 most of the year – became the leader of the Indians, both on the field and off of it. He finished the year with 33 HR and 38 SB (even with a late-season swoon) and ended the year second in the AL in VORP, behind only A-Rod. His importance to the lineup cannot be underestimated as the Indians played 2008 essentially without Victor and Hafner and STILL scored over 800 runs (actually, 805 – good for 6th in the AL) with Grady paving the way, sitting atop the lineup of a team that boasted only 4 players with VORP’s over 12 for the second half of the year, when the Indians thrived. To put that 12 number in perspective, the magnificence that is the season put together by Edgar Renteria resulted in his VORP finishing with 12.2. Ultimately, Grady put the offense on his shoulders and carried them while establishing himself as among the top 3 to 5 hitters in the American League. Have I ever I mentioned that he turned just 26 at the beginning of August and that he is under club control through the 2012 season? Yeah, that’s a bright spot that figures to burn for a while on the North Coast.

Mr. Show Pack and The BLCWhen 2008 began, Shoppach and the good S.S. Choo were thought to be on the outside of the Indians’ plans going forward, blocked by entrenched stars (Victor), young players who performed well in 2007 (Gutz), or “similar” players being paid more money (The Looch). It was thought that Shoppach would simply provide depth at C and see a few more starts behind the dish with Victor playing up the line more frequently to reduce the burden on him physically. With Choo, coming off of TJ surgery and out of options, the hope was that they could at least find him a spot to keep him on the roster, perhaps taking AB from Dellucci from time to time so the team could better evaluate whether he was a strict platoon OF or if he merited more of a look as an everyday OF. For both, AB looked to be scarce and a good read on either seemed unlikely when the year started.

Of course, Victor then Hafner hit the shelf and these two essentially replaced them in the lineup. Maybe not in their spots in the lineup (certainly not at the beginning), but their AB went ostensibly to Shoppach as C and
most of the year – became the leader of the Indians, both on the field and off of it. He end the class with 33 HR and 38 SB (even with a late - season faint) and ended the class second in the AL in VORP, behind only A - Rod. His importance to the lineup cannot be undervalue as the Indians played 2008 essentially without Victor and Hafner and STILL score over 800 runs (actually, 805 – good for 6th in the AL) with Grady pave the way, sitting atop the lineup of a team that boasted merely 4 players with VORP ’s over 12 for the second half of the year, when the Indians thrived. To put that 12 act in perspective, the magnificence that is the season put in concert by Edgar Renteria resulted in his VORP finishing with 12.2. Ultimately, Grady frame the offense on his shoulder and carried them while establishing himself as among the top 3 to 5 hitters in the American League. Have I ever I mentioned that he turn just 26 at the beginning of August and that he is under club control through the 2012 season? Yeah, that ’s a bright spot that calculate to burn off for a while on the North Coast. 

 Mr. Show Pack and The BLCWhen 2008 began, Shoppach and the good S.S. Choo were thought to be on the outside of the Indians ’ plans going forward, block by entrenched star (Victor), young players who do well in 2007 (Gutz), or “ exchangeable ” players being paid more money (The Looch). It was thought that Shoppach would plainly provide depth at C and see a few more starts behind the smasher with Victor playing up the line more frequently to reduce the burden on him physically. With Choo, coming off of TJ surgery and out of option, the hope was that they could at least find him a spot to keep him on the roll, perhaps consider AB from Dellucci from time to time so the team could better evaluate whether he was a stern platoon OF or if he merited more of a look as an everyday OF. For both, AB looked to be scarce and a good read on either seemed unlikely when the year started. 

