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Transcript of Francona/Antonetti presser on the roster:

http://bastian.mlblogs.com/2016/03/30/a ... ss-roster/

Carlos Carrasco airs it out and 5 things we learned about Cleveland Indians on Thursday
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Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com


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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Manager Terry Francona let Carlos Carrasco air his right arm out Thursday in his last start before the regular season. Carrasco cruised through 6 2/3 innings as the Indians left the Arizona desert following a 3-1 victory over the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.

Carrasco, if the weather cooperates, will have five days to prepare to face Boston on Wednesday night at Progressive Field in the second game of the regular season. On Thursday he struck out six, walked two and allowed one run on five hits.

Usually a starter doesn't go as deep into a game as Carrasco did in his spring finale. They usually cut it short as Corey Kluber did Wednesday when he went 4 1/3 innings in a 4-3 victory over the Dodgers.

"We probably let him get a little more stretched out than the other guys," manager Terry Francona told reporters in Goodyear, Ariz., after the game, "because he had been like one start behind. But he's good to go."

Carrasco went 2-1 with a 3.28 ERA in six Cactus League starts this spring. He struck out 23 and walked three in 24 2/3 innings. The opposition hit .265 against Carrasco with 26 hits and nine earned runs.

"I think Carlos is fine," said Francona. "He's strong. He's understanding pitching (better). I mean, he's always been strong and he's always had the ability. Now that he understands, you're starting to see him figure out some things. I think that bodes well because as good as he is, there's probably more (to come)."

The five starters the Indians will open the season with Monday went a combined 10-5 with a 4.26 ERA in 105 2/3 innings this spring. Cody Anderson and Danny Salazar will make their final starts of the exhibition season Friday and Saturday, respectively, against the Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.

As the Indians close the book on another spring in the Valley of the Sun, let us contemplate their 16-12-4 record and the five additional things we learned about them Thursday.

No. 1. Roll on Big O

The Indians broke camp ranked fourth in the AL in homers and tied for sixth in runs. Last season they finished 13th in homers and 11th in runs. What's more one of their top home runs hitters, Giovanny Urshela, will open the season at Class AAA Columbus.

Urshela and Yan Gomes lead the Indians with five homers this spring.

Still, the way the Tribe exited Cactus League play Thursday was a bit disconcerting. They beat the Reds, 3-1, but they scored two of their runs on wild pitches and another on a passed ball.

No.2. The plan in action

One of the reasons the Indians can annually invite a herd of non-roster big league veterans to spring training on minor league deals is because some of them actually make the team. This year Joba Chamberlain, Ross Detwiler and Marlon Byrd won trips to the 25-man roster.

Manager Terry Francona names Joba Chamberlain to the bullpen on Saturday, but he still has two openings to fill before the season begins on April 4.

No. 3 MVP of the spring

There were a lot of fine performances this spring by the Indians. Francisco Lindor hit .339 (19-for-56), including seven doubles. Jose Ramirez will open the year as a utility man, but he hit like regular all spring. Gomes looks like he's all the way back from last year's struggles and Kluber rolled through his six Cactus League starts.

Mike Napoli brought power and grit to the club. Rajai Davis took the wraps off at just the right time. Backup catcher Roberto Perez has swung the bat well and thrown even better. Lefty Joe Thatcher pitched so well he still hasn't figured out why he didn't win a job in the bullpen.

But the springtime MVP award goes to Tyler Naquin and Cody Anderson. They're roommates so they're going to have to find a way to split the trophy. Maybe they could grab it like a wishbone at Thanksgiving and pull.


Naquin and Anderson spent the winter in Goodyear, Ariz., at the team's strength and conditioning camps. This spring they both made the 25-man roster. Naquin hit.407 (22-for-54) and was the best outfielder in camp. Anderson pitched his way into the No.4 spot in the rotation, passing Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin along the way.

No.4. Best moment of the spring

It came on March 11 when Napoli worked a 12-pitch walk against Scott Obert after Colorado pitchers had retired 20 straight Indians to start the game. Napoli drew the walk with the Tribe five outs away from being victimized by a perfect game.

In the eighth inning of the Indians' 6-1 loss to Colorado on Friday, Mike Napoli ended a perfect game by drawing a 12-pitch walk. Said manager Terry Francona of Napoli, "That's pretty much sums up how I view him."

After the walk, Adam Moore doubled to end the no-hitter. Zach Walters followed with a single to end the shutout. The Indians lost, 6-1, but as a way of Napoli introducing himself to his new teammates, it couldn't have gone better.

No. 5. He's staying

Robbie Grossman, one of the multitude of outfielders who came to camp with the Indians in mid-February, was told recently that he was not going to make the club. The Indians said they'd like to keep him at Columbus, but understood if he pursued a big league job elsewhere.

Grossman has decided to stay in the organization. He hit .231 (9-for-39) with a homer and three RBI in 21 games this spring.

but he still has two openings to fill before the season begins on April 4.

