It's the Braves. The Indians will be lucky to win just one tonight.

 

They aren't making the playoffs unless Detroit or Oakland just self-destruct or we somehow finally figure out how to beat Detroit. Not out of the question, but unlikely.

 

But even if this is the last week the Indians are 'in it', I think they deserve some serious credit for spending money and being competitive into early September. A couple gambles paid off (Kazmir, Raburn), some have been so-so (Swisher), and some bombed (Myers), but at least they tried.

How much is payroll up?

Let's not forget about Reynolds.

You can beat the Braves. They only have that good record, because of the bad division they play in.

Wow what a disappointing way to lose a series 8 runs to 3.

im still a hgue tribe fan, but im just gonna stop watching for the time being.  Who knows whats up with this team.  They can get swept by Detroit and then come back and win 9 in a row and b 1.5 back again. Thats how Tito rolls.  Its too much of an emotional roller coaster.  Like a really dramatic, high maintenance girlfriend or boyfriend.

I just don't get how the hitting went from good to league worst at the drop of a hat. So frustrating.

It's the Braves. The Indians will be lucky to win just one tonight.

 

 

Their hitting has sucked long before their plane landed in Atlanta. When I was at the game on Sunday against Minnesota (one of the worst teams in the league), I was bitching about the Tribe's lack of offense and how they needed a real hitting coach and a big bat in the middle of the lineup. That probably didn't go over well with others sitting around me. Where? -- in the Indians' suite!

It's the Braves. The Indians will be lucky to win just one tonight.

 

 

Their hitting has sucked long before their plane landed in Atlanta. When I was at the game on Sunday against Minnesota (one of the worst teams in the league), I was bitching about the Tribe's lack of offense and how they needed a real hitting coach and a big bat in the middle of the lineup. That probably didn't go over well with others sitting around me. Where? -- in the Indians' suite!

 

That could well be....but not as badly as the Pirates need a new pitching coach.

 

Not only have they faded from the class of the NL to looking up at the Cardinals, but two young pitchers in two years (James McDonald and Jeff Locke) have melted down deep into what looked like breakout seasons.

Despite them being in a pennant race, the Indians are too frustrating for me to get excited about, much less attend more games. I've been to two this year (and paid for neither). I got my fix so I'm good until next year.

the next 6 games are intriguing.  they need to make there move this weekend.  If they get on one of those hot streaks, they can bury KC and probably climb within a game of the second spot. Im still very much interested, went Tuesday night and considering Saturday.  I know they have to earn the respect and they are so wishy washy that every time they have a big game at hoime they lose, but i do feel bac for the players they have small corwds in a playoff push.  I still dont think its embarassing or shameful like some of the dumb radio hosts state, but we want the players to bond with the fan base and feel as if we are all in this together, but i imagine they feel like its just them

the next 6 games are intriguing.  they need to make there move this weekend.  If they get on one of those hot streaks, they can bury KC and probably climb within a game of the second spot. Im still very much interested, went Tuesday night and considering Saturday.  I know they have to earn the respect and they are so wishy washy that every time they have a big game at hoime they lose, but i do feel bac for the players they have small corwds in a playoff push.  I still dont think its embarassing or shameful like some of the dumb radio hosts state, but we want the players to bond with the fan base and feel as if we are all in this together, but i imagine they feel like its just them

 

Well you gotta hope that Swisher and Cabrera start playing up to their abilities. That's key. With those two being productive it changes the entire dynamic of the lineup.

the next 6 games are intriguing.  they need to make there move this weekend.  If they get on one of those hot streaks, they can bury KC and probably climb within a game of the second spot. Im still very much interested, went Tuesday night and considering Saturday.  I know they have to earn the respect and they are so wishy washy that every time they have a big game at hoime they lose, but i do feel bac for the players they have small corwds in a playoff push.  I still dont think its embarassing or shameful like some of the dumb radio hosts state, but we want the players to bond with the fan base and feel as if we are all in this together, but i imagine they feel like its just them

 

What have the Indians marketers been doing to fill seats?  This would be a great chance to do some 1/2 off deals etc.  Last night's attendance was somewhere around 10,000.  Dismal.

Last night's attendance was somewhere around 10,000.  Dismal.

 

Just think of it as like the first 40 minutes of Major League.

Tampa lost last night and now we are 2 games back in the wild card.

 

 

Why am I more shocked that we are hanging around than excited?

Vintage Tito. Keeps the clubhouse together despite getting mauled at certain times. Did it in boston

Just looked at the schedules and For the month of September I am a Red Sox fan. They play the Yankees one more time after this series, Tampa Bay once and the O's twice.

don't put the success on the manager. the difference between managers is almost negligible.

don't put the success on the manager. the difference between managers is almost negligible.

 

I couldn't disagree w this statement more. Managers job is to take 40 ppl and lead, inspire, and keep them together thru a long season and keep personalities focus. Acts did not have this skill, francona does. Hence why after getting smacked over and over again they pop right back up. Last year under acts they all quit. Season over

It had nothing to do with shedding hafner and grady's useless contracts and paying players who will stay on the field. no, that would make too much sense.

