Whistle Stops

Corey Kluber (Acquired in the Westbrook deal) called to AAA to start.  This indicates both that the Indians are sticking to their hard line that Alex White will not see Columbus this year and that a Sept 1 recall of Carlos Carrasco is likely.

The RedLegs have recalled fireballer Arolids Chapman, recently clocked at 105MPH, a day early.  Chapman adjusted admirably to the 'pen at Louisville, adding 3-4MPH to his top end fastball and producing an excellent stat line: 4-1, 8SV, 2.40 ERA, .156 OBA, 0.97 WHIP, 4.08 K/BB, 14.7 K/9, 1HR in 30IP.  It should be a trip to see him against big leaguers down the home stretch.  Go Reds!

Dude, Jimmy Brown is pissed.  And I would be too.  Jim thought that he had a trustworthy relationship with Randy Lerner, only to have the rug pulled out from underneath him and Mike Holmgren inserted as a direct supervisor.  I don't really think that Brown did very much for the organization except offer his unique perspective on football matters, but he's arguably the greatest player of all-time, an excellent asset for a franchise and a city sorely lacking in sporting superlatives.  The manner in which Brown was relieved of his responsibilities and then offered a glorified greeter position in its stead was tactless and embarrassing.  Now the Browns and the city have lost Jimmy, at least for the foreseeable future, and that, as many things have been this summer on the North Coast, is a shame.

A quote from No Logo Needed on the prospect of DA starting for the Cards - "I would have more confidence in my 2 year old niece making a play on third and 7 than I do Anderson."

Despite some strong minor league numbers, the Nationals informed 44 year old Orlando Hernandez that they do not intend to bring him to Washington for September.  El Duque called it quits again and is now focused on retaining his slim lead over Brett Favre in all-time retirements.

No major MLB transactions are expected on this, the last day to add talent for the postseason.

Here's the Buckeyes Depth Chart for the Marshall game.  Cheers.

Pretty Girl 08.31.10 - Maggie Q

Hey Baby, I'm a RockStar.  Think: Nikita

Puffs of Smoke

x

Speaking of smoke... Chris Sale was phenomenal against the Tribe tonight.  Topping out at a brisk 98MPH and using his trademark deceptive delivery, the 6'5", 180lb sidearmer made Shin-Soo Choo and Shelley Duncan look out of their league.  Pronk showed good patience before delivering a solid single up the middle, but Jason Nix went down looking and then promptly got ejected.  Sale looks like the real deal.  The Sox have yet to decide whether he will stick in the bullpen or return to a starting role, but he looks to have the chops either way.  As Manning said, imagine if the 21 year old adds velocity as he fills out his lanky frame.  Jeez.

Whistle Stops

ManRam is officially a ChiSock.  It's a straight waiver claim as Chicago chose to take on Manny's entire salary rather than send the Dodgers a prospect in exchange for $ relief.

Jason Knapp has been clocked up to 99MPH w/ the Captains.

I was at Jacobs for Asdrubal's walk-off on Saturday.  How depressing.  Not only was the crowd pathetically small, not only were they disengaged from the game action, but as soon as I exited the stadium proper, no one seemed to care that the Indians had racked up a dramatic win.  It's a lost season.  And a shame.

Head and Shoulders has insured Troy Polamalu's hair for $1mil.

Maurice Clarett has signed a 1-yr deal with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL.  It is likely, but not definite, that a judge will allow Mo to leave the state.

The Bengals cut free agent signee Antonio Bryant.  Given that no one else will claim him due to his ailing knees, Cincy will just swallow the $8mil in guaranteed money from the 4-yr, $28mil they gave him in the spring,

Pretty Girl 08.30.10 - Hayden Panettiere

Gotta go.  Must start stalking.

Pretty Girl 08.28.10 - Jenn Brown

ESPN's new sideline bunny.  Daddy like.

Bullet Train Cancelled

Ouch.  C'mon, man, really?  Senor Strasburgo out 12-18 months with a shorn ligament in his throwing elbow.  Tommy John surgery likely.  Holy cripes.

Also...

ChiSox win Manny waiver claim.  What do the Dodgers do now?  Trade, release or pull him back?

Brad Hawpe signs with the Rays.

Jumping the Rails

So...

Carmelo Anthony has demanded a trade.  Why?  Because he feels like it.  Because he's an overpaid, overindulged child (sound familiar Cavs fans?) who can dictate the economies of multiple metropolitan cities due to his ability to throw a rubber ball.  It is a grace and a blessing to be gifted with such marketable talent and how these classless punks defile the beauty of the sport is a shocking disgrace.  At some point the levy must break.  An owner, a man with some measure of gumption, must stand up and say "no."  Like the the parents of spoiled children who finally cease sparing the proverbial rod, the man on the purse strings must just say "the hell with it," and let the P.O.S. sit and decay without pay as he breaches his contract.  Everything has come full circle.  Enough is enough.  Tell Carmelo that he can play in Denver and honor his contract or he can sit on his butt and atrophy before having to give back all his misbegotten cash.

If that weren't enough...

A recent release of MLB financial documents reveal that the Marlins have been concealing profits for years.  Whatever, right?  Who cares?  Wrongo.  The Marlins recently dropped their cock and bull on a hapless Dade County board to procure more than 75% of the funding for their new $634mil stadium complex.  Over the past two years the Marlins have accepted scads of MLB money to the tune of a cumulative $48.9mil profit.  Not the just barely breaking even they whimpered, a bloody $50 million dollar profit.  "We have no money," they said.  "We need a new stadium," they whined.  "If we don't get it, we'll leave," they hissed.  So Dade County agreed to pay the price, to place the burden on taxpayers, as Jeffrey Loria et al. cackled at the rubes behind closed doors.  Here's the piece that blows mind: a single $91mil loan will be paid back between 2040 and 2049 at a rate of $118mil... a year.  I'm sorry, I didn't hear you right.  $118 MILLION A YEAR!  All tolled taxpayers will dish out $2.4 BILLION for the stadium.  Long story short, if you see Jeff Loria, or any of the the Marlins money men, on the street, punch him in the face.  And give him an extra one for me.

