Let's Go Tribe!: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Matsuzaka Dominates, Sox Grab ALCS Lead Bar-right-arrows

CBS Sportsline Power Rankings

Mcdowell1_tiny by SuddenSam on

So you don't have to waste time reading Eric Mack's power rankings like I did, I'll summarize the top four:

1. New York Yankees
They are the YANKEES!  How awesome!  I think I'm in love!

2. Cleveland Indians
Okay, I'll acknowledge they must have had a good year because I just noticed they have the best record in baseball.  But all they did was beat the other Midwestern teams out there in the cornfields.  They are in over their heads against real playoff teams, like the Yankees or Red Sox.

3. Boston Red Sox
Sure, they are a mess right now, but they are the Red Sox and can only be beaten by the Yankees.

4. Los Angeles Angels
You may think they can beat the Yankees, but they can't.  You may even think you remember them beating the Yankees in the post-season, but that is impossible.

I am really looking forward to the actual games.

0 recs | Comment 110 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Well, if you were a betting man, who do you put your money on?

For the ALDS, I put my money on the Yankees. This is the first time a lot of the guys on the team will be in the postseason. I don't experience necessarily means a whole lot, but I do remember the 2005 Indians losing 5 1-run games in the last week of the season. How do they respond to pressure in the playoffs? Its entirely possible, that it doesn't affect them and they go hammer the Yankees.

So, if they win the ALDS, I'd feel supremely confident putting my money on them for the WS. The inexperience is also the reason, I'd like them to be viewed as underdogs for the series (maybe even not have home field).

I know they are the better team. Little doubt about that for me. However, I felt that way about the 2005 team. Remember, when they'd gotten everything together that season (AUG, SEP), ALL five starters we clicking, the offense was positively on fire and I believed, without a doubt that they'd demolish everyone in the playoffs. We also had the best bullpen in the league that year.

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 12:34 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I'd put my money on whichever of the eight teams has the highest odds.

Handicapping the current baseball post-season structure is like handicapping a Russian roulette tournament.

by SuddenSam on Sep 27, 2007 12:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Fine. This isn't about handicappers. As an informed and knowledgeable baseball fan, who do you pick?

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 1:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
If you're thinking as hard about 2005 as you seem to be, why haven't you brought up the fact that it was a crash of semi-historic proportions, and is for that reason unlikely to happen again? You mention betting; well, sheer probability is on the Indians' side here.

I also contest the idea that players experience "pressure" in the sense that you suggest. Baseball is a job to them, and these guys all signed their contracts in April. Sure, there are bonuses on the line, but these are almost to a man very well compensated individuals with not a whole lot to lose.

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 1:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
If you're thinking as hard about 2005 as you seem to be, why haven't you brought up the fact that it was a crash of semi-historic proportions

In what sense is it semi-historic? That a contending team goes 1-6 in last seven days? Its not like they lost a 10 game lead.

Baseball is a job to them, and these guys all signed their contracts in April.

And that's the only thing that affect their psyche?

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 1:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
You're not considering the quality of the competition. The Indians had been as hot as anybody in the game. Their odds of making the post-season with even mediocre play were terrific. Instead, they got bounced by the Devil Rays and the traveling company White Sox. To lose by the margin the 2005 Indians did was very improbable, and it's a fallacy to consider it in the least authoritative re: the 2007 Indians in the post-season.

And that's the only thing that affect their psyche?

Certainly not, but I'd say it has a lot more to do with it than some nebulous concept of October pressure. This is still what these goes do for a living, whatever the venue.

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 1:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Do you believe the 1-6 record was pure chance?

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 1:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Seriously? I don't know about you, but I've never jumped up and down like a 4 year old, sprayed 125 bottles of champaign, hugged 35 alcohol soaked guys in any job that I've ever had, just because I had a good year.  I've also never seen my boss tear up thinking about all the personal and company wide turmoil the "employees" had during the past year (Torre).  

They might get paid lots of money, but this isn't a job to most of these people.  It's a game.  It's a game that they want to win.  When the win it is awesome and feels wonderful.  When they lose it tears at their soul and pisses them off.  And when the difference between winning and losing depends on fielding a bunt and throwing 60 feet to first, you feel pressure and experience could matter.

by DaytonDogg on Sep 27, 2007 1:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I admire your lack of cynicism, and I don't see the value in arguing against it. I only add that if the average salary in your company was seven figures long, and if your successes were decided by a scoreboard and punctuated by cheering throngs of young women, you might behave differently at the end of your fiscal year.

