Pitcher Finds A Positive Side On His Return To The Indians

The 30-hour drive from Lansing, Mich., to Spokane promised to be depressing.

But after a few hours on the road, Corey Thurman decided to change his attitude.

“I started to think of it as an opportunity,” said Thurman, the Spokane Indians’ projected opening-day starting pitcher at Boise tonight.

Thurman started five games for Spokane last year after his early-August promotion from the Gulf Coast rookie league. He began this season one step up, at Lansing of the Midwest League, and felt he was on his way to big things after a good April.

But Thurman, who doesn’t turn 20 until November, slipped in May. His 0-4 record during the month bought him a ticket to the bullpen.

Thurman had extra motivation for wanting to stay in Lansing. His parents live in Detroit, 1 hour away, and could attend many of his games.

Lugnuts manager Bob Herold, Spokane’s manager two years ago, broke the pack-your-bags news with a positive spin.

You need to get in your innings, Herold told Thurman, and Spokane is your best shot now.

“It really doesn’t bother me that much,” said Thurman, a fourth-round selection in the 1996 amateur draft. “I just want to do the best I can, no matter where I am.”

Thurman was the opening-day starter at Gulf Coast last year. His best game with the Indians was Aug. 22, a no-decision against Eugene when he struck out nine in 5-1/3 innings.

Thurman recalls looking up into the stands, at the numerous “K-Cards” fans hold up after strikeouts, and thinking, “This is what you play for.”

Thurman arrived in Spokane during the weekend and learned he would live with the same host family as last year.