Am I going to miss Greg Maddux? Are you kidding? I couldn't stand the guy.
First of all, he wasn't greedy enough. He signed for only $75,000 after the Chicago Cubs selected him with the 31st pick of the 1984 amateur draft. No messy holdouts. No nothing. And get this: He actually reported to Pikeville of the Appalachian League that season. For $175 a week. Loser.
He wasn't brash enough. The guy made his major league starting debut near the end of the 1986 season. The Cubs stunk, but the 20-year-old Maddux threw a complete-game victory. Hadn't been done by a Cub that young since 1966. He also got two hits and ended a seven-game Cubs losing streak. Instead of popping off about his big day, Maddux told reporters, "I'm kind of awestruck now."
He wasn't intimidating enough. When the dinky Maddux first reported from Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs didn't know whether he was a player or there for Father-Son Day. "He's a good competitor and he's fun to watch," minor league coach Jim Colborn told the Chicago Tribune, "especially knowing he's just finished his paper route a couple of years ago."
He wasn't quotable enough. You can list the number of great Maddux on-the-record quotes on the back of a Sweet'N Low packet. He was polite. He was pleasant. But mostly he shrugged his shoulders a lot.
He wasn't controversial enough. Would it have killed him to get caught carrying, say, a semi-automatic weapon, just once? Some sort of drug charge would have been nice. And is it asking too much to maybe oversee a money-laundering ring? But, no, not Maddux.
He wasn't narcissistic enough. Even when he was winning four Cy Young Awards in a row or walking into the clubhouse the day after his 300th career victory, you never saw Maddux with a posse, entourage or security detail. Wait! There were those times when he brought his two kids to the ballpark.
He wasn't ill-prepared enough. In 1996, just before Maddux and the Atlanta Braves faced the New York Yankees in the World Series, pitching coach Leo Mazzone met with his starters and relievers and read them the detailed scouting reports. Maddux raised his hand after Mazzone read the report on Yankees slugger Bernie Williams.
"That report is not correct," Maddux said. "I've been watching film of Williams for two weeks, and that report is not correct."
"Did everybody hear that?" Mazzone said.
The Braves pitchers nodded.
"Well, then the hell with this report," Mazzone said. "We go with what Mad Dog says."
Williams hit .167 in the Series.
He wasn't serious enough. Jimmy Farrell, who was the longtime umpires room attendant at Wrigley Field, told me about the time he asked a young Maddux to wiggle his ear if he reached base on a hit. The Cubs went on the road, so Farrell and his wife, Eleanor, watched the game at home that night. Sure enough, Maddux got a hit.
"He's not gonna do it, Jimmy," Eleanor said.
"You watch," Farrell said.
Maddux stood at first base. And then wiggled his ear.
"We just about fell off the couch laughing," Farrell told me.
He wasn't aloof enough. You'd think a guy with more wins than any living player (355) would keep to himself. But when I saw him this past March at spring training with the San Diego Padres, Maddux was doing his usual thing: working the clubhouse, cracking wise with vets and rookies, recruiting players for one of his golf pools. Same sort of thing happened when I saw him near the end of the season. He was a Los Angeles Dodger by then, but he was sitting in the dugout trading jokes with teammate Derek Lowe.
He wasn't one-dimensional enough. After a while you really got tired of watching him earn Gold Gloves (18 of them -- nobody has more), lay down perfect sacrifice bunts, or even steal bases. The nerve.
He didn't listen well enough. Colborn said back in 1986: "He's not a strikeout pitcher, and he probably won't ever win 25 or 30 games in the big leagues. But he should have a good big-league career." Maddux, who just had to make Colborn look bad, finished his career ranked 10th all-time in strikeouts.
He wasn't buff enough. Didn't he get the memo about steroids? Sammy Sosa had nose hairs with more muscle tone than Maddux. Maddux had a bit of a paunch. I'm not sure he could bench press a fungo bat.
He wasn't flashy enough. After Maddux won No. 300, reporters asked how he'd celebrate. "I don't know," he said. "I'll do something." What, take the family to Pizza Hut?
He wasn't into legacies enough. He once said he actually valued pitching 200-plus innings per season more than the wins. And if you asked him about the Hall of Fame, you usually wouldn't get much on the subject. But his former teammate Glendon Rusch once told me, "In my opinion, he's a first-ballot, 100-percent-of-the-votes Hall of Famer."
He wasn't unprofessional enough. Maddux probably could have squeezed another season and paycheck out of that 42-year-old right arm of his. Others would have taken the money. But not Mr. Integrity.
Nope. Won't miss him at all.
Until spring training 2009.
Gene Wojciechowski is a senior national columnist for ESPN.com. You can contact him at gene.wojciechowski@espn3.com.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
No Bitterness in Herb Score
Terry Pluto: No bitterness in Herb Score
by Terry Pluto Plain Dealer Columnist
Thursday November 13, 2008, 11:05 PM
It was a hot spring- training day in Tucson, Ariz., about 25 years ago when Herb Score and I were talking about a pitcher who had said he planned to quit near the prime of his career.
"I think you should play until they tear the uniform off your back and tell you that you can't play anymore," said the Indians' broadcaster. "That's what I did."
It happened in 1963, when he was at Class AAA Indianapolis. He was still trying to come back from an eye injury -- that resulted from a line drive off the bat of Gil McDougald on May 7, 1957 -- and later, arm problems.
Score told me, "There's nothing better than playing."
He quickly said he was grateful to be the Indians' radio voice. He said in some ways, the injuries that cut his playing career short at age 30 became a blessing because it opened a door to broadcasting.
"I've done this longer than I ever could have played," he said of what became his 34 years on air.
When Score died Tuesday at the age of 75, I thought of his dignity and patience. I thought of the times he signed autograph after autograph. I thought of how he was asked thousands of times, "How's the eye?"
"Fine," Score would say, often with a smile.
Or sometimes, a fan would say, "It's too bad about the eye, you could have been one of the great ones."
The former Indians pitcher would politely thank the fan.
It seemed as if he had separated himself from the injuries, that he didn't realize what was lost. In his first two Tribe seasons, he had a 36-19 record and led the American League in strikeouts.
Yes, Score knew how good he was at age 23, and how he was destined for greatness. But he rarely talked about his own career, except to make fun of his problems as a hitter. If pushed, he'd insist that it was elbow problems -- not the eye injury -- that ended his career. Being a man meant dealing with the cards life dealt.
It meant doing your job and not whining. It meant dressing well, as he always did with sharp suits, and every hair on his head seemed in place and never needed to be cut. It meant being a class act, as men of his generation would say.
On the air, Score seldom criticized players or managers. But he was a close friend of several Tribe managers and front-office types. They felt free to tell him their frustrations and dreams, and Score never broke a confidence, never engaged in trashy gossip.
General managers such as Gabe Paul and Phil Seghi asked his opinions on players, and Score had strong ones. He didn't express them on the air, but he did in private to those with the Indians who wanted to know.
I had a taste of that side of Score just once, when mentioning a Tribe pitcher whom I thought was having a good season.
Score stopped me and said, "Unless your ERA is under 3.00, you really are not doing your job."
He then backed off a bit, saying that was how the great ones from his era performed, and the game had changed.
At the time of this conversation, I was in my middle 20s, a baseball writer for The Plain Dealer. Score supplied the soundtrack for the Indian summers of my youth. My father spoke reverently about how Score would have been a Hall of Fame pitcher.
I was always somewhat awed how Score treated me as a peer, how he always remembered my wife and asked about Roberta by name. I remember how Score could have could have been bitter, but instead, he made all of us who spent time with him better for it
by Terry Pluto Plain Dealer Columnist
Thursday November 13, 2008, 11:05 PM
It was a hot spring- training day in Tucson, Ariz., about 25 years ago when Herb Score and I were talking about a pitcher who had said he planned to quit near the prime of his career.
"I think you should play until they tear the uniform off your back and tell you that you can't play anymore," said the Indians' broadcaster. "That's what I did."
It happened in 1963, when he was at Class AAA Indianapolis. He was still trying to come back from an eye injury -- that resulted from a line drive off the bat of Gil McDougald on May 7, 1957 -- and later, arm problems.
Score told me, "There's nothing better than playing."
He quickly said he was grateful to be the Indians' radio voice. He said in some ways, the injuries that cut his playing career short at age 30 became a blessing because it opened a door to broadcasting.
"I've done this longer than I ever could have played," he said of what became his 34 years on air.
When Score died Tuesday at the age of 75, I thought of his dignity and patience. I thought of the times he signed autograph after autograph. I thought of how he was asked thousands of times, "How's the eye?"
"Fine," Score would say, often with a smile.
Or sometimes, a fan would say, "It's too bad about the eye, you could have been one of the great ones."
The former Indians pitcher would politely thank the fan.
It seemed as if he had separated himself from the injuries, that he didn't realize what was lost. In his first two Tribe seasons, he had a 36-19 record and led the American League in strikeouts.
Yes, Score knew how good he was at age 23, and how he was destined for greatness. But he rarely talked about his own career, except to make fun of his problems as a hitter. If pushed, he'd insist that it was elbow problems -- not the eye injury -- that ended his career. Being a man meant dealing with the cards life dealt.
It meant doing your job and not whining. It meant dressing well, as he always did with sharp suits, and every hair on his head seemed in place and never needed to be cut. It meant being a class act, as men of his generation would say.
On the air, Score seldom criticized players or managers. But he was a close friend of several Tribe managers and front-office types. They felt free to tell him their frustrations and dreams, and Score never broke a confidence, never engaged in trashy gossip.
General managers such as Gabe Paul and Phil Seghi asked his opinions on players, and Score had strong ones. He didn't express them on the air, but he did in private to those with the Indians who wanted to know.
I had a taste of that side of Score just once, when mentioning a Tribe pitcher whom I thought was having a good season.
Score stopped me and said, "Unless your ERA is under 3.00, you really are not doing your job."
He then backed off a bit, saying that was how the great ones from his era performed, and the game had changed.
At the time of this conversation, I was in my middle 20s, a baseball writer for The Plain Dealer. Score supplied the soundtrack for the Indian summers of my youth. My father spoke reverently about how Score would have been a Hall of Fame pitcher.
I was always somewhat awed how Score treated me as a peer, how he always remembered my wife and asked about Roberta by name. I remember how Score could have could have been bitter, but instead, he made all of us who spent time with him better for it
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Herb Score Dies at 75
Herb Score's life in baseball was a combination of tragedy and success. Score died Tuesday morning at age 75 at his home in Rocky River after a lengthy illness, the Indians confirmed.
He was a brilliant Tribe pitcher whose baseball career virtually was ended at age 23 when he was hit in the right eye by a line drive off the bat of Gil McDougald of the New York Yankees on May7, 1957.
Then he became a Cleveland sportscasting institution, calling Indians games on radio and television for 34 years, longer than anybody else in the city's baseball history.
He gained a loyal following, although he did not have the greatest voice or elocution. He was like a favorite uncle who talked baseball.
He gained a loyal following, although he did not have the greatest voice or elocution. He was like a favorite uncle who talked baseball.
"For me, broadcasting the game is like sitting in the stands talking to the fellow sitting next to me," he said.
Still, to those who had seen his talent on the mound, it was comparable to Napoleon becoming a war correspondent.
"He was a great pitcher," said his close friend, former Indians right fielder Rocky Colavito from his home in Bernville, Pa. "He had a chance at becoming as good a lefty as there ever was. He had that kind of stuff. He had hard knocks, but he never complained. You had to respect him for that. I loved him like a brother."
"[Hall of Fame hitter] Ted Williams said he had the best fastball of any left-hander he ever faced," the late Ken Coleman, a onetime Indians sportscaster, once said from his home outside Boston.
When Score stepped on the Cleveland Municipal Stadium pitching mound on the night that changed his life, he appeared to be headed for baseball greatness.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The lefty was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1955, when he won 16 and lost 10 for the Indians. Score received 18 of the 24 votes from the voters. "It's the biggest thrill of my life," he said. "I'm deeply honored."
He had struck out 245 batters, a rookie record that stood for 29 years, until Dwight Gooden broke it with the New York Mets in an era of wild swingers. He was the first first-year pitcher to reach 200 since Grover Cleveland Alexander did it 44 years earlier.
The next year he was even better, going 20-9 and leading the league in strikeouts for the second straight year. Some observers said his fastball was the equal of Hall of Famer Bob Feller, the Clevelander who was considered the hardest thrower of his time. He also had a fine curve.
"They didn't have a radar gun then to measure speed," Colavito said. "But I think he threw 100 miles an hour."
"They didn't have a radar gun then to measure speed," Colavito said. "But I think he threw 100 miles an hour."
Colavito compared Score with Sandy Koufax, considered by many to be the best lefty in modern baseball history. "Koufax didn't win 20 until he was 27," Colavito said. "Herb did it at 23."
Score projected an image of immense force on the mound. He seemed to throw a baseball that was as heavy as a rock.
Score projected an image of immense force on the mound. He seemed to throw a baseball that was as heavy as a rock.
He was showered with compliments from everywhere and everyone.
"If nothing happens to this kid, he's going to be one of the best who ever pitched," said former Indians hero Tris Speaker, player/manager on Cleveland's 1920 world champions.
"You took one look at him and you had one thought: Hall of Fame," McDougald said.
"You took one look at him and you had one thought: Hall of Fame," McDougald said.
RED SOX BID
In spring training of 1957, the Boston Red Sox offered to buy Score for $1 million, an astronomical sum at a time when entire ball clubs were being sold for $4 million.
