Cleveland Sports Forum

Rosen hopes to be remembered for resilience

Former Indian is subject of documentary about his success as player, executive

By Mark Emery / MLB.com | 8/22/2013 4:55 P.M. ET

CLEVELAND --

Tough and resilient. That's how Al Rosen would like to be remembered.

Before his unanimous Most Valuable Player Award in 1953 or Executive of the Year Award in '87, "Flip" Rosen was a youngster from Spartanburg, S.C., who withstood his parents' divorce and severe asthma. He won Golden Gloves as a high school boxer and manned an assault boat in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II.

In the Minor Leagues, a manager told him he'd never make a career out of baseball. And as a big leaguer, Rosen ran into anti-Semitism as well. In one game, he walked over to the opposing team's dugout to find out which player had been shouting at him. That player never revealed himself.

It was Rosen's resolve to play through pain and injuries that almost certainly shortened his career, and though it lasted just seven full seasons -- all in Cleveland -- Rosen accomplished so much that the Indians inducted him into the franchise's Hall of Fame. And now, 60 years after his marvelous '53 season, Rosen is the subject of a documentary entitled "Beating the Odds - Making Elmer Yoter Eat His Words: The Al Rosen Story."

The film, supported by the Indians and written and produced by Bill Levy, went on sale in Indians Team Shops on Friday. Its title acknowledges the manager who misjudged Rosen and told the former third baseman, "Son, go home and get a lunch pail, because you're never going to be a ballplayer." But Rosen was just that in 1,044 Major League contests, posting a .285 batting average, 717 RBIs and 192 home runs, while appearing in four All-Star Games.

In '50, Rosen set a rookie record with 37 home runs, which led the American League. Three years later, he paced the AL with 43 homers and 145 RBIs and came within .001 batting average points of the Triple Crown.

"The feeling, of course, at the end of it, there was remorse," said Rosen, who would have been the batting champ with a hit in his last at-bat. "At the beginning, going into the final day, I was elated and excited about the fact that I might have a chance to do that, win the Triple Crown. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way.

"As I look back on it, I had a great year, and I really have no regrets at all."

In the 1954 All-Star Game, held at Cleveland Stadium, Rosen earned MVP honors by going 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs. Rosen also reached the 100-RBI mark in five straight seasons, from '50-54.

Rosen participated in two World Series with the Indians, who beat the Boston Braves in '48 and lost to the New York Giants in '54. Though the latter Fall Classic is discussed more in the documentary, Rosen is quick to point out that the '48 Series had a better ending, although he played a minor role in the victory.

"I was just an add-on for the '48 game. I had nothing to do with their winning," said Rosen, who went 0-for-1 in Game 5. "My only claim to fame in that game is that [former manager Lou] Boudreau used three pinch-hitters, and I was the only one who didn't strike out. I say, 'That was my great accomplishment in that Series.'"

Rosen remembers how special that championship was for Cleveland, a city that's continued to carry great meaning for him through the years. It's where he watched his sons come into the world and where he himself became an adult. It's a place where he might very well have preferred to live all of his life. For Rosen, to see the ever-supportive fans get the opportunity to celebrate a championship was rewarding.

"I remember getting off the train early in the morning and [seeing] the lines of people all up and down Euclid Avenue," Rosen said. "It was just amazing. I rode in a convertible with the top down, sitting on the back. All those people along [the street], I'd never seen anything like that. I was a small-town boy, grew up in a small-town way. I didn't realize there were that many people in the world, and they were all out there. It was cold, but they were cheering their heroes. I was so thrilled to be a part of it. It's always been a part of my fondest memories."

After playing his last game in '56, Rosen spent time as a stockbroker before returning to baseball about two decades later. He served as president or general manager for three Major League clubs: the Yankees ('78-79), Astros ('80-85) and Giants ('85-92). It was in San Francisco where Rosen became the first and only person to ever win Executive of the Year honors after being named MVP. Under Rosen, the Giants, who finished in last place in 1985, made it to the National League Championship Series in '87 and the World Series in '89.

Rosen served as an inspiration to many people, one of whom is Indians president Mark Shapiro, "because [Rosen] achieved elite levels of success as a player and then as a front-office executive."

