For parents, sons, daughters and all generations, baseball still matters: Bill Livingston
By Bill Livingston, The Plain Dealer
December 19, 2009, 8:29PM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- My Aunt Wilma was the youngest of eight children who grew up in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, while my father was the oldest. They were still the closest of them all.
She and my dad were drawn together by a love of reading, usually from the Collier's, Life and Saturday Evening Post magazines that surrounded them, and by baseball, to which each gave a lifetime of devotion.
My dad was a St. Louis Cardinals fan, born and died one. They were the team of the entire Southwest because of the reach of KMOX on the AM radio dial in the years before baseball expansion.
My aunt had no interest in the first major-league Texas team, the Houston Colt .45s, who soon were re-named the Astros. But the Texas Rangers were different. They were her team from the moment the old Washington Senators plopped down within easy driving distance of her until she died last month at the age of 86.
This will be my first Christmas without her. The stock of wisdom and laughter in the world went down when she left it.
I was able to spend an afternoon with her this summer in Texas, when she was in an assisted-living facility. She could still get around in her small apartment, and she had a TV set there. I am sure she had the Rangers schedule close at hand. Long after she was widowed, she passed her nights in the company of Nolan Ryan's fastball, which could bring the heat like the sweat-popping, eye-glazing 100-degree Dallas nights outside.
She rooted for the Indians when they reached the World Series in 1995 and 1997. She said it was because she had family here, but I also think it was because she could relate to the exquisite frustration of excellence that went unrewarded. She had seen Ryan and the young, still-precocious Alex Rodriguez toil valiantly in lost causes night after night.
She and her daughter Sissy visited Canton to see the Pro Football Hall of Fame several years ago. I made sure to set up a trip to Jacobs Field, too. The Tribe was out of town, but Aunt Wilma remembered how my dad would schedule his vacation so he could watch the daytime World Series games on television. Seeing the place where a World Series was played, in person, seemed to be her own field of dreams.
We started at the Bob Feller statue, in which Feller is rearing back to throw the hard one. His leg is just beginning its high kick. He knew how far his fastball might take him, and he was anxious to get started on the journey. Every Depression kid could relate to that leggy, hungry drive for success.
An RBI League (the initials stand for Returning Baseball to the Inner City) game was going on at the park. That was ironic. In earlier generations, more people followed baseball than the other sports combined. Every sportswriter can tell you he gets more mail from female readers about baseball than anything else. It used to transcend age, place and gender.
We took photographs of each other in the press box and stared out at the beautiful ballpark. Then we "borrowed" some paper napkins with Chief Wahoo's face on them, which she kept as souvenirs.
Richard Jacobs, the man who gave the park its name, is gone now, and so is his name on the building, and so is my aunt. After she died, I contacted the Indians staff and thanked them for their kindness years ago. Tribe communications director Curtis Danburg replied, "Sometimes we take for granted the impact this place and the game of baseball has on people."
He got that right.
My aunt kept saying, "I can't believe I'm in Jacobs Field, where they played the World Series!" Then, her hands would flutter up, and she would clasp them over her heart.
Jumat, 25 Desember 2009
Kamis, 10 Desember 2009
NDIANAPOLIS -- Manny does hats.
Looking as dapper as Frank Sinatra, or Humphrey Bogart in one of those old black-and-white detective movies, the Indians' new manager met the press Tuesday at the winter meetings wearing a black fedora to go along with his black jacket, shirt and pants.
"I like hats," said Acta.
Acta moved easily through the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott. He seemed to know everyone. He bumped fists with Jim Bowden, the general manager who hired him to manage the Nationals in 2007.
"I said when we hired him he was going to be the next Jim Leyland and I still feel the same way," said Bowden.
Acta couldn't take two steps in the crowded lobby without somebody hugging him, shaking his hand or interviewing him. He was a man in his element.
When Acta sat down at his designated table to talk to reporters, someone said Tony La Russa had been drinking out of a can of nearby Pepsi during an earlier interview. Acta grabbed the can and rolled it on his sleeve.
"I want to rub a little of him on me," he said.
Then he started talking about the Indians.
"The first thing we need to do is stop dwelling on the guys that left," said Acta, "because they're not coming back. We need to embrace the new kids that came aboard and are already ready to contribute at the big league level, and to face what it is.
"That's the type of team and market that we are. This is what we're going to do. We need to work hard, out-smart, out-work, out-scout, whatever we have to do to stop from falling into the excuse that we just don't have the right payroll."
The Indians' payroll is expected to be somewhere between $56 million and $65 million. Last year it was $85.1 million.
The list of players no longer here is long and familiar. Yet Acta does not think the Indians are starting over.
"I just don't agree when people are saying that we're rebuilding," he said, "because we have a lot of pieces in place."
He started naming names: Shin-Soo Choo in right field, Grady Sizemore in center, Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop, Jhonny Peralta at third, Travis Hafner at designated hitter.
Then he turned to the farm system with Carlos Santana, Hector Rondon, Nick Weglarz, Carlos Carrasco and others. The Indians' youth and farm system was as important as the third guaranteed year GM Mark Shapiro gave Acta in prying him away from Houston in November.
Some forms of perfection come with flaws.
Acta knows that Jake Westbrook and Fausto Carmona, his two most experienced starters, have to prove they can still pitch and win in the big leagues. He has to piece together the rest of the rotation from the suspect talents of Justin Masterson, David Huff, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Rondon and Carrasco.
In the middle of the lineup, Travis Hafner must rediscover himself after two years of injury and poor performance. Left field has to be settled among Trevor Crowe, Michael Brantley and Jordan Brown. Matt LaPorta has to recover from two surgeries and prove he can play first base every day. No one knows if rookie Lou Marson is an everyday catcher.
In the bullpen, closer Kerry Wood needs consistent work and Rafael Perez needs to leave last year's demons behind. Jensen Lewis has to keep the ball in the park and Tony Sipp and Chris Perez must prove their hot streaks last season weren't mirages.
Then there is the biggest problem of all: how to deal with Sizemore's pirated Internet pictures to his girlfriend?
"I haven't seen them, because that's really not going to help me win one more game," said Acta. "I think it's sad, people using stuff like that to basically get into people's private lives. But you have to be aware of it."
