June 7, 20169 yr ^^That same sort of nostalgia for a golden era seems to work against the Indians. So many fans seem to to take the Dick Faegler approach to the Tribe, measuring the current team against some mid/late 1990s ideal instead of enjoying them today for what they are. There are no doubt several reasons why the Tribe draws so poorly (and we've discussed them to death over the years), but the deranged bitterness about current ownership is the one that makes the least sense to me.
June 7, 20169 yr What I do like most about this team is that, assuming they can make the postseason, one of the biggest factors leading to playoff success is the quality of the starting rotation and they have a very good one. Usually a team needs only four solid starters in the playoffs, but having five or six will go a long way towards being successful. At this point they could use another outfield bat, even after Brantley comes back that will be necessary. I wonder if taking a flyer on Carl Crawford might make sense? Probably not, but maybe another option will come along to solidify the outfield. I almost would actually stick with the core group they have including Chisenhall in RF and Naquin, but some of these guys (Ramirez particularly) won't continue to hit like they are. And Juan Uribe is terrible...they must be able to find someone to play 3B that can hit better than he can, right?
June 7, 20169 yr ^^when the team owners have been openly hostile to the fans year after year and do nothing to encourage fans to attend (still dynamic pricing? still no hitting?), then it's hard to be surprised with the fallout.
June 7, 20169 yr ^He'll never be great, but Uribe is a good bet to play better going forward than he has so far. And in any case, finding another OFer, or at least Brantley getting healthy, frees up more of Ramirez's time to play 3B, which should improve production there. I totally agree Ramirez's bat isn't this good, but I do buy that he's an above average hitter now. Amazing contact skills and surprising power for a little guy. He's like a Zobrist-lite, which is an incredibly valuable player.
June 7, 20169 yr They're all fine hitters but certainly nothing top tier save for perhaps Brantley. And while I can excuse the owners for hitters' poor performance, since it's literally out of the Dolan's hands, what is a complete slap is maintaining this unethical dynamic pricing scam. They want casual fans? Then stop this nickel and diming nonsense. It's inherently dishonest and the average fan has wisened up. If the Dolans actually want higher attendance - even though they get their money from TV and merchandise, so it isn't really a big deal to them - then price the tickets to match economic realities or shut up.
June 7, 20169 yr I'm huge believer in a one Terrance Francona. Though he isn't always the best Xs & Os guy, he is a master psychologist who has a knack for getting the best out of players, especially pitchers, over the course of a season (Exhibit A: Ubaldo Jimenez). And if a guy truly can't cut it, Tito quietly 'disappears' them... It's why his teams tend to get stronger during the course of the season -- every season he's been here has followed this trend. And this year, the Indians have actually started strong through early June -- the 1st time since 2007; you know, the season that we were up 3-1 in the ALCS and should have made the World Series ... accept for who? ... Oh yeah, Tito. We've got a nice mix of hitters this year, but the key seems to be that Napoli is anchoring the middle of the lineup along with pop Lindor is delivering... I know the Tribe has been doing this without Brantley, but I wouldn't hurry him back until he's absolutely ready... We hurried him back earlier in the season and he actually hurt us because he still wasn't right... The offense is clicking right now so, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
June 7, 20169 yr ^He'll never be great, but Uribe is a good bet to play better going forward than he has so far. And in any case, finding another OFer, or at least Brantley getting healthy, frees up more of Ramirez's time to play 3B, which should improve production there. I totally agree Ramirez's bat isn't this good, but I do buy that he's an above average hitter now. Amazing contact skills and surprising power for a little guy. He's like a Zobrist-lite, which is an incredibly valuable player. Good point on Uribe. I went back and looked at his numbers of the past few years and despite his age he was still producing at a decent clip. His drop-off this year is either a statistical anomaly or he's just done.
June 15, 20169 yr Sometimes Tito's loyalty is an albatross. I fear last night's loss will come back to haunt the Tribe by season's end... Manager Terry Francona standing by struggling set-up man Bryan Shaw http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/06/cleveland_indians_terry_franco_29.html#incart_river_index "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 15, 20169 yr ^ I think the same thing could be said of the Indians organization as a whole. I think loyalty is a good virtue and helps create stability, but it can be detrimental if taken to an extreme. How many other owners in baseball would keep the same front office staff in place (and even promote them) with the lackluster performance the Indians have had over the last decade and a half?
