Hello Tribe Fans Everywhere!

Have you noticed how shabbily the Cleveland Indians always seem to treat their young? They bounce them back and forth from Cleveland to Buffalo, and pretty soon promising farmhands, who don't know if they're coming or going, seem to lose focus.

Either that, or the Tribe abandons them in the minors for so long that the players' lust to make the majors turns into rust. That's what nearly happened to Ryan Garko this season. In his third year at Buffalo, Garko looked as if he was on his way down, instead of on his way up. He was shuffling along, batting in the .240s, when, because they'd already traded away Ben Broussard and Eduardo Perez, the Indians finally summoned him.

It seemed like the most unenthusiastic call to the majors, I must say. In fact, I could have sworn that the club had already given up on Garko -- that somebody at a high level in the organization said, "Nope. This guy is not our kind of guy. We can try him now, but he's not worth future investment."

Then a funny thing happened. Finally given a chance to play in the big leagues, Garko started to hit. He still hasn't stopped. Last night against the White Sox, he homered, doubled and singled, driving in five of the team's six runs. It gave him 41 RBIs in 45 games, to go with his seven home runs and .299 average. The converted catcher has also performed adequately at first base. So, maybe he's not quite Steve Garvey around the bag, but he certainly hasn't embarrassed himself.

So, how are the Indians reacting? Are they thrilled that the farmhand came up and put up impressive numbers? In a word, no. First, General Manager Mark Shapiro had little to say about Garko. All he did say was that the Indians would "seek a bonafide first baseman" during the off season.

Lately, as Garko continues to smash baseballs -- even in the absence of Travis Hafner, the club has amended its position toward Garko. Now Manager Eric Wedge says, "He certainly has gotten our attention. He's making a strong bid for next season." I get the impression that Wedge is going further than his bosses would like. They don't seem too fond of Garko -- for some unknown reason.

The 25-year-old slugger remains an unpolished first baseman, but he seems to have good instincts around the bag. Soon, he'll be off to play winter ball for former Tribe shortstop Felix Fermin at Aguilas in the Dominican Republic. "I need to get some more mileage at first base," Garko good naturedly told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "It's like (third base coach) Joel Skinner says, 'Instead of doing things for the 100th time, I need to be doing them for the 1,000th time."

He'll also be catching once a week at Aguilas. See, what a bonus this guy offers? In a pinch, he can go behind the plate. The Indians would still have to carry two catchers, but, say, one gets hurt. You've got Garko in reserve. Or, say you're in the 17th inning and you need another catcher. Garko's your man.

What's most galling about this situation is that it would seem that Garko's emergence allows Tribe management to concentrate on other areas that need improvement. Why would the club keep dwelling on "looking at other players to find the best fit for first base"? It doesn't make sense.

I guess I shouldn't worry, because, with the exception of Kevin Millwood, who was coming off serious arm trouble, the Indians haven't been able to sign a decent free agent since this decade began. But it's the arrogance that bugs me. And, I also worry about losing another good young player -- in the same way that Brandon Phillips escaped the organization.

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The answer to yesterday's quiz is: Tris Speaker. He was great -- a true hall of famer, but he never had a season like the one that Grady Sizemore's having. Well, he did hit .349 for his career, but you know what I mean.

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Today's quiz: Name the impressive college that Ryan Garko attended.

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-- Kevin Cuneo