ON DECK 2019 Volume 12 Issue 4

Captains Clinched

PLAYOFFS
MWL Playoffs Begin 9/4

u CREATING SUCCESS STORIES u HOW TO BREAK IN A GLOVE

OUTSIDE THE LINES u A POSTSEASON TO REMEMBER
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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
O n Deck
On VOLUME 12 ISSUE 4
B.
7 CONCESSIONS GUIDE
7
9 CREATING SUCCESS STORIES
9
OUTSIDE THE LINES
12 COACHING STAFF
1 3 PLAYER PROFILES
16 GAME SCHEDULE
18 HOW TO BREAK IN A GLOVE
25 A POSTSEASON TO REMEMBER

9 CREATING SUCCESS STORIES

OUTSIDE THE LINES

18 HOW TO BREAK IN A GLOVE 25 A POSTSEASON TO REMEMBER

CLUB NAME: Lake County Captains

CLUB AFFILIATION: Cleveland Indians
STADIUM CAPACITY: 6,157
FIELD DIMENSIONS: LF - 320’ CF - 400’ RF - 320’
35300 Vine Street, Eastlake, OH 44095
440-975-8085 | www.captainsbaseball.com

Peter Carfagna Chairman/Secretary/Treasurer Zach Smith Manager, Box Office & Special Events
Rita Carfagna Vice Chairman Kate Roth Director, Ticket Sales
Ray Murphy Vice President Olivia Vocke Ticket Sales Account Executive
Amy Gyetko Chief Financial Officers Kevin Clements Ticket Sales Account Executive
Neil Stein General Manager Devin Levan-Galang Manager, Community Relations & Game Presentation
Jen Yorko Assistant General Manager Jim Carfagna Office Assistant
Rachel Wallbrown Manager of Promotions, Graphics Coordinator Andrew Luftglass Radio Broadcaster
John Klein Director, Food and Beverage Dr. Kim Stearns Team Physician
Heather Durst Finance Manager Activities Press Printing
Tim O’Brien Dir. of Production & Corporate Partnership Development Heather VonSpeegle Program Design
Charlie Erlenbach Manager, Turf Operations Tim Phillis Cover Photo
Helen Scholar Asst. Manager, Food and Beverage

The Lake County Captains proudly employ members of CMRJB Workers United Local 10, IATSE Local 160 and
IATSE Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Union 756. 5
 10 NATIVE 1
PLANTS SPECIES 2
TO GROW ALONG
YOUR BACKYARD
STREAM: 3 1
RED OSIER DOGWOOD
Cornus sericea
SWAMP MILKWEED
2 Asclepias incarnata
CARDINAL FLOWER
3 Lobelia cardinalis
TURTLEHEAD
6 4 Chelone glabra
4 NEW ENGLAND ASTER
5 Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
9 6 Helianthus tuberosa
5 NINEBARK
7 Physocarpus opulifolius
BLUE VERVAIN
8 Verbena hastata
BRISTLY SEDGE
7 9 Carex comosa

your 8
love 10
BLACK ELDERBERRY
10 Sambucus canadensis

LAK E SLOW, SINK, SPREAD

ATER MANAG
MW EM
OR
EN
ST

Clean water starts with you! IT DOWN IT IN IT OUT

lakecountyohio.gov/smd
 CONCESSIONS GUIDE
Playground World
Kids Zone
Toddler Zone

Find your favorite Bleachers Lawn Area

Cla ight
ssic ho
L

Ch use
za

ev
y
Pla

ballpark food
nic
Pic

120

& drinks
119

Video
R

Castaways Bar

C 118

Board
1 117
8

with ease!

