Tribes Trying Times

It was the best of times and the worst of times in The Land of The Wanna -Be. It's not easy being a Cleveland Indian fan these days. They are in dead last in the AL Central division, but also carry the "about face" honor of owning the worst record in the American Leaugue and only the NL's Washington Nationals have a "better" losing record. What a time I picked to give up smoking.

THE BEST OF TIMES
I did some look up, and a gentleman by the name of Matt Wellersdick, Associated Content, wrote on 4-3-09 that the Cleveland Indians would win the 2009 Central Division. Three out of four staff writers on the www.cbssports.com staff selected Cleveland to win the 2009 Central Division. Alas, Mr.Ted Keith, Joe Posnanski and Jonah Freedman of SI.com selected Cleveland to win the 2009 Central Division. Finally, Peter Gammons of ESPN on April 5, 2009, selected Cleveland to win the 2009 Central Division. Heck, I picked the Cleveland Indians to win the Central Division.

Why? Remember what hindsight does! On paper, the Tribe looked like it had a great bullpen.
After all, we now had Kerry Wood, former Mets star Joe Smith, Rafael Perez, Rafael Betancourt, Jensen Lewis(13 saves in 2008), a rejuvenated Masa Kobayashi and any one of a number of studs from our minor league affiliates to spring on the unsuspecting MLB. Our starters were iffy, but we had a good 1,2-3 punch in Cliff Lee(last years Cy Young winner), Fausto Carmona(he couldn't be as bad as 2008, right?) and free agent Carl Pavano(he wouldn't get hurt again so often, right?). Our line up was solid, if not spectacular, Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner would be back from 2008 injuries and our defense was strong up the middle. Ben Francisco was due to have a break out year and just where do we put all of the outfield talent?

THE WORST OF TIMES
Oh, I can tell you where to put them all right. Our bullpen has all but imploded. They lead the league in blown saves. There is no stability in manager Eric Wedges' line ups. We have made more roster moves than sheets of tissue on a roll of Angel Soft Bath Tissue. Then Mr. Wedge says that with a little tinkering and getting back some missing pieces soon will get us in position to make a run at this thing! What thing? A dangerously high cliff? Surely he does not mean the Central Division title?

People.The Tribe is playing at a .397 clip, is 16 games under .500 and trails the Tigers by 12 games .Oh, and what about the the other three teams ahead of the Tribe? No matter, Mr. Wedge thinks we can make a run at this. Is there a doctor in the house? A dentist?

THE STENCH OF REALITY
There are 84 games left. And he thinks we can still win it(The Central Division).
IF, Cleveland went 50-34(.595 ball) the rest of the year, we end up 81-81. Not gonna win it!
IF, Cleveland went 55-29(.655 ball) the rest of the year, we end up 86-76. Not gonna win it!
IF, 95 wins will be enough to win the Central Division, Cleveland would have to go 64-20 the rest of the year. That is playing at a .762 winning percentage. The fact is , even winning 95 of 162 games is playing great baseball and that is only a .586 winning percentage.

Remember, that in the 2008 regular season, the best record in baseball belonged to the Los Angeles Angels. They were 100-62 and that was a .617 winning percentage. Thee best team of 30 teams. And we should believe Mr. Wedge that Cleveland is capable of going at a .762 winning pace? To put in it perspective, if any team played at a .762 winning percentage for the whole season, they would have a record of 123-39. Never been done...EVER!

THE END
Nope. the Tribe is in the wait until next year mode. Larry Dolan(owner) will have to make some tough decisions soon and the fans will stay away in droves. But I will still root them on. You see, that was what the Tribe was to me while I grew older( I cannot say I grew up because I am still a kid at heart). The successful Tribe teams of the mid to late 1990's was an aberration. Naw, give me the small crowds and the vendors voices echoing throughout the stadium, just like in years past. That is Indians baseball to me. At least , we still have one of the nicest stadiums in the league to not sell tickets for.