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Thursday, July 02, 2009

Plain Dealer/Livingston: Cleveland Indians baseball: Where change is never in the air

Nearly midseason, and Cleveland is held hostage.

Down and down the Tribe goes. Where it stops, nobody knows.

Given the expectations for the season, manager Eric Wedge would not make it to the All-Star break in some organizations. But he will with the Indians, who think stagnation is the same as stability.

Given that Wedge has guided the team to only one playoff berth in seven years, he might not last the season in most organizations. But after all the beat-downs lately, all the games when it gets late early, all the other games when the bullpen implodes, he will probably last the season.

Given the stubbornness and loyalty of his boss, partner and apologist, Mark Shapiro, he might be here when Progressive Field becomes Chico’s Bail Bonds Park and Chief Wahoo finally goes to the happy hunting ground.

Wedge and Shapiro are bound to each other, like the mission statement plaques are to the elevator walls at the ballpark. You know, the one about sustaining a contending team.

It is true it is not all Wedge’s fault, which means much of it is Shapiro’s. The bullpen, to cite one particularly lurid example, is his baby.

plus, from the PD’s Bud Shaw: Cleveland Indians GM Mark Shapiro says fan base is ‘traumatized?’ Then what’s the bullpen?

Coot Veal and Cot Deal Posted: July 02, 2009 at 05:13 AM | 2 comment(s)
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1. Trevor Crowe T. Robot (Dan Lee) Posted: July 02, 2009 at 06:34 AM (#3240070)

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.

2. asinwreck Posted: July 02, 2009 at 08:57 AM (#3240150)

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.

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Thursday, July 02, 2009

Plain Dealer/Livingston: Cleveland Indians baseball: Where change is never in the air

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