#cleveland indians

Last night, the young Cleveland Indians defeated the 1st Place Baltimore Orioles 2-1 in 11 innings. It was the 9th walk off victory for the Tribe, it’s 7th coming on a home run.

Despite injuries and somewhat predictable under performances, the Indians are 61-60, with an impressive 36 home wins.

All of that said, ESPN and PlainDealer headlines read “Indians Scape by Orioles” and “Cory Kluber’s season ranks with Indians’ Cy Young winner Cliff Lee’s for excellence amid mediocrity.”

Scraping by…Mediocre…Hardly encouraging.

Personally, it pisses me off. I’m not a sports writer, but I’m sure someone thinks trashing their hometown team is a way to make money…quite the cynical business plan.

As a fan of the game and The Indians, though, this type of disparaging reporting is wrong.

This is a typical trend going back years, though. I’m not sure why ESPN keeps a negative spin on the Tribe and as for the Cleveland PlainDealer, they seem just listless, recycling similar titles and criticisms…I think they might just be lazy. How’s that for “mediocre?”

Either way, I think the Indians should be celebrated and enjoyed. After all, I live in CT and am without any professional team. I’d certainly root for the a Tribe if they played here. Quite frankly, these kids deserve it.

Ohio State Senator Eric Kearney proves not only that he has far too much time on his hands, but that he’s clueless as to how to boost Cleveland’s depressed economy.

–Taken from ESPN.com–

“Eric Kearney, a Democrat from Cincinnati, introduced a resolution Wednesday that would encourage the baseball team to adopt a new name and mascot, citing racial insensitivity. He also sent a letter to Indians owner Larry Dolan urging a change.”

Seriously, this is worse than people lamenting the Cub’s teddy bear mascot LOL. It’s kinda pathetic and really, no one cares.

To this, I say…BORED.

Ok, so critics of the decades-old Cleveland Indians symbol have found new ammunition now that the Washington Redskins are being rather publicly flogged and forced to change their wildly racist name. Heck, even President Obama felt the need to lend his opinion here. And you know what? The President is not wrong: the term “redskin” is racist and needs changing,,,maybe to something like the Warriors or even (gasp) the Braves. Their symbol meanwhile hasn’t been talked about, mainly because it looks exactly like a brave or warrior.

So, now that a blatantly offensive racial slur will be leaving the NFL, critics in MLB are taking aim at Chief Wahoo, a symbol that is now only sparingly used by the Indians and MLB, with the large block “C” being opted for most of the time.

While it has been said many times, allow me to reiterate: the Wahoo symbol was created by a cartoonist and meant to be cute and comical. Simply put: there was never any racist intent.

The Redskins, meanwhile, have employed their name with perpetual historical nastiness. There is no way to characterize the term “redskin” in any way other than being offensive and disparaging.

Not only are the arguments comparing Chief Wahoo in relation to the NFL franchise name debate flawed by simplistic logic, it is also a mute point, as the Indians have already defacto changed their symbol (or at very worst, are using two)…and at the end of the day two things are true whether opponents of Wahoo want them to be or not: 1) even if changed, Tribe fans will continue wearing the symbol and it will become a collectible to be worn maybe even more often (a truth Redskin advocates should also acknowledge and be prepared for) and 2) the Indians have no control, as in zero, zip, nada, as to which symbol MLB uses in its broadcasts.

So Chief Wahoo critics, give it a rest. I’m happy you found a hobby, but really. Please pick a new one, because I’M BORED!

3 games sweep of the Rockies! Great starting pitching and timely hitting…still wish the defense would come around.

Just a thought, but it might be worth a shot to give Chisenhall another full time chance at 3rd.

Ok, I will keep this short and bitter, much like his starts this year. Justin Masterson has proven nearly completely ineffective and painful to watch this season.

I’m not going to dwell on records, but his velocity has dropped by nearly 4mph (big dip) as has his control. His era is over 5.0, barely ever turns in anything close to a quality start (6 innings pitched, 3 or less earned runs) and he is giving up home runs.

