With the Indians season hanging upon a game 7 tonight, and many fans already giving up.... I really wanna give this team credit no matter what happens tonight.
I am 22 years old and wasn't able to understand the Browns heartbreaks in the late 80's. I, however, fully remember the Braves and Marlins series. Yes I am scared that tonight could be a heartbreaking loss for the fans of not only the Tribe, but of Cleveland. That doesn't mean I am not positive that they can pull this off.. I believe it's gonna be a repeat of Game 3.... Indians win 5-3. Westbrook outpitches Douche-K.
These games having really taken me back to my childhood when I was watching the games with my Mom and Dad. I still watch every one with them now. Me and my dad fight a lot more now because he quickly gives up and gets mad over the smallest of things. But that's the way he is. As frustrating as it is, it's nice to see how much the family cares about this team. My girlfriend has recently started watching the Tribe too and loves them. Me and her actually talk baseball.. It's great!
Anyways, enough of that... I've been watching All Bets Are Off nearly every night and I am completely shocked about some of the stuff these fans call in about. Asking for the firing of Wedge and the release of JoBo. People please! Wedge is gonna get manager of the year!! He can't be perfect, but he has these guys one game away from the World Series. JoBo, yes has taken 10 years off my life, but he gets the job done. All that counts is the save, not how you get there. So please everyone who are skeptics of these two.... calm down.
Now, look at the beginning of the year... names like Lee, Sowers, Marte, Barfield, Delucci, and Nixon were suppose to be big names on this ballclub. Yet 3 of the 6 find themselves in the minors by the end of the year and the others riding the pine for lack of production. The Tribe's MVP of 2006, Travis Hafner struggles at the plate all year. If someone were to have said this before the season started, we'd all be thinking that we're in last place, Wedge is finally gone, and the Indians once again will be rebuilding without the likes of C.C. and Hafner who are going to test the FA market.
All that said, Cleveland ends up tied for the best record in baseball. How? Fausto, Garko, Gutierrez, Shoppach, Byrd, Laffey, Lewis, Perez, Betancourt, and Cabrera. That's how! Not to mention the play of C.C., Sizemore, Martinez, Blakes, and the rest of the Cleveland Indians. Players that no one ever expected to play the way they did stepped up and played a crucial part in the success of this team. We had two 19 game winners and an unlikely 15 game winner in Paul Byrd. Even if C.C doesn't win the Cy Young, it says a lot about this team to have the 1st and 2nd runner up.
Victor has become the teams captain. Hands down. He is the emotional leader in the clubhouse and on the field.
Fausto, comes back from one of the most horrendous weeks in baseball last season to put up 19 wins and and ERA that almost fell below 3.00.
Garko wasn't even guaranteed a roster spot, yet steps in and provides a consistent bat and good defense at a position he is still learning.
Sizemore almost reaches the 30-30 club with his performance this year. While he still lacks consistency... he is only 25 years old. IMO, he is THE BEST centerfielder in the game today. He has the glove, obviously, but the former QB also has a good arm as well.
Casey Blake!! Not even sure we he'd be playing at the beginning of the year... LF, RF, 1B??? Well, he'd play none. He moves back to 3B and plays outstanding. And how about the hit streak! That was fun watching! This is what a baseball player is all about. He comes to play everyday and it doesn't matter where you put him, he is going to do all he can to help the team win.
Shapiro for picking up Kenny Lofton at the break and bringing back the old fans. Making the trade last year for Asrubal, picking up JoBo in the off-season and drafting the players who have worked their way through the system.
I can go on all day with this team, but let me just cut to the chase. Even, if this team losed tonight, we have to remember what they have given us this year. In a year where there was little hope for the Indians at the start with teams like the Tigers and Twins in the same division, they pulled through and outplayed 2006 AL champs and the extremely talented Twins. They've gained respect amongst the fans, the city, and all of Major League Baseball.
They are truly a team in all aspects made from the ground up. No need to spend the money the Yanks and BoSox do when you have the ability to draft and develop players in the minors. We make stars, we don't buy them... It's incredible what they have done and it's given the city hope. You look at this team top to bottom and nearly everyone will be back. Lofton may retire and a only a few players may not be here next year. While, there is still a game to be played tonight and hopely at least 4 over the next few weeks... the future is bright.
