Wahoo's on First » Ryan Kalish

Reunion at Progressive Field

Ed Carroll — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 01:43:24 +0000

Oh, hello, Cleveland Indians. It’s been awhile. I didn’t mean for you to see me here.

Wow, this is awkward. I thought it would be at least May until you knew I was coming. No, I know it was stupid of 0f me to think I could sneak around and watch you, especially with how few people are coming to visit you. I kinda stick out like a sore thumb in my red holiday hat and my nerdy-but-still-proud-to-rock-it “CARROLL” jersey. You knew I wasn’t going to stay away forever, right?

Am I stalking you? Jeez, what a harsh word, “stalk.” I mean, yeah, I’ve been keeping tabs on you. You really didn’t move around too much this winter, I was able to forget about you every once in awhile. But I really didn’t stalk you, I mean, I made a comment about that bogus rumor that you were flirting with the Nationals about trading Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona, but I was defending your honor, baby, I knew you’d never trade around like that. But really, other than that, you haven’t heard from me. I needed some “me” time. I just needed to work on me.

Why didn’t I say “hi” to you when I was here on Opening Day? Baby, I don’t know, there were a LOT of people here to visit you. You were busy. I didn’t want you to waste your precious time on me. Most of those people won’t visit you again for awhile, if at all, this season. I knew I’d be back. They don’t love you like I love you.

Well, I have your attention now, and you have mine. You going to listen to what I have to say, or not? I really don’t care for some of the people you’re associating with this season. Like that Jack Hannahan jerk you’ve been meeting up with at The Hot Corner. I know, I know, he’s hitting well so far, playing solid defense, yada, yada. Four games doesn’t make a season, you know that right? Don’t you dare bring up 2007! Those were four games in October, not April. And that was back when you associated with players like CC Sabathia, Kenny Lofton, and before Grady got hurt. And now look at you. You’re with Jack Hannahan now? I mean, was Andy Marte busy? You do realize that Hannahan has only had over 400 ABs just once, right? And that year he had a .305 OBP? I know you only use him because Jason Donald got hurt, but don’t fall in love with the guy. He’s not a long-term solution for you. Save yourself for Lonnie.

I like being back here with you, though. And I mean, not everything you’ve done lately has been stupid. You wisely shuffled Trevor Crowe out of the picture for the big-league roster. That injury sure was convenient, wasn’t it? I know it’s hard for you to admit you made a major mistake with Crowe, wasting a first-round pick on that worthless head of hair, but you’re doing it, and I’m proud of you for that.

I’ve liked some of your other decisions lately, too. I like that you didn’t kick Lou Marson out and into Columbus. He’s got nothing for him there. I’m glad you gave David Huff a chance to show that he doesn’t suck (although I was totally right that the blabbermouth didn’t belong with you). And I thought the Travis Buck and Nick Johnson signings were savvy under-the-radar signings that wouldn’t hurt you in the long term.

Are the kids OK? Are you treating them well? I know Michael Brantley has had a strong start and Carlos Santana looks he was never hurt by that bastard Ryan Kalish kid from Boston, but I must admit Carlos Carrasco’s start the other day worried me. And don’t get me started about Matt LaPorta. That kid really needs to grow up and start hitting. If he doesn’t begin to earn his keep for you I say you should kick him out after this season. But, as always, I’ll leave that up to you.

I gotta go now though. No, this has been great seeing you, you’re great. But I can’t let myself fall in love again over one game. I’ll be around though, watching and listening to you, and I’ll check in with you. But I just don’t think you’re ready for a serious, contending commitment to me. Who knows, maybe you’ll prove me wrong. But next year seems more realistic.

Take care, Tribe. See you soon.

-E

“I Got a Lot of Problems With You People!”

Ed Carroll — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:10:16 +0000

On behalf of Deep Left Field, I’d like to wish you all a Happy Festivus! More information on Festivus can be found here, but it’s basically a holiday that gets away from the commercialism and consumerism of Christmas. It was made famous by the show Seinfeld, as George’s father celebrated the holiday.

One of the tenants of Festivus is the airing of grievances, where you tell someone how they wronged you in the past year or however long it’s been since you last saw them. I thought it’d be a good idea to air my grievances against the Indians, and I got Mandy and Marc to join in on the fun. One thing you should know about grievances: they must be somewhat constructive.

Mandy’s Grievances

1) The Indians office staff might have lowered ticket prices, but the parking garage fees and food costs are as high as ever.

