Indians New Skipper Skips Poetry But Gets Point Across
By Craig Marks of Akron Leader

When Charlie Manuel helmed the Cleveland Indians, the highlight of his winter press tour speech was his poem about the time he won a ballgame with a clutch home run. (It turned out to be only a dream). The take was homespun and filled with charm, much like the man who told it.

Eric Wedge, the Indians’ new manager, did not use poetry in his speech at the Sheraton Suites January 30. But the message he conveyed could be summed up in a short couplet: My way, or the highway.

Wedge may be a rookie manager, but he knows how the game should be played and accepts nothing less from his players.

“If they take care of their business,” he said in his post-dinner remarks, “the rest will take care of itself. Because I’m accountable for everything, I make them accountable for themselves.”

“If people choose not to be on board, we’ll eliminate them,” said Wedge. “That sounds pretty hard but that’s OK. We’re not in the business of losing games. This is a new beginning.”

Wedge, who managed the Akron Aeros in 2000, told the crowd what he expects his players to do: Trust your teammates. Go hard for 162 games. Play with heart and passion.

“We’re going to respect the game of baseball,” he said. “We’re all going to be on the same page. We’ll move in the right direction.”

Outfielder Milton Bradley played for Wedge during parts of the 2001 and 2002 seasons as a member of the Buffalo Bisons.

“My first experience as a Cleveland Indian was under him,” said Bradley. “He’s an aggressive guy. He’s straightforward. He doesn’t beat around the bush, and that’s all you can ask for.”

Announcer Tom Hamilton, who was the master of ceremonies for the event, believes Wedge is the right person to guide the 2003 Indians.

“Eric’s a no-nonsense guy, and I think that’s critical when you have a young ball club,” he said. “To me, it’s no different than raising your children. You do it the right way from day one. You don’t start to discipline your children in high school. It’s too late then.”

“Eric will make sure this ball club will do the little things, and they’ll do them from day one of spring training. So that once we start playing the games for real in April, guys will know that this is the way it’s got to be done.”

Wedge’s words will be loud and clear.

“He’s very passionate in what he believes and how he wants to get his message across,” said second baseman John McDonald.

Wedge told the crowd at the Sheraton that 2003 should not be called a rebuilding year. Because of the moves already made by General Manager Mark Shapiro, the pieces are in place.

“When somebody tells me we’re rebuilding, they’re telling me that these guys aren’t as good as other players,” he said. “I don’t buy that. That’s an excuse, and that’s no good.”

“There is going to be a learning curve. But I’ll tell you what-we’re going to surprise some people.”