The Indians need to shut up
When the Indians traded Robby Alomar almost three years ago today, I began to get the feeling that the glory days were over and may not be back for a long while.
In June of 2002, when Indians' general manager Mark Shapiro inexplicably dealt Bartolo Colon (who would have become the first 20-game winner for the Indians in forever and was under contract for another year) I really felt it was the beginning of the end.
Then two underwhelming seasons followed. Last year, it looked to me as though Shapiro was rebuilding the Indians despite an owner who doesn't even know how to sign his name to a big check. In late August, the Indians trailed Minnesota by just one game and looked to be headed for a pennant race.
It didn't happen. The Indians lost nine straight games and fell out of the race. Then they did not retain Omar Vizquel in the offseason, despite his strong 2004 season.
In 2002, when the official rebuilding process began, Mark Shapiro answered every question about the future with "2005."
Here we are almost three years later, and this is the time to make the push. The Indians DID win 81 games last year.
In 1993, the Indians won 76 games. They responded by trading for Vizquel and signing Dennis Martinez, Eddie Murray and Jack Morris. Some signings were better than others, but the Tribe was ready to win.
Within two years, Martinez and Murray would be postseason heroes and Vizquel would be an emerging Cleveland legend.
Fast forward 11 years. The Indians have headed into the season that they said would be the crucial one. They have responded by signing ... uhhh no one, despite an AWFUL bullpen a year ago and a starting staff that could use at least one more pitcher.
Instead of action, Indians' fans get excuses about a limited payroll.
Well, I have a message for owner Larry Dolan: No one put a gun to your head to make you buy a professional baseball team. This is the way baseball is played now. If you don't have the money to compete, get out now.
Dick Jacobs never forced John Hart to insult the fans' intelligence by bribing them to buy tickets.
Mr. Dolan, either make this team a winner, or sell it. Your excuses will buy you no time with me.