I Hate the Jake

Good Piece

2006-10-24T11:22:00.000-04:00

Got this piece online. Good Stuff. I have trouble even writing about the organization at this point. I loathe them.

If one thing has become very clear during his
relatively short reign as owner of the Cleveland
Browns, it is that Randy Lerner is a man of action.
The Cleveland Browns, a once-storied franchise,
entered the seventh year of their new era with high
expectations. Perhaps fans were too enthusiastic after
the team's free agent spending spree, but the team did
little to discourage such excitement.
Other owners might have been happy with the
well-received off-season, but not Randy Lerner.
When the team began to show late in the exhibition
season that it was likely headed for another
disappointing season, and proved it by sinking quickly
to the bottom of the AFC North, Lerner leapt into
action...
...and bought a soccer team.
It's a smart move. The Aston Villa fans are used to
futility, and Lerner is now an owner in a league where
he can simply throw his family's money at a team and
purchase improvement.
Why put up with the irritation of dealing with unhappy
Cleveland Browns fans when one can be lionized in the
Isles?
* * *
The Cleveland Browns are rudderless, adrift. They are
wandering aimlessly in the world of football and in
the world of business.
The franchise started over in 1999 with incredible
assets. They had a motherlode of draft picks, no dead
money eating up their salary cap, the excitement of a
brand new stadium provided by taxpayers, and the good
will which goes with representing hundreds of
thousands of people who had been unfairly screwed in
1995.
They blew it all, save for one last thing.
The franchise also had in place a nationwide network
of the most loyal sports fans anywhere. Those people
are still there, but they're wavering.
These are fans who had been through forty years of
Super Bowl futility. They had been through Fumbles and
Drives. They had been through being stabbed in the
back, a force-fed hiatus, PSLs, high prices, sterile
stadiums, Big Money, Carmen Policy, Dwight Clark,
Quiet Storms, and still kept coming back for more.
Now, though, that asset is disappearing. The team's
owner needs to act, if only to sell tickets and
stadium loges to an increasingly skeptical market.
* * *
Randy Lerner seems like a decent enough guy.
He's done a couple of things I really like. Lerner
clearly wants the team to bind itself to its proud
tradition and has worked to bring alumni back into the
organization. These are two things I begged him to do
in an open letter a couple of years ago.
People who knew Lerner personally wrote me after that,
telling me that he truly cares about the organization
and the fans.
The Browns organization creates some good will by
supporting some genuinely good causes in the
community, which almost makes one forget the giant
sucking sound of dollars being vacuumed out of the
wallets of fans and taxpayers.
The question is whether or not Lerner will be an
effective leader for this franchise into the future,
and that seems to be very much in doubt. Browns fans
are already openly cynical of the value he provides,
labeling him "Jammies" due to the well-publicized
story of the Browns pajamas he wore as a child.
The fans' first serious look at Lerner as an executive
was last December. Hopefully it will not serve as a
defining moment in his tenure as owner.
Due to disagreements which have never truly been
spelled out, Team President John Collins apparently
convinced Lerner that the Browns needed to fire
general manager Phil Savage after only one year on the
job. Lerner reportedly agreed, and the organization
prepared itself to dispense with the person who
appears to be the first halfway-decent judge of talent
they've employed in over a decade.
Similar to his father's relationship with Carmen
Policy, the younger Lerner seemingly allowed a
smooth-talking executive to attach himself to the
owner like a Remora, and appeared to have bought into
Collins' attempt at a power play. Only the massive
outpouring of anger by Browns fans, a large number of
whom reside on this site, saved the organization from
shooting itself in the foot.
When it came time to replace Collins, Lerner appointed
himself.
And now we have a second time where we have to
question Lerner's decision-making.
One has to wonder who is running the organization
while the team's owner and president bones up on
soccer.
Either Collins didn't actually do any work, or Lerner
has delegated responsibility to unknown people in the
organization, or things simply aren't getting done.
Based on what I'm seeing, it's the latter.
* * *
Romeo Crennel doesn't believe in his players.
That sounds harsh, but it's evident in the way the
team plays.
Crennel plays to keep games close. The offensive
strategy is focused on not making mistakes. It's
careful, running between the tackles whether the back
is making yards or not. Potentially talented rookies
are left on the sideline or on the inactive list,
where they can't make mistakes and make things worse.
His defense rarely gambles, keeping the ball in front
of them and playing a lengthy game of "bend but don't