Haven't Detwiler and Otero filled those 2 openings and Bauer fills the opening that wasn't there.

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan learned painful lessons from signings of Swisher, Bourn -- Terry Pluto
Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
on April 01, 2016 at 2:04 PM, updated April 01, 2016 at 2:07 PM


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When the Cleveland Indians spent $104 million to sign Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn, Paul Dolan knew there was "a real risk."

Both players signed four-year contracts before the 2013 season.

Swisher was 32. He had played at least 148 games per season between 2006-12.

Bourn was 30. He had played at least 138 games per season between 2008-12.

"We went into those contracts realizing the end of the deals had risk," said the Tribe owner. "But it turned out the early part of the contracts also had real risks."

Swisher and Bourn began having some injury problems in 2013. Both were reasonably productive and helped the Tribe rise from a 68-94 record in 2012 to 92-70 and a wild card playoff spot in 2013.

Then came injuries for both. On August 7, 2015, the Tribe traded Bourn and Swisher to Atlanta for Chris Johnson.

1. Along with shipping Bourn and Swisher to Atlanta, the Indians sent the Braves $7.5 million in 2015.

2. The Tribe will send the Braves another $7.5 million in 2016.

3. They picked up Johnson from the Braves. He has since been waived. But the Indians will be paying him $7 million in 2016.

4. The Tribe will pay Johnson another $10 million in 2017.

5. So they are paying Johnson $17 million over the next two years not to play for the Tribe. And they sent another $15 million to the Braves to offset the Bourn and Swisher contracts.

6. Bourn and Swisher will be paid a combined $29 million by the Braves in 2016. Swisher has been cut by the Braves.

"I won't say that means we will never sign guys over 30 to long-term free agent contracts," said Dolan. "But really, it's the end of an effort to compete that way. It just makes more sense for us to sign our players and keep them."

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan says team is keeping Chief Wahoo, but not as main logo -- Terry Pluto


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians aren't dropping the Chief Wahoo logo, but it's obvious they are moving away from it.

"We have gone to the Block C as our primary mark," said Tribe owner Paul Dolan. "Clearly, we are using it more heavily than we are the Chief Wahoo logo."

Dolan stressed the Tribe has "no plans to get rid of Chief Wahoo, it is part of our history and legacy."

But the team has been hearing the criticism of those who say it's insensitive to Native Americans.

"We do have empathy for those who take issue with it," said Dolan. "We have minimized the use of it and we'll continue to do what we think is appropriate."

Here were the top four selling Indians caps last season:

Home cap with Chief Wahoo
Road cap with Block C red
Washed Chief Wahoo cap
Washed Block C cap

As for the players, here's a list of the top selling jerseys/shirts:

Jason Kipnis
Michael Brantley
Corey Kluber
Francisco Lindor
Yan Gomes

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan explains why team had to invest in ballpark -- Terry Pluto


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is hard to believe, 18 Major League ballparks have opened since the Cleveland Indians moved into what was then Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field) in 1994.

That's right, 18.

It will be 19 when the Atlanta Braves move into their new park in 2017 ... and the Braves current ballpark, Turner Field, opened in 1997.

Editor's note: Second of seven stories publishing throughout the day.

Remember, there are only 30 teams ... 30 ballparks.

And Cleveland is the 12th oldest ... mind-boggling.

"That's why we had to invest in the ballpark," said Tribe owner Paul Dolan.

Take a look at the latest Progressive Field renovations

Take a look at the latest Progressive Field renovations

The Indians and Delaware North Concession Company had a combined investment of $25 million that went into Phase 1. It was a massive upgrade in right field. That's where the Corner Bar area opened, along with a new gate, new bullpens and a kids deck.

Tribe surveys revealed that 70 percent of fans liked the changes made in 2015. More than 90 percent liked the Corner Bar area, where fans can wander around, watch the game and also dine on food from local restaurants. Concessions sales were up over 70 percent in right field compared to 2014.

The SRO District Ticket for $13 was sold out for most weekend games.

"Even when we had a sparse crowd, the Corner Bar area was crowded," said Dolan. "I admit, it's the one place in the park that I feel old, but the younger people love it. I really like the energy you feel when you are out there."

This season, there is a new scoreboard, new digital boards on all levels and a new sound system along with upgrading the infrastructure. This was paid for from the sin tax, about $16 million. The sin tax money had to be used for certain things at the park, not for players salaries.

But the Indians and Delaware North are making another majorinvestment. This is in the left field area and third base line, tearing down some concourse walls. They also will bring some of the Corner Bar elements to left field, with fans having an area to walk around and watch the game.

"People watch the game differently than many of us did while growing up," said Dolan. "They are on social media. They like to be able to go to different parts of the park, stop and watch the game."