Acta said he'll go to spring training with the idea of winning the AL Central. He expects the same from his players.
"We don't want to compete, we want to win," he said. "That's what we want to establish."
Looking as dapper as Frank Sinatra, or Humphrey Bogart in one of those old black-and-white detective movies, the Indians' new manager met the press Tuesday at the winter meetings wearing a black fedora to go along with his black jacket, shirt and pants.
"I like hats," said Acta.
Acta moved easily through the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott. He seemed to know everyone. He bumped fists with Jim Bowden, the general manager who hired him to manage the Nationals in 2007.
"I said when we hired him he was going to be the next Jim Leyland and I still feel the same way," said Bowden.
Acta couldn't take two steps in the crowded lobby without somebody hugging him, shaking his hand or interviewing him. He was a man in his element.
When Acta sat down at his designated table to talk to reporters, someone said Tony La Russa had been drinking out of a can of nearby Pepsi during an earlier interview. Acta grabbed the can and rolled it on his sleeve.
"I want to rub a little of him on me," he said.
Then he started talking about the Indians.
"The first thing we need to do is stop dwelling on the guys that left," said Acta, "because they're not coming back. We need to embrace the new kids that came aboard and are already ready to contribute at the big league level, and to face what it is.
"That's the type of team and market that we are. This is what we're going to do. We need to work hard, out-smart, out-work, out-scout, whatever we have to do to stop from falling into the excuse that we just don't have the right payroll."
The Indians' payroll is expected to be somewhere between $56 million and $65 million. Last year it was $85.1 million.
The list of players no longer here is long and familiar. Yet Acta does not think the Indians are starting over.
"I just don't agree when people are saying that we're rebuilding," he said, "because we have a lot of pieces in place."
He started naming names: Shin-Soo Choo in right field, Grady Sizemore in center, Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop, Jhonny Peralta at third, Travis Hafner at designated hitter.
Then he turned to the farm system with Carlos Santana, Hector Rondon, Nick Weglarz, Carlos Carrasco and others. The Indians' youth and farm system was as important as the third guaranteed year GM Mark Shapiro gave Acta in prying him away from Houston in November.
Some forms of perfection come with flaws.
Acta knows that Jake Westbrook and Fausto Carmona, his two most experienced starters, have to prove they can still pitch and win in the big leagues. He has to piece together the rest of the rotation from the suspect talents of Justin Masterson, David Huff, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Rondon and Carrasco.
In the middle of the lineup, Travis Hafner must rediscover himself after two years of injury and poor performance. Left field has to be settled among Trevor Crowe, Michael Brantley and Jordan Brown. Matt LaPorta has to recover from two surgeries and prove he can play first base every day. No one knows if rookie Lou Marson is an everyday catcher.
In the bullpen, closer Kerry Wood needs consistent work and Rafael Perez needs to leave last year's demons behind. Jensen Lewis has to keep the ball in the park and Tony Sipp and Chris Perez must prove their hot streaks last season weren't mirages.
Then there is the biggest problem of all: how to deal with Sizemore's pirated Internet pictures to his girlfriend?
"I haven't seen them, because that's really not going to help me win one more game," said Acta. "I think it's sad, people using stuff like that to basically get into people's private lives. But you have to be aware of it."
Acta said he'll go to spring training with the idea of winning the AL Central. He expects the same from his players.
"We don't want to compete, we want to win," he said. "That's what we want to establish."
Jumat, 23 Oktober 2009
Lovullo's right! - Oct 23
Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- Torey Lovullo wants a chance to manage the Cleveland Indians after spending the last eight seasons working in the club's farm system.
"I'm familiar with the setting," Lovullo said Friday, after interviewing a second time with general manager Mark Shapiro. "This team is a lot further along than some might believe."
Lovullo emphasized his desire to take the job if it's offered to him.
"I have prepared for this and am ready," he said, adding that playing for seven different managers in eight seasons, including Terry Francona, helped mold his managerial philosophies.
Francona guided the Boston Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and '07.
"What you really learn is what not to do," Lovullo said. "You learn from them all, but Terry's ability to communicate and relate to players is special."
Francona was a special assistant to Shapiro between jobs in Philadelphia and Boston.
Lovullo managed 35 players at Triple-A Columbus who played this year for Eric Wedge, who was fired with six games left in his seventh season as Cleveland manager.
The constant shuttle was caused by injuries and poor play by the Indians, who finished 65-97, their worst record in 18 years.
Some players sent down told Lovullo they had lost confidence after being yanked in and out of the lineup or moved from position to position.
"I like to get a lineup and try not to change it," Lovullo said. "I'm big on team chemistry. I want players to know I have their back, that they can play relaxed and comfortable. ... But I expect an effort every day. This team can look different, act different and play different."
Better relief pitching would be a welcome change.
When Cleveland won the AL Central in 2007, Joe Borowski led the league with 45 saves and had a group of reliable relievers setting him up. Last winter, Shapiro signed Kerry Wood to a two-year, $20 million contract -- and the new closer got only 26 save chances all season.
"The biggest challenge to an AL manager is knowing how to run a bullpen," Lovullo said. "You try and put guys in a role in which they are comfortable."
Lovullo thinks he can get the team to start better than the 11-21 record it had by mid-May.
"The last few days of spring training, you have to change the mindset and prepare as if it is already opening day," Lovullo said. "I'd like to take the team on a three-day trip, like we were going on the road."
Lovullo made his major-league debut with Detroit in 1987. He also played for the New York Yankees, Angels, Seattle, Oakland, Cleveland and Philadelphia, before one final season in Japan. In 303 big-league games, mostly as a utility infielder, he hit .225 with 15 homers and 60 RBIs.
He became an Indians minor-league instructor in 2001 and a year later guided Columbus (Ga.) to the second-half championship in the Class A South Atlantic League.
He was manager of the year in 2004 at Class A Kinston (N.C.) and again in 2005 at Double-A Akron, where he guided the Aeros to an 84-58 record and the Eastern League championship.
CLEVELAND -- Torey Lovullo wants a chance to manage the Cleveland Indians after spending the last eight seasons working in the club's farm system.
"I'm familiar with the setting," Lovullo said Friday, after interviewing a second time with general manager Mark Shapiro. "This team is a lot further along than some might believe."
