Red Right 88

In Cleveland, hope dies last

Archive for the tag “Cleveland Indians”

09 Mar 2014

From the editor’s notebook …

The Cleveland Indians are just 22 days away from the opening of the 2014 season and so far they are only having the good kind of spring training problems.

The Tribe hasn’t had to deal with any major injury issues; the outfield rotation is looking good, particularly left fielder Michael Brantley, who is now hitting .615 in Cactus League play after going four-for-four on Saturday; Carlos Santana is doing what he can in the field at third base; reliever Vinnie Pestano seems to be on the right track to fixing what ailed him last season; and, most importantly, the starting pitching is looking solid.

The top three of Justin Masterson, Corey Kluber and Zach McCallister have quietly gone about their business this spring, and with Danny Salazar expected to make his first start with the regulars on Monday, the rotation is shaping up nicely.

The best part of the rotation may be at the No. 5 spot, of all places, as is it looks like manager Terry Francona is going to have a hard decision to make when it comes time to make the final roster decisions.

12 Feb 2014

Never underestimate the power of a good day in Cleveland

It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
It’s a beautiful day – U2

When we woke up this morning we were afraid that Tuesday’s blockbuster news from the Cleveland Browns had only been some beautiful dream.

But then we realized that it was true, Jimmy Haslam really had rid the Browns of general manager Mike Lombardi (and CEO Joe Banner) and we knew it was going to be a beautiful day.

The day only got better with the news that new general manager Ray Farmer is not only talking with Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden about a contract extension, but Farmer may also value Pro Bowl centers and Pro Bowl safeties more than Banner.

The news was so positive surrounding the Browns that the good vibes spread far beyond the walls of 76 Lou Groza Blvd. in Berea.

03 Feb 2014

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From the editor’s notebook …

With the calendar turning over the weekend to February, that means we are only a little more than a week away from the start of spring training for the Cleveland Indians.

The one position that we are most interested in following is the one at third base, where Carlos Santana is attempting to transition from being the former starting catcher to a viable option in the field at third base.

Santana sounds like he is all in on the switch, telling ESPN Deportes a few weeks ago that he is preparing to “play third base, not other position,” as those are “the plans of the (Indians).” Santana spent his time in the Dominican Winter League working at his potential new position in the field.

While Santana seems convinced of the switch, general manager Chris Antonetti isn’t ready to hand the position over just yet.

Posted in Cleveland Indians, Liverpool, NFL and tagged Cleveland Indians, Liverpool

16 Jan 2014

Cleveland is ground zero for dysfunctional franchises

As the Cleveland Browns coaching search marches along to what we all assume will eventually turn into a coaching hire (we’re pretty sure the NFL bylaws require teams to have a head coach) the Browns have turned into a punchline, both nationally and locally.

The situation has been described as being “radioactive,” with a front office known for its “shadiness,” and some have even gone as far as to suggest that new uniforms will entice a quality coach to take over the team.

The thing is, as dysfunctional as the Browns may appear to be, it’s not anything we haven’t seen before in Cleveland. And, truth be told, the Browns are not the only dysfunctional franchise in town, at least from a historical perspective.

18 Dec 2013

From the editor’s notebook …

In a move that seemed unlikely just a few months ago, Liverpool is reportedly talking with Luis Suárez about a contract extension that would make the mercurial goal scorer the highest-paid player on the team.

According to multiple reports, Liverpool manager director Ian Ayre is in Barcelona to talk with agent Pere Guardiola about a long-term deal to keep Suárez at Anfield – and away from the big-money clubs on the continent.

All this after a summer of drama with a bid from Arsenal, Suárez publicly saying he wanted out (not just of Liverpool but out of England all together) and the club holding firm that he was not for sale at any price.

Posted in Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Liverpool and tagged Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Liverpool | Leave a comment

01 Dec 2013

From the editor’s notebook …

Saturday was one of those days that make college football so enjoyable.

The fun actually started on Friday night, when Marcus Mariota got some of his swag back, leading Oregon to a game-winning touchdown with 29 seconds left to beat Oregon State. (And while we have been a proponent of the Browns exploring a chrome orange helmet, we may have to reassess our position after seeing Oregon State’s helmets. Although they may just have had too much red in them.)

That was just a prelude to Saturday, when the game of the year took place between Alabama and Auburn. The Tigers took down the defending champs in the most improbable way possible (and aided a bit by Alabama coach Nick Saban’s hubris), as Auburn’s Chris Davis returned a missed 57-yard field goal the entire length of the field for the game-winning score on the final play of the game.

Posted in Cleveland Indians, Liverpool, Ohio State and tagged Cleveland Indians, Liverpool, Ohio State | Leave a comment

20 Nov 2013

From the editor’s notebook …

It has been a rough year for the Kent State Golden Flashes in football, which is why it was nice to see the team close out the season with a big win Tuesday night against Ohio University.

The Flashes ripped off 34 consecutive points to close out the 44-13 win over the Bobcats (with the play of the game clearly being Nate Terhune’s touchdown on a fake punt). And while a 4-8 record and fifth place finish in the MAC’s East Division is not the way that first-year coach Paul Haynes wanted to see the season go, finishing the year with consecutive wins should help to ease the sting a bit.

“To send our seniors out the right way on a two-game winning streak is good for our program going into the off-season,” Haynes said. “It’s very important, because we can sit there and break them down a little bit more in the off-season, and then we will build them back up. For them to have the confidence to play so well is huge going into the off-season.”

Posted in Cleveland Indians, Kent State, Liverpool and tagged Cleveland Indians, Kent State, Liverpool | Leave a comment

14 Nov 2013

From the editor’s notebook …

Just what the heck is going on with the Cleveland Cavaliers?

A 3-6 record … losers of six in a row on the road … owners of the second-worst point differential in the NBA … 27th in points per game … a starting back court of Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters that is shooting a combined 39 percent from the field … a No. 1 overall pick in Anthony Bennett who has made four field goals total in eight games … it all makes our head hurt.

So, is it time to start worrying?

We will go with … sort of.

Posted in Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Indians, Liverpool and tagged Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Indians, Liverpool | Leave a comment

08 Oct 2013

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Is it worth the risk?

How much risk is too much for a team to take on when it considers a particular player?

That’s the question currently facing the front offices of the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns.

The Indians are heading into the off-season in the surprisingly spot of having to make a tough decision on starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. The Browns are facing a decision on wide receiver Josh Gordon as well, but for entirely different reasons.

Posted in Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians and tagged Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Josh Gordon, Ubaldo Jimenez

30 Sep 2013

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