Results tagged ‘ Michael Brantley ’
Batting practice photos: May 17 vs. Seattle
The guys are glad to be back in Cleveland — and in first place! Enjoy this photo slideshow from Friday batting practice.
–Kyle Emery photos
Indians Batting Practice: May 6, with a special visitor
Today’s BP session featured a visit from Nick Leyto, who for the last three months has been getting cancer treatments at Cleveland Clinic. He’s home now for two weeks before returning to the Clinic for more chemo.
–Photos by Kyle Emery
Full slate of 2013 Opening Day festivities scheduled for Progressive Field on April 8
Committed to providing fans the best fan experience possible at Progressive Field, the Cleveland Indians have a full schedule of pregame festivities planned for their Home Opener, April 8 at 4:05 p.m.
The game, the Tribe’s 20th Home Opener at Progressive Field, marks the 113th as a charter member of the American League, and the 21st consecutive Home Opener sellout dating back to the team’s final year at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. This year’s game, sold out in 6 minutes on Feb. 25.
This year’s Opening Day will feature a “Traditions” theme, with videos and presentations that will honor the team’s rich history. The first of 17 scheduled Rally Alleys presented by RTA in 2013 will get things started at 1:30 p.m., featuring a festival atmosphere with live music, various other performers, and discounted food and beverage options. In addition, on the Gateway Plaza, Budweiser will operate a bar between Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena.
Progressive Field gates will open at 2 p.m., and the Indians encourage fans to be in their seats by 3:25 p.m. to enjoy a bevy of pregame ceremonies the team has planned. They include videos tracing the history of the ballparks at which the Indians have played, team broadcasters, uniforms, and fathers and sons who have played the game. The fathers of Indians players Nick Swisher (Steve), Michael Brantley (Mickey), Zach McAllister (Steve), along with bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. (Sandy Sr.) and manager Terry Francona (Tito), will throw ceremonial first pitches to their sons.
The team also will honor all branches of the United States military, as members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard will present the colors, while an oversized American flag will be presented by 200 employees of Progressive Insurance, the Presenting Partner of the Opening Series.
The GeezeCats then will perform the Star Spangled Banner for the 28th consecutive season at Progressive Field.
Opening Day Event Timeline
1:30 PM-4PM: Fans can enjoy Rally Alley presented by RTA on Larry Doby Way, directly behind the bleachers
Beginning at 3:25 PM:
- Pregame ceremonies begin with a video welcoming fans to Progressive Field
- History of Progressive Field video
- Game preview and pitching matchups, followed by team introductions
- History of Indians Broadcasters video
- History of uniforms worn by Indians organization
- Colors presented by United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard
- Star Spangled Banner performed by The GeezeCats
- Fathers and Sons Traditions video
- Simultaneous first pitches thrown by father-son duos Steve/Nick Swisher, Mickey/Michael Brantley, Steve/Zach McAllister, Sandy Alomar Sr./Sandy Alomar Jr. and Tito/Terry Francona
4:05 PM: Official game time
In-game Traditions recognition:
- John Adams’ 40th year as Indians unofficial drummer
- Carlos Baerga recognition; Baerga will be inducted into Indians Hall of Fame June 22
Need advice? Have a pressing question? Ask TERRi!
First, he rode a scooter all over Goodyear.
Then, he kicked off our “Harlem Shake” video with his, uh, best dance moves.
Now, Terry Francona has broadened his horizons into the counseling field, offering players Nick Swisher, Jason Kipnis, Vinnie Pestano and others advice on very serious matters.
It’s Ask TERRi. Enjoy.
Harlem Shake: Bring your own costume Monday!
According to Nick Swisher, Monday’s filming of the Tribe’s Harlem Shake video was “Bring your own costume Monday!” And boy did he and his teammates ever. Here is the roster of the downright ridiculous costumes on display in the Tribe Town 216 edition.
Parrot: Jason Kipnis (costume courtesy of Vinnie Pestano)
Ohio State football star: Nick Swisher
Green man: Jason Giambi
Big baby: Terry Francona
Prisoner: Sandy Alomar, Jr.
