Tales From the Teepee: Scott Bailes

Special to the TTO

He was the Tribe’s premier lefty in the mid to late ‘80s, a man who set the Indians’ record for wins for a rookie reliever (8 in 1986) and who threw 5 complete games and 2 shutouts as a starter in 1988. At the same time, he never had an E.R.A below 4.28 and, in that aforementioned 1988 season, he finished with a losing record and was demoted to the bullpen before the end of the season.

“Almost Never Fails” Scotty Bailes dumbfounded Indians management and the fans alike, at times showing flashes of averageness and, at other times, looking absolutely god-awful. Bailes had a whopping 13-year Major League career, and if that doesn’t say anything about the lack of quality left-handed pitching at the Major League level, I don’t know what does.
Bailes pitched at Southwest Missouri State and was drafted in the 7th round of the 1982 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He came to the Indians in 1985 as the “player to be named,” and made his Major League debut the next season.

In 1986, Bailes had a perfectly average season. In 62 appearances, most out of the bullpen, he finished 10-10 with 7 saves and an ERA just under 5.00. As I mentioned, all but 2 of those wins came in relief – maybe it’s just me, but that seems like an awful lot of decisions for a guy who made most of his appearances in relief. The 1986 Indians weren’t even that bad—sure they finished in 5th place in the AL East, but they won 84 games and all signs pointed to a team on the rise.

Bailes split his time between the rotation and the bullpen in 1987, making 17 starts and 15 relief appearances, compiling a record of 7-8 with a 4.64 ERA – the definition of an “Even Steven.” Due to the Tribe’s financial struggles, and the fact the Bailes made only $80,000—just above the league minimum, he was forced to take an off-season job as a nanny for a New Jersey family under the pseudonym “Charles,” disclosing his secret only to his best friend, Buddy.
In his breakout year in 1988, he had 2 shutouts and 5 complete games, but his record slid to 9-14 and he was demoted to the bullpen before the end of the season. The 1989 season brought more of the same, despite his career-low ERA of 4.28 he finished with a losing record, and the Tribe, facing yet another rebuilding process, dealt him to the Angels in the off-season for future International League Hall of Famer Jeff Manto.

Scotty 2 Hotty threw a few years with the Halos, remarkable to me only because he was only the second Tribe player I remember from my youth playing for another team after being dealt/discarded by the Indians, the first being Pat Tabler who was traded to the Royals the previous year. He was released in 1992, and kicked around the minors for a few years before retiring in 1995.

Shockingly, he made his comeback to the Majors in 1997 with Texas, where he pitched for 2 years before finally hanging it up for good after the 1998 season. He currently is a color analyst for the St. Louis Cardinals AA affiliate, the Springfield Cardinals.

by J-Neg

Tales from the Teepee: Julio Franco

Special to the TTO

Back in the day at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium, you could count on three things while sitting in the stands: John Adams’s drum, the troughs in the bathroom, and the “Juuuuuuuu-liiiiii-ooooooooo” chants whenever the Tribe shortstop/second baseman came to the plate.

Franco came to the Tribe in 1982 in a whopping 5 for 1 trade with the Phillies. The woeful Indians gave up prized prospect Von Hayes for Franco and future has-beens Manny Trillo, George Vukovich, Jay Baller, and Jerry Willard. Little did the Fightin’ Phils know, that only years later would Hayes abandon baseball altogether for a career in the World Video Boxing Association .

Franco had a solid, yet unspectacular, stint with the Indians from 1983 through 1988. He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year race, losing to future Tribe DH Ron Kittle. In his Indians career, he hit for average, hitting over .300 three times in six seasons, including .319 in 1987, but had little power. He was perhaps best known for his sweet man-perm and his bizarre batting style, in which he held the bat high, almost at eye level, and parallel to the plate before unleashing a long, uppercut swing. Rumor has it that Hayes, bitter about being traded by the Indians, was inspired by Franco’s swing when training his protégé, Don Flamenco, after he hung up his gloves in the WVBA.

Franco’s long swing caused him to lead the league in GIDP twice during the 1980s and finishing in the Top 10 in the category a whopping 7 times in 10 years. He would finish his career having hit into over 300 double plays in his career.

After the 1988 season, Franco was traded by the Tribe to the Texas Rangers for journeyman 1B Pete O’Brien and washouts Odibe McDowell and Jerry “The Governor” Browne. In Texas, Franco would find his greatest professional success: he was named to the All-Star team 3 straight years (1989-1991) and was named the MVP of the All-Star game in 1990. In 1991, he hit .341 and won the American League batting title.

