Andrew Bynum leading the Cavs to greatness is at least more believable than an alien abduction. So there's that.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Cavaliers' guard Baron Davis told the hosts of "The Champs" podcast he was inducted by aliens in the desert while driving from Las Vegas to L.A. two weeks ago.

"I'm a little tired and see this light and I think it's a big truck," Davis said. "The next thing you know I was like in this big steel thing...with these crazy looking half-human people."

Sounds ridiculous, but maybe he nodded off. Maybe the big steel thing was Madison Square Garden and one of the big-eyed beings poking at Davis was Spike Lee?

The hosts weren't sure what to make of his story, twice asking him if he were serious.

Davis later Tweeted, "The alien thing is a joke."

Hey, crazier things have happened and I'm not just talking about Dennis Rodman becoming a spokesman for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Just this week:

• 1. A San Francisco TV station broadcast the names of the cockpit crew of the Asiana Airlines flight that crashed in San Francisco. A paid anchor, reading from a graphic, actually said the names, "Wi Tu Lo" and "Captain Sum Ting Wong" (and another you can look up online for yourself) without blinking.

2.Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, in America's answer to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, got credited with a double steal.

3. Mark Reynolds bunted for a base hit.

4. The Cavs' signing of Andrew Bynum -- 7-foot worth of limping big man made completely irrelevant by injury last year -- was hailed in this town as returning the Cavaliers to "relevance."

5. A tornado of sharks terrorized L.A.

View full sizeFor right now, "the best free-agent signing" is a tribute more to the Cavaliers' fiscal planning than to Andrew Bynum's athletic contributions to the 2013-14 season. But perhaps that will change.AP file 

On that list, I'm pretty sure either the sharks or the Fielder-Cabrera double steal is fictional. The question of whether the Cavs landed the big fish in Bynum or are getting pranked isn't exactly the right one to ask.

The Cavs' organization has its eyes wide open. The contract offered him is prank-proof. It mitigates risk, first with 50 percent worth of incentives in Bynum's first year and then with a team option for the second year.

They can't really lose unless his immaturity becomes contagious in the locker room.

The leap from "nothing to lose" to "game changer" and "biggest free agent signing in history" is a great one, though. Players seen as huge difference makers usually get more than one contract offer.

It was difficult to bet on great things to come with the track records of the Cavs' two best players, let alone now with their three best:

Kyrie Irving (injuries)

Anderson Varejao (injuries)

Bynum (sometimes insult on top of injuries)

Head coach Mike Brown, who had issues with Bynum in L.A., rightly says Bynum can change games without scoring. But he can't change games in street clothes or even lagging down the floor on bad knees.

The Cavs didn't get a chance to see Bynum work out. The contract they offered tells you they're not exactly comfortable with what they saw on the MRI.

There's a fine line between being naive and chronically hopeful. After so much losing, credit goes to any fan who can still work up a healthy measure of optimism over Bynum.

Not getting the "Wi Tu Low" joke is as naive as Mo Szyslak taking Bart Simpson's call at the bar and paging, "Al ... Al Coholic ... is there an Al Coholic here?"

The definition of eternally hopeful is betting on Bynum. The headline, "Andrew Bynum leads Cavs over Heat in Eastern Conference Finals clincher," isn't totally out of the question. More just out-of-this-world.

SPINOFFS

• Bynum's agent says the player's knees won't prevent him from becoming an All-Star this season.

So it must be true.

• Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez likes his chances in any quarterback competition.

"I put my money on myself," he said. Which he has proven over his career is easier than putting the ball on the money.

• Metta World Peace said this week he doesn't want to play for any NBA team, that he'd actually rather play in China for Yao Ming's Shanghai Sharks.

Metta World Peace comes complete with angry elbows but he says he'd rather throw them in China or the Arena Football League than in the NBA Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times 

He could have ulterior motives for his announcement. If he is offered a job in the NBA and turns it down, he could lose the amnesty money the Lakers paid him.

Or it could have nothing to do with that and he's simply got swept up in Sharknado.

• World Peace (I'll never get tired of writing that) says he is also open to coaching or playing Arena football. He did not rule out baker or candlestick maker either.

• "I have to amnesty my jeans," the player formerly known as Ron Artest said when the Lakers released him. "They're too tight. I think I might also waive my toothbrush. I need a new one."

So the Improv is a career option, too.

• Neighbors said former New England tight end Aaron Hernandez, who is charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd, carried a low profile. Quiet. Kept to himself.

