May 21, 2012

How the Indians are put together

Les asks what type of team the Indians are trying to be…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8BUCzkFFbY[/youtube]

Les, this is not one of your better points. The Indians are obviously built around pitching. With the exception of Paul Byrd, our starters are capable of shutting down any opponent for 7 or 8 innings. The bullpen has struggled somewhat, but it’s not because they threw a bunch of untested guys out there, come on Les.

Everyone can see that the offense is the weak spot of the team. They were last year as well, [Read more...]

Hindsight Says- Should Have Made a Move

Les rants on about the Indians struggles (again)…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BauxwDWjarA[/youtube]

Hafner, Peralta, Cabrera are all struggling, and even though Martinez is hitting for average, our clean-up man hasn’t hit a homer yet. He has nine RBI. Do they have enough offense to get the job done? Will anyone be available for trade?

Haywood, Stevenson- It’s Your Fault

Les blames Wizards for losses…

 [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50JFbYyLvm0[/youtube]

Les and I talked about this the other week. Some players thrive when ‘extra motivation’ is given. You would think that Brendan Haywood would have learned that lesson by now. You would think that seeing LeBron continue to dominate DeShawn Stevenson would be a clue. One might think that after going down 3-1 in the best of seven that maybe the Wizards would have a little team meeting and agree to cool it on the LeBron trash talk. You’d think so wouldn’t you?

So this afternoon when the story came out that Haywood called LeBron a crybaby, I couldn’t believe it. But there it was- [Read more...]

Jordan, Haywood and the Wiz

Les Levine on Washington’s game plan

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uChfMFwv1NE[/youtube]

This video was obviously recorded before last night’s game. It’s funny how nobody that followed this Cavalier team expected them to win last night. The question I have from this segment- does Mike Brown really fight too hard for his players to get calls? Personally I wish he’d get a little more animated and verbal. He’s too nice to refs if you ask me. What’s your take?

Boren a Buckeye

We were saving this for a later post, but Les spills the beans on the newest Buckeye…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YqvJlC3QBg[/youtube]

More fuel for the OSU/UM fire. Talk about complete reversal though, this is the kind of thing that used to fire up Buckeye fans, now it is bulletin board material for the woodchucks. Does MGoBlog have a point? Does Les? Do you care about this former woodchuck?

How long can LeBron take a beating?

Count Les Levine impressed with the play of LeBron James, but…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iczi5PDUj08[/youtube]

LeBron isn’t going to buckle because of the pounding he’s taking in this season. You have to wonder though, Mike Brown says all the time that LeBron gets the same punishment that teams used to give Shaq. At this rate, what will his body look and feel like when he’s 30 or 33? Michael Jordan changed his game later in his career to stay on top, will LeBron be able to do the same? What do you think? Is it a concern?

How many legit hitters do you see?

Les Levine on the struggles of the Tribe’s offense…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVkE0TLu_dQ[/youtube]

I have to say I agree with Les on this one. Grady, Victor, Garko and the hitter formerly known as Travis Hafner. The only other that I would add, only on potential is Cabrera. He had some solid at bats last season, and so I’m willing to cut him some slack. But what about the rest? If the Indians want to win it all, this line-up won’t get it done. Not in the American League. They need a minimum of 2 more near all-star level hitters. One of them had better be an power hitter. I’ve said it over and over, Dolan promised that when the team was ready to contend he would spend money to bring the pieces in that the team needs. WAKE UP!!!

Enough about me, what do you think?

Still want to pay Sabathia?

Les Levine on those who called for C.C. to get a blank check…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX3dOcvaPMg[/youtube]

Alright, time to fess up. In the winter did you want the Indians to pay Sabathia whatever he wanted? Do you still feel that way?

More Sports and Les Levine…and Me!

So yesterday I had the chance to appear on the Les Levine show. Here’s the first segment…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7viK8NewP70[/youtube]

I want to thank Mike the producer, Rick his partner, Les of course, and all the studio help for the chance. They made things easy on me. It was a blast! Part 2 after the jump.

[Read more...]

Yet Another Slow Start

Not Again…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT32baAYbSo[/youtube]

Les Levine weighs in on another losing April for the Tribe. It’s interesting that the Tribe have only had one winning April under Eric Wedge, last year. And that was also the only time Wedge has taken this team to the playoffs. Is it possible that the Indians are doomed to miss the playoffs again if they wind up with another losing April? And what does this say about Eric Wedge?

WFNY on your television tonight

television.jpgWell, not everyone’s.

If you happen to live in the Northeast Ohio area, and are a Time Warner Cable subscriber then you may get NEON, Time Warner’s North East Ohio Network. Tonight I’ll be on the More Sports and Les Levine show taking calls and shamelessly plugging the website. If you are near your tv at 6pm give us a look, maybe even call in. I’ll be taking calls on the show and I’d love to hear from WFNY readers. The show replays at 11pm. Sorry, you can’t call in for the replays.

Yeah, hi Les. I’m a first time caller, long time watcher…

It’s too easy

Finding problems with the Indians might be too easy…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxDGHWXRGBo[/youtube]

I was stunned to discover yesterday that this is the only opportunity to see the Red Sox in Cleveland this season. And we don’t go to Boston until the last week of the year? Are you serious? Well, then again….maybe we don’t want that many games against the Red Sox. What do you think?

Who is closest to a championship?

Les Levine on which Cleveland team he thinks has the best shot to win it all…

 [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GQlS84Hgvo[/youtube]

So which is it? Cavaliers? Indians? Browns? The poll is open, give us your reasons why in the comments.

Are the Dolans cheap?

In the wake of Fausto’s deal, Les Levine calls for an end of the ‘Dolans are cheap’ talk.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwIyuOI_yiM[/youtube]

The contracts are being signed. Westbrook, Hafner now Carmona. It’s funny, but now instead of being upset that the Indians wouldn’t sign Travis Hafner, we are beginning to hear rumblings that they shouldn’t have. Truth is, the Indians are still near the bottom of the league when it comes to payroll, and we were told by the Dolans themselves that they would spend money when the team was ready to contend for a championship. Well Mr. Dolan, this is what a contender looks like. Now, can we get a left fielder please?!?

Bullpen struggling? Score more runs.

Les returns with some advice for the Tribe’s struggling bullpen.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu6n2g79i4Q[/youtube]

Betancourt 8.10, Julio 5.40, Lewis 6.0, Borowski 19.29. Those are the ERA’s for our beloved bullpen stars. Perhaps scoring more runs is a bit too simplistic, but the bullpen will be crucial as we saw last year. Does the bullpen concern you, or is it too early?