When the Indians equipment managers pack up the gear from Winter Haven this year, they’ll be packing up for good. The Indians will call Goodyear, Arizona home next spring. They will take with them all the gear, uniforms and many memories. They will leave something behind though.
There is a plaque under two oak trees bearing Chief Wahoo’s face, and a baseball patch that the Indians wore during the ‘93 season. The patch was a memorial to Steve Olin and Tim Crews, two Tribe pitchers that lost their lives in a boating accident not too far from where the Indians have trained.
I can’t believe it’s been 15 years. The math works, but my mind is in disbelief. It was the last year at old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The Indians were an up and coming team. John Hart had taken some chances, and it was about to pay off. Sandy Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton and Charlie Nagy were forming the nucleus of a championship contender. Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez were getting their first taste of big league spring training.
It was no secret that the Indians were looking to be contenders at the same time they moved into ‘gateway’ as we called it back then. Hart knew he had the hitters in the organization. He also knew the pitching was suspect. Jose Mesa was a starter. Nagy was coming off a great year. Eric Plunk and Derek Lilliquist were in the pen setting up a young talented closer- Steve Olin. He had 60 saves in three years, 2 as the full time closer.
Tim Crews was a free agent signing. He was brought in to provide veteran leadership for a bullpen that needed some help. Cleveland fans never got the chance to get to know him. There was a third player in that boat. Bob Ojeda had helped win a World Series with the Mets, and was signed by Hart to try and revitalize the lefty’s career. Ojeda had also pitched with the Dodgers, like Crews, and the two were friends. It took awhile for Ojeda to recover from his injuries and return to the mound. Ojeda pitched in 9 games that year, starting 7. He finished his career with the Yankees the next year, appearing in just 2 games. Ojeda served as a pitching coach in the minor leagues for a few years, and I believe is now out of baseball.
There was of course another tribute to Olin and Crews. I remember the song that played as the Indians raised the championship banner in 1995. It was Garth Brooks’ The Dance. The same song that had played at the funeral.
So much has happened in the 15 years since that accident. A new generation of Tribe fans probably don’t even remember this story, let alone when the team struggled to win 60 games. They probably don’t remember that the Indians used to train in Tuscon, Arizona. In some ways they are better off for not remembering. But I’m glad that the plaque will stay in Winter Haven, a lasting reminder of two players, two men whose lives were cut short.
(Photo from the PD.)
Author: Rick
Rick is a co-founder and editor of WFNY. His love of Cleveland sports is surpassed only by his faith and love of his family. Follow him on Twitter- @rickwfny.Rick has written 743 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
Damn. 15 years, where has it gone? 3 years later I joined the Navy, and I am still there. It seems like yesterday though, the team scattered, Manny’s a Red Sock, Thome’s a White one, the last I saw Carlos, he was playing AAA for Indianapolis. A great team that never got there, and game Seven of the 97 Series goes right up there with the 07 BCS debacle, the 07 NCAA Basketball title game, hell even the 92 OSU vs. UM game to go to the Final Four…my list of Ohio heartaches. Anyway, RIP fellas. Gone but not forgotten. Remember the Cole!
very somber day in cleveland sports history…great blog rick…definately worth remembering…
Very good tribe history to remember, where we’ve been always lends to our character… thanks. Also, for all the loyal tribe fans that stood in line the day after Thanksgiving for 11-12 hours to get the tribe’s upcoming game tickets and enduring the snow for opening days at “the JAKE”. I applaud the faithful tribe fans, something to pass on down to our generations to follow.
I’m stunned at how the time has gone by. Olin’s daughter would likely be graduating highschool this spring.
I got a chance to meet he and Alomar, Jr. at the (I believe) ‘89 AAA all-star game in Columbus. They used to let fans on the field for autographs and a s a highschool junior it was a true highlight. I still have that autographed ball somewhere.
I’ve always been in awe of submarine pitchers, and Olin was my guy for the Tribe. Truly a sad and stunning day.
Great site, here.
does anyone have a picture of the patch the indians wore in honor of olin and crews or a closeup of the plaque of the ball. If so could it be emailed to rdog72@hotmail.com,
thanks
Man seems like yesterday, I was 10, tribe were my first love and I remember being blown away and putting my steve olin card into a plastic sleeve… We went to the friday and sunday games against the sox the last weekend at the stadium. I now work with derek lilliquists wife in vero beach oddly enough… Great post Go Tribe RIP steve and tim.