Good news and bad new for Kosuke Fukudome

The good news is you have left a team whose fan base is fatalistic and paranoid that they will never see a championship in their life time.

The bad news is... you are going to Cleveland. Their fans are kinda sorta depressed.

Just a heads up.

That's more like it, Cleveland fans!

Look at that! A huge crowd to see the Indians play. And if the playoffs started today, Cleveland would not only be in, but have home field advantage over the Boston Red Sox!

I'm glad to see it isn't as easy to get a seat at the Jake (or whatever the hell it is called now.)

Now I understand this was a game against the Yankees and it was the 4th of July. So there were some factors going into a big crowd.

But even keeping this in mind, it is officially the second half of the season and even though the Indians have hit some rough patches, they are still in first place by themselves.

Keep showing up, Cleveland fans!
(And don't make me post my video again!)

The face Cleveland has been waiting for all of these years

No, not first base umpire Jim Reynolds.

I am talking about Lonnie Chisenhall.

That is the name of the man who will lead Cleveland to the promised land.
The title that has been eluding Cleveland since 1964.

There have been many false prophets. Many Cleveland sports figures who looked like they were going to deliver a championship parade up Superior Avenue but failed.

Herb Score, Gaylord Perry and his brother Jim, Sam McDowell, Len Barker, Joe Carter, Julio Franco and that Sports Illustrated cover in 1987 promised unfulfilled greatness for the Indians.

And the great Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, Charles Nagy, Carlos Baerga, Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel and Kenny Lofton teams got as close as you could get. And the C. C. Sabathia, Victor Martinez and Ryan Garko team teased.

Mike Phipps, Jerry Sherk, Thom Darden, Brian Sipe, Ozzie Newsome, Webster Slaughter, Clay Matthews, Bernie Kosar and Eric Metcalf all came close with the Browns, but they were no Chisenhall.

And forget Cavs like Campy Russell, Craig Ehlo, Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance, Hot Rod Williams and that fellow named LeBron.

Push all those names to the side. Cleveland is Chisenhall-ville now! Lonnie drove in a run and got a pair of hits in his first game last night against a good Arizona team. The Indians won in the 9th inning and kept pace with the Tigers.

And all the while Cleveland is doing a unique strategy to keep contending in 2011. Instead of trading away young players to make a run, they are bringing up the young players to have a run this year and beyond.

The season is about 1/2 way through and the Indians are competing now and maybe for the next few years.

Jump on the Lonnie Chisenhall bandwagon NOW!
He could be the star you have been waiting for.

Either way, the NBA Prediction of My Message for Cleveland Fans might have been wrong, but the sentiment is correct. This Indians team is worth watching.

Let the Lonnie Chisenhall era begin! (Kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?)

My Pittsburgh - Cleveland Conflict

I don't know what to do in the Pirates-Indians series.

On the one hand I am rooting hard for the Pirates to have a winning season and I don't want to see them lose momentum.

On the other hand I always support Cleveland teams to help relieve their awful drought. And with the Indians recent slide, I'd like to see them get back into first place.

So here I am, casually rooting for BOTH teams. It's a quandry.

Fortunately a solution could have emerged.

The Indians won the first two games and the Tigers lost their first two games with the Rockies. So the Indians are back in first place by themselves. Even if they lose today and the Tigers win, they will have a share of first place.

So I want the Pirates to win today so they can get back above .500.

Hey, I need to be organized in my secondary rooting interests.
When the Pirates and Indians play the Red Sox, it is much simpler: I just want the Sox to kick their ass.

I am diplomatic that way.

I gave Cleveland fans TERRIBLE advice

In my Sully Baseball video, I told Cleveland fans to stop watching the NBA and start watching the Indians.

The Indians are 11-17 since then and have fallen into a first place tie with the Tigers after this recent disastrous sweep by the Yankees. They have lost 14 of their last 18 games and playing totally uninspired baseball.

Meanwhile the Heat and LeBron James lost the NBA Finals, partially because of some dreadful 4th quarter numbers put up by LeBron James.

So if Cleveland fans listened to me, they'd see their baseball team lose and MISS LeBron James get suckerpunched.

I humbly apologize to any Indians fan who listened to me.

But hey!
If I told you at the beginning of the season that the same day LeBron James got humiliated out of the Finals, the Indians would have a share of first place, you would ALL take it.

So look at it that way.

And let's see the video for the last time.

Another Cleveland fan post... I don't care WHAT my cousin says!

The NBA finals are about to start and the Indians are up 3-0 against the defending AL Champion Rangers.

I am telling you Cleveland fans... STAY WITH THE INDIANS!

Be like THESE fans who are watching a POSITIVE sporting event and not moping around saying "Ohhhh woe is us. We don't have LeBron. We are awful." Boo hoo hoo.

The best team in baseball is playing in your backyard. Go support him.

Now I know this post pissed someone off.

Not my dear readers or any Cleveland fans who are stumbling across this blog.

No, I know I am getting under the skin of my cousin Dave.
Dave reads my blog daily. I know that because he writes me little comments, e mails and text messages.

And lo and behold he has written to me saying I am talking about Cleveland and their fans too much.