break". The cornerbacks play off the receivers,
allowing short reception after short reception.
It's sixty minutes of playing not to lose, but losing
anyway. It's what you do if you don't think you've got
enough talent to run someone over. The team doesn't
get blown out, but it never comes alive, either.
One can hardly blame the veteran defensive
coordinator. He comes from a team that had let him
develop a nice collection of jewelry. In New England,
Crennel worked with Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, Troy
Brown, and that whole gang. In Cleveland, Crennel had
Trent Dilfer, Ben Taylor, Frisman Jackson, and that
whole gang.
So, Crennel understandably plays it close to the vest,
but it's the wrong strategy for the Browns. He's the
wrong coach for a team with a decade-long record of
despair.
If we could rewind to 1999, he might have been the
perfect coach, a calm teacher who never gets too
upset. If we could allow him five years to patiently
change the environment, Crennel might be the right guy
for a young team. But this is Cleveland, and things
have decayed too far. The team needs a coach that will
allow those who can flourish to run free and suffer
the shocks of youthful inexperience. The lid needs to
be lifted off of the offense and defense.
There may be some games where we lose by three
touchdowns, but it will be worth it if we find ten
players who can lead the team in 2007 and beyond.
Travis Wilson needs to play. Jerome Harrison needs to
play. Leon Williams needs to play. Isaac Sowells needs
to play. Josh Cribbs needs to play.
If nothing else, the games themselves have to become
less of a stultifying exercise in dull football. That
needs to happen fast, because the Browns are losing a
generation of fans.
An experienced businessman should be able to see this.
Randy Lerner should be able to see this.
* * *
There are two things that Randy Lerner needs to do,
and neither of them involve firing Mo Carthon or Romeo
Crennel.
The first thing that Randy Lerner needs to do is hire
an experienced football executive. He needs some gray
hair and some vision on the football side of the
organization, and he needs it yesterday.
The Browns exist from week to week, month to month,
year to year, without anything but what seems to be
tactical planning.
Phil Savage is general manager of the team, but he
needs help. Savage is inexperienced in his current
role, and there have been whispers for the past two
years that there are holes in his game.
Savage loves the personnel side of the business. He
loves scouting and finding players, and he seems to be
pretty darn good at it.
A lead football executive needs to be more than that,
however. There needs to be a vision for what type of
team this will become, and that needs to be reflected
in both the personnel group and the coaching staff.
Savage and Crennel seem disconnected. Players are
acquired that the coach doesn't want to use, and the
general manager seems mystified at times by Crennel's
disinterest in upgrading parts of his roster. This is
most obvious in Crennel's lack of concern over the
backup quarterback situation and the way Savage spent
a valuable third-round pick on a receiver who is
spending every Sunday afternoon catching up on Sudoku.
If Crennel, Carthon, or Savage need to be fired, it is
that executive who needs to make that decision, not
Randy Lerner. Phil Savage needs to mature into taking
over that executives role within the next three to
five years, but he's not there now.
The second thing that Randy Lerner needs to do is step
down as the Browns team president.
The Browns are bleeding fans and appear to have not
the slightest clue in how to retain them and spark
interest in the franchise again. The business side of
the organization seems to have forgotten their
ultimate customers: fans.
Without fans, National City Bank doesn't care about
the Browns. Without fans, Dick's Sporting Goods is
looking for other ways to find people to buy
recreational gear. Fans are the ultimate currency in
professional sports, and the Browns are not alone in
forgetting their importance.
But it needs to change, and now.
If prices need to be cut to keep the seats filled, cut
them. If the gameday experience needs to be less
marketing and more partying, make it happen. If trying
to play media mogul is backfiring, get out of that
business. If the media despises the way the team
restricts information, loosen it up.
The Browns need a Team President with a willingness to
compromise in the long-term interest of the team and a
dedicated focus on customers.
This isn't rocket science. It's just business - the
entertainment business. Somewhere along the line,
that's been forgotten.
* * *
The most effective owners set up an organization,
establish guiding principles for that organization to
live by, get the best people to run the business, and
let them do their jobs. They make changes only when
the business isn't working.
Randy Lerner can either make the changes that need to
be made, or tinker around the edges, making permanent
what was supposed to be a temporary approach adopted
early in 2006.
Watch the newspapers. Keep an eye on the internet.
I think we're about to learn who Randy Lerner really
is.

