OMG ASDRUBAL!! (The Red Sox are 0-5)

It's no secret, amongst the 3 or 4 people in this world who pay attention to me, that I am Asdrubal Cabrera's biggest fan. And no, not in a "Mrs. Grady Sizemore" sort of way but in a "this guy is going to be awesome, and he's already awesome" sort of way. I've been cheering for him since he came up with us and he is probably the reason I have been continually excited about Indians baseball even though it's no longer 2007, or 1997. He's been consistently and quietly fun to watch and fun to root for. I even have a little poster of him that I ripped out of a magazine, and hung up on my bulletin board. The adult version of the inside of a locker. Tee-hee.

I could have probably named this blog "Exciting Things Asdrubal Cabrera Did Tonight" but in an effort to appeal to a wider audience, I decided to include the entire team.

But anyway - now that I possibly have a larger audience, I strongly urge everyone to pay attention to Asdrubal Cabrera. He's where he should be defensively - at short. He also is appearing to be stronger this season than ever before and I predict he'll get double-digit homers, as well as continue to be a solid hitter and steal bases.

Might he be an all star? I don't know...people still don't seem to know him. It depends on how the team does as a whole, and whether we get more than one player sent up. Little brother is not winning any popularity contests. People just don't know.

So on to tonight's game. It's pretty normal for a Tribe fan to feel unhopeful against the Red Sox. Almost all of those names are names that have really crushed us in the past. If you're going in to a Red Sox game with no trepidation, you are just fooling yourself.

That makes it all the more sweet that we're playing good baseball against the Red Sox. All of the tooth gnashing and hand wringing about how much we're not paying our players blah blah blah WELL WE BEAT THEM TWO IN A ROW.

We beat Josh Beckett and we beat Dice-K and we beat Jenks and Yook and Big Poopy and Pedroia and JD F'n Drew. All of 'em, our little team of boys.

Thanks in part to Asdrubal, with his RBI single and 3-run homer (#1!) And also CHOOOOOOOOOO with his first hit of the season and his first homer of the season.

Very cute - was with my niece again tonight, and we practiced saying "CHOO!" for a bit before the game. Then she was upstairs with her mom when Choo got his homer, but I said "You missed it! Choooooo with a homer!" and I hear a lovely, crisp "CHOOOO!" coming from upstairs. Trained Baby Winning!

There was also the "what just happened there?" scoring play. Youkilis dropped a grounder  with bases loaded, picked up the ball and touched the base, thus removing the force of the man on third (there was now no one behind him, thus no force). The man on third went home, as did the ball (which beat him by 20 feet) but instead of tagging the runner (which you need to do when there's no force - tagging the base won't do) the catcher sauntered to his "hold the runners" position in the middle of the field. And our runner scored.

Yet another example of why every game is exciting, whether we win or lose. After the game, Acta said that they had to explain what happened to a lot of players. Because this isn't stuff you see every day in baseball. You know, just like the triple play the other day. Five games in and we're already in the Appendix of the rule books!

Also homering tonight was Matt LaPorta (Gator4God!) Impressively so, as it came off knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (yeah now he's in the bullpen. I would want to be in the bullpen too if I were a knuckleballer). Wakefield smoked everyone else he faced, so nice work Matt.

My brother would also like me to point out that Brantley is doing well and if he continues to do well he should stay in the 1-spot when Grady returns, with Grady in the 2-spot. This means Asdrubal needs to move down to 7 or 8. Ok, I can feel it. Brantley has to keep up, tho. I'm really warming to him but I think he will lose his luster if he's benched and unless Many Acta is an evil genius I don't see him making that move (Grady at #2).

I can definitely see moving Brantley to LF and basically shedding what might be the weak link in our lineup (Buck/Kearns/Duncan - which are NOT bad names to have on your bench!) Ahhh...but it's such a risk. Glad I am not Manny Acta!

