Results tagged ‘ Shin-Soo Choo ’
National baseball writers weigh in on the Indians’ trade
The Indians’ three-team, nine-player trade was the biggest news in the baseball world on Tuesday night, as the Tribe acquired young right-handed starting pitcher Trevor Bauer, and relievers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw from the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as outfielder Drew Stubbs from the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds acquired Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald from the Indians in return, and sent young shortstop Didi Gregorious to the Diamonbacks, who also received Tony Sipp and Lars Anderson from the Indians. After news of the trade broke, many prominent national baseball journalists weighed in on the potential impact of the trade. A selection of their tweets and stories are below:
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
love the #indians part of this deal. bauer and stubbs. great job.
Jerry Crasnick @jcrasnick
I’m with @keithlaw: Really liked what #indians did in trade. Thought #reds did well to get Choo.
keithlaw @keithlaw
Love it. “@Buster_ESPN: The Indians are going to get Bauer in the deal with the Diamondbacks.”
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
The Indians need arms. And they get a good arm in Trevor Bauer, who was the No. 3 overall pick in 2011.
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
It really is amazing that the Indians ended up with Trevor Bauer essentially in return for a one-year rental, Shin-Soo Choo.
Chris Rose @ChrisRose
Cleveland fan overload right now. @indians huge trade w @Reds @dbacks and @cavs up late @lakers. Head about to explode!!
Rob Neyer – SBNation
“Each of the three clubs is receiving one linchipin. The Indians: pitching prospect Trevor Bauer. The Reds: star outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. The Diamondbacks: shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius.”
“It’s a fascinating deal, because all three of the linchpins are completely different sorts of players…The Indians need arms, and Bauer’s a great start.”
What are your thoughts on the Tribe’s big trade?
– TribeVibe Contributor Max Lom
Party like a Season Ticket Holder
Last night, current Season Ticket Holders gathered postgame for an invitation only party featuring refreshments, opening remarks by Indians president Mark Shapiro and autograph sessions with the Tribe.
“We were pleased to entertain approximately 2,000 of our best customers at the ballpark for signings with all members of our 25-Man Roster and a chance to play catch on the grass of Progressive Field,” said Indians Director of Fan Services Dave Murray. “Days like this are one of the many benefits of being an Indians Season Ticket Holder.
TribeVibe took to the event chatted with a few of the night attendees about their time at the ballpark and their tenure as Season Ticket Holders.
Dad & 18 year Season Ticket Holder, Vivian Shanafelt and daughter, Nancy Hennings of Medina, OH
TV: How long have you been a Season Ticket Holder?
Shanafelt: I have been a Season Ticket Holder since 1994.
TV: What’s the biggest benefit of being a Season Ticket Holder?
Shanafelt: Other than the games, [the Indians] give us a suite, a free suite, for a game. It’s really nice [to be in] a suite once a year.
TV: As a Season Ticket Holder, what’s the most memorable play you’ve seen while in the ballpark?
Shanafelt: There was one game, that my daughter and I saw, where a ball bounced right off Jose Canseco’s head and went over the fence!
TV: How close were you sitting?
Shanafelt: We were sitting fairly close. We were near home plate. [Canseco] was in right field, but when my daughter and I talk about the Indians, we talk about that story. We just enjoy baseball. I enjoy bringing my daughter and my grandkids to the game with me.
Social Suiter & Season Ticket Holder, Michael Kaus and wife, Tenille Kaus of Akron, OH.
TV: How long have you been a Season Ticket Holder?
M. Kaus: I think we’ve been Season ticket Holders for about four years now.
TV: What made you choose to be a Season Ticket Holder?
M. Kaus: It’s really some of the best value for your dollar that you can get in Cleveland. We sit in the bleachers and we really enjoy it. The prices are low, it’s great to go to the game and if you haven’t been there in a while going there you can smell the fresh cut grass – it’s just really a fun time.
