Cleveland Sports Forum

Joe Z posted. Must be something negative to say. Guess you do not like the other teams that do the exact same thing. Dolan have nothing to do with this. The teams management makes these type of decisions.

A nice article about one of CALI's faves:

When it comes to the Cleveland Indians, Hannahan cynics don't know Jack: Terry Pluto

Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 9:24 PM Updated: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 9:24 PM
By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You're Jack Hannahan and you're not supposed to be here.
Not at third base when the Indians opened their six-game homestand at Progressive Field against Kansas City on Tuesday night.

Forget that, you're in Wahoo red, white in blue.

You're 32 years old and you're supposed to be done. Career bush-leaguer. Maybe in training to one day become a minor-league coach. For years, next to your name was this scouting report: Good glove, bad hit, no future.

But the present finds you with your baseball pants pulled up, your socks out and your cap down over your eyes as if this were 1965 and you were in the same Tribe lineup as Rocky Colavito and Leon Wagner.

You look like a guy who can't wait to get his uniform dirty. You're a throwback. And perhaps the biggest surprise of the past two Tribe seasons.

As Tribe manager Manny Acta said, "Admit it, when we signed Jack, people made fun of us."

It was such a small announcement, no one even noticed enough to yawn about it.

Early in spring 2011, Acta manager called you in and said, "To make this club, you have to hit."

Would he hit?

You knew that. Just as you knew the Indians had a phenom named Lonnie Chisenhall being prepared to play third base. Just as you knew you were 31 with a career .228 big-league average with three different teams.

Just as you knew that in 2010 you batted .237 with two teams in Class AAA. Just as you knew that if Jason Donald hadn't broken his hand in spring training -- you would have been again sent to Class AAA Columbus.

"Players in Jack's spot sometimes need a break," Acta said. "They need someone to believe in them."

You wanted to believe that they believed. But that's hard after being cut so many times. You dreaded hearing the words, "The manager wants to see you."

But in April 2011, Acta put you at third base. You batted .273 with four homers. When you're Jack Hannahan, there's nothing wrong with being Mr. April. It gives you a chance to stay in the majors in May.

"You get labeled," you said. "You have to prove them wrong. I'll always have to bob and weave around all the prospects."

Chisenhall is only 23. He is hitting .315 with four homers at Class AAA Columbus. You know all about baseball being "here today, gone tomorrow" for players such as yourself ... players called JAG ... Just Another Guy.

But Acta says you "may be figuring it out" at the plate. That something happened in the middle of last season when you switched to a heavier bat and a lighter swing. You batted .322 (.871 OPS) after the All-Star break.

The new birth

That also coincided with the birth of John Joseph Hannahan. Jenny, your wife, was in the hospital for a month before John's birth. Every night you were in town, you were with her at the hospital. The expected birthdate was Oct. 26.

But on Aug. 4, the doctors knew they had to go get the baby. You were at Fenway Park with the Tribe, and your teammates took up a collection to pay $35,000 to rent a private jet so you could be there in time for the birth at 3:11 a.m. Your first child weighed 2 pounds, 11 ounces. Jenny made it through the ordeal.

You batted .368 after the birth, compared to .213 before.

So many good things happened at once. You felt the love and respect of your teammates. While Chisenhall had been promoted to Cleveland, you remained on the roster. Your manager raved about your defense. You sensed that you belonged, you who so often had been the last guy to make the team in spring training and one of the first to return to the minors in the summer.

And you began to hit.

Last week, you charged on the field twice in Kansas City because you were upset when Royals pitcher Jonathan Sanchez hit Shin-Soo Choo. The idea that someone was trying to hurt one of your guys was maddening, and you were tired of people throwing at Choo.

Tribe players and fans had never seen that side, the Mad Jack Hannahan whose favorite movie is "Braveheart."

You're Jack Hannahan and you came into Tuesday's game hitting .341 with 11 RBI in 12 games, later delivering two runs on a fifth-inning double off Sanchez. It's more of what fans saw in the second half of last season.

You said that you've "stopped trying to be someone else." Acta said not to worry about power, just catch the ball. Don't be afraid to settle for singles and doubles. Play the game the right way.

You were the 2000 Big Ten Player of the Year at Minnesota, a third-round pick by the Detroit Tigers. You were supposed to hit home runs. But that didn't happen. You spent part of three years in Class AA Erie, parts of three more years in Class AAA Toledo. You were traded and sold and told you were a disappointment.

Until now. Until you came here. Until you felt the cheers of the fans.

"I'm a blue-collar guy [from St. Paul, Minn.] and this is a blue-collar town," you said. "I'm just thankful to be here."

The blind squirrel found Casey Blake. Maybe he found another one.

