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