Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are going into the day winless. They are one of two teams that are—the other team is the Washington Nationals. The Indians came into the season as favored to win the Central Division with Cy Young winner Cliff Lee leading the team in pitching.

The Indians made a few key offseason signings also, including solid pitcher Carl Pavano, who was less than impressive in his first start—only going one inning and allowing nine earned runs.

I can't help but feel this is utterly trivial.

Why do we try? After 2008 and all that went into it, where is the motivation to keep going?

The Rays went to the World Series. Justin Hamilton put on one of the greatest shows in Derby history in July, then hit 130 RBI. Cliff Lee, who made the Indians 25 man roster out of Spring Training by a hair, won 22 games and the Cy Young. A 5'6 man, playing in one of the games' biggest stages, won the AL MVP.

But, we drudge on, because that's why we love baseball (although if the Pirates make the World Series in 2009, I quit).

With the 8-5 win over the Indians last night, the Texas Rangers are off to their first 2-0 start since to 2000 season.

Just like Opening Day, the Rangers' offense put four runs on the board in the second inning.  Nelson Cruz led off the inning with his first home run of the season, a shot to left-center field. 

After a David Murphy fly out, Chris Davis picked up his first hit of the season, singling to the opposite field.  Jarrod Saltalamacchia followed with a double to right field, moving Davis to third. 

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As the Tribe officially moves out of their home away from home in Goodyear and on to two meaningless paid exhibition games with the Houston Astros, it is time to take a look back on the long adventure that was Cleveland Indians spring training.

With the second installment of the WBC this season, the Cactus League was extended by two weeks and many, many games. The pitchers "got their work in." The position players "took it a day at a time." And manager Eric Wedge used countless other analogies to describe baseball games in March that don't count.

Back in February, I previewed the entire spring training for the Cleveland Indians. I thought it would be interesting to take a trip back to the 11th of that month and revisit what was said and analyze it compared to what actually happened.

In case you need a refresher, the entire preview can be read, here.

Keep an Eye On

The three chosen for this section were Michael Brantley, Wes Hodges, and Vinnie Chulk.

Face of the Franchise:  Bob Feller

Manager: Lou Boudreau

C - Sandy Alomar
1B - Hal Trosky
2B - Nap Lajoie
3B - Ken Keltner
SS - Joe Sewell
OF - Tris Speaker
OF - Earl Averill
OF - Joe Jackson
DH - Manny Ramirez
Bench: 1B/DH Jim Thome, SS Lou Boudreau, OF Charlie Jamieson, Kenny Lofton

by Ryan of The Sportmeisters

With Opening Day right around the corner, now is the time to preview the 2009 baseball season. Today’s focus is on the AL Central.

Minnesota Twins

After a disappearing act over two years featuring injuries and disappointing play, Travis Hafner's return is one of the biggest stories of the Indians 2009 season.

However, it isn't the most important factor that could lead them on the path to success this year. The bullpen and situational hitting were problem areas for the Tribe in '08.

Hafner's stardom rose to its peak in 2006, then fell off the tracks some time after signing a major contract extension. His injury troubles have forced him off the field and into the DH spot of the lineup.