 

My point is, when you have the thirty best people in the world, doing a job that has limitations of skill, the difference between managers is very small in terms of the wins they produce.  how many more wins per year does the best  manager in baseball bring  you as opposed to the mean?

I agree that managers don't win games. In fact they say a manager is responsible for the outcomes of about 4 games per year, but there is clearly a clubhouse difference with good leadership at the helm. Based on streamlines and performance there is no way this team should b two games out of wildcard

Just looked at the schedules and For the month of September I am a Red Sox fan. They play the Yankees one more time after this series, Tampa Bay once and the O's twice.

 

The Red Sox are beating the snot out of teams right now.  I was looking at their schedule earlier in the day as well and I'm hoping they can stay hot against their AL East brethren down the stretch.

ahh its been great to be out and about with the games on in the background and hearing mets fans grumbling and at the same time remarking how cleveland looks nice in those aerials.

 

^You'd think they'd be all out of grumble by now with that awful team.  It's the Yankees fans I've really enjoyed watching the last few days.  Seeing tribe castoff David Huff get slammed yesterday was rathet enjoyable.  Kudos to the Yankees for hanging around for so long with that atrocious roster but the party may be ending for them at last.

 

C'mon Tribe, finish the sweep today. [And you too Seattle.]

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN 2h

On one hand, the Indians a game out in the race for second wildcard. http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings/_/type/wild-card … But the schedule makes them favorites to win it.

 

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN 1h

This week’s power ranking: 1. Boston 2. Dodgers 3. Atlanta 4. Cincinnati 5. Oakland. 6. St. Louis 7. DET 8. PIT 9. TEX 10. CLE Fire away.

 

https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN

^You'd think they'd be all out of grumble by now with that awful team.  It's the Yankees fans I've really enjoyed watching the last few days.  Seeing tribe castoff David Huff get slammed yesterday was rathet enjoyable.  Kudos to the Yankees for hanging around for so long with that atrocious roster but the party may be ending for them at last.

 

C'mon Tribe, finish the sweep today. [And you too Seattle.]

 

ha since when do ny'ers not complain about everything? dice-k usually rolls snake eyes, so i think a sweep is definately in order today. its too bad it wont get much attention no matter what due to the browns game.

 

as for the yankees, they wont make the post season -- and better yet my little dream scenario of jeter retiring on a .500 team remains on target.

 

 

don't put the success on the manager. the difference between managers is almost negligible.

 

As a manager who is working 12 hours on a Sunday, reading this comment made me sad.

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN 2h

On one hand, the Indians a game out in the race for second wildcard. http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings/_/type/wild-card … But the schedule makes them favorites to win it.

 

Yep.  The Tribe's schedule down the stretch is far and away the easiest of any team fighting for the last wild card spot.

don't put the success on the manager. the difference between managers is almost negligible.

 

As a manager who is working 12 hours on a Sunday, reading this comment made me sad.

 

And.....I just found out one of the new employees I've been successfully motivating today is a frequent, longtime poster on Urban Ohio.

 

Twilight Zone!

 

p.s. I'm sensing a powerful alliance growing, even though he stated I'm not "well-liked" on the forum.

 

p.s.s. Topic of discussion today at work: Albert Belle's missing bat aka "The Jason Bourne/Grimsley incident"

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Bat_Burglary

so no sweep of the mets, but it was way more interesting than that other game.

 

royals- then coming up are the white sox & royals again.

 

at least we have real drama here -- can they get a wildcard?

 

stay tuned!

 

On this day in 2011 the team was 13 games out of the wild card; In 2012 it was 19 games. I can't say I feel I was any less agonized by this years relative mini-slumps, but I've surely blocked a lot of last year out.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings/_/type/wild-card/date/20110909

http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings/_/type/wild-card/date/20120909

A bit dicey there in the 9th, but they pulled it out.  Meaningful baseball in mid September-- this is awesome.  Are people buzzing about the Tribe in Cleveland these days or has football season more or less sucked up all the the oxygen in the local sports conversation?  This Tribe team is easily our best playoff hope in Cleveland since Lebron left.

I would say everyone is watching/listening to the tribe.  just not live.

On this day in 2011 the team was 13 games out of the wild card; In 2012 it was 19 games. I can't say I feel I was any less agonized by this years relative mini-slumps, but I've surely blocked a lot of last year out.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings/_/type/wild-card/date/20110909

http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings/_/type/wild-card/date/20120909

 

Good stat!

 

I went all the way back to 2008 (as of Sept. 10):

 

Games out of wild card by year as of Sept. 10:

2008 - 13.5

2009 - 21

2010 - 27.5

2011 - 13

2012 - 19.5

2013 - 1.5

 

You'd think there'd be a little more excitement about the Tribe, even in spite of their slumps.

I would say everyone is watching/listening to the tribe.  just not live.

 

Sadly the "not live" part is clear with these all-time low September crowds. So weird how playoff contention has zero short term effect on attendance.

