No! Our offer to Vladdy.

Don't worry, we're in first place without him

Umpire "Balkin' Bob" Davidson suspended:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-l ... 46691.html

In Cleveland, misery loves company ... but why not the Indians?
Terry Pluto

Published: Thursday, May 17, 2012, 9:23 PM Updated: Friday, May 18, 2012, 7:44 AM
By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Why can't some Tribe fans enjoy this? Why can't they just say, "Wow ... I mean, Jose Lopez ... did you see that?"

Or why can't they say, "They were down 4-0, looked dead. Then they tied it at 4-4, but gave up that run in the top of the 11th. I figured it was over, who knew?"

Or why can't some fans look at the standings and smile?

After Thursday's stunning 6-5 victory over Seattle in 11 innings, the Tribe is 22-16. They have a four-game lead over the Tigers, who were losing 4-3 to the Twins as the Tribe came back to ambushed their former manager Eric Wedge -- again.

The Tigers lost to the Twins -- twice. The same Twins who were swept in a two-game series by the Tribe in Minnesota earlier this week. The Tigers made six errors in those two games. The Tigers are 18-20, worse than their 20-18 mark at this time a year ago, when the Indians were 25-13.

So the two teams are about where they were at this time in 2011, when the Indians had a summer of contention; at least until the Tigers turned serious in August and dominated the division as the temperature dropped and the leaves fell.

But the fact remains the Indians are 22-16, and it's the fourth-best record in the American League. Would you prefer that they started 16-22? Would you rather have them lose to teams such as the Twins and Seattle because everyone knows they are bad teams?

Will 38-year-old Derek Lowe (6-1, 2.05 ERA) remain among the American League's premier pitchers? Probably not. But he is the only man in Wahoo red, white and blue who has shockingly over achieved this season.

The Indians are batting only .249, but somehow they have scored five more runs than the Tigers this season. That probably won't hold up, either. But the Tigers have pitching problems, both in the rotation and especially the bullpen (5.04 ERA, 8-of-14 in saves). That can linger, while the Indians' pitching might very well improve.

But there's something else about this endearing team.

"They don't give up," said Manny Acta, whose team won its first extra-inning home game in five tries this season. He was talking about Lopez's three-run homer in the eighth to tie the game, and how they finally won in the 11th on a Carlos Santana bases-loaded single.

"We got down [5-4 in the 11th], but everyone in the dugout said, 'Let's get two, we can do it,'" said Acta. "This is a pretty confident group."

Was Acta was keeping track of the Tigers game? At first, he talked about how he couldn't help but see the scores every time he looked at left field. Then he said something that should resonate with every Tribe fan.

He talked of managing teams "where we were going to lose 95 games, but these kids had to play." It was always about next year. But that's not the case this year. The Indians are in it to win, at least in their own fashion.

This is where some Tribe fans like kenm begin their "The Dolans are cheap" lament. It's where they bring up last season when the Tribe peaked at 30-15 and finished 80-82.

It where they (especially kenm) try to make themselves miserable instead of riding the wave of the only franchise in the last few years to generate any real on-field excitement since a certain basketball player left for Miami.

"We have our flaws like a lot of teams do, but we play hard," said Acta. "I just have a good feeling about these guys.

The fans should, too. At least as long as they are giving you a reason to do so.

I dunno J.R., when I see that an article is by Pluto I tend to just scroll on past, but if I'd done it this time I never would have appreciated how closely he follows this Forum.

Another boring noninformative article by Pluto. How does that guy still have a job?

... I have no response to that!

VT'er wrote:I dunno J.R., when I see that an article is by Pluto I tend to just scroll on past, but if I'd done it this time I never would have appreciated how closely he follows this Forum.

LOL I caught that too

kenm wrote:Another boring noninformative article by Pluto. How does that guy still have a job?

I though he made a couple of salient points...

Chris Perez closes out Cleveland Indians' 2-0 win over Miami, then fires heat at fans for boos, low attendance
Published: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 6:34 PM Updated: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 9:49 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It took Chris Perez 10 pitches to save the Indians' 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday at Progressive Field.

Ten pitches, nine strikes, three straight strikeouts. Omar Infante went down on a called third strike. Same with Hanley Ramirez and Gregg Dobbs.

"That's as good as I've ever seen Chris," said manager Manny Acta following Perez's 13th save in 14 chances.

Then came Perez's anger. It was a lot more than 10 strikes worth. It started with, "I was tired of getting booed at home so I figured, 'I'd better throw some strikes.' You can quote that."

Perez has a bone to pick with fans and he picked it after the Tribe's fifth victory in the last six games. The first-place Indians rank last in the attendance in the big leagues. The touchstone of his emotions was the booing he received during the Indians' 6-5 victory over Seattle on Thursday in 11 innings. Perez pitched a scoreless 10th, but was booed when he put two runners on.

