"We're on a mission from Rapid Robert."

I know I've been lax once more... Trying to work on that, really...

But a couple notes:

• Doing some contributing writing over at COSFBA... Putting together a weekly closer's piece that should help me keep, refine, and improve the writing bug... So that maybe I'll be more useful over here, too! Heh heh. Check out my intro article.
• Had a thought about my boys this morning... About where they stand just before the All-Star Break. And for whatever reason, I got on a kick regarding a certain 1980 movie... And then this happened:

• I'm sure I'll get some full-blown thoughts out about the Indians thusfar, but here's the CliffsNotes version:
• The offense is starting to come back around, and I'm anticipating another nice run coming out of the break.
• We've managed to tread water with the plague of injuries, which is great. We keep getting people healthy, and get the ability to rest people back, and we'll be better for it.
• Fundamental defense and lack of hitting with RISP (Runners In Scoring Position) is KILLING us right now. And both of those have to do with patience and mindsets. There needs to be patience and discipline both in the field and at the plate. Swinging at the first pitch, more often than not, sets you up for a bad AB... If you GET to continue the AB, and not hit a drooler to short. It's like that with fielding... Don't need to rush yourself. Be confident in your ability to do the FUNDAMENTALS right, and the rest will fall into place.
• There's already looking to be a revamping of the pitching rotation... The same needs to be done with the batting order. There's some real underachievers sitting in our lineup, and I'm not sure they're aware that there are kids at Columbus just CHOMPING at the bit to come up and prove themselves. Some have already started to do just that.
• The fans HAVE to start showing up. You have a first place team that is, despite their recent struggles, EXCEEDING all expectations we (and the purported 'experts') had coming into the year. After all the crap we've taken recently, and the threat of no football OR basketball... Shouldn't we get out and take PRIDE in something?

So... That was a bit more than CliffsNotes. Heh. But that's the general gist of things. If I were to grade the Indians at current, they'd get a solid B. Still some big issues to work out. There's flashes there, though.... And we could easily return to similar tidings that we started out the year with. It's just going to take some patience, discipline, and a lot of hard work. Heart is not an issue with this team in the slightest way, as witnessed by the PronkSlam on Thursday (shame they don't use Tom Hamilton's call... Freaking goosebumps!!!).

This team is NOT going away. Simple as that. We'll be talking Tribe Baseball in September, and hoping for beyond as well.

I think Mister Feller would like that.