Hello Tribe Fans Everywhere!

Lefthanded pitchers, as a rule, mature late. They can show flashes of brilliance at an early age -- see Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers -- but it generally takes several years before they settle in. The exception to this rule, of course, is C.C. Sabathia, who pitched another gem Tuesday as Cleveland slipped past Kansas City, 1-0.

Sabathia went all the way, striking out eight and walking nary a batter, improving his record to 9-1. "I'm even prouder that we've won 12 of my 13 starts," said C.C. after the game. It shows how much he's matured since those early days in Cleveland when he showed so much baseball promise, but not much common sense.

Do you remember the night Sabathia spent several hours drinking with his new friends at a hotel bar just a few blocks from Jacobs Field? When they finally called it a night, the group stepped outside and the guys promptly robbed C.C. of all his gold jewelry -- about $60,000 worth. He felt they came close to taking his life. Sabathia was so shook by the incident that his mother rushed to Cleveland from the family's home in California. She cooked and kept house for her 6-foot-7, 335-pound son, helping him to regain his balance.

Since then, Sabathia has married and become the father of a young son and daughter. Tribe fans have watched him grow from a talented young thrower to a complete pitcher, and, this season, he might just be the best in baseball. I imagine the Yankees and Red Sox drool with anticipation every time Sabathia pitches a gem like the one last night against the Royals. Without a doubt, they'll have their designs on C.C. once he becomes a free agent after the 2008 season.

C.C. won't turn 27 until July 21, but he's already posted 90 major league victories and appears headed toward his best season yet. What's most amazing about his awesome pitching skill is his control, which is impeccable. In 192-plus innings last season, Sabathia walked only 44 batters.

Earlier in his career, he showed an occasional tendency to wander a bit. But since the second half of the 2005 season, Sabathia has been focused an determined. He's developed into a strong team leader and only smiled -- never got angry -- during his post-game interview on TV when Trot Nixon crept up and let him have it with a pie in the face.

These are the good times for the Indians and C.C. Sabathia. We should remember them fondly a couple years from now when the big lefty is off in New York, Boston or some other distant locale.

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Today's quickie quiz: Who played the most games with the Indians, Jim Hegan or Ken Keltner?

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe Fans Everywhere!

I really like Jeremy Sowers, so it was disappointing when the Indians sent him back to Buffalo on Sunday. My sons and I happened to be in Cleveland on successfive Saturdays last summer when Sowers hurled back-to-back shutouts. In a season of disappointment, he was a shining light -- a hope for the future.

The Indians knew what a gem they had and shut him down early in September. At the time, I thought they were being a bit cautious, but now wonder if perhaps he did pitch too many innings in 2006. After looking so sharp -- so in command of all his pitches last season -- Sowers has been flat and lifeless on the mound in '07. Every time you turned around, somebody seemed to be slugging a three-run homer off one of his hanging curveballs.

Meanwhile, Fausto Carmona, who went 1-10 a season ago, is now the toast of Cleveland. How do you figure? Well, this much seems to be clear: Sowers has big-league stuff, but if he's the slightest bit off, he gets pounded. Watching him in recent weeks was painful, as his confidence seeme to evaporate with every successive sub-par performance.

Sowers is a bright guy -- an honor student from Vanderbilt -- but I worry that he might slip into the abyss once he finds himself back in the minors. The Indians will have to be careful with him. What's happened to him is not surprising, but this is a kid who's been a big winner all his career, from college into the pros. And this is the first time he's really failed. Hopefully, he'll suck it up and get back to basics, because I suspect the Tribe will need him this season.

MIckey Mantle, who got sent back to the minors halfway through his rookie season, used to often say it was the best thing that ever happened to him. He took the demotion hard and wanted to quit baseball, but once he got straightened around, he returned to the big leagues and enjoyed a hall of fame career.

Hope the same happens to Jeremy Sowers.

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For all you Tribe fans who love Cleveland Indians memorabilia, here's an opportunity to acquire some genuine items. A signed Cliff Lee game jersey, a major league ball signed by Grady Sizemore, four club seats for the July 29th game against the Twins, and the actual lineup from the May 28, 2006 game against the Tigers are all up for sale on a special Barber National Institute Web site.