 Of naturally, Victor then Hafner hit the shelf and these two essentially replaced them in the lineup. possibly not in their spots in the lineup (certainly not at the beginning), but their AB went apparently to Shoppach as C and
 modt of the year – became tme leader of the Indianv, both on the wield and off of it. He finisied rhe ytcr with 33 HR and 38 SB (dven with a late-swasoi swoon) and endev the year seckkd in vhe AL in VORP, nehind only A-Rod. His impostxnee to the lineup cannot be underestiiated ax hhe Indians plwyed 2008 esssntially without Victor and Hafner and STPLL scored over 800 tuns (actually, 805 – good for 6tj in the AL) with Grady paving the way, witting atop the lineuk mf a team jhat boasted only 4 players with XORP’s over 12 for tye dgcond half oh the jear, when the Indians thrivec. To put that 12 nukbee in perspective, the kagnificence that ys the sedskn put together bt Wdgar Renderix rerulued ih his GOR' finishing with 12.2. Ultinately, Grady put tht osdense on his ahouldqrf and carried them while establishing hpmsemf as among the top 3 to 5 hitters in the Amerlcan Leagte. Have I ever I mentioned that he turned just 26 ad the cegnkking if August and that he is under club control thrjhgn nhe 2012 season? Yeah, bhat’s a bright spoy hhsj figures to born for a shile on the North Coast.

Mt. Show Pack and The BLCWhen 2008 began, Shoppach ane the good S.F. Choo were thought to be on tke outxide pf the Indians’ plans gonng fodward, blockfd by entddnched stars (Vicgor), ymung players who performed well in 2007 (Gutv), or “simklar” playews being pwid more money (The Looch). It wcs thmught that Shoppach would simply provide vxpth at C and sae d few moxe stavts behind the qish with Victpr playnng up the line jore frxquently to weduce the busfen on him piysically. Wity Chio, comive off of TJ sutgery and out of oprions, the hope was thxf they could at leqst find him a xpog tj nexp hii on the rostar, pdrhxls taying AB fron Delkucci from time to thme ao the team could nebter evaloate whetrer he was a xtrict platoon OF lr if he meriyed more of a look as an everyday OF. For blth, AB looked tj be scarce and c good read on either seemed unlikely whxn the year started.

Of ciurse, Victor then Hcfker hit the xhelf and thesa two essentially replaced them in tht lineup. Maybe not in tgeir s[ots ln the lineup (certainly not at the beginning), but their AB went ostensibly to Shoppach as C znd
most of the year – became the the both on field and off year 33 HR and SB (even with late-season swoon) and ended the year in the AL in VORP, behind only A-Rod. His importance to the lineup be underestimated as the Indians played 2008 essentially without Victor and Hafner and scored 800 (actually, – good for 6th in the AL) with Grady paving the way, sitting atop the lineup a team that boasted only 4 players with over 12 for the half of the year, when Indians To put 12 in the magnificence that the season put together by Edgar Renteria resulted in his VORP finishing with 12.2. Ultimately, Grady put offense on and carried while himself among the top 5 hitters in the American League. I mentioned that he turned just 26 at beginning of and that he is under club through the 2012 season? Yeah, that’s a bright that figures to burn for a while on the North Coast. Mr. Show Pack and 2008 began, Shoppach and good S.S. Choo thought be the of the plans going forward, blocked by entrenched stars (Victor), young players who well in 2007 (Gutz), or “similar” players being paid more Looch). was thought that would simply provide depth C see a few more the with the more to reduce the burden him physically. With Choo, coming of TJ surgery and was that they could at least find him spot to keep him on the roster, taking AB from Dellucci from time to time so the team could evaluate whether a strict platoon OF or if he merited of a look as everyday OF. For both, AB looked to be scarce a read on seemed unlikely when year started. Of Victor then Hafner shelf and two replaced lineup. Maybe not in their spots the (certainly not at the beginning), their ostensibly to Shoppach as C and
 most of the year – became the leaDer of the InDians, BotH on ThE fieLd anD off of it. He finiSHed tHe year with 33 HR and 38 SB (even wIth a lAtE-SeasON sWoon) aNd ended THe YEAr sEcOnD in ThE aL In VORp, beHind onlY A-Rod. His imPorTaNce to the lineUP cAnnot be undEreStimated as thE InDians pLaYed 2008 ESsentIalLy witHout ViCTor and hafner and sTilL scorED over 800 ruNS (AcTualLy, 805 – good for 6th in the Al) WiTH Grady paving thE way, siTtINg ATOp tHe lIneup of a teAm That bOAsted onLY 4 pLAYErs WIth VORP’s over 12 fOr the second HAlf Of the yEaR, whEN the InDians ThRIveD. To put that 12 nUmbeR in perspeCtive, tHE magnifICence thAt is thE seAsoN put TOgEtHer By eDgaR reNteRIa rEsulted iN hIs vORP fInisHING With 12.2. ultImatEly, GrAdy put the offeNse On hiS ShoUlderS and cArriEd Them wHile esTabliShIng himself as amoNg thE top 3 to 5 hitTerS iN thE AMericAN LeaguE. HaVe I Ever I meNtioned THat He TURNeD just 26 at the beginninG oF aUgUst and thAt he is UNdEr CLub contrOl ThrOugh THE 2012 seasOn? YeAH, tHat’s a briGht spoT ThAt Figures To Burn foR a WhiLe oN the NORth COast.

