USA Today, Part Two...

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!

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?

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!

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

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...

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!

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!