April 12, 2025 • 39 mins
Recapping the Guards first week back at home as they start 4-0 at Progressive Field. Plus, we'll talk about the early season success with Steven Kwan, and Ben Lively. Also, our annual home opener interview with Sandy Alomar Jr. who's been a part of twenty-four home openers in Cleveland as a player and now a coach. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardian's Weekly. Jim rosenhouse along with
you at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Man oh man,
is it nice to be home and do a show
from a Progressive Field. It's been a while, but we're
back the ballpark with the renovations nearly complete. It looks
(01:18):
great and it has been a fun homestand so far
the first homestand of twenty twenty five. Coming up on
our show this week, we will hear from outfielders Stephen Kwan,
starting pitcher Ben Lively, and first base coach Sandy Olimar Junior.
Our annual visit with Sandy on the day of the
home opener, and he's been a part of a million
(01:38):
of them, well at least twenty four of the thirty
two in this ballpark, so he's a regular. And we'll
also have a farm report from Stephen Osterer previewing the
Lake County Captains who are underway with their season and
they have a lot of really good young prospects. Again,
at the single A level. And we'll hear from the
farm director for the Guardians a little bit later on
(02:00):
in our show, but we'll take a break when we
come back. It's a look back at the week in review,
and it's been a good one. That's next at Cleveland
Clanic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Don't go away, folks.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
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Speaker 2 (03:07):
Jim Rose announced back with you on Guardians Weekly. Great
to have you with us from Progressive Field in downtown
Cleveland and time to take a look back at the
week in review and the first homestand of the new
season for the Guardians. And really it couldn't have gone
any better so far as the Guardians heading into play
on Saturday night are four and zero at home and
(03:28):
they have moved above the five hundred mark once again
for the season. So things going extremely well. And we'll
start with Tuesday's home opener against the Chicago White Sox.
And well, it was good pitching on both sides in
this one. Ben Lively on the mound for the Guardians
and he was sharp early.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Now the two two strike three cold painted the inside
corner with that fastball. Lively gets talking. Been looking middle
of the third Cleveland nothing, Chicago nothing.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
For the White Sox. Shane Smith, he was impressive as well.
Didn't give up a hit until the sixth inning. That's
when Jose Ramirez stepped in. Here comes js.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
A Q shot off the ban rolls to third base hip. Well,
he couldn't have rolled it in a better spot. We're
gonna he got jammed and just somehow got a little
roller off the band down that third baseline. That's the
first hit in the game for Cleveland. It's legit. Nothing
(04:32):
questionable about it, but it's not exactly a blister shot.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
But pitching continued to dominate the day for both teams
as the game stayed scoreless until the ninth inning. That's
when the Guardians got things started with Carlos Santana leading
things off. Now the one too.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Swung on grounded toward first off the glove of bun
on the back end, recovered by the second basement Thronososa
got by Clevenger, backed up by the catcher. This and
foul ground a shot on the ground that Vaughn went
to the back can a step towards second kicked off
his cloth carmend in the shallow right, with Sosa the
(05:13):
second baseman, grabbing it, spinning and throwing the first in
the dirt. Clevenger couldn't dig it out. He had no chance.
That was kind of a do or die play for
both Sosa and for Clevenger, and it'll be ruled abase it.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Then a pair of walks to Kyle Mansardo and John Kenzie.
Noel loaded the bases with nobody out and Nolan Jones
was at the plate.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
The set by Clevenger the payoff pitch low ball for
ball game, Clevenger walks Nolan Jones with the bases loaded
and the Guardians walk off the White Sox literally and
win it one to nothing.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
You don't see it every day, that's for sure. A
walk off walk. First time the Guardians had a walk
off walk in a one nothing game since the nineteen
eighty six season, so it has been a while, but
they did it on the home opener this time around,
a one nothing victory over the White Sox. All we
went to Wednesday night, first night game of the home schedule,
(06:21):
and Chicago jumped in front with a run in the
top half of the first inning, but the Guardians answered
in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a
two out hit from John Kenzie Noel.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
The O one runner Goes Pitt swung on banged up
the middle base at center field in with a tying
runners Kwawn scampering the third is Ramirez and John Kenzie
Noel breaks an Ozero for fifteen skit with an RBI
single to.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Center and then later in the inning it was heads
up base running from who else Jose Ramirez. He put
the Guardians on top. Now the one one in the
dirt got away from league coming home Ramirez the throat
of the head first slide safe Hosey beat the tag.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Of Sean Burke. Oh what a base runner, and the
Guardians take a two to one lead. That ball scorted
free of Corey Lee, but it couldn't have gone much
more than eight feet or so from home plate. Burke
got their gout the throw from Lee, but Jose Ramirez
with a head first slide beat the tag and the
(07:26):
reason Hosey scored he anticipated that pitch in the dirt.
After giving up a run in the first, Logan Allen
really got locked in on the mound for the Guardians.
The two two swing and a mess pig strike out
by Logan Allen and he gets out of it and
he keeps a two to one lead in the middle
of the third.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
In the bottom of the third, the Guardians extended their
lead with one big swing from Carlos Santana. He delivers
swung out and.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Rip deep brightfield, away back.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
And go.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Carlos Santana a laser and the Guardians with a three
to one lead on his second home run on a
night where you didn't think anybody would get one out
of progressive feel.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
So with the two run lead, the guardian's bullpen went
to work. Paul Seawald, Hunter Gaddis, Jacob Junis, and Tim
Herron all kept the white sox off the scoreboard through
the eighth inning before the game was in the hands
of closer Emmanuel classe Class, still working to get back
on track in the early going, gave up a pair
(08:37):
of singles and a walk, but also two strikeouts, and
the drama was on with two outs, basses loaded as
he faced Miguel Vargas.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Righty, righty, encountered Clausin lets it fly, and Vargas swings
grounds one white a third in the whole base hit
to left and to score Amaya talkmen coming home, Quants
throut of the play in plenty of time and pulling
up lame as talkman, he is tagged out ten feet
from home plate as he's down on his knees with
(09:09):
a leg intree and Cleveland catches a break on what
should have been pay game, tying two runs single and
with Talkmen rounding thirty, pulled up lame and had to
pull up ten feet from home and was tagged out
by hedges on an accurate throw from left from Stephen
(09:31):
Kwan and the Guardians escape in the most unusual fashion,
winning it three to two.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
How about that ending second day in a row, in
unlikely ending to a game, and this time the Guardians
hang on for the three to two win over the Socks.
Much easier work on Thursday. Chicago did take an early
lead with a run in the top half of the
first inning, but it didn't last as the Guardians responded.
In the bottom of the inning. Stephen Kuwan led off
(10:03):
with a single and then with two outs, Kyle Manzardo
came to the plate.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Here's Kyle Mansardo with first drives one high, deep to
ride away, back and gone, and it's two to one Cleveland.
Kyle man Zardo with a booming blast to right is fourth,
giving him eleven runs. Panted in and the Guardians with
(10:31):
a two to one lead. And Kyle Manzardo has had
a tremendous start to his season with four home runs,
tied for the team lead and a team high eleven RBIs.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
In the third, Brian Rochio got it started with a
double and then Stephen Kwan got into one. Stephen Kwan
digs in the pitch. Kwan with a drive deep, bright feel.
This has got a chance.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Gone so Stephen Kuwan with a single and now a
two run home run to right, and the Guardians have
a four to one lead and an unlikely power source.
Stephen Kwan, who had fourteen home runs a year ago,
has hit number two, and is the case with Stephen Kwan,
(11:23):
he normally does his damage early in the count and
with a pull side homer in the fourth inning, the
first two Guardians hitters reached and then Kwan was back
at it. Here's the pitch and it swung on slap
past the third baseman, base hit in the left. That'll
score no well and no one else says. The throw
comes in quickly, but Kwan comes through with an RBI
(11:46):
single and it is five to one, Guardians in front
on Kwan's third.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Hit of the day. Meanwhile, on the mound, Gavin Williams
was piling up the strikeouts. A lot of hard stuff
to mateson here from Williams, and why not, He's got
good movement on it and he's throwing it in the
mid nineties. Payoff pitch coming check of the runner. Here
it comes called strike three, fastball burned on the inside corner.
