CLEVELAND, Ohio – “I’m not a picture of health.”
That’s what Terry Francona said he learned from the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic.
The Tribe manager missed last week’s games to undergo tests for what was originally called a gastrointestinal problem.
At his Zoom press conference, Francona said he also had problems with his hip and back. He explained the hip is “bone-on-bone.” He said he had “five or six procedures” at the Cleveland Clinic over the past several months.
He also explained: ‘The muscles that help you go to the bathroom have been in spasms. It’s probably been the case for the last 11 months. “
The 61-year-old Francona said he has no heart problems, but it is clear he is in a lot of pain.
Francona’s health was a concern when the Indians overtook him in 2013. He has made several trips to the hospital over the years, including a heartbeat operation in the 2017 season to treat an irregular heartbeat. correct.
He has been through a lot. My sense is that there is no guarantee he will finish the season.
But Francona is not just a baseball lift. Baseball is his oxygen. To be the players burns his bloodstream. The winning, losing and in-game decisions power beats his heart.
That’s how he’s wired.
You could say he has to stop now. But Francona will not, until he is sure there is no other choice.
THIS ONE HURT
Therefore, the Indians were roughly shocked by the action of pitchers Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger, who broke team rules and went with friends to Chicago.
Both pitchers are placed on the list of restrictions. They will undergo tests in the coming days to see if they have contracted COVID-19.
The Indians refuse to say if the pitchers are with fines, but that is a good judgment.
Team President Chris Antonetti said as far as the Indians know, the two pitchers were not in contact with anyone who is COVID-19 positive. He said league rules do not force them to put the pitchers on the restricted list and keep them off the team.
The Indians did it on their own. They did it to send a strong message about team unity and accountability.
Francona is not the only high-risk person with the team. Tribal pitcher Carlos Carrasco had leukemia last year. He is healthy now.
But both men may be vulnerable to a serious COVID-19 reaction.
Furthermore, Tribe players for the season have compiled a code of conduct to treat the virus. They have done a good job of policing themselves, at least until the weekend in Chicago.
No doubt, many players feel angry and let go by Plesac and Clevinger. So do other members of the organization.
“This is one kind of pain,” Francona acknowledged.
NOT WHEN REALLY
Plesac was caught when he returned to the team hotel on Saturday night. The Indians kept him away from the team, and he drove home from Chicago.
That was bad.
Making it worse is Clevinger with him. Apparently Plesac did not tell the Indians that Clevinger was with him. The team assumed that Plesac was the only player to break the rules Saturday night in Chicago.
The Tribe did not find out until Monday morning that Clevinger was there either. Meanwhile, Clevinger was running around the team Sunday and he flew home on the team flight home.
Both pitchers should shame themselves for their lack of accountability by refusing to explain what actually happened Saturday.
There was a report by Jon Heyman of the MLB Network that Clevinger defended Plesac’s actions at a team meeting. This was before the Indians knew that Clevinger was with Plesac.
That’s just sad.
Furthermore, Francona was a bit cryptic when he said that the two pitchers were “probably in different stages of understanding.”
He would not work out. But if they were genuinely remorseful, you would expect Francona to say so.
Clevinger released an apology statement Tuesday night and seems to mean he blew it. The Indians had a team meeting led by Francona, then another with players.
They do not want this to ruin the season.
Led by Antonetti, the Indians did an excellent job of staying virus-free and disciplined.
It has not been easy, but they have been faithful. Therefore, it makes the organization and the players when two guys crush together and then not fess.
“God said you love your neighbor as much as you love yourself,” said shortstop Francisco Lindor. ‘People need to be responsible. (If she) does not care about neighbors and people we love. What are we doing? “
It’s a good question, one Plesac and Clevinger will have to face when they return to the team.
RECENT TERRY PLUTO COLUMN
Tribe Scribbles: Pitchers, Lindor
Let’s talk strain and the value of Sandy Alomar
If the Money Games go away, what will MAC football do?
Tribe Scribbles: Start hitting, stop pitching well.
Time for underachieving David Njoku to shake up that label
Terry’s Talkin ‘Browns: Andrew Berry, Myles Garrett and the game within the game
What should Browns do about Play-calling?
Terry’s Talkin ‘Tribe, the demise of Brad Hand
Hey Terry: What about Browns changing defenses? Sipe as Bernie?
Cleveland Indians Scribbles: Club trade, runner up second
Terry’s Talkin ‘Browns:
Prediction Time: A fun season for the Tribe & fans
The incredible story of how Roberto Perez made the majors
–
New Indian Face Masks for Sale: Here you can purchase Cleveland Indians face masks for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All proceeds from MLB donate to charity.
