GOODYEAR, Ariz.: Justin Masterson made his professional television debut during the winter when he did color commentator to Al Pawlowski’s play-by-play for the Cleveland State-Butler basketball game on SportsTime Ohio.
The game was in Indianapolis, Masterson’s hometown, so Pawlowski invited him to be part of the telecast. Masterson did his homework and enjoyed the experience.
“Yeah, I would do it again,” he said.
It reminded him of time he spent as a student at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind., doing public address announcing for both the baseball team and the women’s basketball team.
“They couldn’t find anyone to do baseball,” Masterson said. “There was some professor who tried, but he just didn’t have a feel for it. I asked the coach if I could do it, and he said OK.”
Mind you, Masterson was a member of the baseball team but as a starting pitcher, he had plenty of idle time during the schedule.
“I didn’t hit and I didn’t play in the field, so I could do the PA stuff,” he said. “When I did our lineup, I’d give it the full shot, but I gave no love at all when I announced the names of the other team.”
One day, Masterson went a little too far, after an opposing coach lost an argument with an umpire.
“I had all the sound effects, so I put ‘There’s no crying in baseball’ on the PA system,” he said. “The coach didn’t like that at all.”
Despite the indiscretion, Masterson survived to call the next game.
Making amends
Roberto Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, is trying to make a positive influence on the authorities by speaking to kids in the Dominican Republic about the evils of stealing someone’s identity.
Hernandez is stuck in his native country, unable to procure a work permit from the U.S. government because he had used a false identity since he was a teenager.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Hernandez hopes to get a judicial pardon from U.S. authorities and return to the Tribe’s rotation.
“I’m doing all that is necessary, so that when this pardon is granted, I won’t have to wait long to play again,” Carmona said in the AP story.
Added his agent, Jorge Brito, “We are working to resolve this situation, and we believe that Roberto will be able to pitch in the major leagues this year.”
Hernandez has kept in touch with Tribe manager Manny Acta, who said Wednesday, “I think he’s helping his case by talking to kids, but it’s in the hands of the U.S. State Department.”
No. 0 in the fold
Cristian Guzman formally agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league camp.
He will join the small group competing for a utility infield position and wears No. 0.
“We feel we are adding a veteran middle infielder and switch hitter to the mix,” Acta said. “We have nothing to lose in giving him a chance in spring training.”
However, Guzman is not the frontrunner in the competition for either one of two roster spots.
“Jason Donald is the leading candidate,” Acta said. “We also have Andy LaRoche.”
Tribe operatives talked about Donald learning to play the outfield in addition to second, third and short, but apparently that plan no longer is a priority.
“That won’t be a reason why he makes it,” Acta said. “But we might give him a few innings out there before the end of camp.”
Acta managed Guzman for two years with the Washington Nationals and called him “a solid guy in the clubhouse.”
Guzman was the Minnesota Twins’ regular shortstop for six years between 1999 and 2004, then made a five-year stop with the Nationals before landing with the Texas Rangers for the latter part of the 2010 season.
He sat out last year after undergoing shoulder surgery. He has played second base in the majors, and he also can play third.
Garland scratched
Starting pitcher Jon Garland (rotator cuff surgery) is not ready to take a physical and won’t be joining the Tribe anytime soon, if at all.
Early look at Jimenez
Acta said he thought Ubaldo Jimenez threw the ball well in Wednesday’s workout, but it’s far too early to make judgments.
“It was just a bullpen, but it showed the work he put in over the winter,” Acta said. “He put on eight pounds of muscle, especially in his lower half.”
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters.
