If you are an Indians fan and not reading the diatribe... well, you should be.  But I found this latest entry to be particuarly interesting.  Sometimes I think it's just so much easier for people to point the finger at Larry Dolan murmering something about "cheap", than to truly take a look at the underlying problems of what is happening to MLB and how drastic the imbalance is becoming, almost completely attributed to Market Size.  MLB really makes me sick any more.

 

http://www.clevelandtribeblog.blogspot.com/

I won't watch MLB until they put in some kind of hard salary cap.  Otherwise, it is just the Yankees and a bunch of farm teams.

that was pretty much the gist of the article... though the author did give a really interesting and unique possible solution.

Just put a bunch of pics of Grady around Cleveland i'm sure that will drum up sales.  Small sales but sales non the less.  LMAO.

Look who we got.  Not a bad signing at all (well he still needs to pass his physical)

 

Russell Branyan tries to muscle in on playing time with Tribe

Feb 19, 2010

 

Russell Branyan had a career year in 2009, but like so many fantasy owners, major league teams had a hard time believing Branyan could repeat his 31-homer season at age 34.

 

Perhaps it's the new math or the depressed market for first basemen, but apparently Branyan could only get a one-year, $2 million contract offer from the Cleveland Indians. The Tampa Bay Rays were also interested, but could only give him a chance to split DH duties with Pat Burrell. In Cleveland, Branyan could end up seeing time at either first base or DH.

 

MORE AT http://content.usatoday.com/communities/fantasywindup/post/2010/02/russell-branyan-tries-to-muscle-in-on-playing-time-with-tribe/1

 

First spring training game today: Tribe 9, Red 2.  It might not be a pretty year for the Tribe, but I can't wait for opening day!

Haven't been around in awhile, a lot going on... but here are my thoughts on the Tribe:

 

#1 - The signing of Russell Branyan is a futures play, they signed him with the hope of him playing well enough to get something in return by the trade deadline, because if he plays poorly, he'll be riding the pine.

 

#2 - Opening Day, regardless of how shitty the team will be this year, is still exciting, every year it is.  It's a sign that the winter is in the rear view mirror.

 

#3 - I bought the MLB package for my cable here in NYC last year, I will not make that same $170 mistake again this year.

I love opening day.

Any predictions on a winning percentage this year?  I'm thinking the Tribe is better than a lot of people think.  I'd predict they're right at .500 for the year plus or minus .010.

^I'm incapable of separating my aspirations for the team from reality, so I dare not predict.  I am of course irrationally optimistic.

It's tribe time!

 

 

I look at the roster and I see no reason why they can't compete in the consistently weak AL Central.  That said, it's Opening Day and I think fans of about 25 of the league's 30 teams are optimistic about their chances today! :)

 

GO TRIBE!

I was more optimistic at 2:05pm than I am now :(.  My least favorite day of the year is the day after opening day which is always an off day.  It's going to seem like an eternity waiting until Wednesday for game two after today's taste.

^ yeah, why do they need an off day after one day of work?  Dont get too excited...last year seemed like an eternity and then they got blown out the next three games too.  Im sure everyone wants to sit and defend our administration, but lets face it...this is a AAA lineup...especially if Grady and Choo dont hit.

^I was wondering how many losses it would take for people to start proclaiming this is a AAA team.  The answer; one.

 

They hit well all spring, there's no reason to think they won't continue to hit well in April.  Give them a couple games.

We may go 0-162

^ yeah, why do they need an off day after one day of work?  Dont get too excited...last year seemed like an eternity and then they got blown out the next three games too.  Im sure everyone wants to sit and defend our administration, but lets face it...this is a AAA lineup...especially if Grady and Choo dont hit.

 

From what i've seen he has a very small bat!

^I was wondering how many losses it would take for people to start proclaiming this is a AAA team. The answer; one.

 

They hit well all spring, there's no reason to think they won't continue to hit well in April. Give them a couple games.

 

As Lou from Major League 2 said "against guys who will be bagging groceries next week"

I would hardly call this a AAA lineup.  We've got 3 potential all stars right now in sizemore, choo, and cabrera.  And I really like some of the young kids filling in around them with Brantley and LaPorta. Even better that it appears we have a couple difference makers that I would expect to be playing next year in Chisnehall and Santana.  Valbuena... he stinks, and I don't think Donald will be more than a utility guy.  We are defintiely going to need a 2b as we move from rebuilding to contention.

 

Now the pitching on the other hand... we've got a guy that hasn't pitched in 2 years due to injury and looked every bit of that (that's really a 3-4 when healthy).  A guy that is talented that went Rick Ankiel and couldn't throw a strike, for 2 years. Rounded out with AAA pitchers.  I do like Masterson (actually love his arm) though it's not clear if he's a starter or back end bullpen guy.  I would actually say this team would win 80-85 games this year except that I think we need wood to solidify bullpen roles and currently he's hurt, and when he gets healthy my guess is we move him in july... which will keep the pen somewhat of a mess.

