Cleveland Baseball

Game 32: yankees

2008-05-08T11:48:00.002-04:00

Indians: 3 7 0
Yankees: 0 7 0

Cliff Lee was once again, phenomenal. 6 hits, 7 strikeouts, no runs. Chien Ming Wang suffered his first loss of the year. Clevelands hitters were able to elevate the ball off of Wang which is generally a difficult thing to do. Wang didnt pitch that bad, Lee was just simply better. Cleveland has taken the first two games against the yankees on the road making it the first time since 1992 the indians have won a season series against New York.

WP: Lee (6-0, 0.81)
LP: Wang (6-1, 3.21)
SV: Betancourt (3)

Game 31: Yankees

2008-05-07T03:14:00.004-04:00

Indians: 5 6 0
Yankees: 3 8 1

A home run by david dellucci secured the indians late inning heroics tuesday night. Fausto Carmona (3-1, 2.95 era) went 5 innings, walked 5 and gave up 3 earned runs on 6 hits. although he wasnt completely terrible, it was arguably his poorest start of the season. Sizemore and Peralta walked and dellucci pinch hit for Gutierrez and it turned out to be a wise decision. Dellucci jumped on the second pitch from Joba Chamberlain and put Cleveland ahead for good.

WP: Perez (1-1, 4.11)
LP: Joba Chamberlain (1-2, 3.38)
SV: Betancourt (3)

The Francisco era begins.

2008-05-06T15:10:00.003-04:00

Taken from Indians.com ..."The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has recalled OF BEN FRANCISCO from the AAA Buffalo Bisons. To allow room for Francisco on the Major League roster the Indians designated OF JASON MICHAELS for assignment."

This pretty much spells the end of Michaels in Cleveland for good, Save the september call-ups, but lets hope the indians are playing for something and leave michaels in buffalo when the time comes around. word also is that Michaels has already left for his home state of florida and appears that hes not going to report to the Bisons.

I've been a huge Ben Francisco fan and have followed him throughout the minors for years. All the scouts that have watched Francisco are often left wondering what kind of adjectives to use when describing Franciscos potential. At 6'1 190lbs, he is extremely quick with a very fluid swing. deceptive power and has an above average arm for a left fielder. To me, francisco is the best outfielding prospect in the entire indians system (sizemore and gutierrez are no longer considered prospects) and I believe he is considered to be above players like Shin Soo Choo, Brad Snyder or Trevor Crowe.

Again, Francisco has good pop in his bat and looks like he could hit anywhere from 15-20 home runs a season, perhaps more. He only had 3 homeruns in 62 at-bats last year but consider the musical chairs that was our outfield last season. Maybe this move will put some life into the Indians offense. I've actually got to give credit to shapiro for really starting to make moves no matter who the player is. Demoting Cliff Lee was the last move I saw coming last year.

Game 28: Mariners

2008-05-03T16:10:00.002-04:00

Indians: 3 8 1
Mariners: 2 9 0

It looked as though the indians offense was once again going to ruin another solid inning by one of its starters. Only able to muster 3 runs after scoring 8 the night before, it took extra inning dramatics by Asdrubal Cabrera to solve this one. The bases were loaded with Peralta at 3rd, Hafner at 2nd and Jamey Carrol at 1st. Gutierrez was retired on strikes and all cabrera needed to do was find a hole and he did. He drove an 0-1 pitch up the middle. Game over.

Fridays night game was rained out. Saturday nights game is a 7pm start. C.C. Sabathia (1-4, 7.88) looks to make it 3 quality starts in a row against the Royals promising young pitcher Luke Hochevar (1-1, 5.91).

Game 27: Mariners

2008-05-01T00:10:00.003-04:00

Indians: 8 11 0
Mariners: 3 9 1

Grady Sizemore led off the game with a home run and the indians gave Mariners started Jarod Washburn an early night. Cliff Lee wrapped up the first month of the season in the same fashion he began it. Lee went 6 full innings and faced a few batters in the 7th before getting into trouble. Wladimir Balentien hit a 3 run home run but Jensen Lewis and Jorge Julio kept the game in hand. Cliff Lee is now 5-0 with an unbelievable ERA of 0.96, the best in all of baseball.

The series wraps up tomorrow night at 7pm. Paul Bryd (1-2, 4.85 era) goes against either Miguel Batista(injury) or former Orioles ace Erik Bedard (2-0, 2.04)

game 26: Mariners

2008-04-30T21:03:00.006-04:00

Seattle: 7 15 0
Cleveland: 2 8 2

Fausto Carmona ( 3-1 2.60 ) was dominant as usual going 6.2 innings, scattering 8 hits and only giving up 2 runs but got no help from an anemic offense. The mariners put the game away for good in the 9th inning against Craig Breslow and Rafael Betancourt who surrendered 5 total runs.

WP: Mark Lowe (1-1)

LP: Rafael Betancourt (1-1)

off day and carmona.

2008-04-10T17:19:00.001-04:00

Travel Day to come home and face the A's for 3 games. Fausto Carmona was resigned today for 4 years with a club option for 3 additional years. wonder where this leaves negotiations with Sabathia?

through 9 games.

2008-04-09T21:12:00.005-04:00

I'm not even sure what to think about the indians right now. We're only 9 or so games in and already this season has been a strange one. The white sox lead the league in home runs with 11, the royals are tied for first place in the A.L. central division and have the 5th best record in the majors. The tigers (barring a red sox comeback) will win their first game tonight despite having one of the most fearsome and talented rosters in the game.

Yea, yea. "baseball is a marathon" and things can change very fast but who says its a bad thing to get off to a good start? The indians looked like they hadnt missed a beat when they fell behind in the first game only to put 7 straight runs on the board including 2 homeruns. Since then, they've looked lost, bored and completely over matched by the pitchers they've faced. Oh yea, Victor Martinez went down with another opening day hamstring. He's back now so its not all that bad but our hitters, all of them, have no patience at the plate. They arent working the count or showing even a glimpse of the patience they had last year that made them so effective. Ryan Garko looks like he lost some weight but it might have affected his swing, who knows. I'm just being an ass, by the way.

Why are Dellucci and Michaels still taking roster spots? 12 million dollars is being invested in these two rejects who have one hit combined, one hit! Why is Michaels, who lost his job last year to the 40 year old Kenny Lofton and is currently 1-18, batting second and now today third? Cabrera is our #2, thats where he belongs and he more than earned it last year. I know I keep saying "last year" but last year worked, last year was a success but leave it to wedge and his group of morons to forget that. Hey wedge, Chemistry is a good thing. Why does it seem like you intentionally do the opposite of right every game? did you pay attention to anything last season? Francisco outplayed both michaels and dellucci in spring training. he's our leftfielder, he's younger, has more potential, has a quicker and more fluid swing, has the ability to consistently hit for average. but who am I to question a "proven" managers decisions? Peralta third?! Cabrera 7th?!

Our pitchers? Carmona is still Carmona, Lee looks like he might have figured it out again (its only been one start though). Ironically, in his contract year no less, C.C. looks like a problem more than an ace, (again). He pitched so strongly on opening day but allowed the white sox to erase a 5 run deficit in under 3 innings. In his next start at Oakland he went 5.1 innings, gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and now his ERA sits at 7.59. it hasnt been the normal joy to watch him pitch, its been painful and frustrating. Westbrook had a good start he just needs to keep it up and consistency isnt exactly his trade.

The bullpen.. Jorge Julio? seriously? Betancourt and Perez are both on pace to pitch 92 innings in relief this season. Betancourts ERA is currently 8.00 and Perez is still very young. Thats too much responsibility for 2 guys. Using both of them this much already might be the only thing wedge has done right so far. He knows how good these guys were last season but there are other guys to use, such as Jensen Lewis. hopefully hes over using both raffies because he has no faith in anyone else. Which brings to my attention... Its not unorthodox or "against the book" to pull your closer. You dont let your pitchers, let alone your closer to walk the bases loaded with no outs and expect to get out of the inning. No one came out to talk to him, no coach, no catcher, no one! He was just allowed to single handedly blow the game. Borowski may have led the league in saves last year but he also led the league in blown saves. What did the Indians do? They resigned him.

We returned everyone except for lofton and have absolutely no reason to not be as good as we were last season. however, The tigers wont be this bad for long and when they get it going I dont want to have to face them. The white sox are drastically improved and will no doubt be in it all season. Its still early but with the talent within this division any kind of step back or slump will turn this year into a repeat of 2006.

The Indians dropped 4 games on their west coast road trip. They come home on friday to face the same A's team that should have swept them. Then its the Red sox and tigers. This team better get it going and soon.

some notes.

2008-03-26T21:02:00.003-04:00

To be completely honest I havent really been following the indians during spring training. Not to the extent I usually do anyway. So I'll post some quick notes for now.

The biggest question for the indians this year seemed to be who was going to be the 5th starter. Considering last years demotions of LHP Cliff Lee and Jeremy sowers, prospect Aaron Laffey was called up to take that spot. Laffey didnt steal the show but he stood his ground and showed he had a major league arm. It set up an open competition coming into 2008 between the 3 left handers but to no surprise Lee won the job. Laffey and Sowers will no doubt see time in cleveland it just probably wont be until late june or later or barring any injury.

I never expected the indians to go as far as they did last year so I bring the same kind of pessimistic skepticism into this season only hoping they can meet the expectations they now face but I'm not holding my breath. The Detroit Tigers did nothing to make it any easier for the Indians to win the division again. With the additions of Dontrelle Willis, Miguel Cabrera and Edgar Renteria to an already terrifying lineup, they may break the record for home runs and runs scored in a single season, however, reports about the tigers pitchers out of Lakeland havent exactly been inspiring. thats a good thing, though.

Cleveland opens up at home for the first time in 4 years against the chicago white sox and I'll finally be in attendance.

just another cleveland meltdown

2007-10-21T23:03:00.001-04:00

"If it doesn't happen, so, who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world. We're confident everyday. It doesn't matter how things go for you, you know, we're not going to give up. We're just going to go and play the game like I said and move on. And if it doesn't happen, so, who cares?..."

Those were the comments made by Manny Ramirez about his team's 3 games to 1 deficit in the ALCS. "Manny is Manny" and comments like this should come as no surprize to red sox or baseball fans, but it has and it has rubbed alot of people the wrong way. I get what he said and I know what he was trying to say but still, he should have chosen his words alot more carefully.

However, I'll try to do my best to sum up the feelings of those that took it as he doesnt care. It's easy to make comments like that when you're already being penciled in for the Hall of Fame. It's easy to make those comments when you already have your named etched on that beautiful trophy and in addition the owner of a ring that most players will only dream about. It's easy to not care when your team makes the playoffs year in and year out and are on the verge of going to their second world series in the last 3 years and your 4th world series overall as a player.

Manny, you make more money in one season than my immediate family combined will ever see. You play a game that is a religion to the fans of this sport and all you do every season is make a mockery of it. Theres a difference between having a good time and being a fucking jerk. You left the Indians on what I thought were good terms. I can only commend you for the fact that you were honest about wanting more money and didnt lie like Thome did but you do deserve the brutal treatment you recieve when the red sox come to cleveland. Your antics are angering, your "home run trot" infuriating and it makes people want to punch you. It would only seem fitting that you were sent home for the winter by the team that made you a star. luckily for you, the indians have mastered the art of falling apart.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the second biggest chokejob in the history of Major League Baseball.

Its masochism, its insanity, its lunacy, its torture and its completely redundant having to write about this all the damn time but thats the point. it never ends. How can we allow ourselves to continuously get our hopes up year after year full well knowing we're going to be left in tears in the end? Does this actually make us better fans or does it mean we've actually lost our minds? I know one thing is for sure, the latest installment of this nightmare has, from my own observation, completely sucked the life out of this city. not too mention its been raining here every day since the indians meltdown. Ironic? I dont know but a weird coincidence nonetheless. The failures of Cleveland sports might as well be told as bedtime stories to the children of Northeast Ohio because no poor bastard should have to learn this on their own. It'd make sense to because being prepared for it might work but there is nothing in the world that can ever prepare you for it. You know its coming though, you just dont know when and when it does, You're actually still surprized which means you're an absolute mess of emotion. You fell for it again. my god.

I take losses like this personally and I always have. I invest so much of my energy and finances into this team and the only appreciation they ever show me is that its all for not. To some people, this game, this team is all they have and when fans feel like that, sports isnt just a game anymore. My loyalty and support of the Cleveland Indians has been a big part of who I am for years and no matter how mad I got or how many times they utterly broke my heart I never considered leaving. Hoping that one day they'll win it all and I can say I stuck with them through all the agonizing losses. but when is enough, enough? I mean really? Alot of people laugh when I've mentioned that I might seek professional help if this keeps up but its not funny, its not funny at all and i would guarantee Im not alone. It hurts to be this torn down and so full of disappointment. Its devastating to know just how close we were to potential glory and it blew up in our faces. One game. thats all we had to win. We believed the lie once again, for 174 games we honestly thought this was the year. Once again, the joke is on you, me, and the city of Cleveland.

1948. That was the last time the Indians won the world series. Led by Bob Feller and young sensation Rocky Colavito. I always wanted the supposed "curse of rocky colavito" to catch the attention of the national media. The curse of the bambino and the billy goat were always good stories to hear about whenever October baseball came around. Its an interesting way to explain why the team you've followed your whole life has sucked for so long. it doesnt matter, I just cant focus on what I really want to write which is about the completely insane optimism yet careless attitude most indians fans have had throughout this postseason.

Taking down the yankees wasnt the big deal everybody made it out to be. with as much drama and turmoil that exists in the bronx you couldnt help but know new york wasnt going to make it very far. Coupled with A-Rods history of disappearing in the playoffs and that their pitching wouldnt hold up. Cleveland had the bats to outscore them and thats what they did. Sabathia and Carmona were the only two games we really needed our pitchers to step up, the other 1 or 2 guys just had to minimize the damage. and they did. advantage: indians.

Its game 7 of the ALCS and its currently 6-2 boston which means the Indians are only 6 outs away from completing their shakespearian collapse. I havent watched a single inning of this game and I turned off game 6 right after J.D. Drew hit a 1st inning grand slam. This doesnt make me any less of a fan and it certainly doesnt mean I dont care or that I'm not upset. No, I'm actually devastated. This is what I've been hearing lately, that I'm not allowed to just watch them when they win. Ok, then you're not allowed to just show up at jacobs field when they make the playoffs, either. Ironically these comments were coming from the same so-called fans that were basically reiterating Ramirez's comments. "theres always next year, at least they came this far, even if they dont win it all, it was a successful season, they'll be back-dont worry, I didnt know they even made the playoffs, go tribe!".

That kind of mindset is what breeds a losing mentality amongst a teams fans regardless how optimistic it may seem. To say those kind of things is to admit that you dont care, that you're completely content with consistently losing and holding on to moral victories when nothing else should matter but breaking 60 fucking years of futility and finally giving this city a world series trophy. These are the same "fans" that didnt show up despite having a first place team all season long. The same fans that support an ownership that gave away an extention to eric wedge like it was free. Unfortunately, it made the front office look brilliant because of how far the indians made it. Enjoy the extra cash wedge, now you really dont have to prove anything, just keep losing with the belief that you tried your best and you'll get paid. I cant wait to hear your post game conference to see what kind of idiotic excuses you make for this one.

You're wrong Ryan Garko, you're wrong Chip Caray and Bob Brenly, we are not the "best fans" in baseball, Not even close. we're some of the worst. this maddness just prove it. It was rather angering how all the pregame talk and highlight reels were about nothing but the red sox and how all the in-game announcers talked about was boston and fenway park. I was angered until I really thought about it. No one knows about us, the indians havent really done a thing to gain any kind of national respect. Im glad they didnt show highlights of games throughout the season because those watching would have seen a half empty stadium and morons dressing up like native americans. probably might have even caught a glimpse of "the wave". I'm just so utterly embarassed right now. The only good thing I have to say about our fans is that as soon as the indians clinched a playoff spot, People actually thought we were going to finally win it all. I dont think I've experienced such a widespread sense of optimism from this city regarding a sports team but the compliments stop there. and so does the fairy tale season.

I didnt want to watch because I know better. its always the same story. I'm sick of the heartache, the disappointment. I'm sick of that feeling in my heart that they're going to lose, that you can just feel that they dont have a chance. That euphoria is only one win away but that they're just not good enough. Im sick of being so emotionally involved that the outcome of a game reflects how I act, if I eat or sleep, or if I even talk to anybody for days. there just arent any strong enough words to really describe how that feels and how bad it stings. You never get used to losing, it becomes familar sure, but you never get used to it and it certainly doesnt make the helplessness that your season just ended any easier to take. There is no restart button for moments like this.

I said all along that if the Indians run into boston, they will lose. My prediction seemed to be going as planned as the sox steamrolled us in the first meeting. Then Cleveland won 3 straight making me look like an idiot and I couldnt have been happier about it. We were up 3-1. But in game 5, Sabathia forgot how to pitch and the series was back to New England. I knew then without a doubt that it was over. Carmona finally looked like a rookie in game 6 and now here it is, game 7 and Westbrook looks like the same $33 million batting practice pitcher hes been all season. I was right, and you probably cant imagine how much I wish I wasn't. Its currently 11-2 red sox. 3 outs away from more heartbreak.

I watched the 1997 world series. I remember every last detail of those games and this series is looking all too familar. A 3 games to 1 lead with a chance to put it away at home and they lost sending it back to florida where the marlins just took over and inevitably won. Here it is now, 10 years later and pretty much the exact same scenario. Cleveland had it, it was theirs to take and they didnt want it. they just didnt want it. Just one game, thats all we had to win for a date in the world series. Coco Crisp just caught the 3rd out to send boston to the world series. collapse complete.

see you in april.

Goodbye October, we never knew you.

2007-08-11T12:44:00.000-04:00

Indians fans dont care. they are a pathetic and almost nihilistic group of people who seem to treat baseball like a distraction rather than a game that does and should matter. Im not saying that fans should show up and create an atmosphere that makes people, especially fans wearing the jersey of the opposition, fear for their lives but when you start getting out numbered 80/20 in your own stadium (red sox series every year), something is terribly, terribly wrong.

I want visitors to take our fanbase seriously and be made to think "wow, these are some serious fans". a poll was put out earlier this year about what team had the most obnoxious fans..red sox, yankees, cubs, and phillies topped the first 4 spots. it didnt say it, but usually when someone says that another fanbase has really obnoxious fans...its a way to discredit just how fanatical and loyal they are. indians fans were dead last on that list.

Cleveland was once considered one of the best baseball towns in america..the sellout record is evidence to that, but the only reason that even happened was because we didnt have a football team and this city needed an identity. Indians fans are not knowledgeable at all. the "make some noise" animations when the fans should take it upon themselves to get into the game and get behind the team is ridiculous. talking to other people about kids we have in the minors and being asked "who?" just proves that even more. no chants of "lets go tribe" or "lets go indians" are ever heard.

going to a game anymore is downright embarrassing, with all the stupid fan clubs and having a game sell out only if theres some kind of promotion, jacobs field is nothing but a circus. Heritage park was a nice touch, too bad it still doesnt put fans in the seats. Our marketing department seemed to be dead set on getting rid of any remnants from the 90's era, no more traditional and simple uniforms but instead its now jerseys with a very feminine silver trim. sorry omar, we have a bum named Jhonny who gave us a reason to finally get rid of you.

The dolans have ruined baseball in cleveland. they care more about having a "family atmosphere" then they do having fans show up because they love their team. getting thrown out of a game because you start chanting that a team or player sucks is almost laughable. (yes, its happened to me several times) Its never about winning this year with them, its always continuing to build for the future. Johan Santana was talking about his own team this way, only he should have mentioned cleveland as well. nixon, delucci, werent needed. throw guys like gutierrez, francisco, A. Cabrera and choo to the wolves and let these kids learn. but instead they like to shop the bottom feeding has beens of free agency because of past numbers. Armchair GM or not, more than half of us on this board could make better player and financial decisions than those two rejects in the front office.

I wish I was one of those people who could jump from team to team because I would have jumped ship along time ago rather than continue to support this front office and the bunch of losers who fill our roster.

Cleveland indians baseball is like the bad news bears, only we never stop drinking in the end. until Cleveland fans start taking baseball seriously and start making serious threats and taking ACTION towards the front office about spending money and BUILDING a winner, there will remain 30,000 empty seats..even with a first place team.

Lofton returns to cleveland.

2007-07-28T18:27:00.000-04:00

After a 6 year absence and numerous post season appearances with other teams, Kenny Lofton finally came home. It brought a different type of energy to the indians friday night, an energy that has been lacking on the field and in the stands all season. a near sellout crowd showed up to greet Lofton with a standing ovation everytime he came to bat and he returned the favor by going 3-5 with an rbi. A slap bunt off of home plate brought back alot of memories of the 90's. seeing number 7, on first base, in an indians uniform once again was very emotional.

However, It was a move that I can and cant agree with. Lofton even at 40 years old is a difference maker. he consistently hits for average and can still run the bases like hes 20. Like I said above, he brought an entirely new dynamic to an already potent cleveland lineup and the rest of the team fed off of him. His ability to continously reach base and drive in runs is almost magical to watch. Having him back is great but to me this was just a ploy to get on the fans goodside. He sees the more than half empty stadium, despite the indians being in and out of first place all season and he knows the fans are really angry at all the empty promises. it was almost his way of coniving the fans once again. like he was saying "see, we're trying, we're making moves". No Mark, thats not good enough. why are guys like nixon and michaels still on this team? its evident why the red sox wanted nothing to do with trot anymore and michaels cant hit righties at all. wouldnt these roster spots seem better used for pitchers?

While I agree that we need loftons abilities, a pitcher should have been the first move made. that would have a been a pretty good indication that shapiro and dolan are commited to winning it all. It was nice to see a trade for a major leaguer instead of continuously "building for the future".

The trading deadline is tuesday and shapiro has been talking about acquiring a set up/extra relief man for months now. with names like dotel, gagne, and backe to name a few being thrown around, its hard for me and other indians fans to just sit still and accept that another move might not be made. In my opinion adding a veteran arm (preferrably who is familar with october) and making the bridge between the middle relief guys and borowski smoother will no doubt make the indians a serious world series contender. so where is this guy shapiro? Dotel and Gagne are serious injury risks, sure but arent all the other pitchers you've signed?

I'm trying to be patient with this front office considering how well the indians have played this season but its running thin. My mind is telling me we're going to october, my heart says I'm going to be let down once again because a vital piece was ignored. you have 4 days mark, get it done.

Games six and seven: Anaheim

2007-04-13T14:09:00.000-04:00

Despite Jake Westbrooks solid performance, Jhonny Peraltas solo home run was all the offense the Indians could muster. Angels lefty Joe Saunders gave Cleveland problems all game long but not without opportunities. several times the indians had runners in scoring position with less than 2 outs and couldnt capitalize. The always tough Anaheim bullpen easily ended the game giving the Angels a 4-1 victory.

Game Six was a pitching contest for most of the game until a 3 run bomb off the bat of Travis Hafner put Cleveland in front 4-2. It was Hafners 1st home run of the season and he made it count. Grady Sizemore homered earlier in the game for his 4th longball of the year and Joe Borowski was able to record his 3rd save of the year.

Cleveland finally returns home (weather permitting) to begin a 3 game series against the hated white sox. Game time Friday night is 7:05. its Rick "wild thing" Vaughn glasses night.

game 5: Anaheim

2007-04-11T15:29:00.000-04:00

The two double headers against seattle were finally canceled due to the continously bad weather in Cleveland. MLB decided to "fix" this problem by reporting that they would make the Indians fly out to California to play their 3 game set against the Angels but decided to move the games to Milwaukee instead. A reported 18,000 indians fans made the trip up north to finally watch some baseball.

That bullpen of ours? Not fixed. C.C. Sabathia put in another good performance holding the Anaheim angels to 3 runs over 8 innings only for that sore thumb to start throbbing and allow the angels to come within a run of tying the game. Aaron Fultz and Roberto Hernandez werent fooling anybody until Joe Borowski finally got the final out even though it was Kelly Shoppach who should be granted the save considering he nailed Erick Aybar trying to steal second to take away the tying run.

Andy Marte looks good. He had 2 doubles and 3 rbis and hopefully Travis Hafner is quietly coming out of his funk with a couple of hits throughout the game. Still no word on when Victor might return to the lineup but Shoppach is proving that he can be an every day catcher, at least in my mind. Trot Nixon might seem to be in a slump but he is hitting the ball well, just right to somebody.

Game 4: versus Seattle

2007-04-07T16:51:00.000-04:00

The snow was coming down in buckets friday night at Jacobs Field and would eventually postpone the game. Starter Paul Byrd was probably more unhappy about it than anyone else considering he took a no hitter into the 5th inning. Byrd started to get into trouble and just could not find the strike zone. He walked the first 3 batters he faced and somehow got the mariners down to 3 outs. Jose Lopez was at the plate and with only one more strike needed for the contest to qualify as a complete game Lopez asked for time and complained about not being able to see.

Arguments insued between the umpires, Mike Hargrove, Eric Wedge as the weather worsened by the second. I dont think Lopez would have stopped the game if those runners werent on base. Seattle hadnt really been able to do much all game long so I'm pretty sure Lopez would have just conceded his opportunity but it was Byrds fault in the first place. A double header was scheduled for today (saturday) but both games were canceled due to more snow. Make up dates are set for sunday and monday.

