2008 Season Starts Today!

Ok, after good starting pitching, brutal hitting, and inept closing, the Indians officially begin the 2008 season in my book.  They're 22-22, so they need to go 74-44 the rest of the way to match last year's team record. 

Thankfully, the rest of the AL Central has also been in extended Spring Training, so it's anybody's division.  However, if we keep getting swept by the Royals and Reds, it could be a disappointing summer.

They need to bring over the RISE UP banners from the Q and put them around the batting cages.

BrownsChamp......Dennis Johnson as your avatar? I didn't want this to be a sensitive subject just in case you were symbolizing him. If you are I apologize out there to you and all. If not though, have you turned into Lebron James' brother? Hell, should we expect a Yankees symbol there next week? There is a really good counselor on the west side of Cleveland that I can refer you to if you are having identity problems. I have referred several other friends who are having difficulties wanting to stay Cleveland fans!

They need to bring over the RISE UP banners from the Q and put them around the batting cages.

I don't know if it will work....but call the front office for me today and let me know how I can accomplish this task! My friend, Danny Ferry should be more than accomodating since he has nothing going on this week. I mean hell, anything to get us going again!

I am excited though as I finally get to watch them again tonight here in Illinois. They were blacked out where I live this past weekend against the Reds on MLB.com! I am really glad I bought that package. So far half of my weekend games are blacked out. Oh well....Go TRIBE and please let me know on the banners please.

Ha, not a turncoat, I just lost a bet on the Cavs board! 

Hey, be careful with those bets BrownsChamp - I'd hate to see a Steelers avatar below your s/n!

Now they have to go 74-42 the rest of the way...

Some bats?  Please!!!!

I wouldn't count on a rebound of that nature.  Hey, let's all be honest here about our beloved Tribe. They have the pitching to win it all but their hitting isn't good enough for them to win the division.  They need to make a change and add a bat.  I don't care if it means getting rid of one of their young starting pitchers to do it.  Sowers & Miller & Laffy for that matter do us no good if they either aren't on the major league roster or they get 0 run support which is the case for Laffy.  Don't get me wrong, I love all three of those guys but the Indianas need to sacrafice somebody.  I also won't sugar coat the fact that they really messed up by signing Hafner to a long term deal.  The league has figured him out and he can't make any adjustments.

A couple more opinions.  I wasn't sold on Astrubal last year when they went to him and made him their every day second basemen.  I think he is a great talent, with a great glove but he is light hitting and that is an under statement.  I don't understand why they make the trade to get Barfield and give him a half a season before sending him down.  Barfield is a gold glove second baseman with speed to steal bases. I know he wasn't hitting last year but Astrubal s hitting .175 and bats everyday.  And instead of admitting their mistake and bringing up Barfield, they let Jamie Carroll get at bats which is just a shame.  Where's Barfield and why isn't he getting a chance?  Lastly, God love Casey Blake for his professionalism and hustle but those things don't win championships.  There has to be a better option then him at 3rd base.  Since there is not we should get used to scoring 1, 2 or 3 runs and that's it.

I'm not counting the Tribe out but they need to make some changes now before it is too late.  It would be shame to waste all this great starting pitching.