Now, is this an Ace worthy of #1 Starter money? Hardly. Honestly, Trevor Bauer seems to have a higher upside right now.

Is Masterson hurt? Maybe he too needs TJ surgery? That’s at least an honorable excuse for these trashy performances.

But hey, this is a great example of the gamble pitchers in their free agent year take. For Masterson (and sadly the Tribe), it doesn’t look like he is up to the pressure.

Maybe we’ll get to keep him at a discount now. I just wish it wasn’t at the price of winning.

(I am aware that Justin Verlander went through similar struggles last year but let us not forget he had already won an MVP and Cy Young Award and bounced back pretty fast…Masterson is no Verlander.)

The Cleveland Indians are making the right moves in terms of signing Catcher Yan Gomes, LF Michael Brantley, and now Jason Kipnis to long term deals.

Gomes (signed for 6 years) is the first native Brazilian in the Majors and was a complete surprise, considering he was signed as a no-name minor leaguer after coming over in an under-the-radar trade with the Blue Jays last season. Not only did he hit above league average, he threw out slightly over 40% of potential base stealers.

Brantley (signed for 5 years) is a bit of a different story. He came to Cleveland as this seemingly random “player to be named” from the Brewers for Tribe ace CC Sabathia. Brantley’s versatility and simplistic yet extremely effective swing has produced very steady (yet always improving) performance each year. As they say, there is a reason he is called Dr. Smooth. He is also killer in the clutch and with men in scoring position.

Kipnis (signed for 6 years) is by far my favorite signing though. Here is an All Star middle infielder who is hits above average, can run, is defensively solid, and a genuine dirt dog on and off the field. He personifies everything the Tribe wants in its clubhouse and on the field day in and day out.

But why are these signings significant? The answer to that is multifaceted.

First, signing promising young talent long term early on in their careers is a way of life for low or mid market ball clubs; it shows stability and commitment by both players and upper management.

Second, with the arbitration system designed as it is, fewer young players with extreme promise are willing to commit too quickly (a philosophy no doubt influenced by their agents)…simply because a player could go from earning $300k a year to over $10mil just through arbitration; by that time, there is no practical way for teams with financial restrictions to sign them as free agents.

Thirdly, signing the players that are on the field each and every day is how you win. Simply put, you win by grinding every win out…and that is the kind of ball club the Indians are…granted it sometimes feels like I’m getting a heart attack watching it but still.

One player you don’t see me writing about is Justin Masterson. Well, that’s because, for all his talk about how “someway somehow he will be an Indian for years to come,” I don’t believe it. He is a good guy, yes and genuine. But here’s the rub on Masterson: his numbers, when broken down, are league-average and he has largely been inconsistent in output. He is a hugely positive influence on the strive, be him alone won’t draw players to Cleveland and, let’s say the Indians manage to win half the games Masterson starts, that’s what? 16-17 games? Not enough bang for the buck. Time of course will tell if Masterson changes his position.

For now (and years to come), give me the dirt dogs!

Go Tribe!

With a 19-8-2 Cactus League record, the Indians are tops in AZ!

Ok, so Spring stats don’t count but it’s still cool.

GO TRIBE!

As of today there have been many reports about contract extensions talks between the Indians and ace Justin Masterson being put on hold. Along these reports, lots of reporters are asking why this is the case, with a heavy emphasis on the Tribe being unfair. Well, the reason for their trepidation should be obvious.

First of all, with not a single criticism of Masterson, the contract proposal (around a 3-4 year deal, roughly averaging 17mil to start), is indeed a discount as far as years but not dollars. If you consider the relative worth of draft pick compensation and the financial package associated with it, that’s still a lot if money for a small or mid level team…and he is still one pitcher who starts once a week.

Ignore that if you want. It is easy to argue the Tribe’s frugal nature…lots of examples there…especially when considering the former greats CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee. I will note however that both those players won the Cy Young while with the Indians and therefore had a very solid foundation to request longer and more lucrative contracts.

