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Do IT this week: Layering
Tribe GM calls it 'bittersweet,' new manager gives credit to staff, says trades were just business
By Tom Withers
Associated Press
Published on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2009
Note: Game 1 of the World Series is tonight at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The game will have an Indians flavor to it with Cliff Lee starting for the Philadelphia Phillies and manager Charlie Manuel and C.C. Sabathia starting for the New York Yankees. The game starts at 7:57 p.m. on Fox, locally on WJW (Channel 8).
CLEVELAND: The Indians didn't prepare to play in the World Series this week. They hired a new manager.
And while the rest of the country gears up for a sexy Series matchup between the defending-champion Philadelphia Phillies and the storied New York Yankees, heartbroken Indians fans — who have endured 61 years of futility since claiming their last baseball championship — are lamenting what might have been.
As TVs around the nation tune in for Game 1 tonight at Yankee Stadium, Cleveland sports fans will look for a diversion — anything other than seeing left-handers Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia, two former Cy Young Award winners the Indians traded away, go pitch for pitch.
That will be too tough to stomach.
''It's bittersweet,'' Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro said. ''You don't work in this game without building a personal attachment to guys, so I look out there and see those two guys and as people I'm excited for them. I'm excited for them to show their talent on that stage.
''I'm excited for them to be able to get that level of exposure, and yet I'm still bitter they're not doing it in Indians uniforms.''
Lee and Sabathia aren't the only ex-Indians in the Series, either. Former Indians manager Charlie Manuel is looking for a second championship ring to go with last year's, and outfielder Ben Francisco, who came to the Phillies with Lee in July, is expected to start Game 1 in left field.
Little choice for Tribe
Shapiro was the one who traded Lee to the Phillies and Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers last year. Really, he had no choice. With both lefties on the verge of free agency — the Indians actually controlled Lee for one more season — the Indians had to deal them for prospects.
That's life in the midmarket majors, where fans feel like second-class citizens and cringe whenever a young prospect blooms into a star, knowing that the home team has little or no chance of signing him to a long-term contract.
Sabathia began his career with the Indians, who picked him with the No. 20 overall pick in 1998. The club nurtured the extra-large left-hander, who won 17 games as a rookie and had his share of troubles before he went 19-7 in 2007 and became the Indians' first Cy Young winner since Gaylord Perry in 1972.
But when talks with Sabathia's agent failed to produce an extension — the Indians reportedly offered him a four-year, $72 million deal — and it became apparent the Indians would not be able to keep him, the ace was traded to the Brewers for outfielders Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley and pitchers Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson.
The deal was a painful one for Indians fans, who were only comforted by the fact that the club still had Lee, who picked up the slack left by Sabathia, went 22-3 and ran away with the Cy Young in '08.
Lee, though, was gone a little more than a year after Sabathia, shipped to the Phillies for pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp, infielder Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson. The Indians owned an $11 million option on Lee for 2010, but if they had exercised it and brought him back, there would have been no money left to acquire more talent.
Lee's trade was followed by another blockbuster two days later, when All-Star catcher Victor Martinez was sent to the Boston Red Sox for similar reasons.
Two years ago, the Indians were one win away from the World Series. Now they're playing there vicariously through former players.
It's all too much for some to take.
Frustrating reminder
Reminded that Game 1 will feature Lee and Sabathia, Janice Jones of Westlake spoke for many Indians fans.
''Aaarrrggghhh!!!!'' she screamed while taking a break from outdoor chores.
Jones, wearing a faded Chief Wahoo cap, wasn't sure if she'd watch the Series.
''I don't know because I don't even know who I'll root for,'' she said. ''Actually, I'll root for Philly because I'm an anybody-but-the-Yankees fan. What I'll probably do is have it on while I'm doing other stuff because I can't invest anything into it.''
As the postseason unfolded and teams were eliminated, Jones could see a Lee-Sabathia matchup on the horizon.
''I expected it,'' she said. ''I know that was what it was going to be. Because we're Cleveland.''
