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Mar 2 '19
CLEVELAND -- Coco Crisp has 120 plate appearances worth of postseason experience. Nicky Delmonico Jersey . So when the Cleveland Indians acquired him from Oakland in a late August trade, they figured he might be able to contribute some energy off the bench and a few nuggets of wisdom to the young players on the roster.I tell the guys, Just make sure you breathe, said Crisp, whose most noteworthy contribution of the postseason so far has been launching a Drew Pomeranz knuckle curve over Fenways Green Monster for a two-run homer in Game 3. Thats the easiest thing to do in life, right? You wake up breathing, you go to sleep breathing, and you stay breathing. Then the postseason comes and you tend to tighten up quite a bit, and your breathing gets off. One of the things that calms you is to focus on that, because it helps you stay relaxed. I think thats a big thing.A little talent always helps too. When Clevelands kids arent busy inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide, theyre showing they have all the necessities to compete on the big stage.After the Indians eliminated Boston, manager Terry Francona received plaudits for his moves, the pitching staff got credit for holding the Red Sox to seven runs in three games, and everybody talked about the next-man-up mentality that allowed the Indians to overcome a multitude of injuries this season. Those storylines will have to continue if the Indians plan on taking down Toronto in the American League Championship Series, which begins Friday at Progressive Field.But the Division Series was also an endorsement for Clevelands scouting and player development department, which had numerous moments to savor:? Shortstop Francisco Lindor, Clevelands top pick and the eighth?overall choice in the 2011 first-year player draft, hit one of three third-inning homers off Rick Porcello to jumpstart a 5-4 victory in the series opener.? Right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall, the Indians first-round pick in 2008, hit a three-run shot off David Price in a 6-0 victory in Game 2. Chisenhall, 28, batted .217 with no homers in 52 plate appearances against left-handers as a platoon player during the regular season.? Center fielder Tyler Naquin, the 15th?overall pick in the 2012 draft, delivered a two-run single off Clay Buchholz to give the Indians an early lead in the climactic Game 3.? Outfielder Clint Frazier, Clevelands top pick in 2013, and pitcher Justus Sheffield, the Indians No. 1 choice a year later, are no longer with the organization, but their presence has been felt regardless. They were part of the package that Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti used to pry reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees on July 31.If this run of productive high picks seems impressive, its doubly so when contrasted with the lengthy fallow run that preceded it. The Indians draft history isnt nearly as sorry or depressing as that of the Cleveland Browns, who managed to whiff on Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden, Barkevious Mingo, Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert in a three-year span. But the Tribe selected a lot of disappointments and washouts during a 12-year stretch from 1995 through 2007.The Indians, picking near the bottom of the first round in most years, came up empty on David Miller, Danny Peoples, Corey Smith, Alan Horne, Dan Denham, Beau Mills and several more high picks. The one bright spot amid all that despair was a high school pitcher out of northern California named CC Sabathia, the franchises top pick in 1998.When the Indians won 96 games and fell one win short of the World Series under the Mark Shapiro-led front office group in 2007, the teams success was fueled more by trades and the international market than the draft. Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore both came to Cleveland via trades, and Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta and Fausto Carmona (later known as Roberto Hernandez) were all signed as international free agents.The Indians havent ranked among the top 20 teams in MLB payroll since 2009 -- when they were 15th -- so they cant afford to whiff on high draft picks. They simply dont have the resources to compensate with free agents.For us to be a successful organization, we have to get contributions from all aspects of our player acquisition avenues -- international, amateur and professional scouting, Antonetti said. I think when you look at our team now, we have a good balance from each of those areas. Ten years ago, we didnt have that.The Indians have had to exercise more patience with some top picks than others. Lindor, who moved to Florida from his native Puerto Rico at age 13, signed for a $2.9 million bonus in August 2011. He displayed impressive poise and maturity at age 21 to give Houstons Carlos Correa a push in the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year race.The road was more challenging for Chisenhall, who broke into pro ball as a shortstop and spent several years at third base before volunteering to move to the outfield following a demotion to Triple-A Columbus in 2015. In hindsight, thats where his turnaround began.I think the amount of work that it took Lonnie to be a major-league defender at third base took away from some other aspects of his game, Antonetti said. From day one, he demonstrated a real comfort in the outfield. That allowed him to be more free and comfortable, and he took off offensively.In a surprising twist, Chisenhall is showing more staying power than a lot of 2008 draft picks. Tim Beckham, Pedro Alvarez, Yonder Alonso, Gordon Beckham, Justin