CLEVELAND, Ohio — Of all the electrifying moments on the Kenny Lofton highlight reel, none captures the essence of the player any better than his 180-foot dash to glory on Oct. 17, 1995.
It happened in the eighth inning of Game 6 of the American League Championship Series between the Indians and Seattle Mariners at the Kingdome. With the Indians leading, 1-0, and Ruben Amaro on third, Lofton beat out a bunt against Randy Johnson. Lofton stole second. Moments later, Big Unit's pitch got away from catcher Dan Wilson and rolled toward the Tribe dugout on the first-base side.
Amaro, as expected, scored easily on the passed ball. The shocker -- to everyone except the man himself -- was that Lofton hit third base and kept on running. In a blur, Lofton slid in safely, catching Wilson and Johnson sulking/napping. The Indians went on to win the game, 4-0, and the series, 4-2, to advance to their first World Series in 41 years.
"My instincts made that play happen," Lofton said by phone earlier this week. "Once I took off, I knew I had the speed to take me where I needed to go."
Lofton will be inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame on Saturday in part because of his ability to impact games with such speed and daring. He also knew how to swing the bat and catch the ball. Everything was on display against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 3, 2000, when Lofton went 4-for-7 with a homer, walk, four runs and five steals in a 12-11 victory in 13 innings at Jacobs Field.
Lofton played for 11 teams in a major-league career that spanned from 1991 through 2007, but he always will be known as an Indian. He had three stints with Cleveland (1992-1996; 1998-2001; 2007) and remains the franchise leader with 452 steals and ranks third with 975 runs. Five of his six All-Star selections and all four of his Gold Gloves came with the Indians.
Lofton retired as a .299 hitter in 2,103 regular-season games overall. He had 2,428 hits, 1,528 runs and 622 steals. He played in 95 postseason games, including 50 with the Tribe, and scored 65 runs.
With the Indians Hall of Fame induction around the corner, Lofton reflected on his career:
Plain Dealer: When you think of yourself as a Cleveland Indian, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Kenny Lofton: Stolen bases. In Cleveland, I think people look at me as the guy who stole bases.
PD: Highlight of your career?
KL: Having been able to play on a lot of teams that made the playoffs. Having had a lot of opportunities to win a ring.
PD: You played in 20 postseason series in 11 years. Does one postseason stand out above the rest?
KL: The first one, with the Indians in 1995. That will stick out forever, because we were able to go to the World Series in Cleveland for the first time since 1954.
PD: Should the Indians have won the 1995 World Series against the Braves, or did they simply get beat by a better, more seasoned team?
KL: Honestly, I believe we played well enough to win. We put our hearts out there. But to be honest, with the teams and the situations what they were, I don't think we got a fair shot.
PD: Explain.
KL: In my opinion, we didn't get a fair shot from the umpires. The [Tom] Glavine and [Greg] Maddux strike zones were not right. They were getting the calls off the plate and our pitchers weren't. I'm not the only one who says that. You had to deal with it, though. You had no other choice.
PD: Your favorite Indians club?
KL: The '95 team, because of the personalities we had. We did a lot of freelancing. It was awesome.
PD: And you set the tone.
KL: The guys called me the igniter. Once I ignited the flames, everything took off. It was an exciting time.
PD: Which postseason ending in your career stings the most?
KL: The toughest to take is '95 because, as I said, I don't think the umpires were fair. Second is the Giants in 2002 because we were up, 3-2, in the World Series and had a five-run lead in Game 6 but lost to the Angels. We just lost.
PD: You also were on the Cubs when they fell to the Marlins in the infamous 2003 NLCS, during which fan Steve Bartman reached out and seemingly denied Moises Alou a catch late in Game 6.
KL: I've never viewed the Bartman situation as more than what it was -- a fan reached out and didn't get the ball. Those things happen. But the play soon after that, when Alex Gonzalez booted the double-play ball . . . that was the deciding factor. Everyone put it on Bartman, but I saw the double-play ball that didn't happen. Regardless, we still had Game 7. We didn't get it done.
PD: Do you believe in the Curse of Colavito (Indians) or Curse of the Billy Goat (Cubs)?
KL: No. If you put the right team on the field and play the way you should play, there's no curse. Look at Boston in 2004. Everybody said there was a curse, but they had the right team to win it all that year -- and they did. Bottom line: It's what you do on the field.
PD: You were a teammate of Barry Bonds in 2002. How do you view him? Is he a Hall of Famer?
KL: (Long pause) I'll say it this way: With Barry Bonds, for me, you have to be innocent until proven guilty in the Hall of Fame situation. So that's a tough one, because you have to show me some type of proof. I know there are allegations, but there's no proof. So, if the allegations had not come up -- for sure, he's a Hall of Famer. But because the allegations came up, and there's a lot of doubt, it makes it very tricky to say he's a Hall of Famer.
PD: Do you believe Barry Bonds used PEDs [performance-enhancing drugs]?
KL: That's not for me to say. I won't say I believe anything about that, because it's my own personal answer or thought in my head.
PD: Is Alex Rodriguez a Hall of Famer?
KL: I would not vote for him for the Hall of Fame. He cheated the game, he admitted it, and the game acts like nothing happened. It's as if he got a slap on the wrist. There's something wrong with that.
PD: How much baseball do you watch these days?
