Wednesday was just the kind of day Cleveland fans have come to expect. A below average spring training came to an end with our No. 1 starter getting hit on the pitching hand with a line drive and the Cavs lost a very winnable game, a game they needed to win, to a New York Knicks team that has more injuries than the Browns and lost two more during the game – Steve “how come no one calls me franchise any more” Francis to an nasty ankle sprain and New York fans most hated first-round draft pick turn lovable long hair hustler Renaldo “don’t call me Ronlando” Balkman.
On the second pitch of his last start in spring training, C.C. Sabathia took a line drive to his pitching off the bat of Toronto Blue Jays Reed Johnson. It swelled up so fast is hand looked like the face of someone who is allergic to peanuts after he ate a whole bag of them. Johnson line drive came back at C.C.’s head.
He describe the incident like this:
“All I could do was throw my hands up. It’s just one of those baseball things.”
Here’s idea C.C., how about you don’t throw you hands up and just get out of the way. Or, better yet, use your glove. Or, best yet, jump up and let your larger than life yet slimed down belly stop the ball. Sabathia’s X-rays were negative, which I guess counts as good luck in this story. Kind of sad that good Cleveland sports news is when our best player gets hurt but doesn’t break anything. He could be ready to go for Opening Day Monday in Chicago but if he follows his own pattern, he won’t be. Last year it was a straight oblique muscle during Opening Night (in Chicago) and two years ago it was the same injury in the first week of spring training that made him miss the first two weeks of the season. Finally C.C.’s porky size body was holding up and then this happens. He, and the fans, can’t catch a break.
This is just another injury in a bad spring training for the Indians. First down goes Cliff Lee doing his best Sabathia imitation by straining is oblique muscle. (What even is an oblique muscle? Did anyone even hear of it, let alone straining one before C.C. did it two years ago?) Then we lose Matt Miller (again) to forearm problems. Three pitchers down. What is this? The Cleveland Browns offensive line? To be honest, I’m worried about Jake Westbrooke’s last start (Friday). If I were Manager Eric Wedge, I’d take him out of that start and just have him pitch a bullpen session to save him. Who knows, with Cleveland’s luck his arm will fall off. Combine that with the fact Grady Sizemore is batting below .200, our first baseman plays right field, our right field is about three years out of his prime, our left field platoon is a guy with no last name and a guy named Dellucci (also past his prime) and our closer already retired, and it makes it a very interesting time in Florida.
All that said, I still very excited for the Indians season for two reasons. One, they are being picked anywhere from going to the World Series to finishing last in the division. (by last I mean fourth because I just don’t consider Kansas City a real team yet. In fact, wins against the Royals should only count as 1/2 wins and loses should count as two.) And two, to hear Tom Hamliton’s voice scream “and there’s a drive!… way back!… and it’s pulled down just in front of the center field warning track.”
More on the Indians season tomorrow, but let’s turn to the Cavs.
Thank you Marbury making my point yesterday by drilling two critical three’s to all but assure the Cavs finish as the fifth seed in the East and by saying the Cavs struggle with the Knicks.
I hate you and your $15 shoes
Their led over the Chicago Bulls is down to one game and they are three back of the Pistons. The Cavs are in Chicago Saturday in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The Cavs can not only lose the No. 2 seed but they can do it by boring a national audience instead of just the regional one as they have been doing the past six games. The Knicks game was so boring to watch I’m ashamed to say I had to watch my DVR’ed episode of Prison Break. I came back to the game in the final four minutes just to realize there seems to be no sense of urgency with the Cavs. It was like they were content to lose the game and get their two days off. Not feeling too good right now about their chances in the playoffs. Don’t even know who I want them to play in the first round because right now I don’t know if they can beat anyone.
On the positive side of Cleveland sports yesterday, you ask and you shall receive. Yesterday I asked Michael Reghi to please come back and what should happen but WKNR 850 brings him back to host the Cavaliers Wine and Gold post game show. 
-He’s back!! (sort of)-
It’s not quite like doing the play-by-play but it’s better than nothing. At least we get to hear Reghi’s voice again.
-Beanie-
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