Asked if it bothered him to get booed at home, Perez said, "It doesn't bother me, it p----s me off. I don't think they have a reason to boo me.

"They booed me against the Mariners when I had two guys on. It feels like I can't even give up a base runner without people booing me. It's even worse when there's only 5,000 in the stands, because then you can hear it. It p----s me off."

Perez ended the 10th by striking out Jesus Montero, but even that didn't ease his anger because the fans responded with a Bronx cheer.

"After I struck out Montero, the mock standing applause just adds to it," said Perez. "You see their true colors."

Perez said the fans' reaction to the Indians is one of the reasons they weren't able to sign free agents such as Carlos Beltran over the winter.

"Guys don't want to come over here and people wonder why," said Perez. "Why doesn't Carlos Beltran want to come over here? Well, because of that.

"That's part of it. It doesn't go unnoticed -- trust us. I'm not calling out the fans. It's just how it is. That stuff is reserved for road games.

"We don't want to deal with that crap. Here, good fans are supposed to help you try to get through the inning and say, 'Hey, you're only one pitch away. Hey, it's all right.'"

The Indians drew 29,799 to Saturday's game. It was their second-largest crowd of the season next to the sellout crowd of 43,190 for the season opener. Still, the Indians are last in attendance at 341,403.

"Nobody wants to play in front of 5,000 fans," said Perez. "We know the weather stinks, but people see that [attendance]. Other players know that.

"You had a choice of playing in St. Louis where you get 40,000 like Beltran chose to do, or you can come to Cleveland. It's going to take more money to get him to come to Cleveland. That's just how it is. That's another thing that you have to go against. It's not only the payrolls of the AL East teams, but that kind of stuff."

The Cardinals signed Beltran to a two-year, $26 million deal. It's believed the Indians offered him two years for close to $24 million.

Perez understands the economics of the game. He understands the hard feelings fans have for watching the exodus of players such as Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Victor Martinez, Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia because they were free agents or ownership couldn't afford to keep them.

"I completely understand, but the fans can't take it personal when the players don't want to stay here or players don't want to come here," he said. "It's a business. You didn't choose to get drafted by Cleveland. I'm in it for my family. Who knows? I could throw my last pitch tomorrow.

"At the same time, I'm here. I'm here to win. I'm here for my teammates and I want to bring a championship to Cleveland, to do my job and help the team win. I think I do a pretty good job of showing that on the field. I don't think I bring any undue attention to myself. I'm out there for the team. In big wins, I get excited and I'm like a kid again, because it's fun."

The fans have been on Perez since he blew a save in the ninth inning of the season opener April 5. He's converted 13 straight saves since.

"They had a right," said Perez. "I totally deserved it."

Jeanmar Gomez (3-2, 3.19), Joe Smith, Vinnie Pestano and Perez combined on a three-hitter in the victory. Asdrubal Cabrera gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a homer off Anibal Sanchez (2-2, 2.32) in the fifth. Jason Kipnis provided the second and final run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

I wouldnt blame the fans. I would blame the media and even the PD. These people just talk Browns over and over again and the one newspaper in town fired the beat writer because he dared to write the obvious that the owner of the NFL franchise in Cleveland is in over his head. Of course as you would know if you read my stuff I have been saying that for a long time. Pluto obviously reads my stuff. Goodness knows he has nothing original to write himself.

Apparently Perez was creating a little revisionist history according to Hoynseee. This just proves 2 things. You dont believe anything a professional athlete says as they are usually both stupid and liars and more importantly Dolan is still cheap and laughing all the way to the bank just like I said when Pluto quoted me in the article above. Enjoy:


View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
Chris Perez and catcher Carlos Santana celebrated Perez's 10-pitch domination of the Marlins to complete a 2-0 victory Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field. The presence of the second-largest crowd of the season didn't calm Perez's post-game tirade against low attendance and spotty support for the AL Central leaders.
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Boxscore | Scoreboard | Standings
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It took Chris Perez 10 pitches to save the Indians' 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday at Progressive Field.
Ten pitches, nine strikes, three straight strikeouts. Omar Infante went down on a called third strike. Same with Hanley Ramirez and Gregg Dobbs.
"That's as good as I've ever seen Chris," said manager Manny Acta following Perez's 13th save in 14 chances.
Then came Perez's anger. It was a lot more than nine strikes worth. It started with, "I was tired of getting booed at home so I figured, 'I'd better throw some strikes.' You can quote that."
Perez has a bone to pick with fans and he picked it after the Tribe's fifth victory in the last six games. The first-place Indians rank last in the attendance in the big leagues. The touchstone of his emotions was the booing he received during the Indians' 6-5 victory over Seattle on Thursday in 11 innings. Perez pitched a scoreless 10th, but was booed when he put two runners on.
Asked if it bothered him to get booed at home, Perez said, "It doesn't bother me, it p----s me off. I don't think they have a reason to boo me.
"They booed me against the Mariners when I had two guys on. It feels like I can't even give up a base runner without people booing me. It's even worse when there's only 5,000 in the stands, because then you can hear it. It p----s me off."
Perez ended the 10th by striking out Jesus Montero, but even that didn't ease his anger because the fans responded with a Bronx cheer.
"After I struck out Montero, the mock standing applause just adds to it," said Perez. "You see their true colors."
Perez said the fans' reaction to the Indians is one of the reasons they weren't able to sign free agents such as Carlos Beltran over the winter.

