The Indians started off the 2006 season by taking 5 of 6 against their biggest competition to win the AL Central Division title, the White Sox and the Twins.  With all of the hand wringing following the opening night loss, much has changed for supporters of the Tribe in the last week.

 

However, we cannot expect the club will roll through the season like the 1995 edition of the Tribe, one that won the Central Division by 30 games.  This division will be a dogfight for the entire season as the two teams the Indians just played will hang around all year.  Also, it appears from the first week of the season (I know it’s a marathon not a sprint) that the Tigers could be better than expected.

 

In the midst of this winning streak, there are a few things I was disappointed in the first week of the season:

 

Jhonny Peralta’s contact:  The young shortstop whiffed 128 times last season, and has already fanned nine times in six games in 2006.  Peralta hit .292 last season, but it’s difficult to believe he will approach that mark again consistantly in the future unless he makes better contact.  Peralta will be a productive player, but will not be able to hit third in the order if he doesn’t correct this problem. 

 

Ronnie Belliard is pull happy:  Belliard is off to a slow start, but it appears he is trying yank everything.  The second baseman’s game is using the entire field, but he has been swinging early in counts trying to hit the long ball.  Perhaps he is trying to show Mark Shapiro he is worthy of a contract extension, but he needs to relax and go the other way once he recovers from his pulled leg muscle.

 

Lefty in the pen:  Scott Sauerbeck made two appearances, one in the blowout loss last Sunday night in Chicago, and the other in a key situation against the White Sox on Wednesday.  He came into face Scott Podsednik, a lefthanded hitter, and promptly walked him.  After a sacrifice, he intentionally walked Jim Thome, which was the correct move.  However, since the Tribe has only one southpaw in the ‘pen, it is imperative that he throws strikes.  If Eric Wedge doesn’t have confidence in Sauerbeck, GM Mark Shapiro will be looking at either Felix Heredia in Buffalo or another alternative for the relief corps.

 

The Tribe is off to the good start the team and its fans wanted after the last few years when they buried themselves in the standings.  The Indians seems to have continued the mantra of their manager, take it one series at a time.

 

MW  

 

I was listening to WKNR while the Tribe game was going on yesterday afternoon and of course I had to hear all these "experts", including the host talk about baseball strategy, particularly when and when not to bunt.  Most of the baseball writers I read talk about what a waste the bunt is, and I agree with them.  However, most fans who want the hitters to bunt do not understand the ramifications of the act.

 

First of all, baseball is not a game driven by time.  The only measurable thing about the actual playing is the 27 outs in a nine inning game.  Having a hitter lay down a bunt forfeits one of those precious outs.  So, there better be a very good reason for doing it.

 

In the fifth inning of yesterday’s game, with the Tribe leading 2-1, Grady Sizemore and Jason Michaels singled putting runners on first and second with no one out and the #3 hitter Jhonny Peralta at the plate.  The young shortstop hit .292 last season with 24 HR’s.  So, why would you want him to bunt?  If he does, you now have runners on second and third with one out, and Ozzie Guillen would likely pitch around Travis Hafner to set up a double play.  The people who complained they should have bunted because Hafner flied out to center and it would have been a sacrifice fly are wrong because Hafner likely would not have swung the bat.

 

Now go to the White Sox seventh inning with lefty Scott Sauerbeck on the mound.  Scott Posednik walked to start the inning, and Guillen had Tadahiro Iguchi bunt him over to second.  Tribe skipper Eric Wedge immediately walked Jim Thome intentionally.  The Sox manager took the bat out of Thome’s hands.  Yet, Kenny Roda and his callers loved Guillen’s move.  Wedge then brought in Rafael Betancourt to get Paul Konerko, who hit into a 6-4-3 double play. 

 

In the 11th inning, it made sense to have Sizemore bunt Casey Blake over, because you are playing for one run, and Sizemore was facing Neil Cotts, who is tough on lefties.  This bunt worked as Michaels plugged the gap for a double and the lead run.  And amazingly for all those grandstand managers, the Tribe beat the Pale Hose in a one run game. 

 

Managers get paid to think ahead.  They have to look two or three batters ahead when mapping out a strategy.  That’s what fans do not understand, and I guess some sports talk show hosts as well.