And lastly, in an occurrence that many will say signals the impending apocalypse even more strongly...

Cliff Lee over his last 4 starts -- 0-3, 8.39 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, .306 OBA, 5HR

Pretty Girl 08.27.10 - Sarah Carter

Just a good old fashioned American cutie.

Down the Tracks

It was suggested to me recently that the Tribe should bomb the rest of the season to grab the #2 overall pick in the 2011 draft, as it would have the deepest stock of MLB ready pitching in recent memory.  Personally, I don't believe they can catch either the Pirates or the Orioles, but if any team can, it's our AAAA Indians.  The consensus top 4 college pitching prospects for the 2011 draft follow --


Matt Purke - LHP - TCU - 6'3" 175 lb - Rising Soph. - 2009 #14 overall, Rangers

2010 - 16-0, 3.02, 1.07 WHIP, 11.0 K/9
Think: Clayton Kershaw

Gerrit Cole - RHP - UCLA - 6'4" 215 - Rising Junior - 2008 #28, Yankees

2009 - 4-8, 3.49, 1.12, 11.0
2010 - 11-3, 3.37, 1.17, 11.2
Think: Tommy Hanson

Sonny Gray - RHP - Vanderbilt - 6'0" 185 - Rising Junior - 2008 #821, Cubs

2009 - 5-1, 4.30, 1.45, 11.0
2010 - 10-5, 3.48, 1.37, 9.4
Think: Roy Oswalt

Taylor Jungmann - RHP - Texas - 6'6" 195 - Rising Junior - 2008 #739, Angels

2009 - 11-3, 2.00, 1.06, 9.6
2010 - 8-3, 2.03, 1.08, 9.7
Think: Jeff Niemann

Despite this load of talent here is the position player expect by many to go #1 overall --

Anthony Rendon - 3B/SS - Rice - 5'11" 170 - Rising Junior - 2008 #820, Braves

2009 - .388, 20 HR, 72 RBI, 9 SB, 31 BB, 23 K, 1.170 OPS
2010 - .394, 26, 85, 14, 65, 22, 1.340
Think: Evan Longoria

This all very far away, but with the crap we've had to watch recently (wahoo 3-2 win, props to Matty, Chris, Bat) it's fun to imagine.  Cheers.

Motion Sickness

I am now quite glad that I've been in a cave for the last week and have just become privy to the results of the current 5 game losing streak.  On top of ALL 5 STARTERS getting shelled (so much for my faith in Tomlin and Gomez), here are the numbers to weep loudly on:

Indians outscored 30 to 4.

Tribe 27-161 at the plate.  Quick math later, that's .168.  .168?  That's like only batting Gimenez and Valbuena, over and over.

It gets worse.  Over that span the lineup has accumulated only 3 XBH (2 2B & a Choo homer) which translates to a .199 slugging %.  The team has walked just 7 times for a .202 OBP.  Add 'em up and the team OPS over the last 5 games is .401.  I challenge anyone to find a worse stretch for a team.  Like, ever.

Back to those starters: 27.2 IP, 44 H, 27 ER, 11 BB, 15 K, 8.78 ERA, .321 OBA, 1.99 WHIP.

I'll stop now before we all start reaching for razor blades.

Pretty Girl 08.26.10 - Naomi Watts

Je t'aime, Naomi Watts.

Welcome Back...

Hector Rondon experienced pain during his return to throw program and... is having Tommy John surgery.  Another one bites the dust.

For those who missed it, the Tribe acquired Zach McAllister as the PTBNL in the Austin Kearns trade.  McAllister is a pretty big prospect (#5 in the Yanks system by Baseball America) and a pretty big guy (6'5", 230), who's had an awful season (8-10, 5.09 @ AAA before the trade), but he does add depth, especially with Rondon's situation.

Jason Knapp is tearing up as he rehabs through the low minors.  Despite a 1-2 record his ERA (0.84), WHIP (0.56) and K/9 (13.1) between the AZL and Lake County are all astounding.  Barring setbacks (see Rondon) he should start next season at Kinston and move quickly through the system.  Remember, he's still only 19.

Rob Bryson, the forgotten arm in the CC trade, is finally healthy and posting huge K/9 numbers (14.3 between LC/Kinston/Akron) and is 7-1 with a 2.62.  Bryson is 22 and has been held back by arm problems, but it seems as if the sky is the limit.

As I'm bad at this game, all of those mentioned are righties.  :-j

Painful to watch

I keep trying to watch the Indians close out the season and give myself some hope going into next year but, they are just so god awful that it is starting to eat at my soul. I mean seriously Tony Sipp really....you can't give up homeruns to Jack fricken Cust. Lou Marson would not start on my summer league team....Joe Smith should be landscaping with me.....Andy Marte....lol......jayson nix....louder lol.....How do you almost win the series in 07 then suck this bad so fast?

Another thing that is really breaking me down is the defense.....none of there retards can hit......so how is it possible that they cannot make routine plays? When i learned how to play the game we practiced fundementals and defense.....and they saying "always know where you are going with the ball" it seems like these guys forgot all about that.

thats all i got for now.......Go Tribe Woot!!

It's Coming

Tailgating in the MuniLot is just a month away.

Pretty Girl 08.19.10 - Noelle Romberger

She's an actress at OSU.  I wish I had better pics.

Whistle Stops

The Reds will promote Aroldis Chapman on Sept 1 AND he will be playoff eligible.  The quirk is that players on the DL as of August 31 are playoff eligible, but each can subsequently be replaced by any player within the club's organization.  I don't know why this is the first I've ever heard of the loophole, but expect Chapman and, possibly, Jason Isringhausen to replace to eligible Reds currently on the 60-day DL.