The Birds Lead the Way....I Hope the Tribe is Next

2006-09-22T10:10:00.000-04:00

Orioles fans are leading the way...if things don't change next year for the Tribe, we should be doing the same.

Apologies All Around

2006-09-21T17:15:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of updates on this so called "sports blog", but the job that pays the bills has kept me extremely tied up lately. I have alot of anger and frustration to vent...stay tuned. There will be a large content coming in the next few days.

Lucky Number 8

2006-08-24T13:51:00.000-04:00

Should we even be posting that the Browns are on their 8th center since the end of 2005. By the way, I was driving by Berea the other day and it looks like somebody finally put a tent over that circus they call training camp.

Indians Outscore Browns First Team Offense

2006-08-24T11:01:00.000-04:00

Nothing like two miserable teams serving up beach balls last night.

Therrian Fontenot??

2006-08-22T15:50:00.000-04:00

Well, we got that DB we were looking for, but we had to sacrafice Carlton Brewster. That might come back to haunt us.

DT Eats Starting QB

2006-08-22T15:43:00.000-04:00

Update

2006-08-22T15:12:00.000-04:00

The most interesting thing about this story isn't the talk of Frye or the Browns, it is the fact that they have averaged 5.1 wins per year since coming back into the league in '99. An absolutely pathetic showing for an organization that was synonymous with winning and the NFL.

BTW, sorry for the lack of posts. Here are a few headlines from Northeast Ohio sports over the last two weeks.

The Cavs have finally showns some signs of life with the recent signings of Drew Gooden and Scott Pollard. I actually like both of these deals, now if we could just hop into the time machine with Doc and Marty and undo the Z, Newble, and Damon Jones deals. Those will be haunting us for awhile. By the way, I can guarantee Pollard becomes a huge fan favorite. Who doesn't root for a guy that is somewhat mentally unstable.
Lee Suggs was traded to the Jets. Then he wasn't. He somehow has injuries even when he isn't hurt. I don't know. Suggs is like an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, wrapped in a mystery.
Droughns misses practice....but not for an injury.
Finally, the Indians are stuck in the same place. I am sick of writing about them. Until I see their payroll increase to $70MM I don't want to talk about it.

Browns Offensive Line.....Needs No Punchline

2006-08-09T14:47:00.000-04:00

I have a feeling that Charlie will be doing a whole lot of running this year. Honestly, at this point nothing suprises me. I have a feeling they will be doing some special invites to the St. Ignatius Wildcats before camp is over.

Shocking Deal with Reds

2006-08-09T14:45:00.000-04:00

Hopefully, that player to be named is Brandon Phillips. Although I highly doubt that.

I Hate this City

2006-08-09T09:27:00.000-04:00

Does Cleveland sports not leave you speechless. The events that have taken place the last few days are just a small taste of what I have experienced the last 26 years.

Our multi-million dollar man, LeCharles Bentley, goes down with a freak injury on the first day.

Fausto Carmona blows three saves in a row after taking over the closer role.

The Browns starting right tackle has his knee scoped and has missed all of training camp up to this point.

The Cavs fired veteran play-by-play analyst Mike Reghi to bring in some outsider from the Pistons.

The Indians absolutely flopped this season after winning 93 games in what we can now see was a fluke in 2005.

The Cavs have made no off-season moves up to this point and have no cap space to do so.

Need I go on? Every morning we as fans wake up and hope to see something positive. Something that makes you want to root for the Cavs, Browns, or the Indians and every morning we wake up to disappointment. I have to give credit to the writers and local sports talk radio guys who do this everyday. How are they not popping lithium and washing it down with Jack Daniels? It is an endless cycle that has no hope in sight.

Yeah, Lebron carried us to the second round of the playoffs last year, but now we have 4 years to win a championship with him or he is out the door. Who knows what we are going to do with the Browns and Indians. Has one franchise, in any sport, been so dysfunctional over the last 8 years as the Cleveland Browns? Romeo Crennel has to be regretting ever taking this job. And the Indians….that is another story. They have more holes and issues then any team in this city.

Yet, I digress. I just don’t care anymore. I have lost any faith or hope that I will see a championship and anyone who says otherwise doesn’t live in reality. This city is cursed and we are just along for the ride.

Lee on Board

2006-08-08T11:57:00.000-04:00

Looks like I was wrong here, but this better be just the start of what needs to take place this off season.

Camp Note

2006-08-08T09:46:00.000-04:00

Look like training camp is progressing just as we expected for the Browns. No suprises here.

Wedge Getting the Press He Deserves

2006-08-04T14:44:00.000-04:00

Eric Wedge gets mentioned in a national piece here. The problem is it's for all the wrong reasons.

Davis Gets a Shot

2006-08-04T10:30:00.000-04:00

It looks like “Wedgie” reconsidered on sending Carmona out for what was sure to be another scene from Dead Man Walking. After a gem by Jake Westbrook through eight innings, EW sent Jason Davis out to mop up the mess. Good thing. I don’t think another blown save would have been good for the 22-year-olds mental state at this point. It would have been like feeding fresh meat to a pack of lions. Here are the stats for Carmona in his first week on the job.

Two innings in three games, which resulted in 4 walks, 6 hits, 9 runs, and a .545 average by opposing batters. This little statline all results in a 40.50 ERA and a notch on Big Papi’s bat.
The question that begs to be asked is where do they go from here. Is Davis the closer? Is Carmona the closer? Do they have a closer by committee? We all remember that experiment last time. It just adds another question to the list that has to be addressed in the off-season. This could be a very interesting winter.