TV: Since you attend so many games, what has been your favorite moment in-park?
T. Kaus: Last year we actually caught a ball that Grady Sizemore threw into the stands. This year, I think our favorite memory was being able to watch the fireworks on the field.
TV: So, as a part of the Season Ticket Holder event the whole team will be available for meet and greets, who are you looking forward to seeing most?
T. Kaus: Sandy Alomar.
M. Kaus: Yeah, Sandy Alomar and Vinnie Pestano. We’re definitely looking forward to it – it’s going to be fun.
Christopher Evans who has Season Tickets through his company Marsh-McLennan Companies located in Downtown Cleveland.
TV: Tell us a little bit about your company.
Evans: Marsh-McLennan does risk management. We work with many of the companies in the greater Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio area. Our company holds Season Tickets which we use to take clients out to the ballpark and from time to time we, employees get to come take our kids out to the yard, have a good time and enjoy the game.
TV: What’s the biggest advantage of taking your clients out to the ballgame?
Evans: It’s a good opportunity – it’s a loose atmosphere – we can share a meal; have good time without the pressure of [making] deals. Sometimes you talk business other times you don’t. Just last [homestand], I was [at Progressive Field] with a client talking about babies. My wife and I just had baby and so did my client. We spent the game talking and connecting about kids and family.
Sometimes when you’re at a ballgame with a client, the conversation can drift from business to family life pretty quickly because you see all the kids out [at the game] and it [reminds] you of your family.
TV: Do your kids come to the games with you often?
Evans: Yeah, my daughter and I go to a lot of games. I have a 3 year old and a 3 week old who just came to his first game today. I’m proud to say my new son, Warren, made it all the way through the game – 9 innings. Amazingly, my 3 year old daughter made it all the way through 9 innings too – that’s the real accomplishment.
TV: What’s your most memorable time at the ballpark?
Evans: Today. My son’s first ballgame. Tonight, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing Sandy Alomar. I grew up watching him as a kid. And obviously, I like seeing the young guys getting it done like Asdrubal Cabrera. I would say to other Tribe fans, any chance you can come out to the ballpark and spend time with your family – do it.
-TribeVibe Contributor Erin Parker
-
- 2B Jason Kipnis signed autographs for fans.
-
- Indians president Mark Shapiro spoke with Season Ticket Holders.
-
- Nearly 2,000 attendees gathered for the 2012 Season Ticket Holder Party.
-
- Season Ticket Holders had the opportunity to get on Progressive Field to play catch with their loved ones.
-
- Choo took photos with young Tribe fans.
Indians Game Information for Sunday, July 15
CLEVELAND INDIANS (45-42, 2nd, -3.0 G) vs. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (44-44)
RHP Derek Lowe (8-6, 4.43) vs. RHP Carlos Villanueva (3-0, 3.05)
First Pitch: 1:07 p.m. (ET) at Rogers Centre
TV: WKYC Radio: WTAM, Indians Radio Network
Series Notes:
POWER SURGE: Cleveland went deep 3 times in yesterday’s defeat, as it marked just the 3rd time over the past 3 seasons for the Indians to hit 3-or-more home runs and lose (23-3 record in those games from 2010-12)…the Indians have slugged 21 home runs over their last 13 games beginning June 28, which is tied with New York-AL and Toronto for 2nd-most in the majors over that span behind Pittsburgh (24)…that works out to an average of 1.6 HR-per-game for the Tribe since June 28, after generating 0.8 HR-per-game from Opening Day through June 27.
WAITING FOR THE RIGHT ONE: Cleveland’s offense saw an average of 3.9 pitches-per-plate appearances in yesterday’s loss (172 pitches/44 PA), continuing a season-long trend for the Tribe…the Indians have averaged 3.87 pitches-per-PA overall this season, which is the 6th-best figure in the A.L. and 9th-best in the majors…Cleveland also leads the majors with 319 walks and ranks 4th with a .334 team on-base pct. behind Texas (.341), St. Louis (.340) and New York-AL (.336).
