CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The 1988 Cleveland Indians were not a memorable team, but that ballclub has had quite the impact on baseball in the decades that have followed.
The Indians finished 78-84 and in sixth place in the old American League East division that year. That roster featured five players, including Terry Francona and Bud Black, who went on to become managers at the Major League level.
“We weren't even sure we were going to be players let alone, [managers],” Francona said prior to Monday's opener with the Rockies. “I would never speak for anybody else, [but] I just know that at that point we were all trying to kind of hang on and be the best kind of player we could be, which in some cases wasn't very good for some of us.”
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Francona and Black, who manages the Colorado Rockies, square off the next three days in Cleveland.
John Farrell, Ron Washington and Dave Clark were the other three players who went on to manage major league clubs, a trend Francona isn’t sure will continue with current players down the road.
“Just weird how many people decide to stay in the game,” Francona said. “Nowadays, even if you look at players that you think would be maybe good [managerial] candidates, the money's so good that it's not sure guys really feel that the need to or the want or whatever it is to stay in the game.”
Like Francona, Farrell managed the Red Sox where he won a World Series as well as Toronto Blue Jays. Washington managed the Texas Rangers and Clark the Houston Astros.
Curry Wednesday, maybe – Wednesday’s starter for the series finale with Colorado will be determined how the Guardians get through the next two nights according Francona.
“[Xzavion] Curry will be the guy if we are able to stay away from him,” Francona said. “Just don't know for a number of reasons if we're [going to be] able to stay away.”
Curry has made four appearances this season, his last coming in Game 2 against Detroit last Tuesday in which he pitched two innings and did not allow a run. To date, Curry has thrown 12 innings and allowed five earned runs on nine hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts.
“It's part of our job to try to put people where we think they can succeed, but you just can't default to everybody going to the bullpen or you never have starters,” Francona said. “And I think as young pitchers, the longer they can start, the better it is because they learn to use all their pitches and they turn lineups over and that's going to help their development.”
Francona pulled Curry aside Monday for a minute to make sure the 24-year-old understood his lack of recent use was not a reflection on Francona’s comfort level going to him.
“I just wanted him to understand that I’m not afraid to use him,” Francona said. “I am a little conflicted at times because if you have an inning you think it could be good for him, but then that he's the long guy the next day and he's been a starter. So we don't want to put him in situations that aren't maybe conducive to his best health, even though he'd be happy to do it. I just explained that to him. He's a great kid. So just the balance sometimes can be a little awkward for me.”
Hometown debut – Ryan Feltner, a Cuyahoga Falls native, will make his Major League debut Tuesday night for the Rockies against his hometown Guardians.
Feltner spoke with Baskin and Phelps Monday on 92.3 The Fan about the opportunity. Listen to their conversation in the audio player above.
Great first impression – Logan Allen struck out eight in six innings of work Sunday to win his big-league debut over Miami.
As impressive on the mound as Allen was, Francona was struck most by his maturity off the field.
“I would say this, if he wouldn't have pitched well, I don't think he would’ve acted any different, which is a good thing,” Francona said. “I think he's kind of a mature kid and sure looks like he likes to compete and think there's a reason that the player development people were so high on him. But it was fun to watch. I mean, guys aren't always going to have their best stuff. They're not always going to pitch good, but if they know how to compete and they know how to act, it gives you a lot to work with.”
Taken for a ride – Reliever James Karinchak gave up a three-run home run in the eighth inning Sunday to Marlins right fielder Avisail Garcia, the fourth he’s allowed this season.
“Just seemed like he would make some mistake [and] he pays for it,” Francona said. “Sometimes you need him to get a foul ball back. His stuff's fine. Just he was trying to throw fastball up to Garcia and he didn't get it up. And we had done a really good job elevating against him the whole series and then you get one down and he shows what he can do.”
In 13 appearances this month Karinchak has allowed nine runs on 10 hits with five walks and 17 strikeouts.