Lovullo emphasized his desire to take the job if it's offered to him.
"I have prepared for this and am ready," he said, adding that playing for seven different managers in eight seasons, including Terry Francona, helped mold his managerial philosophies.
Francona guided the Boston Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and '07.
"What you really learn is what not to do," Lovullo said. "You learn from them all, but Terry's ability to communicate and relate to players is special."
Francona was a special assistant to Shapiro between jobs in Philadelphia and Boston.
Lovullo managed 35 players at Triple-A Columbus who played this year for Eric Wedge, who was fired with six games left in his seventh season as Cleveland manager.
The constant shuttle was caused by injuries and poor play by the Indians, who finished 65-97, their worst record in 18 years.
Some players sent down told Lovullo they had lost confidence after being yanked in and out of the lineup or moved from position to position.
"I like to get a lineup and try not to change it," Lovullo said. "I'm big on team chemistry. I want players to know I have their back, that they can play relaxed and comfortable. ... But I expect an effort every day. This team can look different, act different and play different."
Better relief pitching would be a welcome change.
When Cleveland won the AL Central in 2007, Joe Borowski led the league with 45 saves and had a group of reliable relievers setting him up. Last winter, Shapiro signed Kerry Wood to a two-year, $20 million contract -- and the new closer got only 26 save chances all season.
"The biggest challenge to an AL manager is knowing how to run a bullpen," Lovullo said. "You try and put guys in a role in which they are comfortable."
Lovullo thinks he can get the team to start better than the 11-21 record it had by mid-May.
"The last few days of spring training, you have to change the mindset and prepare as if it is already opening day," Lovullo said. "I'd like to take the team on a three-day trip, like we were going on the road."
Lovullo made his major-league debut with Detroit in 1987. He also played for the New York Yankees, Angels, Seattle, Oakland, Cleveland and Philadelphia, before one final season in Japan. In 303 big-league games, mostly as a utility infielder, he hit .225 with 15 homers and 60 RBIs.
He became an Indians minor-league instructor in 2001 and a year later guided Columbus (Ga.) to the second-half championship in the Class A South Atlantic League.
He was manager of the year in 2004 at Class A Kinston (N.C.) and again in 2005 at Double-A Akron, where he guided the Aeros to an 84-58 record and the Eastern League championship.
Minggu, 11 Oktober 2009
Finding positives proved to be a challenge after Cleveland Indians' wasted
Finding positives proved to be a challenge after Cleveland Indians' wasted
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's too easy to ask what went wrong with the 2009 Indians. Everyone knows by now.
People have been fired and traded because of it.
The harder question to ask and answer is what went right? Not much to be sure.
Asdrubal Cabrera had a nice year. The same with Shin-Soo Choo. Rookie David Huff won 11 games. Luis Valbuena hit 10 homers as a rookie. Tony Sipp and Chris Perez threw well at times out of the bullpen.
The Indians had a chance to look at a lot of rookies. There were 12 on the club when the season ended on Oct. 4 with a 12-7 loss to Boston. Said fired manager Eric Wedge, "Some have shown they belong in the big leagues. Some need more time in the minors."
Which sounds a lot like the scout, who in early June, when the Indians still had the team they thought would contend intact, said, "The Indians have a lot of big-league players. They just don't have any stars."
Since several of those big-league players were traded long ago, it makes one wonder where the Indians stand now.
At the All-Star break they were a collection of strangers. It's safe to say they ended the season the same way. When 52 players walk through the locker room door, it's hard to call anybody "buddy," much less remember his name.
The front office has always been a big believer in having leaders among its players. There weren't many to be found after the flurry of trades. Third baseman Jhonny Peralta has no inclination to lead. Travis Hafner started the year with one sore shoulder and ended it with two. Fausto Carmona was in the ozone the whole year and closer Kerry Wood never really got a chance to show what he could do on or off the field because he had so few save opportunities.
Grady Sizemore played for five months with a left elbow and left groin that needed surgery. When he finally shut it down in September to have two operations within a week of each other, the Indians turned into an expansion team.
Statistically speaking, the season was just as bad as it looked. Only six other teams in Indians history lost more games than this year's 65-97 club. The Indians have played baseball since 1901, so that covers a lot ground and a lot of bad baseball.
GM Mark Shapiro says this won't be a complete rebuild like he went through in 2003. He could start an argument in any bar in town with that statement. That is, if anybody is still talking about the Indians.
So whoever Shapiro hires as manager better come with the proper equipment. Only sledgehammers will do on this
FIVE REASONS WHYTHE INDIANS’ SEASON COLLAPSED
1. Desert delirium: When the Indians reported in February to their new $72 million spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., everything that ailed the franchise was going to be cured. No more would they have to contend with the antiquated facility in Winter Haven, Fla. While the complex offered everything a ballplayer needed, even if it did look like a detention center on the far side of the moon, the Indians, remarkably uninspired, lost 20 games in Cactus League play. The desert delirium persisted into the regular season as they lost seven of their first eight games to finish April with an 8-14 record. The pattern of the season was set.
2. Thou shall not save: The Indians’ bullpen, GM Mark Shapiro’s pride and joy in the off-season, blew 10 saves in the first two months of the season. In the next four months, they blew eight.They had 10 games decided in the eighth inning or later in April and May. The Indians went 2-8 in those games.
3. Take your pick: David Dellucci and Masa Kobayashi were a waste of roster space. Grady Sizemore played hurt all year. They waited too long to promote Andy Marte and Matt LaPorta from Class AAA Columbus.The pitchers walked too many batters. The hitters struck out too much. Travis Hafner was a shadow of himself. Manager Eric Wedge changed the lineup too much. Owner Larry Dolan is cheap. Shapiro can’t judge talent. Chris Gimenez played too much. Jordan Brown could have saved the season if they’d only called him up. Winston Abreu was really a spy planted by the four other AL Central teams to sabotage the Tribe’s season.
4. They messed with the gulls: When Shin-Soo Choo’s game-winning single in the 10th inning deflected off a gull in center field on June 11, the Indians should have embraced the moment. They should have done everything possible to cater to the flocks of gulls that had descended into Progressive Field over the previous games. Instead, they set off fireworks between innings to keep the gulls away. The fireworks worked and kept the Indians from being embarrassed in a string of nationally televised games, but it ruined what would have been the best home-field advantage this side of the Metrodome.The Indians were 27-36 and seven games out of first place after Choo’s single. They went 38-61 the rest of the year and buzzards replaced the gulls above the ballpark.
