Cleveland Sports Forum

A game-winning swing just one of the virtues of Jason Giambi on the Cleveland Indians:

Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

on July 30, 2013 at 6:51 PM, updated July 31, 2013 at 5:44 AM


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Some Tribe fans look at Jason Giambi's .194 batting average and wonder, why is he on the team? Does it make sense to carry a part-time designated hitter who happens to be 42?

Before making the case for Giambi, I'll simply ask this question -- if not Giambi, then who? Who on the Class AAA Columbus roster would be a better idea? Zeke Carrera (.250, 5 HR)? Tim Fedroff (.254, 5 HR)? Cord Phelps (.267, 9 HR)?

The answer is simple -- no one.

Fans have been hearing about Giambi's leadership and positive influence from the moment he was signed. But he had to show he could produce in his limited role.

Start with Giambi's .323 batting average with runners in scoring position, along with his seven homers and 24 RBI in 124 at-bats. Or how about the fact that he can still grab a bat and pole-axe a pitch into the trees 416 feet away, as he did to win Monday's game against the White Sox. He became the oldest player ever to hit a walk-off homer, surpassing Hank Aaron.

"I knew I could contribute," said Giambi. "I can still catch up to a heater and put up some quality at-bats."


Manager Terry Francona likes how Giambi not only still has power, but "he can still take a walk."

"Not every team can carry a guy [like Giambi], but it works for us," said Francona, who has wanted to manage Giambi for years. He was "thrilled" when General Manager Chris Antonetti presented the idea of bringing Giambi to spring training.

Francona's influence

While Francona didn't talk about it, he was taking over a team that had lost at least 93 games in three of the last four seasons. Things had to change, from the talent level to the clubhouse attitude. He believed Giambi could help. Antonetti knew Giambi was so respected by his former team, the Colorado Rockies, that they interviewed him for the managerial job.

"That was impressive," said Antonetti. "We heard so many great things about Jason as a person and teammate."

When Francona was hired, the Indians not only wanted his experience, they asked for his input on how to build a winning team.

"I have a great deal of respect for Tito," said Antonetti. "From the moment he was hired, he was going to be a big part of [assembling the roster]. We collaborate on everything."

He's a manager with two World Series rings who wanted to find a way for Giambi to be his team's 25th man. Giambi proved his desire to play "until they tear off my uniform" by going to Arizona on a minor-league contract with no promise of a roster spot. That's rare from a player with 429 career homers.

Antonetti and Francona were looking for two things in spring training. Giambi still had to be able to hit, and he clubbed three homers in Arizona. And Ryan Raburn needed to make the roster. He delivered a monster spring.

"The key was that Raburn had to work out," said Francona. "He really worked out."

Veteran influence

With Raburn and Mike Aviles, the Tribe had two guys who could handle multiple positions. Aviles could doing everything except catch. Raburn is mostly an outfielder, but he has played 143 games at second base in his career. But he batted just .171 with one homer in 205 at-bats for the Tigers last season. Like Giambi, Raburn went to Goodyear on a minor-league contract.

One of the lessons from the second-half swoons of the last two seasons is the lack of depth on the Indians, and the need for veterans who could produce in part-time roles. Aviles (.265, 6 HR, 29 RBI) and Raburn (.268, 11 HR, 31 RBI) have been terrific. Add backup catcher Yan Gomes (.283, 7, 23 RBI) and Giambi (.194, 7 HR, 24 RBI) to that collection.

Those four have combined for 31 homers and 107 RBI in 671 at-bats.

"I love the role that I have on this team," said Giambi. "We win as a team. We've had so many different guys doing it. ... At this point, I just want to be one piece of a big wheel."

The Tribe entered Tuesday night with a 57-48 record, 2 1/2 games behind Detroit in the Central Division. Giambi called a team meeting in the middle of the Tigers series earlier this month, and they have a 12-6 record since then.

"In terms of the [off-field] influence Jason has had on the team, he's exceeded all of our expectations," said Antonetti.

