Indians News & Notes: Tom Hamilton receives multiyear extension

When I first started following the Indians in the mid-70s, there were only a few opportunities to watch baseball on television. Channel 43 aired  about 20 Indians games during the season, but every Saturday afternoon, there was Game of the Week with Joe Garagiola and Tony Kubek. For people of my age and older, Joe Garagiola was THE voice of baseball on television.  Requiescat in pacem, Joe. May the ballfield always be green.

Cleveland 7 - Kansas City 6

Tyler Naquin homers twice; Indians beat Royals | MLB.com - The Indians flexed their muscle with four home runs as the club powered its way to a 7-6 win over the Royals on Wednesday afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark.

Francisco Lindor hits first spring home run | MLB.com - Francisco Lindor hit his first home run of the spring in the Indians' 7-6 win over the Royals on Wednesday, when he lifted a 2-1 pitch from Kansas City's Kris Medlen over the right-field wall at Goodyear Ballpark.

Cleveland Indians scribbles from Goodyear: Tyler Naquin's two homers impress Terry Francona -- Terry Pluto (photos) | cleveland.com - Terry Francona came very close to putting the rookie on the team: "He's really doing everything you can do. We'll get to the point where we will start to do things (about the roster). ... There is a time to start saying things about guys ... and he has done a really good job."

Indians News

Tom Hamilton agrees to extension with Indians | MLB.com - Tom Hamilton, “the voice of the Indians“ for three decades, has agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the team. .

Indians' Kyle Crockett vying for bullpen spot | indians.com - As someone with just 74 Major League games under his belt, Crockett has done his best to pick the brains and learn from the trio of veterans, who have a combined 885 games of experience.

Cleveland Indians tell Michael Martinez, two others that they won't make final roster | cleveland.com - Utility man Michael Martinez and catcher Guillermo Quiroz won't make the Indians' opening day roster, but will stay in big league camp. Right-hander Felipe Paulino was sent to minors, while right-hander Craig Stammen won't exercise his out clause.

Jose Ramirez making case for Indians; flu bug affecting camp; Tom Hamilton gets extension - Indians - Ohio -
The Indians look to Ramirez as a lightning rod of sorts, a versatile player who can enter a game and drive the ball or steal a base while being able to field several positions. The four home runs, combined with that defensive flexibility, are particularly enticing.

Around the League

• Broadcaster Joe Garagiola has died
• Countering the shift is not easy, says Jeff Sullivan
• ARod may or may not be retiring after 2017
• Tampa Bay plays in Cuba, has problems coming back.