Getting On Record (Quick Hits)

Joe Bo
Joe Borowski may be the first pitcher to go on a rehab assignment and come back with less velocity then when he left...he's pitched twice since coming back and his fastball is now in the 84-85 mph range...there is a no way a right hander can consistently get big league hitters out with that kind of velocity - especially in the late innings...the only guy who came close was Doug Jones - who was the Tribe's closer some 20 years ago and had the nastiest change-up I have ever seen...even Jones topped off around 87-88 MHP from time to time...the Tribe now officially needs to add closer to their list of needs along with a couple bats if they are serious about contending in '08.

Murderer's Row
The Tribe's middle of the line-up the past week has included the likes of Ben Francisco, Dave Delluci and Michael Aubrey...ouch...you can at least say this for Francisco, he has a quick bat inside...as for Aubrey, I don't see what scouts saw in him to make him such a high draft pick...he's not built like your prototypical first baseman...Aubrey is on the small side and doesn't look like he would ever put up the power numbers you ideally need from that position...I hope I am mistaken and he proves me wrong.

NFL
The NFL is going to a 17 game schedule if the owners can get the players to go along...I don't see why they don't make it an even 18 and have just two pre-season games...with all the "voluntary" and mantatory off-season mini-camps, the players stay sharp year round anyway...the pre-season games are all about avoiding injuries anyway.

Kobe
I was mistaken - Kobe's team lasted in the post-season longer than LeBron's...nonetheless, it still makes me sick to listened to observers of the game fawn over this guy...he's the same guy who threw his owner, GM and teammates under the bus the last two seasons...don't get me wrong, he's an amazing talent - the most difficult individual player to guard in the NBA since Michael Jordan, but he's still selfish as hell as far as I am concerned...it's still bugging me - I know.

LeBron
It will be interesting to see if LeBron takes a page from Kobe's book and publicly demands an upgrade in talent level around him or else...that has not been his style, but he has to be getting frustrated with the lack of consistency (aka: good players) around him...I am not pushing for a public display of dissatisfaction, but look for 23 to make it clear privately to Ferry and ownership he has to have major help real soon....A. Jamison and K. Henrich would help...

Z
Z told the media before packing his bags for the summer that the Cavaliers have enough talent on hand to win a title...right...Z is a nice guy, who went through a lot with his foot injuries...the local media has given him a pass because he's likeable and a good teammate...however, he has not earned his salary since signing his last major deal with the club, and I have yet to find one local reporter go on record with the obvious....Z, stop telling us you are good enough and start delivering more in the playoffs.

Pronk
Speaking of calling players out, it's time we finally unload on Pronk...I have waited long enough...no, he's not the only Indian struggling at the plate...but that should not be used as cover...unless he turns it around quickly, he will go down as the biggest singing mistake in franchise history - surpassing Wayne Garland's 10 year/$2 million deal in the mid 70s...and in Garland's case, they had an excuse - he got hurt...last time I checked, if you are a DH and don't hit a ton, you are useless to your club...the media keeps talking about how he's great in the clubhouse..nice...they aren't paying him $14 million a year to babysit...again, this is a case of a nice guy getting a free ride in town because the media that covers the club is tame and does not want to rock the boat...I'm sorry - this is a business, and if you are the highest paid player in franchise history and are not hitting your weight, you aren't just underachieving, you are crippling the club in two ways - yourt productivity has a trickle down effect on the line-up and your salary makes it difficult for the club to maneuver financially....Pronk is lucky he's not putting up these numbers in NY or Phily.

Wedge
I have never seen Eric Wedge call for a squeeze play in all the years watching him manage the team....mind you, I realize he does not have a roster full of players who can handle the bat and play "small ball" as some call it...I call it simply - fundamental baseball...but yesterday, in a tie game in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on third and one out, it SCREAMED for a squeeze...Astrubal Cabrera and his robust .183 BA was at the plate...last time I checked, he was a middle infielder who can handle the bat...and did I mention he was hiting .183 at the time?...yes I did...but it bears repeating... why not ask a guy who can bunt and is hitting .183 to squeeze?...he got the count to 2-0...I would have given him that one strike to drive the runner home on his own...however, once when it got to 2-1, it was time to lay it down...a suicide was in order in my book...go for broke...it's a 50-50 proposition with a guy who can handle the bat like Cabrera...instead, he got the green light and fouled off a pitch that almost hit him...he eventually struck out swinging...the point is Eric Wedge is waiting and waiting for players to snap out of it on their own...my point is there are times when you can take control as the manager and insert yourself into the mix - even with a club full of players who are one-dimensional.

Gamnmons
While I am taking shots, I'd like to add another to the list...this time it's Peter Gammons of ESPN..Gammons is known as one of the most foremost media authority on baseball...he's revered by many...whatever...last week, he was asked about the offensive numbers being down again this year and he beat around the bush talking about "the influx of terrific young pitchers" and some other nonsense...he should know better than that...that sells with 95% of those listening but no those few who "get it"...the numbers have dipped the past few years for one reason and one reason alone - NO MORE ROIDS....facts don't lie and neither do my eyes...guys that had huge necks and arms 6-7 years ago and looked like Hercules now look like mere mortals again...and I'm not just talking about corner outfielders, corner infielders and DH types...it includes just about everyone...Gammons should have spoken the truth - they (the league with a huge push from Congress) are cracking down, and the players have seen what's happened to those that have been outted...and thus have been scared straight...that's the truth, not some bull about good young arms or any other jive.

Mid-Range Jumper
I like watching the Pistons play for two reasons - they (mainly GM Joe Dumars) identified they had a good core, kept them together and built around the edges...they keep it simple and are patient...secondly, I enjoy watching Rip Hamilton come off screens and take 10-12 footers - the mid-range jumper...few NBA players have that in their repertoire anymore...it's usually either the long jumper or the drive to the basket...taking mid-range jumper means pulling up in traffic - something today's players like to avoid.

NBA Or MSL
Is it me or is the NBA becoming like soccer? I'm seeing way to many players flop after contact - especially on the way to the hoop...even 23 did it a few times this post-season...come on guys, get up and get back on defense and stop looking to get a call from the refs...this isn't soccer - at least not yet.