(12:14):
Maton caught looking and the side is retired seven strikeouts
for Gavin Williams. We head to the bottom half of
the fifth. It's the Guardians five, the White Sox ones.
The Guardians were looking to add on more in the
sixth inning. They had runners at the corners with one
out and again it was Stephen Kuan coming through. Kwan
(12:35):
with a big.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
Day bunts, safety squeeze back toward them on and this
will get a run home and a base hit.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
How about that.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
You can't execute a safety squeeze better than that. Steven
Kuan with a second bunt that turns into a base hit.
Safety squeeze. Bunneted it about a halfway between home plate
and the mound. Wilson came down towards the plate, he
grabbed it. He had no play anywhere and the Guardians
(13:04):
lead six to one. And that is a four hit
game for Steven Kwan. He's hit a two run homer
and a safety squeeze RBI that turned into a base hit.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Jacob Junas followed Gavin Williams to the mound. He worked
two scoreless innings and then Joey Cantillo was impressive as
he finished things up in the eighth and the ninth.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Cantillo's pitch runner takes off hit high in the air
to right field toward the line as Noel foul Ground
makes the catch. Ball game and the Guardians have swept
the White Sox by a final score of six to one.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
So a sweep of the White Sox completed on Thursday afternoon,
and then on Friday night, Kansas City came to town, another
match up between two of the expected contenders in the
American League's Central Division and good pitching, as the Guardians
had Tanner Bibby going and for the Oils it was
Chris Bubich, who hadn't given up a run yet this
(14:03):
season until the fourth inning when Guardian's second baseman Gabrielarius
came to the plate with two men on. Here's the
pitch to Arius and he swings and skies it high
and deep to right. Does it have enough?
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Home run Gabrielarius into the lower stands in right and
the Guardians take a three nothing lead. Arius had been
oh for fifteen heading into play tonight, but he is
now singled and homered man at his home run number
(14:38):
two on the season for him, and the Guardians grabbed
the lead off of Chris Boubach, who had not allowed
and earned run this season in two starts. In the
sixth inning, still a three nothing Guardians lead, Arius got
it done on the defensive side as well, and the
pitch swung on a broken bent floater into shallow ray
(15:00):
coming hard and Noel going over and over the back
catch by Arius through the first double play. Oh what
a play by Arius. He ranged deep into right field
and over the shoulder catch, spun it through a bb
to first and doubled up Salvador Perez. Gabriel Larius doing
(15:24):
it with a band and now a tremendous play defensively
and two down and the mass are empty.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
And he wasn't done yet. Arius. In the seventh with
more great defense.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Kate Smith firing Pitt swung on banged up the middle
behind second, band cannon by Arius across the body, throat
a get him Wow, Well, Gabriel Arius has never played
a better game for the Cleveland Guardians. He went to
the shortstop side of second, ranging far to his right
with a batcan, then with his momentum taking him away
(15:59):
from first base, has to throw across the body and
threw a strike to get Freddy Fermen. So Arius has
sparkled defensively, plus he's hit the.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Three run homer. Then in the eighth inning, the Guardians
removed all doubt recently promoted on hell Martinez. His sacrifice
fly made it for nothing, and then Stephen Kuwan's big
homestand continued.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
First and third, two down the two to two delivery
swung on a little flare to the left, This could
be trouble gets down, a base hit in the stores
hedges Rochio stops at second, and an RBI bloop single
the left by Stephen Kuan, and it's five nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
The Guardians added one more run in the eight thanks
to a Kansas City error, and then Carlos Santana drove
home one more the.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Two to two a swing of the line, right base
hit in the center, that o' score. Kwan Rameira stops
it second. Santana's fifth RBI of the year founs in
seven to nothing Cleveland. And just as importantly, you can
save Emmanuel Clausna. You don't need to use him in
the ninth ending no reason to the one to one
(17:11):
pitch swung on line drive towards right center, sinking fast
davy catch by Martinez.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
Bowl Game.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Oh what a night that kid had. And so the
Guardians take round one of this weekend series shutting out
the Kansas City Royals. What a job this pitching staff
has done four to zero on this home stand, and
the Guardians pitching staff has yielded three runs in the
(17:44):
four wins.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Seven nothing the final as the Guardians shut out the
Royals in the series opener, Stay with us when we
come back. We'll hear from outfielder Stephen Kuan. That's next.
Guardians Weekly continues down Townlee That Progressive Field, Cleveland Clinic,
Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
Yeah, we love Cleveland, I mean we love being here,
We love our fans, we love Progressive guys are sleeping
in the bed They're gonna be sleeping in for the
next seven months. So there is a comfort of getting
home and playing in front of our fans and knowing that,
you know, we're in our clubhouse, We're doing our routines,
and our guys they thrive at home.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhause, back with you
from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Well, Stephen Kwan is
off to a really nice start at the plate and
he had a big day on Thursday of this week
against the White Sox. Four hits on the day, as
we heard in the highlights last segment. We talked to
him prior to Friday night's game and he's said, the
(19:00):
home runs are always great, but it was the RBI
bunt single he was most pleased with.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (19:07):
Absolutely, we work on the bunding a lot in spring training,
so that was really a gratifying to get one down.
Just supposed to be kind of a safety squeeze, so
you kind of give yourself up, but luckily put in
a good spot and we got to get to first
space safely.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
You made that look easy, and for kids out there,
how do you get it to where it looks easy?
Speaker 7 (19:25):
I mean, that was what my specialty was in college.
My freshman year wasn't playing a lot, so I was
kind of the pinch bunner to come off the bench
if we needed to get a guy over, they would
put me in and they'd take me out and have
somebody else, you know, play defense or get the next
that bat. So that was like my role at college
at first, and the biggest thing for me was just
like you can't be scared up there. You got to
put your nose right in front of the ball, get
(19:46):
your eyes behind the barrel, and slow everything as much
you can. So that that was a cool ode back
to college on that one.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
And when you look at the home run, it seems
like you're still locked in on that good plan where
if you see a pitch that you can drive, you're
on it. And was that the case yesterday early in the.
Speaker 7 (20:02):
Count, Yeah, just trying to get something to drive. I
know I haven't been very successful on first pitches as well,
so trying not to overthink it, just saying if I
saw something close, go ahead and swing at it. And
thankfully it was in a good spot to hit.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
And team wise, the team seemed to break out a
little bit yesterday. What do you think the key was
that allowed them to put up some good runs.
Speaker 7 (20:20):
I feel like we've been hitting the ball really hard
these just even last series. The series, I haven't been
working out. Just continue to hit the ball hard, find
those holes, just having the chains move. I think that
was really important to just get everybody on board.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Stephen Kwine joining us. It's gonna be another cold one
out there tonight, And you were saying earlier you thought
opening day was as cold as you felt here. What
are the keys to at least being able to go
out and perform close to your capabilities when it is
adverse weather conditions.
Speaker 7 (20:48):
Yeah, just respecting the cold, I guess, really making sure
you are warm, not taking it for granted. When you
get back in the dugout, trying to get close to
a heater, get those those body parts and the limbs warm.
I think that's really important. Having the short innings, especially
when our pitchers go out there and kind of do
their thing, that helps a lot. If we're stuck out there,
it can get really cold. Just everybody on the same page.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Where you played in college, Oregon State as cold as
it has been here, or maybe not quite as bad.
Speaker 7 (21:13):
I said, similar, the Oregon State cold was more of
like a rainy, wet kind of thing. That was where
it was like if you slid somewhere, your whole your
pants are wet, your shirt's wet, and then you kind
of got to go into a change. This one, I
think it's the wind that really gets you, kind of
whips through your clothes, cuts through the bone. Different cold,
but similar cold.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
All right now, I'm hoping we didn't get in trouble
here by talking about it. You were relating a story earlier,
your college coach Pat Casey, who has done did wonderful
work getting great players to go to Oregon State, what
was the policy about the cold when he was recruiting
or even when you get there.