When has that ever been a recipe for criminal intent?

• The NFL is considering not inviting players to the Scouting Combine who are academically ineligible.

The league must feel those players are bringing down its Mensa rating.

• Orioles' first baseman Chris Davis, who has hit 35 homers in 94 games, knows what you're thinking.

"I have never taken them," Davis said of PED use.

If he were sitting in front of Congress and shaking his finger for emphasis, no one would doubt him.

• Manny Ramirez cut his hair at the request of the Texas Rangers, where he plays for the Class AAA Round Rock Express. The team offered a "Manny Markdown" at the team store after a recent game, knocking 5 percent off merchandise every time Manny made an out. He went 0-for-4.

Don't think of Ramirez as washed up. Think of him as washed up and a sideshow.

• Dodgers' phenom Yasiel Puig did not make the National League All-Star team, much to the relief of traditionalists who didn't want to see him rewarded for one good month.

Yes, you wouldn't want a player everybody in baseball is talking about getting a spot in a meaningless exhibition alongside underachieving token players from some of the worst teams in the league.

Integrity protected.

• Too early to know if Danny Salazar could become what Jaret Wright became for the Indians in 1997.

Could Danny Salazar do for the Indians of 2013 what Jaret Wright did for the '97 Tribe?Tony Dejak, Associated Press 

What we know is his 97 mph looks a lot as effortless as ballet to Wright's slam dance.

• Former Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader Sarah Jones won a defamation suit against the website TheDirty.com.

As if it's possible to lose a defamation suit against a website called TheDirty.com.

HE SAID IT

"My goal is always to catch 100 balls" -- Jets' tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., failing to meet his goal since 2004.

And falling just 99 short in 2012.

HE SAID WHAT?

"I'm not going to get up here and say we're going to win five championships. I'm not going to do that" -- Dwight Howard at his introductory press conference in Houston.

But can you at least guarantee you'll be happier for more than five minutes?

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Edition)

Bud:

Do you pick your lottery numbers by using Browns and Indians scores? -- Joe S

Yes. I can't think of anything that makes me so optimistic about cashing in an underdog bet than a Browns' score.

Hey, Bud:

If the Cleveland Indians were to package Trevor Bauer and Danny Salazar together, who would be the most Ubaldo Jimenez-like pitcher they could get in return? -- Tim, Twinsburg

That's exactly the kind of optimism I'm talking about.

Bud:

Once he's officially signed, do you think Andrew Bynum will throw a bowling party to kick off his time in Cleveland? -- Kristyn "Oke" Okress

Yes, but it will be bumper bowling with Bynum wearing the bumpers.

Bud:

Not sure why Bauer jumps up for three deteriorating starts with Salazar waiting in the wings? How do we judge potential versus performance? -- Jim Lanese

As the author of "You Said It," I am not familiar with either term.

Bud:

What a desperate and sad state of affairs. A lazy, overweight and knee-buckling player nobody else really wants is pronounced as the "greatest free agent signing in the history of the Cavs." What am I missing? -- Gary Wickliffe

The Kool-Aid truck?

Hey Bud:

It seems no matter where I shop, the cashier hands me the receipt asking me if I wouldn't mind taking a brief online survey rating my shopping experience. Would you ever consider asking your readers to complete a brief survey commenting on your writing skills? -- Ed Stagl, Berea

When your column ranks behind the erectile dysfunction ad nearby for readership, the people have already spoken.

Bud:

Was Tom Heckert's DUI for Driving Under the Influence or Drafting Under the Influence? -- Ron Corbut, Hudson

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

Bud:

With the rash of DUIs involving Broncos personnel, will the term "the Drive" take on a new meaning in Denver? -- Joe

Some repeat winners want twice the limit.

Defensive tackle Gain, born in Akron, helped the Browns win two championships and earned various first- and second-team all-NFL honors eight straight years.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.

No. 14, BOB GAIN, defensive lineman, 1952, 1954-64

Bob Gain was a model of consistency and excellence for the Browns, one of the NFL's best defensive linemen for a decade.

He was an integral factor in Browns' runs to four championship games and wins in two of them. For eight straight years, he was among the league's most honored linemen.

Gain missed one East Division championship season, 1953, when he was serving in the military. His career ended four games into the last Browns championship year, 1964, when he broke a leg during a 27-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Stadium.

Gain was born in Akron and moved with his family to West Virginia when he was in grade school.

