Hello Tribe fans everywhere.

When the Indians announced a few weeks back that Travis Fryman would visit training camp at Winter Haven, there seemed to be no plans for a specific role for him. Spring training, by nature, seems like such a laid-back affair that it almost sounded as if, "Oh, and Travis Fryman will stop by for a few days to say hello to the team."

Well, Fryman's role is much more important than that. Officially, he will serve as Andy Marte's mentor. Marte couldn't do much better than the former Tribe third baseman. Fryman was a class act during his decade-long career with Detroit and Cleveland. A bad back forced him into a premature retirement at the end of the 2002 season, when he was only 33.

Prior to that, Fryman was a gold-glove third baseman who averaged about 20 homers and 85 runs batted in per season. What's more, he was the ideal teammate. It was Fryman, Indians insiders say, who kept the peace between shortstop Omar Vizquel and second baseman Robbie Alomar. Those two players formed one of the best keystone combinations seen in the big leagues over the past 25 years.

Frankly, it's hard to imagine a more talent combo that Vizquel and Alomar. Only problem was they despised each other. The personal chemistry between the two players was so bad that it threatened to disrupt their play on the field. But Fryman, Cleveland's third baseman at the time, and then-first baseman Jim Thome worked to keep the peace. You must also give Vizquel and Alomar credit, because they were both professional enough not to let personal feelings affect their play.

"If it hadn't been for Fryman, though, I don't know what might have happened," said former Tribe manager Charlie Manuel.

Now Fryman can use those same skills to help Marte reach his potential as Cleveland's new third baseman. Fryman is also raving about the 23-year-old player's defensive skills, and he said he also likes Marte's swing.

Suddenly, Fryman is one of the most important leaders in Cleveland's camp at Winter Haven.

Nice to have an old pro like Fryman back in the Tribe's clubhouse again.

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The answer to the last quiz: The great Rocky Colavito slammed four consecutive home runs in a game in 1959 in Baltimore Memorial Stadium.

Today's quickie quiz: Name the Indians infielder who was selected in the 8th round (246th overall pick) of the 2000 First-Year player draft.

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-- Kevin Cuneo