GLOVE WILL KEEP US ALIVE: Cleveland’s defense has been charged with just 5 errors over the club’s last 18 games, playing error-free baseball in 6 of the last 7 and all but 4 of those 18 contests overall; Cleveland’s .986 team fielding % (46 E/3309 TC) is 3rd-best in the A.L. and 4th in the majors behind Seattle (.989), Chicago-AL (.989) and Cincinnati (.986).
BE LIKE MIKE: MICHAEL BRANTLEY has gone 6-for-8 with a double, HR and 2 RBI in this series…additionally, he has hit safely in 5 straight at-bats against left-handed pitching to raise his season average vs. LHP to .303 (33-109), which is now higher than his season average vs. RHP (.297)…Brantley is the first strictly left-handed Indians batter with a hit in 5+ consecutive AB vs. LHP since teammate SHIN-SOO CHOO from July 26-27, 2009 and one of just 7 LH-batters in the majors to pull the trick this season.
HITS IN 5+ STRAIGHT AT-BATS AS LEFTY VS. LEFTY, 2012
Brett Gardner, NYY (5) April 10-17
David Ortiz, BOS (6) April 13-18
Norichika Aoki, MIL (5) May 17-18
Joey Votto, CIN (6) May 25-27
Joe Mauer, MIN (5) June 13-25
David Murphy, TEX (5) June 12-July 4
Michael Brantley, CLE (5) July 13-14
Indians Game Information, July 8
CLEVELAND INDIANS (44-40, 2nd, -3.0 G) vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS (44-41)
RHP Zach McAllister (3-1, 3.93) vs. RHP James Shields (8-5, 4.11)
First Pitch: 1:05 p.m. (ET) at Progressive Field
TV: STO, WKYC. Radio: WTAM, Indians Radio Network
Series Notes:
DOUBLE-VISION: With the help of 5 more two-sackers last night, including 3 in a 3-run 2nd inning, Cleveland has 153 doubles this season, 5th-most in the A.L. and 9th-most in majors…the 2nd-inning matched a Tribe season-high for most doubles in a single frame (3x)…SHIN-SOO CHOO (T2nd, 26) and MICHAEL BRANTLEY (8th , 23) both rank in the A.L. top 10 for doubles.
HOTTER THAN JULY: The Indians are off to a 5-2 start in July with the help of som esolid outings by members of the club’s starting rotation…Tribe starters have logged an A.L. -best 44.0 innings this month, 4th-most in baseball, while recording quality starts in 6 of 7 games…the staff has a combined 2.95 ERA (13ER/39.2IP) in those 6 quality starts (4.30 ERA in July overall due to 8ER over 4.1IP in Friday’s 10-3 loss to Tampa Bay).
OFFENSE, MERCURY BOTH RISING: The Indians are batting .311 (131-421) with 16 homers and 74 runs (6.2 RPG) over the last 12 games to raise Cleveland’s team average from .248 to a season-high .257…club had a combined .248 (423-1703) avg. in April (.245) and May (.250) while scoring 4.4 runs per-game, but has been hitting at a .271 (318-1174) clip beginning June 1 (June-.263, July .301) with 4.7 runs per game.
Indians Game Information, July 7
CLEVELAND INDIANS (43-40, 2nd, -3.0 G) vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS (44-40)
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (7-7, 4.59) vs. LHP Matt Moore (5-5, 4.17)
First Pitch: 6:05 p.m. (ET) at Progressive Field
TV: Not televised. Radio: WTAM, Indians Radio Network
Series Notes:
THE STANDINGS: The Indians lost 10-3 to Tampa Bay last night and fell 3.0 games behind Chicago in the A.L. Central standings, as the White Sox beat Toronto 4-2 at U.S. Cellular Field…Cleveland has been in first place (sole possession or shared) for 40 of 93 days overall this season, including 35 consecutive days from April 24-May 28; club has been in 2nd place for 13 straight and 37 of those remaining 53 days…Cleveland held a season-high 4.0-game lead on May 17 and has trailed by as much as 3.5 games (twice, last June 29).
