Cleveland Indians announce 2012 Spring Training schedule, looking to sort performance issues
While many teams are busy shopping free agents, the Cleveland Indians are getting themselves ready for next year’s Spring Training season. On Wednesday night, the Indians’ management announced their Spring Training schedule for 2012 staring from March 3
at Goodyear Ballpark in Arizona against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Indians’ management commented in a statement that they will play a total of 32 Spring Training exhibition games parting 16 home and 16 road games in the upcoming year.
Despite announcing next year’s commitment, the management of Cleveland is still not sure over their winning chances next year. They are relying on their previous season’s roster and showing no concern to add more players for strengthening the side.
A quick look at their 2011 MLB record certainly shows the reality of their situation. When the 2011 regular season came to an end, the statistical chart showed 80-82 (win-loss) less than .500 mark. Though, they had gone 36-36 against the four other teams
in their own division, but it was just in the middle of July as they started to scramble down for more misery.
They showed only a brave attitude against the Detroit Tigers with 6-12 but failed to impress against the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants.
On the other hand, many Indians’ fans criticised the team over their inconsistent performances as they did not respond with energy and lost bitterly in many games. They not only disappointed their loyal fans that always seem willing to pay and purchase the
home game tickets even training sessions.
They also did not learn any lesson from their Division rivals Detroit Tigers which was the only American League team to impress with their late performances in the postseason and qualified for the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers.
Later, when Indians’ GM Manny Acta quoted in a newspaper regarding the Tigers good performance down the stretch, the Indians’ top management got offended and indirectly told their GM to not speak in public and do not do any comparisons with another team
as the season has already ended. It will be interesting to see which prospects come through with the training season’s announcement and especially in the 2012 regular season.
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