Now we're really rolling. April is over, the weather is getting nice, and managers are marching on to the hot seat in pairs. After Clint Hurdle got his "vote of confidence" this morning, Indians' GM Mark Shapiro said that Cleveland manager Eric Wedge isn't currently on the chopping block Tuesday night despite the Indians' awful 12-22 start. Honestly, I'm not even sure we can call Shapiro's statement a vote of confidence. His exact words were, "Right now, I feel the answers are here with Eric, our coaching staff and these players." The key phrase here is, "right now." As in, maybe that's how Shapiro feels at the moment but if this keeps up, anything might happen.
Right now, people seem particularly displeased with the way Wedge is handling the callup of Matt LaPorta and I'm guessing that more than a few Indians fans would happily point out all of the times the Tribe have failed to meet preseason expectations under Wedge. As things stand, Wedge probably has another month or so to turn things around before Shapiro will probably have to show him the door. With Tampa, division-leading Kansas City, and the Yankees heavily populating the schedule before June 1, I'd say things don't look very good for Wedge at all right now.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-13-2009 @ 7:07AM
Jim said...
Eric Wedge at best is a third base coach playing Manager and Mark Shapiro is NO John Hart. Overpaying for a mental case first baseman thats always hurt ( Travis Hafner) and a starter that has a history of injuries (Jake Westbrook) dubious trades (Brandon Phillips, C C ) Over the hill or never was washed ups ( Carl Pavano, Mark Derosa, Tony Graffanino ) and a bullpen at best that was very suspect and then signing the oft injured Kerry Wood for 20 Million for 2 years. Having said that, Eric Wedge is awful as a manager. 2 good years in his tenure does not make a manager. Hey Mark, Mike Hargrove is sitting at home in Cleveland and wants to manage again. A class act that never should have been fired. At least he can manage a bullpen. Until these two losers are gone ( Wedge, Shapiro ) the loser owner ( Larry, I overpayed for the team, Dolon) will never have a consistant winner!!
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5-13-2009 @ 2:20PM
Rick said...
If the Indians were ever willing to sell the franchise, I would love to see Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert invest in them. He's shown in the short time he has owned the NBA Cavs he isn't afraid to spend money. He built a beautiful training complex in the subs, & brought top front office talent with him.
Short of that, if it is true what was said, that Shaprio & Wedge are " joined at the hip" & Wedge will never be fired, something is wrong. How many managers around baseball would survive seven years with one division title, only to blow a 3-1 ALCS lead, another near miss in 2005, needing to win two games the last week & not getting the job done.
In pro sports, the name of the game is winning. Anything short of that, is never enough. No matter what sport, no matter what city.
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5-16-2009 @ 9:27AM
meghan16 said...
I've never been impressed with Wedge, since each time the Tribe has been poised as a contender before the MLB season ever starts, the team somehow seriously blunders early on ('08/NOW), or during the ALCS ('05). We end up trading top talent (CC, Casey Blake) so that the wonderful Manny Ramirez/ Jim Thome situations don't arise again. When is this going to stop? If they actually put it together and win some games, the money and attractive winning ways will be there to convince key good players to stay.
Sad to say, but I really miss Grover right now... Buh-bye, Wedge. Back to AAA for you.
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