Indians catch spring fever on Truck Day By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | February 5th, 2016 CLEVELAND -- A pair of moving trucks pulled of Progressive Field on Friday morning, beginning the annual cross-country journey from Cleveland to Goodyear, Ariz. There is no word yet whether the trucks saw their shadows, but spring is definitely arriving fast for the Indians. "I don't know what they're talking about with this Punxsutawney Phil," quipped Marty Bokovitz, the Indians' assistant home clubhouse . "This is the first day of spring right here, isn't it? When the trucks roll out, everybody gets excited. Spring is starting. Baseball's back. It should be a holiday." Each year, Truck Day signals that the offseason is nearly over. The two 53-foot trucks will roll through enemy territory across the Midwest with large Indians decals covering the sides of one of the trailers. Ed Fisher, who has been driving one of the trucks for the Tribe for the past nine years, said the artwork that was placed on the truck last year led to some fanfare during his 2,000-mile drive through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. "I've had a few people honk their horns and wave and take pictures," Fisher said with a smile. Fisher will haul the lead truck once again this year, pushing through 11-hour days along Interstate 40 with a handful of stops. Barring any obstacles with the weather, he typically takes breaks near the Illinois border, and then in Joplin, Mo., and Amarillo, Texas, before completing the final leg into the Phoenix area. If everything goes according to plan, the trucks should arrive at Cleveland's spring headquarters on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Come Wednesday, workers at the team's Arizona complex will swiftly unload the trucks to prep the clubhouse and facilities for the preseason. Indians and catchers are scheduled to report to on Feb. 17, with position players following suit on Feb. 21. That said, many players already have headed to Arizona to get an early jump on their training. "This is like taking 65 kids on a two-month vacation," Bokovitz joked. "Do you have your shoes? Do you have your shorts?" Bokovitz said there are roughly a dozen shrink-wrapped racks filled with Spring Training clothes (shorts, shirts, etc.) that are wrapped and ready to be dropped in each player's locker. Each year, the Indians order around 18,000 and 600 bats, but most of those items are shipped directly to Arizona. The trucks are filled with bikes, golf clubs, workout equipment, pallets of bottled water, sunflower seeds and even stadium mustard. "You've got to have that," Bokovitz said of the condiment. As workers filled the trucks on Friday morning, the scooter belonging to Indians manager sat off to the side. A black scooter has replaced the red one that Francona used in previous years. The manager zips through downtown Cleveland on the small vehicle and usually has it brought to Arizona as well. Truck Day has been weeks in the making for Bokovitz and the rest of the Indians' clubhouse staff. "We usually start this process the last couple weeks of December," Bokovitz said. "It takes us a good month. Every day, something else comes up, or there's some hurdle we have to overcome. We get after it for the full month." As it happened, track hurdles -- with the phrase "Tribe Strong" along the top beam -- were loaded on the trucks. Fisher spends roughly 300 nights a year on the road. He said this is the day he looks forward to the most. "It's the best job that I do all year," Fisher said. "I enjoy it more than anything else I've done, and this is my ninth year doing it. I really enjoy it. I just lucked into it by happenstance the last year they were in Winter Haven [Florida]. They liked my work, I guess. "They keep asking for me, so I keep coming back. I enjoy it, and I haven't screwed anything up, yet."

Lindor eager for sophomore season with Tribe By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | February 4th, 2016 CLEVELAND -- It was unseasonably warm when a large group of Indians players convened last week for Tribe Fest. Around Northeast Ohio, snow shovels gathered dust, heavy jackets were ditched and fans could daydream a little about the upcoming season. Francisco Lindor also was dreaming of returning to a baseball diamond, and soon, because the Cleveland air still had a little too much bite for his liking. The young was born in Puerto Rico, resides in Florida and now spends his springs in Arizona. While wearing a knit cap, Lindor was cleary ready to get this season started. "Cold. Cold, man," quipped Lindor, when asked how Cleveland was treating him. "I like it. I just don't like the cold weather." Soon enough, Lindor will be back on the sun-splashed practice fields at the Tribe's spring headquarters in Goodyear, Ariz. Then, before too long, the shortstop will be experiencing his first Opening Day in the big leagues. Lindor stormed onto baseball's stage last summer, seizing the starting job and looking like the kind of player a franchise can build around. Lindor always has had lofty expectations hovering over his head -- the kind that go along with being a first-round Draft pick. Now, though, the shortstop is coming off a runner-up finish in voting for the Rookie of the Year Award and will be looking to build on Major League statistics that were even better than his showing on the farm. MLB Network went as far as ranking Lindor as the best shortstop in the Majors in the station's "Top 10 Right Now" series. "My work is not done," Lindor said. "At the end of the day, I can be the number one shortstop on paper, but if I don't perform, it doesn't mean anything. Just because I'm Number One on paper, it doesn't mean anything to me. I've got to continue to do my work, to continue to work as hard as I can day in and day out." Lindor, who turned 22 in November, was not only one of the best rookies in the AL last year. He was one of the best all-around in baseball. Lindor accumulated a 4.6 WAR (per Frangraphs.com) in his 99 games, marking the most among all AL shortstops and second in the Majors to only San Francisco's Brandon Crawford. Lindor's 10 Defensive Runs Saved were the most among all AL shortstops and first in the Majors at his position with fewer than 1,000 logged in the field. His 18.9 UZR/150 was the best defensive rating among Major League shortstops with at least 800 innings. "You saw the obvious things," manager Terry Francona said. "He's a really talented player on both sides of the ball. And he's a really good kid. He's got a lot of leadership qualities that will emerge as he gains experience. I appreciate the fact that as a 21-year-old, you make some mistakes. But, when he did, he'd listen and look at you in the eye and he'd try to not do it again. That's a good quality." Overall, Lindor .313 with a .353 on-base percentage and a .482 slugging percentage last season. The switch-hitter showed off some power with 12 home runs, mixing in 22 doubles, four triples, 51 RBIs, 50 runs, 27 walks, 12 steals and 122 hits. He became one of only nine rookies age 21 or younger to have at least 10 homers, 10 steals and 100 hits within the past 20 years. Lindor reached 100 career hits faster than any Indians hitter since 1947 and did so in one season faster than any rookie in franchise history since 1936. As Lindor prepares for his sophomore season, his teammates know he likely will encounter obstacles as he navigates through a full Major League campaign for the first time. All-Star Jason Kipnis said it will be important to help guide Lindor through the peaks and valleys. Kipnis is expecting big things from his double-play partner. "He's going to be great," Kipnis said. "I'm excited to see how he matures right in front of us. Everyone can smile when you're hitting .400 for half a season. Trust me, it's the greatest feeling in the world. It's going to be how he handles that first slump, how he handles that first challenge where things might not be feeling great or his body might not be feeling good. "That's where guys like me and [Michael] Brantley will come in and kind of help him out or pick him back up, but you know he's only going to help us in the long , so we're excited to have him up here from Day One." Lindor said he only has one goal in mind. "I want to see myself as a winner. I want to play the last game of the playoffs," Lindor said. "I want to talk to you guys and be like, 'We won.' That's all I want. I always wanted to win and, ultimately, when I come home and I tell my Dad, 'I won a .' That's, to me, that's it. That's it. That is it."

