate as remembered this week by former team mates Jim "Mudcat" Grant and Colavito. Bob Feller remembers Held as a great ball player and a man that never made an enemy.
If you have read this blog before, you know what the season of 1959 meant to me. Woody Held was a big part of that team and that season. He always had time for autographs and Q&A from fans of all ages, particularly little leaguers who were so taken with his kindness and the time he would spend talking baseball to us. That continued through the years as he was a regular at the Indians' Fantasy Camp. Woody loved to help and guide campers in the game that he loved, even campers who were not on his team during the one week "season". He was always available for early batting practice and he served as Joe Charboneau's straight man during many fun times at the camp.

Thanks to Woody for the great player that you were, for the time you spent with your fans, and for being part of some of my most cherished memories.

Time To Give Wedge A Break...

2009-06-08T00:12:00.004-04:00

Yes, I said it...It is time to give Eric Wedge, manager of the Cleveland Indians a break.

No one has been a bigger critic of Wedge, at least I don't know of anyone, who has been as steadfast in waiting for Wedge to get canned than me.

But hold on...His team has been hit with a tremendous amount of injuries that might have crippled a lesser manager.

Here is hoping that Grady Sizemore comes back soon 100%. Same for Astrubel Cabrera, Aaron Laffey, Scott Lewis, Raphael Betancourt, Joe Smith, and Anthony Reyes.

Also hoping that Fausto Carmona gets his mechanics straightened out quickly and can get back soon.

Here is the thing; the bench guys, led by Jamey Carroll, and all of the guys the Indians have called up from the minors are doing a pretty good job. After today's victory over Chicago, we are still only 7 games out of first. Can these guys not only hold it together but win more games than they lose? If they can, when the regulars get healthy, we have a real shot at this division.

So, I will lay off of Eric Wedge. In fact, I will commend him for what he has done and support him in the difficult task at hand.

This will be the true test of the manager and the team. There is much to learn about everyone in the next 2-3 weeks. Hopefully there is much more to get excited about.

Thank You, Richard Jacobs

2009-06-06T13:12:00.004-04:00

Richard Jacobs 1925 - 2009

Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal wrote a wonderful tribute to Richard Jacobs in this morning's edition of the daily newspaper.

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/47107997.html

What more can be said other than thank you Richard Jacobs for your commitment to Northeast Ohio. Thank you for keeping the Cleveland Indians here where they belong. Thank you for being the savvy businessman that led a town down on their luck to build a new stadium, build a championship caliber team, and thrill us like we haven't experienced in 41 years.

I can only hope that when time runs out on the current naming rights of Progressive Field, that the stadium is returned back to Jacobs Field in memory of a great man and tremendous asset to the town that he loved.

Lay Off Of LeBron!

2009-06-03T16:31:00.008-04:00

Yeah, I know, this is an Indians' blog. But something just needs to be said in defense of King James.

First, let me qualify myself.

I do not like basketball. However, I love having LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is good for Cleveland and anything that is good for Cleveland, I am all for. I must however admit that on a percentage basis, when the Indians were on TV opposite the Cavaliers, the Indians dominated my attention.

I did see enough of the playoff to see that sportsmanship was very one-sided. Who does Dwight Howard think he is, LeBron James? He's more like his evil brother. The guy is a thug. And so is the rest of his scuzball team. What did he have, 6 technical fouls?...Oops, wait a minute...now 5 technical fouls thanks to the powers that be in the NBA.

OK, so LeBron didn't care to partake in the after loss media circus...probably not a good move King, but so what.

And then he broke the "unwritten rule" (as it is called by commish David Stern) of not shaking hands with the opposition. Hmmm, I am trying to remember if a very young CC Sabathia shook hands with the guy who robbed him of his jewelry at gun point at a party.

The Magic was the better team, no doubt about it. But how many elbows did LeBron throw compared to Dwight Howard? I guess you could say the Magic won that battle too, like 20 - 0.

It's over, we lost, and LeBron was pissed...too bad and who cares that he didn't go shake hands?

So, go ahead and fine him David Stern. LeBron makes most of his money outside of his NBA paycheck anyway. Whatever he fines him will be chump change.

I guess you could say LeBron makes more money than Jesus! Now that is a stupid thing to say, isn't it? Unless you are the Denver Nugget's coach George Karl. You know, the guy who runs the other semi final loser. When asked about the performance of Kobe Bryant in the final 7 minutes of game 6 of the Western Championship Series, Karl said words to the effect of Kobe was indefensible and unstoppable. Even Jesus couldn't defend against him.

So, that makes me think...if there were a pickup game and George Karl was taking his pick between Kobe Bryant and Jesus, would Karl really pick Kobe? You know, he just may. Think about all of the distractions Jesus has, would his head really be in the game? Oops, time out, gotta take this prayer. Or, Hey guys, it's been fun but I gotta run...earthquake in Syria!.

