As I previously declared, Opening Day 2009 was a bust. But an even bigger disappointment was Cleveland's unofficial holiday, Home Opening Day.
It wasn't the cold weather, or the rain, or the game being postponed—we're Clevelanders, most of us were prepared for that stuff. It wasn't the overpriced alcohol or hot dogs or the drunk guy spilling his beer on us either. It's a baseball game, that's all part of the experience.
If may have been the hope that we all carried with us into Progressive Field for the first time this year. The hope that the 0-3 record would be turned around in a magically effortless way—with Grady hitting three homers, Scott Lewis pitching eight scoreless innings, and the long awaited return of Pronk. I know I was certainly a victim of the opening day ambiance.
Well, then reality set in.
Although we did see a glimpse of improvement from Hafner, I wouldn't call hitting a home run off of a 84 MPH fat one right up the middle a comeback. In fact, I couldn't help but literally laugh out loud and mock those around me who jumped up cheering "He's baaack! Pronk is back!" Give me a break.
I can't go without mentioning Scott Lewis' sub-par performance. I think he was a major disappointment. After pitching fairly well the first time through Toronto's lineup, he fell apart in the fourth inning, giving up three runs to tie up the game, and giving up a homer in the fifth before Betancourt was summoned, and the game was postponed due to rain. I find it quite ridiculous that as of Friday, Lewis' 8.31 ERA was the best of our starting pitchers.
8.31? GOOD? Come on guys, get it together.
This is where most Tribe fans will draw the conclusion that we're in trouble. Yes, I know it's still early Mark Schwab and Greg Brinda, and all you overly-optimistic Tribe fans, but that doesn't mean we don't have cause for concern.
I no longer think that it's opening day jitters, or just getting the kinks worked out, or learning how to gel with the other players in a real game situation. You have to remember, we all started at the same time. If that's your excuse for having a crappy start to a season, what do you have to say about all of the other teams that are doing well? What's their fairytale circumstance?
Our starting pitching is off to a horrible start, with the only bright spot being Reyes, who looked pretty good on Sunday, being the first starter to make it through six innings this season. Lewis finally admitted to having a sore elbow, which caused the Tribe to call up Laffey, a move I thought they should of made before the season started.
Trevor Crowe, who in my opinion is one of the more promising players on this club, also made a step towards proving himself of being MLB worthy on Sunday. After a frustrating strikeout with the bases loaded in the third, he came up big with a two run double in the fifth. I think Crowe really has incredible raw talent, and his heart is really in the game. Did you see him snap the bat over his knee when he went down swinging in the third?
DeRosa also came up big on Sunday hitting a two-run homer in the third, reminding Wedge and Tribe fans why we picked him up in the first place. I'm a fan.
The highlight of the week was the Tribe's first win on Sunday in the series finale against Toronto. Hopefully it's the start of a turnaround.
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