Notes: Shapiro pays attention to depth
03/01/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Mark Shapiro doesn't have much interest in watching the likes of Cliff Lee, C.C. Sabathia and Travis Hafner this spring.
The Indians general manager knows what those players are capable of.
Shapiro would rather put the majority of his attention on guys like Franklin Gutierrez, Ryan Garko, Fausto Carmona and Jeremy Sowers -- players who won't break camp with the big league club but who could make an impact with the Tribe further down the line.
"Depth decisions are some of the primary things I'm focusing on," Shapiro said. "They won't matter much on April 2. But on May 13, they could be huge."
The official evaluation period for those on-the-cusp players began with this week's intrasquad games at Chain of Lakes Park. The Indians will open their Grapefruit League schedule Thursday in Kissimmee, against the Astros.
As far as the big league roster is concerned, the Tribe has little competition for roster spots to sort through. The only real question marks are the last bullpen spot (Danny Graves, Steve Karsay, Jason Davis and Andrew Brown are the leading candidates), the backup catcher's job (Kelly Shoppach and Einar Diaz) and the utility infielder's role (Ramon Vazquez and Brandon Phillips).
"We want to set the roster as early as we can," Shapiro said. "This year, the decisions are so few."
One goal of Spring Training will be to have the 25-man roster basically nailed down before the last week of exhibition games, so that the final team will have a chance to gel and bond before heading to Chicago for the April 2 opener.
"We want to improve our readiness and preparedness for April," Shapiro said. "The core of our team is in place. If we feel it's easy, we want to make our decisions sooner."
Classic combatants: With Sabathia officially out of the mix for the World Baseball Classic, the Indians have five players listed as potential participants in the tournament.
Eduardo Perez and Cabrera are confirmed to be representing Puerto Rico, while Rafael Betancourt and Victor Martinez are set to play for Venezuela.
The only question mark is second baseman Ronnie Belliard, who is on a list of 32 players being considered for the Dominican Republic squad. That list must be whittled down to 30 players by noon ET on Thursday.
Belliard is fresh off playing a full season of winter ball, including the Caribbean Series, so one could forgive him if he's a bit tired. But he said the tournament is still something he's interested in.
"It's just like the Caribbean Series," he said. "I've played in that the last four or five years. It feels good when you win and bad when you lose."
Team B goes 2-0: It was another day and another 3-1 victory for Team B in the Indians' intrasquad action Wednesday.
Bob Wickman, held to a pitch count in the low 20s, didn't complete the first inning, as he got into trouble by giving up an RBI single to Team B's Victor Martinez. Shoppach added a two-run double off Jason Stanford for Team B in the fifth.
Ramon Vazquez hit a solo home run off Davis in the fourth inning to give Team A its only run.
Other highlights included a nice scoop of a ball at first base by Travis Hafner, who's looking to put some time in at the position this season.
Phillips was nailed on the left hand by a pitch from Davis after Vazquez's home run. But manager Eric Wedge said the hand checked out fine and did not require X-rays.
Sign 'em up: The Indians agreed to terms on contracts for the 2006 season with 12 more players Wednesday.
The latest batch includes infielders Michael Aubrey, Andy Marte and Garko, outfielders Gutierrez, Brad Snyder and Jason Dubois, right-handers Fernando Cabrera, Carmona, Davis, Ed Mujica and Kaz Tadano and left-hander Rafael Perez.
Five unsigned players remain on the 40-man roster. The deadline for contract renewal is March 11.
Going, going ... gone: The Indians announced that tickets for the April 7 home opener against the Twins have sold out more than a month earlier than in 2005.
This is the 13th consecutive sellout for Opening Day at Jacobs Field since the ballpark opened in 1994.
Single-game tickets for regular-season home games go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. ET. A free open house will be held at the ballpark from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.
Small-screen star: Popular center fielder Grady Sizemore appeared on ESPN2's "Cold Pizza" program Wednesday to discuss the outlook for the Indians this season.
Each portion of the team was given a preseason grade, including a B-plus for the lineup.
"Hopefully we'll get some extra credit and bump that grade up," Sizemore said.
Then things got a little silly, as host Jay Crawford, a Sandusky, Ohio, native, had Sizemore compare the current Indians to the characters in the movie "Major League." Jake Taylor apparently has nothing on the grittiness of Victor Martinez.
Tribe tidbits: The Indians have extended their player development contract with the Class A Kinston Indians of the Carolina League through the 2008 season. ... Right-hander Jake Westbrook will get the start in Thursday's game against the Astros. He'll go up against right-hander Dan Wheeler. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Hollandsworth expects to make roster
03/01/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Todd Hollandsworth knows the "non-roster invitee" tag can look like a scarlet letter, of sorts.
It's not the type of label he expected to ever have affixed to his bio back in 1996, when he was the National League Rookie of the Year.
But Hollandsworth knows a spot is waiting for him on the Indians' 25-man roster when all is said and done this spring. That's why he had no problem signing a Minor League deal with the club in January.
"Even though you get the 'non-roster' tag early on, that didn't bother me," he said. "[General manager Mark Shapiro] was pretty clear what the direction was. I understood the position they were in at the time with their roster. He just basically said, 'You come in and do your thing, and you're on the team.'"
Hollandsworth's "thing" could impact the club both on and off the field.
His career has shown him the best and worst the big leagues have to offer, from the highs of winning a World Series with the Marlins in 2003 to the lows of missing most of the 2001 and 2004 seasons with a fractured right shin.
Needless to say, the 32-year-old Hollandsworth has plenty of experiences to draw from when giving advice to the Tribe's young players.
"The highs and lows. That's how the book on me has been," he said. "I have a lot to pass on. That's the reality. You have to grasp each and every year and take it with you."
One of those years that has special significance is 1997, Hollandsworth's sophomore season with the Dodgers. After being named Rookie of the Year in a '96 season that saw him hit .291 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs from the second spot of the lineup, Hollandsworth was moved to the seven hole.
With that move, Hollandsworth figured, came increased expectations for him to drive in runs. He thought he was suddenly going to be counted on to hit more homers.
"Ask anybody who was in charge back then, and they'll probably say they didn't ask me to do that," he said. "But I gave myself the problem. I wasn't a No. 2 hitter anymore. I was a No. 7 hitter. I allowed myself to get caught up too much in changing myself."
Sure enough, Hollandsworth struggled that year, batting .247 with just four home runs and 31 RBIs.
Talk about a learning experience. In fact, it's an experience Hollandsworth will probably find himself talking about with Indians youngsters Grady Sizemore and Jhonny Peralta, both of whom are coming off breakout first years.
"My advice to them would be that you can't be more than you're capable of being," he said. "There's obvious expectation, because you had a great year. You lived up to what everybody said. But don't believe the hype.
"Someone once said to me, 'You're never as bad as you think you are, and you're never as good as you think you are.' Keep that in your back pocket."
Another lesson Hollandsworth wishes he would have learned sooner revolves around the value of shin guards.
In 2001, while playing for the Rockies, the left-handed Hollandsworth chopped hard at a cut fastball from a right-hander, slicing the ball directly into his right shin, fracturing the bone and crushing a nerve.
Almost unfathomably, he did the exact same thing three years later, this time in a Cubs uniform.
"Crazy, fluky stuff," he said. "It's been two abrupt halts to a season."
Hollandsworth came back from the second injury to make the Cubs' Opening Day lineup last season. When he hit just .111 in 36 at-bats in May, though, he found himself on the bench.
The veteran had been forced to adjust to a utility role before, though. In '03, he gave way to young prospect Miguel Cabrera in the Marlins outfield.
"That was one of the toughest years of my career," he said. "But at the same time, I was happy to contribute, regardless of what the circumstances were."
Hollandsworth, who will make $900,000 this season if he makes the 25-man roster, is in a similar situation with the Indians, who will count on him to be the backup at all three outfield spots, in addition to getting some pinch-hit opportunities.
"I think there are a minimum of 300 at-bats for me here," he said. "I believe that in my heart, and I think it's going to happen. I think the better I perform, the more there could be."
Regardless of how often he gets to the plate, Hollandsworth's words of wisdom to young players looking for advice could benefit the Tribe.
"I'm not the kind of guy who's going to call meetings," he said. "But at the same time, I'm compassionate. I can talk to a guy about something that can help. That's what comes with being a veteran on a team with some younger players. You're kind of like an older brother."
That's a tag that suits Hollandsworth much better.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Making the transition to first base
03/01/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Spring Training is in full swing, and everything is going great.
We have been at it for about a week now, and all of the guys are getting into shape and getting excited for the upcoming season. We have spent the last few days working on our individual skills, as well as some team drills and live batting practice. Our team drills include bunt plays, first and third defense, cutoffs, pickoffs and rundowns. We do the same drills in camp every year, and it does get pretty tedious, but these are very important parts of the game and all the guys take them very seriously.
Most of the responses I received after my first diary entry were about making the move from catching to first base, so I thought I would write about it this week. I am pretty excited about making the move, because I think it will only increase my value as a player and help me make rosters down the road. I definitely am not giving up catching, and I still plan to do that at some point again in my career. But it is my goal to be an everyday player with the Indians, and the more versatile I am can only help me achieve it.
A lot is demanded of a player when he learns a new position at the big-league level. So far in my experience, the biggest adjustment has been having balls hit at me by other players. A catcher has a totally different view of the game than the other eight guys on the diamond. Turning around and having to go after balls off the bat is a much different experience than receiving the ball from a pitcher.
Reading the ball off the bat seems to be the most important thing for me to work on right now. My footwork around the bag feels good, and picking balls in the dirt is pretty easy after dealing with balls in the dirt as a catcher all the time. But seeing the ball off the bat is something a catcher never experiences. Other than that, I have to know where to be in every situation and continue to work on scooping throws out of the dirt. I am definitely learning that this is not an easy position to play, if you want to be a good first baseman. There are a number of nuances and skills the good ones have that save runs for their teams and errors for their teammates.
I appreciate all of the e-mails and questions I received, and I thought I would answer a couple this week. Games start this week, and I can't wait to get out there and start playing again. Until next week, take care.
