Sandy Mania, Acta Thoughts and Other Stuff

5:02 PM: A big die off to the University of Akron network today. They were having all sorts of issues and this post was DONE around noon today but lovely jerks didn't let me publish it.. Be back tomorrow, hopefully in the morning with what I promise at the end of this one.

Gather yourself.

So wow.

Acta talked to Les Levine on Monday at 6:00 on Time Warner's NEON channel. It was his first one on one with a Cleveland media type and it was the first time he had some interaction with the fans.

A day later he did his second sit down in as many days with Bruce Drennan and right off the bat he dropped his first bombshell.

After a week ago when Omar Minaya was emphatic about Sandy Alomar Jr. remaining on staff for the New York Mets, I sort of just filed that one away under disappointment.

But something obviously changed that situation in a hurry.

Acta had a wide smile on his face yesterday and you could tell Bruce didn't even know what was about to go down. He knew Sandy had an announcement to make and he caught me off guard with such an announcement when he said he had a coaching hire.

The wheels turned in that one minute, who could it possibly be that he's waiting to announce on this program?

Then it all made sense with Sandy Alomar Jr.'s name was blurted out of his mouth. He barely finished the Junior before Bruce burst into cheering. Acta made the announcement live on the air on the Cleveland Indians own network. Then it hit the internet and I don't have to tell you the reaction.

I knew this was the reaction.

There is not one bad word I've read about the hire.

In fact, some have even gone as far as to praise the Indians for "finally doing something right."

Which we all know is crazy in itself, but even Joe Casual is pumped. Facebook reactions are all positive, there is no point in going over them!

Which is great. Like I've said in the past, I'm not one for hire him because he's a former Indian or hire him because the fans will want him. I look at that as a bonus. Sandy Alomar Jr. made sense and I wouldn't have brought him up in the initial stages as a possibility if I didn't think his hiring would make sense on the field.

If you now look at the staff, you now look at how well-rounded they are and the personalities and people we have.

Acta is at the top, bringing the Latin background as well as the expert communication and personality skills.

Tolman is his bench coach, someone who Manny feels will challenge his opinion (we'll get into that) and someone who's played the outfield, so there's someone for players to relate to.

Smith is his third base coach and infielders coach. A fiery personality that contrasts not only the current manager, but any other coach this team has had in the past few years.

Alomar at first base and to also instruct catchers. You know his primary job is to work the catching and that's big when you consider the Indians have arguably the top catching prospect in the entire game.

Belcher as the pitching coach. A successful major league pitcher who has had success and experience with not only instructing at every level, but with some of the current players on the roster and the ones that will be.

Radinsky as the bullpen coach. Again, someone who had success at the major league level as a reliever, working with players that he's had before. Working with guys he's had a relationship with. And as we've learned, his personality is one that you can be excited about.

All that's left is a hitting coach.

So.. Inside organizational hires: 2. Outside organizational hires: 3.

They figured it would be split 50/50, well if indications that Jon Nunnally is the favorite come true, it will be as Nunnally would make 3 inside hires.

The sad part in all of this is the fact that we won't get to see Torey Lovullo on this staff, which is something I really set my own heart to seeing. But hey, like I've said, Lovullo has a future as a major league manager, I truly believe that. I don't mind seeing him in Columbus for another year if that's the case.

Let's get back on track for a second.

Last bit on Alomar... Acta said the following.

"Sandy's a guy we had in mind from Day 1," Acta said. "We had to respect the position he had with the Mets, but he has a lot to bring to us [in working] with our young catchers, Lou [Marson] and possibly [Carlos] Santana down the road. Sandy loves it here, and he's loved by the community. We're very happy to have him here."

The Mets did in fact grant the Indians permission and as Acta said, it was Sandy's decision from there on out. When it came down to it, what did you think he would do? If you are offering him the same position as Cleveland is, I think Sandy has so many fond memories here, that he almost would kill to switch and I think that's what happened.

It is a slight upgrade over what he was doing with the Mets and I don't know if they offered him a higher position than what he had now, but he's a Cleveland Indian again and that's all that matters.

Alright so Acta was on Levine's show on Monday and Bruce's show Tuesday. He didn't spend as much time on ABAO and a lot of his chatter was about his family and his past and stuff we've been over or repeated from Monday, so I'll just review what went down then and I think it should blanket everything.

- On Tim Tolman as his Bench Coach: He's familiar with the Indians and not only a friend of Acta's, he's worked with him, Manny's played for him and he won't be afraid to talk to or challenge Manny when it comes to things. Remember Manny wanted someone who's wheels would be turning at the same time his was and as he definitely stated after Levine asked him, He didn't want a simple "yes" man. So while Tolman might be his friend, he won't be nodding with every move Manny makes and that's ultimately what you want in a bench coach. Someone who isn't afraid to challenge some thinking and if Acta is open to that, I think it has the groundwork of a successful hire.