Speaker 7 (21:50):
Yeah, well we talked about you weren't allowed to talk
about the cold because I mean, everybody, everybody knows about it,
everybody's experience. It doesn't do anything to talk about it.
That was really as polityant anything. Who are we to
complain while we're playing baseball and getting to go to school.
There's people that are fighting for our freedoms, fighting for
their lives, don't have the privileges that we do. So
it's important to understand what kind of privilege we have
(22:12):
and understand we're just playing a game. It's so simple
if you really think of it like that. But yeah,
can't complain about any kind of wind or some rain
on random day.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
Can you relate to that to players at the major
league level or do you just is that kind of
your policy?
Speaker 7 (22:25):
And no, it's my policy. It worked for me. I mean,
everybody's miserable. I mean, the guys who live in like
Florida and Arizona, they're not use this kind of cold, so,
I mean, it's understandable that they're not very comfortable in
this kind of cold. So I'm not to tell anybody
how to do their stuff. They've adjusted their way, so
I'm going to just let them have it. And closing
a wild finish to the game on Wednesday night, you're
(22:46):
throwing runners out again on the basis and you do
there where a player pulls up and can't make it
to home plate. Have you ever been involved in a
play like that before? No, No, definitely not. I really
wasn't very happy with the throw. It was kind of
up the line, kind of short hopped. I have no
doubt that he would have picked it if he was
running full speed, but the fact that he pulled up ensured.
Speaker 8 (23:05):
That we got the guy.
Speaker 7 (23:06):
But yeah, that was that was definitely a little strange.
I think if he was running full speed, he would
have made it there.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Hey, great day yesterday, Thanks for coming back.
Speaker 7 (23:12):
Yeah, thanks Rosie things for having me.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
That's Stephen Kwan, who in his fourth major league season.
Is he's at it again. I mean, he is a
pure hitter, and he's been hitting over three hundred most
of the early season so far, with some power, playing
good defense. Things really going well for Kwan so far,
and they're going well for Ben Lively, who has been
a part of a couple of opening days, the season
(23:35):
opener in Kansas City unexpectedly so back in late March,
and then he started the home opener as well as
the Guardians took on the White Sox right here on Tuesday,
and it's been a fun couple of weeks. And we
caught up with him after Tuesday's game and he says,
while it's been a crazy early season schedule, he's enjoyed
every moment so far.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
It's been like it feels like it's been two days,
like everything's been flying fast feed, fast speed. But it's
been really cool, really grateful for the opportunity, and it's
been fired me up.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
It's cool.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
I know yesterday you got the game through five scoreless.
How challenging was it yesterday because of the weather.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
Oh.
Speaker 5 (24:13):
Once I got my fingers underneath me, it was fine
and started feeling the ball a little bit and it
was back to normal. I feel like I got warmed
up and like the probably around the second inning, I
was good and warm. It kept the sweat going and
you know, it felt pretty normal. I just try to
stay focused, not think about it.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
How do you get your fingers to do a spot
where you can have a good feel for the baseball.
Speaker 5 (24:29):
A lot of cup pans, a lot of hot breaths,
So I mean, as much as you can and just
keep moving as much as you can to.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
You're a Florida guy, so growing up whise you're not
seeing this anywhere in your pro career or anything close
to the type of day you had yesterday.
Speaker 5 (24:41):
Probably the closest had to be when I broken eighteen
with Philly. My first game was in New York. We
actually got snowed out the day before and I pitched
the next day. But I still think it was a
little bit warmer than yesterday. It was pretty cool yesterday.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Fun day, though.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Can you enjoy seeing fans coming in obviously seeing a
game for the first time in a long time here
and some of the experiences that they're having. Do you
experience that too? Or are you too locked in as
the starting pitcher?
Speaker 4 (25:07):
A little bit of both.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
But you know, when I started warming up out there
and like you guys, come right there next to the bullpen,
yell and stuff, and it's fun even when it's negative.
It fires me up, and it's just it makes me
laugh and everyone's fired up.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Baseball's back in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
Wait a minute, you're with the Guardians and negative, So
why would they say that.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
No, it's just typical fans.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
But we love those two.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Ben Lively's joining us. Ben, you look at the win
yesterday and a real nice win for the team and
a low scoring game. Those types of victories, can they
have a carryover effect and kind of spur the team
on us some good things.
Speaker 5 (25:38):
For sure, especially just our first game at home, and
now we know what the music sounds like at home
right away, and we just want to keep that music
playing every game.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
And what have you seen early on this season that
has you confident even though the record is what it is,
but that this team can do some of the things
it did a year ago. I mean, yeah, there's been.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
So many plays recently it just could have gone either
way for either teams, and we've been on the short
side of a couple of them.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
But like you know, everyone's.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
Competing, everyone's on themselves, everyone's ready prepared, and that's all
you can ask for. And you know things are gonna
turn off for us, and no one's really worried about it,
and we're gonna keep pushing.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
The length of the season. I think sometimes it's hard
to remember how long it is. But as a player,
how easy is it to remember how long the season is?
Speaker 6 (26:18):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (26:18):
For sure.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
That's why you can get frustrated after these first couple
of games. It's like you see a couple of guys
beat themselves up and you go talk to him. It's like, dude,
like we have so much more left. Like, yes, it sucks,
it's beginning, but like you're fine, Like, let's lock in,
get the next one, let's get let's get some ones
on the board and go.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
We're doing this in the new clubhouse. What do you think?
Speaker 4 (26:34):
Unreal? A lot of walking, but it's really good.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
What's any favorite feature yet? The pool room?
Speaker 4 (26:41):
For sure.
Speaker 5 (26:42):
Ever since Lane called it the four season, it's been
stuck in my head.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Good stuff. Thank you, Ben, absolutely, thank you. It's been
lively looking to build off of last year's thirteen wins season.
He was steady eddy last year and getting it going
again this season.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Well.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Speaking of the home opener, it's become a tradition for
us to check in with Guardians First base coach Sandy
Alamar Junior, who has been a part of twenty three
home openers in a Cleveland uniform between his tremendous playing
career and now as a longtime member of the coaching staff.
This was his sixteenth opening day as part of The
(27:18):
Guardian's coaching staff, and he says, even after all the years,
he's never tired of being part of that opening day
festivities in downtown Cleveland. It really is a highlight for him.
Speaker 9 (27:30):
This is so special And let's take these back because
in two thousand and one, when I was with a
White Sox, our opening day was in Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
Right in twenty four that was hard.
Speaker 9 (27:44):
That was That wasn't harder than warm because I have
to keep my emotions in check. But every opening day
in Cleveland is special, man, such a special place to
me and my family. I'd say that when I was
traded for the San Diego that was the biggest opportunity
in the way received with open arms, the fans, the community,
(28:04):
and the organization has always been such a special place.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
And it's interesting. The playing years are obvious, but coaching wise,
sixteen as a coach with three different managers, and do
you ever think about how fortunate you are that you've
made it through three different regimes so to speak.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
Oh, I'm super fortunate.
Speaker 9 (28:23):
I feel I honor and grateful for the opportunity they
have gained me these organizations. So I have nothing but
great things to say about all three managers that gave
me the opportunity. Also the front office for believing in me.
You know, take it too hard to prepare myself. I
do what it takes to be the best version of
(28:44):
myself on the field, to have the players because my
goal is to win a Wars series in Cleveland, And
you know, I really do, I really do appreciate and
chaise the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
The first one nineteen ninety four. What do you remember
most about about walking into then Jacob's field and and
what it was like, especially having played at the old place.
Speaker 9 (29:03):
Well, think about when you buy a if you buy
a new house, or you get a new car, but
something even bigger than that, because spending uh the first
four years at Cleveland Nichipo was that was rough because
we were losing game. The stadium was old, big, and
the resources were not great. So you go to a new,
(29:24):
new place that is booming and the excitement of the
city and Uh, this game is moved for the for
the fans, not just for the players. The fans they
get to enjoy it too. So it's just it was
it was amazing, amazing home that they built for us,
and it was a very special day twenty.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Four first base coach Sandy Alamar joining us.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Opening day that the team opened on the road and
it was a nine game road swing. H Does that
make it even more anticipation for for you and players
when you're away for so long and then you finally
get to come home and open up.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
Yeah, we need home cooking.
