Indians fans should not be so quick to call for closer Chris Perez's scalp

The Indians dropped a heartbreaker last night in Minnesota when closer Chris Perez surrendered two runs in the bottom of the ninth. Perez has had a problem with walks, and one of the guys to whom he issued a free pass is current Twinkie and former Indian Jim Thome.

So, the guys want to know whether you think Thome, who was a key part of the Indians' World Series runs in 1995 and 1997, is a Hall of Famer. That's today's Starting Blocks poll. Branson and Chuck both think he's not a first-ballot entrant into the shrine, but that's where they split: Branson isn't sure he's a Hall of Famer at all, and Chuck is convinced that he's earned a spot in Cooperstown.

Plain Dealer baseball writer Paul Hoynes, who covered the Tribe during the awful years before and since those Series runs, says Thome gets HIS first-round ballot.

Hoynsie also wonders why Cleveland fans are after Perez's scalp following last night's blown save. Both of the saves Perez has blown have been one-run games. Hoynsie notes that Perez isn't a 1-2-3 kind of stereotypical closer, but he pointed out that the guy is just about as lights-out as the Yankees' Mariano Rivera.

The guys also discuss the beaning of Travis Buck and the odd alignment of a universe that has the Indians AND the Pirates in first place in the dwindling days of July. Also on the docket: Hoynsie's take on what the Tribe would be willing to surrender (hint: not Drew Pomeranz) to get the pitching or a right-handed bat for a run at this year's post-season.


(cleveland.com)