5. It’s the trades, stupid: This is the old chicken or the egg argument. Were the Indians going to break the team up all along? Or were they waiting until midseason to see how they were going before conducting a fire sale?It didn’t matter because after the deals of Mark DeRosa, Rafael Betancourt, Ryan Garko, Cliff Lee, Ben Francisco, Victor Martinez and Carl Pavano, the Indians were as bad a team as there was in the big leagues. After Pavano was traded on Aug. 7, the Indians finished the year by going 19-35. Only Pittsburgh finished with a worse record (17-36).
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's too easy to ask what went wrong with the 2009 Indians. Everyone knows by now.
People have been fired and traded because of it.
The harder question to ask and answer is what went right? Not much to be sure.
Asdrubal Cabrera had a nice year. The same with Shin-Soo Choo. Rookie David Huff won 11 games. Luis Valbuena hit 10 homers as a rookie. Tony Sipp and Chris Perez threw well at times out of the bullpen.
The Indians had a chance to look at a lot of rookies. There were 12 on the club when the season ended on Oct. 4 with a 12-7 loss to Boston. Said fired manager Eric Wedge, "Some have shown they belong in the big leagues. Some need more time in the minors."
Which sounds a lot like the scout, who in early June, when the Indians still had the team they thought would contend intact, said, "The Indians have a lot of big-league players. They just don't have any stars."
Since several of those big-league players were traded long ago, it makes one wonder where the Indians stand now.
At the All-Star break they were a collection of strangers. It's safe to say they ended the season the same way. When 52 players walk through the locker room door, it's hard to call anybody "buddy," much less remember his name.
The front office has always been a big believer in having leaders among its players. There weren't many to be found after the flurry of trades. Third baseman Jhonny Peralta has no inclination to lead. Travis Hafner started the year with one sore shoulder and ended it with two. Fausto Carmona was in the ozone the whole year and closer Kerry Wood never really got a chance to show what he could do on or off the field because he had so few save opportunities.
Grady Sizemore played for five months with a left elbow and left groin that needed surgery. When he finally shut it down in September to have two operations within a week of each other, the Indians turned into an expansion team.
Statistically speaking, the season was just as bad as it looked. Only six other teams in Indians history lost more games than this year's 65-97 club. The Indians have played baseball since 1901, so that covers a lot ground and a lot of bad baseball.
GM Mark Shapiro says this won't be a complete rebuild like he went through in 2003. He could start an argument in any bar in town with that statement. That is, if anybody is still talking about the Indians.
So whoever Shapiro hires as manager better come with the proper equipment. Only sledgehammers will do on this
FIVE REASONS WHYTHE INDIANS’ SEASON COLLAPSED
1. Desert delirium: When the Indians reported in February to their new $72 million spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., everything that ailed the franchise was going to be cured. No more would they have to contend with the antiquated facility in Winter Haven, Fla. While the complex offered everything a ballplayer needed, even if it did look like a detention center on the far side of the moon, the Indians, remarkably uninspired, lost 20 games in Cactus League play. The desert delirium persisted into the regular season as they lost seven of their first eight games to finish April with an 8-14 record. The pattern of the season was set.
2. Thou shall not save: The Indians’ bullpen, GM Mark Shapiro’s pride and joy in the off-season, blew 10 saves in the first two months of the season. In the next four months, they blew eight.They had 10 games decided in the eighth inning or later in April and May. The Indians went 2-8 in those games.
3. Take your pick: David Dellucci and Masa Kobayashi were a waste of roster space. Grady Sizemore played hurt all year. They waited too long to promote Andy Marte and Matt LaPorta from Class AAA Columbus.The pitchers walked too many batters. The hitters struck out too much. Travis Hafner was a shadow of himself. Manager Eric Wedge changed the lineup too much. Owner Larry Dolan is cheap. Shapiro can’t judge talent. Chris Gimenez played too much. Jordan Brown could have saved the season if they’d only called him up. Winston Abreu was really a spy planted by the four other AL Central teams to sabotage the Tribe’s season.
4. They messed with the gulls: When Shin-Soo Choo’s game-winning single in the 10th inning deflected off a gull in center field on June 11, the Indians should have embraced the moment. They should have done everything possible to cater to the flocks of gulls that had descended into Progressive Field over the previous games. Instead, they set off fireworks between innings to keep the gulls away. The fireworks worked and kept the Indians from being embarrassed in a string of nationally televised games, but it ruined what would have been the best home-field advantage this side of the Metrodome.The Indians were 27-36 and seven games out of first place after Choo’s single. They went 38-61 the rest of the year and buzzards replaced the gulls above the ballpark.
5. It’s the trades, stupid: This is the old chicken or the egg argument. Were the Indians going to break the team up all along? Or were they waiting until midseason to see how they were going before conducting a fire sale?It didn’t matter because after the deals of Mark DeRosa, Rafael Betancourt, Ryan Garko, Cliff Lee, Ben Francisco, Victor Martinez and Carl Pavano, the Indians were as bad a team as there was in the big leagues. After Pavano was traded on Aug. 7, the Indians finished the year by going 19-35. Only Pittsburgh finished with a worse record (17-36).
Senin, 05 Oktober 2009
Indians Close Out 2009
1. The Indians know they may have to sell themselves to some managerial candidates because there are times when more than one team wants to hire the same person. The Tribe's pitch will center on the fact they went through a seriously rebuilding stage in 2003-04. It produced a contender in 2005, along with the 2007 team that won 96 games.
2 The Indians will explain the strength of the team is in the young position players. It begins with the outfield of Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore and Michael Brantley. They also can use Matt LaPorta in left field, otherwise he starts at first base.
3. Brantley entered the weekend batting .302. The Indians want to see him draw more walks (8 in 106 at-bats). He also had only four extra-base hits, all doubles. They think he will quickly improve in both areas.
4. Notice the Indians gave Trevor Crowe a decent shot, but he batted only .230 (.603 OPS) in 178 at-bats. They think he can help as a backup outfielder because of his speed and ability to play all three outfield spots, but he has to give them more offense. I'm not nearly as sold on Crowe.
