Manny Boner #1

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!

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!

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?

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?

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...

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?

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…