Unlike last season when the Indians tried to rush Crowe into a second base gig at the end of the season that just didn’t work out after trading veteran Ronnie Beliard, this year they’ve given Crowe time. If Crowe gets it together quick enough at Akron and earns a mid-season Triple-A promotion and does well in Buffalo, I can see the Indians brass rewarding Crowe with a Septemeber call up.

Comparing Crowe to Grady is a little difficult because they are very different players. Grady wasn’t even the centerpiece of the trade that brought him to Cleveland, whereas Crowe is the team’s No. 1 pick in 2005.
That alone carries two very different mindsets into a career as well as different expectations. Keep in mind that with expectations, come pressure.

When Grady played in Akron in 2003, I think a lot of us realized he could be a good major leaguer, but at that point, few of us could have honestly imagined he’d blossom into the superstar player he is today. I always liked Grady, but didn’t dream he’d become as good as he is today in such a short time frame.

Although Grady was just starting to come into his own, he didn’t even win the Eastern League Player of the Year award (although some of us felt he was just as good as winner Alex Rios).

Yet, when I look back, there were a lot of little clues that would seem indicate the Tribe had something special in the “throw in” player. First of all, Grady was quiet, rather shy and typically avoided any media spot light. he didn’t mind talking to me, he just didn’t have much to say.

He just kind of went about his business every day with little fanfare - and in a very professional manner. He practiced hard, played focused and was always even keel. Although it was obvious he didn’t have an above average arm in centerfield, Grady worked hard at getting better reads off the bat so he could get better jumps on balls - thus making up for his lack of arm strength.

I think that’s my favorite aspect of Grady - while he’s a very good athlete, he really wasn’t the most gifted. But what he lacks in natural athleticism he makes up for with dedicated play (that’s why he always runs everything out) and even better, possesses a joy for the game that I believe is unmmatched these days.

Crowe is quite the opposite, but not necessarily in a bad way. He’s a got a very engaging personality and wears his desire to succeed on his sleeve. He’s got a buzz of energy at all times, and when he uses it to his advanatge, can litterally lift the spirits of an entire clubhouse. That’s what he did late last season when he joined the Aeros from Kinston. Almost instantly there was a change of attitude - for the better - and it carried into the postseason.

The flip side is what we’re seeing now - when Crowe presses, his energy goes down, he feels deflated and becomes a wreck on the plate.