KL: Not a lot, but more this year than at any point since I retired. I love the game, but I'll be honest with you: I'm upset with the game. I'm upset because I was put out of the game because I wasn't cheating the game, if that makes sense.
PD: It does.
KL: I could have cheated and put up better numbers. Then I could have cheated to stay in the game. But I didn't. I was clean and played by the rules. And I know there are people who cheated, cheated to extend their careers, and it's not right.
PD: So it's safe to say that you, as a clean player, are upset you were forced to compete periodically on an uneven playing field?
KL: Do I have a problem with it? Without a doubt. I have a huge problem with it. It sticks with me to this day, knowing that people were cheating and knowing I was playing against them, with them, whatever. What really ticks me off is that baseball could have done something about it but didn't.
PD: Please elaborate.
KL: It comes back to the emphasis on home runs, when they came out with the commercial campaign of 'Chicks Dig The Long Ball.' Baseball wanted guys to hit homers because it was good for business. Why do you think certain guys started hitting so many home runs?
PD: As a result, your contributions get overshadowed.
KL: When everybody started talking about the long ball, they forgot about the speed, which was my game. It took my impact from close to the top to middle/bottom. Once they emphasized the long ball, I was looked at as a totally different player.
PD: Word association -- '95 Indians?
KL: Outstanding.
PD: Albert Belle?
KL: Intense.
PD: Carlos Baerga?
KL: Had fun playing the game.
PD: Sandy Alomar Jr.?
KL: Very focused.
PD: Mike Hargrove?
KL: (Chuckle) He had a tough job.
PD: Manny Ramirez?
KL: Great hitter.
PD: Jim Thome?
KL: Very strong.
PD: Joel Skinner?
KL: Very technical.
PD: I thought you would say of Skins: 'Never should have held me at third in Game 7 of 2007 ALCS.'
KL: (Chuckle) I can't hold that against him. He was the one who held me up, but I can't blame him, per se. He needed to make a decision; he just made the wrong decision. It's like when a pitcher should have thrown the fastball but throws a curve and the guy hits a homer. It's not about blame.
PD: How did Pat Listach beat you out for AL Rookie of the Year in 1992?
KL: To this day, I don't know how. I'm still trying to figure that out. But it worked out in the end for me. No disrespect to Pat Listach, but if you would have told me that I'd get Rookie of the Year and have my career end like his, I would have said, 'I don't want Rookie of the Year. You can have it.'
PD: On Aug. 4, 1996, you made what many consider the greatest catch in Jacobs/Progressive Field history, scaling an 8-foot wall in center to bring back a potential two-run homer by B.J. Surhoff of the Orioles. Did you amaze even yourself on that one?
KL: I don't know how I did it, but it happened. I don't think people understand the difficulty involved. It was one of the best catches I made and one of the best I've seen on film.
PD: Any regrets about your career?
KL: Not winning the World Series. I wanted it badly, but it didn't happen. My career still was a lot of fun.
PD: Best player you ever played with?
KL: That's where it gets tough. Performance enhancing is what makes it tough for me to make that call.
PD: What made you the player you were?
KL: Focus, determination, love of the game.
PD: You seemed to play with a chip on your shoulder, as if you had something to prove. Is that accurate?
KL: I'm not sure I wanted to prove the doubters wrong as much as I wanted to let people know that, 'Hey, I'm an athlete, I can play this game.'
PD: How do you want to be remembered as a player?
KL: As a guy who played the game right, played it fair. As a guy who loved the game and respected it.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Andre Dawson - Hall of Fame
"Andre Dawson, the Hawk. No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more or did it better than Andre Dawson. He's the best I've ever seen. The Hawk. I watched him win MVP for a last-place team in 1987, and it was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen in baseball. He did it the right way, the natural way, and he did it in the field and on the bases and in every way, and I hope he will stand up here someday."
--Ryne Sandberg during his Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech in July 2005
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Hall of Fame weekend is always an emotional time for inductees. Just imagine the pressure of standing on a stage in a coat and tie in 90-degree heat, trying to summarize a life and thank all the relevant contributors in 15 minutes or less. It can't be easy with the knowledge that 50-something baseball immortals are squirming in their seats and glancing at their watches directly behind you.
The day is equally poignant for former teammates, who sit among the crowd and reminisce along with the inductee. They're the ones who helped support him through slumps and streaks, on bus rides and plane trips, from rookie year to retirement. They can best relate to the sacrifices a Hall of Fame career entails.
Five years ago, Ryne Sandberg received his Hall plaque and used the forum to deliver a celebrity endorsement. Andre Dawson had barely cracked 50 percent in his fourth year on the ballot, and Sandberg feared his former teammate might become an afterthought in an age of cartoonish, steroid-fueled power numbers. So he took a moment in the middle of his speech to pay tribute to the Hawk, a man who embodied everything he held dear about the game.
"When I talked about respect for the game of baseball, he was the first teammate I thought of who fit that mold," Sandberg said. "I had a fear he'd lose out of going to the Hall of Fame based on the state of the game at that time in the steroid era. I felt like his numbers were being overlooked, and I wanted to put in a good word for him."
