Mike Hargrove Gives Cleveland a Snowjob

Surreal.

That's the only way I can describe it. I went to two Browns games this year and neither compared to the weather at The Jake this afternoon. The start delayed by an hour followed by a 22 minute and a 17 minute Snow Delay in the top of the 2nd. Followed by former Tribe skipper Mike Hargrove giving Cleveland a snowjob by whining that Jose Lopez couldn't see the ball when the game was ONE PITCH away from being official.

I went to high school with Hargrove's daughter, Missy, in The 'Ville (she was a year younger) but her Daddy definitely was a diva today. I'm not saying conditions were ideal but come on Mike, have a set and finish the game. That's all I'm saying. I'm sure if the shoe was on the other foot I'd be bitching about why the game was being played, but it was a 4 run game, not 1. If Lopez drives in a couple and now it's 4-2 I think I could sympathize a bit more. If you had an issue with the snow then do it at the beginning of the inning or the beginning of the at bat. The timing of it is way too sneaky. Add the fact that the Mariners were celebrating like they got away with something and remember what Shakespeare once said...

"Prick us, do we not bleed?

Tickle us, do we not laugh?

Wrong us, do we not revenge?"

-William Shakespeare

We'll see how the potential scheduling nightmare plays out.

Dear Eric Wedge...

... it's probably not a good idea to pitch a 43 year old pitcher 3 games in a row in 30 FRICKIN' degree weather!!! Why not Mastny, Cabrera or Davis??? Seriously, WTF.

And memo to Jhonny Peralta. You need to be able to lay down a bunt. Seriously. That's part of your JOB.

Sowers has a very sub-par outing, Jason Michaels has a great game for once in a blue moon yet we're still in the game and the Tribe reverts into the 2006 ball club.

2 outta 3 ain't bad but it shoulda been a clean sweep.

No recap today, as I was driving from DC to C-Town in a blizzard and couldn't get the game over the radio. I did however manage to pick up the Cavs pooping the game away to the Heat tonight and fall from #2 to #5 in the Eastern Conference. Way to make a #2 while at #2, boys.

I will be volunteering to help snow blow The Jake for the game tomorrow.

Peace on Earth, we are the world, and kumbaya.

Dr. P

Holy Bullpen Batman!!!

Well you can't give style points for that catch but at least he caught it! The much maligned Jason Michaels actually contributed with a tumbling (OK tripping actually) catch against the wall to preserve a 8-7 come from behind victory for the Erie Warriors. A 2 run shot by Grady capped the comeback and the bullpen (gasp) pitched 4, count them 4, scoreless innings. Joe Borowski made it interesting in the end but in the immoral words of Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh... "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes... it rains." The Indians won and improved to 2-0 against their divisions rivals.

Dr. Poove's 3 Good / 3 Bad for the game

3 Good

1. Um, let's see... BULLPEN! - It's only 1 game but 4 scoreless innings seemed like a pipe dream in '06. Mastny, Fultz, Raffy, Roberto and Borowski all contributed despite Joe doing another Bob Wickman impersonation. It's only 2 games, let's hope it's not a tease.

2. A 1 run win - These have been scarce under the reign of Eric Wedge. Once again let's hope this sets a tone for the season.3. Andy Marte - I know Grady had the deciding HR but Marte's bomb started things off. He looked more comfortable at the plate and his defense was impeccable! Screw you , Aaron Boone!

3 Bad

1. Situational Hitting in the 8th & 9th Innings - Sweet lord, this should not have been a one run game. Eighth Inning. Bases loaded, no outs. Michaels, Peralta and Barfield strike out in succession. And they walked Casey Blake to do it! Holy poop! Then Casey pops out in the 9th with the bases loaded. Paging Dr. Garko...

2. Jake Westbrook - 5 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 2 HR. Not a good way to start out a contract year. I hope the frigid weather contributed to the lack of movement on your stuff.

3. Casey Blake - Looking great in the field, awful at the plate. I still can't believe they intentionally walked you... and that it worked.

The Tribe goes for the sweep of the Sox and Jimmy Tinklepants Thursday.

Next up: Jeremy Sowers vs. Mark Buehrle Thursday at 2:05 PM EST.