Rays Landing
116
9

115

Away Dugout
2
114
10
113

112

Ne
101

ttin
102
111

g
Captains Dugout 103
110
109 108 107 106 105 104

Pa ield
n
lio
nic t F
vil
Pic Righ
G

14 11 13
7
3

4 5 12 6
L

B.
1 L A K E E FFE CT I CE CR EA M 10 Ho f brÄ u B i erg arten
2 P o rts i de Pi zze r i a 11 B ud Light Po rtab le
3 M i d Sh i p Gr i l l 12 Sprinkles C ream ery
4 Sta r boar d S nacks 13 B o t toms Up
5 T he G al l e y 14 To d d's Old Fas hi o ned Lem o n ade
6 C ap tai ns Cante e n G GUEST SERVI C ES PRESENTED BY VISUAL GRAPHICS

7 C ap tai ns Be e r Wall C CO RO NA C ASTAWAYS BAR

8 St re e t Tacos
9 Sh ipyar d S nacks
Fountain Coke......................................... 1,2,5,6,C
Bottled Coke.................................. 3,4,8,9,11,12,C
Souvenir Soda......................................... 1,2,5,6,C
Draft Beer...................................C,1,2,3,5,6,7,10,L
Souvenir Beer............................C,1,2,3,5,6,7,10,L
Coffee............................................................1,5,12
Hot Cocoa......................................................1,5,12
Mike's Hard Lemonade..................C,1,2,3,5,6,7,L
Wine...........................................................3,10,C,L
Mixed Drinks...........................................C,L,10,13
Slush Puppies....................................................9,4
ICEE.......................................................................1
Hot Dogs....................................................1,2,5,6,3
Gourmet Burger....................................................3
Philly Steak...........................................................3
Soup of the Day....................................................3
Vegetarian Burgers..............................................3
Polish Boy.............................................................6
Hamburger................................................1,2,3,5,6
L L A BAT T BLUE S UI TE LE VEL BAR
Cheeseburger...........................................1,2,3,5,6
Pierogi Bowl..........................................................6
Grilled Chicken Sandwich.......................1,2,3,5,6
Homestyle Fried Chicken Sandwich......1,2,3,5,6
Chicken Tenders.........................................1,2,5,6
Boneless Wngs.....................................................6
Kid's Meals...................................................1,2,5,6
Italian Sausage..................................................3,5
Corn Dog Basket..................................................5
Buffalo Chicken Bites.......................................1,5
Jet's Pizza..........................................................2,5
Gluten Free Hot Dog............................................2
Bavarian Pretzels.............................1,2,5,6,10,11,
Nachos..........................................................1,2,5,6
Funnel Cakes...............................................1,2,5,6
Toasted Ravioli.....................................................2
Peanuts.......................... C,1,2,3,4,7,9,10,11,13,14
Sunflower Seeds........... C,1,2,3,4,7,9,10,11,13,14
7
 The lowest fares
on nonstop flights.
1B MIGUEL JEREZ FROM THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RIPS A LINE DRIVE.
CREATING SUCCESS STORIES
OUTSIDE THE LINES
Gail Tonkovich has always
had a passion for helping
people, and found a way to
pursue her passion through
her job with the Cleveland
Indians. Six years ago,
Tonkovich began working
for the Lake County Captains
as an English Teacher for the
Indians’ Spanish-speaking
BY KAYLA PROCTOR
prospects.
In Tonkovich’s class,
players from the Dominican
Republic, Puerto Rico and
Venezuela, whose native
language is Spanish, learn the
linguistic and cultural lessons
that help them transition into
the North American baseball
community and into the
9
culture at large. They learn
anything from ordering food
to conversational topics like
pop culture and baseball.
“They have to understand
the vast cultures around
them,” said Tonkovich.
“That’s one of the biggest
components of language
here.”
Tonkovich says a majority
of the classes are taught
around what the players
would like to know, and they
come up with the questions
themselves.
“We always spend a part
of the class talking about
something that is important to
them,” said Tonkovich. “The
goal is for the players to have
the knowledge so that they
feel confident talking to their
teammates, their coaches,
staff, fans and friends. But
my goal is to make sure that
whatever is possible to do
for them, to help them reach
their goals, that is what we
are going to do.”
Every player comes in
with a different level of
English proficiency, but
Tonkovich said they all come
in with excitement to learn
and understand the language.
“Seeing their success
with their language and their
communication with their
confidence is one of the
best parts of teaching; To
just see them move ahead
with comfort, not only in
their language area, but their
ability to communicate more
confidently,” said Tonkovich.
Tonkovich said she can’t
just name one player who
has excelled, because every
player has their own path to
their own accomplishments.
She added that the Indians
do a great job of helping
these students succeed and
she always looks forward to
working with new players.
“Every single player
has their own outstanding
moments,” Tonkovich said.
“That’s the beauty of it when
you work in language.”