Whew! Pitching...I think we saw a nice NORMAL start from Mitch Talbot today. He gave up some runs but didn't melt down. He didn't go 7 but Acta deftly used our relievers, doing some righty/lefty matchups and holding the Sox to only 2 more. Raffi Perez got the win, and looked sharp. Hermann slipped a bit but instead of one bad reliever after another, Sipp and Pestano came in and got it done.

I'm looking for Sipp to play a bigger role this year than last year. So far he's looking great!

Orlando Cabrera made the defensive play of the game by fielding a grounder that didn't get to him until after the head of  Jacoby Ellsbury's broken bat, and still managed to get the speedy Ellsbury out at first.

Check out the wrap on MLB.com, which includes a large pic of Asdrubal's tattoo, as well as a link to a video of his homer. And, finally, some info on his tattoo from The Tribe Daily (scroll down to "Random Rundown"), a cool blog that I just found and will be adding to my links list. That blog kicks this blog's ass (they have nice graphics!), but they seem to do more outside reading than I do. I might be thin on facts and photos but I am full of love!

I am so excited for tomorrow. I really believe Fausto is going to come out as Good Fausto and the Sox will go home for their opener at 0-6.

Speaking of the Sox and their losing streak, I hear tell that LeBron James just signed a deal with the Red Sox's owners to buy a stake in Liverpool FC (Football (soccer) Club (team) (in England)). No, I am not messing with you, it's true. I don't even know what to say about that but that just sounds like bad karma to me, boys. I don't think the people of Boston like LeBron either. Oh and since LeBron is such a Yankee fan I don't know what he's doing cozying up to the Red Sox owners. That dude has absolutely no sense of loyalty, does he?

I know the above sounds negative, but it's not. You should read it while laughing!

Noon game tomorrow!

By the way, if you ever see a sign in the stands that says "OMG ASDRUBAL!" that's me.

"There's no love lost between the Koreans and the Japanese. [...] And for the first time ever, Daisuke Matsuzaka has given up a run at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario."
- Tom Hamilton (talking about the national baseball teams not the nations)

The Red Sox Are 0-4

Three exciting things to top off tonight:

1. The Red Sox are 0-4. According to some stat that Hamilton read, no team has ever won (or been in...?) the World Series after starting the season 0-4. Off-the-wall stat but there you go.

In case you didn't know, we hate the Red Sox probably more than we hate the Yankees. Everybody but Yankee fans hate the Yankees.

Although if you go to Progressive Field on a night when we play the Red Sox, you would think that everyone in Cleveland was a Red Sox fan. It's surreal. Since this is a positive blog, I won't go in to how the Red Sox fans in Cleveland almost ruined my 30th birthday. I think I'm finally over it.

2. I taught my baby niece how to say "CHOOOO!" and it's just precious. She was not getting it at all (it sounded more like...tea?) until she finally just blurted it out. Way to go, baby!

Homework for all of you with kids: Teach your kid to say "CHOOOO!" Next up - Asdrubal.

Speaking of Asdrubal, I did not catch his tattoo even though I actually was watching on a DVR today. I'm pretty sure it's two names, probably his wife and kid. Will get it.

Also speaking of Asdrubal - his "magic pearls" are gone. They were gone last year too I think. Let's hope they weren't protecting his bones from being broken.

Choo has quite the necklace now. I don't know what the heck it's made out of...but I did notice he took it off by his final at-bat.

3. Another solid start (7 innings, 1 run) by our starter. This time it was our 4th man, Josh Tomlin. That's ALL we need - solid starters. And then the "Firsarter" Chris Perez closing it down, getting Big Poopy to fly out. Just need that sort of stuff. Our bats can't help but be red-hot.

Ok maybe not red-hot but we are hitting for sure. All we needed were 2 runs and we got 3...thanks to Hafner, O. Cabrera and Hannahan.

HAFNER! How about that guy? Man I bet the Indians' marketing team is pissed right now. They did all that work last year to bury Pronk and Pronville to replace it with the Choo-Choo Train and the players have turned the tables so far. OOPS!