Earlier this week, the Indians, who tumbled into the American League Central basement this season, introduced Manny Acta as their new manager. The Washington Nationals' former manager tried to put a positive spin on the Indians' stamp on this year's World Series.
''You have to give credit to the staff that we have in place that was able to develop CC to become who he is today,'' Acta said. ''You have to praise the vision the franchise had to pick Cliff Lee from the Double-A farm system of the Montreal Expos and then develop him.
''That's the way I see it. It's part of the business. We have to understand the market we're in, work with it and embrace what we have gotten from them. We feel good for them. But you can't have everybody and we have to make the best out of what we have.''
In Cleveland, that's as good as it gets.
Note: Game 1 of the World Series is tonight at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The game will have an Indians flavor to it with Cliff Lee starting for the Philadelphia Phillies and manager Charlie Manuel and C.C. Sabathia starting for the New York Yankees. The game starts at 7:57 p.m. on Fox, locally on WJW (Channel 8).
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Mogadore, OH
Posted 03:36 AM, 10/28/2009
The big money teams will continue to pay for the best talent, and teams like Cleve will suffer...MLB needs a sallary cap!
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:13 AM, 10/28/2009
How proud the dolans will be - who else has EVER traded the 2 starting pitchers in Game 1 of the World Series?
akron, oh
Posted 08:16 AM, 10/28/2009
As much as i love the Indians i wish they would move away.
, OH
Posted 08:53 AM, 10/28/2009
"At the root of this deal was balancing the conviction of our ability to compete in 2010 with the opportunity to impact the team's construction for years to come..." -Mark Shapiro
"Wow". So the Phillies got two World Series starters, and they'll also have Cliff Lee all of next season, without having to give up any Major League ready talent...and they try to spin this as a good trade for us back here in Cleveland? Of course it's gonna be hard to watch!!! It's not bittersweet, it's just BITTER!
Posted 08:54 AM, 10/28/2009
Won't buy another ticket or any Indians gear until they start being loyal to me. It goes both ways.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:03 AM, 10/28/2009
Thank you Mr Shapiro and Mr Dolan for bring back memory's of past crappie deals that could only happen in Cleveland.
myrtle beach, sc
Posted 09:07 AM, 10/28/2009
As good as it gets. Sad commentary for Cleveland sports.
myrtle beach, sc
Posted 09:08 AM, 10/28/2009
As good as it gets. Sad commentary for Cleveland sports.
, OH
Posted 09:13 AM, 10/28/2009
They've already surrendered defeat for 2010 in a division that took only 86 games to win this past season! Are we expected to honestly believe that they couldn't have gotten that same deal or better for Cliff Lee at the All-Star break next season? And they whine to us fans about giving new players and managers a chance? How about giving your own team a chance in the crappiest division in baseball instead of sending up the white flag before one pitch is even thrown in the 2010 season???
munroe falls, oh
Posted 09:22 AM, 10/28/2009
I'll tell you how it feels - "LIKE A PUNCH IN THE FACE!"
Akron, OH
Posted 09:24 AM, 10/28/2009
It's not bittersweet. It's a travesty. Back to back Cy Young winners are a dream come true for any baseball team and we squandered their talents. Don't forget, they also traded a FUTURE Cy Young winner, Bartolo Colon, to get Lee. So in the past 7 seasons, we've actually had THREE Cy Young winners pass through our pitching rotation.
We fans need to demand a salary cap from major league baseball. Other sports have it. Baseball needs one too.
Posted 09:52 AM, 10/28/2009
who cares anymore?
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:29 AM, 10/28/2009
Go Yankees!
Paradise, Oh
Posted 10:50 AM, 10/28/2009
It doesn't bother me in the least. It is what it is. Cleveland is the very best farm team for the genuine major league franchises. Call us AAAA.
We don't just develop players for the big leagues, we handle managers also. Charlie Manuel is an example.
Look at it as though we compete with Richmond, Buffalo, Louisville, Indianapolis, etc. We are the best.
Posted 12:41 PM, 10/28/2009
Jonesin that's NICE - do you know how many cities would love to have Pro teams no matter how BAD they are.
