Game Thread: June 25, 2008
by Ryan on Jun 25, 2008 6:31 PM EDT
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PrintSan Francisco Giants at Cleveland Indians, Jun 25, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
San Francisco at Cleveland, 7:05 PM (STO)
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We’re going to have to jump over that 2 run hurdle tonight. Damn.
by millionairesrow on Jun 25, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions
Good thing Zito’s going for the. Giants….
"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.
Guess there goes the ballgame
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on Jun 25, 2008 7:19 PM EDT reply actions
Marte played last night. It’s a conspiracy to keep Marte and Velandia from the team pinochle championship.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Seeing Bengie Molina run made me think of this typically brilliant quote from Joe Posnanski’s blog:
This is perfectly timed as it is just after Bengie Molina hit a hard ground ball into the hole between short and third, Kansas City’s Mike Aviles dove, smothered the ball, got to one knee, recited the Gettysburg Address, solved two Sodokus, took three ballroom dancing classes, grew a full beard, became fluent in French, got his Masters in finance, recorded an album of Tom Waits covers (oh no, wait, that was Scarlett), invented a practical electric car and then threw to first where he just barely threw out Molina by eight steps.
He also includes a quiz entitled “Which Molina brother are you?” Take it here.
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 25, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Granted, it’s a layup, and granted, he dunks it. But it’s still a perfect dunk. I couldn’t read it to my wife without laughing.
I really don’t want to read tomorrow about why Zito’s dominant outing against the Indians signals his return (only to see him get lit up in his next start)
You probably should avoid the paper and internets tomorrow then.
The batter swings and the summer flies...
I don’t think anyone is foolish enough to think that beating this hapless lineup signals anything
by millionairesrow on Jun 25, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
OK, just got here, wanted to make one observation. We’re starting Jhonny Peralta, Ryan Garko, Casey Blake AND Jorge Velandia over Andy Marte. There are literally endless permutations that involve getting Marte into this lineup. There’s also the straightforward fact that Jorge Velandia shouldn’t be starting at all. But even if you buy that Peralta needs rest, then DH Casey, let Peralta have the night off for real and play Marte. Or DH Garko, move Casey to first and play Marte.
WHAT THE FUCK
by NickFantana on Jun 25, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Everybody knows Blake can play the other corners, and play part-time. His value is higher as a somewhat legit starting third baseman. I’m clinging to the idea that it’s all about showing other teams that Casey could slot in for a third baseman full time. It’s either this or I just lay on the floor jittering with the idiocy of it all.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I can’t wait for a pressure situation to arise, for Velandia to come up to the plate, for Andy Marte to be subbed in, and then for somebody else to be subbed for Marte before he bats.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions
Don’t mind me while I head to 2005 to attempt to find the last time Barry Zito retired 4 batters in a row. Maybe I’ll find Travis Hafner in the mean time.
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
as of today, this statement is just not true (/sobs)
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
deal with that dose of 2008 indians baseball reality. mother of pearl…
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Bring up Janeane Garofalo.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
but really…you have to expect to come up on the losing end against a guy like jorge castillo more often that not…
Games I’m watching other than the Indians/Giants (thanks to EI):
Fresno St vs. Georgia on ESPN— Some kid with no ligaments in his thumb who looks like Tiger Woods at the Open when he swings just knocked one out of the park. Bulldogs up 2-0 over the Bulldogs.
NYY vs. Pirates—Justin got lucky when Doumit tried to score from second and was thrown out by, as they say, a country mile. Rally averted. Yanks up 2-0.
Reds vs. Blue Jays—Harang might win a game. I think they’re winning 2-zip as well. I’m sensing a theme.
Mets vs. Seattle—Wright just hit his second home run. He’s on my fantasy team. Drink.
Cardinals vs. Tigers—Ankiel hit a home run and then gunned out a runner at third. He was in shallow center, but still. Tied at 2 all.
Go Tribe.
Steel Nick
I don’t disagree with Jay very often but I disagree heartily about Sowers.
He’s not a major league pitcher.
I dislike him more than those Kennywood commercials at this point
by millionairesrow on Jun 25, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
the 41 MPH changeup as “out pitch” isn’t doing it for you, huh?
