INDIANS NOTEBOOK From Jacobs Field
Battle of nerves: It will be a case of first things first when Jeremy Sowers makes his much anticipated major league debut today for the Cleveland Indians. "It's completely ironic, so go figure," Sowers said Saturday on the eve of starting against the team that originally drafted him the first round, the Cincinnati Reds. The 23-year-old left-hander was selected by Cincinnati with the 20th overall pick in the 2001 draft, but opted to go to Vanderbilt University. Three years later, the Indians took him with the sixth pick in the first round. "I'll be extremely nervous, but will try to stay within myself," said Sowers, who went 9-1 with a 1.39 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Buffalo to earn the call to Cleveland. "Hopefully I won't do anything dumb." After throwing four no-hitters and going 23-2 with an ERA under 1.00 over his final two years of high school, Sowers rejected the Reds' contract offer five years ago, saying it was "inconceivable" he would have signed for any amount of money. "I really wanted to go to college and made that clear," he said. "The experience helped me develop as a pitcher." Sowers said he didn't get impatient this year at Buffalo awaiting a call to the majors despite posting exceptional numbers. "I just went out every five days and tried to improve," he said. "I've got a lot to work on, take your pick. There's nothing in my game -- or anybody's -- that can't stand improving." A throng of family, friends and Sowers' fiancee are expected at Jacobs Field for his debut, though his twin brother Josh will not be there. Josh, a right-hander, is pitching in the Toronto Blue Jays' system. "He's happy for me and I'm happy for him," Jeremy said. "He just got moved up a level the other day. It's kind of that twin thing, I guess."
Not exactly happy: First baseman Ben Broussard clearly is not happy about being benched Friday night by manager Eric Wedge. "All I can do is play hard and if they don't want me in the lineup, it's his call," said Broussard, who was back at first base Saturday, but will likely be replaced again at the position by catcher Victor Martinez on Sunday. Wedge said the move was made to shore up Cleveland's inconsistent defense. "Ben's capable of playing better," the manager said. Broussard, who has five errors in 457 total chances over 61 games, doesn't think he's been that bad in the field. "I've made mistakes, but I've made plays too, some that have saved runs," he said. "They've seen me for three or four years and know what I can do. I've been through this before, but usually it's been when I'm struggling at the plate." Broussard, hitting .326 (63-for-193) with nine homers and 35 RBIs while platooning with right-hander Eduardo Perez at the position this season, said he's going to remain upbeat. "I want to play every game," he said. "And I'll prepare myself to play every game and be ready for whatever they tell me to do. That's all I can do."
Associated Press