Thursday, July 30, 2009

Emotional week for Cleveland Indians' fans


I have to thank the good Lord above for helping me cope with this week.


For those of you not interested in Baseball, Cleveland Indians Baseball, or any hobby, you are saying, 'this girl has to get a grip and prioritize.'


I admit, I am an extremely emotional person. I may not show it almost never. But, I even cry at certain commercials, when a favorite song comes on--especially if it fits in with the scene and sign of the times, and am extremely passionate when it comes to 'my' Cleveland Indians.


I have stuck with them through thick and thin. When everyone else is saying, 'they suck,' I am saying they have a great group of guys who will start coming together. I've believed that for years. I do not like Eric Wedge. I've never liked the 'snorting,' 'eye blinking' crazy guy who makes, in my estimation the worst decisions as a major league baseball manager.


I get the game of baseball. I understand the strategies. We HAVE had talent for years! We technically were one game away from winning the world series a few years ago--we just needed one more game and we would have most definitely creamed the National League Champs.


But no, we have a so-so catcher turned manager leading the pack.


That said, this has been quite the emotional week.


I was speechless when Ryan Garko was traded to the San Francisco Giants Monday. Seeing him walk to his car with all of his bags, just surreal. Then to hear him on STO a few days later saying he was STILL in shock and at times speechless. He did say he is now on the outside looking in and has seen quite a mess over the last week (in regards to the dealings going on with the Cleveland Indians).


To date, my favorite players have been dealt away one by one --Casey Blake, Mark DeRosa, and now Ryan Garko.


And what did we get for them, really? The guy in the Mark DeRosa trade came in and immediately beaned two Chicago White Sox --one of them in the head! Nice going Shapiro!


Then the big deal so far, Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco to the Phillies for 4 'prospects.'


We all saw this coming but still can not fathom it.


For the 2nd year in a row, an unprecedented move which no other team has ever done--trading away the Cy Young Award winner.


Now, if we were getting ANYTHING in return, then maybe. But so far, a bunch of young players who are not even worthy of the major league level who we will probably trade down the road for something else never even getting a chance to play in a Cleveland Indians' uniform.


I hope this all pans out and Mark Shapiro comes out smelling like a rose. But, I really hope Mr. Dolan has the balls to ditch Shapiro and Wedge. We have HAD the talent for at least 5 years. We have. It has been HOW the talent has been utilized. Heck, when you shake up the lineup every single night and the same player plays every position, that's not the players' fault. Hmmm!! You don't see that happening in New York. You don't see it happening in Tampa or Philadelphia unless the star is getting a needed night off.


I have been able to handle this up til now. At first, with Garko, I was a bit disappointed but fine with it.


I must admit, the weekend with my best college friends last weekend has given me the added boost to deal with adversity whether it has to do with family issues, caregiving decisions, work, or the little irritations that occur in daily life.


If I would not have had that jaunt, this entry would have a much different tone.


That said, I still believe in my heart of hearts we had, and to some extent, still have good major league ballplayers who are willing to give their all (except Travis Hafner, who should have been giving 75 percent of his salary back for the last 3 years).


I will never abandon 'my' Indians even though it appears Mr. Dolan, Mark Shapiro, and Eric Wedge did that a long time ago.




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