"And, of course," Shapiro said in the documentary, "I was raised in a Jewish household, so for this guy to have achieved those things, and also with his Jewish heritage, [it was] something that was unique and probably special to me as well."

Today, the 89-year-old Rosen still keeps up with baseball, pondering how he might try to fix this team or that. Living in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Rosen plays bridge nearly every afternoon with his wife, Rita. Arthritis in his hands makes golfing difficult, although he's confident that he has plenty of rounds ahead of him. And he continues to work out three times per week.

"We do what old folks do," Rosen said. "We go out to dinner. I'm not quite into the early-bird special yet, but I'm close."

So many years later, Rosen never forgot about Yoter. If their paths had ever crossed again, Rosen wouldn't have greeted him with anger. More than anything, he is grateful.

"I'd walk up and say, 'Thank you. Thank you for putting a little steel in my back,'" Rosen said. "If somebody tells you you can't do something, the best thing you can do is go out and prove him wrong."


Mark Emery is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Al Rosen, Larry Doby, Luke Easter, Bobby Avila, Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, and Jim Hegan were my most favorite Indians when I was growing up.

Can you name these guys?

Some of those faces are familiar but cannot connect any names. Perhaps they were from a little before my time (like Joe's list of favorites). I came along as a Tribe fan just as they were coming off their decade of brilliance.

Don't forget Lou Boudreau and Ken Keltner.

Not sure, but I think...From right to left: Tito Francona, Russ Nixon, Woodie Held, George Strickland, Vic Power, Jim Piersall, Billy Martin, Minnie Minoso and unidentified pitcher (Gary Bell?) Would have been 1959.

I thought that was Martin. Yes, that's Strickland, and Power, all the others seem possible but can't say I really recognize them. Pitcher does have a sort of baby-faced look I remember for Bell.

Terry Pluto's Talkin' .

on August 24, 2013 at 3:00 PM, updated August 24, 2013 at 3:38 PM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's almost September and we're talkin' about a meaningful baseball team:

About Mickey Callaway ...

"I hope they know what they're doing."

That's what ran through my mind when the Indians hired Mickey Callaway as pitching coach.

Confession time: I had serious doubts about Callaway. I didn't write it, because Callaway deserved a chance. I figured Terry Francona has hired coaches for years, so he must have had his reasons for Callaway -- beyond the fact that the front office liked Callaway.

In the previous four years, the Tribe had four pitching coaches: Carl Willis (2009), Tim Belcher (2010-11), Scott Radinsky (2012) and Ruben Niebla (2012).

Here's a brief history:

1. Willis had been with the Tribe during the Eric Wedge Era (2003-09). When Wedge was fired, Willis was set to leave, too. But in his final (2009) season, the Tribe had a 5.06 ERA under Willis. He went to Seattle with Wedge.

2. Belcher had the job the next two seasons, and the Tribe was pleased with him -- the ERA dropping from 5.06 (Willis) to 4.30 and 4.23. But Belcher didn't like being away from his family so often, so he returned to his job as a front office assistant.

3. Last season was a nightmare, as Scott Radinsky was promoted from bullpen coach to pitching coach. He was fired in late July, and replaced by minor league pitching coordinator Niebla. The Tribe's ERA soared to 4.78, dead last in the league.

4. During this same period, Callaway was the pitching coach at Class A Lake County (2010), Class A Carolina (2011) and Minor League Pitching coordinator (2012). Three years of coaching, none close to the big league level. He pitched from 1996-2008, mostly in the minors. His big league record was 4-11 with a 6.27 ERA.

So that was the story when Francona was named manager after the 2012 season.

Remember, it's unfair to put the entire credit or blame on a pitching or hitting coach. So many factors are out of their control. But the Indians haven't ranked better than 10th in ERA (4.23 in 2010) in the last four years. The last time the Tribe actually had a good pitching staff was 2007. Their ERA was 4.05, but this was nearing the end of the steroid era when the average team ERA was 4.51.

When Francona was hired, the deal on the coaching staff was that it would "be a collaboration," as General Manager Chris Antonetti called it. In real terms, Francona had a major say over whom he wanted to hire.

"We were not going to bring in anyone unless Tito really liked him," said Antonetti.