Games two and three.

2007-04-07T16:34:00.000-04:00

In game 1 Jake westbrook looked just awful. surrending 5 runs on 7 hits with a 3 run blast by Jim thome and 2 run home run by Tadahito Iguchi but somehow the indians prevailed 8-7. Grady Sizemore hit his 2nd home run in as many games to put the indians on top but Joe borowski made it interesting with the usual drama provided by the indians bullpen.

with runners on 1st and second borowski was able to record the next 2 outs relatively easy but with Joe Crede at the plate it seemed the indians wouldnt escape this one. Crede lifted a deep fly ball that kept carrying in the fierce chicago wind and had Jason Michaels practically running in circles to try to track the balls landing spot. As Michaels got to the warning track he lost his footing and instinctively reached out for the ball with his throwing hand and it miracously fell right to him giving the indians the win. the catch was number 1 on Baseball Tonight's web gems.

Game 3 was lost by young gun Jeremy Sowers in another tight battle but with little offense. the white sox won this one by the tally of 4-3.

2007:Game 1

2007-04-03T16:47:00.000-04:00

The Indians for the 3rd straight year opened the 2007 MLB season on the south side of Chicago and from the 2nd pitch completely took control of the game. The atmosphere at U.S. Cellular field wasnt the same as it was last year when the White Sox held a world series championship ceremony and the indians made sure that it wouldnt become anything of the sort.

Grady Sizemore got a high and inside fastball and parked it in the cleveland bullpen. the hit parade was on and White Sox starter Jose Contreras barely made it out of the 1st inning. The Indians tagged Contreras for 5 runs in the 1st and 4 runs in the second. Contreras, clearly frustrated decided to show up A.J. Pierzynski. A.J. was coming out to the mound to talk with his pitcher and before Pierzynski even got there Contreras turned his back to him and started walking towards the white sox dugout. He was quickly pulled after that only for the white sox bullpen to surrender even more runs to a very alive and hungry Indians offense. the final line was 12-5 Cleveland but those five runs came when the game was already well out of hand. Chicago simply didnt show up.

Sabathia wasnt great getting showered for a couple of hits and 3 earned runs but he made his pitches when he had to and got the outs before the white sox could put together any kind of rally.

Nothing to really get excited about though considering Cleveland got off to a 6-1 start last year and werent a very good team soon after that. Game 2 is wednesday night. We'll see Westbrook face off against leftie Mark Buerhle.

The possibility is sickening.

2007-03-15T09:52:00.000-04:00

I'm about to eat my words in more ways than I can possibly digest and it is a very bitter taste.

In recent weeks certain observations I've made have brought up a few questions about just how in touch I really am with the current state of the Indians. To completely rethink all the bad things I've said about management have left me utterly shellshocked. To find out Larry Dolan was born and raised in Cleveland and that he actually played for the Indians at one point was just confusing. How can a man that presumably understands the city and its obsessive and almost maniacal love of sports cause so many tribe fans to hate him?

For one its the "cheap" and "bottom bin bargaining" mentality that Dolan brought with him when he purchased the team 5 years ago. He's annually said that he will spend the necessary funds to get players here that will help the team right away but when that time comes, his wallet disappears or he opens it up just enough to sign the most inexpensive and injured luxury player the market has to offer. All the while knowing that these guys he gives a contract to has an extremely high risk level.

Second its his character that has made me almost hate the man. How many times have you seen him hold press conferences or interviews talking about the type of organization hes running and hopes to improve on? how many times has he come out and voiced his disappointment with how the team is playing? I understand that sports are a business. gone are the days of loyalty, joy and interest that an owner holds for the franchise hes in charge of but seriously, SHOW some interest and let the fans know that you're not just relaxing in your hawaiian condo counting all the money we gave you after another season of has beens that YOU gave US? He cant even argue attendance figures. albeit they have been horrible lately but Forbes magazine gave figures for the most profitable MLB team in 2005 and guess who was number 1? The Cleveland Indians. the money is there, he just cant stomach spending money on players he deems as too expensive.

Then I started to look at current contracts of players that have been deemed "the future" and got really, really nervous. C.C. Sabathia, Travis Hafner, and Jake westbrook are all eligible for free agency at the end of the 2008 season and will no doubt command high dollar salaries, especially the first 2. The farm system is said to be one of the best in the league with an almost bottomless supply of young pitchers that are perhaps already big league ready. This is no doubt a good thing but for the simple fact of Mr. Dolan possibly thinking this is how you build a team is rather absurd and definately does not hold much water considering a teams "prospects" dont just get called up and immediately produce (unless its a pitching machine by the name of Francisco Liriano). the process takes time. hence the term "rebuild".

To try to further my point I will need to get alittle off topic...

Our pitching prospects might be some of the best around but what about the position players?Namely and most recently Ryan Ludwick. Ryan had already lost his "prospect status" when he was in the Indians system but I personally feel he was never given much of a chance. He put up numbers that more resembled a backups role but he proved time and time again that he could hit major league pitchers. Then only into the second month of the 2005 season was optioned to Triple A Buffalo but with no more options was subsequently released. Brandon Phillips..yea, I know, I'm sorry but this is another guy. The kind of numbers after his trade to the reds last season were unreal. He seemed destined for the label I speak of below and then all of a sudden his batting average is one of the best in baseball? that was a disgusting feeling.

Franklin Gutierrez is quickly garnering the label "4-A" player. Franklin is no doubt a player with tremendous talent and has been one of baseballs top prospects for some years now. When he was acquired from the Oakland A's in the Milton Bradley trade Franklins potential was right up there with current Cleveland centerfielder Grady Sizemore. Its just that evertime he's been called up he falls on his face. whether it be his mechanics or that he's just trying too hard is difficult to figure out. Brad Synder and Michael Aubrey are two other notable position players that are starting to scare scouts away. Synder I dont really know his case but I know hes nowhere near where the Indians organization wants him to be. Aubrey is an extremely talented player that caught wind of the injury bug some years ago and cant get rid of it. He should be starting every day in Buffalo or even as a bench player in Cleveland but he'll start yet another season in Double A Akron.

Fans disliking of Dolan might also be due to how he handles players during negotiations. The Jody Gerut escapade is a prime example and ultimately resulted in Gerut being traded...a trade I bet he asked for. He was told that he had been dealt to the cubs during a game. you cant treat a player much lower than that and who knows if dolan even had direct involvement but its his team, he knows whats going on, or well, is supposed to.

It just seems that where the Indians improve in one area, they decline in another. However, in regards for the need of big league caliber position players, that change might be coming sooner than later.

Andy Marte
Josh Barfield
Ryan Garko
Victor Martinez
Jhonny Peralta.

That will be the Indians 2007 starting infield. This will be Peraltas 3rd year in the majors and in '05 he posted numbers better than any shortstop in as a rookie. After all criticism the front office took for letting Omar go Peralta had some serious shoes to fill and he did that and more. in 2006 Peralta's defensive statistics resembled those of the year before even with all the errors he commited it was just his bat that disappeared. we learn now that it was just his eyesight and that he took care of this matter. If Jhonny can revert back to the offensive production he had in 2005 then this position is arguably the strongest on the team.

Victor Martinez with all his throwing woes is still the best power hitting catcher to come along in years. he was named an all star in just his second season as well as posting career numbers that same season. His swing is just beautiful and has the ability to take a pitch that is level with his head and crush it out of the park. Victors biggest problem is his weak arm that allows runners to steal at will. He's apparently spent all offseason working on the mechancs necessary to fix this problem and hopefully has it under control. still, I dont know of many catchers I'd rather have than this guy.

The other 3 are relatively unknown, at least from a Major League standpoint. Josh Barfield was a rookie last year with the padres and instantly became a sensation. Hes out of the black hole of Petco Park and will no doubt see his numbers jump drastically at Jacobs Field. the stats he accumulated while playing on the road should have every indians fan drooling. Perhaps hes a 5 tool player but he instantly fills a need that doesnt waste anyones time and I guarantee he'll make everyone forget about Ronnie.

Andy Marte is considered to be the crown jewel of 3rd base prospects. He was acquired last spring for Coco Crisp and spent most of the season in Buffalo. He got off to a slow start, heated up, slowed down and then got insanely hot. He was called up initially to light a fire under boone but just took over. while his strikeout numbers are a big turn off, its his power potential and already exceptional defense that will make the 3rd base job his to lose. He's a projected .300 25-30/100 rbi opposing pitchers nightmare just waiting to come to life.

Ryan Garko. Ok, well. the catching thing failed and with victor no doubt in control his only option was first base. I like the kid, I really do but his defense is being said to be worse than martinez playing first. ouch. this guy is a textbook power hitter. all brute, no brains. cant run but can straight crush a fastball. lets hope the things I've read of him have been immensely worked (or wrong to begin with) on because I really wanted kouzmanoff more. Still, these are things that can be fixed.

This all being said. its how these guys got here and who brought them here that has triggered this epiphany. Through all the names I've called him, for all the mismanaging I've accused him of. I owe Mark Shapiro one.big. fucking. apology. Starting with the revamping in 2002 hes done nothing but thoroughly scouted and targeted guys he knows for a fact will excel in the major leagues.

Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee were simply an afterthought when Shapiro traded for Brandon Phillips and as I mentioned look where he is. Then his ability to rob Texas of a slugger by the name of Travis Hafner that resembled JIm Thome in every way and who I think will be better than Jim? holy shit, how could I have been this wrong about the guy? He found a shortstop in venezuala who couldnt even speak english, turns him into a catcher and who now is a perrenial all star? He felt strongly about another shortstop's ability despite the backlash and fans are now seeing why. In another riske move he trades a fan favorite for Andy Marte Then knowing full well the team has no 2nd base options in the minors he trades two very talented prospects in exchange for a guy that will be a force for the next decade. are you kidding me? This guy is best friends with Scott Pioli, general manager and vice president of the 3 time in 4 years superbowl champion New England Patriots. was that my red flag?

The problem is clearly not Mark Shapiro. again, hes done nothing but improve this team from the minors up. its his boss that wont help him. To me, the only terrible decision Shapiro has made so far was hiring eric wedge after all wedge did was put together a few winning seasons in buffalo. there are umpires that have taken longer to get to the majors then wedge did. My opinion of wedge is that just doesnt have the balls or brains necessary to manage a major league team and its a mystery to me why Shapiro doesnt can him. I actually think wedges job is the safest on the team.

Larry Dolan must commit to spending the necessary dollars to retain players like C.C. and Hafner. they are 2 very key components in the indians future. Dolan says he lives and dies with cleveland baseball but in 5 years hasnt once proven it to the fans. what really scares me is that every other MLB team will break the bank when Sizemore becomes a free agent. He has a good head on his shoulders but at some point may want to return home to seattle, or like all of these guys, want to play for an owner dedicated to winning, not just fattening his pockets.

Lee to disabled list.

2007-03-14T09:29:00.000-04:00

Indians fans were more than likely expecting Sabathias early season woes to continue this year but it was Cliff Lee that fell victim this time.

The lefty is expected to miss at least 10 days due to a pulled abdominal muscle suffered earlier this week which will give Fausto Carmona a shot at possibly winning a rotation spot. After Carmonas terrible year pitching out of the bullpen the rotation seems to be the only spot for him. I hope the kid can find his way because he has too much promise to end up back in Buffalo and this is definately a good opportunity for him to shine.

Sowers impressive performance last season and with Andrew Brown being traded makes Fausto probably the best pitching prospect the indians have. Theres no telling what lays in wait for Adam Miller but alot of sources say that hes not ready and probably wont become a full time Major leaguer until at least the middle of 2008.

My only hope is that Lees injury doesnt have any lingering effects and that he will come back to form but again I'm not as concerned with Carmona likely filling in. However, over the last few seasons its become pretty easy to pencil in 18 wins for Cliff and I really hope Fausto is up to the task. its alot to ask of a young kid, especially in this division.

Carmona is having a great spring and just the other day completely shutdown the yankees.
Sadly, Carmona reminds me alot of Kaz Tadano. In 2004 He was the one who filled in C.C. when the big man went down and I thought he did a rather respectable job. then a year later was traded to oakland for a player that will make no sort of impact for the Indians. the label "4-A" player might find itself attached to Fausto should he blow yet another chance.

Dont be that guy, Fausto.

In other news, Trot Nixon is suffering from the same back problems that kept him sidelined most of last season. theres no telling how much time Nixon will miss if any at all. We already have a plethora of outfielders so this injury isnt as bad as it could be but its hard to find a guy that plays balls to the wall like Trot does. This isnt like the terrible Hollandsworth signing last year, Trot is a proven player who I believe still has some years left but just cant stay healthy. The guy is a leader and this team needs him badly.

Free agent relievers possible migraines.

2007-03-12T10:34:00.000-04:00

The Indians achilles heel last year was no doubt due to shaky and unreliable relief pitching. Much like the 2004 first half team that blew a near record of 25 saves, it didnt matter how many runs the offense put up, the bullpen was bound to give them all right back.

the same problem derailed Cleveland last year and GM Mark Shapiro seemed centered on fixing this problem this offseason. by adding veterans like Joe Borowski, Roberto Hernandez, Keith Foulke, and leftie specialist Aaron Fultz the bullpen on paper looks completely different but its the potential shortcomings of guys already on the team or the newcomers I listed above that could again keep the Indians from being the contender I think they're capable of. Foulke has since retired after only officially being on the team for one day.

Joe Borowski
He's becoming somewhat of a journeyman. Borowski came up with the Orioles and since has been with the braves, yankees, cubs, the devil rays, and spent 2006 with the Florida Marlins. With Foulke retiring Borowski is the likely candidate for the closers job but can fill the role of setup man or middle relief need be. Borowski is coming off of a career year Until last year 2003 had been his best year where he posted a record of 2-2 with an ERA of 2.63 and recorded 33 saves out of 37 opportunities. Over the next 2 years he was consistently injured and only appeared in 33 games with horrendous era's of 8.05 and 6.55. Borowski was placed on waivers in 2005 and claimed by the devil rays where the only area he improved was his ERA. He was still 1-6 with no saves.

the 2006 form is what I really hope Joe can bring to Cleveland. 36 saves in 43 chances and an ERA of 3.75, in the National League is good. He can be a leader. like I said the guy has been around and will turn 36 this may but he is a seasoned veteran that will no doubt help some of the younger arms in the pen. Ability wise he's an average pitcher with his best days long behind him. hopefully the numbers he posted last season werent the last fumes in the tank. This team needs stability and leadership and I think Joe can be that guy. I think I like him the best out of the other free agent pitchers we signed.

Mark Shapiro seems to be falling in love with ex phillies. Last year it was Jason Michaels now this year its relievers Aaron Fultz and Roberto Hernandez.

Roberto Hernandez
Like Borowski, Hernandez is long past his prime and throughout his career has been just an average late innings guy. His career ERA shows that hes at least been consistently average and thats a good thing. I'd be lying if I said I knew where his spot in the pen is going to be but I dont know. I'd have to assume middle relief which is where I feel we need the most help anyway but judging from his save totals the past few years he can close if borowski fails.

The Indians can probably make it if either of them get injured but if both of them go down or just cant get people out, it could be another miserable season. In my mind the biggest problem with the bullpen last year was that once our starter was out of the game there was no smooth bridge between the starter and the closer. it was "starter leaves, bullpen gives up 10 runs in one inning".

Aaron Fultz
Forget the lefty/lefty matchup this guy scares me. The only season he had an ERA under 4 was 2 years ago but thats probably due to him missing 100 games. I can only imagine this guy was hurt last year too. Look at these era's!

2000 - 4.67
2001 - 4.56
2002 - 4.79
2003 - 5.21
2004 - 5.04
2005 - 2.24
2006 - 4.54

The only thing keeping me from disliking this guy right away is that hes actually had a winning record every year but as a relief pitcher his ERA is the main focus. Being a pitcher in the AL Central his ERA is bound to reach at least 5. All I can really hope for is that Rafael Perez has an awesome spring training because he has to be better than this guy. I'm not sure about the status of guys like Mujica, Mastny, or Miller but I really hope they can push Aaron back to triple A. Lucky for him Jacobs field is considered to be a neutral hitters/pitchers park, maybe by some chance he'll do well and my criticism put on hold. I guess I'll give him a pass...for now.

Sabathia gets opening day nod.

2007-02-25T01:41:00.000-05:00

For the second straight year C.C. Sabathia will open the season on April 1st against the Chicago White Sox.

This is good news and all but Indians fans will remember the same scenario last year where Sabathia had to leave early in the game due to an "aggravated muscle" in his pitching arm.

C.C. eventually came back and was named MLB's pitcher of the month in May but its the pattern that is forming for the talented lefty. In 2005 he was sidelined in spring training and wasnt back until the end of April and was inconsistent until the last few months of the season. The same story played out in 2006. Perhaps someone else should take the hill?

He's taken alot of flack from both the Cleveland media and the fans for having extended bouts of severe inconsistency and having it noted that these fluke injuries are directly related to being out of shape. However, He pulled out of last years World Baseball Classic to stay home and focus on being in playing condition for the year but that didnt seem to help either.

Injuries have little to do with it but C.C. is a fierce competitor with an inability to harness his emotions. He's been thrown out of numerous games for arguing balls and strikes ( seriously, he was right) and when he gets into trouble with hitters and men on base its near impossible for him to focus thus causing a complete meltdown and usually becomes the beginning of a route.

When Sabathia is on he is easily one of the most dominating pitchers in the game. A fastball that hits anywhere from 94-99 mph, a curve and slider that isnt even fair and a changeup that turned sammy sosa inside out. Cleveland has never hinted at giving up on the guy but more indepth coaching or perhaps even anger management would allow him to be the shutdown starter hes very capable of being. We have him until after the 2008 season and he's said that he loves it here so I hope he sticks around, but hopefully with a bit more maturity.

Who wins the A.L. Central?

2007-02-21T08:13:00.000-05:00

The Minnesota Twins won it last year, have the game's best pitcher in Johan Santana, the reigning AL MVP in Justin Morneau and the best young player in Morneau.

The Tigers won the AL pennant last year, return their entire team and added Gary Sheffield's bat and Jose Mesa's arm.

The Chicago White Sox won the World Series two years ago, boast an incomparable 3-4-5 of Jim Thome, Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye, and still have four former All-Stars in their rotation.

And the Cleveland Indians might be the most talented of the lot, with Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore anchoring the lineup, a deep rotation headed by C.C. Sabathia and an improved bullpen.

When you're a Cleveland baseball fan, This is what you do every year when its the brink of spring. We know baseball is in the air and for us that usually means we've had 5 months of
front office lies and garbage being fed onto our plate. Promises of better results, better players and still we're left with other teams cast offs that were in fact good, once upon a time.

The Browns have usually given us good cause to be really angry and worn out, which makes us vulnerable to deception and the need for hope. Thats probably why baseball and football dont run concurrently, but in Ohio, thats a good thing.

We start to think about our teams weaknesses last year and how they were infact addressed by newcomers. We gradually go from laughing out of pure frustration to alittle bit more tolerant to absolutely fucking delusional. So finally we've allowed ourselves to believe that we are a good team and that night in and night out god better have mercy on our opponent. Would you like an example?

I've been scanning messageboards of the other 4 teams in our division looking for anything related to their thoughts on the Indians this year. I've found nothing but praise on all those boards including the White sox. Which I find rather odd considering how much our fanbases detest the other. Tigers fans were the most applauding. Some even stating that we are the team they absolutely do not want to play this year. "Fear" was actually used by one of them.

Josh Barfield is the only new guy I'm excited about but even he could be prone to that "sophomore slump", which, if hes an indian, will happen. however, hes in a smaller ballpark now and his defense is pretty much why we traded for him. gold glove, mark it down.

Maybe its my psychie, maybe its hestitation but whatever it is I just cant believe we will contend for anything this year. As you read above those other teams have only gotten stronger. The Twins and Tigers have very young and very lethal pitching, the ball doesnt hit the bleachers if there are 5 guys capable of shutting you down. The White sox I dont believe will make the playoffs this year but are still a formidable and intimidating team to face.

Even the royals will be no pushover this year. Especially since Buddy took over they've had our number. With a new GM they've already drastically improved their talent level, especially in matters of arms. Adding Octavio Dotel is no joke, yea the guy was hurt all last year but if hes healthy he is not the guy I want to see in the 9th inning. Teahan and Alex Gordon have gold glove all stars written all over them.

Lastly, There is just no other division in the game that matches up with the power and the talent that makes up the A.L. Central. It is ridiculous how good this division is now compared to only a few years ago. We simply beat up on everybody.

Keith Foulke Retires.

2007-02-17T23:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks for...oh, thats right, you were only with us for ONE day and its still February. Well, at least you did it gracefully, asshole.

I guess that solves that question, Congratulations Borowski! you're the Indians new closer.

sigh.

Cleveland signs Trot Nixon.

2007-01-27T04:42:00.000-05:00

Not sure how I feel about this one. On one hand Nixons's leadership and 110% in everything he does is invaluable to a young team like the Indians. The type of leadership he brings with him is also a great asset and he will not tolerate losing and players simply going through the motions.

He will demand his teammates put the best possible effort they can give every single day. However, Nixon isnt exactly getting any younger and Cleveland already has a plethora of outfielders.

Nixon is only here for a year but I definately thought and was hoping this would have spelled the end of Jason Michaels. hopefully he's been demoted to being strictly a backup because Soo-Choo seems very capable of stealing his job.

Having adequate backups is a good thing with the indians because Sizemore, Choo, and Nixon will practically sacrifice anything to get to a ball. Nixon is known for this kind of reckless abandon and Sizemore and Choo are quickly garnering the same reputation.

This perhaps leaves Blake as either a starter, a backup (righty/lefty) or simply a utility guy. Which is fine, we need flexibility but it seems thats what our entire lineup is made up of. There's a platoon at almost every position except for Third Base. Which thank jesus christ means Boone is not on the roster but who knows what will become of Andy Marte.

Indians close to signing Keith Foulke.

2006-12-30T11:15:00.000-05:00

Another injury prone "relief", more like migraine inducing pitcher will soon be added to the Cleveland roster. Keith Foulke spent much of his time in boston rehabbing from injury with only one good year to show for. The 30 something former closer/setup man lost his job to a rookie before messing up his arm last year.

I vividly remember this same foulke in a game in 2005 that allowed the indians to climb back in the 9th inning with back to back home runs.

insert asterik riddled word [here]

more basement bargain bin aquisitions.

2006-12-19T12:38:00.000-05:00

Indians sign 2 over the hell never weres to shore up "needs".

David Dellucci, a career journey man and seemingly life long back up will platoon with michaels in left field while 42 year old Roberto Hernandez will try his best not to become another end of the pen disaster.

Cleveland front office, my hats off to you, you really know how to "go get 'em". Good to know you've decided to keep your promise of "spending money this year". Make that THREE steps back of everyone in the division, maybe this year we can finally be as good as the royals.

Yea, we got a good young, up and coming 2nd basemen from the Padres for Kouzmanoff and Andrew Brown but Shapiro I guess decided that was enough.

email to my dad.

2006-09-25T10:26:00.000-04:00

the browns simply ripped my fucking life apart yesterday.

I didnt go to work and didnt even make an excuse, I just simply told them I wasnt capable of making it in last night. I only managed to sleep due to being awake for 18 plus hours, a splitting headache thanks in part to the alcohol i so massively consumed after the game and still it wasnt enough to console me. what the hell happened. only we could lose a game like that.

I listened to all the press conferences this morning and no one seems like they're as beat up as the fans are. I understand the youth, that romeo is a rookie himself but god damnit show some fire, ACT like you're pissed off. dont tell me that we came a long way and if we keep this up we MAYBE can be a good football team. yea, we were in the game, yea, we matched those bastards for 4 quarters until it mattered the most. mental improvements dont mean shit in the win column.

If i wanted to hear about moral victories and how "the team won alot of battles today" I'd start a ballot to rehire butch davis. I'm so sick of this shit dad. when is it our turn? why, with teams like the lions, cardinals and all the other 0-3 teams are we always the brunt of jokes. The latest coming from Dan Marinos mouth on nfl live where he said their new show format would not include losing teams, "especially cleveland". i can only hope you're still around if and when this team has any legitimate shot at the superbowl.

It was red right 88, the fumble, and the drive all in the same game, to the ravens at that. off the leg of matt stover. remember that douche bag? I hope modell is smiling somewhere because if I ever find that son of a bitch his pacemaker is fucked. tony told me he broke his tv he was so angry and if ashleys phone was mine that would have been broken too.

I dont believe in curses but it might not be a bad idea to start to. there is simply nothing left to blame.

browns, bitching, and thoughts.

2006-09-20T14:23:00.000-04:00

worthlessberger is a 100% grade A pussy. I know the dude was hurt before the game even started but how he was eventually flinching because jacksonvilles defense was drilling him every damn play. then he finally keeled over on the sidelines. not too mention the excuses he made. at least every steeler fan i talked to didnt make excuses ... charlie batch would have taken that abuse instead of roethlisberger, so it didnt really matter who played.

