Jun 081
I used to rule the world…
It’s actually turned into a beautiful Sunday evening in Cleveland – no better time to sit next to an open window, watching a baseball game (not the Indians, who stunk up another one today) and blogging.
- I guess the Indians are a great place to start, actually. Last year, when I turned on the Indians game to watch, I would stay on SportsTime Ohio for the entirety of the game (and more, if it was a good game and I wanted to see highlights). This year, I don’t mind watching the Indians pitch, but if they’re at the plate I have a tendency to change the channel, particularly if Ryan Garko, Jhonny Peralta, or David Dellucci are batting. Last year you always had this feeling that victory was always just around the corner, and the Indians would find it or come very close to finding it. Even if they were down in the ninth, it seemed like they would always figure out a way to get guys on base and make it interesting and occasionally they’d pull it out. This year, we have had one walk-off win (if I recall correctly) and I don’t think we’ve won at all after trailing after 8 innings (except maybe very early in the year).
My point is that when the Indians are playing, the fans aren’t having fun anymore. And I can’t imagine the players are having much fun. For those of you who get on me constantly about writing in this thing, remind me sometime in the coming weeks to write a midseason review of the Indians, once I have some time to gather my thoughts.
- Anyone notice that traffic in Cleveland is especially bad? It seems like you can’t go anywhere without hitting construction (and it’s particularly bad right around where I live, on Euclid Avenue and Mayfield Road). I’m okay with construction, but I wish government projects were run like small business projects. If Lazorpoint were to run a project like these construction projects are being run, the client would have fired us or never done business with us again. I’ve told the guys I work with that if you live on the Ohio-Indiana border or Ohio-Pennsylvania border, you should hear a traffic report that sounds a little like this: “…and if you’re going to Ohio today…just don’t. Go around. Take the route through Kentucky and Virginia, because that whole state is just a mess. Back to you…”.
And when you hit those construction free oases, it’s still very likely you’ll run into a driver that has absolutely no idea what they’re doing. I think if you were to give a driving test to every driver on the road, only 10% would pass.
How do you solve this problem? Remedial drivers tests are an option, but I see both sides of that argument: on one hand, drivers who are adults in most cases absolutely need to drive in order to get to work, be productive and provide for their families; on the other hand, drivers who can’t drive are safety hazards to drivers who can.
The only solution that really has any possibility of working is everyone taking responsibility for their actions.
Hold your laughter please.
- Anyone find it funny that one of Hillary Clinton’s campaign promises was ending our national debt, but now after her campaign is over, she finds herself $22 million in debt?
I’m kind of out of shape on this blogging thing – my endurance is low even though I didn’t write that much. Oh well…
May 081
There’s a place up ahead and I’m going…
I’m 3/4 done with my college career, and without a doubt the last year was the hardest. The good news is that this time next year, I’ll be planning for life after college and hopefully becoming more of the person I’d like to be.
- After work tonight, a friend and I decided to try to get one of those famous 23 cent pizzas. Actually, the original plan was to get more than one – as many as possible, actually. Unfortunately, we weren’t counting on every single Clevelander having the same idea. The talk radio people like Mike Trivisonno (who is normally fun to listen to, for the record, but has his moments where he’s just an absolute moron) were very annoyed that so many people were taking advantage, and as the previous article states, there were some issues. But tomorrow is another day, and by this time tomorrow, we’ll all remember that Papa Johns doesn’t really make great pizza.
- The Indians took a series in New York (mostly thanks to Cliff Lee and David Dellucci, two oft-maligned southpaws on this blog), but another southpaw, Travis Hafner, is really struggling.
All you can hope for with Travis Hafner is that he’s seen video of his swing from this year (and presumably last year – last year he wasn’t ever bad enough to merit drastic reconstruction on his swing, but it might have been enough for him to develop some bad habits) and compared it to video in 2006. To me, after watching the video, it’s pretty obvious. Of course, it’s far easier said than done – but the season is still young, and Hafner has plenty of time to turn it around.
Ben Francisco is up, and is getting regular playing time, which is nice to see. He’s had some good solid hits already, and his defense in the corner outfield spots doesn’t leave me holding my breath as much as Dellucci.
- And now a message from every mathematician in the world: “To Hillary Clinton: It’s Over”. She doesn’t seem to think so, and I guess when you have as much money as the Clintons do (although that amount is dwindling, because she keeps loaning herself money) you can alter math.