In spring training of 1957, the Boston Red Sox offered to buy Score for $1 million, an astronomical sum at a time when entire ball clubs were being sold for $4 million.
"We wouldn't sell him for $2 million," said then-Indians General Manager Hank Greenberg.
Al Lopez, who managed the Indians in Score's first two seasons, had a frightening prediction for opponents. "Wait until he puts on some weight," he said. "He'll get even better." The 6-2 youngster was still only about 185 pounds.
It all came apart on that fateful night in 1957, when Score pitched against the Yankees. He had beaten the world champions three times in a row dating back to the previous season, making them look like helpless beginners, even with Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra in the lineup.
McDougald, the second batter of the game, reached for a low pitch and lined it back at Score. The ball crashed into his face, breaking his nose, cutting his right eyelid and causing swelling and hemorrhaging of the cheekbone and eyebrow.
Third baseman Al Smith picked up the carom and threw McDougald out at first.
Score was knocked to the ground, bleeding profusely. He was immediately surrounded by teammates and Yankees players.
Score was knocked to the ground, bleeding profusely. He was immediately surrounded by teammates and Yankees players.
"I didn't see the ball until it was a foot or two from my face," said Score, who threw with an uninhibited motion in which his body turned his back to the batter. Sometimes he turned so hard he expected that he might eventually get hit on the back.
"I could feel the blood," said the pitcher, who never lost consciousness. "People were all around me. Rocky must have set a record getting in from right field." Colavito was Score's roommate and best friend. They had come up through the minor leagues together.
Teammate Vic Wertz, playing first base, rushed over, then retreated when he saw the blood.
"Everybody was shoving towels at me," Score said. "I even got one in the mouth. I almost choked on it."
"Everybody was shoving towels at me," Score said. "I even got one in the mouth. I almost choked on it."
Score remained surprisingly calm. Minutes after the accident, he joked to good friend Mike "Big Bear" Garcia, an Indians pitcher, "Well, Bear, you can't say I didn't keep my eye on the ball."
Score was sitting on a trainers table in the Indians clubhouse when Colavito peeked in to see how he was doing. "What are you doing here?" the pitcher said. "Get out there and get me a couple of base hits."
Score was sitting on a trainers table in the Indians clubhouse when Colavito peeked in to see how he was doing. "What are you doing here?" the pitcher said. "Get out there and get me a couple of base hits."
HOSPITALIZED
Score was taken to Lakeside Hospital, his head wrapped in bandages as though he had suffered a war wound. He felt numb at the hospital. "I didn't hurt much, but I didn't sleep much," he told The Plain Dealer.
He listened to most of the game on radio as Bob Lemon came in to pitch a 2-1 victory over the Yankees. Lemon had been given as much time as he needed to warm up after the mishap.
It was not the first time Score had suffered a serious injury. When he was 3 years old, he was hit by a bakery truck, and both legs were nearly crushed above the knees. It was feared he might never walk, but he recovered.
He had severe cases of pneumonia, rheumatic fever and appendicitis as a youngster. When he was in the minors he suffered a broken ankle and dislocated collarbone.
Score was kept in a darkened room at the hospital. "He amazes me with his courage," said Greenberg. "His spirits are certainly good."
McDougald, who was in tears after the game, tried to see him the next day, along with teammates Berra and Hank Bauer, but the hospital did not permit visitors.
There were fears Score might be blinded in the right eye. Dr. Charles I. Thomas, a Cleveland eye specialist, offered hope that would not happen. "He has light perception," the doctor said.
From then on, there was constant newspaper speculation on Score's possible return to pitching. One optimistic report said he would be back on July 15. But he still had a problem with depth perception. He could not tell if a ball was three or 30 feet away.
After a few months, the Indians said Score would be out the rest of the year.
He and Nancy had planned to be married at the end of the season. With baseball out of the picture, they wed in midseason. The couple settled in Rocky River and eventually had four children, Judy, Mary, Susan and David.
Score, looking ahead to 1958, exercised to stay in shape. He played racquetball with good friend Coleman, who defeated the pitcher at first. "When he began to beat me, I knew he was over the hump," Coleman said. "He hit the ball so hard he broke one in half."
Score returned to the mound with much fanfare in '58, but he had only a 2-2 record when he was put on the disabled list with a sore elbow on July 18. "There's two years shot," he said ruefully.
CHANGED MOTION
Joe Gordon, the new Indians manager, speculated that Score was unconsciously favoring his arm. In later years, McDougald and Lemon both said that Score had changed his pitching motion. They felt he was recoiling, not following through with the abandon of old.
Score always maintained that the McDougald accident had nothing to do with his decline. He attributed his problem to the sore arm.
He still could summon the old brilliance from time to time. Gordon started him in the 1959 home opener, and Score beat Detroit, 8-1, getting 19 outs in a row and striking out nine.
"He looks like my stopper," Gordon said.
Score managed to win nine games and lose five before the All Star break that year, but he was not pitching with the old dominance. He did not win another game that season, finishing 9-11 as the Indians wound up second.
On April 18, 1960, a day after he traded fan idol Colavito, General Manager Frank Lane sent Score to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Barry Latman.
Score could not find the answers in Chicago, going 5-10 in 1960. The last victory of his career came in early 1961, when he hurled a magnificent game against the Indians, throwing a two-hitter and striking out 13 at Comiskey Park.
Then, the old problems returned. Lopez, now the White Sox leader, optioned him to San Diego of the Pacific Coast League. "Tell me, Al," said Score. "Do you think I should quit?"
"There's nothing wrong with you," Lopez replied. "You're not as fast as you used to be, but you're still faster than most, and you have a better curve than most pitchers. But you're not getting the ball over." He had 24 walks in 24 innings, along with a 6.66 earned-run average.
In 1963, Score was pitching for Indianapolis, an Indians farm team, when Indians General Manager Gabe Paul told the popular Coleman to choose between working Tribe games or Browns games. Coleman had been calling the games of both teams for 10 years, but Paul disliked seeing Coleman miss an Indians game because the Browns were playing the same day.
Coleman chose the Browns, and an Indians TV job opened up.
Paul presented Indians publicist Nate Wallack with a list of potential candidates to replace Coleman. Wallack looked at the list and said, "There's one fellow you haven't thought of, and I think he'd ring the bell. Herb Score."
Paul immediately agreed.
Late in September 1963, Score teamed with veteran Bob Neal on two Indians telecasts. They were widely regarded as a 1964 tryout for Score, then 30.
"This is a fine opportunity," he said. "I've always wanted to stay in baseball when my playing ended, and I'd like nothing better than to stay in Cleveland."
It was the start of a broadcasting career that made him a Cleveland fixture for more than three decades. Score was paired with Neal on TV in 1964, then with Harry Jones for three years. In 1968, he joined Neal on radio, replacing legendary Jimmy Dudley.
Score worked on radio for the rest of his career, partnering with Neal (1968-72), Joe Tait (1973-79), Nev Chandler (1980-84), Steve Lamar (1985-87), Paul Olden (1988-89) and Tom Hamilton (1990-97.)
"I'm lucky to have worked with pros who never tried to show up my lack of professional polish," Score said. "They fed me the right lines and taught me."
Neal, one of the great sportscasting talents in Cleveland history, advised him, "You're never going to please everybody. If you can please 50 percent, you're in good shape."
Score would get plenty of mail from listeners. "One listener will say you root too much," he said in 1974. "The next one will say you praise the visiting team too much. The main thing is to be myself."
EXCITED ANNOUNCER
Score's assets were his intelligence, good taste and enthusiasm. Even when the Indians were in their depths in the 1970s, he would get excited about games and good plays. "I don't like to make fun of a player or knock a player," he said. "But if I feel he should have made a catch, I'll say so."
Indians infielder Buddy Bell made a classic quote on Score in 1977. "Herb is such a nice guy, he probably makes his bed in his hotel room in the morning," Bell said.
Indians infielder Buddy Bell made a classic quote on Score in 1977. "Herb is such a nice guy, he probably makes his bed in his hotel room in the morning," Bell said.
To Score, the games were everything. "I don't like to talk too much," he said. "Fans want to know about the game, not what you did in the afternoon." He listed Cleveland pitcher Lenny Barker's perfect game in 1981 as his most memorable broadcast.
Score liked to joke about himself, recalling that when he first started broadcasting, he took diction lessons to smooth out his New York accent and pronunciation. He was advised to listen to a tape of himself. He did and promptly fell asleep.
He thoroughly enjoyed his job. "When I go to the Happy Hunting Ground, I hope I go from here," he said in 1977. "I hope this job lasts forever."
Score refused to feel sorry for himself and disliked sympathetic articles that pictured him as a victim because of McDougald's liner. "I'm a lucky fellow," he said. "I'm glad God gave me the ability to throw a baseball well for a few years. That drive could have killed me."
The solitude of the road suited him. "If we have an off-day, it's nothing for me to go to my room and read all day," he said. "After a game, I often go to the room and read." His favorite authors were Robert Ludlum and Sidney Sheldon.
He enjoyed the restaurants around the league. "That's why I run," he said. "So I can eat all I want." Score jogged about four miles a day, five times a week. He would usually do his running early in the morning, while others on the team were still asleep.
Until he was in his 40s, he often pitched batting practice to the Indians. "I'm a great BP pitcher," he said. "Now I realize I was throwing BP the last few years of my career."
Score almost lost his job in 1973, when team owner Nick Mileti announced he wanted a complete change of announcers. When it was learned Score might go off the air, Mileti was deluged with angry mail. "I never realized Herb had such a following," Mileti said, signing him to a new contract.
The Plain Dealer said listening to Score was like listening to an old friend
HERB'S ERRORS
As the years went on, his fans savored Score's occasional mistakes, such as the time he shouted, "It's a long drive. Is it fair? Is it foul? It is." When you are speaking a million words a season, you are bound to make an error from time to time
Sometimes he would forget what park he was in. After all, they are basically alike. "Hi, everybody," he said once. "This is Herb Score coming to you from Milwaukee County Stadium." A silence followed, in which it was obvious someone was correcting him.
"What," exclaimed Score, "Oh, Chicago's Comiskey Park. No wait a minute. I'll get this right. Kansas City's Royals Stadium."
Then there was the time he said at the end of an inning, "Two runs, three hits, one error, and after three, we're still scoreless."
Score's youngest daughter, Susan, who had Down syndrome, died in 1994 of heart problems. She had been in supportive living arrangements since infancy, and Score became a strong advocate and fund-raiser for one such facility, Our Lady of the Wayside.
Score retired at 64, after the Indians lost the World Series to Florida in 1997. "It's just time," he said. He almost never came to Jacobs Field, now Progressive Field, after that. He had been with the Indians, as a player or announcer, for almost 6,000 games.
CAR ACCIDENT
On Oct. 8, 1998, Score was almost killed in a car accident. He had been inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame the previous night in Akron, then left the hotel early that morning to drive to Florida. He was alone in his Buick Riviera when he pulled into the path of a tractor-trailer in New Philadelphia, about 80 miles south of Cleveland.
The news report said he suffered bruises to the brain and lungs, face cuts, a broken bone above an eye and three broken ribs. He was unconscious and put on a ventilator. He was pronounced in critical but stable condition at Aultman Hospital, Canton.
Score was inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame the next month, but could not attend the ceremony. He recovered in time to throw out the first pitch of the Indians home season in April 1999. He was being treated by a speech therapist at the time. In 2000 he had hip replacement surgery. In 2002 he was still taking physical therapy.
Bud Shaw: Indians broadcaster Herb Score was Cleveland baseball
by Bud Shaw/Plain Dealer Columnist
Tuesday November 11, 2008, 7:22 PM
by Bud Shaw/Plain Dealer Columnist
Tuesday November 11, 2008, 7:22 PM
Herb Score's voice was a whisper the last time I saw him. He needed a walker to get around. His legs were a mosaic of bruises and blotches.
"I'm lucky," he said that July day in 2006, a week before he would make his final public appearance at Jacobs Field.
He didn't mean lucky to have had a brilliant-if-brief major-league career or lucky for 34 years in the Indians' broadcast booth. Or lucky for the coming induction in the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame with his great friend and old roommate, Rocky Colavito.
He glanced toward the door where his wife, Nancy, was greeting a visitor.
"Lucky to have Nancy?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Lucky to have Nancy?" I asked.
He nodded.
Herb Score's strength was his faith and family, for sure. But it was also his vision. He never looked back, especially not to ask, "Why me?" during a difficult, sometimes hellish, final decade of his life.
The man who symbolized Indians baseball for so many years when everything else about the team changed except its record of futility died at home early Tuesday with his wife and family at his side. He was 75.
"A great example of how to live your life," Tom Hamilton said Tuesday of his friend and former broadcast partner. "When I think of how he treated me -- I mean here was this baseball icon stuck with this dumb farm boy from Wisconsin -- and he made me feel comfortable from Day 1. . . . For 30 years, he was the best thing about Indians baseball."
Score never saw it that way. He didn't understand why showing up every day to do your job was such a big deal, particularly his job.
"I don't look upon this as work," he said when he announced in 1997 that he would retire after the season.
It's why the first spring training game he announced hardly sounded different than the last game he did, the crushing Game 7 loss to the Marlins in the '97 World Series.
He did his first TV game in 1964, moved to radio in 1968, missed one -- one -- game between then and 1994 when the passing of his daughter, Susan, forced his absence from the booth. His motto: Fans should remember what happened in the game, not what he said.
"It was never about him," said Hamilton. "And in our business, that's quite an exception."
Remembering the game and not something Score said wasn't always cut and dried. There were so many nondescript games until the Indians changed the culture of a city beginning in 1994. And, well, he had his memorable broadcast moments, too.
