Author's Blog

The World Series

by scott longert on 10/25/16

I decided to wait until today to write my blog. Tonight is the matchup of two teams that have not won a World Series in an incredibly long time. In the beginning of the 20th century the Cubs ruled the National League. The won the pennant in 1906-1908 then again in 1910. The won the World Series in 1907 and 1908. Despite some excellent teams they have not won it all since 1908. I am sure the ghosts of Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker and Frank Chase are eagerly awaiting tonight's first pitch.

The Indians did not win their first pennant until 1920, then followed it up by beating Brooklyn in the World Series. They nearly repeated in 1921 but Babe Ruth and the Yankees edged them out. It would be twenty-eight years before Cleveland won another pennant and World Series thanks to Lou Boudreau, Ken Keltner, Larry Doby and others. Although they had a fabulous team in 1954 they were beaten by the New York Giants in four straigt games in the 54' World Series.

So there you have it. Both teams waiting a very long time to get another chance at the World Championship. On paper the Cubs have a better team. They have numerous All-Stars and a great starting rotation. They have not won since 1908. The Indians do not matchup man for man, but they are a team that knows how to win. They can do it 1-0 or 8-7. They have shown throughout the season that they will not shrink from adversity or hard luck. Even with a rash of injuries they have not missed a step.

Conventional wisdom say the Cubs will win this. However wisdom aside, I believe the Indians will overcome, like they have done all year. The Indians will win in six games! Anyone have a different opinion?

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Five In A Row!

by scott longert on 10/17/16

Three straight from Boston, then two more from Toronto. Who would have thought the Indians could do this? I expected them to do well but they are playing like true champions. The pitching has been flawless so far, and the hitting not so much, but thanks to Lindor and Santana the Tribe continues to win.

As I am watching the games, I can't help but think of the Dead Ball days more than a hundred years ago. That's when most contests were won 2-1 or 1-0 or even 3-2. Kluber, Josh Tomlin and Andrew Miller remind me of pitchers like Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, Mordecai Brown and others. Those guys would go out every four days and stop opposing batters cold. It was nothing for them to pitch a complete game and allow one run and three or four hits. The Indians staff has been doing just that. I should mention the Blue Jays pitchers, Estrada and Happ who performed well enough to win.

I have to note Clayton Kershaw as well, pitching a complete game shutout against the heavy hitting Cubs. If ever there was a clutch performance, that was certainly it. I still think the Dodgers have a long way to go, but Kershaw pitched a fantastic game.

Once again I have to really praise Manager Terry Francona for his usage of Andrew Miller. He has gone against the norm of one inning only and and allowed his best relief pitcher to stay in the game for up to two innings. This has worked great and set up Cody Allen to close things out. You can't rule out the Blue Jays as they have three home games to play and could still make things interesting. At this point though I really like the Indians chances!

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Win In Fenway?

by scott longert on 10/10/16

Tonight the Indians try for a sweep with Josh Tomlin versus Clay Buckholtz. Tomlin has regained his early season form, pitching well in September. However, Buckholtz had a down year, pitching mostly out of the bullpen. Can he redeem himself at home before a full house ? We are going to find out in this evening if the Red Sox can stay alive.

This was the matchup that most worried me when trying to figure out who was going to play who. I thought the Indians had their best chance against Toronto or even Baltimore if they advanced. I believed the Red Sox had too much hitting and two of the better pitchers in Porcello and Price. I could not have been more wrong.

I am guessing if Tomlin can get through five innings, Manager Francona won't hesitate to go to his bullpen. The rainout on Sunday means that relievers Andrew Miller and Cody Allen will be ready to pitch as needed. Bryan Shaw and Dan Otero should be able to pitch an inning or two. If the Tribe gets to Buckholtz early look for a sweep and an exciting series against the Blue Jays!

The Cubs have the Giants down two games to none, but with Madison Bumgarner pitching for San Francisco tonight, I look for the Giants to stay alive. He is an amazing pitcher, especially in the post-season. The Cubs should win the series with too many good pitchers for the Giants to handle.

I don't have any favorite with the Dodgers-Nationals. I think either team could win it, but the Dodgers have the hottest hitters in Seager and Turner.

It was only ninety-six years ago when the Indians finished off the Brooklyn Robins to win their first World Series five games to two. The Major League owners wanted as much gate receipts as possible so the nine game series came to be. It started off well with Brooklyn wining two out of three,but the Indians swept the next four to win the championship. It was an incredible series with Bill Wamby's unassisted triple play and Elmer Smith's grand slam. Both in the same game!

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Post-Season Time

by scott longert on 10/03/16

I nearly forgot but yesterday, October 2 was the anniversary of the 1908 Addie Joss perfect game at League Park. For those of you that were not at the game (you can stop laughing now) Joss pitched a real gem in the heat of the pennant race between Cleveland, Chicago and Detroit. The Naps were playing the White Sox and Addie's opponent for the contest was thirty-nine game winner Ed Walsh.

With only five games left in the season every game was a must win. Joss and Walsh both pitched the game of their lives. Walsh struck out fifteen batters and allowed only one unearned run. Joss went further in facing twenty-seven hitters and retiring them all. Others have thrown perfect games but none when all the marbles were at stake. Joss would die three years later of tubercular meningitis at the age of thirty-one. He would never see a pennant.

The regular season has ended but the Indians will face off against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. Corey Kluber is being held out until Friday with a sore leg. The starting assignment goes to Trevor Bauer who has pitched well his last two times out. The Red Sox will probably start Rick Porcello and follow up with David Price. This will be a tough matchup for the Indians as Boston has a tremendous lineup of hitters. I believe it is imperative for the Tribe to win game one and hope Kluber is healthy enough to get them through game two. At any rate it should be an exciting series to watch.

Don't forget to pick up a copy of my latest book, No Money, No Beer, No Pennants. I made an appearance on WKYC evening news with Jim Donovan last Thursday. I will be on WCPN radio later this week. Check their web site for times.

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Sad News

by scott longert on 09/26/16

I have to start the post today talking about the terrible news of the death of Jose Fernandez. I am not a Marlins fan but did see Fernandez pitch a number of times on cable. The boating accident is eerily similar to the one back in the early 1990's when Indians pitchers Steve Olin and Tim Crews were killed and Bob Ojeda seriously injured. I can imagine what the folks in Miami are feeling right now.

The Indians are one game away from clinching the Central Division title. It is only a matter of the next day or two but they will do it. Josh Tomlin has righted himself and may be the guy for the post-season. I know Corey Kluber is our ace, but it may come down to Tomlin to clinch a series. We will see.

On the hitting side I am hoping a few days rest will help Lindor break out of his slump. He is surely needed for the playoffs. Once the Indians clinch most of the lineup should sit a game or two to get everybody ready. A lot of these guys have not seen a post-season and should be at their absolute best for the first week of October. I am sure Manager Francona will do just that.

To celebrate the launch of my new book No Money, No Beer, No Pennants, the first person to respond to this post will receive a free, signed copy that I will actually go to the post office and mail. Good Luck!

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