Author's Blog

First Place

by scott longert on 06/18/17

A great weekend for Cleveland in sweeping Minnesota and taking over first place. This was an important series and the Tribe really answered. Great hitting by Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Ramirez and Lonnie Chisenhall. Ryan Merritt did a good job in his start on Saturday as did Mike Clevenger. The Twins had to use some minor league pitchers for the Saturday games but the Indians did what they had to do.

A two game lead is a little slim, but this could be the point where the Indians take off and distance themselves from the rest of the division. It is not quite the half way point,still a big move now gains a lot of momentum.

I am not sure why outfielder Daniel Robertson is in the lineup so much. I would like to see Bradley Zimmer get a chance to play everyday. I don't think Robertson is in the team's long term plans so why not let Zimmer play on a daily basis? He had a great game on Saturday then sat the bench for the second game.

It seems the home runs are flying out of the ball parks. At this rate there will be a number of hitters with thirty-five to forty home runs or more. I can't wait to see which guys are chosen for the Home Run Derby at the All-Star game.

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Moving Forward

by scott longert on 06/03/17

I had a chance to get to Progressive Field on Tuesday to watch the Indians and Oakland A's. The Indians looked like a championship team, easily winning 9-4. Trevor Bauer had a great outing, striking out fourteen. The A's scored three runs early, but Bauer had them under control the rest of the way. I am hoping this is a turning point for him and that there will be a number of quality starts the rest of the season.

The offense was outstanding as well. Home runs by Jason Kipnis and Bradley Zimmer , big hits from Ramirez and Encarnacion and just about everybody in the lineup.

Michael Brantley had a terrific throw from the outfield to nail a runner at home. This performance showed how tough the team can be when they put things together. Let's hope the Indians will start winning at home consistently and open up a lead in the division. I think it is about time.

Work has begun on my new book about the Indians from the late 1930's up to the start of World War II. I am in 1937, talking about how Cleveland had and lost Tommy Henrich, a great outfielder and a major injury to Bob Feller to start the season. More on this later.

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Sliding Along

by scott longert on 05/14/17

The Indians played well today, easily beating the Minnesota Twins 8-3. A batch of home runs and some good pitching highlighted the win. Though as nice as the win was, they still lost two out of three to the Twins.

It is still quite early, but I think the Indians need to start playing ball like they did in 2016. Right now nobody is hitting over .300. I don't like the outfield lineup other than Brantley in left field. I'd like to see another outfielder that can play everyday and hit with some power. Lonnie Chisenhall is getting an extended tryout in center field and there has already been three different guys in right field. Austin Jackson has been on the DL with a bad foot, Abraham Almonte is hitting around .220 and Brandon Guyer is still batting below .200. That is not going to get the job done.

On the positive side Trevor Bauer pitched a good game, his first of the year. He needs to string together several more quality starts and solidify his position. Dave Tomlin is starting to pitch better while Corey Kluber still remains on the DL. I don't know if Mike Clevenger is ready for the Majors yet. He still throws way too many pitches and has trouble getting past the fifth inning.

The good part is it's May 14 and there is a lot of baseball still to be played. A hot streak of seven or eight wins in a row would put the Indians in a good spot. Let's see what happens.

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A Good April

by scott longert on 04/30/17

The Indians did not set the American League on fire, but played well enough to stay near the top of the division. The only concern I have at this point is the fourth and fifth starters. Both Tomlin and Bauer have struggled but have recently benefited from some good hitting. The top of the rotation has been great with Corey Kluber leading the way.

I still can't get over the tremendous home run Francisco Lindor hit a few days ago. He had to reach down to hit it and showed amazing power in sending the ball some 450 feet. I would not be surprised if he hits 20-25 home runs this year along with Jose Ramirez. I am not even talking about Encarnacion yet.

April seemed to be home run month for many of the hitters. I am not sure how many guys already have ten and counting. There has been more than a few batters with multiple home run games as well. Maybe it is the early warm weather.

I have been on an extended book tour over the last two months. It has been great fun, but I am looking forward to winding down and getting back to some serious writing. Book four is about to begin!

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A Slow Start

by scott longert on 04/15/17

After the Indians won three straight to start the season I thought they were going off on a major streak. That did not last long as they have now lost six of seven.

I have to tell myself it is early in the season and to be patient. However the poor outings of Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin make me just a touch nervous. The Tribe needs more than three starters to get through the season. These two guys need to step up soon before things get out of hand.

The hitting from the catching position has been non-existent. I did not expect Gomes or Perez to hit .300 but at the moment the team is getting nothing from either one. I have to tell myself it is only April.

Right now in the American League the Tigers and the Orioles look strong. Both teams have been showing great starting pitching something they lacked in 2016. Tampa Bay has shown some improvement as well.

Lat Saturday I was at the Ohioana Book Festival in Columbus. This is an outstanding event for authors to sell their books and meet several thousand book buyers. I had a fantastic time at the event, even the box lunch was good.

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