Enlarge Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
Cleveland Indians Asdrubal Cabrera puts the bat on the ball for a home run in the 4th inning against the Miami Marlins on May 19, 2012, at Progressive Field. This gave the Indians a 1-0 lead.
Cleveland Indians beat Marlins, 2-0 gallery (12 photos)

"Guys don't want to come over here and people wonder why," said Perez. "Why doesn't Carlos Beltran want to come over here? Well, because of that.
"That's part of it. It doesn't go unnoticed -- trust us. I'm not calling out the fans. It's just how it is. That stuff is reserved for road games.
"We don't want to deal with that crap. Here, good fans are supposed to help you try to get through the inning and say, 'Hey, you're only one pitch away. Hey, it's all right.'"
The Indians drew 29,799 to Saturday's game. It was their second-largest crowd of the season next to the sellout crowd of 43,190 for the season opener. Still, the Indians are last in attendance at 341,403.
"Nobody wants to play in front of 5,000 fans," said Perez. "We know the weather stinks, but people see that [attendance]. Other players know that.
"You had a choice of playing in St. Louis where you get 40,000 like Beltran chose to do, or you can come to Cleveland. It's going to take more money to get him to come to Cleveland. That's just how it is. That's another thing that you have to go against. It's not only the payrolls of the AL East teams, but that kind of stuff."
THE CARDINALS SIGNED BELTRAN TO A TWO-YEAR, $26 MILLION DEAL. IT'S BELIEVED THE INDIANS OFFERED HIM TWO YEARS FOR CLOSE TO $24 MILLION.
Perez understands the economics of the game. He understands the hard feelings fans have for watching the exodus of players such as Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Victor Martinez, Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia because they were free agents or ownership couldn't afford to keep them.
"I completely understand, but the fans can't take it personal when the players don't want to stay here or players don't want to come here," he said. "It's a business. You didn't choose to get drafted by Cleveland. I'm in it for my family. Who knows? I could throw my last pitch tomorrow.
"At the same time, I'm here. I'm here to win. I'm here for my teammates and I want to bring a championship to Cleveland, to do my job and help the team win. I think I do a pretty good job of showing that on the field. I don't think I bring any undue attention to myself. I'm out there for the team. In big wins, I get excited and I'm like a kid again, because it's fun."
The fans have been on Perez since he blew a save in the ninth inning of the season opener April 5. He's converted 13 straight saves since.
"They had a right," said Perez. "I totally deserved it."
Jeanmar Gomez (3-2, 3.19), Joe Smith, Vinnie Pestano and Perez combined on a three-hitter in the victory. Asdrubal Cabrera gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a homer off Anibal Sanchez (2-2, 2.32) in the fifth. Jason Kipnis provided the second and final run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
On Twitter: @hoynsie

This is all too, too funny. I wish I knew enough about baseball that Pluto would quote me.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Phillies and Indians are "monitoring" Kevin Youkilis (back) during his rehab assignment.
Both teams are obvious fits, as the Indians have Casey Kotchman and Jack Hannahan at their corner infield spots, and the Phillies have gotten very little out of Placido Polanco. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported earlier Sunday that the Diamondbacks could have interest in Youk, as well. The Red Sox might be willing to deal the veteran after the emergence of top prospect Will Middlebrooks.
Source: Jerry Crasnick on Twitter May 20 - 2:48 PM

From today.

Nick Camino ‏@CaminoTribe
#Indians closer Chris Perez did not apologize for his comments that he made yesterday. Still maintained it's "not fun" to play in Cleveland.



Nick Camino ‏@CaminoTribe
#Indians closer Chris Perez said he has talked with former players and other players with other teams who have spoken negative about CLE.

Nick Camino ‏@CaminoTribe
#Indians closer Chris Perez on why people don't come to games: "Weather, ownership."

Zack Meisel ‏@ZackMeisel
Chris Perez: "I'm here to win. I want to win here. I care. ... We want to win. But right now, we're winning for ourselves, basically."
Retweeted by Nick Camino