Before Joe Cleveland speaks on the world of sports, I'd like to take a moment and reflect on a great thing that happened in the "real world" -- the death of Osama (or Usama) bin Laden.
Bin Laden's death should come as a joy and relief to not just Americans, but for others who live in the Free World. A despicable man who masterminded numerous terrorist attacks on many countries, including the horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001, has been snuffed out thanks to a very brave mission by American special forces units.
Putting aside personal politics and biases and all the other things that Americans fight among themselves, I believe all Americans can unite with pride that Public Enemy No. 1 was finally found, captured and (when he wouldn't go quietly) killed. Hell has a new resident, and his name is Osama bin Laden.
Moving on ...
The more Joe Cleveland hears about the Jim Tressel saga at Ohio State, the more he realizes that Ohio State better start making a list of coaching candidates, because chances are great that the Sweater Vest won't be around much longer.
Essentially, the NCAA might force OSU's hand on this one. If they want lighter sanctions, you might want to send your coach packing. The NCAA doesn't look to kindly on being lied to or deceived, especially by coaches.
If I'm Tressel, I'm reaching out to my new good friend Mike Holmgren and asking if there would be a spot for him with the Browns somewhere. They do need an offensive coordinator. How about an additional college scout? Tressel always said the one place he'd leave Columbus for was a job with his beloved Browns. He might have to do it now.
Or, maybe the Bengals try to cash in on Buckeye fans locally by hiring Tressel as their new head coach when Marvin Lewis' contract expires. Mike Brown has some ties to Ohio State, since his dad was one of their great head coaches, and Cincy has always had a history of drafting players from OSU. I don't think Tressel is cut out to be an NFL coach, but at this point, any job might be a good job.
After the John Cooper debacle, Ohio State has made it known that they will only be interested in head coaches with Ohio State or Ohio ties -- coaches who understand the traditions of Ohio State football; coaches who embrace the rich Michigan rivalry and rivalries with other schools in the Big Ten; coaches who will continue to recruit the top athletes in the state of Ohio. Tressel did that (even though he lied). Whoever takes his place will have to do it as well.
Also, when Tressel took it over, OSU was still a prominant name, but nowhere near the national powerhouse that it is. The BCS is partly responsible for that. But when you win a national championship and reach the title game in two other seasons, your school is mentioned in the same breath as the Floridas, Alabamas, USCs and Notre Dames of the world.
So, with that in mind, here's a list of candidates Gene Smith and Gordon Gee might want to consider:
1. Urban Meyer -- The No. 1 candidate on this list, mostly because he's currently unemployed. Meyer is from Ashtabula and spent time coaching at Ohio State before getting his first head coaching gig at Bowling Green. Meyer has been a winner everywhere he's gone, even at Florida, where he had big shoes to fill from Steve Spurrier and still on a national title and coached a Heisman Trophy winner in Tim Tebow. Some feel Ohio State would be a "step backward" for Meyer. Really? Ohio State has more tradition than Florida ever had. That, and OSU doesn't have to compete with Miami, Florida State, South Florida and Central Florida for in-state recruits.
2. Bob Stoops -- Stoops was believed to be Ohio State's top choice when Cooper was fired before he decided to stay at Oklahoma, where he's been ever since. Stoops is from Youngstown and also coached at Ohio State before leaving for other jobs. He took the Sooners to a national title just before the OSU job opened, and he's continued to keep them in the national spotlight. A tradition-rich program with an insane fan base, it would probably take a phenomenal offer for Stoops to leave for Columbus, especially if the program is hamstrung by NCAA sanctions (such as reduction in scholarships, bowl game restrictions, etc.)
3. Les Miles -- Miles is a "Michigan Man," but grew up in Ohio (Elyria) and still has family here. Miles turned down the opportunity to coach at his alma mater this past year, so I can't see him leaving LSU for Ohio State. However, he'd be worth an overture. Miles has made a living out of bolting job after job, so even though he turned down Michigan, maybe he felt the program wasn't in the best shape. And, besides, Bo Schembechler was an "Ohio Man" before he took the Michigan job. Maybe the historical factor would weigh in on Miles.
4. Jon Gruden -- Gruden might be higher on this list because he's currently out of a coaching job and serving as a popular football analyst on ESPN. When OSU was seeking Tressel's replacement, Gruden was one of the candidates. Another Ohio guy (Sandusky) with ties to Ohio State, Gruden was contacted when it appeared his relationship with the Raiders was fracturing. He turned it down, and wound up going to Tampa Bay one year later (leading them to a Super Bowl over his former Raider team). He's been a winner everywhere in the NFL and has a terrific knowledge of football. He's shown some great knowledge for the college game during his "QB school" run thorugh ESPN and his draft analysis. He turned down the chance to coach the Browns this season, so the college game may be up his alley. He probably woundn't be too daunted about NCAA sanctions, either.
5. Bo Pellini -- Pellini is also a Youngstown guy with ties to Ohio State. The main thing holding him back is that he's the head coach at Nebraska, which will be a conference rival of Ohio State beginning this year. I don't think he would leave Nebraska to join an in-house rival, especially when he essentially just started there and is starting to get the program back on its feet. Worth an overture, though.
6. Mike Stoops -- Bob's younger brother is currently the head coach at Arizona. The younger Stoops isn't as successful as his older brother, but he does bring with him head coaching experience at a major level and has shown an ability to field a competitive team. He'd probably be more apt to move from Arizona to Ohio State considering his situation.
7. Larry Kehres -- If Gene Smith wants to travel down the road his predecessor did with Tressel, he might want to explore Kehres. All Kehres has done has turned little Mount Union into a Division III dynasty. They rarely lose games and routinely have a date in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (the D-III title game). I don't know if Kehres would leave Alliance, and a jump from D-III to D-I is more severe than a jump from D-IAA to D-IA like Tressel did. I do believe the hiring would be popular in-state.
8. Frank Solich -- Solich had the misfortune of following the legendary Tom Osborne at Nebraska. All he did was win more than he lost, but it wasn't enough for the school's AD, who replaced him with ex-Raiders coach Bill Callahan. That turned out to be a disaster. Solich, who has also been arrested for a DUI, has resurfaced at Ohio University, doing decently at a smaller D-I school not known for its football prowess. Solich is also an Ohio guy (Cleveland), and a move up the road might not be out of the realm of possibility.
9. Chris Spielman -- Every time an Ohio State coaching position opens, Spielman's name is dangled. He may be the most popular ex-Buckeye ever (Archie Griffin has a legitimate case, too). Buckeye fans and alumni would be thrilled if Spielman took the job. However, he's never had very much coaching experience, let alone head coaching experience. The thing about Spielman is that he "gets it," which you can never underestimate among Buckeye fans. I'm sure he'd be considered a candidate, even it it is kind of an "honorary candidate."
10. Luke Fickell -- Why wouldn't Ohio State look for an in-house candidate like Fickell, who is currently the acting coach during Tressel's suspension? Perhaps the Buckeyes do well under Fickell while Tressel is doing his time. Would it make sense to give him the job full-time and see what happens? He's not a flashy name like some of the other guys above him, and maybe Ohio State is to the point where they would need a proven commodity to take the reins. I wouldn't discount it, though.
Darkhorses: Mark Dantonio (former top assistant at OSU has gone on to good coaching stints at Cincinnati and Michigan State); Don Treadwell (Oberlin native, filled in for Dantonio well at MSU and is now coaching at Miami OH); Butch Davis (has Ohio ties with his stint with the Browns and has shown he can build winning programs and can recruit as well as the best of them); Eric Mangini (Ohio ties from his Browns stint; might be more suited to college coaching because of his emphasis on character and was a big fan of coaching in this area); Chuck Kyle (one of the most successful Ohio high school coaches ever at St. Ignatius); Ted Ginn (has a tie-in to Ohio State with all of the kids he's sent there from Glenville and has proven to be a successful high school coach).
Any names I forgot about? Feel free to comment and include them under this post.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Getting Drafty
They say it's the Browns fan's Super Bowl, because it's the day you think (and hope) that they are getting the next piece to a championship puzzle. It was draft weekend this past weekend, and, of course, Browns fans like Joe Cleveland (who became the newest member of the Dawg Pound in 2011 just before the draft began) anticipated it greatly.
The draft was different this year, in that it was taking place during a lockout, which meant free agency hadn't happened yet and no players could be traded. Also, no undrafted free agents can be signed and no draft picks can be signed, either. And, because there was nothing football-wise going on since March, this draft has been more scrutinized both before and after than I could remember.
Despite the restrictions, the Browns wasted no time making an impact, making a trade with Atlanta. They gave the Falcons their sixth-overall pick (which they used to take WR Julio Jones) and the Browns received two first-rounders, a second-rounder and two fourth-rounders.
A bounty if there ever was one, and perfect for a team that needs several holes filled, not just one.
They also made another trade, moving up from 27 in the first round to 21 (and giving up their third-rounder) to take mammoth defensive tackle Phil Taylor from Baylor with their first pick.
Of course, Joe Cleveland's phone blew up from the moment the Browns made the trade through the end of the first round. Most of the calls and texts were from folks who HATED what the Browns did. Not Joe Cleveland. He LOVED IT!
The pick of Taylor was almost a Steeler-esque pick. Pittsburgh, which has consistantly picked low in the draft for the last few years, have made a living out of picking guys who fill holes to help their team improve. A guy like Phil Taylor seems like a pick Pittsburgh would have made. Same with Baltimore.
Baltimore did it before, coaxing Phil Savage to flip-flop firsr round picks back in 2005 (and give them a sixth-rounder to do it) so they could take Halaoi Ngata instead of Kamerion Wimbley. Ngata has been a fiersome run-stopper that Baltimore needs to compete in a tough division such as the AFC North. Wimbley is now on the Raiders. Enough said.
People complain that the Browns had a big tackle in Shaun Rogers and they let him go. Rogers was good in spurts, but terrible most of the time. He barely took the field last year, nursing some phantom injuries here and there. Meanwhile, Athyba Rubin emerged as a very good nose tackle, which made Rogers expendable. That, and the move from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense.
Essentially needing three new starters in their four-man defensive front, you had to think the Browns were going to take a defensive lineman. And, they did. Actually, they did with their first two picks of the draft.
Following Taylor, the Browns selected pass-rushing defensive end Jabaal Sheard from Pitt with their first choice of the second round. Still on the board was Clemson DE Da'Quon Bowers, who many projected as the top-pick just a month ago. However, his injured knee (which may need major surgery) threw up red flags all around the league. He wound up being taken by Tampa with the 51st overall pick.
Taylor and Sheard are already penciled in as defensive line starters along with Rubin. The Browns are hopeful that Jayme Mitchell, who was acquired last season from Minnesota but never got off of Eric Mangini's bench, re-signs with the team, and linebackers Matt Roth and Marcus Benard are also possibilities to become rush ends in the 4-3.
With their next second round pick, the Browns took receiver Greg Little from North Carolina. Little is a physical specimen at receiver, who has sure hands and isn't afraid to lay down a block. He also played running back for the Tar Heels because of his athleticism. During his last year at NC, he caught over 60 passes.
Unfortunately, that was two seasons ago. He was suspended all of this season due to taking improper benefits from an agent. He was one of many North Carolina players who were suspended this year, including standout defensive end Robert Quinn. Had he played, many feel Little would have been a first-round pick.
All three players had some questions -- Taylor was kicked off of Penn State's team for fighting, but was a model citizen at Baylor; Sheard reportedly threw someone through a window in a fight, but he was not charged due to what was called "self-defense"; and Little with his agent problems. However, there's no denying the talent these players possess.
Eric Mangini would have never touched either of these players. He loved choir-boys. Unfortunately, his teams played like a bunch of choir-boys, which is why he's an analyst in ESPN and not coaching anywhere this year.
Butch Davis never saw a character flaw he couldn't ignore. However, his players were essentially thugs and malcontents, and his teams played like it (not so much on the field, but off).
