Here's how to break a 33 year record and win 20 games!

Cliff's still rock steady: Tribe's Lee breezes through the Royals for 21st victory
by Paul Hoynes

Sunday September 07, 2008, 7:45 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cliff Lee didn't know who his next opponent would be. It's part of the veil of solitude he's pulled over himself this season.

When told it would be the same Kansas City team that he beat Sunday to win his 10th straight decision and 21st game of the season, Lee said, "I'll try to do more of the same of what I did today."

Lee pitched 7 1/3 innings and Victor Martinez drove in three runs as the Indians beat the Royals, 3-1, at Kauffman Stadium. Lee's 21 victories and 2.28 ERA are the best in the big leagues.

No, he hasn't pinched himself to see if this is real. He acts like going from 5-8 last year to 21-2 this year is no big deal.

"I really don't think about it that much," said Lee. "I think about preparing each day and doing everything I can do to get ready for my next start. I don't reflect back on previous outings or look too far ahead of today. It's worked for me this year and that's as simple as it is for me."Lee has tried to do this in the past, but it's never been this refined.

"I've been more conscious of it this year," he said. "It helps to have success. When something is working, there's no need to change it. I've focused a lot more on it. ... I've worked hard to keep my mind in the moment and not reflect on what I've done, good or bad."

Lee is scheduled to face the Royals again Friday night at Progressive Field. He's 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA against them this year and 11-4 in his career.

Lewis worked a scoreless ninth to earn his eighth save of the season and the appreciation of catcher Kelly Shoppach on Sunday in Kansas City."The guy is throwing strikes with, what, four pitches," said Royals shortstop Mike Aviles. "He's got the fastball, cutter, curve and change. Any pitcher who is commanding four pitches, and throwing them for strikes, is going to have the upper hand.

"You know he throws a lot of strikes. So in your head, you know you're going to get something to hit. He puts it right there and at the last moment it moves just enough."

On Sunday, 72 percent (74-for-104) of Lee's pitches were strikes. He struck out five and walked one.

Lee's 21 victories are the most by a Tribe pitcher since Gaylord Perry won 21 in 1974, and are second most in a season by a Tribe lefty, behind only Vean Gregg's 23 in 1911.

With four starts left, Lee has a real shot at that.

The Royals may be in last place in the AL Central, but they know how to hit lefties. They're 29-20 against left-handed starters, including a 16-9 record at home.

"They made Cliff work," said manager Eric Wedge.

Billy Butler and Mark Teahen hit consecutive one-out singles in the fourth. Lee struck out John Buck and retired Alberto Callaspo on a grounder. Esteban German started the fifth with a double, but Lee retired the next three batters.

Lee said the thing that helped him was Martinez's two-run single in the first for a 2-0 lead.
"It eased the tension," said Lee.

Martinez's hit was a mixture of good timing and awe. Martinez supplied the timing when he turned Zack Greinke's 3-2 slider into a single up the middle with two out and Shin-Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta running on the pitch. Peralta, not known for his speed, supplied the awe by scoring all the way from first base.

"Jhonny was really digging right there," said Wedge. "He got a great jump. If he doesn't do that, he doesn't score."

Choo and Martinez got together again in the sixth. Choo, on an 11-game hitting streak, doubled and scored on Martinez's bloop double to left against Greinke (10-10, 3.70). Martinez, scheduled to catch Monday night against Baltimore, reached base seven times in nine plate appearances against the Royals.

This was Martinez's seventh game since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 29.

"I'm just trying to do the best I can do," said Martinez.

The third run was big because the Royals scored their only run in the sixth to make it 2-1. After Lee retired Butler in the eighth, Rafael Perez and Rafael Betancourt finished that inning. Jensen Lewis worked the ninth for his eighth save in nine chances.

The Indians, 9-5 against Kansas City, have won 20 of their last 28 games.

Indians' Lee rings up 20th victory
By Sheldon Ocker Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Sep 02, 2008

CLEVELAND: Cliff Lee was pleased, happy even, to become the first 20-game winner in the major leagues this season.

Not that anyone could tell from his body language or his facial expression (what expression?). But he said so, and everyone within earshot in the Indians' clubhouse was prepared to take his word for it.

More than just win the game, the left-hander punctuated his accomplishment by throwing his fourth complete game and second shutout of the year, as the Chicago White Sox fell 5-0 Monday night at Progressive Field.

''That has a nice ring to it; I like the sound of it,'' Lee said, referring to his feat of winning 20 games. ''It's nice to get it out of the way and behind me. Now, I'll do everything I can to get ready for my next start and finish strong.''

It has been his mantra all year. The same words in the same order, game after game after game. In a nutshell, Lee's credo is living in the moment, ignoring the last game, resisting the tendency to think farther ahead than his next start.

The game ahead is the only one that counts. The next inning, the next pitch is all he should be thinking about. And who's to argue? The man is 20-2 with a 2.32 earned-run average that continues to go down.

Of course, Lee learned all this from manager Eric Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis.
''This is one of the toughest things to do in the game of baseball right now,'' Wedge said of winning 20. ''I think I learned from C.C. [Sabathia] and Fausto [Carmona] learned from C.C. how to handle things.''

Even when the White Sox began the game with consecutive hits, Lee stayed the mental and emotional course.

''After those guys get on, there's nothing I can do about it except face the next guy,'' Lee said. ''It's the same as everything else: it's the next batter, the next pitch.''

