Author: John Blake (Page 16 of 68)

Tribe looking to play spoiler role

September 8, 2006 /

The Indians had a heartbreaking end to their 2005 season and just barely missed a spot in the postseason. They are light years away from the playoff picture this season and have been for quite some time but still have a chance at ruining the chances of some other American League teams that are in the playoff hunt, namely the Chicago White Sox.

It was them who put the dagger in the hearts of Tribe players and fans at the end of last season and the Indians, should they choose to accept it, have an opportunity to give the South Siders a little bit of payback this September. As it sits now, the Sox are trailing the AL Central-leading Tigers by five games and are jockying for position atop the Wild Card standings with Minnesota. With six games remaining against Chicago, the Indians can really make life difficult for the Sox should they take care of business against them. As frustrating as the 2006 season has been for us Tribe fans, I for one would be able to sleep a little easier if the Indians somehow could play a tiny role in derailing the Sox’ playoff chances this season.

Cleveland Indians

Indians rout slumping Sox

September 8, 2006 /

Thursday night, it was the Indians who played like they were in the midst of a postseason run, not the White Sox. The Tribe got on the board first and built a sizable 7-0 lead through five and put it in cruise control the rest of the way, beating the Sox 9-1. Cliff Lee was rock solid, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth. He gave up a run through six and the gave way to the bullpen. Rafael Betancourt and Jason Davis combined to throw the final three scoreless innings.

The Tribe’s offense came back to life and pounded 17 hits against Mark Buerhle and White Sox. They got home runs from Grady Sizemore and Victor Martinez. In addition, Ryan Garko, Jason Michaels, Aaron Boone, and Andy Marte all enjoyed three-hit nights. Jhonny Peralta, finishing 0-for-5, was the only player left out of the Tribe hit parade.

Cleveland Indians

Hits hard to come by in loss

September 6, 2006 /

Jake Westbrook has a knack for giving up double-digit hits in his outings. He allowed 11 hits and three runs in his six innings in a low scoring 3-2 loss to the guys up north. The Jays did all their damage in the second as they got three off Westbrook after a bunch of singles and a wild pitch. After a two-run double by Jason Michaels in the fifth, the Tribe found themselves right back in the ballgame. But with nobody out and Michaels on second, the Indians failed to bring him home, a problem that has plagued them often in their recent losses. That would prove to be their biggest opportunity in the ballgame to tie it or take the lead, as they only could manage five hits on the night off Jays starter Ted Lilly and the bullpen.

It would have been nice to watch the game had STO not have totally screwed up with their choppy broadcast. Somebody trip over a wire or what?

Cleveland Indians

Center of problems

September 6, 2006 /

The Browns’ center situation this training camp has been anything but steady and normal. ESPN Page 2 writer David Fleming knows as much and makes light of the whole bizarre series of events in a recent column. He rewinds and takes readers through the Browns problems at center dating all the way back to 2003 in a rather comical 1,281-word rambling sentence.

Here’s a sample of his column. Fleming picks it up from the Hallen retirement.

…a surprise to Cleveland which prompted Savage to trade another future draft pick to the Pats for the banged up but decent lineman/center and one-time Barcelona Dragon Ross Tucker while the GM promised to scour rosters across this great land looking for surplus linemen oozing with the kind of rare skill set the Browns have come to expect from their centers (in other words, a beer gut and a pulse): players like Miami center Steve McKinney (and not, by the way, former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino who in his recent weight loss ads shows just how slim you can get when you cut pride out of your daily diet) who, sadly, underwent season-ending back surgery shortly after Savage inquired about him, thus infecting him with the Browns Super Psycho Center Saga Voodoo Curse which next claimed Smith, who suffered a nasty high-ankle sprain which left the Browns, with Ephraim’s imminent suspension, no choice but on Aug. 24 to — I’M NOT MAKING THIS UP, PEOPLE, THERE ARE, LIKE, LAWS AND STUFF — infuse the position with almost a whole entire 10 days of rock-solid stability, professionalism and serenity by cutting Mabry and acquiring Bears backup center and former second-round pick Lennie Friedman for yet another conditional 2007 pick (they apparently grow on trees in Northeast Ohio this time of year and are very tasty toasted on a cookie sheet with just a pinch of butter and salt)

Cleveland Browns

Cavs add Wesley

September 6, 2006 /

Guard David Wesley, who averaged 9.9 points and 2.9 assists last season with the Houston Rockets, will join a loaded Cavalier backcourt. Despite his tangible stats, it’s the intangibles that Wesley brings to the table that excites Ferry and the Cavaliers.

“He’s going to be a great addition to our team,” said Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry. “David adds a wealth of experience and professionalism to our team. His defense, shooting and toughness will add to areas that we want to continue to grow this year.”

Wesley will earn $1.75 million this coming season and only a portion of his contract in year two is guaranteed. He’s looking forward to the upcoming season.

“I’ve got to be a little tougher because I’m smaller than the rest of the guys out there,” Wesley said. “I’m a pit bull, just go out and bite a leg if I have to.”

If nothing else, the Cavs are now loaded to the gills at the guard position. It’ll be up to coach Mike Brown to sort through all the players and come up with a decent rotation among all the guards. The Wesley signing no doubt brings greater depth and competition to the team for next season.

Cleveland Cavaliers

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