They finished their draft by taking a big pass-catching tight end (USC's Jordan Cameron), a two-way athlete who will likely play fullback (Stanford's Owen Marecic), a very speedy cornerback (Tenn-Chattanooga's Buster Skrine), a big hybrid offensive lineman who grew up rooting for the Steelers (Pitt's Jason Pinkston), and a solid safety who was named his team's defensive MVP (Nebraska's Eric Hagg).
Some think the Browns should have taken Mount Union WR Cecil Shorts III in the spot they took Cameron. They argue that the Browns have plenty of pass-catching TEs in Ben Watson and Evan Moore; they need a blocker. Essentially, people have tried to question every single one of the Browns picks in some fashion.
In Joe Cleveland's opinion, you shored up your defensive front (which was the biggest need on your team), got a solid WR who should start at one of their wideout positions, got another pass catcher for the West Coast offense, added a very versitle athlete who could be an asset on special teams while also blasting holes for Montario Hardesty and Madden 12 cover boy Peyton Hillis (HELL YES!!!), added some depth and athleticism to a bare defensive backfield, and got a future right tackle or right guard starter who could see some immediate playing time on their line.
To Joe Cleveland, that's a solid draft. And, you have two first-rounders next season. That's fantastic.
Once Marcell Dareus, Patrick Peterson and A.J. Green all went off the board, I knew the Browns would trade down. I don't think they were sold on Julio Jones. We had a guy like Julio Jones. His name was Braylon Edwards. We all remember what happened to him. Jones may not have been as much of a diva as Braylon, but he still had the same sketchy hands as Braylon. The Browns need receivers who won't drop the ball. Little won't drop the ball. Cameron won't drop the ball. That's good enough for me.
Overall, I give the Browns draft an A-/B+. I'm no expert, but I think Tom Heckert, Mike Holmgren and Pat Shurmer had a vision of what they wanted and went out and got it while setting themselves up for the future. Now, can we please end this lockout so we can get back to free agency and all the other great stuff?
***
I certainly didn't believe the Indians would go 18-8 in April. 8-18 is more like what I envisioned. But 18-8? No bleepin way!
But, here they are, 10-games over .500 with a 10-game winning streak at Progressive Field and in first place comfortably in their division heading into May. Sure, there''s a long way to go this season, but wow!
And, you've got to admire how the Indians have won these last two games -- back-to-back walkoff wins. First Carlos Santana drills a walk-off grand slam on Friday night, breaking a 5-5 tie and beating Detroit 9-5. Then, Orlando Cabrera's single in the bottom of the 13th leads to a 3-2 win over the Tigers again.
Needing a pitcher, the Indians called up No. 1 draft pick Alex White, who was the best pitcher in Columbus. Had they been mediocre, the Indians would have called up some other schlub like David Huff to keep White from starting his service time so early to save some money. But, they're winning, and they need talent to keep winning. Maybe there is hope that Dolan will crack open that rusty wallet and spend some money to improve this team.
Joe Cleveland isn't ready to annoint the Indians the belles of the ball just yet. Like I said, it's a long season, and this team has a track record of folding. However, you've got to enjoy this.
No one expected this. Manny Acta may claim he did, but NO ONE expected this. Some are comparing it to 1995. I wouldn't go that far. But, this team is starting to get exciting, and that's what fans want to see. For their sake, I hope they continue winning. This town needs a winner to exorcise the demons of LeQuitter, and with the Browns having a solid draft and a Madden cover athlete, the Cavs in positon to get much better next season and beyond and the Indians in first place, Cleveland could be well on its way to doing so.
Untl next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
The draft was different this year, in that it was taking place during a lockout, which meant free agency hadn't happened yet and no players could be traded. Also, no undrafted free agents can be signed and no draft picks can be signed, either. And, because there was nothing football-wise going on since March, this draft has been more scrutinized both before and after than I could remember.
Despite the restrictions, the Browns wasted no time making an impact, making a trade with Atlanta. They gave the Falcons their sixth-overall pick (which they used to take WR Julio Jones) and the Browns received two first-rounders, a second-rounder and two fourth-rounders.
A bounty if there ever was one, and perfect for a team that needs several holes filled, not just one.
They also made another trade, moving up from 27 in the first round to 21 (and giving up their third-rounder) to take mammoth defensive tackle Phil Taylor from Baylor with their first pick.
Of course, Joe Cleveland's phone blew up from the moment the Browns made the trade through the end of the first round. Most of the calls and texts were from folks who HATED what the Browns did. Not Joe Cleveland. He LOVED IT!
The pick of Taylor was almost a Steeler-esque pick. Pittsburgh, which has consistantly picked low in the draft for the last few years, have made a living out of picking guys who fill holes to help their team improve. A guy like Phil Taylor seems like a pick Pittsburgh would have made. Same with Baltimore.
Baltimore did it before, coaxing Phil Savage to flip-flop firsr round picks back in 2005 (and give them a sixth-rounder to do it) so they could take Halaoi Ngata instead of Kamerion Wimbley. Ngata has been a fiersome run-stopper that Baltimore needs to compete in a tough division such as the AFC North. Wimbley is now on the Raiders. Enough said.
People complain that the Browns had a big tackle in Shaun Rogers and they let him go. Rogers was good in spurts, but terrible most of the time. He barely took the field last year, nursing some phantom injuries here and there. Meanwhile, Athyba Rubin emerged as a very good nose tackle, which made Rogers expendable. That, and the move from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense.
Essentially needing three new starters in their four-man defensive front, you had to think the Browns were going to take a defensive lineman. And, they did. Actually, they did with their first two picks of the draft.
Following Taylor, the Browns selected pass-rushing defensive end Jabaal Sheard from Pitt with their first choice of the second round. Still on the board was Clemson DE Da'Quon Bowers, who many projected as the top-pick just a month ago. However, his injured knee (which may need major surgery) threw up red flags all around the league. He wound up being taken by Tampa with the 51st overall pick.
Taylor and Sheard are already penciled in as defensive line starters along with Rubin. The Browns are hopeful that Jayme Mitchell, who was acquired last season from Minnesota but never got off of Eric Mangini's bench, re-signs with the team, and linebackers Matt Roth and Marcus Benard are also possibilities to become rush ends in the 4-3.
With their next second round pick, the Browns took receiver Greg Little from North Carolina. Little is a physical specimen at receiver, who has sure hands and isn't afraid to lay down a block. He also played running back for the Tar Heels because of his athleticism. During his last year at NC, he caught over 60 passes.
Unfortunately, that was two seasons ago. He was suspended all of this season due to taking improper benefits from an agent. He was one of many North Carolina players who were suspended this year, including standout defensive end Robert Quinn. Had he played, many feel Little would have been a first-round pick.
All three players had some questions -- Taylor was kicked off of Penn State's team for fighting, but was a model citizen at Baylor; Sheard reportedly threw someone through a window in a fight, but he was not charged due to what was called "self-defense"; and Little with his agent problems. However, there's no denying the talent these players possess.
Eric Mangini would have never touched either of these players. He loved choir-boys. Unfortunately, his teams played like a bunch of choir-boys, which is why he's an analyst in ESPN and not coaching anywhere this year.
Butch Davis never saw a character flaw he couldn't ignore. However, his players were essentially thugs and malcontents, and his teams played like it (not so much on the field, but off).
They finished their draft by taking a big pass-catching tight end (USC's Jordan Cameron), a two-way athlete who will likely play fullback (Stanford's Owen Marecic), a very speedy cornerback (Tenn-Chattanooga's Buster Skrine), a big hybrid offensive lineman who grew up rooting for the Steelers (Pitt's Jason Pinkston), and a solid safety who was named his team's defensive MVP (Nebraska's Eric Hagg).
Some think the Browns should have taken Mount Union WR Cecil Shorts III in the spot they took Cameron. They argue that the Browns have plenty of pass-catching TEs in Ben Watson and Evan Moore; they need a blocker. Essentially, people have tried to question every single one of the Browns picks in some fashion.
In Joe Cleveland's opinion, you shored up your defensive front (which was the biggest need on your team), got a solid WR who should start at one of their wideout positions, got another pass catcher for the West Coast offense, added a very versitle athlete who could be an asset on special teams while also blasting holes for Montario Hardesty and Madden 12 cover boy Peyton Hillis (HELL YES!!!), added some depth and athleticism to a bare defensive backfield, and got a future right tackle or right guard starter who could see some immediate playing time on their line.
To Joe Cleveland, that's a solid draft. And, you have two first-rounders next season. That's fantastic.
Once Marcell Dareus, Patrick Peterson and A.J. Green all went off the board, I knew the Browns would trade down. I don't think they were sold on Julio Jones. We had a guy like Julio Jones. His name was Braylon Edwards. We all remember what happened to him. Jones may not have been as much of a diva as Braylon, but he still had the same sketchy hands as Braylon. The Browns need receivers who won't drop the ball. Little won't drop the ball. Cameron won't drop the ball. That's good enough for me.
Overall, I give the Browns draft an A-/B+. I'm no expert, but I think Tom Heckert, Mike Holmgren and Pat Shurmer had a vision of what they wanted and went out and got it while setting themselves up for the future. Now, can we please end this lockout so we can get back to free agency and all the other great stuff?
***
I certainly didn't believe the Indians would go 18-8 in April. 8-18 is more like what I envisioned. But 18-8? No bleepin way!
But, here they are, 10-games over .500 with a 10-game winning streak at Progressive Field and in first place comfortably in their division heading into May. Sure, there''s a long way to go this season, but wow!
And, you've got to admire how the Indians have won these last two games -- back-to-back walkoff wins. First Carlos Santana drills a walk-off grand slam on Friday night, breaking a 5-5 tie and beating Detroit 9-5. Then, Orlando Cabrera's single in the bottom of the 13th leads to a 3-2 win over the Tigers again.
Needing a pitcher, the Indians called up No. 1 draft pick Alex White, who was the best pitcher in Columbus. Had they been mediocre, the Indians would have called up some other schlub like David Huff to keep White from starting his service time so early to save some money. But, they're winning, and they need talent to keep winning. Maybe there is hope that Dolan will crack open that rusty wallet and spend some money to improve this team.
Joe Cleveland isn't ready to annoint the Indians the belles of the ball just yet. Like I said, it's a long season, and this team has a track record of folding. However, you've got to enjoy this.
No one expected this. Manny Acta may claim he did, but NO ONE expected this. Some are comparing it to 1995. I wouldn't go that far. But, this team is starting to get exciting, and that's what fans want to see. For their sake, I hope they continue winning. This town needs a winner to exorcise the demons of LeQuitter, and with the Browns having a solid draft and a Madden cover athlete, the Cavs in positon to get much better next season and beyond and the Indians in first place, Cleveland could be well on its way to doing so.
Untl next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Indians winning in April? No foolin!
The last time Joe Cleveland graced everyone out there with his blog, he essentially wrote the epitaph to the Cleveland Indians' season.
And this was after watching ONE FREAKING GAME!!
Such as life as a Cleveland sports fan, especially a fan of the Indians. You've seen the same song and dance for the most part since 2002, you kind of expect it.
But, to our amazement, the Indians shrugged off that Opening Day beating (and one the day after) to start winning!
Yes, Charlie Sheen, I said WINNING! What a novel concept for our Wahoo Warriors.
Under Eric Wedge, losing in April was a common occurance. Whenever the team did start getting their stuff together, it was August, and Browns training camp had opened, and the Indians were already 15 games out of first, and they had already dealt two of the best players for prospects that still needed seasoning down on the farm, and ... well, you catch my drift. The fact is, they usually won when no one paid attention anymore.
So, when they pointed out their 14-9 September, fans probably thought they were making it up. After all, the Browns were starting the season 0-3 and that's what everyone cares about.
