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Bauer a constant through Indians’ adversity
- Updated: October 3, 2016
No one was safe. As the party raged on inside Comerica Park’s visitors’ clubhouse, Trevor Bauer looked for targets. With a camera strapped to his hat, the pitcher made his way through the champagne mist, a bottle in each hand, dodging corks and searching for anyone deserving of dousing.
This Bauer, who showed up during Cleveland’s American League Central-clinching celebration, is the one Indians players have grown to enjoy and embrace. The pitcher spent many seasons seemingly in solitude within a crowded clubhouse. Now, he can often be spotted on the top step of the dugout, shouting and pumping his fists, cheering on his teammates. Come Thursday, Bauer will be on the mound at Progressive Field, starting in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against Boston, to be televised on TBS.
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“I think he relishes what’s ahead of him,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.
Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 6 TBD BOS @ CLE TBS Gm 2 Oct. 7 TBD BOS @ CLE TBS Gm 3 Oct. 9 TBD CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 TBD CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 TBD BOS @ CLE TBS *- If necessaryShop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians • Complete Postseason coverage
Circumstances paved the path for Bauer’s Game 1 assignment, but it speaks volumes that the right-hander has earned the trust that goes along with the task at hand. Just six months ago, Bauer began this season as part of the Tribe’s Opening Day bullpen. There was a message being sent by Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway when they made that decision.
Bauer is a cerebral pitcher who has dedicated his life to researching and honing his craft. For as long as the righty can remember, he has viewed himself as a starter. After another offseason of relentless training, Bauer arrived to Spring Training with the assumption that he would be in the Indians’ rotation. Cleveland then gave his job to right-hander Cody Anderson to start the season.
Bauer did not discuss the team’s decision for several days at the start of April.
“If anything,” Bauer said, “it just made me mad.”
Cleveland anticipated as much, but trusted that the benefits would show …
