The Endorsements Keep Coming

Here's one from the Wall Street Journal: Indians over the Yankees in the ALCS, Indians over the Mets in the World Series.

This prediction can't be completely wrong, or they'd have had Peggy Noonan write it.

So take that, all you New Yawkers.

Wise Men Come, Bringing Gifts

Further cause for optimism:

(1) Buster Olney promises a World Series title. That's right. You heard it first here. Well, maybe not first here. Buster's been on the radio saying this every day for the last three weeks. Until recently I've never given much thought to Buster Olney as a commentator. But I reviewed his credentials the other day and cannot but conclude that he is a genius. A true philosopher king.

(2) Sports Illustrated picks Cleveland to win the division. Now sure, the Tribe is only “7th” in the CNNSI’s “power rankings,” but since when does that mean anything? Last I checked, championships were decided on the field, and not on the basis of some popularity contest. If we can die by that principle (R.I.P., 2006 Buckeyes), we can live by it, too. The way I see it, the team that most successfully navigates the Sturm und Drang of this year’s AL Central race is the only team with the true grit, the battletestedness, the je ne sais quoi, mais c’est le sine qua non to take home the Commissioner’s Trophy.

SI sez that team is going to be the Indians. No, I don’t remember the April 6, 1987 cover of Sports Illustrated. I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, and I wish you’d just leave me alone. GOOD DAY, SIR!

(3) Some guy named Dayn Perry at FoxSports.com has the Indians listed at #2 in his power poll. Now I know a minute ago I expressed some skepticism about power rankings. But let me return briefly — very briefly — to the Ohio State example. The team that ultimately diverted the Buckeye juggernaut and took home the Big Prize was —

Take a deep breath, Phutatorius. Inhale, pause, now say it:

— the Florida Gators.

Now exhale. You got through it. Remember, it was for the greater good. Now continue:

Does anyone remember what the Gators were ranked when they played Ohio State on January 8? Yep. That’s right: #2. Q.E.D.

And I should add, in support of Mr. Perry’s authority on this matter, that he wears smart-guy glasses. Perhaps still more importantly, he works for Fox. As we all know, News Corp. employs only the brightest, most thoughtful journalists. People of integrity. So the Great Dayn must know something, or Rupert Murdoch wouldn’t have hired him.

All right now, Phutatorius. It’s almost over. Insert your finger into your mouth, depress the back of your tongue. Now purge.

Taken together, I find these endorsements dispositive of the case. We’re winning it all. I’ll close with a brief note to the City of Cleveland: tickertape is cheapest in March. There are no professional sports championships on the immediate horizon. Buy now, because come October or even September, those confetti vendors will have you by the pelotas.

Kool-Aid Now! Save the Crow for Later . . .

It seems like every day The Plain Dealer runs another player-centered feature article, and every one tells you why that player is going to be a key contributor, if not League MVP or Cy Young Award winner.

And you know what? I'm buying in, baby! Let the crashing down to reality come when it comes — at worst, in April, and if we're strung along, in September or October. In the meantime, I don't have the time or inclination to plod around the landscape (virtual or actual) in search of "reality." I don't get how Paul Hoynes can write all these upbeat articles, then have us finishing fourth in the division. I dunno: maybe if Hoynsie were stationed in the other AL Central cities he'd be writing puff pieces even more glowing and even more positive about Matt Garza, Javier Vazquez, and Craig Monroe.

I'd like to see him try.

But rather than get too huffy about one man's predictions, let's instead bask in the sunshine of The Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com:

*The next Tom Glavine is Jeremy Sowers. He's left-handed, he's a rocket scientist, he's got his head on straight, and he's well-rested. Mark my words — Sowers will end the season with MLB's lowest K/win ratio (sorry, Chien-Ming Wang). I've got him at around 4.2 — 84 punchados and a big phat 20 decisiones positivas.

*Fausto Carmona has the mental makeup to shake off memories of his nasty, brutish, and thankfully short tenure as closer last year. (Mr. Satan? Doctor Fausto called. He wants to renegotiate his deal . . .) Taking a cue from Nietzsche — e.g., what doesn't kill you makes you stronger — Carl Willis says Carmona grew from the experience. Fausto's dominance in the Dominican this winter suggests he's on the way up. He'll crack the rotation sometime in '07 and catalyze our stretch-run blitz to the AL Central title.

*Questions about Jhonny Peralta's commitment have been put to rest. Not only did he postpone his honeymoon to practice taking ground balls, he had (as I've noted) Lasik done in the offseason. This year's Peralta sees and cares. No looking back for Jhonny — except to snare that sharp grounder in the deep hole. It's Fulfill Potential/Justify Contract Time.

*Shin-Soo Choo is not obviously angry about the Dellucci and Nixon signings. Big League Choo is honing his skills against left-handed pitching. He will get his opportunities, he'll make the most of them, and he'll force Wedge and the front office to accept that he's a superstar-in-waiting. Emphasize the "waiting" part.

*Not a feature story here, but I should note that the C-1B-DH logjam has been broken — or at least "wedged" open a little. Pronk is fit to play first base (occasionally). It's amazing what a little WD40 can do. It can loosen up an elbow and a lineup, too.

Things are looking up, folks! More as it comes.

Hammy!

The Indians started Grapefruit League play today, and it just occurred to me (belatedly) to tune in. There's nothing quite like hearing Tom Hamilton's voice after a long, cold winter.

Do I wish I were at Chain-O-Lakes Park today instead of at my desk here in Cambridge, Mass.?

Tribe up 7-1 in the sixth.

Elsewhere in Florida, it looks like Brandon Phillips homered for the Reds. That doesn't bother me quite as much, now that we have Barfield. Of course, I reserve the right to complain irrationally if Kouzmanoff clouts one for San Diego later today.

[Update: 12-1 now, still in the bottom of the sixth. Save some runs for April, fellas!]