This year, Manny Acta was doing the same song and dance about a strong finish that nine people probably paid attention to (eight of which work for the Indians) and fans tuned him out. They looked a team that was so cheap, they trotted out a career minor leaguer to start at third base and tried to pawn it off as a legitimate move. They looked a team that seemed hell bent on trading their top guys before they could test the free agency market because they knew there was no chance in hell they were going to sign them instead of playing to win. They, like Joe Cleveland, could really care less.
So, after the team played to everyone's expectations by looking like Columbus Clippers in their first two games, the fans tuned out in droves.
It wasn't until the Indians swept the high-priced, ESPN-darling Boston Red Sox and their annoying self-rightous 'Nation' that some fans began to pay attention.
Well, I saw "some fans", because home games at Progressive Field look a lot like they did in the 1980s at the old Cleveland Stadium -- heavy on the empty seats.
Sure, the weather has something to do with it, and this April has been especially dismal this year, both temperature-wise and precipitation-wise. The expectations for the team have something to do with it. And, a general distaste for all things Larry Dolan still play a big part in it, whether the Indians want to believe it or not.
But, they're winning ... and they're winning the right way.
Fundamental baseball! What a novel concept! That's something I haven't seen in a long time. I NEVER saw it under The Grinder (that's my nickname for Wedge, since he always talked about how the team "had to keeep grindin.")
Sacrifice bunts! YES! Solid starting pitching! YES! A great bullpen! YES! An offense that is doing well despite two of their best players slumping (Shin-Soo Choo and Carlos Santana) and a third (Grady Sizemore) just now coming off the DL!
YES-YES-YES!!
Joe Cleveland will still admit to being very hard on Paul and Larry Cheapass, because I still haven't seen a true committment to winning out of these two since Larry Dolan exclaimed that his goals for the team were "World Series championships (plural)" upon buying the team in 2000. And, a litmus test will be come June or July and this team is still keeping up their pace -- will they chisel off the vault and pry it open to get this team an additional bat or arm to make a legitimate playoff push? They did it in 2007 to a degree (although, adding an aging Kenny Lofton wasn't exactly opening up the purse strings). Will they do it in 2011?
And, I'll admit to being skeptical of whether the Indians can continue this trend. They just suffered their first three-game losing streak (getting swept by the last-place Twins) before pummelling the Royals as I type this Monday night. I think a lot of the fan base is waiting for that other shoe to drop on the Indians.
However, let's forget about long-term for a second and enjoy this for what it is.
The Indians are in first place! FIRST FREAKING PLACE! In April, for crissakes.
The Cavs just finished second-worst in the NBA and are heading for a lockout. The Browns' draft is coming up, but their labor situation is a mess (are they locked out anymore? Is it over? What?), and the 2011 season is still kind of up in the air.
Sure, the minor-league Lake Erie Monsters are in the playoffs, playing in a Game 7 as I write this, but it's minor league hockey. Cleveland is still a major league town, and we want our major league teams to win.
So, let's enjoy the winning for once. Will they still be winning at this time next month or in two months? Who knows? Common-sense says "No," but common-sense predicted a 7-16 April for the Indians and a 16-7 month for likes of Boston and Minnesota.
The Indians are in first place. Joe Cleveland is ready to enjoy it. How about you?
***
Just so you know, you only have a few more hours to vote in the Madden 12 cover player tournament. And, in case you were living under a rock, a Browns player is in the finals.
That's right, Peyton Hillis has a legitimate chance to grace the cover of the popular NFL video game this summer if he can get more votes than convicted dog torturer and killer Michael Vick.
I'm sure EA Sports didn't envision a final of an unknown player from a lackluster team vs. a pariah who once graced their cover a few years ago that fans are still pretty split on (you either hate him or have forgiven him. If you're an Eagle fan, you've probably forgiven him). But, this is what happens when you let the fans decide.
Hillis has been bouyed by strong support from the Browns organization, along with a movement among the social networking sites Facebook and Twittter promoting him as a viable alternative to the usual athlete that graces the Madden cover. And, let's not forget that Browns fans are the most loyal and passionat fans in the NFL.
Disagree? When a moron tries to move the team to Baltimore, and the fanbase unites in full-force to force the NFL to do something drastic, that speaks volumes about how passionate and loyal Browns fans are. I don't see Houston's new team nicknamed "Oilers," do you?
The EA people are already spinning it saying that Hillis "epitomizes what a John Madden-esque football player is all about." That tells me they've made up their mind as to who they'd like to see on the cover, and it isn't the felon.
Sure, there's that "Madden curse" thing that's out there. Every player whose graced the Madden video game cover has either suffered a season-ending injury, or been hampered with injuries, or had a poor performance the following season. And, everyone out there is envisioning a season-ending injury for Hillis if he gets the cover.
You know what? Hillis' style of play leaves him open to injuries. He would probably be injured if he was on the cover or not. And, it appears that Montario Hardesty is going to cut in Hillis' workload, which should leave him fresher and healthier as the season goes on.
You say the word "curse" in Cleveland and people freak out. We need another "curse" like we need a hole in the head, right? Well, maybe two curses cancel each other out. Maybe Dan Gilbert was right in that LeQuitter took the supposed curse with him to Miami (we'll see in the next few weeks if the Heat get bounced in the playoffs). Maybe something as small as the Indians getting off to a hot-start is proof of that. Who knows?
All I know is, Hillis is a guy who doesn't make millions of dollars, but goes out and plays football because he loves it. He loves contact, he loves running over people (or hurdling them) and flexing those guns when he scores touchdowns (which he did a lot of). He's humble, a Christian, the epitome of a "good-ol-boy." It's time for a blue-collar guy representing a blue-collar team, fanbase and community to get some love instead of the usual primadonnas that grace the cover.
Get out there and vote for Hillis. Give the Browns some exposure. Show the NFL andn the ESPNs of the world that Cleveland isn't some "outpost" that is irrelevant because LeQuitter took his so-called talents somewhere south. Screw the so-called curse!
I've voted for Hillis so many times so far, I lost count. Follow Joe Cleveland's lead and do the same while you can.
And, be honest, do you really want Michael Vick to be on the cover of a video game that, despite being extremely popular with adults, is still being marketed to kids?
Follow this link and do the right thing:
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/feature/madden2012cover
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
And this was after watching ONE FREAKING GAME!!
Such as life as a Cleveland sports fan, especially a fan of the Indians. You've seen the same song and dance for the most part since 2002, you kind of expect it.
But, to our amazement, the Indians shrugged off that Opening Day beating (and one the day after) to start winning!
Yes, Charlie Sheen, I said WINNING! What a novel concept for our Wahoo Warriors.
Under Eric Wedge, losing in April was a common occurance. Whenever the team did start getting their stuff together, it was August, and Browns training camp had opened, and the Indians were already 15 games out of first, and they had already dealt two of the best players for prospects that still needed seasoning down on the farm, and ... well, you catch my drift. The fact is, they usually won when no one paid attention anymore.
So, when they pointed out their 14-9 September, fans probably thought they were making it up. After all, the Browns were starting the season 0-3 and that's what everyone cares about.
This year, Manny Acta was doing the same song and dance about a strong finish that nine people probably paid attention to (eight of which work for the Indians) and fans tuned him out. They looked a team that was so cheap, they trotted out a career minor leaguer to start at third base and tried to pawn it off as a legitimate move. They looked a team that seemed hell bent on trading their top guys before they could test the free agency market because they knew there was no chance in hell they were going to sign them instead of playing to win. They, like Joe Cleveland, could really care less.
So, after the team played to everyone's expectations by looking like Columbus Clippers in their first two games, the fans tuned out in droves.
It wasn't until the Indians swept the high-priced, ESPN-darling Boston Red Sox and their annoying self-rightous 'Nation' that some fans began to pay attention.
Well, I saw "some fans", because home games at Progressive Field look a lot like they did in the 1980s at the old Cleveland Stadium -- heavy on the empty seats.
Sure, the weather has something to do with it, and this April has been especially dismal this year, both temperature-wise and precipitation-wise. The expectations for the team have something to do with it. And, a general distaste for all things Larry Dolan still play a big part in it, whether the Indians want to believe it or not.
But, they're winning ... and they're winning the right way.
Fundamental baseball! What a novel concept! That's something I haven't seen in a long time. I NEVER saw it under The Grinder (that's my nickname for Wedge, since he always talked about how the team "had to keeep grindin.")
Sacrifice bunts! YES! Solid starting pitching! YES! A great bullpen! YES! An offense that is doing well despite two of their best players slumping (Shin-Soo Choo and Carlos Santana) and a third (Grady Sizemore) just now coming off the DL!
YES-YES-YES!!
Joe Cleveland will still admit to being very hard on Paul and Larry Cheapass, because I still haven't seen a true committment to winning out of these two since Larry Dolan exclaimed that his goals for the team were "World Series championships (plural)" upon buying the team in 2000. And, a litmus test will be come June or July and this team is still keeping up their pace -- will they chisel off the vault and pry it open to get this team an additional bat or arm to make a legitimate playoff push? They did it in 2007 to a degree (although, adding an aging Kenny Lofton wasn't exactly opening up the purse strings). Will they do it in 2011?
And, I'll admit to being skeptical of whether the Indians can continue this trend. They just suffered their first three-game losing streak (getting swept by the last-place Twins) before pummelling the Royals as I type this Monday night. I think a lot of the fan base is waiting for that other shoe to drop on the Indians.
However, let's forget about long-term for a second and enjoy this for what it is.
The Indians are in first place! FIRST FREAKING PLACE! In April, for crissakes.
The Cavs just finished second-worst in the NBA and are heading for a lockout. The Browns' draft is coming up, but their labor situation is a mess (are they locked out anymore? Is it over? What?), and the 2011 season is still kind of up in the air.
Sure, the minor-league Lake Erie Monsters are in the playoffs, playing in a Game 7 as I write this, but it's minor league hockey. Cleveland is still a major league town, and we want our major league teams to win.
So, let's enjoy the winning for once. Will they still be winning at this time next month or in two months? Who knows? Common-sense says "No," but common-sense predicted a 7-16 April for the Indians and a 16-7 month for likes of Boston and Minnesota.
The Indians are in first place. Joe Cleveland is ready to enjoy it. How about you?
***
Just so you know, you only have a few more hours to vote in the Madden 12 cover player tournament. And, in case you were living under a rock, a Browns player is in the finals.
That's right, Peyton Hillis has a legitimate chance to grace the cover of the popular NFL video game this summer if he can get more votes than convicted dog torturer and killer Michael Vick.
I'm sure EA Sports didn't envision a final of an unknown player from a lackluster team vs. a pariah who once graced their cover a few years ago that fans are still pretty split on (you either hate him or have forgiven him. If you're an Eagle fan, you've probably forgiven him). But, this is what happens when you let the fans decide.
Hillis has been bouyed by strong support from the Browns organization, along with a movement among the social networking sites Facebook and Twittter promoting him as a viable alternative to the usual athlete that graces the Madden cover. And, let's not forget that Browns fans are the most loyal and passionat fans in the NFL.
Disagree? When a moron tries to move the team to Baltimore, and the fanbase unites in full-force to force the NFL to do something drastic, that speaks volumes about how passionate and loyal Browns fans are. I don't see Houston's new team nicknamed "Oilers," do you?
The EA people are already spinning it saying that Hillis "epitomizes what a John Madden-esque football player is all about." That tells me they've made up their mind as to who they'd like to see on the cover, and it isn't the felon.
Sure, there's that "Madden curse" thing that's out there. Every player whose graced the Madden video game cover has either suffered a season-ending injury, or been hampered with injuries, or had a poor performance the following season. And, everyone out there is envisioning a season-ending injury for Hillis if he gets the cover.
You know what? Hillis' style of play leaves him open to injuries. He would probably be injured if he was on the cover or not. And, it appears that Montario Hardesty is going to cut in Hillis' workload, which should leave him fresher and healthier as the season goes on.
You say the word "curse" in Cleveland and people freak out. We need another "curse" like we need a hole in the head, right? Well, maybe two curses cancel each other out. Maybe Dan Gilbert was right in that LeQuitter took the supposed curse with him to Miami (we'll see in the next few weeks if the Heat get bounced in the playoffs). Maybe something as small as the Indians getting off to a hot-start is proof of that. Who knows?