I hear tommy maddox is available. i think steeler fans would shoot somebody if that happened and speaking of homicidal fans. a loss to baltimore this sunday at home for the browns could seriously cause the stadium to burn down. if we go 0-3 at the hands of that team the ratbird fans that made the trip are going to be the target of a very ugly storm. its going to be bad.

just read our messageboards..I honestly dont think i've seen our fans this irate before. crennel shows no fire, our O.C. cant call a game to save his life, winslow is on the sidelines when he'd have the advantage and McGinest mopes on the sidelines.

McGinest is supposed to be a leader and a teacher to these guys and he sits out because of an insignificant injury? come on. I'd like to believe that the front office isnt letting people know that its actually quite serious but he has completely forgotten what it was like to take one for the team the way he did in New England? He needs to look at what Bruschi has done. a stroke, he comes back and plays, a broken hand, finger or even a leg and Bruschi would still play. the win is what matters, not himself. we're worst then last year and last season crennel got 6 wins out of a bunch of nobodies. I didnt even start drinking this year because I thought we'd have a better season. every sunday I call my dad and curse him for raising me this way. its worse than marriage.

somebody grab winslow by the throat and tell him to shut up ... he's played what ... 6 games in 3 years? but I thought about it and even though I dont want him on my team he has a point. he has no business calling out his coaches publicly like this but he swears hes already talked to them behind closed doors. he said we were already losing big, there was no way to come back so why not just open up the playbook on both sides of the ball, there is nothing to lose. that I agree with but he should NOT be the one saying anything.

I dont blame him but again im not taking sides either. this team is a fucking mess and I bet bellichick has already called crennel and said " told you cleveland sucks".

Chad Johnson got absolutely destroyed by Brian Russell. his post game interview was hilarious. dude didnt know where he was, if they won and was talking like he'd been drinking all day. maybe that hit will get the browns going. I hope every reciever we face this year has that hit in the back of their head. steve atwater would be proud. Johnson was really classy about it though. admitted it was a clean hit and that the NFL should leave it alone and not issue any sort of punishment. god that was vicious hit though. I'm glad he's ok but he had that coming.

If I had one I'd bet my wife.

2006-09-09T06:06:00.000-04:00

I cant sleep, eat, or sit still. my hands are trembling just writing this. this is by far the biggest game of the year and bigger than the actual national championship. this is the national championship.

this entire week i've been able to think only about this game and the obvious things it means if we lose. This week I think I've realized what having a period feels like, because what this game has done to my mind and my emotions is ridiculous.

Not too mention that the Browns opener will be less than 15 hours away by the time this game ends so all the cautious and reserved optimism of another season will be tested very quickly. I dont know if I can handle that. being a browns fan is tough enough but with all the promise that became uncertainty in about 2 seconds with bentley and then being combined with a potential blow to our national title hopes, it's going to require alot of ...whats that word...patience.

fuck.

An estimated 40.000 OSU fans are making the trip to austin for this game according to the Columbus dispatch. I know its early but this game could mean the season. I think we can afford one loss and still be in a title hunt but this one is about revenge. even though horns fans, should they lose, will say that "well, you didnt beat us when vince was here!" We did beat you. We contained young well enough that his ground game became ineffective and was forced to go to the air.

I'll become a homer for a second and state that Limas Sweed did not have possession when he came down in the endzone. he got his hands on it, bobbled it and was forced to trap it. Ryan Hambys dropped touchdown would have been the difference. It was 19-13 at that point and all the momentum was with the buckeyes. Hambys "should have been a touchdown" would have made it 27-13 and would have become a two possession game for texas. they answered but would have still fallen short, even if by one point.

I try not to discredit Vince Young but the 2005 longhorns were the most one dimensional teams I have ever seen. These so called "other weapons" become a mere distraction without young added in. As I've said in an earlier post, without Vince behind center Ohio States defense can key in on players like taylor, sweed, selvin youg, and jamal charles and if any defense can do this, its the Buckeyes. Young was the prime reason these players had any success. I could become a Heisman candidate with Young as my quarterback. I'd be wide open every play.

With the strength and speed of the front 4 the longhorns O-line is going to have fits. The players mentioned were merely good blockers. USC's defense was over rated to begin with but the way Young ran all over them tells me that Ohio State could have beaten USC as well. we stopped youngs feet, we would have stopped Bush too.

Tressel I'm sure has a gameplan soley designed for stopping texas's offense with defensive looks and concealed blitzes that are going to confuse the hell out of freshman quarterback Colt McCoy. so again Young barely beat us but somehow this poor kid actually has a chance? I'm not saying Texas wont move the ball, I'm just saying NO ONE is giving any edge whatsoever to the buckeyes defense. I know we have a young class of linebackers this year but so what? Their mentors were names like Hawk, Schlegel, Carpenter, oh and John Kerr learned from some guy named Wilhelm. I think our secondary is the weakest unit on the team but Malcolm Jenkins and Jamario O'Neal also had good mentors. "veteran" Safety Brandon Mitchell will knock you the fuck out.

This game is reminding me what it was like for the buckeyes leading up the 2002 National Championship against Miami. Every so-called expert said the buckeyes couldnt handle the speed of the hurricanes, that dorsey would throw 80 yard touchdown passes in his sleep and Mcgahee would shred the buckeyes front 7. we see how well THAT turned out didnt we. pathetic miami fans are STILL crying about that one. What no one outside of columbus realized was that the 2002 Ohio State Buckeye defense would become one of the, if not the best defensive units ever assembled in the history of NCAA football.

Texas fans are acting the same way. The comments and previews I've read pretty much suggest that ohio state not even show up. I know buckeye fans are guilty of the same thing but these so called fans are acting like NCAA football revolves around them. last I checked there were around 113 D-1A teams. Texas is hardly the center of college football and its fanbase is a joke compared to the fervor and passion displayed by buckeye fans.
one horn fan called us “the most obnoxious, arrogant, and rudest fans i’ve ever met, I had beer spilled on me all game long.”..so why did I take that as a compliment? haha. get ready for round 2 of those beer showers.

with a "hostile" crowd and "hot" weather the horns somehow have some imaginary advantage. Ohio Stadium is one of the most intimidating places to play in but we've lost there before. many times. Homefield advantage has nothing to do with it, its about execution and not being rattled by your opponent, not the crowd. We're the #1 team in the country and there is a reason for that but these horns fans probably didnt even know the buckeyes were a team, let alone a good one. we can win anywhere.

Young, like Dorsey, said that was the fastest defense he'd ever seen. Young said the Horseshoe was the loudest he'd ever played in so with those 40,000 plus scarlet and gray faithful behind them it could turn into the Horseshoe south especially if the buckeyes are up big. I know buckeye fans travel better than any other collegiate fanbase but I dont think that meant tickets sold. that'd be crazy.

The point is, Ohio state is a better team. With the suspension of "shutdown" horns cornerback Tarell Brown, Ted Ginn is going to have an even bigger game. I'm told some freshman is being told to stop #7 and on the faint chance that occurs Gonzalez will become a nightmare for the horns secondary.

even though Texas' defense might know a thing or two about stopping mobile quarterbacks it doesnt mean they will. Troy Smith, like young, thrives in these types of games. On the road at mishitgan last year is a prime example. He knows whats on the line and he is going to bring it. This is his last chance, He'll prevail.

Ohio state: 38
Texas: 21

pathetic ranger "fans"

2006-09-03T08:47:00.000-04:00

booing indians fans that were cheering when sizemore and Kouzmanoff went deep on you guys. must suck having your own ballpark taken over by a team completely out of the way of your educationally challenged state, at least you had the chance to have real baseball fans in your park for the weekend.

I could understand if there was actually tension and a sense of a rivalry between us but there isnt and there never was. white sux fans dont even do that and if they did its understandable because that is a rivalry, but texas fans? thats fucking hilarious. if you're going to boo anyone boo your manager, your ownership. John Hart put together some great teams for us when he was in cleveland and he did the same when he took over for you guys but he never felt pitching was important. boo them, we showed up to watch our team.

whats wrong? ashamed of your entire bandwagon "fan" base? I lived in the dallas area a few years ago and no one talked about the rangers. I saw no merchandise and no commercials for games anywhere. nobody cared because you werent winning. the indians are having a poor season as well but still draw 25-30 thousand fans a night and had the highest sales in merchandise last year. for a team to fail like we have this year and still draw those kind of numbers tell you what loyalty really means.

let me break it down for you:

we're a bad team. I never denied that. but we at least have promise while your sorry team keeps rotting away in that ridiculously over done "vintage feel" stadium. i've been there. its a complete joke.

man that AL west is scary! Cleveland plays in the best division in baseball. Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota are among their opponents 19 times a year each. We were PICKED by baseball experts to all but win the world series this year. ESPN power rankings said the indians would be the best team in MLB.

Detroit embarassed you losers and never looked back and chicago picked up right where they left off from a year ago. Minnesotas sucess, if you havent heard, is on pace to be record setting.

Out of those 4 teams there had to be a loser. if you'd really like to get into detail about our failures this year i'd be more than happy to tell you but it might take awhile due to me having to use very _small_ words. you are from texas after all.

The indians will never be as popular or even come close to out selling the browns but our baseball fanbase is hardly "bandwagon". Our fanbase fully embraced the indians when we lost our football team. fans were starving for hope and we got it by a new stadium, new ownership and an extremely talented crop of rookies the likes of Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Kenny Lofton and Carlos Baerga.

455 consecutive sellouts over the course of 6 division titles and 2 world series appearances later created one of the most passionate fanbases in all of baseball and produced a record that will never be broken.

we've been a team for 100 plus years and the indians have been a staple of this city every year of their existence. their sucess im sure gave birth to alot of front runners but what team doesnt have them? look no further than yankee, tiger, and white sox fans. to the people of cleveland the indians have always mattered. that is NOT fairweather.

we may not sell out anymore but I already gave you our attendance figures. it sure beats the heck out of the "pick a different seat, any seat" scenario for the ones who actually show up to watch your lousy team.

While we're at it, ready for the buckeyes to steamroll the longhorns? you think there were alot of indians fans at your park tonight...just wait until buckeye nation shows up and bitch smacks you fools. but until then we'll just sweep you away on sunday and you wont have to hear from me again.

In relative News. Kevin Kouzmanoff was called up from Triple-A on saturday to fill in for the injured Travis Hafner. In friday nights game Hafner took a pitch off of his right wrist and it is being said to be broken. Kouzmanoff tagged a grandslam in his first at bat and on the first pitch he saw. I've posted Kevin's numbers before and he is swinging the lumber well anywhere he has played. He was kind of put aside when the Indians aquired Andy Marte in spring training but with Marte in a ridiculous slump who knows what role either of them has right now. To Kevins advantage he can play 2b, 3b, and LF. utility players are never a bad thing. Clevelands roster is sure to be full of them next season.

fucking ranger fans.

It Begins Today.

2006-09-02T09:31:00.000-04:00

Like MattLeinart and Reggie Bush last year, The top 2 Heisman candidates are again on the same team in 2006. Troy Smith (left) and Ted Ginn (below) are a big reason why Columbus is buzzing with National Title whispers. Leading them is Jim Tressel, a coach with a calm and soft spoken demeanor, but also a frightening psychological domination over Lloyd Carr and "that school up north."

He can outcoach and outscheme anyone and will forever receive a free pass from the buckeye faithful for the rest of his life for what he has been able to add to his resume so far. ..well, barring that he doesnt suffer consecutive losses to the likes of John Cooper that ultimately shattered any Buckeye hopes of a national championship.

Ohio State lost 9 defensive starters to the N.F.L. draft this past spring but in his 5th year in Columbus, Jim Tressel has put together yet another strong recruiting class that ranks in the top 3 in the country and helped every "expert" in the country decide who was #1.

A Recruits of note is Freshman Defensive End Robert Rose. A 6'4 255lb machine of a pass rusher is going to cause alot of havoc and give any Offensive lineman a very long day.

Another is Chris Wells out of Garfield high school in Akron and the second bluechip prospect recruited this year. Wells is being touted as a kid strong enough to play fullback and fast enough to line up as a tailback. speed and vision gives this kid tremendous ability. has very quick feet and can hit the hole in a hurry. He stands at 6'1 and weighs around 225-230lbs.

Ohio States season comes down to two games...

Texas:
The game of the year is a rematch from last season between texas and the buckeyes. Its the second game of the season and this time its in austin. The longhorns are missing Vince Young already. With young gone it will be easier for defenses to key on the other so called play makers with double teams and blitzes ultimately shutting the longhorns down. Texas' strength will be their defense but a long season could be their worst enemy. I predict this unit to be worn down by having to be the ones that keeps them in the game. Ohio State is going to roll.

Michigan:
This rivalry is the real civil war. no beavers or ducks here either. No red sox - yankees, not even the browns - steelers rivalry is more intense and holds more emotion and meaning than The greatest and most fiercest rivalry in all of sports.

Its in the shoe this year and we'll be ready. Records mean nothing when these two teams play the buckeyes look alot stronger and with the atmosphere of the fans I dont think the wolverines stand a chance. tressel will own the wolverines again going 5-1 against them while that school of mutants will be lucky to get 6 wins and Lloyd droopy eyed carr will be unemployed.

I'm not bitter..

there is only one choice for #1...

We are ....The Ohio State University.

Cleveland sweep and the state of Baseball.

2006-08-31T12:25:00.000-04:00

The Indians completed the sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays wednesday night with Hafner leading the way via the long ball. Sowers improved to 6-3 and C.C. Sabathia recorded his 5th complete game of the season. only 6 other teams have more complete games while the Tribe "ace" has done this himself. Sabathia has formed a pattern when the calendar turns to august and september and it seems its continued this year. He simply comes to play.

Jhonny Peralta of all people hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th of the final game to finish the sweep. The Indians have now won 5 out of the last 6 series they've played and have become fun to watch again.

Now whats really bothering me...

If Travis Hafner were a yankee, a red sock, or if the indians were even a contender, his name and talk of MVP would be rampant. but he has two things against him..playing on a losing team and being a DH. Voters dont like guys who dont play defense.

but his stats dont lie and what he's done for Cleveland is undeniable. The indians problem all year has been their pitching. the tribe has one of the most dangerous offense's in baseball but I think its pretty obvious their record would be alot worse if Hafner were not on the team.

He'll get looked past for MVP just as he did for an All-Star selection when he clearly deserved to at least be there. I'm not a fan that actually buys into the whole all star crap but at the same time its about recognition. I dont care if Hafner simply showed up, shook his teammates hands and left but at least he would have been there and been made aware of his accomplishments.

A different song would be played if this was last year when the indians made that late season surge which hafner was a big part of. He missed two weeks after getting beamed in the head by Mark buerhle that honestly cost the indians alot of games.

Cleveland had started to pick up some of the momentum they ended the year with and then Hafner went down and the offense lost itself. Pitchers had the luxury of knowing he wasnt in the lineup so it was easier to pitch around guys like Martinez, Peralta, Broussard. His value and importance to this team was clearly seen when they lost games they should have won. 1-2 run losses would have been erased had his bat still been there. Despite being out Travis still clubbed 33 home runs and 100 + rbi's. This year is a career year but last year might have been as well if not for the time he missed. that is an MVP.

In August alone he's hit 13 home runs and 33 rbis and is batting .355 for the month going into wednesday night. In the 3 game series against Toronto he hit 3 home runs, 2 of those coming in the same game. He picks this team up and gives the indians 3-5 times a night to win but all you'll hear is talk about Jeter, A-rod, Ortiz, Manny or someone else on a winning team that supposedly carried the weight of a season.

Manny and Ortiz are currently sidelined. I havent heard Jeters name all that much and there is just no other way to say how bad A-rod is this year other than He fucking sucks but they're still getting talked about?

The last MVP to come from a losing team was Andre Dawson I believe. His stats are as follows.

Dawson - 1987
621 At Bats
90 runs scored
178 hits
49 home runs
137 runs batted in
103 strike outs
.287 batting average
.328 on base percentage
.568 slugging percentage

Hafner - 2006
429 at bats
94 Runs scored
133 hits
39 home runs
111 runs batted in
103 strike outs
.310 batting average
.436 on base percentage
.660 slugging percentage

The similiarites and differences are obvious and had Hafner been playing in 1987 theres a very good chance he would have won it.

so answer me this, when is the last time any of those guys were on a last place team? a team struggling just to reach .500? Never. Ortiz was the most clutch hitter in the game in 2004 and without him the red sox would be going on 88 years without a title. He outright deserved that award.

How about Minnesota, Their resurgence is mainly because of the awakened bats of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. 3 weeks into the season this team was as good as gone and looked like there would be no hope whatsoever of them rebounding. Once Santana shook off his usual early season rust and Santana #2, Francisco Liriano was moved into the starting rotation - Minnesota quickly became a team to be feared.

Gardenhire could and should be in the Manager of the year voting as well. For how he helped his struggling club is remarkable. The twins have alot of young hungry talent that just doesnt quit and Gardenhire is the perfect manager for guys like that. He's stern, straight forward. and will let his players know when they fucked up.

Mauer and Morneau came around and the twins are now battling for a wildcard spot or possibly the division. The two aforementioned players names need to be in that same MVP conversation. Morneau deserves to be recognized for the life and energy he brought to the park with a ridicuously hot bat and Joe Mauer needs to be given credit for the way he has handled his pitchers. Should the twins falter and miss the playoffs altogether, In the eyes of the MVP voters, what these two have done for their club will mean nothing. once again proving that those in charge of deciding all of this are complete morons..or the biggest cheerleaders in sports.

Jermaine Dye is another name being talked about and rightfully so. He's having his best year ever hitting .327 with 39 home runs and 106 runs batted in. 1999 and 2000 were the only other seasons that he posted 100+ rbis. His home run totals for those years were 27 and 33. There are still 30 something games left and with the way he's been swinging lately he could very well break 120.

The White sox could still miss the playoffs though. With as red hot as the twins have been and the way the tigers have faired against chicago, the white sox could find themselves watching instead of playing. The red sox are dead. Red Sox Nation and all the shit that has happened to Boston has probably made alot of drinking problems that much worse. The latest is the Boston Herald tastelessly reporting that touted pitching prospect Jon Lester is being tested for cancer because of enlarged lymph nodes. That could mean anything from an allergic reaction to the flu. lymph nodes enlarge for no reason sometimes. Whoever approved that article needs to be punched in the face and fired.

I'm not a fan of cheerleaders in baseball. its the most ridiculous concept ever but you almost have to hope the florida marlins make the playoffs. every "expert" penciled in 100+ losses for them and here they are right in the middle of the stretch and only a game out of the wildcard lead. the last two times the Marlins were the wildcard they won the world series. the first time was against us..thanks to Jose Mesa. I'm still bitter about it and actually subconsciously wanted the yankees to win in 03 just because I still held a grudge. but they now have Joe Giradi running the show and I love him. the marlins have 0 division titles and 2 world series titles and we havent won it since ..1948..unbelieveable.

I've mentioned it before but I'll repeat myself. Last offseason when Giradi took the Marlins job he couldnt believe all the talent that he was going to be in charge of, that is until Jeffery (douche bag power tripping man upstairs) one by one sold off or traded guys like A.J. Burnett, Josh Beckett, Juan Encarnacion, Carlos Delgado, and Mike Lowell just to name a few. The only two players that remain from their 2003 world series team are Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. those guys too have been rumored to be leaving south florida next year.

Loria is going to fuck up a good thing. hes lucky to even have a manager like Giradi. If I were Joe I would have quit after the firesale took place. to be promised this great team only to have it torn apart would have pissed me off. Loria lied to Giradi. after Mckeon quit, he's lucky to have a manager at all.

Giradi and loria are sitting on a gold mine right now. Giradi knows it but loria doesnt seem to care. how dare someone actually know what they're doing and prove you wrong. idiot. Just another Jerry Jones type. knows not a single thing about the game and doesnt realize thats why teams have managers and coaches, to teach players how to play.

If they make the playoffs my money says they'll get to the world series. with the arms they got in that rotation and the hunger to win with Giradi at the helm, you cant beat that. to think with all the talent this team stockpiled by their fire sale are barely 23 years old is fucking scary.

4 of the top 5 Rookie of the Year candidates are Marlins. Dan Uggla, Jeromy Hermida, Josh Willingham, Hanley Ramirez, and Josh Johnson. Hermida is the top outfield prospect in the organization while ramirez was next in line for the starting job at shortstop in Boston.

Thats my 2 cents on the state of affairs in Baseball.

Indians show up Tigers.

2006-08-28T10:17:00.000-04:00

The Detroit Tigers came into Cleveland on friday not really looking like the team they've been all year. they've dropped 11 of their last 16 games and the indians have held their ground against most of the year.

Game 1.

Jeremy Sowers had to rely on his teams offense, not his deception to battle through the early part of this game. Omar Infante and Brandon Inge drove in 2 early tigers runs. Sowers outing wasnt impressive to say the least but he got the outs and prevented any detroit rallies.

Cleveland would answer quickly on Joe Ingletts 2 out rbi single.

In the 3rd Grady Sizemore knotched a double and after Hafner was intentionally put on first, Sizemore would come around to tie the game on a Victor Martinez single. Shin Soo Choo struck a double of his own scoring hafner and should have scored martinez as well. Choo turned on the speed and was going for a triple until he saw martinez still standing on third and with choo closer to third than second, allowed the tigers to tag him out. Jhonny Peralta came up next and drove in martinez on a single.

Sowers lasted 6 innings only surrending the two early runs and striking out 4 batters. He would give up no walks.

Fernando Cabrera and Rafael Betancourt pitched the rest of the way. Cabrera went two innings giving up no hits or walks while striking out 4 batters. Betancourt would not allow a single hit in the 9th earning the save.

Game 2.

Just like every game of the year it seems, the Indians found themselves in an early hole. The Tigers scored a run in the 1st and 2nd innings off starter Jake Westbrook and looked like they were going to cruise behind 15 game winner Justin Verlander.

The Indians tied it in the 3rd but detroit would counter with 3 runs in the top of the 5th.

I've written about it before but the 5th inning seems to always be our wake up call. Cleveland sent 10 batters to the plate in route to a 6 run inning that tied the game and gave the indians the lead and for good.

Sizemore set the stage for the rally when he beat out an infield single. He would advance and have to stop at third when Jason Michaels smoked a pitch to right center that ended up in the stands for a ground rule double. Hafner would strike out giving way to a red hot Ryan Garko and his bat would again deliver. Garko took a fastball the opposite way for a single and moved to third on a Shin Soo Choo single to left.

Joe Inglett was next...

Inglett battled Verlander fouling off numerous pitches and finally got the pitch he wanted and drove it to right center scoring allowing Garko and Choo to score. The Tigers defense was shading Inglett more towards left center which allowed the ball to hit the gap like it did giving inglett the chance for a triple. The ball got to the cut off man and immediately thrown to third but inglett slid in safely.

Verlander was removed in favor of Zach Miner. Kelly Shoppach hit a hard ground ball to Detroit short stop Carlos Guillen that deflected off of his glove allowing Inglett to score. Andy Marte struck out to end the inning but Cleveland now lead 8-5.

Westbrook would be pulled in the 7th for Jason Davis. Davis pitched a scoreless inning with Mastny finishing off the tigers for his 3rd big league save.

Game 3.

..was extended B.P. for the tigers. We won the series but Detroit slugged their way to a 7-1 win sunday on home runs by Marcus Thames, Curtis Granderson, Carlos Guillen, and Ivan Rodriguez. Cliff Lee lasted 5 innings surrending 5 runs on 10 hits and 3 home runs.

The lone indians run was batted in by Victor Martinez in the 1st inning.

The Toronto Blue Jasy come to town for a 3 game series starting monday night. Paul Byrd is on the hill and I hope he's forgotten that kansas city game last week.

my new toys

2006-08-28T09:16:00.000-04:00

I was walking through the mall the other day and was led into a toy and hobby store. as I was walking along the wall of car and jet models I saw out of the corner of my eye plastic sporting figurines.

there were three rows of the ones in the bags and first in line was eric metcalf, then as I excitedly dug through the entire rack there was kosar, dean perry and hanging angelically above them all alone was ozzie newsome. the ones in the bags were $3.49 while ozzie was $8.00

The pictures arent good quality and still being in the bags didnt help the reflection of the flash either but here they are. Not sure what I'm going to do with them. I dont care about their worth so I think I'm going to take them out of their wrappers and set them along my computer desk. if I had a car I'd glue them to my dashboard.

I'm stoked about these.

For one night, Cleveland is above the rest.

2006-08-25T06:36:00.000-04:00

A season filled with such promise and a lineup filled with so much talent seems to have been the formula for such a distastrous season. The fans know where it went wrong, the players had to have sensed it before the season opener. but this is baseball, this is the game that can humble and humiliate you quicker than any other sport. (with a little help from a penny pinching owner named Rachel Phelps..i mean Larry Dolan.)

This season began without up and coming house hold names and fan favorites. This season everyone who knew even the slightest detail about the game of baseball called vegas with their overwhelming confidence that the Cleveland Indians were a lock to win the franchises first world series in 58 years. This season might just be the most frustrating year I've gone through with the indians. This season made me fall off the edge and finally develop that drinking problem I've always wanted.

I wasnt living in Cleveland last year when this team put together the best single month in the history of the game so I have no idea what the atmosphere was like. I was slightly young in the 90's when those world series teams took the field and I only made it to a handful of games. I wasnt even witness to the greatest comeback in MLB history but the audio and realization of what took place brings me to tears everytime I listen to it.