With things like aluminum bats, playing positions, and innings pitched by pitchers, would you recommend or not recommend the college experience for high school draftees (say, those drafted in the first five rounds)? Also, outside of baseball, what has the Stanford experience in particular given you? -- Scott C.
I get asked questions about college all the time. The funny thing is, looking around the locker room, there are a hundred different guys in the room and each one has taken a different path to get there. For me personally, there is no amount of money I would trade for my college experience. I got to play for a great coach at a great school, and I learned a great deal about life and the game of baseball. Pro ball is fun, but it is definitely a job and it is a grind. I am glad I made the choice to stay in school and be a kid for four more years.
Do the veteran players mingle with the new kids on the block, such as yourself? -- Lee M.
The older guys on the team definitely share a lot of advice with the young players. I feel lucky to have so many guys that are role models in the same locker room. It definitely makes the transition from the Minor Leagues to the Major Leagues a much easier one. My go-to guy on most subjects is actually Grady Sizemore. Even tough he is a younger guy, he has proved himself in every way and has a lot of good advice about breaking in and succeeding out of Buffalo.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Sabathia pulls out of Baseball Classic
03/01/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- The thought began to creep into C.C. Sabathia's mind a week or so before he reported to Spring Training camp.
He knew his left arm wasn't ready for the grind of the World Baseball Classic, and he wondered how he was going to get it ready in the span of a month.
On Wednesday, Sabathia decided it wasn't worth the risk, as he relinquished his spot on the 30-man roster for Team USA. The Mets' Billy Wagner did the same, and the two pitchers were replaced by Gary Majewski of the Nationals and Al Leiter of the Yankees.
For the 25-year-old Sabathia, the decision came down to a simple matter of preparation.
"I'm not ready to pitch in meaningful games this early in the year," he said. "Under different circumstances, I would love to participate. But it didn't feel right."
What set Sabathia back was the fact that he had to start his offseason throwing program later than usual, because of flooding near his home in Fairfield, Calif.
"I didn't get to do the amount of long-toss I would have liked to do," he said.
Sabathia, who will be the Indians' Opening Day starter on April 2 in Chicago, has to be careful with his approach early in the year. He is not without his history of April injuries.
In April of 2003, Sabathia left a start because of a hyperextended elbow. He missed two weeks in April of '04 because of an irritated biceps tendon. And he began last season on the disabled list after pulling his right oblique muscle while warming up before a start in Spring Training.
Sabathia said those injuries didn't play into his thinking about the Classic, but he certainly didn't want to get off to another slow start in '06.
After pitching one inning of an intrasquad game Tuesday, Sabathia told reporters he was having second thoughts about the tournament. Though his arm didn't necessarily feel bad, it just didn't feel up to par for participation in games of importance.
"It was a tough decision," he said. "It's something I've been thinking about for a while. It just didn't feel right. I felt pretty good [Tuesday] throwing, but it was something in the back of my mind."
Also in the back of Sabathia's mind is his own competitive nature. He'd like to believe he could treat the Classic games like any Grapefruit League game, but he knows better.
"Pitching in front of 30,000 or 40,000 in the tournament is a lot different than pitching in front of a few hundred people in Kissimmee," he said. "I know how competitive I am, and I know the type of person I am."
That competitiveness is one of the reasons Sabathia, who went 15-10 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 starts last season, seemed a bit sullen at having to announce that he's pulling out of the event.
In 2000, he was selected to the 28-man roster for the U.S. Olympic team. But when it became clear he would only be used out of the bullpen, the Indians had him withdraw.
"This is the second time around," he said. "Maybe it's not meant to be."
Count Sabathia among those who would rather see the Classic played in the middle of the season. He thinks players would be receptive to that idea.
"Maybe how they do hockey and the Olympics, when they shut [the NHL] down for 10 days or so," he said. "[The World Baseball Classic] is a great tournament, and baseball is going to benefit from it. I think if they get the timing better for pitchers, it would be a lot better."
The timing just didn't work out for this particular pitcher.
"Some guys take a little bit longer to get warmed up than other guys," Sabathia said. "I'm one of those guys who needs a little time to get ready and get right."
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Notes: Belliard will play in Classic
03/02/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Ronnie Belliard confirmed Thursday he will play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, giving the Indians five players in the inaugural event.
"I'm going to Orlando right now," the second baseman said shortly after leaving Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. "They want me to represent my country, so I'm going to represent my country. I don't have to go far."
The Dominican Republic will compete in the Pool D bracket at Orlando along with Venezuela, Italy and Australia. When asked what position he would play, Belliard said: "All over the place. Second, short[stop], third."
First baseman Eduardo Perez and pitcher Fernando Cabrera will be on the Puerto Rican team while pitcher Rafael Betancourt and catcher Victor Martinez are set to play for Venezuela.
Betancourt and Martinez appeared in Thursday's game, then left for Clearwater, Fla., to participate in Venezuela's workout at the Philadelphia Phillies' complex Friday night.
Belliard will work out with the Dominican team, which will practice at Houston's Spring Training complex adjacent to Osceola County Stadium. Perez and Cabrera were scheduled to leave for Puerto Rico on Thursday night. Puerto Rico is the host of the Pool C bracket which will be held at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan.
Belliard, who has participated in five Caribbean World Series, is looking forward to the World Baseball Classic but doesn't necessarily agree with those who consider the Dominican-Venezuela matchup a huge rivalry.
"Venezuela hasn't won [the Caribbean World Series] since what, 1989?" Belliard said. "They've got a great team, but look at [the Dominican team]."
Belliard is curious to see how the event plays out and believes it will be a success.
"I think it's going to meet everybody's expectations," he said.
Westbrook pleased: Jake Westbrook, the projected No. 4 starter in the rotation, made his first start of the spring Thursday and came away pleased with the results. The right-handed sinkerball pitcher allowed two runs on five hits, but did not walk a batter and struck out one. Westbrook threw 37 pitches, including 25 strikes.
"I felt good, I gave up some ground-ball hits," Westbrook said. "I feel like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, getting them [to hit the ball] on the ground, which is encouraging for me. I felt like I could have kept going, which is what you're looking for in Spring Training.
Westbrook said he accomplished what he set out to do.
"All I really wanted to work on today was to try and locate my fastball and I felt like I did that today," he said.
Westbrook was 15-15 with a 4.49 ERA last season. After a 2-9 start to the season, he rebounded to go 13-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 21 starts from June 14 through the end of the season. The 28-year-old strengthened his hold on a rotation spot in the process, pitching 210 2/3 innings (10th most in the league) and finishing third in the league with 34 starts. His performance last season means unlike previous springs Westbrook isn't fighting for a roster spot.
"It's a lot different mindset, it's a little more comfortable feeling," he said. "When you get more established, you feel like you can go out there and work on things you need to work on instead of impressing guys and try to win a roster spot."
Even race: One of the few positions on the roster up for grabs is backup catcher, where veteran Einar Diaz is competing against Kelly Shoppach for the job behind starter Martinez. Entering the first game of the Grapefruit League season neither player has an edge.
"I don't know if I'd give somebody the leg up or not," Wedge said. "Shoppy is younger and Einar has more experience. It's just a matter of who will complement our club better."
Extra bases: Belliard hit a three-run homer off Steve Sparks and Ramon Vazquez contributed a two-run single as the Indians beat Houston, 5-2, in the Grapefruit League opener for both teams at Osceola County Stadium. ... Some Major League teams are sending scouts or front-office personnel to monitor their players in the World Baseball Classic. The Indians won't have anyone counting pitches or watching players in the tournament, but will keep an eye on their players. Wedge said the Indians will rely on the good judgment of the manager, coaches and players themselves to make sure all five return healthy. "We'll monitor the tournament," Wedge said. "Any red flags we'll address." ... Left-hander Tony Sipp, a non-roster invitee, pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out one. Wedge said Sipp joining the Indians at some point this season was "not beyond reason." "Look at our [lack of] left-handed depth; he's somebody we're going to keep an eye on," Wedge said.
Quotable: "He's a fighter. It may not show externally, but internally it's there." -- Wedge, on Westbrook
Coming up: The Indians will open the home portion of their Grapefruit League season at Chain of Lakes Park on Friday when they take on the Houston Astros beginning at 1:05 p.m. ET. Left-hander C.C. Sabathia will start for the Indians against Houston right-hander Taylor Buchholz. Sabathia will be the Indians' Opening Day starter Sunday, April 2, when Cleveland faces the World Series champion Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Other Indians scheduled to pitch Friday include left-hander Cliff Lee and right-handers Danny Graves, Steve Karsay, Matt Miller, Brian Slocum and Ben Howard.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Will April prove kinder to Tribe in '06?
03/02/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Spring is not only a time for rampant optimism, it is also the season of "what ifs." As in, what if the Cleveland Indians hadn't stumbled out of the starting gate last season? What if the Tribe hadn't dug themselves an 11 1/2-game hole by May 8?
What if this notoriously slow-starting team manages to avoid another April face plant like the one that essentially cost the team a playoff spot despite a 93-win season in 2005?
Taking nothing away from the World Series champion Chicago White Sox, but the Indians also have the talent to go all the way in 2006. Having that talent and getting to October for the Indians means getting off to a good start, and that's something they haven't been able to do since 2001, when the club went 14-9 in April.
Last year, the Indians' silent spring continued into May, when they found themselves 12-18 and in fourth place in the American League Central, 11 1/2 games behind the White Sox.
As has been their penchant since Eric Wedge became manager before the 2003 season, the Indians warmed up along with the weather. As the mercury rose so did Cleveland's level of play.
They were one of the hottest teams in the Major Leagues from May 8 until season's end, posting an 81-51 record (.614 winning percentage) to finish second to the White Sox by six games. Cleveland's record for that span tied St. Louis for the second-best winning percentage in baseball, trailing only the New York Yankees (82-48, .631).
The Indians, 93-69, finished with the sixth-best record in baseball and the best of any team not in the playoffs. Cleveland's regular-season record was better than three teams that made the playoffs.
