Indians Becoming a James Gang, Thanks to Ex-Padre’s Intensity

Even as his batting average soared, and his new team stayed within striking distance of first place in the American League East, Chris James found it hard to suppress the bitterness and disappointment of being traded from San Diego to Cleveland.

The trade, which brought Joe Carter to the Padres and sent James, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Carlos Baerga to the Indians seven months ago, still was fresh in his mind.

James, who is hitting .284 with five homers and 38 RBIs, recalled his reaction.

“I was surprised and then I was mad,” James said before the opening game of the Indians’ three-game weekend series with the Angels. “It took me awhile to get over it. You hear so many things about Cleveland, and I knew the type of team we (the Padres) had coming into the season.

“What we did at the end of the season was remarkable. We were the best team in baseball--even better than the Giants. That was the most exciting time I’ve ever had in all my years of playing sports.”

But James, 27, said there was more to it than playing on a winning team.

“We had a good blend of players,” he said. “We knew what it took to win. It was such a family-type atmosphere.”

But the family unit has been torn apart this year as the Padres continue to fade in the National League West, far behind division leader Cincinnati. With all the clubhouse unrest this year in San Diego, James said he finds it hard to believe the Padres are the same team with which he played.

“You’re together so much in this game--to not have a good atmosphere makes it very difficult to win,” James said. “They’re in such a rut they don’t know what to do.

“I thought San Diego on paper would run away with the National League West. On paper, they have the ingredients for a championship team.”

And as the frustration builds in San Diego, players began to sound off on what a player such as Chris James meant to the Padres’ chemistry.

Several Padres have said they miss James’ competitiveness and intensity.

Even Jack McKeon, the Padre vice president/baseball operations, recently said he wished he didn’t have to include James in the trade.

“That made me feel good,” James said.

It may make James feel even better knowing that he was key player in the deal and that the Reds attempted to acquire him earlier in the season when he was hitting below .200.

“He was the player we had to have to make the deal,” Indian Manager John McNamara said. “We probably would not have made the deal without him. I know that we made the best deal that we could have for Joe Carter.”

And then some. Though he has 14 homers and 63 RBIs, Carter is hitting .218 and has made eight errors.

James said he realized the Padres were in dire need of a power-hitting outfielder, but he wondered why McKeon tampered so much with the team’s chemistry.

“There are a lot of players that have the right personalities and are good for that particular team concept,” James said. “I don’t think Jack takes that into account very much. Jack is definitely a numbers man.”

But all the numbers seem to favor the Indians this year. James is hitting over .320 since May, Alomar was the American League’s starting catcher in the All-Star game as a rookie and Baerga, only 20, leads the team in pinch hits.

But even though James criticized the deal, he believes McKeon somehow will turn the Padres around.

“I guarantee you Jack will make some smart moves that will bring the Padres back,” James said. “He won’t do anything drastic now. But he is too good of a baseball man to let the Padres slide.”

Though it seems like James left his heart in San Diego, he said he is happy in Cleveland.

“They’ve accepted the losing end of it for so long in Cleveland, but they have good fans,” James said. “The people back here really like baseball.”

And the people in Cleveland, especially McNamara, like James.

“I admire Chris James very much,” McNamara said. “He comes to play and plays hard. It’s infectious to the other guys. He typifies the type of player I’d like to have.”

Pitcher Tom Candiotti, in his fifth year with the Indians, said he’s never seen James’ type in Cleveland.

“We haven’t had anyone with a lot of fire--that’s going to crack down on guys,” Candiotti said. “The attitude before was to have fun and get them next time. We’ve had so many selfish players--from Brett Butler to Julio Franco. But Chris comes out so intense. It’s almost that football mentality. It’s kind of become contagious.

“Even after games, he works out all the time. The other position players notice that. It’s hard to do this quickly, but he might be our team leader already.”

But James said there’s nothing he consciously does to inspire a team.

“I just have that personality, I guess,” he said. “I play hard and have a good time in the clubhouse. I have never really tried to be a leader. But these guys know that I play hard.”

Candiotti said he knows coming to Cleveland from San Diego wasn’t easy for James.

“He was hurt pretty bad,” Candiotti said. “I know he loved it over there. But when he came here, he kept telling everyone, ‘If we start winning, this could be fun.’ ”