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking about this earlier today. You have to look at him as still in his rookie season — there’s going to be some ups and downs, some really good stuff and some total disasters. Tonight was his 33rd career start in the majors, and his ERA is 5.00 over 187 IP. Is that a bad rookie year? Not at all.
For a guy always expected to be a 3-4 starter, how much better should we expect in his first year? Seems to me Sowers basically suffers from inflated expectations based on his 2006 season, minors and majors, which made him look like an instant 2-3 starter. Just as with Asdrubal’s great six weeks to end 2007, those expectations were never realistic — but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t still what we originally thought he was.
You’re probably right. And my objective self agrees with you.
But my primal fan can’t handle him. I hate the lack of strikeouts, I hate the walks, and I hate his stuff. Ugh. My gut is stupid and lies all the time but my gut thinks he’s not going to ever get it done in the league.
Taking a step back, I probably dislike him so much not because I bought into the inflated expectations but because I hated listening to others buy in. I’m overcompensating for others’ enthusiasm.
Hey, look, your gut could turn out to be right. I’m sure I tend to be biased toward the upside of most if not all of our prospects and players.
My objective side simply says, what did we originally expect out of this guy, and has anything really happened to make us change that expectation? And from what I can see, the answer is no — Sowers has only been a disappointment relative to our raised expectations, not relative to our original and more objective ones. Guthrie somewhat suffered from this as well.
Sowers has 3.5 seasons as a pro:
• 1 season dominating High-A and Double-A at age 22.
• 1.5 seasons dominating Triple-A at age 23-24
• 1 season of ups and downs in the majors at ages 23-25
Having said that, the case that the Indians have the magic low-K-rate-pitcher-developing potion is still being made and is far from being proven — so the default posture probably should be: “Weak stuff with low K rate, this is probably not going to work out.” And that’s what your gut is telling you, which means that your gut is agreeing with a totally reasonable analytic point of view.
Basically, you just don’t have my sunny disposition.
“How are you going to feel about my sexual orientation after we’re married?”
by millionairesrow on Jun 25, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m gonna start rooting for a shutout soon, so that our suckiness begins to be noted on a more National scale. Why should only we be able to know?
And, a Barry Zito shutout might finally get some people fired.
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
I think this is to the point where it’s probably affecting Grady’s social life.
by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I’ve decided to partake in the game thread without actually watching the Indians game. It’s going swimmingly so far.
This might just be a Dandy Partay after all.
Steel Nick
Only just? I’ve been doing that for a month. Grab some couch, breh. I bought pretzel rods.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Snyder’s of Hanover. It’s not even debatable.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Exercise? Alcohol?
Okay, I’m going to take my laptop to the basement, turn the game on, drink a beer, and work out. At the same time. Break.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I used to eat pretzel rods with slices of American cheese wrapped around them as a kid.
I just cracked a beer. I’ve got Extra Innings and now pretzel rods. I’m not getting pissed at the Tribe. This is actually pretty cool.
Steel Nick
The pretzel of choice at Chez Woodsmeister is the Anderson’s peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Dunno, but I just joined Sal’s Pals and lost 5 lbs.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
You know that every fat person in the history of the world has asked this question?
I'll regress to my career numbers if you do too!
by Fire Slider on Jun 26, 2008 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Grady jumps when he doesn’t have to jump, dive when it doesn’t have to dive, and now he’s missing balls and getting hit in the face because of it. Stop trying to get on Sportscenter, and start catching the ball.
dude, this is ridiculous. you seriously think grady’s acting out there? the guy goes breakneck at all times…please forgive him if he misjudges a couple. i think the spectacular, run-saving plays excuse a couple of premature dives.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Rick Manning says the Indians will welcome the end of Interleague Play because they’ve struggled with it. Yea, because they had dominated the AL so easily prior to IP.
by xrickx on Jun 25, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wait was Tyler serious about working out with a beer?
And does he really have a basement with a workout pad in it?
Alright I’m not trying to be a dick but…
There’s no way that Vizquel should be playing major league baseball.
yeah, there doesn’t seem to be any “might” about his retirement situation after this year. the guy’s done.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s been a horrible last 600 ABs for him from the start of last season. He still has his uses as a part-time player, but I doubt he’ll want that. And his numbers might continue to suffer, which hurts his already unclear but probably limited chance at the Hall.