At the University of Kentucky, Gain won the Outland Trophy in 1950 as the nation's most outstanding interior lineman. He played on both offense and defense, almost never coming off the field. Gain was also Kentucky's placekicker.

The Green Bay Packers selected Gain with the fifth pick in the first round of the 1951 draft but were unable to agree on a contract with the two-time all-American. Gain chose to play in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Rough Riders. He was a CFL first-team all-star at tackle and also helped with his kicking as Ottawa reached the Grey Cup championship game and won it, 21-14, over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Gain made a key play on punt coverage late in the game when he recovered a fumble inside the Saskatchewan 10.

Green Bay, a struggling team which had hoped to build its defense around Gain, still held NFL rights to him. The Packers traded those rights to the Browns, who sent end Dan Orlich, guard Bill Schroll and halfbacks Ace Loomis and Dom Moselle to Green Bay.

As an NFL rookie, Gain made solid contributions to the 1952 Browns and played a fine game in their 17-7 championship game loss to the Detroit Lions at Cleveland Stadium.

Gain missed the 1953 season as he served in the United States Air Force, including time in Korea after the July, 1953 Armistice Agreement had stopped the fighting in the Korean War.

He returned from the military in time to play the final two games of the 1954 regular season and in the Browns' 56-10 rout of the Lions in the championship game at Cleveland.

Gain emerged as a star in 1955. It was the 10th season for the Browns as a franchise and their 10th championship game appearance, a 38-14 victory over the Rams in Los Angeles. The league title was the Browns' seventh, including all four (1946-49) in the short history of the All-America Football Conference.

Gain missed one game in 1955, the last contest he sat out until his career ended with the broken leg at age 35 in 1964.

Listed at 6-3 and usually playing at around 260 pounds, Gain was a first-rate run-stopper and a fine pass rusher who often drew double-team blocking. He played every position on the line including middle guard, a position often utilized in those days where the defender would line up in a two-point stance between his tackles but a couple steps off the line of scrimmage, facing the center.

Mostly, though, Gain played left tackle.

Gain earned various first-team all-NFL honors four straight years (1957-60) and made second-team all-NFL four times (1955-56, 1961-62). He was a five-time Pro Bowl starter (1957-59, 1961-62). Gain recovered 15 fumbles in regular season games and scored a touchdown on a 22-yard interception return. He also kicked three extra points in three tries.

Gain, who was 84 on June 21, still lives in the Cleveland area.

(The Browns' all-time top 100 players so far)

Video: Early action in the Browns' 17-7 loss to the Detroit Lions in the 1952 NFL championship game at Cleveland Stadium. Rookie Bob Gain (No. 74; he wore No. 79 the rest of his career) is at left defensive tackle for the Browns. About 4:15 in, he and tackle Derrell Palmer combine for a sack of Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne:

Highlights include Indians at home against the Royals.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING

1 p.m. TNT — NASCAR, Sprint Cup, New Hampshire 300, at Loudon, N.H. 

3 p.m. NBCSN — IRL, IndyCar, Indy Toronto, race 2 

11 p.m. NBCSN — IRL, Indy Lights, at Toronto (same-day tape) 

CYCLING

8 a.m. NBCSN — Tour de France, stage 15, Givors to Mont Ventoux, France 

GOLF

9:30 a.m. Golf Channel — European PGA Tour, Scottish Open, final round, at Inverness, Scotland 

Noon NBC — European PGA Tour, Scottish Open, final round, at Inverness, Scotland 

1 p.m. Golf Channel — PGA Tour, John Deere Classic, final round, at Silvis, Ill. 

2:30 p.m. Golf Channel — LPGA, Manulife Financial Classic, final round, at Waterloo, Ontario 

3 p.m. CBS — PGA Tour, John Deere Classic, final round, at Silvis, Ill.

3 p.m. NBC — USGA, U.S. Senior Open Championship, final round, at Omaha, Neb. 