Giambi talks about how baseball is one of the few places where "you can get 25 guys all going in one direction." He talks about how he senses being on this team "is part of something special, that's so gratifying. I love this team."

He is preaching the gospel of hope to players and fans, insisting that a recent frustrating history is just that -- history.

"We have a different manager, different players," he said.

And Giambi is making a difference, too, one this team really needed.

Speaking of which, J.R, why do you continue to edit and delete my posts?


What are you talking about?

Since you are so down on the Indians, why do you waste your time listening to the games, and reading/posting in this forum?

Florida:

I was told you posted about me.

.

Oh, and where is Hillbilly?

I guess his political views did not agree with hippies now living in Colorado, or something. Or maybe he did not belong to the correct Union.

Or maybe he thinks following The Cleveland Indians in 2013 is not worth the time.

Just saying.

.

Just saying what?

One really can't tell...

I said numerous times, I just cannot follow Major League Baseball as closely as I used to. Until they institute a salary cap I don't see the point. Too frustrating to see our team develop stars only to send them to a larger market team every time their contract runs out.

I do still follow the Tribe. I post in the Indians forum at the Browns board from time to time. Probably more than anybody else there. But I'll no longer pour my heart & soul into a sport that rips my heart out at every turn.

I've been watching the majority of the games, and taking the trash talk from my Tiger fan wife all season. I just don't feel the need to post about the team all the time any more.

Or come here to post tall tales about how great I am to make myself feel better, either...

I'm just saying too...

But the question is, why do you care? What business is it of yours? Why even post about me? I haven't read one of your posts or said anything to you in months.

And, in what seems to be typical fashion for you in recent months, I could not even understand what kind of point you were trying to make about me anyway.

You know darn well I live in Montana, not Colorado. We've had many conversations about the state. So what was that dumb comment all about?

The comments feels like a childish back handed jab of some sort, though I can't be sure cause it is mostly incoherent jibberish. Which is why most people quit reading your posts at the Browns forum to begin with.

Anyway, I just wanted to say, you have not crossed my mind one time in recent memory. You simply are not important to me at all. And I will not be saying anything about you behind your back.

I'd appreciate the same courtesy..

HB - Good to see you.

What is this Brown's forum you speak of?

While not a fan of the Orange Team, I always appreciated the knowledgeable football chat that went on when we were at WC.

Can someone kindly provide a link, and I promise not to troll too much about the Steelers.

Thanks.

Actually I found the link. Cannot figure out how to "register". Perhaps I need an invite?

I'll read in the interim.

Thanks,

DARKSTAR: Go to the Browns forum and register as Darkstar, and I will let you in. Let me know when you have signed up.

TFISC-

#1, what Hillbilly said.

#2-
I don't think you or anyone else here is a bad person. And I think you are entitled to think and believe whatever you want about any political topic, the city of Cleveland, and you can carry any opinion you wish about any sports team.

My issue is and always has been this; if you carry and hold some extreme dislike for the city, the residents of the city, and by some extension the sports teams, why do you come here?

This forum is a place mostly a place for people who root for the Indians to come and share stuff about the team, sometimes brief personal tidbits but those are few and far between for most (except you). You only come here to tear the team down, denigrate the city and by extension the fans, and it seems your mission is to somehow persuade people to stop following the Indians.

Why? It's your right to like or dislike whatever you want. But why do you feel obligated to be here badmouthing Cleveland and the Indians?

You've made comments inferring that somehow Obama is in some underlying way responsible for everything from the mass murders in Cleveland to the kidnappings, even the Boston bombings. Then because some parts of Cleveland voted disproportionately for Obama you've gone off on a rampage against the city and the teams. The fact is, even if McCain then Romney would have won their respective elections all those same things would have happened pretty much exactly the way they did in Cleveland and elsewhere. The sports teams would be pretty much the same, the city's demographics would still be the same.