This Sunday in Cooperstown, the two ex-Cubs will swap roles. Dawson is entering the Hall along with former big league manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, and Sandberg will be a spectator. He will not be thinking about the heat or fretting about whether he'll be able to catch a late Sunday flight out of Albany.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," said Sandberg, manager of the Cubs' Triple-A Iowa farm club. "It'll mean a lot -- the fact that we were teammates and I added him into my speech promoting him for the Hall of Fame. It feels gratifying to be right on that call. Andre is going in, and baseball got it right."
"When I talked about respect for the game of baseball, he was the first teammate I thought of who fit that mold," Sandberg said. "I had a fear he'd lose out of going to the Hall of Fame based on the state of the game at that time in the steroid era. I felt like his numbers were being overlooked, and I wanted to put in a good word for him."
This Sunday in Cooperstown, the two ex-Cubs will swap roles. Dawson is entering the Hall along with former big league manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, and Sandberg will be a spectator. He will not be thinking about the heat or fretting about whether he'll be able to catch a late Sunday flight out of Albany.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," said Sandberg, manager of the Cubs' Triple-A Iowa farm club. "It'll mean a lot -- the fact that we were teammates and I added him into my speech promoting him for the Hall of Fame. It feels gratifying to be right on that call. Andre is going in, and baseball got it right."
--Ryne Sandberg during his Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech in July 2005
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Hall of Fame weekend is always an emotional time for inductees. Just imagine the pressure of standing on a stage in a coat and tie in 90-degree heat, trying to summarize a life and thank all the relevant contributors in 15 minutes or less. It can't be easy with the knowledge that 50-something baseball immortals are squirming in their seats and glancing at their watches directly behind you.
The day is equally poignant for former teammates, who sit among the crowd and reminisce along with the inductee. They're the ones who helped support him through slumps and streaks, on bus rides and plane trips, from rookie year to retirement. They can best relate to the sacrifices a Hall of Fame career entails.
Five years ago, Ryne Sandberg received his Hall plaque and used the forum to deliver a celebrity endorsement. Andre Dawson had barely cracked 50 percent in his fourth year on the ballot, and Sandberg feared his former teammate might become an afterthought in an age of cartoonish, steroid-fueled power numbers. So he took a moment in the middle of his speech to pay tribute to the Hawk, a man who embodied everything he held dear about the game.
"When I talked about respect for the game of baseball, he was the first teammate I thought of who fit that mold," Sandberg said. "I had a fear he'd lose out of going to the Hall of Fame based on the state of the game at that time in the steroid era. I felt like his numbers were being overlooked, and I wanted to put in a good word for him."
This Sunday in Cooperstown, the two ex-Cubs will swap roles. Dawson is entering the Hall along with former big league manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, and Sandberg will be a spectator. He will not be thinking about the heat or fretting about whether he'll be able to catch a late Sunday flight out of Albany.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," said Sandberg, manager of the Cubs' Triple-A Iowa farm club. "It'll mean a lot -- the fact that we were teammates and I added him into my speech promoting him for the Hall of Fame. It feels gratifying to be right on that call. Andre is going in, and baseball got it right."
"When I talked about respect for the game of baseball, he was the first teammate I thought of who fit that mold," Sandberg said. "I had a fear he'd lose out of going to the Hall of Fame based on the state of the game at that time in the steroid era. I felt like his numbers were being overlooked, and I wanted to put in a good word for him."
This Sunday in Cooperstown, the two ex-Cubs will swap roles. Dawson is entering the Hall along with former big league manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey, and Sandberg will be a spectator. He will not be thinking about the heat or fretting about whether he'll be able to catch a late Sunday flight out of Albany.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," said Sandberg, manager of the Cubs' Triple-A Iowa farm club. "It'll mean a lot -- the fact that we were teammates and I added him into my speech promoting him for the Hall of Fame. It feels gratifying to be right on that call. Andre is going in, and baseball got it right."
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Steinbrenner got beginning, ending right
Steinbrenner got beginning, ending right
July, 13, 2010 Jul 134:55PM ETEmail Print Comments6 By Rob Neyer
I've been reluctant to write about George Steinbrenner today. I'm intimidated, just as so many of his employees were intimidated for so many years. Steinbrenner's personality -- not to mention his accomplishments -- seem so large as to crowd out some distant writer's quick summary. Some years ago, I wrote a biographical article about Steinbrenner that consisted solely of quotations, presented chronologically, without any attempt to link them with my own words. That's how big he was, and (in my mind, apparently) still is.
Instead of trying to summarize his 37 years as Yankees owner, let me instead focus on the beginning and the end, because frankly I think that's when George Steinbrenner did his best work. All that ugliness in the middle, including his suspensions -- during which, it might be said, the Yankees were best-ministered -- has been written about before and will be written about again, but perhaps today's not the day.
In 1973, anyone could have bought the Yankees for a song. But it was George Steinbrenner who cut a deal to purchase one of the world's greatest sports franchises for $8.8 million. Sure, it seems obvious now, just as drafting Albert Pujols in the 13th round seems obvious now. But if it was so obvious, why didn't someone else do it? Why didn't someone draft Albert Pujols in the 12th round? Why didn't somone offer CBS $9.8 million for the Yankees? Wouldn't that have been one of the great investments, ever?
So maybe it wasn't so obvious. Maybe George Steinbrenner, for whatever reason, was one of the few men able to see not only what the Yankees had been, but what they could be. That was 1973.
