Archive for August, 2010

7:30 p.m. Just arrived at the Tribe Social Deck, it’s 3-0 White Sox in the top of the second (yeah, I got here late, sue me:) ). Not sure how the Sox scored, but glad to see Mitch Talbot keep up his strong second half performance (I had a couple drinks beforehand. Sarcasm is dripping.). I’m going to keep updating throughout the game, or at least as long as I feel like. 7:31 p.m. Omar Vizquel gets a nice cheer from the sparse crowd at Progressive Field. Bases loaded after Talbot hits Juan Pierre. Why he did that, I do [...]

Was browsing the old FireJoeMorgan.com archives (as unfortunately the site no longer posts ) and found some surprising love for then Nationals manager and current Indians manager Manny Acta. I copied the whole post since I can’t find a direct link to it (it’s from October 10th, 2007): We’ve covered Manny Acta before, but it’s just, I don’t know, pleasant to find out that a current baseball manager seems so eminently sane. Here is the man giving an interview to some sort of Internet computer blog: SB: What’s your stance on bunting and other one run strategies? MA: Bunting is [...]

The Indians finally (mercifully) won a game last night, 3-2 over the Oakland A’s, during the Tribe’s Puppypalooza promotion, which encouraged Tribe fans to bring their dogs to the game. Ironically, it was the Tribe’s own puppies that lead the charge in the win. Let’s start from the top: Justin Masterson Sorry Justin, one start here and there isn’t going to change my mind that you’re really a bullpen guy, but this was some good stuff. 6 IP, 2 runs and 5 hits. Not bad at all Justin. He didn’t lose his cool, got ahead of hitters, and probably could [...]

Dear Manny, I’m sure you’ve never heard of me, but I feel like I’ve gotten to know you pretty well over the past 7 months or so of baseball. For the most part, you’ve done an OK job with what you’ve had, which is admittedly not much, and it’s gotten worse with the injury to Carlos Santana and the trades of guys like Jake Westbrook, Austin Kearns, Russell Branyan, and for some reason, Jhonny Peralta. However, since all this went down, you’ve looked like a cartoon character falling down a canyon in terms of some of the moves and lineups [...]

Let’s start with the bad news right off the bat: Indians prospect Hector Rondon will undergo Tommy John surgery. He was the Indians’ 2009 minor league pitcher of the year and was expected to be in the mix in the Cleveland rotation by the end of the year, before his May injury. When it rains it pours. Don’t worry, there are more players in Columbus coming. Check out WFNY’s Da Clip Show to catch up on their week. The DiaTribe does their usual Wednesday column that tackles Carlos Carrasco’s impending arrival, and looks at the idea of a stopgap third [...]

I love the name Lonnie. If that turns out to be the only thing in this post to be reasonable, so be it. As Ed said yesterday, Jared Goedert is more than likely not on his way to the Jake any time soon. So, I say, let’s see Lonnie Chisenhall. It is obvious at this point that he is the guy they want at third in the future, and he will probably beat Goedert for the job in spring training, so let the fans get a glimpse of what he can do at this level. Maybe he’ll be great. Maybe [...]

Some quick thoughts on the Tribe: When I heard the rumor the Chicago White Sox would claim Manny Ramirez of the LA Dodgers when he is placed on waivers, I must admit part of me hoped it wouldn’t happen. Not for anything related to Manny or the White Sox, but more because one of my wildest baseball fantasies is that Sox GM Kenny Williams would get desperate, and claim Indians DH Travis Hafner. It’s pretty unrealistic, as unlike Manny, Hafner sucks, but if it were to happen, it would pretty much be the best thing to ever happen to this [...]

Yesterday’s 8-1 loss (and three game sweep) by the Detroit Tigers felt like rock bottom for this season. Of course, with the way this season has been going, this could be a high point. Regardless, I’ve decided to offer my unsolicited advice on things the Indians can do TODAY to help fix this club, at least for the short term. In no order (other than the order I’ve decided to write them), here are three changes the Indians should make right now. Pick a Starter at Third – No one really likes uncertainty, especially baseball players. While all three members [...]

They won, so technically I shouldn’t complain. But man, that was not pretty. The Indians won, 7-3, despite making five errors, surviving thanks to a five-run eighth inning. It was the first time the Tribe won after making five errors since July 12, 1996. This of course happens a night after the Indians lost despite banging out 17 hits. Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? Matt LaPorta and Mitch Talbot both had what appeared to be crucial errors at the time, Jayson Nix had two errors, and El Gato, Andy Marte, continues to forget how to play defense. Look, I don’t [...]

As I sit here and watch the Indians hand the Royals (yes, those Royals) another game, I find myself grasping for reasons to look forward to this team’s future. So I will try here to give some reasons why we should still watch the Tribe and, since I am the self-proclaimed All-Knowing Baseball Guru, make an effort to answer some of Ed’s questions from last week. Everyone feel free to pick apart my logic. Let’s start with reasons to watch: 1. Jeanmar Gomez. I don’t care what Ed says, I’m excited about this kid. No, he doesn’t light up the [...]