tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post341796246555375730..comments2024-03-16T08:21:16.037-04:00Comments on The DiaTribe: Punched and PunchlessPaul Cousineauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03490622970961409253noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-65968458132860054642008-04-19T00:18:00.000-04:002008-04-19T00:18:00.000-04:00Tyler,I'm good with that. Let's see how the season...Tyler,<BR/>I'm good with that. Let's see how the season plays out, hopefully for the best.Halifaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712626480683595819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-89942268443264374242008-04-18T11:31:00.000-04:002008-04-18T11:31:00.000-04:00I'll toss another argument your way, hal: The Indi...I'll toss another argument your way, hal: The Indians have roughly as many good and bad days as any other offense, but their good days are bigger and more memorable. Sound unlikely? That's because both our arguments are anecdotal. We need a statistical distribution to settle this, and I don't know of any place to get one.<BR/><BR/>You seem a little anti-"take and rake" in general. I stick by my guns here: The Indians can't afford high average hitters like Polanco, Guillen, or Ordoñez -- just can't. Take-and-rake is cheaper, but it demands patience, good strike-zone judgment, and power -- three things which haven't been on display until last night. If the Indians get back to that pitcher-chewing, walk-taking, fastball-smacking approach of 2007, I don't think you'll have any complaints about our offensive consistency.<BR/><BR/>Re: 2006, the discrepancy you reference between runs scored and W-L record had a lot more to do with a league-worst bullpen and genuinely atrocious defense than it did with the offense. Not to mention, the second half of the season was just an open audition for 2007. A sample of one aberrant year isn't going to convince me that the Indians as an organization are somehow immune to Bill James's Pythagorean Wins formula, any more than the Indians scoring less than 5 runs on April 18, 2008 should convince you that the season's in jeopardy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-19168120116627139902008-04-18T08:49:00.000-04:002008-04-18T08:49:00.000-04:00.500.500Halifaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712626480683595819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-3195555453477506942008-04-18T08:47:00.000-04:002008-04-18T08:47:00.000-04:00Tyler -- "This team is historically a team that pu...Tyler -- <BR/><BR/>"This team is historically a team that puts up fairly large numbers that have more bark than bite because they come in huge bunches and don't necessarily translate to wins."<BR/><BR/>Think back to 2006. Remember all the talk of the powerful Indians' offense? How they scored all those runs yet their record was below 5.00 and it was such an oddity in baseball?<BR/><BR/>That's precisely what I'm talking about.The last four games for example they've lost with 4, 3 & 2 runs, the last coming against a rookie when they almost got a perfect game thrown against them.<BR/><BR/>Last night they got the hitting fever they get and everybody hits, scoring tons of runs. When this team hits, everybody hits, when it doesn't nobody hits. And it doesn't seem to depend on the opposing team's pitcher.<BR/><BR/>We'll see how many they score tonight. I'm guessing two or three.<BR/><BR/>All I'm trying to say is when one looks at the total number of runs scored at the end of the year it's deceiving, because people look at that and think they're a juggernaut. They're not, they struggle quite often and are extremely inconsistent, and when you hit like that and don't do the little things offensively it kills you in wins and losses.Halifaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712626480683595819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-12827950978426997002008-04-18T00:26:00.000-04:002008-04-18T00:26:00.000-04:00Paul,Speaking of bad defense, how long til we see ...Paul,<BR/><BR/>Speaking of bad defense, how long til we see a line-in-the-sand Casey Blake piece? He's been Peralta-esque with the leather. I know that might cause some DiaMaritalDisputes, but even Mrs. C. has got to respond to a .152/.250/.217 batting line, hey?<BR/><BR/>Also, re: High Life -- I have a theory. That beer's recipe dates to like 1903. That was before modern bottling and canning. So for those of you who doubt the Champagne of Beers, I strongly recommend you find a fresh keg of it, preferably in the greater Milwaukee area. You will be swayed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-1084201602940232272008-04-18T00:03:00.000-04:002008-04-18T00:03:00.000-04:00halifax,You talk about "scoring in bunches" like i...halifax,<BR/><BR/>You talk about "scoring in bunches" like it's a bad thing. Are runs worth less after you get five of them? Long rallies and big leads take stress off your pitchers and obliterate opposing bullpens, making it more likely you'll win the close one tomorrow. If your response is that the Indians don't "get them when it matters," we'll have to have that argument in private. Suffice it to say that if clutch exists as you impliedly described it, it's not for sale.<BR/><BR/>As for the rest of your points -- we don't have a enough production from the corners, we should deal more aggressively from the talent pool, we make too many bonehead mistakes -- well, there's a lot going on there. I think you'll find you're essentially asking for older, more expensive guys. Sure, they're a little more consistent. I don't know what that's worth, exactly, but I know what it <A HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/salaries?team=det" REL="nofollow">costs</A>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-8670615001016666342008-04-17T23:23:00.000-04:002008-04-17T23:23:00.000-04:00I thought so.I thought so.Halifaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712626480683595819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-30099356799827974862008-04-17T22:29:00.000-04:002008-04-17T22:29:00.000-04:00I'm known in some parts as "Steve in Westlake".I'm known in some parts as "Steve in Westlake".Profhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06602941464293410960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-41335755559623959732008-04-17T20:55:00.000-04:002008-04-17T20:55:00.000-04:00words of wisdom . . . are you the wise and powerfu...words of wisdom . . . are you the wise and powerful "Steve" from Over The Hedge?