Sorry About That….
I know, I know. There has been a lack of posting over here. Sorry about that. Truth is, I have been focusing on my Broncos Blog, and have kind of neglected my original home. Shame on me! There has been alot going on, and with basketball trainig camps set to tip-off next week, along with the NHL regualr season, and college basketball soon after, the sports world is about to get crazy. Oh yea, and the baseball playoffs…
Since my Tribe is just playing out the string, I figured we could chit-chat about them quickly. I must be honest and say that I am cautiously optimistic about 2007 and beyond. The infusion of young players have sparked a nice run the past 6 weeks, and it looks like some of these guys can play. Ryan Garko looks like a guy that’ll be a true four hitter. Not necessarily because of his raw power, but becuase he has a great eye at the plate and the dude flat out rakes with guys in scoring position. I really like Franklin Gutierrez and even Andy marte has started to hit. Add those guys to Travis Hafner, who will return at full strength next season, and arguably the AL’s best player in Grady Sizemore and the offense is shaping up nicely.
As for the pitching, C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers are locks for the rotation. Jake Westbrook can come back, and Paul Byrd is under contract, but I don’t think the Indians are sold on either. Fausto Carmona has recovered nicely from his disaster in the bullpen, and Jeremy Guthrie is also waiting in the wings. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Indians look for a verteran, upper tier pitcher this off-seaosn to be a leader for the staff, similar to Kevin Millwood last season.
The big question will ultimately be, Is Eric Wedge the right guy for the job? It is looking more and more likely that he will be back next season, much to the dismay of many. I have been calling for a change since mid-June and my stance hasn’t changed. What we may see from the Indians next season is a team created that favors Wedge moe than the 2006 version of the Indians. Eric Wedge just does not get through to or motivate veteran players. He has been successful in the minor leagues and early on in Cleveland because he has primarily had younger players. Mark Shapiro added some verterans this past season and it blew up in his face. I have to believe Wedge is going to be ginven one more chance to lead this team to the playoffs before a change is made, though I still am pining for Tony Pena.
Here are a couple thoughts on some other stuff –
*–The “Madden Curse” has struck again, with NFL MVP and Madden cover-boy Shaun Alexander on the shelf with a broken bone in his foot. Think about some of the guys that have graced the cover, only to completely fall apart that season - Marshall Faulk, Ray Lewis, Daunte Culpepper, Donavan McNabb. In my opinion, they couldn’t pay me enough to be on that cover…..They can have it!
*–Time to put the Ryder Cup to bed. Not becuase we are losing, getting killed every two years, no, but becuase we simply DO NOT CARE. Why hold an event when one of the participants doesn’t give a damn about it. Frankly, if I were Phil Mickelson, or Chris Dimarco, I would be utterly embarrassed. Tiger Woods, who has never done well in Ryder Cup play, actually played better this time, but if he wants to be considered the best EVER he is going to need to bring the Ryder Cup back to the U.S.
*–Can this really be happening? On September 20, only 7 days ago, the St. Louis Cardinals led the NL Central by 8 1/2 games over the Houston Astros. The lead was so big MLB was planning on not rescheduling a rain out game between the Cards and Giants. All of a sudden, the Cards have lost 7 games in a row and the Astros have won 7 straight. Looks like that make-up game may be needed. Think about it. Right now, the MEts would be considered the favorite in the NL playoffs, though no team really has the pitching to be considered a real scare….Except for the Astros, that is, who could throw Clemens, Pettite and Oswalt in a short series. Yikes. I don;t know much, but I do know this….Mets fans had better be hoping the Cardinals get it going, and fast!
*–There is a lot of talk about various records that will never be broken…Ripken’s streak, Dimaggio’s streak, etc. Well, one that will never, EVER be broken is the Byron Nelson consecutive tournaments streak. In 1945, Nelson won an incredible 18 tourneys, including 11 in a row. It’s news today, becuase the holder of those records passed away yesterday at 94. It is widely considered the Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer that ever lived, but Byron Nelson put up the best year ever since and ever going forward.
Technorati Tags: Cleveland Indians, Byron Nelson, Madden Curse, Shaun Alexander, Cardinals collapse, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, Roy Oswalt
