After 32 games, nearly 20% of the 2009 season is now over. The Indians just got swept by the division rival Tigers and they now hold the worst record in the entire league. How did this happen?!?
For two years in a row, this team was expected to compete for a World Series. Peter Gammons picked the Tribe to go to the WS in '08. This year, his ESPN partner, John Kruk picked us. Yet, since the 2007 ALCS meltdown where the Red Sox came back from being down 1-3 in the 7 game series, this group has just never been the same fun loving team I saw in that Indian summer. In '07 this team had fun playing together. Smiles were all around the dug-out and paracticle jokes were common. (Anyone remember the post-game pie in the face stunts that became tradition after a win?). What I'm trying to say is that this team just hasn't been the same emotionally following that 2007 season. Since then, they seem to be pressing.
Granted, slow starts are par for an Eric Wedge coached team, but sooner or later, something's got to give. There becomes a point where you dig yourself too big of a hole to climb out of. Last year is a perfect example. Clearly we have the offensive talent to succeed. We're first in our division this year in runs scored. Last year, we were near the tops in the AL offensively, despite the injuries we sustained. Our starting pitching still remains adequate even though we traded our Ace and former Cy Younger, CC Sabathia. Sure, our starters began the season slow, but since then Cliff Lee has regained his Cy Young form and the rest of our guys are consistently getting to at least the 6th innings. The problems seem to be a multitude of things....
For the most part, it's our bullpen. Heading into this weekend, our bullpen had a 6.65 ERA, one of the worst in the AL. We've given up more leads in the 6th, 7th and 8th innings than I can count. For the most part, our biggest offseason aquisition, Kerry Wood has been light's out. It's the bridging of the gap between our starters and our closer that remains a problem. Bullpen struggles are demorilizing to a team. When a lead is given up in the late innings after the offense and starting pitching has worked so hard to get to that point, it's a blow to the psyche of a team.
Then there's the nights when our entire pitching staff is on, and our offense decides not to show up. We just haven't been able to put together too many full games where all sides of the team are in sync.
What is the solution you ask? Clearly, there is plenty of blame to go around. Is it the owner (Larry Dolan) who won't allow for a higher payroll to add more talent? Is it the GM (Mark Shapiro) who may have misused the dollars alloted to him to construct a more competitive team? Is it the manager who can't seem to get his players to play consistently? In short, I don't have the simple answer to all of our team's woes. But if I was in charge, I'd make a change now.
And that change would start with the Manager, Eric Wedge. In over 6 seasons of work, Wedgie's team has finished first once and made it to the playoffs exactly once too. His teams never start off well and seem to only do well when there is no pressure. I'm well aware that Wedgie isn't out on the mound throwing the games away, or the one standing up at-bat missing opportunities to advance runners in scoring position. But maybe, just maybe, a new outlook and mantra will be adapted by a Managerial change.
Personally, I'd love to see Grover (Mike Hargrove) back in town. I absolutely loved him as a manager during his time with the Tribe in the mid-90's. I doubt the Indians will bring him back, but he was quoted recently in the Plain Dealer that he would be interested in coaching again and he still resides here in NE Ohio (Richfield). This move would energize a fan base that still dearly holds onto memories of the powerhouse teams of the 90's. His coaching style would fit well with this team. He's experienced, readily available and loved by the orginazion and it's fan base. If anything, he may sell a few extra tickets. Grover deserves another chance and I would love to see him in the place of Wedgie in the dugout.
