While We’re Waiting… A Wahoo Winner, and a must read on Ubaldo

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

“Francona’s nerves followed the message he gave the team a day earlier, when he stressed that if the Indians of 2013 are to accomplish anything they have to do it together. It’s a message many say, but not all can convey. “I think that’s the best way for us to be good,” Francona said.

“That” means play the game right, look out for each other and care about each other, which is illustrated in postgame things like a veteran grabbing the lineup card for the veteran manager. It was also illustrated during the game as the Indians used the contributions of many to form a pretty impressive opening-game whole.” [McManamon/FSO]

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A must read. “Jimenez never wanted to become a pitcher. He hated pitching. As a boy growing up in Nagua, Dominican Republic, Jimenez played the outfield, and his most cherished moments on the ball field were when he stepped into the batter’s box. He was determined to be a slugger. Jimenez wanted to be Manny Ramirez or Sammy Sosa.

The problem was, he wasn’t very good at being a position player. He couldn’t run. He couldn’t hit. He couldn’t field. He was tall and lanky and ran the bases awkwardly. His movements lacked fluidity.

But he could throw. If a ball was hit to him, runners rarely tested his arm. Coaches would order Jimenez to take the mound. At times he refused.

“If you don’t pitch, you won’t play,” his coach would tell him. “Fine, I’ll go home,” the young Jimenez responded. He’d pout all the way home. Of course he’d return soon after. He couldn’t stay away too long from the game he loved.” [Arangure/Sports on Earth]

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“Braxton Miller, Ohio State’s do-everything quarterback, took a vicious hit from defensive end Noah Spence on an option toss to running back Rod Smith. Miller – wearing a black no-contact jersey – remained on the turf for several minutes, flat on his back. When he finally got to his feet, he wasn’t interested in keeping the peace.

Miller walked straight to the culprit and a skirmish broke out on the defensive sideline. Words and shoves were exchanged. Mike Vrabel and a mob of players broke up the brief brouhaha. Urban Meyer said there wasn’t intent in the hit.

“It’s football,” the head coach said. “We ran option to the left and he got dinged. He’s fine.” Meyer said Miller already has sore ribs from a hit he suffered during a scrimmage on Saturday. As for the fire inside Miller, Meyer is A-OK with it.” [Rowland/Eleven Warriors]

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“If Luke Walton could just play the game with his mind, he would be an MVP-level player and his nickname would assuredly be Jedi Knight Luke. Unfortunately, until he becomes a successful coach, he must use his body to play the game. It’s sometimes surreal to watch Walton play. How can a guy anticipate passing lanes so well that he can rack up 4 steals in 25 minutes, but he’s so unathletic that he looks like me running a fast break? (I’ve lost the ball over my head before on the break – it’s embarrassing.) How can a guy pump fake a defender out of his Jordans, drive into the lane, and then airball an uncontested 8 foot floater? A guy with enough touch to dish out 6 assists… Anyway, it has been a pleasure watching Luke Walton this year.” [Pestak/Cavs the Blog]

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The Choo in center experiment got off to a shaky start (with video)– “Choo’s first appearance in center for the Reds on Monday delivered about what we could expect, you know, if we were expecting a career right fielder to roam around the outfield and misjudge a deep fly ball. Peter Bourjos knocked a triple in the 12th inning of the Angels’ 3-1 win over the Reds on Monday. He can thank Choo for allowing this triple to see the scoresheet.” [Lewis/Getting Blanked]