His bloopers became terms of endearment with fans, in a sense strengthening his connection with listeners. With Score, it was easy to forgive a botched call -- "Is it fair? Is it foul? It is!"
So many players came and went. Referring to Indians reliever Efrain Valdez one time as Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (the star of the TV show "The F.B.I."), well, you try keeping them all straight.
The even-keeled Score and the emotional Hamilton made perfect partners for eight seasons.
Everyone, Hamilton included, was rooting for Score as the magic of the 1997 postseason unfolded. He deserved to see a World Series champ. The Indians would return a contender in 1998, no matter what happened. Score would not be back.
"The only time I saw a different Herb was when Tony Fernandez hit that home run against Baltimore," Hamilton said of the 11th-inning home run in the '97 ALCS. "Herb got up out of his chair when he made that call. You knew then how much that must've meant."
Listeners didn't see that. But they heard it in Score's voice when he said, "The Indians are going to the World Series." And they couldn't possibly have minded the pause and the clarification that was necessary since the Orioles had one final at-bat remaining: "Maybe."
They did go. And when that trip ended in disappointment, Score didn't show his. Just like always, he ended his part of the final broadcast by throwing it to Hamilton for the postgame wrapup.
That was that. No sappy remembrances. No suggestion that he had left any bigger tracks behind as an intimate guest in the living room of Indians fans for three decades than a summer temp might've.
We know the difference even if he didn't. Hamilton says he doesn't believe Score ever really understood how much people respected him and adored him. A generation of Indians fans knew him as one of the greatest pitching talents in baseball history, the American League Rookie of the Year in 1955 whose rookie strikeout mark (245) stood until the New York Mets' Dwight Gooden came along in 1984.
The affection came in part from seeing his career viciously interrupted by the line drive off the bat of the New York Yankees' Gil McDougald in 1957 that nearly blinded Score. But it also stemmed from how he never wallowed in self-pity. Not then. Not after a car accident that nearly killed him in 1998.
The last decade of his life was filled with unrelenting challenges.
The accident. A stroke. Surgery. Staph infection. A bout with pneumonia. And the extended hospital stay that preceded his death Tuesday. It was difficult to watch for those who loved him, and everyone who knew him loved him.
Even those who knew the voice better than they knew the man appreciated his understated class and his knowledge of the game.
In 1995, when the Indians were clearly ending decades of ineptitude with a truly special season, legendary Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell said, "Herb deserves this."
"I don't deserve it," Score said when told of Harwell's words. "The city deserves it."
It was a small quibble. Cleveland baseball. Herb Score. Same thing.
Top Five Herb Score Memories - Bill Livingston
Herb was the "Voice of the Indians" on either TV or radio from1964-97. He didn't sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" like Harry Caray or cry "How about that?" like Mel Allen. He didn't root like Phil Rizzuto and he never quoted from the "Song of Solomon" about the "Song of the Turtle(dove)" like Ernie Harwell. But the Old Lefthander taught us a thing or two about the game and left us with a thousand or two great memories.
5. Listening to Herbie, you never knew if the Indians were winning or losing. He never screamed, "The Indians win the pennant!" (even when they did, twice). He never let the team's 41 years in the wilderness or the losing get him down. Herbie knew you played to win the game, each day, every day, with a purity of effort and tightness of focus, long before Herm Edwards made that a rallying cry in the NFL.
4. He was the voice of summer in Northeast Ohio. Through all the player trades, the failed saviors, the under-funded owners, Score was always there, the soothing voice of a franchise that was fortunate to associate with him.
3. He knew the game. Whenever a controversy arose or a rhubarb broke out, Herbie was quick to tell us what it was all about.
2. He never blamed the end of his career on his eye injury, or the arm he hurt after he came back. "I lost my job because I quit pitching well," he said.
1. Herb never forgot how hard the game is to play. It was a rare and especially egregious blunder that would cause Score to criticize a player on the air.
Ten Inexactly Expressed Sentiments from Herb Score
Then again, he wouldn't be Herbie without the head-scratching malapropisms and endearing vagueness.
10. Herb often had trouble distinguishing between Oakland platoon catchers Mickey Tettleton and Terry Steinbach. During one game when the former was at bat, Herb called him "Mickey Tettlebach."
9. Carl Yastrzemski came to bat in his last game at Fenway Park against the Tribe in 1983, moving Herb to say: "A standing ovation here from the fans in Baltimore for their hero." Then he added: "Yaz played 23 years for the Orioles."
8. Once during the days when Score partnered in the booth with Steve Lamarr, Herb ended a broadcast with: "This is Steve Lamarr, signing off for Herb Score. Good night, Tribe fans."
7. When a player was on a hot hitting streak, Herb said: "He is 24 for his last 49, and even I know that is over .500."
6. With the Indians leading Baltimore, three-games-to-two and the sixth game in extra innings in the 1997 ALCS, Tony Fernandez homered in the top of the 11th inning to give the Tribe a 1-0 lead. Said Score: "And the Indians are going to the World Series - maybe!"
5. When a pitcher was working from the stretch, Score offered: "The pitcher checks the runner on first. I beg your pardon, there is no runner on first."
4. On a double down the line, Herb said: "It's fair. It's foul. It is."
3. With Esteban Yan warming up, Herb identified him as "Ron Jantz" (pronounced, Yontz), a local weekend sports anchor.
2. With Efrain Valdez stalking in from the bullpen, Score identified him as "Efrem Zimbalist Jr."
1. This one requires a little backstory: The Indians, who had played in Kansas City the night before, were in Milwaukee, and next were headed for Boston. After a night of conviviality that included a libation or two with old friends but no sleep, Score arrived in the booth feeling well south of the fair-weather line. Partner Nev Chandler did the first inning, in which the Royals took a 2-0 lead. A game, but outgunned Herbie, called a six-pitch Tribe top of the second, the brevity of which kept him from getting into any rhythm. He then said: "And, after one-and-a-half innings, the score is: Kansas City two, Indians nothing."
A check of the outfield revealed no waterfall behind the center field fence, so Score nimbly recovered and said: "I beg your pardon. We are not in Kansas City. We are in Boston. And the score is: Red Sox two, Tribe nothing." A further check of the surroundings revealed no Green Monster in left.
"What city are we in, Nev?" asked Herbie, amiably.
"Milwaukee, Herb," Chandler replied, sotto voce.
"And the score is: Brewers two, Tribe nothing," Score concluded triumphantly.
When the Indians returned home at the end of the road trip, General Manager Phil Seghi asked Chandler before the game: "Does Herb know he's in Cleveland?"
Cleveland Indians broadcaster Tom Hamilton says Herb Score was "a great partner"
by Paul Hoynes
by Paul Hoynes
There were 20 seconds left in the timeout between innings during the 1997 Indians season. Herb Score turned to his partner, Tom Hamilton, and said, 'Oh, by the way, Tom, this is going to be my last year.' "
With that, Herb Score put on his headset, looked down on the field and told the radio audience, "Here's the wind and the pitch. . ."
Hamilton laughed about that because it was so typical of Score, the longtime Indians broadcaster who died Tuesday morning at his Rocky River home. He was 75.
No muss, no fuss, just get on with the game.
"He was the most unpretentious person I've ever known," said Hamilton. "It was never about Herbie. It was always about the game."
Score and Hamilton did the Indians radio broadcasts together from 1990 through 1997, the year Score retired. Hamilton moved into Score's chair after that.
"We couldn't have been more polar opposites," said Hamilton. "He was sophisticated and had been in the big leagues forever. I was a dumb farm boy from Wisconsin, who had worked his way to Columbus. But he treated me as an equal even though I was never on his level.
"I'm sure there were plenty of times he wanted to wring my neck for something I said in the booth, but he never criticized me. He was very subtle when he gave you advice."
When Hamilton went to spring training in Tucson, Ariz., to cover the Indians in 1990, he thought they were going to take the American League by storm. Hard to blame him because he'd never been to a big-league camp before.
Halfway through spring training, Score talked to him.
"Herb tells me, 'Look, this isn't a very good team, but you can't let that affect how you do a ball game,' said Hamilton. "Every game has to be treated equally.' It was the best advice I've ever gotten.
"It's easy to broadcast for a team that's going to win 100 games and go to the World Series. But if you listened to Herb, there was no difference in the way he did games in 1990 than in 1995 when we reached the World Series. Herbie felt that you treated every game as equally as possible because that night you could see something you've never seen before."
The 1990 Indians, for the record, went 77-85.
Four teams now call Tucson home for spring training. When the Indians trained there, they were the only one. It made for a lot of long rides to Phoenix and beyond to play Cactus League games.
Hamilton was a frequent passenger of Score's.
"That's because Herbie got the (rental) car and I didn't," laughed Hamilton.
During the drives, Score listened to Frank Sinatra, much to Hamilton's dismay.
"I think I know every word to every Frank Sinatra song there is," said Hamilton. "I even started to like him. I think Herb may have done that just so he wouldn't have had to listen to me."
Hamilton knew he was working with a Cleveland legend. Score was the AL Rookie of the Year for the Indians in 1955. He just wasn't sure Score knew.
"For so long, until we got good in 1994, Herb was the best thing the Indians had going," said Hamilton. "He was the one constant. Owners, general managers and players all came and went. Herbie never left. He was a star here, and he stayed here. That's why he was such an icon, but he never sought that out.
"He was a great partner. I felt very lucky to get the Indians job, but I never realized how lucky I was to have Herbie as a partner. He was a great teacher and mentor."
Hamilton said he learned something about baseball every day working with Score.
"I can't tell you how many times writers would come into the booth and say, 'What was that all about, Herbie?' " said Hamilton. "He usually knew what was going to happen two innings before it happened.
"He never pontificated about it in the booth, but he knew the game so well. I think he could have been a general manager, or anything he wanted to be in the game."
Hamilton stayed close to Score and his family after his retirement. In 1998, Score was almost killed in a car accident and never fully recovered.
Early Tuesday morning, Hamilton received a call from Score's wife, Nancy, telling him that Herb had died.
"To me, Herb and Nancy epitomized grace and style," said Hamilton. "They'd walk into a room, and every head would turn. Just a tremendous family."
Tuesday November 11, 2008, 5:38 PM
Monday, September 8, 2008
Here's how to break a 33 year record and win 20 games!
Cliff's still rock steady: Tribe's Lee breezes through the Royals for 21st victory
by Paul Hoynes
Sunday September 07, 2008, 7:45 PM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cliff Lee didn't know who his next opponent would be. It's part of the veil of solitude he's pulled over himself this season.
When told it would be the same Kansas City team that he beat Sunday to win his 10th straight decision and 21st game of the season, Lee said, "I'll try to do more of the same of what I did today."
Lee pitched 7 1/3 innings and Victor Martinez drove in three runs as the Indians beat the Royals, 3-1, at Kauffman Stadium. Lee's 21 victories and 2.28 ERA are the best in the big leagues.
No, he hasn't pinched himself to see if this is real. He acts like going from 5-8 last year to 21-2 this year is no big deal.
"I really don't think about it that much," said Lee. "I think about preparing each day and doing everything I can do to get ready for my next start. I don't reflect back on previous outings or look too far ahead of today. It's worked for me this year and that's as simple as it is for me."Lee has tried to do this in the past, but it's never been this refined.
"I've been more conscious of it this year," he said. "It helps to have success. When something is working, there's no need to change it. I've focused a lot more on it. ... I've worked hard to keep my mind in the moment and not reflect on what I've done, good or bad."
Lee is scheduled to face the Royals again Friday night at Progressive Field. He's 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA against them this year and 11-4 in his career.
Lewis worked a scoreless ninth to earn his eighth save of the season and the appreciation of catcher Kelly Shoppach on Sunday in Kansas City."The guy is throwing strikes with, what, four pitches," said Royals shortstop Mike Aviles. "He's got the fastball, cutter, curve and change. Any pitcher who is commanding four pitches, and throwing them for strikes, is going to have the upper hand.
"You know he throws a lot of strikes. So in your head, you know you're going to get something to hit. He puts it right there and at the last moment it moves just enough."
On Sunday, 72 percent (74-for-104) of Lee's pitches were strikes. He struck out five and walked one.
Lee's 21 victories are the most by a Tribe pitcher since Gaylord Perry won 21 in 1974, and are second most in a season by a Tribe lefty, behind only Vean Gregg's 23 in 1911.
With four starts left, Lee has a real shot at that.
The Royals may be in last place in the AL Central, but they know how to hit lefties. They're 29-20 against left-handed starters, including a 16-9 record at home.
"They made Cliff work," said manager Eric Wedge.
Billy Butler and Mark Teahen hit consecutive one-out singles in the fourth. Lee struck out John Buck and retired Alberto Callaspo on a grounder. Esteban German started the fifth with a double, but Lee retired the next three batters.
Lee said the thing that helped him was Martinez's two-run single in the first for a 2-0 lead.
"It eased the tension," said Lee.
Martinez's hit was a mixture of good timing and awe. Martinez supplied the timing when he turned Zack Greinke's 3-2 slider into a single up the middle with two out and Shin-Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta running on the pitch. Peralta, not known for his speed, supplied the awe by scoring all the way from first base.
"Jhonny was really digging right there," said Wedge. "He got a great jump. If he doesn't do that, he doesn't score."
Choo and Martinez got together again in the sixth. Choo, on an 11-game hitting streak, doubled and scored on Martinez's bloop double to left against Greinke (10-10, 3.70). Martinez, scheduled to catch Monday night against Baltimore, reached base seven times in nine plate appearances against the Royals.
This was Martinez's seventh game since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 29.