 

KM

 

The Tribe dropped their opener last night in Chicago, losing 10-4 in a rain soaked affair at US Cellular Field.  Manager Eric Wedge is now 0-4 in season lidlifters.  Of course, with 161 games remaining in the schedule, many fans have declared the Indians have no chance to beat Chicago in 2006. 

 

It’s one game fans!  It is totally conceivable that Cleveland could win the remaining two games of the series on Tuesday and Wednesday, then what will people say?  The other typical reaction after a Tribe loss is the blasting of C.C. Sabathia.  Since Sabathia suffered a slight abdominal pull during the third inning last night, everyone is talking about his conditioning.  These fans forget he threw over 90 pitches in his last exhibition start last week.  Also, the big lefty did not hurt his arm, he tweaked a stomach muscle, likely the same one he had a problem with last season.

 

The reason Cleveland lost yesterday was the inability of the relief pitchers to throw strikes.  Danny Graves, Fernando Cabrera, and Matt Miller combined to walk eight Sox hitters in a span of 3-2/3 innings.  That is never a formula for success.  The one concern here is Cabrera.  He had control problems in training camp last season, and some in Winter Haven this year.  If he can’t get ahead in the count, he will be in Buffalo very, very soon. 

 

Even if Sabathia’s injury isn’t serious, look for him to be placed on the DL today or tomorrow.  Jason Davis will likely get the call to replace him, but only until a fifth starter is needed, which may not be until next week.  The Tribe can slide Jason Johnson into the start on Saturday against the Twins, and Jake Westbrook can be moved up to Sunday.  The Indians will not need a fifth starter until they take on the Tigers on April 15th. 

 

Relax, Tribe fans.  It’s only one game.  They play again tomorrow, and then 160 more times.  Please don’t overreact to the opener. 

 

MW

 

I was stunned to read in the paper this morning that Cleveland State Head Basketball Coach Mike Garland has resigned.  Not stunned because of the great job he is doing, but surprised that he was not given a fourth year to get the program going.  Now Athletic Director Lee Reed has to find a new man to make the hoops program competitive again.  What should he be looking for in a candidate?

 

Since a 22-6 record in 1991-92 under Mike Boyd, the program has been circling the drain.  Bringing in former Villanova coach Rollie Massimino was not the answer, he didn’t want to put the work in at his age to rebuild the program.  Bringing in a top assistant from a NCAA basketball power like Garland hasn’t worked either.  He seems like a good basketball man, but perhaps is more of an aide than someone who can lead a program.

 

The truth is CSU’s program has only enjoyed a brief moment in the sun, and that was during Kevin Mackey’s tenure when they made a Sweet 16 appearance in 1985-86, and two NIT berths in 86-87 and 87-88.  The athletic department has searched for that magic ever since. 

 

Reed should be looking for a young (under 40) assistant from a name program who is looking for his first head coaching gig.  CSU supporters have to understand that any coach they get will be using the job as a stepping stone.  There is nothing wrong with that.  Look at the University of Tulsa, a school with a solid program and numerous NCAA tournament appearances.  Since 1980, they have employed Nolan Richardson, J.D. Barnett, Tubby Smith, and Bill Self as head coaches.  They accept the fact that no one is staying there for 20 years.

 

The Vikings AD should also be looking for someone who coaches a different style of basketball.  Lining up and playing mano a mano against teams with better talent usually means defeat.  Mackey won with a full court pressing style that wore down opponents.  Rick Pitino’s early Providence teams relied on a flurry of three point attempts.  Each style allowed those teams to win against better teams.  CSU needs that type of style to get the program back on its feet.

 

It would also help to be able to recruit in northeastern Ohio.  Although this area is not the hot bed of hoops like say, a Washington DC is, there are talented players here.  The new coach will not get a kid being recruited by Ohio State or another Big Ten school, but there are kids who wind up going to mid major schools who should be persuaded to stay home. 

 

Do I have any names in particular?  No.  But every great head coach has to start somewhere.  It wasn’t too long ago that Thad Matta was coaching in the Horizon League.  That’s the type of guy that the Cleveland State administration must find.  Otherwise, the program will continue in its losing abyss.

