Tribe comes to Akron to state case for improved ’07
By Craig Marks
WEST AKRON — On the night President George W. Bush gave his State of the Union address, four members of the Cleveland Indians ventured to the Shaw Jewish Community Center to address the state of the Tribe.
Manager Eric Wedge and players Travis Hafner, Jake Westbrook and Rafael Betancourt were in West Akron Jan. 23 as part of the ball club’s annual winter press tour, where they spoke to the media and met fans looking for a more exciting 2007.
The Tribe went into last season with high hopes that turned into disappointment by summer. The Indians finished the ’06 campaign 78-84, earning the team third place in the tough American League Central Division. The record would have been worse had it not been for stronger play in the season’s final two months.
“We figured it out mid-season, made the changes we needed to make,” said Wedge. “Obviously, it was too-little, too-late, but, nevertheless, we righted the ship.”
One area where the sailing was relatively smooth was the starting pitching. As long as last year’s rotation — Westbrook, C.C. Sabathia, Paul Byrd, Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers — remains intact, it’s one area of less concern.
Still, Wedge has been managing long enough not to take anything for granted.
“There are always those variables that come into play, just like the unpredictability of the bullpen,” said Wedge. “It may look good on paper, but until you get in the trenches, you just don’t know.
“But with our starting pitching, we have a pretty strong idea of what we have. We’re hoping our starters are even better than they were last year.”
To shore up the bullpen, the Indians acquired four veteran relievers in the off-season. Joe Borowski, Keith Foulke, Aaron Fultz and Roberto Hernandez should help a bullpen that provided more heartache than relief.
“They have a lot of experience, and not just regular season, but playoff, experience,” said Westbrook. “They can really help out the young guys out there. We, as starters, definitely feel comfortable when we come out, knowing they’re going to get the job done.”
Hafner said his right hand, which he broke Sept. 1, is fine. The Tribe’s most potent offensive weapon is ready to play ball.
“Usually, after the first of the year, you get anxious for the season to start,” he said. “I feel I’m in good shape, and I’m excited to get down there. I’m probably more excited about the season than spring training, but it’s nice to get it started.”
Hafner said he won’t be sorry to see the Indians leave Winter Haven, Fla., for Goodyear, Ariz., in 2009. He was asked if he has had any pleasant Winter Haven experiences.
“A couple good meals at the Outback,” he said.
In other culinary news, Hafner
said his Pronk candy bar
sold well over Christmas, and he expects another boost
with Easter approaching.
“That’s like the big candy bar time, so hopefully, they’ll continue to sell pretty well,” he said. “They’re great candy bars.”
The Indians’ exhibition season will be unwrapped March 1. The team opens the regular season on the road against the Chicago White Sox April 2.
Travis Hafner was in Akron Jan.
23 for the Cleveland Indians’ winter press tour.
Photo:
Craig Marks
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