Fri 03 August 2018, 15:08
Tottenham HotspurTiming is a key element of elite sport – and two baseball stars of the MLB (Major League Baseball) in America couldn’t have timed their schedules better during our Tour of the USA.
The MLB schedule for 2018 is announced in September, 2017. That schedule pitched up Cleveland Indians for a three-match stint in Minneapolis between 29 July-1 August.
On 29 July, our touring party touched down in Minneapolis after a week in Los Angeles, ready to start preparations for our third and final International Champions Cup (ICC) match against AC Milan at the US Bank Stadium.
It didn’t take long for Indians’ pitcher Corey Kluber, three-time All Star, twice winner of the league’s CY Young Award and one of the finest pitchers in the MLB, to put two and two together and join us for our first training session in the city.
I watch the team as often as I can on TV but to be able to see the players up close is great
“The timing is absolutely perfect,” said Corey, friends with another MLB giant and Spurs fan, Daniel Murphy of the Washington Nationals.
“We’re not able to go to the game because we’re playing against the Twins at the same time but to be able to watch training is fun.
“It’s cool to be here pitchside. I watch the team as often as I can on TV but to be able to see the players up close and personal is great.”
Corey was joined by another MLB All Star, catcher Yan Gomes. Yan had a particular interest in meeting Lucas Moura, a fellow Brazilian and fellow native of Sao Paulo.
“I’m excited to get to meet Lucas,” said Yan. “We’re both huge soccer fans so any time we get the chance to interact with these guys it’s a great honour.
“For these guys to be doing what they are doing at their level is inspiring to anyone. We’ve got the chance to pick their brains a little, watch them work out and see for ourselves just how good they are at what they do.”
On Daniel, Corey added: “We spent a couple of off-seasons working out at the same place so we’d always talk about Spurs.”
It was pointed out that as Indians and Nationals are in different leagues in the MLB, they could only meet in the World Series! “If that works out, we’ll meet in the outfield before the game and talk some soccer!” he added.
Indians are well-placed to win the MLB’s American League Central Division again - that would take them into the play-offs and on the path towards the World Series.
They reached MLB’s biggest stage in 2016 and looked set to take glory only for Chicago Cubs to come from 3-1 down to take the best-of-seven series 4-3.
Corey and Yan facts...
- A pitcher, Corey joined the Indians in 2011
- He is a three-time MLB All Star
- He is a two-time CY Young Award (for best pitcher) winner
- Yan is a catcher (stands behind the bat)
- He's the first Brazilian-born player in the MLB
- An All Star for the first time in 2018
- Both players helped Indians to the World Series in 2016
Yan said: It took us quite a bit to get over that but we’ve moved on, we’ve learned from it… what an experience, we were there and not a lot of people can say that.”
Corey added: “That was tough, yes, we try not to think about it as much as possible. We were one game away… hopefully this year we’ll have another chance.”
Let’s hope for an all-Spurs MLB World Series in October!