Indians backing Feller for Medal of Freedom CLEVELAND -- After Pearl Harbor pulled the U.S. into World War II, Indians felt compelled to join in the fight. He temporarily abandoned his baseball career and became the first ballplayer to enlist in the U.S. Navy after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. On Wednesday, the Indians filed a petition to President Barack Obama, launching a campaign aimed at having the late Feller honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The petition needs 100,000 signatures by March 4 to require a response from the White House. "In addition to the incredible and lasting impact Bob made on the Indians organization," Bob DiBiasio, Indians senior vice president of public affairs, said in a release, "we think his meritorious contribution to the security and national interests of the United States makes him worthy of consideration for the Presidential Medal of Freedom." President Obama awarded the Medal of Freedom to the late Yogi Berra and Willie Mays last year, joining a list of recipients that also includes former players Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Mel Ott, and Jackie Robinson. The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the Unites States and is given "for especially meritorious contribution to 1) the security or national interests of the United States, 2) world peace, or 3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Feller was coming off his sixth season with the Indians. The Hall of Fame right-hander had been an All-Star four years running and was in the prime of his baseball career when he volunteered to serve in the Navy. Feller could have requested a deferment, given that his father was terminally ill with cancer at the time, but the pitcher insisted on serving immediately. Feller served aboard the USS Alabama and missed parts of four seasons (1942-45) while aiding the United States' efforts. He earned the rank of Chief Petty Officer and participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Feller was decorated with six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars. Feller's Navy jacket, along with other military artifacts, are currently on display in the Bob Feller exhibit, which is located in the Terrace Club at Progressive Field. "Bob's your American story," said Jeremy Feador, the Indians' curator. "That's the best thing about him. You couldn't ask for a better representation or an ambassador of your team. Bob's perfect. We're so lucky to have this stuff." When the exhibit opened on May 14 last season, Feller's widow, Anne, was pleased to see that period of his life included. "It's absolutely wonderful to have it here and have it beautifully arranged," Anne Feller said in May. "People can know about his life and, particularly, know about his service on a battleship for four years during World War II. Those were some of the best moments of his life, being there and doing what he could on that battleship." Feller, who stayed in shape by playing catch on the USS Alabama, also served as an instructor in the Navy's physical training program. In July 1942, he led a team of servicemen against the American League All-Stars at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, raising more than $130,000 for the war efforts. Feller won 266 games over the course of his 18-year career -- spent entirely with the Indians. He struck out 2,581 batters, tossed three no- hitters (including the only Opening Day no-no in baseball history, in 1940) and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. The Indians also have a statue of Feller outside Gate C at Progressive Field. In 2013, Feller's life and career were the inspiration behind the creation of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation and Award. The foundation annually recognizes and honors a baseball player and a Chief Petty Officer for their efforts and involvement with the military.

'I loved my time here and I cherish every moment': The Thursday Conversation with Print Email Zack Meisel, cleveland.com By Zack Meisel, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Landon Thome is 8 years old. He's a left-handed-hitting corner infielder who throws right-handed and swings hard.

He has received high praise from Charlie Manuel, a longtime hitting and manager. He also has a fan in a guy who slugged 612 home runs as a big leaguer: his dad.

Jim Thome and his son were driving down E. 9th Street in downtown Cleveland last June, en route to an NBA Finals matchup between the Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. On their way to park the car, Landon spotted his dad's statue outside of Progressive Field. His excitement made his father beam.

The Indians unveiled Thome's statue two summers ago. This summer, he'll enter the franchise's Hall of Fame alongside , Frank Robinson and Charlie Jamieson. Two years from now, he'll join the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.

Landon is finally getting old enough to comprehend the magnitude of his father's accomplishments. Thome is the Indians' all-time king, with 337 long balls in a Tribe uniform. He bolted for the greener pastures of Philadelphia following the 2002 season, after he claimed such a scenario would never unfold. Some fans maintain a grudge, even though Thome returned to the organization in 2011 for a six-week homecoming with the club.

Thome is a symbol of the Indians' high-octane offense from its glory days of the mid-to-late '90s. His likeness stands tall, with its bat pointed, outside of the team's ballpark in the forefront of downtown. His son, albeit early, seems to be following in his father's footsteps.

In this week's Thursday Conversation, Thome discusses his storied career, the Indians' shortcomings in the World Series, his departure for Philadelphia and his rapport with the city and fan base.

ZM: Do you remember your first game with the Indians?

JT: In Minnesota.

ZM: Do you remember what you were feeling or thinking that day?

JT: Nervous. Nervous and excited. Just so happy to get the opportunity. I was a young player and I was in an organization that actually wanted their players to progress and get that opportunity. That was a really cool experience. My first major league home run in Yankee Stadium was kind of surreal itself, just because of Yankee Stadium. I remember it was in the eighth off Steve Farr. There weren't a lot of people there that night, so it was a cool night in Yankee Stadium for me, looking back.

ZM: Do you ever watch old videos of yourself? Your first home run is on YouTube.

JT: Yeah. My son, he'll go back and he'll YouTube highlights. I remember Eddie Murray telling me one time, 'Cherish every moment. You might play a long time, but it goes really quick.' It's so true. Now looking back, I can reflect being not in it and I'm not in the grind of playing every day, looking back, you go, 'Man, it was a really fun and blessed time that I got to play that long.' The accomplishments were really, really cool.