AROUND THE BLOCK: Cleveland holds a 70-43 advantage all-time against Tampa Bay (1998-2011), including a 41-17 mark here at Progressive Field…the Indians are batting .315 (123-391) with 15 homers and 67 runs (6.1 RPG) over the last 11 games to raise the club’s season average from .248 to .257…while he does not qualify for league leader status, JOSE LOPEZ is batting .349 (15-43) w/ RISP this season, going 5-for-his-last-8 in those situations…the Indians have a 14-2 record when JOE SMITH, VINNIE PESTANO and CHRIS PEREZ all appear in the same game.
SOMETHING TO CHOO ON: SHIN-SOO CHOO has reached safely via hit or walk to lead off the Indians’ half of the first inning in 22 of his 48 starts in the lead-off spot, all coming since May 24 (7-singles, 5-doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 4 walks); has batted .330 (66-200) with 8 HR, 21 RBI and a .964 OPS in those 48 games/starts…he ranks among A.L. leaders in doubles (T1st, 26), runs (T5th, 56), OBP (7th, .386) and extra-base hits (T9th, 37).
Independence Day with Indians Around the World
Indians catcher Carlos Santana and citizens of the Dominican Republic celebrate their independence from Haiti on February 27.
Carlos Santana: In the Dominican, everyone celebrates by taking off their job. They try to have fun with the day — fun with the family, with brothers, everyone. They put the flag up that day to celebrate it and Dominican independence. We eat rice, fish, chicken, beer, and whiskey.
Indians infielder Jack Hannahan and citizens of the United States celebrate their independence from Great Britain on July 4.
Jack Hannahan: Growing up, we would always go to my cabin in northwestern Wisconsin. I’d bring a bunch of buddies, my brother would bring his friends, and both of my sisters would bring a bunch of their friends. We would go up there and spend the 4th of July weekend up there. We would light some fireworks up at the beach, and we’d just celebrate that way.
Indians infielder Jose Lopez and citizens of Venezuela celebrate their independence from Spain on July 5.
Jose Lopez: It’s really good. Everyone hangs out at the beach and sees the fireworks at about 7:00 or 8:00. The families, especially, have reunions and get-togethers. It’s a pretty cool day.
Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and citizens of South Korea celebrate their independence from Japan on August 15.
Shin-Soo Choo: I’ve lived there for a long time, and everybody takes the day off of work. Everyone puts the Korean flag near their house.
-Megan Golden, TribeVibe contributor
Indians Game Information for Sunday, July 1
CLEVELAND INDIANS (39-38, 2nd, -2.5 G) vs. BALTIMORE ORIOLES (42-35)
RHP Justin Masterson (4-7, 4.09) vs. LHP Brian Matusz (5-9, 5.24)
First Pitch: 1:35 p.m. (ET) at Camden Yards
TV: STO Radio: WTAM, Indians Radio Network
Series Notes:
A SHIN-SOO SATURDAY: With a standout game yesterday afternoon, SHIN-SOO CHOO became the 6th different player in the majors this season (Hamilton, McCutchen, Rasmus, Reddick, Votto) and just the 5th different member of the Indians over the last 16 years (1997-2012) to record at least 4 hits, 4 runs and 3 RBI in the same game…according to BaseballRererence.com, Choo is just the 4th Indian dating back to at least 1918 with multiple games of 4+hits/4+runs/3+RBI, joining Earl Averil (3x: ‘32, ‘33, ‘36), Hal Trosky (3x: ‘34, twice in ‘36) and Joe Carter (2x: ‘86, ‘87).
