Are all Indians fans delusional?

**NYC JewBoy** · December 27th, 2001, 05:01 PM

Brady Anderson, Ricky Gutierrez? Remove Alomar & Gonzalez, not to mention Belle, Ramirez from roster over the years? This is how the Indians repay their fans, with garbage players, weak trades, and penny pinching moves. But what is even more outrageous is that the fans of this collection of stiffs seem to feel that the Tribe will win something this summer. This is why Indian management feels that it can run any ridiculous team out on the field, because the lemming fans will support it. You got what you deserve.

------------------

**Alex** · December 27th, 2001, 05:09 PM

Your backasswards. We didn't "clamor" for these trades.

Now you can give back some of your TV revenues before fans in every market demand all Yankee games be removed from their local markets.

------------------
Alex

[This message has been edited by Alex (edited December 27, 2001).]

**BuckeyeDanny** · December 27th, 2001, 05:32 PM

Get lost, asshole. You bottom feeders are still pissed because we stopped you from winning in 1997.

------------------
America vs. Osama's Wimpy Warriors...35,987-3,200. We win, asshole.

**Swanny** · December 27th, 2001, 08:50 PM

Finally someone who thinks like me! Welcome NYC JewBoy. Bad mouthing the Tribe won't get you very far on this forum but at least now I will have some company.

------------------

**NYC JewBoy** · December 27th, 2001, 09:12 PM

Swanny,

I refuse to be snowed by ignorant fans, Indians PR hacks, or garbage baseball, which the Indians will be providing soon enough.

------------------

**Swanny** · December 27th, 2001, 09:23 PM

Hey JewBoy! There are actually posters on this forum and Cleveland Live that are "giddy" about the upcoming season. Our still weak starting pitching combined with a much less potent lineup is a recipe for 90 losses. Just wait and see!

------------------

**Bye!** · January 2nd, 2002, 09:36 PM

Swanny! Name one person that's giddy about this season. Most of the comments I've seen have been somewhat reserved about this year. They remain positive, but they're hardly giddy.

I think what needs to be done is a wait and see approach. If you or Jewboy believe that either of the WSox or Twins are dominating teams, then I don't think you know baseball as well as either of you believe.

I've gone on record as being against most of Shapiro's moves so far, but I don't see anybody else in the Central that will walk away with the division. Please tell me you don't think either of those team's are great teams. Because if you do, then you will be sorely disappointed this year.

87 to 89 wins will win this division. Remember what I've said. The AL east and West will hand Central teams their lunch. It all boils down to how each team does in their division and with the weaker teams in the other divisions.

------------------

**Swanny** · January 2nd, 2002, 09:57 PM

We do have to wait and see how the season unfolds. I can tell that you are the kind of person who would just love to throw it in my face if the Tribe does well. I hope that happens because I AM a fan. I just want you to expect the same if the team is weak. I'm not claiming to know more than others but the thing that puzzles me is the number of people on this forum who do not believe that this team has the potential to be very weak this coming season. Once again I hope you will be throwing it in my face at the end of the season because I want this team to do well.

------------------

**Bye!** · January 2nd, 2002, 10:20 PM

Actually I would only throw it back in your face if you refused to admit you were wrong, or you denied ever saying it. Otherwise, everybody has a right to their opinion.

I will have no problem saying I was wrong, so I would expect the same from you. My prediction is not that they will win the division, it's that they will win between 85 and 87 games. I believe the AL Central winner will have less than 90 wins. That's why I believe they will be in the race.

As far as this team having a chance to be weak, that's always a possibility with most teams.

I admit, there are a lot of ifs: If Colon can be a number one (he certainly should be), if CC continues to develop (he should), if Baez and Drese can be effective starters (we're not looking for them to be superstars), if Finley can bounce back (I have my doubts), if Lawton can be the player he was with the Twins (again I have doubts), if Guttierez can make the switch (I have huge doubts there), if Fryman can bounce back (I believe he can), if Bradley can be a major league player (I think he'll be okay - but not spectacular), if Branyan can be the hitter everybody hopes he can be (not a chance).

There are a lot of ifs, and if all of them happen, this team would be tremendous. That's not a likely scenario. On the other hand, if none of them pan out, this team will be pathetic (I don't see that happening either).

Of course I reserve the right to change my stance until the end of ST. At that time, I will make my final prediction for the year. A lot can happen between now and then, and usually does. One or two trades or a free agent signing can make a tremendous difference on a team. You never know what can happen. For instance, if they traded Omar or Thome for young prospects, then the team would be seriously weakened. Conversely, if the traded Omar for a solid number 3 starter and moved McDonald to SS, then you suddenly have a solid starting staff.

------------------