Cuckoo for Coco Crisp

Many of you have been asking about a new post. While I have been busy workin’ and schoolin’, I wanted to wait until the Coco Crisp deal was finalized before gathering my thoughts to discuss it.

Truth is, I can’t remember another trade quit like this one. As Indian fans, most of us eventually bought into Mark Shapiro’s plan and accepted mediocrity throughout the ’03 and ’04 seasons, assuming we would be contenders in subsequent years. Our patience was justified last season as the Tribe won 93 games, though barely missing the playoffs.

So after putting 2 million fans in the seats last year and already selling over a million for this season, all of the sudden we are rebuilding again?

Does anyone really believe Coco Crisp was not an integral part of the Indians success? We are talking about a guy who is 26 years old entering his prime. The last three seasons he has boosted his average from .266 to .297 and finally cracking .300 last year. He has transformed himself from a banjo hitter with speed to a bona fide power threat from the two-hole in the batting order (16 homeruns and 42 doubles last year). His age and statistical history leads us to believe he is primed to become a 200-hit 100-run guy, and again, he’s just 26!

And now we have shipped him away, along with one of the few reliable relievers we have left, to an American League team, who OH BY THE WAY, we were BATTLING for a wild card spot last season?!

Does any of this make sense?

Look, I want to believe Larry Dolan is more than just a miser and that the Indians make decisions for more than just financial reasons, but does the fact Crisp will earn a significant salary boost in arbitration have anything to do with this deal? If you are truly trying to compete this season, why the hell do you trade a major league-.300 hitter for a “prospect” that hit .275 in triple-A ball?

I know, I know. You are saying, “But Jon, he’s a third baseman with Power!” Yes, he hit 20 homeruns in triple-A, good, but not exactly Barry Bonds numbers. Are you also aware he struck out 83 times in just 389 at bats? Then when he was promoted to the big leagues, he whiffed 13 more times in just 57 at bats, while collecting only 8 hits. Is this guy another Russ “fannin” Branyan?

So to recap, yes, I hate this deal. Coco Crisp was part of the core players that arrived in 2003 along with Hafner, Vic Martinez, Cliff Lee and Jake Westbrook. The intangibles he brought to the lineup could not be measured in stats. The constant hustle, the feeling he gave you that he actually CARED about winning ballgames, the loving relationship he developed with the fans. All this stuff matters, and now he’ll be replaced by a guy named Jason Michaels who brawls with law enforcement officers.

I have been a staunch Mark Shapiro supporter since the Bartolo Colon trade. Believe it or not, I always thought he had a good vision, that team was going nowhere anyways. And then shipping a bitter, broken down Roberto Alomar was another great move, even though injuries derailed Billy Traber’s career. But when you start seeing headlines on the Indians homepage that say “Indians confident despite unpopular trade,” with Shapiro quoted as saying the alleged blue-chip propect we got for Crisp is "Not major league-ready now" and "We'd still like to see him develop a more effective two-strike approach," you start to wonder whether this team is heading in the right direction anymore. Coco has a great two-strike approach and IS major league-ready!

Shapiro continuously preached 2005 as the target date. Well Mark, 2005 is over and we were good, but didn’t make the playoffs. Was that the only shot we get? Is it all about turning a profit at this point?

My heart so desperately wants to believe winning a championship is a top priority for this ball club, but I can’t turn off that voice of reason in my head that thinks otherwise..

Story of the year

Hey, you know what I can't get enough of? That clip from the Knicks/Bulls game of forward Antonio Davis running into the stands to "save" his wife. It was the ultimate damsel in distress/hero to the rescue story!

I just wish I could see more of it. Instead of just showing it 5,000 times a day, why can't ESPN show it 10,000 times? I want reverse angles, extreme close-ups and perspective from everyone from the fans sitting nearby to the hot dog vendor. Don't we have a floor cam in that row?
I want to know what Peyton Manning thinks about the situation. I want Ozzy Osbourne to write a song about it.

