Tag Archives: Cleveland Indians

FRANCONA HAS HEART PROCEDURE, WILL MISS ALL STAR GAME, EXPECTED TO RETURN JULY14TH FOR THE INDIANS

Here is the latest update on Indians Manager Terry Francona and his medical situation via the Tribe’s official press release:
MEDICAL UPDATE ON TERRY FRANCONA – July 7, 2017
CLEVELAND, OH – Medical update on Cleveland Indians Manager TERRY FRANCONA:
Thursday afternoon at the Cleveland Clinic, Terry Francona underwent a cardiac ablation procedure to correct a cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). The arrhythmia was detected through diligent monitoring of Terry’s heart rhythm over the past several weeks.
Terry is resting comfortably at the Cleveland Clinic following the successful cardiac procedure. Terry is expected to make a full recovery and will be discharged within the next day or two. It is expected he will resume managing the team beginning Friday, July 14th and Major League Baseball has been informed he will not manage the All-Star Game in Miami.
The Cleveland Indians Organization would like to express sincere gratitude to the entire staff of professionals at the Cleveland Clinic for their care and treatment of Terry.
 
 
***According to the Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes, current Indians bench coach and acting manager, Brad Mills will manager in place of Francona for the American League in Tuesday’s Major League Baseball All Star Game.***

TITO TOP MANAGER IN THE A.L.

TERRY FRANCONA NAMED

AMERICAN LEAGUE MANAGER OF THE YEAR

CLEVELAND, OH – The Baseball Writers Association of America today announced Cleveland Indians Manager TERRY FRANCONA has been selected the American League Manager of the Year for 2016, beating out Texas’ Jeff Banister and Baltimore’s Buck Showalter.

Terry Francona Press Conference Photo Spring Training 2016

ACTIVE WIN LEADERS

MLB MANAGERS

Manager                                Wins

1. Bruce Bochy                     1789

2. Dusty Baker                       1766

3. Mike Scioscia                    1490

4. Buck Showalter                1429

5.            TERRY FRANCONA    1381

Francona, 57, recently guided Cleveland to its sixth American League pennant in 2016, compiling a regular season record of 94-67 (.584) followed by a postseason 10-5 mark.

During his four-year stint as Indians manager, the club has qualified for the postseason play two times and finished with a winning mark in each of those seasons.

He owns a 352-294 (.545) mark as Indians manager, the 6th-highest winning pct. in the 116-year history of the franchise.

He is 8th all-time in club history in managerial wins. He owns a 16-year career managerial mark of 1381-1209 (.533), the fifth-highest win total among active managers, and has led his clubs to 12 consecutive winning seasons, including all four with Cleveland.

He is one of 17 managers in baseball history to guide two or more clubs to the World Series.

Today’s award is the second earned by Francona over his 16-year Major League Managerial career after winning in 2013, his first season with the Indians.   Francona (2013, 2016) and ERIC WEDGE (2007) are the only Indians Manager of the Year Award recipients.

The BBWAA began voting on the Manager of the Year Award in 1983.

INDIANS WORLD SERIES BOUND

The Cleveland Indians are headed back to the World Series for the first time since 1997 after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 in Game 5 and winning the American League Champion Series 4 games to 1.

Indians ALCS Champs

Rookie left hander Ryan Merritt making his second ever major league start gave the Indians 4 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball and then the bullpen took over from there. Brian Shaw got the win, while ALCS – MVP Andrew Miller came on to record 8 outs and Cody Allen got the save.

Ryan Merritt

Carlos Santana and Coco Crisp each hit solo homeruns while Mike Napoli doubled and Francisco Lindor added 3 more hits to provide the offense for the Tribe.

The Indians will now play the winner of the NLCS between the Dodgers and the Cubs in the World Series starting Tuesday, October 25th in Cleveland, as the Wahoo Warriors own home-field advantage because the American League beat the National League in this year’s All-Star game. The winning pitcher in the All-Star game was the Tribe’s Corey Kluber who will be expected to start Game 1 of the World Series.

