To all those who thought the Cleveland Indians would suck this year:

yawwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn

And their magic number is now 161! Break up the Indians! Oh wait, management already did that!

Georgeviking:

It's a loooonnnngggg season; the Indians are old and have no pitching, so it's a tad premature, to say the least, to be crowing.

Er, Jim Thome is still hot.

Still old ? I thought it was said here the management dismantled the team. How can they still be old ? Three of the 4 starting pitchers are in their 20's. Since when does age stop a team from winning anyway LOL !!

No pitching ? How about Colon ? And Sabathia, the 'real' rookie of the year, did you ever hear of him ?

It was great to watch Colon last night and I love the Tribe. This will be a tough year for them, though. Here's hoping I'm wrong.

Let us Indians fans enjoy what we can this season - PLEASE! It may be along year.

[quote]Originally posted by osufan:
To all those who thought the Cleveland Indians would suck this year:

yawwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn

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Hey!!!!, I never said they sucked... I said I was hoping some of them su*** oppppsss
Wait that was in a dream...mmmm

Baseball back......Yeeeeeee

Geez OSUfan, are you gonna be like this for the other 161 games? You set yourself up to be mocked by getting all excited about one game. This isn't the NFL where every game is monumental. If the Indians are in first place in August, then I'll be the first to admit I was wrong.

The Indians are an old team: almost everyone in their starting lineup last night was 30 or over. Where are the young players to replace the old ones? And so what-they have two quality starting pitchers. What are they going to do on the other 2 or 3 days? Bullpen? Could be an Arson Squad.

I didn't say they'd go undefeated, I was making a point that the Tribe isn't as bad as most think. Of course last year people said the Tribe sucked and all they did was come two outs from ending the powerful Mariners magic season. So keep saying they suck it brings us good luck ! Noone has EVER said the Tribes pitching was good...hmmmmm two world series and 7 playoff appearances in 8 years isn't too shabby so keep saying they suck !

The starting lineup-ages for the Indians last night:

23,26,28,29,30,31,31,33,34 and 37(the designated hitter.) Tell me this is way older than any other team. How old was R.Alomar and K.Lofton I thought you wanted us to get rid of some old ones, so they did !

Good points, OSUfan....although Shapiro may be a rookie GM, I think I'd still rather have his pitching staff than the group down in Arlington, where former Tribe leader John Hart has assembled a bunch of future inmates-in-waiting in John Rocker, Carl Everett, and Ruben Rivera....what's the over-under on which Texas player will receive a jail sentence first after his playing career is over (or maybe during his career -- are you listening Ruben Rivera? )?

Getting back on topic, while I think the acquisition of Brady Anderson (who did NOT play Sunday night -- wise choice Charlie Manuel) was foolish and will be of no benefit to the Indians (after he milked the O's for $7 Million last season while barely hitting .200) I nevertheless see the Tribe contending with the Twins for the Central division title....and don't rule out the benefits of a "team concept" now that their "superstars" like Alomar and Gonzalez are gone -- it seemed to work for the Mariners in 2001 and the Pats in another sport recently that plays with an oblong ball.

Aaaaah, the world is a good place. The Indians and Colon win and the Yankees and Clemens lose their openers. Got to love thta. As for Brady Anderson (or any other major leaguer coming out, all pro athletes have "moral clauses" (their term, not mine) in their contracts preventing them from making that announcement even if they wanted to.

[quote]Originally posted by gp43:
If Brady Anderson tells the world he is gay maybe the tribe will win the world series, but if he keeps telling the world that he is in love with Roseanne O'Donnel the female sex goddess then the tribe doent stand a chance.

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Brady Anderson is gay? Oh My!!!!

TC, whether the moral clause prohibits coming out would be a matter of interpretation, unless homosexuality is specifically mentioned in the contract. I very much doubt any team would cite that clause to release a player, given the controversy that would ensue. And it would certainly be illegal anywhere that had gay rights protections (the Canadian, California or New York Teams, & Seattle, at least).

Back on topic--despite the roster changes, the Cleveland lineup still looks like it will score more runs than anybody in the division except maybe Chicago. And if the young pitchers develop, the pitching could be much better than last year. I think Cleveland will be in the race, in part because I don't think anybody in the AL Central will be all that good.

If the morals clauses in MLB contracts are anything like the ones used in the corporate world, there has to be some sort of arrest or indictment, or a substantiated allegation of actual monetary damages incurred by the employer (ie. theft of tangible corporate assets). I don't think coming out would come anywhere near that standard, and I think most corts would agree.

As for the Tribe, I don't think their pitching will hold up over a 162 game season. There are too many unprovens, and no apparent depth if they sustain an injury or two. I look for the Tribe to play .500 ball this year. I also think the Twinks will continue their inspired play of last year and dodge the nail of contraction by winning the Central and a new ballpark in the same year.

From what I've read, the contracts (obviously) are worded for the team's protection and are not advantageous to the player. I read about this re: Troy Aikman and the NFL but the stuff I read stated all the leagues have similar clauses for their players. That said, I don't want to start any Aikman theories.

[quote]Originally posted by TC:
Aaaaah, the world is a good place. The Indians and Colon win and the Yankees and Clemens lose their openers.

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What's this ? A Cleveland Indian fan living in New York ?? When is our wedding ??

UPdate:

The American League team with the best record at 6-1, the Cleve Indians continue off of last years dominance of the Twins (won 14 of 19) by winning 9-5 today using Cleveland's FIFth Starting pitcher.

YAHOO !!!!! Cleveland, as the 17th largest market, without money handed to them like the big towns New York,Chgo, L.A., etc. have the 9th largest payroll due to continued fan support....

gooooooooooooo ttttttttriibe !!!!!

Oddly enough, the ENTIRE N.L. East is 3-3 going into tonight's games.

[quote]Originally posted by Joe in Philly:
Oddly enough, the ENTIRE N.L. East is 3-3 going into tonight's games.

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I noticed that too Joe. Wild isn't it? Wait till all of them are 25-25. BTW are you going to any of the Phillies/Braves games this week? Major hunk fest with these teams. I hear the VET is so old they have to share the same showers. Losers bathing the winners. Saw CG's of the new stadium on TBS tonight. Awesome.

[quote]Originally posted by thumper:
BTW are you going to any of the Phillies/Braves games this week?.

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Nope. The only game I saw was the home opener last Friday. On Tuesday I went with a friend to the 'N Sync concert across the street at the First Union Center...floor seats...where I hurled. DON'T mix beer with southern comfort and soda, especially without eating a decent meal!

Wednesday (yesterday) I returned to Baltimore to continue my work detail.

[quote] Major hunk fest with these teams. I hear the VET is so old they have to share the same showers. Losers bathing the winners.

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Oh, thumper! I'm shocked that you say you haven't been laid lately! You come to Baltimore and I'll take good care of you, sweetie...

[quote] Saw CG's of the new stadium on TBS tonight. Awesome.

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It would look better if it were in a downtown location. But they're putting it right next to where the Vet is now. Stupid decision, IMO.