It's Never Too Late To Turn It All Around

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That's what I get for taking my wisdom from a GD Tom Cruise movie.  Don't get me started on the American educational system.

Pretty Girl(s) Update! - Kaley Cuoco & Ashley Tisdale

I can't tell you what hot is, but I know it when I see it.

A Quest Called Tribe

How great is it when Matt LaPorta hits?  Matty (.241) looked great in his first three trips with a slick opposite field homer, a patient AB for a walk and a smash that was stolen from the left field corner by Alberto Callaspo.  Although LaPorta has still yet to become the superstar that his talents predicted, the production that he has provided is more that adequate for the #8 hole.  If he can breed a bit more consistency into his offense, he will be right on track for the .270, 20 HR, 75 RBI that we need from him for team success.

Even better than LaPorta was Mitch Talbot tonight.  After laboring through 102 pitches and exiting in the 5th during his first start, Talbot (1.46 ERA) could not have looked sharper tonight.  In throwing 8 shutout innings, Mitch allowed just 5 hits and 2 walks.  He struck out 4 while spotting 72 of his 112 pitches for strikes.  Talbot was never really in trouble and retired the last eight that he faced coming into the 9th, included a sick called third on Howie Kendrick to end the 8th.  It was somewhat surprising that Manny Acta sent his starter back out for the 8th (let alone the 9th), but I like the thinking.  This is a young team that is overachieving.  At his hiring, Acta was lauded for his success in developing young talent and this is the first concrete example that I have seen.  Plant that seed in Talbot's head, in all of the players' heads, that they are this good and maybe they will be.  Is the starting pitching this good?  I have no reason (72 IP, 44 H during the streak) to think otherwise.

All of the streaks continue -- Wins (8), Michael Brantley hitting (9), Travis Hafner hitting (8) and, sadly, Carlos Santana hitless ABs (14).

Have I mentioned that Vinnie Pestano is dirty?

Not nearly enough can be said about the infield defense, particularly Orlando Cabrera.  Two months back, I was not a fan of shifting O-Cab to the right side of the infield.  Today, the Indians' brain trust looks like a kettle full of genius.  The rapport that has developed between the Cabreras is reminiscent of another double play tandem of about a decade past.  ESPN has the each starting infielder ranked in the top 12 overall, with both middle men ranking in the top 3.  Jack Hannahan ranks the lowest, but you could have fooled me.  The man is as graceful and accurate as anyone could want at the hot corner.  Despite his homer on Sunday (Han the Man, Jack TheManahan, Mother-effin Hannahan, etc) Jack's average has started to dip and the team will have a tough call when Jason Donald finished his rehab stint.

Speaking of the currently disabled, Grady Sizemore was 2-for-4 with the Aeros tonight and cracking a sweet .455 thus far.  Grady simply needs to pile up at bats to ensure that his timing is right; he is completely healthy.  If anyone is still wondering, he will play center when he arrives with Brantley shifting to left.  Donald (.143) went hitless in four ABs including a pair of Ks and Joe Smith (3.38 ERA) faltered for the first time as he struggled for command, but both are still on target to return this month.

Btw, the Clippers were rained out tonight in Lousiville.  They'll double dip tomorrow with Corey Kluber and David Huff taking the pill.

Lastly, ponder this tidbit.  About a week ago, the Tribe released 3B Matt Cusick, one of a pair of farmhands that they received from the Yankees last summer for Kerry Wood.  With the second, Andrew Shive, having been released during the off-season, the Indians would have been better served swapping Wood for a nice steak dinner.  Neither man played an inning for the organization.  It was cool to see Wood in a Cleveland uni, but, in hindsight, 'twas an awful waste of cash.

Pretty Girl 04.12.11 - Evan Rachel Wood

How great is a girl who's totally cool with taking all of her clothes off?

Suicide Squeeze - Iron Colt ('92 Upper Deck)

Clip Joint

The Good News:  The Clippers swept the Indians in Indianapolis and are off to their best start since 1980.

The Better News:  The Clippers have been led by players that have an excellent shot to contribute at the big league level this season.