Sizemore Ignites Tribe Victory

Any worries about Grady Sizemore only hitting .115 in the Grapefruit League went out the window on the second pitch of the season as he started the Tribe's bats rolling en route to a 11-5 walloping of the hated Chicago White Sox. The Indians led 11-2 after 3 innings and cruised home the rest of the way.

Dr. Poove's 3 Good / 3 Bad for the game

3 Good
1. Top of the Order - Grady, Trot Nixon and Pronk accounted for 9 of the Indians 12 runs (3 each). They set the table and let Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta clean up with 3 RBIs apiece.
2. Infield Defense - Peralta looked smooth, fluid and had range. Andy Marte almost made me forget about Aaron Boone and Josh Barfield started an nice 4-6-3 DP and vacuumed up everything on the right side of the field.
3. Middle Relief - Rafael Betancourt and Roberto Hernandez. One inning pitched each. No runs each. One strikeout each. No base runners, period. Good start.

3 Bad
1. Joe Borowski - He looked like a thin, in shape Bob Wickman out there. Two runs in his Tribe debut and he did not look sharp at all.
2. David Dellucci - As good as Trot Nixon looked you were the ying to his yang. You looked lost at the plate and barely made contact at all. Thank God they intentionally walked you top let Peralta drive in two runs in the 2nd.
3. C. C. Sabathia - He wasn't really bad but not the kind of outing you expect from a guy the experts are saying could win 20 games and the Cy Young Award. (Both would be a first for a Tribe pitcher since Gaylord Perry.) I'm hoping he didn't look sharp due to the liner he took in Winter Haven but I expect more from he big guy.

All in all a great start to the year! Now if the Indians can avoid their textbook early season swoon we might have a shot at this thing.

Next up: A day off tomorrow followed by Jake Westbrook vs. Jon Garland Wednesday at 2:05 PM EST.

Indians Set Opening Day Roster

The Indians have set their Opening Day roster for Monday's game against the hated Chicago White Sox. 2007 is a big season of hope for us Tribe fans as the core nucleus has been here for a few years now and many of our young players are hitting their prime. One problem exists, however, as the AL Central is not the AL Central of the late 1990's and there are 3 other teams capable of winning the division. Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit are all legitimate contenders not only for the AL Central but for the Pennant and World Series. The Indians are going to need a hot start in April instead of their normal sluggish start that leaves them treading water and playing catch-up from May until October. The Indians won 93 games in 2005 and did not make the playoffs due to an awful April and a choke job in late September. Let's hope for a turn of events this year. Anyway, here are the guys who will be onstage at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario this season.

STARTING ROTATION
C. C. Sabathia, Jake Westbrook, Cliff Lee (DL), Paul Byrd, Jeremy Sowers, Fausto Carmona
The strength of the ball club hands down. C. C. says he's starting Monday despite taking a liner of his forearm. Jake is rock solid. Sowers looked like a vet at the end of last year when they shut him down and Fausto has been lights out this spring. The fact that Lee will miss most of April is a downer but if Fausto pitches like he has been it might be a nice cup of coffee for him. Byrd, by his own admission, pitched like (poop) last year and is looking to rebound but is a great influence on the young but talented staff.

BULLPEN
Rafael Betancourt, Joe Borowski, Fernando Cabrera, Jason Davis, Aaron Fultz, Roberto Hernandez, Matt Miller (DL), Tom Mastny
I just cringed typing the word bullpen. Ouch. Well last year the pen rivaled the legendary "Bullpen form Hell" of the late 1980's. Failure to hold leads, hits galore and blown saves out the ying-yang. Borowski is a bona-fide closer, but can he stay healthy? Betancourt has looked awful this spring. Fultz and Hernandez are free agent pick-ups who we have to wait and see on. Will Cabrera return to his late 2004 to 2005 form? Is this the year Jason Davis finally gets it? Losing Miller hurts because of that wicked side-arm action he has but Mastny proved at the end of last year he deserves a chance. As strong as the rotation is the biggest question mark is the bullpen. You're welcome from the Master of the Obvious.