I'm glad I didn't have to listen to any of the national sports radio talk show hosts discussing the insignificant football games this weekend, because that may have cut into my precious Antonio time. I mean, THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE FOLKS. For heavens sakes his wife could have been killed up there! Or at least had Pepsi spilled on her Versace bag.

All Antonio, All the time. Thats my new motto.

I've already purchased a home and road Antonio Davis replica jersey on amazon.

Brokeback madness

Unless you have been living under a rock, or hanging out with Osama Bin Laden lately, then you have heard all the buzz about the movie "Brokeback Mountain", a touching love story about two cowboys.

You know, I saw the initial trailers for this movie and I felt good, because I thought to myself, "finally, FINALLY the Baltimore Raven fans have a movie they can relate to!"

(da dum CHING).

NFL playoffs

Seahawks 20, Redskins 10
The one game of the weekend that probably failed to surprise anybody. 'Skins played tough but were just overmatched. Mark Brunnel looks about 100-years-old back there and clearly suffers from Bernie Kosar Lead Foot disease. And this from a guy who used to be mobile.

Side note, the game featured a former Browns linebacker on each side - Warrick Holdman for the Redskins and the Seahawks' Kevin Bentley, like their time in Cleveland, however, neither were much of a factor.

Denver 27, Evil Empire 13
The Bill Belichick reign of terror is FINALLY and mercifully over - at least for now. But seriously, is there anyone outside of New England that wanted to see the Patriots win?

We all rooted them on as underdogs in 2001, even despite the Belichick thing. But this team's arrogance has grown with each victory to the point of Tom Brady's foolish mocking of Denver safety John Lynch's fist-pump celebration early in the game. Not to mention they feel NO call should or can go against them and are appalled when the media dares to pose a question with a hint of negativity (see every Tom Brady interview from the last 3 months).

Belichick's arrogance got out of hand when he decided to have Doug Flutie drop kick and extra point during week 17 for no apparent reason other than to give Chris Berman a near-orgasm on the air during NFL Primetime.

Back to the game, what was with the broadcasters making excuses for Champ Bailey pulling up at the 10 yard line on his interception return and promptly getting blasted by the Patriots Ben Watson? You want me to believe a finely tuned NFL defensive back, returning a pick in a playoff game against the defending champs with the home crowd going nuts is not going to have the adrenaline and stamina to run full speed for 100 yards? Ben Watson, a tight end no less, didn't seem to have too much trouble. Call it what it is, Bailey made an bonehead play after a great play and nearly cost Denver the game (the ball really should have been a touchback for New England).

Basically I did not enjoy last year's Super Bowl and was dreading this years had the Patriots made it. Now that they are out, THE PARTY IS ON!

Stealers 21, Colts 18
You think Tony Dungy is second guessing his decision to rest his starters for the last 5 weeks? The Colts came out flat, just as a team should when they have been playing only first quarters for over a month. I never understood this strategy for a team that had already clinched a first round bye. Those two losses late in the season removed the feeling of invincibility for the Colts and the Steelers did NOT look intimidated.

This game had some wacky officiating. Troy Palomalu was absolutely robbed of an interception. Then there was the 4th and short play where the O-line flinched, the D-line jumped across the line, the refs blew the whistles...... and NOTHING was called? Yet 10 minutes of discussions ensued, halting an already choppy game. Get it together zebras.

Post game quote from Peyton Manning, "What can you say, our idiot kicker gets liquored up and blows the game-tying field goal."

Panthers 29, Bears 21
With one running back out, a second running back leaving injured and only one receiver capable of making a big play, the Panthers did just about whatever they wanted to the "fearsome" Bears defense. After 29 points, 434 total yards and 21 first downs, NOW can we put to rest the absurdly ridiculous comparisons of the Bears defense to their 1985 counterparts? I swear, nothing has ever made me scream at my radio as much as hearing talk show hosts make that connection this year. There is not one player on this Bears team worthy of washing Mike Singletary's jock strap.

