Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Family found dead in Ohio home
Man gets 3 years in prison for having sex with horse
Brown still testing Cavs' lineup
Kosar would be wrong call as GM
Take comfort in knowing Browns could be bigger losers
Sex-toy study at Duke University raises some eyebrows
Akron man turns himself in after authorities turn up heat
Robbers order bar patrons to empty pockets
Blogs:
Pets:
Not 101 Dalmations…but close!
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your perusal
Akron Zips:
The morning after
Tribe Matters:
Tribe makes roster moves
Cleveland Browns:
Lewis doesn't like boycott
Kent State Sports:
Kent State falls to Akron, 20-28
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Knicks
Buckeye Blogging:
Weekly ‘B’ Deck Report – New Mexico St.
Varsity Letters:
Wrestling, bowling teams prepare for season
All Da King's Men:
If It Looks Like Islamic Terrorism…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Dems Message To Women: Don't Enjoy The Sex
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (62) The Stupak Amendment
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Perfect Weather for an Autumn Drive
Let's Talk Real Estate:
RUMORS: Downtown Restaurant Explosion
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
The Black Keys to perform benefit concert at Musica on November 27
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
New 'Call of Duty' could set entertainment record
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.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