Each of these items was scheduled to be auctioned during the Indians winter caravan visit to the Barber Institute in January, but you'll recall that a blizzard forced cancellation of the event. The Indians' bus made it as far as the Pennsylvania state line before I-90 was closed.

I think this will be a rare opportunity for fans to bid on some really neat items. Visit www.BarberInstitute.org to view the items and bid. All proceeds will benefit services to children and adults with disabilities at the Barber Institute.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: Kenny Keltner holds the record for most games played by an individual in a Cleveland uniform. He played in one more game than catcher Jim Hegan.

Today's quiz: Name the pitcher who holds Cleveland's single-season teamn record for most saves.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe Fans Everywhere!

As a longtime Indians fan, I always mull over the changes I'd make if I was running the team. After last night's 8-7 loss to Seattle -- a game which the Tribe let slip away after roaring back from a 7-0 deficit -- I could think of several moves I'd make in a hurry to bolster the club.

First, I'd send David Dellucci packing. Yes, I know his two-run homer tied up Saturday's game against the Reds, but the way Dellucci keeps stranding runners on base is maddening. The grounder he hit in the eighth inning last night should have resulted in a double play, and then he was thrown out at the plate by a mile. Actually, that wasn't Dellucci's fault -- third-base coach Joel Skinner never should have sent him home. But, then, with two runners on and two outs in the ninth, Dellucci grounded weakly to second to end the game.

Everybody kept raving during to off season about what a great pickup Dellucci was for the Tribe, but I never understood the enthusiasm. Yes, the guy has shown some power, but he's never played regularly in the big leagues. He certainly didn't merit a 3-year contract.

I would much rather see the Indians give one of the kid outfielders a shot in left. Ben Francisco, Shin-Soo Choo or even Franklin Gutierrez would much preferred over Dellucci. For that matter, I'm really not too crazy about Trot Nixon, either. Yes, I know of Nixon's reputation for being a strong leader in the clubhouse, but to me he looks like an aging outfielder with a bad back. Seriously, wouldn't you rather see one the Indians give one of the kids a chance?

I'm also convinced Cleveland's bullpen is about to implode, even though Fernando Cabrera and Roberto Hernandez both finally pitched well last night. It was a crime the way Joe Borowski let Seattle score the go-ahead run in the 9th. He'd have surrendered more runs, too, if Victor Martinez hadn't made a great defensive play to end the 9th for Seattle.

Eric Wedge bugged me, as well, when he failed to put in a pinch runner, first for Dellucci and later for Martinez. I knew he didn't send a sub in for Martinez, because had the Indians tied the game and sent it into extra innings, it meant Ryan Garko would have had to move behind the plate. So, big deal! Garko was a catcher all his life until two seasons ago. Do you mean to tell me he can't go behind the plate in a pinch? Baloney! The guy's a pro. Besides, it always shakes things up a bit when players try new -- or in this case, old -- positions.

No, last night's game left me steaming. This is a pretty good team that still hasn't hit as well as it should, but the pitching, with the exception of C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona and Paul Byrd (last night's performance notwithstanding), is weak. After a strong start, I can see it all slipping away.

If Travis Hafner doesn't start hitting soon, look for the Tigers to sail past the Tribe.

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For all you Tribe fans who love Cleveland Indians memorabilia, here's an opportunity to acquire some genuine items. A signed Cliff Lee game jersey, a major league ball signed by Grady Sizemore, four club seats for a July 29th game against the Twins, and the actual lineup from the May 28, 2006 game against the Tigers are all up for sale on a special Barber National Institute Web site -- www.BarberInstitute.org.

Each of the items was scheduled to be auctioned in January during the Indians Caravan visit to the Barber Institute, but you'll recall that a terrible blizzard forced cancellation of the event. The Indians bus made it as far as the Pennsylvania state line before I-90 was closed.

I think this is a rare opportunity for fans to bid on some really neat items. Check the Web site and place your bid. Remember, all proceeds benefit services to children and adults with disabilities at the Barber Institute.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Jose Mesa holds Cleveland's single-season saves record. He registered 46 saves in 1995.

Today's quiz: Name the young Indians phenom of the early 1980's who was shipped to Philadelphia for three players in a controversial trade in 1982.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Seven losses in their last 10 games landed Cleveland in a tie for first place today in the A.L. Central Division, but does this reflect a mere slump, or is the bottom falling out for the Cleveland Indians? I'd love to say it's just a slump, but I see trouble on this club. And I also see a reluctance to address the problems and make the necessary changes. It's the same attitude from management that doomed last season.