After an injury-plagued 1992 season, a disappointing 1993 season where saw time mainly as a DH, and the strike-plagued 1994 season, Franco bounced around the Majors and played in Asia for the remainder of the 1990s, including a second stint with the Indians in 1996 and 1997.

Franco again came to prominence in 2001 with the Atlanta Braves, where he played 1B for several seasons. He would become the oldest regularly-playing position player in Major League Baseball history, as well as the oldest player ever to hit a home run and a grand slam, as well as the second-oldest ever to steal a base. He played briefly with the Mets before finishing his Major League career with the Braves at the end of the 2007 season. Franco attempted yet another comeback in the Mexican League before announcing his retirement in May 2008.

In the late 1980s, no one in Cleveland would have ever imagined that Franco would end up having the career that he did – multiple All-Star appearances, an AL batting title, four Silver Slugger awards, and over 4,200 hits (including the minor leagues, and the Japanese, Korean, and Mexican leagues) in 26 professional seasons. Franco himself attributes his success late in his career to his strict diet and exercise regiment as well as to being on the juice—the Jesus juice.

by J-Neg

Check out Julio Franco's career statistics here and see how ageless he really was by the years. A little website also sponsors the page as well.

Tales from the Teepee Volume 8: Alex Cole

With the Cleveland Indians of 2008 in desperate need of a true leadoff hitter, (Grady should be batting third), we decided to go back 18 years and look at who the Tribe felt would be their leadoff hitter for the next decade.

The year was 1990, and the John McNamara led Cleveland Indians were in need of a spark. Hank Peters had noticed that the St. Louis Cardinals possessed a slick fielding speedy outfielder who sported motorcycle goggles. With Mitch Webster not exactly tearing the cover off of the ball, the Indians went ahead and traded catching prospect Tom Lampkin for Centerfielder Alex Cole.

When Cole arrived in Cleveland, he was immediately put into the leadoff spot during a double header against the New York Yankees on July 27th. He went a combined 3-8 and stole his first base off of pitcher Jeff Robinson. That was the first of 40 stolen bases he would accrue over the next 63 games, a staggering feat. Just one week later he would set a Major League record by stealing 5 bases against the lollypop arm of Kansas City Royals catcher Mike MacFarlane. He ended the season batting .300 and driving in 13 runs. As an 11 year old back then, he instantly became my favorite player and I waited over 2 hours to get his autograph at a local baseball card shop that summer.

The Front Office was so excited about this projected future phenom patrolling center field for years to come they immediately moved back and increased the height of the center field wall in old Cleveland Municipal Stadium for the 1991 season. This was done to apparently maximize Cole's range and potential gap hit opportunities. Alex Cole was subsequently caught stealing 17 times that year and never showed his gold glove potential. The wall experiment didn't work as the Indians finished a dismal 57-105 and John McNamara was fired in the middle of the season. Murray Chass wrote about Cole's struggles in the New York Times on July 28, 1991. Here is what he said;

Alex Cole of Cleveland has posed this season's greatest stolen-base puzzle. As a rookie last season, starting a year ago yesterday, he had 40 stolen bases in 49 attempts in only 63 games. This season, he got his 12th stolen base last Thursday night in his 64th game, and he has been thrown out 12 times.

Ironically, Cole's performance in 1990 was pivotal in prompting the power-poor Indians to move back the Cleveland Stadium fences. They figured they would win with speed, primarily Cole's.

"I think it goes back to spring training when Alex fell coming out of the batter's box and dislocated his shoulder," Mike Hargrove, the Indians' manager, said, trying to explain the outfielder's enigmatic effort. "He's been tentative as a baserunner since. He's been hesitant about sliding headfirst, especially going back into first base. It's made him more cautious. He's not aggressive, and he doesn't get a good jump like he did."

Cole, Hargrove added, has played "like he doesn't want to make a mistake" and that, too, has made him cautious. "We did some things to calm his fears," the manager said. "We said if we make mistakes on bases, do it on the base ahead and not on the base behind. Go out and put pressure on the other team. We've let him know that no one's going to shoot him for being thrown out. No one's ever given him that idea. It's just a perceived notion of his that he's under pressure not to make mistakes."

Even though he has tried to steal only 24 times, Cole ranks second in the American League in number of times caught.