 

KM

 

With Opening Day less than a week away, it’s time for Cleveland sports fans to start thinking about baseball.  The Tribe missed the playoffs by less one game last season thanks to a horrible last week of the campaign.  Here are five reasons a poor finish like that won’t back a difference in 2006, because the Indians will make the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

 

The young players will get better.  Historically, ball players hit their peak between the ages of 27 and 29.  I feel guys like Grady Sizemore and Jhonny Peralta will be even better this season.  Travis Hafner (28) and Victor Martinez (27) numbers should not be in decline as of yet.  If Hafner can avoid injuries this year, he will be an MVP candidate.

 

More depth this year.  Last year, management had no alternative when Aaron Boone got off to a horrible start.  That will not be the case in 2006.  If Boone struggles, Andy Marte will get the call.  If the first base platoon struggles, the Tribe can call up Ryan Garko.  If Casey Blake scuffles, Franklin Gutierrez might be an alternative.  On the pitching side, it appears Fausto Carmona could hurl effectively in the bigs.  Jason Davis and Jeremy Sowers could get the call as well.  In the bullpen, Andrew Brown showed the brass he is ready to take the next step as well.  And if a trade is needed, one or more of these guys could be involved too.

 

Experience.  This group of guys as experienced many different things during the rebuilding stage, and the next time the situation occurred, they succeeded.  If the Tribe needs to win in the last week of 2006, they will know what they are up against.  They learned how to handle themselves in a pennant race, and that could come in handy this season.

 

Still have good pitching.  Although the team lost AL ERA champ Kevin Millwood to free agency and set up man Bob Howry left through the same method, their still is talent to came up for these losses.  Paul Byrd won the Angels only game in the ALCS vs. Chicago in 2005, and had more quality starts for the season than Millwood.  Guillermo Mota is a quality set up man, and between him and Fernando Cabrera they will make up for Howry’s departure.  Jason Johnson might be a more reliable fifth starter than Scott Elarton.

 

Competition.  Despite the White Sox World Championship and subsequent trades for Jim Thome and Javier Vazquez, it says here they will not be as good in 2006.  The Pale Hose’s tremendous record in one run games was the main reason they beat out the Tribe last year, and that is more luck than talent.  Plus, Jon Garland and Jose Contreras had career years last year.  Chicago will miss Aaron Rowand’s defense in center field as well. 

 

Even though Cleveland will not win as many games (93) as they did in ’05, they will still get to around 90 victories.  That will mean a playoff berth in 2006.  It won’t be another 40 years between playoff appearances like the drought between 1954 and 1995.

 

MW

 

Yes, I know the Cavaliers win last night over the Charlotte Bobcats shouldn’t have been that close, and Flip Murray pulled the team’s collective butts out of the fire by hitting that three at the end of regulation (assist by LBJ).  However, the highlight of the game was LeBron James making the game winning shot, the first of his career.  It wasn’t a three pointer, nor did he take the ball to the basket the way many have suggested, it was an 18 foot jumper that found the bottom of the net.

 

So that is one more thing the LeBron critics can stop complaining about.  I’m sure that the TV pundits will not come up with another thing James hasn’t done so they can harp on that. 

 

LeBron James is still a 21 year old kid.  He looks older than that, and he deals with the media in a more mature way than some 15 year veterans, so we tend to forget how old he really is.  When Michael Jordan was 21, he was playing his last year at North Carolina.  James is one of the best players in the NBA. 

 

Really, when you think about it, who is playing better than King James?  Kobe Bryant?  He scores more and is a better defender, but doesn’t pass and he team is playing .500 ball.  Allen Iverson?  He’s a warrior and a scorer, but can’t rebound in double figures like LBJ.  Dwayne Wade is a great player, but as long as we plays on the same team as Shaquille O’Neal, we don’t know how much his success is linked with the big man.  You can make very good cases for Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzke, and Steve Nash, but I don’t think you can say any of these guys are clearly better than James in terms of ability. 

 

I know Duncan has the rings, but in terms of basketball ability is he more talented that The Chosen One?  Part of being a superstar is everyone picking out the little things you cannot do.  That’s where the critics are with LeBron James.  He seems to good to be true, so people have to find faults.  When you go to a game at the "Q",  you are seeing the best player in the NBA.  He may not win the title for a few more years, but it says here he is the best player.