ZM: You don't have time during the journey to step back and have perspective.

JT: You don't. Let's face it: You play so much. You have an 0-for-4 and punch out four times and you have to come back the next day. There's no time. In a nutshell, that's what your career is. You're constantly working to get better.

ZM: Do you ever look at these videos and see a skinny kid wearing No. 6? Does your son say, 'Who is this guy?'

JT: Yes. Yes [laughing]. He knows who I am. I was blessed to play at a young age and got the chance to do it when I was a baby. Looking back, it's so cool to watch that progression.

ZM: Do you remember the first time you rounded the bases after you hit that home run and what that felt like?

JT: The moment kind of stops, if that makes sense. The moment stops and you're like, 'OK. I want to do that again.' That's what keeps you coming back. That's why Charlie was so great. He would never let you get too high or too low during the good and bad times.

ZM: Did you know you had that kind of power? Did you consider yourself a big-time power hitter as you were coming up?

JT: The thing for me, once he opened me up and clear my hips up, I saw a huge transformation in my hips alone and if you read books about hitting, one of the things that Ted Williams always talks about is hips and hands. When I was younger, I really had no hips. I was a locked-off hitter, kind of closed hips. Once Charlie moved me on the plate and opened me up, everything changed. Everything. And maturity, you grow and become a man. The experience [helps]. I think it all played a factor. There's no doubt.

ZM: Is it amazing to you that in some of those early lineups, you and were batting sixth, seventh or eighth?

JT: I'd like to be Mike [Hargrove] and make that lineup. It's so cool. People today even say, 'Man, I can't believe you guys hit seventh and eighth.' It's really neat.

ZM: When you returned from the World Series in '95, people were following the team back from the airport. What was that like?

JT: The biggest part of that was you could see the city really coming to life. Once the '95 season was over, I think people were like, 'OK, this is a really good ball club.' Our fans believed it. We believed it. People in baseball started believing it. I tell guys, 'When you get an opportunity to go to the postseason, cherish it.' I have to be honest. For years, I thought we were always going, with the teams we had. If you're lucky to play a long time, you realize it's just not that easy. I don't want to say take it for granted, but you want to make sure you don't.

ZM: You had good teams for so long. Does it eat at you at all today that you didn't win a championship?

JT: I don't have regrets. I don't look back and say, 'Man, I wish we would have...' The way I look at it, we were put in the arena. We were there. We had the opportunity. We played two good teams that beat us. Not that we couldn't have won, but the way I look at it, those teams earned it, too. They played well.

It sure would've been nice for this city to accomplish that. That's the biggest thing, is knowing what it could have done to the city of Cleveland. I think about how proud they would have been of us doing it and the support they showed.

ZM: How long did it take to turn the page on the '97 World Series?

JT: Hard. '97 was tough. That was a hard one, because we had it. It was there. When you play extra innings and you're right there, that took a long time. I don't think you really ever get over it. You respect it, but you don't get over it.

ZM: Sandy Alomar Jr. said relatives have called him, telling him the '97 World Series is on TV and he has gotten angry at them for even mentioning it.

JT: I can't watch it. It has been on the network and I won't watch it. Not that I have anything against that. I just don't want to relive that. We were so close.

ZM: Especially given the way the fans embraced those teams, when you dream as a kid, 'I want to be a baseball player,' is what you lived essential what the dream is all about?

JT: It kind of is. I remember back in Peoria, Illinois, hitting rocks, going, 'Seventh game of the World Series. Bases loaded. I'm up.' And then we go to Atlanta and I'm being introduced as a 25-year-old kid, going, 'God, this is like a dream come true. This is what you dream about. I'm 25 and I'm getting introduced in October in a World Series.' It's hard to put it into words. All of our teams fulfilled and lived dreams that you look back on and you certainly don't take anything for granted. We respected everything that came our way.

Members of the '95 Indians maintain fond memories Members of the '95 Indians maintain fond memories "Once the years go by and you start to compare," Lofton said, "they say: 'That '95 Cleveland team was something else.' That's what really makes it sink in."

ZM: You said last year that your son points his bat when he's at the plate. Does he still do that?

JT: Oh yes. He's going to be a good hitter. And not because he's my son -- I'm a little biased. I'm proud of him. He swings it. He swings it hard.

ZM: What position does he play?

JT: He's a and third baseman.

ZM: Sounds familiar.

JT: Yeah. He throws right-handed and hits lefty.

ZM: What has it meant to be able to take him around the city and for him to be old enough to start to understand your relationship with Cleveland?

JT: I brought him in for the Cavs in the Finals. He's a basketball fan. He's a huge LeBron fan. I'm proud that he'll wear a LeBron jersey. To watch him come to Cleveland -- the statue was there and we're driving down E. 9th and he goes, 'Dad! Dad! There's your statue!' As a father, that's as good and as proud of a moment as you can have.

As he gets older, that's why this summer is going to be so special. Now he's older than he was when I got the statue. He's going to appreciate that. He's starting to understand what's going on. We talk about the game and the respect of doing things, doing it the right way. He's a special kid. It's fun.

ZM: Some fans are still angry or upset about the way you left Cleveland in 2002. Your stance at the time has been well-documented. What's your message to anyone who's still upset?

JT: I understand that when you're a fan, you want the guys you root for to stay. The one thing in life, as you go on, I think we all make mistakes. You do things where you go, 'Man, why did I do that?' Not the fact that I left, just some of the things that you say, where you go, 'You know what? Maybe I shouldn't have said that.'

I was blessed to play a long time. I look at my years in Cleveland and I want them to know how special it was when I was here and how much I respected them. The love and the support when I would strike out seven of eight times and every time I went to the plate, they would root me on -- those are the things that I personally want them to know, that I don't take that lightly. It's not something that you say, 'OK, I played here.' No. It's deeper than that. I met my wife here. I have friends here. My brother-in-law lived here, but just recently moved. Cleveland will always be very special.

ZM: Did that make it more meaningful when you returned in 2011?

JT: It did, yeah. I was also very nervous when I came back. I think, as a player, you never want to hurt anybody. You don't want the family to go, 'Why did this happen? Why did you leave?' Sometimes things happen. I don't know. You care about people. You don't want anybody to hurt. All I can say is I loved my time here and I cherish every moment. That's why I try to come back and come into the city a couple days ahead, just to walk around and interact. I have to tell you, the fans here have been great. I've had such a wonderful time with them.