Speaker 9 (30:01):
It's been forty five days in spring training and opening
on the road ten days.
Speaker 4 (30:08):
I don't care if he's fifteen degrees. We need to
go home.
Speaker 9 (30:11):
It's always a special place for us, and I'm sure
that they it's gonna be cold, but it's gonna be booming,
and the guys are ready for it.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
You mentioned that maybe later in April you get a
nasty night and it's hard to deal with. But opening
data is that a droning and takeover a little bit
and make it a little bit more bearable even if
the temperature is low.
Speaker 9 (30:32):
Well, I think as a player, you should be able
to handle. You know the weather better than coaches because
you standing there still. But it's still not easy as
a baseball player to get psyched up for a while
like that. But opening day, like I say, adrenaline and
you pumped up.
Speaker 4 (30:50):
I think we'll be able to manage that.
Speaker 9 (30:52):
We got some hitters in the dugout and you're just
thinking about focusing on playing the game.
Speaker 4 (30:59):
Sometimes you over pass that.
Speaker 2 (31:01):
I know we started by talking about people in uniform
and how many you've been a part of I'm gonna
guess there's not many people here today overall, be it fans,
front office, everything, who've been to as many as you
and for that tip of the cap, and I'm sure
it's gonna be a fun day for you.
Speaker 9 (31:18):
Yeah, Like I say, as many as I can, I
have a passion for this game and I love it.
And sometimes I'm so passionate that I get upset many
things that because I care about winning, I care about doing.
Speaker 4 (31:33):
The best for these organizations to go to the next level.
Speaker 9 (31:37):
But everyone you get is super exciting, and I'm honor.
I gotta say I'm honored, and I share it every
moment of it because you don't know one's gonna be
last one.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Sandy, always great to talk to you on opening Day.
Hopefully we do it again next year.
Speaker 4 (31:52):
Let's do it.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
That's first base coach Sandy Alomar Junior, part of the
fabric of what makes Cleveland baseball so special to so
many fans, and he's been that way since the early nineties.
Really remarkable how long he has been a part of
things here. Yes, he went away a little bit at
the tail end of his playing career, but he has
been a mainstay through three different managers. Now as part
(32:14):
of the Guardian's coaching stack. We'll take another time out
and then when we come back, it's the weekly Farm Report,
and that's next on the Cleveland Clinic. Guardians Radio and netboard.
Speaker 8 (32:26):
A progressive home and auto bundle can protect you around
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Speaker 3 (32:32):
Why would we trade our best player?
Speaker 8 (32:34):
Well, at least you got to watch him in person
when he was here. I named my only son after him,
so you'll always remember his name. Yeah, but what do
I do with this jersey? Luckily, the company has a
great return policy. I warrant for six seasons. Well, at
least your Hollanada or protected with a bundle from Progressive
Progressive Cansualty Interns Company. If he have another interurviists not
(32:54):
avaiable in tho stags are situations.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Wellcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House back with
you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, and we'll wrap
up this week's show with a visit from Stephen Oster,
the new vice president of player Development for the Guardians,
and he's been bringing us up to date on some
of the rosters in the minor leagues during this early
portion of the schedule, and we focus in this week
(33:27):
on single A Lake County, just up the road. They
were the defending champs now in the Midwest League after
a great season a year ago, and one of their
stars this season should be Ralphie Velasquez, who was drafted
as a catcher, now playing first base and outfield, and
they're excited about what's ahead for Velasquez this season at
(33:49):
Lake County.
Speaker 10 (33:50):
Yeah, Ralphie is very fun out there. Hitting a home
run off of Nicolodolo like it is nothing was something
that we're all kind of cheering about. Yeah, easy to
look at Ralphie and see the athlete and you know,
to see the hitter that he is. He's worked really
hard this offseason. He spent a lot of time with us,
and he is going to be a lot of fun
(34:10):
to watch go out there and crush the ball. We're
going to expose him to some outfield again, similar to
what we did last year. He's athletic and can move
well enough to do it and showed some signs of
that last year as well. So we're gonna move him
around a little bit and you know, he's going to
continue to hit and refine the things that he needs
to do as a hitter. But you know Ralphie, Ralphie
came in ready to go.
Speaker 2 (34:32):
Another player that's coming off a really good season a
year ago, Jason Cheerio. He moves up a level at
least at the start. What do you like about him
and what could could be really exciting there?
Speaker 10 (34:43):
Yeah, the last year he was bound to move up.
We actually booked a flight for him to go to
Lake County and get promoted, and then he ended up
suffering the injuries. So it's it's going to be fun
to get him up there and actually see him at
the level. I mean, he's he's a.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
Really good hitter.
Speaker 10 (34:58):
The bat the ball skills are you know, plus he
doesn't make bad decisions at the plate. You know, it's
continuing to build the physical side and to try to
impact the baseball maybe at more productive angles, get a
little bit more of the ballflight so we can do
a little bit more damage. But the tools are there.
He's a really good, really good outfielder.
Speaker 4 (35:17):
He's really fast.
Speaker 10 (35:18):
We're gonna nudge and move him a little bit on
the base running and try to develop that as a
weapon as well. So you know, he's the total package.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
And Jacob Kozart behind the plate. We saw him a
little bit in Big League games during the spring, big man,
and what do you see from him aside from just
that that physical part.
Speaker 10 (35:37):
I mean, he's a tremendous defender with you know, really
strong qualities and the leadership side and the preparation side.
That again similar to Huffey and an Ingle. You know,
when they go up there, they get to see what
the Major League scited that looks like. And he was
really excited about his opportunity there. So continuing to move
the needle. On the hitter side, of course, he's a catcher,
(35:57):
but the defensive skills are elite.
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Go to the pitching side. I don't know if he's
the best prospect. I know he's one of them, but
he's got the best nickname and the tug Boat Matt Wilkinson.
What are you seeing from him as he moves up
a level in terms of what he needs to do.
Speaker 10 (36:13):
Yeah, tug about You know one of my favorites is
the nickname is off the charts. Yeah, he had a
great year last year. I mean gain notoriety just with
the nickname and how he performed. You know, A big
focus for Tugboat last year was getting to know some
of his strengths a little bit more. He came in
with maybe a lesser sense of what makes him special
(36:35):
and some of the steps he would need to take
moving forward to be a stronger.
Speaker 4 (36:38):
Version of himself. He did. He tackled a lot of that.
Speaker 10 (36:41):
This offseason, worked a ton on his change up, felt
really considered, felt really comfortable with the slider. So he's
coming back with you three pitches now as opposed to
the two that he leaned on last year, and the velocities.
Speaker 4 (36:55):
Up a bit.
Speaker 10 (36:55):
He put a lot of work in physically, so hoping
to see that trend up and continued tick up a
year goes on. But he's coming back a better version
of himself. From last year. We had a ton of success.
Speaker 2 (37:05):
And Jackson Humphries will also be in that rotation to
start at Lake County. What do you like about him?
Speaker 10 (37:10):
Another lefty there. Yeah, Jackson Humphries had a bit of
a tough year last year. He was dealing with some
illness and some ailment that kind of pulled off some
of the physical side a little bit and you know,
took a step back on the velocity from where we've
seen him at his best. All of that is recovered
and he's been pretty electric so far, and yeah, the veloses,
you know back to the mid nineties. He's got two
(37:32):
really good breaking balls that he can throw, you know,
at any time for strikes. And really excited for him
to actually face the level of competition that we think
he's ready for and was probably ready for last year
but just wasn't up to it physically.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
That's a weekly Farm report with Vice President of Player
Development Stephen Osterer, and that's going to do it for
this week's edition. Up Guardians Weekly. Thanks as always to
Brian Matsee for helping to put together our show each week.