Woah, the Jays-Reds score went from 2-0 to 5-4 in an inning.
Did anyone hear about the rumored reason we didn’t hire Gaston in 2000?
Steel Nick
Legend has it he sauntered into Hart’s office with his chest puffed out, flashing his two World Series rings on either hand. Basically the interview was him sitting down and saying, “Listen, I know what I’m doing, so here’s what your team does wrong and why I’m gonna fix it…” I guess it didn’t stand with Hart.
I don’t remember where I heard this, but it was the popular rumor at the time.
Steel Nick
FYI – she’s the side-kick on Trivisanos show
by millionairesrow on Jun 25, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody? Miller Lite or Coors Light for a workout beer? Miller’s got fewer carbs, but Coors has those commercials with people rock climbing.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions
Garko could have watched that ball bounce in the dirt and walked to first base. Yet he swings and the inning is over.
Andrew I flipped to BET to see what you were talking about. It was a commercial (Dr. Miracle??) but the guide info on it looked pretty interesting. I’m going to DVR the later replay.
I don’t usually have a problem with mainstream hip-hop, but some of this stuff has gotten annoying. When the hell did it become cool to be obsessed with strippers? When did it become super manly to have to pay a woman to feign interest in you?
Steel Nick
about the same time as “yeah” became a rhyme for “yeah” (juvenile)
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
These new Cedar Point commercials really misrepresent the park. No teenagers making out in line. Way too many sleeves.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions
One of the guys doing the Reds/Jays game just described someone’s numbers as “bodacious.”
And Adam Lind is batting.
Steel Nick
Either the Indians are really really awful or America’s Next Top Model is strangely beguiling.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions
They’re doing a nude shoot in the next break. Tell me you’re not interested.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m looking at the free agent class this offseason. Hm…Some are way out of the price range. Other’s have their faults (age, bad defense, decline).
Burrell
Abreu
Dunn
Giles (club option)
Ibanez
Crede
Furcal
Orlando Hudson
Mark Ellis
Teixeira
I did not list Thome because he has no position on this club.
We’ve offered CC 16 mil a year, right? So that means we have 16 mil to spend annually at least.
Steel Nick
And Dunn just doesn’t care. I heard it from Canada. (in all honesty, Dunn strikes out so much, I don’t know that he would be a good addition to a team that already strikes out too much, OBP and power notwithstanding).
I’m trying to think of a championship team that had a guy like Dunn on it—walk, HR or strike out kind of guy. I’m drawing a blank. Persuade me.
Um, one guy does not a championship make? There. Persuaded.
Do you place HOF votes on the number of championships a guy won?
Steel Nick
Nope. But, I’m trying to think of ways to change the way this team hits. We strike out too much. We don’t make contact. We have too many guys who overswing. Why is Dunn the solution? Sure he’s better than some of the guy we have. But, I’d rather have someone who approaches things differently.
I also think championship teams are good at evaluating players and determining who adds something equivalent to what you have to pay. If I have to pay big bucks for a player (and Adam Dunn will be expensive), I’d rather have a guy who brings more to the table than he does. I think good teams avoid guys like him (high cost—real, but limited reward).
Isn’t “adding better offense” a way to change the hitting?
I don’t think striking out too much is a real thing. Making too many outs is a real thing.
Steel Nick
his power definitely makes a difference, as that, obviously, takes some pressure off of this light-hitting group to manufacture runs. but, while i tend to agree that “too many strike outs” is overblown, this team seems to have the least productive outs imaginable…few sac flies, not many grounders to the appropriate side of the infield to move runners up…seems to me that Dunn fits into that same mold.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Flying out with men on third and grounding out with men on second should not be an organizational philosophy.
Steel Nick
not sure i’m advocating that as an organizational philosophy, but i see peter’s point that dunn isn’t a true solution for this offense…and whatever the organizational philosophy is now (questionable assumption: there is an organizational philosophy on offense) sure as noun isn’t working
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
First of all, no one person is an answer to this offense. An offseason to think about what we’ve done and a couple good moves are in order.
I’m just saying Adam Dunn improves this offense, strikeouts be damed. 130 OPS+’s improve every offense, no matter how good or bad they are, not matter how many whiffs they take. You know who doesn’t strike out? Omar.