And now I am done with basketball. I am back to 100% baseball and the Cleveland Indians (instead of 99.9%).

So, here is a golden opportunity that Wedgie better jump on; the Tigers are playing the Bosox. I know your Indians are banged up but you still have a golden opportunity to gain in the division standings, or at least in games behind.

I love these guys stepping up like Jamey Carroll. If I manage the team, I find a way to get this guy in just about every game! He is hungry, a baseball opportunist, and he never-ever gets cheated at the plate. Rock on Jamey Carroll! Rock on Tribe, let's gain some ground, starting tonight!

And, long live the King! Let's just get him his Scotty Pipen for next year!

What's Wrong?!

2009-05-30T21:05:00.003-04:00

What’s wrong with Travis Hafner?
Travis Hafner was to finish his rehab assignment in Columbus, Ohio with the Clippers. He was to play three games in a row and be activated to the Indians by Monday. His shoulder is still sore and he was scratched from the Clippers’ game today. When will we know just what exactly is wrong with Travis Hafner?
What’s wrong with Grady Sizemore?
Grady Sizemore has a sore elbow. He is batting .225 and cannot play center field. He has been DH’ing and has been dropped to the #2 spot in the lineup (and that is a good thing if he gets healthy). When will we know what exactly is wrong with Grady Sizemore?
What’s wrong with Fausto Carmona?
He has become one of the most ineffective starters we have and he lacks confidence. When he does not get the low strike calls, he either walks batter after batter or puts the ball in the outfield seats. When will Fausto Carmona get straightened out?
How can we take 4 out of 4 games from the defending American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays and we let the Yankees bully us in our house? (Game 1 was lost to the Yankees last night by a score of 3-1 and the current score tonight is Yankees 7, Indians 2.)

Currently the Cavs are down to the Magic 28-20.

Why can’t “Championship Defense” ever be in our vocabulary?

Come on Le Bron, you are all the hope we have!

Hey, Any Chinese Money For The Indians?

2009-05-25T19:43:00.002-04:00

A few days ago, hell, it may have been a week ago, Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal wrote words to the effect of Fausto Carmona being a "Flash in the Pan" success in 2007. He thinks that Fausto was more or less just lucky and put together one good year.
Sheldon, do you really think that a pitcher who has runner-up numbers for a Cy Young award just got lucky? Come on, Fausto falls victim to poor mechanics often. These poor mechanics affect his ability to pitch effectively and stay healthy. I wanted so badly to drive down to Progressive Field tonight as Fausto was failing yet once again. I wanted to tell Fausto about where he is releasing the ball. I wanted to review films with him of his mechanics in 2007 with those of 2008 and those of this year.
Hey, wait a minute...Isn't that what Carl Willis is supposed to do?
Fausto is not alone. You can look at this team from top to bottom, position to position, and player to player and think, "How did all these guys get so bad all at once?"
It makes sense to get rid of the players, doesn't it? After all, what are we supposed to do at this level, play wet-nurse to these guys every time they start to get off track? These are professionals and they are in the Bigs because they have prepared and earned their way up here.
I maintain that this coaching staff is not capable of recognizing players' issues and working through them before they become career-threatening issues.
There is no other explanation for the total breakdown of this team. Not unless you believe that the team is plotting to tank the season.
I maintain that the trainers cannot keep these guys healthy by helping to recognize causes for injuries common to pitchers and position players. How many of our pitchers over the last 5 years have suffered from Oblique muscle pulls? How many position players have been playing with sore shoulders, blown out elbows, and nagging hamstrings? Over the course of a season, there will be injuries but the same injuries over and over again to these players?
I maintain that manager Eric Wedge is extremely stubborn. He has it in his head that hard work is going to make this team successful, no matter how long it takes. He has no concept of the 162 game season. I would also maintain that it wasn't Fausto who got lucky in 2007, it was Eric Wedge.
I maintain that GM Mark Shapiro is in a tough place. He has no money to build the team and his coaching staff is tremendously challenged to get the current players on track. He should have fired Eric Wedge and his coaching staff long ago.
I maintain that the Dolans must sell this team. They do not have the financial ability to run this team successfully.
So Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is entertaining Chinese investors to become minority owners of the Cavs.
Dan, can you ask them if they have any friends who like baseball?

Some Notes While Watching The Cavs Tonight...

2009-05-24T21:40:00.003-04:00

How much money does Marv Albert make?

Is that the best hair piece he can get or does he want to resemble Howard Cosell on purpose?

How did Craig Sager get on TV?

Does he every try on his clothes and look in a mirror before he makes the purchase or is he trying to resemble a high school English teacher forced to be a chaperon at the prom?