For that I say "I am not talking about them ENOUGH!"

There will be only 6 more NBA games this year. (Chances are it will be fewer than that... the Heat are going to win and win big.) And I only have a few more chances to talk Cleveland fans off of the ledge.

It is my DUTY!

I assure you Dave that I will write more about the wonderful situation that is the Mets soon... but for now... yup, I am going to do it again. I am going to link the Cleveland fan video AGAIN!

Just try and stop me.

Cleveland fans... choose the positive over the bitterness

The Indians scored 13 runs.
Matt LaPorta homered.
Josh Tomlin won again.

And with Cleveland's 2 game winning streak and the Phillies 2 game slide, guess what?

THE INDIANS ARE THE BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL!

So Cleveland fans... tomorrow... avoid the damn NBA Finals.
The Indians are playing the Rangers IN Cleveland tomorrow.

That's right. A Cleveland team is playing what is technically a DALLAS team.
Both are in first place. Focus on winning and NOT bitterness.

And don't make me post this video again!

Cleveland fans... you had better not have been watching the NBA Finals!

Seriously... I hope none of you Cleveland fans were watching the Heat.

There was an Indians game on!
Grady Sizemore came off the DL and drove in 2, Carlos Santana went 3-3, the Indians won and are 12 games above .500, have the best record in the American League and are nipping at Philadelphia's heels for the best record in baseball... it will be JUNE tomorrow so this is more than "A fluke start"...

How could any of you watch basketball just to torture yourself?

What the hell is the matter with you?

I already made this point with a video, but let me link it again in case some of you are thinking of watching the NBA Finals game 2!!!

New Sully Baseball Video - "A Message for Cleveland Fans"

In the latest Sully Baseball video, I borderline beg Cleveland fans to avoid watching the NBA playoffs and pay attention to the young Indians team that just happens to be in first playoffs...

As always, the video is shot, co written and directed by my wonderful wife, Lisa Zambetti.

Enjoy the video.

Sal Calanni joins The Sully Baseball Show

Cleveland's own Sal Calanni joins me on today's edition of The Sully Baseball Show.

We talk a little about the 2011 Tribe, working at Jacobs Field, the pain of being a Cleveland Sports fan and whether or not Chief Wahoo is racist.

Listen in

Listen to internet radio with Seamheads on Blog Talk Radio

These Indian Fans Get It

Progressive Field in Cleveland wasn't exactly packed for yesterday's game between Detroit and Cleveland.

But the fans who WERE there get to say they were on the bandwagon early.

They get to tell other fans that they were THERE when the Indians erased 3-0 and 5-2 holes and saw Asdrubal Cabrera hit a game tying homer and Carlos Santana crash a walk off grand slam.

If the Indians go far this year, last night's game will be prominently featured in any 2011 Highlight Reel.

These fans were there.

Pay attention Cleveland.
Something fun is happening.

A few facts about the Indians

No matter what happens the next two days, the Indians will finish April in first place in the American League Central.

Today, the Indians were the only AL Central team to win. The stumbling Twins got blown out TWICE today and the Tigers couldn't beat the Mariners at home. The White Sox lost to the Yankees and the Royals lost to the Tribe.

The Indians are currently the best team in the American League and the worst they can finish the month is tied for second best in the American League.

They have the biggest lead of any current division leader. (4 1/2 games. 5 in the loss column.)

They are an exciting brand of baseball with good pitching, clutch homers and deep bench.

They are having trouble selling tickets.

Turn this around, Indians fans. The Tribe is 1/6 of the way there. Yeah there still is a lot of season to be played, but you can't ask for a better START than this!

Who knows? If the gap continues to widen and the rest of the division can't get out of their own way, there might me something to cheer for.

The facts are undeniable.

Show up Indians fans... it's fun so far.

The Indians are the best team in the American League right now. And if you missed the game against the second place Royals, then you missed another fun back and forth affair.

Sin Soo Choo broke it open with a 7th inning homer. Matt LaPorta is showing that the CC Sabathia trade might finally be paying dividends. Grady Sizemore's comeback is in full swing. Jack Hannahan, he of 18 career homers going into yesterday's game, hit 2 out last night.

And oh yeah, Justin Masterson won his 5th game.

Show up! What if THIS is the team that does what Bernie Kozar, LeBron James, Albert Belle and CC Sabathia couldn't do?

What if THIS is the team that finally wins it?
Don't you want to at least know their names?

Let's see some good crowds in Cleveland this week

OK. I realize that it is a mid week series in April against Kansas City, so I understand if it isn't standing room only at The Jake. (Sorry Progressive... it's the Jake.)

But there SHOULD be some buzz and excitement in Cleveland this week.
The three game losing streak means they are no longer the best team in the American League (the defending AL Champion Rangers have that honor.)

They ARE still on top of the AL Central, and the Royals are still in second. Last week the two teams met up for a thrilling 4 game set. And on Tuesday, Justin Masterson is taking his 4-0 record to the hill.

Embrace this team! Who knows what they will do this year? And in a way, that doesn't matter. In April they are playing an exciting brand of baseball and are giving Cleveland fans a little bit of hope.