We will join you next week from Pittsburgh when the
Guardians are taking on the Pirates as part of a
two city road trip to Baltimore and then Pittsburgh. Should
(38:07):
be fun stuff. Talk to you then and until then,
this is Jim rosen House reminding you that you've been
listening to Guardians Weekly, Cleveland Clinic, Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardian's Weekly. Jim rosenhouse along with
you at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Man oh man,
is it nice to be home and do a show
from a Progressive Field. It's been a while, but we're
back the ballpark with the renovations nearly complete. It looks
(01:18):
great and it has been a fun homestand so far
the first homestand of twenty twenty five. Coming up on
our show this week, we will hear from outfielders Stephen Kwan,
starting pitcher Ben Lively, and first base coach Sandy Olimar Junior.
Our annual visit with Sandy on the day of the
home opener, and he's been a part of a million
(01:38):
of them, well at least twenty four of the thirty
two in this ballpark, so he's a regular. And we'll
also have a farm report from Stephen Osterer previewing the
Lake County Captains who are underway with their season and
they have a lot of really good young prospects. Again,
at the single A level. And we'll hear from the
farm director for the Guardians a little bit later on
(02:00):
in our show, but we'll take a break when we
come back. It's a look back at the week in review,
and it's been a good one. That's next at Cleveland
Clanic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Don't go away, folks.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Progressive No Sports brings people together like You've gotta feel
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your happiness to hinge on the success of a twenty
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The stress is exhilar rating. Progressive can't bring people together
(02:37):
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Speaker 2 (03:07):
Jim Rose announced back with you on Guardians Weekly. Great
to have you with us from Progressive Field in downtown
Cleveland and time to take a look back at the
week in review and the first homestand of the new
season for the Guardians. And really it couldn't have gone
any better so far as the Guardians heading into play
on Saturday night are four and zero at home and
(03:28):
they have moved above the five hundred mark once again
for the season. So things going extremely well. And we'll
start with Tuesday's home opener against the Chicago White Sox.
And well, it was good pitching on both sides in
this one. Ben Lively on the mound for the Guardians
and he was sharp early.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Now the two two strike three cold painted the inside
corner with that fastball. Lively gets talking. Been looking middle
of the third Cleveland nothing, Chicago nothing.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
For the White Sox. Shane Smith, he was impressive as well.
Didn't give up a hit until the sixth inning. That's
when Jose Ramirez stepped in. Here comes js.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
A Q shot off the ban rolls to third base hip. Well,
he couldn't have rolled it in a better spot. We're
gonna he got jammed and just somehow got a little
roller off the band down that third baseline. That's the
first hit in the game for Cleveland. It's legit. Nothing
(04:32):
questionable about it, but it's not exactly a blister shot.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
But pitching continued to dominate the day for both teams
as the game stayed scoreless until the ninth inning. That's
when the Guardians got things started with Carlos Santana leading
things off. Now the one too.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Swung on grounded toward first off the glove of bun
on the back end, recovered by the second basement Thronososa
got by Clevenger, backed up by the catcher. This and
foul ground a shot on the ground that Vaughn went
to the back can a step towards second kicked off
his cloth carmend in the shallow right, with Sosa the
(05:13):
second baseman, grabbing it, spinning and throwing the first in
the dirt. Clevenger couldn't dig it out. He had no chance.
That was kind of a do or die play for
both Sosa and for Clevenger, and it'll be ruled abase it.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Then a pair of walks to Kyle Mansardo and John Kenzie.
Noel loaded the bases with nobody out and Nolan Jones
was at the plate.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
The set by Clevenger the payoff pitch low ball for
ball game, Clevenger walks Nolan Jones with the bases loaded
and the Guardians walk off the White Sox literally and
win it one to nothing.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
You don't see it every day, that's for sure. A
walk off walk. First time the Guardians had a walk
off walk in a one nothing game since the nineteen
eighty six season, so it has been a while, but
they did it on the home opener this time around,
a one nothing victory over the White Sox. All we
went to Wednesday night, first night game of the home schedule,
(06:21):
and Chicago jumped in front with a run in the
top half of the first inning, but the Guardians answered
in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a
two out hit from John Kenzie Noel.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
The O one runner Goes Pitt swung on banged up
the middle base at center field in with a tying
runners Kwawn scampering the third is Ramirez and John Kenzie
Noel breaks an Ozero for fifteen skit with an RBI
single to.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Center and then later in the inning it was heads
up base running from who else Jose Ramirez. He put
the Guardians on top. Now the one one in the
dirt got away from league coming home Ramirez the throat
of the head first slide safe Hosey beat the tag.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Of Sean Burke. Oh what a base runner, and the
Guardians take a two to one lead. That ball scorted
free of Corey Lee, but it couldn't have gone much
more than eight feet or so from home plate. Burke
got their gout the throw from Lee, but Jose Ramirez
with a head first slide beat the tag and the
(07:26):
reason Hosey scored he anticipated that pitch in the dirt.
After giving up a run in the first, Logan Allen
really got locked in on the mound for the Guardians.
The two two swing and a mess pig strike out
by Logan Allen and he gets out of it and
he keeps a two to one lead in the middle
of the third.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
In the bottom of the third, the Guardians extended their
lead with one big swing from Carlos Santana. He delivers
swung out and.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Rip deep brightfield, away back.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
And go.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Carlos Santana a laser and the Guardians with a three
to one lead on his second home run on a
night where you didn't think anybody would get one out
of progressive feel.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
So with the two run lead, the guardian's bullpen went
to work. Paul Seawald, Hunter Gaddis, Jacob Junis, and Tim
Herron all kept the white sox off the scoreboard through
the eighth inning before the game was in the hands
of closer Emmanuel classe Class, still working to get back
on track in the early going, gave up a pair
(08:37):
of singles and a walk, but also two strikeouts, and
the drama was on with two outs, basses loaded as
he faced Miguel Vargas.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Righty, righty, encountered Clausin lets it fly, and Vargas swings
grounds one white a third in the whole base hit
to left and to score Amaya talkmen coming home, Quants
throut of the play in plenty of time and pulling
up lame as talkman, he is tagged out ten feet
from home plate as he's down on his knees with
(09:09):
a leg intree and Cleveland catches a break on what
should have been pay game, tying two runs single and
with Talkmen rounding thirty, pulled up lame and had to
pull up ten feet from home and was tagged out
by hedges on an accurate throw from left from Stephen
(09:31):
Kwan and the Guardians escape in the most unusual fashion,
winning it three to two.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
How about that ending second day in a row, in
unlikely ending to a game, and this time the Guardians
hang on for the three to two win over the Socks.
Much easier work on Thursday. Chicago did take an early
lead with a run in the top half of the
first inning, but it didn't last as the Guardians responded.
In the bottom of the inning. Stephen Kuwan led off
(10:03):
with a single and then with two outs, Kyle Manzardo
came to the plate.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Here's Kyle Mansardo with first drives one high, deep to
ride away, back and gone, and it's two to one Cleveland.
Kyle man Zardo with a booming blast to right is fourth,
giving him eleven runs. Panted in and the Guardians with
(10:31):
a two to one lead. And Kyle Manzardo has had
a tremendous start to his season with four home runs,
tied for the team lead and a team high eleven RBIs.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
In the third, Brian Rochio got it started with a
double and then Stephen Kwan got into one. Stephen Kwan
digs in the pitch. Kwan with a drive deep, bright feel.
This has got a chance.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Gone so Stephen Kuwan with a single and now a
two run home run to right, and the Guardians have
a four to one lead and an unlikely power source.
Stephen Kwan, who had fourteen home runs a year ago,
has hit number two, and is the case with Stephen Kwan,
(11:23):
he normally does his damage early in the count and
with a pull side homer in the fourth inning, the
first two Guardians hitters reached and then Kwan was back
at it. Here's the pitch and it swung on slap
past the third baseman, base hit in the left. That'll
score no well and no one else says. The throw
comes in quickly, but Kwan comes through with an RBI
(11:46):
single and it is five to one, Guardians in front
on Kwan's third.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Hit of the day. Meanwhile, on the mound, Gavin Williams
was piling up the strikeouts. A lot of hard stuff
to mateson here from Williams, and why not, He's got
good movement on it and he's throwing it in the
mid nineties. Payoff pitch coming check of the runner. Here
it comes called strike three, fastball burned on the inside corner.