Why must we suffer through this Cleveland Indians' bullpen with no relief in sight?

The Indians are on pace to lose 95 games!

Why don't the Cavs drive to the basket?

Do you miss Casey Blake as much as I do?

How did Marv Albert keep his job after pleading to assault and battery? Would you still have a job? I could do without Marv Albert. However, there are those who love his "bitting" commentary.

Halftime and the Cavs are down by 1 point.

After 45 games, the Indians are 17 - 28 for a .378 winning percentage.

Cavs must drive to the basket!

Indians must get some pitching from somewhere and stop putting guys in the game that continue to fail like Luis Vizcaino!

I can't watch anymore. Cleveland cannot stand another heartbreak. The only way they can win is to drive to the basket and early in the second half it is still not happening...Goodnight.

To Arms! To Arms!

2009-05-24T15:14:00.005-04:00

What to watch...Indy 500? Been there a few times but it is a wonderful tradition!

Cleveland Indians' Baseball? Been there a million times and it too is a wonderful tradition!

Split screen TV on the holiday weekend...Priceless!

Tonight we have the Cavs in game 3 in Orlando...I am worried but trust that the King can bring Cleveland our first championship since 1964!

Holy ----! Grady hits a triple scoring a run and the ball gets away from the 3rd baseman, Grady goes home, is called out but over-ruled and called safe by the 3rd base umpire due to interference! Not sure where the interference took place but we will take the run to tie the game!

Do you get really nervous when a Cleveland Indian Closer comes into a game anymore? Recent memory serves up Joe "Joe Blow" Borowski tossing homer-balls to lose games.

Think back even further to "Good Bob, Bad Bob" Wickman. Then there was Jose Mess-Up!

Currently, we have "Scary Kerry" Wood!

Last night, the Tribe came from behind to take the lead with 1 run only to hand the game to Wood in the ninth! Very scary but we won.

Someone wrote into the Cleveland Plain Dealer today to ask, "Is it true, as a smart business move, that the Tribe made sure to mail in the season before postage went up?"

Funny, but here is a different slant;

We took 2 of 3 from KC and we are working on taking 2 of 3 from Cincy (rubber game currently tied at 3-3). I like the hustle I am seeing. Bats are coming alive. I love the new batting order! Leadership is present in the players, namely Victor Martinez. If we can just get pitching healthy, we can still compete this season!

OK, gotta get back to the 500 and the Tribe game, then get ready for the King James show later!

Come on Tribe...Hustle this one away from Cincy and take the series!

Can't You Hear My Heart Beat?...No, Not Really!

2009-05-19T22:42:00.003-04:00

Heart (noun) spirit, resolution, or courage.

Where is the heart of this ball club?

How do you blow a 2 run performance by your ace with 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th?

Victor has heart.

Valbuena showed he has more than a pulse tonight!

Cliff Lee has it.

Individually, some may have it but as a team...DOA!

As experienced as Kerry Wood is, did you see him become visibly shook tonight as he gave up back to back homers, a walk, a triple to tie the game, and then a sac fly to lose it?

This game was snatched out of the grip of victory. The Indians get a "Wimp" rating on grip.

When the 9th inning started, I felt very, very confident that the win was ours to savor...NOT!

Predictably, as the Royals faithful donned their rally caps, Kerry Wood gave the crowd exactly what they wanted...what they anticipated!

Mr. Dolan, please sell this team!

Thank you Eric Wedge for the great line up tonight!

I am so very serious!

Even though Grady Sizemore was 0 for 4 tonight, do not give up on this line up!

It worked in the first inning and every inning after that.

Cabrera led off the game with a double. Sizemore flew out but advanced Cabrera to third. Martinez drove Cabrera in...Bam...Bam...Bam!

Stay with this line up, fix the bullpen!

Right now, the only answer is to forget your short guys and use your long relievers in all relief situations until a trade can be made.

A trade? Right, that will happen!

Instead we will "Keep at it, get consistent, and grind it out."

Oh well, as bad as things are (and they are terribly bad), I still think this team can turn around!

It will take a new manager, coaching staff, and GM to do it.

Mr. Dolan, please sell this team!

Blue...You Blue-It!

2009-05-17T22:06:00.004-04:00

When did the the comfortable confines of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg become Yankee Stadium II?

I have not witnessed officiating like I saw today since the last time the Indians were in the Bronx!

You know, the Tribe still had shortcomings and missed opportunities that probably would have cost them the game today anyway but come on, we can lose these game on our own, we do not need official intervention.

A terrible missed call on Friday night cost Mark DeRosa and the Tribe a run as he slid safely into home plate. "Out!" was the call and then so was manager Eric Wedge...and rightfully so because he needed to defend his player and team.

