Another Introduction

The other day I mentioned how this blog turned six years old and just completed it's fifth full year of existing on the internet. A few weeks ago I introduced to you a new layout and new look and all the fun that comes with it. And for the past few weeks, Bryan Belknap has been comparing the Indians starting rotation to cowboys. It has been fun and Bryan will continue to bring his insights on a regular basis.

The season is just around the corner, so it only seems to right to introduce to you the second new addition to the website, Justin Johnston. He will be providing you with series previews every week and doing something that I've tried to keep up with the past few years, but have simply not had the time nor energy to do.

And he'll probably do it better, because he like stats far more than I do and can utilize them very well.

So without further stammering on, I'll let him introduce himself. With the full-staff now on board, the season approaching rather quickly, look for a blog season preview next week before the games begin.

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Editor's Note: The following is an introduction by Justin Johnston. I do appreciate the Happy Gilmore reference and introductory fanfare, so you know Justin will fit in well here.

Fellow friends of the feather, we’re gathered here today to witness something magical, something poetic, something that hasn't been done since last month! An unveiling of a new contributor to The Tribe Daily!

LOLTribe: 3/8 Nick Swisher's Favorite Bro

It's the most celebrated and highly acclaimed feature on The Tribe Daily...

I know you missed it since the last time it was here, so here it is to save the day.

Remember that if you'd like to try your own, submit it to me and I'll feature it here the next time (you can use http://wigflip.com/roflbot/ to produce something if you are not super tech savvy) I post LOLTribe.

You can submit your entries to me on Twitter (@ TheTribeDaily ), on Facebook , or through e-mail .

Got that? Good...

Hey, Where'd You Put That: Site Update and an Introduction

I know, things look a little bit different around here. If you are confused, I apologize. But here's the good news.

This layout is way better. It's also more organized and it just feels better. I had grown sick of the old one and felt like it was a little, silly. This isn't silly, this is, better.

Some things have moved, some things have gone away. If you really want to find something, try that search box to the right of this post, that should help. Or if you can't find it, ask me and I'll show you where it went.

There are several reasons for the changes other than looks. The first, is that I'm going to try and incorporate a few (unobtrusive to you) advertisements into the layout. The only cost that goes into the site is the domain, but I'd at least like for that to pay for itself. And if at all possible where I make some money off this, I'd like to put money back into the site other than purchasing a domain. So, I will keep the advertisements out of your way and hope they are not a bother.

The other is that the site just wasn't set up optimally to my pleasing. I've learned some things in five years of running this blog and as we enter the sixth year of existence (whoooaaa!), I'm starting to figure some things out. Who wants to read a sentence then click a link if you visit the site directly from the home page? No one, so I'm starting to make some of those changes as well.

Jimenez Strong Against Giants, Swisher Stays Hot

Giants - 4 | Indians - 6
[BOXSCORE]

WHOA! Giambi!

We'll get to that in a second. All eyes on the starter for this one, Ubaldo Jimenez , and his four innings of work. He gave up a run in the fourth, but it was thanks to the sun shielding Michael Bourn that put Brandon Crawford on third, easy pickings for Hunter Pence to knock in.

Spring Training Rundown: Masterson Rounds Into Form

I'm a little obsessed, sometimes.

I dig fantasy baseball. It is a reason I started the Tribe Daily Invitational last year. I can't get enough of it. One year when I had the time (and no life) I was in about 12 leagues. I'm not exaggerating either. I paid attention to all of them and drafted all the teams. I had several on ESPN, several on Sporting News, and the rest on Yahoo. I had a problem.

Of course not a single one was for money. I just enjoy the labor of picking a team and managing it. If you think I am obsessed with baseball, you think correctly.

I'm down to a few leagues a year now a days. Right now The Tribe Daily Invitational II is the only one that I have so far, but I'll probably be in a few more before the season starts. I did my first mock draft on Tuesday, an exercise in me trying to determine where players are going on average.

You know what struck me?

Usually I'm taking Indians as sleepers. Grabbing a Justin Masterson at the end of the draft because I think he'll be a sneaky start that puts up some great numbers that I don't have to spend a high end pick on. Taking Shin-Soo Choo because I'm convinced he's going to bust out and be one of the best all-around fantasy gems available.

Indians Top Giants, Matsuzaka Navigates Through Three Scoreless

Indians - 4 | Giants 3
[BOXSCORE]

The Indians are back to their spring winning ways with another victory over the San Francisco Giants. With some of the regulars in the lineup gone, some new faces now have some opportunities to show what they have and make an impression.

Still, the focus is mainly on that rotation battle, as it was Daisuke Matsuzaka with another opportunity to go out and try and state his case for a rotation spot.

Spring Training Rundown: Perez Shelved, Herrmann in Question, Smith Returning

I'm sorry for the sudden drop off in activity the past few days...

I've been working on some things though and later this week, you'll see what I'm talking about.