Free Byrd

Best of luck to Paul Byrd as he goes to join the Red Sox Nation. Although he expressed sorrow in leaving the Indians, Byrd is in a better place. Byrd leaves the Indians where he has made his career home for the last 3 years. His record with the Tribe since joining the club in 2006 is 32 - 27 with an ERA in the mid 4's. Byrd has won his last 4 starts for the Tribe.
Byrd did expressed some hesitation at pulling on a Red Sox jersey only because they were his arch rivals in the playoff last year and it was the morning of Game 7 in Boston last year when the news of his HGH use was released. However, he realizes that at age 37 and with free agency at the end of this season, this is his big chance to fulfill his dream at playing in the World Series.
Byrd has been a great competitor and role model for the Indians. He has toughed out many gritty pitching performances while in an Indians uniform. He has been a positive influence on this team with his great attitude and wit, along with his strong work ethic. Again, best of luck to Paul Byrd and we look forward to watching his success in the stretch run as well as the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Tribe turned in their own gritty performance again last night with another rally late in the game to beat the Orioles 7-5 at the Pro. With the game on the line, manager Eric Wedge stubbornly insisted on bringing in Masa Kobayashi again to even up the game. How long will we have to endure these fledgling players being shoe-horned into games because they collect the big bucks? It is time to revoke "Mess-K's" visa and send him packing back to Japan. Perhaps there is a team in Japan that needs a manager so take Eric "Veg" with you, Masa. Anyway, Rafael Perez wins the game in relief last night as Jensen Lewis gets his second save of the season with the Tribe bats rallying late in the game to win, 7-5. That is 5 games in a row for the Tribe as they climb out of last place by one half game over the Royals. Don't order playoff tickets just yet, we would need to win about 15 of the next 20 games to get back in this thing. It could happen but it is highly unlikely with Wedge and his Keystone Koaches taking up space on the bench. Here is what the next 20 games look like; 2 with Baltimore, 3 with the Angels (who we play pretty tough), 3 with the Royals, 3 with Texas, 3 with Detroit, 3 with Seattle, and 3 with the White Sox. To date this season, we are 27 - 29 vs. these 7 teams. Stranger things have happened...hopefully we can finish the season with respectability, get a new manager and coaching staff, get a new general manager, sell the team to an owner with a clue and a bankroll, and get a plan.

Get this guy in a uniform ASAP and down on the field...He would kick butt as manager of the Indians!