"I'm just trying to do the best I can do," said Martinez.
The third run was big because the Royals scored their only run in the sixth to make it 2-1. After Lee retired Butler in the eighth, Rafael Perez and Rafael Betancourt finished that inning. Jensen Lewis worked the ninth for his eighth save in nine chances.
The Indians, 9-5 against Kansas City, have won 20 of their last 28 games.
Indians' Lee rings up 20th victory
By Sheldon Ocker Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Sep 02, 2008
CLEVELAND: Cliff Lee was pleased, happy even, to become the first 20-game winner in the major leagues this season.
Not that anyone could tell from his body language or his facial expression (what expression?). But he said so, and everyone within earshot in the Indians' clubhouse was prepared to take his word for it.
More than just win the game, the left-hander punctuated his accomplishment by throwing his fourth complete game and second shutout of the year, as the Chicago White Sox fell 5-0 Monday night at Progressive Field.
''That has a nice ring to it; I like the sound of it,'' Lee said, referring to his feat of winning 20 games. ''It's nice to get it out of the way and behind me. Now, I'll do everything I can to get ready for my next start and finish strong.''
It has been his mantra all year. The same words in the same order, game after game after game. In a nutshell, Lee's credo is living in the moment, ignoring the last game, resisting the tendency to think farther ahead than his next start.
The game ahead is the only one that counts. The next inning, the next pitch is all he should be thinking about. And who's to argue? The man is 20-2 with a 2.32 earned-run average that continues to go down.
Of course, Lee learned all this from manager Eric Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis.
''This is one of the toughest things to do in the game of baseball right now,'' Wedge said of winning 20. ''I think I learned from C.C. [Sabathia] and Fausto [Carmona] learned from C.C. how to handle things.''
Even when the White Sox began the game with consecutive hits, Lee stayed the mental and emotional course.
''After those guys get on, there's nothing I can do about it except face the next guy,'' Lee said. ''It's the same as everything else: it's the next batter, the next pitch.''
Lee began the first inning by giving up consecutive singles to Orlando Cabrera and A.J. Pierzynski. But he struck out Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye ripped a line drive to Asdrubal Cabrera at second, and he doubled up Cabrera at the bag.
''I was trying to get Quentin to hit a double-play ball and struck him out instead,'' Lee said. ''I would rather have had the double play. Then I got lucky with Dye. It was a fastball away and up, a ball he could drive. But he hit it right to Asdrubal. It's not the kind of double play I want, but I'll take it.''
Kelly Shoppach might have been more on edge than Lee before the game.
''I was a little anxious and nervous more than he was,'' the catcher said. ''We know it's a big moment. It was like a playoff atmosphere. I'm very proud of Cliff.''
Lee seemed most pleased that he no longer would have to answer questions that relate to wanting to win 20, how stressful it might be to pitch for his 20th and how it would feel if he did or didn't succeed.
''It's nice not to have to answer questions matching up with Gaylord Perry,'' he said. ''But I feel happy and pleased about the way things went. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Maybe a perfect game, but a lot of things have to go your way to do that. So this was a neat experience.''
During one stretch, Lee retired 19 batters in a row and never was in any real trouble. As any Northeast Ohio fan knows, Perry is the last Tribe pitcher to win 20 games, and that was back in 1974.
Lee gave up only five hits, didn't walk a batter and threw 109 pitches, only six in the seventh inning, which included a strikeout.
The only annoyance from the White Sox side of the field came from Pierzynski, who is masterful at getting under the skin of other players, opponents and teammates alike.
When Pierzynski popped to the shortstop in the fourth inning, he slammed his bat and yelled something. After that, the story is disputed.
''He ran down the line and yelled something and stared at me,'' Lee said. ''I just stared back. Then I heard him chirping from the dugout [later in the game]. It gave me a little extra energy. I appreciated it.''
When the game was over, Lee pointed to the visitors' dugout.
''That was just excitement,'' he said.
According to Pierzynski, when he hit the pop fly, he yelled because he was angry with himself, not Lee. It was just miscommunication, he said.
"That's the best I've seen him throw against us in some time," said Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen, whose club dropped into a tie for first with Minnesota. "He's a 20-game winner for a reason. We got to him early and had an opportunity. Then he shut us down, just dominated us."
After he got Carlos Quentin to ground into a game-ending double play, Lee punched his fist into his glove and hugged Shoppach as fireworks boomed above Progressive Field. And then, as he has done 19 other times this season, Lee got in line to exchange handshakes with his teammates.
First baseman Ryan Garko flipped the ball to Lee, and he headed to the dugout as a video tribute from Perry and Feller was shown on the stadium scoreboard.
"It's nice to get this behind me and not have to answer questions about matching Gaylord Perry," Lee said in a typically stoic tone. "I'm glad I got it over with on the first try. It's a good feeling, especially not giving up any runs."
Lee's History
Lee's history wasn't smooth. Ineffective for the first fourth months of 2007, Lee was sent back to the minors last July, a startling downfall for a pitcher who had won 46 games over the previous three years. In his final start before the demotion, Lee was booed off the field and sarcastically tipped his cap at fans who were sick of seeing him.
After the initial shock of being back in the minors wore off, Lee reset his sights.
"I never lost confidence," Lee said. "I never got down on myself or questioned my abilities. I never once doubted what I could do."
Since the first day of spring training in '08, he has been in a groove.
"It's a tremendous tribute to him and the work and the commitment he made," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "These things don't happen by accident."
Lee leads the majors in wins and ERA, and no pitcher has meant more than the laid-back 30-year-old, who has accounted for 30 percent of Cleveland's 66 victories.
Lee has refused to put emphasis on any start but his next one, and has shrugged off his success with a hey-this-is-my job nonchalance. For weeks, he has downplayed any significance of reaching the 20-win barrier, insisting all he wants to do is give the Indians a chance to win.
His approach has been simple.
"You've got to locate. You've got to work ahead. You've got mix and change speeds," Lee said. "That's the key to pitching."
by Paul Hoynes
Sunday September 07, 2008, 7:45 PM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cliff Lee didn't know who his next opponent would be. It's part of the veil of solitude he's pulled over himself this season.
When told it would be the same Kansas City team that he beat Sunday to win his 10th straight decision and 21st game of the season, Lee said, "I'll try to do more of the same of what I did today."
Lee pitched 7 1/3 innings and Victor Martinez drove in three runs as the Indians beat the Royals, 3-1, at Kauffman Stadium. Lee's 21 victories and 2.28 ERA are the best in the big leagues.
No, he hasn't pinched himself to see if this is real. He acts like going from 5-8 last year to 21-2 this year is no big deal.
"I really don't think about it that much," said Lee. "I think about preparing each day and doing everything I can do to get ready for my next start. I don't reflect back on previous outings or look too far ahead of today. It's worked for me this year and that's as simple as it is for me."Lee has tried to do this in the past, but it's never been this refined.
"I've been more conscious of it this year," he said. "It helps to have success. When something is working, there's no need to change it. I've focused a lot more on it. ... I've worked hard to keep my mind in the moment and not reflect on what I've done, good or bad."
Lee is scheduled to face the Royals again Friday night at Progressive Field. He's 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA against them this year and 11-4 in his career.
Lewis worked a scoreless ninth to earn his eighth save of the season and the appreciation of catcher Kelly Shoppach on Sunday in Kansas City."The guy is throwing strikes with, what, four pitches," said Royals shortstop Mike Aviles. "He's got the fastball, cutter, curve and change. Any pitcher who is commanding four pitches, and throwing them for strikes, is going to have the upper hand.
"You know he throws a lot of strikes. So in your head, you know you're going to get something to hit. He puts it right there and at the last moment it moves just enough."
On Sunday, 72 percent (74-for-104) of Lee's pitches were strikes. He struck out five and walked one.
Lee's 21 victories are the most by a Tribe pitcher since Gaylord Perry won 21 in 1974, and are second most in a season by a Tribe lefty, behind only Vean Gregg's 23 in 1911.
With four starts left, Lee has a real shot at that.
The Royals may be in last place in the AL Central, but they know how to hit lefties. They're 29-20 against left-handed starters, including a 16-9 record at home.
"They made Cliff work," said manager Eric Wedge.
Billy Butler and Mark Teahen hit consecutive one-out singles in the fourth. Lee struck out John Buck and retired Alberto Callaspo on a grounder. Esteban German started the fifth with a double, but Lee retired the next three batters.
Lee said the thing that helped him was Martinez's two-run single in the first for a 2-0 lead.
"It eased the tension," said Lee.
Martinez's hit was a mixture of good timing and awe. Martinez supplied the timing when he turned Zack Greinke's 3-2 slider into a single up the middle with two out and Shin-Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta running on the pitch. Peralta, not known for his speed, supplied the awe by scoring all the way from first base.
"Jhonny was really digging right there," said Wedge. "He got a great jump. If he doesn't do that, he doesn't score."
Choo and Martinez got together again in the sixth. Choo, on an 11-game hitting streak, doubled and scored on Martinez's bloop double to left against Greinke (10-10, 3.70). Martinez, scheduled to catch Monday night against Baltimore, reached base seven times in nine plate appearances against the Royals.
This was Martinez's seventh game since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 29.
"I'm just trying to do the best I can do," said Martinez.
The third run was big because the Royals scored their only run in the sixth to make it 2-1. After Lee retired Butler in the eighth, Rafael Perez and Rafael Betancourt finished that inning. Jensen Lewis worked the ninth for his eighth save in nine chances.
The Indians, 9-5 against Kansas City, have won 20 of their last 28 games.
Indians' Lee rings up 20th victory
By Sheldon Ocker Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Sep 02, 2008
CLEVELAND: Cliff Lee was pleased, happy even, to become the first 20-game winner in the major leagues this season.
Not that anyone could tell from his body language or his facial expression (what expression?). But he said so, and everyone within earshot in the Indians' clubhouse was prepared to take his word for it.
More than just win the game, the left-hander punctuated his accomplishment by throwing his fourth complete game and second shutout of the year, as the Chicago White Sox fell 5-0 Monday night at Progressive Field.
''That has a nice ring to it; I like the sound of it,'' Lee said, referring to his feat of winning 20 games. ''It's nice to get it out of the way and behind me. Now, I'll do everything I can to get ready for my next start and finish strong.''
It has been his mantra all year. The same words in the same order, game after game after game. In a nutshell, Lee's credo is living in the moment, ignoring the last game, resisting the tendency to think farther ahead than his next start.
The game ahead is the only one that counts. The next inning, the next pitch is all he should be thinking about. And who's to argue? The man is 20-2 with a 2.32 earned-run average that continues to go down.
Of course, Lee learned all this from manager Eric Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis.
''This is one of the toughest things to do in the game of baseball right now,'' Wedge said of winning 20. ''I think I learned from C.C. [Sabathia] and Fausto [Carmona] learned from C.C. how to handle things.''
Even when the White Sox began the game with consecutive hits, Lee stayed the mental and emotional course.
''After those guys get on, there's nothing I can do about it except face the next guy,'' Lee said. ''It's the same as everything else: it's the next batter, the next pitch.''
Lee began the first inning by giving up consecutive singles to Orlando Cabrera and A.J. Pierzynski. But he struck out Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye ripped a line drive to Asdrubal Cabrera at second, and he doubled up Cabrera at the bag.
''I was trying to get Quentin to hit a double-play ball and struck him out instead,'' Lee said. ''I would rather have had the double play. Then I got lucky with Dye. It was a fastball away and up, a ball he could drive. But he hit it right to Asdrubal. It's not the kind of double play I want, but I'll take it.''
Kelly Shoppach might have been more on edge than Lee before the game.
''I was a little anxious and nervous more than he was,'' the catcher said. ''We know it's a big moment. It was like a playoff atmosphere. I'm very proud of Cliff.''
Lee seemed most pleased that he no longer would have to answer questions that relate to wanting to win 20, how stressful it might be to pitch for his 20th and how it would feel if he did or didn't succeed.
''It's nice not to have to answer questions matching up with Gaylord Perry,'' he said. ''But I feel happy and pleased about the way things went. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Maybe a perfect game, but a lot of things have to go your way to do that. So this was a neat experience.''
During one stretch, Lee retired 19 batters in a row and never was in any real trouble. As any Northeast Ohio fan knows, Perry is the last Tribe pitcher to win 20 games, and that was back in 1974.
Lee gave up only five hits, didn't walk a batter and threw 109 pitches, only six in the seventh inning, which included a strikeout.
The only annoyance from the White Sox side of the field came from Pierzynski, who is masterful at getting under the skin of other players, opponents and teammates alike.
When Pierzynski popped to the shortstop in the fourth inning, he slammed his bat and yelled something. After that, the story is disputed.
''He ran down the line and yelled something and stared at me,'' Lee said. ''I just stared back. Then I heard him chirping from the dugout [later in the game]. It gave me a little extra energy. I appreciated it.''
When the game was over, Lee pointed to the visitors' dugout.
''That was just excitement,'' he said.
According to Pierzynski, when he hit the pop fly, he yelled because he was angry with himself, not Lee. It was just miscommunication, he said.
"That's the best I've seen him throw against us in some time," said Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen, whose club dropped into a tie for first with Minnesota. "He's a 20-game winner for a reason. We got to him early and had an opportunity. Then he shut us down, just dominated us."
After he got Carlos Quentin to ground into a game-ending double play, Lee punched his fist into his glove and hugged Shoppach as fireworks boomed above Progressive Field. And then, as he has done 19 other times this season, Lee got in line to exchange handshakes with his teammates.
First baseman Ryan Garko flipped the ball to Lee, and he headed to the dugout as a video tribute from Perry and Feller was shown on the stadium scoreboard.
