Clevelinks: Playing for the Cleveland Indians Important; Ranking AL Central Shortstops

Players choosing the Indians over free agency

With

and

recently signing contract extensions that take them through their arbitration years, it continues a trend with the Cleveland Indians that is hard to ignore. Players want to play in Cleveland–and the Tribe a rewarding the hard work of their own. Some could have waited for free agency and a bigger payday. Others have had a small sample of success, but the Indians rewarded them with long-term deals. It’s turned into a family atmosphere over a team one–and that could pay huge dividends in the future.

Youth dominates in the AL Central at the shortstop position, as the White Sox Alexei Ramirez is the only to make an All-Star appearance. The Indians’ Jose Ramirez has a “cloudy” future, only in the fact that Francisco Lindor isn’t too far away, but Ramirez won’t be going anywhere. Our Cody Norman ranks the division shortstops in his most recent Making the Grade segment.

It was 40 years ago that the Indians Frank Robinson broke through another baseball color barrier–the first African-American skipper. And Robinson did it in the most memorable way possible–by hitting a home run. The Tribe, a very progressive team at the time, made Robinson a player-manager. So Robinson was slotted in the DH spot in his managerial debut. He took a 2-2 pitch in his first at-bat of the game out of the stadium. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince has more on the historic day.

The entire division had an off-day, so no news there.So for your viewing pleasure, you need to watch the video of the Dodger’s Yasiel Puig‘s throw. He doesn’t get anyone out. But his arm is not of this planet. Even tagging on a ball that should be an easy advance is a risky proposition with Puig.

‘Players making it clear they want to play in Cleveland’ – Wahoo’s on First

‘Making the Grade: AL Central shortstops’ – Wahoo’s on First

’40 Years Ago: Robinson breaks managerial color barrier’ – MLB.com

‘Puig unleashes another unearthly throw’ – Cut4

‘Verlander officially placed on DL for Tigers’ – Motor City Bengals

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