Patrick

Yes it is! [referring to the Cleveland ballclub] Tribe added some of their customary rehab/refurbish jobs (Scott Kazmir, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Brett Myers, Jason Giambi). Typically this would be it for the cheap franchise. But they broke team records with free agent contracts to Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher, were opportunistic with Mark Reynolds (whom the Orioles didn't want to pay) on a one year deal, and lucky thus far with Ryan Raburn (and others). I'm not at all convinced that Swisher is any sort of stud and Bourn is no Kenny Lofton. National press making much of the Reds' addition of Shin-Soo Choo. It should be remembered that this is a one year rental of a Boras client who definitely needed a change of scenery, and the Tribe got back (as part of a large deal) prospect Trevor Bauer (who admittedly may be a head case), outfielder Drew Stubbs, and reliever Bryan Shaw who are all contributing. Outfield defense which was dreadful last season is now quite good--helps when you can put three good centerfielders out there (Bourn, Stubbs, and Michael Brantley). There have been a few injuries, but no one could have expected things to go much better than they have thus far (at least over last 20+ games). Starting pitching was (and frankly still is) the big question mark. Masterson has been a stud and Ubaldo is a recovering head case who may be able to give you 7 innings. We'll see how long it lasts. Too bad attendance is still poor. But being a cheap owner for years on end will tend to do that in a cash strapped market. Hopefully with school out and more reliably warm weather the gates will improve. Today's fun fact: Tribe is now 7-1 against Cy Young winners. They have now vanquished Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, R.A. Dickey, David Price, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, and Bartolo Colon. Only Cy loss was to Jake Peavy. And they are not just squeaking by in these wins.

Guess I'm late the party here. I've lived in Fairfax now for about 18 years. Traffic can be bad, but I don't know that it is significantly different than other major metropoli (e.g. Chicago). We live within walking distance of Metro (which is how I get to my DC job in the Penn Quarter), and know that there are destinations that are "far away" due to traffic (e.g. we've been to the Eastern Shore only two or three times). But there also is plenty interesting that is accessible (esp. when you let Metro do the driving). An important distinction is that we have no children, so no big issue if the ride sometimes stretches out due to traffic/train problems.

...keeps it interesting...

Jordan Zimmermann!!! (only 91 pitches)

No. He is not speaking to Cavs. I bet he ends up in Seattle if the Kings move there to take a GM or consultant gig. The Return of Mike Brown remains the current likely outcome in Cleveland. Already sick of the speculation about how having him back affects the possibility of a LeBron return. Please, give it up already! Would be useful if Cav defense improved significantly (a Mike Brown specialty, looking at you Kyrie!), but I'd be comfortable with Part Deux only if he had a strong offensive-minded assistant on his staff. Something that didn't quite happen the first time around. Lakers did make playoffs, so Cavs get to move up from #30 (Heat pick) to #19 (Laker pick) as part of the worthwhile Ramon Sessions trade.

The earliest that this will happen is when Fox's current NFL contracts expire, which I understand is several years from now.

Cavs had a shot to win #11 in the streak down in Miami. Led by 8 with about 5 minutes to go, but Heatles pulled it out 109-105. Tomorrow night: No Kyrie, No Waiters, No Varejao, No Chance!!! The offense (such as it is) will run through Tristan Thompson, Sean Livingston, and Wayne Ellington. LeBron will sit on the bench (comfortably) for the entire fourth quarter. It will be a showcase game for Cleveland State alum Norris Cole. Book it.

I hope he doesn't miss much, or only games that LAL have no chance to win. Lakers need to make playoffs so that their first round pick goes to Cleveland in exchange for the Cavs' Miami pick (figure to be about 30th). Otherwise Laker pick goes to PHX. Utah's fall in the standings has helped this possibility immensely.

Gotta include the Twins so that Bert Blyleven can visit.

Perhaps late to the party, but I just received a parcel from http://salemusic.com/ where the price for the Miles Bootleg Vol. 2 was $29.95. Shipping there is a flat $5.95 per order, so I also picked up the Stan Getz Complete Columbia box, Tyner's Fly with the Wind, and a Cezanne hardcover. They also have the Complete Columbia boxes for Woody Shaw, Duke Ellington 1951-58, and Louis Armstrong Okeh etc. Nice to see fewer of the Past Perfect titles taking up space in their catalog.