<BR/><BR/>Seriously, everything you said it 100% true.<BR/><BR/>Still, these guys (Tribe) cheese me off.Halifaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712626480683595819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-13958559550631490442008-04-17T19:30:00.000-04:002008-04-17T19:30:00.000-04:00I've decided to have a positive outlook for tonigh...I've decided to have a positive outlook for tonight's game.<BR/><BR/>This Indians are not going to hit .232 as a team for the entire season. The entire bullpen is not going to be this bad for the entire season. CC and Fausto will not BOTH struggle for the entire season. The LF, 3rd Base, and 2nd Base spots will not remain this unsettled for the entire season. (Throw in the RF spot too, for good measure.)<BR/><BR/>It will get better.<BR/><BR/>(Takes a deep breath and crosses his fingers.)Profhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06602941464293410960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-92130022122877954612008-04-17T17:17:00.000-04:002008-04-17T17:17:00.000-04:00ya know, when i asked that a pitcher someday regre...ya know, when i asked that a pitcher someday regret not taking the guaranteed money and risking it all for free agency, i didn't mean i wanted it to happen to cc....Cy Slapnickahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10109399114263980881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-33281168466488903042008-04-17T16:33:00.000-04:002008-04-17T16:33:00.000-04:00OK,I understand what you're saying. But I haven't ...OK,<BR/><BR/>I understand what you're saying. But I haven't lost sight of how the team was built.<BR/><BR/>If 3B and LF aren't weak spots, then RF and 2B can be as defensive and weak-hitting as you want.<BR/><BR/>As things are, you have what has become in the AL, four offensive positions manned by four non-offensive players. What makes it especially ugly is that two of the three spots are often thought of as power-producing positions and we are getting almost nothing. I like defense as a part of the game, actually I prefer it, but when you don't get hitting from the clods who are poor defenders you need to really examine where you're at as a team.<BR/><BR/>That's why I'm ripping on the structure, because that should've been addressed in the off-season and wasn't for whatever reasons, primarily our young talent pool (which we will keep until they have no value in deals) that could bring a reliable bat.Halifaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712626480683595819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-48273040727172509072008-04-17T16:19:00.000-04:002008-04-17T16:19:00.000-04:00Halifax,I think that the offensive struggles thus ...Halifax,<BR/>I think that the offensive struggles thus far have made you <A HREF="http://clevelandtribeblog.blogspot.com/2007/02/evaluating-plan.html<br/>" REL="nofollow"> forget the big picture and how the Indians are built</A>.<BR/><BR/>The team is DESIGNED to revolve around the exceptional pitching and the linchpins of the lineup that you mention. Sure, it’s a departure from the “All-Star at every position” strategy, but it happened to lead the team to two 90+ win seasons in three years, something only four other teams (BOS, NYY, LAA, CHW) have accomplished in all of MLB.<BR/><BR/>When the pitching doesn’t pitch as well as it’s supposed to AND the offense struggles to produce runs by getting the timely hit, not much is going to go right for ANY team, regardless of their pedigree.<BR/><BR/>As for your assertion that the lineup is “inferior” to most AL teams, I would say that most teams would be more than happy to take Sizemore, Victor, Hafner, Peralta, and Garko plus bank on the upside of either Cabrera and Gutierrez (or both) enough to include them in the everyday lineup (particularly with their gloves). So, that would be 6 to 7 spots in the lineup that could play for most (not all, I admit) teams in the league, despite the “deficiencies” that we see day in and day out because we follow the team. The soft spots in the lineup are at 3B and ½ of LF…the rest of the lineup, I’m OK with.<BR/><BR/>As frustrating as the team has been to watch, I think that the Tribe will pull themselves out of this hole, I just hope they can do it before the number of games they have to win in their remaining games becomes unrealistic.Paul Cousineauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490622970961409253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-18780380616038802222008-04-17T15:37:00.000-04:002008-04-17T15:37:00.000-04:00Tyler, This team is ordinary, unless in comparing ...Tyler, This team is ordinary, unless in comparing them to the rest of the AL you're insinuating that they may be slightly INFERIOR.<BR/><BR/>This team is historically a team that puts up fairly large numbers that have more bark than bite because they come in huge bunches and don't necessarily translate to wins.<BR/><BR/>They are notoriously streaky on offense, shaky on defense and tend to make mental errors in every facet of the game.<BR/><BR/>Sorry, that doesn't sound like a slump, or like something a championship team does. It sounds like a team whose mediocrity has been cloaked by exceptional pitching . . . until now.