Lee began the first inning by giving up consecutive singles to Orlando Cabrera and A.J. Pierzynski. But he struck out Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye ripped a line drive to Asdrubal Cabrera at second, and he doubled up Cabrera at the bag.

''I was trying to get Quentin to hit a double-play ball and struck him out instead,'' Lee said. ''I would rather have had the double play. Then I got lucky with Dye. It was a fastball away and up, a ball he could drive. But he hit it right to Asdrubal. It's not the kind of double play I want, but I'll take it.''

Kelly Shoppach might have been more on edge than Lee before the game.

''I was a little anxious and nervous more than he was,'' the catcher said. ''We know it's a big moment. It was like a playoff atmosphere. I'm very proud of Cliff.''

Lee seemed most pleased that he no longer would have to answer questions that relate to wanting to win 20, how stressful it might be to pitch for his 20th and how it would feel if he did or didn't succeed.

''It's nice not to have to answer questions matching up with Gaylord Perry,'' he said. ''But I feel happy and pleased about the way things went. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Maybe a perfect game, but a lot of things have to go your way to do that. So this was a neat experience.''
During one stretch, Lee retired 19 batters in a row and never was in any real trouble. As any Northeast Ohio fan knows, Perry is the last Tribe pitcher to win 20 games, and that was back in 1974.

Lee gave up only five hits, didn't walk a batter and threw 109 pitches, only six in the seventh inning, which included a strikeout.

The only annoyance from the White Sox side of the field came from Pierzynski, who is masterful at getting under the skin of other players, opponents and teammates alike.

When Pierzynski popped to the shortstop in the fourth inning, he slammed his bat and yelled something. After that, the story is disputed.

''He ran down the line and yelled something and stared at me,'' Lee said. ''I just stared back. Then I heard him chirping from the dugout [later in the game]. It gave me a little extra energy. I appreciated it.''

When the game was over, Lee pointed to the visitors' dugout.

''That was just excitement,'' he said.

According to Pierzynski, when he hit the pop fly, he yelled because he was angry with himself, not Lee. It was just miscommunication, he said.

"That's the best I've seen him throw against us in some time," said Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen, whose club dropped into a tie for first with Minnesota. "He's a 20-game winner for a reason. We got to him early and had an opportunity. Then he shut us down, just dominated us."
After he got Carlos Quentin to ground into a game-ending double play, Lee punched his fist into his glove and hugged Shoppach as fireworks boomed above Progressive Field. And then, as he has done 19 other times this season, Lee got in line to exchange handshakes with his teammates.

First baseman Ryan Garko flipped the ball to Lee, and he headed to the dugout as a video tribute from Perry and Feller was shown on the stadium scoreboard.

"It's nice to get this behind me and not have to answer questions about matching Gaylord Perry," Lee said in a typically stoic tone. "I'm glad I got it over with on the first try. It's a good feeling, especially not giving up any runs."

Lee's History

Lee's history wasn't smooth. Ineffective for the first fourth months of 2007, Lee was sent back to the minors last July, a startling downfall for a pitcher who had won 46 games over the previous three years. In his final start before the demotion, Lee was booed off the field and sarcastically tipped his cap at fans who were sick of seeing him.

After the initial shock of being back in the minors wore off, Lee reset his sights.

"I never lost confidence," Lee said. "I never got down on myself or questioned my abilities. I never once doubted what I could do."

Since the first day of spring training in '08, he has been in a groove.

"It's a tremendous tribute to him and the work and the commitment he made," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "These things don't happen by accident."

Lee leads the majors in wins and ERA, and no pitcher has meant more than the laid-back 30-year-old, who has accounted for 30 percent of Cleveland's 66 victories.

Lee has refused to put emphasis on any start but his next one, and has shrugged off his success with a hey-this-is-my job nonchalance. For weeks, he has downplayed any significance of reaching the 20-win barrier, insisting all he wants to do is give the Indians a chance to win.
His approach has been simple.

"You've got to locate. You've got to work ahead. You've got mix and change speeds," Lee said. "That's the key to pitching."

Holzman's Baseball Vision

Relievers owe a debt to Holtzman's baseball vision
By Gene Wojciechowski
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: July 25, 2008, 6:56 PM ET


I don't know if Jerome Holtzman was larger than life, but I do know life is smaller without him.

He died last Saturday after an extra-inning illness, was buried this past Tuesday, and will be remembered by friends, colleagues, readers and fans Monday, Aug. 4 at the only place that makes sense.

A baseball field.

Holtzman, 81, was a cigar-chomping, suspenders-wearing Chicago baseball writer. He didn't aspire to more because that was more. A ballgame. Deadline. A story to tell. That was Holtzman's idea of a perfect work day.

Even if you think you've never heard of him, you have. Holtzman is the reason why Goose Gossage will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday. He's why Rollie Fingers, Bruce Sutter and Hoyt Wilhelm are in there, too. In fact, if you're a big league reliever, you owe it to Holtzman to write his initials under the bill of your ball cap.

Holtzman invented the save category in 1966. It isn't the same as inventing the dialysis machine, but it's not bad.

Anyway, Holtzman's new category gave statistical meaning and clarity to the closer role. It made millionaires out of late-inning specialists. It eventually gave every fantasy baseball geek in America (guilty) another precious category to agonize over in their 5x5 or 4x4 league drafts.