RHP LUIS OVIEDO FROM VENEZUELA

FIRES A PITCH AT CLASSIC PARK
 COACHING STAFF
L U KE C A RL I N • 1 1 • M an ag er
Carlin returns to the Captains after leading the team to a 60-79 overall record last
season. He began his managerial career in 2017 as the skipper for the Mahoning Valley
Scrappers and also served on the coaching staff for Double-A Akron in 2016. Carlin played
professionally for 14 seasons and spent parts of four years in the Major Leagues with the
Padres, Diamondbacks and Indians.

OWEN DEW • 1 6 • PI TC H I N G CO ACH

Dew pitched for the Captains in the 2010 and 2011 seasons and was part of the Captains'
lone championship squad in 2010. The right-hander pitched in the Indians' organization
from 2010-2013 before his career was cut short by an elbow injury. Dew was the pitching
coach for the Arizona League Indians last year and for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in
2017. His Scrappers staff was second in the New York-Penn League with a 2.92 ERA.

JA SO N E S PO S I TO • 2 2 • H I TT ING CO ACH
Esposito begins his second year in the professional coaching ranks after serving as the
hitting coach for the Arizona League Indians last season. As a player, Esposito was drafted
in the 2nd round in 2011 by the Baltimore Orioles after attending Vanderbilt University. He
spent four seasons as a third baseman in the Orioles' organization reaching as high as
Double-A Bowie.

JO R D A N S M I TH • 3 9 • BE N CH CO ACH
Smith is a former Captain who played for Lake County in the 2012 season, hitting .316 with
nine home runs and 74 runs batted in for a team that included Francisco Lindor and Jose
Ramirez. Captains fans gave Smith the nickname, "The Milkman" due to his love for the
nutrient-rich liquid. Smith returns to the Indians' organization after wrapping up an eight-
year playing career, including seven years as part of the Cleveland organization.

T R A V I S ROBE RS ON • STRE N GT H & CO NDIT IO NING CO ACH

Roberson enters his first season as a strength & conditioning coach in professional baseball
after being hired by the Indians this year. He spent the previous five years as a strength
& conditioning coach for the University of Findlay, where he served as the strength coach
for women's lacrosse and wrestling, while assisting with baseball, men's and women's
basketball, football and volleyball. He has also interned with the University of Minnesota.

P A T R I CK RE Y N O L D S • A T H L E TI C T RAINER
Reynolds is in his second season with the Indians' organization and his first with Lake
County. Born and raised in Wilmington, DE, Reynolds completed his undergraduate degree
at the University of Delaware in Athletic Training (2016), and received his Master’s of
Science in Sports Management at East Tennessee State University (2018). He also has
experience at the Major League level as an athletic training intern with the Philadelphia
Phillies in 2017, and the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League in 2014.

KI M L . STE A RN S , M D • H E A D T EAM PHY SICIAN

Dr. Stearns has been the head team physician for the Lake County Captains since their
inaugural season in 2003. He is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon with the Cleveland
Clinic and specializes in sports medicine and joint reconstruction.

12
 PLAYER PROFILES
C C C
RHP | 41 LHP | 9 LHP | 32

DRAPER
ARIAS
ARAUJ O

SKYLA R

Height: 6’1” Weight: 155 Height: 6’3” Weight: 190 Height: 6’3” Weight: 200

Z A CH
LUIS

Acquired: 2013 ND FA Acquired: Rd. 24, 2016 Acquired: Rd. 30, 2017
Resides: Maracaibo, VZ Resides: Jacksonville, FL Resides: Salt Lake City, UT

C C C
LHP | 30 LHP | 35 RHP | 38

MARMAN
HERRIN

LINGOS

Height: 6’5” Weight: 225 Height: 6’0” Weight: 192 Height: 6’3” Weight: 195
KY L E
TI M

Acquired: Rd. 29, 2018 Acquired: Rd. 22, 2018

ELI

Acquired: Rd. 13, 2018

Resides: Terre Haute, IN Resides: Temecula, CA Resides: Cincinnati, OH

C C C
RHP | 29 RHP | 49 RHP | 43
PONT IC ELLI
M EY ER

OV IEDO
BR E ND A N

T H OM A S

Height: 6’5” Weight: 225 Height: 6’4” Weight: 170 Height: 6’1” Weight: 195
L U IS

