Events Calendar
Most Read Stories
Blogs:
Akrocentric:
Raw Umber event; Charles Taormina discusses our culture's fledgling publishing renaissance
Akron Aeros:
More rest than needed
Akron Zips:
Zips offer five more scholarships
All Da King's Men:
Irrational On Oil
Balanced Ledger:
Spring football
Blog of Mass Destruction:
"Solidarity"
BokBluster:
Food and Oil Prices
Browns Bulletin:
Wright out, Perry in
Cleveland Browns:
Wright faces second marijuana charge
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Reality starting to bite
Kent State Sports:
Simpson joins Flashes
Ohio Politics:
A Growing Hostility in the Ranks
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Is the Lincoln Highway the same as the National Road?
Olympic Dreams - Running:
Oregon Twilight
Patrick McManamon:
Cavs must find way to replace Gibson's offense
Sound Check:
American Idol Vodcast
Tia's Trends:
ICSC Convention - Adventures in Retail!!!
The Heldenfiles:
Lovin' the Feel of the Wheel
The Sports Blitz:
Cleveland Browns - They Love Them! They Really, Really Love Them!
Varsity Letters:
North, Firestone win Auten track and field titles
Sheldon Ocker
Wedge will mull his closer situation
There's no decision yet, but Kobayashi appears to be in line for the job
CLEVELAND: For the second consecutive outing, Rafael Betancourt had problems closing out a team in the late innings, which might prompt manager Eric Wedge to re-evaluate the Indians' closer situation.
Indians notebook
Sowers on mound tonight against Reds
CLEVELAND: Left-handed starter Jeremy Sowers will be called up from Triple-A Buffalo to pitch tonight's game in Cincinnati against the Reds.
Indians break mold by using their bats
Sure, they get good pitching, but they hit, too
CLEVELAND: Apparently, a new era of Indians baseball has begun. No more clawing and scratching for runs. No longer does manager Eric Wedge have to depend on his pitchers to throw shutouts.
INDIANS NOTEBOOK
Hafner might play first base Friday
Wedge weighs impact of move in Reds series
CLEVELAND: The first round of interleague play begins Friday with the Indians traveling to Cincinnati to play the Reds.
Tribe's Sabathia keeps shutout streak going
Starter goes distance. Sizemore, Garko hit homers
CLEVELAND: Shutouts have become the coin of the realm for the Indians. Pitchers throwing blanks at the opposition has developed as the team's everyday currency, not unlike the U.S. dollar or the English pound. No big deal.
Tribe beats Oakland 4 - 0
Byrd takes turn putting up zeroes
CLEVELAND: Four runs in the same game? The siege must be over for the Indians' beleaguered batsmen. Then again, maybe not.
Indians notebook
Wedge expects better from slumping batters
Rainout puts Tyner in jeopardy
With a pitcher needed soon, he could be demoted. Cabrera turns unassisted triple play, third by Tribe
CLEVELAND: Sunday's rainout might turn out to be bad news for Jason Tyner, who joined the Indians on Saturday.
Wedge angered by split
Tribe's Cabrera pulls off unassisted triple play in second-game loss to Blue Jays
CLEVELAND: Eric Wedge was hot, and never mind that the Indians came out of Monday's doubleheader with a split against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cliff Lee tries not to dwell on past
Indians pitcher keeps focus on next game: today's doubleheader
CLEVELAND: Here he comes again: Mr. (Almost) Perfect. There is an argument to be made that nobody has pitched with more expertise or effectiveness than Cliff Lee in his first six starts of the season.
Ocker's The Write Stuff
Sheldon: I know Kelly Shoppach is Paul Byrd's personal catcher. Last year, they would usually play Victor Martinez at first base whenever Shoppach was catching Byrd.
Tribe does a number
12 runs, including six in first inning and two Sizemore homers, power win
CLEVELAND: In baseball, it's all about the numbers. Saturday night at Progressive Field, the numbers that counted most were Indians 12, Toronto Blue Jays 0.
