MINNEAPOLIS -- Cleveland Indians pitcher Kyle Denney won't

complain about having to dress like a cheerleader again. The white

go-go boots that went with the outfit might have prevented a bullet

from seriously injuring his leg.

The rookie was hit in the right calf by a shot that came through

the side of the Indians' bus in Kansas City late Wednesday as the

team traveled to the airport after a victory over the Royals. The

bullet caused only a flesh wound, probably because of the tough

leather of the knee-high boot, Denney and his trainers said.

All of Cleveland's rookies were decked out in outrageous outfits

on the bus, part of a hazing ritual. An Oklahoma native, Denney

said his teammates told him to dress as a USC cheerleader because

the Sooners are ranked second behind Southern California in The

Associated Press college football poll.

"I've never been so glad to have a USC thing on," Denney said

Thursday at a news conference in Minneapolis, where the Indians

traveled for a weekend series against the Twins.

Kevin Hallinan, senior vice president of security for the

commissioner's office, met with Kansas City police Thursday

regarding the shooting, which happened as the bus traveled along a

highway ramp.

Hallinan said the shooting appeared to be random, and that

police had no suspects.

"It's a random act. These situations happen, unfortunately in

this day and age, a little too often," he said, adding he doesn't

think there was anything major league baseball could've done to

prevent the incident.

Team trainers removed the bullet from Denney's leg while he was

still on the bus, and he stayed overnight at a Kansas City hospital

before rejoining his team.

"The way he handled the situation was pretty awesome," said

outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who was sitting across the aisle from

Denney and was grazed by debris. "Now I know the guy can pitch in

the big leagues, 'cause he got shot by a bullet and was about as

calm as can be."

Indians spokesman Bart Swain said there was momentary panic on

the bus before teammates realized Denney wasn't seriously hurt, and

Ludwick said that's when "a lot of jokes started flying."

The 27-year-old Denney, who started Wednesday night's game

against the Royals, said he hopes the shooter realizes the

consequences could have been much worse.

"I thought it was just another prank, like a firecracker or

something," Denney said. "I didn't know I was shot until I saw

the blood."

After getting called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Sept. 14,

Denney is 1-2 with a 9.56 ERA in four starts with Cleveland. He

beat Kansas City 8-3 on Sept. 19 for his first major league win.