Indians Begin Workouts Today Garber Returns To Guide K.C.’S Northwest League Entrant

A familiar face will stand out as the 1998 Spokane Indians gather for the first time this afternoon.

Most of the 20-plus players expected for minicamp at Seafirst Stadium will know little about Spokane, but the man guiding them can fill in the blanks.

Jeff Garber has returned as Indians manager. Garber, of Valdosta, Ga., first came to Spokane as the batting coach in 1996.

People in competitive fields strive to advance, but Garber won’t stew about spending another year in the short-A season Northwest League.

“Looking at it from my point of view, I’m still young, I’m still learning, and I enjoy Spokane and its fans,” Garber said Thursday, soon after his family’s arrival by airplane.

“I’m here to be the best manager I can be.”

Given Spokane’s recent success in the NWL, Garber is off to a solid start. The Indians’ .592 winning percentage last season was their best since 1990.

The ‘90 Indians, directed by Gene Glynn, won the fourth of four consecutive NWL titles. Glynn, who also handled the woeful ‘91 team (.316), was the last before Garber to manage consecutive years here.

Garber’s ‘97 Tribe started the season 14-3 and 18-5 before an 8-15 streak dropped them behind ultimate North Division champion Boise.

Garber said he liked his ‘97 team’s intensity on the field, and respectfulness on and off the field. He’ll ask for the same traits from this group, with one adjustment thrown in.

“I didn’t like - and it may be a matter of it’s hard to avoid - the lull period we had in the middle of the season,” Garber said. “We started off hot, with guys maybe playing over their heads … and you need to learn there’s going to be a down time.”

The minicamp will run through Monday, the day before Spokane’s season opener at Boise. Today’s workout, open to the public, as all will be, is scheduled for 1:30.

Garber’s first impression of his team: less power but more speed than last year.

The outfield should be solid, but hard-pressed to match last year’s trio of Dermal Brown, league most valuable player; Juan LeBron, NWL all-star; and Goefrey Tomlinson, league batting champion. Francisco Bautista, who hit .278 in 36 at-bats, returns to Spokane’s outfield.

Another returner, shortstop Merrell Ligons, cements the infield. The current roster of six infielders is missing a true third baseman.

Spokane is limited to two catchers so far, but versatile Paul Phillips showed punch and speed at the University of Alabama. Phillips also pitched and played the outfield for the Crimson Tide.

The pitching staff of 10 is smaller than usual, but the parent Kansas City Royals chose five pitchers in the early rounds of the amateur draft last week. Right-hander Monty Ward, a fourth-rounder from Texas Tech, has signed and was assigned to Spokane. The other four pitchers should play here once they sign.

“If high (draft) rounds translate to good pitching, I think we’ll have some quality arms,” Garber said.

Garber expects the first day of minicamp to be a typical display of excitement and nervousness.

“You ever see those ant hills, where you see all those ants marching around, working as a unit to try to make a home?” Garber asked. “I hope that’s what you’ll see here.”

COMING UP Today: Indians minicamp begins at Seafirst Stadium, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday: Season opener at Boise June 19: Home opener vs. Everett