Do The Cleveland Indians Get No Respect?

Question

It just seems odd to me that the second best team in all of MLB last season is totally overlooked in ever way, shape or form in this forum. I see lists of so called "Top 20 Players" and I see Granderson from detroits name on there-but no Victor Martinez or Travis Hafner. Then all of a sudden Detroit fans pop out of the woodwork they have been hiding in for 3 months and talk trash after acquiring a guy (Willis) who would be fighting for a 4-5 position in Cleveland's rotation. Yeah Cabrera is a beast-but he won't be the key for Detroit. Last I checked Tigers pitching was not so hot after Verlander. Then I hear talk of NYY in the W. Series next year. They did what to improve? Didn't Cleveland mow them down 2 months ago with ease? Seems to be with guys like Sizemore, Peralta, Martinez, Hafner, Garko, Blake, Guitierrez, Sabathia, Carmona, Cabrera, Carmona, Rafael Betancourt AND Perez -all young guys-that people wouldn't take them lightly next year. Why is Cleveland off the radar?

Dodger-they added a Japanese relief pitcher. What really can they improve on other then another bat? It's not like they didn't win 96 games with alot of guys having off years (Cliff Lee, Sizemore, Hafner, Westbrook). Sometimes the best move you make is not making one at all.

Okay poster who made comments about the name Indians being racist...get a grip. I don't welcome politically correct/MTV hug a gay or hug a tree generation comments on my boards. How is "Indian" racist...? Next thing you will know people won't want to say Christmas because it offends people...whoops that already ahppened too. You get thumbs down for a stupid comment about a team that was NAMED AFTER THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICA BASEBALL PLAYER IN MLB-who just happened to play for Cleveland.

Answer 1

I, for one, respect The Cleveland Indians. I know for a fact that they have a good team and will give The Tigers fits in 2008.

I try not to pay any attention to what the media says or does, as most of them are just a bunch of corperate clowns anyway.

espn is the worst of them all.

P.S.:

They havent had to improve during the off season, which is why they havent made any moves. Cleveland is fine just the way they are.

Answer 2

It is all about timing and clutch. Being a tiger fan I have a ton of respect for you guys. I like how you play the game. The Indians haven't made many huge trades this offseason and when there were top 20 players in the game, some of the players may have had a good hit or homer the night before to give them the spot. And when there are 30 some teams, being in the top 20 has low chances considering over 1200 players in the game.

Answer 3

"Second best team" wouldn't have made the playoffs had it not been for all the injuries the Tigers had to Guillen, Bonderman, Rogers, Sheffield, and Zumaya. Even Magglio was nicked up a bit.

Tigers pitching not so hot after Verlander? Bonderman was 10-1 until he faced an injury that nagged him for the rest of the season. Robertson is a decent innings eater, Rogers I think is being underestimated, and Willis is a former Cy Young runner up and ONLY 25 years old. I think Cleveland has the upperhand in their bullpen, I'll give them that, but Detroit is certainly better. But I won't take them lightly. They're division champs. They won't roll over. They got plenty of attention, and will next year.

Answer 4

Cleveland has some good guys, but you are being way too harsh. Willis would be NUMBER 3 in your rotation. Sabathia, Carmona, Willis, Westbrook, Byrd.

Also, Hafner had an awful year. Gutierrez is still young and not great so far, and Garko is anything but spectacular. Blake is old and mediocre, and, well, no one is taking the Indians lightly, as you say, but Detroit fans have every right to be excited. Stop hating on the Tigers.

Answer 5

I have a TON of respect for Cleveland! The afterglow of the Cabrera trade will wear off soon and things will go back to normal. It will effect the AL Central but I don't believe it will completely turn the tide like a Santana signing would do for the RED SOX vs. YANKEES rivalry.

Answer 6

youre right, they do get no respect, but uts cause they just go about their buisness so quitely, and there is so little star power, theyre basically like the '02 Angels in that respect
obviously youve got two big hitters, and two top notch starters, otherwise, its just a good team, no one guy is going to kill you, theyll all kill you
do i think the indians are going to the series? no
but they will win their division, even with the tigers improvements and theyll be a scary team in the playoffs, problem is, all 4 teams will be scary, it should be a wide open AL playoffs

Answer 7

No respect, Dix. Even when they were bad.

From 1960-1980 their record was FAR worse than the Cubs, yet no one called the Indians 'lovable losers'. By 1995 people were saying, "I'm tired of the same teams making it all the time. New York, Boston, Cleveland. . ." No respect at tall.

Answer 8

The Indian's are definantly on the radar... Detriot has just been hoging the press with their giant trade... I'm a huge Red Sox fan, and I know that the AL wild card will be coming out of the AL centeral. I know that the Indian's will be going to the playoff's... You'll see that they will be getting more support later on...

Answer 9

because none of them are high dollar free agents. they are a carefully built team and that doesn't draw attention. if they can keep sabathia they will be an elite team by record in the coming years. they won't get respect because they aren't big names. they could even win the world series and they won't get attention. they should try to get a right handed power hitter or hope that garko develops into one.

Answer 10

I like the Tribe man...

they are a working class team and they have great talent... they came so close this year...

I respect them... so what if these yahoos don't like the wahoos.

Edit: the Indians were named to honor one of their players who was a native american from maine... yr ignorant dude below me.