Steel Nick
fair enough…130 OPS+ is tough to argue with. i guess i’m clinging to a very Joe Morgan-ish “i don’t love what i see” as it relates to his role with this team.
as i said above, though, i’m usually on your side w/ the “too many strikeouts” argument.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll go back to my main point—the guy is going to cost a lot of money. We don’t have a lot of money to blow. So, if we get to spend that kind of money on one guy, a guy like Dunn, who I acknowledge adds something to an offense, is not my choice. We’re all complaining about the lack of contact this team makes. He doesn’t help us in that regard.
We’re all complaining about the lack of contact this team makes. He doesn’t help us in that regard.
For the record, I do not complain about this.
But yes, I don’t like paying anyone huge sums of money. Dunn will cost us.
I think I like Hudson more and more.
Steel Nick
Strikeouts aren’t bad when it’s a result of a certain approach at the plate that is based on discipline, working deep into counts, and is accompanied by walks as a result of the same approach.
Then you add in the fact that the guy puts the ball out of the park with regularity, and strikeouts are much less part of the story.
A strikeout is always better than a double play grounder.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
why did i think he won a ring with the yankees? BR is telling me he was never even on the yankees? what year is this??
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m starting to think defense is a big deal. I go through phases.
I’d still take Dunn. I’m just saying.
I would not be cool with Raul Ibanez.
Steel Nick
The Indians erred in going for David Dellucci over Luis Gonzalez, not that Gonzalez was willing to come East. Guys like Gonzalez and Ibanez should be taken over Dellucci every time.
Guys like Gonzalez and Ibanez should be taken over Dellucci every time.
I’m not being snarky when I say I don’t get what you mean here. Defend Ibanez.
Steel Nick
Can draw walks and not strikeout every other AB. They have an approach at the plate that even if they hit .220, they are still doing some decent things at the dish. Cleveland can’t sign perfect players, so defense will take a hit.
http://i27.tinypic.com/28akex2.jpg
I don’t want to slow other people’s loading by posting it.
Steel Nick
i would take rick manning over david dellucci, so perhaps i should stay out of this particular discussion.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m just trying to make the point that Ibanez’s offense doesn’t offset his horrible defense. I haven’t seen all the numbers for Dunn.
Steel Nick
Let’s get Burrell, Giles, Crede and Teixeira.
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
Surprised to see that Zito has 5 quality starts this year (but none in June). This is looking like #6.
3 runs in 6 innings, eh? I’m just not as down on Sowers as you are I guess – he needs to keep going out there and get the reps. I thought his last start wasn’t too bad actually, and if he goes another inning or two, this one’s not horrible either. Sowers as a cheap fifth starter is the least of our problems.
Yes. 6 innings, 3 runs. And, his pitch count is still not too high. That’s two in a row. I think this was the pattern he established a couple of years ago. He started out kind of rough, but then started putting up consistently solid numbers and kept it up. Let’s hope we’re seeing him repeat that. It would cheer us all up (and lord knows we need it—Velandia indeed!).
Does Tyra Banks know she’s actually not charismatic?
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions
Have you watched her show? She is able to talk aout herself no matter what anyone else is talking about?
New life goal: Have somebody take a photo of me and dismiss it as “too Maxim.”
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
DEAR HAMMY AND HEGAN: IT’S NOT ZITO. IT’S US.
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
wait wait wait wait, who’s average is highest?
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone else think at some point, no matter how good a dude Shelton is, you have to shake things up and get another voice in the batting cage?
who knew…
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
Can we fire Shelton now? Even as a symbolic gesture?
I did a Google image search for "Andy Marte." It turned up zero results.
Truly a Racy Casey Blake Bake.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Jun 25, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Note to grounds crew: Set up additional smoke and mirrors for Sowers.
I did a Google image search for "Andy Marte." It turned up zero results.
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
This may be an exaggeration, but it may not be, if Zito throws a shutout, I will close the window on 2008.
A RUN!!
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
A run charged to Barry Zito!
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
SO CAN WE SAY WE SCORED OFF OF BARRY ZITO?
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
We can say that, officially, Barry Zito did not shut us out.
Officially.
We all know better, but the box score won’t.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Although temporary pause on fail pics until this inning is over.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Jun 25, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
So that’s a beer and most of my workout. It’s slow going. And I feel a little sloshy.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions
still no RBI for Marte.