Today started out with the Tribe unable to take advantage of a goof by Rays manager Joe Maddon that kept his DH out of the game and made his pitchers go to the plate.

Later, Ryan Garko hit a ball to left field that went over Carl Crawford's mitt, bounced off of the top of the wall, and dropped into the waiting hands of Crawford. The "Out" sign was given. As Garko waited on 2nd base and Wedge stalked nearby, the umpiring brain trust huddled to make lemonade. The call stood.

The umpires then proceeded to lose complete control as the two teams who engaged in what appeared to be a game of "SPUD" as they threw often at each other. Tempers erupted, mainly catcher Victor Martinez lost his and again, rightfully so.

During the bench clearing that took place, the only casualty was Indians' pitching coach Carl Willis getting tossed from the game. That's like losing a wad of gum off of your shoe as you walk down the street.

Well, after some blown strike calls, mainly checked swings by Jhonny Peralta and David Dellucci, all that was missing was a Yankee fan interfering with a batted ball to the outfield and the umpire calling it a home run.

Even though manager Eric Wedge put just a very sad lineup on the field, you had to feel for him as he tried to get his troops to battle back just to have the umpires hold any rally back.

Note to Eric Wedge; When an opposing manager pulls a bone-headed mistake that takes the DH out of the game and mandates his pitchers must bat, take advantage of the situation! What the hell was Garko doing in left field? Because everyone is screaming for Grady Sizemore to drop down in the lineup you sit him down? When Maddon pulled his boner, why didn't you go back with your A team?

The good news is that Masa is gone!

That's all the good news.

Something To Talk About May Soon Lead To Something To Cheer About

2009-05-17T11:25:00.005-04:00

Everybody...everybody from your grandmother to your little leaguer thinks Grady Sizemore should be moved down in the Indians' lineup...everybody but manager Eric Wedge.

Bud Shaw thinks so...

Terry Pluto thinks so...

Pat McManamon of the Akron Beacon Journal thinks so...

Sheldon Ocker thinks so...

Hell, even Joe the Plumber thinks so!

Grady is striking out more this year than ever before. He is batting .220 because of the strikeouts and the fact that he is leading off. But, after the first inning with a runner in front of him like Jamey Carroll, he gets better pitches and hits through a hole where the infielder holding Carroll or someone else on base has vacated. Sizemore has too much power to be a lead off hitter. He takes a big swing and therefore strikes out often because nobody is on base ahead of him when he leads off. Most of the experts mentioned above would bat Sizemore 3rd with Victor Martinez batting cleanup. Think about this...

Sizemore wants to lead off to get as many at bats as he can. Drop him one spot to 2nd in the lineup. Put Shin Soo Choo 1st, Grady 2nd, and leave the leading hitter in the American League, Victor Martinez in the 3rd spot where he belongs.

I loved seeing manager Eric Wedge get tossed the other night, not because of my desire to see him work in another industry but because I thought he was absolutely right to dispute the blown call at home plate. Mark DeRosa was SOOOOOOOOOOO safe!

But here is an interesting result of the tossing of Wedge. The team lost control of the game and blew a 7 run lead to lose the game 8-7. If Wedge were still in the game, would we have lost?

Does a manager, even of the caliber of Eric Wedge mean that much to a team within the framework of a 9 inning game?

How does this speak to the rest of the coaching staff that let the bottom fall out?

Perhaps Wedge was still calling the shots from the clubhouse runway but at any rate, I still maintain the coaches, the manager, the general manager, and the owner all should be on the hot seat for the pitiful start this team has had over the last two seasons.

It is long past time for the Dolan family to go back to what they know, cable TV. They do not have the resources or the savvy to run a major league sports franchise.

Please sell the team and spare us the pain that we suffered with the likes of Nick Mileti and Ted Stepien.

I am so very tired of the short arms and deep pockets these guys have when it comes to financing a competitive team.

Were we just lucky in 2007?

Mr. Dolan, if you love the Cleveland Indians as you say you do, sell the team!

Terry Pluto On Mars

2009-05-15T08:12:00.004-04:00

Terry Pluto, sports writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer doesn't totally blame Eric Wedge for the demise of the Cleveland Indians the past two seasons...that's nice.
He does feel that the blame is shared with GM Mark Shapiro and the ownership of the team..that's nice, too.

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2009/05/tribe_skipper_has_a_managing_p.html

Tell you what...Let's throw a party for all of them, kinda like we did when the '97 Indians lost the World Series to the mercenary Florida Marlins.

Can't you just see the signs and hear the chants..."We're Number 5, We're Number 5!"

There are a lot of guys in Chrysler and GM that wish Terry would switch to writing the Business section for Wall Street.