The Rockies have released Brad Hawpe.  Hawpe was an all-star last season and actually got MVP votes.  From '06 to '09 Hawpe produced OPSs of .898, .926, .879 & .903, and, despite a down year, .771 this season.  I'm unclear on the rational of this move as it offers minimal salary relief and absolutely no return on a well-above average player.

From the "I'm shocked it took this long" file, LaGarrette Blount punched a Titans teammate today.  Say that 5x fast.

Whistle Stops

New Cavs unis.

Favre's back.  OMG, I'm so startled.

Expect the Braves to acquire Cubs 1B Derrek Lee sometime in the next 24 hours.

BYU football is going independent.

Tribe skipped Josh Tomlin's start to keep his innings down.  No injury is involved.

Brad Hawpe and Adam LaRoche have cleared waivers.

Andy rolls his ankle in Brazil, but, after much worry, the injury is considered "slight."

Montario Hardesty still injured.  We shan't see him against the Rams.

Peace.

Pretty Girl 08.18.10 - Jessica Alba

Some of them are easy.  I wish they all were. ;-j

MLB Whistle Stops

Carlos Carrasco beats SWB for his 10th win: 7IP, 5H, 1UER, 6K.  Let's hope his resurgence at Columbus translates in to a better September on the lake than '09.

K-Rod placed on the disqualified list by the Mets.  That means no pay ($3mil this season) and no service time accumulation.  The MLBPA will challenge the move, while the Mets will seek to void the rest of Frankie's contract, nearly $30mil.  The DQL is reserved for players that have violated the terms of their contracts.  Likely, the Mets will have to prove that Rodriguez did so if they expect the move to be upheld by an arbitrator.

R.I.P. The Shot Heard Round the World.  Sweet dreams, Bobby, where the Giants always win the pennant.

The Rangers add former Indian Alex Cora.

Pretty Girl 08.17.10 - Jodie Sweetin

Can you believe this is the chick that played Stephanie on Full House?

Last Call for Tickets

Tribe signs first rounder Drew Pomeranz ($2.65mil), 2nd rounder LeVon Washington ($1.2mil) and 3rd rounded Tony Wolters ($1.35mil).  Quite a coup.  The Indians sign their top 14 picks, 20 of the top 23, and spend about $9mil on the draft.

Dodgers sign LSU QB recruit and #28 overall pick Zach Lee.

Bryce Harper does indeed sign with the Nats.  The deal is worth about $6.5mil $9.9mil.  That's a five year deal, including a $6.25mil bonus.

Orioles ink A-Rod clone and #3 pick Manny Machado.  He gets $5.25mil.

The Mets sign #7 pick Matt Harvey w/ a $2.5mil bonus.

Blue Jays agree with #11 Deck McGuire for $2mil.

Rockies come to terms with Auburn QB recruit and #26 pick Kyle Parker for $1.4mil.

Marlins sign #23 Christian Yelich for $1.7mil.

Tigers sign #44 Nick Castellanos for a staggering $3.45mil.

#25 Zack Cox gets a major league deal from the Cards worth $3.2mil.

Just when I was wondering what was up in St. Pete, the Rays ink both #17 Josh Sale (1.62mil) and #42 Drew Vettleson ($845K).

20 till and  no more ?s as #9 (Karsten Whitson, Padres), #6 (Barret Loux, D-Bags), #14 (Dylan Covey, Brewers) will not sign.

Whistle Stops

Very quiet on the MLB draft pick signings right now, so I've been watching the 2nd half of the Jets/Giants game.  One doesn't expect much from the 2nd+ teams in a pre-season game, but it's been a lot of fun.  Write down the name Victor Cruz.  An undrafted free agent from UMass who grew up 11 miles from the new stadium, Cruz introduced himself to America making a spectacular one handed grab down the sideline for a 64 yard score.  He continued to impress with a 2nd TD reception and several other catches that showcased his outstanding ball skills, great hands, and tremendous explosivity off the line.  Cruz finishes with 6 catches for a buck 45 and 3 scores, the first NFL player with 3 TD receptions in a pre-season game since TO in '98.  Even if he doesn't stick in the Big Apple, the kid will land somewhere and looks to have the chops to make waves.  On top of that, I had the pleasure to hear an excellent interview with LaDanian Tomlinson. The man who stands 3rd all-time in NFL touchdowns has no need to be so humble, so articulate and so consummately professional, yet he is.  I'll be rooting for LT to get that ring before he retires.

Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez will have season ending thumb surgery on a torn ligament.  He sustained the injury punching his girlfriend's father outside of Citi Field.  K-Rod, who just returned from suspension and lock-up, will likely have the remainder of this season's contract voided by the Mets.

49ers sign former Eagles dynamo Brian Westbrook.  Glen Coffee's retirement opened the door for Westbrook's 2nd (& likely last) chance.

Tickets Punched

The Tribe has signed 8th round pick Alex Lavinsky, C from St Eds, to a deal with a $1mil bonus.  That's the same bonus that Texas gave #22 overall selection, prep catcher, Kellin Deglan.  Wowza.

The Pirates inked Lavinsky's high school battery mate, 100mph fireballer and 2nd round pick, Stetson Allie.  Many had speculated that Allie would skip Pittsburghatory and honor his commitment to North Carolina.  Guess not.

Update #1:  Allie gets a $2.25mil bonus.  Maybe that's why he signed.  Also, the Bucs agree with #2 overall pick Jameson Taillon.  Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Indians top 3 Pomeranz/Washington/Wolters all remain unsigned as of 10:10 est.

Update #2:  Taillon's bonus worth about $5mil $6mil.  Word on the street is that an Indians deal with 3rd round pick Tony Wolters is highly unlikely.

MLB Whistle Stops

The Tribe has signed 4th rounder Kyle Blair out of the University of San Diego.  Ranked #84 pre-draft by Baseball America, Blair will receive a hefty $580K ($334K over slot) bonus.

Former Indian and #1 overall pick Bryan Bullington picked up his first major league win yesterday as he dazzled the Evil Empire with 8 2-hit, shutout innings.  Congrats getting over than hump, Bryan.

