Thomecoming: Band-Aid or Genuine Regret?

Less than 24 hours ago, Jim Thome was one of my most hated sports personalities out there. (Even ahead of you know who.) Thome was always one of the “good guys” of the sport, one bastion of charity, class, and kindness. This perception of him always grated on me; this was the man that ultimately left our city whilst still hugging us saying, “Great party man. So 7:00 tomorrow for the game, right?” As a wee boy, Thome was the almost Hollywood like slugger. Poised, powerful, clutch, he was a living legend of baseball, and he was only batting 6th in the line-up.

Perhaps to bring my hate to a boil was his recent jumping around the Central Division. I can’t stand what Thome did, but now, here was this man, this hero of mine, who not only ISN’T playing for us, but he’s playing for a rival team! I’d be lying if I said I didn’t clap for him when he hit 600, bringing back memories of that grade-a lumber dressed in those glorious red, white and blue uniforms.

Now, with the their season on the brink of collapse, the Cleveland Indians have made a move that some would suggest is merely to draw more people to the Jake. To go out on a high note, and to ensure Thome retires where he started. It was a sobering thing, to think that Minnesota only used Thome to do the same; draw fans to count down to his 600th home run. (334 of which were blasted into orbit wearing a wahoo on his helmet.)

I am too much of a Cleveland fan to forgive Thome completely. I hope that this last quarter of the 2011 season isn’t his swan song, because then I’d feel as if he was saying one thing than meaning another all over again like in 2002. Thome had a choice to tell the questionable Indians team to shove it and jump ship to almost coast to a ring. However the once-and-again Indian chose to come back to where the first 12 years of his career made him a star.

I obviously can’t root against him now, and I will passionately cry tears of joy when he takes his first rip back in an Indians jersey. Thinking about the season that is now officially spiraling out of control, this move serves both as a nostalgiac gesture and attendance boost, but also to hopefully spark the Indians' offense into pulling the team out of a 6.5 game hole.

The 11 year old me is still tugging at my shirt, holding his scratched plastic helmet with one of the most famous numbers of Cleveland baseball history painted on the back. He’s crying as I am just thinking about that lonely feeling we all had when Thome originally left, and all he can force in between sobs is, “Why?”

All I can respond to him is,


“What if?”

You knew this was coming..."2 for CLINCHING"

Yes! That's right! A Cleveland team has clinched a playoff spot! Which playoffs? The Calder Cup!

For those of you that haven't been to the Q in a while or haven't look up to the rafters opposite the Cavs' banners, the Calder Cup has graced the city of Cleveland 9 times in the AHL's existence; to what was often regarded as the "7th best team in hockey": the Cleveland Barons. (At the time, there were only 6 teams in the NHL, and the Barons even challenged the NHL clubs for the Stanley Cup but each time they refused to play)

See that? It says "Cleveland", "Hockey", and "Playoff"!

Now, the Monsters still have a shot at the division title. In fact, a good one. Hamilton and Manitoba have also clinched a spot, but are at 78 GMs played apiece. The best part is with 93 points to each of them, the Moose and Bulldogs could end up with 95 each at the end of the season. (Keep up; I'm a bit scatterbrained, I know.) See, both the teams' last two games are against each other. It is VERY likely that they can split the series, with both teams ending up with 95 points.

The Monsters would then have 3 games to make (if they lose tonight) 6 points or 4 points.

In short, the Monsters will need to win 3 out of their last 4 games in hopes of clinching should the series between Hamilton and Manitoba split. If it goes one way, the Monsters can STILL get 1st; but they'd need to win out.

I'm excited for tonight! GO MONSTERS!
~Brett

Monsters Beat Down Toronto; Inching towards Clinching

The Cleveland Monsters are a pubic hair away from clinching the first PRO hockey playoff spot in a LONG, LONG time. ~ Rocco Trem, Dangeroushockey.com

I am aware that my giddiness about the clinching was erroneous; I didn't catch Abbotsford down there in the standings. It's only a matter of time. Don't fret.

The Lake Erie Monsters, very likely second-guessing their poise and talent level after 2 hard losses at home, dug inside and pulled out a good, clean 2-0 win over the struggling Toronto Marlies. This would mark the death call of the Marlies as they are nearly eliminated from the playoff push. Also, it would be the 5th win against the Marlies in a row.

Toronto? That's where we've been playing? I thought we were in Loserville! Thanks, Marlies!