As with most team slumps, the cause of Cleveland's early slide was not a result of any one performance, but a combination of numerous contributing factors, including catcher Victor Martinez hitting .207 in April. Third baseman Aaron Boone had the worst April of his career, hitting .123. Outfielder Casey Blake batted only .188, shortstop Jhonny Peralta .222, first baseman Ben Broussard .239 and outfielder Grady Sizemore .233 during the regular season's first month. Meanwhile, three-fifths of the rotation -- Scott Elarton, Jake Westbrook and Kevin Millwood -- were a combined 0-9 with a 5.76 ERA during April.
Wedge is well aware of what happened but isn't going to change what the team normally does in March. There will be no significant changes such as starting the regulars earlier in the Grapefruit League season.
"Our focus is on preparing for the regular season, for 162 games," Wedge said. "I think there's multiple factors that leads me to believe we'll get off to a better start this year."
Such as?
"The fact that we're still getting better as a ballclub, I think that the experience we've gained and some of the expectations that we've battled through, [there are] a lot of firsts that these guys have gotten out of the way that will allow them to do that much better the next time around, and they've already shown us that they can do that," Wedge said.
For the Indians, the focus is not on remembering April, but on continuing what they were doing during the second half of last season.
Odds are they will avoid such a poor start again, if only because such proven talents as Martinez, a career .293 hitter who hit .380 after the All-Star break last year to boost his average to .305, are unlikely to start so poorly two seasons in a row.
Wedge is no doubt correct when he cites experience as a factor this time. All the Indians remember what happened last spring and seem determined to avoid a repeat.
For many the individual situations have changed in their favor as well. A year ago all eyes were on Peralta, but he has since played his way out of the shadow of the man he replaced, Omar Vizquel. Sizemore has proven he is the real deal. Martinez is the best young offensive catcher in the game.
Cliff Lee has arrived as one of the better lefty starters in the league, and with C.C. Sabathia gives the Indians an excellent 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. The rotation and bullpen are stronger and the bench deeper than it was last spring. There are fewer health questions and more experience than a year ago.
There's much to like about this team. It is a team with no major flaws and one certainly capable of going all the way in 2006.
Provided they can avoid another fall in the spring.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Indians race past Astros in opener
03/02/2006
Indians at the plate: Second baseman Ronnie Belliard knocked a three-run homer off Steve Sparks in the fifth, giving the Tribe a 5-2 lead. Shortstop Ramon Vazquez also contributed a two-run single in that frame.
Astros at the plate: First baseman Eric Munson drove in Houston's first hit with a single to right-center in the second, and designated hitter Craig Biggio followed with an RBI single to center. Second baseman Chris Burke recorded a double in the first, and right fielder Charlton Jimerson tripled in the sixth.
Indians on the mound: Starter Jake Westbrook pitched two innings, allowing five hits, two runs and no walks. He struck out one.
Astros on the mound: Starter Dan Wheeler threw six pitches in his one inning of work, allowing no hits. Brad Lidge followed with a 16-pitch second frame, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Grapefruit League records: Indians 1-0; Astros 0-1.
Up next: The Astros return the visit from the Indians with a trip to Winter Haven on Friday, marking their first spring road game. Right-hander Taylor Buchholz is scheduled to start for Houston. Cleveland lefty C.C. Sabathia will take the mound first for the Tribe.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Komminsk recalls stint in Italy
03/02/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Brad Komminsk was jobless in 1994.
He had gone through Spring Training in the White Sox camp, but the team released him before Opening Day. So Komminsk went looking for work in baseball. He wasn't overly particular about what kind, either.
But not even he expected to end up playing in Europe.
"Some guy called me and says, 'Hey, you wanna go to Italy?'" Komminsk said. "I said, 'Yeah.' I always wanted to go to Europe, you know. I thought I'd play some baseball and have a great time."
Komminsk, 44, did both. He also learned that baseball had a reach far beyond the borders of North and South America. He joined the likes of pitchers Rick Waite and Jim Morrison as real-life Yankees spreading the gospel of baseball on foreign soil.
Now, Komminsk was quick to point out that he didn't go to Italy to be a pioneer. He went to play baseball, which he'd done all of his adult life. Having spent parts of eight seasons in the Majors, he was a baseball player, and in chasing the baseball, he didn't hesitate to let the game take him where it did.
"I really didn't know what to expect in Italy," he said. "But it was fun. I really enjoyed it. I had a great time over there."
But he knew early on that it wasn't the Major Leagues. The 10 Division I teams in Italy played games twice a week. He remembered facing some decent players there, though nobody in the league resembled Alex Rodriguez, Albert Belle, Ken Griffey Jr. or Greg Maddux.
A good comparison, Komminsk said, might be to a college baseball team. And those college teams had equipment that Komminsk warmed to quickly.
"Aluminum bats," he said, smiling. "It was great!"
What also was great was the treatment. He found the Italians, who are fielding a team for the World Baseball Classic, eager to embrace the game and its players, and he liked exploring a place that he'd never been to before.
He didn't delude himself that he was in the Majors and playing against top talents.
"It's not their job, you know; it's secondary," he said of the Italian players. "They all have other jobs, so you work around their schedule. [In the U.S.], you're a professional; it's your job. This is what we do for a living."
He remained mindful of the differences. He understood them, and he even learned to embrace them.
After all, he was playing baseball; he was having fun, which was what mattered most to him.
Komminsk, now a roving instructor with the Indians, spent two seasons in Italy before a dispute with the team owner made him realize he needed to return to the U.S. in 1995. He hasn't been back to Italy.
"I'd love to go back," he said. "One of these days, I'll go back."
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Notes: Vazquez trying to stick
03/03/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Ramon Vazquez was an early, early arrival to the Indians' Spring Training camp, as much for family matters as professional issues.
"I came down 10 days early," Vazquez said, "because I wanted to take my family to Disney World."
Vazquez is hoping the next family trip is to Chicago, where the Indians open the season April 2.
Acquired in a midseason trade with the Red Sox last summer, Vazquez was a utility infielder for the Tribe down the stretch in 2005. But he appeared in just 12 games, going 6-for-24 at the plate.
Now the 29-year-old Puerto Rican is fighting to keep his utility job, with wayward prospect Brandon Phillips serving as his stiffest competition.
In these early days of action, Vazquez has drawn the first sword in that battle. He looked good at the plate in two intrasquad games this week with an RBI double and a solo home run, and he added a two-run single against the Astros in the Grapefruit League opener Thursday in Kissimmee.
But while he's making noise with his bat initially, Vazquez knows his greatest bargaining chip in this competition is his glove.
"I'm confident," he said. "There's not too many guys who can go out there and play three different positions, and I'm willing to do that. I also played first before in San Diego [where he played from 2002-04]. Plus, I'm a left-handed hitter, and all the infielders here are right-handed hitters. It's a good break for them if they need a day off."
Vazquez is hoping manager Eric Wedge gets a bit of a better feel for what he's capable of this spring.
"I'm happy to be here so he can see me play," Vazquez said. "He had no idea what kind of player I am last year. It would have been hard for him to throw me out there in a playoff run. But now he can get more of an idea of what I can do, and he can get some confidence in me."
Talks continue: Contract talks between the Indians and Jhonny Peralta's agent, Bill Rego, continued Thursday, as the two sides had another meeting.
For now, a long-term contract for Peralta is still being discussed, but the talks have been nothing more than preliminary, Rego said.
The Indians are reportedly involved in similar discussions with Joe Urban, the agent for Grady Sizemore.
Good feel, bad result: C.C. Sabathia was asked if the silver lining in his rough Grapefruit League debut Friday was that the outing did not come in the World Baseball Classic, where someone's keeping score.
"They're keeping score today, too," Sabathia said.
True. And the scoring was ugly in Sabathia's 1 2/3 innings of work against the Astros at Chain of Lakes Park. He was tagged for seven runs, five of which were earned, on six hits in the start.
"I felt good," Sabathia said. "With my fastballs, I was missing down. But for the most part, I was right around the plate."
And Sabathia, who opted out of the Classic earlier this week because he wasn't prepared to pitch in meaningful games, was all over the diamond, too.
"I backed up a lot of bases," he said with a smile. "I guess that's good, because I got my cardio in."
Lunch time: The Indians will hold their fifth annual First Pitch Luncheon on Tuesday, April 11, at noon ET in the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University.
The luncheon gives fans the opportunity to see and meet the entire Tribe roster and includes a 45-minute autograph session. Tickets can be purchased by calling (216) 420-HITS. Proceeds from the luncheon, which is put on by the Indians' corporate partner, Continental Airlines, will benefit Cleveland Indians Charities.
Tribe tidbits: X-rays on Lou Merloni's left hand were inconclusive Friday. Merloni, who was pegged on the hand by a pitch from the Astros' Dave Borkowski in Thursday's game in Kissimmee, was set to undergo an MRI on Friday evening to determine whether or not he has a stress fracture. ... Former Indians pitcher Vern Ruhle, who is now the pitching coach for the Reds, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer during a routine physical at the beginning of Spring Training. For now, Ruhle, who pitched for the Tribe in the 1985 season, will continue his duties with the Reds while receiving treatment for the disease. ... The Tribe will hold its open house at Jacobs Field from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, in conjunction with the on-sale date for single-game tickets for the '06 season. ... Monday's game between the Indians and Mets in Port St. Lucie will be broadcast live by ESPN at 1:10 p.m.
On deck: Break up the Indians. Well, that's what the schedule will do Saturday. Half the club will head to Ft. Myers to face the Twins in a 1:05 p.m. game. Right-hander Fausto Carmona will go up against right-hander Boof Bonser. Here in Winter Haven, the rest of the Indians will face the Tigers at 1:05 p.m. Right-hander Paul Byrd will get his first spring start against left-hander Wilfredo Ledezma.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Sabathia rusty in loss to Astros
03/03/2006
Astros at the plate: Jason Lane had a big day, notching an RBI double in the first inning off C.C. Sabathia, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the second and cranking out a solo home run off Cliff Lee in the fourth. Chris Burke got the Astros on the board with a run-scoring triple in the first. Second baseman Eric Bruntlett cleared the bases with a double in the second.
