What is going on with them, oy I can't begin to tell you all of it, this extended spring training instead of actually using it to help the regular members of the team adjust or work out stuff, noooooo that would be to easy 99.9% of it was used to see what the minors could do, good sure for pitching but it was all over the field. only 3 of the regular members actually stayed in a game for nine innings during ST the rest of the time, the regs were yanked out and minors put in. It's good if your trying for utility men (like Josh Barfield) but most of them weren't.
Then with the flu going around it threw people off, alot of the players were practice before they opened the complex in arizona, so with that then the extended (which I hate the WBC really) they were lethergic during exhibition games, then they started pressing and its like wth, with that extension give the regular more days off and check out the minors then let the regs play and adjust from off season to full season mode gradually, but nope.
That rain delay, the only problem I had is I read that the manager of the Jays wanted to get the fifth inning in while it was raining and something about Wedge said no way is he going to have any of the men (jays or tribe) breaking their limbs just to make it official. Later it was revealed that one reporter took what Cito said out of context for a storyline. I can see not wanting a double header, and trying to find an off day to match up for a make up was not a good idea because both teams need every day off they can get.
As to the pitching, Cliff was trying to be cliff of last year, heck roy sympathized with him because he knows that feeling. Turned out that Scott Lewis had a mild forearm strain, it had bothered him in his last two ST games (which were awful) but he played anyway, but before anyone says if injured stop, he played through it before and the pain went away he thought honestly that it was just tight and would get loose. He is on the DL but is expected in about 7 days at the most to start a return to throw program, and should be back before the end of the month.
Carmona (at least in Texas) that I think was the flu (cause he looked ready to either throw up or fall down lol) mixed with anixity because that was where he hurt his hip going to first on a bunt last season.
Anthony Reyes now he was the one least expected to stop the skid of losses, he was awesome out there, but what the heck happened to Purcey? I get the dry whether reason (though it was damp out) but the dude was all over the place at times.
As to the bats, well they fell asleep and apparently got cranky today being woke up to the chill and went all PMS and looks like they are starting to come alive. Though Hafner will only play five out of seven days because he isn't fully back to 100 % I have to say it is nice to see that he as well as many lost weight by toning and diet. And Hafner has a neck as we can now see lol. Good old farm boy from ND plus weight lifting equals very big guy lol.
Okay so, so far I can give the Tribe Stats up to now lol 0-5 until today now we are 1-5...
Friday Jays 13 - Tribe 7
Saturday Jays 5 - Tribe 4
Sunday Tribe 8 - Jays 4
and headed for a seven game road trip, 3 days at KC and 4 at NYY.
The Jays and Tribe won't meet again until July 21-23rd on your turf.
One thing about slumps that I like, is if they have them, they do that all at once, and when they start coming out, its like 3-4 at a time, then its like a domino effect. Plus it happens at the beginning of the season and lasts about a week or two (collectively) for them ALL to come out of it.
Jhonny Peralta needs one home run to pass Woodie Held for the Indians' record for most career home runs by a shortstop. Peralta began the season tied with Held with 85 career home runs. Todays HR by Hafner was his 150th of his career, he is about six months removed from the shoulder surgery.
Updates on the DL:
David Dellucci: Working his way back from a left calf strain that landed him on the 15-day disabled list, Dellucci is successfully progressing through his baserunning program and is scheduled to begin game activities early this week. At first, he'll be relegated to DH duties, and he'll steadily increase his workload in the outfield. "We hope to get him out on a rehab assignment late next week," Soloff said.
Jake Westbrook: Now 10 months removed from Tommy John surgery, Westbrook is throwing 60-pitch bullpen sessions off the mound. In those sessions, he's throwing nothing but fastballs. He's throwing his changeups and curveballs off flat ground, but Soloff said he'll progress to throw the offspeed stuff off the mound this week. The Indians are targeting a midseason return for Westbrook.
As to Jamey Carroll he has a broken Hand if you seen it on tv when they announced the players, heck that hand splint (no surgery required) was large enough, save it and use it as bat. :lol:
Lastly and I can't believe I hadn't told you this, remember along time ago a pitcher named Juan Lara went home in the off season was in a sever crash that killed the people who crashed into him and severly injured him (spinal fracture, an arm fracture, broken ribs, a punctured lung and severe brain trauma.) well the indians kept him on the payroll to keep paying him a salary and medical benefits. The best anyone could hope for was that he would lead a semi normal life after all that.. BUT miracles do happen,
"Tribe signs Lara to Minor League deal" Reliever continues comeback after near-fatal car crash. I am going to snip this
Just 16 months after a car accident nearly took his life, Juan Lara is going to try to take the mound. -- The Indians have signed Lara to a Minor League contract, and he reported to the Tribe's Player Development Complex on Tuesday to begin a return-to-throw program. -- "With the procedures he's been through," farm director Ross Atkins said, "it is unreal that he's been cleared." At the time of the accident, the Indians were merely hoping Lara could recover enough to maintain a healthy life. So the news that he's going to try to revive his career is certainly surprising. Of course, the Indians have no clear idea of what they can expect out of Lara, whose throwing program will take place at the complex over the next two months. While doctors say his spine can tolerate the torque it takes to pitch, it remains to be seen how his muscles and his core will handle the workload. "We're still getting our hands around this," Atkins said. "I'll know more in three or four days. He's picked up a baseball [to play catch], but obviously, he gets quickly fatigued."
Now this story as I said is a miracle and a good way to end a post.
I am going to post one after this (as you know I don't do it too often) because What I have to post is funny and I think you would like it.
