The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Brantley activated, comes through in return
Perhaps the most amazing part of the Indians making it to the World Series in 2016 is they got there without Michael Brantley. They won 102 games last season and were without their All-Star left fielder for 72 of them.
The first seven games of 2018 started in familiar fashion. Brantley was on the disabled list, this time rehabbing from right ankle surgery, but he was activated April 6 and started in left field against the Royals in the home opener at Progressive Field.
Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Edwin Encarnacion and Jason Kipnis are all important everyday players for the Indians, but the one most capable of delivering a clutch hit when the Tribe needs one most is 30-year-old Brantley. The Indians think so much of him, they picked up his $12 million option for 2018 less than
three weeks after his ankle surgery.
“It means a lot (to me),” Brantley said, “but it’s also a testament of what I do in the locker room to be the best teammate I can and what I do on the field when I’m available.
“I try to work as hard as I can to be there for my teammates. There’s nowhere else I want to be. We have some unfinished business here in this locker room, and I’d love to get it done.”
Brantley is the model of consistency at the plate and in the field when healthy. He played 156 games in 2014, posted a .327 batting average, homered 20 times and drove in 97 runs. A sore back bothered him in 2015 and he still managed to play 137 games, hit .310, homered 15 times and knock in 84 runs.
Manager Terry Francona might have to juggle his outfield every third day so he doesn’t tax Brantley’s ankle in the beginning of the season, but that is an issue he will deal with gladly, because even then Brantley can pinch-hit.
“If it is two out of three (games), it’s worth it, because he means so much to what we’re doing,” Francona said. “When he’s playing, it’s a position you don’t mess with. Wind him up and let him go. It means you can mix and match at other positions. It’s really nice to have him back.
“Nobody has a crystal ball. You don’t know who’s going to get hits, but just his being here and what he means to everybody will really be helpful.”
Right on cue, Brantley ripped a line drive single to right field in the bottom of the first in his first at-bat off the DL, knocking in Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez to give the Indians a 3-2 lead. He struck out and grounded out in his next three at-bats, but his single proved to be the game-winning hit.
Before overcoming the ankle injury and subsequent surgery, he overcame complications from 2015 shoulder surgery that restricted him to playing 11 games in 2016. He bounced back from that to make the 2017 All-Star team. Had he not sprained his ankle Aug. 8, he might have been Comeback Player of the Year in 2017.
There were times in the last three years, he admits, when he became discouraged.
“I have my teammates that were always picking me up,” Brantley said. “I have a great wife and kids and family around me as a great support system. I can’t thank them enough. They kept me focused.
“I love this game. Yeah, I’ve been banged up a couple times, but any time I get to put on a major-league uniform, it’s an honor. It’s a privilege. It’s a lot of hard work, but I don’t let it go by the wayside. I really do appreciate it and value it.”
Brantley is a study in perseverance. So are the Indians. Brantley staying healthy is a key to them ending a 70-year World Series drought in Cleveland.
Yeah, I’ve been banged up a couple times, but any time I get to put on a major-league uniform, it’s an honor.” Indians outfielder Michael Brantley