The unsinkable Kevin Brown

Sports Illustrated's Tim Kurkjian will periodically answer questions during the Series. The next Mailbag will appear on Friday.

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Posted: Tue October 21, 1997

Kevin Brown threw 140 pitches in his final outing against the Braves. Is that why he wasn't as effective in Game 2 of the Series? I always thought sinkerball pitchers get better when they are a bit tired.
—Jeffrey Schiffman, East Petersburg, Pa.

It's absolutely true that a sinkerball pitcher is better if his arm is a little tired because he can't overthrow; therefore he gets better sink on his ball. Brown did throw 140 pitches in Game 6 against Atlanta, but former Orioles pitching coach Mike Flanagan once told me that Brown has the greatest arm he's ever seen—and he's seen a lot of great ones. Flanagan said Brown can throw 120 pitches one day, and come back two days later—sometimes the next day—for his side work and throw at least 100 pitches as hard as he can. Brown's arm never really gets tired. He will be someday be the best closer in baseball.

Hey, Tim, you picked New York, Baltimore and now Florida to beat the Indians. What's it going to take to make you a believer?
—Mike Benda, Chardon, Ohio

You're right, I was (as I often am) wrong about the Indians against the Yankees and the Indians against the Orioles. Me and a million other people. That's why I love baseball—it's so unpredictable, it makes everybody look stupid. But in this postseason, I've come to believe that the Indians really have heart. That said, I'm still picking the Marlins in seven.

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Do the Indians have a shot to get Pedro Martinez this winter?
—John Lammers, Syracuse, N.Y.

Yes, but so do a bunch of other teams. The Expos are going to trade Martinez because they can't afford to pay him; I spoke to one general manager who thinks Martinez will be dealt before the Nov. 18 expansion draft. The Indians have a better shot than most teams because they have money to sign him and young players to deal. Surely Montreal GM Jim Beattie will ask Cleveland for Jaret Wright, but the Indians won't give him up. Even so, they still have plenty of interesting prospects to throw at Beattie.

How much of the Indians' success can be attributed to the fact that they cut loose the flashy superstars and acquired a more balanced team that can do more than hit home runs?
—James Harb, Seattle

The Indians success in '97 has a lot to do with having a more well-rounded offense, one that doesn't rely on bashing their opponents every night. Instead of waiting around for the three-run homer, the Indians are more creative offensively—bunting, hit-and-running more often, etc. Plus, with Matt Williams at third base (and Jim Thome at first), their defense is much improved.

Which team, Florida or Cleveland, has the better-hitting lineup top to bottom? Which team has better defense?
—Jim Metzo, Castalia, Ohio

Top to bottom, the Indians have a better lineup. Is there a better No. 9 hitter in baseball than Marquis Grissom? The Indians also have better defense, mainly because their left side is the best in the game. Matt Williams and Omar Vizquel— the best I've seen (other than Ozzie Smith) since Looie Aparicio—are absolutely brilliant. Buddy Bell, a great third baseman in his day, once told me that Vizquel unquestionably has the best hands of any player he's ever seen. "I could watch Omar take ground balls all day,'' Bell said. Me too.

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