"It's nice to get this behind me and not have to answer questions about matching Gaylord Perry," Lee said in a typically stoic tone. "I'm glad I got it over with on the first try. It's a good feeling, especially not giving up any runs."
Lee's History
Lee's history wasn't smooth. Ineffective for the first fourth months of 2007, Lee was sent back to the minors last July, a startling downfall for a pitcher who had won 46 games over the previous three years. In his final start before the demotion, Lee was booed off the field and sarcastically tipped his cap at fans who were sick of seeing him.
After the initial shock of being back in the minors wore off, Lee reset his sights.
"I never lost confidence," Lee said. "I never got down on myself or questioned my abilities. I never once doubted what I could do."
Since the first day of spring training in '08, he has been in a groove.
"It's a tremendous tribute to him and the work and the commitment he made," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "These things don't happen by accident."
Lee leads the majors in wins and ERA, and no pitcher has meant more than the laid-back 30-year-old, who has accounted for 30 percent of Cleveland's 66 victories.
Lee has refused to put emphasis on any start but his next one, and has shrugged off his success with a hey-this-is-my job nonchalance. For weeks, he has downplayed any significance of reaching the 20-win barrier, insisting all he wants to do is give the Indians a chance to win.
His approach has been simple.
"You've got to locate. You've got to work ahead. You've got mix and change speeds," Lee said. "That's the key to pitching."
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Holzman's Baseball Vision
Relievers owe a debt to Holtzman's baseball vision
By Gene Wojciechowski
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: July 25, 2008, 6:56 PM ET
I don't know if Jerome Holtzman was larger than life, but I do know life is smaller without him.
He died last Saturday after an extra-inning illness, was buried this past Tuesday, and will be remembered by friends, colleagues, readers and fans Monday, Aug. 4 at the only place that makes sense.
A baseball field.
Holtzman, 81, was a cigar-chomping, suspenders-wearing Chicago baseball writer. He didn't aspire to more because that was more. A ballgame. Deadline. A story to tell. That was Holtzman's idea of a perfect work day.
Even if you think you've never heard of him, you have. Holtzman is the reason why Goose Gossage will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday. He's why Rollie Fingers, Bruce Sutter and Hoyt Wilhelm are in there, too. In fact, if you're a big league reliever, you owe it to Holtzman to write his initials under the bill of your ball cap.
Holtzman invented the save category in 1966. It isn't the same as inventing the dialysis machine, but it's not bad.
Anyway, Holtzman's new category gave statistical meaning and clarity to the closer role. It made millionaires out of late-inning specialists. It eventually gave every fantasy baseball geek in America (guilty) another precious category to agonize over in their 5x5 or 4x4 league drafts.
If Old School had a valedictorian, it would have been Holtzman. He was respected, maybe even a little bit feared by ballplayers, managers, management and whoever had to compete against the former Marine on the baseball beat. He broke stories. Big ones. Small ones. Didn't matter; his notebook was always open, his pen always uncapped.
If Old School had a valedictorian, it would have been Holtzman ... He broke stories. Big ones. Small ones. Didn't matter; his notebook was always open, his pen always uncapped. Jerry Reinsdorf bought the Chicago White Sox the same year -- 1981 -- Holtzman moved from Wacker Drive and the Chicago Sun-Times to the rival Chicago Tribune on Michigan Avenue. That was the same year Holtzman broke the story on the end of the baseball strike.
Holtzman and Reinsdorf developed a working relationship and, later, a friendship. Owners and sportswriters don't usually spend much time together, but Holtzman wasn't your usual sportswriter. He was a romantic, a historian, an author (if you don't own a copy of "No Cheering In The Press Box," you are weak and useless), a worker bee, a man of conviction and, in 1989, an inductee into the writer's wing at Cooperstown.
Some of us listen to iPods when we write; Holtzman hummed to himself. Out of habit he would eat peanuts in the press box and toss the empty shells on the floor -- even if the floor was carpeted. Nobody said a word.
Holtzman retired from the Tribune in 1998, but you'd still see him at Wrigley Field or new Comiskey Park/U.S. Cellular Field. He used to drive himself to the stadiums from his lovely Evanston home. As his health began to fade, a grandson or friend would do the driving. And more than a few times, Reinsdorf arranged for a limo service. It became a standing offer.
He'd sit in the dugout before the game and it wouldn't take long before players, coaches, managers and writers would stop by to shake his hand or say hello. Respect.
Later, he'd make his way upstairs and usually spend the game with Reinsdorf in the owner's private suite. Cigars were known to be smoked.
When Holtzman died, it was his son Jack who later called Reinsdorf with the news. Reinsdorf, who spoke to Holtzman at least once a month, was visibly shaken by the loss of his friend. Another offer was made: Have a memorial service at The Cell.
I'll be there at the stadium's Scout Lounge the evening of Monday Aug. 4. So will Commissioner Bud Selig. And Reinsdorf. And sportswriters. Lots of sportswriters.
Late in 1995 I was hired to cover the Cubs for the Tribune. The sports editor told me to report to the January MLB owners meeting in Los Angeles. Introduce myself to Holtzman, I was told.
So I did. He had eyebrows so thick that they needed their own lawn service. He wore a white shirt, suspenders, and he scared the living hell out of me.
This was the great Holtzman. The man known simply as "The Dean." A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
And here's what he did. He introduced me to every stuffed suit he could find. Owners, league officials, team officials -- Holtzman knew them all.
It was a busy day. The owners had just voted in favor of interleague play. The then-California Angels were being sold to Disney. A handful of TV deals were up for formal approval. So I asked Holtzman if there were anything I could do to help out.
"No, no," he said. "I'm fine."
We ordered steaks as thick as first base and he spent the next hour telling stories. The Marines ... WWII ... how he courted his wife, Marilyn ... the Chicago newspaper wars ... baseball ... the Cubs ... the White Sox. It was the one time I wished the waitress never brought the check. Less than 20 minutes later, Holtzman was done writing. Amazing. It would have taken me three times that amount to finish.
I couldn't help myself; I stole a peek at his computer screen. There was his famous byline. Then a handful of tight, no-nonsense graphs. Then, in parentheses, Pick Up Wire.
Holtzman had done the hard part. He figured the Associated Press could do the rest.
A month later, at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., Holtzman invited me to dinner. We ordered steaks as thick as first base, and he spent the next hour telling stories. The Marines ... WWII ... how he courted his wife, Marilyn ... the Chicago newspaper wars ... baseball ... the Cubs ... the White Sox. It was the one time I wished the waitress never brought the check.
So a moment of silence, please, for The Dean. But only a moment. Holtzman wouldn't want you to miss any of the game because of him.
Gene Wojciechowski is the senior national columnist for ESPN.com. You can contact him at gene.wojciechowski@espn3.com.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Mound of Trouble
Mound of trouble: Indians' battered bullpen offers many questions, few answers (so far)Posted by Paul Hoynes July 24, 2008 20:11PM
Mark Avery/Associated Press
Masa Kobayashi may --- or may not --- be the Indians' closer for the rest of the season, but that doesn't mean the club won't be searching for a better alternative in 2009.The Indians in an emotional sense have rebounded from the trade of CC Sabathia.
"They're back to being themselves," said manager Eric Wedge, "relaxing, having some fun and trying to play good baseball."
What they haven't rebounded from this season, and probably won't until it is rebuilt or repaired in the off-season, is one of the worst bullpens in the big leagues.
The Indians have no established closer or reliable set-up men. What they have is a jigsaw puzzle dumped on the dining room table waiting for Wedge and GM Mark Shapiro to snap it into place.
"The roles are open -- wide open in the pen," said Wedge at the conclusion of the six-game trip through Seattle and Anaheim, Calif.
The injury and release of closer Joe Borowski and the decline of super set-up man Rafael Betancourt have plunged the bullpen to the bottom of most American League stats. The Tribe's entire pen has 16 saves compared to Francisco Rodriguez's 42 for the Angels.
Borowski and Betancourt aren't the only guilty parties. Jensen Lewis has yet to find the velocity and command he showed going down the stretch last season. Lefty Rafael Perez is only now pitching as he did last year when he and Betancourt ruled the seventh and eighth innings. Tom Mastny remains inconsistent and off-season acquisitions Jorge Julio and Craig Breslow were jettisoned a long time ago.
(Tom Mastny (1-2, 14.90 ERA) was the latest Indians reliever to feel the pain of a lost season when he allowed a grand slam to Jeff Mathis of the Angels on Wednesday.Wedge believes a bullpen starts with its closer. Unless Masa Kobayashi seizes the job in the second half (he's 6-for-8 in save situations), the Indians will go into the winter looking for one. )
"A lot would have to come into play right now with the people we have for us not go out and get a closer," said Wedge. "Someone would have to really grab the role, really lock into it and prove we could count on him for next year. That's a lot to have happen in two-plus months."
Potential free agent closers include Brian Fuentes, Eric Gagne, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, Todd Jones, Brandon Lyon, Rodriguez and Kerry Wood. If Oakland doesn't trade Huston Street to a contender in the next few weeks, he might be available as well.
Tribe prospect Adam Miller has the arm to close, but he's recovering from surgery on the middle finger of his right hand, the latest in a series of nagging injuries that have blocked his path to the big leagues. Miller has spent almost his whole minor-league career as a starter, but he could be a candidate for the bullpen based on what he does in winter ball or the Arizona Fall League and in spring training.
Shapiro said Betancourt, Rafael Perez and Kobayashi will be part of the pen in 2009.
"Ed Mujica, Jensen Lewis and Tom Mastny have a chance to improve their opportunity and status for next year by pitching well now," said Shapiro.
Added Wedge, "I believe Rafael Betancourt can get back on track and be someone we can count in the late innings. I don't think it will happen overnight.
Former Twins reliever Juan Rincon, signed to a minor-league contract and promoted to Cleveland on July 9, has done well in limited appearances.
"He's a free agent at the end of the season," said Shapiro, "but when we signed him it was with the idea that he may be able to help us next year."
Veteran Brendan Donnelly, recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, is pitching at Class AAA Buffalo in a comeback attempt. When the Indians signed him, it was with the idea that he could help them down the stretch toward the postseason. With the Indians no longer a contender, it's unclear how Donnelly, 37, fits in their plans.
Olympian Jeff Stevens, Brian Slocum and lefties Tony Sipp and Rich Rundles are candidates as well.
"We've got plenty of time to look at these guys," said Wedge. "They're going to get opportunities to step up and figure out if they can play a prominent role in this thing.
"I think everyone would agree that Perez is a lot better than he was earlier in the year. You want to see how Mastny and Lewis come along. You want to see if Betancourt can find it. Mujica has definitely evolved. We're using him in more prominent role."
Mark Avery/Associated Press
Masa Kobayashi may --- or may not --- be the Indians' closer for the rest of the season, but that doesn't mean the club won't be searching for a better alternative in 2009.The Indians in an emotional sense have rebounded from the trade of CC Sabathia.
"They're back to being themselves," said manager Eric Wedge, "relaxing, having some fun and trying to play good baseball."
What they haven't rebounded from this season, and probably won't until it is rebuilt or repaired in the off-season, is one of the worst bullpens in the big leagues.
The Indians have no established closer or reliable set-up men. What they have is a jigsaw puzzle dumped on the dining room table waiting for Wedge and GM Mark Shapiro to snap it into place.
"The roles are open -- wide open in the pen," said Wedge at the conclusion of the six-game trip through Seattle and Anaheim, Calif.
The injury and release of closer Joe Borowski and the decline of super set-up man Rafael Betancourt have plunged the bullpen to the bottom of most American League stats. The Tribe's entire pen has 16 saves compared to Francisco Rodriguez's 42 for the Angels.
Borowski and Betancourt aren't the only guilty parties. Jensen Lewis has yet to find the velocity and command he showed going down the stretch last season. Lefty Rafael Perez is only now pitching as he did last year when he and Betancourt ruled the seventh and eighth innings. Tom Mastny remains inconsistent and off-season acquisitions Jorge Julio and Craig Breslow were jettisoned a long time ago.
(Tom Mastny (1-2, 14.90 ERA) was the latest Indians reliever to feel the pain of a lost season when he allowed a grand slam to Jeff Mathis of the Angels on Wednesday.Wedge believes a bullpen starts with its closer. Unless Masa Kobayashi seizes the job in the second half (he's 6-for-8 in save situations), the Indians will go into the winter looking for one. )
"A lot would have to come into play right now with the people we have for us not go out and get a closer," said Wedge. "Someone would have to really grab the role, really lock into it and prove we could count on him for next year. That's a lot to have happen in two-plus months."
Potential free agent closers include Brian Fuentes, Eric Gagne, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, Todd Jones, Brandon Lyon, Rodriguez and Kerry Wood. If Oakland doesn't trade Huston Street to a contender in the next few weeks, he might be available as well.
Tribe prospect Adam Miller has the arm to close, but he's recovering from surgery on the middle finger of his right hand, the latest in a series of nagging injuries that have blocked his path to the big leagues. Miller has spent almost his whole minor-league career as a starter, but he could be a candidate for the bullpen based on what he does in winter ball or the Arizona Fall League and in spring training.
Shapiro said Betancourt, Rafael Perez and Kobayashi will be part of the pen in 2009.
"Ed Mujica, Jensen Lewis and Tom Mastny have a chance to improve their opportunity and status for next year by pitching well now," said Shapiro.
Added Wedge, "I believe Rafael Betancourt can get back on track and be someone we can count in the late innings. I don't think it will happen overnight.