Nothing about your whole "conversion" that took hold last November makes any sense, and has no logic or basis in cause and effect or reality, whatsoever. Honestly your whole take is so far "out there" that, even though it's something I don't dwell on, raises honest concerns for your grasp of reality.

If you don't want to root for the Indians that's fine. Just don't vent your issues here. It's not healthy. Just go live your life and don't come here.

I just visit here because because of geography, crappy internet availability, and a general lack of leisure time, I don't get to follow the Indians the way I might if I had more time and easier access. This place gives me a nice "Cliff's Notes" way of keeping up to date. Hopefully if we make the playoffs I'll be able to watch more games, and if not no big deal. I have no desire to come here only to read post after post predicting failure and bashing the team and the city. Take that shit somewhere else, it is NOT your "right" to bring it here.

MT FAN: You have just written the "long form" of my earlier post. I have met CALIFLA in person on a few occasions, and he was friendly, courteous, generous, kind, helpful, cheerful...a real boy scout. I know he campaigned for Romney in FL (which I believe went to Obama) but the connections he makes with election results and Cleveland and its teams make no sense to me.

So I will repeat your question and comment to CALIFLA:

f you carry and hold some extreme dislike for the city, the residents of the city, and by some extension the sports teams, why do you come here?

This forum is a place mostly a place for people who root for the Indians to come and share stuff about the team...

Terry Pluto:

Roy Rich sent me this email about Giambi:

Terry,

An interesting side story about the kind of guy he is....I was at the first spring training game this year, and Giambi was done with his day.

He was hustling down the right field line with all his stuff and a young fan called to him.

He told the young man, "Sorry, I have to hurry to catch the bus back to the facility" as he continued to hustle.

The kid asked," can I have your bat?"

Without breaking stride, he pulled his bat out of his bag, veered towards the stands and handed it to the young man, who was ecstatic.

I was a little shocked, but then thought, what a good guy.

At the same game, a little earlier, Michael Bourn and Michael Brantley were finished and heading out between innings, when a different young man called out "Michael" .

They both stopped, looked at each other, and said, which one?

The composed young man said "both?"

Both came over and autographed his ball.

Nice group of players !

Roy Rich

You have just written the "long form" of my earlier post. I have met CALIFLA in person on a few occasions, and he was friendly, courteous, generous, kind, helpful, cheerful...a real boy scout. I know he campaigned for Romney in FL (which I believe went to Obama) but the connections he makes with election results and Cleveland and its teams make no sense to me.

So I will repeat your question and comment to CALIFLA:



If you carry and hold some extreme dislike for the city, the residents of the city, and by some extension the sports teams, why do you come here?




Cleveland is a hell hole of humanity, in this 2013.




Anyone here care to joust over the statement "The City of Cleveland is a hell hole of humanity" in 2013?"

If so, you'll be stomped here, and deservedly so.



Just verballly, of course.

I am unfortunately old enough to remember when Cleveland was not a hell hole of humanity, not too many years before Carl Stokes was elected Mayor and the downhill slide was catapulted.

Cleveland was one of the Top Ten Cities in the US in population and perhaps a Top Five in "media" of the day.

There is a reason the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" is in Cleveland. Cleveland once rocked.



Now it just sucks.

Oh, we do have Valerie Bertinelli in "Hot in Cleveland" to watch, and THAT is not cerebral but is still a fun show to watch.


Oh, and we have the Boy Toys of Shaps and Marie Antoinetti to assure yet another meaningless season after feeble trade deadline moves.



Oh, and I know there was a pseudo Hillbilly post earlier.


With a nod to Bentsen, "I Know the real HB".

Look that Bentsen reference up in your Goldie Hawn inspired "Funk and Wagnalls" .

Oh, and I know there was a pseudo Hillbilly post earlier.

Are you seriously saying that somebody else posted as HB???

And the question remains: Why do you bother reading/posting here?

