Looking at the schedule on April 14, I thought that May would be the time for the Tribe to put some distance between themselves and the pack. A run of 33 consecutive games (counting 4 in April) against teams that finished a collective 484-649 (.427) in 2001 seemed to ensure an extended stay near the top of the standings.

Only six days after our scathing critique of Brady Anderson, Mark Shapiro did the sensible thing and released him in favor of Chris Magruder. While even the most devoted chaos theorists would have trouble finding a causal link between the move and this insignificant blog, I feel no less vindicated.



Magruder was acquired from the Rangers last month for minor-league OF Rashad Eldridge. The Rangers picked him up from the Giants last year in the Andres Galarraga trade, after which Magruder put up big numbers at AAA Oklahoma City. Most analysts see him as a capable fourth outfielder in the majors, able to play all three positions and hit with some pop. Combined with the recent callup of Bruce Aven, the Tribe has the makings of a productive and versatile bench.