I can only imagine, and only dream of what any sort of title would mean to the City of Cleveland. Boston wont have SHIT on that celebration. Until then, I can only rely on MVP Baseball 2005 to take me to the promised-land. but even after 2 seasons of that game, like my real, and larger than life heroes, I still fail at the end.

Everytime I suffer through 9 innings of a defeat I'm constantly reminded of a man who told me things have to get better someday.

Sometime in 2005, I believe against the White Sox I was sitting in the bleachers with my friend tony. As the last out of another loss popped into the mit of the opposing catcher, I slowly buried my face in my hat only to be consoled by a complete stranger who uttered "dont worry son, walk out of here knowing you did everything you could do to help them and always remember that better days are ahead".

It meant something. This man was rather old so theres no doubt he was alive the last time Cleveland won a pennant. which also means he was there during the 70's and 80's...arguably the franchises darkest decades. For him to say that and obviously mean it speaks volumes of the soul of the Cleveland fan. what any other fan in other city has that kind of stamina or heart? Red sox fans? two words. Patriots, Celtics. Cubs fans? likewise, Bears, bulls, blackhawks and most recently the white sox.

So I hope this year is rock bottom because my body, soul, and entire existence has begun to revolve around something that shouldnt be this important, but it is. Fuck you to anyone who ever tells me its just a game. Tell that to the psychiatrist who is eventually going to have to treat me if this keeps up.

So, In this very season and eptiome of Murphys law, _something_ finally went our way.

In 2001 The Cleveland Indians staged the greatest comeback in Major league history by rallying from 12 runs down in the 7th inning to force extra's and eventually win. The date is now August, 24th, 2006. 5 years and and 19 days later.

Buddy Bell owns eric wedge. knows his every move, knows his every strategy. so its no wonder the royals have made the indians their bitch this year.

After losing the opening game of the series Cleveland quickly found themselves down 10-1 in the first inning. Paul Byrd pitched his shortest outing in 6 years with 8 of those runs being earned.

MLB tv blacked me out so I had to follow gameday. it was 12-9 when I turned it on and then 13-11 when I left for work. I was reminded of that game in '01 only because a fan on the indians messageboard jokingly began a post on this very scenario...I'd like to shake their hand.

To any other baseball fan this game was simply two bottom dweller teams playing a meaningless game on a wednesday night. For Indians fans and having so little to cheer about this year, it meant the world. The Indians dead and buried in the very first inning clawed, fought and punched their way back into the game. Once Royals Starter de la rosa was removed the stage for the unbelievable was presented.

Kansas City twice answered a cleveland rally with big innings of their own but it was cleveland who lasted in the later rounds.

The indians with two outs in the 9th rallied on shin soo choo's triple down the right field line that scored the tying run. the hundreds of Indians fans in attendance, although rather faint, must have been beside themselves. Tom Hamilton described the scene in the Indians dugout as undescribable.

the bitch about all of this is that I was SUPPOSED to be there but I elected to stay and put in more hours at work. please kick me in the nuts.

in the 10th and again with two outs, Ryan Garko gave the indians the lead on an rbi single up the middle that scored a blazing Grady Sizemore who was on second. Royals centerfielder Joey Gathwright was playing shallow as well but Sizemores speed beat the throw by about 6 seconds.

The Cleveland Indians made Eric Wedge sound like he's actually been telling the truth. I'm not fan of him either and want him fired. All season hes been criticized for how he's managed crucial situations in a game and how this team never gives up. well, after that, I believed him. This team never quit, they never felt this was too big of a hole to climb out of. Aaron Boone was said to have been pacing the dugout yelling at his teammates to motivate themselves and get the job done. they did, and became part of the second greatest comeback in team history. The royals go down in the record books as only the second team to ever post a 10 run first inning only to lose. the '89 pirates are the other.

So to the baseball fans who shared the opinion I stated above about a meaningless game, what do you say now? The true baseball fan would appreciate something like this. This is what this game is about and displayed the type of intensity and passion this game is supposed to be played with. The two teams' seasons are over, but no one can deny what took place on wednesday night.

Baseball History.

A game like this doesnt erase the suffering and disappointment this season has brought tribe fans but at least, if for only one night, I might have understood what those mans words meant and for that, I havent ever been more proud than I am right now to say " I am a Cleveland Indians fan".

Un fucking believable.

Yankee monopoly.

2006-08-22T09:47:00.000-04:00

A well-written post I found on the Boston red sox messageboard:

Well at this venture in late August it would appear that the Yankees have once again regained their form and spent enough money exploiting a completely corrupt financial system in order to purchase yet another World Series Championship. However it is only August and they may have peaked early allowing some other far less bankrolled club with a hot pitching staff to stifle the Bronx Billionaires in October like the White Sox, Angels and perhaps most realistically the Tigers.

This weekend debacle is a victory for big money as the Yanks, desperate for an outfielder and starting pitching were allowed by MLB to purchase everything they needed for a late season run from a Philly fire sale.

Was a time not so long ago when the Commissioner would have nixed the deal stating that it was not in the best interests of baseball. Giamatti surely would have done so, as would Kuhn who personally stopped a deal that would have brought Joe Rudy and Vida Blue to the Red Sox from the A's thus altering the history of the game itself.

The Yankees have spent over a BILLION DOLLARS in this decade and have nothing to show for it thus far. However their raping of other teams has had a devestating long term impact on the quality and competitive balance of the game.We can thank the yanks when we look at the sorry state of baseball in once proud markets like KC and Pittsburgh and no amount of luxury (Yankee) tax revenue made available to these clubs can compensate them for the continuous loss of promising young talent to free agency.

As Oaklands Billy Beane so aptly put it " the A's and other small market clubs have become culture dishes for free agents."

This most recent assault on the game by the Yanks picking up an additional 30 million dollars plus in payroll at the July 31 trade deadline is especially telling. To put this into perspective, the entire payroll of the Tampa Bay franchise is 15 million dollars.....only Robinson Cano makes less than this on the healthy starting Yankees line up!

The Red Sox, considered a big market team and a "player" in the Free agent exploitation process are second in overall payroll to the Yankees but a very distant second it is ...they began the season a full 70 MILLION dollars below the payroll of the yanks and after the Abreau robbery are closer to a full 100 MILLION DOLLARS behind the spending spree that is the Yankees.

To the credit of the Red Sox, Angels , White Sox and a few others they have up until now been able to outsmart if not outspend the Bronx Billionairees and have prevented them from buying any WS Championships in this decade/century.But it now appears that bankroll has trumped brainpower and the financial realities of MLB are coming home to roost.

Perhaps we have now reached the point where congress should threaten to revoke MLB's antitrust exemption in order to force them to implement a salary ceiling and floor much as many of the other major sports leagues play under . All eveidence suggests that this has led to more balanced and competitive leagues and the one exception , the Patriots Dynasty is attributable soley to Bellichick and Co. s ability to outsmart other franchises regarding personnel policies.

With a milktoast commishioner/ former team owner at the helm it may be necessary for congress to intervene and speak for the forgotten fan and in the "Best interests of the game" before MLB becomes another version of professional wrestling in which the outcome is determined beforehand.

Devil Rays series wrap up.

2006-08-21T12:43:00.000-04:00

I had a chance to see Tampa Bay in person at the end of the season last year so I know all about the frighteningly good talent they have. They were arguably playing like a contending team that had been there before while spoiling everyone elses, especially Clevelands', season.

From Mvp Baseball video games to real life, Tampa Bay is just one of those teams that doesnt go away and the (real) indians, with a little help from their relievers, let them back into the game.

The first matchup of a 3 game series was dominated by C.C. Sabathia but a shaky 8th inning gave way to Jason davis. Cleveland lead this game 5-1 going into the 7th lead by Travis Hafners 36th long ball of the season as well as Marte knotching his first Major League home run but another late inning disaster suddenly became the 20th blown save of the year for the worst bullpen in baseball when Carl Crawford delivered a 2 run single that gave the rays the lead and the win.

Game 2

Hopefully this is an indication that Shapiro's lovefest with Andy Marte was for just cause. In the last two games Andy really looks like that lightbulb went off and for only being in the majors a short while, is a very, very good sign. Alot of big things are being expected of Marte who was supposed to be the biggest spark to this team when he was called up, but its been players like Joe Inglett and Jeremy Sowers mainly.

Marte recorded a single, a double, and knocked in his 4th rbi. its not so much his production that fans have been worried about, its been the non aggressive approach he was taking during his at bats but over the last week he seems like he is seeing the ball and is making better contact.

Jhonny Peralta jump started the Cleveland offense with a 2 run triple in the 1st inning and Hafner continued his rampage belting his 37th home run. Hafner is now 4 home runs and 2 rbis better than he was last year. a career year.

Jeremy Sowers didnt pitch beautifully but well enough to keep his team on top. Sowers rocky first inning start seemed to spell trouble but the young kid settled down and got himself out of it.

There were no last inning heroics for the Devil Rays in this game against Tom Mastny. With a "pick a name out of a hat" closers role it was Mastnys' turn and he'd come through.

Mastny is another young pitcher recently called up that I think deserves more than just a "look" as a september call up. He is 0-0 in 4 games with an outstanding era of 1.42 in 6 1/3 innings pitched with 8 strikeouts and only 2 walks.

Mastny set down the tampa bay hitters in order in te 8th and was given the chance to return in the 9th and came through to preserve the win.

Game 3

Cleveland seemed to go into this game with the intention of putting this game away early, and they did.

Travis Hafner and Ryan Garko jumped on devil rays starter Jae Seo for back to back home runs. Garko, like Marte, is really picking it up. Garko has hit 3 home runs and 11 rbis in 14 games.

Seo would end up leaving the game which allowed Cleveland to blow the game wide open. Kelly Shoppach broke a 2-2 tie with a 2 run double that scored Shin Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta.

In the 6th, Rays reliever Dan Miceli would become the indians next victim. Grady Sizemore doubled to lead off the inning with Joe Inglett reaching on a bunt single. Hafner who has been given extra B.P. from the Tampa Bay pitching staff, was intentionally walked to load the bases. Ryan Garko immediately slapped an rbi single to left and with the bases still loaded, Peralta delievered...

on a 1-2 count, 7 out of 10 times a hitter is going to see a fastball, Peralta did and wasted no time roping a grandslam over the left field fence. it is the 11th grandslam on the season for Cleveland as a whole and Peraltas career first.

The Indians travel to K.C. to face a royals team that is coming off a sweep of the Boston Red Sox and a series win against the White Sox where they took 2 out of 3.

Twins prove streak was a fluke.

2006-08-17T10:26:00.000-04:00

Tuesday:

Even though it was against Kansas City, Cleveland looked to be on a roll tearing off 6 wins in their last 7 games. But Johan Santana brought the Indians offense right back to reality.

Jake Westbrook basically matched Santana going 8 strong but fell victim to a 3 run twins rally in the bottom of the 8th to ultimately seal the game.

Luis Castillo hit a one out single then advanced to second on a grounder off the bat of Jason Tyner and Joe Mauer drew an intentional walk. The Twins put on an aggressive double steal but with the pitch outside, Kelly Shoppach had no chance to even make a throw. The inevitable 2 run base hit would come from Michael Cuddyer who was able to advance to second when Jason Michaels threw home. Justin Morneau was intentionally walked as well as Torii Hunnter lined a base hit allowing Cuddyer to score. A 3 run deficit became insurmountable.

Johan Santana was simply untouchable mastering the strike zone all game and giving no clues to the tribe as to what was coming next. The Indians just could not get any momentum. The only run came off twins closer Joe nathan in the 9th inning when Grady Sizemore drew a walk and went to second on a Michaels ground ball and would come around to score on a Travis Hafner single. Victor Martinez popped up and Shin Soo Choo struck out to end the game.

Wednesday:
For the second game in a row, the bottom of the 8th would be the difference.

Most of the game was in the hands of Both Cliff Lee and Carlos Silva. The Twins struck early in the 1st when Joe Mauer's single scored Luis Castillo but Cliff settled down and snubbed any other chances.

Clevelands offense responded in the top of the 4th when Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez hit consecutive singles and were able to score on base hits by Ryan Garko and Joe Inglett that gave the Indians the lead. but the twins would come right back to tie it when Justin Morneau led-off their portion of the 4th with a double that put the twins in a position for a big inning. Minnesota would only get one run when Morneau came home on a Luis Rodriguez base hit but it tied the game at 2.

Then came the dreaded 8th inning. a series of odd attempts at bunting would actually lead to the Indians letting the game get out of hand. Fausto Carmona made one of his few appearances since his closing debacle a week ago only to find himself in the same situation.

Luis Rodriguez was trying to advance Jason Kubel to second who led off the inning with a single but with Carmona pitching outside, couldnt make contact with the ball. Carmona, for whatever reason, would not throw a strike and ended up walking Rodriquez on 4 pitches. No damage had been done quite yet but Carmona was quickly taken out in favor of Rafael Betancourt.

Same story, different pitcher..

with runners now on first and second, Jason Bartlett, like Rodriguez tried to lay down a bunt but was unsuccessful in his first two attempts. Bartlett finally lined up a pitch and layed down an almost perfect sacrifice that forced the Charging Hector Luna to make an off balance throw. Luna got a clean play on it butBartlett's speed was too much and was safe with the bases now loaded.

The defense was set up to prevent the go ahead run from crossing the plate but it failed...miserably. The Twins luck and confidence couldnt have been any higher as the perfect man for this situation, Luis Castillo, came to bat. Castillo slapped a pitched off home plate that rose high into the air forcing the indians infield to simply wait for the ball to come down. Jhonny Peralta got to the ball first and tried to outrun Bartlett to second but Bartlett was called safe and the go ahead run was able to score.

The wheels hadnt even come off yet..

The first out was finally record when Lew Ford grounded to short with Peralta throwing home for the force out, but the bases were still loaded for the hottest hitter in baseball in Joe Mauer who sent a fly ball to leftfield that was deep enough to score yet another run. It was now 4-2.

The final dagger came on a 3 run blast off the bat of Michael Cuddyer putting Minnesota ahead 7-2 and taking down the tribe for the second night in a row.

...and the sweeps the series

2006-08-15T14:36:00.000-04:00

Kansas City starter Luke Hudson couldnt have imagined what walking Grady Sizemore was about to set off. It was only the bottom of the first inning...

Jason Michaels followed with a single. Hafner drew a walk loading the bases for Victor Martinez. Victor and Shin Soo Choo hit back to back doubles accounting for 2 rbis each and putting Cleveland ahead 4-0.

Ryan Garko joined in with a single and Peralta followed with a grounder to short but Royals shortstop Angel Berroa threw the ball away while trying to throw to first allowing Choo to score making it 5-0. Joe Inglett would hit a single and Andy Marte followed with a walk that once again gave the Indians a bases loaded opportunity..

The batting order restarted with Sizemore and Michaels coming to the plate. Sizemore reached on an infield single but Michaels struck out swinging but it was only the first out.

poor Luke Hudson..

Travis Hafner is absolutely unconscience this year with the bases jammed and it was no different this time as he belted his 6th grand slam of the year deep into the K.C. bullpen. The score was now 11-0 and Martinez showed the opposing pitcher mercy by ending his day with yet another double.

(from the indians front page) "The Tribe hadn't managed a first inning like this one since it scored 11 runs against the Orioles on July 6, 1954" ...however the Indians did score 10 runs in one inning against the Arizona diamondbacks last year. After falling down 3-0 early Cleveland responded when they nearly batted twice around with one out. Casey Blake hit a solo home run and an rbi double, Hafner hit a bases loaded (and clearing) double and sizemore and peralta went back to back.

Cleveland has now won a season high 6 games in a row.

Cleveland sweeps doubleheader.

2006-08-13T12:29:00.000-04:00

Saturdays day/night doublehead saw the Indians pick up right where they left off from friday with more last secod heroics.

Kansas City starter Odalis Perez gave the Indians lineup fits as it would take 6 innings for Cleveland to finally break through.

To start the 6th, Grady Sizemore took first on a lead off walk as Jason Michaels would follow up with his 9th home run of the season.

C.C. Sabathia dominated another start going 8 strong and striking out 10 with only one walk and 5 hits. His efforts were thrown away when the indians bullpen and several errors allowed the royals to tie the game.

Jason Davis started the 9th but only retired the first batter. Mark Teahan sent a ball to third base but Andy Marte couldnt get a clean play on it. Hector Luna botched a simple ground ball off the bat of Reggie Sanders allowing Teahan to advance. Ryan Shealy struck a single to bring the Royals within 2.

Jason Davis hit John buck to load the bases and allowed the next batter Esteban German to plate another run. Betancourt was called in but gave up the game tying run on a sac fly by David Dejesus.

Mark Grudiezlanek nearly gave the royals the lead on a well hit ball that get blown around by the wind but Jason Michaels took a great approach to the ball and got the out.

Perez walked Victor Martinez with the bases loaded and then surrended another run with Jhonny Peralta tagging a single to centerfield.

Hector Luna drew a leadoff walk to start the 9th. Luna advanced to second on Aaron Boones sacrifice bunt. Grady Sizemore was intentionally walked and would ultimately set up Travis Hafners walk off single to win game 1.

Hafner got a 2-1 pitch and roped it into right centerfield scoring Luna to end the game.

Game 2.

The deciding factor that gave Cleveland a chance to win this game was Kelly Shoppach being able to keep the royals baserunners in check.

Kelly Shoppachs advantage over Martinez was clearly seen when he gunned down Joey Gathright in the second. Kelly would get Gathright at second again when a pitch bounced in the dirt that sent Gathright running, Shoppach found the ball and delivered a perfect throw to get the out.

His defense would again prove critical when Reggie Sanders was pinch running for Mike Sweeney. Mark Teahan struck out and Sanders took off to second but kelly threw out Sanders as well. Hafner would once again play the hero after the inning started tied at 4. Kansas City scored a run in the top of the inning off reliever Tom Mastny to give the Royals a 5-4 lead.

Grady Sizemore wasted no time as he launced a 2-0 pitch into the right field stands to tie the game as the rally was just beginning.

The inning continued when Mark Grudzielanek botched a ground ball off the bat of Jason Michaels. The Hit and Run was put on which gave Michaels a good jump that allowed him to score when Hafner ripped a 3-2 pitch to right-center that gave the indians the lead.

Brian Sikorski would get the win after Davis was kept in the pen after his game 1 debacle.

The Indians have won 5 straight games and two straight series after they took 2 of 3 from the angels.

The series finale is currently on with the Indians already up 11-0 with Hafner hitting his 6th grand slam of the year.

walk off says its our turn.

2006-08-12T03:28:00.000-04:00

Indians starter Paul Byrd didnt look that sharp for most of the game. He surrendered 3 runs on a sacrifice fly in the 1st and 2 runs on 5 straight basehits in the 5th inning. He seemed to settle down and returned in the 8th to keep the game within reach. Fernando Cabrera who has been completely unreliable this year, went into the top of the 9th and kept the royals bats in check.

The Indians struggled all game to figure out Royals starter Adam Bernero who had just been called up from Triple A Omaha to make the spot start. but Cleveland would eventually plate a run in the 6th on a double by Shin Soo Choo that scored Jason Michaels.

Facing Ambirox Burgos, Cleveland still trailed 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth. Ryan Garko and Ramon Vazquez hit two consecutive singles with Aaron Boone drawing a walk to load the bases. Grady Sizemore would deliver..

The bases loaded and no one out, Sizemore got a fastball and sent it to leftfield that dropped to the side of David Dejesus. The ball took a strange bounce allowing all 3 runners to score giving the indians a walk off win. It was Clevelands second last at bat win against Kansas city this season and Sizemores second career game winner against them as well. the other coming in 2004 off of former pitcher Elmer Dessens. Strangely the indians trailed by the same score during that game.

After 4 crushing defeats in the same fashion a week ago, it felt good to be on the other side and I'm proud of this team for continuing to fight and not laying down as they seemed to have done alot this year. The Indians win streak is now at 3 games, a far cry from 9 game winning streaks becoming the norm last year..I'll take what I can get.

Indians take series.

2006-08-11T15:29:00.000-04:00

just worked 12 hours and am too tired to write a summary of last nights game so read Anthony Castrovince.

Tribe pounces on Angels bullpen
Indians pour on runs after line drive injures Angels starter

By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com

CLEVELAND -- Sometimes a stale season needs a fresh perspective.
So it is with the words of Ryan Garko, who hasn't been around for the vast majority of the disappointment that has pervaded the Indians' season.

What he has been around for this week is a series win against the Angels, capped off by Thursday's 14-2 rout at Jacobs Field, in which his four RBIs and first career home run loomed large.

"I'm reminded of this team last September [when Garko was a call-up]," he said. "We were winning every series and every game. That's what I still picture."
The picture has been fuzzy for the Indians all year. It's been a season in which surprisingly little has gone right.

But for one night, at least, very little went wrong.

Every member of the starting lineup had at least one hit against an Angels pitching staff shaken by the early exit of starter Ervin Santana, who suffered a knee contusion when Jason Michaels, the second batter he faced, sent a comebacker off his leg.

Four Tribe batters -- Garko, Shin-Soo Choo, Travis Hafner and Michaels -- had multiple RBIs.
Cliff Lee turned in his most convincing start in weeks, allowing just two runs on nine hits with no walks and five strikeouts over seven innings and earning his 10th win of the season in the process.

Put that all together and -- voila! -- the Indians won back-to-back games for the first time since July 3-4 against the Yankees and won a series for the first time since taking two of three from the Reds way back on June 30-July 2.

"All the way around," manager Eric Wedge said, "guys did a good job today."

The offensive surge was anchored by the Santana injury, which, combined with an ankle sprain suffered by second baseman Joe Inglett, put a damper on an eventful evening. When Michaels slapped the ball up the middle, Santana had no chance of getting out of harm's way.

Though Santana lay on the ground for several minutes, he was eventually able to walk off the field, and X-rays were negative.
"It was good to see him walk off on his way out," Wedge said, "because he's an outstanding young pitcher." With Santana removed, the Angels had to dip into their unprepared bullpen.
Chaos reigned.

Choo hit a ground-rule double to knock Michaels in, and the Indians were off and running. They added another run when Inglett, who is now listed as day-to-day after twisting his ankle in the fifth, cranked out an RBI single, and another in the second, when Hafner drove in a run on a groundout.

The 3-0 lead shrunk when Lee gave up a two-run shot to Juan Rivera in the fourth. Suddenly it was a one-run ballgame. Not for long, though.

When reliever J.C. Romero came on the scene in the bottom of the fourth, the Indians jumped all over him with five straight hits, including Michaels' two-run double, Hafner's one-run double and Choo's RBI single.

Later that inning, with the bases loaded and two outs, Garko, making a solid impression while filling in for an injured Casey Blake, brought everyone home and opened the game up with a three-run double to the opposite field.

"I'm not worried about home runs," Garko said. "I'm more worried about RBIs, especially two-out RBIs. Those are the big ones."

Garko might not worry about homers, but he still managed to hit one with a solo shot off Angels reliever Hector Carrasco in the sixth. And because the ball landed in the Indians' bullpen, he didn't have to pay off a fan to get the souvenir.

An inning later, Hafner added his career-high 34th homer of the season. And then there were the two runs the Tribe put up in the fifth.

The offensive outburst was an embarrassment of riches for Lee. Earlier this week, he received the security of a three-year contract. Now, he had the security of exorbitant run support. But once Rivera's homer cleared the fence, he pitched as if embroiled in a pitchers' duel.

"I'd definitely rather pitch with a lead than without one," Lee said. "It takes a lot of pressure off. I tried to be aggressive, not walk anyone and work ahead."

The Indians were ahead from beginning to end in this one, and it had Garko reminiscing about better days.

"We're not that far away from that team [last] September," he said. "There's still a lot of games left. If we have a solid approach, a lot of positive things can happen."

Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Indians blank angels.

2006-08-10T09:01:00.000-04:00

Cleveland lost 5-4 to anaheim on tuesday night and I was too busy to write a recap so here is wednesdays night game...

Jake Westbrook got into some early trouble scattering 7 hits through 3 innings but with help of superb defense behind him he managed to get out of it without any runs. Jake settled in afterwards and was flat out dealing the rest of the night baffling angels hitters and striking out 7 to record his second complete game shutout of the season. Garko, Sizemore, and Choo accounted for the indians runs.

I really like this Shin Soo Choo kid. He's continued to impress me as he has 2 home runs including a grandslam, 4 doubles, 9 rbis on 13 hits.

After his home run on his first at bat with the indians I was withholding any judgement considering it was off a former teammate. however hes batting .310 with those numbers since then so hopefully I'm not jumping the gun even now but I think this kid is going to be a star. All scouting reports seems to think the same thing.

While I dont think he has the same ceiling as Sizemore, He seems to be a 5 tool player. I think the Mariners made a mistake letting this guy go. Shapiro gets my unusual praise for this trade. Being that he's a free agent, I really hope we keep him and a spot just opened up...

Todd Hollandsworth was traded to Cincinnati for the infamous player to be named later. hollandsworth cleared waivers which shows just how worthless he was although he swung a good bat for about 2 weeks.

first browns game tonight.

conversation with tony.

2006-08-09T10:17:00.000-04:00

Me: its amazing how much god hates cleveland. the cubs motto is "to be a cubs fan you have to have a sense of humour" well, if thats true then what kind of sick personality do you have to have to continue to be a cleveland fan?

