It's a bad decision to put the new forum under lock and key. No public access means no chance of adding new talent to the roster.

For quite awhile the pulse of this forum has slowed like an aging veteran.

With my two cents, I'll say that the increased level of the negative attacks on posters' for expressing an opinion has reached a level that has made sticking around here much quite unappealing. The attack goes after the poster. It's juvenile and ugly.

Verbal fisticuffs to what end?

We all love the games with the minutes of our lives yet can't seem to discuss anything in an intelligent, reasoned manner mixed in with heavy doses of humor, not assaults.

Remember when this place was actually fun?

As to baseball, Tribe pitching and defense make for exciting baseball.

Best game Cleveland has played in 3 years was that one they won on a walk, steal, sac bunt and suicide squeeze. No chance of ever seeing a game like that with Wedge as manager.

I hope one of the hotshot kid SP prospects can come up after the AS break. I don't have confidence in the #4 and #5 slots to hold up as is.

I like what I've seen of OC, but when one of the kids is ready, OC must be moved aside.

Same with third base, although the replacement should be Chisenhall, not Donald.

Despite the 3 run HR, I still don't like Laportas' mechanics at the plate for long term success. Just watch how often he is fooled with his hands.

As to the Cavs, I hope for the best with the lottery draw. Cavs must get one of the top 2.

I hope they can wheel a deal for Hamilton and Detroits' #1 pick either this season or next.

I keep Hickson.

As for me, I'll check in now and then for old times sake. Perhaps we could bring back Dooley Wilson to play the soundtrack.

Peace.

With my two cents, I'll say that the increased level of the negative attacks on posters' for expressing an opinion has reached a level that has made sticking around here much quite unappealing. The attack goes after the poster. It's juvenile and ugly.

Verbal fisticuffs to what end?

We all love the games with the minutes of our lives yet can't seem to discuss anything in an intelligent, reasoned manner mixed in with heavy doses of humor, not assaults.

Remember when this place was actually fun?

Amen to that.

Rocky:

Chisenhall is starting out very well in Columbus, he has 5 doubles and a homer and OPS is over 1000 in the first 6 games.

And as for insulting each other, I don't see any reason why we can't behave as adults with differences of opinion over a game, which is poor escapist fun. Grow up folks and enjoy.

This is a fun version of the Tribe. Young and experienced starting rotation. If Fausto ever straightens out he can be a nice anchor for a better-than-average rotation. No Cy winners but a lot of Chad Ogeas with GOOD knees.

Manny's the best manager in 20 years.

Who was the manager in 1991 you're comparing Manny to? John McNamara had the job then, I think.

Just how good do you think Masterson will settle at?

I say a #3 guy if he can consistently get out the lefties.

McNamara. Charlie Manuel was OK, but he quit on the team midyear

I still dont like the Durbin signing and so far his appearances bear me out. Either he has to get better or we need to get rid of him when Smith or a kid gets to come up.

I agree, but we like to hold on way too long to free agent signee old pitchers (Jeff Damico is the only other who comes to mind by name, but there have been plenty of others) even though they're cheap signings

Durbin earns $800,000, which is not even double the just-above-minimum paid to Germano and Herrmann. But Herrmann has options left and has not been very good either, so I suppose he leaves to make room for Smith. Germano is out of options, I believe, but that's stated without checking. Anyway, Durbin moves farther back in the pecking order to 4th RH reliever behind Perez, Pestano and Smith, and will have an opportunity to improve.

I hope more of you will add avatars to your posts here. You can do that with the User Control Panel --> Profile. If you need help, just ask.

I never had one. Is it important? Is it easy? I'll take a look at the Control Panel and see if even I can handle the technological requirements.

I tried to create an avatar, Did I?

No.

So I tried this:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Vic_Davalillo

and it's invalid.

I tried another one which is "too long"