Cleveland Guardians trades are still on my mind, and I’ll look at the last one that too place a bit more than the others.
I just flashed back to Friday April 7th. Indeed, that was the Guards home opener after having gone 4-1 on a Left Coast road trip to start the season. As always, I am thankful to the team for the opportunity to have a Press Box seat but also for the hospitality the team affords all the media members, home, away and national and at times international, plus for a true rep of the organization, a gent I refer to as the “Guardian of the Press Box” Mike Kilbane. Mike is the gent that checks you in and also makes sure your stay is truly pleasant. He also helps wayward suite ticket holders who just are not sure where the heck they are going and to boot he is a HUGE Guardians and baseball fan. His family has roots to Cleveland Central Catholic, Padua and CMSD! I truly treasure engaging him in great convos about the national past time. Ok, opening day 2023 saw the Guards go to work in the bottom of the 1st after Aaron Civale got 3 easy outs in the top of the first plus gave up a single.
After Kwan K’d started the Guards 1st, Rosario, Ramirez, and Naylor all singled to load up the bases for new #5 hitter Josh Bell. Now I do not hesitate to note that I was vociferous in needing the team to go get Bell and here he is, a sold-out crowd and a shot to endear himself to the hometown crowd. Mike Kilbane and I agreed that this was HIS time to go down in Cleveland Baseball folklore with a simple single if not more! What happened? He struck out swinging! A tough start to his tenure with the team. He ended up going 1-4 with 1 RBI but the magical moment was gone.
Last night in his Miami Marlins debut he flipped the script! Here were his plate appearances:
* 1st ground out
* 4th walk
* 6th HOME RUN
* 8th Single
* 9th Single
* 11th RBI Single to send it to 12 innings
Will that continue? Absolutely not but what gives? He is just a “National League” guy? I truly though the Guardians – Pirate series would get him off his duff (A month and a half after good hitters are supposed to start hitting!) and it did not happen. I like Josh. He’s a great man and leader in the clubhouse and dugout but no doubt I cannot dispute this deal as he was NOT worth 16 million a year plus HIS option to come back next year.
Let’s hit up Amed Rosario quickly who by the way played 2nd yesterday for LA and went 2-4 with 2 RBI and a HR! Will he do that every game? NOPE but I find it laughable when I read and hear people saying, “I just could not tolerate his play in the field any longer.” Yes, he was the whipping boy this year and no doubt his play in the field drove me crazy at times, but I do not remember a fielding miscue costing the team a game. Perhaps you do. I do know he was a leader and had an inspirational persona and that is tough to put a value on what that means. Also, it did appear that he was by JOSE’s side as much as possible and that is priceless being the go-to guy for a super star. Remember Jason Giambi? Did not hit his weight but his presence in the dugout and locker room was so important to the team’s success. Yes, he hit a pretty big home run too!
The White Sox come in for 3 and then the Blue Jays for 4. Does the team truly desire to win the Central and the answer is YES then go 5-2 on this homestand. Hoping to see you, meet you and greet you at the ballpark starting tomorrow night!
Please enjoy every sandwich and take care of each other. Truly is your world, pay attention. For now, ADIOS AMIGO, long may you run.
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