Your New Favourite Aspect of the Offseason

With the MLB offseason finally heating up and players beginning to move, I thought I would share a piece I recently wrote for Bat Flips & Nerds. It's about a particular quirk in the sport I enjoy; the ritual of unveiling your team's latest signing to the baseball world, a bit of fun.

https://batflipsandnerds.com/2019/11/11/your-new-favourite-aspect-of-the-offseason/

The Gold Standard: Lindor & Perez

The 2019 baseball season may be over but some good news reached Indians fans yesterday. It was announced that catcher Roberto Perez and shortstop Francisco Lindor were each awarded a Gold Glove for their fantastic defensive seasons.

Perez was promoted to full time catching duties this year and flourished in his new role, displaying those elite defensive skills on a daily basis. The 30 year-old ranked second in the majors in caught stealing percentage, gunning down 41% of his would-be thieves. Pérez led every player in the majors in defensive runs saved, with an outstanding 29 (per Fangraphs).

The most remarkable statistic: Pérez wasn't charged with a single passed ball all season. Over 993.2 innings, he didn't let one get past him. He's only the fourth catcher since 1930 to catch as many games as he did without being charged with a passed ball. Just think how reassuring that was for the Indians pitching staff, knowing full well that a bounced curveball wouldn't be punished, never travelling beyond Perez's reach.

I said in my season review it would be a travesty if Perez was overlooked for the award, and thankfully this didn't come to pass, and he was rightfully rewarded. Lindor was confident for his pal all along, and was quoted during the final weekend of the season saying if Pérez “doesn’t win the Gold Glove, then there’s something wrong with the system. And I know the system’s not wrong, so Pérez will win it.”

Frankie is obviously psychic, but he's also a supremely gifted shortstop as well, and collected the second Gold Glove award of his career. Lindor ranked second among AL shortstops in fielding percentage (.979) and second in DRS (defensive runs saved) with a score of 9. Lindor last won the award in 2016, when he also took home the Platinum Glove award as well, awarded to the best defensive player in each league, Lindor winning on behalf of the AL.

Both Perez and Lindor are currently eligible for the 2019 Platinum Glove and fans can have their say by voting here. Help our boys and vote now!

Yan vs Bran: 2019 World Series Preview

The Indians won't be playing in the World Series tonight but two of our former sons will feature, for the Nationals and Astros respectively.

Michael Brantley, of Houston, and Yan Gomes, of Washington, face off for the title in what's set to be a fantastic contest between two truly excellent teams.

Brantley, who spent 10 seasons in Cleveland, enjoyed a fruitful 2019 in his new home of Houston. In 148 games he batted .311/.372/.503 with 22 home runs, 40 doubles and 90 RBI, for an 126 OPS+ and his fourth All-Star selection. I was so sad to see him leave the Indians, as he'd long been my favorite player on the team. I will admit, it hurt to see him play at his consistently superb level in a new uniform, particularly given the Tribe's outfield struggles this year - we could have really used him. If you haven't seen his unbelievable double play in the ALCS yet, enjoy.

Gomes didn't enjoy the same measure of offensive success as Brantley this year, but did control and organize one of the best rotations in the game. An All-Star in 2018, the Brazilian backstop played 97 games this season for the Nats, sharing time with veteran catcher Kurt Suzuki. This platoon has been utilized by manager Dave Martinez into the postseason as well, but Gomes is still expected to flash his elite defensive abilities for the majority of the action. Gomes batted .223/.316/.389 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI, for a disappointing 78 OPS+.

Outside of my support for both Brantley and Gomes, the aspect of the series I'm most excited for is the pitching battles. Both teams boast incredibly stacked rotations and fans aren't expecting a great deal of relief work ahead - just like the old days.

The favored Astros have three legitimate aces they can call upon in Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander and mid-season acquisition Zack Greinke. At least two of these men will be serious contenders for the AL Cy Young award in the winter.

The Nationals have a trio to reckon with of their own, thanks to Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. Despite Houston's fearsome lineup of Altuve, Springer, Brantley and Bregman, Nats fans will be optimistic with Strasburg on the mound; in 22 innings of postseason work he's allowed just 4 earned runs thus far.

My personal preference would see the Nationals emerge victorious, despite my love for Brantley. Outside of him, I don't much enjoy the Astro's supporting cast of characters, and Washington's journey has been more fun to follow this season.

A special mention must go to former Indians Asdrubal Cabrera and Joe Smith as well, who will also play some part in the games to come. Infielder Cabrera (Nationals) spent just over 7 years in Cleveland, and Smith (Astros) pitched in relief for most of 5 seasons with the Tribe (with a brief return in 2017).

Even though our current Indians are absent, try and support Brantley and Gomes in the World Series. Once it's all over, we settle in for that excruciating wait until baseball finally returns in March.

Enjoy the show whilst it lasts.

2019 Cleveland Indians Season Review

Be careful what you wish for.

That should have been the motto for the Cleveland Indians' 2019 season. At the start of the year I hoped for a more competitive campaign, as the previous years of AL Central dominance left the fanbase somewhat wanting in terms of drama and excitement. Division titles are not something you should take for granted, but I wasn't alone feeling underwhelmed at the ease in which the Tribe waltzed to success. What made it worse was the seemingly inevitable postseason collapse that followed.

A division race or playoff chase was welcomed then. Until it got a little close for comfort, that is.

I don't think anyone in the league expected the Twins to win over 100 games and break records. The very respectable 93-69 Indians ran them close for a while but credit must go to Minnesota, they deserved what they got. Missing out on postseason baseball in Cleveland was disappointing of course, but would the fans and players have experienced further pain and humiliation at the hands of New York and Houston anyway?

Ultimately we'll never know, but after the Twins were swept away by the Yankees with such ease, the defeatist in me is glad we were saved that pain after all. (Who am I kidding, of course I would have loved seeing them play in October!)

With the playoffs now in full swing and the World Series on the horizon, the regular season is beginning to feel like a distant memory. The Indians front office are already looking towards 2020, but I thought I'd take a minute to reflect on 2019 before we move too far forward. Let's get into it:

Injuries And Even More Injuries

The Indians featured 54 players this year, their highest roster turnover since 2002. Terry Francona and his staff were constantly juggling their lineup cards, and the poor clubhouse guys must have been exhausted with all the comings and goings in the locker room.

A host of key players missed significant time on the injured list, leading to this high turnover rate.

