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about 1 year ago Jay 66 comments 7 recs |

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This thing has gone to another level. We’re realistic and want to believe but we know that reality exists somewhere between 2007 and Keith Law’s dungeon. But it’s fun to start fast.

The rest of the fan base, however, has been somewhat apathetic. Doesn’t Masterson still suck? Didn’t Mike Tomlin retire after we knocked him around in the playoffs a few years ago? And Hafner is still a bum!

Not anymore. That has shaken people to life.

I agree with those who say it certainly looked like more than 16k in attendance. There were filled seats at every angle of the game-winner. Maybe folks came in late in the game and weren’t counted?

Of course, the late-comers will expect 2007 now. There’s not enough starting pitching, I would guess, to duplicate it. But I’ve stopped over-analyzing why Keith Law isn’t the worst person in the world. I’m ready just to believe that he probably is, and we’re probably winning this division and the whole damn thing.

by tabler84 on Apr 30, 2011 9:04 AM EDT reply actions 6 recs

Lets see what White does tomorrow. If he is effective, and stays that way, I think our pitching could keep us in this thing for a few months.

by OscarDog on Apr 30, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

There were fireworks last night and they shuffle people around the stadium (usually in the 7th and 8th innings) so everyone can see the fireworks. Generally that means people move from the bleachers/mezz/RF to behind home plate and down the two baselines in the lower level.

Not discounting the level of energy from the crowd last night, but on fireworks nights they purposely pack everyone together in the areas where they can see the fireworks best.

by The DiaTriber on Apr 30, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

That makes sense, I was wondering why it seemed so large.

"Spring Training wins are good for the soul."

by USSChoo on May 3, 2011 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Man, rec for Keith Law’s dungeon.

If you don't respect Aaron Laffey, I will fight you.

by Cap'n Snegiryov on Apr 30, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

My facebook was full of people excited about the Indians last night. That hasn’t happened in a looong time.

"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 Apr 30, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m sure most of my FB list thinks I’m losing my mind (again). Hell with ’em.

If nothing else, I’ve managed to at least drag one my staunchest “I hate baseball” friends into at least watching the standings from day to day. Progress!

--
Wahoo Baseball, baby!

by vbc3 on Apr 30, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Ain’t this fun?

Our best players wear suits.

by mauichuck on Apr 30, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

If we had to suffer through being so much worse than expectations in 08 & 09 with everything going wrong, why can’t we have a year where things go unexpectedly right?

My wife just doesn’t understand why I have played the clip 47 times this morning.

Bummed that I missed it live.

...not the best color man in the league for nothing

by stuart dean on Apr 30, 2011 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

You know what’s crazy, he wasn’t even having a particularly good at-bat. Nobody would have been that surprised by an inning-ending double-play to send the game into extra innings.

by Jay on Apr 30, 2011 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

To be honest, when Choo struck out, I had my hopes pegged on Duncan.

If you believe it's just a game, you're also probably wondering why Santa keeps skipping your house every year.

by LeftyCatcher on Apr 30, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

That would have meant you also had your hopes pegged to Santana striking out instead of grounding into DP – which is what I was hoping in the back of my mind.

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

by Spidey on Apr 30, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know about that, Jay. The pitch he swung at was slightly off the plate, but he was patient on a couple other close pitches to get to a 3-ball count with the bases loaded. You get to that point, and you’re probably going to get a cookie. And he did.

by TribeJay on Apr 30, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

That is true. It seemed at the time that he didn’t really have a lock on anything, and he got lucky with a couple of calls on guesses, but maybe it just seemed like that.

by Jay on Apr 30, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Through this slump of a start to the season for him he has maintained his good plate discipline 15.3% BB.

by hans on Apr 30, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

His OPS+ is still 98. That’s not bad at all, considering he’s still looking up at the Mendoza Line.

The persuasion is not inherent in the lobster.

by Joel D on Apr 30, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

That also says much about the hitting prowess of the average catcher.

