George Herron
cjherron
pacmanxu
slapshot66
Reds v. Indians: The Calm Before the Storm.
Posted by George Herron on May 20, 2011
Not so fast, I'm not sure who they think they are, but the Indians are winning again. Someone call them and tell them it's not 1995 please.
Dear Andy,
Who would have thought that coming into the annual “Battle For Ohio” that we would find both teams playing excellent baseball, leading the division and sexy picks for the talking heads? What a great series this should be! And the best part, I have no animosity with Cleveland and inter league games really don’t matter, so I can just sit back and enjoy them. Unlike the recent Cardinals series which might have given me an ulcer.
But being as these games are one of the inspirations for the blog I feel it apropos to engage in some conversation, spirited debate and other crap that no one will really care about.
Here’s what I got for ya:
- Since Brandon Phillips came from Cleveland and of course now plays for the Reds, I always like to ask you how you feel about it. I remember talking to you about it a year after it happened. I asked you because it was obvious the kid had talent, but I wanted to know why Cleveland had given up on him. So I asked you what the deal was. You said then that he was kind of a punk and I’m not sure, but I think there was a money issue. I just remember you saying the kid was an ass and wasn’t worth the inconstant flashes of talent. And looking back Brandon has been nothing but great since he has been here. And it’s not like the Reds were always good, that have just been a last two and a half years. I really don’t mean to rub it in, but I do wonder how you feel about it at this point. Are you pissed, do you think that they should have gave him a little longer, or is it simply it was best for both to part ways and start over? Do you have those “what if” thoughts if they would have kept Phillips?
- How do you feel about the Indians so far? Cautiously optimistic? Completely confident? Waiting for the other shoe to drop? Too early to really tell? What has surprised you and what has let you down? What’s the Indians weakness?
- Do you pitch to Joey Votto?
- Even though I know that he is a quite legit all around outfielder, I just can’t take a man named Sin-Soo Choo seriously. Do you feel that he is slightly disrespected because of his silly sounding name?
- How do you feel about the weekend? The Reds rank slightly ahead of Cleveland offensively, but pitching isn’t even close. Cleveland blows Cincy out of the water, I’ll be honest I think that is what surprises me the most about this years Indians, is how good the pitching has been. Defensively both teams are about even as well, so it just might come down to the solid pitching of Cleveland that could seal this series. Does it make you feel better to see that the Reds just choked hard and dropped two straight games to the Pirates?
- Is Chris Perez getting ready for his Halloween costume as a lumber jack or a homeless guy or Rosie O’Donnell?
That should be good enough to get the ball rolling. I look forward to your answers, comments and questions.
pacmanxu said
You have questions…I have answers. Honest ones too.
1.Brandon Phillips. I don’t know if I called him a punk, but he definitely had a sense of entitlement without ever earning it, so he wad definitely cocky…no big deal. I can tell you I feel the same way now that I did then…disappointed and pissed at Mark Shapiro, but mostly Eric Wedge. The City of Cleveland wanted to see Phillips play, but Wedge didn’t like him and cast him away in favor of an also-ran utility guy that was cut halfway through that season. I hated it then and it will bug me until Phillips retired. That began my hatred of Wedge and his love to utility guys…he had a hard-on for utility playres. No doubt that was a loss and it still stings. F**K Wedge.
2. My feelings on the Tribe so far? Still pinching myself. They defy any kind of logic. I keep waiting for the 10 game losing streak, but the more they win late in games the more i see the confidence grow. The pitching is good, but young. The offense scares me, because there are games where they are no-hit into the 6th inning and then somehow pull it out. That can’t last forever, and with Sizemore and Hafner on the DL I don’t know how they’ll put runs on the board. They’re playing with house money at this point, so it’s all good. I’m still waiting for the collapse.
3. I avoid Votto like the plague. Bruce will K much more often. I don’t let the MVP beat me.
4. Choo. He’s very good…a five tool guy. I don’t think any Asian players get much respect…even Ichiro. Choo is different than most Asian players, though. He actually has power. Off to a slow start this year, but he’s the Indians best all around player. He can hit for average, power, steal bases, and has a cannon from right field. I think Boros is his agent, though, so don’t expect him in a Cleveland uniform for long…too bad.
5. This weekend? To be honest, I had no idea what to expect. the Reds have had the Indians number the last few years (but who hasn’t?). As I’m writing this, the Indians have won the first two games by one run. Overall, they’ve been dominated, but still won, which is a great description of most of this season. It just feels like one of those years where no matter how bad they’re struggling, you get the feeling they will somehow win…
6. We love Perez…he’s a cooky closer. He rarely has a 1-2-3 inning, but seems to get the job done. He’s got some filthy stuff when he’s in the strike zone, and he’s got the perfect personality for a closer. He’s confident and not timid…he’s go after hitters.
I’m with you from the standpoint that I can just enjoy the series. I don’t have any animosity toward the Reds, and I usually watch the Reds more than any other team besides the Tribe. Both teams are in first place!!!! Don’t know if that’s ever happened before.
I guess this version is a friends Battle for Ohio.
pacmanxu said
BTW, it’s SHIN-SOO CHOO…it took us a year to get it right.
George Herron said
Well that was a disaster. The Reds got swept and are now in the midst of a 6 game losing streak with no end in site. Three more games against the Phils and then three against the Braves and then they get to come home to the surging Brewers. Great.
But taking three out of three from the Reds has to make you feel pretty good and a lot more confident that this team is for real. Your Indians beat Volquez so bad they shipped him down to the minors!