All I know is, Hillis is a guy who doesn't make millions of dollars, but goes out and plays football because he loves it. He loves contact, he loves running over people (or hurdling them) and flexing those guns when he scores touchdowns (which he did a lot of). He's humble, a Christian, the epitome of a "good-ol-boy." It's time for a blue-collar guy representing a blue-collar team, fanbase and community to get some love instead of the usual primadonnas that grace the cover.
Get out there and vote for Hillis. Give the Browns some exposure. Show the NFL andn the ESPNs of the world that Cleveland isn't some "outpost" that is irrelevant because LeQuitter took his so-called talents somewhere south. Screw the so-called curse!
I've voted for Hillis so many times so far, I lost count. Follow Joe Cleveland's lead and do the same while you can.
And, be honest, do you really want Michael Vick to be on the cover of a video game that, despite being extremely popular with adults, is still being marketed to kids?
Follow this link and do the right thing:
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/feature/madden2012cover
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Woe is the Tribe
So, the Indians began another Major League Baseball season with a whimper. Despite outscoring the White Sox 9-1 over the final five innings, they lost to perennial Opening Day nemesis Chicago White Sox, 15-10. Yes, that means they spotted Obama's favorite team a 14-0 lead.
Indians fans sold out Progressive Field for the 18th straight Opening Day. Most of them left when Chicago's lead swelled to 14-0. Ninety percent of them didn't return for the following day's 8-3 loss to the White Sox.
One year after finishing last in the American League in total attendance, the Indians drew a record-low 9,000 fans to the ballpark in Jacobs/Progressive Field's history. You'd have to go back 20 years to find an attendance figure that low, and that was when they were still playing in the old Cleveland Stadium.
Apathy for the Indians is at an all-time high. Fans look at the Tribe's roster and can't recognize half of the guys on there (which didn't help when they decided not to put last names on their "special" jersies they wore for the opener). Some guys are has-beens. Most are never-weres.
So, what is the cause of the general disdain for the Indians, the oldest professional sports team in Cleveland and the one who drew a then-record 455 sellout crowds to Jacobs Field during a tremendous run of great baseball in the 1990s-early 2000s? Well, Joe Cleveland can examine them right here:
1. Tribe owner Larry Dolan: Prior to 1997, Larry Dolan was an anonymous Cleveland-area attorney. However, when Art Modell moved the Browns and the NFL announced they would bring the Browns back as an expansion team, Dolan suddenly became interested in owning them.
Getting some investors behind him, Dolan's group quickly emerged as one of the early favorites to purchase the team. Alas, they were outbid by Modell's former silent partner, billionaire Al Lerner, for a then-record NFL franshise selling price of $530 million. Instead of fading back into obscurity, Dolan got frandhise fever.
Shortly after the Browns came back, Tribe owner Dick Jacobs announced that he was selling the team. The man regarded as the guy who saved baseball in Cleveland and presided over some of the best times in franshise history was ready to cut bait. Quickly, Dolan showed an interest.
Jacobs, who bought the Tribe for just $60 million, sold the team to the Dolans for a whopping $324 million in 2000. At the time, that was the second-largest selling price in MLB history. Dolan inherited a team that was starting to get a little long in the tooth with three of the largest payrolls in team history and a wizard GM who was ready to leave the team behind.
Dolan, who immediately proclaimed that he expected his teams to win "multiple World Series titles," quickly had those words come back to bite him in the ass. His first challenge was trying to re-sign Manny Ramirez, who bolted for the greener pastures of the Boston Red Sox. The Indians qualified for the postseason in 2001 under Charlie Manuel, but got off to a slow start in 2002. New GM Mark Shapiro decided to fire Manuel, who went on to win a World Series title as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, and traded Hall of Fame second baseman Robbie Alomar to the Mets.
Then, it got worse. After another slow start in 2003 under rookie manager Eric Wedge, Dolan signed off on the trade of ace starter Bartolo Colon for three minor leaguers and a journeyman first baseman named Lee Stevens. Tribe fans who were used to playoff contenders revolted and complained. However, those three minor leaguers became Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips, which made Shapiro a "genius."
Dolan failed to re-sign fan favorite Jim Thome, making him a low-ball offer that he rebuffed. The team made more prospect trades and cut payroll, as Dolan was losing money hand over fist.
The rebuilding on the cheap method worked in 2007, when the Tribe won the Central Division (led by a lot of those prospects), eliminated the Yankees in the ALDS and took a 3-1 lead over the Red Sox in the ALCS. However, the Tribe choked and dropped three consecutive games, losing a World Series bid and sending the team into a downward spiral.
Dolan claimed he'd "spend money when the time was right." However, time and time again, Dolan never did. He never made a big splash in free agency, usually signing a castoff, oft-injured pitcher for an incentive-laden deal in the hopes that that pitcher would find his mojo again. And, with a team that was so close to a World Series, Dolan didn't improve the team and they faltered in 2008.
Since then, he greenlighted more payroll-slashing trades of ace pitchers CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, and catcher Victor Martinez. He and his son blamed the fans, who were staying away from the park in droves, as the reason why they were cutting costs and rebuilding again. Fans who weren't happy about the team's direction and trying to justify spending their hard-earned cash on Progressive Field responded by completely ignoring his team.
It's resulted in Dolan trying to make money in other ways. The Snow Days promotion, in which they turned the stadium into a Winter fun park, wound up being a bust. Their latest idea is to stage a country music concert during midseason.
Fans are tired of Dolan's excuses for not making his baseball team better. They remember a guy who wanted to win "multiple World Series titles" and wonder where that guy went. They think he overspent to buy the Tribe and ran out of money. They are tired of seeing a loser baseball team with a bunch of unknown guys and are hitting Dolan in the one place he cares about -- his wallet.
2. A losing culture: The Browns wound up 5-11 for the second year in a row under Eric Mangini, which resulted in a coaching change and a change in overall philosophy (and another feared rebuilding of the roster). The Cavs had nothing to show for back-to-back seasons of 60-plus wins, lost LeQuitter James in a nationally-televised embarassment and bumbled their way to an NBA-record losing streak and the worst record in the league. Fan optimism is at an all-time low. And, the Indians, who have been perpetual slow-starters, begin the season with two blowout losses to a bitter rival.
That doesn't help. The Tribe needs to win and win fast if they want to regain fans' trust. This city is dying for a winner, any winner, and would quickly glom on to whoever that is. Instead, the Indians' Class AAA roster is getting lit by by White Sox hitters and failing to generate any offense when it matters. And, so, by the end of the week, the Indians will probably be completely ignored until they make their next cost-cutting trade.
3. Local competition: As the Indians stumbled and bumbled their way through the last decade, several minor league teams have popped up in close proximity of Cleveland. Two of them -- the Class AA Akron Aeros and Class A Lake County Captains -- are affiliated with the Indians. The Lake Erie Crushers, playing in nearby Avon, are in the independent Frontier League. Going 200 miles south, the AAA Columbus Clippers just built a new stadium and became affiliated with the Tribe. All four teams have brand-new stadiums. All four teams have recently been winning (Crushers and Aeros league titles in 2009, Captains a league title in 2010). All four teams are offering affordable ticket and parking prices for fans to watch baseball in more intimate surroundings.
If Joe Cleveland wanted to take his family out to a baseball game, do you think he'd want to drive into Downtown Cleveland, spend $25 to park, $20 per ticket and much more on concessions and other things? Or, would he stay closer to home and go to Eastlake or Avon or Akron and spend a fraction of that, get a better seat, and probably be just as, if not more, entertained there than by what he'd see by the Indians? I think Joe Cleveland would want to spend minor league money on a minor league team instead of major league money for a minor league team.
The Indians are essentially competing with themselves, and their farm teams are capturing more fan interest than the parent club.
4. The state of baseball: Baseball hasn't been too great for its fans on a national scope lately.
Baseball is finally putting a messy Steroid Era behind them, that stained some of the best records and best known players in the game for many years. Baseball economics are a mess. Because there is no salary cap and very limited revenue sharing, big market teams can spend as much money as they want to field great teams. Meanwhile, other teams can spend as little money as they want. Teams like the Indians, for example.
Fans think the idea of an exhibition game for fun deciding which league has home-field advantage in the World Series is stupid, but the league doesn't listen. Fans were angry about steroids in baseball, but baseball turned a blind eye to it for far too long and are still paying the price for it. Fans look at a business model like the NFL (hard salary cap, revenue sharing among all 32 teams) and wonder why that wouldn't work in baseball and baseball continues to ignore it. Fans see instant replay work in football, basketball and hockey and wonder why they have to deal with tons of blown umpiring calls in big games when the technology is there to make sure those don't happen, and baseball sticks its head in the sand.
And, fans see an organization that plays by two different sets of rules in two leagues, then tries to have those two leagues play each other without changing the rules to make all the games uniform, and wonder what clown is actually running this thing and how hard is it to decide to use a DH for all 30 teams or let the pitchers bat for all 30.
It's things like this that soil the fans' perspective on the the game of baseball, and why football has lapped it in popularity and basketball is close to passing it as well.
5. A different time: The Indians went from a pennent-contender in the 1950s to a doormat in the 1960s, 70s and 80s because of poor trades and poor decisions that set the franchise back many years. Fans of those teams eventually treated those teams like "Loveable Losers" and kind of embraced them in a way.
Then, Jacobs Field opened, talent was finally developed, competant people ran the front office, and the Indians became on of the best teams in the American League. They reached two World Series (losing both) and made the playoffs four straight years and five times in a six-year span. Winning spoiled the fan base.
This generation of fans isn't ready to embrace a group of "Loveable Losers" like the fans in the 1970s and 80s did. With ESPN showing every highlight, every game becomes national news, so the pressure to win is greater. Fans don't like to see their city embarassed on ESPN every night by a poor showing.
Besides, the Browns will always be top-dog in this town who finally have some competant people running things. The Cavs were the flavor of the month with LeQuitter on the team, but appear to have some ducks in a row for a rebuilding effort thanks to some great trades. Even as those two leagues enter some uncertain labor times that could (and have) resulted in lockouts, baseball appears to be a distant third among local fans.
Winning solves a lot of things. But, this perfect storm of ingredients may cause this team to lose its fan base permanently until they begin to fix those things. For this year, it appears fixing these things is waayyy off.
Joe Cleveland can only shake his head and hope the NFL ends its lockout so the Browns can comeback, because it's going to be a miserable summer for the Wahoo Warriors.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Indians fans sold out Progressive Field for the 18th straight Opening Day. Most of them left when Chicago's lead swelled to 14-0. Ninety percent of them didn't return for the following day's 8-3 loss to the White Sox.
One year after finishing last in the American League in total attendance, the Indians drew a record-low 9,000 fans to the ballpark in Jacobs/Progressive Field's history. You'd have to go back 20 years to find an attendance figure that low, and that was when they were still playing in the old Cleveland Stadium.
Apathy for the Indians is at an all-time high. Fans look at the Tribe's roster and can't recognize half of the guys on there (which didn't help when they decided not to put last names on their "special" jersies they wore for the opener). Some guys are has-beens. Most are never-weres.
So, what is the cause of the general disdain for the Indians, the oldest professional sports team in Cleveland and the one who drew a then-record 455 sellout crowds to Jacobs Field during a tremendous run of great baseball in the 1990s-early 2000s? Well, Joe Cleveland can examine them right here:
1. Tribe owner Larry Dolan: Prior to 1997, Larry Dolan was an anonymous Cleveland-area attorney. However, when Art Modell moved the Browns and the NFL announced they would bring the Browns back as an expansion team, Dolan suddenly became interested in owning them.
Getting some investors behind him, Dolan's group quickly emerged as one of the early favorites to purchase the team. Alas, they were outbid by Modell's former silent partner, billionaire Al Lerner, for a then-record NFL franshise selling price of $530 million. Instead of fading back into obscurity, Dolan got frandhise fever.
