Results tagged ‘ Terry Francona ’
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 Photos: May 3
Think these guys are having fun?
–Photos by TribeVibe contributor Kyle Emery
Scooter conoisseur, Harlem Shake savant, TERRi — and now TV star?
Indians manager Terry Francona has shown a wide array of talents in his brief tenure in Cleveland, not the least of which has been dealing with a jumbled clubhouse due to a rash of early season injuries.
Surely you remember his star turns on his scooter, in our Harlem Shake video and as a form of Apple’s famous Siri.
Next on the docket: Potentially the next great commercial TV star, as Francona filmed a new commercial for McDonald’s on Monday morning.
But as Francona found out, being on TV is not just about having a pretty face: There’s a lot of waiting involved. McDonald’s set up for filming in the visitors’ clubhouse at Progressive Field around 7 AM, and Francona spent hours on set. The commercial soon will being airing in Northern and Northeast Ohio.
–TribeVibe contributor Joel Hammond (photos by Dan Mendlik)
Kipnis, Pestano have more questions for TERRi
The new Ask TERRi app was a big success when it dropped last week. Now, Indians players Jason Kipnis and Vinnie Pestano have more pressing matters.
Watch the video below for TERRi’s answers to existential questions such as:
- Did they ever find out who let the dogs out?
- If you don’t use it, do you actually lose it?
- Does Ketchup have a future as a baserunning coach?
And plenty more!
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.
Indians GM Chris Antonetti talks with Fan Correspondent @ClevelandChick: Part II
Our Spring Training Fan Correspondent @ClevelandChick had the chance to sit down with Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti and throw a few questions from Twitter at this Tribe legend. There were so many great questions from you and responses from Chris that it became a two-parter! For Part I of our Fan Correspondent’s interview with Indians general manager Chris Antonetti, click here.
Cleveland Chick: How do you feel Ubaldo Jimenez is going to perform this season? I want to believe in him, but my husband says I’m wasting my time. (question from Kim on Twitter)
Chris Antonetti: I wish I knew with a high degree of confidence. What I know for certain is how hard Ubaldo and (pitching coach) Mickey Callaway have worked to put him in a better position to be successful. I’m confident he’ll be a lot better than he was last year, and I know Ubaldo is confident because of the work he’s put in.
Mickey went and visited with him a couple of times, and actually (manager) Terry (Francona) went on one of the visits, to visit with Ubaldo in the Dominican Republic this winter. Once Ubaldo started his throwing program, Mickey was there with him to make sure he was on the right path. Since reporting to Goodyear, Mickey and Ubaldo have worked really hard to put him in a position to be successful. For Ubaldo, that all starts with executing his delivery consistently. He still has a lot of potential; we just now need to see that potential turn into consistent performance.
CC: Is this year’s free agent spending spree the new norm, or a one-year wonder?
CA: What I would say is that we had a great opportunity this winter, where we had financial resources available to invest back into the team, and there were the right players that were the right fit for us. So we not only signed one prominent free agent, but we were actually able to sign a couple. Ownership extended far beyond probably what we could’ve reasonably expected.
We thought in a lot ways, that we would be done after signing Nick Swisher– and the other free agents that we signed (Mark Reynolds, Brett Myers) – because that was a very significant investment. But there was another opportunity to bring in a very talented player, Michael Bourn, on a deal that made sense for us, not only for this year, but for the next few years. Ownership really stepped out and pushed the envelope in terms of what we were able to do. It was a combination of a lot of things coming together: this being the right opportunity for us, with the right players, at the right cost, to make those investments.
I’m confident as we move forward, if we have opportunities and there are the right players that are the right fits for us, we have resources available, that ownership will again make those investments.
Ownership has always tried to invest back into the organization, throughout their time, (even in) their early years where we tried to maintain top-level payrolls despite not having the revenue to support it. Every dollar that is at their disposal they’ve invested back into team, whether that’s at the Major League level, or in player development or in scouting.
Obviously in this offseason, there was the potential for some new revenue streams to come down the line. What our ownership was going to do was not only spend revenues they had available, but revenues they were hoping to have available at a later date. So the philosophy has actually been mostly consistent: continuing to reinvest with the team. I’m confident as we have additional revenues, whether from increased attendance or increased ballpark revenue, that anything we have, ownership will continue to invest back in the team as they always have done.