The rotation, traditionally a source of strength for the Tribe, were decimated by injuries and illness. Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, and Mike Clevinger combined to make just 40 starts between them, over half of what they produced in 2018 (when they tallied 95 starts). Trying to compete without three of your top tier pitchers was always going to be challenging.

Injuries affected the offense as well, with Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez all missing time with their respective aches and pains. In their absence the Indians' lineup faced a lot of adversity, particularly when Ramirez was struggling (more on that to come).

Important role players like Jordan Luplow, Tyler Clippard, Dan Otero, and Tyler Naquin also missed decent chunks of time, and overall it felt like the club were battling themselves almost as often as they were battling other teams.

The Rotation

Despite missing Kluber, Carrasco and Clevinger for large portions of the season, the men called upon in their stead performed more than admirably.

Shane Bieber emerged as a talented pitcher in 2018 but he truly broke out this year, creating memories for life when he collected the All-Star Game MVP award on home turf. Bieber carried the load with his 214.1 innings pitched, and lead the AL in complete games (3), shutouts (2) and walk rate (1.7). His 259 punchouts, 3.28 ERA and 144 ERA+ marked him out as one of the top arms in baseball, in just the second year of his career. Bieber fever indeed.

I mentioned Clevinger and despite missing a large chunk of the season through injury, the man dubbed Sunshine was still as dominant as always, if not more so in 2019. In 21 starts Clev pitched 126 innings with 169 strikeouts, for a 2.71 ERA and a 174 ERA+. If he hadn't gotten hurt I am certain he would have garnered serious Cy Young award attention.

Rookies such as Zach Plesac (21 starts, 3.81 ERA) and Aaron Civale (10 starts, 2.34 ERA) played their part in guiding the club to 90+ victories, and were largely impressive during their maiden auditions in the show. Both pitchers built strong cases to be included on the 2020 Opening Day roster and will hopefully have long and distinguished careers at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.

Adam Plutko (21 games, 4.86 ERA) and Jefry Rodriguez (10 games, 4,63 ERA) didn't make the same splash as Plesac and Civale but were important contributors nonetheless, especially considering they weren't expected to feature if everyone had stayed healthy.

Finally, a word must go to the departed Trevor Bauer, who pitched 156.2 innings with 185 strikeouts, for a 3.79 ERA (that he couldn't replicate with the Reds unfortunately). The enigmatic pitcher stayed healthy all year and tallied the second highest number of starts for the club prior to joining Cincinnati, making 24 valuable appearances. Also, we cannot forget his final moment in a Tribe uniform. It's the stuff of legend.

Jose Ramirez

What a perplexing year for Jose Ramirez.

Coming off an MVP-caliber 2018 season, when he slashed .270/.387/.552 with 39 home runs, 34 stolen bases and 8 WAR, great things were expected from our lovable infielder.

What occurred next was absolutely mystifying. Despite those fantastic numbers, he ended 2018 poorly, mired in a terrible funk that stuck to his cleats like dog shit. The stench never left him even as his 2019 campaign began. He looked completely lost at the plate in April, May and June, an entirely changed man. His first three month's of production looked like this:

340 PA, .214/.309/.325, 5 HR, 30 RBI, .634 OPS.

Horrible. People were beginning to seriously worry, myself included.

Thankfully Ramirez found himself in July and August, and embarked on a torrid run at the plate, posting an OPS of 1.020 and 1.077 that effectively carried the club on his back, driving them back into playoff contention and keeping the Twins looking in their rear-view mirror.

Just as the Indians were preparing for the final month of their playoff push, Ramirez fractured the hamate bone in his right hand. He would miss a month, and although he returned in late September, the season was essentially over by that point. Who knows what difference the rejuvenated Ramirez could have made to the Indians' season down the stretch.

His final line for 2019:

.255/.327/.479, 23 HR, 83 RBI, 24 SB, .806 OPS and 3.3 WAR.

Oscar Mercado

To say I was excited for Mercado's promotion was an understatement. When he finally arrived he was exactly as advertised, the perfect tonic for the Indians' outfield woes. Given the keys to center field, Oscar took his opportunity and never looked back.

Called up on May 14th, Mercado became the catalyst that reinvigorated a sleeping offense, and the youngster put together an impressive debut season. He batted .269/.318/.443 with 15 home runs, 15 stolen bases, 25 doubles and a .761 OPS. His grace in the outfield led to nine defensive runs saved as well; a solid contributor in every aspect of the game.

Like any rookie, he experienced his share of ups and downs but there's no denying Mercado established himself as one of the key players in the lineup. Overall, I liked what I saw and his progress will be fun to monitor in 2020. His Rookie of the Year campaign will surely be overshadowed by the glitzier prospects on the Astros and Blue Jays, but Mercado is certainly deserving of consideration.

In my eyes, the Indians have found their center fielder for the next decade.

Roberto Pérez

When Yan Gomes was traded in the off-season, I had my concerns about the future of the catching position in Cleveland. Alas, I should not have worried, as Roberto Pérez took care of business and then some.

As a part-time catcher with the Indians over five years, we had grown to love Pérez for his defensive excellence and consistency. What Pérez lacked at the plate (a career .205 hitter prior to 2019), he more than made up for behind it.

This season, now elevated to a full-time role in Gomes' absence, Pérez's defensive numbers took a major leap, putting him among the elite catchers in the game. The 30 year-old ranked second in the majors in caught stealing percentage, gunning down 41% of his would-be thieves. Pérez led every player in the majors in defensive runs saved, with 29 (per Fangraphs). Even more remarkable, Pérez wasn't charged with a single passed ball all season. Over 993.2 innings, he didn't let one get past him.

That's ridiculous.

There is a legitimate argument to be made for Pérez as the best catcher in baseball. If he doesn't get the Gold Glove this winter, it will be a travesty.

And I haven't even mentioned the fact Pérez developed a swing that meant he was no longer an automatic out in the box. Though his slashline of .239/.321/.452 isn't the most eye-catching you'll see, he did post a .774 OPS and smash 24 home runs. Not bad for a guy who had never hit more than 8, at any level.

It's safe to say that what was once a position of uncertainty for the Indians is now one of strength, thanks to our beloved Bebo.