<BR/><BR/>How else can you explain 2005, 2006, 2007 and now 2008? Good pitching keeps anyone in games, spotty pitching leaves you exposed, poor pitching makes it unbearable.Halifaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712626480683595819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-13188609171152900372008-04-17T15:22:00.000-04:002008-04-17T15:22:00.000-04:00This is beginning to feel a lot like 2006.This is beginning to feel a lot like 2006.TidyCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13878646280638324219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-63057558285455828062008-04-17T14:58:00.000-04:002008-04-17T14:58:00.000-04:00WAAAY back to Rich on the High Lifes:High Life, wh...WAAAY back to Rich on the High Lifes:<BR/>High Life, when fresh and cold, is one of the best, most refreshing beverages I have come across - something I realized on the Miller Brewery Tour with my brother-in-law in Milwaukee some years back. That it was realized on a Tuesday at 10 AM is neither here nor there.<BR/><BR/>Tyler,<BR/>Excellent points, but it is getting tough to keep the faith that the offense can suddenly flip a switch, is it not?<BR/><BR/>T-Bone,<BR/>Great job on the header. I'm always happy when I see that new look at the top.Paul Cousineauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490622970961409253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-87439239105162603652008-04-17T14:22:00.000-04:002008-04-17T14:22:00.000-04:00Les Savy Ferd, you are correct! When we redid the...Les Savy Ferd, you are correct! When we redid the layout last May, the scene of the Jake was inside the header graphic. <BR/><BR/>Since opening day, been mixing things up in the header. Mainly only after wins, but also if there's another picture out there conducive (height and widthwise) to fitting in The DiaTribe words. Keep an eye on it as you log in from here on out. <BR/><BR/>I may have to archive them somewhere, and will let you know if/when I do so.t-bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07557582144953901789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-52244069736417546262008-04-17T14:20:00.000-04:002008-04-17T14:20:00.000-04:00@csui"ill tell you whats most painful, is me sitti...@csui<BR/><BR/>"ill tell you whats most painful, is me sitting around for 9 innings like a moron waiting for one of those mid 90's comebacks..."<BR/><BR/>hilariousCy Slapnickahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10109399114263980881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-31562714897683898212008-04-17T13:11:00.000-04:002008-04-17T13:11:00.000-04:00ill tell you whats most painful, is me sitting aro...ill tell you whats most painful, is me sitting around for 9 innings like a moron waiting for one of those mid 90's comebacks we used to be famous for. something has to happen and happen quick. i figure if carmona gets busted up tonight and we lose big again, we're in trouble. <BR/><BR/>last night i was watching the game and they were talking about a leader in the dugout. its obvious its not wedge. but, somebody, (and i thought victor would have already done so) needs to get in the face of everybody and tell them to wake up and get pissed and start playing baseball like a pro.csusihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02575419830013173006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-44179609151966157262008-04-17T12:48:00.000-04:002008-04-17T12:48:00.000-04:00yeah that's birdiebefore it was cliff lee me think...yeah that's birdie<BR/><BR/>before it was cliff lee me thinksKonstrucktaTribehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525965632642358024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-16992219567245728062008-04-17T12:20:00.000-04:002008-04-17T12:20:00.000-04:00is that a Byrd pic in the letters of the banner? h...is that a Byrd pic in the letters of the banner? has it always been there or does it rotate images?<BR/><BR/>(this is what I must resort to, for comments. *sigh*)Les Savy Ferdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05982164565549803749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-55308685456431407262008-04-17T11:18:00.000-04:002008-04-17T11:18:00.000-04:00These players are only "ordinary" until you compar...These players are only "ordinary" until you compare them to the rest of the league. The word is "slumping."<BR/><BR/>That said, there's a greater truth there, which Hamilton alluded to last night (if any of you still had the game on in the 7th): A $70MM team doesn't have a margin for error, especially against well-heeled competition.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, I agree that this falls on the offense. Pitching staffs have some rough spells -- bullpens, even great ones, surrender a few late leads. Starters, even great ones, have injuries and dead-arm periods. A lineup doesn't have that luxury. You've got to put up decent ABs, you've got to scratch and claw your way on base, and you've got to put the bat on the ball and hope the runners make it around the bags. Even when the hits aren't dropping. Even when the stars aren't carrying the team.<BR/><BR/>From 5-10, to win 90 games, the Indians need to play .578 ball from today until #162. Certainly teams have accomplished more in less time. But it's not going to get easier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-19316465020413425722008-04-17T10:23:00.000-04:002008-04-17T10:23:00.000-04:00Sign Barry Bonds!Sign Barry Bonds!Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13701318255831651541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-33609389422643811312008-04-17T09:50:00.000-04:002008-04-17T09:50:00.000-04:00Miller High Life?Why?Miller High Life?<BR/><BR/>Why?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15814206663141993951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11805401.post-59592464872728537762008-04-17T09:05:00.000-04:002008-04-17T09:05:00.000-04:00just....ugh.just....<BR/><BR/><BR/>ugh.Les Savy Ferdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05982164565549803749noreply@blogger.com