Indians at the plate: Jason Michaels knocked in the Tribe's first run with a hard-hit single in the third off Fernando Nieve, and Jhonny Peralta followed with a three-run homer to right-center field. The two are expected to provide a similar punch in the two and three spots of the lineup this season. Non-roster invitee Ryan Mulhern added a solo shot off right-hander Jason Hirsh in the sixth.
Astros on the mound: Right-handed starter Tyler Buchholz had a nice, painless day, holding the Indians scoreless on one hit in his two innings of work. Nieve had a tougher go of it, giving up four runs on four hits in two innings.
Indians on the mound: Sabathia didn't look very sharp, as he was beaten up for seven runs, five of which were earned, on six hits over 1 2/3 innings. Lee was touched for a run on two hits with no walks and two strikeouts in his two innings of work.
Cactus League records: Astros, 1-1; Indians, 1-1.
Up next: The Indians will have split-squad games at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Tigers in Winter Haven and against the Twins in Fort Myers on Saturday. Right-hander Paul Byrd will get the start at home, with right-hander Fausto Carmona starting on the road. The Astros will return home to Kissimmee to play the Braves at 1:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Roy Oswalt will get the start.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Notes: Mota to make debut Wednesday
03/04/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Pain? What pain? Guillermo Mota knows pain, and this isn't it.
"When you're hurt, you're hurt," he said Saturday, "and I'm not hurt."
So, please, Mota family and friends, stop calling the 32-year-old reliever with your sympathy, stop sending the get well cards and stop wondering why he has yet to pitch in an exhibition game for his new Indians club.
Mota's elbow and shoulder, which gave him nothing but trouble in 2005, are just fine, thanks, and the right-hander will make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday against the Mets.
"I've had a lot of people call me and say, 'How's your arm?'" he said. "I'm not hurt. I just had tendinitis. I have no pain. My arm was weak last year because of tendinitis. People think because I pitched in winter ball and I was hurt last year that I'm in pain. But I'm not."
Those erroneous reports of a failed physical during the course of the Coco Crisp trade that brought him to Cleveland didn't help.
But Mota reported to Jacobs Field shortly after the trade was completed, and the Indians put him on a training regimen that had him ready for Spring Training camp.
While he has yet to pitch in a game situation, he's been throwing at full velocity in his bullpen sessions, and he looks to be in fine form.
"It's surprising to see how good a feel he has for his changeup," pitching coach Carl Willis said. "He has a great idea of what he wants to do. He can simulate facing a hitter very well."
Mota, who went 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA in 56 appearances with the Marlins last season, is slated to be the Indians' eighth-inning setup man and emergency closer.
"I'm just getting ready for the season and getting ready for the year," he said. "That's where my mind is. They want to take it slow from the beginning."
Get out there: Relievers are expected to work on the fly during the season, so why shouldn't that be the case in an exhibition game?
Ben Howard, a non-roster invitee in camp who's hoping to find a job in the Indians' bullpen this season, was unexpectedly called to duty in the second inning of Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros when starter C.C. Sabathia reached his pitch count.
Howard came in with two outs and a man on second and worked out of the jam.
"I was actually scheduled to pitch the ninth inning, but I guess that was better," Howard said. "You don't have to think about it all day. You get out there and get into it."
Howard, a right-hander who compiled a 5.50 ERA in 31 appearances with the Marlins in '04 but pitched solely for Triple-A Albuquerque last season, joined the Indians as a six-year Minor League free agent. He's likely to be Buffalo-bound.
"You've got to be realistic with yourself," he said. "There are guys ahead of me from an experience standpoint. Hopefully I'll put together a good spring and show them what I'm capable of. If I don't break with the team, hopefully I'll be up soon."
Wickman wired: Closer Bob Wickman refutes the notion that he's injury-prone, as he's come to be labeled in many media reports.
"I've only had one injury, and that was Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on my elbow," he said. "That's the only time I've been on the DL."
Wickman, who used just 10 pitches to retire the side in Saturday's split-squad game against the Tigers, said he doesn't feel he has anything to prove this year, especially after notching 45 saves in '05.
"As long as the intensity is there," he said, "that's all I'm looking for."
Line 'em up: The Indians have a pretty good idea how their rotation will shake out, but beyond the fact that left-hander Sabathia will start Opening Day in Chicago, nothing has been announced.
"We've tentatively set it up, but we haven't said anything about it," Willis said. "But if everybody stays healthy, the rotation's going to be pretty obvious here in the next four or five days."
Left-hander Cliff Lee and right-handers Paul Byrd, Jake Westbrook and Jason Johnson round out the rotation.
Checkmate: The games of cards that are so prevalent in so many big-league clubhouses give way to games of chess where the Indians are concerned.
Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie has been taking on all comers in games of chess in the media lunchroom at Chain of Lakes Park. Apparently, the Stanford graduate knows what he's doing.
"This guy is the man," an impressed Paul Byrd said in the middle of a game earlier this week.
Tribe tidbits: X-rays and an MRI on utility infielder Lou Merloni's right hand didn't turn up a stress fracture, as had been feared. Merloni was hit on the hand by a pitch in the ninth inning of Thursday's exhibition opener against the Astros in Kissimmee. The hand was giving him trouble Saturday, though, so he was held out of action. ... The Indians had pretty good attendance for the open house at Jacobs Field on Saturday morning, as upward of 7,000 fans came to see the ballpark. The event was held in conjunction with single-game tickets for the '06 season going on sale.
On deck: The Indians will return to full-squad action with Sunday's 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Braves at Chain of Lakes Park. Right-hander Jason Johnson will get his first spring start against Atlanta right-hander Kyle Davies.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Early runs propel Tribe past Tigers
03/04/2006
Indians at the plate: The Indians jumped all over left-hander Wilfredo Ledezma in the second inning of this split-squad contest. Franklin Gutierrez, hoping to latch on as the club's fourth outfielder, drew a walk with the bases loaded, Ramon Vazquez drove in three runs with a bases-clearing double, and Jhonny Peralta added an RBI single. Jake Gautreau added a three-run homer in the third off Joel Zumaya. Ryan Garko drove in two runs off Zumaya with a double in the fourth.
Tigers at the plate: Ryan Ludwick had a big day against his former team, as he hit an RBI single off Paul Byrd in the first, cranked out a two-run homer off Jason Davis in the fifth, and drove in another run with a run-scoring double in the sixth. Brandon Inge knocked in three runs with a double in the fourth off Scott Sauerbeck.
Indians on the mound: Byrd, making his first exhibition start, wasn't afraid of a little contact, as he gave up two runs, one of which was earned, on three hits in his two innings of work. Bob Wickman pitched a scoreless third inning, striking out one batter.
Tigers on the mound: Neither Ledezma nor Zumaya had sharp outings. In two innings, Ledezma surrendered five runs, four of which were earned, on four hits. Zumaya struck out Casey Blake, the first batter he faced, but ran into trouble after that. He went on to give up four runs on two hits in 1 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking two.
Grapefruit League records: Indians 3-1; Tigers 3-1.
Up next: The Indians will remain in Winter Haven to take on the Braves in a 1:05 p.m. ET game Sunday. Right-hander Jason Johnson will go up against right-hander Kyle Davies. The Tigers head back to Lakeland to face the Pirates in a 1:05 p.m. game. Right-hander Jeremy Bonderman will get the starting nod.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Indians ride Phillips to win
03/04/2006
Twins at the plate: Torii Hunter went 2-for-2 in the game on Saturday, and Michael Cuddyer was 2-for-3 with a double. Jason Kubel recorded his first hit of the spring, a sinking fly down the right-field line, in the eighth inning.
Indians at the plate: Brandon Phillips provided most of the offense for the Indians as he scored a run in the fifth off a sacrifice fly by Todd Donovan. Phillips then drove in two more runs with a long bomb over the left-field wall in the sixth. Ben Broussard hit a triple in the first inning, and Grady Sizemore also recorded a single in the game.
Twins on the mound: Starter Boof Bonser made his first start in Spring Training and impressed, pitching two innings while allowing three hits and striking out one. Dave Gassner made his first appearance this spring and threw three innings, giving up three hits and one run. Matt Guerrier allowed his first home run of the season to Phillips in his two-inning outing.
Indians on the mound: Fausto Carmona lasted two innings in his start and gave up three hits while striking out one. Jeremy Guthrie followed Carmona with two scoreless innings of his own, allowing only two hits.
Grapefruit League records: Twins 1-2; Indians 2-1.
Up next: The Twins face the Red Sox at home for the second time in four days on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET. Kyle Lohse will get the start for the Twins. The Indians return home to Winter Haven on Sunday for a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Braves. Right-hander Jason Johnson will get the start for Cleveland.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Outfield prospects present quandaries
03/05/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- The Indians have some sorting out to do when it comes to their outfield in the upper levels of the Minor League system.
Franklin Gutierrez might be knocking on the door of big-league readiness, but he's still expected to begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo; Ben Francisco has earned a promotion to the Bisons after his strong performance at Double-A Akron last season; and Jason Dubois and Jason Cooper are also likely to suit up in Buffalo early in the year.
Then there's the matter of Ryan Mulhern, the Organizational Player of the Year last season, adding left-field innings to his repertoire after playing solely at first base in the early stages of his professional career.
The big question in all of this is where up-and-comer Brad Snyder, one of the Tribe's first-round picks in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, will end up.
"One of the main goals for this year is to get a large number of at-bats for Brad Snyder at the Triple-A level," said farm director John Farrell, "whether that's on Opening Day or sometime after that. Each outfielder is important to us, but that is a priority for this year."
The sorting will, of course, hinge upon how the big-league roster shakes out. Farrell and his staff will make their determinations on each of the above players from there.
On the move: Infielder Brandon Phillips has impressed many with his improved attitude in camp. Known in the past as being a bit too cocky, Phillips has toned down his act and focused solely on the game. He's out of options and in the mix for the utility job in Cleveland this year. ... Ryan Garko, a converted catcher, has been handling first-base duties quite well thus far in exhibition play. "He's further along than I thought he'd be at this time," Indians manager Eric Wedge said.
