The Resurgence of Lonnie Baseball

In Cleveland, there is a star in every sport. The Cavs have Brony-Basketball, the Browns have Johnny-Football, and the Indians have Lonnie-Baseball. Since returning to The Show as a right fielder, Lonnie Chisenhall has excelled and then some. The excitement around him is growing and if you are at the ballpark expect to get an earful of Lonnie cheers and chants. What makes it even better is when he answers back, like being asked, “WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST? STAR WARS OR STAR TREK?” replying with a big smile “STAR WARS!” In the span of 35 games, he has become a fan favorite and with every diving catch or base hit he gets, the bandwagon gains another rider.

Lonnie is an interesting character. He is a special type of player, not exactly bench but not an everyday. To get the best of his skill and potential, he needs enough game play to keep things fresh. From what I have gathered over the last few seasons about Lonnie is that he needs a challenge to stay focused and hot. He needs a goal to strive for or something to master; like being in right field. Making him an everyday player could take away from that, but keeping him on as the starter and rotating every few days could be just enough to find that perfect balance.

Some might say that my theory is wrong because of how he took to third base, but the difference between a third baseman and a right fielder are night and day. With the infield, a player needs to be quick on their feet and just as quick with their glove. From the outfield there is a lot less stress than trying to set up a double play, yet the same amount precision is needed to time a ball off the wall and return it to the infield. With both positions there needs a level of expertise and it seems that Lonnie has taken to the duty of the outfield like a duck to water. That also affected his offense, batting in the .400’s between July and August and continually hitting in clutch situations with a .254 with men in scoring position.

Last season was not perfect, batting a .280 on the season but ending up with 18 errors at third, though he made the best of it with the tools he had. Going into 2015 after so many issues at third, people were nervous and did not know what to expect. As his season started, it seems like the same Lonnie from the previous year had returned and because of that, he found himself with Jose Ramirez back in Columbus with the Indians AAA team. In some cases, an option down a level is enough to wake up something in a player and find a piece they forgot they loved about the game. Rumors surfaced that the Clippers had put both players in the outfield to see what would happen, and the results were magical. His defense had a spark to it that had not been seen before, and his bat stayed hot enough to keep his minor stint short. It was like a completely new Lonnie.

Being in an actual playoff chase is exciting, and seeing Lonnie come back to the extent he has, like hitting a two-run homer in Sunday’s game, makes it even more exciting. If we get there (being only four games back in the wild card) it is safe to say that he will be a huge part in reaching the post season.

Lonnie is not always going to be hot, but just the same, he will not always be in a slump. What makes him exciting is the real fun he has on the field and the passion he seems to exude. Fans have fallen in love with him all over again. Of course, not everyone will be swayed by him this season. They want to see what 2016 Lonnie will be like, which I can completely understand, but it is hard not to be pumped about Chisenhall and what he has brought to the team in this second half and even more so, what he can do in October.