Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Yes, our poor Indians are playing like zombies, but credit management with the good sense to remove Fenando Cabrera from the active roster. Everyone in the organization raves about Cabrera's arm, which is capable of delivering 95-mile-per-hour fastballs and deadly curves and sliders, but he completely lost focus this summer.

Following a strong start in April, Cabrera went bad the day Cleveland cut Jason Davis. It was almost as if thought, "That could be me." And he soon began pitching as if he was a goner. Cabrera walked batters, gave up big hits, and surrendered home runs that might still be orbiting the Earth.

Now, this is where general managers earn their money. Mark Shapiro and Tribe manager Eric Wedge worked feverishly behind the scenes to help Cabrera straighten out his mechanics. He has no minor league options remaining, so sending him back to Buffalo was out of the question.

The Indians probably would have cut him weeks ago, except they are still haunted by their decisions to send Brandon Phillips and Jeremy Guthrie packing. Phillips is an all-star with Cincinnati, and Guthrie has been one of Baltimore's most realiable starting pitchers.

When Cabrera finally received the bad news Tuesday, he reacted poorly. He told Anthony Castrovince, "I still feel I can do a good job. I had one bad outing."

ONE BAD OUTING!!!!!

This is the guy who got hammered in almost every one of his appearances since May. Wedge would try to spot him -- give him a chance when the club was up by six or more runs. But every time Cabrera entered a game, he'd manage to turn a rout into a nailbiter.

The Indians say he's healthy, which probably means his pitching problems are psychological. At any rate, as much as it hurts to give up on a guy with so much talent, they couldn't afford to give him the ball anymore -- not if the Tribe expects to remain in the pennant chase.

Castrovince says the Indians would love to sneak him through waivers and get him back to Buffalo. To which Cabrera replied: "We'll see what happens. There are 29 other teams, and everyone is looking for pitching."

Good riddance!

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Paul Byrd pitched LSU into the College World Series three times.

Today's quiz: From Ding-Dong School, name three bells (or a belle) who played for the Indians.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Paul Byrd is the man. The Indians hitters are in a severe drought, and the Twins keep creeping closer. But Byrd gets the job done by firing blanks at the men of Minnesota. He's pitched great this season. His record stands at 10-4 with a 4.31 earned run average, and he actually deserves to have two or possibly three more victories.

The Tribe didn't exactly tattoo Twins pitching last night, but four runs seemed like 40 after recent games in which the Indians could barely squeeze out a single run.

So, what doesn C.C. Sabathia have to say about the state of the Indians? Why, he predicted a division title. Says it's in the bag. The Tigers and Twins might have a different opinion, but I kind of like the way Sabathia carries himself. He says the Indians still have yet to play their best baseball this season -- "Wait til we get hot!" he says with confidence.

I've been rooting for the Tribe all these years, so I'm just as looney as C.C. But I actually agree with him. Wasn't it great to see Travis Hafner, with one flick of his wrists, send one into orbit last night? Man, if only Hafner could recapture the form he showed at this time last season. The Indians can win without Hafner, but it would be very difficult. If he can somehow put it back together and finish with 25-27 homers, 95 RBIs and hit .270, it might mean a divisional title.

Akron Beacon Journal sports columnist Terry Pluto has it right, though: the Tribe needs to tighten up its lineup. I would give Franklin Guttierez a long look in the outfield, at the expense of Trot Nixon. And I might even move Grady Sizemore to the third position. Kenny Lofton's been leading off for years, and can probably fill in nicely in that spot.

The Indians can't afford to carry any weak sisters. They dumped Fernando Cabrera, sent Cliff Lee to the minors, and should send reserve infielder Mike Rouse packing. He's not that talented defensively and cannot hit a lick. I'm with Pluto on this; I'd promote Asdrubal Cabrera, the talented young shortstop who's been on a tear at Buffalo -- ever since his promotion from Akron.

The news on Lee and Jeremy Sowers at Buffalo is also positive. They're pitching much better, and if they can regain their 2006 form, it just might push the Tribe over the top. There won't be enough room in the rotation for both pitchers, but perhaps one can help out in relief. From this point on, it's a 7-week dash to the playoffs.

Incidentally, why would the Indians sign Russell Branyan? Is it a safeguard against injury? Does the signing mean that Andy Marte is this big of a bust? I don't understand it.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: Gary Bell, Buddy Bell, Jay Bell and Albert Belle.