Steinbrenner was suspended in 1974. By the time of his reinstatement in 1976, the pieces were in place and the Yankees won four division titles, three American League pennants and two World Series in five years.
Steinbrenner was suspended again in 1990. By the time of his reinstatement in 1993, the pieces were in place and the Yankees would, in 1994, begin a brilliant run of success that hasn't let up and shows no signs of letting up.
It's not hard to conclude that the Yankees have always been best-served when Steinbrenner's hands were tied ... Or, as in the middle 1990s, when he chose to take a less active role.
Now, about the end. When it became clear that George Steinbrenner, though obviously a force of nature, might not live forever, thoughts naturally turned to King Lear and the perils of succession. Which son-in-law or daughter or son could possibly fill the Boss's gigantic loafers? Who could possibly drive the franchise the way he had driven it?
Nobody, perhaps. But perhaps that sort of driving isn't actually necessary. Perhaps unlimited financial resources combined with steady and intelligent management can accomplish just as much. More, perhaps. Whether George Steinbrenner understood this or not, the fact remains that as he made his slow and steady exit, he somehow left his beloved Yankees in the capable hands of his sons.
George Steinbrenner's been called a lot of things, over the years. But "Boss Lear" will never been one of them. He got the ending right.Share
July, 13, 2010 Jul 134:55PM ETEmail Print Comments6 By Rob Neyer
I've been reluctant to write about George Steinbrenner today. I'm intimidated, just as so many of his employees were intimidated for so many years. Steinbrenner's personality -- not to mention his accomplishments -- seem so large as to crowd out some distant writer's quick summary. Some years ago, I wrote a biographical article about Steinbrenner that consisted solely of quotations, presented chronologically, without any attempt to link them with my own words. That's how big he was, and (in my mind, apparently) still is.
Instead of trying to summarize his 37 years as Yankees owner, let me instead focus on the beginning and the end, because frankly I think that's when George Steinbrenner did his best work. All that ugliness in the middle, including his suspensions -- during which, it might be said, the Yankees were best-ministered -- has been written about before and will be written about again, but perhaps today's not the day.
In 1973, anyone could have bought the Yankees for a song. But it was George Steinbrenner who cut a deal to purchase one of the world's greatest sports franchises for $8.8 million. Sure, it seems obvious now, just as drafting Albert Pujols in the 13th round seems obvious now. But if it was so obvious, why didn't someone else do it? Why didn't someone draft Albert Pujols in the 12th round? Why didn't somone offer CBS $9.8 million for the Yankees? Wouldn't that have been one of the great investments, ever?
So maybe it wasn't so obvious. Maybe George Steinbrenner, for whatever reason, was one of the few men able to see not only what the Yankees had been, but what they could be. That was 1973.
Steinbrenner was suspended in 1974. By the time of his reinstatement in 1976, the pieces were in place and the Yankees won four division titles, three American League pennants and two World Series in five years.
Steinbrenner was suspended again in 1990. By the time of his reinstatement in 1993, the pieces were in place and the Yankees would, in 1994, begin a brilliant run of success that hasn't let up and shows no signs of letting up.
It's not hard to conclude that the Yankees have always been best-served when Steinbrenner's hands were tied ... Or, as in the middle 1990s, when he chose to take a less active role.
Now, about the end. When it became clear that George Steinbrenner, though obviously a force of nature, might not live forever, thoughts naturally turned to King Lear and the perils of succession. Which son-in-law or daughter or son could possibly fill the Boss's gigantic loafers? Who could possibly drive the franchise the way he had driven it?
Nobody, perhaps. But perhaps that sort of driving isn't actually necessary. Perhaps unlimited financial resources combined with steady and intelligent management can accomplish just as much. More, perhaps. Whether George Steinbrenner understood this or not, the fact remains that as he made his slow and steady exit, he somehow left his beloved Yankees in the capable hands of his sons.
George Steinbrenner's been called a lot of things, over the years. But "Boss Lear" will never been one of them. He got the ending right.Share
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
University School revives Opening Day tradition
University School revives Opening Day tradition
By Pat Galbincea, The Plain Dealer
April 12, 2010, 9:00PM
US.jpgThomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerUniversity School students enjoy the Indians home opener Monday at Progressive Field. From left are: Morgan Karon, Sandy Cohn, Spencer Krantz, Stefan Leonard and Eli Weisblat.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Even before the first pitch, the day was made for a group of first-graders taking in Monday's Indians home opener.
The traditional Opening Day pageantry of reds, whites and blues etched on the field of green is what the youngsters from University School will remember.
Jay Jarvis, 7, couldn't stop talking about the giant American flag carried onto the field.
"I loved that flag and the stars that were also there," said Jay, of Cleveland. "I thought I'd be happy just seeing Slider [the Indians mascot]. What I wonder is how they got that flag cut out."
The patriotic colors presented in a different form got to Nicholas Nordell, 7.
"I go crazy over balloons," said the Gates Mills resident, "and it was cool when they launched them."
Nicholas had a great perch from which to watch the balloons drift out of Progressive Field. The 15 pupils sat in Section 575, way up and out in left field, in the general direction the wind carried the balloons.
The first-graders were at the game in part as a revival of a University School tradition. From 1890 to 1926, the school was on Hough Avenue, on Cleveland's East Side. Nearby was League Park, where the Indians played.