On a point I'm sure to rant more on sometime, Kevin Slowey was pulled after 7 no-hit innings yesterday.  Pulled.  As in manager Ron Gardenhire decided not to give the kid a shot to finish it.  Granted Slowey had thrown 106 pitches.  Granted Slowey had missed his last start due to elbow tendinitis.  Granted he would have still needed 6 more outs to complete the gem.  But, c'mon man, is this what we've degraded into?  Gardenhire has to feel the weight of the franchise on his back and not trust Slowey to tell him if there's pain?  Pitch counts and caution have their place in extending a pitcher's career, but, a long time ago, a smart man taught me to focus on "strength, not length."  Might Slowey pitch another 65 career innings because he got yanked?  Sure.  Will he ever have the opportunity to toss a no-no again?  Likely not.  I recognize that it's a team sport.  I know the pinnacle is a World Championship.  I recognize that the Twins are in a pennant race (whatever that means anymore).  But baseball, and life, is made up of a series of moments, of opportunities to be seized.  Disregarding these leads to a banal life of tedious regret.  Sadly, Kevin Slowey was denied the chance to carpe diem.

Talk about the No Fun League

Following the Broncos/Bengals game Sunday, two media members (a Cincinnati reporter and a photographer) asked Tim Tebow for autographs in the post-game locker room.  Graciously, Tebow obliged.  Correctly, the Broncos media department booted both guys.  I'm not trying to be judgmental, but WTF?  You risk your reputation and your career on a Tebow signature?  A man that hasn't played an NFL down?  Really?

We recall Stefon Johnson, the USC running back who dropped a 275 lb barbell on his neck last fall and, thanks to his phenomenal neck musculature, survived.  He defied expectation and imagination by rehabbing so intensely that he caught on as a free agent with the Titans.  He made his preseason debut this past weekend by chewing up 23 yards in 3 carries.  Remember him?  He had his right leg trapped underneath him on a swing pass and had to be carted off the field in an inflatable cast.  Seemingly, he has a high ankle sprain and will miss the entire season.  When it rains...

In a story that I shan't belabor, Glen Cofee, former Alabama standout and 3rd round pick of the 49ers in the 2009 draft, has retired.  Stating his true path was to follow christ, Coffee filed his retirement papers yesterday, citing that he "should never have entered the draft in the first place" and that he was "wasting the 49ers time."

Pluto Talks Tribe

Pretty Girl 08.16.10 - Keri Russell

OMG!  Remember when Felicity cut her hair?  Me neither, just when she took her clothes off.

Puffs of Smoke

Senor Strasburgo on Bryce Harper - "If he wants to play here, then he is going to play here," Strasburg said. "He doesn't need any advice from anybody. You don't need to convince him otherwise. If he doesn't want to play here, then we don't want him here -- bottom line. We want guys who want to play on this team. It's really important." 

Charles Barkley sniping back at el BJ - “I heard about LeBron’s little tweet today that he’s remembering everybody who said anything bad about him,” Barkley said. “And he said ‘everybody.’ Well, I want him to make sure that he puts my name on that (list) … I thought that his little one-hour special was a punk move. I thought them dancing around on the stage was a punk move, and I thought he should’ve stayed in Cleveland. Him joining Dwyane Wade ‘s team was very disappointing to me.”

Phil Dawson on the Brownies big O - "To march down like that with confidence right out of the chute, I don't remember ever seeing that in our first preseason game," said Dawson. "We may not execute like that every game, but now we know what we can do if we execute."

Browns QBs

I expressed it briefly in real time and now I'll expound - I was duly impressed by both Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace last night. 

The Browns first drive was a thing of beauty, mostly via Delhomme's right arm.  His passes were crisp and well-timed, but most of all his reads were astounding.  The pass to Robiskie that set up the touchdown was his 4th option on that play.  Jake blazed through his progression, found the open man and put the ball just where it had to be.  The only pity is that we saw Delhomme for just one series.  Obviously the brain trust had a plan and they stuck to it, despite Jake's splendid performance.

While Seneca Wallace has never been purported to be the pocket passer that Delhomme is, he shined in his own right.  The 20 yard score to Ben Watson would have been enough for me last night.  Wallace stuck with the play and found his man wide open in the middle of the field.  Wallace was at his best, though, on the score to Robiskie.  On 3rd and 10, after failing on his first 2 attempts, Seneca rolled left, ducked out of a sack, danced the sideline and delivered a strike that flew 30-35 yards in the air to Robiskie in the back of the end zone.  Wallace is not what I would want as #1 (see the floater his tried to Cribbs at the goal line), but I can certainly see why every fantasy guide I've looked at has him ranked no lower #35.

Here's the pretty bow on it all - I am much more optimistic about the the offense in the upcoming season having seen it on the field., especially against a defense that ranked in the top 5 last season.  I still do not buy into Jerome Harrison as an every down back, but, hopefully, he doesn't have to be.  The stable is full of role horses to tote the rock and Lawrence Vickers is quickly ascending to premier fullback status.  I heard it said last night and I agree, this offense has a cohesion that last year's muddled slapstick did not.  Roles are defined, there is a clear hierarchy of leadership, and everyone can focus solely on winning. 

I shan't step away without giving props to Phil Dawson on a tremendous last two minutes that delivered the victory.  With the Rams and the Lions comin'?  Let's keep it rollin', boys.

Mitch Talbot is now the 4th Indians starter with 10 losses.  His roster spot was opened via optioning Jess Todd to Columbus.  The Clippers placed Jeremy Sowers on the DL to fit in Todd.

Also, Pronk back from the DL (imagine me doing the most sarcastic happy dance possible) and Jordan Brown demoted.  What's the difference between Hafner on and off the DL?  I surely cannot tell.  He is the poster child for contract buyout clauses.

Pretty Girl 08.15.10 - Sasha Alexander

I don't know if she's Rizzuli or Iggles, but she sure is the hot one.