On the pine: First baseman Michael Aubrey is slowly but surely adding baseball activities to his training program. The Indians were hoping to have Aubrey, who has been besieged by injuries since being drafted by the club in the first round of the '03 First-Year Player Draft, fully healthy in camp, but he re-aggravated an old lower back injury while running in the early days of camp. He remains optimistic he'll get to play in some Grapefruit League games.
Names in the game: Former Indian Jason Bere will act as the temporary pitching coach to the Triple-A Buffalo hurlers, who were set to report to camp Sunday. Bere is filling in for fellow former Indian Greg Hibbard, who is working with the Major League club in camp.
Farrell said he's been impressed with Bere's communication skills both with the players and the staff.
"He's open to inject topics and suggestions that pertain to situations we're talking about," Farrell said. "He's a very giving person. He's going to help players making their way to the Major Leagues."
They're No. 1: Left-hander Jeremy Sowers, the No. 1 pick by the Tribe in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, has opened up what few closed eyes there were to his talent.
"He commands the ball as well as any young pitcher I've seen," Wedge said of Sowers. "He does a good job sticking his fastball to right-handers. He's able to make the baseball do what he wants it to do."
Last season, Sowers jumped from Class A Kinston to Double-A Akron and even made a spot start in Buffalo, never missing a beat along the way. He'll begin the year with the Bisons, but could find himself making spot starts for the Tribe.
Class of '05: John Drennen came to the Indians organization as a sandwich pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft with the billing of being an advanced bat out of Rancho Bernardo High School in California. He got off to a slow start with the rookie club in Burlington last season, eventually finishing with a .238 average, eight home runs and 29 RBIs. Drennen reported early to Minor League camp, and the Indians are having him focus on not becoming too pull-oriented with his swing.
What they're saying: "It's encouraging to see strikes thrown by most every pitcher that's taken the mound. [Pitching coach] Carl [Willis] stresses getting strike one. For the guys to come out and throw strikes is key at this time of the year." -- Farrell, on the early success of the Tribe's young pitchers in camp .
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Notes: Byrd glad to be back
03/05/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- The heckler came in a small package, in the form of Paul Byrd's 8-year-old son, Colby.
When Byrd was signing autographs recently, Colby wondered aloud, "Dad, who wants your autograph? You're just average."
Average, huh? Byrd asked his child where he'd get that perception.
"Oh," Colby responded, "I thought if you were any good you'd play for the Yankees."
It was the Indians, not the Yankees, who signed Byrd to a two-year, $14.25 million contract this offseason, and his first step toward rewarding them for their investment came when he took the mound in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers at Chain of Lakes Park.
For Byrd, the start might not have had much statistical meaning, but it was special, nonetheless. It came almost 15 years after he was drafted by the Tribe in June of 1991.
"Looking around and seeing Chief Wahoo on your hat, walking onto the mound at Chain of Lakes Park with our big-league club here as the counted-on starter and a lot of the fans saying, 'Welcome back' was nice," Byrd said. "I was wondering if they'd even remember me. It's nice to be in a Cleveland uniform and be counted upon."
Byrd's performance was your typical get-the-rust-off affair, as he allowed two runs, one of which was earned, on three hits over two innings.
"That's me," Byrd said. "Contact all over the place. Fly balls, ground balls. That's my game, and more often than not, I'll take that."
But if getting the start and helping the Angels beat the Yankees in Yankee Stadium in Game 3 of the American League Division Series last fall didn't impress Colby, this nondescript exhibition outing certainly wasn't going to get the job done.
"I'm the Rodney Dangerfield of parents," Byrd said. "I get no respect."
Double-dose of Sowers: No, that wasn't Jeremy Sowers' clone walking through the crowd at Chain of Lakes Park while Sowers himself was on the mound Saturday.
It was Josh Sowers, Jeremy's twin brother, who is a prospect in the Blue Jays farm system.
Josh was on hand to watch his brother pitch two hitless and scoreless innings against the Tigers, in which Jeremy walked three batters and struck out one.
After the start, manager Eric Wedge marveled at the 22-year-old's command of his pitches, but Sowers said he felt a little rusty.
"I was nervous," he said. "These guys battle at the plate. It's more of a mental battle of who's going to let their guard down first. When a guy fouls off another pitch that you thought was a pretty good one, it's like, 'Here we go again.'"
Sowers said his changeup is the hardest pitch to get a feel for this time of year.
"If you don't throw it for six months, it's like entropy," he said. "It becomes worthless."
No skips: Jason Johnson will probably be the Indians' fifth starter this season, but that doesn't mean he'll ever go 10 days between starts.
Before he signed with the Tribe, Johnson, who pitched three scoreless innings against the Braves on Sunday, made sure to get a guarantee that he'd get a chance to make all his starts.
"I don't like to get skipped," Johnson said. "[Manager Eric Wedge] told me I'm going to get the ball every fifth day."
Everyone's aboard: The Indians officially have every member of the 40-man roster signed to a contract for the '06 season.
Left-handers Cliff Lee and Jason Stanford, right-hander Matt Miller, outfielder Grady Sizemore and infielder Brandon Phillips were the latest players locked in.
Helping the Classic cause: Sending five players to the World Baseball Classic isn't the Indians' only contribution to the event.
Clubhouse aide Willie Jenks is serving as the equipment manager for the Netherlands team, Triple-A trainer Todd Tomczyk is on the training staff for the South African team, Class A Kinston trainer Michael Salazar is assisting the Dominican Republic's club and Double-A Akron coach Felix Fermin is also working with the Dominican team.
Quotable: "If you don't want pressure, you should probably just watch TV for a living" -- Byrd, when asked about his love for intense situations on the field.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Indians prevail over Braves
03/05/2006
Indians at the plate: A big third inning saw the Indians load the bases for Casey Blake, who knocked in Einar Diaz and Franklin Gutierrez with a groundball single. Aaron Boone added a sacrifice fly. Jason Dubois, who was acquired in last summer's Jody Gerut trade, connected on a solo home run off Jose Ascanio in the fourth. Armando Camacaro came through with an RBI single in the seventh off Scott Mullen.
Braves at the plate: The offense came alive against Steve Karsay in the fifth, as left fielder Matt Esquivel blasted a three-run home run to left. In the seventh, Wilson Betemit, who had singled earlier in the game, launched a solo shot off Jason Stanford.
Indians on the mound: Jason Johnson used 42 pitches to get through his three scoreless innings of work, during which he held the Braves to two hits with no walks and a strikeout. Matt Miller and Danny Graves both pitched scoreless innings, but Steve Karsay was roughed up for three runs on three hits in the fifth.
Braves on the mound: Right-hander Kyle Davies breezed through his two scoreless innings, giving up one hit with a walk and two strikeouts. The going wasn't as good for Ascanio, who gave up four runs on five hits in two innings.
Up next: The Indians will travel to Port St. Lucie to face the Mets in a 1:05 p.m. ET game on Monday that will be shown on ESPN. Right-hander Jake Westbrook will start, with Jason Davis, Kaz Tadano, Tony Sipp and Ed Mujica also scheduled to throw. The Braves will return home to face the Tigers at 1:10 p.m. ET at the Disney complex. Left-hander Horacio Ramirez will start, and Lance Cormier, Macay McBride, Kevin Barry and Joey Devine are scheduled to work out of the 'pen.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Lewis: Greetings from the Minors
03/06/2006
For any player, getting drafted by a big-league organization is the thrill of a lifetime. But for Jensen Lewis, getting drafted by the Indians in the third round of last year's First-Year Player Draft was something of a perfect cosmic alignment.
A lifelong Indians fan, Lewis is now pitching for the organization he loves. He's entering his first full season of pro ball, and therefore is currently involved with his first Spring Training camp.
Each Monday during camp, Lewis, a communications major at Vanderbilt University, will bring his fellow Indians fans a unique perspective on the life of a Minor Leaguer.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Early camp is officially over and Spring Training is getting ready to go into full swing. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed their questions. I look forward to more next week!
My first week of bullpen sessions went extremely well. Our first day consisted of 25 pitches, all fastballs. On the second day, we threw a 35-pitch pen, using all our pitches. Early camp is designed a lot more for starters, getting our arms ready to throw every five days and to be on top of our game as Opening Day draws near. I felt a little anxious at first, just wanting to get on the mound and get back in my comfort zone. It didn't take long before things came together and I hit my spots using a two- and four-seam fastball. The second day, I was able to continue my good control from the first bullpen, adding my changeup and slider into the mix. I worked on adding and subtracting speed from my changeup and working on running my two-seam fastball back over the corners of the plate.
A big difference between pitchers is their ability to control a fastball. Most guys at the big league level can throw fastballs wherever, whenever they want. Sometimes they'll even purposely throw balls to set up a hitter and get him guessing on what pitch is coming next. It's all another great facet of the pitching aspect of the game.
Getting used to new catchers also is a huge part of pitching that some people may not realize. A great catcher can make a big difference in the game and is able to notice things that you can't while throwing. My first day, I threw to Chris Gimenez, and on the second pen day, I threw to David Wallace. Both are fantastic catchers and are very comfortable to throw to. For a pitcher, it puts your mind at ease to know that those guys will make the blocks, call a great game, and frame your pitches to gain more strikes. As well, both of them are huge guys and make the strike zone that much larger!
My third bullpen was probably one of the best experiences in camp thus far. I got to throw to Omar Casillas, who caught for me at Mahoning Valley last year. Omar is exceptional at calling games, and we are very aggressive in our approach to the game. Naturally, it was a welcome feeling to throw to him again. It felt just like we were getting ready for a game back in Ohio, and I was able to focus more on some mechanical adjustments in my tempo without having to worry about throwing to a new catcher. All in all, my first week of pens has gone well and I'm just trying to continually refine my mechanics and get myself better mentally to start facing hitters.