THE STANDINGS: The Indians beat the Orioles 11-5 yesterday afternoon to cut their deficit to 2.5 games behind Chicago in the A.L. Central standings, as the White Sox were shut out 4-0 at Yankee Stadium…Cleveland has been in first place (sole possession or shared) for 40 of 87 days overall this season, including 35 consecutive days from April 24-May 28; club has been in 2nd place for 31 of those remaining 47 days…Cleveland held a season-high 4.0-game lead on May 17 and has trailed by as much as 3.5 games (twice, last June 29).
AROUND THE BLOCK: Cleveland finished June with a .2634 (249-945) team avg., highest by the club in any single month since April of 2011 (.272)…the Indians have hit 6 HR in their last 3 games after just 2 HR over the first 6 games of current road trip…Cleveland defense has played error-free baseball in 7 of 9 games on road trip (3 total E over last 9 G), as the Indians .985 fielding % (43 E/2935 TC) is 5th-best in the A.L. and 7th in the majors…with his 4-hit performance Saturday, LOU MARSON became the first Indians catcher to fall just a home run shy of the cycle since RUSS NIXON in G2 of a DH on Aug. 2, 1959 vs. Baltimore…TRAVIS HAFNER (right knee surgery) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday and has gone 1-for-6 w/ one RBI in 2 games as the Clippers DH…with the signing of C NELSON RODRIGUEZ (15th round, George Washington HS in NYC), the Indians have now signed 20 of their 40 selections from the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.
Get to Know: Mitch Brown, Second Round Draft Pick
Indians second round draft pick Mitch Brown signed with Cleveland on Friday, June 15. Brown, 18, is a high school graduate from Rochester, MN. The right-handed pitcher just began his first season as a member of the Arizona League Indians.
TribeVibe: Where were you during the draft?
Mitch Brown: I was at home. The first day [of the draft], I was at school taking finals, but the next day all my finals were done. I treated it like a normal day. I went and got my workout in, and on my way back from the workout is when I got the phone call. It was my parents saying, ‘We’re so proud of you.’ It was obviously an emotional time. It’s pretty hard to explain, but I would say pretty emotional.
TV: What was going through your mind once the Indians drafted you?
MB: It was a little bit of relief, a little bit of gratification, and it makes you feel good that all your hard work and efforts don’t go in vain and that you get recognized for that stuff. It was a great day, and it was a lot of emotion between my family and I, but it was obviously a dream come true, and I couldn’t be happier.
TV: Describe your style of play.
MB: If I had to describe it in one word, I would say it’s aggressive. I like to pitch inside a lot with the fastball, and I’m probably more of a strikeout pitcher than a finesse pitcher. I just like to go right after hitters, get ahead, and jump on top right away, and keep them off-balance from there.
TV: Do you try to model your game off of a current pitcher?
MB: I really don’t think so. I take a little bit of some players and kind of mix it with my own, but I really don’t think you can try to mirror someone else because everyone has their own style. Obviously, nobody is the same. If I had to compare it to somebody, I try to be like Justin Verlander—aggressive, pitching inside with the fastball, getting a lot of strikeouts.
TV: Your father is Korean. Are you familiar with Shin-Soo Choo at all?
MB: I’m definitely a fan. I was actually just laying on the training table, and [manager Manny Acta] just came in and was like, ‘Who is that? Choo?’ It was kind of funny. He’s a great player. I actually found out a while back that he’s Korean, so I kind of have that fan-hood of him, and I followed him a little bit. It’s really cool to maybe have the opportunity to play with him someday.
TV: Is there something you want fans to know about you?
MB: I would want people to know that I’m just a hard worker. I really believe that you can’t get by on God-given talent, alone; you have to have a good work ethic. I guess the message I would send out to kids is to keep working hard toward your dream. No one could ever take that away from you. If you keep working hard, you can achieve any goal you have.
TV: Do you have any advice for high school athletes?
