[chsbletz]

I recently joined this forum---last weekend, in fact. I have very much enjoyed it thus far. I live in Farragut, TN, a suburb of Knoxville. I am a retired high school teacher and coach. I also officiated baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball. I was born in Ohio, went to college in Kentucky (primarily), taught in Michigan, and retired in Tennessee. My favorite sport is college basketball, but I am enthusiastic about baseball, hockey, college football and soccer (at the World Cup level). I follow NASCAR in the newspaper, but I seldom watch the races. My favorite teams are the Cleveland Indians, Kentucky and Michigan State football and basketball, and the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings. I stumbled onto this site quite by accident. No one recommended it to me. I was just surfing the net when I found it. Thank you to all of you who have extended welcomes to me.

[Lefty Noob]

Hey, Ken, good to have you here at GoTeamsGo. I know its way too early to make any serious predictions, but how do you think the NCAA hoops season is going to shape up this season? Which teams look like the best bets for the 2007 Final Four?

[simple simon]

hey Ken, welcome to the forum

so, the Indians eh ?

kind of a disappointing year there, what changes do you see for next year ?

[chsbletz]

The Indians are saying that they need to acquire an everyday second baseman and to seriously improve the bullpen. Personally, I think they also need to improve the catching position. Victor Martinez is a natural hitter, but he can't throw very well at all. Unfortunately, that would create other problems. Martinez's only other position is first base, but Ryan Garko pretty well took that position over in the second half of 2006. What's more, Travis Hafner is a great hitter, but inept in the field. So, designated hitter is about the only reasonable role for him. Spring training should be interesting.

[MJHMarc]

Do you think that the Twins will trade Victor Martinez for a reliable and decent second-baseman like Chase Utley, or Alfonso Soriano? Anything is possible these days especially since Soriano desperately wants to leave the Capital!

Welcome to the GoTeamsGo Fan Forum, chsbletz.

[chsbletz]

No. I really don't see that happening. The Indians consider Martinez to be one of their core players. He is a natural hitter with no speed and a poor throwing arm, so it baffles me why they are so high on him. Soriano is a poor defensive second baseman who is a brilliant hitter. His salary is so high I can't see the Indians pursuing him. If they don't resign Ronnie Belliard, I think they might go after Mark Loretta (who willl be a free agent).

[MJHMarc]

I would actually take Mark Loretta over Ronnie Belliard. Unless they trade with the Diamondbacks for one of their prospect SS (Stephen Drew or Justin Upton) and switch him to 2B and hop him into their opening-day line up next season!

[ThePundit]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo chsbletz. Just curious, were you glad to see Ben Wallace take a hike?

[MJHMarc]

I heard that everybody in Detroit now hates him! Is it true?

[chsbletz]

I don't think that's really true. Pistons' fans, for the most part, appreciate the effort he always played with and the fact that he was an integral part of the team winning an NBA championship. The attitude of the league has changed, though. Stern and many of the owners want more offense, so players like Ben Wallace will increasingly find it harder to do the things they are best at, without being in regular foul trouble.

[epic37311]

Originally Posted by chsbletz

I recently joined this forum---last weekend, in fact. I have very much enjoyed it thus far. I live in Farragut, TN, a suburb of Knoxville. I am a retired high school teacher and coach. I also officiated baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball. I was born in Ohio, went to college in Kentucky (primarily), taught in Michigan, and retired in Tennessee. My favorite sport is college basketball, but I am enthusiastic about baseball, hockey, college football and soccer (at the World Cup level). I follow NASCAR in the newspaper, but I seldom watch the races. My favorite teams are the Cleveland Indians, Kentucky and Michigan State football and basketball, and the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings. I stumbled onto this site quite by accident. No one recommended it to me. I was just surfing the net when I found it. Thank you to all of you who have extended welcomes to me.

Welcome aboard. I found this site pretty much the same way.
We are practicly neighbors. Nice to have someone close on here chatting.