It was a difficult Monday for the city of Indianapolis.  In addition to the Colts stunning loss in the Super Bowl, the Circle City was bracing for another 5 to 8 inches of snow.  Now, I can't cheer everybody up, but do you realize we are 9 weeks away from the boys of summer returning to the diamond?  The Indians open their season on April 8th in Columbus and may field their most talented team since the 2005 campaign...more on the 2010 Indians roster in a minute. 

Hitting Coach Jeff Branson is in town for the Tribe's annual Hot Stove Luncheon.  Jeff along with keynote speaker Ken Griffey Sr will help us forget about Super Bowl XLIV and start thinking baseball.  At the end of the Indians season Branson went to Pittsburgh in late September for four days to work with hitters and get a lay of the land.  He was there when the Pirates won three out of four from the eventual NL West Champion LA Dodgers.  He told me what stood out was the Dodgers basically got beat by the Indianapolis Indians.  There was so much movement between Indy and Pittsburgh a season ago that on September 27th the team that beat the Dodgers featured EIGHT players in the starting lineup that wore an Indians uniform in 2009.  The lineup that day...

Pirates

Andrew McCutchen        CF        49 games w/Indians

An. LaRoche                 3B       

Garrett Jones                 RF        72 games

Lastings Milledge           LF        39 games

Robinzon Diaz               C          44 games         

Steve Pearce                 1B        77 games

Luis Cruz                      SS        66 games

Brian Bixler                   2B        108 games

Daniel McCutchen          P          24 starts

When it was all said and done a total of 25 players wore an Indians uniform and a Pirates uniform in 2009.  I don't expect the 2010 Tribe to match that number, but I believe 7 out of Baseball America's Top Ten Pirates prospects will play in Indianapolis.  Here is the list and who I think will play with the Indians:

#1 Pedro Alveraz...Indians opening day 3rd baseman

#2 Jose Tabata...opening day OF

#3 Tony Sanchez...Double-A Catcher, may see him in August

#4 Brad Lincoln...opening day starting pitcher

#5 Chase D'arnaud...Double-****/2B...low odds, but may see him in August

#6 Starling Marte...High A OF

#7 Tim Alderson...Indians starting rotation

#8 Zack Von Rosenberg...2009 draft pick will be pitch in low minors

#9 Rudy Owens...would like to see him in Indians bullpen at some point this year

#10 Gorkys Hernandez...sleeper for opening day, but will see him for 70+ games this year 

Baseball America believes in them and we will find out soon enough if they have what it takes to play at Triple-A and eventually the big leagues.  During the off season I set up families and business with season tickets and I'm often asked if the Indians will be any good.  My typical response is..."you never know, but I hope so"...this year it has been..."yes, there is a lot of young talent that can win a ton of games."  On paper the Indians will be full of prospects that have an eye on PNC Park. 

A new feature this summer is my twitter account.  I'll be updating you on roster moves and real time scoring all summer long.  So give me a follow if you want the latest on what's happening in Indianapolis.

The Indians season came to an end yesterday afternoon in Louisville, Kentucky.  The Tribe erased a two run deficit to beat the Bats 4-2.  With the win the 2009 Tribe finishes with a 70-73 record.  After the game UTIL Brian Bixler, C/INF Robinzon Diaz, and RHP Eric Hacker were all recalled by the Pirates.  Bixler and Diaz are returning to Pittsburgh, while Hacker receives his first Major League call-up. 

Two players who did not get the call were 1B Jeff Clement and All-Star C Erik Kratz.  A left oblique strain will send Clement to the Gulf Coast League for rehab.  After 10 days or so, Jeff will join the Pirates for the remainder of the season.  As for Kratz...it's a business and he is caught up in a numbers game.  The good news is that Kratz is expected to resign with the Pirates and perhaps this season puts him in a new light come spring training.  

It is too hard to tell who may be with the Indians for the 2010 season.  SS Argenis Diaz, RHP Brad Lincoln, and OF Jose Tabata are some of the younger players who you can probably pencil in for an April roster spot.  RHP Jeremy Powell wants to return to the Pirates and pitch in Indianapolis.  Powell has the support of Pitching Coach Ray Searage, who also wants to resign RHP Juan Mateo.  OF/INF Tagg Bozied is a favorite of Manager Frank Kremblas and may rejoin Krem in Indy for the '10 season.  All the Pirates have to do is extend and invite and Bozied will be an Indian next season. 

OF Brian Myrow, UTIL Chris Barnwell, and 1B/OF Larry Broadway may be walking away from the game.  Myrow's final six weeks was as good as anybody's in baseball and more than likely gets him a job in 2010.  Myrow finished 7th in the league with a .307 batting average and was tops in the IL with a .419 on base percentage.  Making it the third consecutive season he led a league in OBP.  He was #1 in the PCL in 2007 and 2008.  It's doubtful Myrow plays for the Indians in 2010, but I expect him to play for a 12th professional season.  

Chris Barnwell is walking away from the game at the age of 30, or at least he says he is.  Barney struggled in this his 9th season of pro ball.  Tagg is one of Barnwell's best friends and he broke down during his postgame interview when discussing Barney.  Barnwell is going to focus on his baseball camps and may answer the phone is a team gives him a call.

Larry Broadway has some game left, but an interest in working for a front office may have more of a pull on him than playing the game.  I say its 40-60 that Broadway returns to play the game.  The odds are better than he finds an entry level job with a Major League front office.  For Broadway, it may be time to use his Duke degree. 

