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Indian Real Estate: Special Property Zone

After a brief lull, the realty sector is once again in an uproar! Initially, Chandigarh and its periphery were the best investment options, however, skyrocketing property prices in the area has investors looking, further beyond the Silver City. No longer, do they mind going as far as Ambala for the purpose of investment, as the city is fast emerging as Haryana's business and development hub.

After Lalru, Derabassi and adjoining villages, now it is the turn of Ambala to leave its mark on the map of Indian real estate. According to experts, there have been gradual ups and downs in property prices, but it's a hot realty scenario now.

Certain advantages that come with the location of Ambala, means investors will begin reaping benefits, within just a few years. The rates are not only going to increase, but the city and its peripheral limits will see massive development, avers Kamal Monga, a partner in Rama Estates. Development is on the cards, as the government is firm about setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the region.

Apart from generating direct and indirect employment, the SEZ will directly affect Ambala's real estate market. At the moment, Ambala is in the throes of being carved up into plots, where colonies will be developed for sale. Monga confirms the rates have almost doubled and chances are bright they may increase, further. Insiders claim one can get a 10-marla plot in a prime location for Rs. 25 to 30-lakhs, while a buyer will have to shell out approx. Rs. 50-lakhs for a 1-kanal plot.

Apart from the SEZ, other factors are instrumental in the rising property prices, such as, the four-laning of the national highway connecting Ambala and Chandigarh's business hub and industrial development activities, and which will decrease the travel time and allow daily, a smooth ride.

Then too, Mohali's Fashion Technology Park has roped in Ambala based artisans, and as the floating population increases, many employees are bound to make the area their home base. Ambala, as it turns out is the best deal in terms of realty, and with the state's firm desire to develop the area, property rates will only continue to increase.

Meanwhile, investors are making a beeline to invest for lucrative returns, with many inquiring about property rates. Rates might be stable right now, but one never knows when they might spin upwards, says a property consultant. Apart from prime locations, such as, Army Cantonment and Ambala City, land prices are also on the rise in villages falling within Ambala limits.

While, agricultural land prices are increasing, Ambala City and Cantonment areas continue to remain the core areas, buyers are interested in. Experts feel it is the right time to invest here, as development is in its initial stages. Once the area is developed, prices will reach for the sky, as well, the Chandigarh real estate market has begun to impact property prices in Ambala, due to easy commuting.

Tripathi, an investor consultant predicts the completion of Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park (RGCTP) will be one of the biggest IT specific SEZ Park in the country. And, after its completion, Chandigarh property prices will increase, going beyond the average person's reach. Real estate agents are anticipating a rise in the housing demand for IT employees, who are sure to move here from the hi-tech cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad, etc.

Today, with distances no longer an issue, it is why Ambala for property investment. The other development on the cards is the Zirakpur - Derabassi belt, which is also providing a thrust to property prices. Mid-point the distance is the same, if covered from either Chandigarh or Ambala. As Chandigarh prices are at an all time high, those with a limited budget might think it far better to invest in Ambala.

Completion of the four-lane Ambala - Chandigarh highway, and the 2.7-km. Zirakpur flyover in the next two years has the builders and colonisers of Ambala eyeing businessmen, professionals and prospective clients, who are ready to shell out big money. A good investment, prices have already spiralled sky-high in Chandigarh and adjoining areas. Better now than later, it's a good time to invest before the spill over effect reaches Ambala!

For more information on Real Estate Agents, MLS visit Propertiesmls

Source: IndiaRealEstateblog

About the Author

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Moving from 'Chiefs' and 'Indians' Management

I've ummed and ahhed about the title for this topic, not wanting to cause offence. So if I do, I don't mean to - the term "Chiefs and Indians" is a metaphor, not a culture statement, so bear with me, it will become clear.

In many, if not most, business cultures, we still have pretty much vertical structures of hierarchy. Yet there is value in moving right along from this ancient creaking model...

You start at the top with the best paid and end up with the humble worker at the bottom end. In larger organisations this can be eight, ten or more deep!

At the bottom you feel 'done to' at the top, you feel the 'doer' - a much more comfortable spot to be. Guess why!