Imagine, a full year in the bigs for Lewis, Laffey, Asdrubal, and Franklin. Maybe even a full year for Francisco. Not mention, we may get a big season next year from those who surprisely fell apart this year (Hanfer, Lee, Sowers). We may also see some more stars of the future emerge next season in Marte, Barfield, Adam Miller, Chuck Lofgren, and Trevor Crowe. Not to mention Beau Mills, this year's pick that many believe will work through the minor league system very quickly. I think Cleveland needs to work Mills in LF because that is an area we are weak. Lofton isn't going to be around long, maybe not at all next year and Franklin will be the RF. I would hate to revert back to the Delucci/Michaels/Nixon mess. I would rather build Mills into a Matt Holliday type player in LF.
Remember fans, the Indians still have a shot to win the World Series this year, but if it doesn't happen don't give up on them. They have did more than what we asked of them this year. Their future is bright and this year is only the start of it. There is no reason to be down on this team. They weren't given a chance to beat the Tiger/Twins, Yankees in ALDS and were suppose to get swept by Boston in ALCS.
LETS TAKE IT TO BOSTON TONIGHT AND SHOW THE MEDIA AND ALL OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WHO WE ARE!!!
Quote: With the Indians season hanging upon a game 7 tonight, and many fans already giving up.... I really wanna give this team credit no matter what happens tonight.
I am 22 years old and wasn't able to understand the Browns heartbreaks in the late 80's. I, however, fully remember the Braves and Marlins series. Yes I am scared that tonight could be a heartbreaking loss for the fans of not only the Tribe, but of Cleveland. That doesn't mean I am not positive that they can pull this off.. I believe it's gonna be a repeat of Game 3.... Indians win 5-3. Westbrook outpitches Douche-K.
These games having really taken me back to my childhood when I was watching the games with my Mom and Dad. I still watch every one with them now. Me and my dad fight a lot more now because he quickly gives up and gets mad over the smallest of things. But that's the way he is. As frustrating as it is, it's nice to see how much the family cares about this team. My girlfriend has recently started watching the Tribe too and loves them. Me and her actually talk baseball.. It's great!
Anyways, enough of that... I've been watching All Bets Are Off nearly every night and I am completely shocked about some of the stuff these fans call in about. Asking for the firing of Wedge and the release of JoBo. People please! Wedge is gonna get manager of the year!! He can't be perfect, but he has these guys one game away from the World Series. JoBo, yes has taken 10 years off my life, but he gets the job done. All that counts is the save, not how you get there. So please everyone who are skeptics of these two.... calm down.
Now, look at the beginning of the year... names like Lee, Sowers, Marte, Barfield, Delucci, and Nixon were suppose to be big names on this ballclub. Yet 3 of the 6 find themselves in the minors by the end of the year and the others riding the pine for lack of production. The Tribe's MVP of 2006, Travis Hafner struggles at the plate all year. If someone were to have said this before the season started, we'd all be thinking that we're in last place, Wedge is finally gone, and the Indians once again will be rebuilding without the likes of C.C. and Hafner who are going to test the FA market.
All that said, Cleveland ends up tied for the best record in baseball. How? Fausto, Garko, Gutierrez, Shoppach, Byrd, Laffey, Lewis, Perez, Betancourt, and Cabrera. That's how! Not to mention the play of C.C., Sizemore, Martinez, Blakes, and the rest of the Cleveland Indians. Players that no one ever expected to play the way they did stepped up and played a crucial part in the success of this team. We had two 19 game winners and an unlikely 15 game winner in Paul Byrd. Even if C.C doesn't win the Cy Young, it says a lot about this team to have the 1st and 2nd runner up.
Victor has become the teams captain. Hands down. He is the emotional leader in the clubhouse and on the field.
Fausto, comes back from one of the most horrendous weeks in baseball last season to put up 19 wins and and ERA that almost fell below 3.00.
Garko wasn't even guaranteed a roster spot, yet steps in and provides a consistent bat and good defense at a position he is still learning.
Sizemore almost reaches the 30-30 club with his performance this year. While he still lacks consistency... he is only 25 years old. IMO, he is THE BEST centerfielder in the game today. He has the glove, obviously, but the former QB also has a good arm as well.
