Objects in Rearview Mirror...

Due to FSN's inexplicable decision to not televise today's 11-0 win to complete the sweep over the Royals, the meliflous tones of Tom Hamilton and crew relayed the utter dominance that took place at the Jake. C.C. was outstanding, with 8 innings of shutout baseball (allowing only 5 hits, no walks, and striking out 8), and the offense coming through with a full scale onslaught of Jose Lima.

Baseball Tonight led their telecast off with the scorching Tribe (as the clocked ticked down in Lambeau), with the boys at ESPN seemingly finally on board with the Indians' bandwagon. It only took the Indians tying for the 3rd best record in baseball for anyone to sit up and take notice.

The ChiSox took a 2-1 game from the Twins, so the Tribe remains 3.5 games back, with a big series in The Cell for the next three days. The way that the Tribe is rolling, particularly with their starting pitching, this could be a monumental 3 days. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. This team bullied its way into the Wild Card lead and into AL Central contention by keeping its collective head down and taking the season one game at a time. To their credit (and Wedge's), they didn't overlook the Royals, with an eye to the Chicago series. They did what they were supposed to do - sweep an inferior team.

Granted it is a Sunday night, after a Tribe sweep and a Browns victory (which didn't make my bride - a Milwaukee native - too happy), but I've got a pretty good feeling going into these last two weeks of the season.

Going down to the Jake Saturday night, we arrived about 5:30 at the Box Office. After buying our tickets, we hit E. 9th to grab some food. One problem - you couldn't get in to any of the places. Panini's - packed, Winking Lizard - packed, The Clevelander - packed, Thirsty Parrot - packed. So much so that you couldn't get in the front doors...at 5:30! I realize that the OSU and ND games were on, but it was quite a return to the days when all those places were packed all the time with Featherheads. We opted for the Batter's Eye, which was also packed, but was having a halfway to St. Patrick's Day party, complete with live Irish music, Guinness on draft, and scantily clad ladies giving out green shamrock beads. Finally someone in the Tribe front office is doing some heavy thinking. It was a great game to attend as the Tribe exploded for 5 in the first, then held on (thanks to Mr. Roboto Bob Howry and the usual tightrope act by Sticky) to win in front of 32,000. Plus, with a victory, the jinx may be behind me as a 2 game winning streak has improved the season record to 5-12.

Hitting the team shop before the game on Saturday, I have a prediction to make. May I present to you the Cleveland Indians 2006 hat. I know that I've mentioned it before, but that C logo with the Chief is everywhere on shirts, hats, or anything. I dont' mind the hat. In fact, I think that it's a nice way to incorporate the C for Cleveland into the uni. I do, however, believe that it is the first step towards the elimination of the Chief from our uniforms. He's already gone from the Jake. Now if they could only do something about those hideous sleeveless jerseys.

Watching the Tribe take a game, knowing that the White Sox had lost made me think of a line in the Metallica song that Casey Blake comes out to, "The soothing light at the end of tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way."

White Sox, there's a freight train bearing down on you, picking up steam daily, and it's got Indians emblazoned across the front of it.

From the Guy on the Other Line, Asking About White Walls

In light of the recent disrespect that the RockDawg pointed out on SportsCenter (saying that the Wild Card would come down to the Yankees, Angels, and A's; with no mention of the featherheads), I thought it would be a good idea to adapt a beloved cinematic moment to imagine a speech before tomorrow night's game in Kansas City:

The Atomic Wedgie: [at a team meeting] Can I have your attention, please?
[picks up a bat and leans on it like a walking stick]
The Atomic Wedgie: I have something I think you all ought to know about. It seems that the folks at ESPN and other national media outlets doesn't think too highly of our worth. They think Mr. Dolan and Mr. Shapiro simply put this team together because they thought we'd be bad enough not to make the playoffs, allowing Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter to continue to ignore us and allowing them to assume that we're playing for next year.
Coco Crisp: Even me?
The Atomic Wedgie: Even you, Coco.
Sticky Wickman: What if we DO make the playoffs?
The Atomic Wedgie: You'll be ignored again, predicted to be on the short end of a first-round sweep, then picked to finish second or third in the division next year...or (looking at Jose Hernandez) given your outright release.
SuperSizemore: [Grady stands up] Well then I guess there's only one thing left to do.
The Stick: What's that?
SuperSizemore: Win the whole f***ing thing. [long pause]
Jhon P.: [stands up] Yeah.
Le Pronk: [pounds his hand] YES!

Don't let the lack of media attention get to you (particularly those from outside of Cleveland). This team will thrive on the perceived lack of respect to plow through August and into September. Let the Angels and A's get all of the attention while they beat each other up in the AL West. The Wahoos will simply slide in through the back door.

Would it be any more perfect? After all, Grady Sizemore does come to the plate to The Doors' "Back Door Man". After that revelation, is there any question which jersey the Baltimoran will be purchasing this weekend?