June 15, 20169 yr ^I have my issues with them, but overall, I think the front office is doing just fine. There is an absurd amount of randomness between a roster and deep post season drives, and we've been on the short end of it the last few years. We're still in a great position this year, even after last night.
June 15, 20169 yr Bryan Shaw scares me. He's had 7 HRs in less than 26 innings this year, as opposed to 8 all of last year (64 innings pitched). It concerns me even more when our setup man doesn't have the mental toughness to not throw a meatball with 2 outs and a base runner not in scoring position in a high-profile series where 1st place hangs in the balance. Yes Ramirez botched the Hosmer play essentially giving KC 4 outs in the 8th, but that's not a licence for a pitcher to lose focus. Cody Anderson did this last week when Lindor brain-locked on a routine grounder that would have ended the inning; Anderson proceeded to give up 5 runs on a double then a triple and, as a result, Cody was packing his bags for Columbus... Don't look for Tito to lay his cards on the table. One thing I like about him is that he rarely bad-mouths his players to the media. You just look up one day and they're gone. I'm not saying Francona should move on Shaw, yet, but you can bet Shaw's meter is running.
June 21, 20168 yr the tribe is on a 4 game roll and went another half game up on the idle royals. what a nice night it should be to watch kluber and the first place indians take on the rays at the ballpark tonight, wishing i could go (and see the cavs parade tomorrow). damn work lol. http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2016/06/21/Francisco-Lindor-Juan-Uribe-propel-Cleveland-Indians-past-Tampa-Bay-Rays/2661466485873/
June 21, 20168 yr ^And almost no one was there to see the 1st place team. I'm hearing lots of new-found optimism out of my friends, neighbors and most importantly, members of the media. The curse has been broken. The Monsters AND the Cavs? What can stop us now? They are ready to believe. If the Indians are still streaking at the All Star break, I think you'll start to see those stands filling up.
June 21, 20168 yr Hopefully they can pull in some decent walk-up crowds these next two games as the Cleveland diaspora returns to the North Coast for the parade tomorrow.
June 21, 20168 yr Hopefully they can pull in some decent walk-up crowds these next two games as the Cleveland diaspora returns to the North Coast for the parade tomorrow. You're seeing that return too, huh?
June 21, 20168 yr ^I hope they aim bigger. Bruce is essentially a DH at this point. He's a butcher in the OF. Will Myers is the guy I want, though I know he'd cost an arm and a leg.
June 22, 20168 yr ^And almost no one was there to see the 1st place team. I'm hearing lots of new-found optimism out of my friends, neighbors and most importantly, members of the media. The curse has been broken. The Monsters AND the Cavs? What can stop us now? They are ready to believe. If the Indians are still streaking at the All Star break, I think you'll start to see those stands filling up. Not even 16K last night. Very Stable Genius
June 22, 20168 yr ^And almost no one was there to see the 1st place team. I'm hearing lots of new-found optimism out of my friends, neighbors and most importantly, members of the media. The curse has been broken. The Monsters AND the Cavs? What can stop us now? They are ready to believe. If the Indians are still streaking at the All Star break, I think you'll start to see those stands filling up. Not even 16K last night. It will take some time, but if they are still in first after the ASB, watch what happens. I wonder how many of the 1 million cavsparaders will opt for a $16 upper deck ticket tonight?
June 23, 20168 yr I was hoping for a larger turnout at the Indians game because of all the parade revelers downtown. However, everyone was exhausted (and many annoyed) after being downtown for at minimum 10 hours by the time the rally ended. Also, I would venture to guess some people would not even considering going downtown after hearing of all the traffic congestion. We only went to the Indians game (also spent by the day's eve) because the trains were so backed up. We left in the sixth inning which I normally would never do to my Indians simply because we were drained.
June 23, 20168 yr I'm surprised more people didn't pay $16 for relatively un-crowded bathrooms and a place to sit down. What a June for the tribe. Not a single home loss.
June 23, 20168 yr ^I hope they aim bigger. Bruce is essentially a DH at this point. He's a butcher in the OF. Will Myers is the guy I want, though I know he'd cost an arm and a leg. I'd take Bruce in a heartbeat. He's tearing it up right now and he's serviceable in right field. You don't need a Gold Glover in that position, and if he keeps hitting anywhere near how he is right now, the Tribe's pennant hopes become greatly improved.