5. As the Indians plan their infield, it's Jhonny Peralta at third, Asdrubal Cabrera at short, Luis Valbuena at second with LaPorta at first. But Andy Marte and Jordan Brown also are in the first-base mix, with Marte very capable at third. LaPorta hit .289 (.840 OPS) with six homers and 16 RBI in 133 at-bats after being recalled from the minors.
6. Catching is wide open with Lou Marson and Wyatt Toregas the main candidates, at least until Carlos Santana is ready. Kelly Shoppach will probably be headed to another team. The Indians also would be interested in keeping utility man Jamey Carroll, but not at the $2.2 million salary he made this season. They do want a veteran backup infielder.
7. To make this lineup work, it seems the Indians need another veteran hitter to replace Victor Martinez -- unless Travis Hafner comes all the way back to his 2006 form.
8. The big questions are with pitching. Assuming Jake Westbrook is healthy (not a guarantee), he is the only starter older than 26. It seems Aaron Laffey, Justin Masterson and David Huff have locked up rotation spots -- although Laffey is the only one to show any semblance of consistency. But give Huff credit for winning 11 games with this team. As for Fausto Carmona, they certainly will give him every chance to start.
9. What the Indians need is someone such as Carlos Carrasco or Hector Rondon to make a great leap forward as a starter. Both have the raw talent, but who knows when it will click. Jeremy Sowers had a good two months in July and August, but ended the season with three poor starts and a final record of 6-11 with a 5.25 ERA. He may end up in long relief.
10. The Indians hope they have a decent bullpen in place with Kerry Wood closing. He had a 3.09 ERA and 8-of-10 in save opportunities after the All-Star break. Others who have been promising are Chris Perez and Tony Sipp. They think Raffy Perez is making some progress, but we'll see if that holds up next season. All of this begs for the Indians to find a manager and build a coaching staff that can develop young pitching -- and that points to Boston's John Farrell. While there are contract considerations giving the Red Sox control over Farrell next season, it seems a deal can be worked between the two teams -- especially since they are not in the same division.
2 The Indians will explain the strength of the team is in the young position players. It begins with the outfield of Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore and Michael Brantley. They also can use Matt LaPorta in left field, otherwise he starts at first base.
3. Brantley entered the weekend batting .302. The Indians want to see him draw more walks (8 in 106 at-bats). He also had only four extra-base hits, all doubles. They think he will quickly improve in both areas.
4. Notice the Indians gave Trevor Crowe a decent shot, but he batted only .230 (.603 OPS) in 178 at-bats. They think he can help as a backup outfielder because of his speed and ability to play all three outfield spots, but he has to give them more offense. I'm not nearly as sold on Crowe.
5. As the Indians plan their infield, it's Jhonny Peralta at third, Asdrubal Cabrera at short, Luis Valbuena at second with LaPorta at first. But Andy Marte and Jordan Brown also are in the first-base mix, with Marte very capable at third. LaPorta hit .289 (.840 OPS) with six homers and 16 RBI in 133 at-bats after being recalled from the minors.
6. Catching is wide open with Lou Marson and Wyatt Toregas the main candidates, at least until Carlos Santana is ready. Kelly Shoppach will probably be headed to another team. The Indians also would be interested in keeping utility man Jamey Carroll, but not at the $2.2 million salary he made this season. They do want a veteran backup infielder.
7. To make this lineup work, it seems the Indians need another veteran hitter to replace Victor Martinez -- unless Travis Hafner comes all the way back to his 2006 form.
8. The big questions are with pitching. Assuming Jake Westbrook is healthy (not a guarantee), he is the only starter older than 26. It seems Aaron Laffey, Justin Masterson and David Huff have locked up rotation spots -- although Laffey is the only one to show any semblance of consistency. But give Huff credit for winning 11 games with this team. As for Fausto Carmona, they certainly will give him every chance to start.
9. What the Indians need is someone such as Carlos Carrasco or Hector Rondon to make a great leap forward as a starter. Both have the raw talent, but who knows when it will click. Jeremy Sowers had a good two months in July and August, but ended the season with three poor starts and a final record of 6-11 with a 5.25 ERA. He may end up in long relief.
10. The Indians hope they have a decent bullpen in place with Kerry Wood closing. He had a 3.09 ERA and 8-of-10 in save opportunities after the All-Star break. Others who have been promising are Chris Perez and Tony Sipp. They think Raffy Perez is making some progress, but we'll see if that holds up next season. All of this begs for the Indians to find a manager and build a coaching staff that can develop young pitching -- and that points to Boston's John Farrell. While there are contract considerations giving the Red Sox control over Farrell next season, it seems a deal can be worked between the two teams -- especially since they are not in the same division.
Kamis, 24 September 2009
Wedge will have made impact no matter what
Wedge will have made impact no matter what
By Sheldon Ocker Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Sep 24, 2009
CLEVELAND: Managers are made, not born, but who makes them?
In just 10 days, Eric Wedge will complete his seventh season as manager of the Indians. Even though he has a contract for 2010, Wedge might not be back. More than likely, we will learn Wedge's fate one or two days after the schedule has been played out on Oct. 4.
Regardless of whether Wedge returns next year, he will have made an impact in Cleveland. Only four managers have guided the Tribe longer than Wedge, who is fifth in wins (557) and is one of only four Cleveland skippers to win a postseason series.
Two distinctive Wedge traits: He always is prepared, and he is consistent in the way he treats his players, whether things are going well on the field or not. Wedge's standards seem so ingrained in his personality, one would think he grew up with the goal of becoming a manager.
''I paid attention to being a catcher when I was a kid,'' Wedge said Wednesday. ''I did like Sparky Anderson, because I was a fan of the Big Red Machine. Those were pretty good teams in Cincinnati.''
Wedge grew up in Indiana and longed to be in the big leagues as a player. He made it with the Red Sox, but injuries prevented him from having a lengthy career. But he stayed in the game, managing in the Indians' farm system for five years before being elevated to the job in Cleveland.
Wedge can't point to a particular mentor along the way.
''I don't think there was one person,'' he said. ''I've taken things from a lot of managers. I've done and learned things from seeing other people do them and from talking to people.