This is a picture of the Indians clubhouse hallway.  The boxes, bags, and suitcases you see will be tossed on a moving van and shipped to Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida.  I was in the clubhouse early this morning and it's hard to believe that it will be empty for the next six and a half months.  I hope the time flys by.

I will not be updating the blog on a regular basis, but do plan on posting throughout the next month.  I've promised to list my favorite cities and stadiums and am currently figuring out my scoring and ranking system.  Plus, the Indians front office will be heading to Chicago to see the Pirates play the Cubs.  (October baseball for BOTH the Pirates and Cubs, thank you schedule makers) I've already shared text messages with several players and I can guarantee you some photos and stories from those that have worn an Indians uniform. 

This blog was a lot of work, but it was all worth it.  I'll consider this blog a success if you enjoyed it half as much as I enjoyed writing it.  Everyone's feedback was terrific and the kind words I received from strangers meant a lot.  I was always caught off guard when someone would tell me they enjoyed the blog.  There are still a few more posts for me to make, but the 2009 Indianapolis Indians is officially over.  Thank you for being a part of the season and I hope you enjoyed the ride. 

Here are the final numbers...

AVG     Brian Myrow      .330 in 62 games

            Garrett Jones     .307 in 72 games

HR        Neil Walker       14 in 356 at-bats

            Steve Pearce     13 in 273 at-bats

            Garrett Jones     12 in 277 at-bats

            Erik Kratz          11 in 319 at-bats

RBI       Neil Walker       69 in 95 games

            Steve Pearce     54 in 77 games

            Garrett Jones     49 in 72 games

Runs     Brian Bixler       71 in 108 games

2B        Neil Walker       31 in 95 games

            Erik Kratz          30 in 93 games

3B        Brian Bixler       8 in 103 games

            A. McCutchen   8 in 49 games

SB        Jeff Salazar       16 for 16

            Garrett Jones     14 for 18

Wins     D. McCutchen   13 wins (T 1^st in IL)

ERA     Ian Snell            0.96 (37.1 IP)

            Mike Koplove     2.35 (30.2 IP)

            T. Gorzelanny    2.48 (87 IP)

K          D. McCutchen   110

K/9       C. Bootcheck    11.7K/9 innings

            Denny Bautista  10.9K/9 innings

SV        C. Bootcheck    20        

The Louisville Bats scored 7 runs in the 6th inning Sunday night sending the Indians to their 5th consecutive loss.  This is the Indians longest losing streak of the season and not the way they wanted to wrap up the '09 season.  Indianapolis will enter tomorrow's finale with a 69-72 record making it the third straight losing season.

Some new developments with the team today.  Brian Bixler opened the 2009 season with an opportunity to become the next Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop.  Things have not progressed in that direction and tonight Bixler started at third base for the first time since his freshman year of high school.  Bixler walked into the clubhouse this afternoon and was caught off guard when he saw the #5 by his name on the line up card.  He handled it just like he handled to the move to centerfield, with a shrug of the shoulders and he went about his business.  Bixler made two terrific plays at third base and said it was all instinct. He didn't get much action and said you have to be on your toes with every pitch.  It's been a challenging year for the 26 year-old and he isn't sure if it will end with a September call-up or not. 

Ah, the September call-up.  Each year after the Indians final game a few players will get the good news that they are heading to Pittsburgh.  The candidates this season are Bixler, C Robinzon Diaz, 1B Jeff Clement, RHP Eric Hacker, RHP Jeff Sues,  and OF Jose Tabata.  I don't want to guess who will get the call, but I wish C Erik Kratz would be rewarded for his year.  Kratz is better than Diaz and in my eyes has passed by him this season.  The only problem is Kratz needs to be added to the 40 man roster. 

All season long I have taken pictures of all the stadiums in the International League.  Over the past couple of weeks some people have asked me about Victory Field.  So here are a few pictures of the stadium the Indians call home.  It was built in 1996 and is the oldest stadium in the West Division...and it might just be the best.

The above picture was taken as RHP Jeremy Powell delivered his first pitch in Saturday's game.  Louisville's Luis Bolivar popped the pitch to 1B Larry Broadway.  You can see Larry making his move off of first base.

The Indianapolis skyline is changing.  The construction beyond the left field wall is going to be a new JW Marriott hotel.  The windows that you see have not reached the halfway point.  It is going to be one great looking hotel, but might look a little out of place in Indianapolis.

The Indians finish the 2009 season with a 36-36 home record.  Victory Field is a pitchers park and the Indians numbers prove that point.  The pitching staff's ERA is a run lower at home than on the road (3.31 to 4.40).  The Tribe scored over 100 fewer runs at home (259-364) and hit 31 fewer home runs (44-75).  The players wouldn't mind the walls being moved in a bit and maybe some of their 118 doubles would have left the yard.

I believe this is the most professional stadium in the league.  I've always like the green walls and the green seats.  Victory Field is impressive when it is empty and when it has 15,000 fans.  The landscape of the league has changed with new stadiums coming onto the scene in Columbus and Gwinnett.  I'll be posting my final list of favorite ballparks once the season comes to a close. 

The Indians handed out their team awards prior to the game on Saturday night.  RHP Daniel McCutchen (13-6, 3.47 ERA) was named the Indians MVP.  Manager Frank Kremblas is the lone voter on the MVP award and he considered Erik Kratz, but in the end decided on the 13 game winner.  Hard to argue with Frank, but I would have voted for Kratz.    

3B Neil Walker was named the Indians player of the week and I think he took home the slugger of the year award.  His name was attached to something called the HR and RBI award.  Walker was the Indians MVP last season (it should have gone to Andrew McCutchen) and had a great finish to 2009.  Congrats to Neil for collecting his first Major League hit today with the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

OF Jose Tabata was named the Rookie of the Year.  He was only with the team for a month and did have a positive impact on the team.  The other option was RHP Brad Lincoln who more than held his own on the mound this season.