Honorable Mentions

• No Indians season review is complete without giving Carlos Santana his due. The All-Star first baseman made a spectacular return to The Land after an off-season trade. It was like he never left. The veteran had a fantastic year, batting .281/.397/.515 with 34 HR, 110 RBI, for a 135 wRC+ and 4.4 WAR. 
• The Tribe's trade deadline acquisitions Franmil Reyes and Yasiel Puig helped bring some spark and excitement to Progressive Field. Puig was everything we expected and more, and endeared himself to fans with that cannon-arm in right field. Time will tell if his stay in Cleveland was short-lived, but I would love the club to bring him back. Reyes got off to a slow start but soon found his feet, and will be a threatening presence in the lineup for years to come (37 HR this year and he's still only 24 years-old).
• Francisco Lindor made club history, collecting 30+ HR for the third consecutive season, joining Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome as the only men in Cleveland to do that. I felt the mood surrounding Lindor was slightly negative this year, with fans looking ahead to his impending free agency and the Indians' inability/reluctance to sign him long term, but Lindor is this team. His .284/.335/.518 line, 22 SB, 40+ doubles and 4.4 WAR is nothing to sniff at. 
• The bullpen, so long an enigma, were mostly excellent. The group recorded a 3.76 ERA, third-best in the majors, with standout performers including Nick Wittgren and Tyler Clippard. Even Brad Hand, who suffered a crisis of confidence late in the year, still recorded 34 saves, a good enough total for fifth place in the majors. 

With a winter of possibility now ahead of us, I'll spend some of that time looking at the burning questions facing this ballclub and what could be in store prior to the 2020 campaign. Until then, I'll watch the World Series and recharge my baseball batteries.

I want to say a quick thank you to anyone who has followed England Tribe this year. I have enjoyed this season immensely, and connected with a great number of you online and in person. It's been an amazing year for me personally, and my connection to the game has never been stronger.

2020 will be even better.

Aaron Civale - The Simple Things

Yesterday, whilst watching Aaron Civale pitch in just his third Major League game, I was struck by the 24 year-old's poise and serenity on the mound.

Civale made pitching look effortless. In fact, everything he did looked effortless.

Total composure under pressure.

By no means was Civale perfect in sunny Minnesota, but he was pretty close, giving up one sacrifice fly to Luis Arraez, over the course of six outstanding innings of work. His final line for the day was 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks and 5 strikeouts. All against the AL Central-leading, record-setting Twins, in a potentially season defining game that the Indians ultimately won (thank you Carlos, we love you).

Not bad for a rookie.

When called upon this year, Civale has answered. Sure, it's a small sample - how do you accurately judge a pitcher after just three games? But what we have seen, what we've witnessed so far, has been overwhelmingly positive.

Previously deployed as a spot starter in June for then-injured Mike Clevinger, this August has seen Civale get the opportunity to stick in the rotation. Once Danny Salazar's latest comeback attempt was halted by yet another setback, Terry Francona and his staff looked no further than Civale, and to his credit the 2016 third round draft pick has delivered.

Over three starts and 18 total innings, Civale has been tagged for just two earned runs, giving him an aesthetically pleasing 1.00 ERA. He's walked just four batters (only one walk in his last two games as well) and struck out eighteen. Civale's ability to pound the zone and stay ahead in the count has been enormously effective.

It sounds like such a simple strategy - throw strikes and get your man out, but obviously it's never that simple.

Somehow, Civale makes it appear so.

It's this deceptive simplicity that has been the key to Civale's success thus far, even when he's throwing 95mph two-seam fastballs for yet another punchout. Civale would be the first to tell you, I'm sure: There's nothing deceptive about telling your enemy to go sit their ass down.

With Corey Kluber's impending return to the Tribe getting closer every day, there's a strong chance Civale might not be in Cleveland for the long term, not in 2019 anyway. And that's okay, because the rookie has done exactly what has been asked of him, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be disappointed to see him demoted back to Triple-A Columbus.

Nevertheless, Civale has made a great first impression, and you can bet he'll be ready to answer the call next time out.

Reading The Game - The Art Of Fielding

Steve from the fantastic Reading the Game podcast recently invited me onto his show to discuss one of my favourite baseball books, Chad Harbach's bestselling debut novel The Art of Fielding.

I join Steve and his co-host Phil for a discussion about the book's themes, it's memorable cast of distinctive characters, and much more. Steve was lucky enough to speak to Mr Harbach himself as well!

Please give it a listen below and be sure to check out the rest of their back catalogue and follow them on Twitter for more great content.

https://rtgpod.com/2019/08/01/episode-6-the-art-of-fielding/

https://open.spotify.com/show/1f0U9EIDYqZzIoCLNj5mNc

Goodbye Bauer, Hello Puig, Reyes and Co.

I was beginning to think the Indians weren't going to make a move at the trade deadline after all. As July 31st approached, I was lulled into the pretense that everybody would stay put, that the Tribe were content with what they had heading moving forward. 

Then, I wake up this morning to what can only be considered as a blockbuster.

Trevor Bauer, the Tribe's talented but enigmatic starting pitcher, is a Cleveland Indian no more. After nearly seven rollercoaster years of service, Bauer moves to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a three-team deal that also includes the San Diego Padres. Let's break down the moves:

Cincinnati get: Trevor Bauer SP (from Cleveland)

Cleveland get: Yasiel Puig OF, Scott Moss SP (from Cincinnati), Franmil Reyes OF, Logan Allen SP, Victor Nova 2B/3B/OF (from San Diego)

San Diego get: Taylor Trammell OF (from Cincinnati)

Upon first glance, this trade looks overwhelmingly favorable for the Indians - what a haul!

First, let's discuss the loss of Bauer. The Indians' front office had a delicate situation on their hands when approaching the notion of trading one of their best starting pitchers. To send him away to a contender would indicate weakness and admission of defeat this season. To avoid this, anything in return for Bauer was going to have to be big. And so it is with great joy we can celebrate this unique victory because, despite losing Bauer, this trade significantly upgrades the Indians' offense and puts them on track to not only stay competitive in 2019, but for years beyond.

Bauer has had a mixed 2019 thus far, but certainly not as impactful as his remarkable 2018 campaign (2.21 ERA, 221 strikeouts in 175.1 innings). He currently leads all of MLB in innings (156.2) but also walks (63), and possesses a 3.79 ERA, but a 4.17 FIP. Bauer is still one of the supreme strikeout artists in the game, and sits 5th in MLB with 185 K's. 