Yet it need not be this way. Of course there are always going to levels of authority, but wise organisations can soften this with a level of democracy which enables even those at the very bottom of the chain, the 'indians' in the metaphor, to feel like 'chiefs', in how they input into the organisation.

You see, the distinction is almost all emotional. It's about control of your own circumstances - and those circumstances are controlled, not surprisingly, by the chiefs, especially in unenlightened organisations.

And control is such an emotive place to be and so uncomfortable if you have little or none and are almost totally 'done to'.

But what if an enlightened boss gave up some of the control, maybe even most of it, to those workers beneath. In fact by giving up much control, maybe they realise that control and input from the 'many' was better for all and would be a respected and valued (and valuable) place to go.

Bosses would become freer from day to day decisions, and their now co-workers, rather than 'slaves' would be more involved, more able to contribute with the richness of their own ideas and implementation skills. It would be radical, yet how valuable it would be, all round.

It doesn't take much on the micro-organisational level. In fact it takes but one step.

Ask your people what 'they think would work'. Get used to involving them in discussions and letting them have a free rein on the ideas and delivery, as long as the result is at least the one you need.

You might be surprised at how quickly they get the hang of it. In fact, you might be surprised at the results to your business, to your people and, not least, to you.

About the Author

? 2005-6 Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, coaching-businesses-to-success

Goal Setting Secrets of the Real Life Indiana Jones


Goal Setting Secrets of the Real Life Indiana Jones

 by: Vic Johnson

Remember when you were 15? Can you recall some of the dreams you had then? How many have you accomplished?

My reflection on that is what attracted me so strongly to the story of John Goddard, of whom the LA Times called, "The real life Indiana Jones," and one of his expeditions, "the most amazing adventure of this generation."

When he was 15, Goddard was inspired to create a list of 127 life goals (he called it My Life List). By his last count, the young seventy-something has accomplished 111 of these PLUS 400 others he set along the way!!

Heres just a few of the ones hes reached:

Hes climbed many of the worlds major peaks including the Matterhorn, Ararat, Kilimanjaro, Fiji, Rainier and the Grand Tetons.

He followed Marco Polos route through all of the Middle East, Asia and China.

Hes run a mile in five minutes, broad jumped 15 feet, high jumped five feet and performed 200 sit-ups and 20 pull-ups.

He was the first person to explore the 4200-mile length of the world's longest river, the Nile. (It was the number one goal of the 15-year-old Goddard and the one the Times called the most amazing adventure of this generation.). He has also been down the Amazon, Congo and others.

John has been to 122 countries, lived with 260 different tribal groups, explored the underwater reefs of Florida, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Red Sea, and more.

He has flown 40 different types of aircraft and still holds civilian air records; has read the Bible cover to cover and learned to speak French, Spanish and Arabic.

The last two on his original list included marrying and having children (he has six) and living to see the 21st Century, which he has done in style.

And Im just getting started. But I think you get the point.

More than just one of the greatest adventurers the world has ever known, Goddard is an incredibly wise person, as this quote of his demonstrates: "If you really know what you want out of life, it's amazing how opportunities will come to enable you to carry them out."

How did John Goddard manage to live such an incredible life of achievement? Two simple, easily duplicatable secrets: He chose BIG dreams and he WROTE THEM DOWN.

Theres no power at all in small dreams. When the dream isnt big enough, its too easy to give in to the obstacles that appear in our life. Its very difficult to maintain the persistence that all great achievement requires when the dream is small or ordinary.

Harland Sanders was 65-years-old, with little more than a $105 Social Security payment in his pocket, when he started Kentucky Fried Chicken. He is said to have been rejected by over 1,000 banks before he became successful. If he hadnt had a big dream his self-esteem could never have withstood such rejection.

One of the biggest dreamers in the world is Mark Victor Hansen. Working with his partner, Jack Canfield, their idea was rejected by 140 book publishers as unsellable. Today, their Chicken Soup series includes more than 70 titles that have sold more than 90 million copies in 39 languages. Mark says, The more goals you set - the more goals you get. Think big, act big and set out to accomplish big results.