If Old School had a valedictorian, it would have been Holtzman. He was respected, maybe even a little bit feared by ballplayers, managers, management and whoever had to compete against the former Marine on the baseball beat. He broke stories. Big ones. Small ones. Didn't matter; his notebook was always open, his pen always uncapped.

If Old School had a valedictorian, it would have been Holtzman ... He broke stories. Big ones. Small ones. Didn't matter; his notebook was always open, his pen always uncapped. Jerry Reinsdorf bought the Chicago White Sox the same year -- 1981 -- Holtzman moved from Wacker Drive and the Chicago Sun-Times to the rival Chicago Tribune on Michigan Avenue. That was the same year Holtzman broke the story on the end of the baseball strike.

Holtzman and Reinsdorf developed a working relationship and, later, a friendship. Owners and sportswriters don't usually spend much time together, but Holtzman wasn't your usual sportswriter. He was a romantic, a historian, an author (if you don't own a copy of "No Cheering In The Press Box," you are weak and useless), a worker bee, a man of conviction and, in 1989, an inductee into the writer's wing at Cooperstown.

Some of us listen to iPods when we write; Holtzman hummed to himself. Out of habit he would eat peanuts in the press box and toss the empty shells on the floor -- even if the floor was carpeted. Nobody said a word.


Holtzman retired from the Tribune in 1998, but you'd still see him at Wrigley Field or new Comiskey Park/U.S. Cellular Field. He used to drive himself to the stadiums from his lovely Evanston home. As his health began to fade, a grandson or friend would do the driving. And more than a few times, Reinsdorf arranged for a limo service. It became a standing offer.

He'd sit in the dugout before the game and it wouldn't take long before players, coaches, managers and writers would stop by to shake his hand or say hello. Respect.

Later, he'd make his way upstairs and usually spend the game with Reinsdorf in the owner's private suite. Cigars were known to be smoked.

When Holtzman died, it was his son Jack who later called Reinsdorf with the news. Reinsdorf, who spoke to Holtzman at least once a month, was visibly shaken by the loss of his friend. Another offer was made: Have a memorial service at The Cell.

I'll be there at the stadium's Scout Lounge the evening of Monday Aug. 4. So will Commissioner Bud Selig. And Reinsdorf. And sportswriters. Lots of sportswriters.

Late in 1995 I was hired to cover the Cubs for the Tribune. The sports editor told me to report to the January MLB owners meeting in Los Angeles. Introduce myself to Holtzman, I was told.

So I did. He had eyebrows so thick that they needed their own lawn service. He wore a white shirt, suspenders, and he scared the living hell out of me.

This was the great Holtzman. The man known simply as "The Dean." A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

And here's what he did. He introduced me to every stuffed suit he could find. Owners, league officials, team officials -- Holtzman knew them all.

It was a busy day. The owners had just voted in favor of interleague play. The then-California Angels were being sold to Disney. A handful of TV deals were up for formal approval. So I asked Holtzman if there were anything I could do to help out.

"No, no," he said. "I'm fine."

We ordered steaks as thick as first base and he spent the next hour telling stories. The Marines ... WWII ... how he courted his wife, Marilyn ... the Chicago newspaper wars ... baseball ... the Cubs ... the White Sox. It was the one time I wished the waitress never brought the check. Less than 20 minutes later, Holtzman was done writing. Amazing. It would have taken me three times that amount to finish.

I couldn't help myself; I stole a peek at his computer screen. There was his famous byline. Then a handful of tight, no-nonsense graphs. Then, in parentheses, Pick Up Wire.

Holtzman had done the hard part. He figured the Associated Press could do the rest.

A month later, at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., Holtzman invited me to dinner. We ordered steaks as thick as first base, and he spent the next hour telling stories. The Marines ... WWII ... how he courted his wife, Marilyn ... the Chicago newspaper wars ... baseball ... the Cubs ... the White Sox. It was the one time I wished the waitress never brought the check.

So a moment of silence, please, for The Dean. But only a moment. Holtzman wouldn't want you to miss any of the game because of him.

Gene Wojciechowski is the senior national columnist for ESPN.com. You can contact him at gene.wojciechowski@espn3.com.

Mound of Trouble

Mound of trouble: Indians' battered bullpen offers many questions, few answers (so far)Posted by Paul Hoynes July 24, 2008 20:11PM


Mark Avery/Associated Press
Masa Kobayashi may --- or may not --- be the Indians' closer for the rest of the season, but that doesn't mean the club won't be searching for a better alternative in 2009.The Indians in an emotional sense have rebounded from the trade of CC Sabathia.
"They're back to being themselves," said manager Eric Wedge, "relaxing, having some fun and trying to play good baseball."

What they haven't rebounded from this season, and probably won't until it is rebuilt or repaired in the off-season, is one of the worst bullpens in the big leagues.

The Indians have no established closer or reliable set-up men. What they have is a jigsaw puzzle dumped on the dining room table waiting for Wedge and GM Mark Shapiro to snap it into place.

"The roles are open -- wide open in the pen," said Wedge at the conclusion of the six-game trip through Seattle and Anaheim, Calif.


The injury and release of closer Joe Borowski and the decline of super set-up man Rafael Betancourt have plunged the bullpen to the bottom of most American League stats. The Tribe's entire pen has 16 saves compared to Francisco Rodriguez's 42 for the Angels.

