Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

So, the Indians called a players' only meeting that lasted for 45 minutes, following Saturday's public blowup between pitcher Cliff Lee and catcher Victor Martinez. They tangled twice on the field, and Tribe manager Eric Wedge had to get in the faces of both players after they returned to the dugout -- just to make sure they had their heads in the game.

I don't know about you, but I actually like these kind of confrontations. It shows that players care deeply. Now, you don't want pitchers and catchers coming to blows, as happened in the Chicago Cubs dugout earlier this season, but it's nice to see players who have passion. Kind of reminds me of the Thurman Munson-Reggie Jackson Yankees of the late ''70s, and those great Oakland A's teams of the early ''70s. Those guys hated each other, but it seemed to drive them.

Who knows what's going through Cliff Lee's head these days? He got pounded by the Rangers for 5 runs in the first inning, but then pitched well after that. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Martinez got angry with Lee the second time after the pitcher showed little remorse over beaning Sammy Sosa. Frankly, I don't know why that would bother Martinez so much. He was probably still angry after his earlier confrontation with Lee.

I've wondered if some Tribe pitchers aren't so crazy about working with Martinez. Paul Byrd now works exclusively with Kelly Shoppach, and you hear other Indian hurlers say complimentary things about Shoppach's ability to call a game. Is it a backhand rap at Martinez? Could be, but I can't really say for sure.

This could all be on Lee, however, who's had a frustrating season dating back to spring training when he pulled an oblique muscle. The good news is the players called an immediate meeting and aired their grievances. We've all watched losing teams over the years, and when these types of things flare up, they never bother to address them. It's partly why they're losers.

Note that Trot Nixon took charge on calling the meeting. Nixon's playing skills are greatly diminished, but he remains a positive force in the clubhouse. The guy will probably make a great manager some day.

I'm also reminded of former Tribe catcher Tony Pena, who served as backup to Sandy Alomar Jr. on those great Indians teams of the mid-'90s. When Pena worked behind the plate, and Jose Mesa was on the mound, the catcher thought nothing about using his big mitt to slap Mesa across the face. "I have to do it to keep him focused," Pena would explain. The act would infuriate Mesa, but it always seemed to work.

I was just sorry that Pena wasn't behind the plate in the 9th inning of the 7th game of the 1997 World Series. Had Mesa kept him mind on business that night, the Tribe probably would have taken the world championship.

**********************
Today's quickie quiz: Name the former Indians outfielder and DH who was known on the club as "The Big Mon." He visited the team in Texas over the weekend.

**********************

-- Kevin Cuneo