Acquired: 2018 ND FA Acquired: 2015 ND FA Acquired: Rd. 12, 2018

Resides: Las Vegas, NV Resides: Barquisimeto, VZ Resides: West Hills, CA
13
 PLAYER PROFILES
C C C
LHP | 40 RHP | 28 RHP | 26

ROYALTY
RHOLL

VALDEZ
KE LLE N

Height: 6’3” Weight: 200 Height: 6’4” Weight: 190 Height: 6’3” Weight: 170
A LE X

LUIS
Acquired: Rd. 25, 2018 Acquired: Rd. 8, 2018 Acquired: 2015 ND FA
Resides: San Francisco de
Resides: Hugo, MN Resides: Raleigh, NC Macoris, DR

C C C
LHP | 30 C | 10 C | 24
VALLADARES

GONZALEZ

NAYLOR
G I AN PA U L
R AN D Y

Height: 5’11” Weight: 155 Height: 5’10” Weight: 190 Height: 6’0” Weight: 195
Acquired: 2013 ND FA Acquired: Rd. 20, 2014 Acquired: Rd. 1, 2018
BO

Resides: Yaguaraparo, VZ Resides: Toa Alta, PR Resides: Mississauga, ON

C C C
C | 27 IF | 17 IF | 7
ENGELMANN
BE RARDI
ROLET TE

JONATHAN
JESSE

Height: 5’11” Weight: 195

J O SH

Height: 5’10” Weight: 185 Height: 6’4” Weight: 210

Acquired: Rd. 39, 2017 Acquired: Rd. 10, 2017 Acquired: Rd. 31, 2018
Resides: Shawnee, OK Resides: Commack, NY Resides: San Mateo, CA
14
 PLAYER PROFILES
C C C
IF | 13 IF | 36 IF | 12

KELKBOOM
JEREZ
F ERMIN

MAKESIONDON
MIGUE L

Height: 5’11” Weight: 160 Height: 6’1” Weight: 180 Height: 5’11” Weight: 152
JOSE

Acquired: 2015 ND FA Acquired: 2016 ND FA Acquired: 2016 ND FA

Resides: Puerto Plata, DR Resides: Santo Domingo, DR Resides: Marchena, Curacao

C C C
IF | 15 OF | 4 OF | 8
SCHNEEMANN

CARDENAS

FARHAT
DA N I E L

R UB E N

Height: 6’1” Weight: 180 Height: 6’2” Weight: 185 Height: 5’11” Weight: 185
C OD Y

Acquired: Rd. 33, 2018 Acquired: Rd. 16, 2018 Acquired: Rd. 23, 2018
Resides: Chula Vista, CA Resides: Mission Hills, CA Resides: Plano, TX

C C C
OF | 33 OF | 6 OF | 37
HOLME S

NELSON

WI LSON
Q UE N T IN

H O S EA

B IL LY

Height: 6’3” Weight: 175 Height: 6’0” Weight: 210 Height: 5’11” Weight: 185
Acquired: Rd. 2, 2017 Acquired: Rd. 9, 2016 Acquired: Rd. 28, 2018
Resides: East Elmhurst, NY Resides: Detroit, MI Resides: Glendale, AZ
15
 GAME SCHEDULE AND

