Cleveland Indians GM Mark Shapiro says fan base is ‘traumatized?’ Then what’s the bullpen?

The fan base is traumatized. Badly. I'm not sure what Shaw's point is, but of course we're traumatized.

I'm 33 years old. Since I was born, the Indians have finished last or next-to-last 16 times (if you include this season). They've lost 90 games seven times, and it's looking like this season will make it eight.

Even when they're good, it's traumatic. In 2007, they blew a 3-1 series lead in the ALCS. In '05, they mounted one of the most amazing comebacks in recent baseball memory, only to lose 6 of their last 7 and get swept on the final weekend of the season and miss the playoffs. In the '01 ALDS, they blew a 2-1 lead while losing the final two games at home. In '99, they blew a 2-0 ALDS lead. In '97, they were an inning away from their first World Championship in nearly 50 years before imploding in the bottom of the ninth.

Cleveland baseball fans aren't just traumatized - we're collectively sobbing uncontrollably in a fetal position. I don't know how it's even possible for someone who's been around the area and following the Indians as long as Shaw to disagree with that statement. It's like arguing with someone who tells you water is wet.

Eric Wedge's tenure in Cleveland is beginning to remind me of Jimy Williams's tenure in Toronto. A manager with the backing of his front office over several years of a fan base calling for a change amid no championships. That story ended happily for the Blue Jays -- once they fired Williams.