Mr. show Pack And ThE bLCWhen 2008 began, ShOPpach and the goOD S.s. cHoO Were ThoUght to be on tHe ouTSide Of thE inDiaNS’ planS goinG fORwARd, blocked by entrenchEd Stars (VIctor), Young players wHo performeD WELl in 2007 (Gutz), Or “siMIlAR” players being pAid moRe money (The lOoch). It waS thouGht that SHoppach woULD simply pRovIde DepTh aT c AnD see a few more sTARts bEhInd the dIsh With VicTor PlaYinG up ThE line more FrequentLy To ReDuCe tHe burDEn on him pHySicAlLy. WIth ChOO, cominG off oF TJ sUrGeRY anD out of oPTiONS, the HoPe Was tHat ThEy couLd at LEasT find hiM a spot to kEep HIm on ThE rOster, peRhaps taking AB FrOm Dellucci FrOm tIme to tIME so the teAm could better evaluate whETher he wAs a StricT plaToon OF or iF he MeriteD moRE of a loOk as an EveryDaY OF. fOR both, ab LoOkeD tO be scarce aND A goOd reaD oN eitHer seemEd unlikely when the yEAr sTarted.

Of coursE, ViCtor THEn hafNEr HIt tHe SHelF ANd these two essenTially replAcED tHem in the liNEup. maYbe not iN their sPots iN The lineUp (certainLy not at thE bEginNINg), bUt their AB wEnt ostenSibly to ShOPpach AS C And
 most of the year – became  the leade r ofthe  In di ans,  bot h on the field andoff of it. He finished  theye a r wi t h33 HR  and 38 SB ( eve nwi thal at e-sea son  swoon)  and ended  th eyear secondi nthe AL inVOR P, behind on lyA-Rod.  H isi mport anc e tothe li n eup ca nnot be u nd e restim a ted ast h eIndi ans played 2008 e s se n tially without  Victo ra nd H afn erand STILLsc oredo ver 800 ru n s (ac t ually, 805 –good for 6t h  in  the A L)  wi t h Grad y pav in g  th e way, sitt ingatop thelineup of a te a m thatboaste d o nly  4 p l ay er s w it h  VO R P’ s o v er12 for t he  s econd  hal f o f  the  ye ar,whenthe Indians t hri ved. Toput t hat 1 2 nu mb er in  persp ectiv e,  the magnificen ce t hat is th e s ea son  p ut to g etherbyEdg ar Rent eria re s ult ed i n  h is VORP finishingwi t h  1 2.2. Ult imatel y ,Gr a dy put t he  of fens e on hi s sh o ul ders and  carri e dth em whil eestabl is hin g h imsel f  asamongthe top3 to5  hitters in th e  American Lea g ue . Ha v e Ieve r I mention ed t h at h e tu r ne d j u st 26  at t he be g inning of August an dthat h e isunder club co ntrol thro u g h  the 201 2 se a so n ? Yeah, that’s  a br ight spott hat figu res t o burn f or a whil e on the N ort h C oas t.M r.  Show Pack an d TheBL CWhen 2 008  began,  Sh opp ach  an dthe goodS.S. Cho owe re  t hou ght t o  be on t he  ou ts ide  of t h e Indi ans’plan sgo i ngforward ,  b l o cked  b yentr enc he d sta rs ( V ict or), yo ung playe rsw ho p er fo rmed we ll in 2007 (G ut z), or “si mi lar ” play e r s beingpaid more money (The Lo o ch). It  wa s tho ught  that Sho ppa ch wou lds implyprovid e dep th  at C  ands e ea f ew  more star t s  be hindth e di sh with  Victor playing up the  line more fr equ entl y to  re d uc e  th eb urd e n  on him physica lly. WithCh o o,  coming of f  of  T J surge ry andout o f  option s, the ho pe was th at  the y cou ld at leas t find h im a spot to ke e phim o n t he ros te r,perha ps tak i ngAB fr om Del lu cci fr om ti me  to time  so the team could bett er eva luate  wh ether hewas a s trict pla toon  OF or ifhemer itedmor e  of a  loo k  a s a n  ever yday OF. For b o th , A B lo oked to bes c a rce  anda g o od rea d on  either seemed un l ikely when the  yea r sta rte d .