Not only must your dreaming and goal setting be big, but it must be in writing. Brian Tracy says that this act alone increases your odds of success by 1000%! Like many people, Id heard that I should write my goals down, but like most people, I rarely did. Looking at Brians formula another way, the failure to write your goals and dreams down means that youve got less than a 1-in-10 chance of succeeding. Can it be any wonder then that most people dont live their dreams?

Who knows where your life can go after it is driven by life goals. You may find yourself landing on the moon someday, which happens to be one of the few original dreams that John Goddard hasnt realized.

Whatever you dreams may be, when you're doing your goal setting, make them BIG and WRITE THEM DOWN! Dont be like the chap in this poem that Napoleon Hill included in the original edition of Think and Grow Rich:

"I bargained with Life for a penny,

And Life would pay no more,

However I begged at evening

When I counted my scanty store.

For Life is a just employer,

He gives you what you ask,

But once you have set the wages,

Why, you must bear the task.

I worked for a menials hire,

Only to learn, dismayed,

That any wage I had asked of Life,

Life would have willingly paid."

About The Author © Copyright 2004 Vic Johnson Vic Johnson is a popular motivational speaker, author and Internet Infopreneur who has created some of the most visited personal development sites on the Web. His flagship site AsAManThinketh has given away over 200,000 eBook copies of James Allen's classic. He is co-author of "Goals 2004," which is found at Goals2005 vic@goals2005

Low Cost Airlines Vs. Indian Railways: Heating Competition, Melting Prices

The continuing fare tussle between the Railways and the Low-cost airlines has changed the contemporary scenario for the Indian traveller. A ticket on India's low-cost carrier (LCC) has made flying, once confined to the rich and elite, an affordable reality for the hordes of Indians travelling across the country.

It has taken some time for the low-cost airline industry to carve a niche for themselves, but the wallet-friendly LCCs are here to stay.

When Air Deccan introduced airfares almost equalling the AC II-tier train fares, the response from the leading domestic airlines like Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines was immediate. Slashed rates and Advanced Purchase schemes (Apex) swiftly began to take shape, resulting upto 30 to 40 per cent slashed fares compared with the original prices.

Barely a year after Air Deccan took off came the launch of Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines, followed by SpiceJet and GoAir. Today the number of LCC's has multiplied from three to a dozen in a matter of months. Since the entry barriers are low, players such as Paramount, IndiGO (Interglobe), Yamuna Air or Kerala Airways, have already filed flight plans.

Continuing a steady progress, LCC's are slowly eating into the aviation market share, capturing almost one third of the total market.

However the dip in market share does not necessarily mean a drop in the number of passengers or revenues for the mainstream airlines, as the size of the air travel segment has also been increasing. In the market driven by the LCCs- with about half of the passengers being first-time air travellers, there's a bigger pie for everyone.

But the biggest loser so far has been Indian Airlines. Even with its trendy make over called Indian, it has been left with a market share of only 23.88 per cent while the potential Jet-Sahara combine controls 45 per cent.

As a result it is now exploring the possibility of floating a subsidiary for low-cost operations by merging Air-India Express, the low-fare arm of A-I with Alliance Air, the decade-old wholly-owned subsidiary of IA servicing tier II cities. This could mean that India would have its first-ever LCC, having both domestic and international operations.

However this fairy tale of low cost airline advent is still in its initial stages.

In Europe, North America and Australasia, most successful low cost airlines have operated primarily in domestic, or unrestricted international markets. The LCCs in India on the other hand, have to operate in a highly regulated domestic environment. This is likely to get compounded with the surge in aviation fuel prices over the past year and the plummeting infrastructure with congestion in airports, lack of landing facilities and parking slots, and increasing staff costs driven by internal competition.

These non-frill LCCs are characterised by few on-board services and elimination of catering. But for the Indian travellers accustomed to travelling in the crowded trains for long hours, the aggressive tariff structure by the LCCs, costing nominally higher than the AC II-tier by train, is becoming a popular alternative.