One thing I’ve noticed about John McCain recently – his supporters are far easier to get along with than either of the Democratic candidates. Perhaps the Democrats are a little edgy because they see McCain gaining ground quickly while Obama and Clinton battle it out, but seriously, there is no need for the fawning on the message boards: “OMG PRESIDENT OBAMA I LOVE YOU” or the hatred: “OMG PRESIDENT CLINTON II BARACK OBAMA SUCKS”.
I’m typing this from my work laptop and I’m really not a fan of the keyboard or touchpad (I have a docking station and a mouse at work, but not with me at the moment), so I’m going to adjourn. Once again, I apologize for the lack of updates lately – hopefully I’ll be on a more regular schedule soon.
Apr 080
Game 20: Indians @ Royals
A lot of people are drawing similarities between this year and 2006, because of the slow start. But I can draw another one: the Indians will get beat one day, and then go out and destroy the opponent the next night. That’s what happened last night, with the Indians winning a laugher, 15-1. Not much bad or ugly happened last night, so no cool The Good, The Bad, The Ugly format.
Let’s hope that last night was the sign of things to come for C.C. Sabathia. He threw six innings of shutout ball with 11 K and only 2 BB. I think getting an early lead helped for C.C., and he was able to relax, throw strikes and work through it. His pitch count was a tad high, in part due to all the strikeouts, and in part due to the Royals being a patient team. However, I think a high pitch count was a good thing in this case – it’s not like he was pitching badly, and hopefully some extra work of throwing strikes is just what he needed to find his rhythm.
Casey Blake, Franklin Gutierrez, Jhonny Peralta and David Dellucci had big nights last night. Blake’s grand slam was key; it really blew the game open and made the eight runs after that just gravy. Gutierrez doesn’t normally hit well on the road, so the fact he had a couple hits and scored a couple of runs was a good sign. Peralta hit a massive home run over the center field wall, which is a good sign because when he’s hitting the ball back up the middle he’s doing well. And finally, Dellucci had a couple of hits including a home run last night.
Ben Francisco is back as well, if only for a few days. I’m going to the game on Saturday, which is the game that’ll be started by a guy from Buffalo (either Jeremy Sowers or Aaron Laffey). My money’s on Sowers, but we’ll see.
Tonight the Indians try to take the series against the Royals with Fausto Carmona on the hill for the Indians.
Apr 081
Game 15: Tigers @ Indians
I’m not going to write in my normal format of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly today because, let’s face it, it was just ugly. An all-around terrible effort last night, and let’s hope that Eric Wedge woke them up in the locker room after a 13-2 loss to the Tigers.
Let’s start with C.C. Sabathia. I wasn’t hoping for much tonight – he’s been struggling of late, but a small turnaround would have been nice. I was hoping for 5 2/3 innings or so, maybe 4 ER, and a smattering of hits. And for four innings, I was looking like a prophet. His pitch count was high enough that he wasn’t making it out of the 6th inning, he had given up some runs, but he was getting guys out. Then in the fifth, he walked the bases loaded (thanks in part to a tremendous at-bat by Gary Sheffield), served up a single to Miguel Cabrera (who we could not get out) and two batters later a grand slam to Edgar Renteria (do you realize that’s the third grand slam the Indians have given up already?). The bottom line is that he could’t locate his pitches effectively. And he knows it.
The offense was equally discouraging. One hit off of a career minor leaguer? Just one hit? And you know when David Dellucci is supplying most of your offense, you’re having some major issues.
One thing I’ve noticed this season is a reiteration of the fact that spring training means absolutely nothing. Franklin Gutierrez and C.C. Sabathia had fantastic springs; Cliff Lee and Ryan Garko had sub-par springs at best. And look where we are now. 40% of our wins thus far have come at the hands of Cliff Lee; Ryan Garko is hitting well over .300; C.C. Sabathia is 0-3 with an ERA of about two touchdowns, and Franklin Gutierrez is hitting about .100.
It’s making me draw comparisons to Major League II again. Maybe we need an Asian player to come to Cleveland (Shin-Soo Choo anyone?) and restore the hearts of the Lake Erie Warriors.
Tonight, Fausto Carmona will take the hill against Justin Verlander. Anyone’s guess as to what will happen tonight.
