November 1
Buffalo News
columnist Mike Harrington
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Back in April, former Buffalo Bisons star Ben Francisco became the answer to a trivia question when he scored the first run in the new Yankee Stadium. He told me after that game he didn't realize the significance until his phone was flooded with text messages when he came into the clubhouse. Of course, Francisco was with the Cleveland Indians that day so there was no way he figured to be back in the Bronx in the World Series in October. But there he was Wednesday night, starting in Game One against CC Sabathia for the Phillies. Francisco is the "other guy" for the National League champions, the other piece of the trade that brought ace Cliff Lee from the Tribe before the July 31 deadline. ..."
October 27
Cleveland Plain Dealer
columnist Bill Livingston
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Manny Acta, the Indians' new manager, says he knows he is not a big shot. He also politely wondered what caliber of reputation Joe Torre had when he began managing three decades ago with the New York Mets. "A big shot is a little shot who keeps shooting," said Acta. "I'm ready to keep shooting." This requires ammunition, of course. Torre never had a winning season with the Mets. George Steinbrenner strapped a Brink's truck of bats and arms on Torre with the Yankees, and Torre was Rambo every October for a while. That is not an alternative here. Acta is the first managerial hire since the interminable Mark Shapiro/Eric Wedge partnership. He transmits a positive charge of energy, and ..."