Starting in 1909, the school closed on Opening Day to let students and teachers attend the game. The practice continued even after both the Indians and the school moved out of the neighborhood. The Indians went downtown, and the school headed for Shaker Heights. In 1969 -- the year before US added a campus in Hunting Valley for its older students -- the school changed its policy and required staffers and students to have game tickets to get the day off, said Dick Parke, a University School math teacher and graduate.
The trip to Progressive Field was folded into the integrated theme curriculum the all-male private school has in its lower grades, said teacher Diane Meister. The first grade's current theme is Cleveland, with a focus on how sports developed as the city grew.
The idea on Monday was to participate as the community came together for a common goal -- to cheer the home nine to victory, and to see that it takes a whole lot of workers to make a sports team successful.
It was the first field trip for the kids. "We didn't have to twist any arms for them to go," said teacher Madeline Yano.
They took the rapid transit to the game, and had several interesting experiences.
Those sitting in Row R had to scramble in the third inning when a fan behind them spilled his beer. Luckily, nobody got an unwanted baptism.
Student Spencer Krantz, of Pepper Pike, was chewing on nachos at the end of the first inning, and lost a baby tooth that he was quick to display. Could that have prompted another tradition Monday night -- a visit from the tooth fairy?
By Pat Galbincea, The Plain Dealer
April 12, 2010, 9:00PM
US.jpgThomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerUniversity School students enjoy the Indians home opener Monday at Progressive Field. From left are: Morgan Karon, Sandy Cohn, Spencer Krantz, Stefan Leonard and Eli Weisblat.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Even before the first pitch, the day was made for a group of first-graders taking in Monday's Indians home opener.
The traditional Opening Day pageantry of reds, whites and blues etched on the field of green is what the youngsters from University School will remember.
Jay Jarvis, 7, couldn't stop talking about the giant American flag carried onto the field.
"I loved that flag and the stars that were also there," said Jay, of Cleveland. "I thought I'd be happy just seeing Slider [the Indians mascot]. What I wonder is how they got that flag cut out."
The patriotic colors presented in a different form got to Nicholas Nordell, 7.
"I go crazy over balloons," said the Gates Mills resident, "and it was cool when they launched them."
Nicholas had a great perch from which to watch the balloons drift out of Progressive Field. The 15 pupils sat in Section 575, way up and out in left field, in the general direction the wind carried the balloons.
The first-graders were at the game in part as a revival of a University School tradition. From 1890 to 1926, the school was on Hough Avenue, on Cleveland's East Side. Nearby was League Park, where the Indians played.
Starting in 1909, the school closed on Opening Day to let students and teachers attend the game. The practice continued even after both the Indians and the school moved out of the neighborhood. The Indians went downtown, and the school headed for Shaker Heights. In 1969 -- the year before US added a campus in Hunting Valley for its older students -- the school changed its policy and required staffers and students to have game tickets to get the day off, said Dick Parke, a University School math teacher and graduate.
The trip to Progressive Field was folded into the integrated theme curriculum the all-male private school has in its lower grades, said teacher Diane Meister. The first grade's current theme is Cleveland, with a focus on how sports developed as the city grew.
The idea on Monday was to participate as the community came together for a common goal -- to cheer the home nine to victory, and to see that it takes a whole lot of workers to make a sports team successful.
It was the first field trip for the kids. "We didn't have to twist any arms for them to go," said teacher Madeline Yano.
They took the rapid transit to the game, and had several interesting experiences.
Those sitting in Row R had to scramble in the third inning when a fan behind them spilled his beer. Luckily, nobody got an unwanted baptism.
Student Spencer Krantz, of Pepper Pike, was chewing on nachos at the end of the first inning, and lost a baby tooth that he was quick to display. Could that have prompted another tradition Monday night -- a visit from the tooth fairy?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Pitching coach Belcher says Fausto Carmona deserves credit for strong start: Indians Insider
Pitching coach Belcher says Fausto Carmona deserves credit for strong start: Indians Insider
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
April 12, 2010, 10:29PM
Chuck Crow / The Plain Dealer“In my first game, I was too quick [in the delivery]," said Fausto Carmona after Monday's game. "I know I’ve struggled against this team, so I tried to throw more strikes.” CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pitching coach Tim Belcher says he's an innocent bystander in a productive spring training and two good starts in the regular season by Fausto Carmona.
"To be honest with you, I stand behind Fausto when he's throwing his bullpens and count pitches," said Belcher. "When he's got good tempo, when he's got good mechanics as far as staying back over the rubber, I say, 'Good boy.' When he doesn't, I don't say anything.
"He's done a good job self-correcting himself. He's done most of it himself."
The Indians lost Monday's home opener to Texas, 4-2, in 10 innings. Carmona was not involved in the decision, pitching eight strong innings. He held the Rangers to two runs on five hits in 111 pitches. He did walk four, giving him 10 for the season, but he was the first Tribe starter to reach eight innings.
"I felt good today," said Carmona, 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA. "In my first game, I was too quick [in his delivery]. I know I've struggled against this team, so I tried to throw more strikes."
The Rangers are 6-2 against Carmona.
Out again: Grady Sizemore missed his second straight game with a stiff back Monday. The back tightened Sunday in Detroit while he was hitting in the cages.