Indians notebook
Westbrook, Borowski
continue recovery work
CLEVELAND: Indians starter Jake Westbrook (strained intercostal) and closer Joe Borowski (strained triceps) threw off the mound Saturday as part of their recovery programs.
Julio Franco retirement gets personal
Reporter remembers good ol' days when player was wild and carefree
I took it personally when Julio Franco announced his retirement a week and a half ago in Mexico.
Wedge seeking right lineup mix
Manager switches order for 30th time. Lethargy still lingers with Tribe
CLEVELAND: The Indians used their 30th different lineup in 35 games Friday night against the Blue Jays. Manager Eric Wedge began switching players in the batting order at least three weeks ago. He was determined to take action when he saw his offense start to sink, but the hitters have not snapped out of their lethargy despite Wedge's maneuvering.
Strikeout thrillsYankee pitcher ...
Strikeout thrills
Yankee pitcher
When New York Yankees setup man Joba Chamberlain struck out David Dellucci to end the eighth inning of the Tribe's 6-3 loss Thursday, he whirled around and pumped his fist in the air three times, as if he'd won the World Series.
Hafner, Martinez take break
Batting slump, stiff neck behind duo's benching in finale against Yankees
NEW YORK: They are considered integral parts of the Indians' lineup, yet Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez were on the bench for the finale of the three-game series against the New York Yankees on Thursday afternoon.
Blake finds successhitting in the clutch...
Blake finds success
hitting in the clutch;
Borowski recovering
NEW YORK: Casey Blake will have to temper his criticism of the statistic that measures a batter's ability to hit in the clutch: batting average with runners in scoring position.
Yankee bats snare Byrd with big hits
Bronx Bombers pummel Indians with homers to avoid series sweep
NEW YORK: Throughout most of baseball history there have been far fewer Yankee killers than Yankee victims. Paul Byrd can count himself among the latter group, inasmuch as he has a career record of 1-5 with and 4.75 ERA against the Bronx Bombers, including Thursday's 6-3 loss that denied the Indians their first sweep of the New Yorkers in 19 years.
Bullpen getting better in Borowski's absence
Perez, Lewis, Kobayashi pitch well in setup roles. Closer close to return
NEW YORK: The question: How has the Indians' bullpen shaken out since the injury to closer Joe Borowski 31/2 weeks ago?
Indians notebook
Walks driving Carmona out of games earlier
Another heaven-Lee effort; Indians beat Yankees again
Indians' pitcher remains unbeaten after blanking Yankees for 7 innings
What did the New York Yankees expect? What would any sane person expect? Cliff Lee on the mound, so forget about mounting an offense. That has been the story of the Indians' left-hander this season.
Upon arrival, Francisco starts in left field
Young outfielder not expected to be a savior for offense, but will get playing time
NEW YORK: It didn't take long for manager Eric Wedge to put Ben Francisco in the Indians' lineup. Francisco played left field and batted seventh Tuesday night, as the Indians began a three-game set against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Indians homer twice to beat Yankees
Peralta and Dellucci connect for all 5 runs as Tribe rallies in N.Y.
NEW YORK: It was nostalgia night Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. No, not because the Yankees will move into a sparkling new edifice next year. This bit of wistfulness was triggered by the Indians, who hit two home runs in a 5-3 win over the Bronx Bombers, who hit none.
Slumping Indians to release Michaels
Outfielder Ben Francisco returning from Buffalo to help Tribe battle back
CLEVELAND: Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro held a conference call on the team's day off Monday to announce officially what had been rumored for a few days: The team will designate veteran outfielder Jason Michaels for assignment and recall rookie Ben Francisco from Triple-A Buffalo today.
Yankees have trouble producing big inning
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the New York Yankees are the only major-league team that has not scored five or more runs in an inning.
Wedge praises Laffey's poise
Young pitcher delivers seven excellent innings despite defensive lapse
CLEVELAND: Before manager Eric Wedge spoke about the Indians' struggles at the plate, he wanted to address the topic of Aaron Laffey, the only good news in the Tribe's 2-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals Sunday at Progressive Field.