Apr 080
Game 13: Red Sox @ Indians
Sigh. Another one blown by Joe Borowski. However, a couple things about that ninth inning. First, the leadoff double to Julio Lugo could have been avoided if Casey Blake was playing at his normal depth and position – he could have easily caught that liner. Second, the two out single by David Ortiz oculd have been avoided if David Dellucci was playing at his normal depth. Why play no doubles for Ortiz? If he hits it over your head, he’s either rounding the bases for a home run or maybe getting to second. Instead, what should have been a pop out turned into a bloop single because Dellucci was nowhere near able to make that catch (Ben Francisco anyone?).
In any case, an 85 MPH fastball down the middle to the best right-handed hitter in baseball (Manny Ramirez) is asking for trouble. I’m only surprised the ball landed in the bleachers, and not in Cincinatti.
- The Good
- Travis Hafner hit the ball hard all five times including two shots to the wall that might have been homers on a warmer night. He’s getting hot – and perhaps just at the right time.
- Victor Martinez had a couple of hits tonight and looks like he’s back to 100%.
- Rafael Perez and Rafael Betancourt, Raffy Left and Raffy Right, respectively, appear to be back (apart from that home run to Youkilis that Raffy Right gave up in the eighth which should have been meaningless).
- Jake Westbrook did a really nice job weathering the storm that is the Boston lineup.
- The Bad
- Nothing incredibly bad stood out tonight.
- The Ugly
- After his ugly performance, Joe Borowski said after the game that he’s going to have his arm examined because he’s baffled as to where the velocity went. Hopefully he’s not hurt, although maybe he’s just past his prime.
One of the great things about the Indians as a team is that they always manage to come back and play hard the next day, no matter what. They’ll need to do so tomorrow night, and Paul Byrd will need to have much better command versus Tim Wakefield if the Indians expect to win.
Apr 080
Game 9: Indians @ Angels
Considering the way the Indians played on this road trip, it’s actually pretty surprising they won 2 games. Indians lost today, 9-5.
- The Good
- The offense, particularly our left fielder Javid Mellucci, is starting to hit the ball hard again. Just in time, the Tigers are winning tonight…
- Jorge Julio did a nice job in long relief today, tossing two scoreless innings.
- The Bad
- Casey Blake made an error today, bringing the Indians’ team total to 6. There have been many more that were called hits but could have been errors. Those need to come down.
- The Ugly
- How could I say anything but Paul Byrd? When he managed to throw strikes today they were about belt-high and right over the middle of the plate (he allowed three homers). Byrd has got to keep the ball down if he’s going to be successful the rest of the season.
Indians are off tomorrow and then open a weekend series against Oakland this weekend back at Progressive Field, C.C. Sabathia vs. Joe Blanton on Friday night. See you then!
Apr 080
Game 6: Indians @ Athletics
Whew! A sigh of relief, as the Indians manage to squeak out a win today. It wasn’t a pretty win, and it wasn’t a particularly well-played game on either side, but the Indians came out on top, and in the end, that’s what you need.
- The Good
- Cliff Lee has a long way to go to prove me wrong and make me believe he’s our guy again, but he’s off to a good start. 6 2/3 innings, 0 ER, and only 1 BB is plenty out of your number 5 guy. Keep it up, Cliff.
- Rafael Perez seems like he’s knocked out those cobwebs, he was much better today than he has been.
- Joe Borowski got the save and allowed only one hit.
- Travis Hafner did not strike out today. In fact, the Indians as a team only struck out four times.
- The Bad
- David Dellucci is still not hitting. In fact, the Indians left field platoon as a whole only has one hit.
- The Ugly
- The Indians offense didn’t have a hit with runners in scoring position today, or yesterday, or the night before if I remember correctly. That needs to change.
Hopefully getting Victor Martinez back tomorrow (he’s supposed to start) will make a big difference in the Indians offense starting to score some runs. Tomorrow night the Indians will take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from Angel Stadium, Fausto Carmona vs. Joe Saunders. I’ll see you then, and go Tribe!
About Jimmy
Jimmy is a 2009 graduate of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, and currently works in a Columbia, SC startup. He mostly writes about baseball (particularly the Cleveland Indians), politics, movies and programming. He also enjoys a cup of great coffee and a good book or movie.
More »