The biggest hire was pitching coach, and the Tribe had six names on an original list. Antonetti said it came down to three finalists: A coach from another organization, Niebla and Callaway.

When a veteran manager comes in, he often has his own pitching coach in mind. For example, Wedge was tied to Willis dating back to their days in the minors. But Francona had an open mind, and Callaway emerged with the job.

Kevin Cash was hired as bullpen coach. He had a connection to Francona, as Cash was a catcher with the Red Sox when Francona managed. Third base coach Brad Mills had been on Francona's staffs in Philadelphia and Boston, and Mills had been a manager with Houston.

But the rest of the staff came from different places.

Bench coach Sandy Alomar was the Tribe's interim manager for the final week of 2012. First base coach Mike Sarbaugh came from the Tribe's farm system, where he had managed for eight years. Hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo had a long coaching career in the minors and majors. He had a solid track record.

But Callaway?

Who knew that the Tribe's ERA would be 3.99 heading into this weekend, or that they'd lead the American League with 15 shutouts.

Francona said that from the first day on the job, Callaway seemed "like a veteran, a good major-league pitching coach."

But as the season progressed, consider the following:

1. Justin Masterson went from 11-15 and a 4.93 ERA last season to a 14-9 record with a 3.50 ERA and an All-Star berth.

2. Ubaldo Jimenez was 9-17 with a 5.40 ERA, perhaps the worst starter in the majors last season. He is 9-8 with a 3.95 ERA this year. Not a star, but at least Jimenez is serviceable.

3. Corey Kluber's career seemed stalled (43-49, 4.39 ERA in the minors; 2-5, 5.35 ERA in the majors) until this season, when he's 7-5 with a 3.54 ERA.

4. He helped Scott Kazmir (7-6, 4.39) rebuild a lost career where he wasn't even with a big-league organization a year ago.

There are other examples of success, but those four are the most dramatic because of the progress made by those pitchers.

Coaches aren't miracle workers. Callaway has to help the gifted Carlos Carrasco become a viable starter. Vinnie Pestano has had some injuries and confidence issues, and has gone from one of the game's top set-up men to the minors. He wasn't able to find a way to get Nick Hagadone to throw strikes.

But overall, Callaway has been nearly as important as Francona, in terms of impact on the players.

"He's pretty special," Francona said in a recent interview. "I'd never have believed it (how quickly Callaway earned the trust of the pitchers). When you stand next to a guy (in the dugout) for 162 games ... you learn a lot. The game never speeds up on Mickey ... He's a star."

Indians grant fan's homer wishes
Updated: August 25, 2013, 4:10 PM ET
Associated Press
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Indians Use Long Ball To Top Twins

Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis each hit two-run homers in the Indians' 7-2 win over the Twins.
CLEVELAND -- An 8-year-old Cleveland Indians fan with cerebral palsy had a wish straight out of Hollywood: He asked two of his favorite players to hit home runs.

And Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis sure know how to follow a script.

Before Saturday's game against the Minnesota Twins, Niko Lanzarotta and his family were on the field watching the Indians take batting practice. The youngster met several players and asked Santana and Kipnis if they would hit knock one out of the park for him.

How could they say no?

Santana, who is Niko's favorite player, hit a two-run homer in the first. Kipnis added a two-run shot in the third. Niko's night was made complete when the Indians defeated the Twins 7-2.

Niko and his family live in suburban Strongsville. Niko was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at eight months. The Indians, who are fighting for a playoff spot, may want to give Niko a ticket for the remainder of the reason. Cleveland has won all six games he's attended.

Niko came to the game with his parents, Mike and Kasia. It turned out to be a memorable trip for everyone.

"It was an awesome experience," Mike Lanzarotta said. "It was the best day of his life. To meet Carlos, to be that close, and for him to hit a home run. ... To see your kid that happy is a great thing."

Both players were pleased they were able to grant Niko's wish.

"They told me I was their favorite player, and I promised to hit a home run for him," Santana said.

"He must be a good luck charm for us two," said Kipnis, who broke an 0-for-19 slump earlier in the game and homered for the first time since July 21.

Mike Lanzarotta said his son fell in love with baseball playing in an area league that's open to children with disabilities. Niko's passion for the game also includes following the Indians.


Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press

Nice story, RUSTY
Here's a pic to go with it:

Get that kid tickets for the remainder of the Detroit games, please.