An important thing I've learned in early camp is to really take care of your arm. It's easy in college to long toss two or three times a week and have ample time for your arm to rest with six to seven days in between starts. In pro ball, the rotation is every four days, with a bullpen sandwiched in your off days. Doing arm exercises can become very monotonous. But in the long run, your arm will pay you back by bouncing back quicker and being able to continue to last deeper into games.
Another part of Spring Training that can become tedious are some of the drills. As small and insignificant as drills like PFP [pitchers' fielding practice] or pickoffs may seem while going through them, they are key elements of the game that can change the course of an inning or shift momentum one way or another. Our coaches continue to stress that, while we do the drills every day, it's critical to put yourself in game situations and execute each play as if it were live. Believe me, they aren't kidding. Many times, guys will talk about how those little plays have been the difference between a win and a loss.
I think the biggest thing I got out of early camp, and hopefully to continue in Spring Training itself, is being ahead of the game when the season rolls around. Obviously, the season is a marathon and consistency is probably the most important part of being successful. But personally, I'd like to make every start and give my team a chance to win every time out. Probably the biggest strengths I have as a pitcher are command of my pitches, a good ability to change speeds on my fastball and changeup, poise, aggressiveness and the ability to overcome adversity. Also, I take a lot of pride in being a good fielding pitcher, because as soon as the pitch is delivered, you become a fifth infielder. No pitcher likes errors next to his name that cause him to lose games, so it's a big part of refining all parts of your game. Every player always has something to continue to work on, and I think the biggest thing I need to improve is consistently throwing my slider for strikes. I didn't throw a breaking ball until I entered college, so I've thrown one for only three years. I think once my slider becomes consistent to the point where I can throw it at anytime, I'll put myself in a better position to have more success.
The past few days, we've been able to get out of practice around 1 p.m., giving us almost half the day to be able to do some things in our off time. Most guys like to hang out, play cards, watch movies, play video games, hit the golf course, or go to Tampa or Orlando. With scrimmages and games quickly coming on the horizon, our free time will be cut down considerably, so we try to use as much of it as we can before the season starts. Some of the guys I played with last year -- Joe Ness, Ryan Edell and Kevin Dixon -- are all in early camp as well. It's been great to hang out with those guys and do some of the same things we did during the past year. As well, having Jeremy Sowers in big-league camp and living at the hotel gives me a great opportunity to talk to him about his experiences and how he's enjoying working with the big-league pitchers. You can never have too much experience and every little bit helps. As former teammates, its always fun to go watch the others and see how each has improved their game. Some of the other guys in early camp have helped me through my first week, including Chuck Lofgren, Aaron Laffey, Scott Lewis, Cody Bunkleman and Jason Young. They are all fantastic guys and really make coming to practice every day a good time.
More toward the evening, I enjoy watching TV, playing poker and my guitar. I've been at it for about a year now with the help of my former roommate and teammate in college, Gil Kim, who taught me how to play. I really enjoy playing some Green Day, Metallica, Oasis and some more pop with the likes of Ryan Cabrera and Howie Day. Also, I get a chance to hop online and catch up with my friends and former teammates back at Vanderbilt. A lot of them are athletes in different sports, and it's awesome to be able to keep track of them online and talk to them after their games. I miss getting to see them every day, but I'm excited that they'll be able to get a chance to come see me play throughout the year. I also keep a close watch on my former Vanderbilt baseball team, including my old roommate David Price. David is an exceptional talent and will be a force in the SEC this year, as well as an amazing poker player! They've started out a little rough for their liking, but by the end of the year, they'll have a formidable team.
A quick check of my e-mail, some SportsCenter, and I'm ready for bed. We get one off day Monday to prepare for a long first week of Spring Training with everyone now officially in camp. The season is a short 30 days away, and I'm getting psyched. Talk to you all next week!
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Mailbag: What's up with Guthrie?
03/06/2006
An extended stay in an unfamiliar land can often leave a person seeking out the pleasures of home.
Sure, the weather has been idyllic down here in the land of suntans and meaningless exhibition games.
But now and then a man needs a reminder of where he's from -- preferably not in the form of an ice storm or snow shovel.
This particular scribe found just such a creature comfort at the local Beef O' Brady's the other day. Aside from serving as one of the go-to Winter Haven watering holes, the family-friendly bar and grill also offers up that king of Cleveland condiments, Stadium Mustard.
Yes, Stadium Mustard -- the very same item that, in the Tribe's more dubious years at Municipal Stadium, was seen as Cleveland's sporting saving grace. Sure, the Indians might not have led the league in wins back then. But at least they led the league in mustard.
Apparently this formerly Cleveland-centric, spicy, brown delicacy has been unveiled to the rest of the nation. And for that, this temporary Floridian is quite thankful.
Now, with mustard on the mind, let's take a look at this week's batch of mailbag questions...
What's up with Jeremy Guthrie? He started off fantastic at Double-A his first year, and he's gone downhill since then. Is it his stuff, or is he too smart to coach? -- Tony F., Pembroke Pines, Fla.
What's up with Guthrie? You're not the only one wondering that, Tony.
Perhaps the two years he spent away from the game while on a Mormon mission in Spain from 1999-2000 set him back, though he'd be the first to disagree with that assessment. Or maybe he does use that Stanford-educated mind too much on the mound, rather than going with his guts.
Frankly, if I could answer this question, I would probably be receiving pats on the back and victory cigars from the Indians front office and Guthrie himself, rather than writing this mailbag.
You could say Guthrie has had a lot of pressure placed on him every since he signed a much-ballyhooed four-year, $4 million contract with a $3 million signing bonus after being taken in the first round of the '02 First-Year Player Draft.
You could also say that if Guthrie doesn't drastically improve his performance (he was 12-10 with a 5.08 ERA at Triple-A Buffalo last season), general manager Mark Shapiro would be more likely to pick up a grand piano than the club's '07 option on Guthrie.
Shapiro watched Grady Sizemore all of last Spring Training and pronounced him "not ready." Shapiro now says anyone who claims to have predicted Grady would hit like he did last season is a liar. But I saw Grady in Spring Training last year, and he hit exactly like he hit all of last season.
Now, even before this Spring Training started, Shapiro was at it again. He ruled out breaking camp with Ryan Garko, Franklin Gutierrez or Andy Marte on the roster. When asked about them, the words "not ready" trip off his lips. Given that Shapiro dismisses the young guys and tolerates has-beens like Aaron Boone and never-weres like Casey Blake and Ben Broussard, I think it's a serious question whether our GM has ephebiphobia. What do you think? -- Paul D., no location given
Congrats on being the first mailbag reader to use the word ephebiphobia. Nice to see you don't have what doctors call bigwordiphobia.
I don't think Shapiro is afraid of the youngsters (Ephebiphobia is the fear of teenagers -- and, yes, I looked that up). He's simply trying to take as cautious as an approach as possible with his prospects. He's right when he says nobody could have expected Sizemore to take off quite the way he did, at least not in his first full professional season. Players who catch on as quickly as Sizemore did are rare, to say the least.
What's different about the Indians' situation this season, though, is guys like Boone, Blake and Broussard probably won't be given as long a leash this time around. The team has more depth than it did in '05, when Gutierrez and Garko weren't as near to big-league readiness as they are now and Marte was not yet in the organization.
I checked the box score for Saturday's Spring Training game against the Tigers, and as I went down the Tigers lineup, I found Ryan Ludwick. How did he get over to the Tigers, and why did the Tribe give up on him? -- Andrew Z., Struthers, Ohio
Ludwick was a six-year Minor League free agent, and the Tigers scooped him up last fall. Considering his injury history and his .191 average in 188 at-bats at Buffalo last season, Ludwick no longer seemed to fit in the Indians' plans, especially with all the outfield depth the team has in the upper Minor League levels.
By the way, further inspection of that box score would show that Ludwick had four RBIs in that game, including a two-run home run off Jason Davis. But he said he has no ill will toward the Tribe.
I couldn't help but notice you slamming the movie "Weekend at Bernie's II" in your last Mailbag. Have you ever seen this flick? It's great. You should feel lucky to have a movie channel that shows quality films. -- Missy D., Peters Township, Pa.
I've never seen the sequel, sadly. But how did a movie about two dudes carting around a dead body even reach sequel status? That's not so much a knock on the original as it is a point of curiosity about the general appearance of a corpse that has been rotting for four years. The first flick was released in 1989, the sequel in 1993. Ol' Bernie couldn't have been very balmy by that point.
In your last Mailbag, you explained arbitration very well. But I'd like to know why Roger Clemens has been arbitration eligible? -- Mike B., Cincinnati
Ah, yes, that's another part of arbitration that I didn't cover last week. Each year, teams can offer their free agents arbitration up to a determined date in December. If they don't offer, they can't sign him until May 1. If they do offer and he rejects it, they have to sign him by early January. And if they offer and he accepts, they go forward with the arbitration process I described last week, unless they work out a contract on their own.
As you know, Clemens is a free agent. The Astros did not offer him arbitration and therefore can't sign him until May 1.
Clemens, for the record, has zero chance of donning an Indians uniform, so don't bother asking. The first person who does so might receive a lifetime ban from the mailbag. Then again, that's similar to being banned from a sewage treatment plant, so proceed as you wish.
I know Bob Feller hangs around Winter Haven a lot during the spring. Are there any other old-timers or special instructors hanging around this year and helping out? -- David M., Kingsport, Tenn.
You can find Feller boosting his museum's bank account by signing $5 autographs behind the left-field bleachers during home games.
As for other special instructors, well, I'm quite excited to report Cory Snyder will be in attendance during Minor League camp, beginning this week. Apparently, Snyder had such a good time at the Tribe's fantasy camp in January that he called farm director John Farrell and asked if he could help out as a special instructor. Personally, I can't wait to meet the man who served as my baseball inspiration during my Euclid Boys League days in the late '80s.
Do you think between now and the end of Spring Training we can expect a trade? And do you think Brandon Phillips has any trade value left? -- Bill L., Conneaut, Ohio
As we get further into camp, trades become more likely. The Indians will be active in trade discussions not just this month, but throughout the first half of the season. Mark Shapiro would still like to land an outfield bat, and he has the financial flexibility and deep farm system to make an impact deal. Such a trade would be more likely during the season than before.