Whilst he might not be performing at the level he's capable of, the Reds are acquiring a pitcher of considerable talent. It's well known that Bauer's arsenal of pitches is unmatched. Still just 28 years-old, Cincinnati will have him on their books until 2020, his final year of arbitration, which might just be enough time for them to compete. Bauer joins a Reds rotation consisting of Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Tanner Roark, Alex Wood and Anthony DeSclafani, so this upgrade to their pitching staff should help set them apart in this year's wild National League playoff race.

Bauer's history in Cleveland has had considerable highs and lows, but there can be no doubting his effort and love for the game. The clubhouse will be losing a beloved figure, and the majority of fans will acknowledge that on his day, Bauer was an unstoppable force. His personality might not be to everybody's tastes, but when discussing baseball, his knowledge and passion is indisputable. There were many times I wanted the club to wash their hands of him, but ultimately he won me over and I wish him nothing but success going forward.

What about who the Indians got in return?

The marquee name in this trade is Yasiel Puig, the Cuban phenomenon. Like Bauer, the 28 year-old outfielder has enjoyed his share of controversy throughout his career, but I've long been an admirer and have been advocating for the Indians to bring him aboard since 2015. Now we finally have him.

Puig is a right-handed power bat that fills a hole in the outfield the Indians have been trying to fix for some time. Tyler Naquin is quietly enjoying a productive season and his development has been remarkable, but Puig and his notoriously strong arm should take over right field duties immediately. 

Although he hasn't enjoyed the greatest success since his move to Cincinnati, his 2019 numbers are still welcome in Cleveland; in 100 games for the Reds, Puig batted .252 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs, with 15 doubles as well. He has been more impressive of late, batting .311/.363/.610 with 12 home runs and a .929 OPS since the start of June. Puig will be looking to continue that form once he arrives at Progressive Field. 

Puig's tenure with the Tribe is likely to be short term, since he'll be a free agent after the season, but nobody will be complaining if he can deliver in October. He's exactly what was needed to make the lineup a more potent and dangerous proposition for opposing pitchers.

It might be Puig's name garnering most of the attention but the biggest coup in this trade may belong to Franmil Reyes, the 24 year-old power-hitting outfielder from the Padres.

Reyes' addition to the trade is a surprise, but a very welcome one. I'm still in shock that San Diego were willing to part with him. The Dominican slugger has 27 home runs this season already, leading the Indians by some margin upon his arrival, so his power bat should slot seamlessly into the middle of the Indians lineup. Over 99 games in San Diego he batted .255 with 46 RBIs.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect about Reyes' acquisition is his contract, as he'll be under club control until 2024. Whereas Puig is considered a pure rental in the Tribe's bid for a 2019 championship, Reyes will be a building block for years to come. A quick scan of social media shows just how highly Padres fan rated Reyes and how sad they are to see him go.

The other players included in the trade include pitcher Logan Allen, San Diego's 7th ranked prospect, who has seen time at the Major League level this year but will likely begin his Indians' career in Columbus. Allen was a 2015 8th round pick by the Red Sox and was dealt to the Padres in the deal that sent Craig Kimbrel to Boston.

Scott Moss was the Reds' 12th ranked prospect and the left-handed pitcher hasn't played above the Double-A level yet. Moss was drafted in the 4th round in 2016 and projects as a mid-rotation arm, maybe even a bullpen specialist with a deceptive fastball-slider combo that could hurt left-handed hitters.

Victor Nova is a 19 year-old infielder and outfielder, currently hitting .330 in the Arizona rookie league.

-----------------------------

Overall, I think the majority of Indians fans should feel content with the moves that have been made. Losing Bauer will sting for a while of course, but he was rarely shy about his long-term prospects in Cleveland, and often indicated his future lay elsewhere. The incentive to trade him was always high because of this, and that idea has now become reality. 

The return for him was more than I could have imagined - two powerful MLB-ready outfielders, and three interesting prospects for the future. It gives Cleveland a new foundation to build upon that could reap rewards sooner rather than later.

I consider that business well done.

Danny Salazar - Forgotten Man

Doesn't the 2013 Wild Card game feel like a long time ago?

Fans in attendance and those watching at home were certain the Tribe had a huge talent on their hands when Danny Salazar took the mound against the Rays. Here was a rookie fireballer on the national stage, pitching in the postseason for the first time in his career. When Salazar struck out Tampa Bay's James Loney to end the first inning, it was the loudest I had heard Progressive Field in all my years following the team (prior to the 2016 World Series at least.)

Since that October night, Salazar's career hasn't panned out like we might have hoped. An impressive 2015 provided another hint of what we could expect from the Dominican righty but that has been his only full season thus far, and despite a strong first half and All-Star selection in 2016, injuries have plagued him ever since. The following season was derailed by his afflictions and we haven't seen him pitch since game 4 of the ALDS, a defeat in New York on October 9th 2017. Salazar spent all of 2018 on the disabled list and ultimately had to undergo surgery for the pain in his right shoulder. He's been a distant memory ever since.

In such a short span, Salazar went from being one of the Indians' most promising young arms to a forgotten figure.

Nevertheless, he's still very much a part of this ballclub and has been working hard to return with a vengeance in 2019. Naturally it's taken time to rebuild his shoulder, let alone his pitching mechanics and velocity - Salazar has essentially had to start from the beginning and reinvent the way he throws a baseball.

The 29 year-old has been on a rehab assignment since early July and Cleveland must make a decision before the 30-day assignment expires, which is August 6th. We are definitely approaching the stage where Salazar enters into Terry Francona's plans for the remainder of the year.

Whilst rehabbing his injury this month, Salazar's performances have been encouraging. He's made 5 starts between the Arizona League, Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, compiling 13.1 innings with 23 strikeouts, for a 3.38 ERA. Reports indicate his fastball is around 93mph as well, and he doesn't appear to have lost his ability to strike guys out. It's a small sample size of course, but a positive body of work ahead of his impending return to Cleveland.

How exactly will he return though? His minor league outings have seen him feature as a starter, but Francona often utilized Salazar from the bullpen before injury.

If healthy and ready to go, my preference would be Salazar joining the back of the rotation, a fresh arm and an upgrade of the number 5 slot. Zach Plesac has enjoyed a remarkable rookie season when called upon, and Adam Plutko has been steady if unspectacular, but a healthy Salazar provides the Indians with an experienced arm that can strike out a multitude of hitters. Ideally his addition to the rotation would bring fresh energy ahead of the final playoff push in September, and the Indians could avoid having an entire year's worth of work fall on the shoulders of a rookie - just like in 2013, with Salazar interestingly enough.

