I know we have a new pitching coach thread, but that was for who we wanted and thought would be good choices. But since Tim Belcher came out of nowhere, I figured we can start a new thread.

I like this choice a lot. He came out of nowhere as the selection for pitching coach, but has been handling pitchers throughout the minors for the Indians since 2002. And as the article on the Indians website mentioned, he'll be the pitching coach with the most pitching experience in the majors. And he was decent, but not like Hall of Fame good, so we might not have the situation like when Eddie Murray as hitting coach.

Congratulations Tim!

Also, Tim is an Ohio native, something I think I heard before, but forgot about it.

a step in the right direction...

...belcher can slide into that #2 slot, #3 at worst...if that doesnt pan out...he can pitch relief!

Where do I pick up a Belcher jersey at?

It did come out of left field, but then again with the World Series going on, their was sort of a blackout on what other teams were doing. I know as a pitcher Belcher came up as a flame thrower and over the course of his career transformed himself into a pitcher. So he knows how to make adjustments. He's been a teacher of pitching as a roving instructor for several years now, so he has experience in communicating that knowledge. He over all our other coaches has his work cut out for him as their are no proven commodities really other than Wood on our staff. I don't count Jake as we can't be sure as to how he comes back. His main challenges will be restoring Fausto's confidence, harnessing Masterson's stuff, developing Chris Perez or Sipp as a future closer, and getting Huff to make the jump to a quality starter. The rest of the guys it's about consistency, and a pitching coach can only do so much there. I hope Sandy gets the bullpen job but if not Radinsky would be a good choice there. Another mind to help pitchers, especially the lefties, of whhich we have a bunch.

I like the move, Belcher was a respectable pitcher in his day. I wish him the best of luck.

No, I like this pick alot, he didn't have Hall of Fame numbers, but he was consistent, winning 10 or more games in 9 of his 14 seasons in the ML. And as you said, he is an Ohio guy, which is huge. Congratulations Tim, you deserve it.

Why do MLB credentials matter in a coach?

because it creates instant respect for the young players. Plus the guy with MLB experience knows what the younger pitchers are doing wrong, and they can correct them alot better. Tim has experience with this system and he already is familiar with some of the younger pitchers, so he has that going for him already.

yea im liking this choice myself, im already wishin it was april.

right now I would settle for spring training, heh.

actually i would too, i lean more towards april bc at least its early spring time and most of the cold weather is gone.... i hate wintertime

me too, I love Christmas and all, but by the time February comes, I am so sick of the snow...LOL So I look forward to Daytona and the first day of spring training.

im really hoping that this year will have a shorter winter so i can try to make it to cleveland for sum games in april.

yeah I agree with you there, here's to a short winter.

I'm pretty indifferent about this. I would rather had Hershiser though. All I know is that Belcher has his work cut out for him.

i don't mind. the whole team is enduring major renovations.

Y'know, despite all the major changes coming through this coming season, I'm a lot more excited now than I was this time last year. Not because I expect us to do well, but it'll be nice to see what the new blood in every aspect of the team can do.. Will our pitcers get straightened out, will Sizemore return to his 2006 average mixed with 2008 HR rate and so on.

Anything's more possible now than it was a few months ago, that's for sure.

What do you think of the possibility of Ellis Burks being hired?
I would be very interested to see what he could bring to the young hitters.imo