Kratz took home the defensive player of the year award and OF/1B Brian Myrow won the Indians batting title.  Finally, RHP Chris Bootcheck took home the reliever of the year award.           

Eric Hacker gets the baseball Monday afternoon for the Indians.  First pitch is set for 1:15 at Louisville Slugger Field.

For the first time in his professional career C Erik Kratz was selected to play in a mid-season All-Star game.  Back in July he made the most of it taking home the MVP award.  Earlier this week another honor came his way as Kratz was selected by the coaches and media to the post-season All-Star team.  He was excited and humbled by the honor and said that only once before in his career did he think he was even in the discussion for an All-Star bid.  Talk to the Indians pitchers and they feel this is a well deserved honor. 

RHP Jason Davis said Kratz is the MVP of the Indians team (I agree).  RHP Ty Taubenheim said Kratz deserves the real reward of a September call-up.  Unfortunately for Kratz that would require the Pirates adding him to the 40 man roster...a long shot at best.  Kratz isn't the only guy who is having a year worthy of a September call-up, but there may not be a player remaining on the team who deserves a 40 man spot more than Kratz.

Here is my 2009 All-Star ballot with the winner in parenthesis.

1B:  Kevin Barker, Louisville (Andy Tracy LHV) Tracy was one of the players I was considering, but in the end it was an easy call for Kevin Barker.  His overall numbers were better than Tracy and Barker is the MVP for the best team in the West Division.  What Barker meant to a playoff team is the reason I picked him for first base.

2B:  Kevin Russo, Scranton (Russo) Seth Bynum at Syracuse was the only other 2B I check out, but Russo numbers (leading the league in hitting) was the deciding factor.  To be honest, I don't even remember Russo when the Indians played the Yankees.  This was strictly a numbers pick.

SS:  Reid Brignac, Durham (Brent Dlugach TOL) On my mid-season All-Star ballot I picked Brignac over Dlugach and still feel he is the better player.  Both are terrific young players, but I like Brignac's game and his ability to get on base.  Dlugach strikes out a lot and Brignac is a wiz at shortstop.  This pick was purely a personal choice of Brignac over Dlugach. 

3B:  Andy Marte, Columbus (Marte) A rebound year for a former #1 prospect.  Marte was not an everyday player until late April and immediately started to rake.  I considered Indians 3B Neil Walker for about 2 seconds, but in the end one month (a really good month though...360+ batting average, 6 HR, and 34 RBI from July 30-August 31) does not make you an All-Star.  Besides in Marte's final full month he won the IL's Triple Crown.  He led the league in hitting, home runs, and RBI's for the month of July. 

C:  Erik Kratz, Indianapolis (Kratz) The only other catcher to consider was Lou Marson.  His numbers don't stack up to Erik's and the big number for me is the Indians record in games he catches.  The Tribe is 45-38 in games started by Kratz compared to 24-32 when he is not in the starting line-up

OF:  Shelley Duncan, Scranton (Duncan) He was the best player in the league for the first two months of the season and over that time Scranton jumped out to a huge lead in the North Division.  Duncan leads the league in home runs with 29 and is tops with 92 runs batted in.  Seventeen of his 29 home runs were hit before June 1st and because of his quick start and what it meant to his club I also voted Duncan and the IL MVP.

OF:  Jorge Padilla, Syracuse (Jordan Brown COL) Padilla was any easy choice for me and honestly I didn't consider Brown because he doesn't have a position.  Jordan Brown will finish in the top three in hitting this season, but to me his year was not better than Padilla.  The Syracuse OF hit .367 in 95 games with an OBP of .424, compared to Brown's .332 average in 108 games and OBP of .374.  At the time of his promotion to the Nationals, Padilla was leading the league in hitting and never hit less than .340 in any MONTH.  He hit safely in 39 of his last 42 games with Syracuse and made two pitching appearances.  He worked 1.2 of scoreless relief. 

OF Brian Myrow, Indianapolis (Jon Weber DUR) Yup, this was a homer pick.  Myrow injured his right calf on Monday night and is done for the season, but not before making an impression on me and the rest of the league.  Myrow was hitting .277 with 7 home runs and under 30 RBI playing part-time for the Charlotte Knights.  In late June he was traded to the Indians and he took off.  Myrow would go on to hit .330 with the Indians with an OBP near .450.  The 32 year-old (he'll turn 33 on Sept. 5) will finish the year 1st or 2nd in OBP and have a top ten batting average.

SP:  Carlos Torres, Charlotte (Torres) Torres was a 10 game winner this season with an impressive 2.39 earned run average.  Torres struck out 130 batters over 128 innings and what impresses me is his 1.59 ERA at Knights Stadium.  Charlotte's home park is one of the smallest in the league and it's a challenge keeping hitters in the yard. 

RP Winston Abreu, Durham (Luis Valdez GWN) Valdez, a former Pirates farmhand, leads the IL in saves.  That's probably why he was voted the reliever of the year.  I picked Abreu because he has the best numbers of any reliever this season.  I tend to devalue saves and look at K/IP, WHIP, and batting average against.  Every reliever is in play, not just closers.  Abreu this season struck out 73 in 48.2 innings of work.  He walked 14 and none of the 12 runners he inherited scored.  For those who vote on closers...Abreu is 14 for 15 in save opportunities. 

MVP:  Shelley Duncan SWB (Duncan) See above...the best player for the first two months of the season. 

