Recently on WKNR’s Tony Rizzo Show (the station’s best show in a long time), the host posed the question of what Cleveland team’s front office do you have the most confidence in. The response was stunning. Many, many callers said they had the most confidence in the Browns’ GM Phil Savage and owner Randy Lerner. This, of course, is understandable based on the several recent playoff appearances by our football team. Oh, that’s right, they’ve made the playoffs just once since returning to the NFL in 1999. Well, at least they contend for a playoff spot year in and year out. No, they don’t do that either.
I thought about this again because of the mocking the Indians took over the signing of Russell Branyan to a minor league contract. The critics laughed about how the Tribe solved its hitting woes by inking the veteran slugger who strikes out more often than not. I saw the move as Mark Shapiro giving a former Indian a chance to play somewhere. There was no intention of ever bringing Russell the Muscle back to Jacobs Field. Even skipper Eric Wedge was peeved at questions about Branyan, saying he is there to help out Buffalo, nothing more. Yesterday, the Tribe dealt the ex-Padre to the Phillies for cash, proving there was no grand plan to have him start at 3B for the Tribe.
Yesterday, the Indians picked up veteran infielder Chris Gomez from the waiver wire. Gomez played for the Orioles this year and hit .302 in a reserve role. Because the ballclub doesn’t need a fifth starter for awhile, they will carry only 11 pitchers, so Asdrubal Cabrera will stay on the big club at least until August 25th. This move will give Eric Wedge some more infield depth and an extra right handed bat. Look for Gomez to make his Indian debut Sunday afternoon against the Yankees when lefty Andy Pettitte goes for the pinstripers.
Meanwhile, when will the Tribe bats come alive? A good sign was seen last night as Victor Martinez had a three hit game for the first time since July 20th. The bats erupted for seven runs in the 7-5 win over the White Sox, the key blow being Kelly Shoppach’s three run dinger. Auite simply, the big three of Martinez, Grady Sizemore, and Travis Hafner has to hit for this team to make the post season. Hafner’s troubles this season have been well documented, but Sizemore has not performed up to expectations either. Although his walks are up, his doubles are down (last year 53, this year on pace for 32) and his whiffs are up (last year 153, on pace for 169). The centerfielder is too good of a player to strike out as much as he does.
The Indians also announced that Shin-Soo Choo has been sent to the Gulf Coast League to start rehabbing his elbow injury and went 1 for 4 yesterday. If Choo can show he is healthy, will the team start the process of replacing Trot Nixon in the line up. The youngster has more pop and is better defensively than Nixon. He showed last season that he can hit big league pitching. Remember, had he not been hurt, he would have been here when David Dellucci got hurt in June. He also could take Hafner’s spot on the roster if Pronk is out for any length of time.
Despite the recent problems, the Indians still have a 1-1/2 game lead in the AL Central Division. Imagine the hand wringing if they were three games out of first? Please Tribe fans, drown out the annoying Yankee fans this weekend. Of course, winning is the best mute button when it comes to the front runners who cheer for the Bronx Bombers.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 