Tony: yea its kinda fucking ridiculous. sometimes you have to laugh at ourselves like everyone else does, but I dont find one bit of this funny.

me: first browns game thursday. wonder if hank will have it on NFL ticket, i have to work that night anyway so I wont wake up to see it. just like the indians, browns fans seem to have high hopes for this season but this is how it starts. I figure if I start drinking now my tolerance will be right where it should be come opening day. I'd love to think the bengals wont be a factor considering all the shit they've gone through in the last year but i wont bet on that.

tony: Im pumped. wish you were here man. I got no one to to do the daygame rituals with anymore. ..fuck the bengals.

Me: I know and i'm sorry, I'll be there next december AND my dad said he'd give me an all expenses paid trip to cleveland (barring a home game) if we make the playoffs.. that shit would be ON.

tony: haha, oh man. that'd be fucking sweet.

me: still, I dont think it'd be anything like the muni days. that game with my dad against the patriots sitting in the dawgpound was fucking unbelievable. some fans have told me the closest that place ever came to being as loud as muni was the game against atlanta.

tony: no shit.

me: gonna sport my browns shirt signed by holcomb at work tonight then wear my frye jersey all day thursday.

tony: yea, i gotta get a new jersey, quincy is a little bitch. alright i gotta get to work but i'll call you sometime this week. later.

me: take it easy. go browns.

tigers record eleventh sweep of season.

2006-08-08T08:43:00.000-04:00

C.C. Sabathia threw another gem against detroit on sunday but was on the losing end of a 1-0 game.

Sabathia went 7 dominant innings racking up 5 strikeouts but mishandled a groundball back to him allowing brandon inge to reach base on an infield single. Inge reached 3rd base after consecutive groundouts and would eventually score on a Craig Monroe base hit.

Cleveland threatened a few times including a bases loaded opportunity in the 7th inning but obviously failed to plate a run. The indians could have easily have won this game and probably should have swept two of the best teams in baseball consecutively but thats just how this season has gone. no breaks, no help.

Indians finish 2-7 on the road trip but honestly played very well. Cleveland comes home to face the angels on tuesday night.

unbelieveable.

2006-08-06T11:05:00.000-04:00

I'm running out of people to blame for this. I'm running out of ways to describe the failure of 2006.

Fausto Carmona is a good pitcher. a pitcher with a live fastball and devastating offspeed stuff...but project "turn fausto into a closer" needs to be terminated. he is simply not one.

3 nights in a row the indians went into the 9th with the lead and lost. 3 nights in a row it was carmona on the mound. The kids confidence has to be below zero. I understand how these things work so dont think i'm just being a homer and looking for an excuse to attack wedge but this is a prime opportunity to do so...

Learning anything new is difficult, riding a bike, driving a car, etc. Carmona has to struggle, get into trouble and ultimately has to fail before he can and will get better. however, this is just more, more than obvious proof that wedge has not the slightest clue on how to manage his pitching staff. Let carmona stay in there, let him battle the hitter but with when he seems like he could be in trouble take him out. especially after what has happened to him the previous 2 nights.

The kid has to feel like he cant throw anything but fastballs because everyone of the pitches he lost the game on were breaking balls that hung way too long. He dominated in the setup role and I thought he seemed to find his spot if not in the rotation next year but having gone through this who knows what's going to happen. His head has got to be messed up right now.

Mariano Rivera got rocked at first too I'm sure but this is just insane. Fernando Cabrera, the supposed, sort of, future closer, has also had a dismal season to say the least. He has a breaking ball that falls off the fucking shelf but his fastball gets tagged nearly everytime.

The bullpen is a mess with no leadership and no confidence whatsoever. I've seen this before and it cost us 25 games in 2004. The exodus of jose jimenez and the return of veteran force Bob Wickman brought stability to an absolute horrible bullpen.

I know this season is lost but all I want is respectability. from opening day I just didnt understand or buy into the hype that this team was even that good. I honestly knew nothing about Eduardo Perez only that I was told he murders left handed pitching. I was sad to see him go and wish he was alot younger because we certainly found our coveted right handed power hitter.

I'm trying to get excited about browns season but I just cant. Its not happening like it usually does. Baseball is my favorite sport by far and anything short of a world series in cleveland this year would have been a failure.

162 games over the course of 6 months are alot compared to 17 NFL games but they become more personal and begin to mean alot more. You're with the same people day and day out, you lose sleep due to night games, you fall asleep listening to the game on the radio.

This is not just a game to me, Indians Baseball is my hobby and my life. I have this journal because of them, I'm writing a book about myself as a fan, and they are the reason I hugged my dad harder than I ever have. People at work come to me for updates and stats on a player because they know how religiously I follow this team.

To see them lose like this game after game is the hardest thing in the world for me to watch and its even harder to know that the powers that be dont seem to give a shit about how long indians fans have suffered.

You promised to do what Mr. Jacobs didnt do Mr. Dolan and that is win a world series. Only you're a carbon copy of the teams he helped assemble. You have 4 of the most talented players in the game and only one of them is a pitcher. Mr. Jacobs and John Hart neglected pitching as well that resulted in 2 world series losses.

You promised to spend the money this last offseason Mr.Dolan if the fans showed up..well we did and you lied once again.

what being stabbed feels like.

2006-08-01T15:47:00.000-04:00

I really wish I could update this every day like I did last year, but how can I possibly write the same fucking thing when this team plays worse than the night before?..

But they didnt suck last night, they played hard and kept coming at boston every at bat. even in a lost season, these are the kind of losses that just _kill_you. this was our game to lose and we did. Carmona is our new closer and I'm not going to blame the kid one bit for this, but wedge had to be the only one in the world who didnt see that coming. Fausto had a 2-0 count on the most clutch hitter in baseball and he lost. Ortiz just murdered that ball.

I didnt plan to watch sportscenter this morning because I knew thats all they would talk about but in cleveland sports fan fashion, I did. I watched it everytime it came on. why? because thats we do.

Good luck Ronnie.
Another fan favorite was lead out of town sunday night in Ronnie Belliard to st.louis for wanna be super utility man hector luna and dolan saves money because of it. luna expects to play every day he says and I'm sure he will because wedge loves underachievers. Why even get this guy? or anyone for this position? Inglett hasnt been up that long and has impressed the hell out of me. Its not his bat so much as it is his defense. He's won the job as far as I'm concerned. Why do I sense another ryan ludwick situation.

The word from cardinal fans is that shapiro got worked and this luna guy is a joke. nothing new at all. Mr. new secondbaseman botched a routine grounder last night that made me scream RONNIE WOULD HAVE HAD THAT.

I dont even know if I was this upset when this front office made no effort to bring back omar. That seemed to be the point where I started to see just how bad I'd been had. Ronnie is not a hall of famer but should have won a gold glove last year. He may seem lazy and overweight but name another second basemen in baseball that can turn a double play faster than belliard? and just like broussard he was a white sux killer. He loved cleveland and he loved the fans. 162-0 or 0-162, he didnt care, he loved playing here. He was a leader and was humble about it. I'll be cheering for the cardinals to win the world series.

Messageboard fans reaction.
"The only way I can make myself feel good after a loss like this is to think of how Shapiro feels watching this one. I love the fact that this guy and his lies are finally being revealed. I love this team and I would love more for them to win, but Shapiro deserves it for trying to pull the covers over our eyes and say this team was close to contention. This guy is up there with my least favorite people in the history of Cleveland sports. If I saw him on the street I would have to hold myself back to not punch him in the gut and say see now you know how we all feel. This guy has destroyed our team and ruined the best part about summer.

The only good for this team would be finishing last. It is the only way that Dopeland and Cheapiro will see that this team was a fluke last year and not this year. It is the only way Wedge will get his @ss thrown out of this town. It is the only way that Dopeland will either spend the money or consider selling the team. You may say that I am crazy, but I guess it is do to my age, I almost dislike Dopeland more than I do Modell. The Indians are easily my favorite of the Cleveland sports team. I would give four 0-16 Browns teams for 1 world series victory. And I am a big Browns fan. I just can not say how disappointing this season has been. I have not had a summer in which I was more sickened by the Indians. I just hope for the teams sake that they finish in last. You have to realize you are sick before you can treat the illness.
I wish I could get rid of all emotional attachment to this team. I wish I could hope that they fall apart for about 5 years and have seasons in which they lose 130 games. But I am afraid that that would lead to them moving to another city. I just wish Shapiro and Doleland would move off to San Fransisco together and never show their faces again."
-Chriskorman

"I am at the point, and this is just sick, but I am hoping they lose everything fucking game the rest of the year so the public and fans all call for Dolan to sell. If there was a slight chance they could make the playoffs I wouldn't say this but now that there is no chance we having nothing to lose.
It has to get worse before it is going to get better. I know, it can't get much worse but it can and will get worse.
I wish they would interview Dolan and ask him tough questions and see exactly how much he really even knows about baseball."
-Mshottie

"
My mom doesn't even watch the whole game, just because she can't stand to see them constantly blowing games. I could understand if we plain out stunk and got in a hole early that we couldnt dig ourselves out of, but these are always close games that we are in and leading most of the time going into the ninth. It kills me to constantly see scores of us losing by one or two runs, because of a walk off homer in the ninth. I really don't know if i can do this anymore. "
-rockerchick1709

All Aboard.

2006-07-29T12:20:00.000-04:00

Jeremy Sowers pitched his 2nd consecutive complete game shutout friday night scattering 5 hits throughout and now has accounted for 16 scoreless innings.

The Cleveland prospect is looking more impressive with each start he makes. He improves his record to 3-3 on the season with a decieving ERA of 3.98.

In the 6th inning, Shin Soo Choo was given the green light on a 3-0 count and sent a ball into the left centerfield bleachers for the games only run and his first career major league home run.

Earlier in the game Todd Hollandsworth nailed Ichiro Suzuki at home to keep the game scoreless.

While Soo Choo certainly had a nice first game the pessimist in me wont read too much into it. Seattles starting pitcher - Felix Hernandez, and Choo came up in the mariners farm system together and I'm sure Choo had the book on his pitches. either way, its a win and I'll take it.

Andy Marte went 0-3 in his Indians debut.

Indians lose, trade Broussard.

2006-07-27T14:56:00.000-04:00

Justin Verlander and C.C. Sabathia squared off in a pitchers duel that the indians would lose.

Sabathia had good stuff all game. No one in the tigers line up could figure him out. But C.C.unraveled first surrendering 4 runs on 3 hits in the top of the 5th. Magglio Ordonez took a pitch high and in to left field missing a home run by an inch.

Joe Inglett hit his first major league home run for the only cleveland score.

Following the game Ben Broussard was traded to the Seattle Mariners for prospect Shin-Soo Choo and cash as well as a player to be named later on. Broussard will be reunited with Eduardo Perez who was sent there earlier this season for shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

Perez and Broussard Platooned at 1st base producing numbers 2nd only to Albert Pujols. While the Mariners cant be considered a serious playoff threat, they have a good chance playing in such a weak division and the reunion of these two should help them tremendously.

Shin Soo Choo is rated as the 7th best prospect in the Mariners system and M's fans have told me that this kid is in the mold of Ichiro Suzuki. He is a 20/20 type player and is ready to contribute in the majors right away, his upward progress has just been blocked so I'll give shapiro the benefit of the doubt and say his sounds like a good deal.

Shapiro says that hes not sure if any other moves will be done before the deadline of July 31st but said he'd listen to offers. Andy Marte is rumoured to have been told to pack his bags for Cleveland wednesday night so I hope to god boone is on his way out.

Broussard is one of those players that you know has talent obviously or they wouldnt be where they are but inconsistency has blemished bennys potential. Even through his problems in the field or against left handers hes the player you cheer for and really hope they succeed.

Good luck Broussard, you're a character guy and will be missed. Seattle should be good for your music career too.
I was there when you hit that 3 run blast against the twins on August 13th, 2004. even though you owe me $5.75 for making me spill my beer.

Sowers baffles Twins.

2006-07-23T11:56:00.000-04:00

This rivalry used to mean something. even just recently It was a big deal when the twins were in town because they were always in first place, they were the target but I guess if its not cleveland and pittsburgh, losing takes away the intensity, although minnesota has been on absolute fire lately.

Joe Inglett continues to shine in his limited play. He runs out ground balls, plays hard, good defense, can actually bunt, and is a smart player. Hes what you want in a utility player. I know belliards future here is an issue every season and he always returns but this time unfortunately, I think hes gone. I dont want to see ronnie go but I really hope ingletts play is not lost on the morons upstairs. He deserves to be on this roster. Belliard to third is not a bad option either should Marte not be ready.

Sowers threw a complete game shutout against a red hot twins offense stiffling hitters with every pitch. Since being called up he has been shaky to say the least but even in losing has shown he has good stuff. This kid has excelled at every level hes been at and I hoping for more of the same.

Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner continued to pick up the slack with grady accounting for 3 doubles and hafner launching his 29th home run of the year.

white flag is raised, wickman traded.

2006-07-20T18:39:00.000-04:00

The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran closer Bob Wickman from the Cleveland Indians in return for minor league catcher Max Ramirez. Wickman has converted 15-18 save opportunites this season with a 4.18 ERA.

John Schuerholz apparently agreed with John Smoltz’s desire to add veterans to the Braves for a playoff run. With the Braves recent level of play, Schuerholz has little choice but to shoot for one more run at the playoffs. With the Braves, it is hard to bet against them.

Ramirez was batting .285 with 9 home runs in Class A.

I'm not a wickman fan, I never have been despite his record setting amount of saves last year but for some reason I cant believe this story is true although its a typical shapiro trade.

We already have an abdundance of catchers with veterans Tim Laker and Einar Diaz rotting in Buffalo. Martinez will not become expendable as I suggested in a previous post but this just creates another log jam in our farm system. The poor kid will never get a shot at the big leagues as long as Martinez and Shoppach are around.

Its alright though, He'll probably be traded in another cora for vazquez trade.

Shapiros quote " we decided to take a low ball player who can play at an even higher level." Thats great mark, I mean thats really fucking great. Why dont you just write an article in the paper or a personally addressed letter to every single indians fan and tell them you give up. You still havent apologized for smacking Omar in the face with his sorry excuse for a replacement.

Sophomore slump? Not when a player doesnt listen to his coaches, not when a player doesnt work on the mechanics he knows are wrong. Peralta plays as if he cant afford a dry cleaner. Why should he try? He got his pay day and after one fluke season. prove me wrong jhonny, prove it to me for the sake of my liver. please.

Hafner hits # 27, C.C. gives up 6 runs in Loss.

2006-07-16T04:32:00.000-04:00

Pitching from the stretch most of the game, C.C. Sabathia just couldnt hold the twins in check giving up 6 runs in 8 innings on 13 hits.

"I was behind in the count alot, it felt like every batter had a 2-0, 3-0 count on me, when that happens, good things dont" Sabathia said.

Minnesota jumped on the board early going up 2-0 and with Johan Santana pitching it might as well have been 10-0, The indians offense simply could not score.

Travis Hafner would notch his 27th Home run of the year and Ronnie Belliard batted in a run but that was it for Cleveland.

Minnesota has been one of the hottest teams in baseball during the last month after getting completely embarrassed by the Indians and wrong sox earlier in the season. The Twins may have a legitimate shot at the wildcard.

Fundamental Baseball.

2006-07-09T13:20:00.000-04:00

Eric Wedge answered Tom Hamiltons question about a hit and run situation in yesterdays game and out came the just absolutely infuriating answer of "we've started to do plays like that, some work, some dont. nows the time for fundamental baseball"...

Now is the time? NOW? Your ballclub Mr. Manager is in 4th place with a record of 40-46 staring up at an 18 1/2 game deficit in JULY. its not called spring training because it sounds fun. Read spring training very carefully and tell me what you see.

The more telling and even more frightening thing is that alot of these guys were coached by Wedge in the minors where they should have had these things drilled into them. Victor has terrible mechanics and arm strength for a catcher. Peralta has shown all of his defensive weaknesses this year. None of our pitchers know how to hold runners. None of our guys can bunt.

Mark Shapiro is constantly heard talking about the future being bright because of the players that are in the minors all the while never getting to see these "prospects" come to fruitition. A select few get called up and look absolutely lost, a severe indication that our coaches down there arent worth a shit either. They are not being taught how to play baseball.

Is Shapiro lying? is this so called "future" completed overrated because he went after offensive talents only that cannot play defense or play fundamentally sound ball?

I just hope there arent actually any wedge supporters anymore, after this comment if there is then these people just dont get it or this game.

I cant believe I'm going to praise them but this is why those white sux teams of the mid to late nineties were good, but never great. They relied on power and the home run and forgot that speed and a good glove were really the difference. Dye and Konerko arent the fastest players, but they're smart and extremely good defensively. oh, and they both know how to bunt.

In came Ozzie Guillen. He single handedly dismantled that team. Out with Carlos Lee, Frank Thomas, and Magglio Ordonez. In with players like Scott Podsednik, Tadahito Iguchi, and Pablo Ozuna. The 3 new additions are not gold glovers (Iguchi might become the exception here) by any means but they are fast, can bunt, and can get on base in the blink of an eye.

forward to 2005. it seems every other team didnt get the memo that "small ball" could actually still be played and USED to win. defenses didnt know how to play Chicago and were flat out, out hustled.

Jack Mckeon (anyone know if he'd be interested in a job?) came to the marlins in mid season 2003 when it seemed any hopes at all had been ruled out; his "small ball" approach won the world series.

Joe Giradi is doing the same thing in florida right now. He is almost a spitting image of Guillen with his managerial approach. He makes his players responsible and does not accept excuses. Joe is going to be a great manager and the marlins in a few years are going to be a dangerous team.

Giradi thought he had walked into a gold mine when he accepted the job only to see a massive fire sale take place. Mike Lowell, Carlos delgado, Juan Encarnacion, Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett to name a few, were traded for younger players not even close to being ready for the big leagues. The oldest player on their present roster isnt even 37.

The Marlins became a Triple A team literally overnight and were left with no choice but to field players that are big leaguers by mere circumstance. Florida will lose 100 games, thats no secret and Giradi knows it but they are way ahead of schedule already tearing off win streaks of 5 or more games including 9 games.

The talent they have on that team may exceed any of what Cleveland may have in their entire system. Instruction, Drills, good coaching and supervision really do work wedge.

I just dont get why we cant find a manager like these 3 guys. we'd be in first place. there is too much talent on this team to let a season like this become the norm.

Martinez becoming expendable?

2006-07-08T10:39:00.000-04:00

With garko looking like he'll be here on opening day next year and Kelly Shoppach having a far superior arm at catcher, I'm starting to wonder (and seriously worry) that it might actually be possible that victor might just be expendable. I know his contract, I know hes supposed to be here for another 5 years but it doesnt seem to necessarily mean that he will remain here.

I'm pretty sure I was told that Shoppach was the best catching prospect in the entire Red Sox system. While Shoppach hasnt played that much, he's already hit his 1st major league home run and can actually throw out baserunners.

Reasons for this logic:

1. Boston Scouts seem to think he's very capable of being a 20 hr-100 rbi guy. pretty much what martinez has done in his time in Cleveland.

2. The only reason Shoppach wasnt already up was because of Jason Varitek. Doug Mirabelli is a need for a pitcher like wakefield..so much so that the red sox got him back, Mirabelli couldnt be replaced.

3. Victor looks flat out uncomfortable. Im talking He has the look of a person who is about to get hit by a car. nervous to the point that he barely takes his foot off the bag.. and thats without a runner on base.

4. Victors bat is something this team cant afford to lose, even with him being almost as streaky as broussard. However, something has to explain the reps at first base, Why? what is the plan? is it just to give Kelly more playing time? am I reading too much into this? Have these bastards in charge really made me lose all faith in them?

5. Martinez is a converted shortstop. with the way peralta (yes, I know about his outrageous contract too) has been playing you would think this is where they'd look for help first. Jhonny does have an option left..

Being used as a DH is out of the question obviously due to Hafner as well as Martinez hits alot better batting right handed so there goes the platoon idea.

Peralta couldnt have had that great of a season last year if he was really that bad so I dont see this organization giving up on him. hes not that bad, right? right?! please tell me its not possible..

One more thing before I get ripped apart, Having changed positions once already, If I were Victor, I think I'd be alittle bit angry at what is going on and almost insulted.

Hes a good player, I just wish he had a better arm and was more consistent.

looking to take series

2006-07-06T19:25:00.000-04:00

Its always made me scratch my head when a team struggles to plate a single runner when they put up 10 plus runs the previous night. such was the case in wednesdays game as the indians lost 11-3.

Its been the same thing all year. different games? different pitches? different types of pitchers? whatever the reason, I truly dont understand when an offense like that just goes limp. Peralta will go hitless tonight, quote me on it.

It was lost in tuesday nights beatdown but congratulations Travis Hafner on hitting your 100th career home run. this one might not be a big deal to you but the fans recognize these things of very great things to come.

Todd Hollandsworth tagged another home run last night in Clevelands loss. He, strangely. might be one of the tribes hottest bats at the moment.

I'm not very creative today but theres your recap.

Randy Johnson hopefully continues to look his age tonight as he goes against Cliff Lee.

Fireworks in Cleveland.

2006-07-05T07:39:00.000-04:00

Last minute pleading for an all-star spot? eric wedge learned how to manage a game? good baseball? the indians? something lit a fire under this team that has been absent all year.

Cleveland took it to the yankees for the second night in a row systematically crushing everything that was thrown their way enroute to a 19-1 demolition of a team that possesses a 200 million dollar payroll.

Travis Hafner homered twice to left field (24 hr's 70 rbis), Victor Martinez went 5-6 with a home run (11 hr's 56 rbis) and a double. Jhonny Peralta went yard twice (9 hr's 39 rbis), and Ronnie Belliard homered (8 hr's 41 rbis) as well as making arguably the best defensive play of the entire year.

Belliard ran down a ground ball behind second base but as his momentum was carrying him out towards center he grabbed the ball and blindly flipped it behind his back to Peralta who was covering 2nd to get the out. absolutely amazing play.

Cleveland beat the yankees 22-0 in 2004. The game obviously got so out of hand that the new york fans that hung around actually started cheering on the indians. Omar Vizquel had a nearly perfect game going 6-7.

The television announcers said that the Yankees haven't given up that many runs on the road since 1987 And the team that has beaten them with the most runs in the last 2 years has been the Indians. And the only team that has beaten the Yankees worse on the road, the 1933 INDIANS.

If only we could play like this everynight and against everyone. Everyone in baseball knew what this offense was capable of even with the players we lost last year. that it couldnt be shut out for very long and eventually would simply errupt. its just always happened to be against the yankees.

Baseball fans, this ones for you.

My email to Terry Pluto.

2006-07-04T10:17:00.000-04:00

Born and Raised indians and browns fan. dont much care for basketball.

I apologize for not having read any of your books but I plan on changing that real quick. I love the conspiracy theories in sports and things having to do with curses. I dont believe in them, but its fun to speculate. May I link your Column to my website?

http://tribefanatic.blogspot.com its errant, not well written, and rather redundant but hey, its uncensored and free!

Is it possible to fire the entire indians roster? perhaps there might be some bright spots..maybe one, say Hafner? Sizemore is good, but hes not great. Martinez is the same type of hitter that Broussard is, STREAKY, but everyone wants BEN let go, why?

I didnt much follow the story of Phillips and his apparent attitude or why the front office turned sour on him but all I know is I kept him around in MVP 2005 and dude is just wicked good. 4 hr's 12 rbis in 10 games. so whats the story there?

There just seems to be an abundance of over hyped "prospects" we keep hearing about and never seeing. When they do get a chance, they fall on their face. Cleveland is supposed to have one of the top 5 farm systems in baseball but that is just har to believe.

Kouzmanoff should not be in double A. with the numbers this kid is putting up he should be given a shot in buffalo regardless of what Marte is doing. I'm glad to see Andy picking it up down there but I just dont get the hype on this kid. Boston and Atlanta said he had shoulder problems? and as I write this we just signed some 16 year old out of Venezula. granted hes a LONG way away but whos to say Marte is even the future or even kevin? what is with the sudden log jam at 3rd base? god help me if BOO-ne is resigned.

Eduardo Perez to seattle makes no sense. I know the guy is like 50 but next to hafner he has been our most consistent hitter. He was brought in to kill lefties, He did that and then some. The last time we got a shortstop from seattle he turned out to be some guy named Omar. Perez was our Jermaine Dye and Derrek Lee. Maybe you dont resign Perez at the end of the year but keep him around.

Cheerleaders or girls resembling such a thing do not belong in baseball; especially ones that arent even that cute. Is it really necessary to name a section of the stadium after a player? peskys pole is one thing but an entire section? These P.R. moves are absurd and embarrassing.

I probably come off as a rambling idiot but with the all the crap I've had to deal with supporting these teams, you seem like the guy that has the answers, or will at least understand. so I apologize for wasting your time and completely understand if you dont write back, you seem to have to deal with a million emails a day just like this.

My girlfriend is a cubs fan and can barely sit through a game anymore but I dont think she could ever understand the kind of torment our fans have been through.I cried when Municipal was bulldozed, let alone when the browns lost in 86. I was 3 years old and thats what shaped my life.

thanks for reading at least.

