The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Indians thrilled about Gomes’ All-Star nod
Yan Gomes has to change his plans for the All-Star break that begins on July 16, and he’s happy to do so.
The Indians catcher on July 14 was named to the American League All-Star team as a replacement for injured Tampa Bay catcher Wilson Ramos, who suffered a strained hamstring earlier in the day against the Minnesota Twins. The All-Star game will be played July 17 in Washington, D.C.
It was not a typical announcement.
Indians manager Terry Francona learned about Gomes in the eighth inning and decided it would be a good idea to surprise Gomes by having the P.A. announcer at Progressive Field reveal the honor as Gomes was stepping into the batter’s box in the ninth inning against Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.
“(Indians’ equipment manager) Tony Amato came up in the eighth and told me and asked ‘What do you want to do?’” Francona said on July 15 before the Indians hosted the Yankees in their final game before the All-Star break. “We’re in a one-run game. I stepped back for a minute and thought it would be really fun to tell him, but the way the team feels about him — he was third up. So I just said let them make the announcement then. That way his teammates, the fans — I didn’t feel like I should get all the fun.
“I knew that when his teammates heard it, they would be excited. And they were. I don’t personally think that gets in the way of an at-bat. Chapman may. I thought it was a cool way to try and give somebody everything they deserve.”
The following afternoon, Gomes drove in Jose Ramirez on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning on July 15 to give the Indians a 4-2 lead over the Yankees after Michael Brantley homered to break a 2-2 tie on an 0-1 pitch to lead off the eighth. Brantley and Ramirez are also headed to the All-Star game from the Indians, as is shortstop Francisco Lindor plus pitchers Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer.
“It’s a great way to end the first half of the season,” Gomes said.
Gomes’ importance to the Indians goes beyond the numbers, though they are very good. His 19 RBI since June 1 rank second among American League catchers. He is hitting .247 with 17 doubles, 10 home runs and 32 RBI in 69 games. He has thrown out 31.6 percent (12 of 38) potential base stealers.
The only AL catchers better at cutting down runners are Martin Maldonado from the Angels and Brian McCann from the Astros. Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals, originally a reserve, is the starting catcher for the American League team in Wilson’s absence. Now Gomes will enter the game during the middle innings
“I didn’t know,” Gomes said before the finale with the Yankees. “Tito (Francona) came up to me when we were making the pitching change and said, ‘The next at-bat’s going to be a good one for you.’ I thought he had some vision I was going to hit a walk-off or something.
“It was really cool to share it with everybody. It’s a great honor. I’m super excited. I’ve spent so many years watching it on TV. I’m so thankful. I thank God for everything He’s put me through. Great moments like this make it even better.”
Kluber dresses a few stalls away from Gomes. Kluber won’t participate in the All-Star game because he received an injection in his right knee on July 13.
Gomes catches when Kluber is on the mound. Kluber knows him as well as anybody.
“His first priority is always taking care of the pitching staff, which is probably not always the easiest thing to do,” Kluber said. “But he puts in a lot of time and effort to make sure the pitchers are in a good spot. That shows his priorities are with the team and not himself. He deserves to have his hard work rewarded.”
The Indians’ season resumes on July 20 against the Rangers in Texas. Some players not involved in the All-Star game use the break to get away. Francona, for example, is headed to Tucson, Ariz., to work on a home he has there and sit by the pool.
“My wife (Jenna) and I were packed and ready to go to the beach (in Destin, Fla,),” Gomes said. “Our plans have to change, but’s all for the good. We’ll definitely change them for this any time.”
The Gomes family can always find a white sandy beach, say, in November after what the Indians hope is a return to the World Series.
Reach Schudel at JSchudel@News-Herald. com. On Twitter: @jsproinsider