As for Phillips, his value is obviously nowhere near what it was when the Indians acquired him, but I'd have to imagine several teams would reckon he'd benefit from a change of scenery. I don't, however, think he'd get the Indians much more than a mid-level prospect at this point.
I haven't read much about Ryan Mulhern. He was the Indians' Minor League Player of the Year in '05. What are the plans with him, because the Indians seem to need right-handed power. -- Emory B., Strongsville, Ohio
The plan for now is to get Mulhern some innings in left field this season, most likely at Double-A Akron to start. He hasn't played the position since his days at South Alabama. Though he's in big-league camp, he's not yet in the big-league mix.
And finally...
You know you will only receive moderate respect from us die-hard Indians fans until you are blessed with your very own Victor Martinez handshake. If you already have one, then I salute you. If you don't, your Spring Training trip needs a new special purpose. Get to work, then send pictures so we know you aren't full of it. -- Brian F., Perrysburg, Ohio
With Vic off participating in the World Baseball Classic, the only handshake he was giving in Indians camp last week was one saying, "Goodbye and see ya later." So I'm afraid this will have to wait, Brian.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Notes: Cooper rewarded for early report
03/06/2006
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Indians brought seven of their former draft picks to big-league camp as non-roster invites this spring, and some in the organization felt there could have been an eighth.
Jason Cooper would have been that eighth guy, but instead he was an early arrival to Minor League camp, where he'll get tuned up to begin the season in the Triple-A Buffalo outfield.
Still, Cooper's been given a chance to mingle with the big boys in these early days of Grapefruit League play. He had one at-bat in a game at Chain of Lakes Park over the weekend, and on Monday he made the trip to Tradition Field as a backup in the Tribe's game against the Mets.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for me here to get some game experience early," Cooper said. "It's pretty special. I'll try to take advantage of it, and maybe I'll open some eyes."
When the Indians drafted Cooper out of Stanford in the third round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, he had to open his eyes to life in the outfield.
Shoulder surgery had limited Cooper to DH duties during his college days. In the pros, he's worked primarily as a left fielder because of a weak arm, but the Indians want to see him put in more time in right this season.
"This year is a big opportunity for me," he said. "Hopefully I'll get more versatility and bring some more to the big-league ballclub."
Until he's able to play two outfield positions, it's doubtful Cooper will get up to the Majors. His bat has certainly impressed down on the farm, though. Last season, he led the club's Minor League system in RBIs (100), was tied for second in runs scored (84) and ranked third in home runs (25), while playing 57 games in Akron and 73 in Buffalo.
He did, however, strike out 143 times to go with just 53 walks.
"I need to be more consistent," he said. "I need to be a better two-strike hitter and work on not fishing for balls out of the strike zone as much as I have in the past."
Hanging around: Julio Franco won't go away. And judging by some of the pokes he strung together in the batting cages Monday morning, he has no reason to.
Franco, the two-time former Indian, is now with the Mets by virtue of a two-year contract. That deal was quite a show of faith in the man who will turn 48 on Aug. 23.
Age does not seem to be an issue for Franco, who not only hopes but expects to play in the big leagues until he reaches 50.
He said God will help him reach that goal.
"It's not going to be easy," he said. "I've got to do my part. But I'm in good hands. I'm in very good hands, and I think that if He's in control of my life, I'll be OK."
Franco does his part with a training program and diet most younger players can only marvel at. He eats upward of 20 egg whites a day to get the protein he needs to sustain his muscular frame.
But Franco scoffs at the suggestion that his routine is what has sustained his career, which began in 1982 with the Phillies and has taken him to the Japanese, Korean and Mexican leagues, in addition to eight big-league clubs.
"I'm playing baseball because it pleases God," he said. "It's not about me. It's about Him. People either don't get that or they don't want to get that."
What Franco wants is to become a manager when his playing days are done. But unlike most former players, he wants to do it the right way by beginning his managerial career in the Minors.
"The Minor Leagues is a school," he said. "If you want to learn, you go to the Minor Leagues. All the great managers start in the Minor Leagues."
First things first: For a guy who hadn't played the infield regularly since his Little League days up until last season, Ryan Garko seems to be handling first base pretty well in Indians camp.
Manager Eric Wedge already said over the weekend that Garko, a converted catcher, is ahead of where he thought he'd be at this time.
For Garko, the biggest adjustment has been reading balls off the bat.
"The game speeds up," he said. "You never have to read a ball when you're behind the plate."
TV talk: The Indians' over-the-air broadcasts will be seen in Youngstown and Lima this season.
With WKYC-TV Channel 3 set to produce and broadcast 20 of the Tribe's regular-season games this season, WYFX in Youngstown and WLIO in Lima have signed on with Fastball Sports Productions to show the games.
The first such game will be the Indians home opener at 3:05 p.m. ET April 7 against the Twins. Each of the broadcasts will be available in high definition and will feature a 30-minute pregame and postgame show.
Tribe tidbits: Third base prospect Andy Marte had a pair of doubles in Monday's game, including one the opposite way to right-center field. "We're just looking for him to stay to the middle of the field and let the contact take care of itself," Wedge said. ... Jason Michaels put down a nice sacrifice bunt to advance Grady Sizemore in the third inning, in accordance with the Indians' hope to make such situational hitting a focal point this spring. ... Lou Merloni was back in action Monday after missing three days because of a bruised right wrist suffered when he was hit in the hand by a pitch Thursday in Kissimmee. ... The Indians have already sold more than 20,000 tickets to eight of their special event and promotional games.
On deck: The Tribe will head west to Lakeland to face the division rival Tigers at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday. Left-hander C.C. Sabathia will make his second start of the spring against left-hander Mike Maroth. Cliff Lee, Steve Karsay, Scott Sauerbeck and Danny Graves are also scheduled to throw for the Indians.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Sizemore homers in loss to Mets
03/06/2006
Mets at the plate: Designated hitter Cliff Floyd hit his first home run of the spring, leading off the second inning against Cleveland's Jake Westbrook. New York's second and third runs scored in the fifth on successive sacrifice flies by Chris Woodward and Tike Redman. Woodward and Victor Diaz drove in runs with singles in the sixth.
Indians at the plate: Center fielder Grady Sizemore had a two doubles, a home run, two RBIs and a walk in four plate appearances. Andy Marte had doubles to left and right in his first two at-bats.
Mets on the mound: Tom Glavine's first exhibition game start lasted three innings and 47 pitches. He was satisfied with his work -- four hits, one run and one walk. Jose Lima was supposed to go three innings, but he was removed after tossing 57 pitches and allowing two runs over 2 2/3 frames.
Indians on the mound: Westbrook allowed only Floyd's home run in three innings, while his replacement Jason Davis allowed two runs -- both unearned -- in two innings.
Grapefruit League records: Mets 3-2; Indians 2-3.
Up next: Steve Trachsel, having regained some of six pounds he lost from a stomach flu, makes his second Spring Training start Tuesday at 1:10 p.m. ET when the Astros visit the Mets in Port St. Lucie. Chad Bradford, the one-batter reliever, left-handed specialist Royce Ring and Billy Wagner are scheduled to follow.
The Indians play the Tigers in Lakeland on Tuesday at 1:05 p.m., with Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia starting opposite Detroit's Mike Maroth. Steve Karsay and former Mets Scott Sauerbeck and Danny Graves are to follow Sabathia.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Shaving K's key to Gutierrez's future
03/07/2006
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Franklin Gutierrez's winter ball adjustment certainly caught the eye of general manager Mark Shapiro.
"He did things this winter he's never done in his professional career," Shapiro said of the young outfielder.
Such as?
"He walked more than he struck out."
Actually, Gutierrez's regular-season totals with the Caracas club in the Venezuelan Winter League were an even 28 walks and 28 strikeouts.
But the point remains Gutierrez showed a much better approach and discipline at the plate. The adjustment could be pivotal to his big-league arrival.
"If he just takes his winter into the season," Shapiro said, "he's going to be very successful."
Gutierrez is hoping that success comes in Cleveland, not Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .254 with no home runs and seven RBIs in 19 games last season. That stint with the Bisons came after Gutierrez hit .261 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs in 95 games with Double-A Akron.
Those aren't exactly gaudy numbers, but Gutierrez opened eyes with a stellar Spring Training camp last year and again in Caracas, where he hit .341 (63-for-185) with four homers and 31 RBIs.
"I went back to my country, and I did very good," Gutierrez said. "That's what I wanted. I was trying to hit the ball the other way. That worked for me. I want to do the same here."
In his second big-league camp with the Indians since being acquired in the 2004 trade that sent Milton Bradley to the Dodgers, Gutierrez is doubtful to latch on with the Tribe for Opening Day. Todd Hollandsworth will likely have the fourth outfield job locked up, and Gutierrez will get some more seasoning in Buffalo.
That's not to say his big-league clock isn't ticking, though. Shapiro said he'd feel comfortable bringing Gutierrez up to Jacobs Field this season if his improved plate discipline continues and a need arises.
"He's got natural ability, bat speed and power," Shapiro said. "We're not worried about him hitting home runs. He just needs to cut down the strikeouts."
Ah, yes. The strikeouts. They've come in bunches throughout the 23-year-old Gutierrez's career.
He struck out 77 times with the Aeros last season, against just 30 walks. With the Bisons, he struck out 13 times with six walks.
"I have a lot of things to work on," he conceded. "This year, I did my adjustments, and if I have a good spring, maybe I can make it."
Having a strong spring might be a little more taxing for Gutierrez this year, considering he played 55 regular-season games for Caracas, then participated in the playoffs, right up through the Caribbean Series, which was won by his native Venezuela.
"Wow, it was a long season," Gutierrez said. "I played in probably 80 games. But it works for me, because I come over here in shape. I don't get tired at all. I'm still in shape."
The Indians will give Gutierrez, a September callup in '05, some Grapefruit League innings in center field, his natural position. But with Grady Sizemore having that position nailed down, the club will also ensure Gutierrez sees plenty of innings in the corner spots, as well.
