We wanted to take this line of thought from a Shapiro interview, not too long ago, and run with it. Why? Because it needs to be.

Shapiros statement was as such. And not a quote.

~- No pressure on him to fill the stands. Marketing isn't his side of the business.~

Say what? Shappy, always the team player, one who constantly compliments his team of player recruitment, developement, and so on, suddenly draws a line as to who's job it is, or isn't?  In a day of multi-tasking, with everyone carrying more and more of a load, our GM states it isn't his job to fill seats?

Interesting, is it not?

Here's a position of power, next to the owner, who can dramatically change the outlook of the fans in an instant, yet he chooses not to see it that way. Oh, the power to change the course , instantly.

We fans must come across as  Spauldings, from the classic comedy, Caddyshack.

Fans: "I want a power hitting left fielder, no I want a pitcher,  no, I want more speed....and I want a cheeseburger"

Shapiro:" You'll get nothing and like it!"

Interesting the facts us Spauldings come up with. We got these from a poster on an internet forum. After the All-Star break, the Indians were,

21st in batting average with .264.
17th in OBP with .336.
27th in Slugging with .411.
23rd in Home Runs.
23rd in RBI's.
21st in Total Hits.
25th in Total Bases.
27th in Stolen Bases.
8th highest in Strike Outs.
10th in Walks.

To make it easier, we looked at the numbers ourself. Quite simply, we were below the American  league average on,

Runs, Hits, Doubles, Triples, HR's, Total Bases, OBP, Slugging, OPS......

Let's add one more thing....We were below BOTH league averages on all those things......except Doubles. That we tied with both leagues.

Hell, pretty much everything, eh. So when other fans contend, "But we won the division, we were 1 game from the World Series", we will always contend, but look how much better we can be!!!!

Get it? LOOK HOW MUCH BETTER WE CAN BE!

Add some speed, alittle pop to the outfield, hell, alittle more pop at 3rd....

The off season is for building. We can build, while the rest 'grow'.

Lets keeping building this sucker!