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Home , Bradley Zimmer, Bryan Shaw (baseball), Carl Willis, Lake Erie Crushers, Mickey Callaway, River City Rascals

CONTENTS Indians Preview ...... pg. 2 Schedule ...... pg. 6 : Celebrating 10 Years ....pg. 8 Lake Erie Crushers Schedule...... pg. 10 Schedule ...... pg. 11 Schedule ...... pg. 12 Schedule ...... pg. 13 NASCAR Monster Energy Series Schedule ...pg. 15 NASCAR Drivers Roster ...... pg. 16

Spring 2018 Voice of the Firelands Magazine 1 2018 Tribe: The goal remains the same

By: Jim Rosenhaus As a new season is upon us, the highly regarded Cleveland Indians are gearing up for another run at an elusive title. It’s been 70 years since the Indians won the Fall Classic. Last season had all the earmarks of the first title team since 1948. 102 regular season wins. A record 22 game winning streak. 5 All Stars! But it all came crashing down in a gut wrenching 5 game Division series loss to the New York Yan- kees. Does that defeat hamper enthusiasm for the new season? “We still have 28 days, but I can’t wait to get to spring training to get this thing started. I love our team!” Those were the words of Indi- ans at Tribe Fest in late January. Always optimistic, the two time AL Man- ager of the Year since joining the Tribe in 2013 admitted the early playoff exit was a punch in the and Joe Smith and the Tribe’s success the past 5 took a little time off to recover, gut. But despite some changes, pitching . years. The starters combined and then returned to the gym to Tito feels there is a lot to like Former Indians pitching Coach for 81 wins, most in MLB and try and find ways to stay about the 2018 edition of the returns for a second posted the second lowest ERA of stronger through the end of the Tribe. stint, armed with 4 3.52. season.” “We have a core group that’s Award winners under his guid- Kluber won his 2nd AL Cy Carrasco finished 18-6 with a been here going on 6 years now ance. Heading into spring train- Young award with an 18 win 3.29 ERA, while Bauer had his so that’s good,” said Francona. ing the Indians had signed Yonder campaign and became the first breakout season, winning 17 “We’ve lost some key guys, but Alonzo to take over Santana’s spot Indians since Mike Gar- games. Clevinger won 12 games at first base. we’ve made some additions too. cia in 1949 to lead MLB in ERA at in his first full major league sea- So where does the roster stand No one should be pessimistic. a remarkable 2.25. Two un Klu- son, while Tomlin was steady at the outset of a new season? This has been a good run of base- ber like outings in the post sea- again at the back of the rotation. Let’s take a look. ball and I don’t see that changing. son raised concerns about his Heading into spring training, We have a good team in place.” Around the Diamond health. Is he ready to go in 2018? Danny Salazar bears watching. When he says good run of base- “I think most have The flame throwing right-hander ball, he can stand by an Indians Starting pitching: Corey Klu- some issues when they reach was hampered by elbow and team that has the BEST record in ber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor October based on innings shoulder issues a year ago, lim- the American League since 2013. Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Josh pitched in the regular season,” ited to 19 starts. When he says changes, he means Tomlin all won 10 or more games Kluber said shortly after winning Relief pitching: The the loss of Carlos a year ago. All are back in 2018 the in Novem- Santana, Jay Bruce and that has been, and once ber. “I tried to manage that but posted an MLB best 2.89 ERA in again will be, the foundation of and Austin Jackson, relief pitchers the results just weren’t there. I See INDIANS, 3