Borowski and Betancourt aren't the only guilty parties. Jensen Lewis has yet to find the velocity and command he showed going down the stretch last season. Lefty Rafael Perez is only now pitching as he did last year when he and Betancourt ruled the seventh and eighth innings. Tom Mastny remains inconsistent and off-season acquisitions Jorge Julio and Craig Breslow were jettisoned a long time ago.

(Tom Mastny (1-2, 14.90 ERA) was the latest Indians reliever to feel the pain of a lost season when he allowed a grand slam to Jeff Mathis of the Angels on Wednesday.Wedge believes a bullpen starts with its closer. Unless Masa Kobayashi seizes the job in the second half (he's 6-for-8 in save situations), the Indians will go into the winter looking for one. )

"A lot would have to come into play right now with the people we have for us not go out and get a closer," said Wedge. "Someone would have to really grab the role, really lock into it and prove we could count on him for next year. That's a lot to have happen in two-plus months."

Potential free agent closers include Brian Fuentes, Eric Gagne, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, Todd Jones, Brandon Lyon, Rodriguez and Kerry Wood. If Oakland doesn't trade Huston Street to a contender in the next few weeks, he might be available as well.

Tribe prospect Adam Miller has the arm to close, but he's recovering from surgery on the middle finger of his right hand, the latest in a series of nagging injuries that have blocked his path to the big leagues. Miller has spent almost his whole minor-league career as a starter, but he could be a candidate for the bullpen based on what he does in winter ball or the Arizona Fall League and in spring training.

Shapiro said Betancourt, Rafael Perez and Kobayashi will be part of the pen in 2009.

"Ed Mujica, Jensen Lewis and Tom Mastny have a chance to improve their opportunity and status for next year by pitching well now," said Shapiro.

Added Wedge, "I believe Rafael Betancourt can get back on track and be someone we can count in the late innings. I don't think it will happen overnight.

Former Twins reliever Juan Rincon, signed to a minor-league contract and promoted to Cleveland on July 9, has done well in limited appearances.

"He's a free agent at the end of the season," said Shapiro, "but when we signed him it was with the idea that he may be able to help us next year."

Veteran Brendan Donnelly, recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, is pitching at Class AAA Buffalo in a comeback attempt. When the Indians signed him, it was with the idea that he could help them down the stretch toward the postseason. With the Indians no longer a contender, it's unclear how Donnelly, 37, fits in their plans.

Olympian Jeff Stevens, Brian Slocum and lefties Tony Sipp and Rich Rundles are candidates as well.

"We've got plenty of time to look at these guys," said Wedge. "They're going to get opportunities to step up and figure out if they can play a prominent role in this thing.

"I think everyone would agree that Perez is a lot better than he was earlier in the year. You want to see how Mastny and Lewis come along. You want to see if Betancourt can find it. Mujica has definitely evolved. We're using him in more prominent role."

Tribe's only priority for rest of 2008 should be 2009

Tribe's only priority for rest of 2008 should be 2009, says Terry Pluto
by Terry Pluto Thursday July 17, 2008, 6:55 PM

Cleveland -- If I had to take over the Indians for the rest of the season, these are the moves I'd make. I'm not talking about stuff for the off-season, but things that can be done within the next three months only.


My approach: Everything done after the All-Star break should be aimed at making the team better for 2009. We don't need to see much of Dave Dellucci, who is 34 and has hit .230 and .231 in his last two years with the Tribe. No need to sign Barry Bonds, Richie Sexson or some other older veteran with physical problems. Use this time to evaluate players under the glare and pressure of the regular season, not meaningless games in September or spring training.

Their approach: In their recent meetings, the Indians agreed that playing time is the key to next year. They say they plan to really watch young outfielders Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Francisco and Franklin Gutierrez in left and right fields. They don't want to bring in a veteran just for the sake of adding a "name" player. My general approach, especially to the outfield, matches the Tribe's.



Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Asdrubal Cabrera's return to the Indians is a good decision, writes Terry Pluto, but the team may be wasting an opportunity if they only play Cabrera at second base for the rest of the season.My shortstop: Consider that Omar Vizquel came to the majors with Seattle at the age of 19. He batted .220-.247-.230 in his first three big-league seasons. The Indians should install 22-year-old Asdrubal Cabrera at short. After hitting .184, he was sent to Class AAA Buffalo to work on his hitting. Well, he's batting .326 with a team-leading .856 OPS. His defense remains superb, according to scouts. The Bisons shortstop was just named the International League Batter of the Week (13-of-33, .394, 3 HR). Cabrera loves Vizquel. Like Omar, he is from Venezuela, wears No. 13 and is a switch-hitter. He does need to learn to watch his conditioning, because Vizquel played into his 40s by being in great shape.
Their shortstop: For now, the Indians are committed to Jhonny Peralta at short, with Cabrera (set to join the team this weekend) playing mostly second base.

My third baseman: I'd have Peralta and Andy Marte split time at the position. When Marte is at third, Peralta can be the DH. One of these guys should be the third baseman in 2009, let's find out which one. I'd start with Marte there four times a week, Peralta the other three. Peralta's only extended time at third was in 2004, when he made 14 errors in 59 games at Buffalo. That was four years ago, let's see how he looks there now.

Their third baseman: They want to take an extensive look at Marte at third, or at least that's the plan now. They have been pleased by his defense, which was terrible in spring training and has been improved during his brief outings this season. Casey Blake will play there when Marte sits.


Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Casey Blake has provided one of the few reliable bats for the Indians this summer, but at age 34, his best value to the team is likely to be greater as trade bait as the deadline approaches.My deal: I'd love to see Blake on a contender where his versatility would be valuable, and he also may bring something decent in return. Blake is having a career year batting .282 (.390 with runners in scoring position). He makes $6 million, will be a free agent and he'll be 35 on Aug. 23. It doesn't seem he will be in the plans for 2009, so they should trade him now.
Their deal: They may keep Blake and use him at first base the rest of the year. They don't want to just give him away, and they see him as a safety valve at several positions. They also think they will have a chance to re-sign him to a short-term deal at the end of the season.

My second baseman: I really wanted to see Josh Barfield (broken finger), but he's out another 3-4 weeks. I'd stick with Jamey Carroll there, with Cabrera at short and my Marte/Peralta combo at third until Barfield is healthy.

Their second baseman: Cabrera will get heavy duty at that spot for now.

My first baseman: If he comes back from his elbow surgery this season, play Victor Martinez a lot. Give his body a break from catching, where he caught more games from 2004-06 than anyone in the American League. He ranked fifth in that category last year. Between the elbow and hamstring injuries, he paid for it in 2008. In the meantime, I'd look at Ryan Garko, unless Blake is still here.

Their first baseman: It will be Blake and Garko. Manager Eric Wedge and I both think Garko can hit, and wish he'd get started. If not, they will need a new first baseman in 2009.

My rotation: Assuming Fausto Carmona is indeed two weeks away from returning, the rotation would be Cliff Lee, Carmona, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers and Paul Byrd -- with the idea of moving Byrd if a contender is interested. A key is finding out about Sowers. I believe they are on the same page.

My idea that won't work: I wanted to be bring Jeff Stevens up from Buffalo and add him to the bullpen, and then promote Matt LaPorta from Class AA Akron to Buffalo. But both are in the Olympics, which will chew up the month of August. After the Olympics, I'd add both to the September roster and play them. LaPorta will play mostly first base in the Olympics.

My idea for the bullpen: I don't have too many other than the obvious ... close with Raffy Perez. Revive Raffy Betancourt. See if Edward Mujica can help somehow. Jensen Lewis? Tom Mastny? I don't know, hope one of them can help. I have a feeling Juan Rincon is the next Jorge Julio. Watch the innings for Masa Kobayashi, who is 34 and has not appeared in more than 53 games or thrown more than 58 innings in the last seven years.

Their idea for the bullpen: They will close with Kobayashi, at least for now -- and watch his workload. They are excited by Perez, confounded by Betancourt. They have been encouraged by Mujica, and think Rich Rundles at some point can come up from Buffalo and help as a lefty reliever.

My idea that some fans won't like: I won't fire the manager, batting coach or anyone else this season. The biggest failures are the injuries, the bullpen and not making any major off-season additions. To dump a coach or manager in the middle of this mess is a scapegoat approach and masks the real problem, which is the roster and a farm system that is not producing right now. I can't fault Wedge and the rest for that.

Tribe's only priority for rest of 2008 should be 2009

Cleveland -- If I had to take over the Indians for the rest of the season, these are the moves I'd make. I'm not talking about stuff for the off-season, but things that can be done within the next three months only.


My approach: Everything done after the All-Star break should be aimed at making the team better for 2009. We don't need to see much of Dave Dellucci, who is 34 and has hit .230 and .231 in his last two years with the Tribe. No need to sign Barry Bonds, Richie Sexson or some other older veteran with physical problems. Use this time to evaluate players under the glare and pressure of the regular season, not meaningless games in September or spring training.

Their approach: In their recent meetings, the Indians agreed that playing time is the key to next year. They say they plan to really watch young outfielders Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Francisco and Franklin Gutierrez in left and right fields. They don't want to bring in a veteran just for the sake of adding a "name" player. My general approach, especially to the outfield, matches the Tribe's.



Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Asdrubal Cabrera's return to the Indians is a good decision, writes Terry Pluto, but the team may be wasting an opportunity if they only play Cabrera at second base for the rest of the season.My shortstop: Consider that Omar Vizquel came to the majors with Seattle at the age of 19. He batted .220-.247-.230 in his first three big-league seasons. The Indians should install 22-year-old Asdrubal Cabrera at short. After hitting .184, he was sent to Class AAA Buffalo to work on his hitting. Well, he's batting .326 with a team-leading .856 OPS. His defense remains superb, according to scouts. The Bisons shortstop was just named the International League Batter of the Week (13-of-33, .394, 3 HR). Cabrera loves Vizquel. Like Omar, he is from Venezuela, wears No. 13 and is a switch-hitter. He does need to learn to watch his conditioning, because Vizquel played into his 40s by being in great shape.
Their shortstop: For now, the Indians are committed to Jhonny Peralta at short, with Cabrera (set to join the team this weekend) playing mostly second base.

My third baseman: I'd have Peralta and Andy Marte split time at the position. When Marte is at third, Peralta can be the DH. One of these guys should be the third baseman in 2009, let's find out which one. I'd start with Marte there four times a week, Peralta the other three. Peralta's only extended time at third was in 2004, when he made 14 errors in 59 games at Buffalo. That was four years ago, let's see how he looks there now.

Their third baseman: They want to take an extensive look at Marte at third, or at least that's the plan now. They have been pleased by his defense, which was terrible in spring training and has been improved during his brief outings this season. Casey Blake will play there when Marte sits.


Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Casey Blake has provided one of the few reliable bats for the Indians this summer, but at age 34, his best value to the team is likely to be greater as trade bait as the deadline approaches.My deal: I'd love to see Blake on a contender where his versatility would be valuable, and he also may bring something decent in return. Blake is having a career year batting .282 (.390 with runners in scoring position). He makes $6 million, will be a free agent and he'll be 35 on Aug. 23. It doesn't seem he will be in the plans for 2009, so they should trade him now.
Their deal: They may keep Blake and use him at first base the rest of the year. They don't want to just give him away, and they see him as a safety valve at several positions. They also think they will have a chance to re-sign him to a short-term deal at the end of the season.

My second baseman: I really wanted to see Josh Barfield (broken finger), but he's out another 3-4 weeks. I'd stick with Jamey Carroll there, with Cabrera at short and my Marte/Peralta combo at third until Barfield is healthy.

Their second baseman: Cabrera will get heavy duty at that spot for now.

My first baseman: If he comes back from his elbow surgery this season, play Victor Martinez a lot. Give his body a break from catching, where he caught more games from 2004-06 than anyone in the American League. He ranked fifth in that category last year. Between the elbow and hamstring injuries, he paid for it in 2008. In the meantime, I'd look at Ryan Garko, unless Blake is still here.

Their first baseman: It will be Blake and Garko. Manager Eric Wedge and I both think Garko can hit, and wish he'd get started. If not, they will need a new first baseman in 2009.

My rotation: Assuming Fausto Carmona is indeed two weeks away from returning, the rotation would be Cliff Lee, Carmona, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers and Paul Byrd -- with the idea of moving Byrd if a contender is interested. A key is finding out about Sowers. I believe they are on the same page.

My idea that won't work: I wanted to be bring Jeff Stevens up from Buffalo and add him to the bullpen, and then promote Matt LaPorta from Class AA Akron to Buffalo. But both are in the Olympics, which will chew up the month of August. After the Olympics, I'd add both to the September roster and play them. LaPorta will play mostly first base in the Olympics.

My idea for the bullpen: I don't have too many other than the obvious ... close with Raffy Perez. Revive Raffy Betancourt. See if Edward Mujica can help somehow. Jensen Lewis? Tom Mastny? I don't know, hope one of them can help. I have a feeling Juan Rincon is the next Jorge Julio. Watch the innings for Masa Kobayashi, who is 34 and has not appeared in more than 53 games or thrown more than 58 innings in the last seven years.

Their idea for the bullpen: They will close with Kobayashi, at least for now -- and watch his workload. They are excited by Perez, confounded by Betancourt. They have been encouraged by Mujica, and think Rich Rundles at some point can come up from Buffalo and help as a lefty reliever.

My idea that some fans won't like: I won't fire the manager, batting coach or anyone else this season. The biggest failures are the injuries, the bullpen and not making any major off-season additions. To dump a coach or manager in the middle of this mess is a scapegoat approach and masks the real problem, which is the roster and a farm system that is not producing right now. I can't fault Wedge and the rest for that.

Read this and become a better Cubs fan

Read this and become a better Cubs fan
By David Schoenfield

If you're going to become a real, true-blue Chicago Cubs fan, you need to learn about the franchise, its history and its most famous players. Here is a quick guide with definitions to some of the most important things you must know.

Baker, Dusty 1. manager (2003-06) 2. slayer of young arms 3. kept trying to turn Corey Patterson into a leadoff hitter

BANDWAGON 411

Here's everything you need to know about bandwagon riding:

• The eight kinds of bandwagon fans and how to spot them

• Ten tips for bandwagoners

• History's biggest bandwagons

• 12 legendary victories a Cubs bandwagoner must know

• Cubs bandwagon dictionary

• Uni Watch: Cubs edition
Banks, Ernie 1. Mr. Cub 2. two-time National League MVP 3. played third-most games in major league history without appearing in a World Series (see also PALMEIRO, RAFAEL; and DAWSON, ANDRE)

Bleacher Bums [Slang] 1. affectionate nickname for die-hard Cubs fans who sit in the outfield bleachers 2. drunk, smelly, shirtless fans who drink beer

choke v. choked, choking 1. 1969 pennant race 2. Leon Durham, letting ground ball through legs of, 1984 3. Steve Bartman, Alex Gonzalez et al, 2003

College of Coaches 1. strategy in which Cubs rotated four coaches as "head coaches" instead of naming one permanent manager (1961-62) 2. 123-193 (Cubs record, 1961-62)

Dawson, Andre 1. 1987 NL MVP 2. even though the Cubs finished 76-85 and in last place

Elia, Lee 1. manager (1982-83) 2. used very bad words once to describe Cubs fans

Garvey, Steve 1. former Dodgers and Padres first baseman 2. forearms like Popeye 3. All-American boy image later tarnished with out-of-wedlock children 4. Cubs fans knew he was of questionable character after hitting game-winning home run in Game 4 of 1984 NLCS

gerbil n. 1. any of a subfamily (Gerbillinae) of burrowing rodents related to the mouse 2. Don Zimmer, manager (1988-91)

goat n. 1. any of a number of wild or domesticated, cud-chewing mammals (genus Capra) with hollow horns, related to the sheep 2. a lecherous man 3. [Colloq.] a person forced to take the blame or punishment for others; scapegoat 4. do not bring into Wrigley Field

Grace, Mark 1. popular first baseman (1988-2000) 2. signed as free agent with Arizona in 2001 3. won World Series first season with Arizona