Cleveland Pistons

2006-08-03T14:30:00.000-04:00

Nice move Gilbert. Looks like he is really trying to win the fans over. Since when is Detroit a good city to emulate

Go Tribe

2006-08-03T14:29:00.000-04:00

Found this photo of Wedge addressing the team after last nights blow up.

The Perfect Plan

2006-08-03T14:27:00.000-04:00

I was giving him a second chance. Not sure why, but I was. That was a mistake. For the second time in as many chances, Carmona blew another save. This one was more incredible then the first. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Fausto proceeded to hit Doug Mirabelli and Alex Gonzalez which put two men aboard. Youkilis then walked on a full count with a pitch that wasn’t near the plate, bringing up Loretta. He then ripped one of the green monsters putting the cap on another pathetic evening for the Tribe.

Carmona looked helpless. The minute he hit Mirabelli, you knew it was over. His eyes turned to saucers, he lost all control, and his confidence was non-existent.

This team is an absolute mess.

Along with a closer who can’t close. We have a rookie third basemen without a hit, a new second basemen batting .100, and a lineup full of platoon players. It is officially a train wreck.
This must be one hell of a plan.

Awful

2006-08-03T09:16:00.000-04:00

Second time is a charm.

Good Stuff

2006-08-02T10:47:00.000-04:00

This just goes to show you that these guys more often than not are out to have a good time. Take a look at this link. Some of these guys love the sauce.

Supply and Demand

2006-07-31T14:41:00.000-04:00

Perez, Wickman, Broussard, Belliard.

Cabrera, Ramirez, Choo, and Luna.

Need I say more? These names are the new faces of the Indians franchise from Class A to the major leagues. Don’t get me wrong, I am not whining or complaining that Wickman and the gang are gone. I understand that there time was limited here, however my problem lies in what we got in return. Prospects. A group with a total of 240 major league games under their belts, of which 223 belong to Luna (who was with the organization once already). As I posted a few weeks ago, Shapiro seems to be infatuated with prospects. It has gotten to a point where it feels like I am watching the NBA draft. I can just picture them sitting in the offices at National City Ballpark at Key Bank Field, or whatever it will be called, discussing the upside, ceiling, or unlimited potential of each of these guys. Enough.

It is time that this organization looks to get some more quantifiable value in return. We all know the real reason that Shapiro is infatuated with prospects. Money. Just look at the payroll of the four guys they just brought in. Two are minor leaguers probably making a combined $60,000 per year. Choo and Luna are both making the league minimum and neither are eligible for arbitration or free agency for the next three or four year. This is considerably less then what was left on Wickman’s contract for 2006. It is just another cheap solution. Bringing aboard actual major leaguers would require them to invest in their payroll, and anyone who believes that still thinks the Indians have a fighting chance this season.

Which brings me to my next point. Move someone of value. They are in a market where solid pitching is few and far between. Take Jake Westbrook Lee, or Jason Davis and float their names in the market. GM’s would be blowing Shapiro’s cell phone up. I guess that's why I am writing this pathetic blog and Mark is running a championship organization. Oh wait....

Hey, they have a plan though. Just trust them.

Next?

2006-07-31T10:56:00.000-04:00

Tryouts for the Browns offensive line will be held in Berea this Friday and Saturday. If you weigh over 250 and you can walk, you have a good shot. Vegas needs to start a line on who is the next one down for the Browns. It would be more intriguing then betting on the season.

What Goes Around Comes Around

2006-07-31T08:51:00.000-04:00

In what was another payroll dumping move, the Tribe shipped out Belliard for Hector Luna. Wait, hasn't he been here before?

Also, any sports related blog wouldn't be complete without mentioning that special team from the Bronx. The part that makes me sick isn't the amount they spent or the players they got, but the fact that Stienbrenner wanted to buy the Indians. Honestly, only here.

That Signature Doesn't Really Count. Does it?

2006-07-28T17:09:00.000-04:00

Get Out the Prayer Beads

2006-07-28T16:59:00.000-04:00

We will be seeing alot more of this in 2007. Nothing like a season being over before it starts.

I have a feeling that good 'ole Charlie wishes this site was never started.

No Takers?

2006-07-28T16:56:00.000-04:00

Thought I should put up the one photo of "Boonie" making contact this year.

