Crumbs

Posted at 1:12 PM on June 19, 2006 by Bob Collins (5 Comments)

The more you get to know folks in politics, I think the easier it is to like them, mostly because the more you get to know them, the more you realize that there's more to them than just politics. So I guess this is a non-political post.

I was leafing through Shot In the Dark today and he acknowledges being a "long-suffering Milwaukee Brewers fan," -- as if there's any other kind.

But, boy, can I ever identify for I am a "long-suffering Cleveland Indians fan." I'm tempted to add, "as if there's any other kind," except that there actually are where Indians fans are concerned. There are the fans who are still fans and there are the fans who actually root for the team to lose so that we can get rid of the 50-gallon barrel of sludge known as manager Eric Wedge.

Then he drops the bombshell: Hugh Hewitt is a Cleveland Indians fan. On the recommendation of Gary Miller at Kennedy v. the Machine, I started listening to his radio program and, I'm sorry, I just couldn't continue. It's not my cup of team. Lest you think , "aha, he admits he's against conservatives," well, no, I don't listen to Al Franken and those folks either for pretty much the same reason. I just don't think it's very good radio. Plus I usually only listen in my car and since I started going deaf, I've had to stop listening to the radio so that I don't miss stuff I need to hear -- police cars, ambulances, and the sound of a crankshaft breaking in two, for example.

But, geez, if he's a Tribe fan, maybe I'll have to try again, except that I'm about ready to join that other type of Tribe fan.

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Comments (5)

I wasted most of college (CWRU) in section 23, row B, seat 7 (first row of yellow seats above the third base dugout) of Municipal Stadium (and grew up in Cleveland Heights). Right now it's immense pain, but I don't think it's Wedge that's the problem. Time to dump Jason Johnson and bring up one of the kid starters, trade the first base platoon while they're hot and bring up Garko, and get lucky with bullpen help. No team is further out of first place or a playoff spot in the AL than Cleveland, except Kansas City, which is actually a AAA team (to be generous).

fasolamatt
st paul, mn

Posted by fasolamatt | June 19, 2006 1:54 PM

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I think Wedge is part of the problem. His insistence on bunting is pretty lame, especially given the fact he has a team of players who obviously can't bunt. Johnson has turned into a bigtime groundball pitcher, which is OK if you've got a team that can play defense. But I believe the Tribe is last -- or nearly so -- in that category too.

And Cliff Lee has replaced Scott Elarton in the rotation. Seriously, he's a dead ringer for Elarton. The problem is Cliff Lee was already in the rotation as the #2 starter.

I do think Wedge had a thing against Brandon Phillips that I don't understand. Phillips had a terrific spring, and Ramon Vazquez did not, but Phillips got gassed and then we got the famous "it's not the BEST 25 guys, it's the RIGHT 25 guys." I'm still not figuring that one out.

But the team has struggled at the beginning of the season for 4 straight years under Wedge and that has to be looked at. The only thing that saved him last year was the nice run in the middle of the season which came against weak ballclubs.

And there's no way Jeremy Sowers should STILL be chucking 'em in Buffalo, while Wedge says "we have to get Jason Johnson through this." No, Eric, you don't. You have to win ballgames.

Over the weekend, you probably noticed, the Indians reached that stage of the season where they are no closer to last , than first.

I'm still watching 'em though. I love my Dish TV Extra Innings package.

Lots of empty seats at the Jake.

Posted by Bob Collins | June 19, 2006 2:32 PM

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Aha. You admit you're against conservatives. LOL.

Posted by Gary M. Miller | June 19, 2006 9:27 PM

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Ask and ye shall receive:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2492877

Posted by fasolamatt | June 20, 2006 3:52 PM

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Shoot. I thought they'd canned Wedge. Yeah, closing the door after the horse has fled. Typical Indians.

Posted by Bob Collins | June 20, 2006 5:15 PM

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