 

JK

 

As we wait for Opening Day in 13 days, here are some thoughts on Cleveland sports that have crossed our minds…

 

Baseball America had ten of its editors draft any ten players to build teams.  The players had to be current major or minor leaguers.  Four organizations had six players chosen:  Arizona, Boston, Oakland, and the Cleveland Indians.  The six players drafted from the Tribe organization were Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta, Victor Martinez, C.C. Sabathia, Travis Hafner, and Andy Marte.  This is more proof the Indians have stocked their roster with impact players, and that Mark Shapiro is one of the best GM’s in the business.

 

LeBron James and the Cavaliers are very happy about yesterday’s one point win over the Los Angeles Kobes.  Why?  Shouldn’t a good team beat a .500 team at home?  The Lakers are fighting for their playoff lives and their resident genius coach will be happy to earn the eighth seed in the Western Conference.  James and the rest of the Cavs should expect a victory against a team like the Lakers.  This isn’t a good frame of mind if the wine and gold hope to win a series in the post season. 

 

Terry Pluto said he expects Brandon Phillips to win the Tribe’s utility infielder job to open the season, but we would be shocked if Phillips was in Chicago on April 2nd.  It doesn’t appear that the former Expo has the attitude that Eric Wedge and Shapiro want in their players, especially guys who come off the bench.  It says here that Phllips will be dealt to an NL team before the start of the season.

 

WKNR’s Kenny Roda had the VP of Direct TV on his airwaves last week so he could cry about the Indians demand for a higher cost for their new cable network.  The Tribe is trying to make money on this deal, so why is that a big surprise.  Roda had the guy on because a). he has the satellite service and he wants to watch the games, or b).  so he could have another reason to attack owner Larry Dolan.  Nothing like using the station for a personal agenda.

 

Heard a caller to Greg Brinda’s show on 850 say that perhaps the Cavaliers are just a .500 team without injured guard Larry Hughes.  The caller is right.  Losing a player who is close to being an All Star talent obviously has a great deal of impact.  Instead of criticizing Mike Brown, maybe it should be pointed out that Danny Ferry has to make the team deeper during the off season.  We are sure Ferry already recognizes this.

 

Tribe and White Sox on April 2nd.  The real first day of spring.

 

MW, KM, JK 

 

 

 

I like to pride myself on patience when it comes to sports.  I hope I’m not the typical fan who wants the coach fired or a player benched after one or two bad games.  It’s a long season and over the long haul, players usually find their level of talent.  However, the recent performance of the Cleveland Cavaliers has worn my patience thin.

 

This team has the talent to build up big leads against teams like the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, but in blowing those leads, there clearly is something missing with this edition of the wine and gold.  The space has talked about the inexperience of Mike Brown before, and this being his first head coaching job is most definitely a factor. 

 

Brown came to Cleveland with a reputation as a coach who stressed defense, but he seems to put up with players who don’t give an effort on that end of the floor.  Damon Jones should bring a red cape on the floor with him, but Jones continues to rack up playing time.  Meanwhile, Sasha Pavlovic, who at least puts forth an effort on D, has gone from starter in an eleven game span in which the team went 8-3, to little used bench warmer. 

 

On offense, Donyell Marshall has been struggling lately, but continues to play.  According to beat reporters, Brown has challenged Marshall to take the ball to the basket more often, but Donyell continues to jack up threes.  Even though he is a rookie coach dealing with veterans, Brown has to put his foot down.  If Marshall plays in a manner the coach doesn’t like, his playing time should be reduced.

 

Also, Brown has to use his bench more.  He has said he needs to give LeBron James more rest, but he still doesn’t do it.  Alan Henderson has played decently in his limited minutes, but now he might as well wear his street clothes under his warm ups.  Give him minutes! 

 

With a four game home stand starting tomorrow night against Portland, it would be a good thing to change it up a bit.  Maybe the Cavs should start Anderson Varajao at power forward, and bring in Drew Gooden with the second team to provide some offense.  When a team is struggling, the head coach has the responsibility to try some different things.  Like Sheryl Crow sang, "a change might do you good".