Jon

Sowers, Carmona impressive in win

2006-07-04T08:52:00.000-04:00

Jeremy Sowers made his 2nd Major League start monday night against the yankees in Cleveland.

Sowers gave up an early 2 run home run to Jason Giambi but settled down to pitch 6 shutout innings for the tribe. Carmona Faced the meat of the yankees line up and sent them down in order, as well as recording his 3rd strike out of Alex Rodriguez.

Wickman got the save as Cleveland won 5-2.

Carmona was called up in early May with the injury to C.C. Sabathia and appeared rather shaky. Fausto was sent down shortly after C.C. returned then was recalled and placed in the bullpen where he has seemingly found his strength. It will be interesting to see where Indians management decides to place the youngster. He has absolutely flourished in the setup role.

Hollandsworth has been swinging a nice bat lately including 3 home runs. This coming a few weeks after he asked eric wedge for more playing time. 1996 era hollandsworth anyone?

Omar to be back as Player/Manager?

2006-07-02T19:15:00.000-04:00

You can find the article here:

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=ml-indians&msg=26208.1&ctx=0

As for my thoughts:

this is just insane and certainly too hard and far fetched to believe. its purely speculation and a HUGE pipe dream that indians fans, like myself will start drooling over.

Vizquel, with dolan and shapiro still here, is very unlikely.

perhaps thome was wrong for leaving, perhaps he wasnt, but its not the point, if I were Omar I wouldnt come back. He knows FIRST HAND how classless and cheap these two dolts are.

I wouldnt fire shelton but I'd give Murray another chance as well, assisant instructor or something like that. it wasnt entirely his fault for what this offense didnt do last year.

Murray wasnt the hitting instructor in the minor leagues, He was also not at fault for these players not knowing how to bunt, thats something they should have learned in high school or college. something the MANAGER is responsible for.

Wedge has continuously shown his inability to make the right decisions when it counts the most. HE is the one who has the final say on what happens during the game.

Orel would almost be considered a risk but a serious upgrade over carl willis. I know the indians sort of pursued him but he declined, I dont know the whole story though.

Hart is doing the same thing in texas as he did here with the offense but I'm pretty sure Orel didnt do what Hart thought he would do, their pitching was a mess.

anyway, god I hope there is some truth to this, I love Omar and miss him terribly.

7-0 lead, indians lose.

2006-07-01T03:25:00.000-04:00

7-0... SEVEN to NOTHING and we BLEW IT?!!??!

I cant even find the words anymore to rip this team apart. this game just says it all.

Two rookies pitch shutout innings but betancourt and wickman looked LOST. I mean, absolutely LOST. wickman should have never been resigned, I dont care if we didnt get the closer we wanted.

19 games out on july 1st. mathematically eliminated on July 1st. How does wedge still have a job? shapiro, peralta?! The wimpians were not designed to win, PERIOD.

Forbes magazine rated cleveland as the most profittable team in baseball but our fucking owner tells us "we dont have the money to get these players?" WHAT?

unbelievable...unbelieveable... they dont deserve to win another game. not a single one and I seriously hope they dont. what, as long as we're not in last place its a success?

oh yea before I forget, Eduardo Perez was traded to seattle for another one of cheapiros supposed "cant miss prospects" named cabrera. dont worry, he'll never be called up and when he does he wont be given a single chance.

Ladies and gentlemen, Your 2006 Cleveland Indians. I need a drink.

Tribe offense wakes up in win.

2006-06-27T10:10:00.000-04:00

Travis Hafner homered twice with Grady Sizemore and Todd Hollandsworth also adding long balls as Cleveland took the first match of a 3 game series against the Cardinals. Cliff Lee kept his perfect interleague record in tact going 7 strong innings to get the win.

All star voting is nearly complete with Sizemore and Hafner being the likely candidates to represent the indians. Hafner may get left out due to only being a DH with the game being played in Pittsburgh, a National League park. Should Travis make it he'll only be used as a pinch hitter.

Pitching stud called up.

2006-06-25T08:33:00.000-04:00

Jeremy Sowers was called up Friday from Triple A Buffalo and will make his Major League debut on sunday against the reds.

Sowers stats look like cy young material: 9-1 with a 1.39 ERA.

unfortunately, those numbers dont count in the big leagues but it was certainly enough to warrant a chance in Cleveland.

"I'm just going to do what I do and hopefully it turns out ok" a nervous but excited Sowers said in an interview on saturday. " it was just nice to be at the park and participate in warmups and meet all the guys".

Hopefully the indians offense will wake up and give him some run support to work with. Building this kids confidence is the most important thing right now but with the way the Indians are playing its a dangerous situation.

Hes been compared to the likes of Tom Glavine and Chris Capuano, but better.

Jason Johnson was traded to the red sox for a player to be named later and/or cash which ultimately opened the door for Sowers.

a little too late shapiro...If they think this kid is the answer to this teams problems they are dead wrong. I know this kid will be a star but to keep him in the minors for so long when Johnson was getting lit up is just ridiculous. He wouldnt have done any worse. The indians owned johnson last year and then they turn around and sign him? ugh.

Cleveland dropped fridays contest against the reds 3-0 but responded 4-0 on saturday behind a great start by pitcher Paul Byrd. Hollandsworth and Sizemore homered.

Notes: I didnt take a journal with me on my trip so im going to have to wing it. I'll post game by game analysis later this week. I will say this though, Travis Hafner hit the farthest home run I have ever seen.

baseball road trip.

2006-06-17T11:28:00.000-04:00

about to leave for Wrigley Field then to Cleveland for the cubs/tribe series.

party in the flats @ the Great lakes brewing company every night

I'll be bringing a journal to recap each and every game along with all the great baseball fans I'm going to meet as well.

I cant fucking wait for this. Two of the most storied franchises in all of baseball finally square off after 106 years of never meeting.

Peace!

Greetings from fourth place.

2006-06-17T10:03:00.000-04:00

Dear forth place,

We, the Cleveland Indians had such high hopes for this season coming off a choke job that will go down in indians history as EMBARASSING. We decided to pretend we could contend with the better teams in our division and even more superior teams in the rest of the American League to make the inevitable toilet flush easier to take.

"Contention! Contention!" was our battle cry. however, that was just another ploy by our wonderfully incompetent front office to drain the wallets of our ignorant, story believing, waiting for any kind of hope at all, fans.

Its been somewhat of awhile to wait but here we are fourth place. We've missed you and glad to be back where we, as a pathetic excuse for a major league baseball team, have just been waiting for the right time to reunite ourselves. Minnesota was just the comforter on the bed of SHIT our team has laid in all year.

C.C. Sabathia, despite his surprizing stats, weighs about 400 pounds and has a favorite game called Schizophrenia. David Riske, Coco Crisp, and Scott Sauerbeck will get a chance to see the playoffs this year with their new teams, funny how OUR players go somewhere ELSE and excel huh? Coco is at least not surprizing.

Wedge says "respect the game" "hes coming around" "its just a matter of time" " he had location problems but he'll bounce back".

respect the game huh? so you're content with allowing opposing pitchers to throw at your players without any retaliation because its a matter of respect? No, wedge, no one is telling you to be a goon and throw at someones head, but sticking up for your players is a part of baseball, you dont just take it in the ass because you feel like being Mr nice guy all the fucking time.

I believed the stories until they traded crisp. someone of his caliber and talent, YOU DONT TRADE. for a so called prospect who is falling on his face in triple A!

this season is OVER and will be the same story every year as long as these IDIOTS run my team.

GOD HATES CLEVELAND

The ship is sinking.

2006-06-15T16:24:00.000-04:00

Casey Blake was placed on the 15 day disabled list thursday which opened the door for Buffalo prospect Franklin Gutierrez to get the call up.

Scott Sauerbeck was given his outright release and David Riske (bp fastballs and all) was acquired by the white sux in a trade with the boston red sox for a Class A level player.

Peralta ended an 0-17 slump today with an rbi double.

top of the ninth in the bronx. Cleveland 7, spankees 4.

Cleveland goes to milwaukee for 3 games then heads home for 3 games against the cubs which I'll be at.

The tribe/cubs series could be really interesting. atrocious bullpens on both sides with very anemic offenses may see ties in all three meetings. wish circumstances were better for the two storied franchises.

Cubs last world series title: 1908
Cleveland: 1948

thats 156 years between the two teams without a world series title. yet boston has the highest concentration of psychologists in the united states?

we should win this but since I'm typing this they'll find a way to blow it. it is the yankees after all and our fat closer is coming in to pitch.

wow wickman, 1-2-3 indians win.

Shapiro dodges reality

2006-06-13T09:16:00.000-04:00

This article was written on the indians messageboard by a poster named Scultra32.

Shapiro is now P-Ring his way through the wild…he’s definitely Dolan’s yesman…
“Shapiro also said manager Eric Wedge is ‘part of the solution’…”

He’s part of the solution how? Don’t offer me generalizations. He’s the hired f—k and you’re the other hired f—k…how are you two going to make things happen now, as they should be happening? Is Wedge just bluffing with his poor managerial calls early on but is going to use his poker face and make magically fantastic calls from the dugout the rest of the way? Shut the f—k up, Shapiro…he’s Dolan’s financial solution. Get it clear.

"Are they a team that would consider right now trading a Major League player for prospects? Are they a team that would have to be big league for big league deal?” - Shitpiro

Um, weren’t we just the team last January who traded a Major League player for prospects? Now we’re looking back to the other side of the fence according to this bozo? AFTER winning 93 games last year? Are Marte, Shoppach and Mota a Big League deal? This just gets more embarrassing everyday…

"I think where our club is, and where we expect it to be next year and the year after, which is in the thick of things, I don't see us throwing in the towel at any point," he said.

You don’t huh? Ten games back behind not one but two of the best teams in MLB this year just within out division alone…a frightening bullpen staff, and a meager rotation, again…after winning 93 games last year? And you expect it, not KNOW it will be in “the thick of things” next year or the year after? WEREN’T WE JUST IN THE THICK OF THINGS last year, with seemingly nothing but upside to build upon? Make it more obvious you are Dolan’s yes-man keeping just enough talent around to draw fans to the park and viewers to the TV for additional revenue, but intend to never actually spend the extra few bucks to win.

"The challenge that we have here on a daily basis is that we continue to try and fix a lot of things," Shapiro said. "And to some extent they're a moving target. I think the best example of that is, up until a week ago, we had not blown a game that we were leading after seven innings. And in the last week, we've blown three of those."

LOL…well, color me dumb! Gosh golly gee, Hank! Shoot, if we’d just not done everything else wrong, such as let the players follow the idiot instruction or lack thereof from Wedge and Co. in numerous key moments that let games get away (like leaving Mota in for more than an inning multiple times) and gosh darn if Byrd and Johnson had come in here for duh money dey wuz paid to pretend likes dey wuz all-star pitchers and pitched like all-stars, and if dem players like Mota and Michaels were more than what they are…we’d darn well just be worrying about those blown leads in the last week…
and now that those three blown leads are the latest in the growing fiasco…they show a decline in the team…not a revival…thanks for pointing it out shitpiro.

But we’re in the thick of things…and Wedge is the solution to make that happen…and it’s not Shitpiro’s fault when no other team wants to be “big league” enough to trade away legitimate impact MLB players for unproven prospects, those jerks…

This article, written by fellow PR yesman Castrovince…just spells it all out…

Just concentrate on the Cavs and Browns!
Shapiro’s riding us around on a motorcycle with no helmet and Dolan paid for the work on the bike.

The calendar has turned to June.

2006-06-08T11:33:00.000-04:00

August and September Schedule:

9 times vs KC
7 times vs TB
7 times vs MIN

beat kansas city 7 times, tampa bay 5 times and minnesota 4 times gives the indians a 16-7 record. sounds nice, yes?

Wrong.

The royals OWN us this year. remember last year against the devil rays? that didnt turn out so well either did it?

Tampa Bay are not the push over they have been. Their farm system is stacked and with a little pitching could be a serious threat in their division.

They are fast (Carl Crawford, Joey Gathwright) and they can murder the ball (Jonny Gomes, Aubrey Huff, Jorge Cantu)

They're getting beaten by teams that are better than them and Cleveland; such as Anaheim who the Indians should have swept.

Tom Hamilton interviewed eric wedge the other day and the responses he got out of him strongly indicated wedge just might be more dumb than we had previously thought.

wedge has been known to "play the numbers"...

For instance, A typical left handed hitter doesnt see the ball the way he sees it against a right hander so scott sauerbeck, the only lefty reliever was called in to face said handed batter. the ball ended up in the seats, ballgame.

Wedges answer for this debacle: "I dont care if he is a righty, if he can get a lefty out, so be it"...WHERE was Betancourt then? the bullpens most reliable reliever!

The Detroit Tigers had been playing out of their minds since opening day. With an offense lead by Chris Shelton and stellar pitching that lead the majors in ERA, they were simply unbeatable.

One of their many victims along the way happened to be Cleveland.

Familar territory:
Detroit and Chicago play eachother 10 more times during the Tribes August/September schedule. We are 6-3 against chicago and see them again in september but had we beaten detroit we'd be in a better and more realistic position to be thinking of the lesser teams on our schedule.

The Indians didnt miss the playoffs because of how Boston or New york finished, or that the white sox swept 4 games from us, we missed the playoffs because of the teams we faced in those last 2 months that we just happen to play again this year.

Sept 25th vs Kansas city: Grady Sizemore loses a ball in the sun allowing the winning run to score.
Sept 27th vs Tampa Bay: A 3 game sweep.

The twins were the only non factor, but I dont believe we played them all that well either.

The Surge must start now:
we're a game better than we were this time last year so wedges simple mind probably sees this as a drastic improvement and that he actually knows what hes doing.

I hate the "what ifs" of the game but Matt lawton alone accounted for 100 runs scored and 20 hrs in 2004. we didnt resign him. Rhodes was lights out until a family emergency took him off the team permanently and wasnt given another chance...etc, etc, etc...thats all this front office has been consistent about...inconsistentcy.

dolan allows our marketing office to name a section of the stadium after the teams best hitter, Travis Hafner, which wasnt free I'm sure with the ad's and rights that go along with this sort of thing.

Those dollar bills could have been used in a trade or FA signing of a quality starter. they seem more interested in making a place for the casual fan to call their friends on their cellphone telling them "HEY DUDE IM STANDING IN PRONKVILLE !"

There is still a severe need for a RH power bat. Perez is 36.

We're the 2004 indians. jekyl and hyde offense + no pitching = 80-82.

I cant wait to hear what wedge says when this late surge doesnt happen. but what does he care, his job is the safest on the team.

Give me a 5th rotation guy, a setup/reliever who isnt going to throw batting practice, give me a consistent lead off hitter and a shortstop who actually knows what his role is, and maybe, just maybe this team can do it.

until then, theres always next year.

some fans pray, I drink.

2006-05-30T15:23:00.000-04:00

To anyone going to the game tonight, remember, to bring your "FIRE (insert name here)" signs and brown bags to cover your face with. Just a friendly reminder that in 5 months the draught will reach 59 years. oh, I forgot, some of you more "positive" fans still had hope.

Unbelievable beyond description. This team is going to kill me. No, I'm not kidding. I take losses personally. I always have. After a loss I dont want to be bothered, I dont want to be talked to. I like to throw things and stare at my tv for an hour after the final out. I allow myself to believe I really had something to do with how and why they lost and feel insulted when I realize that it was actually the players, not me, that lost.

I've strongly considered counseling to deal with this agonizing fandom I so willingly subject myself to. The only counselor I've expressed interest in talking to about this is my father, who is often the brunt of my raging phone calls about blowing the team up and moving out of the city.

As I write this, Myself and fans on the teams messageboard are helping me put together a list noting the 10 ways they'll blow the game tonight despite Sabathia's 4-1 record so far and dominant record against that other team from chicago.

Reasons so far:
1. Chicago scores more runs than Cleveland.
2. Buerhle shows up in a Cy Young costume.
3. Danny Graves is somehow in the bullpen, and he gets put in, but with this team he could probably blow it in the bullpen.
4. Blake goes hitless again tonight.
5. Martinez continues to swing at balls and watch strikes go right by him.
6. more Peralta errors, oh, and that thing called not hitting, or hussle.
7. its fucking hot
8. Mota gives up not one, but TWO homeruns with the game on the line.
9. wickman
10. Shapiro re-signed Jose Jimenez

1948.

You had it coming, punk.

2006-05-20T17:04:00.000-04:00

A.J. Pierzynski, catcher for the chicago white sux has had the reputation of a dirty player with a big mouth to the extreme of his own teammates strongly disliking him.

The heated windy city rivalry spilled over to a bench clearing brawl after Cubs catcher Michael Barrett took his teams frustrations and pierzynskis attitude adjustments into his own hands.

Pierzynski was coming home to score when he lowered his shoulder into Barrett in an attempt to knock loose the ball..only problem was that it wasnt in Barretts glove yet. Pierzynski got up and slapped home plate with arrogant force. He then started walking TOWARDS the CUBS dugout. I'm pretty sure he wasnt going over there to say something nice to the cubs bench so barrett stopped him and aj said something or probably even spit in his face so barrett acted out and decked him right in the mouth.

and to all the pathetic white sox fans who read this:

aj is a punk and deserved every punch barrett might have landed and oh, good job on gang jumping John Mabry. why dont you fucking thugs try something like that when Zambrano pitches tomorrow, he was looking to deck someone today so I dare your "players" to try something like that with him.

Ozzie nutcase guillen has said since he became the manager of your second rate team in chicago that he was getting rid of the "bad attitude" that the white sox have been known for.

Guillen seems to forget that he PLAYED on those teams with THOSE players. he was a BIG part of it. yet he lands guys like this pathetic excuse for a "baseball player"? your logo even looks gang related, your stadium is in a terrible neighborhood where 3 people were stabbed in the same week after a game.

that same attitude shows its face in your hillbilly cheerleading television announcers and makes its way into the front office in Kenny williams. tell me your "fans" wont boo frank thomas when he comes back?

you guys might have "won" a world series (alot of calls that went your way not only in the series but also against the angels) but you never will be more important or even a first thought in the minds of the real baseball fans that live in chicago no matter what your GOD of a manager tells you.

1,2, or even 5 rings wont do anything but allow CUBS fans to despise you even more, not out of jealousy but out of sarcastic sympathy that you actually think your team sits on the same level as the red sox or cubs.

keep laughing, we'll see where all your so called "fans" are should your stepchild team have even ONE losing season in the next year. that dump of a park will be empty once again.

Bonds and 714:

The single season record is still 61.

I think I've more than turned on bonds. I've loved to watch this guy hit over the years but he did admit to using something. he only said he had "no idea". thats ridiculous, his trainer could give him rat poison and he wouldnt question it?

hes been a brat his whole life and disrupted the clubhouse of his fathers teams and annoyed players to the point of having kids banned from the locker room.

He wouldnt even take batting practice with his team in high school even as scouts sat in the bleachers. it was always about him.

hes admitted many times that he was jealous of the other roid heads in Mcguire and sosa during the 98 season and "couldnt stand not having the attention they did".

that is when I think he started using.

It still takes talent to hit a 98 MPH fastball, but at the same time...come on..if anyone should be chasing this record, its Griffey, without all the injuries, think of where he'd be in this chase

a royal flush, and more of the same.

2006-05-13T12:38:00.001-04:00

3 games against the worst team (well, in the standings it seems) in baseball. The Royals outcoached, outplayed and flat out, outclassed Cleveland. In all 3 games Cleveland had leads of 3 runs or more and blew every single one of them.

It was K.C. that looked like the team playing for first place.

Eric Wedge doesnt have a clue and I have no idea why I give him the respect of capitalizing his name.

He absolutely does not get it. A guy I worked with actually told me last year that Eric was a "great and inspiring manager"; I laughed, and proceeded to resist decking him.

Steve Phillips, during a spring training telecast this year, praised Mark Shapiro for 3 innings straight. His co-host would interrupt him and try to talk about the game being played but phillips would not shut up. "boy, what a job mark shapiro has done with this organization after all the heat he took from trading away bartolo colon, this has become the most dangerous team in baseball"...

Dear Steve fucking Phillips,
you had one of the highest payrolls in baseball to work with. your farm system was depleted because it'd been ignored for so long and you did nothing to fix it. You being the same guy that drove the Mets Franchise into the ground after their world series appearance and are the same problems Omar Minaya has been fixing for the last 2 years. You have the audacity to suggest The Indians general manager actually knows what hes doing? I guess you failed to see who we let go in the offseason and the rejects we replaced these players with.
Yea, GREAT JOB MARK. The multi-year-million dollar deals that peralta, hafner, sizemore, and martinez recieved were to cover your ass for the way you handle things.

1. A player starts to peek and has a good season, is on the verge of a career year.

2. has a career year.

3. they've become too expensive for you so they're traded for prospects ( with who you will treat the same when their time comes) and/or are outright released.

The Bullpen is shambles Mark and Steve, hows the trade and release of Howry and Rhodes looking now? I didnt think so.

the one good thing they did this year:

I have been a broussard supporter through and through, his 3 grand slams in the same week in 2004, his 1st inning 3 run bomb against minnesota the weekend we were playing for first place, and his 2 walk off home runs.
but he must have the worst downside I've ever seen in a player. When I've watched benny during his "hot" streaks, he is the hardest out in baseball. I dont care if that ball is coming in at 200 mph, hes going to crush it, but when hes not on, he cant hit anything.

I cant believe wedge actually figured out how to get consistent production from benny. bringing in a guy who absolutely crushes lefties is really the only thing I think that kept broussard here another year; although, graves, boone, and michaels and (insert worst FA signing here) lead me to believe further that wedge and shapiro are simply the biggest fucking idiots in the world.

I hate fairweather fans. I couldnt stand going to the park the last 2 years and seeing thirty thousand plus seats empty. its cold in april, I realize, kids are still in school then, I get that, it gets cold at night, i get that too, but whatever the reason, people are not coming out. get to that park....browns season doesnt start for another 5 months.

but I think I do get it. I cant blame anyone for deciding not to go see this little league team play every night. with the amount of my money that goes into these F.O. liars pockets, its sickening.

anyway, I'm losing track of my point. this team is just outright disgusting. can peralta not afford a dry cleaner? some one tell him hes supposed to dive instead of walk to the fucking ball.

we lost, again.

2006-05-10T12:08:00.000-04:00

TO THE FUCKING ROYALS

so I'm just going to go through the game with a conversation I had with tony this morning...

Me: We SUCK. we are absolutely, completely HORRIBLE.

Tony: yea, I know. we fucking blew it, offense is good but our pitching blows. we had that game.

Me: our offense is quite terrible too. we got lucky breaks against bad pitching. Bryd and Johnson are just worthless. Millwood and Elarton were the top 4 and 5 bottom rotation guys in baseball last year and we just let them walk?! they were more than worth the extra money. they're 35 + has beens and Johnson wasnt even good enough to make the Tigers staff. I'm going to hang him, or myself.

Tony: Byrd is alright, but you're right, Johnson is worthless.

Me: Bryd does fine the first 4 innings then implodes. he ALWAYS gives up that hit that gets the other team back into the game. FIRE WEDGE GOD DAMNIT.

Tony: amen, you said it. wedge needs to go, he has absolutely no clue on how to manage a baseball team. hes an idiot.

Me: see? I knew you'd understand. Im debating if I should even stay up to watch the game, god knows I need the sleep and i hate talking like this but I dont want to sit through 3 hours watching the biggest group of underachievers in baseball lose to the worst group of underachievers. we already lost the series, they're going to sweep us!. I can stomach sleeping through it not knowing my day was already ruined until I read the boxscore tonight rather than watching it and then going to bed knowing my day was ruined.

Tony: I know what you mean but this is our team, we gotta be there for them. you didnt really expect us to win the world series this year did you?

Me: tell that to our GM.

Tony: I'd stay up, dont be that fairweather guy.

Me: you're right, you know me better than that. is this why people cheer for the yankees? its disgusting, it really is. they'll never know what it feels like to win anything because they win EVERYTHING. they'll never know what its like to suffer with one team you're entire life and never reap the rewards of losing. Boston did it, why not us?!

As you can see tony is the calmer one here, but dont let the boy fool you, he can catch fire with the best of them. Him and I were yelling and cursing at aaron boone so fucking loud against oakland last year that the whole section was staring at and clapping for us. one guy even bought us a beer. We were congratulated by browns fans walking out of the stadium after the 2004 opener against baltimore. getting praise from other browns fans says something.

I hate the indians.

I hate cheering for these teams.

2006-05-08T14:18:00.000-04:00

The 2006 Major League Baseball season opened on Wednesday, April 2nd with Cleveland and Chicago playing on ESPN. The Indians, (SURPRIZE!) as they left off last year, lost to the white sox after a 2 and a half hour rain delay.

It saw the unvealing of their world series "title" banner in center field. *
It saw the return of Jim Thome in a white sox uniform.*
It saw C.C. Sabathia go down in the 3rd inning with a pulled muscle in his ribs? !@#$%^

Coco Crisp, David Riske and Josh Bard are gone to boston for Setup man Guillermo Mota, and catching prospect Kelly Shoppach. Bobby Howry (cubs) and Kevin Millwood (rangers) left via free agency.

I was absolutely irate when I read this. It just intensified my hatred and disapproval for our cheap and deceptive front office. To lose such an integral part of our offense and pitching staff is going to be very hard to deal with, especially Coco. The only part of the deal that made it easier to take was the aquisition of The #1 rated prospect in all of baseball, 3B Andy Marte.

