Baseball is supposed to be fun, right?
That’s what we tell children who grow up playing the game. What happened to that premise? Just look out onto the field during a Cleveland Indians game, and tell me if anyone has a smile on their face.
They are mired in an extended offensive slump that has kept them from taking advantage of their extremely good starting pitching. It has left them on a six-game losing streak, which has seen them go from first place to third place.
Not so long ago, last year to be exact, having fun was a nightly occurrence for the Indians, as they made numerous ninth-inning comebacks and were in first place for the majority of the season.
During postgame interviews on Sportstime Ohio, the Indians' cable television network, the player of the game would receive a whipped-cream pie to the face.
The prank was started by reserve outfielder Trot Nixon, and it spread as different players joined in on the fun of getting their teammates. It became an identity of the 2007 edition of the Indians. Fans would even stay after games just to watch for it to happen.
You can go as far back as the mid-90’s when guys like Alvaro Espinosa and Wayne Kirby were playing the same sort of pranks. For them, it was a big bubble of chewing gum secretly put on a teammates cap.
It is all about staying loose. That is exactly what they are not right now.
The Indians entered the season riding the wave of a 2007 ALCS appearance, and were again favored to return to the playoffs for another shot at glory. That pressure, just as in 2006, seems to again be holding them back, as the team tries to force its way through the season.
Success creates expectations, and this new era of the Cleveland Indians has yet to find a way to fulfill them. 2005 was the team’s breakout season, 2006 was to be a continuation of that success, but the Indians finished in fourth place, 78-84.
Ahead to 2007, expectations were still there, but they were not as high after the poor performance of 2006. The Indians went on to pass the Twins, Tigers, and White Sox to capture a division crown.
Now it is 2008, and again, the Indians were expected to continue their development, but again have fallen flat on their face.
Is it leadership? Do Eric Wedge and the coaching staff not ride the guys enough? Should he be like a Jim Leyland and go in front of cameras, putting his team’s efforts down in an attempt to motivate?
Wedge seems to be becoming a younger version of a Joe Torre, who in his time, has not been one to ridicule his players. He stays positive and has faith in his players, and tries to lead by example.
The difference? Torre did this with a veteran lineup in New York. The Indians don’t have the same talent, and have numerous young players who are still learning how to handle adversity.
That said, this is where Wedge, the 2007 AL Manager of the Year, must earn his money and a reputation as a top manager in the game. He must find a way to put players into the right situations to succeed. Maybe that means platooning guys who have never been platooned before, or mixing the lineup, or benching a guy like Peralta or Gutierrez.
Maybe it is the players. Has any one of them really shown any emotions on the field other than frustration. There has even been a little bickering between teammates earlier this week, as Victor Martinez and reliever Jorge Julio spat about pitch selection.
Nobody has stepped forward to take the blame and say what needs to be done. We as fans continue to wait and aimlessly hope for the situation to resolve itself.
One thing is for sure, right now, nobody is having fun. Maybe it is that simple. The next time the Indians have a successful game, maybe a player should find a new prank to breed some positive emotion.
Because in the end, success must involve some fun.
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4 months ago
I think this is one thing that is obviously missing. You are 100% correct in the fact that everyone on the field looks tense and nervous.
Uncle Eric needs to find some way to right the ship and quickly. I have never been a supporter or detractor of Wedge but how he handles this may sway me.
What are your thought on Shaprio's culpability as it relates to the offensive struggles?
Jeff
from 4 months ago
At this point of the season, I don't see much that a GM can do other than what he has already done. Nobody will really trade any noteworthy players for another month or so while the standings settle in. He has already upgraded left field with Francisco over Michaels, but other than that there hasn't been anything else he really can do. It has really been on the players at this point. They are not producing.
The one move I believe needs to be made is promoting Barfield. I don't care if he hits .240, he will give Cabrera a breather in AAA to catch himself.
Going forward, should Wedge/Shelton not get the offense going, Shapiro will have to step in, in the next 2-3 weeks and do something. We are already nearing June and you can't go much longer like this. This may be the last season we have C.C. and the stud staff together until the next group of kids are ready. Would hate to waste it.
4 months ago
How can they have fun after last Fall? It's clear that they did not forget the last season when they started this one. How else do you explain CC's weak start?
from 4 months ago
It could be in the back of their minds. Sometimes that much of a disappointment sticks with you and can crash your confidence, but these guys are professionals and that SHOULD be a motivating factor....I would think.
As for C.C., I believe that was just an anomoly. He has been lights out for about 6 starts in a row with an ERA of under 2.00. He is the same pitcher he was last season, just had a bad four starts. Thats it.
4 months ago
I would almost say that the team seems to be going through the motions on the field, and there is no sense of urgency. The team just needs to look like they are excited about being there. They definitely do not look like there is any life on the field. Maybe a little hi-jinks would do the trick.
4 months ago
I love the way Wedge acts towards this team. They are young, but you can tell it is the way they like it because of the things they've said about Eric.
I don't know if there really is anything he can do more at this point. Just wait it out?
The clubhouse had a laugh the other day at Victor's expense. He got his foot stuck in a bucket.. Joey Cora actually stuck his foot in one in the visitors dugout yesterday to sort of pull Vic's leg and Guillen was behind him laughing.
So you know they did get a little laugh out of that.. It didn't seem to work on the field on Thursday but maybe that is what they need more of.
4 months ago
Great article! Lets hope for the best.
4 months ago
Maybe if Wedge brings back the porn 'stache the Tribe will lighten up.
from 4 months ago
Oh god, please no.
4 months ago
Very well written.
4 months ago
Love being a Cleveland sports fan baby! I love it!
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