PLAYOFFS

16
PROMOTION SCHEDULE

DAILY PROMOS

17
 LEARN FROM THE PROS:
HOW TO BREAK IN A GLOVE
BY ANDREW LUFTGLASS - CAPTAINS RADIO BOARDCASTER
Maybe the piece of
equipment most fawned over
in baseball is the glove. It’s a
personal thing tied to a player’s
very specific preferences. Sure,
bats come in different sizes,
with varied weight distributions
and tapering, but you don’t get
to shape your bat. It is what
it is from the time you pick it
up to the time you break it (or
outgrow it, if you’re talking
18
about aluminum).
A glove, on the other hand,
takes on the characteristics
of its owner. Will it be stiff or
floppy? Do you put your index
finger on the outside or the
inside? Do you curl the fingers?
How do you treat the pocket?
Even the manner in which
a player breaks in his or her
glove is personal. Do you use
oil? Do you tie it shut with the
baseball in the pocket? Maybe
you sleep with it. Some just
play catch with it every day
until it’s perfect.
Because gloves are so
personal, there isn’t necessarily
a right or a wrong way to break
in a glove, but we wanted to
know: How do the professionals
break in their gloves?
We asked two of the
Captains’ most well-regarded
defensive players, one infielder
and one outfielder, how they
break in their gloves, what
shape they like their leather to
take and why. If you’re a young
ballplayer with a new glove,
you might want to pay close
attention. DANIEL SCHNEEMANN THROWS OUT A
RUNNER AT FIRST
About the Experts but with getting it out of his
Infield: Daniel Schneemann glove quickly enough to do his
plays shortstop and second base job. On top of his defensive
for the Captains. Lauded for his ability, Cardenas has long
defensive play on both sides of obsessed over his gloves. He is
the bag, Schneemann was the not only very particular about
2017 West Coast Conference how he breaks in his gloves, but
Defensive Player of the Year he has been breaking in and re-
at Brigham Young University stringing his friends’, family’s
and was even featured on and teammates’ gloves since he
SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays as was a kid.
a collegian.
Outfield: Ruben Cardenas is Breaking in an infield glove:
the Captains’ laser-armed right Daniel Schneemann
fielder who has had a penchant Getting a new glove: “The
for terrorizing runners trying to first thing I do is open the glove
take an extra base. That means and put my hand in it and kind
he has to concern himself not of just feel it out. I might pound
just with catching the baseball, my fist in it a couple of times.”
19

RUBEN CARDENAS JOGS IN WITH HIS
TRUSTY GLOVE
Breaking it in: “Honestly, I
just play catch with it as much
as possible. Sometimes I’ll get
in front of a pitching machine
and play catch with it that way.
Sometimes I’ll get one of those
mallet things and pound it, but
mostly it’s just playing catch
with it.”
How long before the glove
is game-ready: “A long time.
Honestly, a couple of months
before it’s game ready. I’ve had
the same glove for like three
years and I like it a lot. I do
have another one as a backup,
but it’s not ready yet. It’s not
worked in yet. I’ll probably
start using that next year.”
Shape of the glove: “I like
when my glove flares, like the
20
sides of the glove flare out,
instead of cave in. The side
of the thumb is flared out and
the side where my fingers are
is flared out. It’s almost like a
Y or V. When I’m fielding the
ball, if it’s caved in, it has a
better chance of hitting the side
of my glove. If it’s flared out
more, it has a bigger opening. I
think it makes a difference.”
Firm or floppy: “I prefer
mine in between. I don’t like it
super-duper floppy. I prefer it
to be a little bit stiff. That time
period only lasts a few months
before it starts getting floppy.
That’s why I think I’m ready
to start using my other glove
because the one I have now is
starting to get loose and I feel
like sometimes I lose the ball
in it. But, I don’t like it when
it’s super stiff. I think when it’s
more loose, you can control the
glove more and control how far
you open your fingers.”
Words of wisdom: “Use
your glove every single day and
don’t rush it. You don’t want to
make errors in games. So when
you get a glove, before using it
in a game, make sure it’s ready.
I’ve done that when I was
younger. I was super excited
for a glove and I started using
it when I wasn’t ready and I
would make errors. So, I would
say, be patient with it.”
Breaking in an outfield glove:
Ruben Cardenas
Getting a new glove: “The
first thing I’m doing is putting
my hand in it to get a feel for
what the leather is like because
every leather is different. From
then, I start breaking in the
pocket and flaring out the ends.
The only reason I flare out the
ends is to see how thick the
leather is.”
Breaking it in: “I put a
softball in the pocket and then
a baseball on top of that in the
top of the webbing, wrap it
with my belt and let it sit there
for a few days in my batting
helmet. It sits there for about
two days. That’s what I’ve
figured out gives the glove the
best shape. At the end of each
day, I’ll take it out, mess with it
a little bit, flare out the fingers
a little bit and get the pocket to
where I want it. Then I’ll start
playing catch with it. I’ll catch
everything in the pocket as I
would in the game.”
How long before the glove
is game-ready: “It kind of
depends, glove-to-glove. The
two gloves I have now are two
different leathers. With one
glove, it doesn’t take as long to
break in, but I think it’s better
leather than my other glove.
The first glove took me a few
days to break in. I’ve been
breaking my other glove since
Spring Training. I don’t use
it as often and don’t break it
in as much because I feel like
I’m just going to use it during
the offseason and that will be
the glove I bring into Spring
Training.
Shape of the glove: “You
want a deep pocket and you
want the fingers to be really
strong because, when you’re
going for a play against the wall
or diving for a ball, you want
your glove to close naturally.
You don’t want it to be forced.
You don’t want the pocket too
deep, because then it’s hard to
get the ball out of your glove.
You want it so the ball just sits.
The way I like to think about it
is just like a little cone, like the
ball just fits in there perfectly.”
Words of wisdom: “Learn
what a good pocket is. That’s
such a big thing with catching
balls and wanting to get the ball
out of your glove quickly.”
21
LASALLE
H O M E FU R N ISH I N GS
lasallehome.com
(