MVPitcher:  Justin Lehr, Louisville (Lehr) Carlos Torres is the pitcher of the year, but no doubt Lehr is the most valuable pitcher.  Lehr began the season with Lehigh Valley and signed a minor league deal with the Reds at the end of May.  It was a wise move for the right-hander who would turn around Louisville's season.  Entering June the Bats were in 3rd place and by the end of the month they would be comfortably in first.  In June, Lehr won all six starts with a 2.20 earned run average.  By the end of July he won 13 games for the Bats and was in the Reds rotation. 

Manager of the Year:  Rick Sweet, Louisville (Sweet) I strongly considered Durham's skipper Charlie Montoya, but in the end picked Sweet.  My deciding factor was the turnover the Bats experienced throughout the year and how they never missed a beat.  Sweet did a great job of juggling a bullpen (LOU will finish with three different closers earning at least 10 saves) and incorporating several young players from Double-A.  It also helps that I see Sweet several times during the season and only see Durham 8 times.  Sorry Charlie! 

Rookie of the Year:  Austin Jackson, Scranton (Jackson) The 22 year more than held his own in his first year at Triple-A.  Jackson in near to top of the league with 140+ hits and has been around .300 for most of the year.  Because of his all around game I picked Jackson over Louisville's CF Drew Stubbs.  Stubbs was too inconsistent at the plate for me to vote over Jackson.  One more note on Jackson...Wednesday he took over the IL lead with his 9th triple on the season.  That ended Andrew McCutchen's 134 day stint as the leader in triples.  McCutchen took the IL lead way back on April 21st and was either tied or all alone with the lead even through he has been playing with the Pittsburgh Pirates since early June.  More impressive than his season is that ESPN didn't do a feature on him since he is a future Yankee and on the cusp on the bigs.  Sorry, having trouble keeping my Midwest bitterness back.  Imagine if Andrew McCutchen played for the Yankees or Red Sox?  Pirates fan worry that he probably will within five years.  Ok, back to the blog...  

The Indians have only two home games remaining and four games left in 2009.  The Tribe is 69-70 on the season and is trying to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2006.  With the loss to Louisville last night the Indians will need to win out to have a .500 record within the division.  Hard to believe, but the Tribe has not had a winning record vs. the West since collaborating with the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

One final note...please read this article on former Indians OF and current Bucs legend Garrett Jones.  The home run Jones hit on September 2, 2008 (it's discussed in the article) was hit off RHP Brian Slocum.  "Sloc" was a teammate of Jones this season in Indy.  The last update I had on Slocum is he is out of baseball and concentrating on his barber business. 

"Neil, you need to lock it in because you're going to Pittsburgh."

Indians 3B Neil Walker let the words out of Manager Frank Kremblas mouth sink in and after a second or two did he realize his life long dream is a reality.  Walker is joining the Pirates as a September call-up.  He smiled and said thanks as each one of his teammates walked up to congratulate him. One of the first players to offer a hand was Brian Bixler.

"I've waited a loooooong time for this.  This has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.  I'm going to play for my hometown team."   

A once in a lifetime moment and he can share it with his family.  Neil's parents are in Indy to cheer on their son and their son-in-law Don Kelly.  For Walker to share this with his parents, sister, nephew, and Kelly is icing on the cake.  Now he needs to make his debut sometime before September 10th.  If he debuts before the 10th he'll be the same age (23) as when his dad Tom Walker made his Major League debut.  Not a bad little story developing in Pittsburgh.

Walker joins Daniel McCutchen and Virgil Vasquez as September call-ups.  Expect more, but I didn't notice anyone else packing a bag in the Tribe clubhouse.  

Speaking of McCutchen, how about his ML debut this afternoon?  The 13 game winner for the Indians pitched 6 solid innings allowing 3 runs while striking out 5 Cincinnati Reds.  He didn't figure in the decision, but he more than held his own.  McCutchen even singled home a run in his first at-bat.  Great start to his Major League career. 

The Indians lost tonight to Toledo 3-2 and if anyone in Pittsburgh is paying attention the Indians need some arms.  With the departure of McCutchen, Vasquez, and Brad Lincoln, the Indians are missing three of their five starters.  Ty Taubenheim, Eric Hacker, and Jeremy Powell (5IP, ER, tonight vs. TOL) are the only starters on the team.  Due to only five available arms in the bullpen the Indians have called on 1B/OF Larry Broadway (2IP, 0R this season) and UTIL Chris Barnwell (2IP, ER this season) to pitch out of the 'pen.  Tonight Barnwell pitched a scoreless 9th in a 3-2 game!  He didn't come into a blowout, but an actual situation where a zero was needed and the position player delivered.  The Indians are carrying 8 pitchers as they prepare for the final 8 games of the 2009 season. 

Later tonight the Indians were planning on sending RHP Daniel McCutchen to the mound for the final time this season.  The 26 year-old was looking to match a career high with his 14th win and push the Tribe above .500 for the first time all year.  However, McCutchen will miss today's start and make his Major League debut tomorrow for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Bucs have a double-header tomorrow and it's McCutchen who starting one of the games at Cincinnati.  He was planning on pitching today and on Tuesday flying off off to Durham and the Team USA complex.  McCutchen was going to be a starting pitcher for the United States in the World Cup.  The plans have obviously changed and now it's RHP Brad Lincoln taking McCutchen's spot on the team.  A few things come into play with the move.  First of all, McCutchen was going to be the Indians fantasy football commissioner.  Instead he becomes the 3rd commish lost this season.  (Tom Gorzelanny was in line, but was traded.  Then it was Mike Koplove, but he was traded.  My guess is Corey Hamman takes over for McCutchen.)  Second, when he gets to Pittsburgh are the Pirates going to have to add an "A" to Andrew McCutchen's jersey?    Finally, the smile I saw on his face this morning in the hotel lobby isn't going anywhere.  It's a life long dream realized for Daniel and I wish he all the best.  Good luck 'Cutch and keep the ball down against the Reds.