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 2:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings

I get what your saying and I agree that there is overemphasis by some in the media on things like grit and experience.  

I just think your dismissal of the concept of pressure is going to the other extreme, which is just as, if not even more, foolish.

Meltdowns and giving up happens in sports and people become total failures in spite of their incredible physical abilities. Much of this comes from the pressure of having those seven figure salaries and thousands of young women watching your every move... and the pressure of wanting to win.

by DaytonDogg on Sep 27, 2007 2:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I see the value in both of your sides. Like I said, I don't think pressure is a non-issue, I just think a lot of the hubbub about experience is overblown. I think a lot of it comes down to individual personalities. For example, A-Rod is not only the highest paid player in baseball but has been to the post-season before and thus has "experience." But if you don't think he's going to feel a decent amount of pressure under the hot New York lights, then, well, I dunno.
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 2:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
As long as we're randomly citing pressure in the playoffs, how about that time the Yankees blew a 3-game lead in the AL championship? They had something resembling starting pitching then. "Yankee mystique" be damned.

by Delluccious on Sep 27, 2007 2:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

How about the 2003 Marlins?
They had virtually NO experience in regards to the postseason, then went out and beat the Giants, Cubs, and Yankees, the same Yankees who have been to the postseason every season since 1995, so while experience can be helpful, I'm not sure it's essential.  

If that were the case, all the new teams to the postseason would never win, and that certainly is NOT the case.

Just my 2 cents.  :-)

Go Tribe! :-)

by indiansfan on Sep 28, 2007 2:10 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I don't really have a problem with that. The Yankees are 1 and the Indians are 1a.

The Indians still have to prove themselves. We still have A LOT of question marks in casual observers mind.

It's hard for someone on the outside looking in seeing Hafner struggling, Borowski blowing saves and a bunch of AA guys playing over their heads somehow winning this whole thing. It's not that hard to imagine.

by Toxicadam on Sep 27, 2007 1:11 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Well, you asked "as a betting man....."  I gave you my answer.

Regarding your new question, as an informed and knowledgeable baseball fan, I cannot predict the winner of a short series.

The actual point of my little diary was to poke fun at the condescending way the Indians are being treated by the national media, who see them as the uninvited guest at the party.

by SuddenSam on Sep 27, 2007 1:13 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Sheesh! Is that hard to get you offer your prediction?

And you can predict the winner of a long series?

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 1:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Perhaps Sam, like myself and probably many others, fears making predictions for totally illogical and superstitious reasons. I NEVER make predictions concerning my team's playoff chances, whether verbally, in print, or via internets.
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 1:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Fine. But you didn't post a diary mocking people who are favoring the Yankees. I said I saw their point because I too would pick them and gave my reason. Why mock peoples' predictions if you don't have stones to make your own. I too would prefer to STFU and watch some baseball.

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 1:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
First off, the Power rankings aren't playoff predictions. Secondly, even if the Yankees were the better team, the ridiculous amount of New York knob-schlobbing is stomach turning to people like me and Sam who hate to see us discounted like that by ignorant media outlets. I do believe that was Sam's point, and he meant nothing more than inititaing a little light-hearted "STUPID EAST COAST BIAS" talk.
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 1:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
My reluctance to make predictions isn't based on superstition, but simply on my inability to do so in a meaningful way.  Oh sure, I can obsess about pitching matchups, the long and short ALDS formats, JoBo and the Raffys, and the rest of it as well as the next guy.

But I would have no confidence in a prediction.  Hence, my answer is that if I found myself in Vegas this Sunday evening, I would put a little on the team with the highest odds to go all the way.

I'm pretty sure that there wasn't a single published writer, expert, or pundit last year who predicted a  Cardinals-Tigers series.  Or that an 83-79 team who stumbled and choked and backed into a weak division championship (and whose pitching  staff was in such disarray that they were forced to rely on Jeff Weaver) would hoist the trophy.

I bet they had the highest odds, though.
 

by SuddenSam on Sep 27, 2007 2:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I'm pretty sure that there wasn't a single published writer, expert, or pundit last year who predicted a  Cardinals-Tigers series.  Or that an 83-79 team who stumbled and choked and backed into a weak division championship (and whose pitching  staff was in such disarray that they were forced to rely on Jeff Weaver) would hoist the trophy.

