I'd like to take the time to introduce you guys to a new contributor to Curse Of Cleveland, Cody. Cody and I first met when we attended Buckeye Boys State the summer before our senior years of high school. Cody and I talked a fair amount of Tribe baseball for the week-plus that we were there, and we've stayed in touch since then. Cody goes to Capital University, which isn't too far from my home base at OSU. I asked Cody to give his take on some issues in the Cleveland sports world because he is really plugged in. He has his own radio talk show and was an intern for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets last season. He has many more accomplishments that I know I'm forgetting, but he has great knowledge and will help contribute to the already strong writing staff. Without further ado, here is Cody's first article. Cody says he found this letter lying on the ground at the Tribe game when he got up to leave.

Dear Mr. Shapiro-

I want to take the time to ask for your letter of resignation immediately. Some of your decisions have been worse than Rachel Phelps for the fake Cleveland Indians in "Major League." I am yearning for the days of John Hart to come back and turn this ship around.

The last straw came when you neglected to sign former Toronto Blue Jays reliever B. J. Ryan after he was released. He just decided to sign a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs?! Sure his performance this year has not been the best (1-1, 2 saves, 2 blown saves, 2 holds, 20.2 IP, 6.53 ERA), but look at some of your other "investments" and how they've been:

Rafael Perez:  1-2, 1 BS, 6 HLDS, 25.1 IP, 8.88 ERA

Masa Kobayashi:  9.2 IP, 8.38 ERA

Kerry Wood:  2-3, 12 SVS, 4 BS, 32.2 IP, 5.23 ERA

And that is a sample of the bullpen before the season started. Then you traded Mark DeRosa for Chris Perez (5.1 IP, 10.13 ERA since the trade).

And you can't find a way to get Ryan, who was once considered one of the most coveted closers in this decade?

Then comes the topic of Kelly Shoppach.

On Sunday Sports Talk Program on WTVN-AM in Columbus, OH. the pre- and post-game host on the Indians Radio network admitted that he, Tom Hamilton and Mike Hegan play "The Kelly Shoppach Game" in the radio booth whenever he steps to the plate. This is a generic version of "The Russell Branyan Game" in which the three pick either "Strike out looking" "Strike out swinging" or "Solo Home Run." Then if someone comes into the booth, they would get "Wild Card" (any other plate result) knowing that winning the game with the fourth option was slim-to-none.

And you are still making these decisions? Former Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Doug MacLean and former Cincinnati Reds General Manager Jim Bowden are asking how you still have this position.

Please do everyone in the Cleveland Indians fanbase a favor and leave.

Sincerely,

An anonymous Indians fan

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