News and Notes

2006-07-28T15:21:00.000-04:00

Trevor Crowe might play out of position just like the rest of the roster.
Looks like my Boone protest might have paid off. This is what we have been waiting for...The Savior
Tell me John Hart wasn't behind this deal.
This is why we had to get rid of Phillips and now he is down on the farm. Nice going Wedge... you ass.
By the way, is Shapiro setting us up in regards to Marte's performance? This was astatement he made in regards to bringing him up. "We've got to start the transition soon. That means he's probably going to struggle a little bit when he gets here."
Shapiro must be patting himself on the back after this one. A National League scout on outfield prospect Shin-Soo Choo, acquired Wednesday by the Indians when they traded Ben Broussard to Seattle: "A singles hitter. Average arm. Averagespeed. Average all around. He's a left-handed versionof [Indians outfielder] Jason Michaels."

Should This Picture Bring a 26-year-old Man to Tears

2006-07-27T16:23:00.000-04:00

No Bucks?

2006-07-27T16:18:00.000-04:00

Is this guy out of his mind. I would say OSU's last five recruiting classes disproves this theory.

62 Left

2006-07-27T15:44:00.000-04:00

Well, the Indians wrapped up a three game series with the Tigers yesterday afternoon and the only thing they came away with is Shin-Soo Choo. I assume this is a type of dish they had delivered from the Amazing Wok II. Unfortunately, that was a poor attempt at a joke and this will soon be our starting left fielder. Astonishing.

These last three games, just like the previous ninety-seven, were nothing short of pathetic. Game 1 included our former first basemen kicking the ball around which eventually allowed five unearned runs. The second game saw an offensive explosion, which Boone didn’t participate in, and was nearly given away by Byrd. Finally, game 3 gave us a 4-1 loss, where we saw Joe Inglett belt his first homerun. Nothing like a 28-year-old utility infielder supplying you with your lone offensive output. The only positive I walked away with was “Boonie” is slowly being faded out of the lineup. Looks like Wedge is finally trying to shake up the chemistry of that clubhouse. It only took 100 games and a record of 44-56 to do it.

Which leads us to the next 62 games. Where do they go from here? Their pitching staff has struggled throughout the year. The bullpen has no identity and does not have that guy who slams the door shut. Their offensive lineup includes a strong core, but the role player pieces don’t fit the puzzle. Finally, their defensive prowess is an absolute train wreck. Based upon those statements, I will use my keen sports eye to breakdown the line-up for the rest of the year.

Centerfield- You have a 24-year-old All-Star. Just don’t screw him up. That is all we ask.

Leftfield- Michaels turned out to be just as advertised. A platoon player who hits well against lefties (.304) and that is about it. His defense is average and for a corner guy he has no pop. Time to bring Franklin Gutierrez back up to see what he can do, along with Trevor Crowe. Most teams would go out and acquire a left fielder with some power for 2007, but that would require money.

Rightfield- Unfortunately, Blake is signed for another season. Nothing against Casey, and he is having a decent year, but once again 12 homeruns from a corner outfielder is not going to cut it. I long for the years when I could say, “that’s just Manny being Manny.” Also, looks like we are going to throw Shin-Soo Choo into the mix. Well, I’m excited. Pass me the soy sauce.

First Base- Broussard is gone. No one shedding a tear here. I hope right after they shipped him off to the Pacific Northwest, Martinez was in Wedge’s office getting a lecture on the finer points of first base. He is such a liability behind the plate they have no other option. That’s what happens when you throw out 9% of all base runners.

Second Base- Play Inglett I guess. We have no one in the farm system that is ready to star at this position, and we traded away our future starter for a pony and a box of Lucky Charms. This will at least allow them to take a look at Inglett as the utility guy next year, as Vasquez isn’t the answer. Thanks Wedge. My second thought here is that they SHOULD NOT resign Belliard. The chubby, little bastard is washed up.

Shortstop- You’ve invested $14MM and five years into Peralta. His response was to hit .258 and commit 13 errors in 100 games. I will chalk this up to growing pains and keep my fingers crossed. Otherwise I want Shapiro burned at the stake.

Third Base- The savior better be called up by this week. End of story!

Catcher- Martinez is moving to first. Shoppach hasn’t had a shot because Eric Wedge has had his head up his ass. Let him play. Defensively he is an immediate upgrade and plays above average. If he could just give you a little something at the plate then so be it. Well, we could always wait for Maxamiliano…

DH- All set. The Pronkey lives on.

Starting Pitching- Westbrook, Byrd, and C.C. are back. They haven’t been lights out, but C.C. and Jake have had solid seasons. Byrd has been like a roller coaster, but since the Scrooge’s wallets are sewn shut, he is the best option. They need to let Sowers loose from here and hope he turns into what they wrote in the scouting report. Cliff Lee is another story. No extension has been signed and it doesn’t look like this will be done before the end of the season. He will be headed to arbitration and when the number comes back, Paul and Larry will shrivel up like a vampire seeing the sun for the first time. This could be an issue. When August rolls around I would like to see Adam Miller get a few starts. This off-season Shapiro will be trolling the waiver wire looking for cast offs.

