CHICAGO -- Terry Francona is on the verge of ending another long World Series drought.
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.Call him Mgr. October.Clevelands maestro of a manager, who has pushed
all the right buttons this season and especially over the past few
weeks, moved closer to capturing his third Series title as the Indians
beat the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in Game 4 on Saturday night to take a 3-1
lead.Francona is the one who guided the Boston Red Sox around the Curse
of the Bambino in 2004, helping them to their first title in 86 years.
He led them to another three years later.And now hes got the resilient
Indians on the edge of taking their first World Series in 68 years.The
57-year-old would never take any credit for Clevelands success, but the
Indians wouldnt be where they are if not for Francona, who improved to
11-1 in World Series games.The guy everyone calls Tito -- his dads name
-- claims he doesnt have a crystal ball. But he certainly seems to have a
sixth sense when it comes to setting his lineup, pulling pitchers at
just the right time and keeping his players focused.Following Clevelands
1-0 victory in Game 3, a chess match with Chicagos Joe Maddon which he
called one of the most agonizing games of his managerial career,
Francona made the difficult decision of not starting first baseman Mike
Napoli in Game 4.Hes like the heart and soul of our team, Francona said
beforehand. It bothers me to sit him, a lot.Francona played Carlos
Santana at first instead, and the move panned out when he homered
leading off the second inning against John Lackey. Francona has been
forced to be creative with his lineup during the three games at Wrigley
Field, where the Indians have had to play by National League rules and
couldnt use their designated hitter.He took a risk by starting Santana
in left field for Game 3 even though the former catcher had played just
four innings in his career in left. It worked, though, as Santana caught
the only ball hit his way on a night when the wind was blowing out in
Wrigley.That was probably the funnest moment of the game, Francona said
of Santanas catch in the first. I was going crazy in the dugout. Then I
thought I better cool it because there might be another one that finds
him.None did, and Francona made several more astute moves in the first
Series game at Wrigley in 71 years. He pulled starter Josh Tomlin in the
fifth and ace reliever Andrew Miller came in and shut down the Cubs.
And when Millers turn came up to bat, Francona sent in pinch-hitter Coco
Crisp, who drove in the games only run.Of course he did.Francona also
got a little lucky.He made so many double switches that he ran out of
position players, and was going to have to bat Game 4 starter Corey
Kluber.He almost used some guys that werent on the roster, joked Indians
pitching coach Mickey Callaway. I mean, theres no better manager in all
of baseball than him. He thinks of everything at every moment. Ive
learned so much from him. Its fun to watch him do it during the game.
Hes gonna use everyone in the right situation to have the most success
they can possibly have, and youre seeing the results of it.Francona knew
just what to do with Kluber on Saturday night.Miller was throwing in
the bullpen when Anthony Rizzo doubled leading off the sixth. Miller,
who has been virtually unhittable in the postseason, was ready but
Francona stayed with Kluber and he promptly retired the next three
batters.Its been like that all month as the Indians, who have been
overlooked despite running away with the AL Central, swept Boston, beat
Toronto in five games and are now a win away from their first title
since 1948.That Cleveland team was managed by Lou Boudreau, who was also
the clubs starting shortstop.Francona laughed before Game 4 when he was
asked if he was ready to play short.Im just trying to handle managing,
he said. That will be enough.Its been more than that.
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Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no
problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win.
Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence,
Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings
snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the
Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
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I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian
Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to
every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the
late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games.
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. PETERSBURG, Fla.
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs have fired a DJ who played a song
with references to violence after reliever Aroldis Chapman left the
mound against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.The DJ was fired for
playing Smack My B---- Up by The Prodigy.Chapman served a 29-game
suspension to begin the season under Major League Baseballs new domestic
violence policy. His girlfriend told police Chapman had pushed and
choked her on Oct. 30. Chapman said there was an argument but he was
pushed down by his girlfriends brother, then gott a handgun and fired
eight shots into a wall and window while locked in his garage.
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Prosecutors declined to file charges, citing conflicting accounts.Cubs
President Crane Kenney apologized, saying the music selection showed a
lack of judgment and sensitivity to an important issue. He said the Cubs
will implement stronger controls to review and approve music before it
is played.
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