SEATTLE — Terry Francona always makes sure he is in the visiting dugout or on the field pregame if the Guardians are in town when opposing teams honor their legendary players. He did so when the Red Sox honored Hall of Famer David Ortiz earlier this season.
With the Mariners adding Ichiro Suzuki to their franchise Hall of Fame this weekend at T-Mobile Park, you can bet Francona will be watching from the top step. Francona said Ichiro “changed the game” with his combination of speed, power and hitting ability when he arrived in the majors in 2001.
Ichiro will not be eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, until 2025, but he is widely expected to become the first Asian player to reach the Hall once he appears on the ballot.
“I just remember his first couple of years thinking ‘How are we going to get this guy out?'” Francona said. “You had to have your infielders play at double-play depth without a double play. He just had so many ways to impact the game.”
Ichiro particularly loved tormenting Cleveland, batting .324 with a .429 slugging percentage and .792 career OPS in 121 games. But his all-around talent is what left an impression on Francona and everybody who watched him play.
“He had ways to change every facet of the game,” Francona said. “You’d hear stories about him where in batting practice if he wanted to hit home runs, he would. Just an unbelievable talent.”
Straw gets a rest
After bruising his right shin in a collision with Jorge Alfaro at home plate on Wednesday, Guardians center fielder Myles Straw was not in Francona’s starting lineup for the opener in Seattle.
Will Benson replaced Straw in center, batting ninth. Francona said Straw wanted to play, but the decision was ultimately made to give him a day to rest.
“I told him, ‘We rely on your legs so much,'” Francona said. “I don’t want to reach for something we shouldn’t do and then have him not be able to play center the way he’s supposed to.”
Getting to know you
Thursday’s series opener is the first of seven games for the Guardians against Seattle in 12 days. The stretch should provide a good test for Cleveland’s playoff hopes, but Francona says every game is a test the rest of the way.
“I laugh when people talk about the schedule,” Francona said. “It’s Major League Baseball. Every game’s a good test.”
In recent years, it’s felt like Cleveland has seen a handful of teams in quick bursts. It can create concerns for teams when pitchers face the same lineup in consecutive starts.
Pitchers aren’t really crazy about facing a team and then facing them the next time,” Francona said. “As far as guys you don’t see as often, it helps the second time around because you’re a little better prepared.”
–
Guardians merchandise for sale: Here’s where you can order new Cleveland Guardians gear, including T-shirts, hats, jerseys, hoodies, and much more.
If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522- 4700.
More Guardians coverage
Cleveland Guardians will open the 2023 season on March 30 in Seattle
Cleveland baseball drummer John Adams set to enter Guardians Distinguished Hall of Fame
Guardians see AL Central lead grow as bullpen steps up: Podcast
Oscar Gonzalez, Andrés Giménez homer, Guardians bullpen dominates in 3-1 win against Padres
Richie Palacios returns to lineup with an eye on making an impact: Guardians Takeaways
Guardians make the most of their two-day mini vacation: Paul Hoynes
Cleveland Guardians-White Sox postponed game rescheduled for Sept. 15
Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres series preview, pitching matchups