Cleveland Sports "Heroes": My Love for the Underdogs

Trepagnier finished second in the PAC-10 in the high jump in 2000? He averaged nine points per game as a senior as the “shooting guard” connected on 23.5 percent of his 3-point attempts. Let me editorialize here for a minute and ask, “WHY THE HECK WAS HE THE 35TH DRAFT PICK???”

Cleveland Indians

1. Bill Selby, utility guy, 2002-2003: Bases loaded. Ninth inning. Down by one. Mariano Rivera on the mound. Selby narrowly misses ending the game with a shot down the right field line that just lands foul. Just when you think we missed our shot, Selby yanks one deep to right field…and GONE for a walk-off grand slam against the game’s top-closer. It was one of 11 career homers for Selby, and probably one of my top-five Indians moments of all-time. Thank you, Bill Selby.

2. Chris Magruder, outfielder, 2002-2003: I loved “C-Mags” so much and I have no clue as to why. He was just one of those guys I latched on to and haven’t forgotten about over the years. I remember him just making some good hustle plays. C-Mags also broke up a potential no-hitter from Jeff Weaver – when Weaver was with the Tigers and actually a good pitcher.

3. Jolbert Cabrera, supersub/gunshot victim, 1998-2002: A pretty valuable member to some decent Tribe teams who could play any position. I think he was also the bullpen catcher and waterboy, too. Of course, what I remember most about him was getting shot in the butt while someone tried to carjack him down in Colombia. Did you know? Shortstop Orlando Cabrera and Jolbert are brothers.

4. Candy Maldonado, outfielder, 1990, 1993-94: The name. Strictly the name.

5. Cam Caincross, Aussie pitcher, 2000: Australian born lefty who appeared in 15 major league games. He was having a monster year in the minors when we brought him up to help bolster the bullpen. He had a 3.86 ERA with the Tribe and I don’t think has been heard from since.

6. Mark Clark, pitcher, 1993-1995: He was just one of those guys who wasn’t bad but wasn’t good either. They’re my favorite players, which is why I’m one of 13 Casey Blake fans left alive. If I was a professional athlete, I would want to be an average, mediocre guy who you could depend on to be reliable and nothing more.

7. Chad Ogea, pitcher, 1994-1998: I don’t have the data to back this up – I’m stealing that line from Matt Underwood, by the way – but it just seems Indians pitchers have proven to be the best hitters in National League parks over the years. Ogea’s two-hit performance in Game 6 of the ’97 World Series is just one of a long list of successful hitting clinics our pitchers have put on. I love Chad Ogea for that. Love him. Did You Know? Ogea is in the Kinston Hall of Fame.

8. Herbert Perry, first/third base, 1994-96: One of those guys who just never got a chance to crack it because they were behind All-Stars. Batted .315 in 162 at bats in 1995, and got a total of 21 at bats in 1994 and 1996 combined.

9. Jeff Manto, Quadruple-A player, 1990-91, 1997-1999: The ultimate definition of a guy too good for the minors and not good enough for the majors. His transaction pagelooks like Chris Henry or Pacman Jones’ rap sheet – I swear to God, every day I'd pick up the paper back then it the Indians were either cutting or re-signing him.  A .280 hitter in the minors with 146 home runs, he hit .230 in the big leagues with 31 dingers.

10. Bip Roberts, second base, 1997: See: Maldonado, Candy and Zeier, Eric.

11. “Hard Hittin” Mark Whiten, outfield, 1991-92, 1998-2000: I think it was Joe Morgan on the NBC broadcasts in the playoffs who would just repeat, over and over again, “Hard Hittin’ Mark Whiten”. Whiten could be sitting on the bench and Joe Morgan would be saying, “Look at Hard Hittin’ Mark Whiten sittin on the bench over there! Hard Hittin Mark Whiten! Hard Hittin Mark Whiten!” Did You Know? Mark Whiten’s nickname was “Hard Hittin”?

So there you have it, my list of 30 – count ‘em, 30! – former Cleveland athletes who have been some of my favorites over the year. Once again, I’m asking you guys to share your memories of these players or any other “lesser-known stars” from over the years who hold a special place in your heart.

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