Tribe accomplishes goal with Rzepczynski

Left-handed reliever brings valuable experience to bullpen


By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 7/31/2013 7:16 P.M. ET



CLEVELAND -- Indians manager Terry Francona admits that he does not know how to spell Marc Rzepczynski's last name. When the time comes to make the call down to Cleveland's bullpen, Francona is not entirely sure he will be able to say it correctly, either.

Francona heard the nickname "Scrabble" going around for the lefty.

"That's good enough for me," Francona said with a laugh.

On Wednesday, one day after the Indians acquired him in a trade with the Cardinals, Rzepczynski arrived at Progressive Field and was officially added to the Tribe's bullpen. To clear a spot on the active roster, the Indians made a stunning decision by optioning former setup man Vinnie Pestano to Triple-A Columbus.

Landing Rzepczynski was Cleveland's lone move prior to Wednesday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline, but the trade accomplished the club's primary goal during this swap season. The Indians wanted to shore up their left-handed relief situation in the bullpen, and Rzepczynski brings plenty of experience in that regard.

That Rzepczynski also has experience as a postseason hero for the Cardinals is a bonus.

"In acquiring Marc," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said, "we feel like we've gotten a left-handed reliever that's been very effective at getting left-handed hitters out at the Major League level. In addition to that, he has postseason experience and has pitched in some very pressurized games -- games we aspire to play in."

In the hours leading up to Wednesday's Deadline, Antonetti continued to search for ways to upgrade his roster. During his hunt for potential pitching acquisitions, the general manager found the asking prices for available players was too steep. Having two Wild Card teams in each league has created a crowded field of contenders, putting the sellers in a position to seek high returns.

Cleveland had interest in San Francisco lefty Javier Lopez, who pitched for Francona during their Red Sox days, but the Giants reportedly sought highly-touted pitching prospect Danny Salazar in the deal. The Indians hung up the phone.

"The asking price for some of the guys was just unreasonable, in my opinion," Francona said. "If that's how I feel, imagine how Chris feels."

Francona said the Indians did have a chance to pull off a headline-grabbing trade.

"Yeah, a bad one," said Francona, who rolled his eyes. "When Chris told me, I was like, 'Oh my goodness.'"

Told of Francona's comments, Antonetti smiled.

"There were a lot bad deals we could have made," said the general manager. "We chose not to make bad deals."

Antonetti emphasized that teams can still engage in trade discussions throughout August, though players must first go through the waiver process. For now, the Indians have settled for adding Rzepczynski to the bullpen.

Rzepczynski has not enjoyed much success at the big league level with the Cardinals this season, posting a 7.84 ERA in 11 outings, but the lefty has a solid track record against left-handed hitters. That has been an area of weakness this year for the Indians, whose left-handed relievers had combined for a 6.47 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP in 65 1/3 innings, entering Wednesday.

Over the course of his career, which includes stints with the Blue Jays and Cardinals in five seasons, Rzepczynski has held lefties to a .224 average.

"We did a lot of homework on him," Francona said. "A lot of people that we -- me and Chris -- really respect spoke so highly of him. He's not having the best year, but his stuff's not down, and he's supposed to be a great kid. Sometimes in bullpen roles, sometimes you hit on a guy."

At Triple-A Memphis this season, Rzepczynski fashioned a 3.07 ERA and a .185 opponents' batting average against lefties in 44 innings. The Cardinals technically optioned Rzepczynski back to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, but the pitcher was told to wait at the team hotel in case a trade took place.

Rzepczynski was at the hotel for two hours before learning he was headed to Cleveland.

"I was happy," Rzepczynski said. "My time in St. Louis was great, but with the arms they had there, I knew that essentially getting traded was going to happen again. I'm ready for a fresh start and helping this team win."

Asked about his struggles this season, Rzepczynski cited pitch selection as the primary issue.

"Sometimes, I got happy with throwing fastballs, and I don't throw 98 mph," he said. "I need to mix it up a lot, especially against righties. I wasn't doing that for the most part. Now here, starting fresh, I'm going to try to pitch my game and see what happens."