This Bears team was a fluke from the start. Benefitting from a obscenely easy schedule, they went 5-1 against division "rivals" Green Bay, Detroit and Minnesota. They couldn't handle the mighty Browns and lost. They also earned hard fought victories over "powerhouses" New Orleans (20-17), San Francisco (17-9) and Baltimore (10-6). And after all that, still only managed to go 11-5.

More Pineapple Tidbits

- Good news, I know EXACTLY what to get Marcus Vick for his birthday this year. A throwback Lawrence Phillips Nebraska jersey!

- I love Herm Edwards. Nothing like a career 39-41 coach that carries himself with the esteem of a 4-time Super Bowl champ. His "straddling the edge of insanity" act during press conferences and his priceless quotes about keeping things "in house." As if there is huge demand for insight about what went on behind the scenes of the 4-12 Jets this year. If you are too lazy to refer to a Webster's dictionary to find out the meaning of "delusions of grandeur", just watch coach Edwards at work.

- Let me get this straight. Bernie Kosar made a name for himself with his uncanny ability to read and pick apart NFL defenses even at the young age of 23. Despite limited physical skills, he carved out a decent pro career by simply being the most intelligent game quarterback in the league at the time. And yet he has never once been offered a position as an offensive coordinator somewhere? makes sense...

- In his three seasons with the Houston Texans, Domanick Davis has run for 3195 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. He missed a few games this year due to injury, but in 2004 he rushed for 1188 yards, caught 68 passes for another 588 yards and reached the end zone 14 times. And the Texans have already decided on drafting Reggie Bush despite seeing David Carr's confidence and potential diminishing with each snap? makes sense..

- Speaking of Bush, with LenDale White's recent announcement of his professional intentions. Do you realize it will be back-to-back years that one school will put two running backs in the first round of the NFL draft (Auburn's Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams went last year), simply amazing.

- I've been trying to decide what to say about the Indians concluding their free agent season with the inexplicable signing of Todd Hollandsworthless, but I simply cannot have that many four letter words on my website...I just won't do it.

Instead, I'll let my friend Shnydes sum it up in an excerpt from an email he sent to a friend back home:

"As for the Indians they suck and you can tell Grandma i said that! The White Sox are going to kick our asses everytime we play them! I hate to be so negative but Dolan Needs to sell the team! He is a cheap ass and the fans give him a pass! Byrd is injury prone.. Jason Johnson isn't better than Scott Elarton! They didn't get another bat.. they let Millwood and Bobby Howry their best relief pitcher walk.. We'll win 84 ballgames if were lucky and the fans still support those losers! I'll watch from afar but i have better things to do! They had they're chance last year and they choked! They didn't address the needs of the team! They signed a bunch of stiff pitchers who were good 10 years ago in Karsay and Graves! Well Graves is an appropriate name because that's the type of baseball Cleveland is used too and next year will be the same! I feel sorry for all of us because we will all be dead by the time any Cleveland team wins! I guarantee it! The City is a black Hole and it sucks the life out of you! "Woe is me" is the theme.. Until People boycott the games and demand a winner it will never happen! They can say all they want about how this is a small market... BullSHit! This team sold out 5 straight years.... Dolan is ripping off the Fans! I'm done with that stuff.. Auntie Shirley do me this favor, do a lot of traveling and riding in your boat in Sandusky this summer because I want you to enjoy yourself and don't get caught up with those losers at the Jake! I'm sorry to write all of this but it's the Truth and I'm not much of a bullshitter anyways.Seriously anything less than a WORLD SERIES, NBA TITLE, or A SUPERBOWL is unacceptable! We've waited all of our lives! Damn It we Deserve it! I will not accept Mediocrity any more!"

All I can say is I could not have said it better myself and I'm glad there isn't a tax on exclamation points.