Shortly after the Browns came back, Tribe owner Dick Jacobs announced that he was selling the team. The man regarded as the guy who saved baseball in Cleveland and presided over some of the best times in franshise history was ready to cut bait. Quickly, Dolan showed an interest.
Jacobs, who bought the Tribe for just $60 million, sold the team to the Dolans for a whopping $324 million in 2000. At the time, that was the second-largest selling price in MLB history. Dolan inherited a team that was starting to get a little long in the tooth with three of the largest payrolls in team history and a wizard GM who was ready to leave the team behind.
Dolan, who immediately proclaimed that he expected his teams to win "multiple World Series titles," quickly had those words come back to bite him in the ass. His first challenge was trying to re-sign Manny Ramirez, who bolted for the greener pastures of the Boston Red Sox. The Indians qualified for the postseason in 2001 under Charlie Manuel, but got off to a slow start in 2002. New GM Mark Shapiro decided to fire Manuel, who went on to win a World Series title as the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, and traded Hall of Fame second baseman Robbie Alomar to the Mets.
Then, it got worse. After another slow start in 2003 under rookie manager Eric Wedge, Dolan signed off on the trade of ace starter Bartolo Colon for three minor leaguers and a journeyman first baseman named Lee Stevens. Tribe fans who were used to playoff contenders revolted and complained. However, those three minor leaguers became Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips, which made Shapiro a "genius."
Dolan failed to re-sign fan favorite Jim Thome, making him a low-ball offer that he rebuffed. The team made more prospect trades and cut payroll, as Dolan was losing money hand over fist.
The rebuilding on the cheap method worked in 2007, when the Tribe won the Central Division (led by a lot of those prospects), eliminated the Yankees in the ALDS and took a 3-1 lead over the Red Sox in the ALCS. However, the Tribe choked and dropped three consecutive games, losing a World Series bid and sending the team into a downward spiral.
Dolan claimed he'd "spend money when the time was right." However, time and time again, Dolan never did. He never made a big splash in free agency, usually signing a castoff, oft-injured pitcher for an incentive-laden deal in the hopes that that pitcher would find his mojo again. And, with a team that was so close to a World Series, Dolan didn't improve the team and they faltered in 2008.
Since then, he greenlighted more payroll-slashing trades of ace pitchers CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, and catcher Victor Martinez. He and his son blamed the fans, who were staying away from the park in droves, as the reason why they were cutting costs and rebuilding again. Fans who weren't happy about the team's direction and trying to justify spending their hard-earned cash on Progressive Field responded by completely ignoring his team.
It's resulted in Dolan trying to make money in other ways. The Snow Days promotion, in which they turned the stadium into a Winter fun park, wound up being a bust. Their latest idea is to stage a country music concert during midseason.
Fans are tired of Dolan's excuses for not making his baseball team better. They remember a guy who wanted to win "multiple World Series titles" and wonder where that guy went. They think he overspent to buy the Tribe and ran out of money. They are tired of seeing a loser baseball team with a bunch of unknown guys and are hitting Dolan in the one place he cares about -- his wallet.
2. A losing culture: The Browns wound up 5-11 for the second year in a row under Eric Mangini, which resulted in a coaching change and a change in overall philosophy (and another feared rebuilding of the roster). The Cavs had nothing to show for back-to-back seasons of 60-plus wins, lost LeQuitter James in a nationally-televised embarassment and bumbled their way to an NBA-record losing streak and the worst record in the league. Fan optimism is at an all-time low. And, the Indians, who have been perpetual slow-starters, begin the season with two blowout losses to a bitter rival.
That doesn't help. The Tribe needs to win and win fast if they want to regain fans' trust. This city is dying for a winner, any winner, and would quickly glom on to whoever that is. Instead, the Indians' Class AAA roster is getting lit by by White Sox hitters and failing to generate any offense when it matters. And, so, by the end of the week, the Indians will probably be completely ignored until they make their next cost-cutting trade.
3. Local competition: As the Indians stumbled and bumbled their way through the last decade, several minor league teams have popped up in close proximity of Cleveland. Two of them -- the Class AA Akron Aeros and Class A Lake County Captains -- are affiliated with the Indians. The Lake Erie Crushers, playing in nearby Avon, are in the independent Frontier League. Going 200 miles south, the AAA Columbus Clippers just built a new stadium and became affiliated with the Tribe. All four teams have brand-new stadiums. All four teams have recently been winning (Crushers and Aeros league titles in 2009, Captains a league title in 2010). All four teams are offering affordable ticket and parking prices for fans to watch baseball in more intimate surroundings.
If Joe Cleveland wanted to take his family out to a baseball game, do you think he'd want to drive into Downtown Cleveland, spend $25 to park, $20 per ticket and much more on concessions and other things? Or, would he stay closer to home and go to Eastlake or Avon or Akron and spend a fraction of that, get a better seat, and probably be just as, if not more, entertained there than by what he'd see by the Indians? I think Joe Cleveland would want to spend minor league money on a minor league team instead of major league money for a minor league team.
The Indians are essentially competing with themselves, and their farm teams are capturing more fan interest than the parent club.
4. The state of baseball: Baseball hasn't been too great for its fans on a national scope lately.
Baseball is finally putting a messy Steroid Era behind them, that stained some of the best records and best known players in the game for many years. Baseball economics are a mess. Because there is no salary cap and very limited revenue sharing, big market teams can spend as much money as they want to field great teams. Meanwhile, other teams can spend as little money as they want. Teams like the Indians, for example.
Fans think the idea of an exhibition game for fun deciding which league has home-field advantage in the World Series is stupid, but the league doesn't listen. Fans were angry about steroids in baseball, but baseball turned a blind eye to it for far too long and are still paying the price for it. Fans look at a business model like the NFL (hard salary cap, revenue sharing among all 32 teams) and wonder why that wouldn't work in baseball and baseball continues to ignore it. Fans see instant replay work in football, basketball and hockey and wonder why they have to deal with tons of blown umpiring calls in big games when the technology is there to make sure those don't happen, and baseball sticks its head in the sand.
And, fans see an organization that plays by two different sets of rules in two leagues, then tries to have those two leagues play each other without changing the rules to make all the games uniform, and wonder what clown is actually running this thing and how hard is it to decide to use a DH for all 30 teams or let the pitchers bat for all 30.
It's things like this that soil the fans' perspective on the the game of baseball, and why football has lapped it in popularity and basketball is close to passing it as well.
5. A different time: The Indians went from a pennent-contender in the 1950s to a doormat in the 1960s, 70s and 80s because of poor trades and poor decisions that set the franchise back many years. Fans of those teams eventually treated those teams like "Loveable Losers" and kind of embraced them in a way.
Then, Jacobs Field opened, talent was finally developed, competant people ran the front office, and the Indians became on of the best teams in the American League. They reached two World Series (losing both) and made the playoffs four straight years and five times in a six-year span. Winning spoiled the fan base.
This generation of fans isn't ready to embrace a group of "Loveable Losers" like the fans in the 1970s and 80s did. With ESPN showing every highlight, every game becomes national news, so the pressure to win is greater. Fans don't like to see their city embarassed on ESPN every night by a poor showing.
Besides, the Browns will always be top-dog in this town who finally have some competant people running things. The Cavs were the flavor of the month with LeQuitter on the team, but appear to have some ducks in a row for a rebuilding effort thanks to some great trades. Even as those two leagues enter some uncertain labor times that could (and have) resulted in lockouts, baseball appears to be a distant third among local fans.
Winning solves a lot of things. But, this perfect storm of ingredients may cause this team to lose its fan base permanently until they begin to fix those things. For this year, it appears fixing these things is waayyy off.
Joe Cleveland can only shake his head and hope the NFL ends its lockout so the Browns can comeback, because it's going to be a miserable summer for the Wahoo Warriors.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Putting the 'Quit' in LeQuit
Joe Cleveland would like to say that he is keeping his talents where they belong -- right here in Cleveland.
That being said, Joe Cleveland surely felt like every Cleveland sports fan did Tuesday night watching the Cavs dominate LeQuitter and his talent-stealing, shuckin-and-jivin, "Oh Yes We Did" Miami Heat, picking up their only double-digit win of the 2010-11 season in the process.
If it felt good for the Cavs to beat the Celtics in the season opener a night after the Celts beat the Heat, if it felt better that the Cavs shook off a 55-point loss on the road to the defending NBA champion Lakers by beating them at home, this one was for the soul.
Cavs 102, Heat 90.
Oh, Yes We Did! Let's shuck-and-jive, Cleveland fans, because if anyone deserves to hear about it, it's LeQuitter, his partners in crime and all the front-running fans that live in Miami and South Beach who have no idea what being a true sports fan is all about.
It was a thing of beauty. The smile on my face hasn't been wiped off, and I'll probably still be smiling come Wednesday, Thursday and even Friday.
And, how fitting was it that Joe Tait, in only his second game back in his radio perch, got to call this one. Anyone who's anyone had to feel good about that, and had to enjoy his call of this game (which I was able to do for two quarters).
Oh, Yes We Did!
To quote Dan Gilbert, "Not in our garage!!!"
Maybe it was a good omen that LeQuitter wasn't allowed in The Q for the morning session with his entourage in tow and had to stay in the garage.
Maybe it was a good omen that LeQuitter decided not to show up for his pregame introduction (and usual boos from the sellout crowd), instead walking to the bench under the cover of darkness while the Cavs were introduced.
Maybe it was a good omen that the Cavs were able to dominate the Heat despite a very quiet triple-double from LeQuitter.
I always thought that, in order for the Heat to be considered a legitimate team, they'd need someone other than Wade, Bosh or LeQuitter. They got that Tuesday night when Mike Bibby made a bunch of wide-open 3-pointers and scored 20 points. However, they didn't play defense, and the Cavs exploited it with a great team effort.
How about Anthony Parker making 7-of-9 shots, including all four from 3-point range. How about Baron Davis making his first start as a Cav and making a great buzzer-beating 3-pointer at halftime, finishing with 12 points and 8 assists. How about J.J. Hickson scoring 24 and pulling down double-digit rebounds.
And, how about Ryan Hollins giving LeBron some "love taps" tonight, setting the tone early that the Cavs weren't going to be pushed around and weren't going to be "pals" this time. Hollins outplayed the overrated Snoop Dogg lookalike Chris Bosh all night long.
And, is Z still a member of the Heat? Didn't notice him ... just like his final few years with the Cavs (ZING!)
Yes, the Heat will make the playoffs this year, and the Cavs are still the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. However, maybe a win like this is just what the doctor ordered. LeQuitter and his Heat embarassed the Cavs when they came to town on Dec. 2, which led to the 26-game losing streak and fans simply turning their backs on this team.
Tuesday, fans wanted to believe that the Cavs would give LeQuitter a taste of his own medicine. For that belief, we were rewarded with a victory.
Leave it to ESPN to throw in some digs about the Cavs' long losing streak and that bad Dec. 2 game as they threw up highlights of this game. ESPN always has to try to take Cleveland down a peg. Unfortunately, your weak attempts didn't work. ESPN should get off the Heat bandwagon, because there's no way that "team" is going to win an NBA championship this year. Dare I say it, I'll agree with Dan Gilbert on this one -- I don't think the Heat will win an NBA championship within the next six years (the length of the contracts of LeQuitter, Wade and Bosh).
Cleveland and the Cavs got the last laugh over LeQuitter in 2010-11. No one can take that away. It wasn't by a fluke buzzer-beater or anything like that. This was a beatdown, throughly.
And, with a healthy Baron Davis and Antawn Jamison next year, along with some impact rookies, you've got to be excited about 2011-12 for the Cavs. They won't be championship-calibur. But, playoff-calibur? As a lower-seeded team? Don't be surprised.
I'll leave LeQuitter with this one -- Ain't karma a bitch?
