HEY IT'S MONDAY AND I'M TYPING CAPS LOCK
No really.
It was a long weekend, and if you followed redonkulous action on twitter, or what little action I was able to provide, I thank you.
There was about three messages I texted that didn't actually go up and one that went up that was sent before everything else, that actually went up last. Go figure.
I'll repeat myself, I don't mind.
I burned my neck, that was fun, my knees also have red burnt circles on them, but my arms actually got the right amount. A base if you will. Just to get a base, DB.
The fact came out untouched thanks to the positioning of the sun and my hat.
Other than that, we got home at like 11:00 last night, which is pretty fantastic considering it's a five hour drive and we usually don't get home till like 12:30-1:00 AM.
While I was gone, we won two games, I wish we would have won three though. Progress is being made though, so let me run-down some weekend thoughts that I had tried to convey, but wasn't able to. Thanks Tweetie.
Travis Hafner activated and automatically awesome. Okay he only played two games and just hit one home run, but that's going to be nice for like five times a week. Just stick to that method if you can.
Garko went back-to-back with him on Friday, played Saturday, but was out on Sunday, which doesn't make sense to me, but hey, credit to Chris Gimenez for going deep again.
CARL FREAKIN' PAVANO!
All of a sudden, the most wanted man ever. Carl's been fantastic and his latest game was just another chapter of that comeback story he's penning.
Can't really complain with Jeremy Sowers on Saturday, six innings, two earned, he did take the loss though. If he can give that every time out, I'll take it until further notice.
David Huff's five innings, three earned is a start, but he needs to either go longer, or give up less. Just two earned from the pen this weekend though. Greg Aquino, Rafael Perez, Kerry Wood doing most of the heavy-lifting. Still, congrats to David on his first major league win.
Why is Luis Valbuena still playing?
In fact, send him down and let Josh Barfield and Jamey Carroll play more. 2-4 on Friday with a RBI, while Valbuena is hitting .200 on the season. I know he hit a home run on Sunday, but Carroll had five hits in the series, Barfield two, that's much better than one hit and two RBI in two games.
Hell less Valbuena, means more Gimenez at a spot like third base too and look what he did on Sunday.
The Indians hit three back-to-back home runs in the series. Garko/Hafner on Friday, Choo/Vic and Valbuena/Gimenez on Sunday.
In fact, nine total home runs in the series between Chicago and Cleveland. Maybe the Summer weather is bringing the long-ball.
One big thing though that has been swirling around is the status of the Tribe and if they are ready to trade. I posted my long State of the Tribe address before I left and I'm sure you have an opinion. But the facts are there.
The Indians are not out of this division race, as crazy as it sounds.
I'm taking it day-by-day though and I think that is the way Shapiro is taking it. I bet the way the Indians have played, most people expected them to be out of the race by now, but the AL Central is that bad.
Let's cover the minors and that fun stuff.
A major-league type note for Akron on Saturday. A double header was played and Jake Westbrook made his 2009 debut with the Aeros. He pitched three scoreless, giving up just one hit and one walk. Horray! He's going four innings next time out, which could Friday at home against New Hampshire, or the next night against Portland. If ya wanna see Jakey pitch, you can plan for one of those days.
Nice to see Santana hit the solo home run in that game for the only run. The Mascot was also good in relief and conveniently there is a piece on Putnam up at IPI.
The Kinston Indians meanwhile have a trio of K-Tribers headed to the Carolina League Vs California League All-Star game on June 23rd.
Lonnie Chisenhall, Cord Phelps, and pitcher Eric Berger have been named to the Carolina League All-Star team. Provided Berger and Phelps don't get called up, they'll get a chance to return to their home-state of California to play in this game. Chisenhall was named starting third baseman, while Phelps will be a utility infielder.
A last place team sent six players, the most, to the ASG, that's odd, but that last place team is 27-30 in what looks to be a tough division. Kinston actually has a worse record and they've lost six straight games.
The Clips have taken the first two in a series with Gwinnett though, the first was a Chuck Lofgren victory on Saturday. Chucky went seven scoreless, giving up just five hits and striking out three.
The Clips also scored 12 runs in that game, with Mike Brantley collecting four hits, knocking in two runs along with Matt LaPorta, who also homered, and Andy Marte.
Much closer on Sunday, as they won a close one-run game. Joe Smith made another relief appearance, and both Brantley and LaPorta knocked in runs again. AC believes he'll be back Tuesday.
The Captains meanwhile split two games on Saturday, a rainy weekend it was. Donnie Webb's super-ness at the top of the Caps lineup is a point of Tony's latest Minor Happenings.