With the LCCs now targeting the middle-class travellers, the Indian skies are slowly but surely opening up to the one billion plus Indian population.

Copyright (C) Manoj Gursahani

About the Author

Manoj Gursahani is the Director of India's first ecommerce travel portal- TravelMartIndia. Visit the blog for more travel tips and destinations.

HOME BASED BUSINESS FOR INDIANS IN INDIA

HOME BASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IN INDIA FOR THE INDIANS
By: P.N.K.GURU.EKS-Business Strategy Consultant.About the author:
PNK GURU is a business strategist, delivers lectures and offers business consultancy based on the German Success formula called ENERGO CYBERNETIC STRATEGY.

This is highly suitable for the Indian conditions.The special strategy will attract the passerby in the street or on the net and make them participate in the business building process and help them generate income for their future internet business.

Hence the present program will seem to be quite simple but highly successful for the participants!THIS WILL MAKE THEM TO BUILD UP WITH WHAT THEY WANT IN BUSINESS AND LIFE. LET THEM DO IT- JUST MAKE A GOOD BEGINNING TODAY!

HOME BASED JOB OPPORTUNITY -MAKE MILLIONS WITH Rs.60! (only) HOME BASED JOB OPPORTUNITY - MAKE MILLIONS WITH Rs.60! (only for Indians)
Only for Indians, huge earning opportunity.
THIS CAN REALLY MAKE YOU EASY MONEY! BUT YOU HAVE TO TRY A LITTLE FOR IT TO WORK!

This is your ladder to success, happiness and luxury. Now you can get anything that you had dreamt of getting. Get yourself involved and reap the rewards on becoming a millionaire.

A few weeks back, I was browsing through newsgroup, just like you are now and came across an article similar to this that said, you could make Lakhs of Rupees within weeks with only an initial investment of Rs.60! So I thought, "OK, right, this must be a scam", but like most of us, I was curious, so I kept reading .Anyway, it said that you send Rs.10 to the Main Database Address stated below and to each of the other 5 sub addresses stated in the article.

You then delete the name and address in the #1 and move the other four addresses up, that is 5 becomes 4, 4 becomes 3, 3 becomes 2, 2 becomes 1. Now #5 will be blank. Place your own name and address in the bottom of the list at #5. And now, post the article in at least 200 news groups. (There are about a million). No doubt, that was it.
So, after thinking it over, I thought about trying it. I figured what have I got to lose is just 6 stamps and Rs.60, right? Then I invested the measly Rs.60.

Well GUESS WHAT HAPPENED!

Within 7 days, I started getting money in the mail! I was shocked! I figured it would end soon, but the money just kept coming in. In my first week, I made about Rs.250 which is four times the money I invested.

By the end second week I had made a total over Rs.4, 000. In the third week I had over Rs.36, 000. 00 and it's still growing. This is now my fourth week and I have made a total of just over 2, 12,000.00 and it's still coming in rapidly. Its Certainly worth Rs.60, and 6 stamps, I have spent more than that on the lottery, but I never got anything back Let me tell you how this works and most importantly, why it works.

Home based job opportunity
Here is a Step by step instruction of what you have to do.
STEP 1: Get 6 separate pieces of paper and write the following on each piece of paper "PLEASE PUT ME ON YOUR MAILING LIST." and then write your Email Id, Name and Address.

Now get 6 TEN RUPEE NOTES and place ONE inside EACH of the 6 pieces of paper so the notes will not be seen through the envelope to prevent thievery. What you are doing is creating a service by this. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY LEGAL!

