That probably is true.

If JOE had been posting all season, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in now.

No doubt Kipnis is a player the Indians sorely need. Leads by example. Type of griity player that Ken M loves.

fkreutz wrote:I agree we're done! But let's see if we can win 80 games. Way too many injuries. I like the core of the ball club for this year and next though....

The problem with that line of thinking is that the biggest injuries this year were to Hafner, Sizemore, and Choo. And when it comes to those first two guys, being injured is their normal state at the current time. If you go into a season assuming they're going to be there for 150 games, that's just bad planning, as was assuming LaPorta and Kearns could handle middle-of-the-order RH duties.

The positive thing is that the places where the Indians need help most are exactly those positions (first base, left field, and DH) where help is easiest to find. There are people who can hit as well as LaPorta all over AAA right now, available for free.

The negative thing is that they are still the Indians, authors of the most embarrassing collapse in sports in 2011* (and a team that has, incredibly, won only 11 home games since the beginning of June).


*Well, except for the Spurs, and we won't talk about that right now.

I feel real bad about this swan dive. The wheels just fell off the wagon.

But! I agree with Frank. I like the core of this team less Durbin and Herrmann.

The major culprits to our demise this season has to be Santana and Choo though. They never came through. LaPorta can share the load for some of the blame.

The major problem facing management next season is fielding a ballclub with a well balanced attack.

There was a big improvement in upgrading the quality of our bench this year. The season has been an enjoyable one and I'm looking forward to September. I'd like to see Goedert and Head get a few major league at bats. With no one in the system that can make an impact or contributions from the right side next year, I'm hoping Goedert and Head can show some potential to hit for average and/or power to close out the season. Maybe they can add some contributions in an effort to upgrade the bench.

No doubt about it, the pitching staff will be our strength next year. A few minor adjustments and we're all set in the pitching department.

At least we now have groundwork to build on for next season. I was excited to see the infusion of the young talent this year. The guessing game should be over. Hopefully, we have some activity on the trade market this winter. I'd hate to see us be stagnant for yet another season.

Goedert will never be a major league player.

Charlie---- I agree with you whole heartedly. The positions we need to fill can be easily done.

I'm particularly bummed out that we never made a claim for Delmon Young. He's been steady if not spectacular. His numbers would have made him one of the better hitters on this team over the past couple of seasons.

I'll be looking forward to an off-season for the first time in a long time. I just have a feeling that we will be very active this winter trying to fill those positions you speak of.

Probably not Rusty. It doesn't mean he shouldn't get a tryout. He was doing ok this spring until the injury bug bit him. I just don't think he can be any worse than LaPorta has been. Just my opinion as always.

Delmon Young is and always has been a knucklehead. The Twins were going to non tender Young in the off season.

Some really good posts by joez, rusty and others.

I agree that it's time to pronounce them dead.

I think this team had all kinds of setbacks, that they mostly (and surprisingly) managed to recover from. Fausto sucked the first part of the year, Hafner has been sporadic and now gone. Choo sucked, then was out a long time. LaPorta did not come through. Santana was also sporadic. Brantley can't stay in the lineup. I mean really, think about all that.

Then, Kipnis comes along, injects new energy, then HE gets injured. Come on, that's awful.

On a hopeful note:

Great year for much of the pitching staff, giving us a nucleus to build around. Another year should only help them.

Some young players showed promise.

Antonetti showed some guts (we even found out he made a play for Rich Harden, and who knows how many others) and promise.

I, for one, am proud of how this team overcame all kinds of above-mentioned issues. They just didn't have enough talent to overcome the repeated setbacks. But they sure overcame a lot of them, and for most of the season.

Billings Montana 2-0 playing Huntington Beach Ca 2-0 Little League World Series winner's bracket.

8:00 PM EDT ESPN.

Montana and California 0-0 going to extra innings.

I was rooting for Billings on underdog principles. Nice to see they won.

Sad to see about the death of Mike Flanagan, a stalwart on the Orioles teams I watched as a teenager. Trivia note about Flanagan: he and his wife were parents of one of the world's first "test tube babies."

gaylord perry wrote:Some may blame Joe, but it started when Kipnis got hurt.

Happy birthday, TFinSC!

Thanks, Gaylord!

(and to J.R., too!)


Gaylord, you are the one who suckered me into giving up my actual birthdate here.....





I had a perfect four for four for my kids reaching out to me today......so it was a Good Day!


(other than that Tribe loss)

Some really good posts by joez, rusty and others.

I agree that it's time to pronounce them dead.

I think this team had all kinds of setbacks, that they mostly (and surprisingly) managed to recover from. Fausto sucked the first part of the year, Hafner has been sporadic and now gone. Choo sucked, then was out a long time. LaPorta did not come through. Santana was also sporadic. Brantley can't stay in the lineup. I mean really, think about all that.



Bull Honkey!


Criminy, how many seasons have you guys watched baseball?


6 out in late August, with 6 head to head stilll to go to against the leader who usually swoons in September and anyone here is giving up??


Put some ice on the boo boo's and the guys will get in there and man up.