June 25, 20168 yr Seven in a row and 7-0 against the Tigers. I think we have a pretty good baseball team this year.
June 25, 20168 yr I was hoping for a larger turnout at the Indians game because of all the parade revelers downtown. However, everyone was exhausted (and many annoyed) after being downtown for at minimum 10 hours by the time the rally ended. Also, I would venture to guess some people would not even considering going downtown after hearing of all the traffic congestion. We only went to the Indians game (also spent by the day's eve) because the trains were so backed up. We left in the sixth inning which I normally would never do to my Indians simply because we were drained. This. I planned on going but was exhausted after an 11 hour day at the parade and rally.
June 25, 20168 yr There were eight of us downtown for the parade. We were all planning on going to the game, but in the end the only ones who went were the three of us who live downtown. Everyone else bolted back to the 'burbs after a long day. Indians looking locked-in right now. Nothing flashy, just solid baseball. My hovercraft is full of eels
June 26, 20168 yr Winning seems contagious these days in Cleveland... Pre-season football is around the corner... Did anyone else hear that balloon burst in their ears? :-D
June 26, 20168 yr Their starting pitching is phenomenal and they keep hitting. Dominating the Tigers is a beautiful thing
June 27, 20168 yr 999999999 http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/heres-why-the-indians-are-one-of-mlb-top-contenders-and-how-they-might-get-better?linkId=25931879
June 27, 20168 yr #WWWWWWWWWindians! Stealing a bit of social media style from the Atlanta Hawks, but it doesn't bother me
June 28, 20168 yr 10 in a row! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 29, 20168 yr 11! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 29, 20168 yr Wiiiiiiiiindians!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People better start showing up for their home games dammit!
June 29, 20168 yr This is so much fun! The tribe has created the perfect segue from the championship Cavs! And yes, StPats is SO right - this team deserves much better than "last in attendance".
June 29, 20168 yr Seen on reddit: 50 years from now: "papa, what's it feel like to lose?" "i don't know son, this is cleveland"
June 29, 20168 yr Longest win streak in my lifetime. Yes, that includes the 90s teams That 1982 team was amazing. Fond memories of my youth at the old stadium. I was a HUGE Mike Hargrove fan, even learning to bat left handed so I could attempt to properly replicate the human rain delay at my little league games (much to my coach's dismay).
June 29, 20168 yr It's amazing how a 115 year old franchise's longest winning streak is only 13 games. Would be awesome if this were the year to break the record. Despite the winning streak I'm still cautious. I'll feel better if they still have this six game lead around Labor Day.
June 29, 20168 yr It's amazing how a 115 year old franchise's longest winning streak is only 13 games. Would be awesome if this were the year to break the record. Despite the winning streak I'm still cautious. I'll feel better if they still have this six game lead around Labor Day. John J. Adams @TribeDrummer 23h23 hours ago I've been asked if the Tribe is for real. When I am eating a steak diner, I don't think about a bologna sandwich I might eat tomorrow Enjoy https://twitter.com/TribeDrummer
June 29, 20168 yr Tribe now have the best run differential in the AL and 2nd best in all of baseball. Starting pitching has combined for a 2.65 ERA in June. Very Stable Genius
June 29, 20168 yr Wiiiiiiiiindians!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People better start showing up for their home games dammit! Been hearing that it is picking up finally. I just got tickets this morning for the July 8 game.... Good to see that there wasn't much available. Granted it is a Friday night game, playing the Yankees, and $ dog as well as fireworks.
June 29, 20168 yr ^ The Indians have said they expect at least three 30,000+ crowds during the next home stand. I suspect the 4th of July will be a sellout, or very close to it
June 29, 20168 yr ^ The Indians have said they expect at least three 30,000+ crowds during the next home stand. I suspect the 4th of July will be a sellout, or very close to it Progressive attendance is averaging only 500 below Tropicana. I have a feeling after this weekend the Indians won't be in last place in attendance.
June 30, 20168 yr So much fun. Could be a rough weekend in Toronto, but whatever. The benefit of running up so many wins is having a margin to play with over the rest of the season. They could get swept in Toronto and still be in excellent shape.
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