Mail the 6 envelopes to the following addresses:

Main Database Address (Don't Delete or Change it)
B.Narayanamoorthy,NIL-72A,Malvia Nagar, New Delhi-110 017
* Sub Addresses
* 1) Ms. R. P. Dalal. C.M. Banaji Bldg, 2nd Floor, Flat # 18, Gowalia Tank,
Mumbai - 400 036.India.
* 2) Mrs. Rosalind Deb, C/o Mr. S. A. Gomes, 26A, Hara Kumar Tagore Square,
Kolkata - 700 014, West Bengal.
* 3) Veena Fernandes C/o Dr. Parinaz Humranwala 583, Vipin Villa,
Jame Jamshed Road , Dadar Parsi Colony Mumbai - 400019
* 4) Mrs.S. Savithiri, 159,bharathiyar street, M.K.palayam, Ganapathy,
Coimbatore-641 006 Tamil nadu India
* 5) P.N.K.GURU 23,Sanganur Main Road, COIMBATORE-641 027 (INDIA)

STEP 2: Now go to Sub Addresses and take the #1 name off (delete) the list that you see above, move the other names up: (5 becomes 4), (4 becomes 3), (3 becomes 2) and ( 2 becomes no.1) and add YOUR Name as number 5) on the list.

Try to remember that you don't change the Main Database Address.
STEP 3: Change only the names and address as in step 2 and keep this article as original.

Now, post your amended article to minimum 200 newsgroups. (There are nearly 25,000 newsgroups). All you need is 200, but remember, the more you host, the more money you make!

STEP 4: Send a E-mail to-> mailto: mailto:pnkguru@yahoo with the subject mailto:pnkguru@yahoo and with the description "I have sent to you and to the other 5 up line members a sum of Rupees ten each by Post/Courier

Send this mail only after you have sent postal mail/courier with money to the main member and to the other 5 up line members.
STEP 5: You will receive a message from

mailto:pnkguru@yahooimmediately, (within 5 minutes) at your Mail Box stating that, "You have been added to our temporary database. And we will, i) include you in our Main Database, ii) send you a list of Newsgroups where you can post the Message, iii) send you instruction on how to post the Message,iv) send you details about other data entry, transcription, back-office, free subscription earning programs, online trades, businesses and about other projects on Net and offline as and when it is available and other details, after making necessary cross-checks and after confirming the receipt of postal mail/courier from you.

If you do not get any reply from us, even after 12 days from the date of sending Postal Mail/Courier, send a mail to mailto:pnkguru@yahoo with the subject 'No Reply from your side'. We would take necessary actions immediately.

"DIRECTIONS--HOW TO POST TO NEWSGROUPS:
Step 1) you do not need to re-type this entire letter to do your own posting. Simply put your cursor at the beginning of this letter and drag your Cursor to the bottom of this document, and select 'copy' from the edit menu. This will copy the entire letter into the computer memory.

Step 2) Open a blank 'notepad' files and place your cursor at the top of the blank page. From the 'edit' menu select 'paste'. This will paste a copy of the letter into notepad so that you can add your name to the list at position #5.

Step 3) Again Go to 'edit' menu, check whether there is a tick-mark near 'word wrap'. If there is no tick-mark click it. On clicking 'word wrap' a small tick-mark will appear near it. If there is no tick-mark near the 'word wrap' property, you could not read the file easily. The contents will not be wrapped as per the size of the notepad window. It may go beyond the window size and would make it difficult for you to read and edit.

Step 4) Save your new notepad file as a .txt file.

In the mean-time you want to post the message yourself you can do so. You have to find out the Newsgroups yourself. Use: Internet explorer or Netscape and try searching for various newsgroups (on-line forums, message boards, chat sites, discussions.)

But, remember that you must post the message only after sending the postal mail/courier with money. And remember that you should not post messages in any banned sites. (Banned sites are those websites meant for particular group of people or for a particular product or category like cell phone, fish, dog, horse, sports, games, education etc., Also don't post any message in any Government Sites and also in Network Sites. Network sites often end with or .org etc., you will get detailed message about this from Mr. Narayanamurthi after the receipt of your Postal Mail/Courier by him.