Back to reality

Poor-ous defense.  The rooks look like rooks, the pass rush is as inept as ever (hmmm, way to solve that one in the offseason, Mike), and it seems as if there is never anyone in the middle of the field.  Granted, Aaron Rodgers is one hell of a QB, but that was just too easy.

Okay, maybe that.

What's the sco... How did we... Wait, are these really the Browns?

Big plays by Rubin and Sheldon Brown.  And I dig Wallace's escapability.  But, did he really go to Robiskie thrice?

Could we ask for anything more?

11 plays, 80 yards, 5:56... touchdown.

Delhomme sharp, 5/6.  3 grabs for Massaquoi.  Harrison the score on 1st and goal from the 4.

Best Browns drive I've seen in awhile.

Pretty Girl 08.14.10 - Danneel Harris

You expected me to pick just one?  Lay back and enjoy.

Manny the Devil?

Big rumors on ManRam via Peter Gammons indicating that the slugger will be placed on waiver following reinstatement from the disabled list.  Heavy interest will come from the Rays, putting Boston in the unenviable position of placing a waiver claim on the former Red Sock(?) just to keep him out of Tampa's lineup.  Gammons' described Manny calling the Tropicana Dome home for the stretch run to be Boston's "worst nightmare."  Worse than Manny returning to doggin' it for boos at Fenway?  Then make the claim, Theo.  Do it.

Whistle Stops

Jose Guillen to the Giants.

Shawn Merriman signs his tender and will report to Chargers camp.

There's a sea of fog in Wisconsin for the PGA Championship.  Plenty of rounds delayed.  Tiger scheduled to tee @ 6:45p.  Do not expect Woods or the field to finish Round 2 today.

Julian Edelman puts on a show for the Pats (6 grabs, 90 yds, and a dazzling punt return), as New England beats the Saints 27-24.

Phantastic Phillies comeback phuelled by Ben Francisco beating Casey Blake 5-hole.

Pretty Girl 08.13.10 - Lyndsy Fonseca

I for one would definitely f**k her brains out if I got the chance.  It's a quote, kids.  Look it up.

Carlos Carrasco tonight in Syracuse: 6IP, 3H, 1ER, 8K, but the Clips lose in 13 to the Chiefs.  The series against Louisville becomes all important for 1st place.  I almost typed it with a straight face.  In all seriousness, Carrasco appears healthy and pitching well.  He should get the next available start for the Tribe.

Whistle Stops

Chipper Jones tears his ACL - out for the year.

Lyle Overbay clears waivers.

Nick Hagadone's move to the bullpen is permanent.  I could have sworn that I told you that already.

Bryce Harper's college coach expects a deal to get done with the Nats by the Monday deadline.  Also, Bryce has added 17 lbs of muscle since the draft.

K-Rod suspended 2 days by the Mess after being charged with 3rd degree assault at Citi Field.  The vic?  His father in law.  Wicked.  I bet dude said Frankie doesn't make enough $$$.

Pretty Girl 08.12.10 - Kaley Cuoco

I'm cuckoo for Cuoco puffs.  No, really, she's hot.

Browns Depth Chart

QB: Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace, Colt McCoy, Brett Ratliff
RB: Jerome Harrison, James Davis, Chris Jennings, Montario Hardesty
WR: Mohamed Massaquoi, Chansi Stuckey, Jake Allen, Bobby Engram, Syndric Steptoe
WR: Brian Robiskie, Joshua Cribbs, Carlton Mitchell, Johnathan Haggerty
TE: Ben Watson, Evan Moore, Robert Royal, Alex Smith, Joel Gamble
FB: Lawrence Vickers, Peyton Hillis
RT: John St. Clair, Tony Pashos, Joel Reinders
RG: Floyd Womack, Shawn Lauvao
C: Alex Mack, Billy Yates
LG: Eric Steinbach, Paul Fanaika
LT: Joe Thomas, Scott Kooistra, Casey Bender

LE: Robaire Smith, Derreck Robinson, Brian Sanford
NT: Ahtyba Rubin, Titus Adams, Kwaku Danso
RE: Kenyon Coleman, Brian Schaefering, Clifton Geathers, Swanson Miller
OLB: Matt Roth, Marcus Benard
ILB: D'Qwell Jackson, Eric Barton, Titus Brown
ILB: Chris Gocong, Kaluka Maiava, David Veikune, Blake Costanzo
OLB: Scott Fujita, David Bowens, Jason Trusnik
LCB: Eric Wright, Joe Haden, Brandon McDonald, Gerard Lawson
RCB: Sheldon Brown, Joe Haden, Chris Chancellor, John Bowie
S: Abram Elam, Mike Adams, Ray Ventrone
S: T.J. Ward, Larry Asante, DeAngelo Smith, Nick Sorensen

I am only surprised that Floyd Womack is still #1 at RG and that Montario Hardesty hasn't passed Chris Jennings yet.

I'd give specific credit, but no one reads this anyway.

Whistle Stops

An outstanding (and efficient, just how I like 'em) interview with Joe Tait as he prepares for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/features/tait_HOF_100810.html

Anthony Reyes at Akron tonight, 1+ IP, 1 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 K, 6 BB, 10 batters faced.  What a horror show.  At least he was no good to begin with, so we're not losing much.

Back to back nights with incredible plays by Asdrubal at short.  Although tonight's 9th inning double play (props to Jason Donald as well), isn't really in the same league as the ball off of Bat Masterson's foot yesterday.  Back-to-back losses to the Os at home?  Honestly, this team often makes me sick to my stomach.

It's not the best news on D'Qwell Jackson, but it's not the worst either.  He's expected to miss 4-8 weeks.

Pretty Girl 08.11.10 - Tamara Feldman

Dirty Sexy Money, you were gone too soon.

Whistle Stops

Four team NBA trade sends Trevor Ariza to the Hornets, Darren Collison and James Posey to the Pacers, Courtney Lee to the Rockets and Troy Murphy to the Nets.  I shan't get into the cap implications.

