Can I get a Big 3 0!?

Aside from the energy the Indians are bringing to the game this year there's another cool story that's gaining a little mo. That would be the attention a hitting streak brings to a team and a player. Enter Andre Ethier who is captivating the Dodger faithful with his run at the Dodger history books. Andre is in the Big Apple this weekend and he'll have a heavy dose of media attention if he happens to reach 30 on Friday night. That number 30 is pretty elite when it comes to hit streaks. Hit em where they ain't, Andre!

But, forget it. The Indians are just a blast to watch play. Scrappy comes to mind. "Hard nosed", "won't quit" and "Charlie Hustle" do too.

Oh, and winners would work when describing the Tribe who have reeled off an impressive string of last chance, come from behind thrillers. Ya gotta love it. Unless you're Kansas City. The Royals are playing great ball ... only to look up and see themselves 4 1/2 behind the Red Hot Indians.

Speaking of the Royals, they're calling up a heralded prospect in Eric Hosmer today. Eric was the first round pick for KC in 2008. He's a hard hitting First Baseman that's virtually owned every stop he's made enroute to the Majors. This season's Triple A numbers? .. A cool .439 with 3 Bombs and 15 RBIs. Good Luck Eric.

How about Chris Young in Arizona. The D'Backs were plodding along without a run for nearly 9 innings, getting their behinds handed to em by Colorado. Well, not really that bad.. but, 2 to zip in the 9th is kinda gettin your behind handed to ya. Well, in the 9th the Rattlers struck.

After a Gerardo Parra Home Run knocked the nil off the board, Chris Young stepped up and absolutely drilled the ball. His HR tied the game and the D'Backs were shakin their rattles in the rubber match. Two innings later Chris belted another shot to deeeeeep Center Field.

It was such a laser that it boinked off the wall an inch below the HR mark. Bummer. But, no worry.. Justin Upton capped the walk off with a two out Texas leaguer to score Chris from 2nd. Cool game.. watch the highlights Here!

With all the hoopla that surrounded Lance Berkman last year in his rear view mirror, Sir Lance (Homers Alot) is on a tear in the NL. This guy is just a monster at the plate this year - 32 RBIs leads the Majors. His 10 HRs has him 2nd.. Runs.. 2nd.. Average (.392).. 2nd. And to think he called Houston in the off season looking for a place to play and was turned down.. oops.

He was at it again yesterday on his way to our YH. Lance racked up 4 RBIs in a 6-3 win over the Marlins. It wasn't really just a 4 RBI day for Lance, it was more how it happened. It was more, "go ahead and mess with me". Which is kinda what the Marlins thought they were doing when they brought in our LH buddy Mike Dunn to turn Lance around. The plan was to make him swing from the right side in a 3-3 tie with two on in the 8th. Sorry.. shouldn't have messed with Sir Lance. He's too hot. We love ya Mike, but that tater you gave Berkman was too sweet to pass up. Lance belted it. No, I mean.. he Belted It! Watch it Here!

Congrats to Lance for his YH.

Zack Attack!

What in the world is going on with the Cleveland Indians? Is there anything that can slow them down lately? What a refreshing and satisfying beginning for the Cleveland faithful in 2011. These guys are finding ways to win.. but even cooler.. they're doing it with a bit of flair and excitement. Just exactly what you want to create a fervor in your Tribe.

After perfecting the Walk Off at their own ball park, the Indians decided to see what it was like to quiet down the other team's fan base with a late inning rally away from home. The Oakland fans became the victims when Orlando Cabrera (fresh off his Saturday walk off single) delivered again. This time it was from off the bench as a late game managerial maneuver. The O Man singled in the go ahead run in the 9th and the Tribe danced around on enemy territory in celebration of their 7th in a row!

In complete contrast, The Rays are trying to climb out of the AL East craziness after a horrid beginning to their year. But, things are kinda lookin UPton as they've pulled within two games of the Yankees with a walk off gem of their own. Thanks to BJ Upton who seemingly continues to confound everybody with his sporadic stats vs. his potential. Check out his game winning bomb by clicking Here!

Since we're lauding over the AL .. .what about KC's rise this year. Clearly overshadowed in the Central by the remarkable '11 of the Indians, they have definitely looked highly competitive so far this year in Kansas City. Last year, they knocked the ball all over the park and a couple of additions and/or position changes seem to have helped out the synergy on this team. Jeff Francouer is one of those key components that has helped push this team toward the top.

Jeff did everything but pitch to help Kansas City to it's fourth win in a row.. this time in Walk Off style when he lauched a sac fly to right that scored Alex Gordon in the 10th. Francouer had Homered earlier in the game and made a terrific catch as well. Well done Frenchy!

And what's going on with the streak in LA? No, not the winning streak. This team seems to take one step forward and two steps back in the win column everytime you look up. The "streak" is a personal one and a great story for baseball as we get to relive those magical baseball years when names like Joltin' Joe DiMaggio and the boys of summer ruled the radio waves. Andre Ethier delivered a sinking liner that barely eluded the acrobatic leap of rookie second baseman Darwin Barney and fell safely into right field to extend Andre's hit streak to 29 games!

That single pulled Andre within two games of the longest hitting streak in Dodgers history (Willie Davis had 31 in 1969) and into a tie with one of the coolest names in baseball and our YH - Zack Wheat.

Yup, Zack Wheat had himself a 29 game hitting streak way back in 1916. He was no slouch with the stick guys.. here's a look at how Zack stacked up at the dish. He played for 19 years and racked up nearly 3,000 hits while posting a .317 career average. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1959. Pretty Slick Zack.

It's America's Game!

USA! USA! USA!

How fitting that those chants rose during America's game being played by the NY Mets. Baseball fans, Americans... celebrated the end of a decade long hunt for a man responsible for so much hurt. Finally.. he'd been tagged out.

It really didn't matter that the Phillies would eventually lose to the NY Mets in 14 innings. It only mattered that the fans standing and chanting were Americans feeling a sense of closure... together. It was stirring.

What it really says is "the game" is just that.. a game.

The American fans didn't really care that it was a knock down drag out baseball game in front of them. It took a back seat. It didn't really matter that Cleveland had won again in their last at bat. Or, that Andre Ethier had extended his incredible heat streak to 27.. It didn't even matter that Paulino would end the game in Philly with his 5th hit of the day in the 14th.

What mattered to them was American Pride.. so fitting that it occurred during America's Game. More so, as I said earlier, that it came during the NY Mets game. Do you remember the NY Mets game after 9/11 when Piazza thrilled the country? Yea, that's what I'm saying here. You don't remember? Watch it... Here!

Well, I know it's short.. anti-climactic even.. but, ya really can't even compare anything that happened yesterday to that moment.. so my YH is none other than the healing man of baseball.. Mike Piazza.