Today's quiz: How many grand slam home runs did the Indians hit in 2006? It tied the record for the all-time high.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

You can tell it's August because Indians management doesn't have nearly as much patience as it did earlier in the season. Cliff Lee kept getting pounded, so he was sent down to Buffalo so he could straighten himself out. Mike Rouse couldn't buy a hit, so the Tribe sent him packing and promoted promising young infielder Asdrubal Cabrera.

Now Eric Wedge lets it out that he might use Cabrera at second base if Josh Barfield continues to struggle at the plate. The Indians routinely pinch hit for Barfield, which seems reasonable. The young infielder has been batting only .207 since July 1st. Earlier in the season, the Indians seemed satisfied to let Barfield learn the A.L. hitters, but Wedge & Co. is not so patient anymore. I dont think Cleveland is giving up on Barfield -- he's really a whiz with the glove. But they can't afford such poor offensive production from him.

A little pressure on certain players is not a bad thing. Have you noticed, for instance, that Trot Nixon has been hitting much better since Cleveland acquired Kenny Lofton? And David Dellucci is talking about making it back by September.

The best news, though, is that Cliff Lee seems to finally be putting it together in Buffalo. He's pitched several good games at AAA, and Jason Giambi, who went 0-for-3 against him Tuesday in a rehab start, said Lee was throwing darts.

If Lee can make it back and reclaim his spot in the Indians' starting rotation, it'll give the club a huge boost in September. Look how much better Jake Westbrook has been pitching in his last three games. Westbrook hurled a gem against Chicago Tuesday night.

You can't complain at all about the Tribe's starting pitchers over the past month. I liked it when Westbrook returned to the dugout after mowing down the White Sox in the eighth, and every Cleveland starting pitcher came over to pump his hand and clap him on the back.

The big concern continues to be Cleveland's inability to score runs. If not for a broken-bat, opposite-field, 2-run single by Grady Sizemore, the club would have blown Westbrook's outstanding performance.

As it was, they almost blew it in the 9th when they made Joe Borowski get five outs to end the game. A passed ball by Victor Martinez on a third strike was followed two batters later by a muffed popup near the dugout that Martinez and Ryan Garko let drop between them. Borowski glared, but he never lost his poise. Later, he took the blame for the missed popup by saying, "I should have been over there, screaming at one of them to take it."

There are a lot of good guys on this club, starting with Borowski. He and Paul Byrd, C.C. Sabathia and Westbrook provide real leadership on the pitching staff. Trot Nixon is a strong clubhouse leader, which has undoubtedly solidified his role on the club.

But, given the option of having good guys who can't quite keep it together long enough to make the playoffs, or a bunch of hooligans who swagger and battle their way into the post-season (witness 1995 Tribe, led by Albert Belle and other jerks), I'm sure most fans would take the winners. "Give me a scrapper over a choirboy any day," Leo Durocher used to say.

Personally, I just want the Indians to win. And they'll have to start hitting the ball again -- and not striking out so much -- to get it done. That's the immediate challenge.

For now, though, Cleveland remains a half-game up on the Tigers. Until tonight's game against the White Sox begins, I'll be relaxing in my hammock, dreaming of the Indians in the World Series.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: The 2006 Tribe tied an American League record by bashing 14 grand slam home runs.

Today's quiz: Name the Tribe pitcher who, in 1992, became the first American League hurler in 30 years to hit safely in the All-Star Game.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

That's right, it was "Damn Yankees." The name of that 1950's Broadway musical describes the feelings of Indians fans following Cleveland's "lost weekend" against New York. The Yankees won all three games to complete a six-game sweep over the Indians in 2007.

There's no other way to put it, but the Tribe is playing wretched baseball. Since the All-Star break, the Indians have been awful. The hitters have been striking out at an alarming rate, and clutch hits have been virtually non existant.

Sunday's game was closer than the first two of the series, but it proved just as frustrating. Cleveland had multiple opportunities to tie the score or go ahead, but just couldn't come up with a hit when the club really needed it. Jhonny Peralta's blunder on the base paths, when he was picked off with the sacks jammed and no outs, was inexcusable.

In the 9th inning, when Cleveland had 2 men on and nobody out, everyone at Jacobs Field thought Travis Hafner would bat for Asdrubal Cabrera, but it didn't happen. Cabrera struck out and the Tribe was headed to its third straight loss. TV announcer Rick Manning said, "Well, this proves that Hafner is really hurt," and I couldn't have said it better. If Hafner was able, you've got to believe Eric Wedge would have sent him up to hit for Cabrera.