So we traded Lefty specialist Arthur Rhodes to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jason Michaels; a rotational guy who is apparently a great defensive player, has the speed to steal bases, can hit for average..his current stats through 32 games are 1, ( ONE! ) home run and 11 rbis...hmm...

Mark Shapiro's excuses are small market teams with limited payroll and trying to convince quality players to come here is a hassle because of said limited funds. He hired a minor league manager in Eric fucking wedge who likes to rock back and forth in the dugout and chew sunflower seeds. Yes, the win column increases every year, yes Martinez, Hafner, Sizemore are 3 of the best players in baseball BUT HE DOESNT HAVE THE NUTS TO TAKE CHANCES WHEN IT MATTERS. I.E: the 4 game series on the last week of the 2005 season that saw us get swept out of the playoffs and the division title wiped away by the white sux B TEAM.

Cleveland is the city you come to as an athlete when your career is over or never had any meaning at all. its the brunt of jokes in the NFL, the fire of lake erie, the mistake on the lake..etc etc. Robert Wagner referenced it in the movie "delirious" when he said "I have to go to...Cleveland? I hate cleveland".

Espn voted us as the most tortured sports city in america.

and yet...the fans come back every year. like the kid getting beat up every day by the school yard bully. you know you're never going to win but after awhile you seem to enjoy the torment and embarrassment because its given you some sort of fucked up identity.

The Kansas city Royals have been the worst run and operated sports franchise for the last decade but at least they've won a world series title in the last 20 years, The Browns have never even been to, let alone won a superbowl, the Cavs an NBA title, and my Father wasnt alive the last time the Indians won the world series.

I hold the utmost admiration for Red Sox and Cubs fans. They sell out every game and every year their team finds a way to disappoint them, to bring them to tears and in counseling, but they always come back.

Every new season is their year. "this time its ours" is what they say. unwavering loyalty only a dog or a cat could give.

But I get it..I really do get it ..Cleveland sports fans get it...this is us, every single year, only I daydream and write about the ways they're going to blow it this time. They've turned losing into an artform. But I'm still there, every year Im in that stadium screaming my lungs raw and gulping as much beer as I possibly can in a 3 hour span. thats the good thing about sports..no matter if you're winning or losing, you're probably numb and drunk as hell by that point.

The Fanbases of the Cubs and Red sox are 2 of the largest franchise followings in all of sports. What those teams mean to its fans reminds me alot of what the Cleveland browns mean to this city. Every sunday is a holiday here. My parents seriously had the police called to our house a few times because they were so out of control the neighbors thought someone was being beaten on.

Cleveland is first and foremost a football town, always has been. The Cleveland indians sell out games, but not every night, but I dont care, as long as I see the usual die hards I've made friendships with, I'm happy, let the bandwagon dipshits stay home and read the boxscore in the paper.

and like the cubs and red sox, we know exactly what its like to _almost_ get there only to have that chance, that moment ripped away.

1954 World Series: Willie Mays makes his infamous "basket catch" as the New York Giants sweep The Indians in 4 games. The Franchise would swim in embarrassment and not appear in another World series for another 42 years.

1960: After helping Cleveland win the world series 12 years earlier, Rocky Caluvito was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Harvey Kuenn.

1986 AFC championship - the drive: I was only 3 years old but still to this day remember and think about that game. all we had to do was kick a field goal in OT and we were going to the superbowl.

John "I look, but dont run like a horse" Elway beats us to it. marching 98 yards to tie it up, send it to OT, they force us to go 3 and out..no time wasted..they kick the winning field goal.. ( it was wide!, I swear to god it went wide!)

1987 - the fumble: cleveland driving for the win..earnest byner going in fumbles the ball on the 2 yard line, the broncos get a field goal to seal it.

1989 AFC championship: denver again. I could vomit just remembering this shit

1992 NBA Conference Finals: Michael Jordans shot against the cavs with no time on the clock.

1994: The MLB strike: Cleveland stood at 100-49 and had their division won by a record 30 games.

1995 world series: after having the best record in baseball all year..lose the series 4-1 to Atlanta.. this was also the year we lost the browns.

1997. The "Mesa-up": Jose mesa needs 3 outs..he walks first 2 batters..tony fernandez does his best buckner ( I'm so sorry i said that name..) impression and the next batter hits the next pitch into centerfield.

(*) I hate the fucking white sox. I was going into work the night of game 4, I saw the last out..ran to the bathroom and was dry heaving for 5 minutes. I'm not making this shit up. Jim thome is a traitor and a liar and a self absorbed prick.

!@#$%^ - that was me punching the keyboard.

Its vibrant Hose, pale Tribe

2005-07-19T12:00:00.000-04:00

4-0 loss, 4-0 sweep suggest Indians aren't in White Sox's league.
Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter

Hear that sound? It's the air going out of the Indians' season.
A four-game series against the Central Division-leading Chicago White Sox on Thursday ended in brutal reality with Sunday's 4-0 loss. The reality: The Tribe is not in the same league with the White Sox.

A second shutout in four games completed a stunning sweep.

It is the first time the Indians have been swept in four games by the White Sox at home since August 1963.

The series began with the Indians optimistic at getting a shot to cut into Chicago's 11-game lead. It ended with the lead swelling to 15 games.

Chicago's pitching, particularly the starters, dominated the series. It was ultimately the difference.

Starters Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland combined to allow three earned runs in 27 innings - a 1.00 ERA. In working six shutout innings on Sunday, Garland (14-4, 3.21 ERA) allowed seven hits.

In four games, the Indians (47-45) hit .180 (22-for-122) and scored six runs in 36 innings - an average of 1.5 a game. Three of the six runs were scored in the ninth inning of Saturday's 7-5 loss. They hit .120 (3-for-25) with runners in scoring position.

"There will be peaks and valleys over a 162-game stretch," said Tribe manager Eric Wedge. "We're in a tough stretch right now, but we can't put our heads down.
"We've got to keep going, no matter how pessimistic people may get."

With Travis Hafner (mild concussion, facial contusion) out of the middle of the lineup, Wedge went with Victor Martinez batting third and Casey Blake fourth. Blake, who ended a 0-for-16 skid with a fourth-inning single, was asked if the White Sox (61-29) are the best team he's seen this season.

"No," he said. "They are a good team, but I don't think they are the best team. They are not better than we are. Right now, they've got a lot of confidence and they've got things going for them."

The loss was the Indians' fifth straight and ninth in 10 games. "We just can't quit," Blake said. "The way we're playing, the Royals could come in here and sweep us. We've got to step up and put the past behind us."

The reeling Indians open a four-game series against the Royals tonight at Jacobs Field.
There was good and bad in Sunday's loss.

The good: The Indians had eight opportunities to score with runners in scoring position. The bad: They failed each time. "We had better at-bats," Wedge said. "We had multiple situations with runners on base. The only upside is that we had runners on base."

Ronnie Belliard had three opportunities to score runners from second base, and failed. With two on in the second, he grounded into a double play; with two on and two outs in the sixth, he flied out; with two on and two outs in the eighth, he popped out. "I tried," he said, "but didn't do the job. They have good pitching.

"It seemed like when we did hit the ball hard, we hit it right at them. Right now, they have the confidence that they can beat anyone." Aaron Boone and Jody Gerut hit hard line drives that were caught by infielders in the fifth and ninth innings, respectively.

Two home runs hurt Indians starter Scott Elarton, who gave up four runs on eight hits in seven innings. A.J. Pierzynski's two-run shot in the second gave the White Sox a 3-0 lead. Tadahito Iguchi hit an 0-2 pitch over the wall in left in the third.

Elarton leads the Indians in home runs allowed - 18 in 102Рinnings.
"The ball Pierzynski hit was a pretty good pitch," said Elarton (6-4, 4.75 ERA). "The most disappointing thing was the homer to Iguchi. It was a bad pitch."

Wedge said that Hafner, hit on the right side of his face by a Buehrle pitch on Saturday, was available to pinch-hit in the series finale. Wedge is hoping to have his most productive hitter - .310 batting average, 18 home runs, 63 RBI - back in the starting lineup tonight.

Note: Immediately following the game Cleveland traded Jody Gerut to the Chicago Cubs for Jason Dubois. Dubois is a utility player..can play SS, 3b and OF. is 26 and didnt even appear in a MLB game until 2004...a right handed bat.

He was demoted along with corey patterson about 2 weeks ago. His season stats dont seem too impressive but then again he wasnt an everday player. He hit 31 HR last year at AAA Iowa in the PCL -- and was voted the biggest power prospect in the PCL. He went back to AAA Iowa in the PCL July 7 and went 9 for 18.

Jody is a good young talent.
His rookie season he lead the indians in home runs and I believe was either rookie of the year or AL player of the year.

his defense is superb and would risk anything to grab a ball. He had knee surgery at the end of last year that forced him to start play at AAA buffalo but was quickly promoted back to the bigs.
I dont know much about dubois either but knowing our GM shapiro..your GM just worked the indians.

I know there were problems between him and our manager that inevitably made this trade possible. Its too bad Jody, you were really liked here. Good luck and we'll be cheering for you.

Deja Vu. yet another one run loss.

2005-07-15T00:02:00.000-04:00

Cleveland needed to come out of the gates swinging after dropping 5 of their last 6 games before the All Star break.

well, that simply didnt happen.

Kevin Millwood has to be at his wits end. It seems everytime hes pitched hes gone out there and completely shutdown teams only to have his offense fail to get on base and score runs. The story has been no different for Jake Westbrook as well.

All it took was an rbi double off the bat of Frank Thomas in the first inning to build an insermountable one run lead backed by Jose Contreras who left Clevelands offense with absolutely no answers.

The Tribes only real threat came in the 4th when they would load the bases but could not capitalize.

Millwood threw 8 brilliant innings with 9 strike outs and the lone run on 6 hits. He now drops to 3-8 with an era of 3.38

3 pivotal games remain against the sox, they have to win the next 3.

Note: This was the 23rd one run game the Chicago White Sox have won this year. 35 of their games have been won by 4 runs or fewer. Yes, they have a great bullpen which is 3rd to that of the Tribe but tonight there was simply no excuse for cleveland getting shut out.

Scott Sauerbeck, the indians other left handed reliever is due to see more time with the confidence in Arthur Rhodes shaken. Game time tomorrow night is 7:05.

Westbrook his own enemy today.

2005-07-11T04:20:00.000-04:00

Westbrook had it. He had the game in his grasp.

Cleveland took a 3-3 tie into the yankees portion of the 5th inning. Westbrook easily recorded the first two outs but would walk the next two batters that proved to be costly.

New York put together an onslaught of hits and runs when Hideki Matsui lined a basehit to give the yankees the lead. with Jason Giambi getting a walk, Ruben sierra plated 2 more runs on a base hit to right.

once again, the indians bullpen faultered. Riske, Sauerbeck, Rhodes and Howry could not contain the damage to keep this game within reach.

Gary Sheffield drove the nail through the heart when he tagged Arthur Rhodes for a 2 run home run in the 8th.

The All star break starts tomorrow and regular play will resume on Thursday.

Time to get to business: Cleveland finishes the first half with a better than expected record of 47-41. Still, it can and will be argued by tribe faithful that the win column should be well above 50.

This team has shown glimpses of the greatness GM Mark Shapiro has talked about. Despite the severe highs and lows already, they are .500, they are contenders...for now. There is still 2 and a half months left of baseball with the wildcard race stuck at a 4 way tie for 3rd place.

There are also some questions that will be answered in the coming month as far as acquisitions are concerned. Who's going? who's coming? will there be any more moves at all?

The time for the Indians to strike is now. The white sox come to town for a 4 game series followed by Kansas city and Seattle. They have 32 matchups in their next 67 games against last place or sub .500 teams.

I'm happy with what I've seen, but I'm disheartened by the lack of inconsistency and the sudden implosion of the bullpen. To watch this team lose winnable games and the way they lose them is just agonizing.

Something needs to give.

Cleveland snaps skid, down yankees.

2005-07-10T01:17:00.000-04:00

Scott Elarton came into Saturdays game looking to fulfill the new found expectations of fans after what he did against detroit last monday.

Elarton got off to a shaky start giving up back to back longballs in the first inning but immediately settled down going 7 strong with 3 strikeouts giving up 3 runs.

Clevelands offense quickly turned the yankees lead into a deficit when they would echo the yankees sentiments as Jose Hernandez and Jhonny Peralta took Darrell May deep. The indians would tag May for 3 more when Hernandez connected for another 2 run shot into left field.

Hafner added another run on his rbi double in the 9th...which is where the story really begins.

Wedge would go to his bullpen in the 7th inning only to watch Howry, Rhodes, and closer Bob Wickman fall on their face.

Howry didnt even go one inning, handing the yankees 2 runs on a single hit. Rhodes would make it no easier when he allowed a run. this would set up for Wickman

Wickman did what he does best as Ruben Sierra blasted a high fastball into the bleachers in right field, giving the yankees another run and with no outs New york had runners on 1st and 2nd. Wickman got sheffield to ground into a double play and Alex Rodriguez would ground out to end the game.

It would be Wickmans 23rd save of the year, and an absolute miracle. This game looked like the indians were trying to lose however, they end their 4 game losing streak.

Note: Brandon Phillips was called up this morning and started the game at 2nd base. I wonder what this means for Phillips, who has been touted to be apart of this organizations future, however hes had several chances to prove himself and hes failed. This maybe a way to use him as trade bait.

oh yea, the cubs won ; )

What is going on.

2005-07-09T00:35:00.000-04:00

I'm not writing a recap of tonights game. Instead I'm just going to rant and bitch.

What happened? at what point did the Cleveland Indians go from being the hottest team in baseball to getting beaten by teams that play the strategy of small ball? The indians offense has looked like a machine over the last month and a half with Travis Hafner leading the way, shredding every pitcher hes faced.

A 9 game winning streak was considered a fluke after Boston came into Jacobs Field and swept 3 games from "the best team in baseball". The offense made a valient effort in game 1, but decided to stay home the other two nights.

C.C. Sabathia is an emotional trainwreck who cant throw a strike even in batting practice. He is not an "Ace". I dont fault him for being called up at the young age of 21, but he pitches like hes schizophrenic, I never know what to expect when his turn comes up. Its pathetic that someone like Scott Elarton, a colorado rockie reject, is the Ace of the indians pitching staff.

Then theres the Cincinnati series. The reds only won one game, yes, but they completely outplayed the indians 2 of those games, save saturday nights slugfest by cleveland.

Game 3 of the tigers series seemed to be where the team lost all its gas. strangely, Hafner did not start that game. Detroit won that game and the next one.

The yankees now have taken the first 2 games of a 4 game series beating 2 of the indians best and most consistent pitchers. When did the yankees become good again? Why is it too much to ask to continue to watch the most hated team in baseball fall apart? why cant steinbrenner just die already?

with all the steroid controversy surrounding him, Jason Giambi has now come out of a season long slump to hit 4 home runs in 10 at bats. Hes been a big reason the yankees are on the streak they are. hes got his team thinking playoffs, when a month ago this team was dead.

Cleveland, on the other hand, are losing the ground in the wild card they've held for over 3 weeks. Everytime the twins lost, the tribe did too. The indians should be in first place, but with the way they're falling off they're going to start debating if they're sellers or buyers to the teams that can play and win consistently, who will be playing in October.

Inexperience, inconsistency, cheap and moronic ownership. The fate of the indians lays with the players. Their manager smacks his lips and rocks back and forth on the steps of the dugout and says "uhhh" alot. Shapiro just sits back in his lazy boy and bitches about the attendance. Hey Mark, MAYBE if you SPENT the money for IMPACT players you'd HAVE a winning team. MAYBE they wouldnt fall apart when it counted the most.

The same indians bullpen that had been so dominant through the first 70+ games of the season has become anything but certain. Riske's high fastballs have been hit so far they havent even landed yet. Rhodes' ERA has skyrocketed, Bob Wickman throws balls OVER the head of his first basemen and Rafael Betancourt tested positive for steroids.

So much for contention huh Mark?

A new streak...3 losses.

2005-07-07T23:05:00.000-04:00

The resurgent yankees have come out of nowhere, gaining ground in the AL East and wildcard by winning 6 of their last 8 games. They're getting help from teams above them, namely Baltimore, who is systematically falling apart.

The Cleveland Indians are one of those teams the yankees are chasing and tonight looked to end a 2 game skid to give themselves some breathing room.

Kevin Millwood gave up 3 runs in two innings on Alex Rodriguez's 2 run shot and Jason Giambi's solo homer. Sheffield led off the 6th with a single, Arod walked and Hideki Matsui brought in Sheffield with a base hit that ended Millwoods night to seal the win for the yankees. Derek Jeter would homer in the 7th off Fernando Cabrera.

Cleveland threatened to take the lead in the 2nd inning when Jhonny Peralta went yard on Mike Mussina's 0-2 pitch. With 2 outs the indians would get consecutive base hits started by Grady Sizemore. Sizemore would come around to score but Mussina would not allow any more.

Cliff Lee, still looking for his 10th win, will take the mound tomorrow night against Chien-Ming Wang.

The Indians have dropped 3 straight showing a drastic drop in the momentum they had just 4 days ago. The turning point seemed to be game 3 against the tigers where Travis Hafner did not start. Every player needs a day off but the obvious arguement is that you never, under any circumstance sit your hottest player.

The Yankees now sit only a game and a half behind the Tribe with 3 games left in the series. Minnesota did not win so no ground is lost, however, Baltimore won.

Note: Alot of comparison has been made lately between Jhonny Peralta and Derek Jeter. Their style of play and clutch hitting have eerie resemblence. Peralta is only 22 and playing his first full year in the Majors. His 10th home run tonight matches Jeters rookie season total.

Cora to Boston for Vasquez

2005-07-07T16:15:00.000-04:00

Alex Cora was dealt to the red sox this morning for Minor League infielder Ramon Vasquez.

Cora has been an immense let down this season when he was supposed to be a solid backup at second and shortstop. Vazquez has started 27 games in boston but was also a bench player.

That leaves the 40(39) roster short a position player, a strong indication that the organization is planning another trade. Shapiro said Cleveland would be active in the trade market but has changed his story several times.

To me, its a costly situation anyway. Vasquez is really no upgrade. Both him and Cora are good defensive players but the aforementioned lack of offense keeps the same kind of player on each team, however I have a sneaking suspicion it was only to cut salary from the hands of a cheap front office. in any regard, Keep Vasquez in the minors.

Sure, you can never have enough talent but at the same time when your team is on a roll the slightest change can mess up the chemistry in the clubhouse.

I've beat this issue to death but for good reason. Call up Ryan Ludwick.

Ryan, 26, is a right handed hitting powerhouse who started the season in Cleveland batting .220 but hit 4 home runs in 10 at bats driving in 5. He played in 19 games before being optioned to Buffalo in May.

Fans and management have said this is the type of hitter the organization was going after but for whatever reason fail to realize he's already here. The false and ridiculous hopes in Juan Gonzalez ended when Gonzalez reinjured his hamstring again simply running to first base. It was his first game back.

Perhaps I'm biased towards some of these players (position) but these are my untouchables:

Coco
Grady
Hafner
Martinez
Broussard
Belliard
Boone (for now)
Peralta
Gerut (but if the deal is right, send him)

Tribe, Tigers end with split.

2005-07-06T22:50:00.000-04:00

Two days ago Cleveland looked like they were going to steam roll over a less than equal Detroit ballclub. The Tigers would have other plans.

C.C. Sabathia seemed to be beaten from the start never showing much control. He was well over 80 pitches by the 3rd inning but somehow worked out of several jams.

Ivan Rodriguez and Craig Monroe got on base with consecutive singles. Brandon Inge then sent a short hopper back to the mound and was easily thrown out but Rodriguez would watch the play develop and came in from second to score, just getting his hand under Victor Martinez' attempted tag.

After a Coco Crisp ground out, Travis Hafner made Jeremy Bonderman pay for pitching to him by drilling a first pitch fastball into the right field seats. Hafner has now hit 4 home runs in as many games putting his season total at 18. Peralta would drive in another run and the last one the indians would plate tonight.

Bonderman, like Maroth the previous game, simply shut down the tribes potent offense going 8 full innings, striking out 5 and only giving up 2 runs on 5 hits. He is 11-5 on the season with an ERA of 3.99

Sabathia's undoing would come in the 5th as he gave up RBI doubles by Maggalio Ordonez and Rodriguez, as well as another run on a throw he should have never made. Wedge would go to his bullpen but it would do no good as Matt Miller and Scott Sauerbeck would give up 2 more late inning runs.

Cleveland put together a small rally in the 9th when Hafner and Martinez both got on base. Peralta would score Hafner on a single but Percival would end it to get his 7th save.

Its off to New York for a 4 game series with the Yankees who have shown signs of life lately. New York has recently come into the wildcard picture tied with a severely struggling Texas team.

Note: Travis Hafner was named the American League's player of the month hitting .345 in the month of June with eight home runs and 29 rbi's. The last 22 games put him over the edge as he's been batting .402 with 10 home runs and 34 rbi's. His average now sits at .314

I can only imagine what the sports pages will have to say about Sabathia tomorrow. For a week his critics were silenced after a dominant showing against baltimore but tonight will have the hounds out for blood.

Maroth tames indians.

2005-07-06T12:20:00.000-04:00

Jake Westbrook had finally gotten his offense to provide him run support in his last few outings but tonight he would suffer the same fate he has all season.

Cleveland would only score twice after they put up 16 runs on 27 hits in mondays doubleheader. Detroit starter Mike Maroth, who has not lost to the indians since 2003, went 6.2 solid innings surrendering only 4 hits throwing pitches where he wanted and how he wanted, never giving away what was coming.

Eric Shelton brought home Carlos Guillen as Magglio Ordonez would follow up with a 2 run homer to right field to put the tigers ahead 3-0 in the 3rd inning. Aaron boone connected in the bottom half for a solo home run. The indians would not score again until Jhonny Peraltas solo shot in the 9th. Troy Percival would earn the save.

Its not that Westbrook had a bad outing, he just made one mistake that inevitably cost his team the game. He went 5 innings striking out 6 and gave up 5 hits. Jake falls to 6-10 with an era of 4.51.

Tonights Attendance was 18,478.

C.C. Sabathia will look to feed off his dominant performance against baltimore last week as he goes against Right hander Jeremy Bonderman. first pitch is 7:05 EST.

Note: Rookie sensation Fernando Cabrera, who was called up monday from Buffalo, pitched 3 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. Cabrera is speculated to be the indians future closer but will be gradually worked into the role as he will make relief set up appearances if he stays in the majors this year. The kid has solid stuff and averages 97 on his fastball.

Tribe embarasses hapless tigers.

2005-07-05T03:02:00.000-04:00

Perhaps it was the holiday with sunny weather, or the 1$ hotdogs, perhaps it was the resurgence of a baseball team that saw lines stretch from the ticket windows to the doors of Gund Arena.

Whatever it was, today was special.

Scott Elarton pitched his best game ever as a Cleveland Indian and certainly one of the best of his career.

Elarton's command over his pitch selections looked like absolute witchery. He threw a complete game allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, striking out 6 and at one point retiring 17 straight batters while only allowing a single hit through 6 innings. He did not walk one batter. Scotty struck out Ivan Rodriguez to end the game before a crowd of 26,869. All were on their feet.

The offense would have its way with Jason Johnson picking up right where it left off from sunday jumping on the Detroit right hander for 7 runs in 4 innings.

With the Indians already up 4-0, Josh bard doubled and scored on Jhonny Peralta's single to center. Sizemore would follow with a single but Coco Crisp would strike out swinging. Then came Travis Hafner.

enough said.

Hafner made it 8-0 as he absolutely demolished a 471 foot home run that disappeared into the trees in centerfield. He hit the ball so far you simply lost sight of it. Pronk would add another solo shot in the 8th that bounced off the top of the cleveland bullpen. Hafner had himself a day at the ballpark accounting for 4 hits, 5 rbis and 3 runs scored.

Broussard, Belliard and Peralta drove in the other runs as Victor Martinez pushed his hitting streak to 15 games.

Game 2.

It was indeed the 4th of July and the Indians, having already displayed their own fireworks in game one, were about to set off the grand finale.

The Tigers started Justin Verlander, a pitcher just called up from AA and immediately the tribe's offense welcomed him to the majors tagging him for 3 runs in the first inning. He would regain a bit of focus but not for long.

The crowd of 33,599 was electric and very, very loud.

In the bottom of the 8th Coco Crisp came to bat with 2 outs. He drilled a pitch to right of center that just barely stayed in the park. Tigers centerfielder Nook Logan made a valient effort but lost sight of the ball. Crisp watched it all the way, turning on the jets as he rounded 3rd to come home for an in the park home run. Jacobs field exploded into insanity but Cleveland still had something left.

Travis Hafner followed immediately with his 3rd home run of the day. launching the ball into the second deck mezzanine to put the final run on the board.

The buzz and electricity that this team is creating around the city is unmistakable and infectious. They're making their presence felt and the baseball world is taking notice. Its a very fun time to be an Indians fan.

Cleveland sweeps the double header with 2 games remaining. Westbrook gets the start on tuesday with C.C. Sabathia going on wednesday.

