Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

It's hard to believe C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland's giant-sized southpaw stopper, is only 26. First, it seems as if he's been around forever --been everywhere, done everything. Because of his massive build and the baseball gravitas he provides every time he toes the rubber, Sabthia seems older than his years.

He also takes seriously his role as ace of the Indians pitching staff. Sabathia improved his record to 5-0 in Sunday's 9-6 win over Baltimore, but he also also pointed out that Cleveland has won every one of his starts this season.

"I don't care what my record is," he told sportswriters after the game, "winning is the only thing that matters to me." What's amazing is that Sabathia already owns 86 major league victories. He's a lefthander, and, for some reason, it usually takes southpaws longer to become effective than it does their righthanded counterparts.

Sabathia, though, is a gamer. He loves to bat and once walloped a long home run against Cincinnati. He's also not afraid to show emotion on the field. When Grady Sizemore leaped to spear a line drive in the gap to end a bases-loaded threat in Sunday's game, Sabathia pumped his arm in exultation, and then he waited to congratulate Sizemore as he ran to the dugout. Even after Sabathia comes out of a game, he usually remains in the dugout to cheer on his teammates.

Sabthia's contract with the Indians expires at the end of the 2008 season and, based on past performance, it's doubtful the Tribe will be able to re-sign him. But nobody should be concerned about that now. The Indians should simply go out and try to win every game when their ace takes the mound.

In many ways, that seems easier with Sabthia in charge. I know I enjoy watching the big guy out-pitch and out-think Cleveland's opponents. If it's only for this year and next, so be it. But in the mean time nobody's going to rob me of the singular pleasure of watching C.C. Sabathia pitch in an Indians uniform.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz: The Indians outfielder of the 1980's who never fully regained his skills following a serious car wreck was Mel Hall.

Today's quiz: Name the third baseman Cleveland signed as a free agent on Dec. 18, 2002.

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-- Kevin Cuneo