May 22, 2013

Albert Belle Asked for Managerial Interview

October 2, 2012 by 15 Comments

In Paul Hoynes’ PD notebook last night, he shared what might be the most outrageous story in the Indians manager vacancy news cycle:


One more candidate: Former Tribe slugger Albert Belle said he threw his hat into the ring with an email to President Mark Shapiro asking for an managerial interview.

“I’m just like Robin Ventura and Mike Matheny were last year,” said Belle with a laugh, referring to the White Sox and Cardinals bosses. “I’m sitting on my couch waiting for my phone to ring.”

Belle is currently rehabbing his left hip after having “resurfacing” surgery on it about 10 weeks ago.

I’m pretty sure most interviews for professional sport coaching positions don’t work this way. Someone should tell Joey that.

[Related: Jim Duqette: It's Francona's Job to Lose]

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Albert Belle visits STO booth, Kipnis hits grand slam (with video)

June 1, 2012 by 6 Comments

During tonight’s Indians broadcast on STO Indians fans were treated to some time in the booth by none other than former Indians slugger, Albert Belle. As Belle was discussing his strategy when he was lucky enough to come up with the bases loaded, Jason Kipnis bombed a grand slam to right center, on the first pitch, to give the Indians a 7-0 lead over Carl Pavano and the Minnesota Twins.

Ironically enough, Albert Belle was just finishing saying that “you can’t try to do too much.” Just worry about scoring the guy from third. Even trade an out (there was only one down) if that’s what it takes to get the run home.

No need to worry about playing it conservatively for Jason Kipnis, I guess.

[Related: Travis Hafner moves up Cleveland’s all-time home run list]

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Yes, I Still Love Albert Belle

February 28, 2012 by 37 Comments

They say time heals all wounds. If there is one guy who will test that theory, it is LeBron James. In 15 years, assuming he never comes back to play in Cleveland, will people ever forgive him for how he left us all in the dust? I just can’t see that ever happening. Clevelanders have a long memory of being left at the dance for a prettier girl.

But more than a decade before there was “The Decision,” another Cleveland athletic giant, a dominating force in his sport, became a free agent and decided to leave Cleveland for more money and a bigger stage. I’m talking about the one and only, surly as they come, Albert Belle. [Read more...]

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A Little Perspective on Carlos Santana

April 20, 2011 by 23 Comments

I can still remember the feeling in my gut last year when the Tribe was playing the dastardly Boston Red Sox and Carlos Santana did (what we thought at the time was) a Joe Theisman impression.  It was soul crushing because the Indians hadn’t even been all that interesting up until the point that Santana showed up in Cleveland.  I love the Tribe, but even the most die-hard have to admit that Santana’s arrival injected some life into a relatively lifeless year last year.  According to DP who was already in full man-crush mode on Santana from watching him in Columbus, we just had to see his swing.  The minute he showed up we could see it.

In Carlos Santana’s second game he went two for four with a homer and three RBI.  That was June 11th.  By the end of the month, Santana was putting on a show.  He had his average all the way up to 0.345 with an on-base percentage of 0.458.  In 18 games that June Santana went hitless five times, had one hit seven times and had more than one hit six times.  He had 15 RBI in eighteen games.  We were talking about a kid who hadn’t played a lot of baseball in Columbus let alone at the major league level.  He played 57 games in Columbus before getting time behind the plate for the major league squad. [Read more...]

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Albert Belle Was “Just an Angry Black Man”

July 15, 2009 by 29 Comments

albert-bell-sports-illustratedImagine being a beat writer for a team that was supposed to compete for American League playoff contention, but has failed miserably at almost every part of the game.  You are heading to St. Louis to catch the All-Star festivities – you know, actual good baseball players – and your phone rings.

On the other end is former Tribe outfielder Albert Belle.  And instead of berating you, he actually just wants to talk.

Per the Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes, that is exactly what happened on the day of the home run derby.  The reason for the call?  Belle wanted to vent about the awful display that his former team has provided fans thus far in the season.

While he discussed things like Manny Ramirez’s recent suspension (“Manny is going to hit no matter what. He’s a talented kid.”) and steroids in general (“Those 101 players who tested positive and haven’t been named yet? I say release all their names so we can get done beating this dead horse.”), I think the most telling quote was his answer regarding the future of the Indians coaching.  [Read more...]