Bullpen- Carmona is going to close. If he can’t this creates a huge mess. If he can this would fill a huge gap. Davis is in long relief and should stay there. Mota is a joke and should be tossing hot dogs around the stadium. Betancourt is having a decent year and remains in a spot role, along with Cabrera who is having a bit of a rocky season. The rest of the group is a mix of journeyman and minor leaguers, who are getting an extended tryout because they are cheap. End of story. This group needs a lot of help.

What this half-assed analysis says is that they have a number of holes that need to be filled. Most would do this with a little cash. That isn’t an option here. Hey, they have a plan though!

What the F$#%

2006-07-27T13:40:00.000-04:00

I am on the verge of a total breakdown. I thought the Indian's season pushed me over the edge, but this is the icing on the cake. Everyone of those lists about poor sports cities, cursed teams, or down on their luck franchises is now officially shattered. As I posted earlier, LeCharles Bentley was injured in the first day of practice. Well, early reports are saying that it may be a torn patella muscle and would end his season. Is this really possible?

My head is spinning and is about to explode. I honestly can't take it anymore. Seriously.

Has any other city gone through this much. In just the last year we have missed the playoffs after a 93 win season, saw Lebron James sign the shortest possible extentsion (just that he signed is a blessing), saw our previous first rounder blow out his knee riding around on his crotch rocket, trade away a fan favorite for a future third basemen who can't play over Boone....do I have to go on? This post would be infinite if I went back the last 30 years. Hell, we haven't won a championship in a single sport since 1948, and if you count the Cleveland Crunch you should be dragged into the street and beaten with Kellen Winslow's old crutch.

I want to say I'm shocked...but I'm not. I have come to expect nothing less.

My Head Hurts

2006-07-27T13:38:00.000-04:00

I HOPE CLEVELAND FALLS INTO LAKE ERIE.

The Saga Continues

2006-07-27T10:48:00.000-04:00

Since the last three Indians games have been everything we expected and more. I felt that this little bit of information was a little more pertinent. Should we be suprised? The curse of this city continues and Mr. Bentley may have found out the hard way.

Love to Hate

2006-07-26T10:41:00.000-04:00

As you may have noticed I have a slightly negative attitude towards the Indians and their organization these days, but trust me. I like to spread the wealth. So as we creep into training camp territory do not be suprised to see my animosity spread. My hatred goes all around and no one should feel left out, including our favorite TE, Mr. Kellen "Wheelie" Winslow. He holds a close spot in my heart with that meatball anchoring third base for the Indians.

Randy Lerner Looking to Conquer His Next Sport

2006-07-26T10:38:00.000-04:00

Well, since Randy Lerner has been so successful as an owner in the American version of football, it looks like he is going to dabble in the overseas version as well. Yeah, this should work out.

Local Celebrity

2006-07-25T16:27:00.000-04:00

Looks like the paparazzi spotted Paul Dolan around town in Cleveland.

Breaking News: Shapiro Is Not God

2006-07-25T16:20:00.000-04:00

Well, In my opinion it is about time. Unlike the rest of us, the national media has been slow to criticize Mark Shapiro and his band of crackpot scouts and guru's, but it looks like they might be starting to realize what we have noticed over the last few years.

Yet, the one idea they still aren't tossing around is that the 2005 season is the abberation. Not 2006. Just wait until next year when we are having the same discussion we are now.

Rich Get Richer

2006-07-25T16:14:00.000-04:00

In a stunning turn of events. The defending World Champion Chicago White Sox are taking on salary and attempting to make a second run at the post season. This may be news to Indians fans, but spending money to acquire players is a good thing.

Another Loss, Different Day

2006-07-25T14:55:00.000-04:00

Well, our favorite Northeast Ohio Little League team took the field again last night. The tee ballers produced the same results as ususal, a 9-7 loss versus the A.L. Central leading Tigers. They are an absolute train wreck. Five unearned runs. Another error. Loss number 55.

Hell, even our no talent, ass clown manager seems to finally be a little agitated. "That was some kind of bad," stated Eric Wedge. "Benny did a good job getting in front of the ball, but couldn't make the play. Cliff kind of fell apart after that. That's the way our season has gone. I hate it. I don't like it."

Benny?? How about $#%^head. Isn't that a little more suiting. He is playing first base for God's sake. How can you not make the play?

Hey, I don't want to be to negative though. Look on the good side. "Boonie" continued to be a gamer and true leader. That .250 average and another 0-3 night is really starting to create some trade buzz. Shapiro should just send teams a clip of that walkoff homerun against Boston in 2003. That is about the only highlight of Boone we have seen the last few years. A little piece of advice for Shapiro is to sign him up for the local Church basketball league and keep your fingers crossed. That way the insurance will pick up his contract for the rest of the year.