Should multiple-inning outings prove too taxing on his newly recovered arm, then a move to the bullpen for the final months would be preferable. Salazar could be a dynamic option for Francona to call upon in tight spots, boosting an already strong relief corps.

Another scenario could involve Salazar being included as part of a trade package before the July 31st deadline, so we cannot rule out the possibility that we might've seen the last of him in an Indians uniform.

Whatever occurs, we'll see it happen soon.

Salazar will be the forgotten man no more.

Trade Talk: Merrifield, Castellanos & Frazier

We've entered that period of the season and that so many writers love; the impending trade deadline, and with it comes speculation and rumors, enough to feed our appetite through the dog days of summer.

Now that we have an increasingly close deadline of July 31st, teams are looking at the standings to decide if they'll be sellers or buyers. For the 50-38 Indians, there is still a lot to play for this season, so I am anticipating them to approach the trade market from a buyer's perspective, even if a move to sell one of their prized assets might be beneficial (more on that later).

With that said, let's take a look at some of the potential targets the Tribe have been linked with in recent days:

Whit Merrifield - 2B & OF 

The Royals' first-time All-Star has been the one player I've seen mentioned most often when Indians trade rumors are discussed, and for good reason.

Merrifield, a second baseman and outfielder, is a reliable presence in the lineup who excels at making contact, effectively spraying hits to all areas of the field. The 30 year-old is currently batting .306/.355/.495 (BA/OBP/SLG) with 11 home runs, 44 RBI and 13 stolen bases, and looks on track to complete another successful campaign.

In 2018 Merrifield raised his game in a big way, posting an impressive 5.2 WAR, only finishing behind the Cubs' Javier Baez among second basemen (Baez had 5.3 WAR). The star man in Kansas City slashed .304/.367/.438 for a career-high 120 wRC+ last year, with a league-leading 45 stolen bases, announcing himself on the national stage and attracting suitors around the league.

Competition to acquire him could be intense, but Cleveland should certainly be in the mix for Merrifield's services:

• He's cheap - Merrifield is on a very team-friendly contract, and isn't due to earn more than $6,750,000 a year until at least 2023.
• He's under club control for a while - signed until 2022 with a team-option for 2023. By then he'll be entering his age-34 season.

The Royals know what they have - our AL Central rivals have publicly said it would take a lot for them to consider trading him in his prime. However, with Kansas City's window to win still years away, at 30 years-old they would be wise to move Merrifield for a decent haul to upgrade their rebuilding process.

Perhaps a combination of top prospects like Triston McKenzie and Yu Chang would be enough to sway the Royals to part with their golden goose. I for one would love to have Merrifield join the team. His positional versatility is a huge asset, filling any weak spots the club could potentially face going forward.

Nicholas Castellanos - OF & DH

A move for Detroit's Castellanos would likely be short-term, as the 27 year-old is due to become a free agent after this season, but he could be the impact bat the Tribe would really benefit from.

Tyler Naquin, Jake Bauers, Jordan Luplow and Greg Allen haven't established themselves as everyday players for the Indians, and have shared left field and right field between them with mixed results. The right-handed Castellanos could come in and automatically upgrade one of these positions, despite his known defensive limitations.

So far in 2019, Castellanos has slashed .282/.342/.468 over 366 plate appearances with 9 home runs and 33 RBI. The home run total is admittedly modest but he does lead the AL with 29 doubles, so he is still displaying that extra-base power into the gaps at least.

He isn't likely to cost too much in terms of prospects, which is good news for Castellanos admirers. His contract for this season is $9,950,000 so should be a pure rental, the price you pay in an effort to win now. I think adding a productive bat such as his could help give the Tribe the push they need if they want to consider themselves a real contender in 2019.

Clint Frazier - OF

Here's where things get difficult.

To acquire Frazier from the Yankees, it's going to cost Trevor Bauer. Like it or not, the price to bring the young outfielder back to Cleveland is high.

Trading Bauer this month, with the Indians still in contention for October baseball, will result in a backlash from the fanbase that may result in mutiny. Appearing to concede defeat in the race for the playoffs by trading one of your best pitchers will not go down well, not at all.

However, if you take stock of the whole situation, it could be beneficial for everyone. The Yankees crave an excellent starting pitcher and the Indians' outfield still needs upgrading to realistically compete against the top teams.

Let's look at Bauer first. In the last 18 months he has successfully reinvented himself as the everyman of Major League Baseball, thanks to his performances on and off the field, and is widely regarded by many as the ace of the Indians' staff. His 2018 season would have almost certainly resulted in a Cy Young award if he hadn't gotten injured (2.21 ERA, 221 strikeouts in 175.1 innings, 198 ERA+).

So why would the Tribe even consider trading him? Well, Bauer will be a free agent in 2021 and it's been widely reported that the Indians won't be in a financial position to retain his services, not at the price Bauer is expected to cost. Acknowledging this, perhaps the club would be wise to cash in whilst they can, even if it does appear defeatist upon first glance.

The 24 year-old former first-round Indians draft pick would be the prize in return but Frazier has experienced mixed emotions in New York. One of their most important hitters in the early months of 2019, when the Yankees' lineup was decimated with injuries, Frazier has recently found himself on the outside looking in, relegated to Triple-A once the regular starters returned to full health. Understandably frustrated to be playing at a level he's clearly outgrown, it widely rumoured Frazier will have a new home by the end of this month.

In 53 games and 191 at-bats, Frazier has slashed .283/.330/.513 with 11 homers and 34 RBI. He would automatically take over an outfield spot, probably in left, and be expected to contribute immediately.

I think the Indians would want more than just Frazier in a deal with the Yankees, and the Bronx Bombers would have to throw in a couple of other prospects to make it happen (Jonathan Loaisiga and Estevan Florial perhaps).

Selling Bauer does not equate to throwing in the towel, and I think it's important to recognize that. Cleveland's starting pitching depth is their biggest strength, and the team have shown this year that they have guys who can be called upon. Even without Bauer, a healthy Corey Kluber, Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber and combo of Zach Plesac, Jefry Rodriguez, Adam Plutko and Aaron Civale might be enough to get by.

As sad as I would be to see Bauer leave (he's really endeared himself to me in recent times), I would be happy to welcome back Frazier and see his development for the Indians over the next five years.

