Let's Hang On!

Let's Hang On!
(With apologies to the Four Seasons!)

There ain't no hits left in our bats...
First place takes a lot of winnin’...
Every innin’...

Let's hang on to what we got
Don't let go boys, we got a lot
Got a lot of games behind us
Hang on, hang on, hang on
To what we got [first place, first place, first place!]

You say you're gonna go and call it quits
Gonna chuck it all ‘cause our team’s on the fritz
(Breakin' down) I wish you never said it
(Breakin' down) No, no, we'll all regret it

That little Wahoo logo on your hat
Ain't P. C. baby, but you know it stands
(For our fans) A sign that keeps us driven
(For our fans) then wins become a given

Ca-sey (say it ain’t so)
Gra-dy (oh no no)
Ken-ny (think it over and play)

Let's hang on to what we got
Don't let go boys, we got a lot
Got a lot of games to play yet
Hang on, hang on, hang on
To what we got [first place, first place, first place!]

There isn't anything I wouldn't do
I'd dig out any ball to get an out for you
(Serve it up) Give me another ground ball
(Serve it up) That ump will make the right call

You got me strokin', smokin' at the plate
Don't count me out, just cause I take the bait
(Open up) my hits are really coming
(Open up) RBIs will be forthcoming

Faus-to (say it ain’t so)
Byr-dy (oh no no)
C.-C. (think it over and play)

Let's hang on to what we got
Don't let go boys, we got a lot
Got a lot of wins to go for
Hang on, hang on, hang on
To what we got [first place, first place, first place!]

A Leader Is Emerging!

On Monday, August 6th, C.C. Sabathia made the following statements:
"We're going to win the division," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind. I couldn't come in here [into the clubhouse] if I had any doubt."
"This is going to be our first championship," he said. "The first one is the hardest. No one's going to hand it to you."

Hats off to C.C. for taking the initiative and making that bold prediction.
So, what effect did it have? The Tribe, led by the masterful pitching (9 innings of 4 hit, shutout baseball) of Paul Byrd, notched a 4-0 victory over their new division threat, the Twins!

Thanks, C.C.!
There is no doubt you believe it!
Bring on the White Sox!

We Gotta Stay In First Place!

WE GOTTA STAY IN FIRST PLACE

(To the tune of "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place")

In this long, hot part of the season

Where the hits refused to fall (in)

People tell us there ain't no use in tryin'

Now first place is still up for grabs

And one thing we know is true

We’ll be in first before this season is through, I know

Watch Trot Nixon at bat a-tryin'

Watched Pronk’s hair been turnin' grey

They been swingin’ and missin’ their season away

Oh yes, I know it

We gotta stay in-n first place

If it's the last thing we ever do

We gotta stay in-n first place

'Cause boys, there's a playoff spot for me and you!

Will Somebody In The Indians' Organization Please Get Mad As Hell?!

When is someone going to get "MAD AS HELL?!"

It is very easy to say, "Hey, this team is only one-half game out of first place and in the lead for the wild card spot, why be so hard on them?"

The truth is that an abundance of opportunities have slipped away. A team with a winning attitude and the burning desire to win it all would not allow this complacency to continue.

Looking at this team from a business standpoint, recent misfortunes must be turned around immediately. To let the manager say that there are 162 games and a whole season to consider while critical games slip away to the loss column is business irresponsible. What would have happened in 2005 if we turned just one loss into a win? If Eric Wedge does not think that each game is critical, especially at this point in the season, then he is sadly mistaken. Additionally, the fan base is becoming extremely intolerant of the missed opportunities and the feeble excuses.

Where is G.M. Mark Shapiro?

The waiver trading deadline has passed and I agree with him that the Indians can win with the present talent on this team. However, "can win" and 'will win" are distinctly different and are driven by accountability.

Is there anyone that would disagree that this team is not playing to their full capacity? The bar is set too low and as a team, they are under performing without consequences.

