Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

So far, spring training 2007 hasn't been much fun for Ryan Garko. The 26-year-old first baseman has been struggling to make the Cleveland Indians' opening day roster, even though he was the club's second-best hitter last August and September.

The problem is Garko's defense. Until 2005, he'd been a catcher since little league, and when he plays first base, he tends to block hard-hit ground balls, instead of snare them, as Eddie Murray used to do so gracefully.

The Indians' infield defense stank in '06, and everyone is still jittery about a repeat. So, Garko, who's working feverishly to improve his skills around the bag, is on the bubble.

The general feeling has been that Garko will make it to Cleveland if the club decides to keep just one utility infielder. Hector Luna has the most talent, but does not bring a serious approach to the game. He tends to put on weight and get out of shape, and he makes too many errors for a team that's already sweating its defensive performance.

How would you like to be in Garko's position, counting on Luna to win the job to secure your spot? Midway through camp, another player seemed to be threatening Garko, as well. When Victor Martinez took over at first base one afternoon, the Tribe's No. 1 catcher made two nifty plays and started a slick 3-6-3 double play.

Suddenly, it renewed talk about moving Martinez, a switch-hitter, to first on a more permanent basis. Kelly Shoppach, Martinez's understudy, is a better defensive catcher and, presumably, could step in as the starter behind the plate.

So, Garko likely found himself worrying about Luna and Martinez. Thankfully for Ryan, Martinez's throwing has improved over the last two weeks, silencing -- for now, anyway -- the catcher's critics.

It appears, however, there's a 50-50 chance that Garko still won't make the club. If that's the case, he'll have to return to Buffalo -- again -- and keep working on his defense. As unfair as that must seem to him, it might be how things work out.

If it was up to me, I'd keep Garko. He's such a hard worker that, unless he proves he just can field the position, he'll improve. Plus, he's a strong righthanded hitter, which Cleveland needs, and he had a terrific 2-month stretch at the end of last season. At 26, he's no longer just a prospect, and he understands it's time to put up or shut up.

Should Garko show he's not up to the job, Cleveland can always send him down later. But I wouldn't do it now. Bottom line is the club can use this guy.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz: Charles Nagy became the first A.L. pitcher in 30 years to get a hit in the All-Star Game when he singled in the 1992 game.

Today's quiz: Name the Tribe third baseman who slugged 32 homers during the 1987 season.

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-- Kevin Cuneo