Your 2019 Cleveland Indians All-Stars

The Cleveland Indians finished the first half of the 2019 season in style and enter the All-Star break on a 6-game winning streak, after sealing an 11-1 victory over their Ohio neighbors the Reds on Sunday. The Tribe have a 50-38 record and have closed the gap on the division-leading Twins to just 5.5 games, and currently possess one of the Wild Card positions as well.

Clearly there is still plenty to play for, and the team's recent performances have re-energized the Cleveland fanbase. The negativity and low morale that dogged the club in April and May seem a distant memory as the Indians prepare to host and celebrate their first All-Star Game since 1997.

Today I will recap the first half performances of the Tribe's four All-Star representatives: Carlos Santana, Francisco Lindor, Brad Hand and Shane Bieber.

Carlos Santana - First Base

Carlos Santana returned to Cleveland this winter after spending the 2018 season in Philadelphia, and it's safe to say his homecoming has been an enormous success.

At the break, the 33-year old Santana is batting .297 with 19 home runs and 52 RBI, with a .418 OBP and a terrific .958 OPS (which leads all AL first baseman). Santana has long been known for his astonishing plate discipline and naturally his 64 walks lead all of MLB among first baseman as well.

Despite his decade's worth of consistency, this is his first All-Star appearance and he gets to enjoy the experience in front of his home fans in his own ballpark. Reports indicate he was in tears when he received the news he would be the starter.

Santana won the the inaugural Google MLB Starters Election, earning 49.2% of the vote to beat out New York's Luke Voit (25.8%) and Minnesota's C.J. Cron (25%). His selection also makes him the first Indians All-Star to start at first base since Jim Thome did it in 1999.

Not only will Santana be the sole Indians starter in the All-Star Game but he'll also represent the Tribe in the Home Run Derby tonight, going head-to-head with the Mets' Pete Alonso in the first round.

Since Progressive Field (formerly Jacob's Field) opened in 1994, Santana ranks fourth in home runs with 97 dingers, only trailing Jim Thome (190), Manny Ramirez (132), and Travis Hafner (97) in team history. Santana knows this ballpark well and he'll aim to use all of his knowledge to his advantage.

No Indians player has ever won the event so Santana will be aiming for more than just the bleachers - he'll be taking a shot at Cleveland history, and he'll have the full support of the capacity crowd cheering him all the way.

Francisco Lindor - Shortstop

The face of the Cleveland Indians and the city's primary All-Star Game Ambassador, it would have been a travesty if Francisco Lindor was not involved in an All-Star Game played in his ballpark. Thankfully, the star shortstop was selected via the player ballot and despite being a reserve (Jorge Polanco of Twins will start), Frankie should feature in his fourth consecutive Midsummer Classic.

Lindor missed Spring Training with a calf strain and then sprained his ankle just days prior to Opening Day, which resulted in him missing the first 20 games of the year. Once he returned to the lineup though, he quickly got back to work, reminding the league who is the premier shortstop of his generation.

Lindor has slashed .296/.356/.511 over 69 games and 284 at-bats, with 14 home runs and 32 RBI, with 13 stolen bases for good measure, all whilst displaying his otherworldly abilities on defense.

When he found out he'd been selected, Lindor said, "It’s a blessing. I’m blessed to be part of it, especially being at home. It’s going to be a great event. I can’t wait."

Brad Hand - Relief Pitcher

Indians closer Brad Hand has made the third straight All-Star game of his career, his first with Cleveland, and will hope to feature out of the bullpen at some stage during Tuesday night. Hand was voted to the squad by his fellow players and the dominant reliever certainly deserves his place.

Hand has been one of Terry Francona's most trusted weapons in 2019, and went a perfect 22-for-22 in his save opportunities to start the season. Only recently against the Royals did that streak come to an end, but he has gone on to throw three scoreless outings since.

Before that unfortunate 5-run pasting at the hands of Kansas City, Hand's ERA for the year was a minuscule 1.05. However, his current 2.17 ERA over 37.1 innings still puts him among the top of his peers, as does his outstanding 13.26 rate of strikeouts per nine innings. Hand's 23 saves this year have him tied for third place on the MLB leaderboard, and second only to Aroldis Chapman in the AL.

I'm sure I speak for most Cleveland fans when I say we'd be happy for Hand to take this mid-season break to enjoy the All-Star festivities without actually having to throw a pitch. The team are going to rely upon him in a big way as we head towards September, and hopefully October. We'll need Hand at his best, and maybe a few days rest could be beneficial in the long run.

Shane Bieber - Starting Pitcher

In just his second season as a pro, 24 year-old Shane Bieber is the youngest starting pitcher to earn an All-Star berth for the Indians since CC Sabathia in 2004. The right-handed starter will be part of the AL's pitching staff since he was added as an injury-replacement for Texas pitcher Mike Minor.

At the start of the season Bieber was comfortably the Tribe's fifth starter, after an impressive rookie campaign in 2018. Yet, no one could have envisioned that, among a rotation including Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, and Mike Clevinger, it would be Bieber featuring at the All-Star Game.

Let there be no mistake - Bieber's selection is definitely warranted; the California native boasts an 8-3 record with a 3.45 ERA over 18 starts and 112.1 innings. His 141 strikeouts in that span rank him 8th overall in the entire league, ahead of noted flamethrowers Jacob deGrom, Stephen Strasburg and Blake Snell, among others.

Similar to Hand, I share the same feelings in regards to seeing Bieber pitch on Tuesday night. Preferably I would like to see him there having a great time but not actually play, resting that incredibly valuable right arm instead. He's been a dependable workhorse for Francona this year, one of just two pitchers in the rotation not to succumb to injury (the other being Bauer).

------------------------------

I will be making the effort to stay awake Tuesday night, a 00:30 start for me here in England. There was no way I would miss my team hosting the All-Star Game, and I am particularly excited to see Santana representing the Indians.

MLB London Series - Baseball in Blighty

Where do I begin? How can I possibly do justice to what I have seen these past two days, this historic series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox?

No recap can accurately describe the drama I witnessed this weekend but I'm here to try and share my thoughts and feelings nonetheless.

Saturday and Sunday saw nearly 120,000 fans make the pilgrimage to West Ham United's London Stadium to enjoy Major League Baseball on European soil for the first time in the sport's history.

This was no exhibition, these were real games that actually mattered, featuring some of the biggest and brightest stars to grace the modern game. In my nation's capital no less, essentially on my front door.