The Indians will have 12 local restaurants in the park this season. They want the stadium to a have a Cleveland feel.

Dolan has heard some fans say, "Forget the park, just buy some more players."

The Indians and Delaware North have invested more than an estimated $35 million in the park in the last two years.

"That's like a starting pitcher's salary for a year or two," said Dolan. "We have to keep the park up to current standards. It's always been a great place to watch the game and we want to keep it that way."

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan talks about how the farm system has really improved -- Terry Pluto


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If the Cleveland Indians plan to remain a consistent contender in the American League Central Division without spending heavily on free agents, they have to draft and develop players.

And for a long time, the Tribe failed in that area. They kept pumping up their farm system with players acquired from other teams.

That's changing, and owner Paul Dolan said Chris Antonetti has had a lot to do with the improvement.

Dolan said the team president has "taken a thoughtful, analytic approach to why we were able to trade for good prospects, but we weren't drafting as well as should."

This season, the Indians will open the season with 10 players either drafted and/or signed by the Tribe.

By comparison, they had only four in 2013.

On the 2016 opening day roster, the Indians have the following first-round picks:

Lonnie Chisenhall, No 29 overall in 2008.
Francisco Lindor, No. 8 overall in 2011.
Tyler Naquin, No. 15 overall in 2012.

A major change occurred before the 2008 draft when former Tribe president Mark Shapiro promoted Brad Grant to scouting director.

"For a long time, we blamed some of our problems on not drafting in the top five," said Dolan. "You do look a lot smarter when you are picking in the top five. But that's not entire story. You can see we've improved."

The Indians are now finding useful players deeper in the draft.

Consider the following on the opening day roster:

Josh Tomlin, the 698th pick in 2006.
Roberto Perez, the 1,011th pick in 2008.
Jason Kipnis, the 63rd pick in 2009.
Cody Anderson, the 428th pick in 2011.
Cody Allen, the 698th pick in 2011.

The Indians also have Jose Ramirez and Danny Salazar on their opening day roster, both signed out of the Domincan Republic.

So that's a total of 10 players drafted/signed by the Tribe.

Coming soon should be third baseman Giovanny Urshela (signed out of Venezuela) along with Clint Frazier (first round, 2013) and Brad Zimmer (first round, 2014). All are highly regarded prospects. Urshela will open the season at Class AAA Columbus, Frazier and Zimmer will be at Class AA Akron.

"Chris and his staff have done an excellent job," said Dolan. "We really feel good about the direction that the farm system is going."

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan talks about last season's letdown, this season's expectations -- Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- A year ago, Sports Illustrated picked the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series.

That seemed ridiculous.

But ESPN had 15 of its experts pick the American League Central Division winner. Six of them favored the Tribe. No other team had more than three votes.

"I feel very good about this year's team," said Tribe owner Paul Dolan. "But I felt very good about last year's team, too."

The Indians ended up at 81-80, but a 7-14 start in April killed any semblance of Indian fever for the season.

"We started badly and buried ourselves," said Dolan. "We ended up with a winning season but hardly anyone knows because it didn't feel like it."

But ESPN had 15 of its experts pick the American League Central Division winner. Six of them favored the Tribe. No other team had more than three votes.

"I feel very good about this year's team," said Tribe owner Paul Dolan. "But I felt very good about last year's team, too."

The Indians ended up at 81-80, but a 7-14 start in April killed any semblance of Indian fever for the season.

"We started badly and buried ourselves," said Dolan. "We ended up with a winning season but hardly anyone knows because it didn't feel like it."

Dolan said the early season was "one of the hardest times" in his 16 years as owners. Like many of his team's fans, Dolan had expectations for a fun summer watching a contender.

"The good thing is we did play well in the second half," he said. "Look at what Francisco Lindor did when he came up from the minors."

The Indians bottomed at 49-58 when they traded Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher to Atlanta. They were 32-22 after that.

"I really believe we can carry that over into this season," said Dolan. "Early in the season, we were not particularly watchable. That changed as the year went along."


Analytics sites such as Fangraphs and PECOTA love the Indians, predicting they will win the Central Division.

Most experts believe the Indians will contend for a playoff spot in 2016 because of their pitching.

"Some places have said we have a team capable of going to the World Series," said Dolan. "That's our goal, as it has been for years. For certain, you can say there are several very good teams in the American League and we are one of them."

Cleveland Indians starters will be pushed to do more this year -- Terry Pluto


GOODYEAR, Arizona -- Mickey Callaway has a challenge for the Cleveland Indians' starting rotation.

Callaway is in his fourth season as the Tribe's pitching coach, hired for the job by manager Terry Francona.

He made an immediate impact in 2013, helping Scott Kazmir and Ubaldo Jimenez revive their careers as the Tribe was one of the surprise teams in the American League, winning 92 games.

Kazmir and Jimenez departed via free agency. In 2014, Corey Kluber won the Cy Young Award. Carlos Carrasco finally figured out what it took to be a big league starting pitcher.