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
That being said, Joe Cleveland surely felt like every Cleveland sports fan did Tuesday night watching the Cavs dominate LeQuitter and his talent-stealing, shuckin-and-jivin, "Oh Yes We Did" Miami Heat, picking up their only double-digit win of the 2010-11 season in the process.
If it felt good for the Cavs to beat the Celtics in the season opener a night after the Celts beat the Heat, if it felt better that the Cavs shook off a 55-point loss on the road to the defending NBA champion Lakers by beating them at home, this one was for the soul.
Cavs 102, Heat 90.
Oh, Yes We Did! Let's shuck-and-jive, Cleveland fans, because if anyone deserves to hear about it, it's LeQuitter, his partners in crime and all the front-running fans that live in Miami and South Beach who have no idea what being a true sports fan is all about.
It was a thing of beauty. The smile on my face hasn't been wiped off, and I'll probably still be smiling come Wednesday, Thursday and even Friday.
And, how fitting was it that Joe Tait, in only his second game back in his radio perch, got to call this one. Anyone who's anyone had to feel good about that, and had to enjoy his call of this game (which I was able to do for two quarters).
Oh, Yes We Did!
To quote Dan Gilbert, "Not in our garage!!!"
Maybe it was a good omen that LeQuitter wasn't allowed in The Q for the morning session with his entourage in tow and had to stay in the garage.
Maybe it was a good omen that LeQuitter decided not to show up for his pregame introduction (and usual boos from the sellout crowd), instead walking to the bench under the cover of darkness while the Cavs were introduced.
Maybe it was a good omen that the Cavs were able to dominate the Heat despite a very quiet triple-double from LeQuitter.
I always thought that, in order for the Heat to be considered a legitimate team, they'd need someone other than Wade, Bosh or LeQuitter. They got that Tuesday night when Mike Bibby made a bunch of wide-open 3-pointers and scored 20 points. However, they didn't play defense, and the Cavs exploited it with a great team effort.
How about Anthony Parker making 7-of-9 shots, including all four from 3-point range. How about Baron Davis making his first start as a Cav and making a great buzzer-beating 3-pointer at halftime, finishing with 12 points and 8 assists. How about J.J. Hickson scoring 24 and pulling down double-digit rebounds.
And, how about Ryan Hollins giving LeBron some "love taps" tonight, setting the tone early that the Cavs weren't going to be pushed around and weren't going to be "pals" this time. Hollins outplayed the overrated Snoop Dogg lookalike Chris Bosh all night long.
And, is Z still a member of the Heat? Didn't notice him ... just like his final few years with the Cavs (ZING!)
Yes, the Heat will make the playoffs this year, and the Cavs are still the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. However, maybe a win like this is just what the doctor ordered. LeQuitter and his Heat embarassed the Cavs when they came to town on Dec. 2, which led to the 26-game losing streak and fans simply turning their backs on this team.
Tuesday, fans wanted to believe that the Cavs would give LeQuitter a taste of his own medicine. For that belief, we were rewarded with a victory.
Leave it to ESPN to throw in some digs about the Cavs' long losing streak and that bad Dec. 2 game as they threw up highlights of this game. ESPN always has to try to take Cleveland down a peg. Unfortunately, your weak attempts didn't work. ESPN should get off the Heat bandwagon, because there's no way that "team" is going to win an NBA championship this year. Dare I say it, I'll agree with Dan Gilbert on this one -- I don't think the Heat will win an NBA championship within the next six years (the length of the contracts of LeQuitter, Wade and Bosh).
Cleveland and the Cavs got the last laugh over LeQuitter in 2010-11. No one can take that away. It wasn't by a fluke buzzer-beater or anything like that. This was a beatdown, throughly.
And, with a healthy Baron Davis and Antawn Jamison next year, along with some impact rookies, you've got to be excited about 2011-12 for the Cavs. They won't be championship-calibur. But, playoff-calibur? As a lower-seeded team? Don't be surprised.
I'll leave LeQuitter with this one -- Ain't karma a bitch?
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Back with a vengeance
No, I'm not talking about LeQuitter, who comes back to The Q tonight for the second time as a member of the visiting team. I'm talking about Joe Cleveland and his blog coming back after a few weeks of silence. I apologize for that.
There's been an awful lot to talk about in the world of local sports. The last thing I sounded off on was the fall from grace of legendary Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel and his lies that may wind up costing his program a lot more than five games without a few star players and their head coach. And, I have more thoughts about this, which I will share a little bit later.
But first, I wanted to give a plug to an old friend and co-worker of mine, Pete, who writes his own blog about the Browns, The Blawg Pound (http://www.blawgpound.com/). Pete decided to interview people he knew who were Browns fans and ask them just what it is about the Browns that is so-damn loveable for us. One of the people he chose was me. My interview will probably be published in the next week or so.
Speaking of the Browns, a lot of people I know have been asking for my opinions on the NFL lockout. Well, as an NFL fan, it sucks because of the real threat of there being no football this fall on Sundays (and random other days). Now what am I going to do on Sundays without watching the Browns or running my fantasy football teams? I'm not looking forward to that prospect.
To be honest, though, I'm not too worried about a lockout at this point. Right now, it seems to be a lot of posturing between the players and owners. No games have been cancelled at this point. The only thing on hold is offseason training sessions and free agency. If the lockout drags into the summer, then I think we as fans can start being worried.
Now, teams that have made coaching changes appear to be the most behind the 8-ball when it comes to the lockout, because the new staff is not allowed to have any contact with the players and vice-versa. They can't learn the playbook or workout or just be around the new personnel. That, and it delays the addition of new players as free agents who may be more knowledgable about the new schemes and philosophies being brought in by the new coaching staff.
With the Browns, they are doing new offensive (West Coast) and defensive (4-3) schemes. I am very happy about both of these changes after watching the team allow opposing offenses to run roughshod through their weak 3-4 and that clunker of an offfense they were trotting out under Crennel and Mangini. However, other than Par Shurmer slipping Colt McCoy his new playbook just before the lockout occurred (which apparently got the Browns fined for illegal contact with a player, whatever that means), the team can't start learning the new philosophies yet.
Actually, these players have probably seen it all at this point, from college and the pros. It's the terminology that is different and unique, and something that the players say is the biggest thing that needs learned and worked on.
I still hold out optimism that an agreement will be reached by May or June and the NFL will back up and running shortly after and no games will be postponed. With all the litigation going on, though, we'll see what happens.
***
Speaking of Tressel, he was probably the biggest OSU hoops fan this March, and not just because he wanted the school's team to succeed. The hoops team was serving as a nice distraction from Tressel's own trevails. The more the team won, the less OSU fans could think about their disgraced football coach and the mess he is bringing onto their beloved team.
But, the Buckeyes got stunned by Kentucky in the Sweet 16 round, ending their season and their title hopes (which I believe were legitimate this year, especially with the way this tournament has played out with all of the upsets). And, just like that, a so-called Buckeye Nation turns its lonely eyes to you, Mr. Tressel and your moronic bosses Gene Smith and Gordon Gee.
On the very day Thad Matta's team was a William Buford bricked 3-pointer away from staying alive in the NCAA Tournament, word came out that Tressel wasn't being completely honest when he said he kept the e-miails about Tattoo-Gate to himself. He also told one of the closest confidants and advisors of Terrrelle Pryor.
Smith claims that Tressel told them about it, but it just continues to look worse and worse for the Sweater Vest. Even his attempt to make his suspension match his players' suspensions (which, no surprise, were upheld by the NCAA) and sit out the first five games next season seem like a weak attempt at gaining leniency from the NCAA.
As I said before, I love Ohio State football, and I am a big fan of Tressel because of his ability to win football games (at least most of them), especially games over Michigan. However, I can't say I'm surprised about these allegations, and it just gets more and more disappointing.
Something tells me the rumor that Urban Meyer will take over the Ohio State football program in 2012 will continue to grow legs as more and more comes out about this Tressel ordeal. And, I have a feeling the 2010 season will be forfeited (except the Sugar Bowl win, since the NCAA cleared the players to play) because Tressel knowingly played a QB and a WR who broke NCAA rules in every game without telling anyone.
And, I can't be the only one who hopes Pryor never takes another snap for Ohio State again. Now, we can only hope Braxton Miller is the real deal.
***
I caught Cleveland State's two NIT games at the Wolstein Center last week. I have to say, I was not only disappointed by the play of the Vikings in both games, Joe Cleveland was also disappointed about the crowds.
Both games (which were played around NCAA Tourney games being held at The Q that also featured Ohio State) drew barely 2,500 people or less. Of course, CSU was on spring break, which limited any type of student section. And, it surprised me that more basketball fans wouldn't pony up the $10 just to see tournament basketball, even if it is the NIT.
With NBA scouts on hand, Norris Cole had a good game against Vermont without much help, and an average game against the College of Charleston despite a little more help. Center Aaron Pogue was being his usual stiff self against Vermont, almost single-handedly costing them the game against the underdog Catamounts. However, he played much better against Charleston, so I give him credit.
What cost CSU wasn't their defense, which held heralded point guard Andrew Goudelock to well under his season average of 22 points and, without a bunch of late free throws, would have held him to under double-digits. It was sudden inability to hit a 3-pointer. Tim Kamczyc connected on a trey early in the game, and then the Vikings proceeded to miss the remaining 24 shots behind the arc. They make even half of those attempts, and CSU is hosting a quarterfinal game against Wichita State with a berth in the NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden on the line.
Despite the loss to Charleston, you can't deny what a great season it was for CSU basketball. And, with only Cole being lost to graduation and a good incoming freshman class, Gary Waters' bunch should continue to challenge for the top spot in the Horizon League.
Speaking of the Horizon League, did anyone see Butler making another run at the Final Four prior to this NCAA Tournament? I certainly didn't. You got to give the Bulldogs credit. And, if they can beat VCU (which could happen), a second-straight title game will be in the cards against a much easier opponent than Duke last year (Kentucky and UConn are both beatable teams).
***
Spring Training is about to wrap up for the Indians, and the season opens up at the end of this week. Meanwhile, we still are having 30-degree days (at least it isn't snowing, knock on wood).
Judging by the lack of talent on the Indians, it wouldn't surprise me if the team opened up as cold as the weather, like they have normally done since John Hart left as GM and Mark Shapiro fired eventual World Series-winning manager Charlie Manuel.
A story came out that the Indians payroll is at its lowest in many years. Congratulations, Dolans, on that feat. I'm sure you're proud.
Another cost-cutting decision may bite the Indians, as projected third baseman Jason Donald will miss the start of the season with an injury. Instead of promoting rookie Lonnie Chisenhall, who had a red-hot spring, the Indians will go with journeyman Jack Hanahann at third to start the year.
They claim that they want to give Chisenhall some seasoning at Triple-A Columbus, but the real reason is they don't want to kick start his major league service time, which would kick up his arbitration date. It's the same thing that happened last year with Carlos Santana, and they are doing it again with Chisenhall.
It's about time Paul and Larry started not to worry about the bottom line and started to worry about putting a winning team on the field that Cleveland fans (like Joe Cleveland) can care about and root for. That starts by giving one of the prospects fans have been hearing about for years (like Chisenhall) a major league job and seeing what he can do. Certainly, he's an upgrade of Jack Hanahann.
But, as long as they worry more about the bottom line and about things like Snow Days and the Indians Country Music Fest (or whatever it is they're calling it), they will continue to see empty green seats in their Progressive Field. And, I hate to say it, but that's what they deserve.
But hey, Go Tribe!
***
Lastly, I'm hoping the Cavs can at least show up and punch LeBron and his two other teammates in the mouth (not litterally ... oh, who's Joe Cleveland kidding. Of course, I mean literally) and give the fans something to be proud of this season.
A win over LeQuitter would probably placate every single member of the Cavs remaining fan base and keep the interest going through the offseason and into next year. Popular trades like the Baron Davis and a lottery pick for Mo "Oh my aching ankle" Williams and Jamario Moon deal got some fans back on the Cavs side, and a great showing against the Heat (in front of a rabid fan base who would love nothing more than for LeQuitter to get his after what he did to the fan base this offseason) would really go a long way.
