Tagged: Lou Marson
Masterful team play helps Indians get first win of 2011
After Saturday’s 8-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox, I was rather nervous. I was telling close friends about a nightmare I had where the Tribe started 0-9 to start the season and I was upset. Acting like the late George Steinbrenner panicking over the team after just two games, I went overboard telling Indians personnel, management, media that they better win Sunday because the upcoming schedule did not look very kind with Boston (2007, predicted AL Champs by many) and Seattle (Wedge, Willis, Laffey revenge) coming up. I just thought this was going to be quite a challenge and the need to win would have to be Sunday.
Masterson was dominant. Oh yeah, he gave up the one run and fell behind. However it was not the type of game where I thought the Indians were facing the local beer league softball team with a barrage of homeruns and doubles against them. The hitters were not getting good wood on the ball. They were hitting ground balls instead of fly balls. Anytime this happens, it usually is a great day for a sinkerball pitcher
The defense helped especially when Carlos Santana snagged a bunt popup and started a triple play, that’s right, a triple play, the thirty-first in Indians’ history. The last one was an unassisted triple play by Asdrubal Cabrera in 2008 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Blue Jays. Yours truly was there to see that doubleheader. Anytime you can get pitching and defense to co-exist and work together, winning is almost a certainty.
I was in the car on my way to work listening to the radio as Orlando Cabrera came to the plate. Tom with his “SWING AND A DRIVE” call came over the airwaves. I had to pull over and tweet how warm the fans must have felt due to the actions of Orlando “FLA” Cabrera. Indeed, it was wonderful to hear the 2011 Cleveland Indians take their 1st regular season lead. The nice thing was they were not done yet.
Lou Marson, the backup catcher hit a double to score Jack Hannahan from first who previously walked to beging the bottom of the seventh inning. Singles were happening faster than a hit record by Brad Paisley as Carlos Santana, Travis Hafner, Orland Cabrera, Travis Buck and Shelley Duncan all were able to join the hit parade. The Indians were doing things to advance the runners, score the runs that they needed to have a solid win 7-1.
About the attendance, I will be going this Thursday to cheer on the Tribe. I have planned to also see the Orioles later in the month. The ticket deals the Tribe have are tremendous as there is something for everyone to fit their budget and schedule. We need to support this team because we do not want to go down the road that happened to the Browns. I hope to see fans there. I know times are tough. I know some have to work, some cannot find work and some can’t work. I know the gas prices are going way up. I know this is April and the weather in NE Ohio is shaky. I can only speak for myself when I say that I am trying to support this team whenever and wherever I can. They need our support. They will get my support. I hope they can get yours.
Reservations accepted for the 2011 Indians’ bench.
To make a team out of Spring training is a blessing. All reports say that the Cleveland Indians are going to announce the players that will make up the bench at the start of the 2011 campaign.
Shelley Duncan and Travis Buck Reserve outfielders
If someone told me to choose the MVP for Spring, I would choose Travis Buck. The man led the team in hits throughout the Spring and was second in runs batted in behind Shin-Soo Choo. Granted, the ball travels better in AZ than in Cleveland but I saw it more for his leadership. Need a hit, need a sacrifice, need a RBI, he would deliver. Travis Buck also provides some major league experience.
Shelley Duncan which some of the media like to nickname a rock star is also another leader on this team. My favorite memory for Shelley came against the Yankees last year. Shelley, a former Yankee, came up to launch a home run and make the score look better than it did. To hit a homer off the bench or get a key hit takes an ability to stay mentally sharp in each and every game. Also, Shelley provides some leadership off the bench.
What about the other guys? For players like Chad Huffman, who is my personal choice, the at bats needed to stay sharp require him to be in the lineup every day. This opportunity will be realized better down in the minors. I think everyone can agree the former Yankee would look nice as an everyday outfielder for the Tribe someday. I think it is great to have some depth in the organization again.
Also Ezequiel Carrera was another good pickup. He will also get more playing time in the minors and continue to develop making our minor leagues deeper. This has been the organization’s goal throughout the rebuilding process. Depth is the key to any great team especially when you do not have the deep pockets to keep free agents as frustrating as that is to us fans.
Adam Everett, reserve infielder
Adam Everett won this job based on experience, the fact that Donald was hurt and Jayson Nix was struggling at the plate. Adam is one that can help to give any of the infielders an off day and can fill in for some innings. Based on the alternatives in camp, I am glad and more confident in seeing Adam Everett’s name there ready to back up the starters. Cord Phelps and Luis Valbuena need more development in the minors. A personal note about Valbuena. I went down to AAA Columbus to see the Clippers. Luis Valbuena led off the game I went to against the Pawtucket Red Sox. He was really hitting the ball well. I said to my wife at the time, “I wonder why he can’t be this consistent up in Cleveland” Consistency is the key, something I think Everett is more ready to give as a reserve infielder.
Lou Marson, backup catcher
Many fans like myself look at the stats for Spring training and see last year’s performance by Lou Marson and wonder why Lou is again on the major league roster instead of my personal choice, Paul Phillips. After all, Marson only had 4 hits in 28 at bats while Phillips had 12 hits in 29 at bats. The word I have read from the reporters close to the organization is “defense.” Lou Marson is here for defense, not offense. He has experience also with our staff from last year. Also, I believe by releasing him or sending him down to the minors now would tell the fans that we gave away our former Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee for Carlos Carrasco, our #2 starter and a permanent minor leaguer in Marson, if he was sent down. The Indians are not ready to call Marson a bust yet.
The Bullpen Reserves
With the Indians, the opportunity to have a staff like the Phillies with 5 former #1 starters on other clubs is never going to happen if we want to compete under the current owners Larry and Paul Dolan. Whether we like it or not as fans, this is the current state of the Indians and the economy. I have learned to be grateful for the ability to still have a Major League Baseball team to cheer. The starting rotation is not going to be spot on every game so it is vital to have a strong bullpen. I really like the pitchers the organization has selected.
Justin Germano is a pitcher I followed when he was with the San Diego Padres. He pitched in 7 games this Spring and never gave up a run. He seems to fit the role we need to clean up the messes that starters may get the team into from time to time. Hopefully we wont see him too often this year. However I am confident he can be that long relief the team wants.
Frank Herrmann was also selected for the bullpen. I really liked what I saw out of this kid this Spring. He kept his ERA down and pitched more innings so far. He is one that can give you a couple innings to help hold and sustain a lead, keep a team in a ballgame to bridge the gap trying to get to Chris Perez for the save or give us a chance to make a comeback like we did in the 1990’s.
Vinnie Pestano
Every time I heard this guy was coming into the game, I was confident. He kept his ERA down in all 8 games that he pitched in, shutting down the opposition. His ERA was 1.17, striking out 11 in 7.2 innings pitched. Talk about attacking the strike zone! Way to go, Vinnie!
In conclusion, granted it is early and some of these pitchers and reserve players were chosen due to injuries to other players. I would like to say to all those chosen, make it the goal to prove to the fans and organization that they made the right choice to choose you among the others. Manny Acta said he wanted the best 25 guys out there come Opening Day. I really believe that given the roster at the current time, these are the best 25 guys. Hopefully, this will translate to competing, winning more than losing and proving to the fans that 2007 was not just a lucky acorn found by a blind squirrel. Hopefully this can be a winning organization from top to bottom that begins anew on Friday April 1st, 2011.
Totally Tribe 