Cleveland opens 18-8; franchise record for wins in April.

[Auggie]

The Tribe finished the month with an 18-8 record, setting a franchise record for wins in the month of April.

"To me, you remember the teams of the '90s and all the success here," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "And in 111 years, this is the first time this club wins 17, now 18, games in April. To me, it's pretty amazing.

LINK: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110501&content_id=18485222¬ebook_id=18485466&vkey=notebook_cle&c_id=cle

I'm amazed too.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[JonLP24]

1. Nice start

Carlos Santana recently had a power surge last few games, including a walk-off grand slam a couple days ago.

[Auggie]

2. Pitching has been the biggest surprise to me

especially with two starters on the DL. They called up their 2009 first round draft pick, Alex White, to start yesterday and he gave them 6 solid innings. I don't if they have the same instructional coaches in the organization who turned around Ciff Lee's career a few years ago, but whoever they are they're doing a great job.

[madinmaryland]

3. He was the manager of the Natinals from 07-09. Not sure if it was

the management, the coach or a combination thereof.

Sounds like the Tribe has put things together this year (so far, at least).

[Auggie]

5. Can't say it's operating procedure today, but a few years ago

I recall hearing Cleveland invested considerably in instructional coaching. Not AAA, AA, or A ball, but Cleveland's instructional league in Arizona. That's where Fausto Carmona was sent in 2009.

The rationale, according to Cleveland President Mark Shapiro, was that while the team couldn't afford signing long-term free agents for $XX million a year, they could afford to throw more money into coaching and instruction. Makes sense for a small market franchise that has to rebuild itself every four/five years with prospects and draft picks.

Can't find a link on emphasis on instructional investment (might have read it in The Yankee Years by Joe Torre).

Link for the Carmona story: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1244277040117870.xml&coll=2

I guess it's also fair to say that operating procedure is to trade the best players approaching free agency to load up on prospects. Cleveland fans will be saying goodbye to Grady Sizemore, Shin Soo Choo, and Asdrubal Cabrera one of these days.

[TZ]

4. I hope that brings more fans out to Cleveland

Someone tweeted that while the Nats only had 28,000 today to see the Giants play, the Indians only had 14,000. Thats such a nice ballpark, I don't get what s going on with the fans....

[Kingofalldems]

6. I just read on MLB Trade Rumors that they are

interviewing franchise destroyer Omar Minaya for a position in the front office. Don't let them!

[Auggie]

7. Here's the link:

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/04/old_friend_omar_minaya_could_b.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Clubhouse confidential: Omar Minaya, former Mets general manager, has spent the last two days in Cleveland visiting with President Mark Shapiro, GM Chris Antonetti and manager Manny Acta.

Shapiro and Antonetti described it as a "friendly visit," but Antonetti has made no secret that he'd like to add the right person to the front office. They interviewed Josh Byrnes during the off-season before the former Arizona GM took a job with San Diego.

The Mets fired Minaya at the end of last year. His contract with the Mets runs through 2012.

"Omar is one of my best friends in baseball," said Shapiro. "He's also friends with Chris and Manny. I asked him to visit before the start of the season and this is the first time he could make it."

--------------

"Add the right person to the front office" to do what...?

[Kingofalldems]

8. When he was with Montreal he traded:

Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips, the first two for a guy about to become a free agent. He destroyed the Mets also.

[Auggie]

9. Doesn't make sense. Cleveland already has a GM.