Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Tribe Sucks But I Still Believe
After last night's effort, a 6-3 loss to the White Sox, I went ballistic, going so far as to wish bad things upon Jhonny Peralta. Prior to that twelfth inning meltdown, I wrote a post during a miserable bus ride to Boston. Here it is.
I've failed in a noble yet unrealistic endeavor. My goal of writing daily about the Tribe was a pipe dream and even writing bi-weekly has proved a bit too ambitious. Disgusted by the effort of Cleveland hitters recently, I've been moved to write once again. Seriously, the team is hitting .230 and in the last ten days, it's below the Mendoza Line.
I wish I could just shut them out of my life and come back in August when they're in first place. What a pleasant thought that is but honestly, that's my thinking. The team didn't start hitting until May 21st in 2005, and not until early August in 2007. And you could argue that they didn't come around in '05 till after a four game sweep at the hands of the first place White Sox the first weekend after the All-Star Break. I point to May 21st because that was the day I returned to Ohio after studying abroad in France for six months. (C.C. homered in a victory over Cincinnati that night).
Bottom line, pitching wins championships and it will decide the A.L. Central in 2008. Am I worried about the White Sox? Sure but I am more curious to see how they feel after we sweep them this week. (A bit off the mark there). To be honest, I can't believe what I am saying.
The team looks completely lifeless. Travis Hafner is dead to me as he continually takes first pitch strikes and never recovers. I blame his wife Before he was married, Hafner was a menacing and aggressive hitter. He's gone soft. And don't get me started on Jhonny Peralta. Casey Blake is hitting .236 but leads the team in RBI. Peralta has hit 10 homers but has only 17 RBI. .236 batting averages dot the lineup.
The reason I remain optimistic is because I am not accustomed to winning. Every little hiccup, slump or even hot streak is portents to inevitable disaster or triumph in September and October. After reading Bill Simmons "Now I Can Die in Peace," I see the ups and downs of the season as simply a piece of a larger puzzle. Can you tell what the larger picture is going to look like by these snippets? Sure, but I still see a team with an excellent pitching staff and a decent lineup. As far as our shaky bullpen is concerned, no worries. Joe Borowski is back. Problem solved.
See, the larger picture just got a bit clearer...I see a Borowski 87 mph fastball and Manny Ramirez getting together in a Game 7 sometime in October. You down?
I've failed in a noble yet unrealistic endeavor. My goal of writing daily about the Tribe was a pipe dream and even writing bi-weekly has proved a bit too ambitious. Disgusted by the effort of Cleveland hitters recently, I've been moved to write once again. Seriously, the team is hitting .230 and in the last ten days, it's below the Mendoza Line.
I wish I could just shut them out of my life and come back in August when they're in first place. What a pleasant thought that is but honestly, that's my thinking. The team didn't start hitting until May 21st in 2005, and not until early August in 2007. And you could argue that they didn't come around in '05 till after a four game sweep at the hands of the first place White Sox the first weekend after the All-Star Break. I point to May 21st because that was the day I returned to Ohio after studying abroad in France for six months. (C.C. homered in a victory over Cincinnati that night).
Bottom line, pitching wins championships and it will decide the A.L. Central in 2008. Am I worried about the White Sox? Sure but I am more curious to see how they feel after we sweep them this week. (A bit off the mark there). To be honest, I can't believe what I am saying.
The team looks completely lifeless. Travis Hafner is dead to me as he continually takes first pitch strikes and never recovers. I blame his wife Before he was married, Hafner was a menacing and aggressive hitter. He's gone soft. And don't get me started on Jhonny Peralta. Casey Blake is hitting .236 but leads the team in RBI. Peralta has hit 10 homers but has only 17 RBI. .236 batting averages dot the lineup.
The reason I remain optimistic is because I am not accustomed to winning. Every little hiccup, slump or even hot streak is portents to inevitable disaster or triumph in September and October. After reading Bill Simmons "Now I Can Die in Peace," I see the ups and downs of the season as simply a piece of a larger puzzle. Can you tell what the larger picture is going to look like by these snippets? Sure, but I still see a team with an excellent pitching staff and a decent lineup. As far as our shaky bullpen is concerned, no worries. Joe Borowski is back. Problem solved.
See, the larger picture just got a bit clearer...I see a Borowski 87 mph fastball and Manny Ramirez getting together in a Game 7 sometime in October. You down?