- On Frank Robinson Talking to Him About Cleveland: Frank Robinson actually called Acta right away and told him nothing but good things about Cleveland. He said he made an excellent choice. That's good to hear from a legend.

- On the Lidle Plane Crash: I threw this in here because I found it very interested. Remember or not, Acta lived in the apartment that was hit by Cory Lidle's plane. Acta said he was about 10 stories below where the plane had actually hit, but he left 30 minutes before the crash happened. Couldn't even imagine what he was thinking when he found out.

- On Choosing Cleveland: Acta said he zeroed in, and this is something we've known, on a few teams when he was sitting at home after he got fired. He watched a lot of Houston and Cleveland because he knew there could be a chance obviously, but he also watched some New York and Washington because they were places he worked. Overall Manny said there are a lot of good pieces in Cleveland and that the farm system is rich and that was something he was attracted to. Again he started naming players and even through in some Jeanmar Gomez.

- On Jhonny Peralta: Manny continued to talk about how Peralta is a key for the team and even said he talked to Peralta on Sunday. Sounds like he now knows what Eric Wedge did about his attitude. He may look like he doesn't care, but he really does and doesn't choose to show it. Hey that's Peralta, and some guys don't wear their emotions on their sleeve. Hopefully Acta can form a good relationship with JP and turn him around.

- The lineup: For the first time, Manny actually expanded on some of his ideas. He said right now, Sizemore probably will be leading off based on the fact that he's done it before and too much pressure shouldn't be put on Brantley. He did say in the future though, he'll probably move Sizemore down to the middle of the order when the "young kids" are eased in. Brantley will hit at the bottom for now.

- A Set Lineup: Manny did say that in a perfect world, a set lineup from day one would be something he wants. But he did say those things also have a way of working themselves out. What I get from that is, he might not have something set from day one and he might have to shuffle a few times throughout the season, but eventually, the main pieces, provided they are healthy, are going to settle into a specific spot and a specific role. I think that's positive thinking. He also said he didn't know what happened last year or in previous years, be it injuries or whatever, but he wants a set lineup where positions are set, batting spots are set and it's from the start.

- Catcher: They are "exploring options" but the young kids will get opportunities. He mentioned Shoppach's name, but he seemed to be saying "Lou" more than a few times.

- Pitch Counts: Believes in them, but he believes in what the pitcher is doing at the time. He'll take a guy out when he sees him getting killed. But if he's pitching good he'll leave him in. That's common sense (again, wait for it) at it's finest. Also said you need to take into consideration age, what happened in the last inning, and even the last game, all that stuff.

- On the Poor April starts: Manny Acta wants to win regardless. He isn't going to put max effort in from day one of Spring Training, but he is going to stress winning all the games. There is no "on switch" for when it ends. He also said int he AL Central, a good start is important.

- Mangers Personality: Acta said when a team is young, like this one will be, it's important because they take after their leader. He knows what's up. He gets it. He said treat them like your own kids and get the best out of them. Show them that you are just like them and you are there when you are failing and successful. The guy has this talking thing down pat.

- Rebuilding Philosophy and his mentality on winning: He doesn't equate money to winning. He even threw in a nice dig to the Yankees by saying a team doesn't need to buy two pitchers to win. He thinks the Indians organization has made smart decisions given the circumstances with the rules of baseball.

- On What Type of Manager he is: Again, he said he was a "common sense" manager. He plays the cards that are dealt to him. Play according to what talent on the field provides. Wedge sometimes did not do that and tried bunting with the most randomest people. I can tell Acta is going to be well liked if he sticks to what he's saying. He said he's a combination of throw back and current baseball (statistics and that).

- Closers: He's a four out guy if the situation asks for it and won't be afraid to send Wood out there in the eighth if need be.

- This is a good question. He was asked how do you finish guys off at the major league level and the example of Franklin Gutierrez was given. Simply put, Manny said playing time will tell you. Specifically on Franklin, platoons may be successful for awhile, but playing time will eventually tell you what he's about. Remember this was one of the big problems that I've had with Wedge, so hopefully Acta follows through on this.

- Matchups: He is a believer in them, but he won't bring in a guy just because he's a lefty facing a lefty. The stats must back it up.

- Putting together his staff: He was looking for balance with people that could not only relate on the field with teaching, but could relate with players as well in terms of personality. He definitely did that all around.

- Rotation: They're counting on Westbrook to be healthy and will be in Puerto Rico to watch him, Fausto and Huff to be there and the competition will be between others and maybe free agent additions. So it sounds like he's going as far as Huff, Fausto and Jake if they are there to be in the rotation and maybe Laffey and then a competition between everyone else.

If you'd like to see a highlight package of Acta on with Levine, you can click this link. STO typically puts up videos like Acta being on the show, but so far nothing. I'll post the link if it ever comes up.

Alright I think that's enough for now. There are some roster issues and discussion I want to get into, but I'll save that for tomorrow in a sort of a preview to the Rule V deadline on Friday.