AL CENTRAL

[BillD1984]

This Zack Greinke kid is THE story of the early 2009 season.

Tonight, Greinke pitched his second complete game shutout (third CG overall) in the Royals 3-0 victory over the White Sox.

Greike has now started 6 games this season. Check out these mind-boggling stats:

6-0/ 0.40 ERA / 43 IP / 54 K's


Kudos to this great young pitcher! :up

 

[SabresRule]

This Zack Greinke kid is THE story of the early 2009 season.

Tonight, Greinke pitched his second complete game shutout (third CG overall) in the Royals 3-0 victory over the White Sox.

Greike has now started 6 games this season. Check out these mind-boggling stats:

6-0/ 0.20 ERA / 43 IP / 54 K's

This guy is amazing!

The Royals had not had a hurler pitching this well since David Cone back in 1994.

He's their first legit ace on the hill since the days of Cone, Saberhagen, and you could go back even further to the days of Leonard and Splittorff.

 

[BillD1984]

This guy is amazing!

The Royals had not had a hurler pitching this well since David Cone back in 1994.

He's their first legit ace on the hill since the days of Cone, Saberhagen, and you could go back even further to the days of Leonard and Splittorff.

During the days of Dennis Leonard and Paul Splittorff, the Royals also had another very good starter.......Larry Gura.

But their best staff was in the mid-80's (when they won their only World Championship).

For a couple of years the Royals had a starting rotation of Bret Saberhagen, Mark Gubicza, Bud Black, Charlie Leibrandt and Danny Jackson.

That was, by far, the best rotation in baseball at that time.

 

[SabresRule]

Despite Wood's blown save, the Indians still got the win- 9-7 in extra innings.

 

[HD MM]

Despite Wood's blown save, the Indians still got the win- 9-7 in extra innings.

Thank God! I was about to blow another gasket if our bullpen cost us another game.

 

[KCK_Halo]

Thank God! I was about to blow another gasket if our bullpen cost us another game.

I'm tellin' ya, HD...when I saw Wood walk to the mound for the 9th I could just SEE a blown save in his face! His mind seems elsewhere. Even when he blew the save it was like "OK...next pitch!"

 

[HD MM]

I'm tellin' ya, HD...when I saw Wood walk to the mound for the 9th I could just SEE a blown save in his face! His mind seems elsewhere. Even when he blew the save it was like "OK...next pitch!"

Wood's blown 2 saves this year so far (the one yesterday, luckily didn't cost him). Otherwise, he's been lights out.

 

[Skyhi]

I'm tellin' ya, HD...when I saw Wood walk to the mound for the 9th I could just SEE a blown save in his face! His mind seems elsewhere. Even when he blew the save it was like "OK...next pitch!"

I thought the exact same thing. He makes me a bit nervous....not Wickman/Jo-Bo nervous, but nervous nonetheless. Even though his fastball is in the high 90s, there's not much movement on it, and if he throws it above the belt it can still get hammered.

 

[KCK_Halo]

Yet another BS for the Tribe. This time it's Lewis.

 

[HD MM]

Another Tribe Loss: I am Near Melt....

Another big middle finger to the Tribe! I'm soooo pissed at this team right now! WTF is going on here?!

Let me recap...

The Indians are leading the Jays, 6-3 heading into the bottom of the 7th. 7 runs later, we lose 10-6!!! What the F* is the deal with this bullpen!?

Here's a stat for you: In the 7th and 8th innings this year, the Tribe has given up 61 runs!!! That is ridiculous and extremely demoralizing to a team. If your offense and starting pitching start to believe that no lead is a safe lead, how can you expect this team to be there emotionally 100% every single night? The short answer: You can't.

I really don't know what the solution is. We have the talent in the bullpen. History has proven that. But for whatever reason, these guys are imploding on a nightly basis.

I know it's still the beginning of May and the season is long, blah, blah, blah... But quite frankly, I'm sick of this. We were supposed to be competing for the Division and the World Series Title this year and after 27 games, I find my club at the bottom of the AL Central.