Catching as much of the game as I could on the radio (And honestly paying more attention at first to the Gladiators); here's my take on the game.

-I don't know if it led to the PP goal, but Patrick Bordeleau was again getting under the Marlies' skin and drew a penalty. It's awesome to have a guy like that on our squad. I love it; he's on a roll of playing innocent when it counts.

-Jason Bacashihua. I mean, this guy is just a force right now. Tallying his 3rd shutout of the year, Cash made 21 saves and pulled out some amazing glove saves that put out the fire of the Marlies' momentum a multiple of times.

Jason Bacashihua, pictured above, was unable to be reached for comment after the game.

-Ben Walter again with the first goal for the good guys. He's really fulfilling that "C" on his chest. He's doing as much as he can to take the game into his hands and he was rewarded with the game winning PP goal last night. Which leads me to my last point...

-SPECIAL TEAMS Yes, 3rd time in a row I'm mentioning this; but this time it's a positive mention. The Monsters' PK was 4/4 on the night and their PP was 1/7. 1/7 isn't jaw-dropping but Toronto is the 1st ranked PK in the AHL.

With the win, the Monsters continue their road win streak and improve to a respectable 90 points on the season. Now, with a few more wins, the Monsters can clinch a playoff spot. I will keep you updated as necessary. (So will the Monsters' Twitter Account and Facebook Page.)

The Monsters meet the Marlies for the last time this year at home on the 6th. It's highly likely that this win will be the clincher! Go! Cheer! Boo! WHAT OFFICIAL!
HIT SOMEBODY!
~Brett

Monsters Take Inspiration from Indians; Drop the Ball Against Hamilton

For those of you who were confused or angry about my recent profile change to the Steelers' logo, please calm down and look at the date. April Fools!

Well, I'm still angry about the loss. I'm sure the 12,407 (plus a few dogs) in attendance were too. I was seeking solace from the piss-poor play I witnessed this afternoon against the Chicago White Sox, seeking a trouncing and battling Lake Erie Monsters team to regain steam from the deflating loss. Sealing with an empty netter, the Bulldogs won 4-1. (and subsequently passed the Monsters in the standings)

Nothing was noteworthy from the Monsters tonight except Ben Walter's wake up call to the rest of the team late into the 2nd period. The likes of which I'd expect to see from someone like Rick Nash or Alex Ovechkin, Walter battled through 3 Bulldogs to swivel the puck around Hamilton's netminder on his right side. Unfortunately, the Monsters refused to wake up from their slumber. Passes were going every which way, centering swipes and rebounds were falling on invisible Monsters. However, I find it comes down to maybe a cliche  sports analyzers use too often, in that our special teams lost us the game. (Again)

I was excited to see that Patrick Bordeleau was up to his old tricks early on in the game. He drew a retaliation penalty and I was certain the Monsters would get their groove on and make some decent moves early.

But, in all of their might and muster from just a few games ago, the Monsters returned to their previous, more docile powerplay. Locked into their plan of waiting for a chance to take a shot and then quickly passing the puck away. I think they executed maybe 3 or 4 shots on their 4-5 powerplay tries. However, my biggest disappointment was with the penalty kill.

Usually our bread and butter, the PK has broken down twice in as many games at the most crucial moments of a game. This one put the game 2 goals out of reach and basically shut the Monsters down.

sigh...

Well, we're not out of the race yet. (Though I'm convinced they're not going to win one more game playing like this). Thankfully, the Moose also dropped a game against the Rochester Americans today, so 1st place is still only a win away. However, because of the loss, Hamilton is 1 point ahead of us. We're safe; for now and maybe for the rest of the season.

Let's say the Monsters do indeed lose out. (Roll with it, I'm feeling pessimistic today).
They will finish with 88 points. Now! The Toronto Marlies (who we play tomorrow) are sitting at 81 points. If they win 4 out of their next 5 (Which to be honest is not likely. But, again, roll with it.) the Monsters would be eliminated from the Calder Cup run.

With 2 more wins (out of the next 5 games) the Monsters can clinch a playoff spot. Should they wake up and win out, they might still have a shot at the divisional title. (We lead both series between Manitoba and Hamilton).

It's a headache. It really is. Cheer against the guys around us but more for the boys in Wine and Black.

Sorry if the style was different tonight. I'm struggling to stay sane thinking about the Indians and Monsters (and to some extent the CBJ).
Leave a comment if you agree, disagree, or whatever.
Go Monsters.
~Brett