)
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





 CAPTAINS IN THE POSTSEASON:
A SEPTEMBER TO REMEMBER
BY JUSTIN LADA - INDIANS BASEBALL INSIDER
The saying ‘you never know
what you might see at the ballpark’
is especially true of playoff baseball
in the minor leagues. If history is
any indication, you might say that
could go double for the Lake County
Captains.
Playoff baseball returns to the
corner of 91 & Vine in 2019 for the
sixth time in the history of the Lake
County Captains, and the first time
since 2014. Only once in its five
playoff appearances has Lake County
failed to make it out of the first round
(2008), which has led to some unique
playoff experiences for the team and
its fans alike.
From the well-traveled 2003 team
in its first year of existence that fell
just short against Rome (GA) in the
South Atlantic League Finals, to
the giddy 2010 team that captured
the Midwest League title in its first
year in the league. The 2012 team
blazed its way into the playoffs in
the second half with the energy of
Francisco Lindor and the hot bat of
a then little-known infielder named
Jose Ramirez. The 2014 team caught
fire in the playoffs until the end
25
 The 2010 championship squad
found its way into the playoffs by
clinching its spot in the last week of
the first half. After the team lost lineup
stalwarts Bo Greenwell and Jeremie
Tice to promotions, along with
dependable starter Matt Packer, the
club lost five of its final six contests
heading into the playoffs. Unsung
heroes such as Casey Frawley,
Roberto Perez, Brett Brach, Jason
Knapp and 2019 Captains pitching
coach Owen Dew stepped up to help
guide the team to a championship.
Aside from the travel, the
2010 team may have faced more
adversity than any of the Captains’
other playoff teams. Three of its
five losses at the end of the year
were to the Great Lakes Loons,
ALEX ROYALTY DELIVERS A PITCH
FOR THE CAPTAINSYALTY DELIVERS A PITCH
who won 90 games and seemed to
have the Captains (and everyone in
when it ran into an even hotter Kane
the league’s) number. The Captains
County squad that took home the
recovered from a 0-1 series deficit to
championship.
beat the Loons in three games before
It’s not just years that turn pages
defeating Clinton in the Midwest
in the chapter of the franchise and its
League Championship in the winner-
new players and coaching staff, but
take-all fifth game of the series.
every half of each season presents
That series saw the Captains score a
changes and new challenges.
combined six runs in the seventh and
The 2003 SAL runner-up team
eighth innings to come back and win,
lost powerful and popular outfielder,
an 18-inning game in Clinton that
Jason Cooper, to promotion to
the Captains ultimately lost and a
Kinston. But the team wound up
championship dogpile in front of the
getting the Indians first round pick
Lake County faithful.
that year, first baseman Michael
Current Captains pitching coach
Aubrey, who put up a .348/.409/.551
Owen Dew had a big hand in the 2010
line in 38 brilliant games. It also had
championship run. He shouldered the
young fireballer, Roberto Hernandez,
biggest load in that 18-inning loss in
then known as teenage sensation
Clinton.
Fausto Carmona.
26
 Fresh out of college that year, (much like All-Stars Tyler Freeman,
Dew joined the Captains in the Will Benson and Manuel Alvarez
second half and wound up pitching this year) and facing new players on
six innings in that 18 inning loss to other teams, Dew says its best to just
the LumberKings, allowing one run simplify things as best as possible.
on three hits. “We’ve been successful this year
“I was called up late in August, on the pitching side,” Dew said of
after they had already clinched,” Dew the Captains’ current squad. “Don’t
recalled about his experience on the try to go into the playoffs and do too
2010 team. “That was my first taste much. Just go out and compete. One
of full season. I didn’t know anyone. pitch at a time. The stakes are higher,
It was cool to go from playing college but enjoy the moment.”
to short-season to playing here. We While Dew joined a championship
had that game in Clinton that was team late, bench coach Jordan Smith
18 innings. I think I pitched the
11th through the 17th. Ultimately, I
remember Preston Guilmet closing
that out and dog piling at the end.”
Meshing a team that consists
of many players who are finishing
playing their first full season
professional schedule, which is a
grind all of its own, with players
called up from short-season and
rookie ball, or who just played a
long college schedule, can be quite
the challenge. Add in losing some
of your best players that helped you
HOSEA NELSON (RIGHT) AND JOSE FERMIN (LEFT)
clinch a playoff spot in the first half CELEBRATE AFTER NELSON'S HOME RUN
AT CLASSIC PARK
CAPTAINS MANAGER TED KUBIAK (LEFT) AND GM BRAD SEYMOUR
HOIST THE 2010 MIDWEST LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

