INDIANS Shapiro, Wedge on same wavelength

Cleveland's new manager will retain Joel Skinner as third base coach. The rest of the staff will be filled in the next few weeks.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CLEVELAND -- Mark Shapiro and Eric Wedge have a history together.
As the Cleveland Indians' farm director, Shapiro kept in close contact with his minor league managers. For the past five years, that's all Wedge has been.
"We would have those late-night meals at Applebee's. That was the only place open in minor-league towns," Shapiro, now the Indians' general manager, said.
In those years, Shapiro and Wedge learned one thing: They shared much of the same baseball philosophy.
"When we talked about our values and our visions of how to get there [to the top], they were aligned," Shapiro said.
Now they will have the chance to prove it.
Taking over
Wedge was named the Indians' 39th manager this week and introduced to the media Tuesday at Jacobs Field. He was given a two-year contract, with a club option for 2005 and 2006.
Although the Indians interviewed Joel Skinner, the interim manager after Charlie Manuel was fired last season, Atlanta Braves minor league manager Fredi Gonzalez and Wedge, the decision appeared clear to Shapiro.
"The obligation of a farm director is, every time you hire your minor league managers, you want to find that guy," Shapiro said. "Certain guys stand out. From Day 1, Eric separated himself."
Wedge, 34, who becomes the youngest manager in the major leagues, managed at Triple-A Buffalo the past two seasons. He also managed at Akron (AA), Kinston (A) and Columbus (A).
"The last couple of years in Triple-A were invaluable for me," said Wedge, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind. "I'm comfortable at a higher level. I'm very comfortable with a leadership role. I hope to lead this organization through the transitional period."
Wedge will retain Skinner as the team's third base coach. The remainder of the coaching staff, including a bench coach, will be filled in the next few weeks.
"He's a great baseball guy, a lifetime baseball guy," Wedge said of Skinner. "I did not urge him to stay; he's a class-act all the way."
Much has been made about the relationship -- and a possible rivalry -- between Wedge and Skinner. After Wedge learned of his hiring, he had lunch with Skinner, who gladly accepted his new role.
"We mostly talked about the Cleveland Indians, not about Eric and Joel," Wedge said. "That says a lot about Joel Skinner."
Following the plan
Wedge feels good about the Indians' progression in their rebuilding phase. The organization looks at his youth as an asset in developing young talent and not as a hindrance in managing older players.
"I'm not going to say we're going to win this many games. The most important thing is that we move in the right direction," Wedge said. "I firmly believe in the plan that's in place."
Wedge said he will manage his team based on his players' strengths and weaknesses, not on a set style.
"I'm an aggressive person by nature," he said. "Certain days we'll have to find a way to win. We'll push the envelope from time to time. Other times you must let the game come to you."
Some have compared Wedge's intensity to that of veteran manager Lou Piniella, who was just hired by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
"At times I can be," Wedge said of being intense. "I'm flattered with the comparison. If I need to stick up for one of my players, I will do that."
Wedge will meet with his players during the off-season in preparation for spring training. One of the club's No. 1 goals now, though, is to work out a new contract for first baseman Jim Thome.
"We're going to do everything we can to sign Jim Thome," Wedge said. "We want to move through this rebuilding phase, and we're going to build it around Jim Thome."
richesson@vindy.com