This is the crossroads of the season for Cleveland. If the offense fails to spring to life against Detroit in the three-game set that starts Tuesday, you'll be able to stick a fork in the Indians. They look absolutely lifeless -- no pep, no nothing.

I like to think the club has enough guts to pull it together, but perhaps the team played over its head in the first half. At any rate, this series should tell the score.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: Charlie Nagy became the first A.L. pitcher in 30 years to get a hit in the All Star game in 1992.

Today's quiz: Name the former Tribe pitcher whose name is linked forever with arm surgery.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Yes, we all know how poorly the Indians have played since the All-Star break. If the Tigers hadn't played even worse, Cleveland might be out of the pennant race. But tonight's game -- the first of a 2-game home series against Detroit -- could help show exactly where the Indians stand.

Somehow, the Tribe must find a way to get back on track. Perhaps it's not possible; maybe Cleveland is simply running on fumes. It's certainly looked that way in recent days. But, except for Travis Hafner's bum leg, the Indians are fairly healthy, which means they must suck it up and find a way to get it done against the Tigers.

It's interesting how the managers of the respective co-leaders of the A.L. Central Division are approaching the lackluster play in recent weeks by their teams. Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who owns a World Series ring and has managed many top teams over the years, has gone public with his dissatisfaction over Detroit's performance.

Mainly, Leyland and his coaching staff are taking responsibility for the Tigers' lousy play. By doing so, it puts the onus squarely on the shoulders of his players. And, by going public, Leyland is ratcheting up the pressure a few notches on his guys.

Cleveland manager Eric Wedge seems to be taking the opposite tack -- at least publicly. You would think Tribe management must be ready to yank out its hair at this point, but they've maintained a public posture that things will turn around. Privately, I would hope that Wedge is doing everything in his power to kick-start his lethargic club. It's at times like this that I wish Lou Piniella managed the Indians. Although I dislike violence in most forms, I'm partial to managers who overturn food spreads and throw tantrums in the clubhouse.

Many would consider that "old school." Skilled modern managers can find other, more subtle ways to motivate their players. But I don't care how they do it, I just want the Indians to start playing with a sense of purpose. I'm sick of so many Tribe hitters striking out, and it's time to go out on the field and make a statement.

As they did in April after the Yankees swept the Tribe in New York, I think it's time for the Indians to take stock of themselves -- individually and as a team. They turned their season around the last time the Yankees humiliated them. Maybe they can do it again. I sure hope it happens.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Tommy John, who came up through the Indians system and pitched with the Tribe in 1964 before getting traded to the White Sox, will always be identified with "Tommy John surgery."

Today's quiz: Name the former Tribesman who once hid behind the monuments at Yankee Stadium when Mickey Mantle came to bat.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Yes, it's starting to feeling like 1969 all over again. The Indians stank back then, and it's not much different now.

A capacity Jacobs Field crowd unmercifully booed reliever Joe Borowski and manager Eric Wedge after they let Tuesday's game against Detroit slip away in the 10th inning. The broadcasters keep calling the American League Central Division "The toughest in baseball," but it's not. If fact, it's not even close.

When the Tigers and Indians battled last night, a ton of strikeouts on both sides made it a boring game. The Tribe's been playing extremely boring baseball for a month now. You can't help but feel the team's ready to slide right down the tube. It's already begun the descent, in fact.

Let's play the blame game for a minute. Why not? We need to relieve our frustrations somehow. This is Wedge's club and he must answer for the team's spiritless performance since the all-star break. He went public after last night's game with complaints against "a couple of players who know who they are." That's about as harsh as Wedge gets. Oh, he did send Cliff Lee back to the minors after he tangled twice during a game with Victor Martinez. Lee's pitching was putrid, too, so a demotion didn't seem out of the ordinary. But Lee is pitching well now, and the Tribe could use a boost -- out of the bullpen, if nothing else. I don't understand this vindictive streak of Indians management, especially when they need reinforcements.

Wedge seems at a loss in finding a way to motivate the Indians. Whatever he's trying isn't working. Should the club sack batting coach Derek Shelton? Perhaps. Nobody was complaining about the coach earlier this year when the club was hitting in the clutch and scoring scads of runs. But that never happens now. If they have somebody who can step in make things better, why not go for it?

Trouble is, they probably don't. That was a sorry moment in last night's game, however, when it was never even an option for Jhonny Peralta to bunt, because he apparently doesn't know how to bunt. Peralta's looked lost in recent games, and I assume he is one of the players Wedge referred to in his cryptic call-out.