ZM: Could you have ever imagined that during that first day in Minnesota?

JT: Never. Absolutely not. You don't know what the path is going to lead to.

Family matters: How life works when you're a minor leaguer, a husband and a father Print Email Zack Meisel, cleveland.com By Zack Meisel, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ben Heller can't fathom having children at this juncture in time.

The 24-year-old pitches in small Midwest towns from April to September and trains at the Indians' facilities in Goodyear, Arizona the rest of the year. His wife, Martha, is a teacher in the Phoenix area. She spends her summer break with Heller on the road. Fitting a child into the family portrait isn't an easy accommodation at this point.

Convenience is one thing, though. Necessity is another.

For some minor leaguers, life's list of obligations extends far beyond baseball and whatever off-season job a player works to attract a few extra bucks. Some are pitchers or catchers or for one segment of the day and fathers and husbands in another. it can be a strenuous juggling act.

Catcher Eric Haase spent the 2015 campaign at High-A Lynchburg, about a 10-hour trek from his Detroit home. It's the outlier on the Indians' map of minor-league affiliates. Haase's wife and son -- he'll turn 2 this year -- join him for spring training and the regular season.

When he played at Mahoning Valley and Lake County, Haase was only a few hours from relatives. When Haase embarked on a roadtrip, his wife and son would sometimes venture home to Michigan. Stops at Akron and Columbus could be in Haase's future. Those locations would ease the burden for him and his family.

Eric Haase To Eric Haase, baseball isn't everything. Family plays a large role as well. Via Twitter

During the off-season, Haase's wife works and he stays home with their child. The added responsibilities have taught him time management and given him perspective.

"The first season, I was in Arizona and she didn't come with me," Haase said. "It was the most miserable time of my life. She was coming every month or month and a half. It was pretty bad. The next year, she came with me and it just worked out really well, so we've been doing it ever since."

Bryson Myles spends his off-season with his 2-year-old son, Bryson Jr., in his native Texas. During the season, though, Myles, an at Double-A Akron, plays baseball in a different time zone.

"It's definitely tough," Myles said. "I'd much rather be there with him daily. There's nothing in my day that makes me happier than to see his smile and to interact with him."

Myles' son has joined him at spring training in the past. He met Indians manager Terry Francona and veterans Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn last year. "One of the things that I told myself, and maybe it's just to psyche myself out, is that I'm doing this for him," Myles said. "The things he's been able to do and see and the people he's met up to this point in his life because of what I do is a lot more than what I got to experience and my siblings got to experience growing up.

"That's the goal of many fathers is to give your children a better life than what you have. This is my way of going about that."

For Myles, the dreams of playing in the big leagues have as much to do with his son as they do himself.

"This is my goal, making it to the big leagues and having a successful career," said Myles, who posted an .800 OPS with 25 stolen bases at Akron in 2015. "I'm willing to do whatever it is to obtain that goal for him. If I have to spend a couple months away from him out of the year, that's what I'm going to have to do. Hopefully, I look up 15 to 20 years from now and I'm thankful and he's thankful for the sacrifices I made."

Bobby Ison and his fiancee, Baylee, set an October 2016 wedding date. Baylee graduated from cosmetology school last month and has a job at a salon in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Ison, a 22-year-old outfielder, split most of his time last season between Lake County and Lynchburg.

"I don't want to take anything away from her dream," Ison said. "We've discussed it and everything. She's not going to come with me this year."

Ison plans to live with a host family at whichever level the Indians place him. Baylee will live at home and the two hope to secure an apartment or a house after the season. When she has time off from work, she'll visit Ison during the season.

"Baseball changes in a split-second," said Ison, who also made a brief cameo at Double-A Akron last season. "You never know where you're going to be. I don't know where I'm going to be to start the season. It'd be a whirlwind. The easiest thing to do is for her to stay in South Carolina and I'll be in Ohio or Virginia or wherever. We'll make the best of the situation."

"You people have no idea how golden you are," Pedroia said to Marc and Joyce. "We appreciate what you do so much." No need for the Shacks to pat themselves on the back. A four-time major league All-Star and former MVP did it for them. "That, to me, made the whole thing worth it," Marc said. "They're living out their dream. We're just trying to help make it easier for them."

Anthony Gallas, an outfielder for Triple-A Columbus, said he has enough stress to deal with on the diamond each day.

"It's very difficult," Gallas said. "We're going through all of this stuff and then you're like, 'Man, if I'm not producing, my kid isn't going to be able to get what he needs.' There's a lot of pressure. I'd like to wait. Things happen. You never know. When the time is right, it just happens. I'm sure I'll have a kid while I'm playing pro baseball. It'll be a new challenge. Right now, I like where I'm at and now is not the right time for that."

Heller leaves the ballpark each day and heads home to his wife. They watch TV and play cards. On day games or during the off-season, she'll cook dinner.

"It reminds me that baseball is just a part of my life," Heller said. "It's not entirely who I am."

At this point, Heller can't imagine adding a child to the equation.

"Even if we wanted children, there's no way in heck we could have them with our financial situation right now," Heller said. "We're just trying to enjoy our time together just us two."

It certainly adds an extra dimension, and a demanding one. To Haase, though, there's more to life than crouching behind home plate.

"We're at a mutual agreement that baseball isn't always going to be there," Haase said. "If I don't make it, it's not going to be the end of the world. We're not going to delay our plans for having a family, things like that. We're together on things like that."