Saturday night the Indians pounded the Mud Hens 12-0 and guaranteed themselves a winning month for the first time since May 2007.  Think about the talent that has come through the Victory Field clubhouse the past couple of years without finishing a full month above .500.

Lincoln was the winner last night and may take home IL pitcher of the week honors.  The 24 year-old went 2-0 pitching 11 shutout innings allowing only 5 hits and striking out 11.  If he is selected he will be the third Indians player in the past four weeks to take home the honor.  It might be his new haircut...Lincoln shaved his head before this week.  I'm talking razor shave, not a buzz cut and he is maintaining the clean look.

I think coming back from my injury I had a lot of time to think and when I was hurt I had a lot of time to watch baseball.  I think it put a lot of things into perspective for me.  I really wanted to make a conscience effort when I came back to play this game as hard as I can and prepare myself as well as I could on a daily basis.  This whole month of August has been great.  It's probably the best I've felt in my pro career and I'm hoping this will catapult me to the next level and continue to play this game the way I know how.

That quote is from 3B Neil Walker after he smacked two home runs and drove in a season high 5 runners.  Walker was batting .151 with a home run and 3 runs batted in the first 13 games back from the disabled list.  On July 30th he was schedule to get the afternoon off, but a late scratch put him in the line-up and his season has not been the same since.  On that afternoon in Norfolk he went 3-5 with two home runs and 4 RBI.  On more than a few occasions he's mention to me that this hot stretch may have never started without that unexpected start.  Since July 30th the 23 year-old is hitting .375 with 6 home runs and an astonishing 34 runs batted in.  Only Phillies 1B Ryan Howard has as many RBI since July 30th.  That's the list...Howard and Walker. 

Walker will not turn 24 until September 10th and one current member of the Indians who has spent a majority of his time in the PCL tells me that Walker is a much better player than current Pirates 3B Andy LaRoche.  The problem for Neil is making each at-bat and game count and moving pasts the belief that you are going to be given anything in this game.  Walker is starting to realize that hitting .250 with 12 home runs and 80 RBI's doesn't get you to Pittsburgh.  It puts you right back in Indianapolis.

Walker isn't the only player on a roll this month, OF Brian Myrow is hitting .357 with 6 home runs and 24 runs batted in.  It's doubtful that Myrow gets called up by the Pirates (I'd rather have him pinch-hitting than Bixler or Cruz), but this month is setting up a return to the game next year.  Myrow will turn 33 in early September and he realizes that he is entering the twilight of his career.  Myrow has been a difference maker for the Tribe on and off the field.  Take a look at his numbers since joining the team in late June.  Myrow is hitting .392 after the 4th inning.  Not to mention he is second in the league in on-base-percentage.  There was a time a month ago when Myrow wondered aloud if this would be his last season.  Since that time he's proven to himself and other teams that there is still a little something left in the tank.

With the change in starters RHP Ty Taubenheim will go for the Indians tonight against LHP Dontrelle Willis.  The "D-Train" has been on the Detroit Tigers DL since June 15th with recurring anxiety disorder.  Willis has ZERO control right now and is walking everybody.  The game plan tonight is to take pitches. 

RHP Jorge Julio has signed a Minor League deal and is with the Indianapolis Indians.  Julio appeared in 15 games earlier this season with the Brewers and then surfaced in Durham.  He appeared in 19 games with the Bulls having last pitched way back on August 2nd.

3:30 UPDATE:

McCutchen is still in Toledo and will be driving to Cincinnati later this afternoon.  His parents will make the long drive from Texas and the Indians will be watching his debut in the clubhouse tomorrow afternoon.  Pitching coach Ray Searage stressed he needed to keep the ball down because he was playing in Great American Smallpark.  The two of them shared a hug and Searage simply told McCutchen he deserved this chance. 

RHP Jeff Karstens, who will pitch at least one rehab inning tonight for the Indians, joked that McCutchen's lucky he isn't facing California.  He was referring to the Little League team that hits home runs like the '27 Yankees.  Myrow told McCutchen he was making his debut against the Louisville Bats.  Which isn't a bad thing since he has faced most of the Reds multiple times this year. 

Lincoln is excited about the chance to pitch in the World Cup.  He thanks McCutchen for getting called up and although he isn't thrilled about the flight across the Atlantic he is excited about touring Europe.  He isn't sure what he role will be, but he hopes to be a starter.  Lincoln finishes up his '09 season on a really good note with 4 consecutive wins and 11 straight scoreless innings. 

It is hard to believe the 2009 season is nearing its end.  The Indians will try and snap a three game losing streak tonight vs. Columbus.  the Tribe has not had a winning season since 2006 and currently sits four games under .500.  After tonight the Indians have only 14 games remaining.  Former Indianapolis Indians and two-time World Series Champion George Foster was at Victory Field over the weekend. 

This was moments after the 60 year blazed his ceremonial first pitch over the heart of the plate.  He looks like he could still swat the ball a mile over the fence.  Foster signed autographs and was representing the Foster Safe Youth Network and the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis.  The Reds were well represented with 1977 MVP signing for the fans and Eric Davis working for the Louisville Bats. 