Enormous credit must go to MLB and their partners for successfully transforming what is widely considered a poor football stadium into a proper ballpark. They really nailed the baseball experience, from the concessions to the merchandise, to the music, the fireworks, the ticker-tape and streamers raining down upon us after the final out. It helped lend the entire weekend the authenticity this series needed to be a considered a true success.

MLB balanced their presentation perfectly, appealing to experienced fans like myself who don't need their hand held, but managed to avoid overwhelming the new fans in the crowd, the majority of which were likely enjoying their first taste of baseball in person.

What about the games themselves? Over two days we enjoyed:

50 runs.
65 hits.
Over 9 hours of play.

The Red Sox and Yankees scored more runs in the first inning of game one than I had witnessed in all eighteen innings of the two ballgames I had previously attended across the pond.

This famous rivalry is well known for it's lengthy games - a Sox-Yanks battle under two and half hours is widely considered an aberration - but I don't think many of us expected to be treated to this much baseball. The players certainly gave their audience value for money.

Saturday evening's game was played in temperatures well above 30 °C (or 86.0 °F for my American readers), tropical conditions most of us Brits are not accustomed to. The intense heat had not subsided by first pitch, at 6:10pm. I took my friend Sam to the game, as a giant thank you for hosting me in London all weekend, and this was his first experience of baseball, in person or on TV. He thoroughly enjoyed the game and the positive atmosphere, even if we did melt in the direct sunlight for multiple hours, stationed in the right field stands.

I've experienced heat like this before, particularly in New York, but I'm not sure I've ever felt sweatier than I did in my seat at the London Stadium. You know when you just feel wet everywhere? Yeah,that was me and Sam for the first few hours of the game.

Thankfully the bats of the Yankees and Red Sox were just as hot as our faces - the offensive display the players put on for us was incredible to behold.

This was definitely not a night for the pitchers, with both Rick Porcello and Masahiro Tanaka failing to survive the first inning. The bullpens didn't fair much better in fairness, as both the Sox and Yanks' hitters continued their barrage of finding holes in the infield or gaps in the outfield. That, or they just crushed the ball over the fence, much to the crowd's delight.

After the explosive, nearly hour-long first inning ended with the score tied at 6-6, the Yankees put their foot down and stretched their lead to 17-6 after five innings of play. You'd think an 11-run lead would be safe but Boston made a comeback in the sixth and seventh innings, cutting the score to 17-13. With tension restored in a close game, it felt like the Sox might perform a miracle but it wasn't to be, despite the very vocal Red Sox support around us in the outfield. Ultimately, New York emerged victorious, taking game one in impressive style.

First pitch for Sunday's game was 3:10pm and my Yankee-supporting wife was there to accompany me. I picked her up in the morning from Paddington and we made our way to Stratford, and thankfully the temperature was a little more forgiving than the day before.

Amber had already seen her beloved Yankees in their natural habitat on our honeymoon and was understandably excited to see them again, this time on our turf. Her favourite player is Aaron Judge (naturally) and a visit to the London superstore proved to be too much temptation; she quickly became the proud owner of a new Yankees jersey, complete with London Series sleeve patch and JUDGE 99 on the reverse.

Decked out in her new threads (hate or love the Yankees, the pinstripes are iconic), we made our way into the stadium to grab some food and find our seats. Similar to Saturday, I was still in right field but closer to the foul pole, with an unobstructed view that I could have zero complaints about.

Just like Saturday the runs came early and often, with Boston putting on a show for the Sox faithful, thanks to three home runs in the first inning. The fans around us were raucous in their celebration but the Yankees were not deterred and responded by demolishing the Red Sox bullpen in the seventh inning, tagging them for 9 runs to take the lead.

Despite all the chatter about London Stadium's dimensions being perfectly suited for the long ball, the Yankees scored their first 11 runs on Sunday without hitting a home run. That was until Didi Gregorius got us out of our seats to kickstart the eighth inning with an absolute monster over the right field wall. Amber was absolutely beaming as Didi rounded the bases - she was overjoyed to see a Yankees home run in the flesh. She wasn't the only satisfied customer, as I had Gregorius on my fantasy team.

The Red Sox made it interesting in the bottom of the eighth, scoring 4 runs and loading the bases, with the tying run at the plate. Yet again, the Boston fans made themselves heard but alas, the Yankees escaped with their 12-8 lead intact, and held on for the sweep.

As we left the stadium to the sounds of Frank Sinatra spreading the news, I could not deny what an amazing experience this had been. Everybody and everything was positive, I couldn't fault a thing.

For me, the highlight of this trip was not necessarily the games themselves but what they meant to the fans who have been following this sport for a while. The historic visit from the Yankees and Red Sox helped bring the UK baseball community together in celebration - I saw many of us call it a "festival of baseball" and it really was, with thousands of fans proudly wearing the colours of their chosen teams. Everywhere I looked were Red Sox and Yankees of course, but I saw hundreds of Blue Jays, Rays, Mets, Giants and Dodgers, among many others.

Some of us journeyed only a few miles for these games, some much further. Wherever home may be, the occasion gave us the opportunity to connect with each other when we normally wouldn't have.

With that said, I owe a huge amount of thanks to the team at Bat Flips & Nerds, to John, Darius, Ben and Tom. Without their generosity I never would've had the chance to experience the London Series the way I did, and I must give special thanks to Darius and Tom for helping me with arranging tickets. I cannot forget to mention all the other wonderful individuals I spoke to on the #Softball60 nights, all part of the wider UK MLB community which makes us so great.

After game two came to its conclusion, the face of the victorious Yankees, Aaron Judge, was interviewed and said, "We enjoyed it out here. We came in and did what we wanted to do, get a couple of wins and put on a show for the fans."

And what a show it was. We didn't want it to end.

The games may have been long, and the sun and the heat may have drained us, but it did not hinder our enthusiasm. I wanted to be there today for another game, and again tomorrow. I envy our American and Canadian friends who can attend a ballgame every day, every week.

The good news is MLB will return, in 2020 with the Cubs and Cardinals.

I aim to return as well.

I wouldn't miss it.

MLB London Series - Yankees vs Red Sox

Ahead of this weekend's historic visit to the UK from the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, I wrote a couple of profile pieces for Bat Flips & Nerds, our nation's leading authority on the great game of baseball.

