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EMH Elyria Medical Center EMH Avon Health Campus 630 East River Street, Elyria 1997 Healthway Drive, Avon (440) 329-7500 (440) 988-6660

EMH Amherst Hospital 254 Avenue, Amherst (440) 988-6115 FORECAST 2011 Spring Preview

LORAIN COUNTY PREVIEW . . .pg.3 WEOL FORCAST MAGAZINE LORAIN COUNTY PREVIEW . . .pg.6 SPRING 2011 PREVIEW A Publication of AM 930 WEOL Volume 12 Issue 3 Tim Calderwood reflects on the 2010 season PRESIDENT & tells us what exciting events we can look George Hudnutt VP/GENERAL MANAGER forward to this year ...... pg. 8 Lonnie Gronek LOCAL SALES MANAGER Tim Alcorn Jim Rosenhaus gives us hope in the young - yet EDITOR experienced Tribe ...... pg. 12 Katie M. Loftis ASSISTANT EDITORS Craig Adams BASEBALL SCHEDULES Tim Alcorn Tom Hutchison LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS ...... pg. 10 Bruce VanDyke FEATURE WRITERS CLEVELAND INDIANS ...... pg. 15 Jim Allen Tim Calderwood Bob Daniels ...... pg. 16 Jim Rosenhouse COVER DESIGN WEOL BROADCAST SCHEDULES BozCorn Productions PUBLISHER SUNDAYS WITH THE CRUSHERS ...... pg. 9 Douthit Communications FROM THE DUGOUT ...... pg. 12

ABOUT THE COVER: Mr. Baseball Cameron Zima carried on the great tradition of at Vermilion High School. He had the lowest era of any local hurler in 2010-0.38. He was 6 and 1 with 3 saves. Cameron also was an excellent hitter with a .423 batting average and 3 triples. He has received a full-ride academic scholarship to Wake Forest University.

Miss Softball Melissa Rennie is the first Wellington player to be named Miss Softball. She blasted 23 home runs in her 4-year varsity career and had high batting averages each year, topped by a .428 her junior season. She was a major reason that Wellington was the state runner-up her sophomore season when she batted .398 with 6 home runs. Melissa is already excelling at the Division I collegiate level. In February of this year, she was named Big 10 co-Freshman of the Week for her impressive stats at State where she is the catcher. Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 1 "In our sundown perambulations of late, through the outer parts of Brooklyn, we have observed several parties of youngsters playing 'base', a form of 'ball'. Let us go forth for awhile and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms. The game of 'ball' is glorious." -Walt Whitman Great words about a great game. Welcome to Forecast, the spring edition from AM 930 WEOL. Inside, you'll find everything you need to enjoy the game of 'ball'. Special thanks go to the outstanding advertisers who are supporting this magazine and our outstanding broadcast schedule of high school baseball and high school softball. Thanks also go to the athletic directors and coaches for their support. From the diamonds of local high schools to the fine fields of Lorain County's two minor league franchises and the Cleveland Indians, it is indeed time to, "Play Ball!"

