Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Sophomore year for talented young pitchers can be a difficult time. The season after Jaret Wright nearly pitched the Indians to a World Championship in 1997, he posted a 12-10 record, with an earned run average of nearly 5.

It's because when the teams adjust to young pitchers, most of the kids don't know how to keep adjusting. That's been on Jeremy Sowers' mind a lot during the past four months.

After impressing just about everyone during the second half of the 2006 campaign, when he cracked the starting rotation and became one of the league's most effective starters, Sowers knew he was on a honeymoon.

Good big-league hitters know how to adjust, and pitchers going around the second and third time are often treated quite rudely. But the thing I like about Sowers is that he seems to be a thinking man's pitcher. He's constantly changing speeds, working inside and outside -- doing whatever's necessary to get the hitters out. Plus, he rarely gets rattled.

Yes, Sowers won't be able to sneak up on teams, as he did last season, but I also believe we haven't seen everything in the young lefthander's arsenal. I can't recall another 23 year old whose polish as a pitcher compares to Sowers' at this stage. Best of all, while clearly prideful about his skill and performance, Sowers doesn't seem overwhelmed with his talents. He realizes he has to keep working, keep out-thinking the hitters to stay ahead of them.

In that sense, in his work habits and studious nature, he reminds me of Greg Maddox. Perhaps that's just wishful thinking, because Maddox ranks with the best pitchers of all time. But I see a certain craftiness in both pitchers. Maddox never blew hitters away, and neither will Sowers, but the youngster might be smart enough to keep them off balance for the next decade or so.

Or, I could just be catching a case of spring training fever. No matter. This is the time to dream, and Jeremy Sowers looks like the future of a terrific Indians pitching staff.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz: Del Crandall, who handled a great pitching staff on the old Milwaukee Braves, came over to the Indians in 1966 to help keep Sam McDowell's head in the game. It worked, but only part of the time.

Today's quiz: True or false -- Tony Horton once led the American League in home runs.

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-- Kevin Cuneo