In 2015, the Tribe emerged with one of the better rotations in baseball.

This season, Kluber, Carrasco and Danny Salazar are the top three in the rotation. The last two spots belong to Josh Tomlin and Cody Anderson, with Trevor Bauer being put in the bullpen.

"I want our guys to know how to sustain a full season," said Callaway. "Kluber has done it twice. We have to get the other guys over the 200-inning threshold."

By a "full season," Callaway is talking about more than throwing 200 innings. He means the physical and mental demands on a starting pitcher to take the mound every fifth day and "go out and pitch deep into games."

Last season, only Kluber (222 innings) broke the 200-inning barrier. Carrasco was close (193 2/3) and Salazar (185) pitched the most innings of his career.

Bauer was at 176, his inning total cut down because he led the league in walks.

"You need great stuff to do the things that I'm talking about," said Callaway. "You have to be able to pound the strike zone. You need a variety of pitches. Our guys can do that."

PILE UP STRIKEOUTS

You don't need to study baseball analytics to appreciate strikeouts. Other than the catcher missing a third strike and allowing a runner to reach first base, nothing can go wrong for a pitcher on a strikeout.

The Indians led the American League with 969 strikeouts. The rotation whiffed about 24 percent of all the hitters that they faced.

Sports Illustrated's Jay Jaffe wrote: "Last season, Carrasco ranked second in the league among qualified starters with a strikeout rate of 29.6 percent ... with Kluber fourth (27.7), Salazar sixth (25.8) and Bauer ninth (22.7).

That's why statistics sites such as fangraphs.com loves the Tribe's starters. They project the rotation to be the best in the American League:

"The Indians were a popular pick a year ago because of the strength of their rotation," wrote Jeff Sullivan in fangraphs. "It hasn't at all been depleted. Now, even better, the rotation is supported by stronger team defense. Not that it mattered all that much on account of the crazy number of strikeouts and everything."

Actually, the defense does count, but strikeouts are the ultimate form of team defense.

The only Tribe starter this season over the age of 30 is Josh Tomlin, and he's 31.

That's why so many baseball people are so in love with the Tribe rotation, including ESPN. It's a bunch of young strong arms who should be right in the prime of their careers.

"Confidence is such a big factor," said Francona. "When a young player is doing it for the first time, he starts to think, 'Hey, I can do this...' That's what happened to Kluber in 2014. He started to realize what he can do. Our others guys have been learning that."

Welcoming home the boys of summer and 8 things we learned about Cleveland Indians on Saturday

Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com
on April 02, 2016 at 8:15 PM, updated April 03, 2016 at 10:24 AM


CLEVELAND, Ohio – It was 65 degrees and sunny at Globe Life Ballpark in Arlington Saturday afternoon. Indians announcer Jim Rosenhaus called it, "a perfect day for baseball."

The Indians beat the Rangers, 3-1, to end their spring-schedule with a 18-12-4 record, good for a third place finish in the Cactus League. Then they boarded a charter flight to Cleveland where they will find conditions for Monday's regular-season opener against Boston far less than perfect. As a tune-up, it snowed sideways, thundered and hovered around 36 degrees in the Greater Cleveland area on Saturday.

Welcome home, boys of summer. Don't forget your long johns, hand warmers and hoodies.

Danny Salazar pitched five innings and Rajai Davis hit a three-run homer to give the Indians a two-game sweep of the Rangers. Four batters into the game, Salazar was down 1-0 and had already thrown 21 pitches. Double plays in the second and third innings kept his pitch count down as he gradually found the strike zone.

Salazar ended his final spring start by striking out the side in the fifth. He hit 96 mph during his strikeout of leadoff man Ryan Cordell. In striking out the next two batters, Justin Ruggiano and Ron Guzman, he hit 97 mph during their at bats.

For the day, Salazar struck out five, walked three and allowed one run on six hits. He threw 63 percent (45-for78) of his pitches for strikes, which average for a big league starter.

"I feel ready for the season," Salazar told mlb.com. "The way I have been throwing the ball the past two starts is amazing. I'm very excited, not because I am the No. 3 starter, but because I am in the rotation. I earned my spot. I can't wait for the season to start."

Salazar went 3-1 with a 5.47 ERA in seven starts this spring. He struck out 26, but watered that down with 30 hits and 13 walks. The opposition hit .291 against him.

He's scheduled to face Boston's Joe Kelly on Thursday night in the third game of the regular season. Salazar was 2-0 against the Red Sox last year.

So as we contemplate what winter garb to wear to Monday's opener, here are eight things we learned about the Indians on Saturday.