7 p.m. Golf Channel — Web.com Tour, Utah Championship, final round, at Sandy, Utah 
BASEBALL

1 p.m. TBS — Texas at Detroit 

1:05 p.m. SportsTime Ohio; AM/1100, FM/100.7 - KC Royals at CLEVELAND INDIANS 

1:30 p.m. WGN — Chicago White Sox at Philadelphia 

2:05 p.m. AM/1350 -- Altoona at AKRON AEROS 

2:05 p.m. AM/970 -- LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS at Wisconsin  

5 p.m. AM/930 -- Frontier at LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS

8 p.m. ESPN — St. Louis at Chicago Cubs 

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

2 p.m. ESPN2 — Exhibition, All-Star Futures Game, at New York 

MOTORSPORTS

7:30 a.m. Speed Channel -- MotoGP World Championship, German Grand Prix

2 p.m. CBSSN -- AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike (tape)

3 p.m. CBSSN -- AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike 

3 p.m. Speed Channel -- MotoGP Moto2, German Grand Prix (tape)

SOFTBALL

1 p.m. ESPN — World Cup, round robin, United States vs. Puerto Rico, at Oklahoma City 

9 p.m. ESPN2 — World Cup, championship, teams TBD, at Oklahoma City

Freshmen like Chris Worley, Mike Mitchell, Trey Johnson and Vonn Bell could help Ohio State right away on special teams coverage.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Coaches fight over players like Chris Worley. The incoming Ohio State freshman from Glenville could be claimed by safeties coach Everett Withers. He could be snagged by linebackers coach Luke Fickell.

Listed at 185 pounds as a recruit, Worley apparently has already added about 17 pounds since reporting. The idea is to be big enough to play like a linebacker without losing his ability to run like a safety. There's one part of the game where designations don't matter.

Everyone can be a piranha.

As our countdown to the start of preseason practice continues, we're already on our second special teams issue …

No. 21: Finding the latest batch of Buckeye piranhas

21 days until the start of preseason practice

As the Buckeyes continue to recruit leaner, faster defenders, Urban Meyer continues to gather nominees for his special teams. Ideally, those coverage units should be made up of young, hungry Buckeyes who haven't learned enough to get on the field full-time, but who can certainly run down and tackle somebody. Last year, the coaches called that group the piranhas.

Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn't. Ohio State ranked 50th in the nation in kickoff return yardage allowed, and saw one kick run back for a score, by Purdue's Akeem Hunt.

Without backup quarterback's Kenny Guiton's late-game heroics, that kick return would have been a major reason Ohio State lost its undefeated season.

After excelling on kick coverage, injuries knocked freshmen Devan Bogard, Najee Murray and Armani Reeves out of the lineup and off the coverage teams. The Buckeyes noticed.

That's why freshmen Worley, Mike Mitchell, Trey Johnson, Vonn Bell, Darron Lee, Gareon Conley, Eli Apple and Cam Burrows could make a difference right away in 2013 without earning starting jobs. They don't have to know everything right away. But while joining those returning sophomore coverage contenders, they have to be able to stay in their coverage lane, run and make a tackle.

Do that, and their position coaches will continue to fight over them.

Coming Monday, No. 20: Can Penn State's Bill O'Brien make another quarterback?

Tim Lincecum tossed aside his recent struggles and pitched his first career no-hitter and the second in the majors in 11 days, a gem saved by a spectacular diving catch by right fielder Hunter Pence in the San Francisco Giants' 9-0 win over last-place San Diego on Saturday night.

San Francisco Giants celebrate after the no hitter thrown by Tim Lincecum, center, against the San Diego Padres in a baseball game in San Diego, Saturday, July 13, 2013. The Giants won the game 9-0. Tim Lincecum has thrown his first career no-hitter and the second in the majors in 11 days, a gem saved by a spectacular diving catch by right fielder Hunter Pence in the San Francisco Giants' 9-0 win against the last-place San Diego Padres on Saturday night. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) 

Listen to Sunday Insider with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore tonight at 8 p.m.

Listen to Sunday Insider with clevleand.com's Glenn Moore, tonight at 8 p.m. 

// username and password used for direct login only
var directUsername = "";
var directPassword = "";
var roomPassword = "";
var roomID = "1522";
var roomName = "www.cleveland.com Room";
var privateChatCID = "";

// logoPath should be swf/png/jpg/gif, approximately 200x30
// bgPath should be swf/png/jpg/gif, size will be stretched to the full background
// bgColor if no background is desired
var logoPath = "http://www.cleveland.com/chatblazermod/images/logo.jpg";
var bgPath = "";
var bgColor = "";
var barColor = ""; // #336699
var textColor = ""; // #FFFFFF

// Size of ChatBlazer application in % or pixels
var chatWidth="480";
var chatHeight="312";

