Eric Wedge Gives Critics The Byrd

Before last night's series ending win, everybody and their mother seemed to be saying Eric Wedge was an idiot for choosing to go with Paul Byrd over C. C. Sabathia. That includes us here at FanHouse, and I'll fully admit that if I were Wedge I'd have probably gone with Sabathia myself.

Well, luckily for Indians fans, the only person playing the role of Eric Wedge is Eric Wedge. Wedge showed faith in Paul Byrd that only a man who's been around a guy everyday for the last six months can have, and Byrd didn't let him down.

Sure, he only lasted five plus innings, but for the most part, he shut down a potent Yankees lineup during those innings.

Of course Wedge isn't the type of guy to say I told you so afterwards. Instead when asked about his decision paying off, he chose only to reiterate his reasons for it.

"We wouldn't be here without [Byrd]," Wedge said.

"C.C. worked as hard as he's worked all year. He's pushing 250 innings. We are not going to put anyone in harm's way, much less our ace and one of the best pitchers in baseball.

"It's too a point now that from a common sense point, people should understand [Sabathia not starting Game 4] in regard to C.C.'s workload in his previous start."

Now as it sets up, Wedge can use Sabathia in game one of the ALCS and in game five, which is always an important game in any seven game series. That's a fact that I'm sure also went through Wedge's mind before he made his decision.

The last few seasons I've heard a lot of Indians fans question the moves of their manager, but I can only wonder, how do those same fans feel about him this morning?