If I am a pitcher, I have to start a game thinking "perfect game." If I give up a walk, I have to think "no hitter." If I give up a hit, I have to think "one hitter" and so on. Same with a fielder or a hitter. Is it realistic? Of course not. Is it a winning attitude that may deliver high performance? Absolutely.

Where are the Dolans?

They have a small market team/payroll that is not only contending, but is wasting many opportunities to be running away with the divisional championship.

Somebody in the Indians' organization needs to get "Mad As Hell" and take control of the immediate future and fortunes of this team.

Tribe Calls It A Season

The Cleveland Indians had a team meeting sometime last weekend, took a vote, and decided they just didn't have the drive or the enthusiasm to finish the season.
You have to give this team credit though, as they could have phone it in but instead, they will stick it out and go through the motions;

• Staring into space taking called third strikes
• Throwing the ball around as runners advance and score
• Botching routine defensive plays
• Leaving pitches out over the heart of the plate
• Swinging at worm burners with two strikes
• And just a plain lackluster, lethargic, devil-may-care attitude to the game.

That must be what happened, right?

What else could explain the complete collapse of this team and the apparent lack of accountability by the players, manager, and front office?

The only way for the Cleveland Indians to make the post season is to win the division and they can't do that with their dismal record since the All-Star break. The way the season is shaping up, the American League Central will not have two playoff teams. Boston has been leading their division all season, but the red hot Yankees are positioned to take that lead away from them in the next few weeks. While Cleveland and Detroit are pretending, Boston and New York are contending. Minnesota is starting to heat up again as they always seem to do in the second half. They could easily surge past Cleveland and Detroit who are playing hot potato with the division lead. When the season is done, both Boston and New York will be in the playoffs...where does that leave Cleveland? It leaves them as spectators if they don't make strides immediately to win this division!

Lately, they don't show the heart or the drive and they are not being held accountable.

The stench coming from the clubhouse is the smell of spoiled cream pies.

If you listen closely, you can hear Rosanne Barr singing!

What? No Game?!!!

Hmmm, Monday night and no game.

The good guys are enjoying a much needed rest.
But what about me? What am I supposed to do?
Well, let’s see…
Cut the grass?
Watch “The Natural?”
Paint something?
Exercise?
Watch “Major League?”

Clean a bathroom?
Take a walk?
Ask the neighbor’s kid to play catch?
Stay at work?
Stop on the way home at

a little league game?
Watch “Bull Durham?”
Clean out the garage?
Watch PBS?
Wash and wax the car(s)?
Fix something?

Watch “Pride of the Yankees?”
Read a book?

Build a pond?

Write a book?

Polish the silverware?

Make a salad and hate it?

Watch the 7th game of the '97 World Series?

Sweep the porches?

Go fishing?
Try not to be grumpy?
Have a conversation with my

mother-in-law?

Naw! I’m going to bed!

Streaking?!

Let's Go Streakin'!

It is July 29th and the Cleveland Indians are one half game behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Division. Over the last ten games, the Indians are 4-6 and the Tigers are 3-7. It appears that neither team can hold on to the division lead, and Minnesota keeps trying to keep things interesting at 7 games out.
What a great time for the Indians to put together a winning streak. Their longest streak this year is 6 wins and they have accomplished this twice. Looking at the next 10 games on the Tribe’s schedule, the timing is right for the good guys to try and break away. Off on Monday, the Indians host Texas (46-59) for 3, go to Minnesota (53-51) for 4, and go to Chicago (48-57) for 3.
Sure, we had some bad luck over the weekend and Minnesota out-played/out-pitched us 2 out of 3 games. However, the Indians have been getting some great pitching from C.C., Fausto, and Byrd, and it appears Jake Westbrook has worked out his problems. The starting pitching question mark will be who replaces Cliff Lee in the rotation since his demotion to “AAA.” This is too good of a hitting team and they surely will start to support their pitching staff again very soon. Hafner is hitting again and the return of Kenny Lofton appears to be putting a new spark into the lineup.
So, let’s go streaking!
Come on guys, whip up 10 cream pies and have some fun!