Feels so good to have Hafner back and doing it right, tho, for real.

I didn't catch too much defense today (see: baby niece) but I did see a big CHOOOO put out at the plate. Of course, they had to bring up a similar putout from last year (Choo to Santana, against the Red Sox) in which Santana seemed to have been killed but it was "only" his knee and half of the remaining televisions in Cleveland Fandom were turned off for the rest of the season.

On the post-game show right now, Bob Frantz is asking people why they aren't coming to the games. So far I haven't been happy with anyone's answer. Everyone is bitching that there's no "marquee players." Well so what? Are you only going to pay attention once we have a Gold Glover or a HR King? How about coming to see some BASEBALL?

This is baseball, folks. This is young guys, this is low-paid guys, this is guys without rings, guys without commercials, guys without slogans on t-shirts (erm, mostly). This is Cleveland. This team right here is what represents Cleveland and its fans. No kings, no one leader. A TEAM.

It's gonna be a great season. I promise.

Radio Chatter:
"It wasn't easy but Chris Perez notches save number one here in 2011. And the Red Sox are winless after four."
- Tom Hamilton

Orlando Sends Chicago Home

I wasn't so sure about Orlando Cabrera coming in at second. Nothing against the man himself - I have not been enamored with any second baseman in the recent past (nope not even Asdrubal, as I desperately wanted him at short). I also appreciated that we really needed some experience on our roster. But I wasn't sure if he was going to be just another 200-ish hitter in the middle of the lineup or what.

I did immediately look forward to Cabrera-to-Cabrera plays and desperately miss Herb Score, and the hilarity that would ensue if the poor guy had to call a multi-Cabrera game (imagine how it will be when we play the Tigers!)

Anyway, Orlando officially introduced himself to Cleveland today by hitting a 2-run homer that ended up winning the game, as well as putting down a beauty of a bunt single.

Looks like Asdrubal and Orlando have a special handshake. Is it a "my arm still hurts" shake? Or a "for Cabreras only" shake? Perhaps it's a "middle infielders" shake. Whatever, let's hope we see more of the shake!

Speaking of Asdrubal's arm, did you spot his huge forearm tattoo? I don't have a DVR so I can't  make out what it says yet (over-the-air broadcast HD TV is a thing of beauty, by the way) It looks like text. If anyone ever reads this, let me know. Otherwise, I'll keep an eye out for video on the Web.

Hannahan didn't fare well today at the plate but he got a good workout at third.

Carlos Santana played at first for the first time, and he didn't look bad at all. Oh yeah he's the guy who not only snagged a pop-up bunt down the first base line but he turned it in to a TRIPLE PLAY! Yeah, triple play! That's the kind of thing this blog is all about - no matter if we win or lose, there's always some kind of exciting thing going on at every game. EVERY GAME!

Fact: Asdrubal Cabrera has been involved in all 3 triple plays at Progressive Field.

Apparently Grady is going to be playing with the Aeros on Monday. I'm thinking about going but the weather looks nasty. Good on ya, all of you fewer-than-10k fans who showed up yesterday and today. I salute all of you, with your Indians knit hats and umbrellas. GOOD WORK! Look at me with my Tribe loving and being too wussy to sit in the cold to watch a game. Look for me to be avoiding The Prog in the summer heat, too :)

The biggest thing about this game was Justin Masterson's starting pitching, which lasted 7 innings and only gave up 1 run. The offense had no problem overcoming one run. It's pretty obvious that we have bats - we have scored 20 runs in 3 games. The last key we're looking for is starting pitching. It's still early enough to not be able to put a label on our starters. But I loved what I saw today.

Another good player today was backup catcher Lou Marson. I recall that he is always pretty solid when he starts. Let's hope he doesn't get rusty...and with the way Santana played at first today I think Lou will get plenty of work. I'm all for it! Lou had some key hits today...and also has a crowd-pleasing name.