Indians RHP Jeremy Powell is 33 years old and is pitching in the United States for the first time since 2001.  Following the '01 campaign JP went to Japan and forged a very successful 7 year career pitching for several teams.  Powell made his Major League debut on July 28, 1998 for the Montreal Expos.  At the time of his promotion he was pitching for their Double-A affiliate in Harrisburg.  His manager was current Louisville Bats skipper Rick Sweet.

Rick Sweet..."I remember calling JP into my office and talking to him about playing afternoon baseball."  Then I told him "wouldn't it be something pitching at Wrigley Field.  Well, guess what...you are.  Pack your bags JP you're going to the Big Leagues."  

After the meeting JP was walking back into the clubhouse and Sweet gets his players attention and tells them they are looking at tomorrow's starter for the Montreal Expos.  Sweet then pushes JP into the middle of the clubhouse where his teammates go nuts.  The next day, Sweet called around to different bars and restaurants to see if anyone had WGN.  He found a place in Harrisburg and told his team it was mandatory to attend and watch JP face the Cubs.  Sweet bought his team lunch and they watched the 23-year old give up one run in 6 innings of work.  The sad news is Powell lost, but he had no idea his team cancelled batting practice to watch him make his Major League debut.  After the game Powell was sent back to Double-A, but would return to make five more starts for the Expos.

It was a gesture that to this day resonates with Powell.  Little did Jeremy know it almost cost Sweet his job.  Word got back to the Expos minor league coordinators that Sweet cancelled batting practice and they wanted him fired. Sweet stood his ground and told them he would do it all over again and if they don't like it, tough.  While his job teetered on the brink his team responded by turning around their season and winning the Eastern League Championship.  Sweet tells the story like it happened yesterday. 

1B/OF Larry Broadway (pictured with George Foster) made his second appearance as a pitcher on Friday night.  A year ago the left-hander made five appearances for the Columbus Clippers compiling a 2.70 ERA.  Although he allowed two inherited runners to score on Friday, he has not allowed a run in two innings.  Broadway throws submarine style and "features" a sinker, slider, and splitter.  The numbers don't lie and I can't be the only one who wonders how Broadway would do if he was a left-handed specialist.

Are you ready for the 2010 baseball season?  Here is a link to the Tribe's Early Bird schedule.  2007 team MVP Brian Bixler gets the honor of cover boy this year.     

For one day the Indianapolis Indians were a .500 baseball team.  After Saturday night's win at Columbus the Tribe was an even 60-60 with 23 games remaining on the schedule.  A loss on Sunday cooled the celebration and last nights loss at Louisville has put the Indians squarely behind the 8-ball.  The Indians have 21 games remaining and are 11 games behind Louisville and 7.5 games behind Durham in the wild card race.  I think the teams goal should be to finish with a winning record and a second place finish.  No shame in that when you consider 22 players have at one time season worn and Indians uniform AND a Major League uniform. 

The Indians loss last night was their 6th in 7 games at Louisville Slugger Field.  It was their fourth straight one run loss at LSF with all 7 games decided by three runs or less.  The news from last night could have been worse.  CF Jose Tabata left in the middle of the game after stealing 2nd base.  He has a history of hamstring problems and after sliding into 2nd immediately grabbed the back of his right leg.  At the time you feared the worst, but in the end it was nothing more than a cramp and he was removed for precautionary reasons.  The 21 year-old Tabata is not in the line-up today, but is available off the bench. 

The Washington Nationals inked their #1 overall pick Steven Strasburg to a four year $15.67 million deal.  The common phrase around the clubhouse was "good for him."  The players understand the business side of the game and want to see each draft pick get as much money as they can.  The Indians players are quick to point out that Strasburgh has a ton to prove and better be the real deal for that kind of money.  Strasburgh becomes the 7th highest paid member of the Washington Nationals and would be the 2nd or 3rd highest paid player on the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Last year the Pirates signed 3B Pedro Alveraz to a 4 year $6.35 million deal.  He is currently the 6th highest paid player on the Pirates roster. 

Pittsburgh's 2004 first round pick Neil Walker was ready to sign the day he was drafted.  The Pirates and Walker we close to finalizing a deal before the draft, but Walker was hearing the Orioles may take him so he and the Pirates had to wait it out.  Once Pittsburgh made Walker their pick he agreed to the terms and went right to work.  Five years later Walker is still looking to make his Major League debut.  He is hitting .364 this month with 2 home runs and 16 runs batted in and may be in line for a September call-up.  For now he'll play Guitar Hero and wait for the call.  Walker is on the left while Ty Taubenheim nails 98% of the notes.

Finally, who was that wearing the Reds uniform last night in the Louisville dugout?  It was none other than #44 Eric Davis.  Davis is an instructor in the Reds system and was working with their outfielders.  You would never have guessed looking at him that he was 47 years old.  He is lean and looks like he could still buggy whip that bat for a home run.  Jeff Branson said "E D" was the best teammate.  He was as nice as can be and more than a few of the Indians players were wide eyed as Davis approached the batting cage.  Davis wore an Indianapolis Indians uniform for only 19 games back in 1983.  The 21 year-old batted .299 with 7 home runs, 19 runs batted in, and 9 stolen bases.  His debut with Cincinnati was a year later.          

The Indians lost at Columbus last night dropping their record to 58-60.  It was the 8th time the Indians failed to win a game that would give them a .500 record.  It's hard to believe, but the Indians are 0-8 in games in which they could reach the .500 mark.  Thursday night, RHP Eric Hacker (4.1IP, 9H, 7ER, 4K) and the Indians were done in by a 5 run 5th inning.  The International League pitcher of the week must be thrilled this is his last start at Huntington Park.  In two starts vs. the Clippers, Hacker is 0-1 giving up 11 runs over just 7.1 innings of work.  During his six starts between meltdowns in Columbus, Hacker was 3-2 with a 2.36 (10 runs over 38IP) earned run average. 

