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Around SBN: NFL Players Ready To Welcome Gay Teammate

Early Weekend Six-Pack (2/24/2011)

Rumor has it some folks are going to play something like a baseball game somewhere in Arizona today...excellent.

1. Twitter has way more than 150 characters

Here is a sampling of some recent Tribe twitter accounts, something the team seems to embracing, particularly with the younger players:

  • Jensen Lewis (JLEWFifty) "I do miss seeing former Cavalier Mark Price dominate the 3 pt contest. As a pure a shooter as there ever was!"
  • Drew Pomeranz (DrewPomeranz) "Saw a little kid chasing a tumbleweed bigger than him today...pretty strange"
  • Chris Perez (ChrisPerez54) "It's like a cast reunion on here....where's Jake, Cerrano?"
  • Manny Acta (Mactriber_11) "Song of the day: Blame it on the rain... By Milly Vanilly. The rain almost ruined our workout, but things turned out fine."
  • Lonnie Chisenhall (TheChizKid) "First scrimmage tomorrow..feels like I never missed a beat..Cleveland is young and talented!!"
  • Cole Cook (C_M_Cook) "I love the 5 hour energy commercials where they try to make coffee seem like a burden"

2. Know your knee

For no particular reason (n.b. this picture exaggerates the size of the patellar surface of the femur, the shadowed groove the patella is resting above).

Kneeanat2_medium

via www.athleticadvisor.com

3. Mitch Talbot - Goodyear man of mystery

Is there an important member of the 2011 Tribe less talked about than Mitch Talbot?  You may recall that Talbot, the return for Kelly Shoppach, was right behind Fausto as the rotation ERA leader all the way through July last season.  I'm going to have a longer piece coming up on Mitch next week, but for now I'll just note that he has one of the more diverse repertoires of pitches on the team, mixing in three different fastballs (2-seam, 4-seam, cutter) with a slider and change.  An example of what those pitches do, courtesy of his complete game victory April 16th last season (data from brooksbaseball.net):

Pitch
Avg. speed
Max
Avg. H. brk
Avg. V brk
Count
Strikes/%
Swinging
Lin. Weight
4-Seam
92.07
94.8
-8.44
8.27
53
39 / 73.6%
2 / 3.8%
-3.74
2-Seam
89.53
90.4
-9.80
8.19
4
2 / 50.0%
0 / 0.0%
-0.02
Cutter
88.77
91.5
-1.22
3.69
16
10 / 62.5%
0 / 0.0%
-0.58
Change
79.19
87.3
-9.62
3.56
13
8 / 61.5%
1 / 7.7%
1.12
Slider
87.86
90.3
1.26
1.28
11
9 / 81.8%
0 / 0.0%
-0.30

Also, from Fangraphs, his H-break/V-break scatterplot for the season:

Talbot_medium

4. 40 man turnover

Star-divide

There was a considerable amount of turnover in the Tribe's 40-man roster last season between trades, acquisitions, and promotions.  In theory, the Indians roster may be fairly stable until late in the season this year.  There will be a few adjustments when camp breaks related to the backup catcher (possibly), bullpen (possibly) and reserve position spots (possibly)...but nothing too dramatic.  And then, looking at the current 40-man, you see pretty much all of the obvious injury replacements are already rostered.  Some combination of Tomlin, Gomez, Kluber, McAllister fill out the rotation needs.  Carrera and Weglarz are in place as centerfield and corner outfield replacements.  The bullpen should be served by Pestano, Todd and Judy.  Of course there will be promotions (Putnam and Stowell, Alex White, Phelps/Kipnis/Chisenhall)...but the Indians roster could be pretty stable until those guys are ready.

5. Santana and Sizemore

The recent LGT predictions thread produced some interesting data to analyze.  One comparison is how our readers, consciously or unconsciously, view Santana and Sizemore's relative significance for the team's offense and success.  Obviously they both have substantial importance, but the results tallied at the moment would suggest we as a group feel Sizemore is a little more significant for the offense, while Santana is a little more important in shaping our final win tally:

Ss1_medium

Ss2_medium

6. Games are soon...

Here's last year's spring opener game thread...enjoy

Cozy_medium

 


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Comments

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Nothing new for folks here, but John Sickels runs down a few “sleeper” pitching prospects in the Indians system

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 3:39 PM EST reply actions  

I don’t know, there were quite a few I knew little/nothing about. Nice to see that type of rundown from an outside source. I’m excited to see how some of the prospects rank and move up as we start sorting the wheat from the chaff.