Rzepczynski's postseason experience includes a 4.35 ERA in 17 appearances for the Cardinals over the past two years. During St. Louis' run to the World Series crown in 2011, the left-hander allowed just one run with eight strikeouts and one walk in 7 1/3 innings in the National League Championship Series and Fall Classic.

In order to add Rzepczynski to the 40-man roster, the Indians designated Triple-A right-hander Joe Martinez for assignment. The low-risk acquisition required sending Class A infielder Juan Herrera to St. Louis. Herrera, 20, was hitting .275 with one home run and 11 RBIs through 39 games for short-season Class A Mahoning Valley this season.

The transaction also involved a difficult conversation with Pestano.

An emotional Pestano received plenty of hugs and handshakes after being informed of his demotion to Triple-A in the aftermath of an emotional 7-4 win over the White Sox on Tuesday night. Well-liked by his teammates and a key piece within the Tribe's bullpen over the past few seasons, Pestano has endured a turbulent year as the team's primary eighth-inning arm.

Pestano, who spent time on the disabled list earlier this season because of a right elbow injury, has posted a 4.05 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 19 walks in 33 1/3 innings this year for Cleveland. Last season, the right-hander set a single-season club record with 36 holds, and he fashioned a 2.45 ERA with 160 strikeouts in 132 innings over the 2011-12 campaigns.

"Really difficult decision," Antonetti said. "We still feel like he's going to impact our team in the second half. We were left with, 'What's the best way to accomplish that?' And so, we felt by giving him the opportunity to get regular work in Triple-A, work on a few things, he'll have the ability to come back up here and still impact us."

Rzepczynski was disappointed to learn he was replacing Pestano on the roster.

They have been friends since childhood and even played against one another in Little League.

"I'm hoping he gets back soon," Rzepczynski said.

In the meantime, his new teammates will need to learn how to pronounce his last name, which was actually 21 letters in length before his ancestors immigrated to the United States.

"Just call me Zep," he said with a laugh.

Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, and follow him on Twitter @MLBastian. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

With Raburn and Mike Aviles, the Tribe had two guys who could handle multiple positions. Aviles could doing everything except catch. Raburn is mostly an outfielder, but he has played 143 games at second base in his career. But he batted just .171 with one homer in 205 at-bats for the Tigers last season. Like Giambi, Raburn went to Goodyear on a minor-league contract.

One of the lessons from the second-half swoons of the last two seasons is the lack of depth on the Indians, and the need for veterans who could produce in part-time roles. Aviles (.265, 6 HR, 29 RBI) and Raburn (.268, 11 HR, 31 RBI) have been terrific. Add backup catcher Yan Gomes (.283, 7, 23 RBI) and Giambi (.194, 7 HR, 24 RBI) to that collection.

Those four have combined for 31 homers and 107 RBI in 671 at-bats.

That's been the secret to this team's success. Congrats to Antonetti for acquiring them all.

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A-Rod Suspended 211 Games
Posted on: 2:46 pm, August 5, 2013, by Kara Sutyak, updated on: 03:11pm, August 5, 2013

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(CNN)– Major League Baseball said Monday that it is suspending New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez for 211 regular season games through the 2014 season amid allegations involving the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The suspension reportedly starts Thursday; he can appeal.
Twelve Major League Baseball players have accepted 50-game suspensions without pay in connection to an investigation of performance-enhancing drug use, the league said.
The players are:
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Antonio Bastardo
San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera
New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli
Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz
Padres pitcher Fautino De Los Santos
Houston Astros pitcher Sergio Escalona
Yankees outfielder Fernando Martinez
Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero
Free agent pitcher Jordan Norberto
Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta
New York Mets outfielder Cesar Puello
Mets infielder/outfielder Jordany Valdespin
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said Monday that the league investigated players linked to the use of performance-enhancing drugs “because it was not only the right thing to do, but the only thing to do. As a social institution with enormous social responsibilities, Baseball must do everything it can to maintain integrity, fairness and a level playing field,” Selig said.

3 of 13 in the Yankees organization--nice.