| Douglas Benton. 23rd September, 2005 - 1:53 pm
 With most teams choosing to win with big money free agents in present day baseball, the Indians chose not to conform and now stand poised to make a run deep into October. Now because of their market location, the Indians can’t spend with the big boys, but they started to win when they did something that too many teams are afraid to do. They admitted they couldn’t win and acknowledged that they were going to take one step back in order to take two steps forward.
While this youth movement wasn’t initially popular in the Cleveland area, their patient is now reaping the benefits. With a little more than a week left in the season, the Indians not only see themselves in control of the wild card race, but only 2.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central. The reason for this success is the balanced approach general manager Mark Shapiro took when he moved this franchise from the bombers of Albert Belle and Jim Thome to the team you see today.
However, this doesn’t mean that the Indians have no hitters because they might have the best collection of young hitters in the game. This power surge is led by DH Travis Hafner, who has put up 30 home runs, 100 RBI while batting .308. He even missed a few weeks at the end of July, which certainly hurt some of these already solid numbers. Catcher Victor Martinez also is climbing the ranks as one of the best hitting catchers in baseball and 24 year old outfielder Grady Sizemore is one of the game’s brightest young stars.
So while the bats steal most of the headlines, the pitchers are who will decide the fate of the Indians this year. The rotation might not have one dominant star; they do have at least five number two’s. They are led by C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee, but they have also received pleasant surprises from former ace Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton.
However, it makes it easier when you can hand the ball to your bullpen and have a solid certainty that the game is over. Closer Bob Wickman receives much of the press, but the Indians have four other guys in front of him have ERA below 3.00.
Maybe the Indians won’t make the playoffs or maybe they will go all the way. Whatever the end result, it has been quite a ride and a ride that should become a more common occurrence for the greater good of the sport. |