Perhaps we can get Obama to bail out the Indians, you know, so that they can compete again. After the large bonuses are handed out to the front office and manager, we maybe could afford a pitcher for the bullpen.

Until this team is purchased by someone or some group that can finance the daily and future operations properly, we will be forced to feel fortunate that this team remains in our town. How many years did we tell ourselves, "Bad baseball is better than no baseball."

What if MLB decided to pull the plug on their flailing franchises like Chrysler and GM?

Goodbye Washington, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cleveland!

It's time for the ownership and management of the Cleveland Indians to grow a pair each and make some bold moves. Last year we were told to wait for 40-50 games. This year they are taking action, aren't they? That sorry excuse of a pitcher Masa Kobayashi is still on this team! If he can't pitch, how much of his salary is he earning shoving hot dogs down his throat in the bullpen each night? This is the kind of thinking and action that makes this team and their ownership second rate. Cut the S.O.B. and move on!

There are some hungry and talented guys in our minor league system and on our bench on the big team that could move in and replace the guys hitting 2 buck and some change.

Stop the bleeding!

Fire Wedge!

Fire Shapiro!

Fire Willis!

Fire Shelton!

Play LaPorta!

Bring up some hungry future stars!

Put the team up for sale!

And stop the @#!!! whimpering and excuse making!

It is the responsibility of the media in Cleveland to call it like it is...Wedge is to blame! So is Shapiro...so is ownership! Until we demand a good product, they will give us excuses and no warranty!

So, You Live In Cleveland!

2009-05-10T07:33:00.011-04:00

Below is a story from Yahoo.com, America’s most miserable sports cities (2009)
By Tom Van Riper, Forbes.com May 8, 5:05 pm EDT

http://webmail.windstream.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fsports.yahoo.com%252Ftop%252Fnews%253Fslug%253Dys-forbesmisery041409%2526prov%253Dyhoo%2526type%253Dlgns

Yes, it is true...Clevelanders DO love being miserable!

We have two seasons; Winter and Summer!

Ya can't get your leaves picked up by November 'cause it snows so early and cutting the grass in April/May is like driving a convertible in the Rain Forest.

But we have people to do that...really.

In fact, that's what keeps the economy so brisk here is that when things get to a disaster level, we call someone to help.

The electricity can go out for a week at a time if winds get over 5 MPH or snow accumulates to an inch or more.

The river burns, the lake almost died, the inner belt bridge is about to collapse, but worst of all...all of those life threatening issues aside, we haven't had a sports championship since 1964.

We can take all of the fire and brimstone but we can't take that!

As Swine Flu threatens us from our western suburbs, what is really on every Clevelanders' mind is what is wrong with our Tribe and how will the Cavaliers blow it?!

(Forget about Eric Mangini, the Browns won't have a winning season until he is a footnote in another book of bad Cleveland jokes.)

If you are old enough to remember a TV show called, "The Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis" then you may not be senile enough to forget that the Cleveland Browns won the NFL championship in 1964.

That's about the time Dobie Gillis went off the air. On the show was a character named Maynard G. Krebbs who was played by Bob "Gilligan" Denver. Maynard loved monster movies and he was particularly fanatical about one that he mentioned on just about every show. That fictional movie was "The Monster That Devoured Cleveland."
We loved it when beatnik Maynard referred to it, or the many sequels like "Son Of" and "Son Of The Son Of The Monster That Devoured Cleveland!"

So what the hell happened to us?

Did a sports monster devour Cleveland?

Remember "Red Right 88?" That was the familiar play that cost the Browns their SuperBowl berth in 1981. Of course, by coach Sam Rutiglianno opting to throw one more Brian Sipe pass instead of going to his normally very consistent field goal kicker Don Cockroft for a "gimmie" on the very frigid and frozen tundra of the old wind whipped off of the lake Municipal Stadium, our fate was sealed and hearts in Cleveland all cracked in a huge ear shattering snap. But not to worry, as Sam said of the outcome in a post game interview, "There are 3 billion Chinese people who will wake up tomorrow and not care that we lost this game."

You moron! What about the 1.5 million (back then) Clevelanders that suffered through yet another Cleveland sports disappointment?

Well, things have gone from disappointment to humiliation at the hands of Michael Jordan, John Elway, John Elway, John Elway, Earnest Byner, David Justice (before he was traded to the Indians), Jose Mesa, Edgar Renteria, the San Antonio Spurs, Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, the Red Sox Nation, and the Boston Celtics. (Who have I forgotten?)

Well, it is up to Lebron James and his Cavaliers to deliver a championship to Cleveland and it has to happen now!

Just forget the Cleveland Indians for now and the next few seasons because they are done!