Roster moves galore, which I'm going to make mention of, but just refer to the chart for an update.
The Indians signed a pitcher, Michael Gosling, okay, and super utility player Rob Mackowiak and assigned them both to Columbus. Rob Mackowiak has played everywhere and well, Pirates fans used to call him MACK O' WACK, which I downright love.
Matt Meyer got promoted to Akron and was joined by Brian Grening from extended spring training.
Tomorrow, belive it or not, is the MLB Draft and I've promised increased coverage. Will not be a problem. I'll post every pick and instant information on each pick the Indians make on Tuesday. That will only be three picks though.
Today though, I'm going to round up all the information I can in one big pre-draft post. Be on the look out for that. I work on Wednesday, so pick-by-pick coverage will not be happening. I'll still round up information after the fact.
Finally I want to comment on something that I wasn't able to comment on this past weekend.
The passing of Dick Jacobs is a real blow to the Cleveland organization. I was really down about it when I read it on AC's blog on Friday. Here is what I said as a part of my weekly baseball column on Bleacher Report, I don't think I can duplicate it.
Unfortunately, this is where I have to make a joke and say that Tomo Ohka is pitching, blasted.
The rotation looks like this for the time being, Lee, Pavano, Sowers, Ohka, Huff. Rinse and repeat. Remember, I'm a fan of the Fausto demotion, but I was completely shocked by the fact it was to rookie ball. It makes all the sense in the world though, as Carmona can get himself straightened up by the staff in Goodyear at the Indians' facilities. This isn't a Dontrelle Willis like send-down, it's a very cunning move by the Indians.
He'll be in Columbus when he's all good and ready.
Draft special later today, no Photoshop off-day this time around, and whatever else may happen.
Original Story:
http://www.thetribedaily.com/2009/06/...
No really.
It was a long weekend, and if you followed redonkulous action on twitter, or what little action I was able to provide, I thank you.
There was about three messages I texted that didn't actually go up and one that went up that was sent before everything else, that actually went up last. Go figure.
I'll repeat myself, I don't mind.
I burned my neck, that was fun, my knees also have red burnt circles on them, but my arms actually got the right amount. A base if you will. Just to get a base, DB.
The fact came out untouched thanks to the positioning of the sun and my hat.
Other than that, we got home at like 11:00 last night, which is pretty fantastic considering it's a five hour drive and we usually don't get home till like 12:30-1:00 AM.
While I was gone, we won two games, I wish we would have won three though. Progress is being made though, so let me run-down some weekend thoughts that I had tried to convey, but wasn't able to. Thanks Tweetie.
Travis Hafner activated and automatically awesome. Okay he only played two games and just hit one home run, but that's going to be nice for like five times a week. Just stick to that method if you can.
Garko went back-to-back with him on Friday, played Saturday, but was out on Sunday, which doesn't make sense to me, but hey, credit to Chris Gimenez for going deep again.
CARL FREAKIN' PAVANO!
All of a sudden, the most wanted man ever. Carl's been fantastic and his latest game was just another chapter of that comeback story he's penning.
Can't really complain with Jeremy Sowers on Saturday, six innings, two earned, he did take the loss though. If he can give that every time out, I'll take it until further notice.
David Huff's five innings, three earned is a start, but he needs to either go longer, or give up less. Just two earned from the pen this weekend though. Greg Aquino, Rafael Perez, Kerry Wood doing most of the heavy-lifting. Still, congrats to David on his first major league win.
Why is Luis Valbuena still playing?
In fact, send him down and let Josh Barfield and Jamey Carroll play more. 2-4 on Friday with a RBI, while Valbuena is hitting .200 on the season. I know he hit a home run on Sunday, but Carroll had five hits in the series, Barfield two, that's much better than one hit and two RBI in two games.
Hell less Valbuena, means more Gimenez at a spot like third base too and look what he did on Sunday.
The Indians hit three back-to-back home runs in the series. Garko/Hafner on Friday, Choo/Vic and Valbuena/Gimenez on Sunday.
In fact, nine total home runs in the series between Chicago and Cleveland. Maybe the Summer weather is bringing the long-ball.
One big thing though that has been swirling around is the status of the Tribe and if they are ready to trade. I posted my long State of the Tribe address before I left and I'm sure you have an opinion. But the facts are there.
The Indians are not out of this division race, as crazy as it sounds.
I'm taking it day-by-day though and I think that is the way Shapiro is taking it. I bet the way the Indians have played, most people expected them to be out of the race by now, but the AL Central is that bad.
Let's cover the minors and that fun stuff.