As I wrote yesterday, Cleveland's hitters have been stranding runners on base at an alarming rate, and the worst offender is David Dellucci. Trot Nixon isn't far behind. Yet, for some odd reason, Indians management keep messing with Ryan Garko's head. I just don't get it. The Indians need Garko more than ever, especially now that Travis Hafner has become a weak sister at the plate. Over the last six weeks, Hafner has barely hit his weight. He's always been somewhat streaky, but I can't recall such a long stretch when he's been so impotent at bat.

Worst of all, the anemic offense continues to undermine strong pitching performances, such as C.C. Sabathia's 9-inning scoreless outing on Sunday in Cincinnati, and Fausto Carmona's effort last night.

If GM Mark Shapiro believes the Indians can simply play their way through this slump, he's crazy. Dellucci and Nixon look spent. So, who does Eric Wedge rest? Garko and Grady Sizemore!

I know, I know. You can't get too excited about a few losses in June, but it feels as if the Indians are plunging down the roller coaster, just as the Tigers are climbing up the other side to the top.

The Indians need to swing a trade, promote some of those promising young outfielders -- just do something. This has been too promising of a season just to let it slip down the drain without giving it your best effort.

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Have you checked the bids for the signed Cliff Lee game jersey or autographed ball by Grady Sizemore on the Barber National Institute web site (www.BarberInstitute.org)? Get on there now and place your bid. These items, as well as a ticket package featuring club seats for a July 29th game against Minnesota, and the actual lineup card from the May 28, 2006 game between the Indians and Tigers are all going for a song.

This is the stuff that was supposed to get auctioned off at January's Indians Winter Caravan stop at the Barber Institute. Unfortunately, a heavy snowstorm wiped out the event, but the baseball items are available to fans who want to lend their assistance to the Barber Institute, a nationally-known center that provides services to children and adults with disabilities. All proceeds will benefit those individuals.

Check out the web site and place your bid!

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Von Hayes was billed as "The Next Ted Williams" when he came up to the Tribe in 1981. He was promptly traded to the Phillies after one season.

Today's quiz: Name the former Indians outfielder who was banished along with seven other members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox for conspiring to throw the World Series. None was convicted at trial, but each was thrown out of baseball forever, just the same.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

So, I go on vacation for a week and what happens? The Indians fall into second place, that's what! We took in last Monday's game against the Phillies at Jacobs Field, and the Tribe scored a splendid 10-1 victory. Unfortunately, the club barely equaled that offensive output during the rest of the week.

Cleveland is now 10-12 during June, and the club's offense has been pathetic in recent days. The Indians were fortunate to salvage one win against the lowly Washington Nationals over the weekend.

With David Dellucci out for the next couple of months, the Indians must be thinking seriously about a trade. Coincidentally, the Nationals let it be known that talented young third baseman Ryan Zimmerman might be available for the right price.

I'd look very seriously at this if I were Indians GM Mark Shapiro. If the Indians could acquire Zimmerman, who jumped to the majors in 2005 after just 67 minor league games, it would afford them some badly needed flexibility in the lineup. Zimmerman, who batted .287 last year, with 20 homers and 110 RBIs, is hitting only .247 this seaso, but everyone raves about the 23-year-old kid's potential. The Nationals have no hitter this season to provide protection for the youngster.

If Cleveland could put Zimmerman at third, it would free up Casey Blake to play the outfield or first base. Watching Kelly Shoppach in recent days convinces me the Indians must find a way to get more playing time for him. The solution, I believe, would be to move Victor Martinez to first base on a more regular basis. Blake could also fill in at first when Martinez catches.

So, where does that leave Ryan Garko, you might ask? Well, as much as I like Garko, I think the Indians could package him with other players to get Zimmerman. Andy Marte could also be part of the package, as I am coming to believe that the Indians are convinced Marte might never hit well enough to last at the big-league level. Realistically, the Indians would probably have to part with one of their good young pitchers or at least an outfielder. They must not trade either Jeremy Sowers or Adam Miller, however. They'll need those guys after C.C. Sabathia departs following the 2008 season.

