Acta safe for now
The Indians have collapsed. Owner Paul Dolan isn’t ready to begin rebuilding them just yet.
Perplexed as anyone by the Indians’ stunning losing streak, Dolan said Thursday night that he has no immediate plans to fire manager Manny Acta and that he’s not considering an overhaul of Cleveland’s front office.
Dolan, appearing at a charity bowling event for Acta’s foundation, said he has no plans to dismiss president Mark Shapiro, general manager Chris Antonetti or his manager.
“We all have a lot of work to do, but their jobs aren’t at stake with this,” Dolan said.
Asked to clarify that he is not considering a managerial change, Dolan said, “No. I am not.”
Dolan is at a loss to explain how the Indians, who were just 31/2 games out of first place on July 26 after rallying to beat Detroit ace Justin Verlander, could stumble so dramatically. The Indians lost 11 in a row after that win, are currently riding an eight-game losing streak and are just 4-17 in August – with the New York Yankees on deck for three games starting Friday.
Dolan hopes to assess the challenging season once it’s over, and only then will he consider any moves.
Jeter calm amid Yankees’ storm
A rational approach is Derek Jeter’s only route, so the Yankees captain was predictably calm during a tempestuous Wednesday in the Windy City.
“You don’t pay attention usually until September,” Jeter said of the Yankees’ fast-fading A.L. East lead. “If you win your games, you’ll be fine.”
That was Jeter’s sermon on a night when the White Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Yankees, capped by Joe Girardi shouting down a loud fan who made a rude comment during the manager’s post-game news conference.
Earlier in the day, Jeter had to swat down a TV commentator’s suggestions that a season worthy of MVP recognition ought to come under scrutiny in this era of HGH.
“You can say whatever you want now, huh? There’s no repercussions,” Jeter said before swatting his third homer in three games.
The Yankees have seen a 10-game lead on July 18 shrink to 2 1/2 as of Thursday.
Clearing the bases
Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford had season- ending surgery on his left elbow. The team expects Crawford to make a full recovery, estimated to take six to nine months. … The Yankees put pitcher Ivan Nova on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his right rotator cuff. The team says treatment will consist of medicine and rest, and that the right-hander will not play catch for five days.