Casey Blake!! Not even sure we he'd be playing at the beginning of the year... LF, RF, 1B??? Well, he'd play none. He moves back to 3B and plays outstanding. And how about the hit streak! That was fun watching! This is what a baseball player is all about. He comes to play everyday and it doesn't matter where you put him, he is going to do all he can to help the team win.
Shapiro for picking up Kenny Lofton at the break and bringing back the old fans. Making the trade last year for Asrubal, picking up JoBo in the off-season and drafting the players who have worked their way through the system.
I can go on all day with this team, but let me just cut to the chase. Even, if this team losed tonight, we have to remember what they have given us this year. In a year where there was little hope for the Indians at the start with teams like the Tigers and Twins in the same division, they pulled through and outplayed 2006 AL champs and the extremely talented Twins. They've gained respect amongst the fans, the city, and all of Major League Baseball.
They are truly a team in all aspects made from the ground up. No need to spend the money the Yanks and BoSox do when you have the ability to draft and develop players in the minors. We make stars, we don't buy them... It's incredible what they have done and it's given the city hope. You look at this team top to bottom and nearly everyone will be back. Lofton may retire and a only a few players may not be here next year. While, there is still a game to be played tonight and hopely at least 4 over the next few weeks... the future is bright.
Imagine, a full year in the bigs for Lewis, Laffey, Asdrubal, and Franklin. Maybe even a full year for Francisco. Not mention, we may get a big season next year from those who surprisely fell apart this year (Hanfer, Lee, Sowers). We may also see some more stars of the future emerge next season in Marte, Barfield, Adam Miller, Chuck Lofgren, and Trevor Crowe. Not to mention Beau Mills, this year's pick that many believe will work through the minor league system very quickly. I think Cleveland needs to work Mills in LF because that is an area we are weak. Lofton isn't going to be around long, maybe not at all next year and Franklin will be the RF. I would hate to revert back to the Delucci/Michaels/Nixon mess. I would rather build Mills into a Matt Holliday type player in LF.
Remember fans, the Indians still have a shot to win the World Series this year, but if it doesn't happen don't give up on them. They have did more than what we asked of them this year. Their future is bright and this year is only the start of it. There is no reason to be down on this team. They weren't given a chance to beat the Tiger/Twins, Yankees in ALDS and were suppose to get swept by Boston in ALCS.
LETS TAKE IT TO BOSTON TONIGHT AND SHOW THE MEDIA AND ALL OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WHO WE ARE!!!
IT'S TRIBE TIME NOW!!!!!
Good post. And speaking for myself I'm really not surprised that we're in the position now with Boston than we are. Meaning knocking off Yankee Nation and expecting to knock off another major market team with unlimited resourse $$$$ like the Boston Red Sox, could only be asking too much for this gutsy team. Yeah, I know its not over until the Fat Lady says so, but just same the odds are really stack against any small or middle market team to upset a major market team in a seven game series. Funny, how I mentioned in a thread before the playoffs started that our Achilles heel in the starting rotation is Jake Westbrook and now it all comes down to his arm tonight. Although Jake proved me wrong last game he pitched, I don't think he will have a game like that tonight. The Sox have seen him and are familiar and will be trying to take him deep in the count as much as possible and wear him down.
Shapiro is going to have to talk Dolan into opening up his wallet next year to find another veteran starter if this team is going to stay competitive. JMHO
Quote: Me too, only 2 hours to go. Watching the Bengals have trouble with the Jets, Jets, Jets in the meantime. Baltimore lost, good sign.
GO DENVER !!
Oh, so now your a Rockies fan?
The Steelers play Denver tonite,.....
However, your instincts are sound,...If the Tribe loses tonite, I will be getting a Rockies flag for the pole. This is not bandwagoning either, just my way of anti-Soximitism.
Quote: Ok everyone. No negative vibes here. What are you giving up/doing in order to help transfer some positive energy on to the Tribe??
I'm going to rub the flowers from my fathers casket and place my hand over my heart. He was buried this past June. He was a big Indians fan along with my grandfather, who he is now with in Heaven. Last time I rubbed the flowers, the gnats came and flustered Joba in the NY series in the 7th.
"Awww Nawww Big Slimdog!!!" -Eminem, "B**** Please Pt. II"
