Special_K19
05-12-2003, 11:48 PM
Sure-handed Phillips leading AL second basemen in fielding
Monday, May 12, 2003 TRIBE NOTEBOOK Andy Call Repository
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Brandon Phillips sees only one prerequisite for becoming a major-league second baseman.
“If you can dance, you can play second base,” the rookie Cleveland Indians second baseman said.
Phillips has been the Fred Astaire of American League second basemen so far this season. He entered Sunday’s game leading all AL second basemen in fielding percentage (.994), having been charged with just one error in 165 chances.
The 21-year-old from Georgia was moved over from shortstop last June after being traded to the Indians by Montreal. Cleveland already had veteran Omar Vizquel at shortstop. Second baseman Ricky Gutierrez, meanwhile, faced an uncertain future due to health issues.
“(Cincinnati shortstop) Barry Larkin told me, ‘If you can play shortstop, you can play anywhere on the field,’ ” Phillips said.
So Phillips became a second baseman — at Triple-A Buffalo, at Cleveland and during the Arizona Fall League. At each stop, Phillips said, he received good instruction.
“Lou Frazier and Carlos Garcia helped me a lot in the Arizona Fall League,” Phillips said. “(Indians bench coach) Buddy Bell has been good with me. He has always been there to hit me ground balls and tell me things I can use. He says stuff like, ‘Trust your hands’ and ‘Play the game in slow motion.’ And it’s all true.”
But, Phillips said, perhaps his best tutor has been Vizquel. Phillips is the 29th second baseman Vizquel has played with since being traded to the Indians by Seattle prior to the 1994 season.
“Omar makes the game fun,” Phillips said. “He’s the best shortstop, and he makes you want to be the best second baseman. I want to be the best second baseman Omar has ever played with. Robbie Alomar will probably always be the best, but maybe I can be the best youngster.
“The double play is the hardest part of this, and Omar gives me good feeds consistently, every time. No one else can do it like Omar. And the more we do it, the easier it comes.”
Phillips is still chagrined over his only error this season, which came April 22 against the first batter of the team’s first game of a series in Seattle.
“Ichiro hit me a ground ball, and all I could think about was ‘He’s so fast,’ ” Phillips said. “I tried to throw it before the ball got to me. I just booted it.
“I’ve got a good arm. Nobody can outrun it. I’ve just got to remember what Buddy Bell said about playing the game in slow motion.”
Phillips’ hitting has not come along as quickly as his fielding. He is batting .239. Oddly enough, Phillips is hitting .297 on the road and .156 at home.
“I’m a road person,” Phillips said. “I love traveling. I don’t know what’s going on with me at home.”
Vizquel, 36, will eventually need to be replaced. When that happens, Phillips could be moved back to shortstop.
“If I have to go back, I’ll try to make the adjustment,” Phillips said. “Right now, I’m in love with second base.”
Monday, May 12, 2003 TRIBE NOTEBOOK Andy Call Repository
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Brandon Phillips sees only one prerequisite for becoming a major-league second baseman.
“If you can dance, you can play second base,” the rookie Cleveland Indians second baseman said.
Phillips has been the Fred Astaire of American League second basemen so far this season. He entered Sunday’s game leading all AL second basemen in fielding percentage (.994), having been charged with just one error in 165 chances.
The 21-year-old from Georgia was moved over from shortstop last June after being traded to the Indians by Montreal. Cleveland already had veteran Omar Vizquel at shortstop. Second baseman Ricky Gutierrez, meanwhile, faced an uncertain future due to health issues.
“(Cincinnati shortstop) Barry Larkin told me, ‘If you can play shortstop, you can play anywhere on the field,’ ” Phillips said.
So Phillips became a second baseman — at Triple-A Buffalo, at Cleveland and during the Arizona Fall League. At each stop, Phillips said, he received good instruction.
“Lou Frazier and Carlos Garcia helped me a lot in the Arizona Fall League,” Phillips said. “(Indians bench coach) Buddy Bell has been good with me. He has always been there to hit me ground balls and tell me things I can use. He says stuff like, ‘Trust your hands’ and ‘Play the game in slow motion.’ And it’s all true.”
But, Phillips said, perhaps his best tutor has been Vizquel. Phillips is the 29th second baseman Vizquel has played with since being traded to the Indians by Seattle prior to the 1994 season.
“Omar makes the game fun,” Phillips said. “He’s the best shortstop, and he makes you want to be the best second baseman. I want to be the best second baseman Omar has ever played with. Robbie Alomar will probably always be the best, but maybe I can be the best youngster.
“The double play is the hardest part of this, and Omar gives me good feeds consistently, every time. No one else can do it like Omar. And the more we do it, the easier it comes.”
Phillips is still chagrined over his only error this season, which came April 22 against the first batter of the team’s first game of a series in Seattle.
“Ichiro hit me a ground ball, and all I could think about was ‘He’s so fast,’ ” Phillips said. “I tried to throw it before the ball got to me. I just booted it.
“I’ve got a good arm. Nobody can outrun it. I’ve just got to remember what Buddy Bell said about playing the game in slow motion.”
Phillips’ hitting has not come along as quickly as his fielding. He is batting .239. Oddly enough, Phillips is hitting .297 on the road and .156 at home.
“I’m a road person,” Phillips said. “I love traveling. I don’t know what’s going on with me at home.”
Vizquel, 36, will eventually need to be replaced. When that happens, Phillips could be moved back to shortstop.
“If I have to go back, I’ll try to make the adjustment,” Phillips said. “Right now, I’m in love with second base.”