2) There are no marquee players. I’m not saying sign a lot of expensive free agents, but one or two would make a difference.

3) I know it’s been several years, but I miss the old name. To me, it’s still, and will always be, The Jake.

Marc’s Grievances

1) I may sound like a broken record, but if they can have $3 beer at Snowdays, they can have some $3 beer specials at games (just once a month!)

2) Luis Valbuena is not a major league player. Or a minor league player.

3) Enough subtle jersey changes, do something flashy to get some attention.

4) Travis Fryman is in the system, make him play third.

5) Five-hole is a hockey term, it shouldn’t be able to describe our situation at third base.

Ed’s Grievences

1) To Ryan Kalish. I know you’re not a member of the Indians, but I have a serious problem with the slide you put into Carlos Santana that wrecked his rookie season. You’re a big league player, slide like one.

2) To the ushers at Progressive Field. I don’t care if my ticket says upper reserved and I’m sitting in the field box seats on the lower level. There’s no one in the stadium! I should be allowed to sit wherever I want due to my unwavering support of this team. Stop kicking me out of my jacked seat.

3) To the commentators on Indians.com and Yahoo! Sports. Yes, Larry Dolan does not have as much money as the Yankees. No, the Indians aren’t going to sign a big name free agent this year. Get over it. You’re posting your ignorance to the rest of the world.

4) To whoever sets the concession stand prices. $1.25 for a cup of cheese for my pretzel? Eff off.

5) To Eric Wedge. There’s a bunch of stuff you did, but right now I’m just mad at you for not giving Andy Marte a chance to develop and for running Brandon Phillips out of town, as those are two HUGE holes on this team.

We at DLF hope you have a great and joyous Festivus and other holidays. If you have a grievance, leave it in the comment section. We’d love to hear from you!

"I got a lot of problems with you people!"

Looking Back at What Was: Catcher

Ed Carroll — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:22:20 +0000

Source: Yardbarker.com

Note: This is the second in a series of posts looking back at the realities of the Indians 2010 season. We’ll look at what was hoped for, what actually happened, and what the expectations are going forward at the position in 2011.

Perhaps no position better defined the Indians 2010 season than the catcher position. The Indians had traded everyday catcher Victor Martinez last season, along with backup Kelly Shoppach in the offseason. They entered the season with rookie Lou Marson as the opening day starter and veteran Mike Redmond was signed to a one-year deal to be the backup and Fausto Carmona’s personal catcher. Acquired in the Cliff Lee deal, Marson was expected to keep the dish warm for the prized jewel in the Indians farm system: Carlos Santana.

What actually happened almost went according to plan. Although he was solid defensively, Marson struggled with the bat (and Redmond was almost non-existent offensively until his release in June), and the Indians had a huge hole at catcher. On June 11, the Indians decided they couldn’t wait any longer and made the call to Columbus. Carlos Santana was making his debut that night.

I say perhaps no position better defined the 2010 Indians than catcher because of Santana. Indians fans suffered through a miserable half season by Marson and were delighted by the promise shown by Santana (who I must mention was acquired for Casey F-in Blake).

And he knew how to display that promise. In 46 games, mostly thrust into the role of #3 hitter, Santana had a .401 OBP (.868 OPS) with 6 home runs in only 150 at bats, despite enduring a rough stretch in July. Santana was a reason to get excited about this Indians team. In spite of all the losing, here was a shining reason to watch this team. One would get excited just watching him play.

And then, faster than you could say “Ryan Kalish”, it was over.

Santana suffered a gruesome left leg injury when Kalish bowled him over in a collision at home plate. Santana was done for the year, and the Indians were stuck with a tandem of Marson and Chris Gimenez. Doesn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of opponents. Gimenez did little in a limited backup role.

For the year, in 87 games, Marson had a .274 OBP (.560 OPS) with 3 home runs (including an improbable grand slam in September). While Santana is expected to make a full recovery in time for next season, Indians fans can’t be blamed for being pessimistic. Thus, the Indians future rests squarely on the recovery of Santana’s left leg. If it’s healed and Santana can continue his development, then the Indians are sitting pretty at the catcher position. Marson can’t really be as terrible as he was last year and would make a decent backup.

But if the Indians’ worst fears are true, then the Indians rebuilding project would be taking a major hit with the loss of Santana. Santana is expected to be a fearsome middle of the order hitter, and for the Indians to lose that would be devastating.

But as of right now, news is that Santana is recovering nicely from his injury. And from an Indians season that was low on hope, I’ll grab on to whatever I can.