PHOENIX - Leadoff hitters are supposed to be the runway models of baseball - long, sleek and fast. They usually play center field and win Gold Gloves.
Combine that with at least a touch of power and you have something special. Picture Bobby Bonds, Grady Sizemore or Kenny Lofton in their primes.
Carlos Santana is neither long, sleek nor particularly fast, but right now manager Terry Francona says he's his fulltime leadoff hitter. Some of the reasons for that decision were on display in the Tribe's season-opening, three-game sweep of Texas at Globe Life Park in Arlington.