2 Spring 2018 Voice of the Firelands Magazine INDIANS From 2 2017, led by closer Cody Allen’s 30 saves. For Allen, it was his 3rd straight year of 30 or more saves. also returns to the Tribe pen after a frustrating year due to a knee injury that limited his time in the 2nd half of the season. He still posted a ridicu- lous 95 in just 62 innings to maintain his status as one of baseball’s best relievers. The Indians pen did lose stand- out relief iron man Bryan Shaw and reliable Joe Smith. Heading into spring training, those roles will be filled by the likes of Dan Otero, Zach McAllister, Nick Goody and the remarkable Tyler Olson, who burst on the scene with 30 scoreless appearances a year ago. Position player wise, the Indi- ans return the bulk of a team that finished third in the Ameri- Yan Gomes steps on home plate as his teammates celebrate. can League in runs scored. In 2017, Cleveland showed a solid number one backstop in 2018 or who are ready to play, help each “I’m a little stronger, sure,” blend of power and speed and do they share the position again? other out and get after it.” said Lindor late last season. “But that should continue in 2018. Stay tuned in spring training. Also seeing time at first base really it’s just learning my swing Catching: No team in baseball 1st base: The Indians front will be Edwin Encarnacion, who with experience. I know where I can boast as solid a catching office had a gap to fill at first spent most of last season as a need a pitch to be to drive it for combination as the Tribe. The base heading following the hard hitting designated hitter. power and I’ve done a better job tandem of Yan Gomes and departure of Carlos Santana. Steady Eddie did what he does recognizing those pitches this Roberto Perez produced 22 HRs They moved swiftly and replaced best in his first season with the season. and 94 RBI between them, while him with AL All Star Yonder Tribe a year ago. He hammered 2nd and 3rd base: There is still guiding the top pitching staff in Alonzo. The 8 year major league 38 HR and 107 RBI, amazingly some uncertainty regarding the Major Leagues with tremen- veteran posted a career best 28 an average year for him over the these two positions. One thing dous game calling skills and the HR season in 2017 with the Ath- past 6 seasons. we know as of our publication ability to control the running letics and Mariners and is : When you talk date: Jose Ramirez will be play- game. The Indians allowed just ecstatic to be with the Tribe. about the best young players in ing one of the two positions and 50 stolen bases, the lowest total “When I was playing for other the game today, you can start playing them at a high level. in baseball for the second con- teams against the Indians, you and perhaps stop the argument Another of the Indians 5 All Stars secutive year. Gomes received always noticed a bond between with . Playing in 2017, Ramirez hit .318 with slightly more playing time last the players and a win at all costs 2018 at just 24, the 2 time All career highs of 29 HR and 83 season, but Perez was Terry attitude,” said Alonzo shortly Star is one of the best all-around RBI. The reason for the position Francona’s of choice after signing with Indians. “It in MLB. In 2017 he uncertainty is the status of Jason more often down the stretch. was always 35 to 40 guys strong took a major step offensively, Kipnis. Hampered by a variety Will Perez or Gomes be the true blasting 33 HR, driving in 89 and of injuries from the get go last collecting 81 extra base hits. Why the power surge: See INDIANS, 4

Spring 2018 Voice of the Firelands Magazine 3 in centerfield a regular occur- INDIANS rence. At the plate, he finished From 3 his rookie season hitting .241 with 8 HR and 39 RBI plus 18 year, the 2 time All Star just stolen bases. In rightfield, look never got rolling. By seasons for to get the end, he was moved from second bulk of the playing time. He too base to centerfield for the ALDS. was hampered by injuries in the However, manager Terry Fran- second half of last year after cona did mentioned at Tribe Fest compiling his best numbers over in January, that Kipnis would the season’s first half. Rounding begin the year at second base, out the outfield depth are Bran- pending developments in spring don Guyer, who missed the bulk training in the outfield. of the season with wrist injury Outfield: Those developments that required surgery and per- in the outfield revolve around haps veteran Melvin Upton, who left fielder Michael Brantley. was signed as a minor league What began as a promising, free agent. bound back season from injury Outlook: The Indians will be in 2017 with an All Star game the favorite to win the AL Cen- appearance, ended in frustration tral Division for a 3rd straight as Brantley missed most of the year in 2018, and deservedly so. final two months with a right The Tigers, White Sox and Royals ankle injury that required post are all in various stages of season surgery. If healthy, he rebuilding. The Twins could will start the season in left field pose a serious threat if their and everything else falls into pitching continues to improve. place. If he is slow to return, One thing that is guaranteed, perhaps Kipnis sees time in left. every season is a roller coaster The rest of the outfield features ride of emotions and surprises youngster , who and 2018 should be no different. burst on the scene as a rookie Enjoy the ride! and made highlight reel catches

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6 Spring 2018 Voice of the Firelands Magazine Spring 2018 Voice of the Firelands Magazine 7 Lake Erie Crushers: Celebrating 10 incredible seasons

By: Andy “Bull” Barch Voice of the Lake Erie Crushers Sure, there have been some peaks and valleys along the way, but there’s something to be said for a professional sports franchise to make it 10 years. That’s the kind of benchmark that should certainly be celebrated, and this year the Lake Erie Crushers will do that, celebrating their 10th year in business. Over the last 10 years, the Crushers have been to the play- offs four times, and they’ve reached the Championship twice, with one Frontier League Title, which they won during their inaugural sea- son back in 2009. Both on and off the field, the Crushers have had some marquee moments that have helped to define just how successful they’ve been. Here’s a list of the Top-10 moments in franchise history, dating back to the very beginning in 2009. 10-May 22, 2009, The First STEVE MANHEIM / CHRONICLE Game in Franchise History Tyler Johnson holds the Championship trophy for fans. The Crushers played their first game in franchise history on the All Pro Freight Stadium, or “The the Crushers decided to change of existence, the Crushers needed road against the Washington Wild Freight” officially opened its their logo and color scheme. The to go on the road shorthanded to Things in Washington, Pa., which doors for the first time in fran- current logo, that of an angry defeat the Beach Bums on their was the start of an 11-game road chise history. In front of a sold grape, giving the impression of a home turf. Naturally, they split trip. It was done to make sure that out crowd of 5,058 fans, the Lake grape crusher, replaced the older the first two games of the series there was enough time to finish Erie Crushers defeated the Windy more traditional logo. The switch on Labor Day weekend, before construction on the new stadium, City Thunderbolts 5-2, on the to purple received mixed reviews winning the season finale against and assure that they would be strength of an incredible pitching initially, but team executives state the Beach Bums, without the ready for opening night. The performance from Paul Fagan. the new color scheme has cer- services of All-Star and future Crushers won, 10-7, with four Fagan allowed just a pair of runs tainly become more popular. Frontier League Hall of Famer players knocking in multiple on six hits while fanning four to 7-September 3, 2011, Laboring Andrew Davis, who missed most runs, including Drew Saylor who score the victory. their way into the Post Season of the final weekend of the season led the way with three RBI. 8-March 15, 2017, Purple Reign The Crushers entered the final with an infection in his foot. Lake 9-June 2, 2009, The First Home After using the same logo and weekend of the season tied with Erie was able to seal the deal on Game in Franchise History color scheme for the first eight the for the final day of the regular sea- The facility formerly known as years of the franchise’s existence, the final wild card spot. In order son, with a 3-1 victory over the to punch their second ticket to the post season in just three years See CRUSHERS, 9