 

MW

 

Browns’ GM Phil Savage struck quickly in this year’s NFL free agency period, signing three players on Saturday and two more on Sunday.  They likely are not finished shopping as of yet.  Rumors are flying that Savage is trying to ink the Lions’ Kalimba Edwards to fill the team’s need at defensive end/outside linebacker.  These signings almost ensure the Browns will draft a linebacker in the first round of next month’s NFL draft.

 

Adding LeCharles Bentley and Joe Jurevicius to the squad gives the team two players who understand how much this football team means to the city of Cleveland.  They know how important the rivalry with the Steelers is.  Most importantly, they both can play.  Bentley is a two time Pro Bowler which is double the appearances by all Browns since they returned to the league in 1999.  ESPN.com had the former St. Ignatius grad rated the best free agent available regardless of position.

 

Jurevicius is a pro’s pro.  He has been to the Super Bowl three times with three different teams (Giants, Buccaneers, and Seahawks), and should provide Charlie Frye with a big target, particularly in the red zone.  The former Lake Catholic star performs in the big games.  Savage also signed a new punter, Dave Zastudil, who is also a home town boy (from Bay Village).  There will be no excuses about the Cleveland weather in November and December since the guy grew up here.

 

Savage also replaced L.J. Shelton with Kevin Shaffer, former with Atlanta.  Shaffer was ranked as the 26th best free agent.  He is only 26 years old, and projects to be an upgrade over Shelton.  The Browns are also supposed to be signing veteran nose tackle Ted Washington, who played for Romeo Crennel in New England.  Washington is 38, so he will likely be a run stopper, and groom whatever nose tackle the team drafts this off season. 

 

Besides signing Edwards, Savage will probably try to get what he can for former first round pick Jeff Faine before the draft.  Faine has yet to finish a season, so the Browns will not be getting anything of great value in return, but I’m sure Savage wants some extra draft picks.

 

Just think if John Collins had gotten his way and fired Savage.  The Browns would still be a team searching for direction.  Since Savage stayed, that direction is upwards.  He had a plan, and went out and made it happen. 

 

JD

 

Damon Jones’ three pointer at the buzzer to beat the Toronto Raptors was obviously his biggest shot while wearing the wine and gold.  It extended the Cavs’ current winning streak to four and with Indiana losing, gives Cleveland a two game lead over the Pacers for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.  With road games looming with Miami and Dallas, this was a big win for seeding purposes.

 

But what if Jones had missed the shot?

 

We would be inundated on talk shows about LeBron James not taking the last shot.  Kenny Roda would be harping on Amon Ones the entire show, and blasting Mike Brown for taking Flip Murray off the floor at the most critical point in the game.  We would have to hear about how the Cavs’ will not get home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and how Zydrunas Ilgauskas should have secured the rebound on Mike James miss for Toronto, thus not allowing Morris Peterson a chance to put the Raptors ahead.

 

My point is this:  There are hundreds of decisions made by players and coaches during every game.  Some work, some don’t, but they get swept under the rug if things work out.  I remember Game 3 of the 1996 AL Division Series against the Orioles.  With runners on first and second and no one out in a tie game in the seventh inning, Grover pinch hit for Jim Thome with Casey Candaele to have him bunt with Albert Belle on deck.  Had Candaele gotten the bunt down, Davey Johnson undoubtably would have put Belle on.  However, reliever Jesse Orosco walked Candaele, and Armando Benitez came in and gave up a grand slam to Belle.  It was a dumb move by Hargrove to take the bat out of Belle’s hands, but it worked out because Orosco couldn’t throw a strike. 

 

This is not to say anyone made bad decisions last night.  I was surprised the Brown took Murray out of the game, but I could see his point.  Putting in Jones would open up the floor for James to penetrate.  LeBron made the correct play too.  He was totally cut off from the basket, so he could take an off balance pull up jumper or pass the ball to the open man. 

 

Jones did was he is being paid to do.  Hit the open three pointer.  He may not be a point guard, and he isn’t a good defender, but he has a reputation as being proficient from beyond the arc.  You can’t get much better than a game winning three.  Maybe that shot gets Jones going in the last 20 games.

 

JK