OUTFIELD
Casey Blake, David Dellucci, Franklin Guiterrez (DL), Jason Michaels, Trot Nixon, Grady Sizemore
Grady was the only All-Star last year and deservedly so. He could develop into one of the premier players in the game. If only we could find a lead-off hitter to move him to the #3 hole in front of Pronk and Victor. Dellucci and Michaels will platoon in left while Nixon and Blake will platoon in right. I like the veteran influence of Dellucci and Nixon and they both have something to prove but in does concern me that we have a backlog of OF talent in the minors and they don't try and develop them here. Shin-Soo Choo, Guitierrez, Ben Francisco, Trevor Crowe and Brad Snyder are always toiling away in AAA Buffalo and AA Akron waiting for their shot.

CATCHER
Victor Marttinez, Kelly Shoppach
Victor can hit like a mo-fo but can he throw out more than 20% of base stealers? He calls a good ballgame but dear lord I hope they sorted out his mechanics (or footwork as Eric Wedge claims). Shoppach continues to develop offensively but could be an amazing defensive catcher and game caller. With Victor looking so fluid at First Base in spring I would not be surprised to see a lot more of Victor at 1st (or DH) and Kelly behind the plate.

INFIELD
Josh Barfield, Casey Blake, Ryan Garko, Travis Hafner, Joe Inglett (DL), Andy Marte, Jhonny Peralta, Mike Rouse
The infield defense was atrocious last year and was a main focus of Spring Training. I think it will take Barfield a few months to adjust to the AL but his speed is a great, needed addition to the club. Blake will platoon with Garko and Victor Martinez but I expect Garko to take control of this job by May or June with Vic and Pronk playing a game here or there as a change of pace. The focus will be on Peralta to see if 2005 or 2006 was the fluke year? Somewhere in between would be a welcome site to Tribe brass and fans. Marte has a lot of potential and we'll see how he pans out but is a huge upgrade over Aaron (expletive deleted) Boone. And what can you say about Hafner? One of the best pure hitters in the game who could be a serious MVP candidate if he stays healthy and could play First Base more often than not.

So 2007 shapes up as an exciting and interesting year. We see how it starts to pan out Monday... in a certain town... against a certain team... that starts with C... ends with O... and has "HICAG" in Da Middle.

Buckeyes Spring Depth Chart Announced

Yes, I am aware that the Ohio State Buckeyes Mens' Basketball Team is in the Final Four playing against my next door neighbors the Georgetown Hoyas. But there is always time for a OSU Football Update. Coach Sweater Vest announced the depth chart for the upcoming spring practice schedule and it looks like more of a circa 2002 OSU than last years high scoring 2006 squad.

Offense LT - Alex Boone, Jr.; Josh Kerr, Fr.
LG - Steve Rehring, Jr.; Kyle Mitchum, Jr.
C - Jim Cordle, So; Connor Smith, Fr.
RG - Ben Person, Jr.; Bryant Browning, Fr.
RT - Kirk Barton, Sr.; Jon Skinner, Jr.
WR - Brian Robiskie, Jr.; Devon Lyons, Jr.
WR - Brian Hartline, So.; Albert Dukes, Jr.
WR - Ray Small, So.
TE - Rory Nicol, Jr.; Jake Ballard, So.
TB - Chris Wells, So.; Maurice Wells, Jr.
FB - Dionte Johnson, Sr.; Trever Robinson, Sr.
QB - Todd Boeckman, Jr.; Robbie Schoenhoft, So.; Antonio Henton, Fr.
Defense
LDE - Lawrence Wilson, Jr.; Robert Rose, So.
LDT - Todd Denlinger, So.; Nader Abdallah, Jr.
RDT - Doug Worthington, So.; Dexter Larimore, Fr.
RDE - Vernon Gholston, Jr; Alex Barrow, Jr.
SLB - Larry Grant, Sr.; Curtis Terry, Sr; Thaddeus Gibson, Fr.
MLB - James Laurinaitis, Jr.; Austin Spitler, So.
WLB - Marcus Freeman, Jr.; Ross Homan, So.
LCB - Malcolm Jenkins, Jr.; Andre Amos, So.
FS - Nick Patterson, Jr.; Aaron Gant, So.
SS - Jamario O'Neal, Jr.; Kurt Coleman, So.
RCB - Donald Washington, So.; Brandon Underwood, Jr.

We'll see how the QB and RB battles shape up and how the Buckeyes phyche is after the 41-14 ass kicked they received from Florida. Coach Sweater Vest has to have a hell of a run to make up for that debacle.