Pat Riley

Today we will take a brief break from the abyss that is Cleveland sports to pay some long overdue tribute. Some of you may have seen an email circulating which points out some lesser known facts about Chuck Norris. Well I felt it only justice the same be done for the man who told Jeff Van Gundy's brother to take a hike, "you are only keeping the bench warm for me."

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you.....PAT RILEY!

-When Pat Riley took over the Lakers, Kareem Abdul- Jabbar was only 6’5", he tied jabbar’s wrists to the rim of the basket and stretched him to 7’ 1" because he “needed a center.”

-Pat Riley doesn’t use gel or mousse to slick his hair back, he uses scalding hot bacon grease because he says the pain builds character.

-James A. Naismith invented basketball because he was worried about what Pat Riley would say if he had been born without a game to coach.

-While other students were finger painting in pre-school, a young Pat Riley was perfecting the fast break.

-Pat Riley doesn’t age, he hardens

-After he resigned from coaching, the Lakers placed a bronze statue of Pat Riley outside the Great Western Forum. It was actually Riley himself and he stood there motionless for 10 years until he got bored and walked away.

and finally, from my friend BP in T-town:

Pat Riley doesn’t look good because of Armani suits, Armani suits look good because of Pat Riley.

I have a voice!

While it comes as no surprise to this scribe, apparently I can add Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown to my growing list of faithful readers. I know this because Brown heard my pleas, took my advice and more than doubled Luke Jackson's playing time last night against the Bucks.

The 11 minutes Jackson played was more action than the forward had seen in the previous seven games combined. The Luker had not eclipsed double digits in minutes in a game since December 20 against the Jazz.

So how did he respond? Seven points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Not bad for less than a quarter of action.

So coach Brown, if you are reading, and I KNOW you are. More Luke Jackson, LESS Ira Newble, please! Get The Luker on the floor 15-20 minutes a game, you won't regret it.

Rocketman

A couple thoughts from the excruciating Cavs/Rockets game on TNT last night.

-I realize Tracy McGrady is a superstar, but does he have to save ALL his best games for us? Couldn't he have left to deliver a baby at halftime or something?

-Whats the deal with Juwan Howard lighting us up everytime we play him? Why doesn't he just show up with Michigan shorts on because thats the last time he looked as good as he does when we play him. I was waiting for him to come out with a blindfold on to start the fourth quarter.

-Luke Jackson came in early in the game, showed great energy on defense, grabbed a couple boards, made a great cut to the hoop for an easy two with Ilgauskas posting up (as opposed to the normal Cavalier trend of standing and watching) and had the fans chanting "LUUUUKE" the whole time. So of course the only logical thing for Mike Brown to do was bench him the rest of the game. What the hell? Luke was so far from the court at times, I think I saw him in row four soliciting a vendor for a hotdog. Shouldn't the goal of a coach in any sport be to play the hottest players?

-Just when you think the Cavs are turning the corner, they revert back to nasty old habits of allowing countless uncontested layups and standing around on offense. It is starting to look like they will win about 46-49 games this year and lose a hard-fought first round playoff series. With this, I will NOT be happy.

Big Win, Bigger Injury??

Quick post today, I will have thoughts on the BCS national championship game and some NFL draft thoughts later today or tomorrow.

Well the Cavs finally got a big road win over a good team in Milwaukee, unfortunately they lost Larry Hughes for six to eight weeks with a broken finger. It will be interesting to see how they hold up without Hughes, hopefully Anderson Varejao will come back soon and make the same impact he made on games last year.

Good signs: The Cavs seem to be playing more defense lately. LeBron has given up on shooting for 50 every night as evidenced by his triple-double last night. This guy is like Magic Johnson, he doesn't need to score 40 points to completely dominate a game, but we do need his rebounds and assists to be successful.

On thing that scares me. The way the Cavs are playing, they are almost certainly headed for a fourth or fifth seed in the playoffs this summer. The bad thing about that is they would meet the top-seeded Pistons in the second round - ouch.