"No Ring" was out at Cedar Point, from whence we're given this gem of douchebaggery.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Videos-LeBron-James-is-not-the-MVP-of-amusement;_ylt=AsBAWZS9qkFcWrBjDW9lddo5nYcB?urn=nba-261746

Senor Straburgo last night?  4.1IP, 6H (all XBH), 6ER, 2BB, 4K (2 by the opposing P).  Good thing I traded for him in my fantasy league.

Frank Herrmann has hit an awful patch.  His last five appearances?  0-1 16.20 ERA, including a 5 run shellacking by the the lowly Os last night.

I try to find a ray of sunshine in the Tribes 5 run 4th yesterday.  The entire line-up contributed and looked good doing it, my favorite moment being Trevor Crowe's steal of 3rd (quietly 11 of 14 swiping bags).  I simply cannot overcome the the 10, yes 10, consecutive runs that the Indians then gave up.  I know there are bad days, but these are the freakin' Orioles.  They have 39 wins.  If you've spent as much time as I have watching the pitching staff, then you know that their talent does not doom them to this performance.  Regardless of whether it's Tim Belcher's instruction, Manny Acta's decision making or the entire coaching staff's inability to motivate, something must be done.  So much for Acta's stellar track record with young teams.

Jared Goedert hit for the cycle yesterday (both games of a doubleheader inclusive) and jacked his 25th homer of the season.

Jared Saltalamacchia called of by the Red Sox.  It seems he is their backstop of the future as plans to re-sign Vic appear non-existent.

D'Qwell Jackson has f'ed up his pectoral muscle.  Shades of Elvis Dumervil.

Eric Wright tweaked a hammy and Joe Haden will start against the Packers.

LeCharles Bentley on Braylon Edwards via Twitter, "Braylon Edwards back bashing Cleveland: Nothing that comes out of his mouth or goes into surprises me: decode @ your own discretion!"

LeBron James on his enemies via Twitter, "Don’t think for one min that I haven’t been taking mental notes of everyone taking shots at me this summer. And I mean everyone!"  I am now officially soiling myself.

Whistle Stops

Peyton Hillis returns to the Berea practice field and will likely see time against the Packers this weekend.

Braylon Edwards blames his stone hands on Cleveland lacking a match to his big-market "essence."  This from the guy who was shot down trying to buy Rihanna a $10k bottle of bubbly because she had no idea who he was.  Yeah, Braylon, the reason that jumping for every pass didn't translate into success on the North Coast is because we didn't like your flash.  Moron.

Carlos Delgado 0-3 with a K in his Pawtucket debut.

T-Mac is now a Detroit Piston.

& my favorite...

Jason Heyward jacked his 12th homer yesterday, on his 21st birthday.  He joins A-Rod (600 career bombs), Frank Robinson (586) and Ted Williams (521) as the only players to do so.  J-Wow.

Pretty Girl 08.10.10 - Natalie Zea

More than enough reason for Z to exist.

Full Stop

New York Jets owner, Woody Johnson, has told ESPN that his "gut feeling" is that Darrelle Revis will not suit up for the team this season.  Obviously this could be a negotiation tactic by Johnson, ensuring Revis knows that the organization is prepared for life without him, but, regardless, the statement is telling.  It's not as if the CB cupboard is bare in East Rutherford (Antonio Cromartie, Kyle Wilson, etc.), but Revis' absence would indelibly alter the dynamic of the defense and place a much heavier burden on Mark Sanchez and the O.

Brandon Philips Hates the Redbirds

“I’d play against these guys with one leg. We have to beat these guys. I hate the Cardinals. All they do is bitch and moan about everything, all of them, they’re little bitches, all of ‘em. I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear - I hate the Cardinals.” - B-Phip

Whistle Stops

Oakland 1B prospect Chris Carter (27HR, 89RBI in 113G @ AAA, career .921 OPS) recalled and will make his big league debut tonight.

Don Wakamatsu dismissed by the M's.  His pitching coach was relieved as well, by former Tribe employee Carl "Big Train" Willis.  I bet Cliff Lee is crossing himself that he's in east Texas.

Apparently Browns RB James Davis is fighting for a spot on the 53 man roster.  Timely injuries to Montario Hardesty and Peyton Hillis have improved Davis' chances, but he still must perform to earn a position.

Nick Hagadone, recently moved (not demoted) to the bullpen, in Akron, will likely remain in his new role for the foreseeable future.  Hagadone was a reliever at the University of Washington and that lack of length, coupled with Tommy John surgery, have kept him on extremely limited pitch counts and he has averaged only 3 innings per start of the course of his minor league career.  Nick has a fastball that tops at 98MPH and effective secondary pitches in his slider and change-up.  He must gain better command of the stuff that leads to his big per 9 strikeout (9.6 this year, 10.8 career) and walk (6.8 in 2010, 5.5 career) numbers.  Hagadone will turn 25 on the 1st of 2011, so assuming a healthy and productive off-season, expect Nick to compete for a bullpen spot in Goodyear next spring.

Oh, friar Tim.  Too bad you've shaved it off already.  They should have hazed you until you wished you were never born.

Whistle Stops

Jim Edmonds to the Reds for Chris Dickerson.  Pretty good for a dude who didn't even play last year.

Garrett Anderson DFA'ed & the LA media asks "what took so long?"  So where's Tim Salmon?

If you've never had to watch your favorite NFL team's starting quarterback get called for intentional grounding in the endzone (safety) during a touch scrimmage at training camp, count yourself lucky.  It's a sick feeling.  I hope the Brownies can win 6 games this season.  Listen to Eric Wright, please Jake, and throw the ball to open receivers. 

Gerard Lawson arrested for DUI.  He hit a parked car in the Warehouse District and just kept driving.  He was breaking Brown's curfew.  A heavy tweeter, Gerard hasn't offered his side of the story yet.

