Tuesday, October 04, 2005
For Indians, More Pressing Matters Ahead
Ozzie Guillen was right. The White Sox manager, apparently hearing it on Sunday from Indians' fans sitting above Jacobs Field's visiting dugout, quickly wrapped both of his hands around his neck. His message was crass, but clear: The Indians choked.
While Guillen's action was out of line, his message could not have been more on-point.
The Indians final weekend with the White Sox was billed as a showdown. It was more like a letdown.
Perhaps the most frustrating facet of the Tribe's march to a meltdown was that they were never blown away by an opponent. Of their six final-week losses, five were by one run. One run! They did not need the three run homer that they so often swung for. A simple sac fly would have won at least another game. And one more win would have been good enough to force a playoff in Boston.
The Indians had Chicago on the ropes in all three games. And they took plenty of swings. But instead of landing a punch, they missed. Ben Broussard had his chances with the bases loaded, but the only things dying at the hands of the "Killer B's" (Boone, Blake, et al) were rallies.
Save for a few lockerroom realists, most players refused to admit the team caved in to pressure. Come on, now. This was a team full of 20-somethings with little playoff experience to fall back on. Looking at those tense final games, there were signs of more pressing than the elevator buttons at five o'clock in the Terminal Tower.
In fairness, calling a 93-win season with no playoffs a choke might be a bit much. But it is hard to sugarcoat reality. This year's pitching staff delivered a performance not seen in these parts since McDowell took the mound. That would be Sam, not Jack.
Cliff Lee won 18 games, and said after Sunday's elimination that he felt the Indians could have done some damage in the playoffs, because of their arms. Be still, John Hart. The former Tribe G.M. tried anything and anyone (including the aforementioned Jack McDowell) to bolster the pitching staffs of his playoff teams. Just think of the possibilities when pairing 2005's pitchers with 1995's sluggers. A decade too late? And a dollar (or a few million) short, of course.
The offense will improve. Sizemore, Crisp, Peralta, Hafner, and Martinez don't command the respect of Lofton, Baerga, Belle, Thome, and Ramirez. But they could next year, largely because of this experience.
Five Indians' pitchers (Millwood, Elarton, Howry, Wickman, Sauerbeck) will be eligible for free agency come November. Ronnie Belliard's play demands a new deal. And Paul Konerko's 40 home runs will be on the market. But you won't find them on the clearance rack.
Yes, the Indian pressing the most right now must be Larry Dolan. The owner promised to spend money when the time was right. Larry, the clock is ticking.
Missing this opportunity to score? Now that would really be choking.
Tired of waiting 'til next year? Voice your opinion to chandler@newsnet5.com
While Guillen's action was out of line, his message could not have been more on-point.
The Indians final weekend with the White Sox was billed as a showdown. It was more like a letdown.
Perhaps the most frustrating facet of the Tribe's march to a meltdown was that they were never blown away by an opponent. Of their six final-week losses, five were by one run. One run! They did not need the three run homer that they so often swung for. A simple sac fly would have won at least another game. And one more win would have been good enough to force a playoff in Boston.
The Indians had Chicago on the ropes in all three games. And they took plenty of swings. But instead of landing a punch, they missed. Ben Broussard had his chances with the bases loaded, but the only things dying at the hands of the "Killer B's" (Boone, Blake, et al) were rallies.
Save for a few lockerroom realists, most players refused to admit the team caved in to pressure. Come on, now. This was a team full of 20-somethings with little playoff experience to fall back on. Looking at those tense final games, there were signs of more pressing than the elevator buttons at five o'clock in the Terminal Tower.
In fairness, calling a 93-win season with no playoffs a choke might be a bit much. But it is hard to sugarcoat reality. This year's pitching staff delivered a performance not seen in these parts since McDowell took the mound. That would be Sam, not Jack.
Cliff Lee won 18 games, and said after Sunday's elimination that he felt the Indians could have done some damage in the playoffs, because of their arms. Be still, John Hart. The former Tribe G.M. tried anything and anyone (including the aforementioned Jack McDowell) to bolster the pitching staffs of his playoff teams. Just think of the possibilities when pairing 2005's pitchers with 1995's sluggers. A decade too late? And a dollar (or a few million) short, of course.
The offense will improve. Sizemore, Crisp, Peralta, Hafner, and Martinez don't command the respect of Lofton, Baerga, Belle, Thome, and Ramirez. But they could next year, largely because of this experience.
Five Indians' pitchers (Millwood, Elarton, Howry, Wickman, Sauerbeck) will be eligible for free agency come November. Ronnie Belliard's play demands a new deal. And Paul Konerko's 40 home runs will be on the market. But you won't find them on the clearance rack.
Yes, the Indian pressing the most right now must be Larry Dolan. The owner promised to spend money when the time was right. Larry, the clock is ticking.
Missing this opportunity to score? Now that would really be choking.
Tired of waiting 'til next year? Voice your opinion to chandler@newsnet5.com
Posted at 12:12 PM
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