TRIBE ADDS BIG ARM AND RIGHT HANDED BAT AT TRADE DEADLINE

The Cleveland Indians were one of the most active teams heading into the Major League Baseball trade deadline, and while one trade failed (Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy vetoed a trade to the Tribe), the Wahoo Warriors did acquire left-handed closer Andrew Miller from the Yankees and outfielder Brandon Guyer from the Tamp Bay Rays.

A MLB Baseball on Ground

Here are the official press releases on both trades from the Cleveland Indians.

INDIANS ACQUIRE LHP ANDREW MILLER

FROM THE NEW YORK YANKEES 

CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Indians today acquired LHP ANDREW MILLER from the New York Yankees in exchange for RHP J.P. FEYEREISEN, OF CLINT FRAZIER, RHP BEN HELLER and LHP JUSTUS SHEFFIELD.

Miller, 31, has gone 6-1 with 9 saves and a 1.39 ERA in 44 relief outings in 2016 for the New York Yankees (45.1IP, 28H, 8R/7ER, 7BB, 77SO, .174AVG). He currently owns the 6th-lowest relief ERA in the American League while his .174 average against is also the 6th-lowest relief mark in the A.L.  He owns an 11:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, is averaging 15.3 strikeouts per 9.0IP and is 2nd in the league with 77 relief strikeouts. He has allowed runs in just 8 of 44 outings and has not allowed multiple runs in an appearance this season.

Miller owns a career relief ERA of 2.72 (274.2IP, 180H, 83ER, 412SO, .183AVG) in 297 career appearances with the Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. He was Detroit’s first round pick (6th overall) in the 2006 draft out of the University of North Carolina. He is currently signed thru the 2018 season.  His combined relief ERA of 1.98 over the last 5 seasons since 2013 (44ER/200.0IP, .168AVG) is the 7th-lowest mark in Major League Baseball over the span.

 

INDIANS ACQUIRE OF BRANDON GUYER

FROM THE TAMPA BAY RAYS

CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Indians today acquired OF BRANDON GUYER from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for OF NATHAN LUKES and RHP JHONLEIDER SALINAS.

Guyer, 30, has spent the entire season to date with the Tampa Bay Rays, hitting .241 (51-212) with 12 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs and 18 RBI in 63 games. He has appeared in 25 games in left field, 18 games in center field and 12 games in right field this season after making at least 15 starts at all three positions last season for the Rays.  The Herndon, VA native spent most of June on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain and currently leads the Majors with 23 hit by pitches. The right-handed hitting outfielder is currently hitting .344 (22-64) off left-handed pitching this year with 4 2B, 4 HR, 9 RBI and a 1.082 OPS.

The University of Virginia alum began his professional career in 2007 after being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round of the First-Year Player Draft.  He was acquired by Tampa Bay along with Chris Archer in January 2011 in a seven-player deal that sent RHP Matt Garza to the Cubs. He is under club control thru the 2018 season currently.

Juan Uribe 2

 

The Indians today also designated third baseman Juan Uribe for assignment.

TERRY FRANCONA ON MICHAEL BRANTLEY AND WHERE’S HE AT IN HIS SHOULDER REHAB

I asked Tribe manager Terry Francona if he’s encouraged about where left fielder Michael Brantley is in his rehab of that right shoulder, and how important Brantley is to the team’s success…..

 

Terry Francona Talking to the Media

INDIANS MANAGER TERRY FRANCONA TALKS TO ME ABOUT SHORTSTOP FRANCISCO LINDOR

Covering the Tribe in Spring Training 2016 for News-Talk 1480 WHBC I had a chance to talk to Indians skipper Terry Francona about A.L. Rookie of the Year runner-up, shortstop Francisco Lindor…..