The Indians are now a game out of first, which wouldn't seem bad at all if somebody had offered us fans that option last March. But it feels as if as soon as the Tigers start playing decent baseball again, they'll leave the Tribe in the dust.

Sorry to sound so down, but it's kind of the way I'm feeling about our beloved Wahoos.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Jimmy Piersall used to hide behind the monuments at Yankee Stadium when Mickey Mantle came to bat.

Today's quiz: Name the power-hitting Indians first baseman whose real name was Troyavesky

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

While Detroit battles the Yankees, it's time for the Indians to clean up against Tampa Bay. The Tribe absolutely must take two of three games against the Devil Rays this weekend. Anything less would represent yet another blow to the Indians' pennant hopes. Frankly, I have no idea which Indians team will show up against the Devil Rays tonight. But if the Indians ever expect to emerge from this horrific batting slump, tonight is the night.

I'm a little alarmed by the way Eric Wedge is handling a couple of personnel matters. He's been really griping about Jhonny Peralta, who until three weeks ago was having a great season. Now Peralta's in a bad batting slump and his concentration seems to be slipping. He's still fielding OK, which was the big rap against him last season, but he's not the player he was through the all-star break.

So, what's a manager to do? Actually, this is the key to modern baseball management -- finding a way to communicate and motivate young, rich, headstrong athletes when they're struggling. I can't complain about Wedge's handling of Peralta up to the All-Star Game -- the kid was playing great baseball. But, suddenly, Wedge can't seem to reach him again. Therein lies the challenge.

I would throw in the towel and say, "Oh, well. What's a manager to do with a head case like Peralta," except that I think Wedge kind of blew it with Cliff Lee, too. Lee is not a rookie -- he was one of the Indians' best pitchers over the past three seasons, averaging 16 wins a year. Yes, he was awful this season after coming back from an injury he suffered in spring training.

Then Lee became embroiled in a public spat with catcher Victor Martinez that erupted on the field and in the dugout -- not once but twice. When he got bombed in his next two starts, the Indians sent Lee to Buffalo. Completely understandable. Cliff clearly had to get his mechanics straightened out.

But now it seems to me Wedge and GM Mark Shapiro are playing games with Lee. They need to promote a pitcher to start a game on Aug. 25, but instead of coming out and saying, "Cliff, we want you back on that date. Get yourself ready." Or, "Cliff, we don't think you're where we need you to be. We're going to give Aaron Laffey the start." No, they're letting Lee twist slowly in the wind, which I think is counter productive.

It'd be one thing is they were ready to part ways with the veteran lefty, but Lee is under contract for several more years. And, really, they're ruining his trade value by keeping him at Buffalo as punishment.

I don't know why they can't promote Lee or Laffey now and use them out of the bullpen. The Tribe's relief corps looks as if it's out of gas, as it is. There's no reason to keep two reserve infielders -- Asdrubal Cabrera and Chris Gomez. Except that by keeping Cabrera and spotting him at second base every now and then, Wedge is trying to put some pressure on Josh Barfield.

I have my doubts that this is the best way to motivate players -- not when you're locked in a pennant race and can't really afford to keep players on the roster just to play mind games. If they want to send Barfield message, ship him to Buffalo for a week or two.

These are trying times, as the Indians struggle to emerge from a month-long batting slump. My concerns about Wedge, however, are deepening. It's easy to manage well when the players are hitting well and pitching well, but this is the time when a good manager shows his mettle.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: Hal Trosky was a great Indians slugger of the 1930's and early '40s, whose career was cut short by migraine headaches.

Today's quiz: Name the outfielder Cleveland traded for Franklin Gutierrez.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe Fans Everywhere!

Three weeks ago, I would have defended Cleveland Indians general manager Mark Shapiro to the death for refusing to trade a prized prospect for a hitter or a relief pitcher. Ben Francisco for Octavio Dotel? Pulleeze! The Braves traded for Dotel and he's been on the disabled list ever since. No, I was absolutely convinced Shapiro made the right decision to hold off.

Of course, ever since then Cleveland's batters have been standing at home plate, looking as if they're using a wet noodle instead of a bat. The Indians' moribund offense is making me wonder if, perhaps, Shapiro should have parted with a couple of blue chippers for Jermaine Dye. I start to drool every time I see Dye lofting another high drive over the fence.

Maybe I've become brainwashed and believe the Indians should constantly build for the future. But what for? At this moment Cleveland stands a game and a half in front of second-place Detroit in the A.L. Central Division. Why wait for next year when a post-season playoff berth is within your grasp?