Former Twins reliever Juan Rincon, signed to a minor-league contract and promoted to Cleveland on July 9, has done well in limited appearances.
"He's a free agent at the end of the season," said Shapiro, "but when we signed him it was with the idea that he may be able to help us next year."
Veteran Brendan Donnelly, recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, is pitching at Class AAA Buffalo in a comeback attempt. When the Indians signed him, it was with the idea that he could help them down the stretch toward the postseason. With the Indians no longer a contender, it's unclear how Donnelly, 37, fits in their plans.
Olympian Jeff Stevens, Brian Slocum and lefties Tony Sipp and Rich Rundles are candidates as well.
"We've got plenty of time to look at these guys," said Wedge. "They're going to get opportunities to step up and figure out if they can play a prominent role in this thing.
"I think everyone would agree that Perez is a lot better than he was earlier in the year. You want to see how Mastny and Lewis come along. You want to see if Betancourt can find it. Mujica has definitely evolved. We're using him in more prominent role."
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Tribe's only priority for rest of 2008 should be 2009
Cleveland -- If I had to take over the Indians for the rest of the season, these are the moves I'd make. I'm not talking about stuff for the off-season, but things that can be done within the next three months only.
My approach: Everything done after the All-Star break should be aimed at making the team better for 2009. We don't need to see much of Dave Dellucci, who is 34 and has hit .230 and .231 in his last two years with the Tribe. No need to sign Barry Bonds, Richie Sexson or some other older veteran with physical problems. Use this time to evaluate players under the glare and pressure of the regular season, not meaningless games in September or spring training.
Their approach: In their recent meetings, the Indians agreed that playing time is the key to next year. They say they plan to really watch young outfielders Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Francisco and Franklin Gutierrez in left and right fields. They don't want to bring in a veteran just for the sake of adding a "name" player. My general approach, especially to the outfield, matches the Tribe's.
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Asdrubal Cabrera's return to the Indians is a good decision, writes Terry Pluto, but the team may be wasting an opportunity if they only play Cabrera at second base for the rest of the season.My shortstop: Consider that Omar Vizquel came to the majors with Seattle at the age of 19. He batted .220-.247-.230 in his first three big-league seasons. The Indians should install 22-year-old Asdrubal Cabrera at short. After hitting .184, he was sent to Class AAA Buffalo to work on his hitting. Well, he's batting .326 with a team-leading .856 OPS. His defense remains superb, according to scouts. The Bisons shortstop was just named the International League Batter of the Week (13-of-33, .394, 3 HR). Cabrera loves Vizquel. Like Omar, he is from Venezuela, wears No. 13 and is a switch-hitter. He does need to learn to watch his conditioning, because Vizquel played into his 40s by being in great shape.
Their shortstop: For now, the Indians are committed to Jhonny Peralta at short, with Cabrera (set to join the team this weekend) playing mostly second base.
My third baseman: I'd have Peralta and Andy Marte split time at the position. When Marte is at third, Peralta can be the DH. One of these guys should be the third baseman in 2009, let's find out which one. I'd start with Marte there four times a week, Peralta the other three. Peralta's only extended time at third was in 2004, when he made 14 errors in 59 games at Buffalo. That was four years ago, let's see how he looks there now.
Their third baseman: They want to take an extensive look at Marte at third, or at least that's the plan now. They have been pleased by his defense, which was terrible in spring training and has been improved during his brief outings this season. Casey Blake will play there when Marte sits.
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Casey Blake has provided one of the few reliable bats for the Indians this summer, but at age 34, his best value to the team is likely to be greater as trade bait as the deadline approaches.My deal: I'd love to see Blake on a contender where his versatility would be valuable, and he also may bring something decent in return. Blake is having a career year batting .282 (.390 with runners in scoring position). He makes $6 million, will be a free agent and he'll be 35 on Aug. 23. It doesn't seem he will be in the plans for 2009, so they should trade him now.
Their deal: They may keep Blake and use him at first base the rest of the year. They don't want to just give him away, and they see him as a safety valve at several positions. They also think they will have a chance to re-sign him to a short-term deal at the end of the season.
My second baseman: I really wanted to see Josh Barfield (broken finger), but he's out another 3-4 weeks. I'd stick with Jamey Carroll there, with Cabrera at short and my Marte/Peralta combo at third until Barfield is healthy.
Their second baseman: Cabrera will get heavy duty at that spot for now.
My first baseman: If he comes back from his elbow surgery this season, play Victor Martinez a lot. Give his body a break from catching, where he caught more games from 2004-06 than anyone in the American League. He ranked fifth in that category last year. Between the elbow and hamstring injuries, he paid for it in 2008. In the meantime, I'd look at Ryan Garko, unless Blake is still here.
Their first baseman: It will be Blake and Garko. Manager Eric Wedge and I both think Garko can hit, and wish he'd get started. If not, they will need a new first baseman in 2009.
My rotation: Assuming Fausto Carmona is indeed two weeks away from returning, the rotation would be Cliff Lee, Carmona, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers and Paul Byrd -- with the idea of moving Byrd if a contender is interested. A key is finding out about Sowers. I believe they are on the same page.
My idea that won't work: I wanted to be bring Jeff Stevens up from Buffalo and add him to the bullpen, and then promote Matt LaPorta from Class AA Akron to Buffalo. But both are in the Olympics, which will chew up the month of August. After the Olympics, I'd add both to the September roster and play them. LaPorta will play mostly first base in the Olympics.
My idea for the bullpen: I don't have too many other than the obvious ... close with Raffy Perez. Revive Raffy Betancourt. See if Edward Mujica can help somehow. Jensen Lewis? Tom Mastny? I don't know, hope one of them can help. I have a feeling Juan Rincon is the next Jorge Julio. Watch the innings for Masa Kobayashi, who is 34 and has not appeared in more than 53 games or thrown more than 58 innings in the last seven years.
Their idea for the bullpen: They will close with Kobayashi, at least for now -- and watch his workload. They are excited by Perez, confounded by Betancourt. They have been encouraged by Mujica, and think Rich Rundles at some point can come up from Buffalo and help as a lefty reliever.
My idea that some fans won't like: I won't fire the manager, batting coach or anyone else this season. The biggest failures are the injuries, the bullpen and not making any major off-season additions. To dump a coach or manager in the middle of this mess is a scapegoat approach and masks the real problem, which is the roster and a farm system that is not producing right now. I can't fault Wedge and the rest for that.
My approach: Everything done after the All-Star break should be aimed at making the team better for 2009. We don't need to see much of Dave Dellucci, who is 34 and has hit .230 and .231 in his last two years with the Tribe. No need to sign Barry Bonds, Richie Sexson or some other older veteran with physical problems. Use this time to evaluate players under the glare and pressure of the regular season, not meaningless games in September or spring training.
Their approach: In their recent meetings, the Indians agreed that playing time is the key to next year. They say they plan to really watch young outfielders Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Francisco and Franklin Gutierrez in left and right fields. They don't want to bring in a veteran just for the sake of adding a "name" player. My general approach, especially to the outfield, matches the Tribe's.
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Asdrubal Cabrera's return to the Indians is a good decision, writes Terry Pluto, but the team may be wasting an opportunity if they only play Cabrera at second base for the rest of the season.My shortstop: Consider that Omar Vizquel came to the majors with Seattle at the age of 19. He batted .220-.247-.230 in his first three big-league seasons. The Indians should install 22-year-old Asdrubal Cabrera at short. After hitting .184, he was sent to Class AAA Buffalo to work on his hitting. Well, he's batting .326 with a team-leading .856 OPS. His defense remains superb, according to scouts. The Bisons shortstop was just named the International League Batter of the Week (13-of-33, .394, 3 HR). Cabrera loves Vizquel. Like Omar, he is from Venezuela, wears No. 13 and is a switch-hitter. He does need to learn to watch his conditioning, because Vizquel played into his 40s by being in great shape.
Their shortstop: For now, the Indians are committed to Jhonny Peralta at short, with Cabrera (set to join the team this weekend) playing mostly second base.
My third baseman: I'd have Peralta and Andy Marte split time at the position. When Marte is at third, Peralta can be the DH. One of these guys should be the third baseman in 2009, let's find out which one. I'd start with Marte there four times a week, Peralta the other three. Peralta's only extended time at third was in 2004, when he made 14 errors in 59 games at Buffalo. That was four years ago, let's see how he looks there now.
Their third baseman: They want to take an extensive look at Marte at third, or at least that's the plan now. They have been pleased by his defense, which was terrible in spring training and has been improved during his brief outings this season. Casey Blake will play there when Marte sits.
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Casey Blake has provided one of the few reliable bats for the Indians this summer, but at age 34, his best value to the team is likely to be greater as trade bait as the deadline approaches.My deal: I'd love to see Blake on a contender where his versatility would be valuable, and he also may bring something decent in return. Blake is having a career year batting .282 (.390 with runners in scoring position). He makes $6 million, will be a free agent and he'll be 35 on Aug. 23. It doesn't seem he will be in the plans for 2009, so they should trade him now.
Their deal: They may keep Blake and use him at first base the rest of the year. They don't want to just give him away, and they see him as a safety valve at several positions. They also think they will have a chance to re-sign him to a short-term deal at the end of the season.
My second baseman: I really wanted to see Josh Barfield (broken finger), but he's out another 3-4 weeks. I'd stick with Jamey Carroll there, with Cabrera at short and my Marte/Peralta combo at third until Barfield is healthy.
Their second baseman: Cabrera will get heavy duty at that spot for now.
My first baseman: If he comes back from his elbow surgery this season, play Victor Martinez a lot. Give his body a break from catching, where he caught more games from 2004-06 than anyone in the American League. He ranked fifth in that category last year. Between the elbow and hamstring injuries, he paid for it in 2008. In the meantime, I'd look at Ryan Garko, unless Blake is still here.
Their first baseman: It will be Blake and Garko. Manager Eric Wedge and I both think Garko can hit, and wish he'd get started. If not, they will need a new first baseman in 2009.
My rotation: Assuming Fausto Carmona is indeed two weeks away from returning, the rotation would be Cliff Lee, Carmona, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers and Paul Byrd -- with the idea of moving Byrd if a contender is interested. A key is finding out about Sowers. I believe they are on the same page.
My idea that won't work: I wanted to be bring Jeff Stevens up from Buffalo and add him to the bullpen, and then promote Matt LaPorta from Class AA Akron to Buffalo. But both are in the Olympics, which will chew up the month of August. After the Olympics, I'd add both to the September roster and play them. LaPorta will play mostly first base in the Olympics.
My idea for the bullpen: I don't have too many other than the obvious ... close with Raffy Perez. Revive Raffy Betancourt. See if Edward Mujica can help somehow. Jensen Lewis? Tom Mastny? I don't know, hope one of them can help. I have a feeling Juan Rincon is the next Jorge Julio. Watch the innings for Masa Kobayashi, who is 34 and has not appeared in more than 53 games or thrown more than 58 innings in the last seven years.
Their idea for the bullpen: They will close with Kobayashi, at least for now -- and watch his workload. They are excited by Perez, confounded by Betancourt. They have been encouraged by Mujica, and think Rich Rundles at some point can come up from Buffalo and help as a lefty reliever.
My idea that some fans won't like: I won't fire the manager, batting coach or anyone else this season. The biggest failures are the injuries, the bullpen and not making any major off-season additions. To dump a coach or manager in the middle of this mess is a scapegoat approach and masks the real problem, which is the roster and a farm system that is not producing right now. I can't fault Wedge and the rest for that.
Tribe's only priority for rest of 2008 should be 2009
Tribe's only priority for rest of 2008 should be 2009, says Terry Pluto
by Terry Pluto Thursday July 17, 2008, 6:55 PM
Cleveland -- If I had to take over the Indians for the rest of the season, these are the moves I'd make. I'm not talking about stuff for the off-season, but things that can be done within the next three months only.
My approach: Everything done after the All-Star break should be aimed at making the team better for 2009. We don't need to see much of Dave Dellucci, who is 34 and has hit .230 and .231 in his last two years with the Tribe. No need to sign Barry Bonds, Richie Sexson or some other older veteran with physical problems. Use this time to evaluate players under the glare and pressure of the regular season, not meaningless games in September or spring training.
Their approach: In their recent meetings, the Indians agreed that playing time is the key to next year. They say they plan to really watch young outfielders Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Francisco and Franklin Gutierrez in left and right fields. They don't want to bring in a veteran just for the sake of adding a "name" player. My general approach, especially to the outfield, matches the Tribe's.
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Asdrubal Cabrera's return to the Indians is a good decision, writes Terry Pluto, but the team may be wasting an opportunity if they only play Cabrera at second base for the rest of the season.My shortstop: Consider that Omar Vizquel came to the majors with Seattle at the age of 19. He batted .220-.247-.230 in his first three big-league seasons. The Indians should install 22-year-old Asdrubal Cabrera at short. After hitting .184, he was sent to Class AAA Buffalo to work on his hitting. Well, he's batting .326 with a team-leading .856 OPS. His defense remains superb, according to scouts. The Bisons shortstop was just named the International League Batter of the Week (13-of-33, .394, 3 HR). Cabrera loves Vizquel. Like Omar, he is from Venezuela, wears No. 13 and is a switch-hitter. He does need to learn to watch his conditioning, because Vizquel played into his 40s by being in great shape.
Their shortstop: For now, the Indians are committed to Jhonny Peralta at short, with Cabrera (set to join the team this weekend) playing mostly second base.
