The official Terry Pluto thread

[The Gipper]

@dutch-oven said:

Wentz has missed 8 starts out of 64 possible. 

Comparing him with Bowie, Oden, Jackson and Charboneau is ridiculous. 

But he has missed their postseason games. 

[mjp28]

Let's shift gears abit with Terry Pluto, cheating in sports baseball style. https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/01/like-mike-clevinger-many-mlb-players-should-be-angry-with-cheating-houston-astros.html

Like Mike Clevinger, many MLB players should be angry with cheating Houston Astros

Posted Jan 21, 2020

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger’s rage about the Houston Astros cheating scandal was powerful because he spoke for the average-to-marginal player fighting to stay in the big leagues.

Clevinger unleashed his fury in a video for an online site named Momentum, a company connected with former Tribe pitcher (and Clevinger buddy) Trevor Bauer.

Clevinger said batters knowing what pitches are coming is “worse than steroids."

He could be right.

Steroids can make players stronger, and not just hitters. Pitchers also used them to increase their velocity. Sometimes, baseball turned into a battle of chemists as “juiced" pitchers faced “chemically enhanced” hitters.

But the Astros used video equipment and other means to steal signs from opposing pitchers and relay the information to the hitter, according to a recent MLB report.

Good luck if you’re a pitcher....... continued in link......

(See the TRIBE FORUM for much more on this story and life in the minor leagues trying to get to the majors. More on Clevinger's long climb up.)

[Orion]

I haven't been able to watch baseball for years.   Too slow, too boring.  I'd rather watch golf.  (believe it or not)

[Ibleedbrown]

@orion said:

I haven't been able to watch baseball for years.   Too slow, too boring.  I'd rather watch golf.  (believe it or not)

I’ll admit it is a 3 plus hour game with maybe 20 minutes of excitement, but l love it. I get into the little things, like a batter’s routine before he steps into the box or a pitcher with a quirky delivery. And l looove the atmosphere going to games. Relaxed, the conversation flows, the beer vendors with their funny sales pitches, the high fives after a home run. 

I actually get excited about rain delays. It’s like nirvana to me. So peaceful staring out over the diamond. No expectations, no urgency about anything. 

[Tour2ma]

@dutch-oven said:

DePodesta completely whiffed on his assessment on Wentz. 

Actually not completely...

Depo's assessment was that Wentz was not a Top 20 NFL QB. If we look at his 4 years in the League we see that by some measures he is and by others he is not. For QB Rating he's #20 on the nose.

I was not a Wentz guy. Only 1.5 seasons at a dubious competition level put me off. That the half-season  9-7,missed was his 4th and final one compounded that. That the injury was a broken throwing wrist compounded that.

I am still not a Wentz guy. Injury plays a part, but the fact that a journeyman like Foles could go and win a SB with Wentz's team says just how good that team around him has been. Add Doug Peterson's Offense to that mix and I'm lost how how much to credit Wentz for his 9-7, 2019 season with less talent. At least he played thru his 2019 injuries (transverse vertebrae fractures) which have been an issue for him dating back to his H.S. days.

Let's see what 2020 brings.

[mjp28]

@orion said:

I haven't been able to watch baseball for years.   Too slow, too boring.  I'd rather watch golf.  (believe it or not)

MLB it's made for us Boomer retirees.   The only sport I know of that you can fall asleep for an hour and not miss anything.  

But it is a relaxing sport all 162 long games before the playoffs.  

........edit add, and golf might be #2, a surefire cure for insomnia.

[mjp28]

Terry Pluto   https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/02/what-to-do-with-kareem-hunt-calling-plays-hating-analytics-lets-talk-cleveland-browns.html

What to do with Kareem Hunt? Calling plays? Hating analytics? Let’s talk Cleveland Browns

Updated Feb 01, 8:24 AM; Posted Feb 01, 5:55 AM

[mjp28]

Now with the NFL football season pretty much over we transition over to the draft and other subjects related to Cleveland sports like the INDIANS.

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio — I hate writing columns about Cleveland sports stars and money.   https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/02/francisco-lindor-is-headed-for-a-huge-payday-but-probably-not-with-the-cleveland-indians.html

That issue will hang over the Indians and Francisco Lindor probably until he is traded or leaves as a free agent after the 2021 season. That’s because baseball’s lack of a salary cap is a problem for many Major League teams, not just the Tribe.

........And I can see why he says this in the BROWNS, INDIANS, CAVS market situations....

 

Baseball’s richest contract is $430 million for 12 years signed by Mike Trout of the Angels.

The Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a 9-year, $324 million deal. Houston decided against paying that much for its ace.

Other big deals: Bryce Harper ($330 million for 13 years, Phillies) and Manny Machado ($300 million, 10 years, Padres).

My goodness, Lindor is a superior player to Harper and Machado. I’d take him over Cole. Only Trout has a higher value among those who recently cashed in, at least in my opinion........ continued in the link.......

[mjp28]

We look at some of the big, guaranteed NFL contracts some of the MLB numbers are worse.

RISING PRICES

At first, I thought it would require contract of at least 10 years and well over $300 million to sign Lindor. Now it would be understandable if Lindor’s agents are thinking about $400 million, given the rise in salaries.