The other question this prompts is, where is Andy Marte? Our future star third basemen. Shouldn't we at least be giving him a shot this season. No...probably not. Rumor is, meaning I started this, Wedge doesn't want to mess with the chemistry of this team (You could cut the sarcasm with a knife it is so thick there). Next thing you know we will probably be trading him to the Yankees for cash and a player to be named later. The Dolans think he might command to much in 6 years so we need to hedge ourselves for the 2011 budget.

BUT THEY HAVE A PLAN.

Stunned

2006-07-24T11:25:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that Boone got a day off this weekend. He has been red hot. His streak of consistent errors and 1 for 4 outings has been carrying this team. In the clubhouse and on the field, but Vasquez did his best to imitate "Boonie" on Saturday evening coming in with a .207 batting average and range in the field that looks like his shoes are weighted with cement. What a joke. The lone bright spot during the weekend came from 23-year-old Jeremy Sowers and his complete game shut out.

Great. I felt all warm and fuzzy inside after watching this. Let me guess, Shapiro and Wedge will spin this performance into instant success for the season and turning around the second half. According to Wedgie (as Shapiro so lovingly refers to him), "These guys are better than that." Uh, Eric...I don't think they are. It is a team with 73 errors, which ranks second in the American League, who can't run, field, or hit on a consistent basis. Half the team belongs on a major league roster about the same as Paris Hilton at a Mensa convention. Their inability to play fundamental baseball is embarrassing for an organization that requires players parents to purchase their uniforms. I only hope that Mrs. Sizemore steps in and pulls Grady out of the lineup.

Game 1

2006-07-21T14:19:00.000-04:00

Don't support the Dolan's. Tonight is the first night of the walkout. So be strong. Turn off the game. Cancel your cable. Sell your cablevision stock. Purchase a Lebron jersey. Whatever it takes, BUT DON'T SUPPORT THE SCROOGES!

There Baaaacccckkk

2006-07-21T13:35:00.000-04:00

Well, they Indians are back in town tonight. I’m excited. Coming off a stellar road trip, where they won two and lost five, the Jake should be packed tonight. What a joke. This team defines the word dysfunctional. They win the first against Liriano, a potential Cy Young winner, then lose the next five games in a row, and round out the trip with a win against Lackey. That led to this quote from the potential AOY (Ass of the Year) of 2006.

"You don't like what happened in between," manager Eric Wedge said, "but to win the first and last games against those two pitchers, says a lot about our guys."

Huh? What? Are you serious? It says we couldn’t put together a winning streak or a fundamental game if our careers depended on it. Which we assume they don’t, as Wedge is still the captain of this sinking ship and Aaron Boone is milling around third base. Boonie, please sense the sarcasm in my words, has an explanation though.

"There's no explaining it other than we're capable of doing it," said Aaron Boone, "We've just been inconsistent."

No $%#*! Can you use the word inconsistent here? Your 21 ½ games out…I think a better description would be, WE ARE PATHETIC!

I think it may be fair to say that last year was an aberration. Ninety-three wins driven by a pitching staff that incurred virtually no injuries, a bullpen full of guys that had career years, a few rookies playing at or above their potential, and a very hot second half. Nevertheless, this team still failed to make the playoffs. Meaning that those 93 wins mean nothing now as we wallow in a mediocre 2006 season, but hey we’ve got a plan for next year.

Mark Shapiro's Tools for Player Analysis

2006-07-21T11:11:00.000-04:00

This Makes Me Sick to My Stomach

2006-07-21T10:45:00.000-04:00

Brandon Phillips

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG
Season 87 309 44 89 14 1 7 47 18 .288 .337 .408

Bob Wickman for Another “Great Prospect Who We Feel Will Help Blah, Blah, Blah

2006-07-21T09:32:00.000-04:00

Once again we are left scratching our heads. Maximiliano Raimirez. Who the hell is he? According to Mark Shapiro, “He’s young and he’s still faraway, but he has the tools to become a prospect.” Well I’m sold, when has Mark ever made a bad trade, signing, or acquisition. Scratch that.