No. 1. Homers R Us

The Indians beat Texas on Saturday on the strength of a three-run homer by Davis off lefty Derek Holland in the third inning. It was homer No.1 for Davis, but it gave the Indians 47 in 34 games for the spring, tying them with the Cubs for the fourth most in the big leagues. In terms of extra base hits, the Indians finished second in the big leagues with 133 – 75 doubles, 11 triples and 47 homers.

Last spring they hit 32 homers in 33 games and finished 17th in extra base hits with 97. It could mean something or it could mean nothing more than a gust of hot wind in the Valley of the Sun. Stay tuned.

No.2. Here's how it's done

How does a rookie make a big-league roster in spring training?

He does what Tyler Naquin did; hit .397 (23-for-58) with four homers, seven RBI and 1.203 OPS. Then he catches everything hit his way in center field, while showing his speed and arm strength. Finally, he runs the bases smart and with aggression.

No. 3. No introduction needed

How does a veteran fit in with his new teammates?

He does what Mike Napoli did this spring with the Indians; hit .364 (20-for-55) with four doubles, 14 RBI and a 1.063 OPS. Then he goes out and plays a solid first base.

No.4. No flukes allowed

How does a young player give a hint that what he did as a rookie last year was the real deal?

He does what Francisco Lindor did this spring; hit .339 (21-for-62) with three homers, 15 RBI and a 1.020 OPS. Then he plays good defense at shortstop and shows the same hunger he had as a rookie last year.

No. 5. Seeing is believing

It is one thing to say you're in game shape after signing a minor league contract on March 18. It is another to go out and prove it as Marlon Byrd did by hitting .290 with six doubles among his nine hits to make the 25-man roster.

Marlon Byrd got a late start on spring training, but after the Indians signed him to a minor league deal on March 18, he made up for lost time. He also made the Tribe's 25-man roster.

No.6. First impressions aren't always right

In the wave of outfielders that the Indians brought to spring training, Collin Cowgill seemed lost in the foam. It didn't help matters that he and Lonnie Chisenhall spent much of the Cactus League season seeing who could go the longest without a hit.

But as opening day approached, Cowgill kept getting better. He had a hit and scored Saturday to finish the spring hitting .207 (12-for-58) with five doubles, two homers, 10 RBI and three stolen bases in as many attempts. He can go get it in the outfield as well.

No. 7. To catch a thief

Roberto Perez threw out seven would-be base stealers and Yan Gomes threw out six this spring. Last season Perez threw out 39 percent (16-for-41) of the runners who challenged him, while Gomes threw out 31.6 percent (18-for-57).

Roberto Perez found out the hard way in 2015 that a backup catcher can become the starting catcher in the blink of the eye. So it is best to be prepared at all times.

No. 8. In the pen

Trevor Bauer, since losing his spot in the rotation and being moved to the bullpen, made his first relief appearance Saturday. He pitched a scoreless sixth inning with a walk and a strikeout.


There were three pitchers going for two spots in the Indians rotation this spring. The winners and loser were revealed Wednesday. Cody Anderson and Josh Tomlin will open the season in the rotation and Trevor Bauer will be in the bullpen.

He started the inning with walk to Ryan Rua on five pitches that clocked in at 95 mph to 96 mph. He came back to strikeout Luis Marte on a 95 mph fastball and induced Brett Nichols to hit into a 4-6-3 double play on a first-pitch 96 mph fastball.

Bauer threw nine pitches, five strikes, and lowered his ERA to 2.14.

Cleveland Indians open the season, time for fans to say, 'I got a game today!' -- Terry Pluto

on April 03, 2016 at 7:44 PM, updated April 03, 2016 at 7:47 PM


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I had a good friend named Jerry Crawford. He lived for today -- opening day.

Jerry would not be at the ballpark when the Tribe faces Boston today. He would be watching on television. He would wake up earlier than normal on this day. He'd wear his Tribe cap and jacket all day.

For so many like Jerry, time does begin on opening day -- even if they never watch a game in person.

The season begins, life is different. The next six months was Tribe Time for Jerry.

As Jerry would tell me, "I got a ballgame today."

He meant it. He planned meals and other daily events of his retired life around the games.

Jerry could be someone in Parma ... in Euclid ... in Bay Village ... in East Cleveland.

Or in Jerry's case, Marquette, Michigan. Before that, he lived in Las Vegas where he was the head of UNLV's theater department.

He retired to Marquette to live near his daughter, Keli. He watched virtually every Tribe game on the MLB-TV package. He read about the team on cleveland.com.
For so many like Jerry, time does begin on opening day -- even if they never watch a game in person.

He sent emails nearly every day to friends about the Tribe. He flunked political correctness as he proclaimed himself "The Real Chief Wahoo."

He grew up in Iowa and was a Bob Feller fan, so that was his connection to the Tribe. He visited me in Cleveland in the 1980s and went to few games at the old Stadium.

But mostly, Jerry was a Tribe fan on TV. His plan every year was to watch at least some part of all 162 games.