Craig R. Adams Operations Manager AM930 WEOL

2 Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 2011 LORAIN COUNTY SOFTBALL PREVIEW By: Bob Daniels more pressure and therefore will need to have improved Softball fans can only skills. speculate about which teams "I've wanted the change will dominate as the 2011 for a long time," said North high school season draws Ridgeville's Norm Frindt, near. the dean of Lorain County But there's one thing they softball coaches. "It's been know for certain: this season proposed several times, but will be much different than it was always rejected. Now any in years gone by. the national association The reason? The pitching (National Federation of distance is being moved High School Associations) from 40 to 43 feet this says the new distance has to spring. This conforms to the be implemented this year." NCAA, professional and The NFHSA, of which international pitching dis- the Ohio High School tance and it will change the Athletic Association is a Photo courtesy of Chuck Humel - The Chronicle-Telegram high school game in several member, mandated the ways. change in 2009. The new Amherst coach Bill to be good defensive players Most noticeable, Lorain rule said state associations Matthews added that scores to field their position. I don't County coaches say, is the could choose to adopt it in are going to increase. think average pitchers will new distance will result in 2010 and that every state "A few of the best pitch- have as much success as more offense because the must be throwing from 43 ers will continue to domi- they had in the past." extra three feet will take feet by this season. nate because they're the best As always, area high some zip off fastballs. It will Many states did adopt the pitchers," he said. "But there schools have the kind of tal- give batters more time to rule last spring. The won't be as many of them. ent that will adjust readily to read pitches and create more OHSAA, at the urging of the This will force pitchers to be the change. bunting opportunities - a big Ohio Fastptich Softball better and force teams to part of the fastpitch game. Coaches Association, voted have more pitchers. I think it A highly unscientific sur- That's because pitchers have to wait until this season. will really hurt teams that vey of people who know the an extra three feet to cover "Softball is the only high don't have good pitching." game say the teams most in fielding their position and school sport I can think of Elyria coach Ken Fenik, likely to succeed this season the bunter has what amounts where the dimensions aren't the only Lorain County are the same ones that been to a three-foot head start. the same as they are at the coach to have won two state successful in the past. That The rule will also give college level," said titles (2002 and 2009), translates Keystone, Elyria, hitters and runners an extra Keystone coach Jim Piazza, agreed. Midview, Amherst and second or two to advance, so who led the Wildcats to the "There are going to be a Columbia. there will be new emphasis Division II state champi- lot more runs and stolen on base running and steal- onship in 2006. "Football, bases and the catchers will Division II Keystone, ing. And because of the and baseball are need a better arm," said under Piazza's has a strong increase in offense, position the same as they are in col- Fenik. "Now pitchers can't core of juniors that includes players will be under much lege. Why not softball?" be just pitchers, they'll have See Softball on page 4

Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 3 SOFTBALL pitching in sophomore are headed in the right direc- in Kailey DeMarco and Christine Lyzen and junior tion after a 15-victory sea- Jenna Yost. Yost returns after from page 3 Kalyn Thompson. son. The heart of the squad an off-season injury. But Erin Pond, Kenzie Conrad, this year is expected to be DeMarco might not pitch Bee Shaw and Bri Buckley. Others to keep catcher Salena Kauffman, a because of an injury of her Division I Elyria would your eye on: Cleveland State recruit, and own. seem to be on course for a Elyria Catholic (coach outfielder Kayla Chrosniak. Oberlin (coach Josie sixth straight appearance in Brian Daw) - The Panthers Both are seniors. Eiskamp) - The Phoenix lost the Sweet 16. The Pioneers have a strong group of sen- Clearview (coach Denny at graduation last spring. welcome back senior iors that includes Lexi Myers) - Back for the But they still have junior Kristen Boros, along with Kaczay, Jasmin Filiaggi, Clippers this year are shortstop Kayla Jackson, juniors Darien Ward, Alyssa Emily Taylor, jr., Courtney Breanna Colon, Alex Barker, Alanna Williams Yun and Molly O'Malley, Wilson, Paige Schaffer, one of the best hitters and and Taryn Harshberger. among others. O'Malley is Morgan Hemming, Alexis all-around players in the But to return to the Sweet expected to be their No. 1 Renney, Lauren Kokinda, area. 16 for the sixth year in a pitcher. Kristen Whalen, Jenee Open Door (coach Ken row, Elyria has to get past Avon (coach Ken Perry, Nikki Kent and Emily Trigg) - The Patriots lack two other strong Division I Matuszak) - The Eagles Roush. significant experience, but teams in Amherst and have considerable talent Firelands (coach Judy keep your eye on pitcher Midview. returning in seniors Dostall) - Making up the Alyssa Overs. The Amherst Comets Mackenzie Brua, Mackenzie Falcons' core this spring will Vermilion (coach Roger under coach Bill Matthews Wentz, Kelsey Matuszak be Taylor Morris, Nicole Wright) - Returnees from have one of the area's top and Rachel Rogers, plus jun- Myers, Emily Loosli, Emily pitchers in junior Jen Sutton, ior Hailey McAleer. Of spe- Arlington and Samantha last season include Amanda one of the better hitters in cial interest is the return of Dostall Wright, Madi Virgin, Sara senior Amanda Arendt and a junior Brittanie Fowler, who Lake Ridge (coach Sue Kovarik, Kate-Lynn Urgo, top-shelf catcher in sopho- was the team's No. 1 pitcher Bus) - Returnees include Robyn Oates and Christine more Katie Hoerig. as a freshman. She played Emily Kurtz, Terra Sotto and Hoholski. Midview, which earned last season but was unable to Alexa Malinowski. Wellington (coach Tim its first district champi- pitch because of an arm Lorain (coach Pam Wulfhoop) - This is onship and Sweet 16 appear- injury. Jackson) - The newly recon- Wulfhoop's first season as a ance last season, hopes to go Avon Lake (coach Kevin stituted Titans can choose varsity coach, but he has back to the Clyde regional Atkins) - Shoregals' from among former Admiral been coaching youth softball with the senior class it has returnees include seniors King and Southview players been waiting for. Laura Fraser, Sarah Busch, who include Kelsey Drwal for years. The Dukes lost a Middies coach Mike Ives junior Caitlyn Shelar, and and Brittany Washington. ton of talent at graduation, welcomes back pitcher sophomores Allison North Ridgeville (coach but they also have talent Sydney Mencke, infielder Theberge and Anne Norm Frindt) - The Rangers returning in outfielder Delaina DiVencenzo and Wennerberg. had perhaps the area's No. 1 Jessica Davis and pitcher outfielder Grace Turner. The Brookside The Cardinals freshman battery last season Olivia Wulfhoop. roster might or might not include infielder-pitcher Danielle Herwig, who said she was undecided about returning for her senior sea- son. And Columbia lost one of the area's strongest batteries in pitcher Jen Solanics and catcher Emily Nagle, who graduated. But don't feel sorry for coach Ken Richardson and the Raiders. Returning this spring are seniors Jenny Kus and Danielle Riolo, along with junior Sarah Viccarone. And the team still has strong Photo courtesy of Chuck Humel - The Chronicle-Telegram 4 Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 5 2011 LORAIN COUNTY BASEBALL PREVIEW

By: Jim Allen Lorain County baseball is blessed to have two play- ers who earned first-team All-Ohio honors as juniors last year, Tyler Beck and Ian Mezlak.