Camo man: Mark Reynolds
Human bear: Justin Masterson
Lloyd Christmas & Harry Dunne (from “Dumb and Dumber”): David Huff & Chris Perez
Mario: Lonnie Chisenhall
Two Luigis: Mike Sarbaugh & Brian Jeroloman
Nerd: Michael Brantley
Flamingo wrangler: Cody Allen
Reno 911! cop: Ubaldo Jimenez
Hot dog with beard: Nick Hagadone
Disco man: Carlos Carrasco
Ironman: Drew Stubbs
Scarecrow: Trevor Bauer
Mummies: Juan Diaz & Michael Bourn
WWE wrestler: Brett Myers
Two Gumbies: Mike McDade & Scott Barnes
Two Easter bunnies: Rich Hill & Lou Marson
Three penguins: Matt Capps, Matt Langwell & Zach McAllister
Egyptian Pharaoh: Danny Salazar
Hula dancer: Cord Phelps
Spiderman: Joe Martinez
Gene Simmons: Mickey Callaway
Waldo: Matt Carson
Angry Birds: Scott Kazmir and Bryan Shaw
And in case you missed it, here’s the video again:
Michael Bourn introduced as newest Indians player
Michael Bourn (and his son) introduced as newest members of the Cleveland Indians.
The Indians introduced Outfielder Michael Bourn as the newest member of the team today in an afternoon press conference at the club’s Spring Training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. The Bourn signing was made official Friday, as he signed a 4-year contract, with a club option for the 2017 season.
Bourn, Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti, and Bourn’s agent Scott Boras were on hand at the press conference and explained how the signing came together, and their plans for 2013 and beyond.
New Indians Outfielder Michael Bourn:
On signing for the Indians…
“I want to thank the Dolan family for giving me the opportunity to play in Cleveland, and be a part of their organization, and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity. It was a long off-season for me, but it was fun, and it was an experience. It taught me patience – it taught me a lot – but it was interesting. I landed in the spot I think that I wanted, and that was my main focus – somebody that wants me, somebody that’s committed to me, and I’m committed to them. And I’m ready to rock and roll here for them.
On where he was expecting to sign…
“Every team was on my radar when the process began, so yes [the Indians] were on my radar. I knew they were trying to compete, and any team that’s trying to compete, I’m with them. Like you said, I’m a competitor. That’s what my father taught me since I was little, so any team that’s trying to win, I want to be a part of.
“I had a good supporting cast with my mom, my dad, my girlfriend, my little boy; he always keeps a smile on my face. It was just something I had to go through, a process I had to just let unfold. I feel like I landed in a place that wants me, a place I want to be, a place with a lot of talent that has a chance to do some good things.”
On playing in an outfield with Michael Brantley and Drew Stubbs:
“Yes of course, you always want to be next to people that can play it out, I come from that with Martin [Prado] and [Jason] Heyward. I think with this one I have even more speed out there, both of those players can run, they run just like I run, so it will be exciting to watch.”
Players discuss their off-season plans – Part Two
In the second part of the off-season feature, TribeVibe spoke to several of the Tribe’s young hitters about their plans for the winter. (Part One – Pitchers). Second baseman Jason Kipnis, center fielder Michael Brantley, and Third Basemen Lonnie Chisenhall each described their winter preparations as they look to take another step forward next season:
Jason Kipnis
TribeVibe: What are you planning on doing now that the season had ended?
JK: Not too much – right after the season ends, I’m sure I’ll take about a month or so to kind of kick the feet up and recover and relax and clear the mind. And then get right back in to things, and start lifting again, and start swinging the bat, and getting ready for next year.
TV: How do you transition from vacation back to baseball mode?
JK: I don’t rush things. I gradually work back in to working out, but once I get into it, it’s pretty good training – about five days a week with swimming and yoga and all that good stuff – whatever gets the body ready. (more…)
MLB Authenticators work to ensure the validity of rare autographed items
Photo by Ian A.C. Johnson
Ever wonder how an autographed or game-used item is deemed “authentic” by Major League Baseball and its clubs?
Well, for those in the market for such an item, there is a small sticker to look for on each item which guarantees its authenticity. Each club in MLB has a group of official Authenticators, whose job is to keep track of autographed and game-used items to confirm that they are genuine.
Linda Kaspar is one of four authenticators assigned to the Indians. One authenticator is required to be on hand at each game, and Kaspar rotates with her colleagues to split up the 81 home games.
“We have to be present,” she explained. “We have to witness everything that is either signed or comes off the field as it comes off the field to make sure that it’s valid, and the person signing it is the real person.”
Kaspar, like many of her co-workers, is a retired Cleveland Police Officer, and she has worked in this role with the Indians for the past five seasons.
