bobby bradley

We celebrate declaring boyfriends for the Guardians instead of “The Cleveland Team.” Pals Pottymouth and Patti choose pals Yu Chang and Bobby Bradley. For the Mets, Pottymouth looks to Yadi fan Tomás Nido, while Patti goes local with Adam Jones fan Khalil Lee. International Signing Day brings a phenomenon to the Nationals and “Little Altuve” to the Blue Jays. The League brought a disappointing economic proposal to the player’s union making it even less likely spring training will start on time. Adding to our list of what cannot happen during a lockout, we learn that if a player is pulled over for a DWI, the team can neither assist or discipline, yet. Players can announce retirements, however, so we wish Jon Lester well, offer thanks for the memories.

This is the week Rachel Balkovec became the first woman manager of a minor league team, Katie Krall’s hiring makes the Red Sox the first team with two women on the coaching staff, and the Blue Jays join the tiny groundswell, adding Jaimie Vieira as a minor league hitting coach. Winter Ball playoffs are winding up, and the independent Atlantic League ends their robo-ump and pitching mound experiments. Orioles Park moves the left field wall in an effort to lose the Coors Field East nickname. We say travesty, Wordle, and flask.

Get boosted, fight the man, and find us on Twitter @ncibpodcast, on Facebook @nocryinginbball, Instagram @nocryinginbball and on the Interweb at nocryinginbball.com. Please take a moment to subscribe to the show, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to NCiB. Become a supporter at Patreon to help us keep doing what we do. Say goodnight, Pottymouth.

Pottymouth’s Red Sox household welcomes a Yankees fan interloper, and Patti faces the I’m from Cleveland but named the kid for Camden Yards dilemma for the weekend series. Classic boyfriends do us proud, with Kiké’s bat coming alive, Albert Pujols climbing up the all time lists, Christian Yelich proving blonde bats have more fun, and Cedric Mullins going 5-5. Patti’s current Os BF, Ryan Mountcastle, earns AL player of the week, and she serves as back-up mom at Bobby “The Assassin” Bradley’s second “debut.” Pottymouth’s outfield takes a hit with both Trent Grisham and Kyle Lewis on the IL. Way too many players are getting hit in the face by baseballs -- this time two pitchers, Tyler Zombro and Ryan Braiser -- end up in the hospital.

Don’t worry, the Cleveland team has narrowed down its options for new names to 1200.  We’re getting there! MLB will likely release their plan for enforcement of the “no foreign substances” rule shortly, which may include multiple checks on pitchers in a single start, and suspensions for those caught in the act. Also in the Police Blotter, Bob Brenly says the right things in his apology for his durag remark about Marcus Stroman, but his track record of blowing dog whistles undermines our confidence. Marcelle Ozuna is out on bail and the Atlanta team may be stuck paying his contract no matter what the domestic abuse  investigations show.

Team USA qualifies for the Olympics with a stellar performance by Todd Frazier and players drawn from MLB prospects and old-timers. Cuba fails to qualify for the first time ever. Taiwan withdraws from contention. The remaining spots go to Israel, South Korea, Mexico, host country Japan, and the winner of the final qualifier later this month in Mexico. Vote your All-Star ballot, give all your money to DC Girls Baseball, and send hopes and prayers for Patti’s failing fantasy team.

Wash your hands, wear your masks, watch your distance, get your vaccine as soon as you can, and fight the man. Find us on Twitter @ncibpodcast, on Facebook @nocryinginbball, Instagram @nocryinginbball and on the Interweb at nocryinginbball.com. Please take a moment to subscribe to the show, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to NCiB. Become a supporter at Patreon to help us keep doing what we do. Say goodnight, Pottymouth.

After numerous injuries throughout the season, the Cleveland Indians narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing the year at 93-69.

Where does the team go after a disappointing season? On the latest edition of Leading Off, Ryan Lewis and Dan Kadar break down the future of the team.

That began this week with the team picking up the option on starting pitcher Corey Kluber while turning them down for second baseman Jason Kipnis and reliever Dan Otero. After starting just seven games in 2019, Kluber will rejoin a packed starting rotation. 

The loss of Kipnis could lead to a domino effect in the infield where Jose Ramirez moves from third base to second. There are also questions about the outfield where Yasiel Puig is a free agent, and where the Indians want to try Franmil Reyes in right field. 

The overarching storyline for the Indians for the next two years, though, will be what happens with superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor. Is it too early to consider what the Indians will do with the All-Star? 

There are also some thoughts on Yu Chang and Bobby Bradley fit in the offense, how the outfield could shape up now that Bradley Zimmer is back and much more.

With the All-Star Game in the rear view mirror, and the second half well underway, the Cleveland Indians will soon face a major decision. Baseball's July 31 trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Indians have to decide whether they'll be buyers or sellers. That is, unless they manage to be both.

On this week's Leading Off with Ryan Lewis podcast, we re-assess what direction the Indians could go later this month. If the Indians are acquiring players, we discuss the position they could target, and a couple specific players who could be in mind.

That's not all on this week's show. Here's what else we covered:

- Some final thoughts on a memorable All-Star Game in Akron. 

- Health updates on players like Corey Kluber and Danny Salazar.

- If Salazar makes his way back to Cleveland, where he could help the most.

- The struggles of rookie Bobby Bradley, and if he could potentially be sent back down to Triple-A if he doesn't improve.

When June started, the Cleveland Indians were 29-29, far behind the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central division and battling for a wild card playoff spot.

The Indians have surged back, going 15-6 in June and now 43-35 on the season. On this week's edition of the Leading Off with Ryan Lewis, we talk about how the team has gotten so hot in June.

Leading the way is second baseman Jason Kipnis. After a slow start to the season, Kipnis has hit .410 in the last 10 games, including a walk-off home run on Monday night. A changed swing is helping. Third baseman Jose Ramirez is also starting to find his swing. This week we also covered these topics:

- Bobby Bradley finally getting called up, and his spot in the every day lineup

- Thoughts on Carlos Santana potentially being in the Home Run Derby, and why it won't mess up his swing.

- An important piece of vacation advice from Ryan.

After a forgetful weekend series against the Chicago White Sox, the Cleveland Indians are slumping further into the American League Central division. There are still some interesting bright spots for the Tribe.

That would be the team's youngest players, called up from Triple-A this season. On this week's Leading Off with Ryan Lewis, we talk about them. That includes a way-too-early assessment of starting pitcher Zach Plesac. He's started just two games, but they've been encouraging. Like Yefry Rodriguez earlier this season, Plesac could help the Indians feel more comfortable trading a veteran starting pitcher.

We also talked about the play of outfielder Oscar Mercado. The spring training darling has looked good batting second in the order. But when Tyler Naquin and Bradley Zimmer return, the Indians will have a difficult decision to make. 

The final youngster we discuss this week is still in the minors. That would be first baseman Bobby Bradley. He's leading the International League in home runs. Ryan explains what is holding him back on the power-starved Indians.

We also get in some MLB Draft talk, and a ridiculous prediction.