No shit, Sherlock! Everyone is capable of the best educated guess. I'm sure you're gonna give me a post about how guess is really 'educated', or how since its a 'guess' its meaningless anyway. Whatever. I'm not claiming to be clairvoyant, just going out on a limb. Is really impossible to wrap your head around this concept?

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 2:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I'm still trying to contemplate how it is you've come to be so pissed about this whole discussion. Relax.
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 2:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Bad day. Questioning my motivation to get a PhD, something that I guess has been going on for 4 years....

Actually, the suggestion that I'm buying into the Yankees aura, really made me bonkers.

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 2:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Hey man, I can sympathize with the situation.

For the record, I don't thing anyone was applying the "Yankee Pathos" label to you, but simply using it as a stand-in for national media mentality.

I don't think what your saying is so far off, in fact it's been quite a struggle within myself to not be as pessimistic as I usually am. In 2005, I fully expected us to blow it; I was no better than your average Cleveland blowhard, but I think venting (and learning from) this site has helped me be more positive.

Now, just like someone mentioned below, I'm more excited about this team than I ever have been for any other Tribe team.

Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 2:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Well, I'm not pessimistic. There's one little nagging question mark that is an artifact of that season (2005). The second it is answered, I would have no hesitation with putting my money where my 10 fingers are picking the Indians to win it all. Two dominant SPs (not merely good) should be enough to overcome any 'luck' that doesn't go our way. This team reminds me of the 2001 Diamondbacks. Great #1 and #2, shaky closer (although I guess Kim was lights out in the regular season), etc...

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 2:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Turk can't speak for me when he apologizes, because I pretty explicitly attached irrational Yankee favoritism to you. For what it's worth, I think you refuted that.

And I'm pretty sure learning to weather a good tweak-out is the most important skill in grad school. If you're smart enough to make it in, you're smart enough to make it out; it's just the little matter of not bolting for Puerto Rico in between.

As far as this goes, I'm open to advice.

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 3:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Sorry 'bout that, just trying to defuse the situation a bit.
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 3:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Oh no apologies. I appreciate that. In fact, you have a license to speak for me whenever. You're good with girls, right?

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 3:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
If only...
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 3:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Well, I'm already in San Diego......

Yeah, its an odd situation with the Yankees. They're actually a good team and its not all fluff.

Problem is, all the writers are trying make up for giving up on the Yankees by feeding the narrative of the Yankee Aura(TM). It couldn't actually be that there was a scheduling quirk that allowed the Yankees to play 22 of 28 games against 4th and 5th place team right after the break. No, it was the indomitable Yankees and their Yankee-ness. People were quick to write off $200M and established track records.

I guess this their way of making up for the fact they look like total idiots now. It wasn't they were poor analysts. Its that Yankees are magical and have a shiny pony.

p.s: I also think the Angels are going to totally stink in the playoffs and I have tickets for Game 4! Booo

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 3:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Indians are being treated by the national media, who see them as the uninvited guest at the party.

I think people simply favor the Yankees and I really can't disagree with them too much.

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 1:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Okay, but why? Because they have a more powerful offense? I could buy that. Because their bullpen's been pretty hot? That's defensible. Because they're more experienced? The same thing is wrong with this that is wrong with every aspect of irrational Yankees favoritism. There's nothing qualifiedly different about the performance of the Yankees as baseball players except that, historically, there's MORE OF IT: They've got more money, they can afford not only the best ballplayers, but lots of them. Anything else -- experience, True Yankeeism, what have you -- is an attempt to characterize pure economics.

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 1:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Also!

How many light years more experienced were the Pistons than the Cavs this year? Oops! Guess it didn't matter.

Not to totally devalue any of these things, but "experience" is just an olde-tyme buzzword like "leadership," "grit," etc. that people throw out there when they lack substantial evidence to support arguments.

Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 1:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Okay. Argument by anecdote goes both ways.

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 1:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
No, it doesn't. I'm not making a blanket argument that experience doesn't matter, whereas you are making a blanket argument that experience is very important, perhaps important enough to make a superior team falter against a weaker one.
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 1:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Do you believe the 1-6 record in the end of 2005 was only the work of chance?

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 1:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
See fleerdon's post below. He says what I would have said, only better.
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 1:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Yes. I read that. I don't believe it was all choke or all statistical anomaly.

First off, stop ascribing to me the retarded notions most baseball writers have.

I believe the Indians are evenly matched with the Yankees. Its too close to call. I said that, for the ALDS, I'll make that call based on the observation that pressure played SOME (not all) role in thing fall apart in 2005. This wouldn't even be an issue if I thought the Indians we clearly the better team.

