Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Well, isn't this a nice feeling to be up a game in the ALCS? After Boston dispatched the Indians so convincingly last Friday, many baseball followers who aren't familiar with Cleveland's team acted way too hastily in dismissing the Tribe's chances.

What they failed to realize is what a splendid team Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro and Manager Eric Wedge have assembled. Though far from being a perfect squad from a performance standpoint, the Indians play as a team, and constantly support each other and pick each other up when needed. It's what Jake Westbrook did last night by pitching deep into the seventh inning and positioning the Tribe for a 4-2 win.

Westbrook's performance was really clutch. C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona both pitched unimpressively in the first two games, and Cleveland's bullpen was tuckered out after Saturday's 11-inning marathon. Not only did Westbrook win the game, he soaked up a lot of innings. The bullpen, led this time by Jensen Lewis, Rafael Betancourt and Joe Borowski, sealed the win by blanking the Red Sox over the final 2 and one-third innings.

With Paul Bryd and Tim Wakefield on the mound tonight, batters from both clubs should be ready for plenty of off-speed pitches. Westbrook's outing was reminiscent of Byrd's series-clinch victory over the Yankees. Now, we Tribe fans can only hope Byrd delivers again. It would be great to close this series out at Jacobs Field, though the Indians can't afford to think that way. They must play -- as the old sporting cliche goes -- one batter at a time.

I thought Eric Wedge deserved the honor bestowed on him Monday by the Sporting News as the American League manager of the year. After stubbing their toe last season, the Indians regrouped nicely for 2007, and Wedge deserves much of the credit.

It's also nice to see such large, cheering fans at Jacobs Field, which helps swell the club's coffers. I hope they make as much money as possible, so they can make a serious run at re-signing Sabathia.

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Tribe quickie quiz: Who was the losing pitcher in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series?

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe Fans Everywhere!

Cleveland needs one more victory to secure a spot in the World Series, but I'm already celebrating the victory of small-market, conservatively budgeted teams over the high-priced fat cats from New York and Boston. The Red Sox spent more than $100 million on one pitcher -- Japan's Daisuke Matsuzaka -- which is far more than the entire payroll for the Indians (a little over $60 million).

It's also gratifying that Jake Westbrook's solid pitching performance was followed by an equally effective outing by Paul Byrd last night in Cleveland's 7-3 victory.

Byrd is a throwback in every way -- his pitching style, which includes an old-time, single one-pump and, on occasion, double-pump windup; his plain-spoken style; his sense of humor; and his devotion to family and team.

Everyone on the Indians agrees that Byrd is the quintessential teammate. He picks guys up when they're feeling low, he graciously shares his extensive baseball knowledge with young players, and leads by example. Best of all, Byrd never makes excuses. A year ago, after he struggled through a disappointing 10-9 record with a 4.88 earned run average, he said simply, "I stunk. Cleveland gave me a chance and I blew it."

He didn't just leave it at that, either. He went home to Alpharetta, Ga. and whipped himself into the best physical condition he's been in years. He closely studied old footage of his pitching style and figured out the best approach for the 2007 season.

Byrd started the regular season in the snow -- he pitched the home opener through jumbo-sized snowflakes and just missed snatching a victory from Seattle. Only quick thinking by then-Mariners manager Mike Hargrove, who complained so bitterly to umpires about the danger to his players that the game was finally interrupted, preventing Byrd from winning the opener.

He bounced back, though, to post 15 victories in 21 decisions, and could have actually had more. In early September, he hurled a brilliant 2-hit shutout against the White Sox, enabling the Indians to start opening up a serious lead over the Tigers.

During the sad summer of 2006, Byrd grew so distraught over his own performance that he fell victim to the negativism of other teammates. He even battled briefly in the clubhouse with then-closer Bob Wickman. I always felt the squabble helped hasten Wickman's departure from Cleveland, although the two men patched up their differences and actually went deer hunting together during the off season.

That's the kind of man Byrd is. He's mature, a good guy, a great teammate, and a clutch pitcher. The Indians hold an option on his contract and, following the post-season games, are expected to sign him for another year, or cut him loose. Based on what he's accomplished this season, and what he cann provide to next year's club, the Tribe brass would be crazy to let him go.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Charles Nagy was the losing pitcher in the seventh game of the 1997 World Series.

Today's quiz: Name the Tribe pitcher who won two games in the '97 series.

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-- Kevin Cuneo