His defense, though, isn't what's separating him from an opportunity in the Majors. It's that cavalcade of K's that's getting in the way.
"It's not a hole in his swing," Shapiro said. "It might just be his approach. I think maybe some part of his swing pattern and some part of his mental approach. He could probably improve on his mental approach easier than you can change his swing pattern."
Gutierrez made the first strides toward that improvement in a critical winter season.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Notes: Lessons learned by Lee
03/07/2006
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Time was, you could label Cliff Lee a misfit, a rebel or, as he puts it, a "young, dumb kid."
Trouble seemed to find Lee when he was a student at Benton High School in Arkansas. More accurately, he seemed to find it.
No, Lee didn't rob any liquor stores or push over any little old ladies. His troublesome nature often came in the form of an acid tongue.
"I was a little smart aleck," he said. "I did some stupid things. I would say things in class all the time."
And, yes, the 27-year-old Lee even admits he's been in jail a couple times, though he didn't elaborate on the offenses.
But Lee said he finally wised up around the time of his senior year of high school. If baseball was going to be his career, he reasoned, he couldn't have a bad track record.
So he cleaned up his act, stopped opening his yap and focused on becoming the stellar left-handed pitcher he is today. That's why last fall, rather than appearing on any "Wanted" posters, Lee was putting the finishing touches on an 18-win season and hearing his name mentioned in Cy Young Award talk.
"People back home probably laugh that I'm in the big leagues," he said. "I'm very lucky to be where I am now, because I wasn't a good kid."
Working on it: Lee got the win in Tuesday's 7-4 victory over the Tigers at Joke Marchant Stadium, but not before giving up a pair of home runs to Josh Phelps and Brent Clevlen over the course of his three innings of work.
Both of those home runs came when Lee tried to sneak outside sinkers past the two right-handed batters.
"I'm trying a different grip on my sinker," Lee said. "My two-seamer wasn't very good last year, so I'm trying to improve it. I threw it a lot [Tuesday], but two of those went out of here, so whatever."
Hafner humor: Travis Hafner was jokingly asked before Tuesday's game against the Tigers if he's in midseason form yet.
"Depends on what form you mean," he said with a wry smile.
If baseball form is the subject at hand, Pronk seemed to be there when he took Roman Colon deep to right in the third inning.
That home run brought a little excitement to what can be a dullish grind of a Spring Training schedule. Most players, including Hafner, can't even keep their days straight down here.
"The only reason I know it's Tuesday," Hafner said, "is because wrestling [WWE'S "Monday Night RAW"] was on last night."
Gonna get tricky: Though right-hander Jason Johnson told reporters he was assured that he wouldn't be skipped in the rotation at all this season, the schedule might not allow it.
The Indians have three off-days in the season's first nine days, so getting Johnson, the likely fifth starter, an early nod will be difficult.
"I didn't talk to him when he signed," pitching coach Carl Willis said of Johnson. "But it's going to take some finagling and creativity."
Willis was asked about the possibility of one of his starter's working out of the bullpen in long relief in those early days of the '06 schedule.
"It's possible," he said, "but I don't think it's likely. We want to use all five of our starters."
Steady pace: C.C. Sabathia was watching the Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic game in the World Baseball Classic after his start against the Tigers on Tuesday, and it dawned on him that not pitching in the tournament was probably a good decision.
"I was just watching [Venezuela's Carlos] Zambrano," Sabathia said. "He was getting a couple close calls that didn't go his way, and he was getting out of whack. I'm the same way. I'm a competitor. He ended up hanging a slider and giving up a home run."
Given the choice at this time of year, Sabathia would rather take the leisurely pace of a Grapefruit League game, where he can focus on making his pitches, rather than the results on the scoreboard.
"I can pace myself," he said. "I don't have to worry about my performance. I can make sure I'm ready."
Sabathia wasn't completely ready for this start. He forgot to pack his No. 52 jersey for the trip to Lakeland and nearly had to take the mound with bullpen catcher Dan Williams' No. 43. But a No. 52 was found in time for the game.
Tribe tidbits: SportsTime Ohio, the Indians' newly created regional network, will debut this Sunday, as it will televise the 1:05 p.m. ET game at Chain of Lakes Park against the Yankees. A total of eight Spring Training games will be shown on the network this month. ... The Indians committed three errors in Tuesday's game, bringing their Grapefruit League total to 12 in seven games.
On deck: The Indians will split up once again, as games are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon against the Mets in Winter Haven and against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Right-hander Paul Byrd will get the 1:05 p.m. start at home, opposite Mets right-hander Yusaku Iriki. Left-hander Jeremy Sowers will be facing his twin brother Josh's organization in a 1:05 p.m. start against the Jays and right-hander A.J. Burnett.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Willis remembers Puckett well
03/07/2006
LAKELAND, Fla. -- The smile, the dedication and the uncompromising hustle Kirby Puckett displayed on the field had a way of making him seem invincible to his teammates and fans.
So when Carl Willis, the Indians pitching coach and former teammate of Puckett's, heard the news about the former Twins legend's untimely passing at the age of 45 on Monday, he was understandably shocked.
"He's going to be missed," Willis said. "When you play this game, you feel indestructible. To see someone that played with that energy and what he accomplished -- not only for himself, but his teammates -- to lose him at 45 years old makes you appreciate every day and makes you appreciate putting this uniform on."
Willis, who played with the Twins from 1991-95, remembers Puckett as a man who always appreciated what he did for a living.
Certainly, Willis remembers the same Puckett highlights we do, most notably his 11th-inning home run that forced the historic Game 7 of the 1991 World Series between the Twins and Braves.
But Willis remembers the smaller moments, as well.
"We had a game that same year [1991], where it was the eighth inning, we were down by two with two outs, and he came up and hit a bouncer to third that most guys would run out to first base and it would be the third out," Willis recalled with a smile. "He didn't do things that way.
"The third baseman thought it would be a routine throw across the diamond, but [Puckett] beat it out by a half a step. The next guy came up and hit a home run to tie the game, and we went on to win it in extra innings. His hustle gave us an opportunity to win that game."
Puckett furthered that opportunity by making his teammates, young and old, feel comfortable.
Yes, Puckett was an icon in Minnesota, and a favorite of any fan who appreciates the values of hustle and a good attitude. But Willis said the pudgy little outfielder never let his status show in his personality.
"He never took anything for granted on the field," Willis said. "His greatest trait was when guys got called up during the season or even in Spring Training, he made everyone feel they belonged in the clubhouse. Of course, he was the face of the ballclub. But he didn't want to be treated that way. He wanted the guys to relax and have fun, like he did."
Puckett's personal indiscretions in his post-baseball life are well documented. But Willis remembers a 2001 reunion of the '91 team in which Puckett again displayed his giving nature.
"I felt a little guilty leaving the Triple-A Buffalo club [where Willis was the pitching coach at the time] for three days, so I was hoping to take something back for the guys," Willis said. "[Puckett] signed 28 balls to give to all those players in Buffalo and the staff. He was always happy, and he made everyone around him happy."
All the more reason why Puckett's death was a sad day for baseball.
"He was bigger and stronger than life," Willis said. "So it was definitely a shock."
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Byrd struggles against Mets
03/08/2006
Indians at the plate: Jhonny Peralta notched the Tribe's first hit of the game in the third inning, when he laced a double to right field off Yusaka Iriki, scoring Brandon Phillips from first. Other than that, the regulars in the lineup were kept pretty quiet on this sunny day at Chain of Lakes Park.
Mets at the plate: The Mets had an answer to everything Paul Byrd floated their way. Todd Self had an RBI double and Chris Woodward had an RBI single in the first. In the second inning, the Mets batted around, as Sandy Martinez led off with a home run, Anderson Hernandez had an RBI single, Jeff Keppinger hit an RBI double and Lastings Milledge drew a walk with the bases loaded.
Indians on the mound: Byrd had trouble getting his fastball by the Mets, who pounded him for seven runs on nine hits in 1 2/3 innings. Non-roster invite Ben Howard pitched well in relief of Byrd, and Bob Wickman and Guillermo Mota each pitched a scoreless inning. Prospect Fausto Carmona looked pretty strong in pitching three scoreless innings.
Mets on the mound: Iriki had the Indians frustrated in his first two innings of work. He walked three batters in three innings, but his only costly mistake came when he hung a breaking ball to Peralta, who lined it for an RBI double to left. Juan Perez held the Indians scoreless for two innings of relief.
Up next: The Indians will play host to the Nationals on Thursday, giving right-hander Jason Johnson the 1:05 p.m. ET start against former Indians left-hander Billy Traber. The Mets will travel to Kissimmee to take on the Astros. Right-hander Aaron Heilman will get the start against right-hander Roy Oswalt.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
Marte on display in win over Toronto
03/08/2006
Blue Jays at the plate: Eric Hinske hit a towering solo home run to right field -- his second shot of the spring -- off Cleveland left-hander Jeremy Sowers in the second inning. Catcher Guillermo Quiroz added a solo homer in the sixth. Ryan Patterson added an RBI single in the eighth.
Indians at the plate: Third baseman Andy Marte, who was acquired from Boston in the Coco Crisp deal, went 4-for-4. He hit a two-run home run off Toronto starter A.J. Burnett in the second inning, added a sacrifice fly in the third, and had two singles and a double with a run scored.
Blue Jays on the mound: Burnett gave up four runs on five hits in three innings. He struck out four, walked one and hit a batter. Left-hander B.J. Ryan pitched one scoreless inning and had one walk and a strikeout.
Indians on the mound: Sowers pitched three innings and gave up two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out one. Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie pitched two scoreless, hitless innings and struck out two.
Grapefruit League records: Toronto 2-6, Cleveland 6-3
Up next: Toronto right-hander Josh Towers will take the mound against Detroit righty Joel Zumaya when the Blue Jays host the Tigers at 1:05 p.m. ET on Thursday at Knology Park.
Cleveland right-hander Jason Johnson will start against Washington lefty Billy Traber when the Indians host the Nationals at 1:05 p.m. on Thursday at Chain of Lakes Park.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/