// path of chat
var flashPath="ChatBlazer8"+(mainSkin!=""?"_"+mainSkin:"")+".swf?cb=1";

function addParam(pname,pval) {
if (typeof pval!="undefined" && pval) { flashPath = flashPath + "&"+pname+"=" + encodeURIComponent(pval); }
}

addParam("lang",mainLang);
addParam("config",mainConfig);
addParam("skin",mainSkin);
addParam("username",directUsername);
addParam("password",directPassword);
addParam("roompass",roomPassword);
addParam("roomid",roomID);
addParam("roomname",roomName);
addParam("privatechatcid",privateChatCID);
addParam("logo",logoPath);
addParam("bgpath",bgPath);
addParam("bgcolor",bgColor);
addParam("barcolor",barColor);

if (navigator.appVersion.indexOf("MSIE") != -1) {
addParam("isIE","1");
}

embedFlash(flashPath,chatWidth,chatHeight,"cb8",sourceBase, "#000000");
//-->

The Indians look to head into the All-Star Break on a four-game winning streak as they play for the series sweep this afternoon against Kansas City at Progressive Field.

The Indians look to head into the All-Star Break on a four-game winning streak as they play for the series sweep this afternoon against Kansas City at Progressive Field.

What: Indians vs. Royals.

» Get updates from the pressbox here

» You can also follow Tweets about the game and post your comments below.

Tweets from @clevelanddotcom/indians

Asdrubal Cabrera gets the big hit and the bullpen shines in relief of starter Ubaldo Jimenez as the Cleveland Indians win their fourth in a row and go into the All-Star break with a 51-44 record. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On Thursday afternoon, as the Indians prepared for their final series before the All-Star break, manager Terry Francona asked his players to floor it.

"The first half doesn't wind down," Francona said. "It comes to a crashing halt. You go 100 mph and then you take a break. That's what we need to do. That's what we will do. So you play 100 mph and then you take a break."

Francona's players, as they usually do, listened.

Asdrubal Cabrera, Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana went a combined 8-for-10 with five RBI as the Tribe completed a three-game sweep of the Royals with a 6-4 victory on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field.

The Indians (51-44) have won four in a row overall. They are 1 1/2 games behind the Detroit Tigers (52-42) in the American League Central. Kansas City (43-49) has dropped five straight.

"It feels really good to go into the All-Star break like we did,'' said Cabrera, who was the designated hitter. "We're playing well, playing with a lot of confidence, and now we can enjoy our time off.''

The Indians do not suit up again until Friday night in Minnesota. They have three against the Twins and three at Seattle before returning to Progressive Field on July 26 against Texas.

The Indians began the final homestand of the first "half'' with a dud, losing three of four to Detroit and falling 3 1/2 back. But they rebounded to take two of three from Toronto and handle Kansas City.

"It was nice that we could help the city of Cleveland kind of step back off the ledge after the Detroit series,'' Kipnis said. "We knew we had this break coming up, and four days to rest for a bunch of guys who could use it both physically and mentally. So we knew we wanted to push ourselves.''

Kipnis won't get much of a breather, but he isn't complaining. He spoke with reporters before being hustled to the airport for a trip to New York City to join his American League All-Star teammates. Right-hander Justin Masterson also is representing Cleveland.

Kipnis made sure not to check out mentally and start dreaming about big apples. In the last two games of the series, Kipnis was a combined 5-for-5 with two walks, two sacrifice flies, two runs and three RBI. He is hitting .301 with 13 homers and 57 RBI in 84 games. 

Now comes proving time for the Indians. In  2011, they were 47-42 at the break, 1/2-game behind in the Central. They finished 80-82, 15 back. Last year, they were 44-41, three games behind. They finished 68-94, 20 back.

"I wasn't here the last two years,'' Nick Swisher said, "but I think every year's different. I like what we have in here. We've got a lot of new guys, and we believe in ourselves. We're playing with some swag.''

The Indians scored three in the sixth inning to take a 6-4 lead. They did so off lefty relievers Tim Collins and Everett Teaford after helping force starter James Shields to throw 113 pitches in five.

Lonnie Chisenhall, who has struggled mightily against lefties, battled Collins before drawing a walk. Drew Stubbs singled to left. Michael Bourn almost beat out a sacrifice bunt. Cabrera shot the gap in right-center for a two-run double. Teaford entered and allowed an RBI single to Kipnis.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first. Bourn led off with a single and moved to third on Cabrera's single. Kipnis hit his seventh sacrifice fly; the Tribe has 34.