Despite Jason Kipnis (.214) and Lonnie Chisenhall's (.211) slow starts, the top four hitters with double digit ABs are all on the short list for a quick call to the bigs.  Cord Phelps, among the final contenders for the utility infield spot, has been the best of the bunch.  Phelps is hitting at a .471 clip with a 1.571 OPS and leads the club with 7 RBIs (notably, Chiz is 2nd with 5).  Also, Cord has continued to show himself capable at all three infield positions.  Ezequiel Carrera (.412, 3B, 2 SB, 6 R), Luis Valbuena (.400, 1.000 OPS) and Luke Carlin (.300) have also made strong contributions.  One would expect Carrera to be the first call for speed or outfield defense, Valbuena to always be in consideration as an extra infielder and Carlin (3 of 4 starts) to be at the top of the minor league catching depth chart.

The pitching has been tremendous as well.  David Huff (W, 6 scoreless), Jeanmar Gomez (W, 3.18 ERA) and Alex White (3.60, 6 K in 5 IP) all had excellent first starts.  Huff and Gomez, you may recall, were the last challengers for the 5th starter role, while everyone is excited to see White, the organization's #1 pitching prospect, on the lake sometime this summer.  Jensen Lewis has saved a pair and Josh Judy, despite blowing the save on Saturday, has K'ed 5 in 3 innings.

The Clippers continue on the road this week (6:35p tonite in Louisville, Corey Kluber on the bump) with the home opener slated for the 16th, 4p against Toledo.

Other Minor Points of Interest -

Drew Pomeranz made an excellent pro debut for Kinston, tossing 5 and a third and surrendering just 2 hits.  Drew struck out nine without allowing a run or a free pass.

Grady Sizemore (3-for-7, 2B, BB, RBI), Jason Donald (1-for-3) and Joe Smith (2 perfect IP, 4 K) are all progressing well in their rehab at Akron.  It will be interesting who gets sent down when these guys are ready.

Austin Adams was lights out in his first AA start.  Austin grabbed the win and held the opposition to a 2 hits and a walk as he wiffed six in six innings.

Mad props to my boy Tyler Tufts.  Ty is off to his best start ever in pro ball.  On Friday, he was credited with the win in the Myrtle Beach Pelicans opener as he struck out 4 of the 5 he faced.  Yesterday, Tyler picked up the save in the second game of a (quasi) double header by tossing a perfect 9th.  Everyone (including the Rangers) know that Ty belongs at AA, so here's to the kid getting back there ASAP.

Cheers.

The Most Challenging Challenge Ever

Don't worry, I only got 8 right.

Pretty Girl 04.11.11 - Tina Fey

Proof that every girl that you know is not trying nearly hard enough to look smokin' hot.

While I Was Sminking

Don't know what that means?  If you know me, then please refer to a typical weekend.  Otherwise it's a thinly veiled Beatles reference.  Ob la di.

Yeah, 7 in a row.  I feel like I'm in a dream.  I actually sit down to watch the Tribe and I expect them to win.  The most pleasant and shocking part of it all is the starting pitching.  Each and every start during the streak has been of the quality variety.  This from a starting rotation that could very easily have included David Huff.  3 runs on 3 hits today from Josh Tomlin to extend his streak of 5+ inning starts to begin his career to 14.  I am very seriously thinking about picking up Justin Masterson in my fantasy league.  What the eff is going on?  They sandwich 1-0 and 2-1 victories around a 12 run explosion on Friday then hang onto an early lead for today's 6-4 victory.  Is Jack Hannahan (officially no more ugh) hitting the cover off of the ball?  Is Pronk's OPS 1.063?  Have none of our top 3 bullpen men given up a run yet?  We're through game 9 of 162, but damn it feels good to be gangsta.  And an Indians' fan.  Btw, the spellcheck here is all good with "gangsta" but is irked by "spellcheck."

I'll give you a deeper look at the Clippers' 4-game sweep at Indianapolis to begin the season sometime tomorrow.  Rest assured times are good.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 04.10.11 - Serinda Swan

I would break into jail for her.