Beck hit for a .500 aver- age last spring for 16-10 Avon Lake, with 40 hits, including 12 doubles, and 29 rbi. Another leader coming back for the Shoremen is outfielder Mike Britt who blasted 9 doubles last season. Mezlak had some of the Photo courtesy of Linda Murphy - The Chronicle-Telegram best stats in the state in of football, another sport in championship. The victo- ing with junior Brandyn leading Clearview to an 18- which he gained acclaim as ries at Vermilion should Sittinger who had a 2.68 era 8 campaign and a Pac a junior. Last season, continue with outstanding and 37 K's, Mike Cordy Stripes title. Ian batted Neuschaefer batted .421 4-year varsity catcher who went 4-1 with a 1.81 .671 with 51 hits, 11 dou- with 32 hits, 10 doubles, 3 Madison Montgomery who era and 36 K's and Cody bles, 8 triples, 39 rbi and 10 triples, 5 home runs and 17 had 31 hits with 10 doubles Dill with a 2.49 era. stolen bases. On the stolen bases. Other promi- last year. Always strong Consistently good mound, Mezlak went 6-1 nent Pioneers include Sailor pitching will include Amherst was 18-8 for a with a 1.75 era and 44 Jordan McDonald who hit Cory Fox who was 5-0 with second straight season. . The Clippers .426 with 43 hits and 12 a 1.71 era and 48 strikeouts Tyler Bires is an outstand- also have Dominic stolen bases and Allen while Nick Dlugosz posted ing all-around player, Kyle Dominguez who posted a 7- Rister who recorded 2 saves a 1.93 era in his first varsity Hagerich hit 4 home runs 2 mark with a 2.67 era and with a 1.91 era. Elyria was season. Mitch Novak stole and drove in 23, Robbie 38 strikeouts while at the 14-13 in 2010. 28 bases. Janscura tagged 3 triples, plate, R.J. Presutto drove in The county's winningest Keystone also enjoyed a while Andy Dito did the job 29 runs. team last year was 20 win season, 20-9, while on the mound and at the Already bestowed a Vermilion at 23-4. Jeff picking up the Pac Stars plate. Division I scholarship to Keck, who will be inducted championship. Junior Avon and Columbia Kent State University is into the Caleb Shillace hit .393 with both 16-12 last year. Elyria High's Jake Baseball Coaches 42 hits, 6 home runs, 40 The Eagles have several top Neuschaefer. Jake is so Association Hall of Fame rbi, 10 stolen bases and a dedicated to baseball that this summer, guided the 2.60 era on the mound. The returnees including pitcher he passed up his senior year Sailors to the West Shore Wildcats are deep in pitch- See Baseball on page 7

6 Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine BASEBALL Wellington pitcher with a 5- 1 record. He also had a from page 6 .313 batting average and a Jordan Musser and one of team high 24 rbi. Other the county's top hitters as a Duke standouts should sophomore last season, Joel include Austin Fullen, Clay Yeagley. Wright and Jaron Antill. Columbia has a couple Firelands had a fresh- of top hitters back in junior man sensation in 2010, Joe Zach Bican who batted .407 San Felippo, who hit 382 with 37 hits and 5 HR's with 4 HR's, 29 runs and 17 along with Ryan Severo stolen bases. Christian who had 30 hits, including Hertrick had 30 hits with 12 3 triples. On the mound, stolen bases and a 3.05 era Tyler Shope fanned 33. on the mound while fellow Two returnees for 12-10 junior Kyle Smith stole 12 Wellington are going to be bases. teammates in college, too, The first Lorain High as Ryan Bliss and Justin Titan baseball team will be Kidd are going to continue coached by former their careers at Oberlin Southview mentor Brad College. Bliss, with a .407 Ternes. One of his top batting average, had 33 hits pitchers from last year, and stole 16 bases. As a Chris Browning, struck out pitcher, Bliss struck out 51 41 while Alec Nieto also Photo courtesy of Steve Manheim - The Chronicle-Telegram and had a 2.56 era. Kidd did well for the Saints as was the winningest did Andrew Coon and Jeff Fraley for the Admirals, will be in his 3rd season as Fraley fanning 33. Junior shortstop although just a Collin Bryant brings cre- junior. dentials as a catcher while Veteran North the Titans will have two Ridgeville players include sophomores who started catcher Justin Hobart and varsity as freshmen last pitcher Josh Dietz. year, Nick Billingsley at Oberlin returns one of Southview and Ryan Osko the county's top hitters in at Elyria Catholic. Zach Walsh who fashioned Speaking of freshmen, a .433 average. Midview's Eric Lauer Open Door junior blasted 4 HR's as a ninth Preston Phillips had 4 grader. Jake Stracensky triples in 2010 while Micah struck out 54 and posted a Stoneburner and Joey 3.24 era for the Middies. Untalasco are other prime Elyria Catholic is Patriots. happy to have 2-year letter- Leaders at Lake Ridge men Ryne St. Marie and include Matt Nathal and Scott LaMoureaux along Jim Booth. with Ryan Rock and Tom Strasko, who has devel- A reminder to all spring oped well as a pitcher. sports coaches to email Brookside's best results to jimallen@road- include man for all sea- runner.com for use on our sons, Luke Ackerman, a shows at 7:13 a.m. and 5:30 hustle player with power, p.m. during the week and Photo courtesy of Steve Manheim - The Chronicle-Telegram and Hunter Skolnicki who 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 7 The Lake Erie Crushers