(12:14):
Maton caught looking and the side is retired seven strikeouts
for Gavin Williams. We head to the bottom half of
the fifth. It's the Guardians five, the White Sox ones.
The Guardians were looking to add on more in the
sixth inning. They had runners at the corners with one
out and again it was Stephen Kuan coming through. Kwan
(12:35):
with a big.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
Day bunts, safety squeeze back toward them on and this
will get a run home and a base hit.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
How about that.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
You can't execute a safety squeeze better than that. Steven
Kuan with a second bunt that turns into a base hit.
Safety squeeze. Bunneted it about a halfway between home plate
and the mound. Wilson came down towards the plate, he
grabbed it. He had no play anywhere and the Guardians
(13:04):
lead six to one. And that is a four hit
game for Steven Kwan. He's hit a two run homer
and a safety squeeze RBI that turned into a base hit.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Jacob Junas followed Gavin Williams to the mound. He worked
two scoreless innings and then Joey Cantillo was impressive as
he finished things up in the eighth and the ninth.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Cantillo's pitch runner takes off hit high in the air
to right field toward the line as Noel foul Ground
makes the catch. Ball game and the Guardians have swept
the White Sox by a final score of six to one.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
So a sweep of the White Sox completed on Thursday afternoon,
and then on Friday night, Kansas City came to town, another
match up between two of the expected contenders in the
American League's Central Division and good pitching, as the Guardians
had Tanner Bibby going and for the Oils it was
Chris Bubich, who hadn't given up a run yet this
(14:03):
season until the fourth inning when Guardian's second baseman Gabrielarius
came to the plate with two men on. Here's the
pitch to Arius and he swings and skies it high
and deep to right. Does it have enough?
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Home run Gabrielarius into the lower stands in right and
the Guardians take a three nothing lead. Arius had been
oh for fifteen heading into play tonight, but he is
now singled and homered man at his home run number
(14:38):
two on the season for him, and the Guardians grabbed
the lead off of Chris Boubach, who had not allowed
and earned run this season in two starts. In the
sixth inning, still a three nothing Guardians lead, Arius got
it done on the defensive side as well, and the
pitch swung on a broken bent floater into shallow ray
(15:00):
coming hard and Noel going over and over the back
catch by Arius through the first double play. Oh what
a play by Arius. He ranged deep into right field
and over the shoulder catch, spun it through a bb
to first and doubled up Salvador Perez. Gabriel Larius doing
(15:24):
it with a band and now a tremendous play defensively
and two down and the mass are empty.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
And he wasn't done yet. Arius. In the seventh with
more great defense.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Kate Smith firing Pitt swung on banged up the middle
behind second, band cannon by Arius across the body, throat
a get him Wow, Well, Gabriel Arius has never played
a better game for the Cleveland Guardians. He went to
the shortstop side of second, ranging far to his right
with a batcan, then with his momentum taking him away
(15:59):
from first base, has to throw across the body and
threw a strike to get Freddy Fermen. So Arius has
sparkled defensively, plus he's hit the.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Three run homer. Then in the eighth inning, the Guardians
removed all doubt recently promoted on hell Martinez. His sacrifice
fly made it for nothing, and then Stephen Kuwan's big
homestand continued.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
First and third, two down the two to two delivery
swung on a little flare to the left, This could
be trouble gets down, a base hit in the stores
hedges Rochio stops at second, and an RBI bloop single
the left by Stephen Kuan, and it's five nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
The Guardians added one more run in the eight thanks
to a Kansas City error, and then Carlos Santana drove
home one more the.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Two to two a swing of the line, right base
hit in the center, that o' score. Kwan Rameira stops
it second. Santana's fifth RBI of the year founs in
seven to nothing Cleveland. And just as importantly, you can
save Emmanuel Clausna. You don't need to use him in
the ninth ending no reason to the one to one
(17:11):
pitch swung on line drive towards right center, sinking fast
davy catch by Martinez.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
Bowl Game.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Oh what a night that kid had. And so the
Guardians take round one of this weekend series shutting out
the Kansas City Royals. What a job this pitching staff
has done four to zero on this home stand, and
the Guardians pitching staff has yielded three runs in the
(17:44):
four wins.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Seven nothing the final as the Guardians shut out the
Royals in the series opener, Stay with us when we
come back. We'll hear from outfielder Stephen Kuan. That's next.
Guardians Weekly continues down Townlee That Progressive Field, Cleveland Clinic,
Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
Yeah, we love Cleveland, I mean we love being here,
We love our fans, we love Progressive guys are sleeping
in the bed They're gonna be sleeping in for the
next seven months. So there is a comfort of getting
home and playing in front of our fans and knowing that,
you know, we're in our clubhouse, We're doing our routines,
and our guys they thrive at home.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhause, back with you
from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Well, Stephen Kwan is
off to a really nice start at the plate and
he had a big day on Thursday of this week
against the White Sox. Four hits on the day, as
we heard in the highlights last segment. We talked to
him prior to Friday night's game and he's said, the
(19:00):
home runs are always great, but it was the RBI
bunt single he was most pleased with.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (19:07):
Absolutely, we work on the bunding a lot in spring training,
so that was really a gratifying to get one down.
Just supposed to be kind of a safety squeeze, so
you kind of give yourself up, but luckily put in
a good spot and we got to get to first
space safely.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
You made that look easy, and for kids out there,
how do you get it to where it looks easy?
Speaker 7 (19:25):
I mean, that was what my specialty was in college.
My freshman year wasn't playing a lot, so I was
kind of the pinch bunner to come off the bench
if we needed to get a guy over, they would
put me in and they'd take me out and have
somebody else, you know, play defense or get the next
that bat. So that was like my role at college
at first, and the biggest thing for me was just
like you can't be scared up there. You got to
put your nose right in front of the ball, get
(19:46):
your eyes behind the barrel, and slow everything as much
you can. So that that was a cool ode back
to college on that one.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
And when you look at the home run, it seems
like you're still locked in on that good plan where
if you see a pitch that you can drive, you're
on it. And was that the case yesterday early in the.
Speaker 7 (20:02):
Count, Yeah, just trying to get something to drive. I
know I haven't been very successful on first pitches as well,
so trying not to overthink it, just saying if I
saw something close, go ahead and swing at it. And
thankfully it was in a good spot to hit.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
And team wise, the team seemed to break out a
little bit yesterday. What do you think the key was
that allowed them to put up some good runs.
Speaker 7 (20:20):
I feel like we've been hitting the ball really hard
these just even last series. The series, I haven't been
working out. Just continue to hit the ball hard, find
those holes, just having the chains move. I think that
was really important to just get everybody on board.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Stephen Kwine joining us. It's gonna be another cold one
out there tonight, And you were saying earlier you thought
opening day was as cold as you felt here. What
are the keys to at least being able to go
out and perform close to your capabilities when it is
adverse weather conditions.
Speaker 7 (20:48):
Yeah, just respecting the cold, I guess, really making sure
you are warm, not taking it for granted. When you
get back in the dugout, trying to get close to
a heater, get those those body parts and the limbs warm.
I think that's really important. Having the short innings, especially
when our pitchers go out there and kind of do
their thing, that helps a lot. If we're stuck out there,
it can get really cold. Just everybody on the same page.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
Where you played in college, Oregon State as cold as
it has been here, or maybe not quite as bad.
Speaker 7 (21:13):
I said, similar, the Oregon State cold was more of
like a rainy, wet kind of thing. That was where
it was like if you slid somewhere, your whole your
pants are wet, your shirt's wet, and then you kind
of got to go into a change. This one, I
think it's the wind that really gets you, kind of
whips through your clothes, cuts through the bone. Different cold,
but similar cold.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
All right now, I'm hoping we didn't get in trouble
here by talking about it. You were relating a story earlier,
your college coach Pat Casey, who has done did wonderful
work getting great players to go to Oregon State, what
was the policy about the cold when he was recruiting
or even when you get there.
Speaker 7 (21:50):
Yeah, well we talked about you weren't allowed to talk
about the cold because I mean, everybody, everybody knows about it,
everybody's experience. It doesn't do anything to talk about it.
