Hello Tribe Fans Everywhere!

Frank Lane -- Trader Lane, as he was known -- was famous for falling in love with the enemy. Now I'm afraid I'm becoming like him.

When Lane was general manager of the Indians in the late 1950s and early 60s, he would see a player get three hits against the Tribe, and he'd covet the guy. Even if the player was a bum -- and Lane fell for a lot of bums during his tenure in Cleveland -- he'd move heaven and earth to acquire the fellow. It's how the Indians ultimately came to exchange Rocky Colavito for Willie Kirkland. Lane traded The Rock for Harvey Keunn, of course, but then turned around a year later and dealt Keunn for Kirkland. Because he fell in love with Boom-Boom.

Anyway, the reason I'm getting like Lane is that I'd love to trade Eric Wedge for Buddy Bell. In all the games Cleveland played against Kansas City this season, I felt Bell really had a leg up on Wedge.

The Royals improved greatly under Bell this season, and I'm worried that KayCee could overtake the Tribe in 2007. That is, if the Indians stand pat, which could happen.

Even though he has a lifetime losing record as a manager, Bell reminds me a lot of Joe Torre. Until he went to the Yankees, Torre was kind of a managerial retread -- never much success with several clubs. Of course, in New York, Torre became the new Casey Stengel.

Perhaps I'm overestimating Bell's managerial skills, but I don't think so. If and when he finally ends up with a decent club, I think he'll show results.

Either that or my name is not Frank Lane.

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The answer to yesterday's quiz is: Jeremy Sowers. He's the Tribesman who once pitched a season (2002) in the Cape Cod League.

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Today's quiz: Name the infielder who toiled for Cleveland who is also Buddy Bell's son.

-- Kevin Cuneo