has the perspective of being with
the Captains from start to finish and
see the team get hot late. Most of
that Captains team was here start to
finish, but received the difference-
making Ramirez in the second half,
who hit .354 with 15 steals.
“Living with [host mom] Helen
Collins, to playing with Lindor and
Jose,” Smith recalled as some of his
most memorable parts of the 2012
season in Lake County. “The coaching
staff that had Wally (Manager and
2003 Lake County Captain David
Wallace), and [pitching coach] Jeff
Harris. It was awesome.”
The 2012 team knocked off a
tough Bowling Green squad in two
games but then fell in three games
to a Fort Wayne team that got hot at
the right time. The TinCaps swept
their way through the league’s best
team, Lansing, in the first round
before it also fell to Wisconsin in the
championship.
“Taking my past experience and
help them skip over the mistakes I
made,” Smith said of what he hopes
to teach the Captains’ playoff-bound
roster this year. “You just have to go
out there and have fun. It’s a whole
new team. You just have to go out
there and play. If you get hot at the
right time, anything’s possible.”
Smith is no stranger to playoff
baseball in the minors, having been
part of the 2014 Akron RubberDucks
that lost in the Eastern League
Finals, and won the title in 2016 with
the likes of former Captains Clint
Frazier, Bradley Zimmer, Eric Haase
and Greg Allen. This year’s Captains
team could be no different, taking
the experience and instruction from
Manager Luke Carlin, Dew, hitting
coach Jason Esposito, and Smith, and
applying it on the field.
“It has everything to do with the
players,” Smith said. “I enjoy our
staff. But [the players] take what we
say and run with it. It’s a great group
of guys.”
Will the power of Ruben
Cardenas, the patience of Bo Naylor,
the smooth play of Jose Fermin and
the speed of Quentin Holmes lead
the Captains’ offense deep into the
Midwest League playoffs?
Maybe it will be the sturdy
performances on the mound of Alex
Royalty, or the bullpen, which has
seen arms like Skylar Arias, Kyle
Marman, Luis Araujo and others step
up throughout the year, that powers
the Captains through the wild minor
league playoffs.
Perhaps there is a player that has
yet to put on a Captains uniform this
season that will be a key contributor
in the postseason and will make a
name for himself on the way to a
potential championship.
“No one had heard of him,”
Smith said of Jose Ramirez’s 2012
heroics. “They sent him to us and he
hit .350. He took advantage of his
opportunities and the rest is history.”
The 2012 team had Tyler Naquin,
fresh off being the Indians’ first
round pick that summer, come
aboard as part of the team’s playoff
reinforcements. In 2014, Bradley
Zimmer did the same.
History says playoff baseball in
Lake County might see something
unique, and 2019 has the chance to
be no different.
Justin is the Editor-in-Chief of Indians
Baseball Insider and has been covering
minor league baseball for various outlets
for the past 12 years. You can follow him on
twitter for a flood of baseball tweets every
day at @JL_Baseball.
29
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