A major-league type note for Akron on Saturday. A double header was played and Jake Westbrook made his 2009 debut with the Aeros. He pitched three scoreless, giving up just one hit and one walk. Horray! He's going four innings next time out, which could Friday at home against New Hampshire, or the next night against Portland. If ya wanna see Jakey pitch, you can plan for one of those days.
Nice to see Santana hit the solo home run in that game for the only run. The Mascot was also good in relief and conveniently there is a piece on Putnam up at IPI.
The Kinston Indians meanwhile have a trio of K-Tribers headed to the Carolina League Vs California League All-Star game on June 23rd.
Lonnie Chisenhall, Cord Phelps, and pitcher Eric Berger have been named to the Carolina League All-Star team. Provided Berger and Phelps don't get called up, they'll get a chance to return to their home-state of California to play in this game. Chisenhall was named starting third baseman, while Phelps will be a utility infielder.
A last place team sent six players, the most, to the ASG, that's odd, but that last place team is 27-30 in what looks to be a tough division. Kinston actually has a worse record and they've lost six straight games.
The Clips have taken the first two in a series with Gwinnett though, the first was a Chuck Lofgren victory on Saturday. Chucky went seven scoreless, giving up just five hits and striking out three.
The Clips also scored 12 runs in that game, with Mike Brantley collecting four hits, knocking in two runs along with Matt LaPorta, who also homered, and Andy Marte.
Much closer on Sunday, as they won a close one-run game. Joe Smith made another relief appearance, and both Brantley and LaPorta knocked in runs again. AC believes he'll be back Tuesday.
The Captains meanwhile split two games on Saturday, a rainy weekend it was. Donnie Webb's super-ness at the top of the Caps lineup is a point of Tony's latest Minor Happenings.
Roster moves galore, which I'm going to make mention of, but just refer to the chart for an update.
The Indians signed a pitcher, Michael Gosling, okay, and super utility player Rob Mackowiak and assigned them both to Columbus. Rob Mackowiak has played everywhere and well, Pirates fans used to call him MACK O' WACK, which I downright love.
Matt Meyer got promoted to Akron and was joined by Brian Grening from extended spring training.
Tomorrow, belive it or not, is the MLB Draft and I've promised increased coverage. Will not be a problem. I'll post every pick and instant information on each pick the Indians make on Tuesday. That will only be three picks though.
Today though, I'm going to round up all the information I can in one big pre-draft post. Be on the look out for that. I work on Wednesday, so pick-by-pick coverage will not be happening. I'll still round up information after the fact.
Finally I want to comment on something that I wasn't able to comment on this past weekend.
The passing of Dick Jacobs is a real blow to the Cleveland organization. I was really down about it when I read it on AC's blog on Friday. Here is what I said as a part of my weekly baseball column on Bleacher Report, I don't think I can duplicate it.
Cleveland sports lost someone truly special this past week when former Indians owner Dick Jacobs passed away.I'm going to the game on Friday and yes, for one last time, I'm going to The Jake, I cannot wait.Mostly known throughout baseball as the name of the Indians home ballpark, Jacobs Field, now Progressive Field, if a Cleveland fan tells you that Jacobs was a savior to the Cleveland franchise, you damn well better take their word for it, which is what I'm doing right now.
Jacobs not only saved the Cleveland franchise from possible relocation, he made them contenders again.
He facilitated the rebirth of the Indians franchise under General Manager John Hart, by paying the bills and letting Hart do his thing. He got the new stadium that fans still lovingly call "The Jake" up and running.
He was the reason the Indians were still around to make a few runs at the World Series.
And he will be missed by all the Cleveland faithful. Rest in Piece Mr. Jacobs, Cleveland owes you our baseball team.
Thank you for keeping the Tribe where it was meant to be. We'll never forget you.
I stopped calling it "The Jake" because I'm a modernist and I believe in the fact that baseball is a business to some extent. But this Friday, for one more time, I'm going to see a ballgame, and I'm going to see it at The Jake.
Unfortunately, this is where I have to make a joke and say that Tomo Ohka is pitching, blasted.
The rotation looks like this for the time being, Lee, Pavano, Sowers, Ohka, Huff. Rinse and repeat. Remember, I'm a fan of the Fausto demotion, but I was completely shocked by the fact it was to rookie ball. It makes all the sense in the world though, as Carmona can get himself straightened up by the staff in Goodyear at the Indians' facilities. This isn't a Dontrelle Willis like send-down, it's a very cunning move by the Indians.
He'll be in Columbus when he's all good and ready.
Draft special later today, no Photoshop off-day this time around, and whatever else may happen.
Original Story:
http://www.thetribedaily.com/2009/06/...
