I wonder if the Indians would have made plans for a Jim Thome statue this soon had they not traded for the slugger this season.

The guess is ... NO WAY. So, why the hurry to erect a statue of Thome at Heritage Park?

Had the Indians not traded for Thome this season, and if you asked 100 Indians fans should the team put a statue in Heritage Park, I'm guessing more than half would say it wasn't a good idea. At least, not right now.

I'm not saying this is a prisoner-of-the-moment, let's-take-advantage-of-the-situation decision by the Indians. I'm sure the team was in discussion to recognize Thome after he hit his 600th career home run earlier this season in some way. I'm saying it seems a bit soon.

Soon because, as all Indians fans should know, Larry Doby deserves a statue. So does Napoleon Lajoie. So does Tris Speaker. Omar Vizquel? Albert Belle? Rocky Colavito? There's a solid argument for all.

- Mark Podolski