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 2:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I don't see why this matters to you. If the 2005 loss had manifested itself by forming a pus-inflated wound in Eric Wedge, well, hey, a bunch of these guys were on that squad! They're more experienced!

The reason this is a difficult argument to make is that it's irrelevant. 2005 is not equal to 2007.

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 1:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Could it be possible that I'm not saying the seasons are equal?

Could it be that I'm not falling for the Myth of the Yankees(TM)?

Could it just be that I see two teams so evenly freaking matched that choose to use lingering doubts about a previous year's metldown to decide such a close match up?

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 2:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Well, in basketball, its different.  I don't feel like explaining this all now.  but its enough to say that the Cavs did have the experience of being in a seven game playoff series against a team that had comparable talent... 2006.  They lost that year and used their experience from the year before in aiding them to the win in 2007.  Plenty of teams, if not most, have slowly gotten farther in the playoffs through the years before getting to the top.

by DaytonDogg on Sep 27, 2007 2:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
If you believe the 1-6 collapse in 2005 was pure chance, I get where you're coming from. I don't. I think they felt the heat and maybe put a little too much pressure on themselves. However, the way they manhandled Detoit last week tells me that this might not be a problem. I'd like to see a similar approach in a playoff series and than both my heart and mind will pick them as the favorites.

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 1:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I think they felt the heat and maybe put a little too much pressure on themselves.

The error here is that you're arguing absolutes. EITHER 2005 was pure chance OR it was a swell choke-job. Sure, pressure could have been a factor. But I don't think it can account for ALL of the improbable things that happened that week, and I doubt it can account for most of them.

And if you're right, and it's about how they take the heat, why aren't you convinced by sweeping the Tigers in a series that essentially decided the division? In what sense, other than that the opponents might be the Yankees, would that be a more likely place for the team to choke?

I think you're still subscribing to the myth of the Pinstripe.

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 1:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
"would that be a more likely place for the team to choke"

"that" = the yankees in the post-season

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 1:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
STOP ATTACHING ALL THIS MYTH OF THE PINSTRIPES CRAP TO ME. I'm sure that's what drives most baseball writers, but not me!

#1. I wasted a good bit of timetrying to figure out which team I thought was best equipped to win in October based on selecting some regular season stats I thought to be relevant. The Indians came out on top, but only by a hair. So, in my mind its essentially a coin flip.

#2. Since the Yanks v Indians comes down to a coin flip in my mind, I chose believe the pressure that affected (not a huge one, but not negligible either) some of our players in the past, COULD be a factor in the upcoming series. I don't believe this would be factor for the Yankees because, well, their $200M payroll masks any psyhcological shortcomings they may have. So I decide the coin flip in the Yankees favor because of SMALL chance that SOME people might press.

#3. The Detroit series assuaged many of my doubts, but not all of them. If I didn't think the teams were evenly matched, I wouldn't even consider something as nebulous as 'pressure'. I picked the Indians over the Sox and Angels, because I believe they are clearly better than both teams.

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 2:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I pulled this from your comment above: Could it just be that I see two teams so evenly freaking matched that choose to use lingering doubts about a previous year's metldown to decide such a close match up?

You repeatedly asked about 2005 before explaining this. If you want to disagree with me, have at it, but don't get frustrated because I couldn't infer your reasoning from subtext.

As far as your conclusion goes, I question it because I think the Yankees' run differential is 183, and the Indians' is 106. I would actually agree going into a series against the Yankees that they're the favorites -- because they've scored more runs.

You're calling 77 runs a coin flip, and THEN predicting the coin flip in New York's favor primarily because you believe the Indians' performance of 2 years ago bears some significance on their performance now. That's quite a limb you're out on.

by fleerdon on Sep 27, 2007 2:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
You're calling 77 runs a coin flip

When the fuck did I say that? I said it was coin flip based on this. Quibble with the reasoning, assumptions and conclusion therein. Don't put words in my mouth to make it look like I'm trying to drum up a 'Yankees have experience' narrative.

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 2:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Yes. I think I've established that if I were on the Indians roster now, I would definitely let the pressure get to me!

by crazymoloh on Sep 27, 2007 2:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Underdogs.
Being the underdog is when it's most fun.  A barnstorming run through the playoffs with this roster might be the most intoxicatingly awesome sports accomplishment any Cleveland team can offer.

