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