· Matt Lawton- At the time he was a 30-year-old outfielder who benefited from a career on the turf in the Metrodome. He had just been traded to the Mets and then joined the Indians where he was awarded a four year $27MM dollar extension. We did get Arthur Rhodes for him. Oh wait.
· Brady Anderson- He wasn’t washed up when we signed him. The poster boy for steroids.
· Ricky Gutierrez- He was our solution for the former Gold Glover Alomar. For three years and $11MM you can’t go wrong. Not true. He ended up with the Mets for cash considerations. At least he played in the infield unlike our current second basemen.
· Aaron Boone- A 33-year-old stiff with Rick Ankiel syndrome and a career .256 batting average, but he is a great clubhouse guy. I would take Roger Dorn any day of the week.
· Jason Johnson- A perennial loser in Detroit, who had the “stuff” to be successful in the right environment. I don’t think so.
· Guillermo Mota- He had Tommy John surgery, had his arm reattached, and failed a physical. NO RED FLAGS THERE. We’ll take anyone as long as someone else is picking up the salary.
· Jason Michaels- His off season training program included meeting his parole officer every week. He had to get permission to leave PA when traded. He had All Star written all over him. Those 8 homers this year for a left fielder are really paying off.

The list goes on, but do I need to continue. Karim Garcia, Shane Spencer, Bill Selby, a third go around with Juan Gonzalez, etc….This isn’t saying that Shapiro has been all bad. Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, and a handful of others have all been great deals. Even Belliard looked good for a year or two. Yet, when your operating on a shoe string budget you can’t have more strikeouts then hits. They have missed the boat on a lot of prospects, veterans, and free agent acquisitions. I think that this year is just the boiling point. What is the five year strategy now? Start over. They have three third basemen playing in the lineup, their catcher is a first basemen, their corner outfield is like the lineup of a Thursday night softball league, and their bullpen is the whose, who of rejects, journeymen, and cheap rookies.

Don’t worry though….Just trust Mark Shapiro and his team, they have a plan. It just needs to be tweaked.

Go Browns

2006-07-21T09:26:00.000-04:00

Where were these two when the Browns had such a putrid offensive line.

Priceless

2006-07-21T09:10:00.000-04:00

$15 Dollars for parking

$100 Dollars for two box seats

$30 Dollars for hot dogs, cracker jacks, and a Coke

$60 Dollars for a Casey Blake jersey

Watching a MLB "team" known as the Cleveland Indians play like a YMCA tee ball team.

Miserable

A Little Bit of Advice

2006-07-21T08:42:00.000-04:00

Dear Travis and Grady,

I am writing this letter on behalf the faithful fans of Northeast Ohio. Get out, get out while you can. Demand a trade. Throw a tantrum. Explode on the organization. Pass dirty notes behind the back of little Paulie Dolan. Whatever it takes, because your not going to win here. I won’t fault you and neither will the rest of the people who fill Jacobs Field, National City Park, or whatever the hell it’s going to be called, half full.

Go to New York. They will pay you. Go to Boston. Coco and Manny can show you the city. Go to Atlanta. They always seem to win. Go to Chicago. Thome will be in the locker next to you. Go to Anaheim. They got sun and Artie likes to spend money. Just get out. This city and team will torment you. It isn’t worth it. Your young and have your lives and careers ahead of you. LEAVE NOW!!!!

After Retro Uni Night

2006-07-21T08:37:00.000-04:00

Victor, Boone, and Byrd pose for team photo.

This Must Stop

2006-07-21T08:36:00.000-04:00

“You want’em, ‘cause I don’t want’em!” was the quote that came to mind when someone handed me Indians tickets the other day. Just like every other Indians fan I had bought into the system the last few years and I was riding on cloud nine coming into this season. Who wouldn’t have been? Yeah, they choked the last week of the season to the eventual World Series Champs, but 93 wins for a young up and coming team. I went into the off-season feeling like a 12-year-old boy who just got his hands on a Playboy magazine for the first time. Then BOOM!!!

We let Millwood, Elarton, and Howry go. We chase after a 30 something closer who spent his entire career in one of the best cities in the US. We traded away a left fielder for a reliever who literally had his arm sewed back on in the off season (I have this on good authority it is true), a catcher who gets to play once every 25 games, and the so called “future” at third. We then replaced him with a guy whose off-season program included AA and community service. Follow that up with a strong Jason Johnson signing, bringing back a 275-pound closer whose offseason diet includes drink grease as a protein shake, and then signing a starter who has a track record of landing on the DL more often then George Bush spells his name wrong. How naïve I was. What a schmuck… The worst part is….I STILL HAD SOME HOPE FOR THE SEASON!!!!

Well that’s it! I have had my moment of clarity, which has led me to this Blog. I am not here to rant and scream, well actually I am, but I am also here with a goal. As a former fan it is my goal to stop the revenue stream of the penny pinching, cheap ass Dolan Family. If they won’t spend, then we won’t spend. Don’t go to games, don’t buy their concessions, don’t purchase their souvenirs, don’t shop at their team shops, and don’t subscribe to that hopeless Sports Blah, Blah, Blah Ohio or whatever the hell it is called. So forward this link to your friends, pass it on to your coworkers, discuss it with your family…I don’t care, but get the word out. We are done supporting the f$#I&%g Scrooge family.