Now that the Indians have removed Eric Wedge from managerial duties, the search is on.  It has been widely assumed that nobody currently managing at a different level within the Indians system will be promoted.  This leaves a couple of hard choices for management.  I figured I would add my two cents (in case the great Mark Shapiro googles his name and hits this article) to post choices which would merit strong consideration.  Without hesitation, here are my top candidates to manage the Cleveland Indians:

#1. Reuben Kincaid

For all of my younger readers who have no idea, Reuben Kincaid managed The Partridge Family.  He propelled the Partridge’s to the top of the charts in the 1970’s.  He even has experience keeping eyesore Danny Partridge (Danny Bonaduce) in line.  If you hire Kincaid, you also gain a bench coach in Shirley Jones.  The only drawback on the Kincaid proposal would be having to suffer through “I Think I Love You” instead of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” for the 7th-inning stretch.

#2. Captain Lou Albano

Why not bring in Captain Lou Albano?  He has managed champions throughout his career.  If he can keep The Wild Samoans and George “The Animal” Steele under control, why would he struggle with Kerry Wood or Travis Hafner?  Pro wrestling and baseball are about neck-in-neck on the steroid abuse charts, it would be a magical fit.  The Indians may have to allow facial rubber banding, but what a small price to pay for someone with such a brilliant track record.

#3. Pete Rose

The legalization of casino gambling is a hot topic in the State of Ohio these days.  Some argue that they hate seeing the tax dollars earned go to surrounding states that Ohioans are frequenting.  By bringing in Pete Rose, you would have a win-win situation regardless of what happens to the proposed gaming legislation.  Someone has to bet on the Indians, why not Pete?  The bookies are dying for a fish to start betting consistently on the Tribe.  Yeah he may concede every third game by chewing up his bullpen to win some money but people know he would be firing on his own team causing a contagious reaction to betting on Cleveland to win.

#4.  Sir George Martin

This guy was able to make Beatles albums without the Beatles around each other.  He and his son then remix everything 40 years later and are making a killing in Vegas on the “improved” product.  Why don’t the Indians owners take a chance on Sir George Martin coming in to ‘remix’ the Indians?  Teach Grady Sizemore how to throw a curve, show Kelly Shoppach how to be the cutoff man on a single to right, work with Jensen Lewis on stealing second.  Remix things.  Could it be worse than it was most of this past season?

#5. LeBron James

This may be the most realistic choice on the menu.  Think about it.  He is now wearing #6 because he wanted to change things up.  He won a gold medal wearing #6, he is now #6 for the Cavs.  Braylon Edwards punches his little buddy and ends up in New York.  LeBron was instrumental, intentional or not,  in getting Braylon sent away.  It is probably a blessing for Cavs fans that Edwards is a jet.  The only bad scenario would be if LeBron went to New York after the season ended, he may order the Jets to ship Edwards back to Cleveland. 

The Indians can use that kind of stroke.  If you don’t think James has more power in Cleveland than anyone else than you are naive.  He pretty much dictates what the Cavs do, he is now dictating what the Browns do.  Hell, give him all of the keys to the city, let him say what the Indians should do too. 

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