I was listening to the game last night driving home and heard a commercial that may explain where much of their problem, at least in management lies. The commercial was by radio voice Tom Hamilton who was advertising for Man Power. He said that the Cleveland Indians go to Man Power for their staffing needs.

Well, hell! That explains Shapiro, Wedge, Willis and the whole lot of shallow thinkers that make the decisions that most affect the team!

These are the same guys that want you to think that it is the players who are the problem and not the coaches and management.

Really!

Who is still on this team from the most recent heartbreak of 2007?

Betancourt, Carmona, Laffey, Lee, J. Lewis, Sowers, Martinez, Shoppach, Barfield, Cabrera, Garko, Peralta, Choo, Dellucci, Francisco, and Sizemore.

64% of the 25 man roster (not counting those on the DL) that almost went to the World Series in 2007 are still on this team.

Do you still think it is the players fault in 2008 and 2009?

Come on Cavs, gotta make it happen...you are the only hope of a town starving for a winner and desperately looking to change an image!

What's Next?!

2009-05-08T22:00:00.003-04:00

Boston scores 12 runs in an inning before an out?

Cliff Lee carries a shutout into the 8th inning and loses?

Masa Kobayashi is still in the United States?

Things are so bad with the Cleveland Indians,

the town is preparing for the worst with the Cavaliers!

There was;

"The Drive"

"The Fumble"

"The Shot"

"The Mesa"

"The Trade"

"The Other Trade"

"Oh, That Trade, Too!"

Weary Clevelanders are wondering what will keep LBJ and the Cavs from winning the first major sports championship in Cleveland since 1964!...

"The Injury?"

"The Swine Flu?"

"The Steroid?"

"The Asteroid?"

"An Early Judgement Day?"

Well, that is just not going to happen because the Cavaliers will win the championship this year and bring it to this town for the first time since 1964!

But that certainly is not going to help our hapless Indians, is it?

Here's a thought...

Because Manny is a dirty-rat cheater, Major League Baseball awards the Cleveland Indians the 2007 ALCS and allows a computer to play the World Series between the Colorado Rockies and the Cleveland Indians and of course, the Indians win! However, their championship will be tainted with an asterisk, as will the year 2007 and the word "Championship" from now on.

Hey, that's not a bad idea!

Why not let a computer, let's call him 'Roid, play all of the Cleveland Indians' remaining games in the 2009 season? Virtual Eric Wedge can sit in the dugout and play with his USB as the Indians fall for a record number of losses. Other teams can have the night off as their "Me's" take the field. We can virtually travel to New York and those wonderful sports in the rotten apple can be represented by "fans" that interfere with batted balls in the outfield...it will be so realistic! And then, just for shits and giggles, let's have the home plate umpire make a really piss-poor third strike call on all of the virtual Indians!

But seriously, how much more is it going to take to get someone to do something to fix this team? Perhaps MLB commissioner "Able Bud" will put a moratorium on trades, kinda like what happened to the Cavaliers in the'70s! Bud would have to approve any trade, draft, promotion, demotion, lineup, pitching change, substitution, etc. to ensure the franchise doesn't go belly-up.

So, who is to blame? The players? Grady Sizemore is batting just over .200. Rafael Perez can't throw a strike. Jensen Lewis, Aaron Laffey, Fausto, Ben Francisco, all of them just up and went bad?

Get a General Manager, a Team Manager, and a Pitching Coach and put them with these same guys, many of whom almost went to the world series in 2007, and the team will drastically improve and immediately compete.

While were at it, a change in ownership wouldn't hurt a damned bit either!

YGTBSM!

2009-05-06T19:41:00.004-04:00

YGTBSM!

Wednesday, 5/6/09, 7:30 PM
Bottom of the 1st, 3 on for Boston, nobody out...YGTBSM!

Tuesday, 5/5/09, afternoon affair
Toronto scores 7 runs in their home half of the 7th inning...YGTBSM!

Masa Kobayashi still in the big leagues...YGTBSM!

Kerry Wood can't figure out how to save a game...YGTBSM!

Kelly Shoppach continues to look at called strike three...YGTBSM!

Luis Valbuena still in the big leagues...YGTBSM!

Cleveland Indians' pitcher's ERA 5.96 (dead last in the American League)...YGTBSM!

Eric Wedge, Mark Shapiro, and Carl Willis still employed...You Really Got To Be Shitting Me!

Wahoo! What A Win!

2009-05-05T06:20:00.005-04:00

It wasn't pretty but we will take it!

It was fun though, wasn't it?

The Tribe hitters were stymied for most of the game but stayed patient, waiting for their chance to go ahead...then again...then again!

It was a roller coaster ride of a game but it certainly kept your attention.

Didn't you just get the feeling last night that the Tribe was going to somehow win that game?

If you did, you had to be as patient as the hitters, looking, measuring, waiting to erupt.

