Are all Indians fans delusional?

[Bye!]

I agree totally. I love Omar, but he is a 33 or 34 year old SS, and if they could get a solid young starter that could be plugged in the 3 spot, you have to do it.

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[Swanny]

Hey Bye! While you are here. I cannot for the life of me understand why Shapiro gave Rickey G and Lawton multi-year deals before they ever played a single game in a Tribe uniform. I know you posted that same question before. I just wanted to let you know that I am as puzzled by those moves as you are. Shapiro is certainly trying to put his stamp on the team in a real hurry. If anything he is the one showing impatience regarding the players. That's not a good sign.

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[Bye!]

I agree 100%. I hope he doesn't think this will help sell tickets. I'm kind of surprised that many of the forum posters think it was a good move.

How does anybody know that Lawton will perform as well on grass in an open stadium as he did at the Metrodome? His lifetime BA is 30 points higher there than on the road. Yes he did hit well at the Jake, but that was in limited at bats, not a real good indication of what he will do on a daily basis.

All I wanted was for them to wait until July before they gave him that contract. I think that would have given them a good enough indication. Hey, if he hits as well here as he did in Minnesota, then fine give him the deal. But if he plays like he did in NY, then move him.

As far as Guttierez, I think they could have gotten a 2nd baseman that would be at least as productive offensively, and wouldn't have to learn a new position, for a lot less than what they gave him. David Bell could probably been had for a 2 year 5 million dollar deal.

By then, they could have developed a player in the minors to replace him. I'm holding off on being too prejudgemental on Shapiro, but so far, I don't like what he's done.

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[The Crank]

Just in case anyone missed it, from the latest Pluto email column:

5. Seeing the huge crowds at Jacobs Field and the fans wearing Tribe jackets and shirts. I still remember the tiny crowds in the huge stadium of my youth. By the way, the Indians are already close to 2 million tickets sold for 2002.


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[Bye!]

I hadn't heard they sold that many tickets so far. How many did they have last year at this time?

If they've already sold that many, then I would guess they'll do fine attendance wise.

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[Swanny]

I think the interesting thing will be how many tickets they sell for 2003 if this years squad doesn't perform well. Shapiro drastically altered the look of the Indians and I am curious to see if the fans are willing to go along for the entire ride. It is one thing to be a fan but it is another thing to go out and purchase tickets for the family especially if you are not satisfied with the product. One of the best things about all that has happened these past couple of months is that it sure gives us a lot to talk about. As I've said many times before everyone is entitled to an opinion. Wether it is a positive one or a negative one you need both for good discussion.

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[Alex]

It is pointless to predict how well the Tribe will do this season because the true fulcrum
player this upcoming season is Rickey G, a complete unknown commodity for a myriad of reasons.

If he can adjust to American League pitching and not let learning 2nd base defense interfere with his offense (a big if) and if he can hit .300, have an OBP of over .360-.375,....

AND, make it from first to third on a single, then there is hope.

If Rickey G. is absolutely mediocre offensively, I think we will lose a ton of one run games.

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Alex

[Alex]

I think Omar will step up this year. The one good thing in dumping Robbie so early on is players like Omar will be extra motivated to make Robbie's loss not be so noticeable.

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Alex

[Alex]

Very interesting idea, David Bell at second...hmmmm

Hopefully Rickey G will step in and hit .300 and I pray he can go second to home on a single, and 1st to third on a single (unless it's to left field)

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Alex

[srg]

Gotta keep taking your cheap shots at Guitterez don't ya Alex. No suprise since it will take yrs for you to get over your hero Robby leaving. As for David Bell no thanks, why would anyone with half a brain sign Bell and give up a first round draft pick?

Since the starting pitching will be better losing one run games because Robby baby isn't here is just another illusion of yours. Burba-Nagy-Wright will not be getting shelled like last year and if Finley does he will be gone.

I wonder how many one run games the 1985 Royals lost, being last in the league in runs scored kinda makes me curious as to how they could win a WS with no run support. Just thinkin out loud.

------------------BTW, I find it interesting that we have sold almost two million tickets after trading away two future Hall Of Famers, Looks like the fans are not as stupid as some of the doom and gloomers on this board. Shapiro said that the intelligent baseball fans would understand the moves he HAD to make. Where is the fall out from trading Robby baby? Hasn't effected ticket sales, HA! HA!


[This message has been edited by srg (edited January 03, 2002).]