Indians’ Tabler Glad to Be Stuck at First

Now that he knows which glove to bring to the ballpark every day, the Cleveland Indians’ Pat Tabler says he can finally go about the business of fulfilling his potential.

“It helps having just one position,” Tabler said from the American League team’s spring training camp. “It helps your concentration, knowing you can go out there and work on just one position. You can work on becoming a complete ballplayer.”

Manager Pat Corrales handed Tabler the Indians’ first base job this spring, despite objections from veteran first baseman Mike Hargrove.

Tabler, who had previously played left field and third base for the Indians, replaced Hargrove as Cleveland’s starting first baseman midway through last season.

Now, instead of worrying about chasing after fly balls, Tabler can concentrate on his defense at first base and, more importantly, on his hitting, which is by far his greatest asset.

The 27-year-old Cincinnati resident has hit .290 since he came to the Indians two seasons ago from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for shortstop Jerry Dybzinski.

Tabler had played third base for the Chicago Cubs’ Class AAA affiliate in 1982 before being traded to the White Sox and then the Indians in 1983.

In Cleveland, he was shifted between the infield and outfield before Corrales put him at first base for good last year. Yet even earl9 this spring, Tabler was unsure if he could settle in at first base.

“This helps,” he said. “Now I can work on my complete game--offense, defense, everything.”

Although he still has more trouble defensively at first base than Hargrove, who is one of the better defensive first basemen in the league, Tabler says, “It’s coming around.

“One thing that’s hard for me is, with a man on first base and a left-handed hitter up, starting a double play,” Tabler said. “That takes time to learn. It’s especially hard for a right-handed first baseman, because you have to catch the ball, spin and throw against your body, where a left-hander is already going that way.”

Tabler still is not totally convinced he has won the job away from Hargrove, despite numerous indications from Corrales that Hargrove will serve primarily as a pinch-hitter and as a late-inning defensive replacement this year.

“In baseball, you can never take anything for granted,” said Tabler, who has been playing first base in exhibition games every other day for the past week, alternating with Hargrove. “I don’t change my work habits. You just have to go out and work hard.”