''I will say that [Atlanta manager] Bobby Cox is a guy I have the utmost respect for. But I only know him from conversations when we've played each other.''
Wedge firmly believes that when a team is winning, the manager should do less. And he always has maintained — like most skippers — that the most effective leadership comes not from the manager but from the players.
''When a team is going good, that's when you have to try and stay out of the way,'' he said. ''And more times than not, you need to have guys in the clubhouse to take care of things. Like in '07, it was Trot Nixon or Casey Blake or C.C. [Sabathia]. Guys like that.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters. Follow the Indians on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Indians.
CLEVELAND: Managers are made, not born, but who makes them?
In just 10 days, Eric Wedge will complete his seventh season as manager of the Indians. Even though he has a contract for 2010, Wedge might not be back. More than likely, we will learn Wedge's fate one or two days after the schedule has been played out on Oct. 4.
Regardless of whether Wedge returns next year, he will have made an impact in Cleveland. Only four managers have guided the Tribe longer than Wedge, who is fifth in wins (557) and is one of only four Cleveland skippers to win a postseason series.
Two distinctive Wedge traits: He always is prepared, and he is consistent in the way he treats his players, whether things are going well on the field or not. Wedge's standards seem so ingrained in his personality, one would think he grew up with the goal of becoming a manager.
''I paid attention to being a catcher when I was a kid,'' Wedge said Wednesday. ''I did like Sparky Anderson, because I was a fan of the Big Red Machine. Those were pretty good teams in Cincinnati.''
Wedge grew up in Indiana and longed to be in the big leagues as a player. He made it with the Red Sox, but injuries prevented him from having a lengthy career. But he stayed in the game, managing in the Indians' farm system for five years before being elevated to the job in Cleveland.
Wedge can't point to a particular mentor along the way.
''I don't think there was one person,'' he said. ''I've taken things from a lot of managers. I've done and learned things from seeing other people do them and from talking to people.
''I will say that [Atlanta manager] Bobby Cox is a guy I have the utmost respect for. But I only know him from conversations when we've played each other.''
Wedge firmly believes that when a team is winning, the manager should do less. And he always has maintained — like most skippers — that the most effective leadership comes not from the manager but from the players.
''When a team is going good, that's when you have to try and stay out of the way,'' he said. ''And more times than not, you need to have guys in the clubhouse to take care of things. Like in '07, it was Trot Nixon or Casey Blake or C.C. [Sabathia]. Guys like that.''
By Sheldon Ocker Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Sep 24, 2009
CLEVELAND: Managers are made, not born, but who makes them?
In just 10 days, Eric Wedge will complete his seventh season as manager of the Indians. Even though he has a contract for 2010, Wedge might not be back. More than likely, we will learn Wedge's fate one or two days after the schedule has been played out on Oct. 4.
Regardless of whether Wedge returns next year, he will have made an impact in Cleveland. Only four managers have guided the Tribe longer than Wedge, who is fifth in wins (557) and is one of only four Cleveland skippers to win a postseason series.
Two distinctive Wedge traits: He always is prepared, and he is consistent in the way he treats his players, whether things are going well on the field or not. Wedge's standards seem so ingrained in his personality, one would think he grew up with the goal of becoming a manager.
''I paid attention to being a catcher when I was a kid,'' Wedge said Wednesday. ''I did like Sparky Anderson, because I was a fan of the Big Red Machine. Those were pretty good teams in Cincinnati.''
Wedge grew up in Indiana and longed to be in the big leagues as a player. He made it with the Red Sox, but injuries prevented him from having a lengthy career. But he stayed in the game, managing in the Indians' farm system for five years before being elevated to the job in Cleveland.
Wedge can't point to a particular mentor along the way.
''I don't think there was one person,'' he said. ''I've taken things from a lot of managers. I've done and learned things from seeing other people do them and from talking to people.
''I will say that [Atlanta manager] Bobby Cox is a guy I have the utmost respect for. But I only know him from conversations when we've played each other.''
Wedge firmly believes that when a team is winning, the manager should do less. And he always has maintained — like most skippers — that the most effective leadership comes not from the manager but from the players.
''When a team is going good, that's when you have to try and stay out of the way,'' he said. ''And more times than not, you need to have guys in the clubhouse to take care of things. Like in '07, it was Trot Nixon or Casey Blake or C.C. [Sabathia]. Guys like that.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters. Follow the Indians on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Indians.
CLEVELAND: Managers are made, not born, but who makes them?
In just 10 days, Eric Wedge will complete his seventh season as manager of the Indians. Even though he has a contract for 2010, Wedge might not be back. More than likely, we will learn Wedge's fate one or two days after the schedule has been played out on Oct. 4.
Regardless of whether Wedge returns next year, he will have made an impact in Cleveland. Only four managers have guided the Tribe longer than Wedge, who is fifth in wins (557) and is one of only four Cleveland skippers to win a postseason series.
Two distinctive Wedge traits: He always is prepared, and he is consistent in the way he treats his players, whether things are going well on the field or not. Wedge's standards seem so ingrained in his personality, one would think he grew up with the goal of becoming a manager.
''I paid attention to being a catcher when I was a kid,'' Wedge said Wednesday. ''I did like Sparky Anderson, because I was a fan of the Big Red Machine. Those were pretty good teams in Cincinnati.''
Wedge grew up in Indiana and longed to be in the big leagues as a player. He made it with the Red Sox, but injuries prevented him from having a lengthy career. But he stayed in the game, managing in the Indians' farm system for five years before being elevated to the job in Cleveland.
Wedge can't point to a particular mentor along the way.
''I don't think there was one person,'' he said. ''I've taken things from a lot of managers. I've done and learned things from seeing other people do them and from talking to people.
''I will say that [Atlanta manager] Bobby Cox is a guy I have the utmost respect for. But I only know him from conversations when we've played each other.''
Wedge firmly believes that when a team is winning, the manager should do less. And he always has maintained — like most skippers — that the most effective leadership comes not from the manager but from the players.
''When a team is going good, that's when you have to try and stay out of the way,'' he said. ''And more times than not, you need to have guys in the clubhouse to take care of things. Like in '07, it was Trot Nixon or Casey Blake or C.C. [Sabathia]. Guys like that.''