Photo courtesy of Scott Evans By: Tim Calderwood Jeff Cinadr tied for second ond best in the league. did not allow a hit until a Voice of the Crushers with a 2.21 mark out of the Speedster Dom Duggan deflected infield single The Lake Erie Crushers . Josh Roberts posted a team record 48 with two outs in the sev- finished with 50 wins in ranked fifth at 2.62, with stolen bases and was enth. Smith also set a new their second season in Alberto Rolon right on his caught just five times. He team mark for strikeouts Northeast Ohio, but there is heels in six with a 2.65 led the league in swipes. with 12. a number that stands out more than any other to Even though Lake Erie Manager John Massarelli, didn't reach the postseason, one. 2010 marked the first fans flocked to All Pro time in his tenure as a man- Freight Stadium. ager in the Attendance climbed to that a team he led failed to 159,580. The Freight was make the postseason. also home to a mid-summer Despite closing with a concert featuring County flourish, winning a fran- Music superstars Alan chise record eight straight Jackson and Joe Nichols. to conclude the campaign, Jodam Rivera, Josh establishing new league Roberts, Jeff Cinadr, records for fielding per- Andrew Davis, and Travis centage and double plays Risser represented the team turned, the Crushers fin- at the All-Star Game with ished in fourth place in the Rivera and Davis compris- tough East Division, also ing the starters on the left establishing a league record side of the infield. Davis for lowest batting average was also a member of the at . 229. clip. Travis Risser finished Starting pitcher Matt 2009 All-Star team. Pitching carried Lake at 2.70, good for eighth in Smith hurled a one-hit The team again vaulted Erie throughout 2010 with the league. Overall, Lake complete game shutout on into the national scene with four players landing in the Erie finished with a team the season's final day, bet- a promotion aimed at league's top 10 for ERA. ERA of 3.56, tied for sec- tering Kalamazoo 8-0. He See CRUSHERS on page 9 8 Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine CRUSHERS appeared on ESPN's First of General Manager for the of Gordie Gronkowski by Take to discuss the event. Bowling Green Hot Rods, earning the Frontier from page 8 General Manager Ryan Class-A affiliate of the League's Fran Riordan LeBron James. Keep L-B-J Gates was chosen as the Tampa Bay Rays. Second Citizenship Award. in the C-L-E night was held Frontier League's Executive Baseman Drew Saylor 2011 promises to be full on the eve of NBA free of the Year, leading to a became the second consec- of excitement as well. The agency with the Crushers promotion. Gates, the first utive player to be honored Crushers will serve as the donning Cavalier themed ever employee of the for his work in the commu- hosts of the Frontier uniforms. John Massarelli Crushers, slid into the role nity, following in the steps League's showcase with the All-Star Game. The event will begin on Monday, July 11 and culminates with the All-Star Game on July 13. A new team joins the league in the , and the league has rewritten the roster rules. On the field, Lake Erie looks to return to the cham- pionship form of 2009. Players slated to be back with the Crushers include most of the pitching staff and the entire starting rota- tion. Josh Roberts tied for the team lead in wins with a 10-5 mark, and logged 137.1 innings. The Frontier League All-Star formerly of the Marlins organization started 21 games. Matt Smith also tallied 10 victo- ries, boasting a 3.66 ERA to go with his 10-7 record. He tied for the team lead in

