A recap of this weekend in Cleveland Sports

Well, the Indians took 2 out of 3. It wasn't pretty at all but they got the job done. I'm hoping this lack of hitting thing and wasting good pitching is almost out of our system because if we were to start the playoffs next week I would be happy to be in the dance but thinking it might be a short song.

Brady Quinn looks 125% better with a buzz cut although I have to take 15% off because of the widow's peak isn't very flattering. I wonder if he had to request a smaller helmet with the lack of hair but I'm sure the ego might have filled in the rest of the space. I think we will not win against the Steelers unless our defense knocks both Big Ben and Charlie Batch out of the game and we face their 3rd string. I think I would prefer to go with Charlie Frye. I'm curious to see which QB is on the short end of the stick - Anderson or Dorsey. I think we are ready for a new head coach but I'm not sure who that would be.

Baseball Business Blog

A couple of days ago I linked to an article about the cheap beer/drunken driving awareness night in a minor league game.

I was told the link didn't work for everybody, so I thought I would tip you off to the site that saw the story on - The Biz of Baseball. A nice collection of baseball news, major or minor. As the name indicates, it is not so much about ERA or RBI, more like COGS and ROI.

I Thought I was a Ham

You Are a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

You life your life in a free form, artistic style. You are incredibly creative and at times, quite messy. Deep down, you are a kid at heart. And you aren't afraid to express it. Your best friend: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Club Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

Rats, we didn't win

Apparently Grady Sizemore chose somebody else's backyard to play wiffle ball in. Here is the article.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/08/grady_and_the_gang_play_ball.html

How cool would that have been for us to have him in Willowick. We would have to introduce him to our chalk driveway/field.

Gotta Love Minor League Promotions

We have a South Atlantic League affiliate in Lake County, but I don't think any of their promotions have entered the realm of a recent stunt by the Savannah Sand Gnats.

In an odd twist, the Drunk Driving Awareness Night will coincide with a Thirsty Thursday promotion of half-priced beer and Coke and $1 Papa John’s Pizza slices presented by Connect Savannah, Rock 106.1 and Papa John’s Pizza.

Throw in the Zooperstars, and you are talking a REAL night of entertainment!

It happened this morning!

I had my wacky thought of this pregnancy. On the way to work I was pondering when I would like to deliver this baby. I am due on February 24th and I was thinking about how neat it would be to have the baby born on February 29th because 2008 is a leap year. Then I thought "oh yea it would be cool if I finally would have a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday baby. And if that happened the baby would be born on the 27th!" You see John was born Monday, April 7th, James was born Tuesday, May 17th and Patrick was born on Thursday, December 7th. So I would think I am destined to have the baby on Wednesday, February 27th. Check back in a couple months when I find out if its a boy or girl. I'm thinking it will be a boy so start thinking of some boy names to suggest.

Finally - No Fear!

A news-worthy day

1) Browns sign Quinn
2) Indians designated Mike Rouse for assignment after last night’s game – with speculation in the media we were looking to claim someone off waivers
3) Indians re-sign Russell Branyan to a minor league contract – who knew this guy was still playing!!! Only hitting a .197 with the Padres this year – hmm looks like a steal! Why can't we "steal Jermaine Dye for the White Sox??? I would be much more excited about that move!

Got to love that post-season feeling

With all the great pitching we have run into lately and the lack of hitting, I can't help feel that is just exactly what we will run into when we reach the post season. Hopefully our hitting will start up again so we can create a little bigger cushion from Detroit and the dreaded Yankees. I hate to hear the Yankee fans cry every year in May and June that their team is awful - they always come around are in the hunt - it makes me want to puke!

Cool!

Fun at the splashpark!

{I have deleted the long advertisement that Verizon added here.}

Indians Atop AL Central

YOUR Cleveland Indians are in first place. For the last few weeks the Tigers have attempted to hand them first, but the Tribe must have thought it was some sort of trap. But my favorite featherheads finally found a way to first.

Behold the power of SMWIAL

We added a poll asking if Cliff Lee should visit Buffalo. It was answered with an unanimous "yes". Before the poll expired, the roster move was made. Now, I can't claim that Mark Shapiro reads Stop Me When I am Lying. All I am saying is that if he DOES, he would have heard the fans speak in a unified voice. All three of us. Or two of us, one using two different browsers to vote twice.

I hope this isn't our only trade

I hope Mark Shapiro doesn't give a press conference on Tuesday evening saying the market wasn't favorable so all we could come up with is an extra 40 year old bat. I hope the farm or the market can produce some more pitching. I also hope this trade doesn't screw up the chemistry in the clubhouse. I think these guys are not the blaring music type like they were in the 90's the last time Kenny Lofton was here. I hope I hope I hope

new show - 6 degrees of Martina McBride

Last night as my husband came to bed he told me 3 things I love you, the Indians lost and Martina McBride has a new show coming July 30th - the 6 degrees of Martina McBride. What the heck is that we wondered. I checked it out on abc.com. Apparently if you want to have a shot at becoming country's next biggest thing - you had to find someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows someone who know somone who know Martina McBride. Then you were picked to be groomed by her to become the next country act. I think it will be a mini american idol for country music. I hope its more than one week but I haven't figured that part out yet.

The story behind the "Rally Pie"

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1185179685236630.xml&coll=2&thispage=1

This is a great story! Take a few minutes and put your feet up and enjoy!

I wonder if this was part of the 25 minute - players only discussion. It seems like all the position players get along great. I wish I was a fly on the wall for that conversation.

The SMWIAL Poll

New feature of Blogger is the ability to add a poll. Please vote early and often the "Can the Indians sign CC" poll. Just to be clear - if you select "No. The Dolans are cheap" - you are a moron ill informed person and probably call local sports talk when you are in your cups.

Thank you.

2nd Half should be just as exciting as 1st Half

I am just as excited and optimistic about the Indians as I was in April when they began their quest to be world champions. Today they are going to announce the signing of Travis Hafner and I'm sure Shapiro has had many phone calls entertaining offers so we can obtain one more stellar bat and stellar arm.

I thought the All Star game was pretty good - although I did sleep through most of it. I still think Victor Martinez got hosed by not getting the MVP. Yes, Ichiro had 3 hits but Victor had the big hit that ultimately won the game.

YMCA Dreamhouse

I'm sitting here daydreaming about winning the YMCA Dreamhouse. Does anyone know what the percent amount is on the winning house? Would it be 6.25% because that is what the county tax rate is? I'm just trying to decide if I could afford to take the house or if I would rather have the money and pay off the current dream house (with less space) I am living in. Of course I have not invested $30 on this endeavor yet, so its still a dream in my mind.

Red White and Blue Crew

The boys get ready for July 4th.

2007 Indians are a team of destiny

I'm calling it now - June 28th, 2007 - this Indians team is a special team. I think they can go all the way this year to the World Series. They are starting to come out of a funk and to hit the ball with fiery. I know they lost pretty good last night - but even down 5 or 6 runs I still think this team can overcome the deficit. Our pitching has been pretty good - they are getting rid of the dead weight and the farm is starting to produce some real gems. I am very excited about the 2nd half of this season! Do I hear an amen out there?