I just want to believe.

by mjmarble on Feb 25, 2011 7:35 AM EST up reply actions  

Think Sickels is the best of all the prospect sources, obviously have to take a lot of sources but I tend to trust him more.

by Gradyforpresident on Feb 25, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions  

Really? I think I’m basically a KG guy. He’s a heavily scout-sourced guy who’s stat-friendly without being stats-based.

by Jay on Feb 25, 2011 11:06 AM EST up reply actions  

I would go in the opposite direction. I think he has improved, but my biggest complaint is he rarely sees any of the Tribe prospects in person.

by APV on Feb 25, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions  

but its quite a good breakdown for a guy who rarely gets to see players in person.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!

by bross09 on Feb 26, 2011 12:42 AM EST up reply actions  

Heyman tweets the Indians are in talks with Chad Durbin. Interesting…I wouldn’t mind adding him to the mix.

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 5:56 PM EST reply actions  

I think the bullpen might end up being the best part of this team… I would like them to add a 5th starter but I suppose the guys competing for the job are just as good as anyone on the market, except I would be intrigued to give Bonderman a chance

by johio1 on Feb 24, 2011 7:02 PM EST up reply actions  

I think the bullpen might end up being the best part of this team

Famous last words

by Roger Dorn on Feb 25, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions   2 recs

Seriously – thanks for the jinx.

I just want to believe.

by mjmarble on Feb 25, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions  

Haha. We’ve heard that before.

by Buckeye Brad on Feb 26, 2011 9:22 AM EST up reply actions  

Now Morosi says could happen soon

by APV on Feb 25, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Durbin was a pretty high Type B free agent this off-season. Wonder if he could turn into a Type A with a good 2011, potential increasing his value to us and as a trade chip?

by APV on Feb 25, 2011 12:04 PM EST up reply actions  

Chad Durbin? Everything old is new again.

"Magic would be getting productivity out of Crowe or Valbuena. I’ll admit we could use a little luck, but that’s not the same thing." - Jay

@festivalradio - folk music and politics

@grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on Feb 25, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree with Cole Cook.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Feb 24, 2011 6:45 PM EST reply actions   2 recs

Seconded

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Feb 25, 2011 12:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Twitter is limited to 140 characters, not 150, right?

by afh4 on Feb 24, 2011 8:14 PM EST reply actions  

You’ve exposed his social media ignorance! Back to your mother’s basement!

by emd2k3 on Feb 24, 2011 8:25 PM EST up reply actions  

I actually have no idea. I don’t tweet.

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 8:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Just putting this here, because it’s not a full-fledged fanshot.

Some photo day samples.

Others can be found on Daylife

Not as interesting as the more recent seasons (on white). Photographer is Rob Tringali

When there’s a full set (if possible) on Getty, I will post a fanshot.

by emd2k3 on Feb 24, 2011 8:24 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

legit lol.

"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady

by westbrook on Feb 24, 2011 8:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Legit LOL 122, Actual LOL 109, to this point.

by YoDaddyWags on Feb 25, 2011 8:09 AM EST up reply actions  

the set on daylife may just be all of them —there are a ton. And no watermarks!

"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady

by westbrook on Feb 24, 2011 8:40 PM EST up reply actions  

De La Cruz looks like Tiger Woods

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 8:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Paul Phillips looks like a rec-league catcher whose biggest skill is his batting helmet chugging ability

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 8:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Frank Herrmann looks like Tom Hanks

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 8:53 PM EST up reply actions  

It looks like Crowe spent the off-season trying to eat his competition for the fourth outfielder position

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 8:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Weglarz looks like he ate all of the outfielders.

by afh4 on Feb 24, 2011 9:00 PM EST up reply actions  

I think Crowe still wins

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 9:02 PM EST up reply actions  

No way! Look at Nick’s tummy!

by afh4 on Feb 24, 2011 9:04 PM EST up reply actions  

Did you see Crowe’s (new) chin? And no one tops Paul Phillips’ belly.