Step 6) Visit these messages boards and post this article.
There will be a button named "Post Ad" or "Post Ads" or "Post free Ads" or "List Ads" or "Post Message" in the message boards and forums. After clicking that button you will be asked for details and you will have to fill it up. Usually you will be asked for the following things.

a) Name: Type your Name b) Address: Type your Address c) Company Name: Type your Name itself. d) Company Add. : Type your Address itself e.) Email Id: Type your Email-Id. f) Heading or Title: "EARN GOOD MONEY FROM HOME" or "WE MAKE YOU A MILLIONAIRE" or "MAKE MILLIONS WITHIN DAYS" or "WORK FROM HOME". Type any one of this in the Title box. g) Text or Message or Description:

Select this page fully and copy it and then paste it on the message or description box. Copy this page only after amendment (i.e. copy it after you include your Name and Address as #5)

Remember, the more newsgroups you post in, the more money you make. But you have to post minimum of 200. That's it! You will begin receiving money within days! You may eventually rent a P.O. Box due to the large amount of mail you will receive. If you wish to stay anonymous, you can invent a name to use, as long as the postman will deliver it.

Home based job opportunity
**JUST MAKE SURE ALL THE ADDRESSES ARE CORRECT.
** NOW THE QUESTION HOUR:

1) Why should I post to 200 Newsgroups? It is Compulsory? Out of 200 postings, say you receive only 5% response that is 10 replies (a very low example). So then you make Rs 100 with your name at #5 on the letter. Now, each of the 10 persons who just sent you Rs.10.00 each, make the MINIMUM 200 postings, each with your name at #4 and only 10 persons respond to each of the original 10, that is another Rs.1, 000 for you Now those 10 each make 200 MINIMUM posts with your name at #3 and only 10 get replies each, It will bring in an additional Rs.10, 000.

Now, those 10 persons turn around and post the MINIMUM 200 with your name at #2 and only receive 5% replies each, you will make an additional Rs.1, 00,000! OK, now here is the fun part, each of those 10 persons post a MINIMUM 200. Letters with your name at #1 and they only receive 5% replies that is 10 replies each that just made you Rs 10, 00,000!!! A MILLIONAIRE. That is YOU!!!

And all this with only 5% response. Imagine in case you post in more than 200 newsgroups and get more than 5% response. Sky is the limit. With an original investment of only Rs.60! AMAZING! You can too become a Millionaire.

JOIN TODAY. QUITE SIMPLE. HIGHLY REWARDING-BUILD YOUR BASE FOR FUTURE INTERNET BUSINESS!

For more details:
mailto:pnkguru@yahoo,P.N.K.GURU, Home based business in India, 23,Sanganur Main Road,COIMBATORE-641 027

About the Author

PNK GURU is a business strategist, delivers lectures and offers business consultancy based on the German Success formula called ENERGO CYBERNETIC STRATEGY.

This is highly suitable for the Indian conditions.The special strategy will attract the passerby in the street or on the net and make them participate in the business building process and help them generate income for their future internet business.

Top software companies in India gets bigger deal

With the sign of increasing the maturity of the domestic top software companies in India, gets bigger deal, with the IT-industry's average value of contracts that has been swinging up all these times. The average size of the deal has jumped almost tripled from the value of 15 million dollar in year 2004 to nearly $50 million by 2005 year end due to Top Software Companies in India. The analysis of the big deals taken by giants like Wipro, Infosys, TCS and HCL Technologies over the past two years shows that, Top Software Companies in India is on roar.

The customer or client number has also gone up for Top Software Companies in India with increasing regularity of fatter contracts, which shows majors winning by another sign. The resource shows that the Infosys has more than 14 huge budgeted clients with the 40 million dollar mark, and TCS now has 27 clients with worth of 20 million dollar compared last year's 20. This clearly shows that Offshore Outsourcing Companies in India are making their mark in International market.

The Infosys has two clients more than 80 dollar million as compared to just 1 previous year. While the other side shows that due to some big firms in India, the smaller companies are not benefiting out of this upsurge trend. With recent signing of a contract of more than 300 million dollar deal, HCL Technologies has jumped from tier-2 organizations to having deals worth 16 million dollar to getting worth of 90 million dollar contracts.

Good shows by Top software companies

According to the latest report, contrasting to that, the size of average similar deals in region like Asia Pacific shrunken by half an amount to 154 million dollar from previous year because of the good show by Top Software Companies in India. The President with enterprise solutions of Wipro says, with the increase in values of contract along with the duration of contracts had also gone up in span of two years time from year 2003. The deals have crossed 510 million dollars with the pipeline and other four that were get signed in last 180 days of time. Before one year the India Software Industry centered on deals worth of 15 to 20 million dollars, says the HCL Technology's head. This shows that the Top Software Company in India is raising its benchmarks as the appetite for Offshore Outsourcing business is relatively going up.