I wonder if there was something interesting in the last 60% of that article. There sure wasn't in the first 40%. Pluto is so annoying.

VT'er wrote:I wonder if there was something interesting in the last 60% of that article. There sure wasn't in the first 40%. Pluto is so annoying.

Pluto was being kind and a fan. Jack had a serious drinking problem he overcame as he almost tanked in his mid-college years. Terry chose wisely not to mention as he wrote an upbeat article about a surprise guy on a surprising First Place team in April.

I love the way Jack Hannahan plays the game.


I liked him when he was with Oakland, too.


The last 40% of that article included mention of the "passing of the hat," where his teammates chipped in to raise $35,000 so he could catch a private jet to be at the birth with his troubled pregnancy wife.

Even at MLB minimum, $35,000 isn't exactly pocket change. I love that story. The guys on the team certainly liked and respected Jack Hannahan.

Justin Masterson was the ring leader of the passing of the hat.

News Story - Indians place reliever Rafael Perez on DL

CLEVELAND (AP) Reliever Rafael Perez is on the disabled list for the first in seven seasons with the Indians.

Cleveland placed Perez on the 15-day DL Friday because of a strained side muscle. The Indians recalled left-hander Nick Hagadone from Triple-A Columbus before the start of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels.

Manager Manny Acta said Perez complained of soreness Wednesday after pitching one scoreless inning against Kansas City.

"He was examined by our trainers and then went for tests," Acta said. "We had been concerned with his lack of velocity, but thought it was related to his lack of time in spring training."

Acta said the injury is not related to shoulder soreness that sidelined Perez during training camp. Perez mentioned in March that he did not pitch winter ball for the first time in several years, due to his heavy workload for Cleveland last season.

The left-hander went 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 71 games - the third time in four seasons Perez pitched in 70-plus games. He worked 258 times out of the bullpen over that span.

In eight appearances this season, Perez is 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA. He's eligible to be activated on May 11.

"He will be out one day to six weeks," Acta said, adding that the team's medical staff told him they do not think the injury should linger as long as a similar strain sidelined former Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt for a month in 2006.

This is Hagadone's second stint with Cleveland. He was with the Indians from April 17-22 and posted a 2.70 ERA in three outings. In Columbus, Hagadone hasn't allowed a run in 7 1-3 innings.

Acta said Hagadone will assume Perez's role as the second lefty out of the bullpen behind Tony Sipp.

Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was not in the lineup for a third straight game due to a strained left hamstring. Acta said Choo will participate in some exercises directed by trainer Lonnie Soloff and then be evaluated.

Shin-Soo Choo sidelined until at least Tuesday: Cleveland Indians daily briefing
Published: Saturday, April 28, 2012, 12:47 PM Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012, 1:00 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-fielder Shin-Soo Choo will not be in the Indians lineup until at least Tuesday when the Indians open a three-game series against Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field.
Choo has not played since leaving Tuesday's game against Kansas City with a tight left hamstring for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. He was scheduled to run on the field Saturday, but because of the cold and wet conditions, the Indians decided to wait until Sunday.

If he passes that test, he'll be in line to face the White Sox on Tuesday following Monday's off day.

"It's feeling better, but I can still feel it," said Choo, on his way to hit in the cage Saturday.

Said manager Manny Acta, "We're going to run Choo on Sunday. He'll go through some drills. That will take us through the off day and we'll see where we're at."

Choo's injury has shortened the Indians bench to the point where Acta would be reluctant to use him as a pinch hitter unless the situation was extreme.

"If I pinch hit Choo, and he got on base, I'd have to pinch run for him, too," said Acta. "We're short on the bench as it is."

No interest: The Indians came close to acquiring Bobby Abreu in a spring-training trade with the Angels. The deal fell through, but the Angels released Abreu after Friday's 3-2 loss to the Indians.

The Indians, however, have already filled their need for a veteran outfielder with the signing of Johnny Damon, who continues to sharpen his game in extended spring training.

Today's lineup:
Angels (6-14): LF Mike Trout (R), 2B Howie Kendrick (R), 1B Albert Pujols (R), DH Kendry Morales (S), RF Torii Hunter (R), 3B Mike Trumbo (R), Erick Aybar (S), C Bobby Wilson (R), CF Peter Bourjos (R), RHP Dan Haren (0-1, 4.07).

Indians (10-8): CF Michael Brantley, 2B Jason Kipnis (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), DH Travis Hafner (L), C Carlos Santana (S), 3B Jack Hannahan (L), LF Shelley Duncan (R), 1B Casey Kotchman (L), RF Aaron Cunningham (R), RHP Jeanmar Gomez (1-0, 1.93).

Indians vs. Haren: Casey Kotchman .273 (9-for-33).