Notes from Big Sur and The Water is Wide definitely fit this category.

Yes, somewhere Mike Brown is hanging out, watching his kids play hoops with a large smile on his face.

It will come back to you.

Kyrie Irving out for a month with a broken finger. Ouch. I guess we will now get to see Dion Waiters attempt to close NBA games.

too much shelfish behavior??

Tribe will trade Shin-Soo Choo (walk year, Boras client) reducing by 50% their supply of major league outfielders (Michael Brantley, the only useful piece from Sabathia trade, remains, for now). They will also try to trade Chris Perez, handing the closer job to Vinnie Pestano (whom I believe can handle the job at least as well as CP). Would not be shocked if Asdrubal Cabrera is also dealt. If the current pattern follows, they will not get much in return (either in talent, or hope). Retreads of retreads will be signed in the hopes of resurgent years that will fail to materialize. Otherwise, rooting for Kipnis, Chisenhall, and other young guys (while continuing with Nationals and other hobbies). Hopefully Terry Francona can work some magic (meaning return to mediocrity with flirtations of over-achievement in AL Central). He expressed some confidence/excitement with the Tribe "up the middle" (meaning Cabrera, Kipnis, Brantley, and Carlos Santana). I'm not as optimistic, but I guess if I had his job, I would need to be. At least the Grady Sizemore/Travis Hafner era, which showed so much promise way back when, has finally ended (...gazillions of dollars/dozens of injuries later). Unrelated questions: How can any pitcher have the name "Balfour"? Or a DH, "Fielder"?

Congrats Nats! Go O's!

Thanks again for the heads up. Great space. Great program. This week I'll be in Chicago, ...perhaps enjoying Fred Hersch..., so will miss this one.

While my allegiance to the Tribe remains, life is short so my interest has turned to the National League where the local heroes are doing quite well. I've already attended four Nats games this season (...a 6 minute train ride from the office to the ballyard, and internet ticket sellers certainly help). Little if anything not to like about the Nats (...unless perhaps you're attached to some other NL team). I initially thought the Werth signing was a bit reckless, but he has performed. Bryce Harper hasn't quite lived up to all of the hype (he's not yet LeBron or even Strasburg), but has been a solid contributor. The real explanation is starting pitching. ...such a refreshing change compared to that Cleveland team. Anyone got tips on where to acquire a New Era fitted cap for less than big $$$? Thinking about the home red with the cursive W. Go Nats! thanks

Any chance this can be moved to Miscellaneous Music with the other themed album cover threads? thanks

Supply and demand...

It's best that way. Don't get too excited about the Browns either. Go for more walks and listen to more jazz rekkids.

What a tragic figure Ojeda turned out to be in Cleveland (...or Indians spring training)

Bertrand, Thanks for the heads up--that's two blocks away. I'll likely catch at least part of the Mance dance today.

Sadly, the Indians are now basically the KC Royals. Poor attendance, very little talent, and little or no hope. The trade for Ubaldo supposedly created a sense of urgency (giving up two best pitching prospects for a guy that struggles to get through 6), but they can't win soon. Choo will wear the uni one more year (at most) before signing with NYY or someone else with more vision (or at least way more $$$). Asdrubal will follow soon thereafter. Plenty of "nice" pitchers that haven't yet lived up to the aspirations: Tomlin, McAllister, Masterson (already rumored on the trading block), Jeanmar Gomez. Try to be optimistic, but how can anyone that is not completely delusional get excited about the key acquisitions of Derek Lowe, Johnny Damon, Casey Kotchmann, Dan Wheeler, etc. Kipnis, Chisenhall, Brantley (only useful part of Sabathia trade), and Cabrera are only position players to remain hopeful about (maybe Carlos "Black Magic Woman" Santana). Choo will disappear, as will Hafner and Sizemore (at long, injury-plagued, last). Bullpen has been pretty good this year (notwithstanding today's collossal meltdown), but that's the sort of thing you don't count on from one season to the next. So some perspective from the "painful" seasons in SF or Texas or NYY or... At least I live in a market with an exciting, young team. Go Nats!!!