A 2nd inning single extended Brian Bixler's hitting streak to 15 games.  Currently, it's the longest streak in the league and fifth longest this season.  During the streak Bix is hitting .373 (25-67) with 3 home runs and 11 runs batted in.  One weakness in Brian's game is he does not like to talk about himself.  Since he won't talk to me about the streak I'll talk to his hitting coach.  Jeff Branson says when Bix makes contact he is driving the ball to all fields.  He is still striking out (20 times during the streak), but is hitting .532 when he puts the ball in play.  The struggle for Branson and Bixler is improving his contact rate.  Since July 1st Bixler is hitting .335 and the average jumps to .461 when he puts the ball in play.

We almost had a George Brett incident last night.  3B Neil Walker crushed a pitch down the left field off Clippers lefty Zach Jackson.  It was ruled a home run by umpire Justin Vogel and he did a great job of getting down the line because the ball was so far and so high he really had a tough call.  Columbus skipper Torey Lovullo argued it was foul and as the umps came together to discuss the call, Walker could feel his anger build.  As Walker approached the dugout steps he could see Vogel tell Lovullo it was fair and thus prevented a scene at home plate. 

RHP Brad Lincoln will be the Indians starting pitcher tonight.  The 24 year-old is looking to bounce back after two sub-par outings.  Lincoln has given up 9 runs in his last two starts and has not lasted longer than 4 innings.  The former first round pick has pitched 115.1 innings this season (75 in AA, 40.1 in AAA) after pitching a total of 127.1 his first two years of pro ball.  Lincoln had Tommy John surgery at the end of 2006 costing him all of 2007.  There is no doubt he is 100% healthy, but now may be the time to limit his innings.  Lincoln should make four more starts this season and he may not pitch past the 5th inning in any of them. 

The Tribe made a few roster moves yesterday.  LHP Corey Hamman is back with the team after a two month stint in double-A.  He will become the Indians left-handed specialist out of the bullpen.  RHP Jon Meloan is expected to join the team sometime today.  The Pirates claimed him on waivers the other day and optioned him to the Tribe yesterday.  Meloan will pitch out of the bullpen and this will be the thrid IL team he will suit up for this year.  Meloan opened the season with Columbus and most recently was with Durham.  RHP Ty Taubenheim is back in the Indians rotation.  He replaces LHP Phil Dumatrait and will start on Sunday.  Dumatrait's ML rehab assignment is not officially over since he is still with the Indians, but he is not expected to make another start for the Tribe.

First pitch tonight is set for 7:05 with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:40.  I hope you tune and have a safe weekend. 

3:30 UPDATE:

In the immortal words of the late great Jack Buck..."I can't believe what I just saw!"  The Pirates and Cubs are currently underway at Wrigley Field and it's safe to say the game is effectively over.  The game was turned off the clubhouse TV after the 2nd inning with the Cubs leading 14-0!  Charlie Morton gave up 10 runs in his inning of work and the Bucs had to call on their bullpen in the 2nd inning.  So you can expect the Indians to lose a pitcher or two tonight so the Pirates can have SOMEONE ready for tomorrow's game. 

Maybe it's Jon Meloan, who has officially joined the Indians.  The righty threw a bullpen session under the watchful eye of pitching coach Ray Searage.  I've only had the chance of introducing myself to Jon.  He was really keeping to himself as he joins his third different clubhouse this season.  Imagine being the new kid in school three times in one year?  That's what Meloan has been through. 

12:00 AM UPDATE:

The Tribe clobbered Columbus tonight 14-5 and it felt more like 30 to nothing.  SS Chris Barnwell, 1B Jeff Clement, RF Tagg Bozied, and C Erik Kratz all had three hits with all nine of the Indians starters touching home plate.  Clement clubbed his 7th home run in just 14 games and drove in 4 runs.  His 1st inning home run was AT LEAST 420 feet and was still going up when it hit the batters eye in straight away centerfield.  Kratz had his 9th three hit game of the season and drove in a season high 4 runs.  His three-run 5th inning home run pushed an 8-2 lead to 11-2. 

CF Jose Tabata went 0-6, but returned to the line-up after missing the past three games with a left wrist injury.  Tabata has been battling the injury throughout the season with the recent inflammation causing him the most discomfort. 

Brian Bixler and RHP Denny Bautista are on their way to Chicago to join the Pirates.  Bixler leaves the Indians with a 15 game hit streak and is recalled by the Bucs for the second time this season.  Bautista will be joining the Pirates for the first time this season after making 35 appearances for them last season.  The hard throwing right-hander was 2-3 with a 5.09 ERA with the Indians.  The last of his 35 appearances was Thursday night when he pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief.  Phil Dumatrait has been moved to the Indians bullpen and will help replace Bautista, while Larry Broadway (currently on the DL) will likely be activated to replace Bixler. 

The picture is of wrestler Jim 'Hacksaw' Duggan.  He threw out the first pitch and signed autographs from the 1st inning through the 8th inning.  The Indians players were loving Duggan by yelling "Hey Yo" at him whenever he looked their way.  It's a shame that Hacksaw wasn't signing when Gwinnett visited.  Remember their current radio announcer was the voice of the WWF and WCW.

Tomorrow the Indians will try for the 9th time to reach .500.  RHP Daniel McCutchen will be searching for win #12 and the Indians will try to reach .500.                      