I'm trying to remain calm, but I'm VERY close to begin calling for the Skipper, Eric Wedge's head. There is NO excuse to what is going on out there. And quite honestly, I don't think this team ever recovered from the '07 ALCS and being 1 game away from the World Series. I think it's time for a Change! Let's shake things up! Something's not working!

 

[KCK_Halo]

Another big middle finger to the Tribe! I'm soooo pissed at this team right now! WTF is going on here?!

I'm trying to remain calm, but I'm VERY close to begin calling for the Skipper, Eric Wedge's head. There is NO excuse to what is going on out there. And quite honestly, I don't think this team ever recovered from the '07 ALCS and being 1 game away from the World Series. I think it's time for a Change! Let's shake things up! Something's not working!

Let's try pitching coach first.

 

[Skyhi]

Jeez!!! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?!?!?! This may be the worst bullpen performance I've ever seen.

I'm with you, HD....Wedgie should be getting very nervous. This team has waaay too much talent to be playing like absolute GARBAGE.

 

[HD MM]

Let's try pitching coach first.

Well, actually Wedgie decided to fire our longest tenured Cleveland Indian employee last year (Sept. '08). His name: Louie Isaac. His title: Bullpen Coach. Wedge is 40. Isaac has worked for the Indians four more years than Wedge has been alive!

Here's the assinie quote from Wedgie last September when they fired poor Louie:

"Louie was as loyal as the day is long," said Wedge. "He's been a great contributor here to the coaching staff for so many years. Ultimately, we need a different dynamic in the bullpen from that role. It's something I've been thinking about for a while."

And the classy response from poor Louie:

"I was shocked when Wedgie told me, but I said, 'I want to thank you for everything,'" said Isaac, 62. "I didn't ask why. I didn't fight or cry, he'd already made up his mind.

"I want to thank the Cleveland Indians and the fans. I want to say goodbye and thank you for a super 44 years."

"In 44 years I did all I could to make Cleveland a World Series champion," said Isaac. "I leave with my head up. I don't want people to think I'm sour. The Indians helped raise my family for 44 years. They will always be my team."

Looks like that call has paid off dividends, huh? Poor, poor Louie.

Fired Indians bullpen coach Isaac not bitter after surprise dismissal - cleveland.com

 

[KCK_Halo]

I vaguely remember that now.

 

[Skyhi]

I remember when it happened and I was shocked.....I have since forgotten all about it. Thank you for reminding me, HD.....

 

[HD MM]

I vaguely remember that now.

I realize hine sight is always 20-20, but Wedge fired a guy who's been with the staff for 44 years to save his own ass! A year later, we're starting to see who the real issue is. As it turns out, it wasn't Louie. Poor, poor Louie.

 

[KCK_Halo]

I realize hine sight is always 20-20, but Wedge fired a guy who's been with the staff for 44 years to save his own ass! A year later, we're starting to see who the real issue is. As it turns out, it wasn't Louie. Poor, poor Louie.

On the bright side, I'm sure Louie's enjoying retirement with that nice fat MLB pension he gets after all those years.

 

[HD MM]

On the bright side, I'm sure Louie's enjoying retirement with that nice fat MLB pension he gets after all those years.

I sure hope so. I always felt bad for how Louie took the fall for last season. That just wasn't right for someone who at the tender age of 62 would suit up the shin pads and the big mitt while remaining the calm and steady voice of reason for our bullpen each and every game-day for 44 years.

 

[BillD1984]

Wedge is 40.

Eric Wedge is 40!


I remember him as a catcher coming up through the Red Sox system, and that seems like a hundred years ago!

BTW, Wedgie looks more like 50 than 40!

 

[Skyhi]

I'm still thinking about today's loss......I think the Tribe needs to blow up the 'pen a la Washington. Perez, Bentancourt, and Lewis can re-learn how to pitch in Columbus.