Even after the recent payment hikes from the Information Technology Companies, this has happened due to firming up of salaries of Indian IT and Software professionals, which means Top Software Companies in India has no longer cost arbitrage. The industry itself has shown their capabilities in terms of quality, timeliness, and understanding of the valuable clients.

About the Author

IT Expert,
E-mail: chetanpatel@tatvasoft
TatvaSoft - Software Outsourcing Company

2006 Cleveland Indians Preview

2005 Overview:



The Cleveland Indians were arguably the best overall team in baseball during the 2nd half of the season. The Indians remained right in the thick of the AL pennant chase until the very last week of the season when a 4-6 record in their last 10 games left them two games back in the wildcard standings. Cleveland ended the year with an impressive final record of 93-69. The Tribe fielded some of the best young offensive talent in all of baseball in 2005, led by a breakout year from shortstop Jhonny Peralta (.292 25 78). Peralta?s first full season helped Cleveland?s offense keep the Tribe close for the better part of the summer. Newly acquired 3b Aaron Boone (.243 16 60) also combined talents with infielders Ronnie Belliard (.284 17 78) and 1st baseman Ben Broussard (.255 19 68) in order to assemble one of the best all around infields in all of baseball. Additional offense was provided in 2005 from outfielder Grady Sizemore (.289 22 81) and Casey Blake (.241 23 58) who joined Coco Crisp (.300 16 69), catcher Victor Martinez (.305 20 80) and DH Travis Hafner (.305 33 108) to complete the rest of the lineup.



The Indians? pitching staff also proved to be among the best in the AL with starting Pitcher Cliff Lee (18-5 3.79) and C.C. Sabathia (15-10 4.03) joining Jake Westbrook (15-15 4.49) and newly acquired pitchers Scott Elarton (11-9 4.61) and Kevin Millwood (9-11 2.86) in order to form a solid rotation. Aging closer Bob Wickman (0-4 2.47 45 saves) surprised skeptics by proving he still had plenty left in the tank posting a 14-year career high 45 saves in 50 attempts.



Off Season Moves:



The Indians didn?t make many moves during the off season although free-agent right-hander Paul Byrd (12-11 3.74) was signed to take the place of departing Kevin Millwood (who was signed by the Rangers). The Indians also replaced starting pitcher Scott Elarton (signed by the Royals) with Detroit Tiger free-agent Jason Johnson (8-13 4.54). Cleveland also tried to obtain another closer chasing both B.J. Ryan and Trevor Hoffman in the off season but finally settled on bringing back Bob Wickman.



Outfielder Coco Crisp was sent to the Red Sox in exchange for reliever Guillermo Mota (2-2 4.70). The Indians also sent reliever Arthur Rhodes to Philadelphia for outfielder Jason Michaels (.304 4 31), the probable replacement for Crisp as Cleveland's starting left fielder.



2006 Analysis:



The Indians did their best by addressing the free agent departures of Millwood and Elarton but the bottom of the rotation is still shaky. Paul Byrd should be a nice addition to the starting group. The Indians let Millwood go despite the fact that he posted one of the best ERAs in the league. Cleveland was somewhat disappointed in Millwood?s ability to win more games for them. The workhorse bullpen expects to pick up right where it left off in 2005 with Arthur Rhodes (3-1 2.08), Fernando Cabrera (2-1 1.47), Scott Sauerbeck (1-0 4.04) and newcomer Guillermo Mota setting up closer Bob Wickman. The tribe should be primed for another title chase in 2006 if the starting pitching and bullpen can hold up. With an offense like the Indian?s it?s hard to count them out of anything ? especially if Peralta can continue to improve at the plate in 2006.

About the Author:

Jack Scrafford recommends PlatinumTickets to buy Cleveland Indians tickets. See platinumtickets/mlb/cleveland_indians_tickets.html for more information.