They very well might not be contending in August or September and the games will be dull "playing out the string" affairs.

Wouldn't it be more fun to see them play when you can say "Who knows? Maybe they CAN do something!"?

Get on the bandwagon NOW!
The best case scenario is you are rooting for the team than finally delivers a title to Cleveland.

The worst case scenario? You see a fun baseball game.

Sounds pretty good to me.

I actually am happy for Cleveland fans this off season

Why do you ask?

Imagine if Cliff Lee was still with the Indians and he was the bad ass Cy Young winner and hope for any World Series title by the Lake.

Then imagine if he was going through this whole footsie with the Yankees, Rangers and the Indians this off season and EVERYONE trying to guess where he is going to go.

Will he stay here.

Will he take the big bucks elsewhere?

Will he go to New York?

And each team makes a desperate pitch and the entire off season is paralyzed until a decision is made.

Didn't Cleveland JUST GO THROUGH THAT with LeBron?

Doing that TWICE in one year to them would have been just cruel.

I would love it if Cliff Lee said "I am going to take my talents to South Beach" just to catch the Marlins off guard.

Maybe LeBron can help him pick out a subtle new home.

No Cleveland fans... Galaragga didn't bobble the ball

Cleveland fans are writing on some blogs that the call against Armando Galaragga was good one because he bobbled the ball.

An interesting piece of revisionist history (right up there with Pedro Martinez ATTACKED Don Zimmer in the 2003 ALCS.)

Um, do you know who agrees with you Cleveland fans?
NOBODY!

Not even Jim Joyce used that as a lame excuse.

Here's the clip.

Point out where the bobble is and e mail me at info@sullybaseball.







I thought I told you Cleveland fans to stop watching sports this year!

If you know any Cleveland fans... leave them alone tonight

This was a bad night for Cleveland fans...
Leave them alone, Celtic fans.

Knick fans, he hasn't signed with you yet. Keep a lid on it.

Last year I suggested Cleveland fans just take a break from sports for the rest of the year.

I think they should again

In the NBA playoffs, I am rooting for Lucy

In the past I have written several posts where I support Cleveland fans in their Quixotic quest to have any happiness in their sports life.

I talked about feeling their pain...

I advised them to stop watching sports for the rest of the year after LeBron and company flopped last spring...

And I told them to move to Florida where they will be happier sports wise.

I always root for the Cleveland team because they are Charlie Brown. (Perhaps a better name for the football team would be the Cleveland Charlie Browns.)

I have nothing but sympathy for Cleveland fans and would LOVE to see them get a title... except when they play one of my own teams.

It just goes to show how powerful team loyalty can be. I rooted so hard for the Red Sox against the Indians in 2007 even though I had already seen my Red Sox win a World Series and slay the Yankee dragon a few years before.

I also knew that Indians team would probably be dismantled and 2007 was the best chance for Cleveland to celebrate.

I didn't care. I wanted to see them squirm. If the Sox had lost, I would have been rooting for the Indians big time against the Rockies.

But against my team, a region's suffering is meaningless.

And now I have the Celtics up against the Cavs.
I've seen the Celtics win it all 4 times... including a 2008 title against the dreaded Lakers.

Rooting for a Celtic title this year is just greedy... and the chances of LeBron James sticking around in Cleveland are fading fast. And the once in a lifetime talent could leave Cleveland without a ring.

And if the Cavs won this series, I would be rooting for them all the way.

But against my team? Screw em!

I am not rooting for Charlie Brown. I am rooting for Lucy to pull the football away.

Does that make me a jerk?

Yeah probably.

Go Celtics.

Cleveland Fans... I hope you took my advice

Back when the Cavs were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, I told you Cleveland fans to just stop watching sports this year.

I hope you took my advice because, to paraphrase a cop on the beat, there's nothing to see here.

You could have done stuff around the house, bonded with your family or even write a book.

Anything other than watching Cleveland sports in 2009.

And it isn't getting any prettier.

Don't believe me?

The Browns are 1-6.

And that one win came against Buffalo in a 6-3 win.

I'm sure that was an exciting game! That's a baseball score.

The Cavs got Shaq... and lost the opener to the Celtics.

Yes I know it is early and the Cavs are the city's best hope these days... 

BUT IT IS EARLY! Turn off the Cavs games until January.

As for Indians fans... ooof

Not only did the Indians drop their last 5 games to finish with the second worst record in the American League just 2 seasons after being a win from the World Series...

But they are handing the car keys to Manny Acta, who managed the Nationals... one of the few teams in baseball WORSE than the Indians. 

And don't watch the World Series either... especially game 1.

2007 Indians Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia taking on 2008 Indians Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee?

Is this a joke?

Seriously Cleveland fans... 

Take the next two months off.

I expect the Nielsen ratings in Cleveland to be 0.0 for the World Series.

I expect the attendance for the November 16th Browns/Ravens game to be 0.

And I expect the Cavaliers to be playing in front of friends, family and wounded war veterans until the January 3rd game against Charlotte.

You don't need to prove your loyalty to anyone.

You need a break.