Don’t Jump! There’s something to be excited about.

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Coming into 2024, there is obviously some major concerns looming over the ol’ Guardos. The fact that we still don’t have a set outfield, a full time short stop, or any trade rumors even in the foreseeable future.

But I was sitting here, staring at a wall, and was able to rack my brain and think up some breaks in the clouds. A sliver of light at the end of the tunnel. Another zynachino in the corner of the puck. Below I have outlined a few things that can keep you sane and looking forward to another opening day.

1.         City Connect Jerseys

FINALLY, we have been granted access to the not-so-exclusive group of ball clubs with fancy alternate uniforms. Sure, if I see a single reference to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this has great potential to be a fumble of the bag. But I think there are some good opportunities here. A “Believeland” or “The Land” theme would be extremely well received and I think the creative opportunities are endless. Hopefully they aren’t printed on these Fanatics uniforms, as the long anticipated arrival of an alternate uniform could be soiled by the outline of Josh Naylor’s jock strap being entirely too visible through the pants.

2.         Young Guns Starting Rotation

Honestly, there are a lot of baseball fans out there who peer through the games and look for the best pitching match-ups like they are delving into an MMA or Boxing card. If this is you, there is some great potential for some viewing pleasure this year. If you like to watch young arms prove themselves on the big stage, I don’t think there will be a shortage of that. Bieber is throwing 4 mph faster than he was, Tanner, Gavin, and Logan have a lot to prove in their first couple seasons, and Sticks is off an injury with the potential of a continuance from his 2022 campaign.

3.         Stress-Free Environment

Here we are again with very tame expectations. The nice thing about being a Cleveland Fan is that the most memorable seasons have come out of nowhere. If you told me the Tribe was going to make a run into the World Series a few weeks before the 2016 season, I would have told you to lighten up on the crystal meth. If you would have told me the following season, they would break the records for consecutive wins, I would have told you to check into a rehab facility. We never REALLY know what’s going to happen with this squad and if we go in with low expectations, we usually come out on the other side with at least our dignity.

So, there ya have it. It’s not all gloom and doom, even if our exciting offseason move was paying way too much money for Austin Hedges. At the very least, we will have a new uni, some promising young talent on the mound, and a worry-free environment to enjoy it in. Turn that frown upside down, it’s almost time for Guardian’s Baseball.

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Vogt for Pedro

The end of an era was upon us when the great Tito Francona took his last walk out of the Cleveland Dugout and received a well deserved standing ovation. The people of Cleveland owe a lot to that guy. With what the Dolans provided him, he did what he could and gave us a few seasons there where I felt like we had a real shot.

It’s a little odd to write a reaction to someone at the beginning of their managerial career because frankly, from the skipper standpoint, we don’t know anything about the guy. The cookie cutter comments by players like “he has a good mind for baseball and loves the game” only go so far. I can’t imagine going to a job interview for a job you have no experience in whatsoever. I picture Stephen Vogt excitedly showing the Cleveland Front Office all of his World Series titles on his Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show.

He’s coming in as the captain of a rickety old ship with some very young crew members, and let me tell ya, the seas are rough. I think there are some things we should be excited about and maybe some things to keep an eye on.

For one thing, Tito was on the back end of a great career but the man started to make decisions that, for the first time, I couldn’t get behind. Miles Straw had 518 at bats last year where he inked a whopping .238 and 20 non-singles. If there is a world where Miles Straw is a starting center fielder, take me the fuck out of it because that is atrocious.

I cannot tell you how many games were close in the 8th or 9th inning and Miles Straw came up to bat. I begged every god I could remember the name of to allow Tito to give the bat boy the nod. Instead, Miles Straw would hack and miss at two curveballs and hit the 3rd pitch 150 feet in the air to the pitcher. It is my hope that Stephen Vogt came in on his first day, put a bobblehead of himself on his desk, and told Miles Straw to get used to the view from the dugout. I don’t know what kind of blackmail Miles had on Tito, but I would assume Stephen is less inclined to watch his center fielder hit pop flies.

I was watching one of the first spring games this year and Andre Knott was interviewing Sticks McKenzie about the managerial change. Andre asked Sticks what the differences were between Tito and Vogt and Sticks almost appeared to giggle and said “Well, Tito was so laid back.” This immediately gave me the vibe that Vogt may have come in guns blazing. Which I actually don’t hate. This is the youngest squad in the league and last year, they were younger than every AAA club too, at an average age of 26.

At 26 myself, I know structure is important for a group of tall children. I think if Stephen wants to have any chance at a successful first season, he needs to understand that the group he is leading into battle, just learned how to walk. If Stephen can ignite the spark and the guys can feel as close as they did in 2022, there’s a good chance for them to punch this horrendous division in the mouth. Oh come on, let’s call a spade a spade, the AL Central is an ugly step-child.

I like the idea of Vogt coming in at a pivotal time in our young catcher’s development as well. I’m sure Bo was excited when he heard the news, and then we went and got Austin Hedges which I assume was also thought of as a piece to help Bo move along the road to stardom. At least I hope that’s what it was because if it was any other outlandish thought that he would contribute anything besides vibes and a backstop, we are even sillier than I thought.

All things considering, I’m intrigued and optimistic. I think he looks good in the uniform and he just finished playing the game himself so he should be in the right mindset. I’m sure it wont be without hiccups, but I think it could work out really well. I will proudly wear my Tito jersey that my girlfriend got me custom made, but I am open to seeing how a fresh mind would run this team. But mark my words, if Miles Straw takes another at bat in the 9th inning, you WILL be seeing a “Fire Stephen Vogt” blog.