MB: There’s a lot of things like just keeping your nose clean, the people you hang out with, social groups you throw yourself in with, that plays a big part of your high school career—not only in baseball but in life and in steering you in the right direction. Keep working hard, and focus on your studies. You can be the best baseball player in the world, but if you can’t graduate high school, you’re going to have some serious problems.
TV: Did you participate in any senior pranks?
MB: We actually did our senior prank in the school parking lot. We did a maze, so other cars had to drive through a maze to find their parking spot and stuff. It was all in good fun, and nobody got hurt, no hard feelings or anything like that.
-Megan Golden, TribeVibe contributor
Indians Game Information for May 26
CLEVELAND INDIANS (26-19, 1st, +2.5) vs. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (24-22)
RHP Derek Lowe (6-2, 2.15) vs. RHP Jake Peavy (5-1, 2.39)
First Pitch: 4:10 p.m. (ET) at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: STO
Radio: WTAM, Indians Radio Network
Series Notes:
*Cleveland enters today’s tilt with a 10-8 record in day games, going 7-6 at home and 3-2 on the road…the Indians’ 18 day games are T2nd-most in the A.L. this season with Chicago, 5 shy of Detroit, who leads the league with 23…Cleveland has won 4 of DEREK LOWE’s 5 day starts this season, as the right-hander is 4-1 with a 1.24 ERA (5 ER/36.1 IP) in those outings, 2nd-lowest ERA in day games in the A.L. behind Toronto’s Brandon Morrow (0.32), 4th-lowest in majors.
*Chicago-native (Northbrook) JASON KIPNIS reached safely in 3 of his 4 plate appearances last night and stole 2nd base twice…is now 10-for-21 (.476) with 3 extra-base hits (2B, 3B, HR), 5 RBI and 3 steals in 6 career games here at U.S. Cellular Field…Kipnis has hit safely in 16 of his 19 road games in 2012 at .355 (27-76), good for the A.L.’s 4th-highest road average behind Paul Konerko (.413), Derek Jeter (.398) and Josh Hamilton (.389)…Kipnis is also T4th in the A.L. with 8 steals.
*SHIN-SOO CHOO also reached safely in 3 of his 4 plate appearances last night, collecting a pair of doubles and a walk while scoring 2 of the Tribe’s 3 runs…in 11 games since being moved to the lead-off spot on May 14, Choo is 16-for-43 (.372) with 6 doubles, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 7 BB and 9 runs scored; he has reached safely via hit, walk or hit-by-pitch in 24 of his 51 plate appearances during that stretch (.471 OBP, 4th in A.L. beg. May 14) to raise his season OBP from .361 to .393, 8th in the A.L…Cleveland is 8-3 in those 11 games…Choo’s .347 avg. vs. RH pitching ranks 5th in the A.L. and he has gone 7-for-16 (.438) with one HR and 2 RBI lifetime vs. Jake Peavy entering this afternoon’s game.
Pre-game Scenes from Chicago
Pre-game news and notes:
*Johnny Damon made the flight from Arizona to Chicago last night and joined the team this afternoon in Chicago. He was nice enough to meet with our local writers shortly after his arrival to the clubhouse – he also did pre-game interviews with Matt Underwood for tonight’s telecast on STO and Jim Rosenhaus for the Indians Radio Network.
*During his pre-game sit-down with the writers, Manny mentioned that Johnny is not in tonight’s lineup because he wanted to give him a day to acclimate himself to his new teammates, meet with coaches and staff members and go through a round of game day preparation. He is available off the bench tonight. Manny also told the writers that he intends to use Johnny in the lead-off spot when he plays, citing his 2,723 career hits and .353 lifetime on-base pct.
*Shin-Soo Choo (tightness in left hamstring) is not in tonight’s starting lineup, but did do some running in the outfield. Manny mentioned that he was scheduled to run the bases, but that plan got scrapped because the tarp is still on the field. He is also available off the bench tonight depending on the game situation.
