Taking A Look At Tribe Training Camp

Any fan coming to the Indians' new spring training home in Goodyear, Ariz., really should bring a digital camera. The players are plentiful, the backgrounds beautiful, and there's always action. The Goodyear Ballpark is in use only during exhibition games. But with six full minor-league fields and hitting, pitching and workout areas galore, something's always happening at the sun-drenched complex.

Kerry Wood, the Indians' big off-season signing at $20.5 million over two years, has yet to pitch in a game due to a sore back. The right-hander threw two innings of a simulated game Saturday and is due to see his first exhibition game action Tuesday.

Outfielder Grady Sizemore, sidelined for eight days with a strained groin, hit against Wood in the simulated game. Sizemore is due to take a couple of at-bats as the designated hitter today in a game against Oakland. Travis Hafner is scheduled to replace Sizemore as the DH in the middle of the game.

Hafner went 0-for-2 Friday against Milwaukee in his first game action since having shoulder surgery last October.

Cliff Lee got his spring camp off to a flying start Thursday by riding in an F-16 fighter jet. Lee was filmed as part of a public-service commercial during the one-hour ride, from nearby Luke Air Force Base.


Lee receives egress training from the 56th Fighter Wing Life Support by
Staff Sergeant Inishia George, Life Support Technician.


Lee walks to the F-16 on the 309th Fighter Squadron ramp
with Major Daniel "Dutch" Munter, F-16 Instructor Pilot.


These are F-16s similar to Lee's ride, which included barrel rolls and loops.
"It was a lot of fun," he said. "I didn't throw up. They said 95 percent of the people they take up there do that."


Michael Brantley puts on the equipment most important
to his game -- the shoes. Brantley, an outfielder acquired
in the CC Sabathia trade from Milwaukee, has been
successful on 103 of 132 stolen-base attempts with a .311 batting average in the minors.


Minor-leaguer Jeanmar Gomez gets in some early morning throws.


Outfield hopeful Trevor Crowe works on his swing from the left side as
hitting coach Derek Shelton talks with slugger Matt LaPorta in the background.
Crowe, a switch-hitter, has an outside shot at making the big-league team
but most likely will open the season at Triple-A Columbus.


Josh Barfield watches Joe Smith throw some batting practice. Moments later,
Barfield stepped in to hit -- and got drilled in the thigh by a wayward Smith fastball.


Joe Smith apologizes to teammate Josh Barfield after hitting him with a pitch during spring practice.


With apologies to Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore or even minor-league
batting prodigies Carlos Santana or Matt LaPorta -- this is the greatest hitter
who will take some swings at the Goodyear Ballpark this year. Hall of Famer
George Brett serves as a spring consultant to his former team, the Kansas City
Royals, and hit balls to infielders during pregame practice on Saturday, March 7.