That was really as polityant anything. Who are we to
complain while we're playing baseball and getting to go to school.
There's people that are fighting for our freedoms, fighting for
their lives, don't have the privileges that we do. So
it's important to understand what kind of privilege we have
(22:12):
and understand we're just playing a game. It's so simple
if you really think of it like that. But yeah,
can't complain about any kind of wind or some rain
on random day.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
Can you relate to that to players at the major
league level or do you just is that kind of
your policy?
Speaker 7 (22:25):
And no, it's my policy. It worked for me. I mean,
everybody's miserable. I mean, the guys who live in like
Florida and Arizona, they're not use this kind of cold, so,
I mean, it's understandable that they're not very comfortable in
this kind of cold. So I'm not to tell anybody
how to do their stuff. They've adjusted their way, so
I'm going to just let them have it. And closing
a wild finish to the game on Wednesday night, you're
(22:46):
throwing runners out again on the basis and you do
there where a player pulls up and can't make it
to home plate. Have you ever been involved in a
play like that before? No, No, definitely not. I really
wasn't very happy with the throw. It was kind of
up the line, kind of short hopped. I have no
doubt that he would have picked it if he was
running full speed, but the fact that he pulled up ensured.
Speaker 8 (23:05):
That we got the guy.
Speaker 7 (23:06):
But yeah, that was that was definitely a little strange.
I think if he was running full speed, he would
have made it there.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Hey, great day yesterday, Thanks for coming back.
Speaker 7 (23:12):
Yeah, thanks Rosie things for having me.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
That's Stephen Kwan, who in his fourth major league season.
Is he's at it again. I mean, he is a
pure hitter, and he's been hitting over three hundred most
of the early season so far, with some power, playing
good defense. Things really going well for Kwan so far,
and they're going well for Ben Lively, who has been
a part of a couple of opening days, the season
(23:35):
opener in Kansas City unexpectedly so back in late March,
and then he started the home opener as well as
the Guardians took on the White Sox right here on Tuesday,
and it's been a fun couple of weeks. And we
caught up with him after Tuesday's game and he says,
while it's been a crazy early season schedule, he's enjoyed
every moment so far.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
It's been like it feels like it's been two days,
like everything's been flying fast feed, fast speed. But it's
been really cool, really grateful for the opportunity, and it's
been fired me up.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
It's cool.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
I know yesterday you got the game through five scoreless.
How challenging was it yesterday because of the weather.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
Oh.
Speaker 5 (24:13):
Once I got my fingers underneath me, it was fine
and started feeling the ball a little bit and it
was back to normal. I feel like I got warmed
up and like the probably around the second inning, I
was good and warm. It kept the sweat going and
you know, it felt pretty normal. I just try to
stay focused, not think about it.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
How do you get your fingers to do a spot
where you can have a good feel for the baseball.
Speaker 5 (24:29):
A lot of cup pans, a lot of hot breaths,
So I mean, as much as you can and just
keep moving as much as you can to.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
You're a Florida guy, so growing up whise you're not
seeing this anywhere in your pro career or anything close
to the type of day you had yesterday.
Speaker 5 (24:41):
Probably the closest had to be when I broken eighteen
with Philly. My first game was in New York. We
actually got snowed out the day before and I pitched
the next day. But I still think it was a
little bit warmer than yesterday. It was pretty cool yesterday.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Fun day, though.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Can you enjoy seeing fans coming in obviously seeing a
game for the first time in a long time here
and some of the experiences that they're having. Do you
experience that too? Or are you too locked in as
the starting pitcher?
Speaker 4 (25:07):
A little bit of both.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
But you know, when I started warming up out there
and like you guys, come right there next to the bullpen,
yell and stuff, and it's fun even when it's negative.
It fires me up, and it's just it makes me
laugh and everyone's fired up.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Baseball's back in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
Wait a minute, you're with the Guardians and negative, So
why would they say that.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
No, it's just typical fans.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
But we love those two.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Ben Lively's joining us. Ben, you look at the win
yesterday and a real nice win for the team and
a low scoring game. Those types of victories, can they
have a carryover effect and kind of spur the team
on us some good things.
Speaker 5 (25:38):
For sure, especially just our first game at home, and
now we know what the music sounds like at home
right away, and we just want to keep that music
playing every game.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
And what have you seen early on this season that
has you confident even though the record is what it is,
but that this team can do some of the things
it did a year ago. I mean, yeah, there's been.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
So many plays recently it just could have gone either
way for either teams, and we've been on the short
side of a couple of them.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
But like you know, everyone's.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
Competing, everyone's on themselves, everyone's ready prepared, and that's all
you can ask for. And you know things are gonna
turn off for us, and no one's really worried about it,
and we're gonna keep pushing.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
The length of the season. I think sometimes it's hard
to remember how long it is. But as a player,
how easy is it to remember how long the season is?
Speaker 6 (26:18):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (26:18):
For sure.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
That's why you can get frustrated after these first couple
of games. It's like you see a couple of guys
beat themselves up and you go talk to him. It's like, dude,
like we have so much more left. Like, yes, it sucks,
it's beginning, but like you're fine, Like, let's lock in,
get the next one, let's get let's get some ones
on the board and go.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
We're doing this in the new clubhouse. What do you think?
Speaker 4 (26:34):
Unreal? A lot of walking, but it's really good.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
What's any favorite feature yet? The pool room?
Speaker 4 (26:41):
For sure.
Speaker 5 (26:42):
Ever since Lane called it the four season, it's been
stuck in my head.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Good stuff. Thank you, Ben, absolutely, thank you. It's been
lively looking to build off of last year's thirteen wins season.
He was steady eddy last year and getting it going
again this season.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Well.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Speaking of the home opener, it's become a tradition for
us to check in with Guardians First base coach Sandy
Alamar Junior, who has been a part of twenty three
home openers in a Cleveland uniform between his tremendous playing
career and now as a longtime member of the coaching staff.
This was his sixteenth opening day as part of The
(27:18):
Guardian's coaching staff, and he says, even after all the years,
he's never tired of being part of that opening day
festivities in downtown Cleveland. It really is a highlight for him.
Speaker 9 (27:30):
This is so special And let's take these back because
in two thousand and one, when I was with a
White Sox, our opening day was in Cleveland.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
Right in twenty four that was hard.
Speaker 9 (27:44):
That was That wasn't harder than warm because I have
to keep my emotions in check. But every opening day
in Cleveland is special, man, such a special place to
me and my family. I'd say that when I was
traded for the San Diego that was the biggest opportunity
in the way received with open arms, the fans, the community,
(28:04):
and the organization has always been such a special place.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
And it's interesting. The playing years are obvious, but coaching wise,
sixteen as a coach with three different managers, and do
you ever think about how fortunate you are that you've
made it through three different regimes so to speak.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
Oh, I'm super fortunate.
Speaker 9 (28:23):
I feel I honor and grateful for the opportunity they
have gained me these organizations. So I have nothing but
great things to say about all three managers that gave
me the opportunity. Also the front office for believing in me.
You know, take it too hard to prepare myself. I
do what it takes to be the best version of
(28:44):
myself on the field, to have the players because my
goal is to win a Wars series in Cleveland, And
you know, I really do, I really do appreciate and
chaise the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
The first one nineteen ninety four. What do you remember
most about about walking into then Jacob's field and and
what it was like, especially having played at the old place.
Speaker 9 (29:03):
Well, think about when you buy a if you buy
a new house, or you get a new car, but
something even bigger than that, because spending uh the first
four years at Cleveland Nichipo was that was rough because
we were losing game. The stadium was old, big, and
the resources were not great. So you go to a new,
(29:24):
new place that is booming and the excitement of the
city and Uh, this game is moved for the for
the fans, not just for the players. The fans they
get to enjoy it too. So it's just it was
it was amazing, amazing home that they built for us,
and it was a very special day twenty.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Four first base coach Sandy Alamar joining us.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Opening day that the team opened on the road and
it was a nine game road swing. H Does that
make it even more anticipation for for you and players
when you're away for so long and then you finally
get to come home and open up.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
Yeah, we need home cooking.