See CRUSHERS on page 10

Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 9 CRUSHERS beginning. Both anchor the left side of the infield and from page 9 will bring familiar faces to strikeouts with 90. the lineup every day. The Alberto Rolon also notched possibility also exists for 90 strikeouts. He began the fan favorite Gordie year at the back end of the Gronkowski to return. Lake bullpen but stepped into the Erie traded for the man rotation and started 10 con- who hit 19 homers in the tests. He fell victim to heart of the 2009 lineup. some hard luck as a starter, He split time last year but finished 3-4 in 95 between Worcester of the innings. Travis Risser, also Can-Am League and a Frontier League All-Star, Gateway in the Frontier recovered from some time League. on injured reserve after the The third season of All-Star game to log 113.1 s Crushers baseball opens on innings and finished with May 19 at Windy City. The an 8-4 record. He had never team will appear at home started before 2010. Jodam Rivera and for the first time on May Andrew Davis are position 27 with the first ever meet- players who have been with ing against the Joliet the Crushers from the Slammers.

10 Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 11 HHooppee iiss hheerree.. TTrriibbee llooookkiinngg ffoorr yyoouutthh ttoo bbee sseerrvveedd

Jim Rosenhaus Pregame Host/Producer While that might seem like perform and develop." a frustration for new Why the optimism over the As the 2011 season General Manager Chris young talent? The Indians begins, the Cleveland Antonetti, he says nothing drafts of 2009 and 2010 Indians are looking to make could be further from the have been universally grad- major strides back to play- truth. ed extremely high through off contention with the "We feel we have a great baseball. Plus, difficult youngest roster in major group of talented young league baseball. Normally players on our roster and See INDIANS on page 13 that would be a daunting that was evident at the challenge, but due to December Baseball Winter uncommon experience for Meetings when several young players in 2010 and a teams reached out to us and suddenly rich farm system, inquired about our young the Tribe is brimming with prospects," said Antonetti. hope as the new campaign "It's incumbent upon us to is at hand. help them develop and help The 2011 Indians will them achieve their potential. feature most of the same When discussing acquiring names that completed 2010. veteran players, we decided During the offseason, it has to be the right veteran Cleveland's front office that can contribute in the made very little noise on lineup and provide leader- the free agent market. Only ship in the clubhouse. We outfielder Austin Kearns, don't want to bring in an infielder Orlando Cabrera experienced player just to and pitcher Chad Durbin bring in a player. If that's were signed to major league the case, we are better free agent contracts, all served by giving our young signing just one year deals. players the opportunity to