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:
If this baseball thing doesn’t work out, perhaps Francona’s future is in comedy
Terry Francona won two World Series with the Boston Red Sox and has been a driving force behind the offseason momentum the Cleveland Indians currently are experiencing.
In between, he was an analyst on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” show, and he’s also managed the Phillies and served in the Indians’ front office after his playing career ended.
In other words, Francona appears to be a baseball lifer.
But if he ever decides to get out of the game where he’s spent his entire life – his father, remember, played for the Indians from 1959 to 1964 – he might just wind up at the Improv or another comedy club.
Francona’s latest deft comedic touch was on display late last week when reporters in Goodyear caught him riding a scooter to a magazine photo shoot. Indians baseball information coordinator Court Berry-Tripp offered to give the skipper a lift, but Francona instead offered to meet the crew on site.
The video below is what ensued.
By Land, By Sea, Baerga to the Indians Hall of Fame
Carlos Baerga talks with media members today in Goodyear. (Dan Mendlik photo)
The Cleveland Indians announced today that Carlos Baerga, one of the best second basemen in Cleveland Indians history and a member of the 1995 World Series team, will be inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame on June 22.
Baerga always has been a fan favorite and is warmly remembered throughout the organization as being an uplifting, positive force in the clubhouse.
“As difficult as it is to identify one player who made the most significant impact on the renaissance of Indians Baseball in the 1990s, I would have to have Carlos Baerga at the heart of the discussion,” said Indians Vice President of Public Relations Bob DiBiasio. “It took Carlos’ passion and enthusiasm to awaken a baseball franchise and its fan base from a 40-year slumber. His energy was infectious. Constantly moving, constantly dancing and talking whether in the clubhouse, during BP or during a game, Carlos provided an enthusiasm that helped create perhaps the best run of Indians baseball in club history.”
Tom Hamilton, voice of the Indians, agrees. “The guy unified the clubhouse. His personality was so magnetic; he made sure everyone was ready to play. Baerga didn’t have a problem getting guys fired up. He was never one of those guys that said, ‘that’s not my job.’ He did things others hadn’t done before.”
His impact on the field was just as — if not more — incredible. A switch hitter, Baerga was the first (of only three players) to have ever hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same inning. He had back-to-back seasons with 200 or more hits; Kenny Lofton, in 1996, is the only Indians player to accomplish the feat since Baerga.
“In 1993, he had cellulitis after fouling a ball off his leg with 199 hits. He spent five days in the hospital and on the sixth day came out and got his 200th hit,” said Indians Director of Media Relations Bart Swain. “That 200 was a magical number for him. Most guys would have shut it down, but Carlos gutted it out and got his 200th hit legging out a swinging bunt down the third base line in the last game at the old stadium.”
“Whether leading the team in hits or hustling from first to third, Carlos was in constant motion,” DiBiasio said. “Most remember Carlos’ highlights on the field — hitting homers from both sides of the plate in one inning to set a Major League record or producing seasons for a second baseman that rivaled baseball legend Rogers Hornsby — but my memories of Carlos focus on what an incredible teammate he was. Always smiling, always keeping the clubhouse a fun place to be. And when our franchise suffered the tragic deaths of Steve Olin and Tim Crews, it was Carlos who represented his teammates at a press conference the morning following the accident. Few have worn the Cleveland Indians uniform with more pride than Carlos.”
Baerga currently works as an Alumni Ambassador for the club and is assisting new manager Terry Francona’s staff at Spring Training in Goodyear, Arizona. Most recently, he was named Manager of the Year in la Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente Walker in Puerto Rico.
Out in Goodyear, it seems Baerga’s passion has been revived. “Having (new outfielder Nick) Swisher here reminds me of the energy and enthusiasm that Carlos brought day in and day out,” Swain said.
“He has never changed,” Hamilton added. “That’s why you knew it was genuine.”
Baerga will be honored in a ceremony before the Indians’ game against the Minnesota Twins and later will be recognized in Heritage Park, behind the center field wall at Progressive Field. Sincerest congratulations to Carlos Baerga on being the 39th member inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame.
–TribeVibe contributor Courtney Shilling