We have to play Detroit again?

Cleveland Indians a playoff contender in late August, who would've guessed?
Terry Pluto


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With this Tribe team, who really knows anything? Or maybe it just me … I can never quite figure out these guys.

At the start of the season, I thought the starting rotation would be a problem. A big, big problem. I thought Trevor Bauer would be in the rotation and that Scott Kazmir would be injured.

I thought Corey Kluber would be in the minors and that Brett Myers would be a mess (at least I got that right). I thought Ubaldo Jimenez would … Wait a minute, who really knows what Ubaldo would do? In spring training, I did write two columns about how I thought "Ubaldo would be better," intentionally being very vague.

I certainly didn't think the Tribe would have a 2.98 ERA over the last 40 games, or that in the last week of August, they would be 71-59.

They've done that with Vinnie Pestano in the minors, free agents Mark Reynolds and Myers not on the active roster and Nick Swisher having one of the worst years of his career.

But they still have their best record since 2007 after going 68-94 last season.

Baseball is fun again

The Tribe has lost at least 93 games in three of the last four years. It's been a bad baseball team for a while. But not now.

I know, they can't beat the Tigers (3-13). They looked very bad against Boston, Tampa Bay and New York (a combined 4-16). But it's the last week in August, and the Indians are six games behind the Tigers, and only 1.5 games out of a wild-card spot.

They may drive you nuts because they are streaky, and they are capable of looking awful. Yet they have nine walk-off victories, and 19 wins in their final at-bat.

It's hard to believe, but the Tribe is fifth in the American League in runs scored. A year ago, they were 13th. Most of all, they are fun to watch … at least most of the time.

Jason Kipnis has said, "This team leads the league in hugs." That may be right, and it's nice to see.

Back from baseball dead

Three weeks ago, the Tribe was in the process of being swept by the Tigers in four games at Progressive Field. Goodbye Central Division. Then they lost two of three to the Angels. So long to the wild card after a 1-6 homestand with a nine-game trip coming up.

At that point, the Tribe was still a very respectable 63-55. But a fan had that sinking feeling. Last August, the team was 5-24. Would it be more of the same?

Well, the Tribe has a 12-11 record this month.

Big trip ahead

It could get ugly. The Tribe has a nine-game stretch against Atlanta, Detroit and Baltimore, the first six on the road.

Right now, scoring runs for the Tribe is harder than trying to extract a wisdom tooth with toothpick. They average only 3.5 runs and are batting .227 this month.

The usually reliable Michael Brantley is batting .212 in August. But he's not the worst. Consider these August averages: Asdrubal Cabrera .192, Jason Giambi 147, Lonnie Chisenhall .132. Jason Kipnis is at .253, followed by Nick Swisher (.231), Carlos Santana (.225) and Michael Bourn (.215). And these guys (Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes are tops at .283) are 12-11 in August?

How? Pitching is a big part. The rotation of Justin Masterson, Zach McAllister, Danny Salazar, Jimenez, Kazmir and Kluber (now injured) has been terrific. The bullpen has been sound. We all knew that Marc Rzepczynski would show up and not give up a run in his first 9.1 innings.

Change that worked

"Change the culture" is one of those corporate mission statements that has drifted into sports. Almost every new regime talks about it. But the Indians succeeded, starting with manager Terry Francona, along with the additions of veterans Drew Stubbs, Matt Albers, Bryan Shaw, Raburn, Aviles, Kazmir, Bourn, Swisher and Giambi.

You can say that more is expected from Bourn and Swisher, given their hefty contracts. And you're right. But remember, these guys replaced the likes of Casey Kotchman, Shelley Duncan and all the rest. At least Bourn and Swisher don't look hopeless at the bat.

And neither are the Indians, who are … guess what? … a playoff contender in late August.

The lady that caught the home run ball that Santana hit for the boy with CP just called in to ESPN 850 to tell them she wanted to give the ball to the boy.

rusty2 wrote:The lady that caught the home run ball that Santana hit for the boy with CP just called in to ESPN 850 to tell them she wanted to give the ball to the boy.

How could that be? I thought everyone in Cleveland was a horrible person, nothing but a bunch of Obama loving leaches on society?