CLEVELAND — The Indians highlighted their Opening Day pregame festivities in fitting fashion Friday — with a tribute to Bob Feller, the legendary Hall of Fame pitcher who passed away in December.
Banners of Feller’s military picture and him in his famous high leg kick windup sandwiched an oversized jersey with his No. 19 that hung on the outfield wall below the bleachers. A montage of Feller’s storied life ran on the Progressive Field videotron.
The most touching moment came when Feller’s wife Anne was escorted to the mound, where she placed a baseball that she had written on with the words, “Bobby Keep Pitching Anne.”
Following pregame announcements, the Indians stood on the third-base line wearing jerseys with Feller’s number, as a moment of silence was observed.
“That’s the least we can do for Bob,” manager Manny Acta said. “Bob gave his life and soul for the Cleveland Indians. No one will ever be associated with the Cleveland Indians the way he is.”
The Indians will wear patches with Feller’s number and his windup on all of their game jerseys for the remainder of the season.
Feller’s number has already been retired, and now so is his longtime spot in the press box — the Bob Feller Memorial Press Box Seat — which is adorned by memorabilia in a glass case.
Fielding finesse
When asked what excited him the most about his team to start the season, Acta pointed to the Indians’ defense.
“I was very excited not seeing balls kicked around and thrown around this spring,” Acta said. “We knew that our offense was going to be better. Our defense was something we needed to stress.”
Cleveland’s defense, which ranked near the bottom of the American League (.982 fielding percentage, 110 errors), is expected to improve with the addition of two-time Gold Glove award winner, second baseman Orlando Cabrera, defensive-minded third baseman Jack Hannahan and the return of Gold Glove center fielder Grady Sizemore.
Cleaning up
Acta has no concerns with Carlos Santana batting in the cleanup spot in the order despite the catcher owning less than a year of big league experience and coming off a season-ending injury.
“He’s done it his whole life,” Acta said of the minor league phenom, who had an impressive rookie year cut short last season by a knee surgery. “To me, Carlos was born to be a run producer. He was born to hit in the middle of the lineup. We feel real comfortable with Carlos at the plate.”
At least for a game, Santana rewarded Acta’s confidence, with a 3-for-5 performance Friday that included a home run and three RBIs.
“I do it in the minor leagues,” said Santana of batting fourth. “I feel comfortable. I feel happy the manager has confidence to put me in the fourth spot in the lineup.”
Clubhouse convo
Acta said he gave his preseason pep talk Thursday, addressing players after the workout at Progressive Field.
“‘Let’s win,’” Acta said of his message. “That’s pretty much it. ‘Believe in yourselves and let’s do it. It’s gonna be a long ride.”’
Hollow honor?
Indians second baseman Orlando Cabrera agrees with some fans that feel the Gold Glove award has become a hitting contest.
“You have to be Omar Vizquel to win a Gold Glove without hitting .280,” Cabrera said. “If you don’t hit, but you play really good defense, you’re probably not going to win a Gold Glove.
“You look at last year, out of the eight guys, seven or eight of them went to the All-Star Game. It’s like they were waiting for them to hit. I think it’s getting crazy.”
Actually, six of the eight American League All-Star starters — catcher Joe Mauer, second baseman Robinson Cano, shortstop Derek Jeter, third baseman Evan Longoria, right fielder Ichiro Suzuki and left fielder Carl Crawford — won Gold Gloves in 2010.
Cabrera, who is in his first year as a full-time second baseman, won the Gold Glove as a shortstop in 2001 with the Expos and 2007 with the Angels. He did not make the All-Star game on either occasion.
“The two times that I won’t I believe that I deserved it,” he said. “Nowadays, you never know.”
Grady gab
Sizemore (microfracture) was scheduled to play for Double-A Akron on Friday, manning center field for five innings in a minor league game in Goodyear, Ariz.
Sizemore is expected to play every other day, increasing his innings count to a full game before joining the Indians possibly before May.
Roundin’ third
A crowd of 41,721 fans accounted for the 18th straight sellout in the home opener at Jacobs/Progressive Field. … Hannahan’s home run in the seventh inning was his first since Aug. 26, 2009, while playing for Oakland against Kansas City. … Today, 1:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM, WEOL 930-AM. Carlos Carrasco (first start) vs. Edwin Jackson (first start).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroncilet.com.