Guillen, Ozzie no-good #!(@*#$&! manager of hated Chicago White Sox

Homer in the Gloamin' [Slang] 1. description given to Gabby Hartnett's home run that beat Pittsburgh in the early evening darkness of a crucial pennant race game in 1938 2. Cubs went on to win the pennant 3. Cubs swept in World Series by Yankees

light n. 1. a source of light, as the sun, a lamp, a light bulb, etc. 2. finally installed at Wrigley Field (1988) 3. too many day games, perhaps explanation behind lack of National League pennants since 1945

lose v. lost, losing 1. to bring to ruin or destruction 2. to fail to win or gain 3. to fail to have, get, take advantage of, etc.; miss [the Cubs lost their chance at the 2003 pennant due to an eighth-inning meltdown]

Lovable Losers [Slang] affectionate nickname given to franchise

Maddux, Greg 1. pitcher, drafted by Cubs in 1984 as scrawny teenager from Nevada 2. developed into four-time Cy Young winner and 300-game winner 3. led Cubs to many division titles and pennants in 1990s 4. ohh, that's right, no he didn't, Cubs let him leave as free agent following 1992 season

meat n. 1. the flesh of animals used as food 2. popular food item in Chicago 3. what Cubs outfielder Dave Kingman once referred to athletes as [athletes are pieces of meat]

Merkle's Boner n. [Slang] 1. infamous baserunning gaffe by New York Giants rookie Fred Merkle in 1908 that cost the Giants a victory and led to the Cubs winning the National League pennant by one game 2. get your mind out of the gutter

Prior, Mark 1. pitcher, 2002-06 2. thanks, Dusty

Santo, Ron 1. beloved Cubs third baseman and longtime announcer 2. widely regarded by sabermetric types as the best player not in the Hall of Fame 3. not including Pete Rose, Mark McGwire or Joe Jackson 4. in 1960s, Cubs had Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins (all Hall of Famers) plus Santo, yet won zero pennants 5. ouch

Sauer, Hank 1. 1952 NL MVP 2. even though the Cubs finished 77-77 and in fifth place

Sosa, Sammy 1. slugging right fielder, fan favorite, 1998 NL MVP, hit 60-plus home runs three times (1992-2003) 2. persona non grata (2004)

Tinker to Evers to Chance 1. famed double-play combination, immortalized by Franklin P. Adams poem 2. Tinker and Evers played alongside each other yet didn't speak for 33 years after a fistfight in 1905 3. Chance managed Cubs to pennants in 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1910 4. won World Series in 1908, last Cubs manager to do so 5. Chance nicknamed "The Peerless Leader," last Cubs manager to be considered as such

Tribune Company 1. cheap 2. stingy 3. tightfisted 4. good riddance

Wilson, Hack 1. squat, fireplug outfielder, stood just 5-foot-6 2. set all-time record with 191 RBIs and hit 56 home runs (1930) 3. spent offseason hanging out in Chicago bars, drinking plenty of free alcohol from adoring fans 4. hit 13 home runs, drove in 61 runs (1931)

Wrigley Field 1. heaven 2. place for drunk, smelly, shirtless fans to drink beer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Chicago Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol plopped down on the billowy leather recliner in the visitors' clubhouse, leaned back in one of those "ahhhhh" moments … and then fell head over heels backward.



Reliever Scott Eyre, talking on his cell, let Marmol struggle for a few seconds, leaned the phone to the side and said, "Hold on a second. Marmol just fell over." And then he helped drag Marmol from the recliner.



On the opposite side of the clubhouse a handful of Cubs, as well as general manager Jim Hendry and team chairman Crane Kenney, watched as LSU mounted a ninth-inning rally against Rice in the College World Series. Hendry is a close friend of LSU coach Paul Mainieri

Just before the game-winning, bases-clearing double that won the game for LSU, closer Kerry Wood sprinted back toward the players lounge. That's where shortstop Ryan Theriot, an LSU alum, was watching -- and dying -- with every pitch.





After the LSU rally, Wood walked back into the clubhouse with a smile as wide as the on-deck circle.

"When the guy hit the ball, I turned the TV off," he said, laughing.

Kids.

This is what happens when you have the best record in baseball. Or maybe this is part of the reason why the Cubs have the best record in baseball.

Anyway, if you're worried about the Cubs' doing an '07 New York Mets this season, don't. I know: Carlos Zambrano and his right shoulder have a Friday appointment with an MRI machine. And Alfonso Soriano is already on the DL. And Reed Johnson's back is barking. And Jim Edmonds left Wednesday night's game with a sore foot. And the Cubs were just swept out of Florida by the Rays.

But it's time for Cubs followers to take deep, calming breaths. It's going to be OK. Probably. I'm not saying team officials are already preparing the parade route through The Loop, but there are reasons -- 10 of them, to be exact -- to think the Cubs can still keep holding hands with their favorite letter: W.

. The NL Central
Pittsburgh, Houston and Cincinnati already trail the Cubs by double digits. Milwaukee can hit, but do you trust the Brewers' pitching staff and defense? I don't.



St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan is a genius, but unless he can heal Albert Pujols' injured left calf, the Cardinals eventually will be wheat toast.


2. Circle of Friendship
Yeah, they're 18 games over .500, which helps, but the Cubs sure act as if they like each other.



"The mark of a good team is when something goes wrong, someone else is there to pick you up," Theriot said.



