Last night, the Cleveland Indians hung tough and blew away the Boston Red Sox in extra innings. What the Cavaliers can learn from the game is the way Manager Eric Wedge and the coaching staff used their bench. When young star pitchers Fausto Carmona and Rafael Perez had unsuccessful outings, they were boosted by the rest of the bullpen, especially still developing Jensen Lewis and Tom Mastny. In the case of Mastny, while he still needs more time to develop, he had great experience and some solid success as a closer during his rookie season. When called on last night, Mastny did something that his peers have struggled to do: get both David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez out.
Meanwhile, the coaches showed much confidence in their position players on the bench when making late inning substitutions. They removed star Designated Hitter Travis Hafner from the game and replaced him with Josh Barfield for pinching running purposes during the ninth inning of a tie game. Sure, the short-term gains were obvious--Barfield immediately stole second base and put himself in scoring position for possibly winning the game--but when the Indians did not take the lead, Hafner was no longer available for clutch hitting in extra innings. Then, when the left-handed hitting Trot Nixon was announced as a pinch hitter for Barfield in the 11th inning, the Red Sox countered with a left-hander of their own. Yet, the coaches trusted the ability and emotion of the former Red Sox outfielder, who delivered the go ahead Run Batted In. When Nixon reached second base, he was replaced by Jason Michaels, who immediately scored on the next base hit. Had the coaches relied solely on Hafner's hitting abilities when having to make decisions down the stretch, they never would have been able to take advantage of the skills of the other players. In the end, the Indians turned a 6-6 tie into a 13-6 football score.
In relation to the Indians' situation, the Cavaliers coaches (as well as players) need to realize that anyone on the roster is capable of making something good happen--everyone is capable of contributing to a win. Younger, older, less experienced, more experienced, promoted, demoted, whatever--no matter who is in the game or who is available to play, the object of the game is always the same. Sports fans have heard the resounding words of NFL Coach Herm Edwards, who repeatedly said after his then Jets team blew a big lead and the game to the Cleveland Browns: "You play to win the game!" What the Cavaliers and their fans need to remember is that everyone, not just the stars, are playing to win the game. Thus, not every clutch shot needs to come from the hand of LeBron James. There are other guys, regardless of talent level, who are capable of helping deliver a win. When one player steps up and delivers a game-winning or game-changing play or performance, the whole team benefits.
Meanwhile, the coaches showed much confidence in their position players on the bench when making late inning substitutions. They removed star Designated Hitter Travis Hafner from the game and replaced him with Josh Barfield for pinching running purposes during the ninth inning of a tie game. Sure, the short-term gains were obvious--Barfield immediately stole second base and put himself in scoring position for possibly winning the game--but when the Indians did not take the lead, Hafner was no longer available for clutch hitting in extra innings. Then, when the left-handed hitting Trot Nixon was announced as a pinch hitter for Barfield in the 11th inning, the Red Sox countered with a left-hander of their own. Yet, the coaches trusted the ability and emotion of the former Red Sox outfielder, who delivered the go ahead Run Batted In. When Nixon reached second base, he was replaced by Jason Michaels, who immediately scored on the next base hit. Had the coaches relied solely on Hafner's hitting abilities when having to make decisions down the stretch, they never would have been able to take advantage of the skills of the other players. In the end, the Indians turned a 6-6 tie into a 13-6 football score.
In relation to the Indians' situation, the Cavaliers coaches (as well as players) need to realize that anyone on the roster is capable of making something good happen--everyone is capable of contributing to a win. Younger, older, less experienced, more experienced, promoted, demoted, whatever--no matter who is in the game or who is available to play, the object of the game is always the same. Sports fans have heard the resounding words of NFL Coach Herm Edwards, who repeatedly said after his then Jets team blew a big lead and the game to the Cleveland Browns: "You play to win the game!" What the Cavaliers and their fans need to remember is that everyone, not just the stars, are playing to win the game. Thus, not every clutch shot needs to come from the hand of LeBron James. There are other guys, regardless of talent level, who are capable of helping deliver a win. When one player steps up and delivers a game-winning or game-changing play or performance, the whole team benefits.