#carlos santana

Recent criticisms regarding the Cleveland Indians need to be addressed. Unfortunately the authors–mainly reporters working for the Plaindealer, seem reluctant to justify their accusations, making their commentary somewhat useless. I will state my case against their comments here.

Accusation 1: Let’s retire Chief Wahoo as a mascot. People want the team to do so and it’s politically correct.

My response: Go ahead, make the announcement, Indians front office. Tribe fans will laugh at you, much as we did when you changed the stadium name from Jacobs Field to “The Prog.” Impressive, right? The reality is that it will take at least a decade or more to stop seeing the smiling wahoo. Why? Because it’s classic, part of history. I mean, peer pressure got the Rays to abandon their team name “the a Devil Rays” because it was offensive. Really? The name of a sea creature is offensive? And while I’m at it, I would like to remind everyone that the Atlanta Braves’ tomahawk chop is still a mainstay at all home games, which is quite more overtly offensive. So, give it a rest. Retiring wahoo is at best a failed distraction but go ahead and talk about it if that’s your best story idea.

Accusation 2: Carlos Santana isn’t cutting it at 3rd Base.

My response: Besides his forgettable first performance, Santana has played fine. Not great. Maybe even slightly below average. But this is what Spring Training is all about, getting loose. Slick fielders are at Short or Second. I mean really, look me in the face and say Miggy Cabrera was even a passable 3rd baseman. No one in Detroit cared. Ultimately, the tribe is a team of many many moving pieces. Santana’s flexibility is invaluable. And well I have no problem trading Chisenhall for stronger pitching if the opportunity avails itself. Bashing Santana’s play at thus point is simply counterproductive and misleading.

Accusation 3: The Tribe’s coddling Danny Salazar, which means he is at best a 5th rotation candidate, if that. He might even be hurt!

My response: Rubbish, dear friends. Salazar was penciled in to be the 2nd or 3rd starter and that’s likely where he will end up. Rotation spots are fluid and I’d expect mlb reporters to understand that. Salazar will produce, and I’d rather it be for an entire year not just Spring Training. I have to wonder if these reporters are either over anxious to see this guy’s fastball (for which I understand) or if they are so intent on criticizing the tribe staff, that they’ll jump at any opportunity to do so.

Accusation 4: The Tribe’s 7-1 record is bad, suggesting an uneven ball club that might well fail during the season.

My Response: Ok, I read this today and nearly spit my coffee out. Winning is not bad. In Spring Training it doesn’t even matter. Show me a team that’s the same in March as it is in September and I’ll eat my hat. The Indians are experimenting, easing in veteran players, and giving the prospects a chance to learn and see what their future with the club might look like. I’m sorry if that process yields wins and makes Paul Hoynes nervous, but get over it. Just enjoy watching players like Lindor play their game.

In the end, I think a lot of this criticism from the Plaindealer is a result of reporters needing to feel important, but also an ever-present concern that the Tribe’s 2013 season was a fluke (I’m trying to give these guys an out). But you know what? Cleveland will be fine. The Indians will win, lose, and win some more. That is the nature of sports.

Spring Training is about optimism and hard work. Accept it and enjoy the ride.