Tribe's frustration lingers
Wedge ready to move, but isn't sure what to do with feeble bats
CLEVELAND: Major League Baseball is a game of the moment. The operative question by a manager has to be, ''What have you done for me (us) lately?''
Tribe offense will lose waiting game
Struggling to stay above .500, it's time to make personnel changes
Random thoughts and observations about the Indians . . .
Sheldon Ocker's the write stuff
Mr. Ocker: What is Mike Hargrove doing now? Where is he now?
Robert M. KrausAkronDear Robert:
Pitchers foiled again
Lack of offense continues, costing Tribe another loss as Royals rally for win
CLEVELAND: Maybe Eric Wedge should rephrase his stated objective to the Indians' befuddled batsmen, who obviously have misunderstood the manager's intent.
Wedge says win was bittersweet
But Tribe's absent offense fails to knock manager off game
CLEVELAND: It didn't take much insight to figure out that manager Eric Wedge was disappointed with his team Thursday night, even though the Indians eked out a 3-2, 11-inning decision over the Seattle Mariners.
Balloting under wayfor All-Star Game
Balloting under way
for All-Star Game
CLEVELAND: With All-Star Game balloting now under way, fans can vote for their favorites online, at Indians Team Shops and at the ballpark.
Hafner moved to sixth in order
It's part of the plan to get designated hitter hitting again
CLEVELAND: As usual, the topic was Travis Hafner, who has been in the news for three reasons: 1. He isn't hitting
Tribe sinks teeth into win
Offense finally puts bite on Mariners with RBI single by Cabrera in 11th
CLEVELAND: It didn't feel like a win, and manager Eric Wedge wasn't doing much rejoicing in the wake of the Indians' 3-2, 11-inning victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night at Progressive Field.
Cliff Lee pitches another winner
Tribe left-hander is 5-0 after dominant outing in victory over Mariners
With one month of the season in the books, Cliff Lee, (technically) the No. 5 starter in the Indians' rotation, is 5-0 with a 0.96 ERA, and where is Al Michaels when you need him?
Wedge resorts to tiny tactics
With most of his players slumping this season, manager is asking them to bunt more frequently
CLEVELAND: When Franklin Gutierrez laid down a sacrifice bunt with runners on first and second in the second inning last Saturday, the extent of the Indians' slump became clear.
Delluci comfortable leading off
He finds his key to success while with Rangers in 2005
CLEVELAND: While Grady Sizemore recovers from an ankle sprain, David Dellucci will be the Indians' leadoff batter.
Ugly rally tops Tribe
Yankees' soft attack spoils Laffey's effort, but deficient hitting ultimately to blame
CLEVELAND: It didn't matter whether Mike Mussina threw 84-mph fastballs or hanging curves over the middle of the plate, the Indians persisted in making easy outs.
Sizemore unfazed by end of streak
Mildly sprained ankle stops center fielder's consecutive-game run
CLEVELAND: Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore's consecutive-game streak is history. A mild ankle sprain Saturday night forced him out of the lineup Sunday after he had played in 382 games (all but six as a starter) in a row, the longest active streak in the big leagues, dating to Aug. 25, 2005.
Indians notebook
Snyder's promotion
only lasts for one day CLEVELAND: Outfielder Brad Snyder got his first taste of the big leagues as a Sunday call-up from Triple-A Buffalo. He didn't get to play and he didn't stay long. The Indians optioned Snyder back to Triple-A so Aaron Laffey can take his place on the roster and start tonight against the New York Yankees.
Yankees 1, Indians 0
Sabathia's one mistake allows run and Tribe's poor hitting continues
Let's hear it for the cliches that allow managers and players to avoid being brutally honest. When the Indians lose 1-0 to the New York Yankees, which they did Sunday at Progressive Field, what is Indians manager Eric Wedge supposed to say?
Wedge gets ejected for arguing call at second
Eric Wedge didn't stick around for the entire game Saturday. Second-base umpire Derryl Cousins ejected the Tribe manager with one out in the eighth for arguing a force play at second base.