Pretty Girl 08.09.10 - Stacy Keibler

What I'll see if I get to heaven.

Watching David Huff give away a 4 run lead makes me want to vomit.

That is all.

Pretty Girl 08.08.10 - Larissa Riquelme

I would have posted this sooner, but, honestly, it's tough to find pictures of this chick with any clothes on.

Catching the Red Line

Red Sox make it official and add Carlos Delgado to the fold.  Mike Lowell is sad.  Don't expect much from Delgado until September.  If then.

Brian Bixler barely had to time to blow the steam off of his coffee in Indy before the Pirates shipped him off to the Nats.  Maybe he'll end the year with Balitmore.

Predictions on a Cliff Lee free agent deal are in the 4-yr, $88mil range.

Apparently Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are LeFraud fans and might just build their own juggernaut next year at USN.

Is it just me or is Manny Acta one heck of a third base coach and one piss poor major league manager?  Case in point?  If you bring Carmona out to start the 8th, shouldn't there be someone throwing behind him?

3 hits for Jordan Brown, including a ringing RBI double.  Maybe he wakes up now.

The Tribe has claimed Drew Sutton off waivers from the Reds and assigned him to Columbus.  Yeah, that'll solve everything.

Who is J.P. Arencibia?

I wonder what the MLB record for most sub-.200 hitters in an August starting lineup is?

Can Jayson Nix catch a pop-up above his waist?  I mean, is he physically able?

Tiger shot +7 to close out Firestone +18.  Welcome to the friggin' twilight zone.

All of the Browns quarterbacks played like day old doodie during the Brown and White Scrimmage.  Shocking.

Really, could the Indians sign a catcher with the last name Goodluck?

That's enough.  My pinky hurts.

Pretty Girl 08.07.10 - Piper Perabo

Covert Affairs, Tuesdays @ 10 on USA.  They should pay me.  With Piper.  P.S.  She's an Athens girl.

Whistle Stops

Wahoo!  What a win!  Although Chris Perez did not take advantage of the worst replay gaff in MLB history, Matt LaPorta tied on his cape and that ball's not coming back.  Too bad victories are nearly meaningless at this point or I would be a bit more excited.

OSU product and 21st overall pick Alex Wimmers agreed to terms with the Twins with $1.33mil bonus.  He's headed for Fort Myers.

Bryce Harper has enrolled in classes at Southern Nevada.

Tiger Woods +13(!) at Firestone, a tournament he has won 7 times.

The Buckeyes are #2 in the preseason poll, behind only Alabama.



Lastly, the Tribe inked 11th round pick Michael Goodnight.  And good luck.

Tribe lookin sexy.  Jeanmar lookin strong.  Several key ground balls to third and, by the by, Nix not bad over there.  It's easy to love a team when they play well fundamentally.  Props to Crowe on the throw, even though it hit the runner and, especially, to Matty on the swipe tag at first to end the top of the third.  He's quite adept at that play.

P.S.  A smart dude just axed if that's why one might choose to slide into first.  Food for thought.  Consider.

P.P.S.  Winning is fun.

Pretty Girl 08.06.10 - Amber Lancaster

Why couldn't I have gone to this school?

So, I have a new least favorite MLB player.  In case, you can't guess he hit 48 bombs in '04 and was just an AL all-star.  F Adrian Beltre.  Too bad young pitchers can"t recover from control lapses very quickly.  Damn it.  Not watching the rest of the game.

Santana out for the year.  To quote a smart dude, "What's the f%^&ing point anymore?"  Too true.

We did get Wes Hodges back from the Rockies.  That evens out, right?

Sheesh.

P.S.  With Youkilis out for the year, the Red Sox are likely to sign Carlos Delgado.  Jose Guillen DFA'ed.  Adam Dunn claimed by unknown team.

Transfers

This is ridiculous.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-most-amazing-catch-we-ll-see-all-season;_ylt=Aqd8DRhQV1xafHEVZA5RBT05nYcB?urn=mlb-260247

Bored Now

Are these necessarily relevant facts?  Unclear, but if I stop surfing then the poorly articulated jargon of my stats teacher will overwhelm me...

Jeremy Sowers is back in the Clippers rotation.  His ERA as a starter this year?  15.88 with a .448 OBA.  Ouch.  I used to love this guy.  He's a great example of how talent and skill can get trumped by a lack of mental makeup.  The kid's a self-professed "over-thinker" and that pretty much did him in from 2007 on.  What a shame.

The Clips currently do not have a back-up catcher on their roster as Dwight Childs was sent back to Lake County.  Nor do they have any back-up infielders as Kyle Smith joined Childs on the bus back to Eastlake.  I'd bet that Damaso Espino is added to Columbus to start behind the plate (Sorry Richie Martinez, but big props on the game yesterday), but the new infielder is quite a mystery.  They have 4 guys from first to third (McBride, Phelps, J-Rod, Goedert) who they'd like to continue to play every day, thus it's doubtful that a Jason Kipnis or the like would get the call.  It's also into August, so grabbing a retread off of the pile is somewhat unlikely.  Odds are that a AA utility player (Cristo Arnal?) gets recalled, and soon.

Speaking of Akron, Corey Kluber got clubbed last night in his 1st start for the Aeros (4IP, 8H, 3ER, 5BB, 4K).  We're all rooting for Corey because he's our return on fav-fave Jake Westbrook.  In spite of the prevailing opinion (with which I agree), that Jake will return to the tee pee in the offseason for a significant discount, it would be nice to have not sent him off for a scrub.  It's only one start and I guess it wasn't that bad, but Corey needs to show up down the stretch or risk falling into Indians farm purgatory as so many have.

Also, August 4th is the date of both A-Rod's 500th and 600th home runs.  Weird.  Ubaldo won his 17th.  & Aaron Rodgers is supposedly the best fantasy QB.  I don't buy it.  I'll let someone else fall for the hype.

I wish there was more to say, but the sports world is a notoriously late riser...