Each post focuses on a respective legend from each of team; for the Yankees and I chose Joe DiMaggio, and for the Red Sox I opted for Pedro Martinez.

If you're new to baseball and want to brush up on a couple of these club's legends before the weekend, or even if you're an experienced fan and just want to reminisce, please see the links below:

Joe DiMaggio - The Yankee Clipper

Pedro Martinez - El Grande

Jason Kipnis - Kickstart My Heart

Over the course of his nine-year career in Cleveland, Jason Kipnis has experienced every emotion a ballplayer can possibly encounter. In recent years he's routinely had fans get on his back, constantly question him and demand his removal from the team on social media.

But how quickly things change.

Last night, Kipnis was a hero for the Indians like he has been so many times before, thanks to his 10th inning home run that brought a victorious end to a rain-delayed 3-2 victory over the Royals.

As a fanbase we're very quick to assign blame when the Indians are struggling. This is not unique to Cleveland, or even baseball. Sadly, Kipnis has found himself on the receiving end more than most. Once upon a time he was a fan favorite, but the fickleness of a sports fan can be a cruel beast, and before long Kipnis was catching flak for his below-par batting average and inability to stay on the field (hardly his fault).

There can be no doubting his effort though, and just when you think he might be done, the 32 year-old surprises you.

Some of the Kipnis cards added to my modest collection this month - good timing!

This month, Kipnis has helped spark the Indians back to life, putting the Tribe in the win column with regularity, posting a 15-6 record in June to keep the pressure on the Twins, still atop the AL Central.

Since the start of the month Kipnis has a batting line of .286/.325/.500 (BA/OBP/SLG) for a .825 OPS over 19 games and 70 at-bats. He's hit 4 home runs in that span, plus a double and a triple, with 17 RBIs for good measure. It's a small-sample size of course, but is much more like the Kipnis we came to love in his prime just a few years ago.

Kipnis was still struggling when the calendar flipped to June but on Father's Day he made an adjustment with his hands, and our second baseman has been on fire ever since; he's hit .471 with a 1.411 OPS in nine games, including all 4 of his home runs this month. After last night's win, Terry Francona said of Kip, "he has such good hitter’s hands that when he feels good he’s pretty dangerous.” Kansas City pitcher Wily Peralta learned that the hard way.

If the Indians are going to contend for a postseason berth, they will need their leaders like Kipnis to raise their game and continue performing at this level. This month the signs have been very good and the veterans like Kip, Carlos Santana, and Francisco Lindor have restored an air of positivity to this ballclub. It's perfect timing ahead of Cleveland hosting the All-Star Game in just a few weeks time.

Partnered with Jose Ramirez (hitting .326/.388/.558 since the middle of June) and the rookies Oscar Mercado and Bobby Bradley making an impact, things are starting to look up for both Kipnis and Cleveland.

Leonys Martin - Stealing History

Don't get carried away folks, but the Indians have been playing some solid baseball of late. They've gone 8-4 since the start of the month, including series wins over the Twins, Yankees and Tigers.

Both Jake Bauers and Leonys Martin have enjoyed historic success during this winning run, most notably in Detroit; Bauers and Martin etched their names into Indians history on back-to-back nights, when Bauers hit for the cycle in Friday night's 13-4 rout, and then Martin stole home in Saturday's 4-2 victory.

Today I'm going to pay special attention to Martin's ridiculous display of athleticism in the eighth inning of last night's win. For me, there's nothing in sport quite like a guy stealing home.

With the Indians holding onto a slim 3-2 lead, Martin led off the inning with a line drive into the right field corner and jogged into second base for an easy double. Francisco Lindor could only fly out to left field in the next at-bat but Martin had the presence of mind and raw speed to tag and take third base with surprising ease, no slide necessary.

Tigers reliever Victor Alcantara had only been in the game for a moment but had managed to recover and get two outs, after Cleveland rookie Oscar Mercado could only ground out. With Carlos Santana at the plate, easily Cleveland's most dangerous hitter in 2019, Alcantara had a lot on his mind as he started into his windup.

Alcantara bent down as he started his motion and Martin, alert and with a huge lead off third base, was watching the pitcher's every move. The veteran instantly spotted his opportunity. With Alcantara still staring at his feet, Martin broke for home and was hurtling down the line before the reliever was aware of what was going on.

Tigers catcher John Hicks was screaming for his pitcher to look up but it was too late, Martin was in full flow and already diving towards Hicks. Finally awake, Alcantara stepped off the mound and threw home but Martin’s hand got beneath the catcher's glove to touch home plate, and the ball rolled harmlessly away.

Martin was safe and the Indians led 4-2. It was a moment of pure inspiration from the Cuban center fielder.

Against all odds, Martin had pulled off a play rarely seen in the modern game, especially against a right-handed pitcher, who should theoretically see it developing every step of the way. That is, if they aren't staring at their feet.

Martin's historic play secured the Indians' first straight steal of home in 14 years, not since Grady Sizemore performed the feat in Toronto on 26th August 2005.

Many of us would consider stealing home a lost art. Some of the best baserunners in the game will go their entire career without ever doing it. Some don't feel comfortable and most won't risk it, not the chance of killing a rally or killing themselves - the chance of injury is significantly higher diving headfirst into an opposition catcher.

When I think of stealing home, my mind instantly conjures the image of Jackie Robinson, a master of the art, who famously stole home in the 1955 World Series against the Yankees' Yogi Berra. It is one of baseball's iconic moments - it should not be physically possible for a man to make up that much ground and succeed. For most, it isn't; the success rate for stealing home is extraordinarily low, between 20-30% this millennium.

Once upon a time, in the days of Ty Cobb, stealing home was a more common practice. The legendary Cobb set the single season record in 1912 with eight steals of home. These days it's unlikely the yearly total for all of major league baseball will surpass eight. Somehow even the husky Babe Ruth achieved it ten times in his career - it was certainly a different time! Nowadays though the game has changed; pitchers are not so elaborate in their delivery, third basemen hold would-be thieves closer to the bag, and the entire pace of the game is different, among other factors.

Thus, when you witness a steal of home in the twenty-first century, it is magic made real.

Leonys Martin, for one night at least, transported fans back in time and created history in the process. After everything Martin experienced in 2018, it's amazing for him to be playing at all, so we should rightly celebrate his historic achievement.

"How about that?!" called Indians radio broadcaster Tom Hamilton, as Martin picked himself up and celebrated with his teammates.

How indeed Tom.