Nice to see Shelly Duncan coming through today. Everybody likes a hit from a pinch hitter.

The team is off tomorrow (what's up with Mondays off? Didn't we do a lot of that last year too?) and back on Tuesday to face the Other Sox. See you then!

Radio Chatter:
"As hot as the White Sox have been so far, that is how good Masterson is pitching today."
- Tom Hamilton

Glad to be getting ChiSox out of the way early

Welcome back, Pronk!! Dude didn't really show up until the end of spring, but his production during the first two games has been classic Hafner. Actually come to think of it, more like a newer dignified Hafner who gets base hits and homers instead of strikeouts and homers.

More excellence from Jack Hannahan! Only one hit but two RBI and another fantastic grab in the field, saving at least two runs.

Starter Carlos Carrasco had a rough start but managed to give six innings, something always needed in this organization. We also got our first glimpse of Chris Perez this season, and he didn't give up any runs in one inning of work.

Have you seen the new Indians commercials, "The Ball" and "What If?"? Very well done. I've watched them about a dozen times each. They've been playing the commercials during the games. Not sure if they're on the board at the game or what. I do know that they made special radio versions which is really great - get some Herb Score and Tom Hamilton in there. They give me chills, really.

Radio Chatter:
"Bob Uecker says that [Chicago pitcher] Chris Sale is so thin that you can see his wallet from the front."
- Tom Hamilton

Home Opener

OPENING DAY! How could this not be the happiest day of the season?!

Great day to honor Bob Feller, who passed away in December. A great pre-game video highlighting his career. Feller's wife, Anne, delivered one of the classiest first pitches I've ever seen. In that she didn't throw a pitch at all. Instead she was escorted to the mound by a Marine, and left a ball on the rubber on which she had written "Bobby Keep pitching Anne." Choked me right up, and probably Tom Hamilton too, which is ok because it was proceeded by a moment of silence.

Even though we had a ton of snow this week, the weather was awesome. Now, I wasn't at the field sitting in the shady seats but all we can ask for is NO SNOW!

It took a while but the lineup I've been waiting for to show up, but they managed to eke 8 hits and 4 runs off Buehrle, which is a major success for us. Especially on opening day. We then immediately crushed Buehrle's replacement, Will Ohman, sending him home after 2 outs with a 45.00 ERA.

Acta stuck with his original 9 in the lineup through 9, and everyone got at least one hit. Save for Austin Kearns who at least managed to walk twice.

How about that Jack Hannahan?! Jason Donald who? He kept going at his spring training pace and crushed a one-run dinger in the 7th ending up with 3 hits for the day. His fielding wasn't too shabby either - made a flattened-out stop over at third and managed to put out the batter.

Asdrubal, my man, also went 3-for-5 in the two-spot. Didn't see much fielding from him today but there wasn't much fielding to be had.

Choo's bat was slow today - only one hit - but his rocket arm (or threat thereof) did hold a runner at third.

What of Pronk? TWO hits, and one of them was almost, nearly, just about out of the park (but not quite). Another foul ball went all the way. He's got the power still.

Long reliever Justin Germano didn't bowl anyone over with his pitching but he gave a respectable 3 innings, which seemed to calm the team down enough to start scoring. Frank Hermann struck out 5 over 2 innings and Vinnie Pestano STRUCK OUT THE SIDE!

What do you think about the new red hats? I am kind of in love! Seriously if I find that they fit my fat head, I will own a new hat for the season!

Great game overall today - almost exactly what I was expecting. Starting and middle pitching still getting its legs but nice closing and some solid small-ball. Still looking forward to seeing some exciting plays in the field, but that sort of depends on the pitcher. Still, nice hitting all around.

Can't wait for tomorrow!

Radio Chatter:
"If you didn't know better, based on the weather and the score, the Browns are making a comeback against the Bears!"
- Tom Hamilton