CLEVELAND, Ohio — Junior Betances finally made it to the big leagues. All it took was 27 plus years as a player, coach and executive with the Guardians to make it happen.
The Guardians announced Friday that Betances has been promoted from Triple-A Columbus to join manager Stephen Vogt’s big-league staff. Betances, in his third year as Columbus’ hitting coach, replaces Jason Esposito in the team’s hitting group.
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Esposito resigned to become the hitting coach at Vanderbilt University.
Betances, 52, heard the news after he’d driven home from Columbus to New Jersey at the All-Star break on July 14.
“They called me and told me the news,” said Betances. “They said I’ve got three days off (for the All-Star break). I said, ‘I’ve waited 27 years for this. If you want me to, I’ll drive right over there now.’”
Betances, born in the Dominican Republic, has served as a hitting coach at all levels of Cleveland’s minor league system. In the Dominican Republic, he’s been in charge of Cleveland’s operations and its baseball academy.
“My goal has always been to reach the big leagues,” said Betances. “You have that goal as a player and as a coach.”
He has helped develop several Latin American players for the Guardians, especially Jose Ramirez.
“Jose was a great player when it came to putting the bat to the ball,” said Betances. “He didn’t have the power yet, but he was aggressive and played the same way he does now, except with more power.”
The Guardians’ players were excited that Betances was added to the big league staff.
“It’s awesome to have Junior here,” said shortstop Brayan Rocchio. “He’s known me since the beginning when I signed in 2017. He knows who I am as a hitter. It gives you confidence.”
Said Angel Martinez, “I love it. In the offseason, I worked with him at the academy in the Dominican Republic.”
Betances said the one thing he tries to emphasize with hitters is to slow the game down.
“Hitters in the big leagues want to get results and they can forget the process,” said Betances. “I talk to them and say, ‘If you take care of the process, the results will come.’”
Betances spent six years in Milwaukee’s minor league system before the Guardians claimed him in the 1996 Rule 5 Draft. He was a .290 hitter in the minors, advancing as far as Double-A.
“I had no power,” said Betances with a laugh.
Breakfast and trivia
The Guardians are on a roll, winning eight of their last 10 games following a 10-game losing streak. Green tea, deep breathing exercises and long morning walks have served them well at breakfast, but lets add some waffles and turkey bacon to keep the engine running in the right direction.
Now for some trivia — how many consecutive games have the Guardians homered in through Sunday’s game against the A’s? Answer below.
Next
Monday:
The Guardians open a four-game series against the Orioles. RHP Tanner Bibee (5-9, 4.29) will open the series for the Guardians, while RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (7-5, 4.44) starts for the Orioles at 6:40 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Tuesday:
LHP Joey Cantillo (1-0, 4.17) vs. RHP Brandon Young (0-4, 7.52) at 6:40 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Wednesday:
RHP Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.84) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (5-8, 5.58) Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Thursday:
LHP Logan Allen (6-8, 4.06) vs. RHP Dean Kremer (8-7, 4.06) Thursday at 1:10 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, MLB Network TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, WARF and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.
Trivia answer
The Guardians have homered in 10 straight games since July 7. It’s their longest streak of the season, but they still have a long way to go to challenge the franchise record. In 2021, Cleveland homered in 20 consecutive games from Aug. 15 through Sept. 6.