There were big hits, big plays, and some pretty good and pretty bad pitching.

Let's see what these guys can do with a one game winning streak.

Tonight it is Anthony Reyes' turn.

He needs to get us into the 7th inning with a strong performance.

This is another must win game for Wedge and his bunch as they leave the comfort of the cover of the Jays' park and head to the Green Monster for 2 big games.

Gotta win this one tonight though first!

I'm thinking...Tribe 8, Jays 3!

Did you hear it?

I am 99.9% sure that after Shin Soo Choo grounded out to end the Cleveland half of the 7th inning, STO sportscaster Rick Manning apparently thought he was off the air once more and I heard him drop an "F" bomb again. I am certainly not offended by it and I share his disdain for a weak swing to end and inning and kill a badly needed rally!

Fun-ny!

Gotta take a moment to congratulate the King on getting his first crown of the season!

Way to go King James on winning the NBA League MVP!

I was driving and heard the award presentation on 1100 AM. Too bad it was on the Triv show. What a buffoon that guy Trivisonno is!

Here is to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers who are sure to bring Cleveland their first major championship since '64!

Do Wedge And Shapiro Deserve A Chance At 2009?

2009-05-03T20:23:00.004-04:00

Well, do they?

There has been plenty of criticism of the Indians' start to the 2009 season, namely General Manager Mark Shapiro and Manager Eric Wedge. This page has long been a critic of Wedge. Today, in the Akron Beacon Journal, Indians' beat writer Sheldon Ocker writes "A Blooming After April?" in this morning's edition.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/44232867.html

Ocker begins the article by calling for the dismissal of Wedge for his repeated poor starts to 5 out of the 7 seasons he has been at the helm but then gets soft and defends him before calling for his head once more. Come on Shelly, what are you saying?

There was an e-mail published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer today that quoted a reader in saying that perhaps manager Eric Wedge should begin each season in Arizona in extended spring training! I love it!

But wait a sec!

Let's not throw the rope over the tree just yet.

Yeah, I really said that!

Look at what took place this week;

Wedge got pissed and threatened to make changes if guys didn't start playing better.

He brought up David Dellucci, Matt LaPorta, and Luis Valbuena from AAA Columbus. So far, Dellucci has paid dividends as he had 2 great games in Detroit and probably help serve the Wedge Wake-up Call that got Jhonny Peralta back on track.

But our problem is not the hitting and the fielding as much as it is the starting and relief pitching. (Actually, they all stink right now!) It truly is the starters not going long enough and the relievers of late turning leads into losses.

However, only David Huff at AAA Columbus is showing any signs of life as the pitching goes.

We are 9-16 with 15% of the season in. One year ago, both Wedge and Shapiro were telling us to relax as nothing was going to be done until 35-40 games into the season.

Well, Hooray! This year, something is being done!

The position players are much easier to move back and forth from the Bigs to AAA. I truly think that Wedge, Shapiro, and Pitching Coach Carl Willis believe in the starters as well as the relievers on the team. I gotta believe that they are reviewing video and looking for the mechanical breakdowns that seem to torment this team over the last 4-5 years.

How does Cliff Lee go from flop in 2007 to Cy Young in 2008 and back into trouble in 2009?

Mechanics!

Cliff Lee, CC Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Aaron Laffey, Jensen Lewis, et al; each one has or has had mechanical issues that appeared to be career threatening.

If Wedge, Shapiro, and Willis truly believe in these guys, then they must get them straight quickly, like before we face East Division leading Toronto tomorrow night.

And what about Toronto? Where will these guys be in September? Not in first, not in the playoffs!

The next four games are critical, critical, critical!

We play 2 vs. Toronto and 2 vs. Boston.

They are critical to Wedge, Shapiro, and Willis as their jobs with the organization depend on getting this team to compete with these two teams.

They are critical to putting this team back on track for the season as 3 losses in these 4 games will tailspin the season.

They are critical to the mental toughness of the players on this team and how they view their chances in 2009.

There is no doubt that we must win both games from Toronto and at least one from Boston.

I all of a sudden have faith in Eric Wedge.

I want to have faith in Eric Wedge.

This is my team and the Cleveland Indians winning isn't the only thing to me, it is everything!

Go Tribe!

Go Wedge!

"Eye-gor" Speaks Out!

2009-04-26T12:25:00.003-04:00

Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro, pronounced with a long "i", has affectionately been referred to on these pages as Igor, also with a long "i" from the movie "Young Frankenstein".

Anyway, here is a pearl of wisdom from the top of the Indians' management. This latest brain fart to be released from the wrong end of the torso was posted in the Sunday morning edition of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"Our last eight games we're trending better. If we keep trending in that direction, we'll be OK. If we slip back again, then we've dug a hole for ourselves. So far, we've dug a rut, not a hole."
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Mark Shapiro,
general manager, on the Indians' rocky start.