FEAR OF CLOSERS

Jerry hated nearly all the Tribe closers. Absolutely despised them. Jerry believed every closer should get everyone out ... all the time.

Every ninth inning should be 3-up, 3-down.

Otherwise, Jerry felt as if his house was about to burn down. He could smell the smoke. He could feel the heat. Soon, everything would ashes.

It was all the fault of Chris Perez ... or Bob Wickman ... or Jose Mesa ... or Joe Borowski.

My late Aunt Pat Shawala was a TV Tribe fan. Watched nearly all the games. She absolutely loathed reliever Paul Shuey.

She called him, "That Shuey!"

No cuss words attached, none needed.

Her mother ... my grandmother ... was a radio Tribe fan.

She loved radio talk show host Pete Franklin. She tuned into his "Clubhouse Confidential" Show before the game, the "The Tenth Inning" Show after the game.

She was blind for several years near the end of life, and those games and all the shows on the radio were like oxygen to her.

Current Tribe radio broadcasters Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus know about the special relationship they have with fans, especially those who are older and/or visually impaired.

WHAT OPENING DAY MEANS

Many of us have opening day memories of being at game.

At the old 70,000-seat plus Stadium, my father had a plan for cold days like the one planned for this opener. He knew by the middle of the game, at least half the park would be empty.

"We'll move from section and follow the sun around park," he said.

And we often did just that.

He kept score with the little golf pencil that was sold along with the scorecard. He'd put the pencil behind his ear between innings.

I remember a guy with an old Polaroid camera who'd take instant pictures of fans in front of the park and try to sell them to you as you walked by.

I remember a guy with a trained monkey, although I can't recall much else about their opening day act in front of the ballpark.

I remember the spinning Chief Wahoo sign on the old Stadium, and I remember the smell of hot dogs on the grill as you entered the park.

That's my flashback to Tribe openers in the 1960s.

I like the idea that the Indians want to make Progressive Field more friendly and adaptable to a new generation of fans who connect with the game and friends on their smart phones.

I want them to develop their own special connection to the Tribe.

I want them to one day be like Jerry ... like my Aunt Pat ... like so many other seniors who follow the team in the media in the final innings of their life.

Jerry died on March 20 of heart failure and pneumonia. He was 81. Until a few weeks before his death, he was emailing me about the Tribe.

He thought they could be pretty good ... maybe ... well, he wasn't sure.

But he planned to watch them anyway.

And he couldn't wait for today, the opener, when he could say, "I got a ballgame today."

Ahhh...Justin Masterson.

Cleveland Indians have Terry Talkin' Carlos Santana and a bunch of little moves and trades


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- About the Indians ...

1. If Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana can have respectable Aprils, maybe the Indians will get off to a decent start this season. Last April, Napoli batted .162 with 1 HR in 68 at-bats for Boston. Napoli already has a homer with the Tribe.

2. Santana batted .239 (3 HR) last April. His batting average kept going down: .217 (May) and .190 (June). He didn't warm up until after the All-Star break.

3. The Indians have been disappointed that Santana hasn't developed into a better all-around hitter. He settled into trying to hit for power, taking big swings and trying to pull the ball. That led to him hitting ground balls into an infield shift, set up to take away his favorite part of the field where most of his hits were directed.

4. In the last two seasons, Santana batted exactly .231. Batting average isn't the ultimate stat. I like OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage). In the last three years, that has been dropping for Santana -- .832-.792-752. Anything over .800 is good and above .750 is very respectable. But it's obvious Santana has been trending the wrong way, with his giant swings and fixation on pulling the ball.

5. In the second game of the season, Santana crushed a 418-foot homer to dead center. He also had an opposite field single ... and a double to center field. So three of his hits in the first two games have been up middle -- where the Tribe has been wanting him to hit the ball. He is 4-of-10 after the first three games.

6. Santana showed some signs of doing this in the spring. He had only three strikeouts in 65 at bats. He has struck out about once in every five plate appearances in the regular season. He batted .277 with 3 HR in Arizona.

7. Napoli began to shorten his swing in the second half of last season. He batted only .207 in 98 games with Boston. He was traded to Texas, hitting .295 in the final 35 games. Napoli told me how his battle with sleep apnea and the major surgery he had prior to the 2015 season impacted him for several months until he recovered.

8. Tribe batting coach Ty Van Burkleo told me he noticed the change in Napoli's swing. Van Burkleo was Napoli's batting coach when Napoli was a young player in the Angels farm system. Van Burkleo helped recruited Napoli to sign with the Tribe. He also studied Napoli's swing on video, and the two men prepared for the season with Napoli using a more compact swing.

9. In spring training, Napoli batted .364 (1.063 OPS) with 4 HR and 14 RBI. Several of his hits went to center and right field. He is a right-handed power bat the Tribe desperately needs.