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10 Most Beloved Cleveland Sports Athletes

June 25, 2009 by 90 Comments

Shaq is coming to town. He’s a pretty popular guy. I was inspired by the trade and our friends at the Ghosts of Wayne Fontes. The idea here is the most beloved Cleveland sports athletes of my time. Figure a starting point of 1980. (I was 8, and really that is about the earliest I remember following the scene closely.) These are not my favorites, just the ones that I think the city embraced the most. Hence the most beloved.  So here we go-

1. Bernie Kosar- If LeBron James signed a 6 year contract extension tomorrow he could leap-frog Bernie I believe. But Bernie was the real deal. He wanted to play quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. It was his dream. He wasn’t a very graceful player, and he had terrible mechanics, but he was one of us. Much of that has come to light in the last few weeks with the attention he has gotten over his finances. Make no mistake- during the mid to late ’80s Cleveland was Bernie’s town. Songs were written. Boys were named for him. When he was unceremoniously dumped mid-season it cemented his place in our hearts. He never wanted to leave. He was run out of town by his coach.

2. LeBron James- Simply put the most talented athlete ever to wear Cleveland across his chest. [Read more...]

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Seen Around Wrigley Field

June 23, 2009 by 10 Comments

What else do you do when your team is blowing leads at Wrigley Field? Why not do a little investigative work for your favorite website? Andy was at Wrigley last weekend, and returned with these gems. Thanks Andy!

wrigley5

[Read more...]

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Manny Ramirez Teases Nostalgic Clevelanders

April 13, 2009 by 18 Comments

manny-ramirez-sports-illustratedA big story making the rounds today is in regard to former Tribe outfielder and current Los Angles Dodger Manny Ramirez and his recent thoughts on wanting to finish his career in Cleveland.  You know, the place where it all started?  “I think to go back where you started is everyone’s dream,” claims Ramirez.

The baseball fan in me first thought, “Wait.  This guy just signed a huge contract with the Dodgers.  He went most of spring training in a hold out of sorts, waiting for just the exact deal to hit the table.  It’s now exactly ONE week into the season (let alone his brand new $40 million contract) and he’s already talking about where he wants to go next?”

And that was shortly followed by, “Oh man.  This is just what is needed right now with the team off to a terrible start and a good chunk of the city still clinging to the memories of the late 1990s.”  To add a little more excitement to the proverbial mix, Ramirez has also reportedly been in contact with Jim Thome (also a former Tribe slugger) who wil be a free agent at the end of this season.  Theoretically, both players could hit the market this summer and return to their roots. 

[Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting…

December 24, 2008 by 2 Comments

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing.  Have something you think we should see?  Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

“Yet, as another apparent shot at redemption approaches, I can’t help but notice that I’m just not that in to the Buckeyes right now. It’s like a marriage that has suddenly gone stale. Long past that hot steamy days of undefeated seasons and National Championships, the Buckeyes and I are now methodically passing the days, exchanging pleasantries, and sleeping in separate bedrooms. It’s not that I don’t love the Buckeyes anymore. I know the feelings are still in there somewhere. I’m just not IN love with the Buckeyes right now. Does that make sense?” [Cry Me a Cuyahoga River]

[Read more...]

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Grady Sizemore: History In the Making

July 3, 2008 by 7 Comments

Grady SizemoreWe’ve already waived the white flag, and even went on to punctuate it.  If we could photoshop a giant fork into an Indians logo, we would.  But as many losses as this team racks up in what is turning out to be one of the most frustrating seasons on record, you can’t help but cheer on the guys that are actually doing their job.  They are easy to name, as there are only a handful: Cliff Lee, C.C. Sabathia (despite the rough start), and Ben Francisco would be easy candidates.  But one that needs instant credit is Grady Sizemore.

I don’t want this to turn into a male-written version of the Grady’s Ladies Sisterhood, but the way this kid has been swinging the bat will make any sort of snubbing of an All-Star appearance an absolute shame.  Though leading off for this team over the entire year, Sizemore is leading the league in home runs (21), third in total bases (174), seventh in slugging (.534) and eighth in steals (20).  He’s currently the only player in the AL to have the ever-popular 20/20 mark.

For his career, Sizemore sits at 99 home runs and 99 stolen bases.  Which means that while he’s having one heck of a first half, he’s one shy of each statistic from being the second player ever in franchise history to ecclipse the 100/100 mark.

Any guesses on the other guy?

[Read more...]

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