Indianapolis, IN

Razor Shines on Indy Indians retiring jersey: ‘I’m gonna be brought to tears.’

Published

2 years ago

January 27, 2024

Razor Shines on Indy Indians retiring jersey: ‘I’m gonna be brought to tears.’

Razor Shines was watching ESPN’s “First Take” in his Orlando living room Wednesday when he got the call. On the other end of the line was Indianapolis Indians CEO Bruce Schumacher, GM Randy Lewandowski and Director of Communications Cheyne Reiter. Shines thought he was getting a call about a 40th-anniversary reunion for the Indians’ American Association pennant.

But the front office members were reaching out to Shines for a more personal announcement. He was going to be the first player in franchise history to get his number retired.

“I was speechless,” Shines said. “I didn’t exactly know what to say. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t clearly say what I was thinking. … I’m not able to grasp what I’m thinking and how I feel.”

On Saturday, Sept. 14, Shines’ No. 3 jersey will be retired at Victory Field. It will be part of a three-day “Razor Shines Weekend” to close out the Indians’ regular season, as Shines will throw out the first pitch and sign autographs on Sept. 13 and Sept. 15.

Shines — born Anthony Razor Shines — played for the Indians for nine years over two stints from 1984-89 and 1991-93. Shines became a fan favorite and an Indy sports hero during his time with the Triple-A baseball club.

With the Colts struggling after their move from Baltimore in 1984 and the Pacers being at the bottom of the NBA pre-Reggie Miller, the Indians were the most successful pro team in town. Shines was a stalwart for the Indians during four consecutive American Association championships (1986-89) and two Triple-A Classic championships in 1988 and 1989.

“We were the dominant sports figure in the city, let me put it that way,” Shines said. “We won on a yearly basis, and we expected to. And I think most fans fall in love with winners, and that’s what we were.”

Shines contributed to 10 total championships for the Indians in the 1980s, the most by any player in franchise history. He ranks top-five in Indians history in home runs (T-3rd, 68), RBIs (4th, 404) and doubles (5th, 138). The Durham, N.C. native started for the Indians in every postseason game during his first tenure with the organization.

Shines became a beloved personality due to his community involvement in Indianapolis. He always sought to set an admirable example for kids who came to Indians games and saw him outside the ballpark.

“If it was clinics that had to be attended by Indians players, speaking engagements by Indians players, I wanted to be the one out front,” Shines said. “I wanted to be the one to set an example for the Indianapolis Indians.”

Whenever Shines returns to Indians games, he’s greeted by spectators who watched him play as children nearly 40 years ago, as they often come to games with their kids.

Shines played 68 games in MLB in short stints with the Montreal Expos from 1983-1987. The Expos drafted Shines in the 18th round of the 1978 MLB draft, and he remained in the organization until his final pro season in 1993.

Shines credits Indians Chairman Emeritus Max Schumacher for his illustrious career in Indianapolis. Schumacher — the former GM, President and Chairman of the Board for the club — developed an everlasting relationship with Shines during his career.

“This man has been more than a general manager to me,” Shines said. “He’s been a father figure to me. I respect him so much. It is unbelievable the respect and love I have for Max Schumacher. It is unmatched in baseball.”

After retiring from playing, Shines spent decades as a coach and manager in the minor leagues and MLB. He now lives in Orlando where his two children and three grandchildren reside. He volunteers with his 7-year-old grandson Riley’s baseball team. Riley shares the “Razor” middle name that began with Shines’ father, Curtis Razor Shines.

Shines will be joined by children and grandchildren when the Indians immortalize his accomplishments in September.

“I’m gonna be brought to tears,” Shines said of the Sept. 14 ceremony. “I say that because even the first time it was mentioned to me, I got weak and I could feel a tear or two running down my face. So I know once I start to thank people that deserve to be thanked, give people credit that deserve that credit, it’s gonna get to me a little bit.”

Source link

Click to comment

Indianapolis, IN

Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win

INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 6-14) thumped Omaha (Royals), 11-3. 1B Rafael Flores Jr. (.206) went 2 for 3 with a double, his first home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. LF Tyler Callihan (.239) went 3 for 4 with a double and his first homer, a two-run shot. DH Enmanuel Valdez (.273) went 2 for 4 with his first homer and three runs scored. RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.258) went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. SS Davis Wendzel (.269) went 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. RHP Carson Fulmer (2-0, 5.51) started, gave up three runs on three hits in five innings and earned the win. RHP Chris Devenski (1.50) and LHP Joe La Sorsa (3.24) each pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Omaha (Royals), 3:05 p.m.