Angels vs. Gomez: Vernon Wells .667 (2-for-3).

Umpires: H Fieldin Culbreth, 1B Adrian Johnson, 2B Gary Cederstrom, 3B Jim Wolf.

Next: RHP Ervin Santana (0-4, 7.23) will face RHP Derek Lowe (3-1, 3.00P) Sunday at 1:05 p.m. STO/WTAM will carry the game.

Johnny Damon expected to join Tribe on Tuesday: Cleveland Indians Insider

Published: Sunday, April 29, 2012, 8:22 PM Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012, 10:17 AM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

Johnny Damon is expected to join the Indians on Tuesday when they open a three- game series against Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Indians signed Damon to a minor-league deal worth $1.25 million on April 17. He's been playing games in extended spring training at the team's training site in Goodyear, Ariz., for the past two weeks.
When Damon was signed, the Indians said they expected him to go from extended spring training to Class AAA Columbus before coming to the big leagues. Those plans have changed.

Over the weekend, manager Manny Acta said the Indians were comfortable with what Damon was doing in Goodyear. Tuesday is May 1, the date of Damon's out clause in his contract. If he's not in the big leagues by then, he could ask for his release and become a free agent.
Damon, 38, did not go through spring training because he went unsigned after playing 150 games with Tampa Bay last year. He hit .261 (152-for-582) with 29 doubles, seven triples, 16 homers, 79 runs and 73 RBI.

The Indians' offense could use a jolt. They've scored 17 runs in their past seven games.

When Damon joins the Indians, he's expected to share playing time with Shelley Duncan in left field. Duncan, who drove in a run in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Angels, is hitting .230 (14-for-61) with one double, two homers, eight RBI. He's struck out 22 times and walked 13.

A roster spot will have to created to make room for Damon.

Welcome back? Along with Damon, another outfielder might be joining the Indians in Chicago. Make that rejoining.

Shin-Soo Choo (left hamstring) says his goal is be back in the lineup Tuesday night. He has missed the last five games.

Sunday morning, Choo ran controlled sprints and did some agility drills. He played catch and took batting practice in the cages.

"It's getting better every day," said Choo. "I'm waiting for the day when it's 100 percent. My goal is play on Tuesday. I can still feel it a little when I run. But I'm fine hitting and throwing."

Choo said he's never had a hamstring problem.

"First time for hamstring and last year was first time for an oblique," said Choo. "I do everything the first time and then no more."

Slow start: Angels first baseman Albert Pujols, sitting on a new 10-year, $254 million contract, started Sunday hitting .357 (10-for-28) with one homer and 10 RBI against Tribe starter Derek Lowe.
Pujols went 0-for-3 against Lowe and 0-for-4 in the game. He is hitting .216 and has yet to hit a homer this year in 88 at-bats.

"Obviously, he's not swinging the same," said Lowe. "I don't care if you're a Hall of Fame player like he is, confidence is everything in this game. When you start losing it, and you start questioning yourself. . . ."

Lowe didn't finish that thought, but added: "I think the only difference I've noticed is that he's swinging at more pitches that he normally doesn't swing at. I've thrown him the same breaking balls I did today and he just watches them go by. I think that's the only thing I've seen in this series . . . he's a little more aggressive swinging at pitches he normally doesn't swing at."

Acta was glad Pujols left town without knocking down a portion of Progressive Field.

"I feel sorry for the people who are going to see him going forward," said Acta. "He's going to go off now. He's starting to get his timing. . . . I'm just glad he's out of here."

Surgery: Outfielder LeVon Washington will undergo surgery on his right hip Monday and miss two to four months. Washington was the No.2 pick in the 2010 draft.

Dr. Marc Philippon of the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo. will perform the surgery. Washington, out of Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, was hitting .440 (11-for-25) for Class A Lake County at the time of the injury.

Shelly Duncan made the team solely based on the fact that 6 of his 9 hits were homers. He had no doubles, no triples and his average was only (.160). I would have to think that Damon would be a definite upgrade. Platoon or see what Damon can do the next few weeks hitting against both right handed and left handed pitchers? I'm all for the latter.

Who gets dropped from the team? Willingham was just starting to hit. Also ran faster it seemed.

loufla wrote:Who gets dropped from the team? Willingham was just starting to hit. Also ran faster it seemed.

Do you mean Cunningham?

If Cunningham goes, who plays right when Choo doesn't? What will be the best option?

That is a question, not a statement. What do you think this is, an Abbot and Costello routine?

Johnny Damon has played all of the outfield positions. He may turn out to be a valuable asset. I hope so anyway.

Yes I meant Cunnungham, Willingham was wishful thinking, he has been raking for the Twins.