"I’ll happily embrace elevated hopes if that is the price to pay." - APV

On Twitter at @grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on Apr 30, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I might be mistaken, but I don’t think OPS+ corrects for position, only league/park.

by gte619n on May 2, 2011 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Years happen when everything suddenly goes right. The 2005 White Sox spring to my mind; maybe it’s because I lived in Chicago at the time and hate that team, but everything happened right for that team all year. I’m not convinced we have that team’s talent level, but I agree with the basic premise; good things can happen.

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Apr 30, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

That team was freakishly lucky

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 30, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

2010 Giants

My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw

by Turkmenbashi on Apr 30, 2011 3:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

2 legit aces.

"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 Apr 30, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

And little else worthwhile. Closer maybe. Sone fluky rookies.

My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw

by Turkmenbashi on Apr 30, 2011 4:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

not posey

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 30, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, I’ve officially bought into this team. To say my expectations were low heading into this year is an understatement, but I think I sense something special going on this year.

I was at the game last night, and it felt like 95 all over again walking out of the stadium. Late inning heroics, high 5s heading out of the stadium, it was a great night to be an Indians fan.

Also, they were/are serving Christmas Ale at the stand outside section 153. All is right in the world.

by millionairesrow on Apr 30, 2011 11:04 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Wait, WHAT, Christmas Ale at the Jake?

by NatiTribeFan on Apr 30, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Why aren’t they advertising that? Someone get Indians Marketing on the phone — you stockpile CA all winter, sell it all summer. I paid like $50 for a case of it and then another $35 to check the luggage that ONLY contained CA and padding to get it back to Colorado, and I know I’m not the only one who does stupid stuff like that for the stuff. Attendance WOULD go up.

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Apr 30, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Christmas in July.

by Jay on Apr 30, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Or April, or May, or June, or August, or September, or October. Although by October hopefully they’d have switched over to the 2011 vintage.

by APV on Apr 30, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously? Now that’s a way to get people to the park.

by Ryan on Apr 30, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah it was a nice surprise after walking in the gates right there to be greeted by the Christmas Ale

by hans on Apr 30, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Mark Shapiro — great club president, or The Greatest Club President?

by Jay on May 1, 2011 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

He’s gotta ways to go to best Bill Veeck

Our best players wear suits.

by mauichuck on May 1, 2011 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

New background!

by emily522 on Apr 30, 2011 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

Hah, thanks, I thought I was the only person lame enough to make it my background.

by c9kay32 on Apr 30, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Make that three lame-os. Is there a better resolution version?

by supermarioelia on Apr 30, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

No. Chuck Crow from the PD took it and you can never find HQ’s of his photos.

by cozmeesah on Apr 30, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Last night’s victory was pretty uncommon for the Tribe. These are some unofficial calculations, but hopefully accurate.

In 11 of their 17 wins, they have never been behind.
In their 17 wins, at the end of full innings they have been ahead in 104 innings, behind in 19 inning and tied in 26 innings.
In the games they have come from behind to win, they’ve:

gone ahead in 6th inning (April 3, 7-1, White Sox)
gone ahead in 4th inning (April 5, 3-1, Boston
tied in 7th inning, won in 10 ( April 18th, KC)
gone ahead in 6th inning (April 20th, KC)
tied in 7th inning, won in 9th (April 30th, Det)

by haymister on Apr 30, 2011 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

It’s been funny because while others had low expectations for this team I wanted the team just to play .500 baseball. I could live with every other morning enjoying an Indians win. This has been unreal so far. I’m just enjoying the ride and trying to keep myself in check.

by roywhitby on Apr 30, 2011 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Long time lurker, first time commenter. I just have to jump in the pile as I cannot believe how this month has gone and need the Tribe-obsessed community here. Last night felt like 1995 or the end of 2007 when Casey Blake almost single-handedly eliminated the Tigers.

When my wife got up this morning I was playing the clip over and over again for our 3 year-old son. It reminds me of when I was carrying him around my basement listening to V-Mart take Wang deep in Game 1.