“I happened to know somebody that was going for an interview for an authenticator [position], and they needed more people so I was asked to come to the interview and I got hired,” said Kaspar.
These authenticated items are often an important fundraising source for charity organizations that wish to raise money by selling similar items. Having the official sticker to mark an item’s legitimacy is an important way to protect both fans and the charity organizations.
Cleveland Indians Charities uses the money raised through a series of auctions to fund programs such as the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s baseball and softball programs, as well as making a significant annual donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland.
Currently, there are several authenticated items available through the Indians official online auction, with proceeds from each benefiting CIC and its partner programs.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the current auction items.
Indians Game Information, August 15
CLEVELAND INDIANS (54-63, 3rd, -10.0G) vs. LOS ANGELES ANGELS (61-56)
RHP Roberto Hernandez (2012 debut) vs. RHP Ervin Santana (5-10, 5.82)
First Pitch: 10:05 p.m. (ET)
TV: STO Radio: WTAM/Indians Radio Network
HALO EFFECT: Indians right-hander ROBERTO HERNANDEZ is set to make his 2012 debut with the club in search of his first career win against Los Angeles-AL…is winless despite owning the 5th-lowest career ERA all-time as a starter against the Angels (min. 5 starts), a list topped by teammate JUSTIN MASTERSON…Hernandez has an 0-3 record in those 7 starts, averaging less than 3.0 runs of support-per-9.0 IP (2.76 RSA).
RUBBER SOUL: Cleveland enters today’s tilt with a 16-21 record in series finales this season (6-11 on the road), which includes a 7-7 mark in rubber games (3-2 on the road)…club has lost 6 of last 9 rubber games after winning 4 of first 5 to begin the year…a victory today would secure the Indians’ first series win since taking 2 of 3 from Detroit July 24-26.
LEFT COAST: After getting a pair of shots from MICHAEL BRANTLEY and CASEY KOTCHMAN last night, Indians left-handed batters have now connected for a major league-high 69 home runs in 2012.
OAKLAND STROKE: Tonight the Indians will fly to the Bay Area to face the Athletics for just the 2nd time in 2012 after taking 2 of 3 in Oakland April 20-22…club is 98-133 all-time at the Coliseum, but has won 5 of last 8 there.
15 Questions with Michael Brantley
Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley is batting .351 (13-37) with five doubles over his last 10 games. Brantley’s 22-game hitting streak ranks second in all of Major League Baseball this season, just one hit shy of New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano’s streak (23). Brantley recently took on TribeVibe’s “15 Questions.”
TribeVibe: What is one of your pet peeves?
Michael Brantley: When I receive a phone call, and they don’t leave a message and tell me what they want.
TV: Are you more likely to be a cardiologist, actor, or landscaper?
MB: I’m more likely to be a landscaper because I like being outdoors.
TV: What is your favorite road stadium and why?
MB: My favorite road stadium is Boston. I love playing in Fenway Park.
TV: What is the best Halloween costume you have ever worn?
MB: Halloween’s my least favorite holiday. I don’t celebrate Halloween.
TV: What is the best seat in the dugout?
MB: It’s the one in the far end of the corner, where you can sit on the step and be able to see the game without the gate in the way.
TV: Mac or PC?
MB: Mac.
TV: If you could eat dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would they be?
MB: Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and — I’ll get in trouble for this one — LeBron James.
TV: What is your least favorite household chore?
MB: Vacuuming.
TV: What is your best non-sports related talent?
MB: Cards.
TV: What is one rule in baseball that the average fan does not understand, and how would you explain it to them?
MB: When the team double-steals, and we throw one runner out; they think it’s still a stolen base, and it’s not. Both people have to steal the bag. If the guy behind them gets caught, it’s still a [fielder's choice] for the other guy.
TV: Which Indians uniform do you like best?
MB: I like the blue jerseys, our Tuesday jerseys, the best.
TV: What is your best childhood memory with your sister?
MB: It is hard to pick just one memory; I love my sister very much. We used to always play Monopoly growing up as a kid.
TV: You’re in a movie. Who plays your part?
MB: Denzel [Washington]. Maybe Will Smith.
TV: What food would you purchase if you attended a baseball game?
MB: A hot dog. You’ve got to get a hot dog at a baseball game.
TV: Can you recommend a game for kids to play?
MB: Anything outdoors, so you can be active and not staring at a TV screen.
-Megan Golden, TribeVibe contributor
