DETROIT: Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor put on a show this weekend in Detroit with a number of highlight-reel plays.
In doing so, he opened the eyes of an all-time Indians great and one of the greatest to ever play the position.
On Saturday, Lindor first made a diving play to his left to take away a hit from Andrew Romine. Two innings later, Miguel Cabrera ripped a liner, clocked at 107 mph per Statcast, right at him. Lindor didn’t have time to take a step either way, cleanly fielded the one-hopper, fell on his back, got up and made the throw in time.
That got the attention of Omar Vizquel, who was on the field as the Tigers’ first-base coach.
“Those things make you open your eyes and say, ‘Wow, this kid has some tremendous ability out there,’ ” Vizquel said prior to Sunday’s game. “It’s been fun to see that.”
Lindor after the play was laughing into his glove, as he was essentially knocked on his butt because the ball was hit so hard and he got caught in-between steps. He’s often flashed a smile after a nice play, which is something Vizquel at times did as well.
Vizquel likes that kind of style.
“It’s just great to see guys enjoying the game the way he does,” Vizquel said. “Right now, there are a lot of things going on in the game, with everybody having their own handshakes and their own hot-dogging thing going on. It’s nice to see that. That’s the way I was when I played. It tells you how much you enjoy the game.
“They can also hit .300. You know you’re having some fun when you hit .300. You know what’s hard? When you hit .220 like me and you still have fun on the field. It’s great to see them smile.”
Lindor was born a mere weeks before Vizquel was traded to the Indians from the Seattle Mariners. He’s had to look up videos on YouTube of Vizquel, one of the more beloved Indians players in recent memory.
For Indians fans, it’s two generations of Indians shortstops coming together. For Lindor, it’s praise from one of the best.
“It’s awesome. It’s huge. It means a lot,” Lindor said. “It’s an honor. Whenever someone mentions me next to a guy like that, it’s huge. Him or [Roberto] Alomar, it’s cool.”
Vizquel had his own flair playing the position with a career of bare-handed plays and highlights. Vizquel noted Lindor’s ability to drive to both sides as one of his biggest attributes.
There’s a creativity to playing shortstop. Each, to an extent, has his own.
“I think it might be everything,” Lindor said. “That’s what you need. You’ve got to create things in order for you to make plays. ... Once you’re in the moment, if you can’t come up with whatever — like move your feet, drop step, whatever it is — you’ve got to come up with whatever is going to make sure you’re going to catch the ball and get the out.”
Indians fans got to watch Vizquel for more than a decade. They’re in year two of Lindor, who’s even making his predecessors take note.
Flying in
Indians outfielder Michael Brantley will fly to Minnesota to be evaluated by the team, which begins a three-game series against the Twins on Monday.
Brantley played in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday for Triple-A Columbus and will have a light day on Sunday before speaking with Indians manager Terry Francona and the club in person. It’s possible that his activation from the disabled list happens while the team is in Minnesota.
“He’s been great. He’s done everything,” Francona said. “He’s done a fantastic job trying to be ready to play. That’s why besides really wanting him because he’s a good player, I don’t stress much about it because I know he’s doing everything in his power to be ready to play. Proud of him, actually.”
A tough decision might have been made easier with Carlos Carrasco expected to hit the disabled list with a left hamstring injury.
The Indians would have had to option Tyler Naquin or Cody Anderson to Triple-A, perhaps, or designate a reliever for assignment. Carrasco’s placement on the disabled list would open up a spot on the 25-man active roster.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