 

There's been some awesome scoreboard watching too. I love September baseball.

I would say everyone is watching/listening to the tribe.  just not live.

 

Certainly their TV ratings are doing well. And I even though I don't watch the games much, I do pay attention to how they're doing (ie: final scores, standings, etc).

C'mon Cleveland!  Detroits on a little skid!  We're actually 4.5 out of the DIVISIONAL lead, on September 10.  This is reason to be excited!  The Browns, not so much...

Ever since that one 4-game Detroit sweep (where we were started 3 games behind) it's been hard to build much emotion. I'm glad they're so close in the division and wildcard, but that series really took a toll on my interest.

 

I still watch or listen to almost every game...but it's definitely not the same. And f Chris Perez!

Ever since that one 4-game Detroit sweep (where we were started 3 games behind) it's been hard to build much emotion. I'm glad they're so close in the division and wildcard, but that series really took a toll on my interest.

 

x2. I was watching every game up until that series.

 

I still watch or listen to almost every game...but it's definitely not the same. And f Chris Perez!

 

With all that THC in his bloodstream, Perez probably doesn't even notice all the stress and drama he's causing.

Ever since that one 4-game Detroit sweep (where we were started 3 games behind) it's been hard to build much emotion. I'm glad they're so close in the division and wildcard, but that series really took a toll on my interest.

 

I was right there with you.  But what if, just what if Detroit skids enough to put us in the race again, with a weak schedule coming up.  I like the sounds of that vs a wildcard berth.  We need to maintain hope. 

 

 

Division would be much better than the WC, but even the WC would be super exciting.  Not sure it measures much, but are the Indians getting any play on sports radio?

Division would be much better than the WC, but even the WC would be super exciting.  Not sure it measures much, but are the Indians getting any play on sports radio?

 

No. Everyone was excited about the Browns. Now they're bitching about the Browns.

I think there is a very good chance we'll be in the playoffs; it's just that the Detroit series did something to me, my roommate, and undoubtedly a lot of fans. It made us somewhat more unengaged overall, less devoted. I should be excited, I should be talking about it the team more. Hell, I'm seeing the Sox game this Thursday, yet am not really thinking about it all that much. It's almost like an afterthought.

 

That Detroit series put me in a 'meh' mood. The heart just isn't in it enough.

 

However, I'm sure that'll change come playoffs.

However, I'm sure that'll change come playoffs.

 

That won't even do it for me unless we win a series. I just don't believe the Indians can beat good teams. Until they prove it to me, there's no reason for me to invest my heart in them.

Division would be much better than the WC, but even the WC would be super exciting.  Not sure it measures much, but are the Indians getting any play on sports radio?

 

No. Everyone was excited about the Browns. Now they're bitching about the Browns.

 

It only take 15 minutes of Browns football to go from excitement to complete and utter frustration.  I was on plane Sunday so couldn't watch.  At FL 370 I suppose god was intervening in my sanity.

should be a great game -- former tampa bay teammates kazmir vs shields go at it in the rubber match.

 

Michael Bourn on Cleveland attendance "Come on out and watch us play. That’s all we want."

http://www.letsgotribe.com/2013/9/11/4720800/michael-bourn-on-cleveland-attendance

 

Bourn says having more attendance will help the team play better. Sorry, Michael, but it doesn't work that way. You are in a business and you want us to buy the product your company is selling. But you, your fellow employees, your management and your owner your keep putting a subpar product out there for us to buy, one that frustrates and disappoints us, and can't perform when it is needed to perform most.

 

So you tell me, why should we buy your product? So that you can be energized to provide better service to your customers? Really, is that how it works nowadays?? If so, then you deserve to go out of business.

Michael Bourn on Cleveland attendance "Come on out and watch us play. That’s all we want."

http://www.letsgotribe.com/2013/9/11/4720800/michael-bourn-on-cleveland-attendance

 

Bourn says having more attendance will help the team play better. Sorry, Michael, but it doesn't work that way. You are in a business and you want us to buy the product your company is selling. But you, your fellow employees, your management and your owner your keep putting a subpar product out there for us to buy, one that frustrates and disappoints us, and can't perform when it is needed to perform most.

 

So you tell me, why should we buy your product? So that you can be energized to provide better service to your customers? Really, is that how it works nowadays?? If so, then you deserve to go out of business.

 

We're only 1.5 games out of the playoffs in September, and yet we still have close to the worst attendance in all of baseball.  Then there's the perennial losers that are the Browns selling out a stadium of 72,000 every game and you can understand why players may be frustrated.

^

 

8 home games vs 81 home games.

Yeah, I didn't have issue with what he said. He was just answering a reporter question, not lashing out like CP.  It's not what he said, but i can imagine it being a little annoying as a new player to hear all the whining by cleveland sports fans about how starved the town is for a winner, and then play meaningful, late season games in a mausoleum atmosphere.  Imagine how RTA would feel if it built the west shore commuter rail and KJP wouldn't ride it. :)