Paging Eric Wedge

Let me preface this by saying that Ozzie Guillen annoys me. He speaks out too often to be taken seriously, and his latest tirade makes no sense, considering the South-siders sit in first.

That being said, I believe that it is time for Eric Wedge, the manager of the Indians, to stand up and start cursing, calling out his players, and making a fool of himself.

Why should he do this? Because nothing else has worked for the lackluster Indians all season.

Since May 15, the Indians are 3-12 with an overall record of 25-31.

At this point last season the Tribe was 34-21 (thanks to Jim Ingraham of the Morning Journal for those stats). The Indians have eight games remaining before seeing Cleveland again, but Cleveland only represents a return to mediocrity for the team, not necessarily their saving grace.

As of June 2, the Indians were 16-16 inside the friendly confines of the ballpark formerly known as Jacobs Field and 9-15 on the road. If the Indians are going to right their ship, it has be done in someone else’s ballpark, and it has to be done now. Two more losing series on the road and the Tribe can essentially write this season off.

It seems a mystery to everyone, including the Indians, why the offense isn't producing.

Travis Hafner has been placed on the DL to deal with his offensive struggles, and Wedge commented that the hamstring might still be bothering Victor Martinez after setting the catcher back on Sunday.

In Kansas City over the weekend (the same KC team whose team ERA is 4.49 and had lost 11 in a row prior to this series), the Indian bats produced eight total runs and only batted .095 (2-21) with runners in scoring position (thanks again Ingraham).

It is also certainly a telling sign that Casey Blake, known for his inability to hit with runners in scoring position, is leading the team when runners are on base.

So what can be done that hasn't already been done? The only thing I can think of is for Wedge to go off on the team to the media.

It seems harsh and uncharacteristic of the Tribe skipper. But at this point, when the Indians could kiss the postseason goodbye, something drastic must be done.

So Wedgie, go all Ozzie on us. Let us here some bleeps on ESPN and make Jim Rome, Around the Horn, and PTI buzz about it. Throw the team into the spotlight, because right now, they aren't. The Tigers have taken the spotlight off the Tribe's slow start, and the team has been able to get by with underachieving.

Now it's time for the Indians to start paying for their mistakes, and playing up to their potential.

If you have to, maybe throw GM Mark Shapiro under the bus just like Ozzie did with Kenny Williams. He didn't make a trade to get the team the bat we needed over the off-season, and as General Manager he is just as responsible as you are.

Everyone has to deal with this, because it's a team, and maybe what the team needs is to hear you screaming at them over a television. Obviously your inspirational team speeches in the clubhouse aren't working, and you're one hell of a speaker, so make it good on the air.