Three Reasons the Tribe are Fueling our Spring Fever

After a World Series to remember, we’ve somehow survived these baseball-free months on memories of Rajai Davis’ game-tying, Game 7 home run and the signing of free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion as an early Christmas present. So we’re Tyler Naquin-level pumped as the Cleveland Indians open spring training Feb. 12 when pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear, Arizona. Here are three things to know before the first pitch.

Games 8, 9 and 10 of the World Series
Well, sort of. The Tribe takes on the Cubbies three times during the spring, including March 27 at Goodyear Ballpark, in what should be a few of the most anticipated exhibitions in a long time. “It’s that time of year when wins and losses don’t really matter,” says Ryan Lantz, the team’s director of Arizona operations. “But that by far will be our biggest [crowd] of the year.” 

Fantasy camp
This year, spring training’s relaxed, intimate environment gets even more chill with three special Fan Experience packages. In addition to a meet and greet with players and broadcasters March 5 and 19 and the chance to watch pregame batting practice from the field March 17, the Indians have added two 90-minute on-field workout sessions March 11 and 25 that include shagging flies, fielding grounders and a batting practice competition. “This is the first year we opened it up to the general public,” Lantz says. “These kinds of experiences add to that [fan-friendly] atmosphere.” 

Numbers may lie
Many fans will be focused on big-ticket newcomer Encarnacion, who agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract in late December. But if you’re looking to keep an eye on the development of top prospects such as outfielder Bradley Zimmer or catcher Francisco Mejia, don’t just watch the box score. “It’s not necessarily what they do in those spring training games, as much as how they came in,” says assistant general manager Carter Hawkins, “and how they carried whatever offseason work into spring training.”