 

I think the near term future of this team is pretty bright.  The rotation will be the key on whether or not we can truly contend in the next 2-3 years.  And since only large market teams sign front of the rotation starters, much of our success will depend on whether carmona can bounce back and if Rondon develops.  Then we just need to sign a veteran middle of the rotation guy and hope one or two of these kids (carasco, masterson, talbot, huff, etc) develop into at least quality back end of the rotation pitchers.

 

and I'm certainly not passing judgement on a lineup yet who went up against one of the top 10 pitchers in the game, who was "on" with a devestating change up yesterday.  That happens.

 

Oh... and as to why there is always the off day after opening day?  Weather.  The schedule is set so if there is a rainout you can still have opening day with all the pomp and circumstance the next day... this works of course unless you have a week long blizzard in April, in which case you just go play your games in Milwaukee.

This nice stretch of weather is setting us up for another blizzard at the home opener. It has been way too nice.

opening day thrashing aside, how bout that buerhle under the legs flip? i've never seen anything quite like that play before -- that was amazing:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300405104

 

 

I'll be at the opener on Monday...preliminary forecast says 66 and sunny. Lets hope its in the ballpark.

this will be my 20th of the last 21 openers... 16 in a row.  my favorite day of the year.

Carmona showed up yesterday and didn't get too flustered after a couple of walks. Lets hope this is a start of a trend.

 

I can say this, at least the Indians appear to be interesting to watch this year. They proabably are .500 club at best, but anything is better than the second half of last year. That was unwatchable...

I can't remember the last time I was @ a home opener with nice weather.  I haven't been this excited since the blowout on the Jersey Shore finale. 

after a couple of walks..

 

Yeah, just a couple ;)

 

But I agree.  Was a relief to get that first victory under our belt after last year's horrendous start.  Go tribe!

Carmona needs to reign in that control, but if he can become a consistent #2, the rotation looks a lot better.  Also good to see Perez shut the door as the Tribe's "closer."  I'm still delusional enough to believe that they can compete in the AL Central. :)

You mean the AL "Comedy Central". It will be interesting if the Twins move out of the dome will  dramatically cut into their homefield advantage...

 

I watched "Bull Durahm" last Friday night in anticipation of baseball season, unfortunately my copy of "Major League"  is on VHS and I no longer have a working VCR.

:clap: :clap: 3 run error for Jhonny Peralta  :clap: :clap:

 

Indians lose to the Tigers 5-2

Peralta has been my least favorite indian for the last four years.  He is so lax and inconsistent.  SUre he will have a big hit once in a while like last night...BUT HE IS EXPECTED TO DO THAT...he isnt expected to botch a dribbler and chuck it into the outfield for three runs.  AWFUL.  ruined a good outing form Huff.

Hoping for a Tigers sweep :-D

I'm surprised you all aren't more into the "naked boy"!  LOL

 

But apparently his "bat" is too small.

MTS that was so yesterday, and thats the second comment you made about his "bat" (we know what that says about you).

 

I say no sweep.  5 - 0 in first inning, Indians!   

MTS that was so yesterday, and thats the second comment you made about his "bat" (we know what that says about you).

 

I say no sweep.  5 - 0 in first inning, Indians!   

 

That I think the whole situation was hilarious!  Considering I like to pitch, I'm interested in the backfield!

MTS that was so yesterday, and thats the second comment you made about his "bat" (we know what that says about you).

 

I say no sweep. 5 - 0 in first inning, Indians!

 

Sweep!!!

MTS that was so yesterday, and thats the second comment you made about his "bat" (we know what that says about you).

 

I say no sweep. 5 - 0 in first inning, Indians!

 

Thanks for the jinx.  Just kidding.

 

But seriously, one of the worst played games on both sides I have ever seen.  Tigers almost lost despite having 18 hits, receiving 9 walks and 2 hit batsmen.  Indians bullpen today over 3 innings had  WHIP of 5.

^It was painful watching both Perez's pitch today.  Why is it that Indians closers routinely lose the strike zone with two outs in the ninth?

Gonna be a long season folks...

Santana went yard again today...4 already...gonna be hard to justify keeping him down at AAA if he keeps raking

^As I understand it, they need to keep him down until mid may so that this year doesn't count towards service time, allowing the Indians to control him one year longer as a major leaguer before arbitration and free agency.  For the same reason, they might send down Brantley soon (when Branyan comes back) even though he's playing pretty well.

 

But man oh man am I excited to see Santana with the Tribe.

Gonna be a long season folks...

 

And that is, even being said even before the home opener....It's going to be a really long season.