I too am still reining in the hopes, but I’m going to enjoy this ride while it lasts.

by Scraptacular on Apr 30, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Casey’s two walk offs in what, four days? Good memory.

by Gradyforpresident on Apr 30, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad you decided to join in.

by Jay on May 1, 2011 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Just got back from the ticket office and the lower bowl was almost entirely sold out at 12:15 and they are still getting walkups

by NatiTribeFan on Apr 30, 2011 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

awesome news. Wish my finals were done and I could get down there with everyone.

"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 Apr 30, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Stuck at work til close, damn it all. I’ll be keeping an eye via Gameday.

--
Wahoo Baseball, baby!

by vbc3 on Apr 30, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Great to hear.

I wonder how the players will respond – they have certainly earned the crowds and attention.

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

by Spidey on Apr 30, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I couldn’t one damn person to go with me today. Unreal. All of my Cleveland friends/family are busy and all of my Columbus friends are either busy or didn’t want to drive up for it. Depressing.

by ahowie on Apr 30, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve played the clip of the Hamilton call 30 times, and was able to see it live from my tent in a national forest. I love technology and this baseball team.

by FredOx on Apr 30, 2011 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

Driveline Baseball - Advanced Training for the Baseball Athlete (located in Seattle, WA)

by Kyle Boddy on Apr 30, 2011 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs

Underneath all the open windows on my screen, I imagine a host of happy, hopping Indian gifs endlessly frolicking.

by YoDaddyWags on Apr 30, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Reminds me of the famous shout from ’07. This is unreal.

My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw

by Turkmenbashi on Apr 30, 2011 3:37 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Or “shot,” whichever.

My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw

by Turkmenbashi on Apr 30, 2011 3:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That’s why I posted it so prominently. We need the new version emblazoned in our minds.

by Jay on May 1, 2011 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions

100% agree. And “emblazoned” is the perfect word.

My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw

by Turkmenbashi on May 1, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Listening to the whole thing unfold at work, I wouldn’t let myself believe it. I thought it was a Hammy fake-out up until the word “Gone” came out of his mouth. I’ve watched the highlight on mlb.com or MLBN at least 50 times.

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

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Apr 30, 2011 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

I think my new favorite part of this picture is Fausto. He just looks like a proud dad who always knew his kid had it in him.

by ahowie on Apr 30, 2011 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

Scratch that. I think that description might fight what we can see of Marson better. Fausto looks like he just thought of a joke someone told him earlier in the day and only just now got it.

by ahowie on Apr 30, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Three more from the Tribe’s official FB:

Right-click and View-Image, they get larger.

by cozmeesah on Apr 30, 2011 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs

man, grady is obviously having fun. and also, clearly committed to that domingo ayala youtube gag

by Brick. on May 1, 2011 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions

My friend serves Matthew Lillard coffee often out here. As a direct (and obviously flawed result), I feel as though I know Shelley Duncan. He’s the best.

by themadlibs on May 2, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I was looking at the original picture whe I realized that
1. Carmona looks like he farted in a car and locked the windows
2. Shelley Duncan looks like Gary Busey
3. Vinnie Pestano looks like the guy who played Doogie Howser
4. Choo looks like he could be an asian pop star
5. Marson looks like he lost all of his teeth
6. Grady Sizemore looks like ARnold Schwarzzeneger pulling a gun from inside his shirt
7.Asdrubal Cabrera is smiling like the guy from V for Vendetta
8. The guy in the middle looks like a horror movie villain who wants to stab Santana

by clefan on May 1, 2011 12:15 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

5. That’s Matt LaPorta. Marson’s mouth is hidden behind Santana’s head.
8. The guy in the middle is Austin Kearns.

by cozmeesah on May 1, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Choo is an Asian pop star.

You are reading my signature.

by rolub on May 1, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions

"I’ll happily embrace elevated hopes if that is the price to pay." - APV

On Twitter at @grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on May 2, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Gramps looks to be the one playing the key role of the guy who sort of runs up about a third of the way up the third base line to be the first guy to greet the guy who hits the walk off HR.

Back in 2007 didn’t somebody usually play that role? It’s absolutely escaping me… was it Lofton? Trot Nixon?

by cheech99 on May 1, 2011 8:27 PM EDT reply actions