It was the beginning of the end for Alex Cole in a Tribe uniform, as he was traded on July 4th, 1992 to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor leaguer Tony Mitchell to give way to former University of Arizona point guard Kenny Lofton. Cole bounced around the majors the next 4 1/2 years with the Pirates, expansion Rockies, Twins and Red Sox. He was out of the league after the 1996, while bouncing around the minors a few years after that. Unfortunately this is not where the Alex Cole story ends.

In 2002 he plead guilty to possession with the intent to distribute heroin and served 18 months in jail. Four years later, a judgment in excess of $30,000.00 was entered against him for running up credit card bills under a friend's name and then not repaying them (i.e. stealing money).

I prefer to remember Alex Cole as I did 18 years ago, as a speedy centerfielder with the cool goggles. There wasn't much to root for with the Wahoos back then, and he provided hope for a prosperous future. Hopefully the current Indians regime can find a spark plug that they can stick at the top of the order to set the table so we don't have to suffer through anymore disappointing summers.

Tales from the Teepee Volume 7: Kevin Seitzer

The year was 1996, and the Indians were desperate for a veteran bat after they traded Eddie Murray back to Baltimore. August 31st was the last day to add a player to the post season roster, and John Hart felt he needed a spark to the lineup. Kevin Seitzer was added from the Milwaukee Brewers for a young outfield prospect named Jeremy Burnitz. Burnitz did have 7 homeruns and 26 RBI while batting .281 in 71 games. This was the first deal of a few more to come when Hart dealt up and coming players for veterans and specialty players (Casey, Giles, Graves). Kevin Seitzer did have a great month with the Tribe batting .386 with 1 homerun and 16 RBI in 83 at bats in September. He also batted .294 and drove in 4 runs during the ALDS, but the Indians fell to the Orioles in 4 games.

Terry Pluto wrote in his book, "Our Tribe," wrote this interesting story about Seitzer.

"In 1996, teammate Kevin Seitzer missed a couple of weeks with appendix surgery. When he returned to the team, (Manny) Ramirez was excited to see him back. He came up behind Seitzer and lifted him off the ground, putting his hands around Seitzer's waist.

Seitzer screamed in pain.

Ramirez quickly put him down.

"Manny," said Seitzer. "I just had an operation there."

"oh," he said. "I thought you had heart surgery."
Our Tribe, Terry Pluto page 66.
Yet another example of Manny being Manny.

Seitzer played as a role player in 1997 participating in 64 games and batting .268 while making the post season roster. He retired after the season, compiling a career batting average of .295. All Jeremy Burnitz did was have 6 seasons of 30 plus homeruns and 4 seasons of 100 plus RBI. These type of deals eventually spelled doom for the Tribe (see 2002-2004). Seitzer currently runs a baseball training facility in Kansas City with former Royals teammate Mike Macfarlane. I will always remember him as the professional hitter with the weird batting helmet whose last name ryhmed with mine.

Tales from the Teepee Volume 6: Jerry Browne

December 6, 1988 was the end of an era. I was 9 years old and my favorite Indian was Julio Franco. I emulated his batting stance, and always listened for the guy at old Municipal Stadium to yell "JUUUUUUUUUUUULIOOOOOOOOO." When the Tribe shipped fan favorite Franco off to the Texas Rangers for Oddibe McDowell, Pete O'Brien, and Jerry Browne. I was upset. The club spun the deal as getting three starters for one, which was true. But two of the starters that were sent back stunk badly, and one guy was mediocre. His name was Jerry Browne.

"The Governor" was one of the few MLB players born in the US Virgin Islands, succeeding Jose Morales. His best year as a Tribesmen was his first year, when he batted .299 with 5 homeruns and 45 RBI. He was only 23 at the time, viewed as a top prospect to some. Browne's next two years were less than stellar, leading to his subsequent release at the ripe old age of 25. Jerry bounced around for 4 more seasons, evolving into a utility player. He ended his career with the Florida Marlins.

Was Jerry Browne good? Not at all, but he was the best player in the horrendous trade of the 1989 All-Star second basement and eventual batting champion. Julio ended up playing until he was 50, and Jerry played until he was 29. Despite this glaring difference, The Governor will always have his magical 1989 season where the team finished with 73 wins.

Tales from the Teepee Volume 5: Paul Sorrento

Special to the TTO

There was nothing better than the Tribe at the Jake in the mid to late 90's. The '95 edition of the Wahoo Warriors fielded an All-Star lineup that won 100 games in a strike shortened season. Belle, Baerga, Lofton, Ramirez - all household names. But no one Indian captivated the hearts and minds of tribe fans more than Paul Sorrento. Paul was blue-collar all the way. A first baseman with limited range, in '95 Pauley batted a cool .235 but mashed 25 monster bombs. It was all or nothing with the mighty Paul Sorrento. He was the Average Joe that every once in a while would be that bolt of lightning that would lead to a big inning. More often that not he would strike out or send a weak grounder to short, but he did just enough to share time with Eddie Murray at first base.