It was a fast ball: Hall of Famer Bob Feller, the winningest pitcher in Indians history, threw out the first pitch to first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. Feller and the Indians were celebrating the 70th anniversary of his opening day no-hitter on April 16, 1940.
No dice: Indians went 0-3 in home openers in the first seven games of the season. They lost openers in Chicago and Detroit before losing their own.
Fast start: Catching prospect Carlos Santana finished his first week at Class AAA Columbus by winning the International League's Player of the Week Award. Santana, in his first four games, hit .438 with four homers and eight RBI.
More ice, please: Catcher Mike Redmond is not going to feel good on Tuesday morning. Redmond, Carmona's personal catcher, was hit above the left knee cap and right thigh on foul tips off the bat of catcher Taylor Teagarden in the fifth inning.
In the seventh inning, Teagarden hit him in the right shoulder with a foul tip.
"I told him, 'What did I ever do to you?'" said Redmond.
Wild pitches: When Manny Acta was asked before Monday's game about closer Chris Perez criticizing catcher Lou Marson for not stopping a wild pitch in the ninth inning Sunday against Detroit, Acta said, "My energy is focused on today's game, not comments from [Sunday]."
In Sunday's 9-8 loss, Perez wild-pitched the winning run home in the ninth.
Keep it short: When asked if Shin-Soo Choo forgot how many out there were when he took off from first on Travis Hafner's routine fly ball with one out in the third, Acta simply said, "Yes."
Homecoming: Former Indians first baseman Ryan Garko returned to Progressive Field for the first time since the Tribe dealt him to San Francisco last season. He pinch-hit in ninth inning with the bases loaded and popped up to second.
Since then Garko has been on the move, signing with Seattle in February before being claimed off waivers by Texas on April 1.
"It's good to be back," he said before Monday's opener. "I had a lot of great memories here. I loved it here. I played hard, felt I left it on the field, you know, but it'll be weird coming out of the other dugout, that's for sure."
Finally: Actor Corbin Bernsen, who, among other roles, played third baseman Roger Dorn in "Major League," will throw the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday's game against Chicago. He's in town producing a film to help save the financially struggling Soap Box Derby. ... After addressing a throng of reporters in his office after Monday home opener, Acta said, "I expect to see each and everyone of you back here Wednesday." There will be significantly fewer reporters and fans for Wednesday's game.
Staff writer Bill Lubinger contributed to this
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
April 12, 2010, 10:29PM
Chuck Crow / The Plain Dealer“In my first game, I was too quick [in the delivery]," said Fausto Carmona after Monday's game. "I know I’ve struggled against this team, so I tried to throw more strikes.” CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pitching coach Tim Belcher says he's an innocent bystander in a productive spring training and two good starts in the regular season by Fausto Carmona.
"To be honest with you, I stand behind Fausto when he's throwing his bullpens and count pitches," said Belcher. "When he's got good tempo, when he's got good mechanics as far as staying back over the rubber, I say, 'Good boy.' When he doesn't, I don't say anything.
"He's done a good job self-correcting himself. He's done most of it himself."
The Indians lost Monday's home opener to Texas, 4-2, in 10 innings. Carmona was not involved in the decision, pitching eight strong innings. He held the Rangers to two runs on five hits in 111 pitches. He did walk four, giving him 10 for the season, but he was the first Tribe starter to reach eight innings.
"I felt good today," said Carmona, 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA. "In my first game, I was too quick [in his delivery]. I know I've struggled against this team, so I tried to throw more strikes."
The Rangers are 6-2 against Carmona.
Out again: Grady Sizemore missed his second straight game with a stiff back Monday. The back tightened Sunday in Detroit while he was hitting in the cages.
It was a fast ball: Hall of Famer Bob Feller, the winningest pitcher in Indians history, threw out the first pitch to first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. Feller and the Indians were celebrating the 70th anniversary of his opening day no-hitter on April 16, 1940.
No dice: Indians went 0-3 in home openers in the first seven games of the season. They lost openers in Chicago and Detroit before losing their own.
Fast start: Catching prospect Carlos Santana finished his first week at Class AAA Columbus by winning the International League's Player of the Week Award. Santana, in his first four games, hit .438 with four homers and eight RBI.
More ice, please: Catcher Mike Redmond is not going to feel good on Tuesday morning. Redmond, Carmona's personal catcher, was hit above the left knee cap and right thigh on foul tips off the bat of catcher Taylor Teagarden in the fifth inning.
In the seventh inning, Teagarden hit him in the right shoulder with a foul tip.
"I told him, 'What did I ever do to you?'" said Redmond.
Wild pitches: When Manny Acta was asked before Monday's game about closer Chris Perez criticizing catcher Lou Marson for not stopping a wild pitch in the ninth inning Sunday against Detroit, Acta said, "My energy is focused on today's game, not comments from [Sunday]."
In Sunday's 9-8 loss, Perez wild-pitched the winning run home in the ninth.
Keep it short: When asked if Shin-Soo Choo forgot how many out there were when he took off from first on Travis Hafner's routine fly ball with one out in the third, Acta simply said, "Yes."
Homecoming: Former Indians first baseman Ryan Garko returned to Progressive Field for the first time since the Tribe dealt him to San Francisco last season. He pinch-hit in ninth inning with the bases loaded and popped up to second.
