Indians' night at the Lake Erie Monsters' game

If you are a regular reader of 'Swing By and Spray' then you know my passion for baseball and 'my' Cleveland Indians.

Well friends, the time has come that we've been waiting for the last 4 months--Indians' baseball is about to return.

The Cleveland Indians are in the midst of their Caravan, which is a week or two where they travel to different places to visit with their fans before they head south to Arizona.

Saturday night they hit Q Arena to greet their fans before the Lake Erie Monsters vs Hamilton Bulldogs hockey game.

Cleveland fans are chomping at the bit for baseball. The game was sold out. True, the Monsters are the most exciting game in town these days and on a win streak...but I think 'my' Tribe had a little bit to do with the electricity in the crowd.

Manager Manny Acta, Outfielders Shin-Soo Choo and Michael Brantley, first baseman Matt LaPorta, and pitcher Tony Sipp signed autographs and shoot hands with their fans about an hour before the game.

Also on hand to sign autographs, take pictures, and bring smiles to the kids' faces were the one and only Slider and Mustard, Ketchup, and Onion!

As if that wasn't enough, the Monsters played an awesome game and beat the division leading Bulldogs 4-1.

Before the game began, a few of the Indians spoke to any media on hand. Not only was it great seeing former co-workers, but it was so exciting to hear how the Indians are revved up for the 2011 season. They are raring to go and 'play ball!'

Manager Manny Acta commented on the number of guys reporting to camp including rehabbing Grady Sizemore and Carlos Santana...."We have a lot of reasons to be excited...the health of Grady Sizemore and Carlos Santana...we have a lot of guys and we're gonna give these guys a fair look. Grady Sizemore is coming along very well. The goal is to have Grady ready for Opening Day. With the addition of Carlos Santana, our offense is gonna be much better."

Acta went on to talk about the pitching staff....he said, "We are very happy about our starting rotation. Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson, Mitch Talbot, Carlos Carrasco, David Huff and so much more depth in the rotation. We have 3 guys in AAA that are knocking on the door."

He said once he puts the Christmas lights up in the attic, it's time to start Spring Training.

Michael Brantley made a few comments before the lights came down on the game....he's been working on the overall aspect of his whole game and is the same guy with a different attitude.

I can hardly contain myself that baseball season is upon us. February and March is one of the most exciting times of the year with Spring Training, March Madness, Hockey gearing toward the playoffs and NBA heating up as well.

Go Tribe!

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Manny Acta

I attended a luncheon today sponsored by The Press Club of Cleveland and The Cleveland Indians where new Cleveland Indians' manager, Manny Acta, spoke and then fielded questions from the audience.

Stealing a line from a very famous movie, he "had me at hello!"

Today's event was the final leg of the Cleveland Indians' Press Tour Caravan, which has been going on all week.

During these caravans, players, management, broadcasters, and other staffers hop on buses and criss-cross Ohio and Pennsylvania meeting and greeting fans and trying to reel them in for the season ahead.

I was not kidding. When Mr. Acta began speaking, he had me. Within minutes, the audience witnessed what a savvy baseball man the Indians hired. You could say he is a student and teacher of the game of baseball. Acta combines his charisma, honesty, and humor making him a great speaker who wows a crowd.

He prefaced his speech by saying he knows the stats from his last gig are not the greatest for a resume but he looks forward to coming to the Indians because they have much talent already. They are not starting from ground zero. Acta said the Indians already have most pieces in place and he's excited at the prospects currently in the Indians' minor league system. He also brought the audience to laughter by saying if this job does not work out, he'll be handling paper and plastic at WalMart.

Acta said, 'Give these guys a chance and stay behind us. Good things are coming to Cleveland.' Acta refuses to be a realist and expects nothing less than the best. He promised to the sell out luncheon crowd, 'we're going to give everything we have.'

Acta said the top three questions commonly asked during the press caravan were:

• Will there be a set line-up this year?


• Where will Grady bat? Ever bat 3rd in the line-up?


• Will he use the word grind?

In regards to the line-up, Acta first gave high praise to former manager Eric Wedge. He said Wedge had many injuries which is why he had to mix up the line-up on a regular basis. However he did go on to say he really would like to have a set line-up day in, day out.

As to Grady's role --he will continue being the Indians' lead-off hitter and may gradually, as let's say Brantley gets more experience, move to the meat of the order.

And he really never touched on whether or not he will use the 'wedge-ism' --GRIND!!!

At the end of his speech, Acta left the audience feeling hopeful for the 201o season as he said, "I'm not here to compete, I'm here to win!"

I expanded on the Manny Acta luncheon on wkyc.com. To read that story, CLICK HERE!

I believe Manny Acta is the right fit for the 2010 Cleveland Indians. As Spring Training progresses and the Season opens, I hope you too will see why Manny Acta is this week's Hidden Gem!