Indians Tidbits (2007 Season)

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ABJ

Tribe's Foulke retires

Health-driven move forgoes $5 million, hands Borowski closer's role

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - That was easy.
It took Joe Borowski less than one day of training camp to win the Indians' closer job. He didn't throw a pitch.
Determining who would be the team's top save artist -- Borowski or Keith Foulke -- was expected to be the most important issue manager Eric Wedge and General Manager Mark Shapiro faced in six weeks of spring training.

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ABJ

Notebook

Politte reports to training camp

Reliever had shoulder surgery last year. Indians have high hopes, put him on special program

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Don't forget Cliff Politte.
The Indians signed the former Chicago White Sox reliever on Wednesday, but he won't be available to pitch for several weeks after undergoing surgery in August to repair his right rotator cuff and remove a bone spur.
He reported to training camp Friday with the rest of the pitchers and catchers but will be on a special program.

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Dispatch

BASEBALL
Foulke?s exit puts Indians in bind
Tribe had hoped pitcher would be an option as closer
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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In attempting to remake the bullpen this winter, the Cleveland Indians opted for quantity over quality. It is what the freeagent market offered. The hope was that two or three of the four newcomers would prosper, along with a few of the dozen holdovers.


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CPD

INDIANS
Team's play doesn't match Wedge's effort

Saturday, February 17, 2007 Bill Livingston

Plain Dealer Columnist
Winter Haven, Fla.- Eric Wedge gets to the ballpark be fore the alligators in Lake Lulu graze for breakfast. He reconfigures his lineup. He consults with his coaches. He listens to new consultant Buck Showalter's take on his team. He probably deconstructs the infield fly rule.
Then, all too often, he sends the Indians out to have a pie fight.

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ABJ

Tribe's Borowski wins war before first battle

With competition retired, he'll likely be closer

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - How does a man react when his only competitor leaves the field of battle before the war begins?
If the man is Joe Borowski, he doesn't crack a smile or breathe a sigh of relief. His body language doesn't betray his thoughts. He just keeps on truckin'.
So when Keith Foulke retired Friday, making Borowski the heir apparent as the Indians' closer, the 35-year-old right-hander fiddled with a few things in his locker, buttoned his shirt and left Chain O' Lakes Park as if it were just another day at work.

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ABJ

Ocker on the Indians

Payroll total takes $5 million hit

Decision by reliever Foulke to retire leaves Tribe with unimpressive salary figure for upcoming season

By Sheldon Ocker

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Keith Foulke's retirement points to a continuing image problem for the Indians.
By quitting baseball rather than accepting a $5 million salary from the Tribe, Foulke demonstrated how difficult it has been for owner Larry Dolan to give away the club's money.
What is it with these guys? Are Dolan and his son Paul printing their 20s in the basement? Apparently not. As far as I know, the cops are not on the case.

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ABJ

Notebook

Wedge maintains open mind on players

Defense at shortstop key to backup infield role. Inglett in mix

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Utility middle infielder is one of the Indians' few open positions, but there is no clear-cut front-runner.
The contenders: Hector Luna, Luis Rivas, Keith Ginter and now Joe Inglett, who hadn't previously been seriously considered because he is more second baseman than shortstop.
``I want to be open-minded about Joe playing shortstop,'' manager Eric Wedge said Saturday. ``Rivas hasn't played short in a long time.''

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CPD

INDIANS INSIDER
Stopping easy steals a top task

Sunday, February 18, 2007 Bill Livingston

Plain Dealer Columnist
Winter Haven, Fla.- The New York Yankees, seldom known as a team that emphasizes speed, stole six bases in one game last season against the Indians. The inability of Tribe pitchers to hold runners, along with mechanical problems by catcher Victor Martinez, often turned simple walks into doubles.
Manager Eric Wedge says a big emphasis of spring training is to change that.

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Dispatch

BASEBALL NOTEBOOK
Indians seek contract extension for Sabathia
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Cleveland Indians have started talks with the agent for pitcher C.C. Sabathia on a contract extension. Sabathia is due to make $8.75 million this year and $9 million in 2008. He is eligible for free agency after the 2008 World Series.

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ABJ

Nixon working way back

Veteran won't complain about outfield platoon

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Trot Nixon is known around baseball as a character guy.
That means he knows how to behave in the clubhouse, understands what it means to be part of a team and a good teammate, and recognizes that others look to him as a leader.
Of course, none of this is important unless the guy can play. Through most of his eight-plus years with the Boston Red Sox, Nixon demonstrated all of these attributes.
During that time, he never was the most talented player on the team nor did he put up the biggest numbers. But many Red Sox observers think that there were seasons when he was the team's most valuable player.

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ABJ

Indians report

Blake's versatility major asset

Athletic ability allows team to make switches knowing he can adjust

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Whenever the Indians decide it's time to move Casey Blake to a new position, he is extolled as a ``great athlete.''
Inasmuch as Blake has played third base, right field and first base, and club officials toyed with the idea of turning him into a second baseman, those words -- great athlete -- have been used often.

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ABJ

Indians notebook

Finally, Tribe plays ball

It's not even 6 innings, but Hafner, Michaels homer, a rookie shines

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - There comes a time in spring training when the tedium ends and baseball begins, at least after a fashion.
Tuesday was that day, as the Indians interrupted pitchers' fielding practice and bunting and base-running drills to play a 5 ?-inning intrasquad game. It's not the real thing, but it's baseball.
For highlights, Travis Hafner hit a high drive off the foul pole in right field for a home run, and Jason Michaels lashed a ball over the fence in left for another homer.

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[JCOSU86]

The Indians won their first Spring Training Game 13-2 over Houston in Winter Haven today (March 1st).

 

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ABJ

Indians notebook

Carmona fails to deliver in one inning

Right-hander gives up 3 runs in spring debut

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEARWATER, FLA. - It was not an auspicious start for Fausto Carmona.
Then again, that's why they have spring training.
The strong-armed right-hander worked one inning in the Indians' 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Brighthouse Field on Friday, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk.

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ABJ

Lee's in a foul mood

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal
Tribe starter Cliff Lee has been scratched from pitching against the Phillies in Clearwater with an abdominal strain. He throws batting practice last week at Chain of Lakes Park on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, in Winter Haven, Fla.
More photos

• Tribe routs Astros in spring opener

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Most pitchers worry about giving up home runs and doubles or issuing too many walks. Cliff Lee frets over foul balls.
If a pitcher's biggest concern is foul balls, does he really have anything to sweat about? Lee said Thursday the answer is yes.
If batters continually foul off pitches, forcing Lee's pitch count to soar, he ends up back in the clubhouse watching the bullpen finish his game.
``I really noticed it last year,'' said Lee. ``I think sometimes it kept me from staying in the game. I'd throw four or five fastballs in a row, and they would foul them off. I just know there were a lot of foul balls.''

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