My third baseman: I'd have Peralta and Andy Marte split time at the position. When Marte is at third, Peralta can be the DH. One of these guys should be the third baseman in 2009, let's find out which one. I'd start with Marte there four times a week, Peralta the other three. Peralta's only extended time at third was in 2004, when he made 14 errors in 59 games at Buffalo. That was four years ago, let's see how he looks there now.
Their third baseman: They want to take an extensive look at Marte at third, or at least that's the plan now. They have been pleased by his defense, which was terrible in spring training and has been improved during his brief outings this season. Casey Blake will play there when Marte sits.
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Casey Blake has provided one of the few reliable bats for the Indians this summer, but at age 34, his best value to the team is likely to be greater as trade bait as the deadline approaches.My deal: I'd love to see Blake on a contender where his versatility would be valuable, and he also may bring something decent in return. Blake is having a career year batting .282 (.390 with runners in scoring position). He makes $6 million, will be a free agent and he'll be 35 on Aug. 23. It doesn't seem he will be in the plans for 2009, so they should trade him now.
Their deal: They may keep Blake and use him at first base the rest of the year. They don't want to just give him away, and they see him as a safety valve at several positions. They also think they will have a chance to re-sign him to a short-term deal at the end of the season.
My second baseman: I really wanted to see Josh Barfield (broken finger), but he's out another 3-4 weeks. I'd stick with Jamey Carroll there, with Cabrera at short and my Marte/Peralta combo at third until Barfield is healthy.
Their second baseman: Cabrera will get heavy duty at that spot for now.
My first baseman: If he comes back from his elbow surgery this season, play Victor Martinez a lot. Give his body a break from catching, where he caught more games from 2004-06 than anyone in the American League. He ranked fifth in that category last year. Between the elbow and hamstring injuries, he paid for it in 2008. In the meantime, I'd look at Ryan Garko, unless Blake is still here.
Their first baseman: It will be Blake and Garko. Manager Eric Wedge and I both think Garko can hit, and wish he'd get started. If not, they will need a new first baseman in 2009.
My rotation: Assuming Fausto Carmona is indeed two weeks away from returning, the rotation would be Cliff Lee, Carmona, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers and Paul Byrd -- with the idea of moving Byrd if a contender is interested. A key is finding out about Sowers. I believe they are on the same page.
My idea that won't work: I wanted to be bring Jeff Stevens up from Buffalo and add him to the bullpen, and then promote Matt LaPorta from Class AA Akron to Buffalo. But both are in the Olympics, which will chew up the month of August. After the Olympics, I'd add both to the September roster and play them. LaPorta will play mostly first base in the Olympics.
My idea for the bullpen: I don't have too many other than the obvious ... close with Raffy Perez. Revive Raffy Betancourt. See if Edward Mujica can help somehow. Jensen Lewis? Tom Mastny? I don't know, hope one of them can help. I have a feeling Juan Rincon is the next Jorge Julio. Watch the innings for Masa Kobayashi, who is 34 and has not appeared in more than 53 games or thrown more than 58 innings in the last seven years.
Their idea for the bullpen: They will close with Kobayashi, at least for now -- and watch his workload. They are excited by Perez, confounded by Betancourt. They have been encouraged by Mujica, and think Rich Rundles at some point can come up from Buffalo and help as a lefty reliever.
My idea that some fans won't like: I won't fire the manager, batting coach or anyone else this season. The biggest failures are the injuries, the bullpen and not making any major off-season additions. To dump a coach or manager in the middle of this mess is a scapegoat approach and masks the real problem, which is the roster and a farm system that is not producing right now. I can't fault Wedge and the rest for that.
by Terry Pluto Thursday July 17, 2008, 6:55 PM
Cleveland -- If I had to take over the Indians for the rest of the season, these are the moves I'd make. I'm not talking about stuff for the off-season, but things that can be done within the next three months only.
My approach: Everything done after the All-Star break should be aimed at making the team better for 2009. We don't need to see much of Dave Dellucci, who is 34 and has hit .230 and .231 in his last two years with the Tribe. No need to sign Barry Bonds, Richie Sexson or some other older veteran with physical problems. Use this time to evaluate players under the glare and pressure of the regular season, not meaningless games in September or spring training.
Their approach: In their recent meetings, the Indians agreed that playing time is the key to next year. They say they plan to really watch young outfielders Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Francisco and Franklin Gutierrez in left and right fields. They don't want to bring in a veteran just for the sake of adding a "name" player. My general approach, especially to the outfield, matches the Tribe's.
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Asdrubal Cabrera's return to the Indians is a good decision, writes Terry Pluto, but the team may be wasting an opportunity if they only play Cabrera at second base for the rest of the season.My shortstop: Consider that Omar Vizquel came to the majors with Seattle at the age of 19. He batted .220-.247-.230 in his first three big-league seasons. The Indians should install 22-year-old Asdrubal Cabrera at short. After hitting .184, he was sent to Class AAA Buffalo to work on his hitting. Well, he's batting .326 with a team-leading .856 OPS. His defense remains superb, according to scouts. The Bisons shortstop was just named the International League Batter of the Week (13-of-33, .394, 3 HR). Cabrera loves Vizquel. Like Omar, he is from Venezuela, wears No. 13 and is a switch-hitter. He does need to learn to watch his conditioning, because Vizquel played into his 40s by being in great shape.
Their shortstop: For now, the Indians are committed to Jhonny Peralta at short, with Cabrera (set to join the team this weekend) playing mostly second base.
My third baseman: I'd have Peralta and Andy Marte split time at the position. When Marte is at third, Peralta can be the DH. One of these guys should be the third baseman in 2009, let's find out which one. I'd start with Marte there four times a week, Peralta the other three. Peralta's only extended time at third was in 2004, when he made 14 errors in 59 games at Buffalo. That was four years ago, let's see how he looks there now.
Their third baseman: They want to take an extensive look at Marte at third, or at least that's the plan now. They have been pleased by his defense, which was terrible in spring training and has been improved during his brief outings this season. Casey Blake will play there when Marte sits.
Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Casey Blake has provided one of the few reliable bats for the Indians this summer, but at age 34, his best value to the team is likely to be greater as trade bait as the deadline approaches.My deal: I'd love to see Blake on a contender where his versatility would be valuable, and he also may bring something decent in return. Blake is having a career year batting .282 (.390 with runners in scoring position). He makes $6 million, will be a free agent and he'll be 35 on Aug. 23. It doesn't seem he will be in the plans for 2009, so they should trade him now.
Their deal: They may keep Blake and use him at first base the rest of the year. They don't want to just give him away, and they see him as a safety valve at several positions. They also think they will have a chance to re-sign him to a short-term deal at the end of the season.
My second baseman: I really wanted to see Josh Barfield (broken finger), but he's out another 3-4 weeks. I'd stick with Jamey Carroll there, with Cabrera at short and my Marte/Peralta combo at third until Barfield is healthy.
Their second baseman: Cabrera will get heavy duty at that spot for now.
My first baseman: If he comes back from his elbow surgery this season, play Victor Martinez a lot. Give his body a break from catching, where he caught more games from 2004-06 than anyone in the American League. He ranked fifth in that category last year. Between the elbow and hamstring injuries, he paid for it in 2008. In the meantime, I'd look at Ryan Garko, unless Blake is still here.
Their first baseman: It will be Blake and Garko. Manager Eric Wedge and I both think Garko can hit, and wish he'd get started. If not, they will need a new first baseman in 2009.
My rotation: Assuming Fausto Carmona is indeed two weeks away from returning, the rotation would be Cliff Lee, Carmona, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers and Paul Byrd -- with the idea of moving Byrd if a contender is interested. A key is finding out about Sowers. I believe they are on the same page.
My idea that won't work: I wanted to be bring Jeff Stevens up from Buffalo and add him to the bullpen, and then promote Matt LaPorta from Class AA Akron to Buffalo. But both are in the Olympics, which will chew up the month of August. After the Olympics, I'd add both to the September roster and play them. LaPorta will play mostly first base in the Olympics.
My idea for the bullpen: I don't have too many other than the obvious ... close with Raffy Perez. Revive Raffy Betancourt. See if Edward Mujica can help somehow. Jensen Lewis? Tom Mastny? I don't know, hope one of them can help. I have a feeling Juan Rincon is the next Jorge Julio. Watch the innings for Masa Kobayashi, who is 34 and has not appeared in more than 53 games or thrown more than 58 innings in the last seven years.
Their idea for the bullpen: They will close with Kobayashi, at least for now -- and watch his workload. They are excited by Perez, confounded by Betancourt. They have been encouraged by Mujica, and think Rich Rundles at some point can come up from Buffalo and help as a lefty reliever.
My idea that some fans won't like: I won't fire the manager, batting coach or anyone else this season. The biggest failures are the injuries, the bullpen and not making any major off-season additions. To dump a coach or manager in the middle of this mess is a scapegoat approach and masks the real problem, which is the roster and a farm system that is not producing right now. I can't fault Wedge and the rest for that.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Read this and become a better Cubs fan
Read this and become a better Cubs fan
By David Schoenfield
If you're going to become a real, true-blue Chicago Cubs fan, you need to learn about the franchise, its history and its most famous players. Here is a quick guide with definitions to some of the most important things you must know.
Baker, Dusty 1. manager (2003-06) 2. slayer of young arms 3. kept trying to turn Corey Patterson into a leadoff hitter
BANDWAGON 411
Here's everything you need to know about bandwagon riding:
• The eight kinds of bandwagon fans and how to spot them
• Ten tips for bandwagoners
• History's biggest bandwagons
• 12 legendary victories a Cubs bandwagoner must know
• Cubs bandwagon dictionary
• Uni Watch: Cubs edition
Banks, Ernie 1. Mr. Cub 2. two-time National League MVP 3. played third-most games in major league history without appearing in a World Series (see also PALMEIRO, RAFAEL; and DAWSON, ANDRE)
Bleacher Bums [Slang] 1. affectionate nickname for die-hard Cubs fans who sit in the outfield bleachers 2. drunk, smelly, shirtless fans who drink beer
choke v. choked, choking 1. 1969 pennant race 2. Leon Durham, letting ground ball through legs of, 1984 3. Steve Bartman, Alex Gonzalez et al, 2003
College of Coaches 1. strategy in which Cubs rotated four coaches as "head coaches" instead of naming one permanent manager (1961-62) 2. 123-193 (Cubs record, 1961-62)
Dawson, Andre 1. 1987 NL MVP 2. even though the Cubs finished 76-85 and in last place
Elia, Lee 1. manager (1982-83) 2. used very bad words once to describe Cubs fans
Garvey, Steve 1. former Dodgers and Padres first baseman 2. forearms like Popeye 3. All-American boy image later tarnished with out-of-wedlock children 4. Cubs fans knew he was of questionable character after hitting game-winning home run in Game 4 of 1984 NLCS
gerbil n. 1. any of a subfamily (Gerbillinae) of burrowing rodents related to the mouse 2. Don Zimmer, manager (1988-91)
goat n. 1. any of a number of wild or domesticated, cud-chewing mammals (genus Capra) with hollow horns, related to the sheep 2. a lecherous man 3. [Colloq.] a person forced to take the blame or punishment for others; scapegoat 4. do not bring into Wrigley Field
Grace, Mark 1. popular first baseman (1988-2000) 2. signed as free agent with Arizona in 2001 3. won World Series first season with Arizona
Guillen, Ozzie no-good #!(@*#$&! manager of hated Chicago White Sox
Homer in the Gloamin' [Slang] 1. description given to Gabby Hartnett's home run that beat Pittsburgh in the early evening darkness of a crucial pennant race game in 1938 2. Cubs went on to win the pennant 3. Cubs swept in World Series by Yankees
light n. 1. a source of light, as the sun, a lamp, a light bulb, etc. 2. finally installed at Wrigley Field (1988) 3. too many day games, perhaps explanation behind lack of National League pennants since 1945
lose v. lost, losing 1. to bring to ruin or destruction 2. to fail to win or gain 3. to fail to have, get, take advantage of, etc.; miss [the Cubs lost their chance at the 2003 pennant due to an eighth-inning meltdown]
Lovable Losers [Slang] affectionate nickname given to franchise
Maddux, Greg 1. pitcher, drafted by Cubs in 1984 as scrawny teenager from Nevada 2. developed into four-time Cy Young winner and 300-game winner 3. led Cubs to many division titles and pennants in 1990s 4. ohh, that's right, no he didn't, Cubs let him leave as free agent following 1992 season
meat n. 1. the flesh of animals used as food 2. popular food item in Chicago 3. what Cubs outfielder Dave Kingman once referred to athletes as [athletes are pieces of meat]
Merkle's Boner n. [Slang] 1. infamous baserunning gaffe by New York Giants rookie Fred Merkle in 1908 that cost the Giants a victory and led to the Cubs winning the National League pennant by one game 2. get your mind out of the gutter
Prior, Mark 1. pitcher, 2002-06 2. thanks, Dusty
Santo, Ron 1. beloved Cubs third baseman and longtime announcer 2. widely regarded by sabermetric types as the best player not in the Hall of Fame 3. not including Pete Rose, Mark McGwire or Joe Jackson 4. in 1960s, Cubs had Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins (all Hall of Famers) plus Santo, yet won zero pennants 5. ouch
Sauer, Hank 1. 1952 NL MVP 2. even though the Cubs finished 77-77 and in fifth place
Sosa, Sammy 1. slugging right fielder, fan favorite, 1998 NL MVP, hit 60-plus home runs three times (1992-2003) 2. persona non grata (2004)
Tinker to Evers to Chance 1. famed double-play combination, immortalized by Franklin P. Adams poem 2. Tinker and Evers played alongside each other yet didn't speak for 33 years after a fistfight in 1905 3. Chance managed Cubs to pennants in 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1910 4. won World Series in 1908, last Cubs manager to do so 5. Chance nicknamed "The Peerless Leader," last Cubs manager to be considered as such
Tribune Company 1. cheap 2. stingy 3. tightfisted 4. good riddance
Wilson, Hack 1. squat, fireplug outfielder, stood just 5-foot-6 2. set all-time record with 191 RBIs and hit 56 home runs (1930) 3. spent offseason hanging out in Chicago bars, drinking plenty of free alcohol from adoring fans 4. hit 13 home runs, drove in 61 runs (1931)
Wrigley Field 1. heaven 2. place for drunk, smelly, shirtless fans to drink beer
By David Schoenfield
If you're going to become a real, true-blue Chicago Cubs fan, you need to learn about the franchise, its history and its most famous players. Here is a quick guide with definitions to some of the most important things you must know.
