I'm Back, and So Are The Cleveland Indians

Here I am, back and ready to write about my obsession, my fan hood, my team: The Cleveland Indians. For reasons I cannot even comprehend, I put down the keyboard and ended my daily writing during July of the 2008 season. Why I did this, I don't know. Rest assured, my dedication to the Tribe was not tarnished. In my eyes, you never lose the Tribe, and the Tribe never loses you.

The 2008 Indians...sigh. Much has changed since then, a year removed from a terrifying ALCS ending that still gives me nightmares. Cliff Lee, the dominant pitcher, was tearing up the mound in a Cleveland uniform, well on his way to his first career AL Cy Young Award. The core group remained, and as did the fans hoping to relive postseason glory.

The 2009 season came and went, with major changes that altered the fate of the ballclub for years to come. In a blink of an eye, the organization became on pace to enter a drastically different direction. By now, it is no secret the Indians are in rebuilding mode. The formula from the successful 2007 run is no more. Faced with mixed fan reactions, the front office was forced to find a new manager, change the philosophy of a team, and rebuild a lineup in only a few short months. The 2010 season is right around the corner.

We are sixty-one days away from Opening Day in Cleveland. To the best of my abilities, I will write five teams a week about an issue, question, or subject the Cleveland Indians face heading into Opening Day. Whether it is spring training, the lineup, or player questions, it's all on the table. The 2010 Tribe is different, but maybe, just maybe, its for the better. I'm optimistic, so join me and my new feature on Bleacher Report as I discuss our favorite team, the Cleveland Indians.