Maybe having Joe Tait in the house would do the trick. I am happy he made it back for these final home games this year. He didn't deserve to go out like that. He deserved to go out behind the mic, and he'll get the chance to this year.
***
Thanks for your patience in Joe Cleveland and the infrequency of his blogs. Glad you still come back and give it a read when you can, and thanks for spreading the word.
You can follow Joe Cleveland on Twitter @JoeCleveBlog, and I link to all the blogs through the Twitter page. And, my true identity posts them to the Facebook page everytime the blog is updated, as well.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
There's been an awful lot to talk about in the world of local sports. The last thing I sounded off on was the fall from grace of legendary Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel and his lies that may wind up costing his program a lot more than five games without a few star players and their head coach. And, I have more thoughts about this, which I will share a little bit later.
But first, I wanted to give a plug to an old friend and co-worker of mine, Pete, who writes his own blog about the Browns, The Blawg Pound (http://www.blawgpound.com/). Pete decided to interview people he knew who were Browns fans and ask them just what it is about the Browns that is so-damn loveable for us. One of the people he chose was me. My interview will probably be published in the next week or so.
Speaking of the Browns, a lot of people I know have been asking for my opinions on the NFL lockout. Well, as an NFL fan, it sucks because of the real threat of there being no football this fall on Sundays (and random other days). Now what am I going to do on Sundays without watching the Browns or running my fantasy football teams? I'm not looking forward to that prospect.
To be honest, though, I'm not too worried about a lockout at this point. Right now, it seems to be a lot of posturing between the players and owners. No games have been cancelled at this point. The only thing on hold is offseason training sessions and free agency. If the lockout drags into the summer, then I think we as fans can start being worried.
Now, teams that have made coaching changes appear to be the most behind the 8-ball when it comes to the lockout, because the new staff is not allowed to have any contact with the players and vice-versa. They can't learn the playbook or workout or just be around the new personnel. That, and it delays the addition of new players as free agents who may be more knowledgable about the new schemes and philosophies being brought in by the new coaching staff.
With the Browns, they are doing new offensive (West Coast) and defensive (4-3) schemes. I am very happy about both of these changes after watching the team allow opposing offenses to run roughshod through their weak 3-4 and that clunker of an offfense they were trotting out under Crennel and Mangini. However, other than Par Shurmer slipping Colt McCoy his new playbook just before the lockout occurred (which apparently got the Browns fined for illegal contact with a player, whatever that means), the team can't start learning the new philosophies yet.
Actually, these players have probably seen it all at this point, from college and the pros. It's the terminology that is different and unique, and something that the players say is the biggest thing that needs learned and worked on.
I still hold out optimism that an agreement will be reached by May or June and the NFL will back up and running shortly after and no games will be postponed. With all the litigation going on, though, we'll see what happens.
***
Speaking of Tressel, he was probably the biggest OSU hoops fan this March, and not just because he wanted the school's team to succeed. The hoops team was serving as a nice distraction from Tressel's own trevails. The more the team won, the less OSU fans could think about their disgraced football coach and the mess he is bringing onto their beloved team.
But, the Buckeyes got stunned by Kentucky in the Sweet 16 round, ending their season and their title hopes (which I believe were legitimate this year, especially with the way this tournament has played out with all of the upsets). And, just like that, a so-called Buckeye Nation turns its lonely eyes to you, Mr. Tressel and your moronic bosses Gene Smith and Gordon Gee.
On the very day Thad Matta's team was a William Buford bricked 3-pointer away from staying alive in the NCAA Tournament, word came out that Tressel wasn't being completely honest when he said he kept the e-miails about Tattoo-Gate to himself. He also told one of the closest confidants and advisors of Terrrelle Pryor.
Smith claims that Tressel told them about it, but it just continues to look worse and worse for the Sweater Vest. Even his attempt to make his suspension match his players' suspensions (which, no surprise, were upheld by the NCAA) and sit out the first five games next season seem like a weak attempt at gaining leniency from the NCAA.
As I said before, I love Ohio State football, and I am a big fan of Tressel because of his ability to win football games (at least most of them), especially games over Michigan. However, I can't say I'm surprised about these allegations, and it just gets more and more disappointing.
Something tells me the rumor that Urban Meyer will take over the Ohio State football program in 2012 will continue to grow legs as more and more comes out about this Tressel ordeal. And, I have a feeling the 2010 season will be forfeited (except the Sugar Bowl win, since the NCAA cleared the players to play) because Tressel knowingly played a QB and a WR who broke NCAA rules in every game without telling anyone.
And, I can't be the only one who hopes Pryor never takes another snap for Ohio State again. Now, we can only hope Braxton Miller is the real deal.
***
I caught Cleveland State's two NIT games at the Wolstein Center last week. I have to say, I was not only disappointed by the play of the Vikings in both games, Joe Cleveland was also disappointed about the crowds.
Both games (which were played around NCAA Tourney games being held at The Q that also featured Ohio State) drew barely 2,500 people or less. Of course, CSU was on spring break, which limited any type of student section. And, it surprised me that more basketball fans wouldn't pony up the $10 just to see tournament basketball, even if it is the NIT.
With NBA scouts on hand, Norris Cole had a good game against Vermont without much help, and an average game against the College of Charleston despite a little more help. Center Aaron Pogue was being his usual stiff self against Vermont, almost single-handedly costing them the game against the underdog Catamounts. However, he played much better against Charleston, so I give him credit.
What cost CSU wasn't their defense, which held heralded point guard Andrew Goudelock to well under his season average of 22 points and, without a bunch of late free throws, would have held him to under double-digits. It was sudden inability to hit a 3-pointer. Tim Kamczyc connected on a trey early in the game, and then the Vikings proceeded to miss the remaining 24 shots behind the arc. They make even half of those attempts, and CSU is hosting a quarterfinal game against Wichita State with a berth in the NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden on the line.
Despite the loss to Charleston, you can't deny what a great season it was for CSU basketball. And, with only Cole being lost to graduation and a good incoming freshman class, Gary Waters' bunch should continue to challenge for the top spot in the Horizon League.
Speaking of the Horizon League, did anyone see Butler making another run at the Final Four prior to this NCAA Tournament? I certainly didn't. You got to give the Bulldogs credit. And, if they can beat VCU (which could happen), a second-straight title game will be in the cards against a much easier opponent than Duke last year (Kentucky and UConn are both beatable teams).
***
Spring Training is about to wrap up for the Indians, and the season opens up at the end of this week. Meanwhile, we still are having 30-degree days (at least it isn't snowing, knock on wood).
Judging by the lack of talent on the Indians, it wouldn't surprise me if the team opened up as cold as the weather, like they have normally done since John Hart left as GM and Mark Shapiro fired eventual World Series-winning manager Charlie Manuel.
A story came out that the Indians payroll is at its lowest in many years. Congratulations, Dolans, on that feat. I'm sure you're proud.
Another cost-cutting decision may bite the Indians, as projected third baseman Jason Donald will miss the start of the season with an injury. Instead of promoting rookie Lonnie Chisenhall, who had a red-hot spring, the Indians will go with journeyman Jack Hanahann at third to start the year.
They claim that they want to give Chisenhall some seasoning at Triple-A Columbus, but the real reason is they don't want to kick start his major league service time, which would kick up his arbitration date. It's the same thing that happened last year with Carlos Santana, and they are doing it again with Chisenhall.
It's about time Paul and Larry started not to worry about the bottom line and started to worry about putting a winning team on the field that Cleveland fans (like Joe Cleveland) can care about and root for. That starts by giving one of the prospects fans have been hearing about for years (like Chisenhall) a major league job and seeing what he can do. Certainly, he's an upgrade of Jack Hanahann.
But, as long as they worry more about the bottom line and about things like Snow Days and the Indians Country Music Fest (or whatever it is they're calling it), they will continue to see empty green seats in their Progressive Field. And, I hate to say it, but that's what they deserve.
But hey, Go Tribe!
***
Lastly, I'm hoping the Cavs can at least show up and punch LeBron and his two other teammates in the mouth (not litterally ... oh, who's Joe Cleveland kidding. Of course, I mean literally) and give the fans something to be proud of this season.
A win over LeQuitter would probably placate every single member of the Cavs remaining fan base and keep the interest going through the offseason and into next year. Popular trades like the Baron Davis and a lottery pick for Mo "Oh my aching ankle" Williams and Jamario Moon deal got some fans back on the Cavs side, and a great showing against the Heat (in front of a rabid fan base who would love nothing more than for LeQuitter to get his after what he did to the fan base this offseason) would really go a long way.
Maybe having Joe Tait in the house would do the trick. I am happy he made it back for these final home games this year. He didn't deserve to go out like that. He deserved to go out behind the mic, and he'll get the chance to this year.
***
Thanks for your patience in Joe Cleveland and the infrequency of his blogs. Glad you still come back and give it a read when you can, and thanks for spreading the word.
You can follow Joe Cleveland on Twitter @JoeCleveBlog, and I link to all the blogs through the Twitter page. And, my true identity posts them to the Facebook page everytime the blog is updated, as well.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Close to the Vest
Joe Cleveland would like to take the opportunity to apologize for the long droughts between blog updates. With high school wrestling season over and girls and boys hoops not too far behind, the man behind the alter ego seems to have a bit of free time, which allows me to put on my "Joe Cleveland" hat and pontificate on the state of sports.
Joe Cleveland had to come out of hiding today, as the legend that is Jim Tressel came crashing down today when he all but admitted that he lied to the NCAA and his own bosses about e-mails that blew the whistle on his players accepting cash and tattoos for memorabilia that they won or were given as members of his Buckeyes.
Yahoo Sports blew the whistle on this story yesterday, quoting a source as saying that Tressel received e-mails from the attorney of tattoo shop owner Edward Rife back in April. Ohio State didn't find out about it until December, when a federal raid on the tattoo parlor uncovered the stuff. The school and the NCAA suspended five players, including starting QB Terrelle Pryor, for violating NCAA by-laws by accepting cash and gifts for their various awards and jersies. The school and the NCAA agreeed to let the violaters play in the Sugar Bowl -- which OSU won -- and allowed for the suspension to start with the first game of the 2011 season.
Ohio State had been appealing the suspension's length for the five players. But now that their "squeaky clean" head coach wasn't complicent himself, they might as well quit while they're ahead.
I worked with a guy who covered Ohio State for many years (both before and after Tressel's hiring) and he was convinced that the Tressel the public saw, the conservative, sweater-vest wearing disciplinarian who has done nothing but beat the tar out of Michigan and get OSU into tons of prestigious bowl games, wasn't the real Tressel. He was convinced that Tressel was shady, but he just couldn't prove it.
Red flags propped up shortly after Tressel guided the Buckeyes to a shocking National Championship in 2002. Maurice Clarett, the star freshman running back on that team, was linked to accepting improper benefits from an OSU booster. Tressel and the school claimed that they had no idea this was going on. Meanwhile, Clarett was threatening to blow the whistle on Tress and the school. Unfortunately, Clarett's credibility was shot. He was dismissed from the team and the school, tried to challenge the NFL's draft laws (and failed), was selected by the Broncos in the third round, signed an incentive-laden contract that didn't guarantee him a DIME and then was cut in training camp. Oh yeah, then he robbed someone at gunpoint in Columbus and spent some time in prison. Nice going, Maurice.
After the Clarett debacle, Troy Smith was also found to have accepted gifts from a booster. He was quickly suspended for the Alamo Bowl (this was right after he engineered a huge upset of Michigan in one of his first starts) and his first two games of the next season. He came back for a huge No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash with Texas, but Tressel kept flip-flopping between him and Justin Zwick, and the Buckeyes lost.