Since then Garko has been on the move, signing with Seattle in February before being claimed off waivers by Texas on April 1.
"It's good to be back," he said before Monday's opener. "I had a lot of great memories here. I loved it here. I played hard, felt I left it on the field, you know, but it'll be weird coming out of the other dugout, that's for sure."
Finally: Actor Corbin Bernsen, who, among other roles, played third baseman Roger Dorn in "Major League," will throw the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday's game against Chicago. He's in town producing a film to help save the financially struggling Soap Box Derby. ... After addressing a throng of reporters in his office after Monday home opener, Acta said, "I expect to see each and everyone of you back here Wednesday." There will be significantly fewer reporters and fans for Wednesday's game.
Staff writer Bill Lubinger contributed to this
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Manager Manny Acta inspires with action and words: Indians Insider
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Manager Manny Acta threw a curveball to reporters Thursday when he said he was going to give his "Vincente Lombardo" speech to his players before the Indians first full-squad workout Friday.
Vincente Lombardo, translated, is a reference to football coaching legend Vince Lombardi.
"I just dropped that name on you guys," said Acta after Friday's workout. "I'm not a Vince Lombardi-type guy. I'm a John Wooden-type of guy. I've never met him personally, but coach Wooden has made the most impact on my career as a coach. I read his biography and a lot of other books."
Acta's said he's used Wooden's pyramid of success theory wherever he's won in the minors and winter ball.
"He believes good things happen to good people. It worked for him. You have to admire a guy who has lived the way he has lived. And a guy who had the patience to lose for 14 years in a row and then became the greatest [men's college basketball] coach ever in this country."
Wooden is the former UCLA basketball coach who won 10 NCAA championships.
The Indians have been picked to finish last or close to last in the AL Central this year. The Sporting News ranks them as the worst team in the big leagues. Acta touched on that in his speech.
"It's freedom of speech here," he said. "We respect all of your opinions, we just don't have to believe it. You have to be positive and believe you can do it."
Acta was a blur for most of practice. He sprinted from one field to the next. He hit grounders to infielders. At the end of one drill, he grabbed an empty bucket and sprinted to short left field to help coaches and players pick up baseballs.
It's safe to say no other Indians manager in the past 28 years has done that.
"I've always done that," said Acta. "I used to be an infield instructor and third base coach. I'm not going to stop instructing and [coaching] just because I'm manager."
The only thing Acta can't do is throw batting practice. He had surgery on his right shoulder in September, the result of throwing batting practice for 20 years. He could be back in the mound in a couple of months.
"I just don't like to be standing behind the batting cage," Acta said.
As for his speech, Indians outfielder/first baseman Matt LaPorta said, "It fired me up
Where do I fit? LaPorta, who worked out with the team Friday, says he tentatively will be able to play in Cactus League games starting March 10. He's recovering from surgery on his left big toe and left hip.
He'll keep taking grounders at first base, but once he gets on a running program, he'll gradually move to left field. He's still a man without a position, knocked loose of his moorings at first base by the acquisition of Russell Branyan.
"I can't worry about positions until I'm 100 percent healthy," LaPorta said.
Acta said LaPorta or Michael Brantley will bear the brunt of Branyan's presence with a probable trip to Class AAA Columbus.
"If Matt is healthy, he's going to get 500 at-bats somewhere," Acta said. "We've still got 40 days to go. Let's see what happens."
Old friend: Carlos Baerga, doing games for ESPN Deportes, stopped by the Indians' complex Friday.
"You might see me coaching next year," Baerga said.
Good tracking: Indians hitters looked, but didn't swing at the offerings from their pitching teammates Friday. They'll do the same thing today before starting to swing Sunday.
Hitters "track" pitches instead of swinging at them. Acta believes batters are at a disadvantage this early in camp and could fall into bad habits by swinging so early in camp. He did it last year with Washington.
Finally: Jeremy Sowers (left shoulder), who threw a bullpen session Friday, could get into a Cactus League game before the end of spring training. . . . Acta said second base is "Luis Valbuena's job to lose." . . . Brian Bixler, competing for a utility infielder's job, could get a look in center. The Pirates played him there last year.
Vincente Lombardo, translated, is a reference to football coaching legend Vince Lombardi.
"I just dropped that name on you guys," said Acta after Friday's workout. "I'm not a Vince Lombardi-type guy. I'm a John Wooden-type of guy. I've never met him personally, but coach Wooden has made the most impact on my career as a coach. I read his biography and a lot of other books."
Acta's said he's used Wooden's pyramid of success theory wherever he's won in the minors and winter ball.
"He believes good things happen to good people. It worked for him. You have to admire a guy who has lived the way he has lived. And a guy who had the patience to lose for 14 years in a row and then became the greatest [men's college basketball] coach ever in this country."
Wooden is the former UCLA basketball coach who won 10 NCAA championships.
The Indians have been picked to finish last or close to last in the AL Central this year. The Sporting News ranks them as the worst team in the big leagues. Acta touched on that in his speech.
"It's freedom of speech here," he said. "We respect all of your opinions, we just don't have to believe it. You have to be positive and believe you can do it."
Acta was a blur for most of practice. He sprinted from one field to the next. He hit grounders to infielders. At the end of one drill, he grabbed an empty bucket and sprinted to short left field to help coaches and players pick up baseballs.
