Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Tallmadge man dies after motorcycle crash
Man on leave from Iraq war slain in Akron
Passers-by call police over topless gardener
Soldier on leave dies after shooting near UA
Man breaks into house, flees when owner wakes up
Quinn tells Denver his foot has healed
Traffic light at off-ramp misplaced?
Slow starts might hurt Cavs' big finish
Blogs:
Akron Docs in Haiti:
Almost home
First Bell - On Education:
21st Century Skills and Akron’s new middle school
Pets:
Lost Mini Schnauzer around Cascade Valley Park
The Heldenfiles:
Fess Parker, R.I.P.
Akron Zips:
Looking back on the season
Tribe Matters:
Cleveland Browns:
Yates latest to re-sign
Balanced Ledger:
How times have changed?
Kent State Sports:
Kent State gears up for WNIT at Michigan
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Chicago Bulls (Green Mascot and All)
Buckeye Blogging:
Bucks High Seed – Turner High Praise
Varsity Letters:
Report: Ohio offers Olack
All Da King's Men:
ObamaCare To Reduce Premiums By 3000% ?
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Pathetic GOP Nullification Attempts
Akron Law Café:
Legal Authority behind the Census OR…
Car Chase:
2010 CONCOURS SEASON IS UPON US
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Deals in Miami?!.
Sound Check:
Willie Nelson & Family coming to the Akron Civic Theatre May 11
See Jane Style:
Who Wore What – The Oscars
HRLite House:
Horses of Courses
Akron Gamer:
Video: Gamers expected to 'reach' for new 'Halo'
Published on Friday, Feb 22, 2008
Hafner tells a tall tale
about his small dog
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: Travis Hafner has a dog named Rudi.
The Australian terrier isn't a real big dog — about 20 pounds — but it's big enough to keep the fires burning in the continuing friendly feud between Hafner and Casey Blake, who never seem to run out of things to needle one another about.
After the Indians' workout Thursday, Hafner told reporters the following tongue-in-cheek tale: ''I have a life-sized poster of Blake in my house, and I'm teaching the dog to attack it. If he does, I give him a treat.''
Hafner also said that in spring training last year, Rudi attacked Blake in the face, and that he ran away.
''He made me take the dog home,'' Hafner said. ''If you ask him about any of this, he'll be afraid to admit it.''
Blake, of course, refutes the story.
''That dog tried to bite off the little pinky on my foot,'' he said. ''But he can't get his mouth around any part of my body. I hope you notice that Hafner's power numbers are down since he got that dog. I can tell you about that dog: My 6- and 4-year-old daughters take it for a walk.''
And does Blake have his own dog?
''No,'' he said. ''But if I did, I'd get a manly dog.''
THE FIRST DAY — As is customary at the first full-squad workout of the spring, pitchers — not coaches — threw batting practice, which isn't much fun for the hitters. Their only edge is that the catcher tells them what pitch is coming, but that won't last much longer than the second or third workout.
Manager Eric Wedge also addressed the troops.
''Some of the things I talk about every year, like respecting the game and being a good teammate,'' he said. ''Mostly, I talked about this year and how much hard work we're going to have to do to prepare for the season.''
As for high expectations from the fans, Wedge said, ''We're far enough along that expectations should be the norm.''
ON THE WAY — Reliever Jorge Julio, the only player not in camp, is said to be on his way. Apparently, his plane landed from Venezuela and he was driving to Winter Haven by mid-afternoon.
REPEATER — The Indians have signed outfielder Jason Tyner to a minor-league contract for the second time.
Tyner, 30, spent all of 2007 with the Minnesota Twins, the first time he lasted an entire season in the big leagues. In 114 games, he batted .286 with 14 doubles, one home run (off Jake Westbrook), 22 RBI and eight steals. His career major-league average is .275 in 439 games with the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays and Twins.
During the 2004 season, Tyner played 38 games at the Tribe's Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, batting .345.
GETTING A JUMP — Thirty-three of the Indians' best and brightest minor-leaguers reported to camp this week, two weeks ahead of their lodge brothers.
The participants in the early camp: pitchers Chris Archer, Kelvin De La Cruz, Kevin Dixon, Ryan Edell, Santo Frias, Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff, Ryan Morris, Shawn Nottingham, Hector Rondon, Carlton Smith and Steve Wright; catchers Robbie Alcombrack, Alex Castillo, Brian Juhl, Douglas Pickens and Michael Valdez; infielders Brandon Chaves, Adam Davis, Jared Goedert, Wes Hodges, Chris Nash, Ronald Rivas, Carlos Rivero, Josh Rodriguez, Karexon Sanchez and Mark Thompson; outfielders Matt Brown, Jose Constanza, John Drennen, Stephen Head and Adam White.
— Sheldon Ocker
Hafner tells a tall tale
about his small dog
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