Kansas City scored two in the second against Ubaldo Jimenez. With one out, Lorenzo Cain hit a chopper to shortstop Mike Aviles, who momentarily wrestled with the transfer. It gave the hustling Cain the opening he needed to beat the throw for a single. Green High product David Lough singled and Johnny Giavotella walked. Giavotella has walked twice in 10 games this season.

On the first pitch, Alcides Escobar popped to center, where Bourn squared up and threw accurately to the plate on the fly. Catcher Santana's sweep tag narrowly missed Cain. On the first pitch, Alex Gordon singled to drive in Lough.

The Indians regained the advantage in the third. Kipnis drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on Swisher's grounder. Michael Brantley had an RBI single and Santana an RBI double to right. Right fielder Lough made it easy for Brantley by bobbling Santana's hit as Brantley rounded third.

Jimenez gave back the lead in the fourth. Cain walked on five pitches, then stole second and scooted to third on Santana's throwing error. Lough bunted in front of the mound on what appeared to be a safety squeeze. Cain held as Lough beat Jimenez's throw to first. Lough stole second.

Jimenez and Santana are not a good combination to control the running game. Opponents are 11-of-13 stealing against Jimenez and 39-of-43 against Santana.

Giavotella's grounder to short tied the score and Escobar's single put the Royals in front, 4-3.

Francona did not mess around with Jimenez. After Billy Butler singled on the second pitch of the fifth, Francona signaled for Chen-Chang (C.C.) Lee. Jimenez had thrown 76 pitches but never appeared comfortable.

"On a normal day, we probably would have stayed with him a little longer,'' Francona said. "But with four days off, we could empty the bullpen.''

Jimenez said: "I had trouble throwing strikes out of the stretch.''

Lee walked the first batter he faced, Salvador Perez, in becoming the first Taiwan native to play for the Indians. The game could have gotten away from Lee and the Indians at that point, but Lee bowed his neck and got Mike Moustakas (fly to center), Cain (pop to short) and Lough (fly to center) on a total of seven pitches.

Lee began the sixth by drilling Giavotella, who was squared to bunt. Escobar popped out in foul territory on a bunt attempt. Rich Hill relieved and caught Gordon looking at a wicked curveball. Eric Hosmer grounded out.

Lee has been promoted from Class AAA Columbus on Friday.

"We wanted to get Lee in a game before the break,'' Francona said. "As expected, he looked a little nervous, but I thought he handled himself very well. At an important time of the game, he got outs for us.''

Hill earned his first victory. Bryan Shaw worked the seventh, Joe Smith the eighth and Chris Perez the ninth. Perez earned his 13th save.

"We kept battling,'' Francona said, "and because of it, we're going into the break with a nice win.''   

Notable: Royals third baseman Moustakas went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and is 4-for-66 with RISP this season. ... Indians first baseman Swisher played superb defense. ... Tribe third baseman Chisenhall made a back-handed catch in the camera bay to begin the eighth. ... Santana was 3-for-3 and has hit in five straight (8-for-16). ... The Indians have not given up a homer in 60 consecutive innings. ... Perez declined to speak with reporters after the game. ... Francona will spend most of the break in Las Vegas.

Post-game video: The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff reports from Progressive Field where the Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals, 6-4. Terry Francona and Jason Kipnis spoke after the win.

The Cleveland Indians showed enough resiliency and promise in the first half to suggest they're worth the price of admission.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Faith in the Cavaliers as a playoff team is a leap on Andrew Bynum's delicate knees.

For the Browns, playoff hopes are attached to the small miracle of Brandon Weeden looking more like a young Philip Rivers under offensive coordinator Norv Turner's quarterback wand.

So if you like to get a handle on the unofficial odds in a casino city with no sports action, the Indians not only have the next chance to go to the playoffs, they have the best chance.

"We're right in the thick of things," center fielder Michael Bourn said recently. "(The Tigers) know we're right behind them."

The Indians aren't flying under the Tigers' radar, true enough. The Tigers also aren't losing sleep.

The snag in an otherwise promising first half was the Tigers' impersonation of King Kong swatting airplanes whenever the Indians occupied their space.

Head-to-head matchups between the two happen just twice more and not at all in September. The schedule is fairly friendly for both AL Central contenders, more than dotted with the softest opponents baseball has to offer.

If the Indians have been under the radar at all, it's in their own city. The attendance is a mirror of 2012 when the Indians' record at the All-Star break was 44-41 with a roster offering more prayer than hope. The ranking (27th) is slightly higher than a year ago.