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
Well, if he’s a stunt guy and wearing protection there’s a chance he’s only critically injured and not dead. If a fall isn’t broken, however, it doesn’t take much distance before fatality is assured. You could do the 9.8 m/s^2 thing to get the distance-I’m guessing he fell about 6 stories, which is almost always fatal.
If we’re doing this, Casey was rumored at 2B a few offseasons ago, I’d move him there and Carroll to SS. Or you can just lose the DH and put Peralta in the field.
by Fundamentals on Jun 25, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
i’m confused…what are you trying to say?
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions
blake could grit his way through open-heart surgery in a pinch, man…2B is no challenge
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Blake was rumored as an option at 2B the offseason that the team signed Boone. It never got very far, but it was mentioned as a possibility.
by Fundamentals on Jun 25, 2008 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
For those of you in one-appearance fantasy leagues, Casey Blake is now shortstop eligible.
Free Andy Marte!
Did I hear that right?
Marte pinch-hit for a pinch-hitting Dellucci?
Blake is playing shortstop?
What the hell?
Yep. Mass hysteria. Cats and dogs sleeping together.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
On the heals of this development, if the White Sox win tonight, I am officially, for the first time, agreeing to let the fire sale commence.
Dellucci was announced.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
whatever it takes to keep dellucci off the field…
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
We have the wrong pitcher on the mound if we’re trying to get this game in to beat a rainstorm.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
White flag officially raised. Velandia starts, Marte pinch hits, and Casey at short. The Wedge sphincter (circle of crust) has relaxed, finally.
They’ve started games with Blake at first and Marte at third several times this year. They’ve shared an infield before, but never quite like this.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, you could make a hat, you could make a brooch, you could make a pterodactyl…
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
What in the sweet chocolate Christ happened here.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 9:27 PM EDT reply actions
Betancourt, simply put, is pitching badly. The Indians know they have little chance of contending if he doesn’t get better—so, they keep running him out there. But, it ain’t happening. Time to try something else.
Let’s trade him.
Everyone says we won’t get much for CC, but we could always sweeten the pot. Betancourt. Francisco. I don’t know.
Steel Nick
No. They really DO need him to get better. I thought he was their MVP last year. But, hoping and praying isn’t working. Maybe he needs a break; or maybe he’s hurt. Whatever it is, I think we need to find a way to re-start Raffie. Trading him now won’t get you much, and you’ll have a tough time finding anyone who can be that good.
Sad thing is its not a blowout, but its still a clownshow.
by mcrose on Jun 25, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Nick, please, you’re just confusing me now.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I would rather watch the Pittsburgh Pirates. Honestly.
I did a Google image search for "Andy Marte." It turned up zero results.
In the words a dearly departed family friend: “Tell you what I do know. [Rattles empty Scotch glass.] I’m gonna have another one of these.”
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions
Brodzoski (The Close) bailed out by great throw by Ben Fran and plate block by Shoppach.
Free Andy Marte!
I’m anxiously awaiting Marte’s Shaq vs. Kobe-esque rap about Blake.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 9:43 PM EDT reply actions
Jason Giambi is doing promos for the All-Star game on MLB.tv and Barry Bonds is unemployed. Nice, Bud. Very Nice.
This just in: Brian Wilson has 20 saves.
I did a Google image search for "Andy Marte." It turned up zero results.
Did some earlier posts get deleted, or am I imagining things? Not that it’s important, but I’m wondering if watching the Indians is affecting my brain?
Maybe your brain sucks, too.
I did a Google image search for "Andy Marte." It turned up zero results.
It’s hard to know what’s going on with Crowe right now. Because of his injuries earlier in the season, he’s still in the small sample size territory. And is current success is entirely because of his scorching June (.407 BA for the month). But he’s back to hitting .300 with a .400+ OBP and his speed gets him enough 2Bs to keep his SLG over .400. I think he needs to sustain this (and stay healthy) for another few months before we can dust off the Trevor Crowe bandwagon. But given the disappointing performances of a lot of our near-major guys, it’s nice to see Crowe doing something.
i believe he leases, with an option to buy…
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I forgot that we actually have to watch this team lose embarassingly before there will be any trades. This part sucks.
No need to delay the inevitable.
