BASEBALL Gerut hoping to avoid sophomore slump

The rookie led the Tribein home runs and RBIs.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Jody Gerut isn't an unknown commodity any longer.
The Cleveland Indians' young outfielder knows this. He knows a rewarding 2003 rookie season doesn't mean much anymore, not with the organization's ongoing effort to become a contender the constant focus.
"The second year is always tougher than the first for people who have good first years," Gerut said during the Indians winter caravan Thursday at Antone's Banquet Centre. "The league's going to make me adjust; I just have to be ready for it."
After being promoted from Triple-A Buffalo, Gerut burst onto the major league scene, starting with an April 26 game at Oakland.
"There are no gaps in talent," he said of major league competition. "Everybody's good."
Rookie year to remember
Gerut batted .279 in 127 games and became the first Indians rookie since Joe Charboneau in 1980 to lead the team in home runs (22) and RBIs (75).
"The opportunity was the first thing I needed," Gerut said. "I always thought I'd be a consistent performer eventually, once I got the chance."
Then, it was a matter of Gerut adapting to his new surroundings, taking in all the new information and filtering out what he couldn't use.
"When you first get up there, you're inundated with all these resources and you just don't need it all," Gerut said. "You're not sure what you need and what you don't, so you remember everything."
Gerut was a standout player at Stanford University, where he lettered in each of his three seasons. The Colorado Rockies selected him in the second round of the 1998 draft before the Indians traded for him in 2001.
Two right knee surgeries kept him idle that season, but he came back strong while at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Buffalo.
Then last season, the Indians came calling.
"I think Jody Gerut will evolve into a leadership role," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "We have young players who need to step up and be leaders."
The soft-spoken Gerut has the ability to assume such a role. He's already planning a strategy for success in 2004.
"You hope to build on it, just like a pitcher," Gerut said. "A pitcher has to be able to repeat his delivery; a hitter has to be able to repeat his swing.
"The best players are the ones who do that year in and year out."
Team's outlook
Gerut is one of numerous players Wedge expects to produce in the Indians' batting order.
"We're going to be the type of team that can do it one through nine in the line-up," Wedge said. "We're not going to be the type of team that defines itself by one or two players."
The Indians went 68-94 last season and finished fourth in the American League Central Division. As the young team continues to grow, higher expectations follow.
"Spring training is going to be more about the regular season and less about spring training," Wedge said. "Last year's spring was more about setting the foundation and getting off on the right foot."
Plus, Wedge has one year of major league managing experience behind him. He has a better grasp of the routine and the type of team at his disposal.
"With all the young people we have coming back, and going through their first year last year, I'm excited for them to take those experiences for a test drive," Wedge said.
Carrying the load
The manager hopes that starting pitching will be the team's "backbone." C.C. Sabathia, Jason Davis and Cliff Lee lead the way, with five other players vying for two starting spots.
"I just want to stay healthy all year. Last year was cut short for me," said Lee, who went 3-3 with a 3.61 ERA following an abdominal strain and hernia.
"I want to go out and make every start and try to get into the seventh inning," Lee said. "If I can do that, all the other numbers will take care of themselves."
richesson@vindy.com