12 Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine INDIANS pare for a season in at the top of the Indians bat- Hafner and the Indians November instead of rehab ting order coming out of should improve on last sea- from page 12 from surgery. Last year , depending son's run total of 646, which trades the past 3 seasons was a learning experience. on the health of outfielder was just 12th best in the brought a high number of In some ways it was nice to Grady Sizemore, who is . quality prospects into the go through adversity at the still on the mend after sea- Of course the mainstay of system, prospects that are big league level and learn son ending, microfracture anything the Indians do now beginning to fill how to handle it. That's surgery in early June. offensively is outfielder prominent roles. where you find your true Sizemore is expected to Shin Soo Choo. In 2010, Two of the trade character and what you're return early in the season, if Choo posted his second acquired prospects who are made of. " not in time for Opening straight season of hitting looking at 2011 as the Day. Also coming back .300 while stealing 20 or breakout season in the For Michael Brantley, the from knee surgery is catch- bases and clubbing 20 or major leagues are first base- signs of what could be in er Carlos Santana. The more home runs, the first man Matt LaPorta and out- store were on display over switch hitter was one of the time that's been accom- fielder Michael Brantley. last season's final two most highly regarded plished in back to back sea- Both were acquired from months. The speedy out- prospects in minor league sons in franchise history. the Milwaukee Brewers in fielder hit .292 with 26 runs baseball when 2010 began. What does he do for an 2008 as part of the trade scored, 15 RBI in 46 games After almost two months in encore? that sent CC Sabathia to the after a third and final call the major leagues he did "My goal is simple," says Brewers. Both have seen up from the minor leagues. nothing to disappoint, hit- Choo. "I want to perform major league time the past That momentum carried ting .260 with 6 HR and 22 better than last year. I want two seasons with the through to the off season RBI in just 46 games while to be better every year I expected ups and downs where Brantley went to displaying a strong throw- play in everything I do. any young player faces. work with a purpose. ing arm behind the plate. But this year, both entered "I want to be in better shape Add in a healthy Travis See INDIANS on page 15 spring training with good and gain weight to hit with health and experience, a more power this season," combination that could lead explained Brantley, the son to solid results. of former major league For LaPorta 2011 is a radi- player and hitting coach cal departure from the early Mickey Brantley. "Some of season a year ago. At that that comes from changes time, the former 1st round I've made to my swing and draft pick was still rehab- my dad has been a tremen- bing from two surgeries and dous help in that area. He was not 100% healthy at the is my backbone and the start of the season. That heart and soul of my swing. was not the case as spring We were constantly looking training began last month. at video to find tendencies "This year I started working to make sure we make the out early in the off season right adjustments." and I feel great," said Brantley could find himself LaPorta. "It helps to pre- Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 13 14 Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine INDIANS premier closers in the game. in the off season as a spe- Seattle. He had the tools The flame throwing right- cial consultant to help at back then, but experience from page 13 hander recorded 23 saves spring training and bring his brings it together. Give That means less strikeouts, while notching an ERA of wealth of winning experi- them some breathing room more walks, better defen- 1.71, 2nd lowest in the ence to the franchise that he and see what happens. I sive and better throws from American League. As he led to a pair of think the process now is the outfield." prepares for the new season appearances. He was in similar to what it was then. And after two 90 plus loss he absolutely believes there much the same position cur- The fact that we have Mark seasons, what does Choo can be a carryover from last rent manager Manny Acta is Shapiro, Chris Antonetti think about his surrounding season's strong finish. in today when he became and Manny Acta is a posi- cast this year? "It gives you confidence manager of the Tribe in the tive. All three are good "Yes we have young when you can perform late early 90's. He knows what's men who make a lot of right decisions and I think players, but they got the in the year, "says Perez. "It possible if this new wave of it's going to work. opportunity to play every says a lot about our team, young talent is handled For Manny Acta, 2010 day," he explains. "This with everyone fighting for properly. should make them better, jobs and still enjoying "The key is experience," brought some frustrations more comfortable. I breaking into big leagues says Hargrove. "You must early, but also gave him the remember when I was try- together. The strong finish give young players time to chance to learn the organi- ing to become a good major is something to build off of. develop. Remember, zation as a new manager leaguer, I felt comfortable It doesn't matter we are Manny Ramirez and Jim and give more young play- when I knew I was playing youngest team in baseball. Thome were not ready ers than he planned exten- every day." We proved we can be suc- when we brought them up. sive experience. How will While the Tribe looks for cessful in stretches, now we They could hit, but defen- this year be different? improvement offensively, just need to make the good sively, settling in and being "They know me and I confidence is high for a stretches last six months consistent, they were know them, especially the pitching staff that finished instead of two months." nowhere near what they young kids who got a would become. But we strong in 2010. The Indians If you need some per- break," said Acta the day had the time to let them had the fourth lowest team spective on what could be before exhibition games ERA in the American develop on their own sched- in store for the current edi- ule and you saw the results. began in Goodyear, League from the All Star tion of the Tribe, how about You can't shortcut that Arizona. "Now is the time Break to the end of the sea- checking in with the man- process. I see similarities to change the mentality. son last year. The bullpen ager of the great teams of here. Choo got that time Forget about payroll, forget settled in to become a force, the mid 90's, Mike and he is so much better about youth, let's just win keyed by the emergence of Hargrove. Grover was hired now than when I saw him in ballgames. It's time." Chris Perez as one of the

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