Tribe's cash flow better under Dolans
Forbes values franchise 15th in major leagues
Forbes Magazine has calculated that the Indians are worth $417 million, making the franchise the 15th most valuable in the major leagues.
Sheldon Ocker's the write stuff
Sheldon:With the way the Indians have been struggling to score runs, why do you think Ryan Garko is hitting behind Jhonny Peralta? Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Martinez makes it all OK
Catcher's hit in ninth is game-winner for Indians
CLEVELAND: It took Victor Martinez to make everything right, to offset the mistakes and the near misses, the bad luck and the misplays of his teammates and the umpires.
Indians' Lee goes distance to finish sweep of Royals
Starter gets first shutout of career. Sizemore leads offense to win in opener
KANSAS CITY, MO.: It's a little too early to declare Cliff Lee the early favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award, the Comeback Player of the Year Award and the How-in-the-World-Can-Any-Pitcher-Be-That-Dominating Award.
Indians' rotation will make head spin
In the end, roster rules will probably determine if Laffey or Sowers starts
KANSAS CITY, MO.: A snapshot of the Indians' rotation gets more complex by the day. To start at the beginning, when Jake Westbrook went on the disabled list with a strained triceps, it became necessary to call up Jeremy Sowers to start Saturday's game against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field.
Westbrook strains his back
Pitcher put on DL; Francisco called up; Byrd to start Friday
KANSAS CITY, MO.: The Indians will have to get along without Jake Westbrook for at least the next two weeks and possibly more.
Tribe bats come alive
Blake has 6 RBI, nearly hits for cycle. Sabathia finally has good start
KANSAS CITY, MO.: There must be some mistake. Maybe several. Indians hitters, contrary to recent custom, were unable to stop themselves from scoring Tuesday night. Even more contradictory, C.C. Sabathia, buffeted like a sailboat in a typhoon by opposing batsmen in four previous starts, pitched like a guy who has won a Cy Young Award, which he has, though many fans deny it.
Better fastball puts Byrd back on track
At least Paul Byrd is off the Indians' list of things to worry about.
Tribe hitters still missing
Another outstanding start by Byrd goes to waste in 10-inning loss to Twins
MINNEAPOLIS: If there were any doubts, the math makes it clear that the Indians aren't likely to win many three-game series if they can't score more than five runs.
Rookie mesmerizes Indians hitters
Westbrook gets no help in 3-0 loss in Minnesota
On another day, against another pitcher, the Indians might have beaten the Minnesota Twins for their third win in a row.
Wedge focuses on series wins
MINNEAPOLIS: Coming into the series against the Minnesota Twins, the Indians won the first series of the season, lost four in a row then split a two-game set with the Detroit Tigers.
Waiting 40 games not always the best test
Struggling Sabathia, offense, might make Indians break rule
How long should Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro wait before he begins altering the structure of the Indians' roster?
Sheldon Ocker's the Write Stuff
Sheldon: I wonder if playing Boston and New York in April may actually help the Indians. Since 2003, the attendance of the Indians hasn't been the best in spite of some very good teams.
Wedge all businessin meeting with team
Wedge all business
in meeting with team
CLEVELAND: Manager Eric Wedge presided over a team meeting Thursday but refused to divulge what was discussed.
Shapiro not ready for change
GM is bothered but believes it is too early to make roster moves
CLEVELAND: It's probably too early to know for sure whether the Indians' slow start is the result of fundamental weaknesses within the roster or a consequence of the inevitable highs and lows of a long season.
Indians' offense unloads on Tigers
Carmona is recipient of season-high totals in hits, runs in victory
CLEVELAND: How does a baseball team find it's offense? Sounds like a topic for a doctoral dissertation or a subject that two guys in a bar might bicker about.
Batting averages dip with mercury
Latin players especially look forward to higher temperatures at ballpark
CLEVELAND: The theory: Players who grow up in Latin America hate cold weather and perform poorly when the temperature plummets.
Batters in second spotin lineup not help...