Here's hoping we're just a few days away from witnessing the start.

by tabler84 on Sep 27, 2007 1:32 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
If recent World Series are any indication, it isn't always the best team that wins. To debate a team's chances in the post season by their (arbitrary) ranking on paper is meaningless.  While I don't agree with Billy Beane that the playoffs are a complete "crapshoot," I do think that most teams in the playoffs have a legitimate chance to win it all.

Ever since rebuilding began, I figured the Tribe would be a team that sneaks up, suprises everyone in the playoffs and "steals" a World Series. (I imagine something akin to the White Sox in '05 or the Marlins in '01.) Thus, it doesn't bother me that we aren't seen as "favorites" or that we don't get too much media attention.  

by UndeniableMagistrate on Sep 27, 2007 1:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
"White Sox in '05 or the Marlins in '01"

This should say 2001 D'backs or the 2003 Marlins.

by talonk on Sep 27, 2007 3:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Speaking of media and motivation, I read and listen to Bill Simmons for the NFL stuff but his baseball stuff is appalling.  Witness the second half of his Wednesday Sept 26 podcast when he discusses the impending playoffs with his buddy who is a Yankees fan.  Unsurprisingly they are unimpressed by the Indians including several gems such as:

"Grady Sizemore isn't scary."

"Hafner has been a disaster"

"I'll believe Sabathia and Carmona when I see it in the playoffs."

Simmons also admits that other than CC and Fausto he can't name any other Indians starting pitchers.

I'm not posting this to complain (because it didn't surprise me), I'm posting this because I have never been more excited to witness a postseason of any sport in my lifetime.  I want the Indians to win SO bad.

by NickFantana on Sep 27, 2007 2:11 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Hard to argue with that stat-based research ... well, that's why Simmons won 2005 executive of the year and Mark Shapiro writes columns

by Fios on Sep 27, 2007 3:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I don't understand the Bill Simmon's thing.  He doesn't know much about sports, he is a Boston fan, and he thinks making random references to pop culture is comedy.

by ClarkM on Sep 27, 2007 8:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
He is quite possibly the opposite of comedy.

by hans on Sep 27, 2007 8:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
+2
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 2:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I'll believe Sabathia and Carmona when I see it in the playoffs.

Get ready to believe it, d-bag. God, I can't wait for this team to shut that Bristol piehole.

by mrich on Sep 27, 2007 3:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
WHOOOOOOOOOO.  I am reading this site right now for the Chuck-led trash talking more than anything else.  I am so ready to sweep the Yankees and even more ready to talk shit about the Yankees with you all when it happens.

by NickFantana on Sep 27, 2007 3:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I like when FireJoeMorgan.com said that reading Simmons is like listening to Andy Rooney: you might do it to be entertained, but you certainly don't do it to learn anything.

Interviewing his buddy on  his podcast? Glad I don't subscribe to that one.

by JulioBernazard on Sep 27, 2007 7:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
IT's clear this blog is lacking post season experience.  You guys are cracking under the pressure.  Cowboy Up!

by Brick. on Sep 27, 2007 2:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
I can't take the heat, brick. I need veteran presence to guide me. Where's Chuck?
Now the Lord can make you tumble, and the Lord can make you turn, and the Lord can make you overflow... but the Lord can't make you burn

by Turkmenbashi on Sep 27, 2007 2:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Yeah, cause we newbs get flustered when we try to discuss things like kajklc;vkdajl;skd

by tabler84 on Sep 27, 2007 2:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: CBS Sportsline Power Rankings
Here I am Turk.  Just got done wading through all of the intelligent, thoughtful posts.  But I don't think that anyone took the most important factor into consideration.  It's a five game series - this definitely favors the team with the best two starters.  And as I've noted before, the Indians have the best two starters in all of baseball.  Does Randy and Curt ring a bell out there?

Look, I've seen what is arguably some of the best offensive clubs ever - the late 90's Indians - and they came up short every year.  Awesome offense and stellar relief pitching, but only slightly better than average starting pitching - ya gotta admit that Nagy and Hershiser are hardly CC and Carmona.  Pitching, pitching, pitching is what wins the vast majority of play-offs.  And before you jump on this, I know all about the Big Red Machine.  Still it's offense that wins play-off slots and pitching that wins series - and we've got the best 3 man rotation in the AL, plus, I think, after almost 6 months of baseball, we've figured out our relief pitching.

Bottom line: the Tribe has the edge.  We're gonna be Buster Douglas to the Yankee's Mike Tyson.  To beat the bu