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 9:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Also, does Nick have lady hands?

by afh4 on Feb 24, 2011 9:07 PM EST up reply actions  

You are hanging out with the wrong ladies

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 9:11 PM EST up reply actions  

Wow. When I first linked they didn’t have that many. Now, they’ve got probably all.

by emd2k3 on Feb 25, 2011 10:52 AM EST up reply actions  

"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady

by westbrook on Feb 24, 2011 8:40 PM EST up reply actions  

I’ve decided, on February 24, that I love this team. There are some fantastic photos in that set.

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 8:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Jensen Lewis.

"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady

by westbrook on Feb 24, 2011 8:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Holy crap. The one where he’s holding up the sign… amazing.

Where's your crown, KIng Nothing?

by Turkmenbashi on Feb 25, 2011 1:53 AM EST up reply actions  

Drew Pomeranz looks like a CPR dummy.

by afh4 on Feb 24, 2011 8:59 PM EST up reply actions  

I love that Chisenhall is apparently incapable of smiling, an Kipnis looks like a 1920s mobster from Chicago. Orlando Cabrera looks, in some pictures, like he might be a little person. Chris Perez is awesome. Alex White is apparently taking styling tips from Perez. Santana is awesome. Jayson Nix appears to be auditioning for the role of Ben Affleck in Ben Affleck’s next movie.

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 9:04 PM EST up reply actions  

Chisenhall looks very Southern depression-era child. This, in contrast to Austin Kearns, who just looks like a depression-era ballplayer.

by afh4 on Feb 24, 2011 9:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is put every player into their proper era with Photoshop.

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 9:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Rafael Perez looks more like a vampire than any human being I’ve ever seen.

by afh4 on Feb 24, 2011 9:07 PM EST up reply actions  

And in contrast to Crowe, who is a depressing ballplayer.

Too easy?

by Jay on Feb 25, 2011 2:54 AM EST up reply actions  

Kipnis and Hafner could be brothers.

by Jay on Feb 25, 2011 2:53 AM EST up reply actions  

I love that every one of us so far who’s discovered the photos has turned into a reply-to-self machine.

"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady

by westbrook on Feb 24, 2011 9:37 PM EST up reply actions  

What is Putnam doing here?

by APV on Feb 24, 2011 9:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Has a dinosaur vibe.

by afh4 on Feb 24, 2011 9:08 PM EST up reply actions  

GOODYEAR, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Jordan Brown #35 of the Cleveland Indians takes a crap while standing during photo day at the Cleveland Indians Spring Training Complex on February 22, 2011 in Goodyear, Arizona.

http://www.daylife.com/photo/089C7Xd9djg6q?q=Cleveland+Indians+photo+day

"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady

by westbrook on Feb 24, 2011 9:43 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Ooh, I wonder if those are new batting helmets for the season or just the spring. Would be cool to see block C batting helmets regularly.

Where's your crown, KIng Nothing?

by Turkmenbashi on Feb 25, 2011 1:51 AM EST up reply actions  

There is something vaguely impish and untrustworthy about this one.

by ameliorate on Feb 24, 2011 9:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Jayson Nix looks like the baseballiest baseball player that ever baseballed

Where's your crown, KIng Nothing?

by Turkmenbashi on Feb 25, 2011 1:48 AM EST up reply actions  

Valbuena just looks like a great middle infielder. Damn it.

by Jay on Feb 25, 2011 2:55 AM EST up reply actions  

I feel like this should be on the front page of LGT somewhere.

by MooneysRebellion on Feb 25, 2011 6:38 AM EST up reply actions  

The recent LGT predictions thread produced some interesting data to analyze

Wow… completely missed that thread. Time to catch up.

