Randomness

So, it has been a week since I started this thing. There have been a few items that caught my interest that I figure I'll share my thoughts on:

Politics

So is it just me or do the Presidential Elections start way to soon. The Dems had a CNN/You-Tube sponsored debate this past week. It was a joke. The questions from You-Tube were predictable, and horribly presented. I mean a guy dressed as a snow man asking about global warming? Please. Not one candidate had the gull to stand up and say some of the questions were ridiculous. What kind of leader sits there cow-toes to every little thing, just to get vote? A weak one, that is the kind of leader.

Having debates 8 months before the first primary vote is even cast is horrible. You see the bitterness and dirty politics for so long, this is why so many Americans are disgusted with the political scene. Every candidate, on either side, is pretty much the same-old same old. Even someone that is "new" and "fresh," as they are claiming Barack Obama is, doesn't set themselves off from the pack. They are afraid to, because there is a core in each party that the candidates don't want to piss off. Therefore their differentiation from others in their party are minor in the grand scheme of things. It then becomes a party vote as opposed to a vote for a candidate, which is one of the reasons the two party system in this country is failing us.


Onto a lighter note...

Sports - Browns

So I am a huge Browns fan for those that do not know. And as a Browns fan, I am eternally optimistic, despite everything that continues to happen. I don't know why, I just am. I'm excited for this season, but we'll know what kind of season it is going to be, before October even starts. The first 3/4 games are against our division rivals. If we do well in these games, we'll have a great shot at being drastically improved. I'm hoping for 8-8, but if a team in the NFL can go 8-8 anything can happen... even 10-6 and a playoff birth, but that is just wishful thinking.

Why am I so optimistic?
1. Three guys with horrible injuries last season could actually play and help out this year. Kellen Winslow, Gary Baxter and LeCharles Bentley. The last two are longer shots than Winslow, but they say Gary should be on the practice field tomorrow. Wow. LeCharles will probably remain on the PUP list for a while. If we can get him back anywhere close to where he was before he went down, it will just be a huge bonus to this team.
2. Solid Defense. The third year in the 3-4 defense with some good players. As long as the offense can maintain some sort of ball control and not have the defense out there for 80% of the game, we are in good shape.
3. Addressed the offensive line. They picked up Eric Steinbach, the premier offensive lineman in free agency (and he lasted more than one contact play so far in this training camp). They drafted a projected stud left tackle, kept Hank Fraley, and could possibly get Bentley back. It all starts in the trenches... so this is a good start.

So here is to optimism... and if we fall flat on our faces (again)... here is to tailgating in the Muni-Lot with good friends.

Sports - Indians

So I got to go to the GE loge on Monday to watch the Tribe take on the Red Sox. Westbrook sucked in the first inning, and pretty much gave up the game right there. After that he settled down and pitched pretty decently, which was good to see. The Loge was awesome. This was my second time in a loge at the Jake, first time in the GE loge. It is difficult though to go to the loge with work. As this was supposed to be a chance to hob-knob and schmooze with some upper management. However, I was too much of a fan. I did a little talking, between innings, but I wanted to watch the game. Oh well... I really have a hard time with the management stuff I get into now. It is a very big stretch for my personality.

Anyhow, on the Tribe. Overall, they are only 0.5 games out of first and are a pretty damn good team. They are very streaky though. I'm looking for more consistent play out of them down the stretch.

They just picked up Kenny Lofton (again) for Max Ramirez (minor league catcher). I like this trade. My buddy Dan (http://buhtros.blogspot.com) and I were talking about this possible acquisition when the Indians were playing the Rangers in Texas. We were both kind of weary of it, depending on what we had to give up. I think this will work out well, and I don't think we paid too much for his services this year. It was cool to see #7 roaming the outfield again, strange to see him in left field though. The other added benefit of having K-Love around will be the ability to give Grady some breaks down the stretch so he is fresh in September and deep into October.

Mark Shapiro said they are still looking to add an arm to the bullpen if possible. That would be good, but the prices I've seen being thrown around are some what preventative. We'll see what happens, but it should be a great stretch run!



More next time....