Closing time: How does a minor leaguer know when to call it a career if he never got a big league chance? Zack Meisel, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The hike from Little Rock, Arkansas to Memphis, Tennessee is a little more than two hours, but Alex Eckelman wasn't sure he'd ever reach his destination. As Eckelman plodded along the highway, he thought to himself: "I didn't know I'd ever get this far." The drive itself wasn't the issue. It simply had never dawned on Eckelman that, at some point, his major-league dream would be one phone call away. When he earned his promotion to Triple-A Memphis in 2000, it all started to register. "I enjoy competing and I know what my end goal was," said Eckelman, now an assistant director of player development with the Indians, "but it's still like, 'Wait a second. This is a lot closer than I thought it was.' It's extremely exciting. You're one level away from it." No minor leaguer is guaranteed a shot at the majors. Each career path is its own winding road, some with more twists and turns and forks and bumps, and all with an unknown endpoint. Some players plug away for years and years and never receive that final, coveted call to the manager's office, the one that ends in excitement and an embrace, some panicked packing and a nerve-filled trek to the next level. When do those players know that it's time to call it a career, to squash that last hope of a shot at stardom? How does one walk away when he has run toward the same goal for so long? Eckelman spent seven seasons in the minors and two more in independent ball. He reached Triple-A with two franchises, but he never secured a big-league opportunity. And he's OK with that. "It could've been a worse path," said Eckelman, now an assistant to player development for the Indians. "It could've been a better path. But in the end, I'm grateful that it was my path and my journey. Sometimes I think back at, 'What could I have been doing in that 10 years that may have positioned me a little bit better than I am now after playing 10 years in baseball?' "But the experiences that I had doing it and the people I met and the parts of the country that I was able to see that I never would've been able to if I was doing something else and finding another job and being more stationary -- I wouldn't trade for anything." The minor league expedition can be tenuous for all, but even more so for undrafted players. Eckelman was not drafted out of Ohio State. Anthony Gallas, who played at Kent State, also went undrafted. He earned his first extended look at Triple-A in 2015. "It's hard to stop and smell the roses sometimes," Gallas said, "because I get so locked into what I'm going to do that night and preparing for that game, and you have so many games that it's tough to stop and be like, 'Wow. I'm at Triple-A. I'm one level away. This is crazy.' Because I'm just doing whatever needs to be done. It's just heightened. There's more at stake." That pressure can be debilitating, given the lack of certainty in many players' futures. Dave Wallace, now the manager at Double-A Akron, played at Triple-A with a pair of franchises in 2007 and '08. He was a backup catcher, but he figured, with an injury here and a stroke of luck there, he might have eventually received a big -eague chance, even if only a short-lived one. "There's just a bunch of time, too much time, on the bench and in the bullpen," Wallace said, "just sitting there, wondering and thinking." Wallace spent seven years in the minors. Mike Sarbaugh, now the Indians' third-base coach, spent six years in the minors and nine years as a minor-league manager. Chris Tremie, the manager at Triple-A Columbus, played 14 minor-league seasons. I had no regrets about it. I did everything that I could possibly do to get there. It just didn't work out. They each lean on personal experience when relating to those they coach. After he wrapped up his playing career, Wallace became the Indians' bullpen catcher. Since 2011, he has served as manager at four classifications. "For the guys who are sitting there watching their teammates get called up and wondering why it's not them or wondering when it's going to be them or if it's going to be them," Wallace said, "I've sat there and thought those same things when I was a player. The message is to control what you can control. If you don't ever make it, to be able to look back and say you gave it everything you had, that's everything. I have zero regrets because I know I gave it everything I had. I exhausted every avenue and put forth my best effort and it didn't work out. I'm OK with that."

It's the conversation every player craves, the gratifying dialogue experienced far too infrequently in a game defined by failures and shortcomings. It all starts with a phone call. James Ramsey, a former first-round draft choice who spent last season at Triple-A, isn't so sure everyone can come to terms with falling short of the majors. "I think a lot of people are extremely disappointed," Ramsey said. "You put the milestone of being in the big leagues one day, that is a life goal for a lot of people and when they don't reach it, I think they have to check themselves and say, 'Am I less of a person? Have I failed?' I don't think that's the right way to look at it, but I think that's what a lot of guys struggle with. "No matter how much success they've had in the game, once the game has humbled them enough so they've stepped away from it or have had the jersey taken from them, you have to just go in from day one saying, 'I have an opportunity to play a game that I love and entertain people in the process' and also be given a platform where I can walk into a children's hospital wearing a jersey and it's almost like you have a Superman cape on and you have the ability to reach others." Even a brief taste of the big leagues is enough for some. Tremie played in the majors for parts of four seasons over a decade-long span. In his lone cameo in 2004, he entered a game as a defensive replacement. That was his last big-league appearance. He spent the next year at Triple-A Round Rock and then he retired. He had had thoughts of calling it a career for several years. "Most of the guys, if not all of them," Tremie said, "really love what they're doing, and have that end goal in sight and they're continuing to work toward it. Every day they have a chance to get a little better and get a little closer to that dream." Toward the end of the 2005 campaign, Eckelman suffered a torn labrum and rotator cuff while playing for Houston's Triple-A team. He underwent surgery and broke camp the following spring with the same affiliate. He and his wife had decided that if he were assigned to Double- A, he would retire. That wasn't the case. Or so they thought. After a couple of exhibition games to gear up for the regular season, the Astros called Eckelman and said they sent down veteran infielder Kevin Orie to Triple-A, so they were demoting Eckelman to Double-A. Eckelman instead opted to retire. "I had no regrets about it," he said. "I put everything that I had into trying to get there and I came to the realization that it's obviously a tough go, but I did everything that I could possibly do to get there. It just didn't work out." A year later, Eckelman initiated his coaching and player development career by relying upon his past relationships with the Astros. He had a rapport with Tom Wiedenbauer, then the field coordinator with the organization. Both now work with the Indians. "Everybody's journey is going to be a little bit different," Eckelman said. "But just make sure -- and it's not just baseball, it's life in general -- whatever you're spending your time with, that you're putting your best foot forward and putting your best effort in so that when you do look back on those times, you look back with no regrets. 'OK, this is something I was passionate about and was something I really enjoyed doing as a human experience.' "Of course we all want to make millions of dollars some day. That would be everybody's dream. How many people will realize that dream? Not as many. So as long as you're enjoying it and are passionate about it and are giving your best effort, then whatever experiences you have and whatever connections you make, those are going to be the things that are going to be long-lasting."