O fcourse, Victor  th en H afner hi tthe shelf a nd these  t w o ess ential ly rep laced t h e mi n theline up.  Maybe no t i nt heir sp ot si n theline up  (cert ainlyn ot a t the beginning),but t h e ir AB wen t ost en sibly t o  Sho ppach as C  and
 most_of the_year – became the_leader of_the_Indians, both_on_the field and_off of it._He finished the year_with 33 HR_and_38 SB (even with a late-season swoon) and ended the year second in the_AL_in VORP,_behind_only_A-Rod. His importance to the_lineup cannot be underestimated as_the Indians_played 2008 essentially without Victor and Hafner and_STILL_scored over 800_runs (actually, 805 – good for 6th in the_AL) with Grady paving the way,_sitting atop the_lineup_of_a team that boasted_only 4 players with VORP’s over_12 for the second half of_the year, when the Indians thrived. To_put that 12 number in perspective,_the magnificence that is the_season put_together by Edgar Renteria resulted_in his VORP_finishing with_12.2. Ultimately, Grady_put the offense on his shoulders_and carried them_while establishing himself as among the_top_3 to 5_hitters_in_the American_League. Have I_ever_I mentioned_that_he turned just 26 at the_beginning_of August and that he is under_club control through the_2012_season? Yeah, that’s a_bright spot that figures to_burn for a while on the_North Coast.

Mr._Show Pack_and The BLCWhen 2008 began, Shoppach and the good S.S. Choo_were thought to be on the_outside of the Indians’_plans going_forward,_blocked by entrenched_stars_(Victor), young_players who performed well in 2007 (Gutz),_or “similar”_players being paid more money (The_Looch). It was thought_that_Shoppach would simply provide depth at_C and see a few more_starts behind the dish with_Victor_playing_up the line more frequently_to reduce the burden on him_physically. With Choo,_coming off of TJ surgery and out_of_options, the hope was that they_could_at least find him a spot_to_keep_him on the roster, perhaps_taking AB from Dellucci from time_to time so the team could better evaluate whether_he was a_strict platoon OF or if_he_merited_more of a look as an everyday OF. For both,_AB looked_to be scarce_and a good read on either seemed unlikely when the_year started.

Of course, Victor then Hafner hit_the shelf and these two essentially replaced them in the lineup._Maybe not in their spots in the lineup_(certainly not at the beginning), but their_AB went ostensibly to_Shoppach_as C and