Those Indians went 24-53 in the second half. If that happens again, you have my permission to spend August obsessing over the accuracy of the Browns' backup long snapper (not that you won't anyway.)

The popular take in this town every summer since the 1990s is that the Indians must capture the attention of the city before Browns' training camp starts. The only thing more pathetic than that theory is if it's actually true for some people.

As if keeping track of Weeden's batted passes in the preseason is a full-time job that can suffer no distractions. As if everything else will stop mattering while Barkevious Mingo tries to master a second pass rush move.

There's ample reason to believe the Indians will contend through the summer, especially if they make the necessary moves in the bullpen at the trade deadline.

They have arrived at the All-Star break pretty much as projected, a better than .500 team with more depth than a year ago and with the ability to manufacture runs.

The surprise is they've done it with a shaky bullpen, a relatively solid rotation and with two promising sources of power -- Mark Reynolds and Nick Swisher -- suffering a brown out.

What matters most every July is where the Indians are as a team and as an organization at the trade deadline. They're in a pretty good place at 51-44 and having won seven of the their past nine series. The 51 wins at the break is the highest since 52 in 2007 when they last made the playoffs.

Organizationally, they don't have the surplus of great position player prospects -- especially major-league-ready prospects -- required to justify trading for a top-of-the-rotation starter such as the Cubs' Matt Garza.

If they were a surer thing -- leading the Tigers by a half dozen games -- and they could compensate for the loss of Francisco Lindor or Danny Salazar in a deal -- the temptation would be much greater. No way Garza makes sense as a 10-start rental. Barring a starting pitcher the Indians can control for a year or two beyond 2013, the best move would be to bolster a bullpen that's sagging.

The rotation coming out of the All-Star break is Scott Kazmir, Corey Kluber, Justin Mazsterson, Ubaldo Jimnenez and TBD. OK, so you feel better about TBD than you do Jimenez? Salazar and Zach McAllister could make up the deficiency.

Whatever they do, the Indians can't match the Detroit rotation or the top five hitters in the Tigers' lineup, but they can overmatch a shaky Detroit bullpen with the proper moves.

And that wouldn't require giving up the future at shortstop or interrupt Salazar's promising impression of Jaret Wright in 1997.

The Indians showed enough in the first half to suggest they'll contend into September. And if that doesn't sound like the highest praise or most exciting prediction, it's the best we got.

The Cleveland Indians are contending despite some first-half injuries and slumps.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- From one perspective, the Indians are doing what they should be doing -- contending after significant off-season upgrades. They are 51-44 at the All-Star break after a 6-4 victory over Kansas City on Sunday afternoon. They trail the Detroit Tigers by 1 1/2 games.

After going 68-94 and finishing 20 games back in the AL Central in 2012, the Indians' additions included a manager with two World Series rings (Terry Francona), two big-money free agents (Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn) and a power bat (Mark Reynolds). They figured to have upgraded the bullpen (Bryan Shaw, Matt Albers), bench (Mike Aviles, Yan Gomes, Ryan Raburn) and possibly the rotation (Brett Myers).

From another perspective, the Indians being in contention is no small feat given what has happened in 3 1/2 months. Among the issues:

Myers, who attempted to transition from being exclusively a reliever last year, is 0-3 with an 8.02 ERA and has been sidelined since late April because of injury.

Swisher is playing through left shoulder pain and hitting .242 with nine homers and 31 RBI in 79 games.

Bourn missed a chunk of games because of an April finger injury.

Right-hander Zach McAllister has been sidelined since early June because of a finger injury.

Reynolds started hot but has seven homers and 25 RBI since May 1.

Closer Chris Perez, an All-Star the previous two seasons, has 13 saves and is dealing with off-field legal matters.

Bullpen is 23-of-40 in save opportunities.

Starters have failed to work at least six innings 44 times.

Team slumps, record-wise, have included stretches of 5-10 and 4-16.

Indians are 3-9 against Detroit.

Indians have one player hitting .300 (Jason Kipnis, .301), one with 50-plus RBI (Kipnis, 57) and one pitcher with eight-plus victories (Justin Masterson, 10-7).

Yet the Tribe is in the mix.

"To be standing where we are right now, you've got to feel great about that," Swisher said. "Even though we're a relatively young team, I feel like we're making adjustments on the run and making adjustments for the best."

Said Francona: "We've had our share of ups and downs, but we've played well enough to give ourselves a chance. What we've done in the first half makes the second half potentially really exciting. We need to play better in the second half -- and we can."