Lord knows the Indians need hitting. I think I'd promote Francisco now, and maybe a couple of other productive minor leaguers -- just to add some life to the lineup. Remember how the Indians were sleep-walking through the '06 season until they promoted Joe Inglett, Shin Soo Choo, Ryan Garko and Andy Marte? Marte didn't hit much, but the others injected real life into the Tribe lineup.

The Indians took a chance by benching Josh Barfield in favor of 21-year-old rookie Asdrubal Cabrera, and it's paying off. Cabrera may not be the second coming of Rogers Hornsby, but he's chipped in with several timely hits, including a big 3-run over against Tampa Bay last weekend.

This is no time to stand pat. Who knows when the Indians will be in the thick of the race again? I wouldn't make a foolhardy trade like the ones John Hart used to pull when he wanted a role player late in the season. Shapiro always points to the Brian Giles-for-Roberto Rincon deal, which he admits he had a small role in, as an example of a giving up way too much for a role player.

On another subject, if Fausto Carmona comes through against the Tigers tonight with another clutch pitching performance, he might start to build some support as a Cy Young Award candidate. The kid pitcher has been awesome this season. Of course, now that I'm pushing him for post-season honors, you know the Tigers will pound him tonight. I should have kept my big mouth shut!!

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: Cleveland received Franklin Gutierrez from the Dogers in the Milton Bradley trade. The deal doesn't look so bad at the moment.

Today's quiz: The scouting report on Andy Marte is that he's playing at Buffalo as if he's bored out of his mind. Name the player, currently a member of the Tribe, who was described the same exact way midway through last season.

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

With a little more than five weeks left in the season, the Indians seem to have settled on the trio of Rafael Perez, Rafael Betancourt and Joe Borowski as their three go-to relievers. Let's just hope they can hold out for the rest of the regular season and into October.

Tribe general manager Mark Shapiro has been trying to acquire bullpen help since last November, yet the Indians braintrust turned thumbs down when presented with the opportunity to sign all-time club saves leader Bob Wickman, recently cut by the Braves. At first, Cleveland sportswriters thought the Indians would sign Wickman, but Shapiro and Indians manager Eric Wedge met and promptly nixed any thoughts of a deal.

Wickman does has a way of wearing out his welcome. The Braves sent him packing even though he wasn't pitching badly, and they are desperate for help in their bullpen. But, at age 39, Wickman can be a cantakerous sort. The Indians saw that last season when the club played so poorly in the first half that Wickman had few opportunities to save games.

He squawked so much in the clubhouse that he eventually tangled with Paul Byrd, as solid a player as you'll ever find. But frustrations ran high in Cleveland in 2006, and Wickman pitched superbly once he was traded to Atlanta. He apparently told Shapiro that he would retire at the end of the '06 season, but later changed his mind and re-signed with Atlanta. Anyway, Shapiro has clearly soured on Wickman.

It's not as if he creates serious trouble in a clubhouse, but he's a cranky old vet who rarely keeps his opinions to himself. If I owned the Indians, would I sign Wickman for the stretch drive? I'd call him and see if he'd be satisfied with setup work, and if he said yes, I'd sign him in a heartbeat. I wouldn't mess with Joe Borowski at this point, because he's posted 37 saves. Also, saving games is all he can do. If the game is tied, bringing Borowski in is tantamount to running up the white flag.

Wickman looks as if he can still pitch, though, and, if he was willing, he'd be great in the role that Roberto Hernandez occupied earlier this year. My fear is that the Perez-Betancourt-Borowski triumverate might run out of gas all at once. It's why I'd get Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers back up to the big leagues and working out of the pen -- right now!

The refusal to consider Wickman is troubling to me. Wedge, especially, rarely takes a chance on a player who might shake things up a bit. Think Brandon Phillips. Indians fans don't necessarily want a team of choirboys. Half the guys on those powerhouse Tribe clubs of the 1990's were jerks, but they could sure play baseball.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: Scouts said the same things about Ryan Garko in 2006 that they're saying about Andy Marte this year. That is, Marte is tired of playing in the minors. He needs to get to the big leagues to prove once and for that he can play there. Unfortunately, he probably won't get that opportunity with Cleveland. I'm not sure if I'd sit Casey Blake down at this stage to give Marte a chance.

Today's quiz: When Brandon Phillips was traded by Montreal to Cleveland along with Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee for Bartolo Colon in 2002, who was the fourth player who came to the Tribe?

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-- Kevin Cuneo