Tribe may be in for a big season from Napoli -- Pluto (photos)

Tribe may be in for a big season from Napoli -- Pluto (photos)

Cleveland Indians could receive a big season from Mike Napoli, who finally can get some rest.

10. Since 2010, the Tribe's right-handed hitter with the most homers in a season was Yan Gomes (21 in 2014). Then comes Matt LaPorta (12 in 2010), Gomes (12 in 2015) and Shelley Duncan (11 in 2011). Napoli has hit at least 17 homers in every season since 2007.

11. Tyler Naquin will be speaking at the Wahoo Club on April 18 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, downtown Cleveland. Call Bob Rosen at 440-724-8350 for details.

12. I will be speaking at Mayfield Library on Wednesday at 7 p.m. It's free. Call 440-473-0350 to register, or you can do it online.

TRACKING SOME OLD MOVES

1. Near the end of spring training in 2014, Justin Masterson turned down a three-year, $45 million contract extension from Tribe. He was coming off a 14-10 record and a 3.45 ERA in 2013. When the Tribe was unable to make a deal with Masterson, he was traded in late July of 2014 for James Ramsey, a former first-round pick by the Cardinals.

2. Since the opening of the 2014 season, Masterson has a 5.79 ERA. He pitched only 59 innings for Boston last season and was bothered by shoulder problems. Masterson had minor shoulder surgery. He recently threw a "showcase" for scouts in Arizona as he's looking for a another chance to pitch. Last season, his fastball was 87.5 mph. It was in the 93 mph range with a lot of movement and sink when he was at his best with the Tribe.

3. Ramsey was recently taken off the 40-man roster and designated for assignment by the Tribe. The outfielder hit .243 (.709 OPS) at Class AAA Columbus last season, with 12 HR and 42 RBI. The 26-year-old had a very rough spring training, 2-for-21 with 10 strikeouts.

4. Just imagine what a payroll mess the Tribe would have if Masterson had signed that deal. It was set to start in 2015, meaning he'd be under contract for two more years and be paid about $30 million.

5. Along with trading Masterson at the 2014 trade deadline, the Indians also sent Asdrubal Cabrera to Washington. Like Masterson, Cabrera was headed to free agency after the 2014 season. The Indians knew they had Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez in the farm system, so they saw no reason to sign Cabrera to an extension.

6. The Tribe received Zach Walters in return. He was an infielder/outfielder with some power. He couldn't stay healthy. He struck out 47 times in 118 at bats with the Tribe in 2014-15. He did hit 7 HR. Last season, Walters batted .249 (.726 OPS) with 10 HR and 48 RBI in Class AAA.

7. Walters also was designated for assignment. He was 1-for-14 in the spring with six strikeouts.

8. Cabrera signed an $8.5 million deal with the Mets. He batted .265 (.744 OPS) with 15 HR and 58 RBI for Tampa Bay last season. He is the Mets starting shortstop.

9. This was a shocker: Tony Wolters made the Rockies final roster. Wolters was the Tribe's third-round pick in 2010. He was a middle infielder who struggled hitting. The Tribe converted him to a catcher. In the last two years at Class AA Akron, he threw out 63-of-130 stealing base runners. That's a tremendous percentage as anything over 25 percent is considered good.

10. The Indians put Wolters on waivers. He batted only .209 (.570 OPS) with 2 HR and 17 RBI in Akron last season. Colorado claimed him. Wolters hit .429 in spring training, and the Rockies decided to keep him as a backup catcher and infielder.

11. In case you missed it, Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher were both cut by Atlanta. The Indians traded them for Chris Johnson. It really was a salary dump for both teams. Johnson has made the opening day roster in Miami as a backup third baseman.

12. I wasn't surprised Ramsey and Walters were designated for assignment. Maybe they are claimed, or maybe not. But they didn't show much promise. The Indians also designated Giovanni Soto for assignment. The 24-year-old lefty had a 2.68 ERA for Columbus and appeared in six late-season games for the Tribe last season. Lefty relievers tend to stick around. It will be interesting to see if Soto is claimed by another team.

13. In 2010, the Indians traded Jhonny Peralta to the Tigers for Soto, who was pitching in Class A. Prior to the 2014 season, Peralta signed a four-year, $52 million deal with St. Louis. That came after he was suspended for 50 games for flunking a PED test in 2013. Now 33, Peralta has been very good for the Cardinals. He's played 300 games at shortstop in the last two seasons, making only 20 errors. In that span, he's hit .269 (.762 OPS), averaging 19 HR and 73 RBI. The Indians traded Peralta to install Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop.

14. The Indians believe it's likely Soto, Walters and Ramsey might all be claimed by another team. Because all three players have minor league options remaining, another team can claim them and send them to Class AAA. All the team must do is add them to the 40-man roster.

15. The Indians decided to take Ramsey, Walters and Soto off the roster because they added Marlon Byrd, Joba Chamberlain and Ross Detwiler to the opening day roster. All three signed minor league deals this spring, and they had to be added to the 40-man roster.