Note: Aaron Boone was scratched from the lineup the last 2 games due to his wife being in labour. They had a boy on sunday morning. Congratulations Aaron.

Tribe takes series in dominant fashion.

2005-07-03T23:29:00.000-04:00

The Orioles may have gone home displeased with themselves but they can be thankful for one thing, the headaches they suffered at the hands of the Tribe are over.

well, maybe tomorrow.

Sidney Ponson didnt even blink before the Indians were up 5-0 in the first inning. Ronnie Belliard and Victor Martinez got things going as both hitters accounted for rbi's and with 2 men on Ben Broussard crushed a 397 foot bomb to left center.

The 2nd inning gave way to 2 more runs right away as Grady Sizemore singled, stole second, and crossed the plate seemingly in one motion with Coco Crisp singling to bring Grady home. Ponson would not make it out of the inning.

Cleveland has had Ponson's number as he now falls to 0-7 in his last 12 starts giving up 11 home runs and 61 earned runs.

Travis Hafner hit his 4th home run in 7 games, clearing the right field wall and leaving the ball to dance in the street.

Cliff Lee wasnt over powering but pitched another solid outing as he went 6.2 innings giving up 4 earned runs on 9 hits, 2 of them coming on long balls by Luis Matos and Brian Roberts.

Matt Miller and Arthur Rhodes would work the remaining innings giving up just one hit.

Its now back home where the Tribe will face off against an improved Tigers team that saw the return of Magglio Ordonez. Its a 4 game series with monday being a double header.

Note: Bob Wickman was the only Indian selected to represent Cleveland at this years All Star game. I'm not the majority perhaps but it leaves me bitter knowing players like Sizemore, Lee, Hafner, Peralta and many others should have been strong candidates. Of course, the AL lineup is dominated by boston and new york.
I say this every year. Why doesnt Bud the moron Selig just make the All star Game Red Sox versus the Yankees. at least be honest.

Tribe left with no answers, costly errors.

2005-07-03T00:46:00.000-04:00

On paper the pitching match up was no contest. On the field, it was an entirely different story.

Through 6 innings Kevin Millwood never looked sharp but somehow kept getting out of trouble. He would walk 5 and allowed 5 stolen bases, including 2 by Brian Roberts in the same inning, while Baltimore youngster Daniel Cabrera looked like a veteran.

Cabrera was throwing in the upper 90's all game leaving the Indians the same frustration that C.C. Sabathia did to the Orioles a night earlier. He went 7 strong innings striking out 5 while only allowing 4 hits and no runs.

Millwoods luck would only hold up for so long as his mistakes finally came back to hurt him. He would walk the first two batters in the home half of the six and with one out, Ronnie Belliard completely miscued a double play ball hit off the bat of Eli Marrero that would have ended the inning. Jay Gibbons would bat next wasting no time as he lined Millwoods first pitch over the centerfield fence. The Orioles would add another run later in the ballgame.

The Indians had little chance against Cabrera but every chance they got they couldnt take advantage of. Alex Cora led off the 5th with a triple but the next 3 batters went in order. Cora again would have an opportunity in the 7th to put some runs on the board but struck out with 2 men on base.

TheTribe wrap up the series tomorrow with a start time of 5pm EST. Cliff Lee ( 8-3 3.56 ) matches up against Sidney Ponson ( 7-5 5.35 )

Note: The Indians find themselves back in 3rd place in the wild card standings after the loss today with the Twins winning again. There is still only a game that seperates the indians, twins and orioles.

Orioles hitters stifled for second straight night.

2005-07-02T15:22:00.000-04:00

No one is doubting the pure talent of C.C. Sabathia, who has been the center of controversy lately pertaining to his sometimes "wild" temper. He is a competitive and very gifted pitcher but loses focus when he makes mistakes that often puts the game in jeopardy.

He is the youngest pitcher ever to record 50 wins before his 25th birthday, but his last few outings have been ruined due to his lack of control over emotions that a professional is taught to tame.

Tonight he took the mound for his 10th start of the season perhaps hoping to silence some of his critics who dont believe he is an "Ace" pitcher...boy did he ever silence them.

Despite an early Baltimore score, Sabathia would find his groove, never letting up allowing only one run on just 3 hits while striking out 7. He devastated the Orioles lineup with a onslaught of 99mph fastballs and ridiculous offspeed pitches that left little room for adjustment.

Sammy Sosa was a prime and frequent example. 3 times Sosa would strike out and 3 times he looked absolutely foolish, swinging so hard at one point that after the ball was already by him his back faced Sabathia.

The 6th inning would be the turning point of the game. Hafner led off with a single and Broussard walked. Belliard hit a chopper off home plate that he beat out. That would load the bases for Aaron Boone. Boone and Jody Gerut would score two runs on consecutive sacrifice flyballs as Josh Bard would double in Belliard. The Tribes offense wasnt as potent as it had been a day earlier but 3 runs would be more than enough.

Howry would relieve C.C. in the 7th as he would pitch 1 3rd of a scoreless inning. Bob Wickman allowed the first two batters in the 9th to get on base but somehow would work out of it for his 25th save of the year. The most in the Majors.

Kevin Millwood ( 3-5 3.08 ) gets the ball tomorrow as he'll face off against 2nd year pitcher Daniel Cabrera ( 5-7 5.48 ). Cabrera has never faced the Indians.

So Close: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays held a late inning lead against Minnesota only to allow a late twins rally that they couldnt counter. Had the twins lost Cleveland would have been in Sole posession of the top wild card spot.
Bob Howry is now 5-2 matching his career best that he set in 1999.

The Baltimore Massacre.

2005-07-01T02:35:00.000-04:00

Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli never had an answer tonight as he could only watch from the dugout as his team got battered around no matter who he had pitching.

Clevelands offense looked like an absolute machine as they scored 7 runs on 9 of their hits amassing 15 total. The Tribe bats seemingly so automatic at times that they got 5, 2 out rbi hits...all doubles.

Coco Crisp led off the game with a triple then came around to score on Travis Hafners ground out. Baltimore came right back on starter Jake Westbrook who surrended consecutive walks and a single that loaded the bases for Rafael Palmeiro. Palmeiro wasted no time as he missled a single into centerfield that scored 2 runs. Sal Fasano would touch Westbrook for a solo home run later on but that was it for the orioles who have been struggling terribly after getting off to such a great start.

Jhonny Peralta doubled to start the 3rd inning, Grady Sizemore struck out but Crisp would bring Peralta home with a single. Hafner and Martinez would be retired on ground balls.

The 4th inning saw the indians break the game wide open as Orioles Rookie starter Hayden Penn was torched for 5 earned runs on 80 pitches in 3 2/3 innings. Belliard doubled and advanced to 3rd on a balk, Sizemore doubled to score Belliard and Crisp singled to score Grady.

Crisp had 2 rbi's on 3 hits to raise his average to .292

Jorge Julio. who has played the role of closer at times this season, was brought in and immediately taken out as he allowed 3 runs in less than a third of an inning.

The Indians are chasing this same Baltimore team for the wildcard but even with the win still remain a game and a half behind. Baltimore has dropped 7 of their last 10 including a sweep by the Atlanta braves this past weekend falling 3 games behind the Boston Red Sox.

Note: the Indians remain arguably the hottest team in baseball finishing 17-10 in the month of June. Its their best mark since May of 2001 when they finished the month 19-8.
Jake Westbrook has won his last 3 games improving his record to 6-9 holding an ERA of 4.47. After starting out 0-5, he would only get 1 win in the next 4 games but an anemic offense was the culprit. Despite his record, Jake's outings have looked like an audition for the Cy Young award.

2 out of 3 convincing, sweep would've been better.

2005-06-29T15:57:00.000-04:00

Manager Eric Wedge has a severe misunderstanding of his pitchers. I have written about it over and over again. His failure to understand when his man is in trouble has cost the indians so many games that equaled to 25 blown saves last year. He waits until the damage is already in place or done until taking him out.

Today was another prime example.

It was a pitching duel from the start as Scott Elarton put on another stellar performance retiring his first 6 batters, 5 of those outs coming on strike outs coming in just 3 innings. Tim Wakefield had his knuckleball dancing around all day that made the indians bats look silly. Victor Martinez and Blake both hit solo HR's over the green monster but thats all the offense they could muster. 9 runners were left stranded and the team only collected 7 hits.

Elartons undoing came in the 6th inning, surrending back to back doubles that would tie the ball game. The bullpen wasnt even active until Doug Mirabelli, a back up catcher and a number 8 hitter would jack a 2 run home run as the struggling Mark Bellhorn followed with a solo home run.

It would give the Red Sox a 5-2 lead and all they needed to put this one away. Wakefield would get the win putting his record at 6-6 while Scotty dropped to 4-3. The Indians have not swept boston in fenway since 1996.

Cleveland opens a 4 game series tomorrow night against the Baltimore Orioles who have dropped 6 straight contests. The Indians are currently a game behind the Orioles for the wild card. Jake Westbrook (5-9 4.52) gets the call against Bruce Chen (6-5 3.54) start time is 7:05 est.

Note: in the 8th inning with Hafner, Martinez, and Hernandez coming to bat, Wedge should have pinch hit Broussard therefore forcing Terry Francona to use his bullpen immediately. That would mean he would only have 3 relievers available, all 3 pitchers were right handed..the stats of these batters against righties speak for themselves.
once again testifying to wedges inability to play the strengths of his team and once again his inability cost the tribe a win.

The 2005 Cleveland Indians are for REAL.

2005-06-29T00:52:00.000-04:00

Tonight I am writing in the form of an absolutely floored and Proud Cleveland Indians fan.

This team did not quit, not once did they wave the white flag. they outhustled, out hit and obviously outscored the Boston Red Sox in cardiac (arrest) fashion.

The indians jumped on the red sox early to take a 2-0 lead on Hafners first of 3 doubles but Cliff Lee would surrender 5 straight runs in the 5th inning to give the sox a 6-5 lead. A usually reliable Tribe bullpen would surrender the other two runs courtesy of Arthur Rhodes and Matt Miller.

Cleveland had 3 different leads throughout the game but boston refused to go away, countering everything the indians threw at them. .. but tonight..the magic would belong to the indians.

The rally began in the 8th inning with the indians behind 8-5. Blake would score on hafners RBI ground out followed by a Martinez single that brought home pronk. In the 9th Cleveland trailed by a run until Gerut got to Keith Foulke, who has blown his last 3 save opportunities behind an even worse bullpen.

Coco Crisp would pinch run for Gerut after Jody hit a one out double That brought Jhonny Peralta to bat who, with two strikes tied the game on a single to right.

With two outs the bases would be loaded for Hafner on back to back walks of Sizemore and Blake. Travis answered on a line drive grandslam to put the indians ahead 12-8. Bob wickman would end the ballgame getting the last 3 outs on 3 pitches.

This game was the most stunning come back of the young teams season including their first grandslam. to follow the recap I have included my personal thoughts ...

Man I tell you. I'll be the first to admit that the week we went on that long road trip before we got hot...that series with the twins and white sox made me panic to the point i was ready to give up on this season.

I'm eating my words in massive amounts and I couldnt be happier. This team blows me away night after night and realizing just how GOOD our bullpen has been is phenomenal.

I'm listening to Keane right now and hes talking about the infectious energy and enthusiasm of Grady Sizemore and how its just contagious. I mean this team is alive every night due to this kids play. to be 22 and THAT good, and hes on OUR team?!?!! are you SERIOUS!>?!?!

along with Travis freakin Hafner..need I say more...is an absolute GODSEND.

The 2005 Cleveland Indians are making some SERIOUS noise and proving to the baseball world that they can hang with ANYone.

my god I love this game and this team. to think 2 months ago I nearly had to move away...oh no, even if i have to live on the street I'm going to be here for the party when the tribe finally gets a WS ring in the next few years.

I swear I nearly had a heart attack tonight when i heard hammy's call. AMAZING

Oh revenge, sweet revenge

2005-06-27T05:27:00.000-04:00

Two teams seemed to have traded places Monday Night as the Cleveland Indians took the field at Fenway Park. A rematch from a week ago that saw the indians 9 game winning streak come to a hault.

Well, The Red Sox were about to have the tables turned. They had just come off their best road record (7-0) since 1977 and were riding the momentum of 7 wins in a row. Kevin Millwood would be the deciding factor.

Millwood would give up a leadoff basehit to Johnny Damon only to walk Edgar Renteria to bring David Ortiz to the plate, followed by baseball's hottest hitter in Manny Ramirez. They would go quietly as Milly got ortiz to fly out with manny and Trot Nixon grounding out on one pitch each.

That would be the only real trouble the Veteran right hander would get into. He would go 6 solid innings, striking out 6 with 3 hits and no runs. When Millwood is pitching like this, hes unhittable and shutting down a lineup like this tells you what kind of heat he was throwing.

The Tribes early runs would come on a Mark bellhorn error. a routine double play ball that surely would have ended the inning was hit at Bill Muelller who threw to bellhorn only to have it skip over bellhorns glove into centerfield. it cost the red sox 2 runs and from there Cleveland would keep pounding out basehits.

Jody Gerut would come to bat to single in the runner on 3rd to make it 3-0 tribe

Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner, accounting for the rest of the offense, seem to find their way into the box scores every night. Both connected for home runs in the 7th inning that broke the game wide open to seal the victory. Sizemores homer should have been caught but as Trot Nixon was retreating under the ball he got turned around and had to try to make the play with his body turned sideways..the ball would hit his glove and bounce over the wall. Hafners blast wasnt so close as the ball cleared both dugouts and left nixon and damon simply watching the ball soar over their heads.

Bronson Arroyo with all due credit pitched a good game but bellhorns error and a few other miscues proved costly. There are two games left in the series.

Cliff Lee will take the mound tomorrow night and will face off against Wade Miller.

Lee has a record of 8-3 with and ERA of 3.28 and has All-Star considerations. Miller is 4-2 with an ERA of 4.83

Note: Cleveland is 9 games better than they were this time last year posting a record of 40-34. They are now only 1 game out of second place in their division and 1 game out of the wildcard. With the Twins playing the hapless royals, these last two games against boston are vital considering the indians play the slumping orioles who are one of the two teams ahead of them and then play the yankees the second weekend of july.

Reds series sees highs and lows, but improvement.

2005-06-27T02:50:00.000-04:00

Jake Westbrook benefited from a season-high 21 hits and five home runs on Saturday night as the Indians drew even in their Showdown of Ohio series before a sellout crowd of 42,521.

The offense absolutely exploded from the git go after surrending a first inning run, which the tribe wasted no time in getting back.

There has been something about the 3rd inning this season that the indians just feast on.

The Reds got to Westbrook again to plate 2 more runners. That lead was not to last very long and there was no preparation for what was about to befall the Cincinnati club.

Grady Sizemore lead off with what seemed to be a harmless solo home run. Coco Crisp flied out to center then Starter Luke Hudson walked Travis Hafner.

Up Next: Victor Martinez. The slumping catcher had been showing signs of improvement throughout this homestand taking better swings and being more patient . well, his bat would reiterate this. Martinez drove an 0-1 pitch over the right field fence to make it a 4-3 ballgame. Broussard followed with the first of his two home runs to make it 5-3 tribe.

Ronnie Belliard then singled and Jody Gerut doubled ending hudsons night but it wouldnt matter who was pitching. The storm was just getting started. Next Pitcher: Rick Stone

Aaron Boone singled to score Belliard moving gerut to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta struck out but Stone walked Sizemore. Crisp singled to bring in Gerut and Boone and Hafners single knocked in Sizemore. Martinez would ground out to end the inning but 8 runs on 8 hits was just too much for Cincinnati.

The indians would add 3 more later in the game, 2 coming off a Broussard bomb that was launched into the second deck and Travis Hafner tied a Jacobs Field record of 477 feet with his blast that landed in the center field batters eye bar. Jim Thome hit a ball that distance back in 1999 during a playoff game against Boston.

It seemed to be a repeat of a similar stage that took place against the rockies the previous tuesday in which the indians scored 10 straight runs with 3 home runs in one inning to match a club record. The record being set in '99 against the Kansas City Royals that amounted to 12. all coming with 2 outs.

David Riske gave up 3 home runs in the 9th inning to put a little worry into the cleveland faithful but that would be it as howry came in to close out the game.

Sundays game was a pitching duel that came down to Victor Martinez' pinch hit RBI single giving the indians the go ahead and game clinching run. C.C. Sabathia got into a jam giving up a 2 run Home run to Jason Larue but was able to get out of the inning without a panic and no real damage. C.C. coming into todays game had lost 2 straight and would end up with a no decision.

The Indians finished up their longest homestand of the season with a record of 8-4 and 13-2 against national league teams. Hopefully taking 2 out of 3 from the reds is what will gear up the Indians who face the sizzling Boston Red Sox, the same club who swept them a week earlier.

Note: The Indians bullpen has been nothing short of phenomonal all season but since running into the red sox they've been shaky. Riske gave up 3 home runs that never should have happened, especially the 3rd.
Eric Wedge should have sat him down after the second. Wedges problem all last year and to this point has been failure to recognize a pitcher in distress. ballplayers are human, they're going to make mistakes, but its a managers job to prevent them. lets hope this little skid was a minor setback or its more hopes of next year rather than now.

Indians drop 4th straight. Red Sox move into first.

2005-06-25T03:03:00.000-04:00

The Cincinnati Reds Kicked off a 3 game series against the Indians on Friday night in what has been dubbed "the battle of I-71" however, tonight, it was the Hernandez/Griffey show.

The tribe got a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning from a lead off single by Grady Sizemore. Victor Martinez' basehit up the middle brought Sizemore home, but it only took one inning for the reds to strike back.

Griffey took a 1-2 pitch to opposite field for his 13th home run of the year followed by Joe Randas solo shot. It was Randa's 12th and gave the Reds a 2-1 advantage.

The Indians came right back on Jose Hernandez' blast to the home run porch in left field. Jose seemed to be the only bat not coming around after the tribes slow start this season but still maintained an average above .200, his bat has caught fire over the last few weeks.

Hernandez, who had only hit 1 home run in 160 at bats since April 16th, connected for 2 in 2 innings.

Griffey and Hernandez' accounted for 4 of their teams runs but it was Griffeys second that proved one too many for the Tribe. All 4 homers were solo.

Keep your head up: Tribe Starter Scott Elarton pitched a gem going 6 innings while only giving up 3 runs on 7 hits but left the game with a no decision. He struck out 7.

Elarton had started the season losing his first two contests but has since won 4 straight with an ERA of 4.76 and 47 strikeouts. He has been one of the teams more consistent starters.

Around the League:

The Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox both had tremendous starts from opening day winning close ball games against division opponents, but it has been the white sox who have kept the momentum. The orioles have been floundering for a couple of weeks with the Boston Red Sox lurking behind them. Tonight, The orioles collapsed. losing 7-5 to the Atlanta Braves and surrending first place to a red hot boston club that has won 5 straight games.

note: a big reason for the red sox' latest success is the newfound confidence of Manny Ramirez, who with david ortiz may just well be the best 1,2 punch since Ruth and Gehrig. Ramirez has homered in 5 consecutive games with 9 runs batted in.

Hot Tribe has turned corner.

2005-06-23T17:44:00.000-04:00

By Justice. B. Hill
writer for MLB.com

Nothing could be finer than to cover a team that's as sizzling hot as the Indians have been this past two weeks.

Their success has stoked the emotions of Tribe fans everywhere, and people everywhere are starting to talk -- perhaps prematurely -- about postseason, the Wild Card and midsummer trades.

What has been absent lately from my inbox are e-mails calling general manager Mark Shapiro and the Dolan family all sorts of names for not signing high-priced talents with inflated demands -- and egos.

Remember the early days of this rebuilding project? Shapiro preached patience then, because he said the turnaround in the team's fortunes wouldn't happen in a day or two. He picked 2005 as the season in which the Indians would contend again.

Now, the man looks like Nostradamus.

The club Shapiro rebuilt is riding a wave of success that a surfer would enjoy. The Tribe is winning with pitching (OK, ignore the 10-9, 9-2 and 5-4 losses to the Red Sox), with defense and with enough hitting to turn that good pitching into wins. This is what Indians fans have longed for since the 2001 season; this is what Shapiro had promised since 2002.

Can it get any better than this? its what fans are asking about the resurgent Indians.

pressure too much for young team.

2005-06-21T23:11:00.000-04:00

The indians record in interleague play - 11-1.

games out of wild card spot - 2. 5

indians record against their division - 13-19.

bottom line. inconsistency.

The tribe has had the second best ERA in the majors all season long and had been the hottest team in baseball for the last 2 weeks since interleague play began. Sweeping the rockies, the diamondbacks, and the giants while taking 2 out of 3 from a red hot san diego padres team.

Two of these clubs had winning records, two of them were slumping. The winning began after hitting coach Eddie Murray was fired. coincidence? I hope not considering what kind of player Murray was in his day; but You cant argue, however, that something in their confidence had been awakened allowing them to finally start hitting like everyone expected them to. like last years "1-9" lineup.

that is, until monday night.

with a matchup against a very good red sox team; C.C. Sabathia got an early lead retiring the first 7 batters and looked like he was going to cruise. then, completely imploded. giving up 5 straight hits and 2, 3 run home runs to Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek. C.C. was pulled in favor of Rafael Betancourt who went 2 3rds of an inning giving up 1 run.

The tribe made it interesting by chipping away at the sox lead. a sacrifice fly by martinez scored another run to make it 9-5. then, the bottom of the 8th. With two men on and 1 out, Travis hafner hit a 2 run bomb to dead center with Victor Martinez following with a solo shot to the the left field bleachers. Jacobs field erupted and every fan couldnt help but think back to the mid/late 90's of the miraculous comebacks they witnessed on this exact field. ..this team was for real and werent going to just lay down.

Until the 9th inning. Johnny damon on a 1-2 count took david riskes pitch 403 feet into centerfield to make it 10-8. silence overfell the 30,000 faithful, but with rally cups abroad throughout the stands, no one was giving up.

Jhonny peralta gave his team one last hurrah..with casey blake leading off with a double, Peralta hit a single to left center that rolled to the wall scoring blake to make it a one run game, but that was as close as the indians would get. Grady Sizemore and Coco Crisp both lined out ending the ball game.

Tuesday night was over before the final out. David Ortiz hit 2, 2 run home runs while Ramirez clobbered his 5th home run in as many games. There were no late inning dramatics this game with a final score of 9-2.

Indians have now dropped 2 straight and fall to 4th in the wild card standings. boston, minnesota, and texas have at least a one game lead.

Note: 9 runs is the most surrended by C.C. Sabathia in his 4 year career. His record is now 5-4 on the season with an era of 4.66 and 83 total innings pitched.

If hot shot indians keep winning, They'll be ahead of schedule

2005-06-20T01:21:00.000-04:00

By Peter Gammons
Special to ESPN.com
June 18

It's the 18th of June and the Cleveland Indians are six games over .500, one game better than the Braves in the won-lost column, 1½ better than the Yankees, two better than the Cubs, better than the entire National League West.

Five weeks earlier, the Indians were 12-18 and floundering. Mark Shapiro resisted the temptation that general managers sometime find irresistible -- to feed their egos by making trades to show the fans and media they are "doing something" -- and stuck with what he and manager Eric Wedge believe is a building team that can and will contend next season. "We believed that we are closer to what we hit last season than the first six weeks of 2005," says Shapiro.

As Coco Crisp, Travis Hafner, Ronnie Belliard and most everyone other than Victor Martinez has crept toward their expected norms, the Indians have developed two middle-of-the-diamond regulars in their first full seasons. Grady Sizemore, 22, has an .834 OPS, second best among AL center fielders behind Johnny Damon. Jhonny Peralta, 23, has an .848 OPS, third among AL shortstops after Miguel Tejada and Michael Young.
Outfielder Coco Crisp is one of a host of young Indians players meeting expectations.

With the presence of Bob Wickman at the end of games, Cleveland's bullpen has been the best in the league: Its 2.54 ERA through Friday was .30 lower than runner-up Minnesota, and it has led in strikeout/walk ratio and -- as a stuff indicator -- lowest OPS against. That has allowed C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee and, now that he has some support, Jake Westbrook to build as a rotation with Kevin Millwood. Incidentally, Millwood has earned deep respect from his general manager. "This is a guy who threw 200 innings four times before he turned 30," says Shapiro. "When I see that and I see how he stays in games even when he doesn't have his best stuff makes me appreciate how badly he wants it and how he does not ever give in. He's been a very positive influence on the younger pitchers."

Beginning with the 2006 season, the Indians will be able to enter the free-agent market. But they will also have several young pitchers ready for the major leagues, like relievers Fernando Cabrera (5-0, 0.97, 52-7 K/BB in 37 IP) and left-hander Brian Tallet. And Double-A starters Dan Denham (5-3, 3.10, but .201 opponents' average) and J.D. Martin, who in eight starts has a 2.82 ERA and a 56-7 K/BB ratio in 44 2/3 innings. Then there are also two starters who may be on the horizon by this time next year, top prospect Adam Miller, returning from arm problems, and lefty Jeremy Sowers, their 2004 first-round pick from Vanderbilt.

Not that this season is over. The Indians were three games out of the wild card on Saturday, a far cry from where they were five weeks ago, and right where they thought they might be when the season began. Another reminder that even when you're 12-18, only a fifth of your season has been played.