'A game of failure': How do minor leaguers cope with self-doubt and struggles? Zack Meisel, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- J.P. Feyereisen shouldered the loss and sidestepped his fan club. Feyereisen's parents had traveled 1,100 miles to Lynchburg, Virginia, to watch their son pitch. Feyereisen's baseball coach at River Falls High School (Wisc.), Ryan Bishop, had selected Lynchburg for his summer vacation with his wife and their three daughters. All were in attendance at Calvin Falwell Field last July when Feyereisen relinquished a late lead in a loss to the Salem Red Sox. Feyereisen opted to bypass the pleasantries. He instead texted his mother, Jana. "I went straight to the truck," the message read. His cheering section waited for him at the ballpark with the intention of joining him for a post-game meal. But the reliever, saddled with the disappointment of his first professional setback, headed for a solitary exit. Thankfully for the right-hander, his support system was nearby. His father and his coach located him and, as Jana described, "they talked him off the ledge." After a 15-minute conversation, the group ventured to Buffalo Wild Wings. "He was back in the saddle," Jana said. Typically, that backing is far away. In a sport defined by failure, and at the minor league level, where 12-hour bus rides and small, unfamiliar towns are common, the journey can be lonely. Struggles can snowball. Support can seem distant. Doubt can nudge its way into one's mind. "Anyone in any profession reaches that point where they may doubt themselves," said Bryson Myles, an outfielder at Double-A Akron. "With baseball, it's unique in that the doubt can sometimes be there daily." Where does a player turn for support in such situations? How do they snap out of a funk? "It can definitely be very, very frustrating and get very heavy at times," said Ben Heller, a reliever in the Indians' system. "I think the biggest thing is finding things away from the field to take your mind off the game to bring you back to reality to show you that baseball isn't the biggest thing." "It's for the love of the game," Gallas said. "You must love the lifestyle. As bad as it gets sometimes, you wouldn't trade it for the world. I don't think people understand how hard it is." Myles hit for the cycle on Aug. 25, 2015. He didn't have much time to savor the achievement. The RubberDucks had an afternoon game the following day. Myles went 0-for-3. Following his four-hit affair, he tallied only four hits over his next 22 at-bats. "It's very hard to be consistent," Myles said. "That takes a toll on you mentally. Every day, whenever I come to the park, there's going to be some kind of self-doubt. It could be from not feeling well mentally or physically or at all. It's like, 'Man, can I really play this game? Am I really as good as I think I am?' There's always some self-doubt. "You have to learn to take those thoughts out as much as you can or eliminate those thoughts as soon as they come in, or it's going to be a lot tougher. I think those thoughts are natural. Pretty much 100 percent of any baseball players from little league up to the big leagues, have those doubts." No one is immune to the game's twisted habits. Everyone endures a rough patch, whether it's a dip in command for a pitcher or a stretch of loud outs for a hitter. James Ramsey, a first-round draft choice, signed with the Cardinals in 2012. The organization sent him to High-A Palm Beach, where he batted .281 with a .378 on-base percentage and nine stolen bases over his first 24 games. "I thought, 'Man, this pro ball stuff is pretty easy,'" said Ramsey, who spent last season with the Indians' Triple-A affiliate. Ramsey proceeded to hit .184 with a .533 OPS and only one steal over the final 32 contests of the season. "I thought, 'Wow, I never realized that this whole playing every day thing isn't as easy as I thought,'" Ramsey said. "You can't really prepare for it until you have to go through it." And Ramsey had to withstand it on his own for the first time. "When you do hit that failure," he said, "your support system is usually not as close. You don't have the resources that you've always been used to having at your disposal." At some juncture, every minor leaguer plunges into that wall. It's up to you to be a good self-evaluator to recognize what you're doing and why you're not having success. When Bobby Ison, an outfielder in the Indians' system, first toiled with failure as a professional, he overcompensated. Patience be damned, he tried to swing at first pitches to emerge more swiftly from his slumber. He dove after fly balls in the outfield that he had no chance of nabbing, naively hoping that one eye-opening grab would provide him with a spark and back him with confidence. "It absolutely is a game of failure," Ison said. "In high school and college, you're hitting .400 or .500, so you're only failing five times out of 10, not seven or eight out of 10. As soon as you don't see success, instead of taking a step back and letting the game come to you, you say, 'Oh crap. What do I have to do?'" When do those players know that it's time to call it a career, to squash that last hope of a shot at stardom? How does one walk away when he has strived toward the same goal for so long? Alex Lavisky opened the 2011 campaign as a 20-year-old catcher for Lake County. He hit .234 with a .720 OPS over his first 11 games. Over his next 37 contests, he batted .180 with a .560 OPS, with six walks and 50 . "I struggled so badly offensively," he said. "I couldn't figure out why I had so much success one night and none another night, or why I'd go 0- for-4 with four strikeouts one night and hit a homer and a double the next night." Lavisky was demoted to short-season Mahoning Valley in mid-June. He spent the rest of the season there. "I was always more of a 'see ball, hit ball' kind of guy, especially in high school, where the talent level wasn't so good," said Lavisky, who attended St. Edward's High School in Lakewood, Ohio. "Those really good pitches you get in high school right down the middle, you're not going to see those pitches [in the minors]." It took a few months and a change of scenery to realize it, but Lavisky had to take a step back to understand how his approach was falling short. He analyzed his swing and determined why he couldn't handle pitches over the plate and why he constantly pulled the ball. He noticed he had an especially rough time with fastballs on the outside corner and off-speed pitches away. He also decided he needed to demonstrate more discipline at the plate, as evidenced by his microscopic walk total. "I was up there just taking hacks," Lavisky said. "I wouldn't even know what an approach or a plan would be." Lavisky received pointers from manager Dave Wallace and teammate Anthony Gallas, but he knew he had to figure it out on his own. "There are things you're going to encounter," Lavisky said. "It's up to you to be a good self-evaluator to recognize what you're doing and why you're not having the success you want." It can be tough to reach that point, whether it's rock bottom or some other point along the journey in which a player needs some introspection or a wake-up call. There's no map with a clear-cut path that leads to the big leagues. Most careers will sputter before the player receives that ultimate promotion. Failure is the norm. That's why support is critical. Gallas offered teammate Justin Toole some guidance last year when Toole was struggling at the plate. "I told him: 'You're living a success story,'" Gallas said. "'Everything has gone right for you at this point, and why wouldn't it go right for you going forward? Even if it ends today, look how successful you've been.'" Bus rides can be long and tiring. For those who can't find enough comfort to nod off, they can be mentally taxing. As everyone else snoozes, a player sits up straight, headphones on, staring out the window into the dark night, thinking about whether he'll ever snap out of this 0-for-20 slump, if a promotion to the next level is in his future, if this is all even worth it. A teammate or a coach can provide some backing. Family members can offer encouragement from afar. Ultimately, it's up to the player to find sources of motivation and incentive in what can seem like a grim field. "I try to think about that when I'm playing," Gallas said. "You want to reach your goals. When I first got into pro ball, I was just happy to be in pro ball. I was like, 'Oh, it's cool. It's fine.' But the switch went off after that first season, where it was like, 'I'm not messing around. I have a purpose here. I have a goal. And I'm going to reach it. I'm going to do everything I possibly can to get there. Nothing short of that is going to be fulfilling to me in that sense.' "You try to balance, 'Wow, look how I've done to this point.' As a competitor, you're never satisfied. Yeah, you've made it this far, but what more can you do now? How can I get to this next level? It never stops. You either get better or you get worse. There's no in-between. If you're getting better every day, you're going to reach those goals." Feyereisen has developed a similar mindset. He wasn't going to breeze through each level of the organization without an occasional hiccup. "If he ever gives up a home run or something," Jana said, "he will text his dad and use swear words or whatever he needs to get off his chest. "Then the next day will be, 'Well, it's a new day. Time to play baseball.'"