Pretty Girl 08.05.10 - Audrina Patridge

I'd write something witty, but I have a hard time thinking clearly when I look at Audrina.

The Tribe has looked solid tonight in its 27th consecutive game against a .500+ team, they're 13-13 by the by.  Minnesota still to come this weekend.  I'll echo others and say that I'm pleasantly surprised with the way that Shelley Duncan has filled his role with this club and I, too, would welcome him back next year as a role player.  Shelley smacked another RBI double tonight and may just be the de facto leader in the clubhouse as the oldest player and the man at the head of the brawl last night.

I actually started this post to write about how Justin Masterson seemed to be showing a little more of a true pitching makeup this evening, but in the time it took to type the 1st paragraph he served up a mammoth dong to Big Papi and gave a quick walk to Victor.  He's done after 5+.  Same old.

P.S.  OSU picked by the media to win the Big 10/11/12 and TP the pre-season offensive player of the year.  We'll see.

Whistle Stops

Tribe signs 5th round pick RHP Cole Cook from Pepperdine.  He'll head to Mahoning Valley.


Mike Lowell on waivers.  Mike Sweeney to the Phils.

Asked Wyatt Toregas about his injury.  Learned it's not his knee and that he "can't really talk about."  Civilizations rise & fall based on the specs of Wyatt's leg. 

Columbus beat Louisville 9-8 after a lengthy rain delay.  Jared Goedert drove home the tying and winning runs with a scorched 8th inning double.  Let's see him on the lake sooner rather than later.

Whistle Stops

Shaq signs with the Celtics for the league veteran minimum ($1.4mil) and agrees to come off the bench.

Despite mammoth concerns during mini-camp, Joe Haden and, especially, TJ Ward have looked spectacular through the 1st few days of Browns training camp proper.

Look for some changes on the right side of the Browns OL.  Shaun Lauvao?  Tony Pashos?

The word around the NBA is that the talent void for the Cavs is expected to grow as players and agents resent Dan Gilbert's letter condemning a "man" who made him millions of dollars.  In my humble, only one man (Gilbert) and one gargantuan child (the queen) were involved.

Raining (hard) in Columbus mid 7, still 8-7 Bats.  Bryce Stowell seems to be back on track: 1.2 scoreless, H, BB, 3K.

In less relevant news, A-Rod is now officially the youngest to join the 600 club with a 2-run 1st inning blast off of Shaun Marcum.

Blargh.  8-7 Louisville over the Clippers after... 4.  Yohan Pino's gotten rocked for all 8, but, most surprisingly, Richard Martinez has 4 RBI.  What?  He got a AAA hit?  Off of a AAAA pitcher in Matt Maloney?  I lost my over/under.

Also, with Wyatt Toregas injured, Dwight Childs, last year's 18th round pick and a CAREER .097 hitter, has been added to the Columbus roster.  What happens when Marson sprains his taint?  Good thing we released Mike Redmond.

Pretty Girl 08.04.10 - Portia De Rossi

The fact that she fooled around with Ellen D does not ruin it for me.

Things went very much downhill here at Huntington Park after Jess Todd gave up the lead in the 8th.  Unable to find the plate, the once promising reliever allowed the Bats to tie the game up at 3.  The Clippers almost escaped but Matt McBride, who looked just awful in the field tonight, double clutched on a throw to the plate.  After Columbus squandered a couple of scoring opportunities in the late going, Louisville took the lead 4-3 in the 12th.  Carlton Smith looked abysmal in taking the loss.

The only highlight was the appearance of Aroldis Chapman to pick up the save in the bottom of the 12th.  Making the Clippers look simply silly, Chapman hit 103 on back to back pitches to Kyle Smith and threw consistently at 101.  Columbus went down without a fight.  Quel dommage.

Also, the Tribe loss.  David Huff = 2-10.  Ughhh.

Espino settles down after the long ball and goes 7 strong, 6H, 2ER, 4K, 80 pitches, 60 strikes.  Impressive from another no-name starter.  Mike Sarbaugh seems to be creating a culture of winning down here regardless of which pieces or how much talent he has on his team.  Hopefully we can see this translate to the standings on the North Coast.

Now Wyatt Toregas has injured his knee and the Clippers are left with Richard Martinez (?), who was hitting .130 at Kinston, as their only catcher.  So much for our organizational depth.

Carlos Santana, on the other hand, has escaped any sort of tear or fracture and will likely miss little more than the 15 days he's on the disabled list.

And good old David Huff served up another gopher ball.  It's nice to see that some things never change.  Unless, of course, you count Lou Marson's solo shot to make it 2-1 BoSox.

Paolo Espino's 1st AAA batter... gonzo, courtesy of Chris Dickerson.  It was a bomb off the scoreboard.  Where have you gone Alex White?  Or more appropriately, why have you yet to get here?

Hafner and Santana to DL.  Huff and Marson added to active roster.  Oh, joy.

And the Rockies have claimed Wes Hodges off of the waiver wire.  Sad to see him go, especially for nothing. Injuries caused him to fall too far behind others in the organization.

Could Britney's pants be any lower?  I swear that I can see the shadow of something just above the button.

Tidbits

Adam Dunn on waivers, the right claim will result in a trade.  Odd move so soon after the deadline.

Brett Favre is an ass, threatening retirement to get a raise out of the Vikings in an uncapped year.  Couldn't he have just done this in March and gotten his surgery on time?  And then just walked through camp without exerting himself?  Queen James take notes, this guy's the biggest prima donna of them all.

Tribe now with the youngest active roster in the bigs, 26.2 average age.  If the trial by fire tempers these kids to steel we may contend sooner than expected.

Paolo Espino called up to start for Columbus tonite, taking David Huff's place.  Bummer as it's Alex White's 5th day.  Good luck to David, I have a feeling that he'll need it.

Carlos Santana headed back to Cleveland for an MRI.  After "testing well" with the Indians medical staff, a DL stint, unbelievably to anyone who saw the play, no longer seems probable.