CLEVELAND, Ohio – Players have their pandemic baseball stories.
Carlos Carrasco built a pitcher’s mound in his front yard and recruited a neighbor who was a college catcher to handle his pitches.
Zach Plesac sometimes threw the ball against a brick wall in an alley in downtown Cleveland to try to keep his arm in shape.
Shane Bieber shared a room with his former college teammate, Kyle Nelson, near Westmount College in Santa Barbara. They took turns throwing themselves onto the campus. Bieber will be the opening opener for the Tribe’s opening day. Nelson is a left-handed reliever who is one of 60 players brought to Cleveland to compete for a spot on the list.
Tyler Naquin lives in Crocker Park. He worked on top of the parking lot in the shopping area, throwing balls against the wall and inventing other individual exercises.
José Ramírez was batting against former Tribe pitcher Trevor Bauer “in the desert,” according to manager Terry Francona.
TALKING BASKETBALL
COVID-19 closed businesses such as health clubs and spring training facilities. Most of the parks were closed. Listening to players on Zoom conference calls discussed how they lost the game and adapted to the COVID-19 world was refreshing.
“At the end of the day, everyone here loves to play baseball,” Bieber said. “We love being here, day after day. … We are excited. We are ready. They were excited. “
Carrasco thought of a year when he told his colleagues that he had been diagnosed with leukemia. No one knew if he would be able to pitch again, but he returned to the mound in September. Carrasco was ready to become a member of Tribe’s 2020 rotation when the virus shut down baseball in mid-March.
“I am happy to have fought this because I love playing baseball,” said Carrasco. “I’m ready to go”.
Later, Carrasco said he has built his arm to be able to throw six innings.
“I did it (I pitched six innings last Sunday),” he said. “I pitched six innings in Florida (where he lives). I built a gym in my house, I built a mound. … I have been throwing every day, lifting every day and running. Right now, I’m ready to go. “
Players also know that Carrasco is at high risk for COVID-19 due to his battle with leukemia. Also Francona, who has had heart, circulation and other health problems.
“We have to take care of those guys,” said Bieber. “We cannot be selfish. We have to take care of ourselves first. But deep in our minds, we are doing that to care for our teammates and the Tribe family. ”
The tribe has also gathered around the return of Carrasco.
“You can see his smile, even behind his mask,” said Bieber. “He is the man. We all appreciate him. We hug him.”
STAY HEALTHY
Naquin underwent ACL knee surgery in September. It would not have been ready for the opening day scheduled for March 26. Now he is healthy.
In addition to Delino DeShields, who is recovering from what appears to be a mild case of COVID-19, the Indians have no players, according to tribe president Chris Antonetti. That has to be a relief because it was hard to tell if these guys would stretch their hamstrings, twist their ankles, and have other injuries while working outside of the team.
Playing the 60 game schedule against teams only in their own Central Division and the Central National League gives the Tribe a good shot at the postseason. Antonetti was almost bubbling as he talked about the deep initial rotation of his team and his players practicing on the field.
“I’m not sure I was that excited,” he said. “It’s amazing to go back to baseball-related questions and how we are going to find out who starts on what days for us.”
THE BIG CHALLENGE
Francona, GM Mike Chernoff and Antonetti have been stressing the need for players to follow the various COVID-19 lifestyle rules. We listen to them all the time. Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Social distancing.
Also, don’t spit!
While the players are technically not “in a bubble” and basically confined to a hotel like the NBA is doing in Orlando, they are told to be smart away from the park.
“There are common sense situations where you see things are full (with people),” said Plesac. “Going to bars and drinking … doing things like that really isn’t important to us right now.”
Staying away from a massive COVID-19 leak will be the key to success for every team. Francona verbally underlines the word “cooperation” and adds that “it is going to be huge”.
He said the players are taking the situation seriously.
“We saw the presentation about the virus and everyone paid attention,” said Francona. “Everyone asked questions. They all wore a mask. … No one complained. “
They lost the game. Now, they have to maintain their appreciation for being back while also being obedient to all the new rules.
“We have been given this privilege to be able to come back and play,” said Plesac. “Given this short window … it’s a good time to buckle up and focus on what’s important.”
RECENT TERRY PLUTO COLUMNS
Many baseball fans are angry and Terry Francona understands why
Think (and cry) about minor league baseball
Hi Terry, how about the tribe? The National anthem?
Cam Newton to New England? Will Belichick make it work?
Will Odell Beckham Jr. and Kareem Hunt be happy in the new offense? Terry’s Talkin ‘Browns
Terry’s Talkin ‘Tribe: What does season mean?
Baseball comes back, trying to hear my opinion on it
How about Jamal Adams? Let’s talk brown
Senate football coaches feel abandoned
What about defensive ends with the Browns?
Kyrie Irving is wrong again
–
New Indian face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face liners for coronavirus protection, including a mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charities.