“A lot of money sounds pretty right now," Lindor told the media this weekend. “Everything sounds pretty. A lot of years sounds pretty, too. At the end of the day I’ve got to do what’s best for me, my family ... and also what’s best for Indians organization.”

Lindor said all the right things about loving Cleveland and wanting to stay with the Indians.

And he insisted it isn’t all about money.

He may even mean that. But there was a reason his agents turned down a multi-year deal worth at least $100 million a few years ago. The chance to be a free agent is too enticing......... continued in the link........

[Westside Steve]

https://923thefan.radio.com/articles/pluto-baker-mayfields-ceiling-has-lowered-over-the-year

WSS

[TexasAg1969]

@westside-steve said:

https://923thefan.radio.com/articles/pluto-baker-mayfields-ceiling-has-lowered-over-the-year

WSS

Well at least he doesn't think he is a "bad" QB as in the past 20 years.?

[mjp28]

@texasag1969 said:

Well at least he doesn't think he is a "bad" QB as in the past 20 years.?

And a lot of TAGS:.    

TAGS: Cleveland Cavaliers  cleveland browns  NBA NFL

Andrew Berry

Kevin Stefanski

baker mayfield

Kareem Hunt

Tristan Thompson  Kevin Love   Collin Sexton

 

Under the BM tag:.  

Akbar Gbajabiamila: Baker Mayfield isn't focused on football, he's focused on being a celebrity

The NFL Network's Akbar Gbajabiamila talks about his comments on Cleveland Browns Baker Mayfield being a bum, why he said it and what he meant by it all.

 <-------  Jethro Mayfield

[Tour2ma]

@mjp28 said:

Akbar Gbajabiamila: Baker Mayfield isn't focused on football, he's focused on being a celebrity

My greatest fear...

Heisman... #1 overall... burst on scene with rookie TD record...

Not exactly the same kind of fuel as having to twice walk on and prove your self.

[Westside Steve]

@tour2ma said:

My greatest fear...

Heisman... #1 overall... burst on scene with rookie TD record...

Not exactly the same kind of fuel as having to twice walk on and prove your self.

I would hate to see that happen.

WSS

[Dutch Oven]

@tour2ma said:

My greatest fear...

Heisman... #1 overall... burst on scene with rookie TD record...

Not exactly the same kind of fuel as having to twice walk on and prove your self.

Yep.

I wondered aloud how someone who was drafted #1 overall was going to manufacture chips on his shoulder anymore. 

[mjp28]

@dutch-oven said:

Yep.

I wondered aloud how someone who was drafted #1 overall was going to manufacture chips on his shoulder anymore. 

Maybe 6-10 will be enough of a kick in his celebrity butt to get his head back on his shoulders again.

[TexasAg1969]

@mjp28 said:

Maybe 6-10 will be enough of a kick in his celebrity butt to get his head back on his shoulders again.

Last season was a path towards Johnnydum. Keep that going and he'll be reduced to a 4th rate insurance company.?

[mjp28]

Terry Pluto .......   A little off-season change of pace but BIG Cleveland sports news.   https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/02/mike-clevingers-knee-surgery-reminds-us-why-carlos-carrasco-needs-to-stay-healthy.html

Mike Clevinger’s knee surgery reminds us why Carlos Carrasco needs to stay healthy

Updated 9:44 AM; Today 5:00 AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio – It’s a lot to ask.

That’s what I was thinking when I started writing column about Mike Clevinger and Carlos Carrasco.

Most Cleveland Indians fans have heard Clevinger suffered a knee injury working out Wednesday. He had arthroscopic surgery to repair a partial tear of his left medial meniscus Friday.

The Indians said Clevinger will be out 6-to-8 weeks. It’s seem doubtful he’ll be ready for the opener March 26.

While Shane Beibe.r is the ace of the staff in the minds of most fans, I considered that role falling to Clevinger, especially after the trades of Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber.

Beibe.r or   Clevinger You can debate which of these talented right arms you like best for the top of rotation. But you can feel good about either one having a strong 2020 season.

Over the last three seasons, Clevinger’s average record was 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA. Batters hit only .216 against him.

When healthy, the 29-year-old Clevinger has overpowering stuff........ continued in the link........>

[Westside Steve]

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/02/hey-terry-what-can-the-cleveland-browns-do-to-improve-their-culture-terry-pluto.html

Hey Terry

WSS

[mjp28]

Isn't this the truth......

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio – It’s February, a dead month in the NFL once the Super Bowl is over. But Cleveland Browns fans still are thinking a lot about their favorite team.

HEY, TERRY: What can the Browns do in the off-season to improve their “culture?" Can the fans do anything?

– Dave Scott, Copley

HEY, DAVID: Let’s start with the fan part of the question. The fans are in a helpless situation when it comes to issues such as team culture. Over the years, I have heard some Browns executives tell me about the “negative culture” of the media and fan base and how that impacts the team.

That’s a lame excuse. It doesn’t take much for the media and fans to hop on the Browns Hope Train, as was evident a year ago in the off-season. All fans can do is hope ownership hired the right people and gives them time to succeed.......