8 Spring 2018 Voice of the Firelands Magazine CLE Night” at the ballpark as well. to one in a best of five series Anyone named LeBron was able to against the Traverse City Beach get in free of charge, they re- Bums in the first round of the play- named the ballpark LeBron James offs, the Crushers rallied with a 13- Field and all Crusher players wore 3 victory in Traverse City in game the No. 6, to honor LeBron’s jersey four to even the series, setting up switch from No. 23. LeBron of their 3-2, rain soaked victory in course took his talents to South game five to punch their second Beach, which he announced a few ticket to a Frontier League Cham- weeks later. pionship series. The victory also 4-TIE-July 10-September 1, 2011, marked their first Frontier League Half-N-Half Eastern Divisional Title outright. Andrew Davis went wild offen- The Crushers hit .278 in the series, sively, turning in one of the great- and offensively, they were led by est second half performances in Max Casper, who hit .529 (9-for-17) the history of the Frontier League. and Daniel Bowman, who hit .526 Over the final 48 games of the sea- (10-for-19) with three extra base son, Davis hit .383 (71-for-185) hits. while driving in 51 runs, and tal- 2-March 2, 2016-Power Shift lied 33 extra base hits, including 24 After operating under the own- doubles during that stretch. He ership of Steven Edelson/Avon was the catalyst in the middle of a Baseball LLC for the first seven batting order on a team that made years, the sale to Tom and Jacque- up a ton of ground in the second line Kramig and Blue Dog Baseball half to cement a playoff berth. This LLC became official. Tom and incredible run included 26 multi- Jacqueline took over the day-to- hit games as well. He also had hit- day operations in October of 2015, ting streaks of 12 and 14 games in before the sale became final in the final two months of that sea- March of 2016. son. Davis finished the season with 1-September 23, 2009, The Fron- a .339 batting average, 12 homers, tier League Champs 87 RBI, and had 39 doubles as well. After falling behind 2-0 in the He was the runner up that year for series, the Crushers won back-to- KRISTIN BAUER / CHRONICLE league MVP. back games at home, defeating the Andrew Davis. 4-TIE-August 8-18, 2013-Gone , 3-1 and 4-1 in Offer to LeBron James Streaking games 3 and 4 respectively, push- CRUSHERS The summer of 2010 was a very The Crushers set a franchise ing the Championship series back record with a 10-game winning to River City for the decisive fifth From 8 interesting one in the area, as most of us were streak which began with a 5-1 vic- and final game. Game five Beach Bums. The Crushers would on pins and needles waiting to see tory over the Florence Freedom, included 23 runs and 30 hits, and go on to play the where LeBron James was going to and eventually came to an end the Crushers used an incredible, 7- in the first round of the playoffs. end up. The Crushers earned all with a 4-1 loss to the Normal Corn- run fifth inning to push their way 5-July 13, 2011, The Stars Align sorts of national media attention, belters. Not only did the Crushers past the Rascals, and claim the The Lake Erie Crushers hosted when they decided to enter the set a new franchise record with 10 2009 Frontier League Champi- the Frontier League All Star Game madness as well, as they made an wins, but it also capped a stretch onship in their first season. Five for the first, and to date, the only official offer of $1,600 per month where the Crushers won 17 of 18 players hit safely multiple times, time in franchise history. The final to LeBron. That was the maximum games from July 31-August 18. while the bottom of the order result was a 4-2 victory for the amount they were allowed to offer 3-September 12, 2013, A trip to combined for eight hits and drove Eastern Division over the West. under Frontier League rules, and another Frontier League Champi- in six runs. Fagan tossed two 4-June 21, 2010, The Official they celebrated a “Keep LeBron in onship Series innings in relief to score the vic- After falling behind two games tory.

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