Holy Sinkholes, Bat-lessMan, me thinks my home is a little too uncomfortably close to Progressive Field where you can see China from the Chasm the Indians have dug themselves into this season. I may need to add erosion of biblical proportions to my homeowners insurance.

When the Cleveland Division of Streets heard this quote, they laid off two-thirds of their road repair crews thinking that if people will put up with Shapiro's "rut", they will be less bothered by the 4'x4'x4' craters drivers navigate around town presently.

On the brighter side, manager Eric Wedge made some progress last night as he uncrossed and then recrossed his legs in the dugout after the 7-1 loss last night. In fact, he raised his voice just a bit with reporters when he stated the following;

''I think where we are, off to a poor start, we have to address everything,'' Wedge said. ''I don't want to dig too big a hole for ourselves. What bothers me more than anything is that we're not making good outs. With the exception of a couple of guys, we've had a very poor approach at the plate. There's no excuse — a lack of discipline, lack of confidence — they better figure it out pretty quick. I'm not going to sit around and watch this. They're not kids anymore.''

Holy crap! Was that our Wedgie talking? Too bad these guys have to figure it out themselves though. What do the coaches do?

We shall see what today will bring. I am going to cut the grass now, but when I get tired and need a nap, I will tune in and sleep through another exciting game of Indians' baseball. However, I will be looking for any signs of stress in the ground from that big sinkhole at 9th St. and Carnegie Ave.

What A Way To Run A Railroad!

2009-04-25T21:28:00.003-04:00

Who's on first?...Better yet...Who's in charge?????

After Grady Sizemore ensured a victory on Thursday vs. Kansas City, He stated that this was the first series that the team had won this season. Further he stated that if we want to win this year, we must win these series.
Don't you think the manager should say that?...Or at least think that?!
Well, if you follow this team and you cringe everytime manager Eric Wedge gets in front of a microphone, all you are going to hear is the tired, old Wedgeisms we have become numb to over the years;
"We just gotta keep after it."
We need to keep grinding it out and it'll get there."
"It's too early to panic."
Bullshit!
This guy has no concept of when the season begins or when it ends. He thinks he has all the time in the world to develop this team. He has so much patience, the next event giveaway at Progressive Field is going to be script "I" pillows so fans can catch up on their sleep. The only thing "grinding" around here is teeth!

Here is a little gem from Eric "Tylenol PM" Wedge. When asked if he will stay with Masa Kobayashi or send him down, Wedge said that he will have patience with Masa and give him the time to get back on track from his tough spring.
''What he has to do is keep the ball down and throw it where he wants to. When he does that, he gets people out.''

Ya Think?!

Every major league manager and their pitching coaches will find those words to live by. what an Epiphany! It is that simple! So forget about mechanics or watching tapes to help the dumb bastard, let's just put him out their to "grind it out!"

Right now, the Tribe is losing 5-0 to the Twins in the top of the 9th on Saturday night. Wedge just brought in Masa. Let's see what happens...

Ground out, 1 out...So far, so good.

Solo Home Run!

Ground out, 2 outs.

Strike out! Hooray! We go now to the bottom of the 9th with the score now 7-0 Twins.

Wanna know how it comes out? Yeah, so do I but I feel a nap coming on...Yawn!

Get rid of that stupid ------ ------ Wedge!

It's That Time Again...

2009-04-13T19:40:00.002-04:00

Yes, it is early but is it too early to start calling for the scalp of Cleveland Indians Manager Eric Wedge?
Why not?!
The team is 1-5, off to their worst start since 1985. They had a terrible Spring in which they blamed the weather, the atmosphere, the baseball gods or demons for their desert failures.
I grow so very tired of waiting for "it to come together." How many time do we "grind it out" with the same poor results.
Last year, when the team failed miserably in April, we were told that no changes were going to happen until 40 - 50 games into the season. Guess what? Nothing did change, they kept on losing and we wound up 81 - 81 for 2008.
Yes, the Indians were the best team in baseball in the second half of the season last year but who cares when it doesn't matter?!
How long do we let Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona go out and get shelled until their mechanics are adjusted? These guys had a miserable Spring but you know what, it must have been the thin desert air. Bullshit! It is more than likely just an air biscuit from pitching coach Carl Willis. The thin desert air was there for both teams.
Note to Eric Wedge; If you always do what you have always done, you will get the same results.
Try going for a win for a change!
So yeah, now everyone can say I am full of shit and I could care less.
This team is full of shit if they are going to keep a bargain basement manager and expect to compete...2007 was more of a fluke...a fluke that came up short, imagine that!