Smoak, Jemile Weeks, Brett Wallace, Aaron Hicks, Brett Lawrie, David Cooper, Ike Davis and Josh Fields are among the position players who were chosen before the Indians selected Chisenhall in the No. 29 spot.Naquin was considered a bit of a tweener coming out of Texas A&M. His defensive skills profiled better for a corner outfield spot, but he lacked the prototypical corner outfield power. Naquin has assumed a more prominent role than expected this year because of Michael Brantleys season-long shoulder issues. He logged a .296/.372/.514 slash line with 14 homers to put himself in the AL Rookie of the Year conversation.In addition to the success of their No. 1 picks and second baseman Jason Kipnis, a second-round choice in 2009, the Indians have gotten significant contributions from some later selections. Closer Cody Allen was a 23rd-round pick out of High Point University in 2011, and starter Josh Tomlin, who beat Boston in the ALDS finale, was a 19th-round choice out of Texas Tech in 2006.The Indians might have pulled off their biggest coup when they signed infielder Jose Ramirez for a $50,000 bonus out of the Dominican Republic in 2009. Ramirez logged an .825 OPS while playing third base, second base, shortstop and the outfield during the regular season, and he was a two-way factor throughout the series against Boston.Crisp and first baseman Mike Napoli, who also prides himself on being a mentor to the young players, are as gratified as the front office and the coaches when they see the younger players enjoying breakout moments on the big stage.The great thing about these guys is theyre not afraid to come and ask how things should go, Crisp said. They ask questions, and then they go out and do the job.Its as elementary as breathing. Chris Beck Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Adam Engel Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. http://www.whitesoxteamshop.com/White-Sox-Bo-Jackson-Kids-Jersey/ . World champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia won the gold medal with 237.71 points, Moore-Towers and Moscovitch followed at 208.45 and Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia were third at 187. TORONTO -- Eric Staal never has trouble finding motivation when hes up against the Toronto Maple Leafs.Staal scored yet another goal against Toronto, lifting the Minnesota Wild to a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night.Staal has 47 points in 43 career games against Toronto, and three of his six goals this season have come against the Leafs.It was a team I grew up watching, the 32-year-old center said. So I always have a little spot in my heart for the Leafs because of growing up with Hockey Night in Canada there in Thunder Bay and people there are Leafs fans, thats who they watch and I was no different as a kid. Jason Zucker and Chris Stewart also scored for the Wild, who wrapped a five-game trip 2-1-2.Ben Smith and Tyler Bozak had goals for the Maple Leafs, who dropped to 8-4-0 at Air Canada Centre.Toronto entered the third period down a goal and pushed hard but couldnt get the equalizer because of goalie Devan Dubnyk, who stopped all 17 shots in the final 20 minutes and 35 in total.Dubnyk leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.65), save percentage (.946) and shutouts (four).He seems to go down in that butterfly and post to post is covered, he does a great job fighting traffic and tonight he made a few timely saves, Torontos Nazem Kadri said.Frederik Andersen stopped 17 shots for Toronto.Minnesota opened the scoring 8:42 into the first period after forcing a turnover from Kadri behind his own net. Mikko Koivu stripped Kadri and made a short pass to Mikael Granlund, who then put the puck out front to Zucker. He beat Andersen blocker side for a 1-0 lead.Andersen was later forced to make a fine pad save on Granlund from the slot, but then Stewart made it 2-0 when he was sprung in alone on a breakaway off a long pass from Jared Spurgeon.It was Stewarts first goal at Air Canada Centre -- he grew up in Toronto and had family in the crowd watching. Joe Crede Jersey. Ive been thinking about that one my whole life, Stewart said. Its good to get it off the bucket list.Smith got one back for Toronto with 3:10 to go in the period. Kadri crossed Minnesotas blue line and put a shot on net that Dubnyk kicked out to the slot, where Smith was waiting to push it in for a 2-1 game.Staal regained the two-goal lead for the Wild just 1:15 into the second period, putting a backhand shot past Andersen after taking a pass from behind the net from Charlie Coyle.It took Toronto over five minutes to register its first shot on net in the second.Bozak scored with an individual effort to make it 3-2 at 10:54. Bozak stole the puck in Minnesotas end, skated by Matt Dumba and beat Dubnyk with a backhand up top.Linesman Steve Miller was hit in the left knee by a slap shot from Roman Polak in the opening minute of the third period and instantly dropped to the ice in pain. He skated off with assistance and didnt return, leaving the game to be finished with three officials instead of four.Toronto had one final opportunity to even the score late when Ryan Suter took a minor penalty, but Minnesota killed it off.Game notes Dubnyk was making the 300th career start. He entered with the best save percentage in the league at .946. ... Connor Carrick replaced Martin Marincin on Torontos blue line. ... Antoine Bibeau backed up Andersen while Karri Ramo made his first start for the AHL Marlies against Utica. He made 33 saves in a 3-2 loss.UP NEXTWild: Return home to host the Oilers on Friday night.Maple Leafs: Play at Boston on Saturday night. ' ' '
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