But consider this…how many important pitchers this Spring alone have had to undergo Tommy John Surgery? I’ve lost count so let’s say at least six. The Indians simply cannot afford to tie up the kind if money in a type of player who doesn’t play every day and might well get injured (despite his stellar health so far). Frankly a 2-3 year deal (what was reported was the Indians’ counter offer) makes sense and I sincerely hope Masterson will consider it.

Because of the smaller market limitations of the Indians, long term decisions must be by necessity very strategic. If given the choice, I would rather that kind of commitment be handed to Jason Kipnis…and those talks are happening. After all, Kipnis plays every day and just keeps getting better. Not a household name yet but he will be.

For all of his high talk regarding the Indians and Terry Francona, Masterson committed a fairly significant mistake by trying to paint the Indians ownership as the bad guys…well, only bad if they refuse his proposal. Negotiations are exactly that…an exchange of dollars and years, a back and forth process. Masterson violated this concept, at least as far as how the Indians conduct business…which is outside the public eye. The talks surrounding Kipnis, however, have been very quiet and from what I gather respectful.

As an Indians fan, I want them to keep Masterson and Kipnis, but if I had to choose, I want the gritty guy who works his ass off on the field and at the plate every day for 9 innings.

So where does that leave Masterson? Same place it should. If he wants to stay, work with the Indians on their terms, at least publicly. And if he signs, he signs, if not, well, we’ve been there before and I believe the Tribe will get along just fine one way or the other.

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.

Since the Boston Red Sox won the World Series, the Indians have signed Jason Giambi (Big G) and released disgruntled and ineffective Closer Chris Perez. Both are good moves, as Perez was at best a distraction, at worst as clubhouse cancer, with Giambi providing invaluable clutch hits and leadership. 

But there is more to do. The ineptness of Mark Reynolds must be replaced with a player with legitimate power or a high on-base percentage (though I concede here that Michael Bourn is very likely to have a rebound year). I am not particularly concerned about the Starting Rotation, though I doubt Jimenez will return (and quite frankly, I don’t want to pay the guy $20 mil. a year for one outstanding month of work). Still, if I am the Indians, I extend a qualifying offer to get a high draft pick. And the Bench (aka the Goon Squad is still strong). 

My focus right now is the Bullpen. the Indians need to do do several things: 1) resign Joe Smith (he has said he wants to return), 2) Explore a new deal with Scott Kazmir, who could be used in the bullpen or the rotation (he also indicated a desire to return to the Tribe), 3) Explore a deal with Texas Closer Joe Nathan (a veteran, but probably worth a 2 year deal he wants and won’t get from Texas), and 4) try and resign Shaw 9I prefer Shaw) and Albers (neither are critical because the Indians have depth in the minors but could prove important if the Indians choose to stay inside the organization to fill the Closer’s role…a considerable gamble).

Other thoughts are to find a trading partner for Asdrubal Cabrera (Francisco Lindor is ready for the Show) and perhaps look outside the organization for a long-term solution for 3B (Chisenhall’s development has stalled again). , 

As the Off Season kicks into full gear next week, I will have more suggestions for team improvement.

I think it is a winter of great possibilities for the Tribe! 

David Justice — Apr. 3rd, 2001

< baseball player, outfielder, designated hitter >

insta: mtv.archives

twitter: mtvarchivez

April 29, 1931

Cleveland pitcher Wes Ferrell no-hits the St. Louis Browns, including his brother Rick, 7-0. The pitching star also provided offense, knocking in four runs with a double, and a home run.

April 16, 1929

In a 5-4 Opening Day victory over Detroit at League Park, Indians’ rookie center fielder Earl Averill homers on a 0-2 pitch off Detroit’s pitcher Earl Whitehill, becoming the first American Leaguer to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat. The ‘Earl of Snohomish’ will also be the first future Hall of Famer to accomplish the feat.