Jumat, 21 Agustus 2009
Cleveland Indians' Tito Francona - Red Sox manager Terry's dad - made a run at .400 in 1959
Cleveland Indians' Tito Francona - Red Sox manager Terry's dad - made a run at .400 in 1959
by Mike Peticca, The Plain Dealer
Friday August 21, 2009, 7:08 PM
Cleveland Press Archives
Tito Francona gives some bunting tips to area youngsters while he was a star player for the Cleveland Indians.
About three weeks before the 1959 season began, the Cleveland Indians traded future Hall of Fame outfielder Larry Doby to the Detroit Tigers for a little-known outfielder-first baseman, Tito Francona.
Doby, 35, was nearing the end of a major league career that began on July 5, 1947. It doesn't matter that in his debut, he struck out as a pinch-hitter in the Indians' 6-5 loss to the White Sox in Chicago's storied Comiskey Park.
The significance of Doby's appearance, then and now, is that he became the first African-American to play in the American League. Jackie Robinson, the legendary Brooklyn Dodger, had broken major league baseball's color barrier on April 15 of that season.
Nearly eight weeks after being swapped for Francona, the White Sox purchased Doby from Detroit, and he completed his final season. Francona, meanwhile, was a spare part early in the season for a team that made a serious, though futile, run for the pennant; Cleveland's last genuine pennant bid until the strike-ending 1994 season, and then the 1995 American League championship campaign.
Associated Press
Cleveland Indians outfielder Larry Doby in Chicago's Comiskey Park on July 5, 1947, the day he became the first African-American to play in the American League.Through June 5, Francona - used primarily as a pinch-hitter - was 6 of 23 (.261). He was more busy at home. His wife had given birth to a son, Terry, on April 22. Terry Francona became a major leaguer, too, including a one-year stint (1988) with the Indians, and is the manager who has guided the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships.
The Indians' volatile center fielder, Jimmy Piersall, struggled through the first two months of the 1959 season, prompting Tribe manager Joe Gordon to give the friendly yet competitive Francona, 25, a chance.
Tito comes through
Francona took full advantage. The left-handed hitter stroked 22 hits in his next 62 at bats, a .355 stretch that boosted his season average to .329.
Then, Francona really got hot. From June 25 through August 4, he batted .471, with 64 hits in 136 at bats, with 10 doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 37 runs batted in. His batting average was .416. He had peaked at .417 on August 2, but lost a point when he was 2-of-5 with a triple, homer and four RBI in the Indians' 8-2 win over the Washington Senators on August 4.
The smooth-swinging Francona couldn't maintain his remarkable pace, although he batted a solid .298 (53-of-178) the rest of the way to finish at .363. His last .400 batting average was going into the game of August 11. Nagging injuries didn't help Francona, and he was especially hampered during a 5-of-39 slump from September 9-18, dropping his average from .391 to .364.
That's the rule
Given the limited information resources, following baseball was quite different for fans when Francona flirted with 400. Tens of thousands of Indians fans, maybe, believed during the season's final days that Francona could at least win the batting title. Many were unaware that in the mid-1950's, baseball had changed its qualifying rule for official league leadership.
A 1961 Topps baseball card of Indians outfielder Tito Francona.Before, a player needed 400 official at bats to qualify. Baseball, though, changed the rule to a minimum of 3.1 plate appearances per games played by the individual's team. Thus, when a team played all of the 154 games it was scheduled for, 477 plate appearances were necessary for a player to qualify as the batting champion. For a batter, his walks, hit by pitches, sacrifice flies and sacrifice bunts do not count as official at bats, but they do count as plate appearances.
Francona finished with 145 hits in 399 at bats. Those unfamiliar with the rule change thought Francona, with 398 official at bats, needed just two more to qualify for the batting title going into Cleveland's final two games. Fans listening to Jimmy Dudley and Bob Neal announce the games on radio wondered what Gordon - who entered the Hall of Fame this summer as a former Indians' and Yankees' playing great - was doing, as he gave Francona just one more at bat in those last two games. What they didn't understand was that Francona needed an impossible 35 more plate appearances to qualify; he finished 34 short, with 443.
Ironically, the rule change from a required 400 official at bats to 477 plate appearances was prompted in part by the last batting championship for a Cleveland Indian. Second baseman Bobby Avila won the title in 1954, when he batted .341 for the American League champion Indians. The 400-at bat rule denied Ted Williams the title.
One of the sport's all-time greatest hitters and a six-time batting champion, Williams hit .345 in 1954. He totaled 526 plate appearances, but just 386 official at bats, so the title went to Avila. Fearful pitchers walked Williams 136 times. The rule, essentially, penalized Williams for his greatness. Williams is the last player to bat .400, hitting .406 in 1941.
Things change
Plain Dealer file photo
Star outfielder Rocky Colavito pictured at some time during his first stint with the Indians.The 1959 Indians finished 89-65, in second place, five games behind the White Sox. That last game of their season turned out to be a good-bye of sorts for two Cleveland legends. Outfielder Rocky Colavito was traded to the Tigers and pitcher Herb Score sent to the White Sox just prior to the 1960 campaign, as Indians general manager Frank "The Trader" Lane continued a trading spree that impacted the franchise for years.
Ironically, Colavito was dealt for Detroit outfielder Harvey Kuenn. Instead of Francona winning the 1959 batting title, it was Kuenn. His .353 average was 10 points south of Francona's, but he exceeded the 502-plate appearance requirement with 617.
Colavito returned to the Indians in a trade prior to the 1965 season. Score began a 34-year career as a radio/television announcer of Indians games in 1964.
Remembering
To recognize the 50-year anniversary of the event, The Plain Dealer's Bill Lubinger wrote earlier this summer about Colavito's four-homer game of June 10, 1959. Click here for his story and a video of him being interviewed about the story by The Plain Dealer's Mike McIntyre.
Score passed away last November 11. To read former Plain Dealer sports writer Bob Dolgan's story about Score's life and passing, with numerous photos and links to other Plain Dealer stories about Score, click here.