Will The Donald try to buy again if he's not nominated? Hey, Hoynsie Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Do you have a question that you'd like to have answered in Hey, Hoynsie? Submit it here or Tweet him at @hoynsie. Hey, Jane: Trump already tried once. On Feb. 15, 1983 his lawyer sent a letter to Tribe President Gabe Paul offering to buy the Indians for $13 million. The letter was recently discovered by former Plain Dealer sportswriter Russell Schneider. Trump's bid to buy the team failed because ownership feared he would move the team to Tampa. If Trump doesn't win the Republican nomination, perhaps he'll become the silent partner Tribe owner Paul Dolan is seeking. On second thought, when has Trump ever been silent about anything? Had Donald Trump's 1983 deal to buy the Indians gone through, many believed the current front-runner for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination would have wasted little or no time moving the team to another city, most likely Tampa, writes Brent Larkin. Hey, Hoynsie: Tell me what's the difference between the markets in Kansas City and Cleveland? Kansas City can spend on free agents and Cleveland can't. Same size markets, right? Could it be that baseball fans in KC actually buy tickets to see the games, while Cleveland ranks near the bottom in MLB attendance figures in recent years? Perhaps if the folks there would buy more tickets (like in the late 1990s) the ownership could afford to take a few more risks! -- Dave Irvine, Prescott, Ariz. Hey, Dave: Big league teams have a variety of revenue streams, but it would certainly help the Indians put more talent on the field if they drew more fans. This has been going on since owner Paul Dolan and his father Larry purchased the team. It's a difference in philosophy between ownership and the paying public that has turned Progressive Field into a ghost town for large stretches of the last three seasons. But it can't all be blamed on ownership and lack of attendance. The front office, in its most recent big splash in free agency, missed badly on the signing of departed Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn for over $100 million. The Royals, until their surprise run to the World Series in 2014, hadn't been to the postseason since 1985. They are taking advantage of their opportunity by rolling out their biggest payroll in history. Last year the Royals were 10th in attendance with 2.7 million fans. In 2014, however, they finished 25th with just under 2 million fans. Cleveland, according to the 2013 census, is the 48th largest city in the United States with a population of 390,113. The metropolitan population is an estimated 2.1 million. Kansas City is the 37th largest city with a population of 467,007. It's metropolitan population is 2.4 million. Hey, Robert: The international signing period, which began on July 2, will end on June 1. The Indians, with a signing bonus pool of $2.2 million, are expected to sign between 10 and 12 players. At the same time, the Dodgers have spent an estimated $93 million on international free agents. The penalties put in place for teams to stay within their signing bonus pool have not stopped big payroll teams like the Dodgers from signing the best international players. Hey, Matthew: The Indians like the 16-year-old Cuban outfielder, but have no chance to sign him. Armenteros figures to sign for $20 million with another $20 million in luxury tax penalties to the team that signs him. Armenteros was declared a free agent in early February. It means most of the teams have already spent or exceeded their international signing bonus pools and face penalties for more spending. The group includes the Dodgers, Cubs, Royals and Giants, according to mlbtraderumors.com. The penalties, however, will not stop a team from signing him. Armenteros, according to USA Today, has already been offered $16 million from a Japanese team. Hey, Joel: As i wrote before, the Indians have received inquiries from investors who want to purchase the entire team. Paul Dolan is on record as saying he wants to maintain majority ownership and so far he hasn't found the right fit regarding a minority owner. If they do find the right silent partner, it doesn't sound as if it will make a big difference in what kind of players the Indians can and can't sign. What it will do is alleviate some of the burden of ownership. Hey, Steve: I think the Indians will break camp with Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin in the top five. I think Cody Anderson will start the year at Class AAA Columbus and give the rotation a mid-season boost just like he did last year. It also wouldn't surprise me if Anderson won the fifth spot and Tomlin opened the year in the bullpen or Columbus. Tomlin has two options left, but it's hard for me to believe that the Indians, who just signed him to a $5.5 million contract extension, wouldn't give him every chance to win a spot in the rotation. The Indians, with a big expenditure in free agency out of the question, must trade a starting pitcher or their prospect in order to improve the offense for 2016. Hey, PA: I've heard that the Indians are leaning more toward Juan Uribe than David Freese. Uribe is older and probably cheaper, but either one would make sense. Hey, Joel: Having been called crazy myself, I frown on that expression. Let's just say a vote for Naquin as AL Rookie of the Year at this point of the year would be wildly optimistic. First, he has to make the team. Hey, Scott: They played in the same outfield last year at Class A Lynchburg and could be teammates again this year at Class AA Akron. Zimmer played only 49 games at Akron last year so he's probably not ready for Class AAA Columbus. Frazier spent all of last season at Lynchburg. @hoynsie Hey, Hoynsie! Sean from Toronto, Canada. Huge tribe fan. How do you think the Indians rotation stacks up against the leagues best? — Sean Thrussell (@Bigbubbaganush) February 3, 2016 Hey, Sean: I would think the Tribe's rotation would be ranked near the top of the American League. I think it would fare well in the National League as well, but it would have to contend with the Giants, Mets and Cubs. Headed into spring training the Indians' problem isn't pitching, it's offense. Hey, D.P: The AL Central could be the most competitive division in baseball this year. I don't think the Indians are a mystery. They have good pitching, good defense, but need help on offense. If they get it, they have a chance to win the division. If they don't, they're a third place team at best.