Mogadore, OH
Posted 12:51 PM, 10/28/2009
The Indians 2009 payroll was $82,000,000, the Yankees paid CC $161,000,000 over seven years! The Yankees 2009 payroll $201,000,000, highest in all sports. The Fla Marlins $37,000,000...There's no competition in MLB. Gee, look who bought another world series appearance?
uniontown, oh
Posted 01:24 PM, 10/28/2009
Why yell and scream? Same old same old. Now the Cav's look like they all need to go to the same shrink that West goes to. Man, I'm lost for any more comments other than Lebron was probably right wearing his Yankees hat. Good luck.
akron, oh
Posted 01:40 PM, 10/28/2009
Heh, heh! Beavis, the headline said "swallow"
akron, oh
Posted 01:44 PM, 10/28/2009
The Indians are a load...
Swallow is a perfect word for thissituation.
Posted 01:50 PM, 10/28/2009
A salary cap and fair revenue sharing will fix this situation. Can't believe the owners outside of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and LA don't unite and force a fair playing field. And if the d*** union and agents get in the way, fold up the league and start over.
Posted 03:35 PM, 10/28/2009
Go Yankees!
akron, oh
Posted 04:23 PM, 10/28/2009
So what!! Had the Tribe won their games, they would have been in the World Series!!!
Palm Beach, FL
Posted 04:56 PM, 10/28/2009
can't wait for the G olympics
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 07:58 PM, 10/28/2009
You know, the Indians could have had either one of those pitchers on their team......oh wait! THEY DID!!!! IDIOTS!
clinton, oh
Posted 10:39 PM, 10/28/2009
New York Yankees Farm System
The entire National - American league
clinton, oh
Posted 10:43 PM, 10/28/2009
And dont forget Manny - Thome - and Casey Blake
were in the pennant race
Canton, OH
Posted 10:57 PM, 10/28/2009
CC looks thiner in pinstripes.
Middleburg Hts., Oh
Posted 11:03 PM, 10/28/2009
Why all the stink? 2010 we have Latino manager, strolling marimba band in de stands, dollar taco nights, and I replace John Adams in bleachers. Run for border you Leembaugh Lovers! Baba-LUuuuuuuuu!
Posted 11:42 PM, 10/28/2009
Cliff Lee was great tonight! I'm really glad he gets to pitch for a winning team. He's a terrific pitcher and a gentleman. Go Phillies!
Posted 12:51 AM, 10/29/2009
MLB is ruined by teams like the yankees. What a terrible thing that my Tribe is in such shambles. Honestly, who cares about the Browns? They at least have a salary cap in their league and with the right people in the front office can build a winner. The Indians have to have alot of luck and pray that they can put together one winning season every 5 or so.
Posted 06:12 AM, 10/29/2009
Salary cap? There is revenue sharing, right? Revenue sharing would actually work if the cheapskate owners who receive it, would actually use it on spending for talent, instead of pocketing it.
Posted 06:17 AM, 10/29/2009
I wonder if Dolan, Shapiro, and company received front row seats to all the World Series games, for helping the two teams make it there?
If they did, maybe they will take notes on how to run a baseball team.
clinton, oh
Posted 07:34 AM, 10/29/2009
You know the saying
"Money is the root of all evil.
I remember when talks failed between Jim Thome
his manager and the Indians.
Fans said Thome would never leave Cleveland for the money,while privately fearing,he probably would.
Thome said he wanted to stay in Cleveland and that
money wasn't an issue.
In the end it was.
Money is not the evil here but it leaves bad repercussions for the losing team who has no choice.
No matter how we feel about owners and managers,
what really hurts is these players we love and
admire never have the loyalty we have for them.
I will never know what the difference is between
living on twelve million a year vs fifteen million a year,but from my perspective I would be happy with either and think I could manage with the less of the two, and would like to think that I would rather stay with fans that supported me and a team that got me to the top of my game.
Players have no sense of home.
That is the "Root" of the problem here.
That is what makes something such as
"The Dawg Pound" seem so honorable yet so futile. They are the only faces we know will return "tear" after year
