Special People's Club Part 2

Part 2 of my discussion with Cleveland blogger Tony from The Blast Furnace. My questions, his answers:

Hi EZ - sorry it took a little longer than expected. I'll mail you some questions later.The Indians look like they're hitting is OK.

Is pitching the weak spot? Heheheh. Good one. Of course our pitching has let us down on a few occasions recently, but the problem(s) that have consistently led us us losing games are a) ineptitude at the plate b) mental mistakes in the field and c) an overall lack of execution of the fundamentals of baseball.

What's up with CC Sabithia? I think CC's got an issue with priorities. See, yesterday we talked about how much fun we had acting like jackasses in college -- well -- CC's still only 24 and I think he's just been distracted. One of his older teamates (if he can find one) ought to remind him that there's plenty of time to smoke pot and eat twinkies during the offseason, if that's what the problem is.

Who is the best young prospect in the Indians orginization? We've got this guy named Kevin Kouzmanoff in Kinston (A) who hits the ball a mile, and we still have a crapload of pitching prospects.

What's your favorite restaurant in the Cleveland area? That's just so unfair. I guess it depends on what kind of food I want. Cleats still has the best wings. Mama Santa has the best pizza. P.F. Chang the best Chinese. Tommy's the best middle-eastern vegetarian fare ...

Have you been to Cedar Point this year? AFL-CIO is boycotting Cedar Point AND Geauga Lake, so no, I haven't been. Sucks.

How it possible Millwood is only 3-8? No run support? Millwood has pitched some of the best games of the year. He's also laid some of the biggest eggs. But the real reason he's 3-8 is the run support. If it's any consolation, we don't support any of our pitchers that well.

Tell me a bit about Grady Sizemore? The chicks dig him. This is no shit -- someone lands at theblastfurnace.net every few days after searching Google for "Grady Sizemore's girlfriend". Maybe it's actually his girlfriend in some sort of self-obsessed internet frenzy. I swear I ain't making that up.

A lot of folks thought this would be the break out season for Coco Crisp. Would you classify it as a dissapointment so far? You know, we here in Cleveland didn't really expect Coco to be the productive offensive player he's been. Seriously, he, Sizemore and Pronk (until Buehrle plonked him in the face yesterday) account for practically all the offense the Tribe has ... But he was supposed to be a light-hitting, fleet-footed outfielder ... kinda like a Marquis Grissom without the 'pop'. Whaddya know? He's been as consistent an offensive player as we've had the last two years.

What your all time favorite Michael Stanley Band album? Heartland is the only MSB record any one needs. In fact, it might be the only rock & roll record anyone needs. OK, that's an exaggeration.

Cleveland is the home of rock, and has produced many innovative talents, though not much since the Dead Boys. Anyone new on the horizon? As much as I'm embarassed to admit this, I'm not the person to ask anymore. Since the Flats suck nowadays I'm not even sure if Peabody's is open any more, and I used to go see a lot of shows there and at the Odeon. There was always a local act on the bill. Now, I know we get a lot of smaller bands from all over the country ...

How is Eric Wedge's theory of run manufacturing going? Does he buy into Billy Beane's 'Moneyball' style at all.I was hard on Wedge for a while because the team hasn't been successful at getting runs home. Then they fired Eddie Murray and started a little "Moneyball" style ... and over the last ten days it looks like they've regressed. I'm not sure Wedge and his staff actually have a set "plan" going into a game at all. I think he just looks at matchups and fills out a card.

Do you see the Indians making any move before the trade deadline? Nah. Not unless a really friggin' huge right-handed bat becomes available.

What's the best place to meet babes in Cleveland? If I was a single guy in Cleveland looking to hook up, I'd be in the Warehouse District every night. Or at the library. Take your pick.

How are the Browns going to do this season? I still think 8-8 is a stretch. The O-line is going to be a sore spot again.

What is the key to the Indians' success going forward? I think we can still win the Central Division if Bush declares war on Chicago and Minnesota. For the Wild Card, we need to make a move for a righthanded bat, and it's got to be a big one.