"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady

by westbrook on Feb 24, 2011 8:27 PM EST reply actions  

I still love how little Grady seems to give a crap

Where's your crown, KIng Nothing?

by Turkmenbashi on Feb 25, 2011 1:56 AM EST reply actions  

I love baseball

Where's your crown, KIng Nothing?

by Turkmenbashi on Feb 25, 2011 1:57 AM EST up reply actions  

I’ve seen that look of aloof disdain before. Mostly from women.

by Jay on Feb 25, 2011 2:56 AM EST up reply actions   2 recs

When you were hanging at the video game store at the mall, I suspect.

by YoDaddyWags on Feb 25, 2011 8:14 AM EST up reply actions  

You think women bother stop in at the video store, just to exhibit their disdain?

by Jay on Feb 25, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions  

If they need to meet their quota, sure.

by YoDaddyWags on Feb 25, 2011 2:19 PM EST up reply actions  

The Cabrera, Cabrera, Carrera lineup is in action this afternoon

by APV on Feb 25, 2011 1:07 PM EST reply actions  

Brantley 3-4 so far this in squad games with 2 triples and a double. Stowell 4 batters, 4 walks.

Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall led Mike Sarbaugh’s Sour Balls past Steve Smith’s American racers, 4-2, Friday in the Indians second and final intrasquad game.

Brantley tripled in the first inning, his second in as many games, and scored on Chisenhall’s RBI ground out for a 1-0 lead.

Brantley and Chisenhall combined again in the third. Brantley doubled off Jess Todd and scored on Chisnehall’s double for a 2-0 lead.
Carlos Carrasco started for Sarbaugh’s club and threw a scoreless first inning. He retired Travis Hafner and Orlando Cabrera, but gave up a single to Asdrubal Cabrera. Catcher Paul Phillips threw out Cabrera trying to steal to end the inning.

Mitch Talbot opposed Carrasco. He gave up Brantley’s triple, hit Shelley Duncan, but managed to pitch his way out of serious trouble.

Smith’s team tied the score with runs in the fourth and fifth of the six-inning game. Jack Hannan had an RBI single in the fourth and Jason Kipnis doubled home a run the fifth. Rookie Ezequiel Carrera, acrquired from Seattle in the Russell Branyan trade, hit a leadoff single, stole second and score on Kipnis double.

Jared Goedert broke the tie with an RBI single in the fifth off loser Vinnie Pestano. In the sixth, prospect Bryce Stowell walked four straight to force home a run to make it 4-2. Stowell was throwing hard, but had no idea where it was going.

by mcrose on Feb 25, 2011 8:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Stowell 4 batters, 4 walks.

just instilling fear

by APV on Feb 25, 2011 8:38 PM EST up reply actions  

Scared some sour balls, it seems.

Brantley’s early showing is pretty cool.

by mcrose on Feb 25, 2011 9:05 PM EST up reply actions  

I really have no idea who to root for in intersquad games – I want everyone to do well, be it vets trying to get ready or minor leaguers trying to show what they have. When do we start playing the Reds?

I just want to believe.

by mjmarble on Feb 26, 2011 10:45 AM EST up reply actions  

Tomorrow. Tomlin starts.

by mcrose on Feb 26, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions  

Clayton Cook delivers, yet again.

(And it’s the only one of the tweets you cited that is worth a damn).

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on Feb 27, 2011 1:38 AM EST reply actions  

Wow, sorry, that would be Cole Cook.

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on Feb 27, 2011 1:39 AM EST up reply actions  

Wow he’s got an awesome feed. Big fan

by Gradyforpresident on Feb 27, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, and those other guys are just not entertaining to me. Very bland.

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on Feb 27, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions  

Actually pomeranz could be interesting, and chisenhall wasnt attempting to entertain, but still…

jlew….

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on Feb 27, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions  

C_M_Cook: “I think 10s might be the best bill. Small enough to do small transactions but large enough not to clutter your wallet”

by Gradyforpresident on Feb 27, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions  

words of wisdom: “When it’s hot outside it’s called a breeze. When it’s cold outside it’s called windchill.”

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 27, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions  

oh god, then there’s this: “Anything unrelated to elephants is irrELEPHANT”

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 27, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions  

I chuckled lightly.

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on Feb 27, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions  

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