Various things that have crossed my mind with the baseball playoffs approaching—
· His delivery may be unorthodox, and his voice is scratchy, but I could listen to Bernie Kosar talk football all day long. It’s a great move for WKNR to have #19 give his insights on the Browns a few times a week.
· Speaking of WKNR, it’s a split decision of the new hosts they brought in this spring. Tony Rizzo’s show is the best new program on that station in a long time. However, Mark “Munch” Bishop’s show makes my ears bleed. I think a talk show host should do better than think like the average fan sitting at home watching television.
· Trot Nixon will be on the Indians post-season roster, period. There is no debate. As much as he has struggled on the field, he is regarded as a leader in the clubhouse. Eric Wedge and Mark Shapiro might have a problem in the locker room if Nixon is not included for the playoffs.
· Cavs’ fans need to relax. GM Danny Ferry and Mike Brown are counting on the improvement from second year guys Daniel Gibson and Shannon Brown to make a big impact. Of course, it would help if the coaching staff can design an offense that is not from the stone age.
· At an average age of 26.6 years, the Indians will be the fourth youngest team to reach the post season since the divisional era in 1969 (information courtesy of Hardball Times.com). That bodes very well for the future of the Cleveland Indians.
· Can anyone explain how the Browns went into their game against the Raiders over confident? Based on what? This is a team that hasn’t won two games in a row in almost four years. That would seem to be part of the problem in Berea. That Romeo Crennel can’t explain it might be a bigger problem.
· It pains me that LeBron James roots for the Yankees. It isn’t even a matter, like many of us, that the Indians weren’t very good when he grew up. The King was a kid when the Tribe was making playoff runs in mid to late 90’s. Like Pete Franklin used to say, rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for Microsoft.
· Despite Joe Borowski’s struggles in Seattle, he should be the closer in the playoffs. This is not the time to restructure the bullpen. Replacing Borowski not only changes his role, but it also changes Rafael Betancourt’s spot. As good as the latter has been this season, he has had problems in the past trying to close.
Enjoy the sunshine this weekend, and start getting wired for a huge sports week in Cleveland. The evil empire will be here next week, so ESPN will be wondering whom is this team playing their beloved Yankees.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 