This applies to everyone but Marmol. They just let Marmol lie there.



But you get Theriot's point. The Cubs' clubhouse hasn't always been the happiest place on earth.



"I think we all are genuinely pulling for each other and care for each other," Theriot said.


3. The Great Switch
Kerry Wood went from starter (when he could actually lift his right arm) to closer. Ryan Dempster went from closer to starter. No offseason move has had more of an impact on the Cubs' success.

Dempster is 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA. Wood has 18 saves.

"We felt [Wood] was made for this job," said Hendry, who compared him to a Goose Gossage-type of closer.

"Putting Demp in the rotation and putting Woody at the back end kind of made everything flow a little easier," first baseman Derrek Lee said. "Now you can go to [Bob] Howry in the seventh, Marmol in the eighth and Woody in the ninth. That's like lights out. So you're making the game like a six-inning game now. It's been kind of fun to watch. We get a lead going into those innings and we feel like we're going to win it."

4. The Fukudome Effect
You can make the argument that right fielder Kosuke Fukudome is the best free-agent signing by the Cubs in a long time -- at least, during Hendry's nearly seven-year tenure. Fukudome is like your first beer; he's an acquired taste. The more you watch him, the more you understand why he matters so much to this team.


He didn't come cheap ($12 million per), and he doesn't hit for much power. But gone are the days of the Jacque Jones 16-hopper throw to second base. Fukudome plays Wrigley Field's confusing right-field winds and wall angles as if he grew up on ivy and brick.



Plus, he's a left-handed hitter in a predominantly right-handed lineup.



Plus, he gets on base, takes pitches, hits to all fields, and can bat almost anywhere in the order (he was moved to leadoff Wednesday, and will stay there until Soriano's return). And best of all, he hasn't told any boring Chunichi Dragons stories.


5. Depth
Jim Edmonds is hitting .300 with two homers and 14 RBIs since he signed with the Cubs in mid-May after San Diego released him. You've never heard of infielder/outfielder Micah Hoffpauir, but he can rake. Sean Gallagher is 3-3 since getting called up. Johnson is money with runners in scoring position (.392, leads the NL). Mark DeRosa plays anywhere. And Felix Pie, who was the Cubs' Opening Day center fielder, is available.

In other words, the Cubs can handle the temporary loss of Soriano, who says he and his broken left hand will be back before the All-Star break.

"We've had a lot of pleasant surprises," said manager Lou Piniella.

6. The Nontrades

Just so you know, the Cubs were never going to trade DeRosa during the offseason. But they would have listened to any offer (prospects … big leaguer … 10 bats -- OK, not 10 bats) for starter Jason Marquis, who was pitcher non grata during the '07 postseason.

Nobody called with a deal worth doing, so the Cubs kept him. Lucky them.

He's won his last four starts and has a 1.96 ERA in his last three starts. Marquis' streak comes in especially handy after the meltdown of former starter (and now Iowa Cub) Rich Hill

It worked out perfect for us," said Lee.

7. The True Rookie
DeRosa called Theriot before the season began. They started talking about catcher Geovany Soto.

"He's going to be the rookie of the year," DeRosa told Theriot.

DeRosa might be right. If nothing else, Soto (12 HRs, 43 RBIs) might be the NL's starting catcher in the All-Star Game. He's about 500,000 ahead in the voting. If it holds up, he'll become the league's first-ever rookie catcher to start the game.

Hendry said he felt so good about Soto "that we didn't do a thing about our catching during the offseason."

"He's changed our lineup," Lee said. "He showed flashes of it last year, but you never know how it's going to translate into playing every day. Dropping him in that sixth spot, he's an RBI guy. He's a force in that sixth hole. That makes a deep lineup. There's not an easy out in there."

8. Cha-ching
Even with the impending sale of the team, the Cubs have some wiggle room when it comes to taking on more salary this season.

"Playing good baseball is good business," Kenney said. "We've grown the business and we can grow the payroll."

That's corporate-ese for, "We've got some cash in our money clip come trade deadline."

9. Big Z
Carlos Zambrano is a knucklehead, but he's a talented knucklehead. He gives you absolutely what you need to go long and far: an anchor No. 1 starter.

But you could tell something wasn't right with him during Wednesday night's loss to the Rays. So now the Cubs, who said Thursday that Big Z will miss Tuesday's scheduled start against the Orioles, wait for the MRI results.

If it's serious, then deep, calming breaths probably won't do the trick. The Cubs have options, but they don't have another Zambrano.

If it isn't serious, then you'll actually be able to hear Hendry's sigh of relief from miles away.

10. They're Not Those Guys
Piniella likes to tap the brakes on all this postseason talk, but deep down he knows the Cubs could win a pennant. They have the rotation (depending on the severity of Zambrano's injury), the bullpen and the hitting to do it. And the negative vibes are at a minimum.

"We have a good team," Lee said. "We knew that coming into spring training, but now we're proving it to ourselves, that we're as good as we thought we were."

And this from Kenney: "This is different from '03 and '04 [when the Cubs couldn't close out the Florida Marlins in the '03 NLCS and couldn't even reach the playoffs in '04]. In '03 it was, 'Are we this good?' This year it's, 'We are this good.'"

If nothing else, so far, so good. MRI, willing.

Gene Wojciechowski is the senior national columnist for ESPN.com. You can contact him at gene.wojciechowski@espn3.com.