For the 7th time this season the Indianapolis Indians will attempt to reach the .500 mark.  The Tribe and Buffalo Bisons are the teams in the IL who have not been .500 at some point this season.  Since the All-Star break only the Gwinnett Braves (17-8) have a better record than the Indians.  Since July 16th the Tribe is 16-9 and with a win tonight will improve to 58-58 giving them a .500 record for the first time since May of '08.  LHP Phil Dumatrait will make his second and likely final rehab start for the Indians tonight.  Dumatrait has been on the Pittsburgh Pirates DL this entire season, but appears healthy enough to rejoin the big club.

Do you recognize the guy with Rowdie?

I'll give you a hint...he writes for Sports Illustraded and is on NBC's Football Night in America.  Need one more...he says my Cleveland Browns are the WORST team in the NFL.  SI NFL writer Peter King stopped by Victory Field last night.  Via Twitter, Peter had what is called a "Tweet Up" last night.  About 75 fans sat in Peter's section and talked football for the length of the game.  This is the third straight year Peter has weaved an Indians visit with his annual visit to Colts camp.  Everyone who was a part of the night said that Peter was as down to earth as you can imagine and he answered questions from the potential NFL lockout to who should be Peyton Manning's back-up.  For those of you who read his Monday Morning QB column (a must read for any sports fan, especially a NFL fan) you may believe he has an obsession with Brett Farve.  Moments before Peter was presented with is official Indians jersey, the front office wondered if they should have put his name and a number of the jersey.  My suggestion was #4 in honor of the oft-retired one, but the decision to leave the back plan was the right one.  Peter King is a stand up guy and made the night very special for a lot of NFL and Indians fans. 

On a side note...if anyone sees a red sunglass case with prescription Ray-Ban's inside to please give Victory Field and call and let us know.  Peter could use them, thanks.

Pitchers vs. Relievers:

Pitching coach Ray Searage decided it was time to let his pitchers have some fun at the plate.  The starters and relievers faced off in an unusual game of baseball.  Each batter was given two swings to put the ball in play.  Once the ball was in play they had to run straight across the diamond to second base.  The other team could field the ball and throw you out at second base. 

The starters included RHP Virgil Vasquez (red hat foreground), RHP and IL pitcher of the week Eric Hacker (hatless in front of Virgil), LHP Phil Dumatrait (who was only allowed to sacrifice), RHP Brad Lincoln (who let some steam out after his poor outing on Sunday), stretch coach Bar Malik (in the batting cage), and physical trainer intern Brandon Platt.

The relievers included RHP Jason Davis (pirates shirt), RHP Jeremy Powell (glasses on next to Davis), RHP Steve Jackson (red hat foreground), RHP Ty Taubenheim, RHP Denny Bautista, RHP Juan Mateo, and RHP Jean Machi. 

It was a four inning game and included three home runs.  Virgil Vasquez and Brad Lincoln each went deep for the starters while Jean Machi hit a clutch solo shot in the top of the 4th to help the relievers erase a three run deficit and tie the game at 6.  The winners would not have to shag in batting practice.  It was a worthy prize with yesterday's hot humid temps expected to reach 88 degrees.  With the game tied at six the starters came to the plate in the bottom of the 4th and left the winning run at third base.  Ray Searage was the pitcher, judge, and juror when it came to the rules.  Not everyone was thrilled with his adlibbing, but in the end it was up to the hitters and they didn't come through.  Everyone would be on the field for batting practice thanks to a 6-6 tie.

News and Notes:

Brian Bixler extended his hitting streak last night to 12 games.  Bix has raised his average 15 points during the streak and is now hitting .275 with 9 home runs and .348 on-base percentage.  The 9 home runs match a career high for the 26 year-old from Sandusky, Ohio. 

3B Neil Walker was not in the starting line-up last night.  He will sit every 5 or 6 games to give his left knee a rest.  Walker did a sit down interview with me back in May and based on the things he told me then, I was not surprised to read his comments in this article.  This part in Colin Dunlap's article jumped out to me...

"The sheer truth is that I'm a young guy, and I feel like I can play at the major league level," Walker said before pausing. "And if Pittsburgh isn't the place I make it, I'm confident there is somewhere that I will make it. I just really don't know what the future is for me with this organization."

Walker cited himself and Indianapolis teammate Brian Bixler, a shortstop taken in the same 2004 draft who has been enormously unsuccessful in stints with the Pirates, as prospects taken by previous general manager Dave Littlefield who have not been treated the same as those acquired by current general manager Neal Huntington.

"Treated differently?" Walker replied to a question on that topic. "I don't know if 'differently' would be the right word, but you can tell who the old guys are and who the new guys are. I just look at it like this: In any situation, in any business, new bosses come in and want their guys and are more comfortable with people they see as their guys. That's the situation I feel like I'm in. I'm not one of their guys. Bixler and I are not their guys, and it isn't hard to tell we aren't their guys."

This is an important month for Walker in regards to his future.  If he continues to swing (.393, HR, 12RBI, 8 August games) a hot bat then he will force the Pirates to give him a September call-up.  I have never heard Bixler say that he is currently catching a tough break (.331, 9HR, 25RBI since July 1st), but based on how close the two of them are, I wouldn't dispute the claim.  Dunlap did the right thing with interviewing Walker instead of Bixler.  Bix would never publically say something like this, while Walker is as honest of a quote as you can find.

C Robinzon Diaz started in place of Walker at 3B last night.  It was the first time in his professional career he was 3B and first time he was an infielder since 2001.  In '01 Diaz played 1B for Toronto in the Domincian Summer League.  Between 2002 and up to last night Diaz has only been used as a catcher or DH.