John Patsy "Tito" Francona, now 75, played five more years with the Indians. His next three seasons after 1959 were superb, especially 1960, when he led the league in doubles (36), and 1961, when he hit .301 and was named to the American League all-star team. The Indians sold Francona to the St. Louis Cardinals following the 1964 season, and he played for four other teams before closing his career
by Mike Peticca, The Plain Dealer
Friday August 21, 2009, 7:08 PM
Cleveland Press Archives
Tito Francona gives some bunting tips to area youngsters while he was a star player for the Cleveland Indians.
About three weeks before the 1959 season began, the Cleveland Indians traded future Hall of Fame outfielder Larry Doby to the Detroit Tigers for a little-known outfielder-first baseman, Tito Francona.
Doby, 35, was nearing the end of a major league career that began on July 5, 1947. It doesn't matter that in his debut, he struck out as a pinch-hitter in the Indians' 6-5 loss to the White Sox in Chicago's storied Comiskey Park.
The significance of Doby's appearance, then and now, is that he became the first African-American to play in the American League. Jackie Robinson, the legendary Brooklyn Dodger, had broken major league baseball's color barrier on April 15 of that season.
Nearly eight weeks after being swapped for Francona, the White Sox purchased Doby from Detroit, and he completed his final season. Francona, meanwhile, was a spare part early in the season for a team that made a serious, though futile, run for the pennant; Cleveland's last genuine pennant bid until the strike-ending 1994 season, and then the 1995 American League championship campaign.
Associated Press
Cleveland Indians outfielder Larry Doby in Chicago's Comiskey Park on July 5, 1947, the day he became the first African-American to play in the American League.Through June 5, Francona - used primarily as a pinch-hitter - was 6 of 23 (.261). He was more busy at home. His wife had given birth to a son, Terry, on April 22. Terry Francona became a major leaguer, too, including a one-year stint (1988) with the Indians, and is the manager who has guided the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships.
The Indians' volatile center fielder, Jimmy Piersall, struggled through the first two months of the 1959 season, prompting Tribe manager Joe Gordon to give the friendly yet competitive Francona, 25, a chance.
Tito comes through
Francona took full advantage. The left-handed hitter stroked 22 hits in his next 62 at bats, a .355 stretch that boosted his season average to .329.
Then, Francona really got hot. From June 25 through August 4, he batted .471, with 64 hits in 136 at bats, with 10 doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 37 runs batted in. His batting average was .416. He had peaked at .417 on August 2, but lost a point when he was 2-of-5 with a triple, homer and four RBI in the Indians' 8-2 win over the Washington Senators on August 4.
The smooth-swinging Francona couldn't maintain his remarkable pace, although he batted a solid .298 (53-of-178) the rest of the way to finish at .363. His last .400 batting average was going into the game of August 11. Nagging injuries didn't help Francona, and he was especially hampered during a 5-of-39 slump from September 9-18, dropping his average from .391 to .364.
That's the rule
Given the limited information resources, following baseball was quite different for fans when Francona flirted with 400. Tens of thousands of Indians fans, maybe, believed during the season's final days that Francona could at least win the batting title. Many were unaware that in the mid-1950's, baseball had changed its qualifying rule for official league leadership.
A 1961 Topps baseball card of Indians outfielder Tito Francona.Before, a player needed 400 official at bats to qualify. Baseball, though, changed the rule to a minimum of 3.1 plate appearances per games played by the individual's team. Thus, when a team played all of the 154 games it was scheduled for, 477 plate appearances were necessary for a player to qualify as the batting champion. For a batter, his walks, hit by pitches, sacrifice flies and sacrifice bunts do not count as official at bats, but they do count as plate appearances.
Francona finished with 145 hits in 399 at bats. Those unfamiliar with the rule change thought Francona, with 398 official at bats, needed just two more to qualify for the batting title going into Cleveland's final two games. Fans listening to Jimmy Dudley and Bob Neal announce the games on radio wondered what Gordon - who entered the Hall of Fame this summer as a former Indians' and Yankees' playing great - was doing, as he gave Francona just one more at bat in those last two games. What they didn't understand was that Francona needed an impossible 35 more plate appearances to qualify; he finished 34 short, with 443.
Ironically, the rule change from a required 400 official at bats to 477 plate appearances was prompted in part by the last batting championship for a Cleveland Indian. Second baseman Bobby Avila won the title in 1954, when he batted .341 for the American League champion Indians. The 400-at bat rule denied Ted Williams the title.
One of the sport's all-time greatest hitters and a six-time batting champion, Williams hit .345 in 1954. He totaled 526 plate appearances, but just 386 official at bats, so the title went to Avila. Fearful pitchers walked Williams 136 times. The rule, essentially, penalized Williams for his greatness. Williams is the last player to bat .400, hitting .406 in 1941.
Things change
Plain Dealer file photo
Star outfielder Rocky Colavito pictured at some time during his first stint with the Indians.The 1959 Indians finished 89-65, in second place, five games behind the White Sox. That last game of their season turned out to be a good-bye of sorts for two Cleveland legends. Outfielder Rocky Colavito was traded to the Tigers and pitcher Herb Score sent to the White Sox just prior to the 1960 campaign, as Indians general manager Frank "The Trader" Lane continued a trading spree that impacted the franchise for years.
Ironically, Colavito was dealt for Detroit outfielder Harvey Kuenn. Instead of Francona winning the 1959 batting title, it was Kuenn. His .353 average was 10 points south of Francona's, but he exceeded the 502-plate appearance requirement with 617.
Colavito returned to the Indians in a trade prior to the 1965 season. Score began a 34-year career as a radio/television announcer of Indians games in 1964.
Remembering
To recognize the 50-year anniversary of the event, The Plain Dealer's Bill Lubinger wrote earlier this summer about Colavito's four-homer game of June 10, 1959. Click here for his story and a video of him being interviewed about the story by The Plain Dealer's Mike McIntyre.
Score passed away last November 11. To read former Plain Dealer sports writer Bob Dolgan's story about Score's life and passing, with numerous photos and links to other Plain Dealer stories about Score, click here.
John Patsy "Tito" Francona, now 75, played five more years with the Indians. His next three seasons after 1959 were superb, especially 1960, when he led the league in doubles (36), and 1961, when he hit .301 and was named to the American League all-star team. The Indians sold Francona to the St. Louis Cardinals following the 1964 season, and he played for four other teams before closing his career
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