Whether it be his signature Soprano style mullet, or the fan favorite giant bowl of spaghetti and meatballs that glowed from the Jacobs Field scoreboard each and every time Pauley stepped to the plate; tribe fans will forever hold a special place in their hearts and minds for Paul Sorrento.

Teepee Trivia Note of the Week - Paul Sorrento was the 1st Cleveland Indian to hit a grand slam at Jacobs Field.

by Frisky

Tales from the Teepee Volume 4: Jack Morris

Veteran Right-Hander Jack Morris was supposed to be one of the key off-season acquisitions for the Cleveland Indians in 1994. A 5-time All-Star and 4-time World Series Champion, he was brought in to provide veteran leadership along with Dennis Martinez and Eddie Murray. Morris posted a solid mustache and a solid 10-6 record, but yielded a hefty 5.40 era. A fiery competitor, he once told a female reporter in the locker room, "I don't talk to women when I'm naked, unless they're on top of me or I'm on top of them." Jack must not have liked his teammates too much either, as he often left the team during his one season with the Indians. Between starts he would fly back to his farm in Montana to tend to his wheat crops. His seed growin' led to his subsequent release on August 9th, a week before a baseball players' strike would end the season and cancel the 1994 World Series. Morris retired in 1995, but will always be remembered by Tribe fans as "Jack Morris pitched for the Indians? Really?"

Tales from the Teepee Volume 3: Keith Hernandez

World Series champion, NL MVP, 5-time all-star, 11-time gold glover, sitcom television star, Cleveland Indians first baseman. In 1990 the Cleveland Indians decided to shake up their squad by trading Joe Carter and replacing his bat with former New York Mets captain Keith Hernandez. "Mex" seemed to be the veteran leadership the Tribe was looking for, as he was signed to a 2 year $3.5 million dollar contract. Boy was Hank Peters wrong on this one. The Golden Mustache played in only 43 games for Cleveland, batting a solid .200 with one homerun. He subsequently retired the year after, laughing all the way to the bank. Everytime Tribe fans see him hawking hair dye with Walt Frazier on various cable channels, we cringe in disgust. If I ever have the displeasure of meeting this guy and he introduces himself as "I'm Keith Hernandez," I will definitely not be impressed

Tales from the Teepee Volume 2: Candy Maldonado

One of the few free agent acquisitions that actually worked in the early 90's was the signing of Candy Maldonado in 1990. He added veteran leadership and a power stick, clubbing 22 home runs and driving in 95 runs while batting .273. Sadly, "The Candyman" sought greener pastures as he signed a free agent deal with the Milwaukee Brewers the following season.

Maldonado made his triumphant return to Cleveland in 1993, being traded from the Chicago Cubs for the immortal GlenAllen Hill. This legend helped bring an end to the Cleveland Municipal Stadium era, while ushering in a new legacy that was Jacobs Field. The Candyman proved vital to the Wahoos by scoring the first run by an Indian in the new ballpark, leading them to a victory over the Seattle Mariners. He finished his big league career with the Texas Rangers in 1995, but was instrumental in the development of the young core tribesmen who went on to the World Series that same year. Maldonado now works for ESPN Deportes, but number 22 will live on in Indians lore forever.

Tales from the Teepee Volume 1: Cory Snyder

Each and every week we will be jumping in the DeLorean and revisiting some of our favorite Tribesmen of the past. Today's topic is number 28, Right fielder Cory Snyder. The year is 1987, and Cory had it all. A rifle arm, Hulk Hogan-Esq facial hair, and a long power stroke were just some of his stunning characteristics. Mr. Snyder was also featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, (along with the average Joe Carter.) That year he batted a solid .236 with 33 home runs, 82 rbi, striking out 166 times while amassing 31 walks.

The stage was set for a hall of fame career when injuries popped, so he was unceremoniously traded to the Chicago White Sox for Eric King and Shawn Hillegas. The fourth overall pick in 1984 was now away from the franchise he learned to grow and love forever, but tribe fans will never soon forget his flowing blond locks. Cory is now the manager of the newly formed St. George (Utah) Roadrunners of the independent Golden Baseball League. I am certain their players will be mentored efficiently.