Speaker 9 (30:01):
It's been forty five days in spring training and opening
on the road ten days.
Speaker 4 (30:08):
I don't care if he's fifteen degrees. We need to
go home.
Speaker 9 (30:11):
It's always a special place for us, and I'm sure
that they it's gonna be cold, but it's gonna be booming,
and the guys are ready for it.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
You mentioned that maybe later in April you get a
nasty night and it's hard to deal with. But opening
data is that a droning and takeover a little bit
and make it a little bit more bearable even if
the temperature is low.
Speaker 9 (30:32):
Well, I think as a player, you should be able
to handle. You know the weather better than coaches because
you standing there still. But it's still not easy as
a baseball player to get psyched up for a while
like that. But opening day, like I say, adrenaline and
you pumped up.
Speaker 4 (30:50):
I think we'll be able to manage that.
Speaker 9 (30:52):
We got some hitters in the dugout and you're just
thinking about focusing on playing the game.
Speaker 4 (30:59):
Sometimes you over pass that.
Speaker 2 (31:01):
I know we started by talking about people in uniform
and how many you've been a part of I'm gonna
guess there's not many people here today overall, be it fans,
front office, everything, who've been to as many as you
and for that tip of the cap, and I'm sure
it's gonna be a fun day for you.
Speaker 9 (31:18):
Yeah, Like I say, as many as I can, I
have a passion for this game and I love it.
And sometimes I'm so passionate that I get upset many
things that because I care about winning, I care about doing.
Speaker 4 (31:33):
The best for these organizations to go to the next level.
Speaker 9 (31:37):
But everyone you get is super exciting, and I'm honor.
I gotta say I'm honored, and I share it every
moment of it because you don't know one's gonna be
last one.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Sandy, always great to talk to you on opening Day.
Hopefully we do it again next year.
Speaker 4 (31:52):
Let's do it.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
That's first base coach Sandy Alomar Junior, part of the
fabric of what makes Cleveland baseball so special to so
many fans, and he's been that way since the early nineties.
Really remarkable how long he has been a part of
things here. Yes, he went away a little bit at
the tail end of his playing career, but he has
been a mainstay through three different managers. Now as part
(32:14):
of the Guardian's coaching stack. We'll take another time out
and then when we come back, it's the weekly Farm Report,
and that's next on the Cleveland Clinic. Guardians Radio and netboard.
Speaker 8 (32:26):
A progressive home and auto bundle can protect you around
the clock, but we can't protect you from those painful
moments in sports.
Speaker 3 (32:32):
Why would we trade our best player?
Speaker 8 (32:34):
Well, at least you got to watch him in person
when he was here. I named my only son after him,
so you'll always remember his name. Yeah, but what do
I do with this jersey? Luckily, the company has a
great return policy. I warrant for six seasons. Well, at
least your Hollanada or protected with a bundle from Progressive
Progressive Cansualty Interns Company. If he have another interurviists not
(32:54):
avaiable in tho stags are situations.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Wellcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House back with
you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, and we'll wrap
up this week's show with a visit from Stephen Oster,
the new vice president of player Development for the Guardians,
and he's been bringing us up to date on some
of the rosters in the minor leagues during this early
portion of the schedule, and we focus in this week
(33:27):
on single A Lake County, just up the road. They
were the defending champs now in the Midwest League after
a great season a year ago, and one of their
stars this season should be Ralphie Velasquez, who was drafted
as a catcher, now playing first base and outfield, and
they're excited about what's ahead for Velasquez this season at
(33:49):
Lake County.
Speaker 10 (33:50):
Yeah, Ralphie is very fun out there. Hitting a home
run off of Nicolodolo like it is nothing was something
that we're all kind of cheering about. Yeah, easy to
look at Ralphie and see the athlete and you know,
to see the hitter that he is. He's worked really
hard this offseason. He spent a lot of time with us,
and he is going to be a lot of fun
(34:10):
to watch go out there and crush the ball. We're
going to expose him to some outfield again, similar to
what we did last year. He's athletic and can move
well enough to do it and showed some signs of
that last year as well. So we're gonna move him
around a little bit and you know, he's going to
continue to hit and refine the things that he needs
to do as a hitter. But you know Ralphie, Ralphie
came in ready to go.
Speaker 2 (34:32):
Another player that's coming off a really good season a
year ago, Jason Cheerio. He moves up a level at
least at the start. What do you like about him
and what could could be really exciting there?
Speaker 10 (34:43):
Yeah, the last year he was bound to move up.
We actually booked a flight for him to go to
Lake County and get promoted, and then he ended up
suffering the injuries. So it's it's going to be fun
to get him up there and actually see him at
the level. I mean, he's he's a.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
Really good hitter.
Speaker 10 (34:58):
The bat the ball skills are you know, plus he
doesn't make bad decisions at the plate. You know, it's
continuing to build the physical side and to try to
impact the baseball maybe at more productive angles, get a
little bit more of the ballflight so we can do
a little bit more damage. But the tools are there.
He's a really good, really good outfielder.
Speaker 4 (35:17):
He's really fast.
Speaker 10 (35:18):
We're gonna nudge and move him a little bit on
the base running and try to develop that as a
weapon as well. So you know, he's the total package.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
And Jacob Kozart behind the plate. We saw him a
little bit in Big League games during the spring, big man,
and what do you see from him aside from just
that that physical part.
Speaker 10 (35:37):
I mean, he's a tremendous defender with you know, really
strong qualities and the leadership side and the preparation side.
That again similar to Huffey and an Ingle. You know,
when they go up there, they get to see what
the Major League scited that looks like. And he was
really excited about his opportunity there. So continuing to move
the needle. On the hitter side, of course, he's a catcher,
(35:57):
but the defensive skills are elite.
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Go to the pitching side. I don't know if he's
the best prospect. I know he's one of them, but
he's got the best nickname and the tug Boat Matt Wilkinson.
What are you seeing from him as he moves up
a level in terms of what he needs to do.
Speaker 10 (36:13):
Yeah, tug about You know one of my favorites is
the nickname is off the charts. Yeah, he had a
great year last year. I mean gain notoriety just with
the nickname and how he performed. You know, A big
focus for Tugboat last year was getting to know some
of his strengths a little bit more. He came in
with maybe a lesser sense of what makes him special
(36:35):
and some of the steps he would need to take
moving forward to be a stronger.
Speaker 4 (36:38):
Version of himself. He did. He tackled a lot of that.
Speaker 10 (36:41):
This offseason, worked a ton on his change up, felt
really considered, felt really comfortable with the slider. So he's
coming back with you three pitches now as opposed to
the two that he leaned on last year, and the velocities.
Speaker 4 (36:55):
Up a bit.
Speaker 10 (36:55):
He put a lot of work in physically, so hoping
to see that trend up and continued tick up a
year goes on. But he's coming back a better version
of himself. From last year. We had a ton of success.
Speaker 2 (37:05):
And Jackson Humphries will also be in that rotation to
start at Lake County. What do you like about him?
Speaker 10 (37:10):
Another lefty there. Yeah, Jackson Humphries had a bit of
a tough year last year. He was dealing with some
illness and some ailment that kind of pulled off some
of the physical side a little bit and you know,
took a step back on the velocity from where we've
seen him at his best. All of that is recovered
and he's been pretty electric so far, and yeah, the veloses,
you know back to the mid nineties. He's got two
(37:32):
really good breaking balls that he can throw, you know,
at any time for strikes. And really excited for him
to actually face the level of competition that we think
he's ready for and was probably ready for last year
but just wasn't up to it physically.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
That's a weekly Farm report with Vice President of Player
Development Stephen Osterer, and that's going to do it for
this week's edition. Up Guardians Weekly. Thanks as always to
Brian Matsee for helping to put together our show each week.
We will join you next week from Pittsburgh when the
Guardians are taking on the Pirates as part of a
two city road trip to Baltimore and then Pittsburgh. Should
(38:07):
be fun stuff. Talk to you then and until then,
this is Jim rosen House reminding you that you've been
listening to Guardians Weekly, Cleveland Clinic, Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
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