The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Indian midsummer in Miami this year
Tribe has five players, coaching staff on American League All-Star squad
Beyond the concerns over manager Terry Francona’s recent health scare and recovery from heart surgery, these are heady times for the Cleveland Indians as the regular season pauses for the All-Star break in Miami.
The Indians will have five players on the American League squad for the first time since 2004.
One of those players, Jose Ramirez, won the fan vote to be the AL’s starter at third base. He is the first Indians player so honored since outfielder Juan Gonzalez in 2001.
Joining the 24-year-old native of the Dominican Republic on the AL team will be starting pitcher Corey Kluber, shortstop Francisco Lindor, outfielder Michael Brantley and relief pitcher Andrew Miller.
Because the Indians are
the defending AL champions, Francona and his staff were named to oversee the AL team. Bench coach Brad Mills, who’s been managing the Indians in Francona’s stead since last week, will do the same in Miami. Francona will stay behind in Cleveland as part of a plan to have him return to the dugout when the Indians re-convene at Progressive Field on July 14.
They’ll be in Oakland for a three-game series against the A’s beginning July 15.
Indians president Chris Antonetti said he’s especially pleased that Mills and the team’s coaches will get the national exposure afforded by being involved with baseball’s Midsummer Classic.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing my family and friends. On top of that, I’ll be able to approach all of the great players there and ask them what makes them so successful.”
— Indians shortstop and American League All-Star Francisco Lindor
“The recognition they’re getting is well-deserved,” Antonetti said. “The collective preference would have Tito (Francona) as part of that staff and have everyone share in that together. With that not happening, we’re still really proud of our staff representing the organization down there.”
Antonetti also cited the accomplishment of Ramirez, who in five years has gone from obscurity in team’s minor-league system to being the Indians indispensable man.
“Jose has taken an atypical path to being the starting third baseman in the All Star Game,” Antonetti said. “He was a second baseman coming through the minor leagues. We asked him to bounce over to shortstop,. which he did. As Francisco (Lindor) transitioned to the major leagues, we asked him to play two positions he’d never played before, third base and left field. He not only played those positions,
he played them exceedingly well.
“To do that, while continuing to develop offensively, is a testament to Jose’s work and mindset,” Antonetti added. “He’s always embraced every challenge we’ve put in front of him.”
Speaking through interpreter Anna Bolton, Ramirez said he isn’t nervous about getting the start at third base in Miami.
“I feel happy about it, but I’m not nervous,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez said he was mindful of his humble beginnings in recent days as learned of his selection by fans in a close race with Minnesota’s Miguel Sano. He signed with the Indians in November 2009 as a nondrafted free agent.
“I‘ve been thinking abut that, all the hard work I’ve done and the sacrifices I’ve made. I’m thankful for the good results,” Ramirez said.
A large number of his family members will make the trip from the Dominican Republic to Miami for the All-Star Game.
“They are super happy,” Ramirez said. “I’m looking
forward to spending time with my family and sharing this experience with them.”
Lindor, Brantley and Miller were added to the AL squad in voting by fellow players. Kluber, who won’t pitch in Miami after starting against the Detroit Tigers on July 9, was named to the squad by the office of Commissioner Rob Manfred.
In his second full season in the big leagues, the 23-year-old Lindor is making his second All-Star Game appearance.
“You can’t take anything in this game from granted, especially being part of the All-Star Game. It’s such a blessing,” Lindor said.
While he’s disappointed that Francona won’t be on the bench in Miami, Lindor is beyond pleased that his parents will be able to make the short trip there from their home in central Florida.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing my family and friends,” Lindor said. “On top of that, I’ll be able to approach all of the great players there and ask them what makes them so successful.” Brantley, 30, was an AL All-Star selection in 2014. He is a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year this season after missing all but 11 games last season with a shoulder injury that requires two surgeries.
“I’m very excited and feel very humbled, very blessed,” Brantley said. “A lot of hard work went into getting back to play this year. To represent the Cleveland Indians and go along with the great players in that locker room, it’s a blessing and a dream come true.”
Brantley acknowledged his road back to the active roster and, now, AllStar status, had its rocky stretches.
“There were some dark days and long nights,” he said. “The training staff and doctors kept me positive. I kept working and going after it. Nothing was guaranteed.
“Coming out of spring training, I didn’t know I was going to make the opening day roster,” Brantley added. “I was lucky how everything paid off. The shoulder is doing great. I’m very excited about it and will continue to move forward.”
Brantley’s family also is based in central Florida and will, he said, have a significant presence in Miami.
This will be the second All-Star Game appearance for Miller. The 32-year-old left-hander was in the game last year while a member of the New York Yankees.
Traded to the Indians on July 31, Miller immediately became a key component in the Indians’ bullpen. He was spectacular in the postseason, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the AL Championship Series as the Indians dispatched Toronto in five games.
“It was the perfect storm,” Miller said of his emergence as a premier reliever after joining the Indians. “We were the team that made a run in the playoffs. I don’t play for the media spotlight or the articles that are written. The attention is a little unexpected. We accomplished quite a bit last season and have big goals this season. That’s something I want to be a part of. I couldn’t be in a better place. That’s what’s special for me.”
Miller said he’s looking forward to sharing the AllStar Game experience again with his young son, Max.
“I loved having my son with me (last year) for the Home Run Derby. That’s one of the things you always saw growing up as a kid,” Miller said. “I just got my son’s little jersey in the mail. I’m expecting him to have even more fun this year. The opportunity to play in a game like that is something you don’t take for granted.”
Kluber, 31, made his first All-Star Game appearance last year and was the winning pitcher. He’s looking forward to a repeat appearance on the AL team even though he won’t be used in the game.
“It’s definitely a busy couple of days, regardless, but I’ll be able to enjoy the experience,” Kluber said. “That’s what I plan on doing. It’s not every day you get to see that collection of players and be in the same clubhouse with some of those guys. So I’m going to try and take it all in.”