Soak it in.
by fleerdon on Jun 25, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Bright side – if Shap was actually wondering if we’re going to compete this year, answer served on platter. Let the trading begin.
Please.
At least all the trade banter will be more interesting than the product on the field.
I did a Google image search for "Andy Marte." It turned up zero results.
Believe it or not, I think we’ll play better and have a more entertaiing ballclub once that starts. This team is wound so tight you could provide a small city with power for the rest of the summer if you pulled the cord right.
Screw the injuries – this team wasn’t ready to play on opening day and was still in spring training a month after the season started. Totally psyched out and over-analyzed from the getgo. The sooner Shap gives up the dream of a corporate do good team grit psycho profile beard over bats loyalty joined at the hip bullsit the better.
Whew.
by mcrose on Jun 25, 2008 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Awesome post. I’m not too worried about it. Being an Indians fan isn’t all about winning-obviously. There will be things that happen that’ll keep my interest. Call ups, firings, hirings-taking a series against a rival. All kinds of stuff.
Hard to believe we finally took a season-series against the Yankees this year. There have been some good things.
Yeah, there ya go. Not all bad. Cliff Lee came back. Uh. Uh. Jeff Stevens has pitched well. Those are good things.
There’s a chance Fasano goes into the Hall as an Indian.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Jun 25, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Good points here. Team wasn’t ready—completely flummoxed and psyched-out. Time to loosen up, get a few ne’er-do-wells, guys who don’t play the game right, don’t run out grounders, pose at the plate, drink too much and get in fights on the plane. With Victor out you don’t see many smiles in the dugout.
Post loghorrea, I guess my vector, straight or not, points less at the players and more at the environment they work in. The efficiencies necessary for a small market team to succeed include not only the player contracts you assume, but also the coaching personnel and yes, even the philosophy you espouse. If its not working, you have to change it.
so, if a team comes within a single win of the world series in year A, enters year B (the very next year) as among the short list of world series favorites, and at the all-star break of year B is in LAST PLACE in one of the worst divisions of baseball…wouldn’t that mean that someone in a position of influence should be relieved of their responsibility in the organization?
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not a Wedge fan, but they DID get to the brink of the World Series last year. Same guys. So, which is the anomaly—last year, or this?
very good question…i have no idea who’s at fault. i’m not saying wedge, i’m not saying shapiro, shelton…it just seems to me when a team underachieves to this extent, there has to be SOME accountability. as we well know, we obviously can’t fire the players (please find a way to fire dellucci), so doesn’t someone need to get shtcanned? whether they overachieved last year or not, the message isn’t working
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not even in the “FIRE WEDGE (all caps)” group. I don’t think it’s Wedge’s fault.
But really, I don’t think it matters much who manages this team. It’s likely to be someone of little personality who won’t greatly screw things up. I’d be happy with that. If it pleases the torch-wielding mob demanding change, I’m fine with Luvullo or Skinner. Or Omar. Well, not Omar.
Steel Nick
but are you in the FE WEE group?
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
as i say, i’m not firmly in a “fire (insert specific indians brass)” camp, either. nor am i advocating change for the simple sake of change (and i haven’t wielded a torch since eric plunk left town). in fact, i think it’s self-defeating to fire wedge at this stage. he’s not likely, in my opinion, to be managing this team next year, but whoever would replace him today sure as noun isn’t going to be the manager either.
the simple point is that something is going wrong-drastically wrong-and either the indians aren’t addressing it, or they aren’t willing to admit something is awry.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
they are playing the juggernaut known as the Colorado Rockies, so let’s not get too far in front of ourselves
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Ugh. It’s filthy here on the bottom. There are years of empty Pringles cans just collecting dust. KC really didn’t keep it well.
Steel Nick
That’s fantastic. All I ask at my funeral is a sense of humor.
by fleerdon on Jun 26, 2008 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Awaiting Wedge Post Game Blow up of …
THIS TEAM IS F-ING CRAP. I CAN”T STAND IT ANYMORE THESE A-HOLES ARE KILLING ME. LOOK AT ME! I’M ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN! I”M GOING TO GO HOME AND KILL MY DOG. HAPPY NOW? STUPID M-F ERS GIVING AWAY AT BATS AND SHIT!
I did a Google image search for "Andy Marte." It turned up zero results.