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Today's quickie quiz: Name the Cleveland Indian player who collected his 3,000th hit on June 30, 1995.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Because sportswriters get into the games for free, most are loathe to pay admission to see any event or a performance by any athlete. Seven years have passed since I wrapped up 25 years as a professional sportswriter, except for this bit on the Indians (and some would argue that these opionions are hardly the work of a professional!). And I must admit I wouldn't shell out to see many athletes. Tiger Woods is an exception, and so, too, would be an opportunity to watch Brett Favre or Peyton Manning.

Now I must add another athlete to the list: Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia. The 27-year-old lefthander looks to be at the top of his game, as he showed last night by dispatching the Oakland A's, 5-2, in posting his 11th victory against 2 losses.

At 6-foot-7 and well over 300 pounds, Sabathia is a physical marvel. He's also an exception to the rule that southpaws need years to harness their talents. C.C. possesses prodigious skills and, what's more, he now seems to be in complete control of them. The guy hardly ever walks a batter -- an unheard feat for a young lefthanded pitcher -- and he's a rare combination of power and finesse.

It took Sandy Koufax years before he became a complete pitcher, though, like Sabathia, he was 27 when he enjoyed his breakthrough season in 1963. He won 25 games that year. Koufax had been a Dodger for nearly 10 seasons by then -- albeit an extremely wild one until about 1961.

Now it's not too much of a stretch to think Sabathia can accomplish some things in baseball on a par with Koufax, by far the greatest pitcher I ever saw.

It's not just Sabathia's fastball, devastating curve or other pitches that are so impressive. It's his passion on the mound. It's the way he pounds his glove, pumps his arms and points at teammates who bail him out by making great plays in the field. C.C. did all that in last night's comeback win over the A's.

After the game, as he stood in front of the dugout, taking questions from the Indians TV broadcasters, Sabathia barely flinched as Trot Nixon sneaked up and smashed a whipped cream pie in his face. Nixon's pie throwing routine is getting a bit old -- especially now that he's batting only .240. He was much funnier when his average was over .300 and the Tribe held down first place.

Sabathia showed only the briefest flare of displeasure as he accepted a towel and wiped off the whipped cream, resuming the interview without missing a beat. It's a measure of the pitcher's maturity. You can see it on the mound, too, as Sabathia battles like a warrior. You believe him when he says the only important thing when he takes the mound is that the Indians win the game.

Indians fans should cherish the rest of this season and next year, before Sabathia's contract with the Tribe runs out. He could be the best we'll see for a long time to come.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz: Eddie Murray singled for his 3,000th hit in 1995. It was his first season with the Tribe after a long career with the Orioles and a brief stint with the Dodgers.

Today's quiz: Name the Indians pitcher who was traded at mid-season in 1984 and went on to win the Cy Young Award in the National League by winning 16 of his 17 decisions.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Kelly Shoppach, whose pinch-hit, 3-run homer with two outs in the 9th inning Tuesday propelled the Indians to a come-from-behind 8-5 win over the A's, needs to be in the lineup on a more regular basis. Trouble is, Victor Martinez, the Tribe's best hitter, is a fairly capable catcher. His defense has improved dramatically from last season when injuries severely limited his ability to throw out runners, although he still lags behind Shoppach as a catcher.

You would think that Martinez, 29, would block Shoppach's chances of becoming the Indians first-string catcher for the forseeable future, except that Kelly's superior receiving skills look mighty impressive next to his curent .382 batting average. That's not to suggest that Shoppach's batting average would continue to hover in that stratosphere should he step in as the Tribe's first-string catcher. But if he could hit .260-.270, with the power he's shown throughout his minor league career, the Indians would be well served with Shoppach behind the plate.

So, what would the Indians do with Martinez? I say play him at first base, where he's demonstrated a natural grace around the bag. I've written in recent blogs that the Tribe might accomplish this goal by trading young Ryan Garko, but if they couldn't receive equal value for Garko, they should hang on to him in case Travis Hafner bolts from Cleveland when his contract expires after the 2008 season.

That would seem like a sensible plan, as the Indians have a dismal record of re-signing top-notch players once they become free agents.

Meanwhile, the goal should be to try and find as much playing time for Shoppach as possible. He's already become the personal catcher for veteran righthanded pitcher Paul Byrd, who loves the way Shoppach calls a game. I must say I also enjoy watching Shoppach gun down would-be base stealers with his howitzer-like arm.