ALTOONA (Double-A, 2-12) had two hits – both solo home runs – and beat Portland (Red Sox), 2-0. LHP Dominic Perachi (1-0, 1.80) started and went six innings, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. RHP Landon Tomkins (3.38) followed with two scoreless. RHP Jaycob Deese (3.00) worked the ninth for his first save. LF Titus Dumitru (.146) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. C Shawn Ross (.182) went 1 for 3 with his second homer.

Next: Sunday vs. Portland (Red Sox), 1 p.m.

GREENSBORO (High-A, 10-4) lost 8-3 to Brooklyn (Mets). C Easton Carmichael (.273) went 2 for 4 with an RBI. RF Shalin Polanco (.250) went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. 1B Jared Jones (.277) went 2 for 5 with a run scored. RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 7.36) started, recorded one out and gave up four runs on two hits and four walks. RHP Jose Garces (3.60) pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Brooklyn (Mets), 2 p.m.

BRADENTON (Low-A, 5-9) allowed seven stolen bases in its 6-5 loss to Tampa (Yankees). CF Edward Florentino, starting a rehab assignment as he recovers from an ankle injury, went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and run scored. LHP Reinold Navarro (6.43) started and gave up three hits, four walks and two earned runs over three innings while striking out five. SS/1B Eddie Rynders (.128) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. DH Edgleen Perez (.238) went 1 for 4 and drove in two runs. LF/CF Josh Tate (.208) went 2 for 5 with an RBI. 2B/SS Antonio Pimentel (.154) went 2 for 4 with a double. RHP Greiber Mendez (5.40) and RHP Noah Murdock (0-1, 9.00), who took the loss, each gave up two hits and one run in one inning. RHP Treyson Peters pitched the final three innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out two.

Next: Sunday at Tampa (Yankees), noon

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

The Zone Extra | April 18, 2026

Published

18 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It was another busy week in high school sports in central Indiana and ‘The Zone Extra’ has it all covered.

Athlete of the week and Guerin Catholic senior outfielder Ian Taylor is off to a scorching hot start to the young season. Check out his interview as well as Guerin Catholic head coach Dave Schrage talk about Taylor’s success.

The Johnson County baseball tournament came to a close. See highlights from Center Grove’s tournament victory.

The 4A baseball coaches poll was released as well as the 3A softball coaches poll.

The former Columbus North gymnastics coach, John Hinds, passed away at 88 years old.

Center Grove head softball coach Alyssa Coleman joins the show for a coaches corner conversation.

See highlights from the Colts Local Pro Day, featuring several former Hoosiers and Purdue’s Devin Mockobee.

Girls lacrosse is in the first season as an IHSAA emerging sport.

All of that, and more, can be found in the full The Zone Extra show above.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis

(WISH) — A tornado watch was issued until 3 a.m. EDT Saturday for counties northwest and west of Indianapolis, and into Illinois.

Indiana counties in the watch area are Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Elkhart, Fountain, Fulton, Howard, Kosciusko, La Porte, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Parke, Pulaski, Putnam, St. Joseph, Starke, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren and White. The watch area includes the cities of Crawfordsville, Elkhart, Lafayette, Lebanon, South Bend, Terre Haute, and West Lafayette.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued two watches in Indiana. The other one until midnight EDT Friday includes the Indiana counties of Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter. That includes the city of Gary. That watch also extends into Illinois.

Storms on Friday night in central Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota led to dozens of confirmed tornado warnings. The storms in central Illinois has gusts up to 80 mph, and tornadoes embedded in heavy rain.

An alert issued after 10:30 p.m. Friday from the National Weather Service at Indianapolis said, “A line of strong thunderstorms is nearing the state line with a history of widespread damaging winds and tornadoes. The line is expected to continue to produce damaging winds as it moves into Indiana with the potential for additional tornadoes. The line is then expected to gradually weaken as it moves further into the state.”

Source link