Wedge is serene right now. He pinch hit Marte and Casey played SS. Tics are gone, and he will not take an Ambien tonight.
by mcrose on Jun 25, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
“Marginal prospect” and “too old for his league” Max Ramirez hit his first home run for the Rangers tonight.
Has anyone seen this business about Shawn Chacon? Suspended indefinitely by the Astros. I was watching on EI and Ed Wade held an impromptu press conference.
WADE: ...suspended from the team. Indefinitely.
REPORTER: Why?
WADE: Insubordination of team policy (or something with “insubordination” in it).
REPORTER: What did he do?
WADE: I won’t discuss that.
REPORTER: Is it true he physically accosted you?
WADE: I won’t discuss that.
Woah.
Steel Nick
if they’re looking for a heavyset African-American SP to replace him, Hunter Pence and Roy Oswalt will do nicely.
by JulioBernazard on Jun 25, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
More on Chacon:
According Chacon, he was in the lunch room after batting practice when Cooper asked him to join him in his office."And I said, ‘what do you want to speak to me about?’" Chacon said. "He said, ‘we just want to talk to you.’ I said, ‘anything you can say you can say to me right here. I don’t want to go to the office. He looked at me and I said there’s nothing for me to say to you guys.’ And I don’t think whatever they had to say to me they were going to make me happy. I didn’t want to get in a closed-room conversation. I just wanted to be left alone.
"I sat down to eat and Ed Wade came to me and very sternly said, ‘you need to come with me to the office.’ I said ‘for what?’ I said ‘I don’t want to go to the office with you and Cooper.’ And I said ‘You can tell me whatever you got to tell me right here.’ He’s like, ‘oh, you want me to tell you right here?’ And I said, ‘yeah.’ I’m not yelling. I’m calm."
It deteriorated quickly afterward, according to Chacon.
"He started yelling and cussing,” Chacon said of Wade. “I’m sitting there and I said to him very calmly, ‘Ed, you need to stop yelling me. Then I stood up and said ‘you better stop yelling at me.’ I stood up. He continued and was basically yelling and stuff and was like, ‘You need to (expletive) look in the mirror.’ So at that point I lost my cool and I grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground. I jumped on top of him because at that point I wanted to beat his (butt). Words were exchanged."
Players quickly intervened to separate Wade and Chacon, who remembers being pulled away by backup outfielder Reggie Abercrombie.
Steel Nick
in an ironic twist, they were going to present him with a plaque recognizing him as “least likely astro to try to choke the manager”. now they have to completely re-vote.
by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2008 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
The 2008 Cleveland Indians: Home of the Triple Steal, Unassisted Triple Play, and not a heck of a lot more.
So, who do you want to win the AL Central, now that it is becoming clearer it will not be the Indians? I’m rooting for KC, but I fear Minnesota will win.
I’d tolerate the Tigers if I could be assured their pitchers would commit seven errors during the ALDS, which they would lose in three games.
The Indians play the White Sox on the final day of the season. It would be great to send them home. It would be particularly sweet if a Tribe victory resulted from a blown call, a bad bounce, or some other form of injustice.
Just sped through the game on the DVR. I still like to think it was really us tonight, not Zito. But I have to say, his velocity surprised me. In his first few innings, he was consistently at 87…about what he threw when he was good. He’s been in the low 80’s for much of the year, and Fangraphs has him at an average of 84 this year. So he definitely had better stuff tonight. But it’s still us, damnit.
Also, Raffy B’s velocity seems to be down a touch. He’s only hit 92 a couple of times the last two nights, and that’s where he usually sits. Not down much, but a little. And the next time he thinks of throwing that spinner of his on the inner half to a lefty hitter with power, he’ll probably think better of it.
2008 season =
The schedule tells me we don’t play Seattle until just after the All-Star Break. Which is unfortunate, as I think we are in dire need of a Lookout Landing takeover.
We could take it over anyway.
Better yet, we could take over someone else’s blog that we’re not even playing, and insist on discussing the Indians game the whole time.
I vote for Royals Review.
Free Andy Marte!
by woodsmeister on Jun 26, 2008 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha we spend entire game threads here not talking about the Tribe, and we’re going to another blog and talk about them? Yeah that seems about right.
by supermarioelia on Jun 26, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
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