Hello Tribe fans everywhere!
Sometimes psychology and baseball don't mix. After the Yankees rallied from way behind to beat the Indians 8-6 on April 19, fans and sportswriters wondered what effect such a terrible loss might have on the Tribe. Psychologically speaking, that is.
Well, if you haven't already seen it, you must check out Kelly Shoppach's comments in today's Akron Beacon Journal. When asked such a question, Shoppach replied, "Look, sometimes you just get the crap beat out of you." You're got to love that kind of thinking.
The baseball season is so long that only those with staying power will last. You need to develop a skill for tossing off bitter losses or disappointing outings. You can't get too high after wins, or too low after setbacks.
Nothing had to be more disappointing to Paul Byrd, the winner in yesterday's 9-4 triumph over Texas, that being shut down one pitch short of a victory in the snow against Seattle on opening night in Cleveland. The game was eventually called and an almost certain victory -- for the Indians and Byrd -- was wiped out.
Instead of complaining (publicly, at least), Byrd kept his cool and stayed focused on the long season. Last year's club failed to do that, I'm convinced. After the bullpen blew a bunch of games early, some of the vets on the Indians kind of packed it in. Not until GM Mark Shapiro began cleaning house in July did the Indians finally start to perk up.
Frankly, we still don't know how good the '07 Tribe will be, but, so far, I'm encouraged. They win under trying circumstances, and they don't gripe when they lose.
More fans should adopt that noble philosophy.
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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Jimmy Dudley and Bob Neal teamed up behind the Indians radio mic for a total of 8 seasons in the '50s and '60s. They couldn't stand each other, but it was still fun listening to them.
Today's quiz: Name the Indians manager, age 51 at the time, who suffered a heart attack on April Fool's Day in 1964.
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-- Kevin Cuneo