Cleveland Indians have Terry Talkin' third base options and memories of Walt Williams -- Terry Pluto (photos) Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Can the Indians count on Giovanny Urshela to play third base? With the glove, absolutely. At the bat ... well ... we don't know. If the Tribe had power hitters in the outfield, then they could go with a younger version of a smooth-fielding Jack Hannahan at third base. But fans know about Michael Brantley being out at least for the first month of the season because of shoulder surgery. It could be longer. The projected opening day outfield is Lonnie Chisenhall (RF), Abraham Almonte (CF) and Rajai Davis (LF). Those three combined for 20 homers last season. The Indians are looking to platoon at some position in the outfield. Tyler Naquin could make the team, but he's not a power hitter. That's why it would help the Tribe to have someone at third base who can drive in some runs. ABOUT THE DEFENSE On June 9, the Tribe promoted Urshela from the minors. Five days later, Francisco Lindor came up from Columbus. The goal was to stabilize the left side of the infield. A story by Ben Lindbergh in Grantland (now defunct) discussed how the Indians went from "the worst-fielding team in modern history" in early May to one of the best in the majors by the end of the season. Four big moves happened: 1. Lindor replaced Jose Ramirez at shortstop. 2. Urshela replaced Chisenhall at third base. 3. Chisenhall took over in right field for Brandon Moss and others. 4. Almonte replaced Michael Bourn in center. Fangraphs.com rated the Tribe as the second-best defensive team in the American League. The World Series champion Kansas City Royals were first. That's why the Indians are hoping Urshela can hit enough to hold down third base. WHAT HAPPENED IN 2015? It's very hard to judge Urshela's performance last season. He was leading the Venezuelan winter league with a .398 batting average (43-of- 108) when he injured his knee. He didn't have surgery, but the injured knee required time to recover. He played only five spring training games in 2015. Urshela opened at Class AAA Columbus, but hurt his back. He missed three weeks. The Indians probably should have kept Urshela longer in the minors, but the Cleveland situation was such a mess. The pitchers were justifiably discouraged by the problems with the defense. Manager Terry Francona believed the Lindor/Urshela promotions would help the team, even if they struggled to hit. It took 100 at-bats, but Lindor began to find his swing. By the end of the season, he was a .313 hitter (.835 OPS) with 12 HR, 51 RBI in 99 games. What about Urshela? x He was a .253 hitter at the All-Star break. That was in 103 plate appearances. x After the All-Star break, he batted .208 in 183 plate appearances. x He batted only .207 vs. righties, compared to .275 vs. lefties. x The final totals were .225 (.608 OPS) with 6 HR and 21 RBI. Until 2015, Urshela had been healthy since signing with the Indians in 2009. Then came the knee, the back and he had a shoulder issue late in the 2015 season. In 2014, Urshela batted a combined .280 (.865 OPS) with 18 HR and 84 RBI between Class AA and Class AAA. So there is a reason to believe he can be respectable at the plate. Urshela is only 24, so there is reason for optimism. IS HE READY? The Indians intend to contend for a playoff spot in 2016. One of the questions hanging over the team is Urshela. Can they count on him now? They don't know. On the roster right now, the other third base option is Jose Ramirez. His best position is second base. He is considered the team's utility infielder for 2016. Ramirez batted only .219 (.631 OPS) with 6 HR and 27 RBI last season. He was awful in the spring and sent back to the minors. He eventually returned and batted .259 after the All-Star break. Urshela is better defensively at third, and it's doubtful Ramirez would supply a lot of offense. The Indians are excited about Yandy Diaz, who played third and hit .315 with 7 HR and 55 RBI for Class AA Akron last season. But he's not ready to open the 2016 season in Cleveland. The 24-year-old Diaz is fascinating, a Cuban defector who has played only two years of pro ball in the U.S. He could be a prospect who moves up quickly. ABOUT JUAN URIBE The questions hanging over Urshela is why the Juan Uribe rumors keep popping up. He'll be 37 on March 22. He's a very wide body, 245 pounds on a 6-foot frame. Uribe batted .253 (.737 OPS) with 14 HR and 43 RBI with three teams last season. He had nine errors in 92 games at third. In 2014, he was a .311 hitter (.773 OPS) with 9 HR and 54 RBI for the Dodgers. If the Indians do sign Uribe, he will join veterans Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis as right-handed hitters who are more effective against lefties than right-handed pitching.

'This is like taking 65 kids on a two-month vacation': Cleveland Indians embark on another year of spring training Zack Meisel, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Marty Bokovitz doesn't need a groundhog to tell him that spring is around the corner. The Cleveland Indians' assistant clubhouse manager and the rest of his crew loaded a pair of trucks that are scheduled to arrive at the team's complex in Goodyear, Arizona, on Tuesday. The clubhouse staff will then unload all of the team's equipment and belongings -- including manager Terry Francona's new, black scooter. Pitchers and catchers are slated to report to camp on Feb. 17. Position players have a report date of Feb. 21. "I don't know what you're talking about Punxsutawney Phil for," Bokovitz said. "This is the first day of spring right here, isn't it? The trucks roll out. Everybody gets excited. Spring is starting and baseball is back. It should be a holiday." The clubhouse crew starts its preparation in December. Orders and shipments begin to roll in after the New Year. "It takes us a good month," Bokovitz said. "Every day, something comes up. There's some hurdle that we have to overcome." Indians Truck DayThe Indians loaded their trucks for spring training on Friday. Everything will arrive on Tuesday. Bokovitz estimated that the team is taking 11 pallets of water bottles. Each pallet contains 30-40 cases of water. The team ships certain things, such as gum and baseballs, directly to the facility. Bokovitz said that many years ago, the team hauled empty boxes to its spring training site so players could bring back pottery. "That might have been one of the oddest ones," Bokovitz said. For the ninth consecutive year, Ed Fisher will drive one of the trucks to Goodyear. He drives about 11 hours per day and stops wherever is convenient along the 2,000-mile journey. Said Bokovitz: "This is like taking 65 kids on a two-month vacation."