With Andy Marte languishing at Buffalo, where he's batting .245, Cleveland's trade of Coco Crisp to Boston would be a complete flop -- except that Shoppach shows such promise behind the plate.

A big part of the challenge to find playing time for Shoppach is to convince Martinez to make the move. He, too, loves catching, and is not too shabby at it. He probably ranks with the league's top ten receivers. But Martinez is a switch hitter who's such a skilled batsman that he could be looking at an Eddie Murray-like career if he made the switch. Also, think of Joe Torre once he left the Braves and played third base and first base for St. Louis. Torre had also been an all-star catcher, but playing that position was turning him into an old man. Once he left the tools of ignorance behind, he shed weight and played as if he'd been rejuvenated. He even batted .363 one year and led the league in hitting.

If the Indians aren't seriously planning ways to get Kelly Shoppach into the lineup on a more regular basis, they'd better start thinking in that direction. It makes sense and is the right way to go.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Rick Sutcliffe. He was traded by the Indians to the Cubs in 1984 and promptly posted 16 wins in 17 decisions.

Today's quiz: Name the pitching brothers who, in 1974, combined for 38 wins for the Indians.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

A year ago, when Cleveland acquired Jason Michaels from Philadelphia as a replacement in left field for Coco Crisp, Tribe GM Mark Shapiro cautioned fans that Michaels was not the same type of player as Crisp. He wasn't. In fact, he failed to make much of an impact at all.

By batting .267 with 9 home runs and 55 RBIs in 494 at-bats, Michaels took his place along such undistinguished Indians outfielders as Jorge Orta, Jim Landis, Al Luplow, Dion James and Roy Foster. Remember those guys? If you do, you'd probably rather forget them.

It wasn't so much that Michaels was a bad player. He wasn't. But neither was he the impact outfielder the Indians have been seeking since Manny Ramirez bolted the reservation for Red Sox Nation. Michaels lacked Crisp's spark on the field and in the clubhouse.

During the off season, when the Tribe signed David Dellucci, I remember thinking, "Oh, no. They've added another Jason Michaels type. And, worse, they kept Michaels, too."

Dellucci, who had surgery on his torn hamstring muscle Thursday, turned out to be just like Michaels -- the old Jason Michaels. Actually, he's been worse. But the new Jason Michaels, the one who slugged a game-winning, 3-run homer to propel the Indians over the A's on Thursday, is in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak.

He's batting .302 overall with six home runs and 25 RBIs. Not exactly Ruthian, I'll admit, but Dellucci's presence on the club limited his playing time. To his credit, Michaels didn't sulk. He just kept working, staying ready, and now that he's playing on a more regular basis, he's producing.

It might not last. Probably won't. But, for now, Michaels is helping to pick up the slack. During the months of May and June, when Travis Hafner -- until this week -- pretty much disappeared, the Indians were desperately looking for somebody else to provide some offense. Ryan Garko fell into his own mini-slump, and the Indians' ability to score runs quickly evaporated..

Only recently, as Michaels got hot, has the team showed signs of coming to life at the plate. By taking three of four from the A's, Cleveland has a chance to post a winning month in June. Not by much, but it can still happen. On Sunday, as they finished up a dismal series in Washington, losing 2 of 3 to the lowly Nationals, they fell two game behind the Tigers, and fans like me were ready to write off the Tribe.

Thankfully, unsung players such as Michaels, Casey Blake and Kelly Shoppach stepped up. Can the Indians count on these guys for the rest of the season? Probably not. If I was Shapiro and had a chance to acquire a hard-hitting outfielder -- Jermaine Dye, for example -- I'd do it in a heartbeat.

But you can't beef about the way players like Michaels have worked and hustled. They've done a job and earned the respect of Tribe fans. Even old grumps like me.

Well done, Jason. Keep it up.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz: Gaylord and Jim Perry combine for 38 pitching victories for Cleveland in 1974. Gaylord won 21, while his older brother Jim posted 17 wins upon his return to Cleveland. Both were traded the following season.

Today's quiz: Name the Tribe centerfielder who shook off a severe case of the stomach flu to bash a 3-run homer late in the game to square the 1997 American League Championship Series against Baltimore at one-game apiece.

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-- Kevin Cuneo