I'm surprised too Wolters made the Rockies although that CS ratio was marvelous. A good defensive catcher who can also play middle infield spots and bats lefty could have a nice career as a 25th man. He hasn't hit much at all in AA but catchers don't also need to.

Zach Meisel in the PD

. Starting things off: Terry Francona likes Rajai Davis in the leadoff spot against left-handers. Davis, to this point, has two hits and nine strikeouts in 19 plate appearances. That isn't exactly setting the table.

2. Left out: In his career, Davis owns a .293/.348/.444 slash line against southpaws. This year -- in the tiniest of sample sizes, mind you -- he has one hit in 15 at-bats, with eight strikeouts, against lefties.

3. Wasting away: So where is Tyler Naquin, the rookie who made opposing pitchers weep all spring? Naquin has logged three trips to the plate -- and has made only one start -- in five games. The Indians have faced four left-handed starters in those contests. Another lefty, Jose Quintana, was slated to face the Tribe on Sunday before Mother Nature interfered. Naquin would not have started that game.

[Is Tito actually not all-knowing?]

This is why you try fishing at the bottom:

Cleveland Indians reliever Joba Chamberlain can't throw 102 mph anymore, but at least he knows what he's doing on the mound

Before the Tommy John surgery, the short-lived experiment as a starter, the minor-league reality check and even before the pesky, relentless midges, Chamberlain didn't have a clue.

He was merely a 21-year-old Nebraska kid who ran it up to 102 mph when he reached back and put everything he had behind one of his patented heaters.

"I didn't know what I was doing in 2007," Chamberlain told cleveland.com. "I had no clue. Zero. I wasn't pitching, I can tell you that much. I had no idea what I was doing."

It's a compelling revelation by the right-hander, who now considers himself a pitcher equipped with know-how and experience rather than with a fastball that zipped by too quickly to be seen by the naked eye. The 10-year big-league veteran has logged a 0.79 ERA in 11 appearances with the Indians this season, so his approach seems to be working.

Of course, he also excelled on the field in 2007, when he ditched the label of one of the league's top prospects and swiftly carved out a role pitching in front of Mariano Rivera. In 19 games as a rookie, Chamberlain limited the opposition to one earned run on 12 hits in 24 innings. He racked up 34 strikeouts, and they all came as a result of his physical traits.

"I couldn't have broken down an at-bat for you," Chamberlain said. "I could tell you the three curveballs I threw that year, but that doesn't necessarily mean they were in the right situation or the right spot.

"You mature. This is my 10th year of doing this. It's not as easy to throw 102 mph. I know that. The comfort level is so different. I was a young kid back then who didn't really know what he was doing. It was, 'You don't know me. I don't know you. Here we go.' Now, it's like, 'I know you. You know me. Now let's play a game. This is a chess match.'

"Both dynamics are fun, trust me. It's interesting to see the things you paid attention to then versus the things you pay attention to now."

This year, Chamberlain has paid more attention to his fastball. The last few years, he had reduced his reliance on his heater.

"He has great breaking stuff," said pitching coach Mickey Callaway, "but I feel like he overused it at times. When [hitters] have to respect his 94-96 mph [pitches], respect his good slider and respect a curveball that he can throw for strikes, it puts them in a bad position and that's why they're not getting hits off of him."

Chamberlain said he's simply trying to throw every pitch with conviction. He did that when he first broke onto the big-league scene. That was nearly a decade ago. The Yankees attempted to convert him to a starter in 2008-09. In 2010, he returned to the bullpen, where he has remained ever since. Chamberlain underwent elbow surgery in 2011. His effectiveness slipped thereafter and, in 2015, he ended up in Triple-A for two months with affiliates of the Blue Jays and Royals.

"It was probably my best year ever in my life," Chamberlain said. "It gave me that perspective of, 'I have played this game for a long time. I am fortunate that I haven't spent a long time in the minor leagues.' You've seen some of these guys who have spent six, seven years [in the minors] just trying to get to a day, get to that experience.

"I think it was great for me. I think it gave me a whole new perspective. Sometimes in life, you need that."

The Indians didn't give Chamberlain any guarantees over the off-season. The 30-year-old, however, arrived in Goodyear, Arizona for spring training as a non-roster invitee who controlled his own destiny.

"It was my job to lose," he said. "There was only one person who was going to take it from me and that's myself."

Chamberlain has gradually earned more trust from the Indians' coaching staff. With the game tied, he pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday's 16-inning loss to the Astros. His fastball might top out in the mid-90s now, but he's content with what he has at his disposal.

"In '07, I didn't really know what to look at," Chamberlain said. "I was like, 'OK, if he swings and misses, let's try that one again.' Now, I'm reading swings, I'm reading his takes. I'm able to break the at-bat down more so than I ever did my first few years."