Terry Francona Press Conference Photo Spring Training 2016

INDIANS OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE REGARDING MARK SHAPIRO BEING NAMED BLUE JAYS PRESIDENT

STATEMENTS REGARDING MARK SHAPIRO BEING NAMED

TORONTO BLUE JAYS AND ROGERS CENTRE PRESIDENT & CEO

 

Cleveland, OH—The Cleveland Indians today provided statements from Indians Owner PAUL DOLAN and departing Indians President MARK SHAPIRO regarding his decision to become Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers Centre President & CEO following the completion of the team’s 2015 season.

Mark Shapiro Indians President - October 2013

 

Mark Shapiro Statement:

Through my twenty four years as part of the Cleveland Indians, I have developed a deep emotional and civic attachment to the Indians organization and the Cleveland community.  The root of those ties is in the personal relationships that my family and I have built.  While weighing those bonds carefully and seriously, I feel the unique and compelling nature of the Blue Jays President/CEO position warranted my consideration.  This position represents a unique opportunity for me and one that I felt was the right new challenge to undertake.  With mixed emotions, I will assume the Toronto Blue Jays CEO position upon the conclusion of the 2015 season.  As the Indians organization moves forward, I am confident the current leadership represents a strong foundation to field a championship caliber team moving forward.  The relationships we have enjoyed here will be lifelong bonds and will ensure that I will always be a fan of the city of Cleveland and the Cleveland Indians organization.

 

Paul Dolan Statement:

Given the person that Mark is, the significant leadership and values that he has brought to the organization and with everything he has helped us accomplish, it will be extremely difficult to see him leave. However, I hope that this new challenge brings happiness and fulfillment for Mark and his family.  As we move forward, I will not be seeking an external replacement for Mark and will continue to rely on the existing strong leadership group to guide us forward.  Mark and I are confident that moving forward through this transition, we have a very strong foundation in place to build championship level success on and off the field.

MY THOUGHTS ON INDIANS PRESIDENT MARK SHAPIRO LEAVING THE TRIBE FOR THE SAME POSITION WITH THE BLUE JAYS

I didn’t always agree with the moves he made as the Tribe’s G.M. and President, but you’re not going to find a better person in all of major league baseball than Mark Shapiro. He made some good moves and some bad ones, and I never held back on voicing my displeasure with the bad moves on the radio and the great thing about Mark was he never took it personally and realized it came with the job. He never held it against me, he may have questioned me about it, but he knew it was nothing personal, just me doing my job.

That’s why I have the utmost respect for the man who is leaving the Indians organization after 24 years to go join the Blue Jays. A very good baseball mind in many ways, who was handicapped at times with the Indians because of a payroll restrictions. I’m curious to see how he does now with deeper pockets to dig into with the Blue Jays, as he runs that organization as team President.

It is expected to be announced maybe as early as today and has been reported all over the internet and social media. I’ve been contacted by TSN 1050 Toronto radio to do an interview talking about Shapiro today.Mark Shapiro and Kenny Roda at KNR

Best of luck to you and your family Mark and thanks for your professionalism, friendship and some great memories as we climbed the ranks together in different industries over the years in Cleveland.

 

 

INDIANS TRADE SWISHER AND BOURN TO THE BRAVES

INDIANS & ATLANTA BRAVES COMPLETE TRADE

CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Indians today announced the following roster moves relative to the Major League roster:

Acquired INF CHRIS JOHNSON from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for OF MICHAEL BOURN, OF NICK SWISHER and cash.

Jason Kipnis, Michael Bourn and Mike Aviles talking before Practice 2-27-15

Johnson, 30, owns a career batting average of .280 (693-2478) with 139 doubles, 10 triples, 57 home runs and 308 RBI across seven Major League seasons with Arizona and Atlanta after debuting with Houston in 2009.  He finished second to Michael Cuddyer in the 2013 National League batting race, hitting a career-best .321 (165-514) with 34 2B, 12HR & 68 RBI and collected single-season career-bests that season in hits, doubles and runs (54).