It's safe to say no other Indians manager in the past 28 years has done that.
"I've always done that," said Acta. "I used to be an infield instructor and third base coach. I'm not going to stop instructing and [coaching] just because I'm manager."
The only thing Acta can't do is throw batting practice. He had surgery on his right shoulder in September, the result of throwing batting practice for 20 years. He could be back in the mound in a couple of months.
"I just don't like to be standing behind the batting cage," Acta said.
As for his speech, Indians outfielder/first baseman Matt LaPorta said, "It fired me up
Where do I fit? LaPorta, who worked out with the team Friday, says he tentatively will be able to play in Cactus League games starting March 10. He's recovering from surgery on his left big toe and left hip.
He'll keep taking grounders at first base, but once he gets on a running program, he'll gradually move to left field. He's still a man without a position, knocked loose of his moorings at first base by the acquisition of Russell Branyan.
"I can't worry about positions until I'm 100 percent healthy," LaPorta said.
Acta said LaPorta or Michael Brantley will bear the brunt of Branyan's presence with a probable trip to Class AAA Columbus.
"If Matt is healthy, he's going to get 500 at-bats somewhere," Acta said. "We've still got 40 days to go. Let's see what happens."
Old friend: Carlos Baerga, doing games for ESPN Deportes, stopped by the Indians' complex Friday.
"You might see me coaching next year," Baerga said.
Good tracking: Indians hitters looked, but didn't swing at the offerings from their pitching teammates Friday. They'll do the same thing today before starting to swing Sunday.
Hitters "track" pitches instead of swinging at them. Acta believes batters are at a disadvantage this early in camp and could fall into bad habits by swinging so early in camp. He did it last year with Washington.
Finally: Jeremy Sowers (left shoulder), who threw a bullpen session Friday, could get into a Cactus League game before the end of spring training. . . . Acta said second base is "Luis Valbuena's job to lose." . . . Brian Bixler, competing for a utility infielder's job, could get a look in center. The Pirates played him there last year.
Former Cleveland Indians pitcher Jim Bibby dead at 65
Former Cleveland Indians pitcher Jim Bibby dead at 65
By Plain Dealer staff
February 17, 2010, 5:00PM
UPDATED: 5 p.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hard-throwing right-hander Jim Bibby, who pitched for the Indians from 1975-77, died at age 65 on Tuesday night in Lynchburg, Va.
The cause was not disclosed. The family said a statement would be released later.
The 6-5 Bibby went 111-101 with a 3.76 earned run average for four teams in a major league career that began in 1972. The Indians traded Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry to the Texas Rangers for Bibby, pitchers Rick Waits and Jackie Brown and $100,000 on June 13, 1975.
Bibby compiled a 30-29 record in the next 2 1/2 seasons with the Indians, with four saves, a 3.36 ERA and 63 starts among his 95 appearances.
The way the Indians lost Bibby was symbolic of that era's financially-strapped Cleveland franchise. Bibby's 1977 contract with the Indians included a $10,000 bonus if he made at least 30 starts. He pitched in 37 games, making exactly 30 starts. The Indians failed to pay Bibby the money on time, and while the team was in spring training for the 1978 season, an arbitrator ruled that Bibby be declared a free agent.
Bibby signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He helped them win the 1979 World Series, going 12-4 with a 2.81 ERA, then posting a 2.08 ERA in three postseason starts -- including two in the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles -- although he wasn't credited with a decision.
Bibby pitched the first no-hitter in Rangers history, a 6-0 win over Oakland in 1973. He had a 19-19 record with Texas in 1974, and went 19-6 and made the National League all-star team with the Pirates in 1980.
Bibby's brother, Henry, 60, played nine seasons in the NBA.
By Plain Dealer staff
February 17, 2010, 5:00PM
UPDATED: 5 p.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hard-throwing right-hander Jim Bibby, who pitched for the Indians from 1975-77, died at age 65 on Tuesday night in Lynchburg, Va.
The cause was not disclosed. The family said a statement would be released later.
The 6-5 Bibby went 111-101 with a 3.76 earned run average for four teams in a major league career that began in 1972. The Indians traded Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry to the Texas Rangers for Bibby, pitchers Rick Waits and Jackie Brown and $100,000 on June 13, 1975.
Bibby compiled a 30-29 record in the next 2 1/2 seasons with the Indians, with four saves, a 3.36 ERA and 63 starts among his 95 appearances.
The way the Indians lost Bibby was symbolic of that era's financially-strapped Cleveland franchise. Bibby's 1977 contract with the Indians included a $10,000 bonus if he made at least 30 starts. He pitched in 37 games, making exactly 30 starts. The Indians failed to pay Bibby the money on time, and while the team was in spring training for the 1978 season, an arbitrator ruled that Bibby be declared a free agent.
Bibby signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He helped them win the 1979 World Series, going 12-4 with a 2.81 ERA, then posting a 2.08 ERA in three postseason starts -- including two in the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles -- although he wasn't credited with a decision.
Bibby pitched the first no-hitter in Rangers history, a 6-0 win over Oakland in 1973. He had a 19-19 record with Texas in 1974, and went 19-6 and made the National League all-star team with the Pirates in 1980.
Bibby's brother, Henry, 60, played nine seasons in the NBA.
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