 

I heard that Acta has a secret plan. He said he saw it in a movie once. He has a cardboard cutout of Larry Dolan in a bikini saying you guys suck in the locker room, and every game the team wins towards taking the division he covers a piece UP.

Good morning and happy Opening Day everyone!

 

Here's a feel good article by Terry Pluto:

 

Opening Day in Cleveland provides golden memories: Terry Pluto

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

April 11, 2010, 9:41PM

 

 

Cleveland - Once a year, Chuck Skripko and his friends used to leave St. Joseph High School at lunch and not come back.

 

"We'd sneak down to the old Stadium for the Indians home opener," said Skripko.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/04/opening_day_in_cleveland_provi.html

 

McCleveland- I had a great time at opening day...and im sure you did.  The indians are by and far my favorite sports team in the world.  I know you constantly defned the product that the Dolans are putting out there...but you cant possibly be having fun...are you?  Yes, I love the posrt of baseball and will watch anway...but come on.  Having your optimism shattered within the first week is just bad.  Times are bad right now.

Tribe loses fifth in a row

Thursday, April 15, 2010

 

By JIM INGRAHAM

[email protected]

 

CLEVELAND — Well, on the plus side, almost nobody saw it.

 

Playing before the smallest crowd in Progressive Field history, the Indians Wednesday night lost another ballgame — but word of mouth shouldn’t be a problem.

 

A “crowd” of 10,071 — the fewest people to watch the Indians play a home game in 17 years — saw the Tribe stumble to a 6-2 loss to the Texas Rangers...

 

...Wednesday night’s — what to call it? — “gathering” is the Indians’ smallest home crowd since 10,057 showed up for a 5-4 Tribe win over the Angels at the late, great Cleveland Stadium on May 3, 1993...

 

URL: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/04/15/sports/doc4bc68e3f4a61d841633792.prt

 

^Combination of a team of relatively unknowns, a bad start (again!), and a hot as can be (popularity wise) Cleveland Cavaliers team starting their playoff run.

 

When the Cavs are hot the Indians struggle to draw early in the year because people are spending their money on the Cavs.  Ever since the Cavs have been perennial contenders the Indians have struggled to sell out anything other than opening day and a Yankees game or two.  It's a shame, but it's just the situation their in right now.

^Combination of a team of relatively unknowns, a bad start (again!), and a hot as can be (popularity wise) Cleveland Cavaliers team starting their playoff run.

 

When the Cavs are hot the Indians struggle to draw early in the year because people are spending their money on the Cavs. Ever since the Cavs have been perennial contenders the Indians have struggled to sell out anything other than opening day and a Yankees game or two. It's a shame, but it's just the situation their in right now.

Or, it could be that the fact the Indians traded away back-to-back Cy Young winners, a beloved Victor Martinez, and others, while keeping Peralta, Raffy Perez, and other stiffs.

other stiffs

 

Travis Hafner

McCleveland- I had a great time at opening day...and im sure you did.  The indians are by and far my favorite sports team in the world.  I know you constantly defned the product that the Dolans are putting out there...but you cant possibly be having fun...are you?  Yes, I love the posrt of baseball and will watch anway...but come on.  Having your optimism shattered within the first week is just bad.  Times are bad right now.

 

I did have a great time.  And I do still like the near team future of this team.  I don't "defend" the dolans.  Better ownership would certainly be nice.  I just know it's not "their fault".  Baseball is the most f'd up sport in the world, and unless you are in a major market you are at a decided disadvantage.  That's the reality.  Not a enough people get that.  Are they the best owners. Absolutely not.  Are they the worst? Absolutely not.  They on many occasions have funded payrolls well enough to win.  I put 99% of the blame on the FO.  When you aren't in a major market and don't have the revenues those clubs have, you have to be efficient.  We haven't drafted a player worth a crap in forever.  That will KILL a small or mid market team.

 

I also blame the most underachieving team in baseball history.  Loads of talent, that just never really produced the way they should have, coupled with getting older made it the "right" move to start over whether we as fans like it or not.

 

Baseball is broken. If I didn't have a team, I wouldn't watch a pitch.  Actually other than indians games I never do anymore... What baseball has evolved into makes me sick.  There's about 20+ teams that are essentially farm teams for 10-12.  At the bare minimum they need draft slotting, and a world wide draft.  The bad teams can't even afford to draft the best players anymore.

This is going to be a problem for a lot of teams.

 

Camden Yards Posts Lowest Ever Attendance

 

9,129.  That is how many fans were in attendance last night at Camden Yards.  Some fans will be appalled that the team didn’t get better support- many of these same fans were also at home for one reason or another.

 

http://baltimoresportsreport.com/2010/04/13/camden-yards-posts-lowest-ever-attendance/

This might be a year where I need to wear more Cardinals than Indians gear.......