Batters in second spot
in lineup not helping CLEVELAND: The second spot in the Tribe batting order has yet to stabilize.
Shaken Sabathia slammed again
Tigers tee off on Tribe ace. Rookie starter holds down Indians' offense
CLEVELAND: One thing you can say about C.C. Sabathia: He hasn't gotten progressively worse with each start. Wednesday night before an outraged throng of home fans, the ace of the Indians' staff and the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner gave up nine runs in four innings in what eventually became a 13-2 win for the Detroit Tigers.
Closer Betancourt must beready 'for ever...
Closer Betancourt must be
ready 'for every situation'
CLEVELAND: Rafael Betancourt's new assignment as closer will not begin until at least tonight, because he worked in a setup role on Sunday and Monday.
Wedge: Sunday among coldest
Dominicans Marte, Peralta are thankful for Lee's quick work
CLEVELAND: Nothing like two guys from the Dominican Republic shivering through a game at Progressive Field in 38-degree temperatures with a wind chill of 28.
Wedge: Sunday among coldest
Dominicans Marte, Peralta are thankful for Lee's quick work
CLEVELAND: Nothing like two guys from the Dominican Republic shivering through a game at Progressive Field in 38-degree temperatures with a wind chill of 28.
Terrible closing act for Tribe
Ramirez hits homer in ninth inning to give Red Sox win
CLEVELAND: They can say it's early. They can say he's a veteran who will figure it out. Maybe they will say nothing of substance. But you know the Indians' deep thinkers are hunkered down fingering their worry beads.
Terrible closing act for Tribe
Ramirez hits homer in ninth inning to give Red Sox win
CLEVELAND: They can say it's early. They can say he's a veteran who will figure it out. Maybe they will say nothing of substance. But you know the Indians' deep thinkers are hunkered down fingering their worry beads.
Terrible closing act for Tribe
Ramirez hits homer in ninth inning to give Red Sox win
CLEVELAND: They can say it's early. They can say he's a veteran who will figure it out. Maybe they will say nothing of substance. But you know the Indians' deep thinkers are hunkered down fingering their worry beads.
Cold helps Indians heat up
Dealing with elements takes players' minds off recent struggles
CLEVELAND: Thankfully for the Indians, the weather at Progressive Field Sunday was frigid, with gusty winds, snow flurries and a 28-degree wind-chill factor.
Chilly weather remindsDellucci of surger...
Chilly weather reminds
Dellucci of surgery
CLEVELAND: The cold weather serves as a reminder to David Dellucci that he underwent surgery after his hamstring tear last year.
Another strong outing for Lee
Left-hander brilliant for eight innings, beats A's to stop losing streak
CLEVELAND: If Cliff Lee is the Indians' No. 5 starter, the four guys ahead of him must be out of this world. Northeast Ohio fans would be having much more fun right now if that sort of logic — or any kind of logic — applied to their favorite baseball team. But who cares about reason, as long as Lee keeps pitching as he has in his first two starts of the season?
Indians notebook
Tribe relievers heat up while waiting their turn
CLEVELAND: There are heaters underneath the roofs of the Progressive Field dugouts that make it tolerable for players sitting on the bench. But what about the bullpens?
Athletics walk away with victory over Tribe
Carmona's control missing, along with offense in third loss in a row
CLEVELAND: Fausto Carmona was able to obscure the Indians' continuing problem by walking the world Saturday night at Progressive Field.
Detours lead Blake to Tribe
After years in minors, third baseman proving he can be a major addition
You read the black and white account of Casey Blake's baseball history and see seven long years in the minors with brief and forgettable big-league detours with the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins.
Ocker's The Write Stuff
Sheldon: What's become of Kenny Lofton since the end of the 2007 season? I haven't heard anything. Has he retired or has another team picked him up?
Indians notebook
Top duo agree Tribe
needs to improve
CLEVELAND: General Manager Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge are of one mind: Neither thinks the Tribe is performing well, which might be obvious from the club's record.
Byrd, others will not be suspended
Tribe pitcher relieved, says possible HGH penalty was a distraction
CLEV