Following that, Smith regained his job and embarked on a remarkable career that resulted in his winning the Heisman Trophy and getting the Buckeyes back in the National Championship game. They were blown out by Florida, but Smith's legacy was secured. He's been mostly a backup QB in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, with flashes of good play here and there while more than a few Browns fans clamored for their native son to be brought back home to play for their favorite team (not gonna happen).
Tressel got off scot free from both instances with his reputation in tact. Buckeye fans lauded Tressel, sang songs about him, named their kids after him, dressed up for Haloween as him. Unfortunately, die-hard Buckeye fans can be a tad bit obnoxious, but you get the point. As long as Tressel owned "that team up North," kept churning out top recruiting classes and had the Buckeyes in the national title hunt every single year, that was all that mattered.
Until today.
Before I get in on this rant, Joe Cleveland would like everyone to know that I am, in fact, an Ohio State Buckeye fan and a Michigan hater. I don't exactly bleed Scarlet and Gray, as the Browns have always been my first true-love when it comes to football. However, when it comes to college football, I root for Ohio State first and foremost; always have, always will. That being said ...
I took a listen to sports-talk radio on my way to an assignment prior to the press conference, and you should have heard the shilling going on for "Lord Tressel." Idiots went as far as to say that the two Yahoo reporters were from Michigan and "planted" the story to make Ohio State look bad (really? Are you that delusional, Buckeye Fan?) The hosts of the program lambasted anyone who tried to speak unkind of "Lord Tressel," even going so far as suggestng to someone to go to the NCAA with their allegations of what he was up to at Youngstown State if they had the "proof."
Take off your Scarlet and Gray glasses, folks. Your "Lord" is a sham, just like every other college football coach out there.
Ohio State decided to fine Tressel and suspend him for the first two games of 2011. So, they'll be without five players for five games and without their head coach for two of them. Way to get off to a great start, Buckeyes. And, they have no one to blame but themselves.
What's amazing is that Tressel can get away with decieving his bosses and still keep his job. And, if you think Tressel is going to resign, think again. Today was the perfect opportunity for him to leave, and he sat there, stoically steadfast, barely admitting he did something wrong.
No, the only way Ohio State is going to get rid of Tressel is if they fire him. And, trust me, they don't want to fire him. Not with the way he makes money hand over fist for the university. Not with the way he's turned their college football program into one of the best in the country. Not after he turned the name "John Cooper" into an afterthought, a "who was the coach before Tressel?" afterthought.
It's amazing how much Tressel is becoming like the guy he emulated, Woody Hayes. Woody was God, Jesus and Satan all rolled into one as the head coach of the Buckeyes. Woody was a cantankerous son of a bitch who was hated by his opponents, hated by some of his players, and hated by some in the media. But, everyone respected Woody. Woody hated Michigan. Therefore, Buckeye fans LOVED Woody. Woody pushed his car from Michigan into Ohio because he didn't want to spend any money on Michigan gas, as folklore has it. Nevermind the fact that he punched an opposing player on the sidelines during his final game, which resulted in his "I guess we have to" firing. Woody is a legend.
It appears that Tressel may have his "punching the opposing player" moment if more and more comes out about his deceptions and his underhanded tactics. For some Buckeye fans, it was their "Say it ain't so, Joe" moment. You would have thought someone kicked their dog and pissed in their Cheerios with the news that Tressel actually did sit on some e-mails months before the school found out and that they had to suspend him.
There are already rumors that Urban Meyer could be a possible replacement for Tressel when, and if, Tressel quits or gets fired or mutually departs. Meyer is from Ohio originally. And, of course, the Bob Stoops rumors could be out there again, or the Jon Gruden rumors (both were rumored candidates when Tressel originally took the job over from Cooper).
Then, there was always the rumors about Tressel's interest in coaching the Cleveland Browns. Something tells me he might have better off jumping off SS Buckeye when he had the chance three years ago, when the Browns were clearly angling to get rid of Romeo Crennel and Tressel's name popped up as a possible candidate. With Holmgren running the ship, there's no way Tressel would get hired now. Maybe as some type of assistant or advisor, but not as the head coach.
Just like many Buckeye fans were ready to throw Terrelle Pryor overboard following the revolations that he sold his Gold Pants trinkets (given to Buckeyes for beating Michigan every year) and his Most Valuable Player Award from the Rose Bowl for some new ink, some are ready to wash their hands of the guy they once idolized.
Tressel still has his job, and our society is, by and large, a forgiving one, so if Tressel can get back to the business of winning football games (especially against Michigan), fans will turn a blind eye to what happened. If Tressel becomes the "Straight-arrow Gennaro" that everyone envisioned him to be after this, more power to him.
Tressel could run for Governor of Ohio and win easily if he wanted. Today, not so much. The curtain has been pulled back on the Wizard of Oz. We'll see if it's truly a horse of a different color after all.
Joe Cleveland would like to shed a tear for the Miami Heat's recent woes, but they are only tears of laughter.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
Joe Cleveland had to come out of hiding today, as the legend that is Jim Tressel came crashing down today when he all but admitted that he lied to the NCAA and his own bosses about e-mails that blew the whistle on his players accepting cash and tattoos for memorabilia that they won or were given as members of his Buckeyes.
Yahoo Sports blew the whistle on this story yesterday, quoting a source as saying that Tressel received e-mails from the attorney of tattoo shop owner Edward Rife back in April. Ohio State didn't find out about it until December, when a federal raid on the tattoo parlor uncovered the stuff. The school and the NCAA suspended five players, including starting QB Terrelle Pryor, for violating NCAA by-laws by accepting cash and gifts for their various awards and jersies. The school and the NCAA agreeed to let the violaters play in the Sugar Bowl -- which OSU won -- and allowed for the suspension to start with the first game of the 2011 season.
Ohio State had been appealing the suspension's length for the five players. But now that their "squeaky clean" head coach wasn't complicent himself, they might as well quit while they're ahead.
I worked with a guy who covered Ohio State for many years (both before and after Tressel's hiring) and he was convinced that the Tressel the public saw, the conservative, sweater-vest wearing disciplinarian who has done nothing but beat the tar out of Michigan and get OSU into tons of prestigious bowl games, wasn't the real Tressel. He was convinced that Tressel was shady, but he just couldn't prove it.
Red flags propped up shortly after Tressel guided the Buckeyes to a shocking National Championship in 2002. Maurice Clarett, the star freshman running back on that team, was linked to accepting improper benefits from an OSU booster. Tressel and the school claimed that they had no idea this was going on. Meanwhile, Clarett was threatening to blow the whistle on Tress and the school. Unfortunately, Clarett's credibility was shot. He was dismissed from the team and the school, tried to challenge the NFL's draft laws (and failed), was selected by the Broncos in the third round, signed an incentive-laden contract that didn't guarantee him a DIME and then was cut in training camp. Oh yeah, then he robbed someone at gunpoint in Columbus and spent some time in prison. Nice going, Maurice.
After the Clarett debacle, Troy Smith was also found to have accepted gifts from a booster. He was quickly suspended for the Alamo Bowl (this was right after he engineered a huge upset of Michigan in one of his first starts) and his first two games of the next season. He came back for a huge No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash with Texas, but Tressel kept flip-flopping between him and Justin Zwick, and the Buckeyes lost.
Following that, Smith regained his job and embarked on a remarkable career that resulted in his winning the Heisman Trophy and getting the Buckeyes back in the National Championship game. They were blown out by Florida, but Smith's legacy was secured. He's been mostly a backup QB in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, with flashes of good play here and there while more than a few Browns fans clamored for their native son to be brought back home to play for their favorite team (not gonna happen).
Tressel got off scot free from both instances with his reputation in tact. Buckeye fans lauded Tressel, sang songs about him, named their kids after him, dressed up for Haloween as him. Unfortunately, die-hard Buckeye fans can be a tad bit obnoxious, but you get the point. As long as Tressel owned "that team up North," kept churning out top recruiting classes and had the Buckeyes in the national title hunt every single year, that was all that mattered.
Until today.
Before I get in on this rant, Joe Cleveland would like everyone to know that I am, in fact, an Ohio State Buckeye fan and a Michigan hater. I don't exactly bleed Scarlet and Gray, as the Browns have always been my first true-love when it comes to football. However, when it comes to college football, I root for Ohio State first and foremost; always have, always will. That being said ...
I took a listen to sports-talk radio on my way to an assignment prior to the press conference, and you should have heard the shilling going on for "Lord Tressel." Idiots went as far as to say that the two Yahoo reporters were from Michigan and "planted" the story to make Ohio State look bad (really? Are you that delusional, Buckeye Fan?) The hosts of the program lambasted anyone who tried to speak unkind of "Lord Tressel," even going so far as suggestng to someone to go to the NCAA with their allegations of what he was up to at Youngstown State if they had the "proof."
Take off your Scarlet and Gray glasses, folks. Your "Lord" is a sham, just like every other college football coach out there.
Ohio State decided to fine Tressel and suspend him for the first two games of 2011. So, they'll be without five players for five games and without their head coach for two of them. Way to get off to a great start, Buckeyes. And, they have no one to blame but themselves.
What's amazing is that Tressel can get away with decieving his bosses and still keep his job. And, if you think Tressel is going to resign, think again. Today was the perfect opportunity for him to leave, and he sat there, stoically steadfast, barely admitting he did something wrong.
No, the only way Ohio State is going to get rid of Tressel is if they fire him. And, trust me, they don't want to fire him. Not with the way he makes money hand over fist for the university. Not with the way he's turned their college football program into one of the best in the country. Not after he turned the name "John Cooper" into an afterthought, a "who was the coach before Tressel?" afterthought.
It's amazing how much Tressel is becoming like the guy he emulated, Woody Hayes. Woody was God, Jesus and Satan all rolled into one as the head coach of the Buckeyes. Woody was a cantankerous son of a bitch who was hated by his opponents, hated by some of his players, and hated by some in the media. But, everyone respected Woody. Woody hated Michigan. Therefore, Buckeye fans LOVED Woody. Woody pushed his car from Michigan into Ohio because he didn't want to spend any money on Michigan gas, as folklore has it. Nevermind the fact that he punched an opposing player on the sidelines during his final game, which resulted in his "I guess we have to" firing. Woody is a legend.
It appears that Tressel may have his "punching the opposing player" moment if more and more comes out about his deceptions and his underhanded tactics. For some Buckeye fans, it was their "Say it ain't so, Joe" moment. You would have thought someone kicked their dog and pissed in their Cheerios with the news that Tressel actually did sit on some e-mails months before the school found out and that they had to suspend him.
There are already rumors that Urban Meyer could be a possible replacement for Tressel when, and if, Tressel quits or gets fired or mutually departs. Meyer is from Ohio originally. And, of course, the Bob Stoops rumors could be out there again, or the Jon Gruden rumors (both were rumored candidates when Tressel originally took the job over from Cooper).
Then, there was always the rumors about Tressel's interest in coaching the Cleveland Browns. Something tells me he might have better off jumping off SS Buckeye when he had the chance three years ago, when the Browns were clearly angling to get rid of Romeo Crennel and Tressel's name popped up as a possible candidate. With Holmgren running the ship, there's no way Tressel would get hired now. Maybe as some type of assistant or advisor, but not as the head coach.
Just like many Buckeye fans were ready to throw Terrelle Pryor overboard following the revolations that he sold his Gold Pants trinkets (given to Buckeyes for beating Michigan every year) and his Most Valuable Player Award from the Rose Bowl for some new ink, some are ready to wash their hands of the guy they once idolized.
Tressel still has his job, and our society is, by and large, a forgiving one, so if Tressel can get back to the business of winning football games (especially against Michigan), fans will turn a blind eye to what happened. If Tressel becomes the "Straight-arrow Gennaro" that everyone envisioned him to be after this, more power to him.
Tressel could run for Governor of Ohio and win easily if he wanted. Today, not so much. The curtain has been pulled back on the Wizard of Oz. We'll see if it's truly a horse of a different color after all.
Joe Cleveland would like to shed a tear for the Miami Heat's recent woes, but they are only tears of laughter.
Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!
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