Baker, Dusty 1. manager (2003-06) 2. slayer of young arms 3. kept trying to turn Corey Patterson into a leadoff hitter
BANDWAGON 411
Here's everything you need to know about bandwagon riding:
• The eight kinds of bandwagon fans and how to spot them
• Ten tips for bandwagoners
• History's biggest bandwagons
• 12 legendary victories a Cubs bandwagoner must know
• Cubs bandwagon dictionary
• Uni Watch: Cubs edition
Banks, Ernie 1. Mr. Cub 2. two-time National League MVP 3. played third-most games in major league history without appearing in a World Series (see also PALMEIRO, RAFAEL; and DAWSON, ANDRE)
Bleacher Bums [Slang] 1. affectionate nickname for die-hard Cubs fans who sit in the outfield bleachers 2. drunk, smelly, shirtless fans who drink beer
choke v. choked, choking 1. 1969 pennant race 2. Leon Durham, letting ground ball through legs of, 1984 3. Steve Bartman, Alex Gonzalez et al, 2003
College of Coaches 1. strategy in which Cubs rotated four coaches as "head coaches" instead of naming one permanent manager (1961-62) 2. 123-193 (Cubs record, 1961-62)
Dawson, Andre 1. 1987 NL MVP 2. even though the Cubs finished 76-85 and in last place
Elia, Lee 1. manager (1982-83) 2. used very bad words once to describe Cubs fans
Garvey, Steve 1. former Dodgers and Padres first baseman 2. forearms like Popeye 3. All-American boy image later tarnished with out-of-wedlock children 4. Cubs fans knew he was of questionable character after hitting game-winning home run in Game 4 of 1984 NLCS
gerbil n. 1. any of a subfamily (Gerbillinae) of burrowing rodents related to the mouse 2. Don Zimmer, manager (1988-91)
goat n. 1. any of a number of wild or domesticated, cud-chewing mammals (genus Capra) with hollow horns, related to the sheep 2. a lecherous man 3. [Colloq.] a person forced to take the blame or punishment for others; scapegoat 4. do not bring into Wrigley Field
Grace, Mark 1. popular first baseman (1988-2000) 2. signed as free agent with Arizona in 2001 3. won World Series first season with Arizona
Guillen, Ozzie no-good #!(@*#$&! manager of hated Chicago White Sox
Homer in the Gloamin' [Slang] 1. description given to Gabby Hartnett's home run that beat Pittsburgh in the early evening darkness of a crucial pennant race game in 1938 2. Cubs went on to win the pennant 3. Cubs swept in World Series by Yankees
light n. 1. a source of light, as the sun, a lamp, a light bulb, etc. 2. finally installed at Wrigley Field (1988) 3. too many day games, perhaps explanation behind lack of National League pennants since 1945
lose v. lost, losing 1. to bring to ruin or destruction 2. to fail to win or gain 3. to fail to have, get, take advantage of, etc.; miss [the Cubs lost their chance at the 2003 pennant due to an eighth-inning meltdown]
Lovable Losers [Slang] affectionate nickname given to franchise
Maddux, Greg 1. pitcher, drafted by Cubs in 1984 as scrawny teenager from Nevada 2. developed into four-time Cy Young winner and 300-game winner 3. led Cubs to many division titles and pennants in 1990s 4. ohh, that's right, no he didn't, Cubs let him leave as free agent following 1992 season
meat n. 1. the flesh of animals used as food 2. popular food item in Chicago 3. what Cubs outfielder Dave Kingman once referred to athletes as [athletes are pieces of meat]
Merkle's Boner n. [Slang] 1. infamous baserunning gaffe by New York Giants rookie Fred Merkle in 1908 that cost the Giants a victory and led to the Cubs winning the National League pennant by one game 2. get your mind out of the gutter
Prior, Mark 1. pitcher, 2002-06 2. thanks, Dusty
Santo, Ron 1. beloved Cubs third baseman and longtime announcer 2. widely regarded by sabermetric types as the best player not in the Hall of Fame 3. not including Pete Rose, Mark McGwire or Joe Jackson 4. in 1960s, Cubs had Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins (all Hall of Famers) plus Santo, yet won zero pennants 5. ouch
Sauer, Hank 1. 1952 NL MVP 2. even though the Cubs finished 77-77 and in fifth place
Sosa, Sammy 1. slugging right fielder, fan favorite, 1998 NL MVP, hit 60-plus home runs three times (1992-2003) 2. persona non grata (2004)
Tinker to Evers to Chance 1. famed double-play combination, immortalized by Franklin P. Adams poem 2. Tinker and Evers played alongside each other yet didn't speak for 33 years after a fistfight in 1905 3. Chance managed Cubs to pennants in 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1910 4. won World Series in 1908, last Cubs manager to do so 5. Chance nicknamed "The Peerless Leader," last Cubs manager to be considered as such
Tribune Company 1. cheap 2. stingy 3. tightfisted 4. good riddance
Wilson, Hack 1. squat, fireplug outfielder, stood just 5-foot-6 2. set all-time record with 191 RBIs and hit 56 home runs (1930) 3. spent offseason hanging out in Chicago bars, drinking plenty of free alcohol from adoring fans 4. hit 13 home runs, drove in 61 runs (1931)
Wrigley Field 1. heaven 2. place for drunk, smelly, shirtless fans to drink beer
Friday, June 20, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Chicago Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol plopped down on the billowy leather recliner in the visitors' clubhouse, leaned back in one of those "ahhhhh" moments … and then fell head over heels backward.
Reliever Scott Eyre, talking on his cell, let Marmol struggle for a few seconds, leaned the phone to the side and said, "Hold on a second. Marmol just fell over." And then he helped drag Marmol from the recliner.
On the opposite side of the clubhouse a handful of Cubs, as well as general manager Jim Hendry and team chairman Crane Kenney, watched as LSU mounted a ninth-inning rally against Rice in the College World Series. Hendry is a close friend of LSU coach Paul Mainieri
Just before the game-winning, bases-clearing double that won the game for LSU, closer Kerry Wood sprinted back toward the players lounge. That's where shortstop Ryan Theriot, an LSU alum, was watching -- and dying -- with every pitch.
After the LSU rally, Wood walked back into the clubhouse with a smile as wide as the on-deck circle.
"When the guy hit the ball, I turned the TV off," he said, laughing.
Kids.
This is what happens when you have the best record in baseball. Or maybe this is part of the reason why the Cubs have the best record in baseball.
Anyway, if you're worried about the Cubs' doing an '07 New York Mets this season, don't. I know: Carlos Zambrano and his right shoulder have a Friday appointment with an MRI machine. And Alfonso Soriano is already on the DL. And Reed Johnson's back is barking. And Jim Edmonds left Wednesday night's game with a sore foot. And the Cubs were just swept out of Florida by the Rays.
But it's time for Cubs followers to take deep, calming breaths. It's going to be OK. Probably. I'm not saying team officials are already preparing the parade route through The Loop, but there are reasons -- 10 of them, to be exact -- to think the Cubs can still keep holding hands with their favorite letter: W.
. The NL Central
Pittsburgh, Houston and Cincinnati already trail the Cubs by double digits. Milwaukee can hit, but do you trust the Brewers' pitching staff and defense? I don't.
St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan is a genius, but unless he can heal Albert Pujols' injured left calf, the Cardinals eventually will be wheat toast.
2. Circle of Friendship
Yeah, they're 18 games over .500, which helps, but the Cubs sure act as if they like each other.
"The mark of a good team is when something goes wrong, someone else is there to pick you up," Theriot said.
This applies to everyone but Marmol. They just let Marmol lie there.
But you get Theriot's point. The Cubs' clubhouse hasn't always been the happiest place on earth.
"I think we all are genuinely pulling for each other and care for each other," Theriot said.
3. The Great Switch
Kerry Wood went from starter (when he could actually lift his right arm) to closer. Ryan Dempster went from closer to starter. No offseason move has had more of an impact on the Cubs' success.
Dempster is 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA. Wood has 18 saves.
"We felt [Wood] was made for this job," said Hendry, who compared him to a Goose Gossage-type of closer.
"Putting Demp in the rotation and putting Woody at the back end kind of made everything flow a little easier," first baseman Derrek Lee said. "Now you can go to [Bob] Howry in the seventh, Marmol in the eighth and Woody in the ninth. That's like lights out. So you're making the game like a six-inning game now. It's been kind of fun to watch. We get a lead going into those innings and we feel like we're going to win it."
4. The Fukudome Effect
You can make the argument that right fielder Kosuke Fukudome is the best free-agent signing by the Cubs in a long time -- at least, during Hendry's nearly seven-year tenure. Fukudome is like your first beer; he's an acquired taste. The more you watch him, the more you understand why he matters so much to this team.
He didn't come cheap ($12 million per), and he doesn't hit for much power. But gone are the days of the Jacque Jones 16-hopper throw to second base. Fukudome plays Wrigley Field's confusing right-field winds and wall angles as if he grew up on ivy and brick.
Plus, he's a left-handed hitter in a predominantly right-handed lineup.
Plus, he gets on base, takes pitches, hits to all fields, and can bat almost anywhere in the order (he was moved to leadoff Wednesday, and will stay there until Soriano's return). And best of all, he hasn't told any boring Chunichi Dragons stories.
5. Depth
Jim Edmonds is hitting .300 with two homers and 14 RBIs since he signed with the Cubs in mid-May after San Diego released him. You've never heard of infielder/outfielder Micah Hoffpauir, but he can rake. Sean Gallagher is 3-3 since getting called up. Johnson is money with runners in scoring position (.392, leads the NL). Mark DeRosa plays anywhere. And Felix Pie, who was the Cubs' Opening Day center fielder, is available.
In other words, the Cubs can handle the temporary loss of Soriano, who says he and his broken left hand will be back before the All-Star break.
"We've had a lot of pleasant surprises," said manager Lou Piniella.
6. The Nontrades
Just so you know, the Cubs were never going to trade DeRosa during the offseason. But they would have listened to any offer (prospects … big leaguer … 10 bats -- OK, not 10 bats) for starter Jason Marquis, who was pitcher non grata during the '07 postseason.
Nobody called with a deal worth doing, so the Cubs kept him. Lucky them.
He's won his last four starts and has a 1.96 ERA in his last three starts. Marquis' streak comes in especially handy after the meltdown of former starter (and now Iowa Cub) Rich Hill
It worked out perfect for us," said Lee.
7. The True Rookie
DeRosa called Theriot before the season began. They started talking about catcher Geovany Soto.
"He's going to be the rookie of the year," DeRosa told Theriot.
DeRosa might be right. If nothing else, Soto (12 HRs, 43 RBIs) might be the NL's starting catcher in the All-Star Game. He's about 500,000 ahead in the voting. If it holds up, he'll become the league's first-ever rookie catcher to start the game.
Hendry said he felt so good about Soto "that we didn't do a thing about our catching during the offseason."
"He's changed our lineup," Lee said. "He showed flashes of it last year, but you never know how it's going to translate into playing every day. Dropping him in that sixth spot, he's an RBI guy. He's a force in that sixth hole. That makes a deep lineup. There's not an easy out in there."
8. Cha-ching
Even with the impending sale of the team, the Cubs have some wiggle room when it comes to taking on more salary this season.
"Playing good baseball is good business," Kenney said. "We've grown the business and we can grow the payroll."
That's corporate-ese for, "We've got some cash in our money clip come trade deadline."
9. Big Z
Carlos Zambrano is a knucklehead, but he's a talented knucklehead. He gives you absolutely what you need to go long and far: an anchor No. 1 starter.
But you could tell something wasn't right with him during Wednesday night's loss to the Rays. So now the Cubs, who said Thursday that Big Z will miss Tuesday's scheduled start against the Orioles, wait for the MRI results.
If it's serious, then deep, calming breaths probably won't do the trick. The Cubs have options, but they don't have another Zambrano.
If it isn't serious, then you'll actually be able to hear Hendry's sigh of relief from miles away.
10. They're Not Those Guys
Piniella likes to tap the brakes on all this postseason talk, but deep down he knows the Cubs could win a pennant. They have the rotation (depending on the severity of Zambrano's injury), the bullpen and the hitting to do it. And the negative vibes are at a minimum.
"We have a good team," Lee said. "We knew that coming into spring training, but now we're proving it to ourselves, that we're as good as we thought we were."
And this from Kenney: "This is different from '03 and '04 [when the Cubs couldn't close out the Florida Marlins in the '03 NLCS and couldn't even reach the playoffs in '04]. In '03 it was, 'Are we this good?' This year it's, 'We are this good.'"
If nothing else, so far, so good. MRI, willing.
Gene Wojciechowski is the senior national columnist for ESPN.com. You can contact him at gene.wojciechowski@espn3.com.
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