The right-handed hitting, Ft. Myers, FL native missed most of this May with a fractured left hand and is batting .235 (36-153) with 7 doubles, 2 home runs and 11 RBI in 56 games.  He is hitting .323 (20-62) with an OPS of .747 against left-handed pitching this season and has appeared in 23 games at third base and 20 games at first base for the Braves. He owns a career batting average of .313 (201-642) off LHP with a .788 OPS.

Chris Johnson Career Stats

Year Team AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
2009 Houston Astros .091 11 22 1 2 0 0 0 1 1 6 0 0 .130 .091 .221
2010 Houston Astros .308 94 341 40 105 22 2 11 52 15 91 3 0 .337 .481 .818
2011 Houston Astros .251 107 378 32 95 21 3 7 42 16 97 2 2 .291 .378 .669
2012 Houston Astros .279 92 341 36 95 21 3 8 41 23 92 4 1 .329 .428 .757
Arizona Diamondbacks .286 44 147 12 42 7 2 7 35 8 40 1 0 .321 .503 .824
2013 Atlanta Braves .321 142 514 54 165 34 0 12 68 29 116 0 0 .358 .457 .815
2014 Atlanta Braves .263 153 582 43 153 27 0 10 58 23 159 6 0 .292 .361 .653
2015 Atlanta Braves .235 56 153 12 36 7 0 2 11 7 49 2 1 .272 .322 .595
Major League Totals .280 699 2478 230 693 139 10 57 308 122 650 18 4 .316 .413 .729

 

Swisher spent nearly three seasons with Cleveland, hitting .228 (230-1010) with 51 2B, 2 3B, 32 HR and 113 RBI in 272 games.  Between two stints on the D.L. this year he has batted .198 (20-101) with 4 2B, 2 HR & 8 RBI in 30 games.

 

Bourn also spent nearly three seasons with the Indians, batting .257 (323-1258) with 50 2B, 17 3B, 9 HR, 97 RBI and 46 steals in 331 games. So far this season he has batted .246 (71-289) with 12 2B, 1 3B, 19 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 95 games in 2015.

 

—tribe—

 

THE TRIBE’S “MAY MEN”

After a horrible start to the season in the month of April, going (7-14), the Indians needed a big month in May to turn the year around and for all intensive purposes, save their season and that’s exactly what they got. The Tribe responded with 17 wins in 29 games in the month of May to climb back to within 2 games of the .500 mark (24-26) to start the month of June. The Wahoo Warriors have won 10 of their last 13 games.

3 players made a HUGE impact in that (17-12) month and are as hot as any players at their positions in all of Major League Baseball. Let’s take a look at the numbers that Jason Kipnis, Corey Kluber and Cody Allen put up during the month of May:

Jason Kipnis Spring Training Bat Selection

All Jason Kipnis did was bat .429 for the month with an on base percentage of .511. His 51 hits for the month are the most in May in Tribe franchise history and the most in any single month since Robbie Alomar in 2000. The “JK Kid” also scored 30 runs while driving in 17. He finished with 15 doubles, 3 triples and 4 home runs, while drawing 17 walks in the month. If he doesn’t win “Player of the Month” for May, there needs to be an FBI investigation into that crime.

Corey Kluber Smiling at Practice 2-27-15

Corey Kluber dominated hitters in May holding his opponents to a .233 batting average for the month. He finished with a (3-2) record and a 2.95era for the month while striking out 60 and only walking 6 in 42.2 innings of work while getting very little run support. Kluber has improved his season numbers now to (3-5, 3.52era) after going winless in the month of April.

Cody Allen Interview Photo Spring Training 2015

While the Indians reigning Cy Young award winner was mowing guys down to start games, Cody Allen finally rounded into form to close them out. After going (0-2) and a blown save with an earned run average of 11.57 in April, Allen was perfect in the month of May going 7 for 7 in save opportunities and posting an ERA for the month of 2.35. The Tribe’s closer, like the team, seems to have righted the ship and now has it headed in the right direction heading into the month of June and beyond and that’s good news for Terry Francona’s boys and Indians fans everywhere!