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Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Victim of beating in Kent last week is declared dead at Akron hospital
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Can DNA tests free ex-Akron captain?
Browns' roster nearly devoid of consistent players
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
Does it work? Test team returns to try out new products advertised on television
Blogs:
Pets:
Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Night Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
Browns vs. Lions live …
Akron Zips:
Akron trounces Howard to reach .500
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Robiskie, Harrison inactive
Kent State Sports:
Kent State blown out in second half, loses to Temple 47-13
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Four area football teams play tonight
All Da King's Men:
The Sunday Sanity Challenge
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Will Health Care Reform Pass?
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (69) The Brookings Institute Study on "Bending the Curve" – Four General Strategies
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
A Random Rant on Testing
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Utility infielder adding outfield to a lengthy list of positions he can play
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Monday, May 12, 2008
When Brandon Chaves arrived in Akron as a minor-league free agent to start the season, he was considered a utility player in that he could play both second and third base.
But it didn't take long to realize that the former long-time Altoona Curve infielder could be even more versatile.
When Aeros outfield prospect Trevor Crowe went on the disabled list in early April with a lower back injury, it left the Aeros with just three outfielders. Instead of calling up a young outfielder from high Class-A Kinston, first-year Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh turned to Chaves and asked him to give left field a shot.
''I was surprised to be thrown out there, but at least I'd played out there before briefly,'' Chaves said. ''I just tried not to look bad out there.''
Then during two games last week with Wes Hodges in the lineup as designated hitter, Chaves filled in at third base — a position he hadn't played in two years, since he last filled in for an injured player in Altoona.
''But I'm not going to say no,'' Chaves said. ''I'm just glad for the opportunity.''
It's that kind of attitude that has made the 6-foot-3, switch-hitting native of Hawaii even more valuable to the Aeros than first expected.
''I don't know where we'd be without him,'' Sarbaugh said. ''Any team is lucky to have a guy so versatile that he can fill so many positions like that in a pinch.''
Originally selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round of the 2000 draft, the nine-year veteran had spent at least parts of the last four seasons at Double-A Altoona before leaving the organization as a free agent.
''Altoona wanted to sign me back, but I wanted to try something new,'' Chaves said. ''The Pirates changed a lot of their front-office people at the top, and I didn't really know anybody. Plus, I thought it was time for a change.''
So Chaves' agent had begun talking with officials from the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, when the Indians came calling.
''I was surprised because they [the Indians] don't usually sign a lot of free agents at this level,'' Chaves said. ''But it seemed like a good situation at the time, and now I love it here.''
Aeros postponed
Sunday's afternoon game with visiting Trenton (New York Yankees) was rained out. Because Trenton does not come back to Akron during the remainder of the regular season, the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when the Aeros travel to New Jersey for a series Aug. 7-10.
Up next
Thanks to some timely rain, Aeros players and coaches are enjoying the rare luxury of two consecutive days off before getting back to action Tuesday, when they travel to Altoona (Pittsburgh Pirates) for a three-game series. The Aeros are expected to send left-hander Chuck Lofgren (1-3, 5.51 ERA) to the mound to face Curve right-hander Jimmy Barthmaier (2-1, 5.29 ERA) on Tuesday. After the Altoona series, Akron will continue to Reading (Philadelphia Phillies) for a weekend series before returning to Akron May 19-26 to kick off an eight-game home stand.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
When Brandon Chaves arrived in Akron as a minor-league free agent to start the season, he was considered a utility player in that he could play both second and third base.
Get the full article here.
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