We do this here from time to time, and now is one of those times.

That is, reminding the people running the Browns that they should not just be watching — but also studying, intently so — the people running the Guardians and how they go about their business. Indeed, the Brown would be well to do that. It would help them, a lot.

The Guardians, and their forerunners, the Indians, dating all the way back to the early 1990s when they finally, after decades of struggles, became one of the baseball’s top teams, have continued to be an incredibly well-run franchise. That has especially been the case the last 10 years when Terry Francona took over as manager. Francona was the best manager in Major League Baseball. No matter what happened, or how many injuries the team had, or any other issues, he and his coaching staff and the front office found a way to keep the team winning. They didn’t make excuses for anything. They just found a way to make it work.

That is the case again this year after Francona retired and was replaced by Stephen Vogt. Going into Monday night’s opener of a three-game series at home against the New York Mets, the Guardians were 30–17, leading the Central Division and owning the third-best record in the American league and the fifth-best in all of baseball. They have done so even with the fact ace starter Shane Bieber was lost for the season after only several starts. They have also had injuries throughout other parts of the pitching staff, and with their positional players as well. But again, they never let it stop them. They just keep winning. They just keep finding a way.

What is most impressive in that unlike the NFL, which with its salary cap has created a level playing field financially for all teams, no matter their market size, MLB has no viable cap like that, allowing big-market clubs, like the Mets, spend much more in salaries than small-market ones such as the Guardians. Thus, the Guards have had to rely on the guile and acumen of managers, coaches and front office to compete, allowing their dollars to be stretched further.

The Browns ran into all kinds of injury problems last year, especially at quarterback, but they were able to work through it and flourish, making the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Much of that came on the strength of a decision they more or less fell into with the signing of quarterback Joe Flacco. They foolishly did not resign him for this season, a decision they may live to regret if starter Deshaun Watson gets hurt again.

Regardless of what happens with injuries, which, with bad breaks, are part of the game, the Browns have to not only make the postseason again, but to do better than getting blown out in the first round.

Their window of opportunity is right now. They have a good roster, comparable to just about any team in the AFC, so it is up to head coach Kevin Stefanski and his staff to create an environment that the talent can shine.

That has to be the expectation. No excuses.

Just ask Guardians.

Steve King