Talent wins games, but intangibles can help. Francona likes what he has seen and heard from his clubhouse.

"Through it all, we've been a team," Francona said. "Our guys care about each other. I like the idea that we play however many innings we're supposed to -- nine, 10, 11, whatever."

Francona admitted that, even for someone of his boundless optimism, staying upbeat through the 4-16 skid was not easy. The Tribe lost eight straight in that span.

"You can spin it a lot of ways," Francona said. "We tried to stay positive, but when you lose eight in a row, that's hard. It wears on everybody. We picked ourselves up and kept going. I wish we would have picked ourselves up a little quicker, but that's the way the game is."

Stumbling: Reynolds went from terrific April to not starting the final two games before the All-Star break.

For Sunday afternoon's game against Royals right-hander James Shields, Francona went with Asdrubal Cabrera at designated hitter, Swisher at first base and Lonnie Chisenhall at third.

Reynolds did not play Saturday night in a 5-3 victory. His most recent hit was a bunt single in his third at-bat Friday night; it helped the Indians win, 3-0.

"Obviously, you want to play," Reynolds said. "But I don't write the lineups. Tito is going to put the best guys out there to try to win the game."

Reynolds, hitting .218 with 15 homers and 47 RBI, said he is fine physically.

"I'm ready to head home, get away from baseball for a little while and try to recharge the batteries," said Reynolds, who lives in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Reynolds hit .301 with eight homers and 22 RBI in April. He went .218/5/19 in May, .187/2/5 in June and is .091/0/1 in July. Since May 1, he has struck out 91 times.

"You're always one swing away," he said. "It's just a matter of getting a good pitch to hit and gaining some confidence. Next time I get my opportunity, I'll be ready and, hopefully, I can come through."

Francona recently said of Reynolds: "He will get hot again, and he will carry us."

Even with the protracted slump, Reynolds leads the Tribe in homers and ranks third in RBI. The Indians feature 12 players with 20-plus RBI. Bourn has 19.

Minor matters: The Indians recalled righty Blake Wood from his 30-day rehab with Class AAA Columbus, activated him from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Columbus. Catcher Omir Santos was outrighted to the Clippers roster.

Wood, 27, a former Royal, underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in May 2012. His rehab assignment wrapped with strong work in Columbus (four appearances, four innings, one hit, three walks, eight strikeouts).

Home strength: The Indians are 30-19 at Progressive Field.

If and when he gets called to the big leagues, Francisco Lindor will be one happy shortstop. For now, after playing in his second straight All-Star Futures Game, Lindor will join Class AA Akron on Monday as he continues to climb the ladder toward Cleveland.

Shortstop prospect Francisco Lindor, made a brief appearance in Sunday's Futures Game at Citi Field, before joining Class AA Akron.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer 

NEW YORK -- C.C. Lee and Francisco Lindor were supposed to play in the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday at Citi Field. Lindor made it, but Lee was occupied elsewhere, making his big-league debut with the Indians.

The Indians promoted Lee from Class AAA Columbus on Friday. Sunday he appeared in his first game, pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings as the Indians went into the All-Star break with a 6-4 victory over Kansas City.

When will Lindor's time come?

He doesn't know and the Indians aren't saying.

"Whenever it happens, it will happen," said Lindor. "If it does happen, and God willing it does, I'm going to be happy."

It's unfair to compare the career paths of Lindor and Lee. Lindor is a 19-year-old shortstop, who opened this season at Class A Carolina. Monday he will join Class AA Akron, representing his first serious promotion since the Indians made him their No.1 pick in 2011 and paid him a $2.9 million signing bonus.

Lee is 26 and his clock is ticking much louder. He has the built-in advantage of playing for Terry Francona, a manager who would carry 12 relievers if he could. Francona spent much of the first half with an eight-man bullpen, which grew to nine for a few days in late June.

The dust, however, never settles on a No. 1 pick as he makes his way through an organization. Last week there were rumors that St. Louis had renewed its off-season interest in shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. It coincided with Lindor's promotion to Akron. It has since been learned that the Indians have had little if any conversation with St. Louis about Cabrera since the start of the regular season.

Still, the jump from Double-A to Cleveland is much more feasible than doing it from Class A Carolina.

"I don't listen to that talk," said Lindor. "That's not my job. That's their job."

Lindor didn't start Sunday's Future's game for the World team that lost to Team USA, 4-2. He replaced Boston prospect Xander Bogaerts at short in the sixth inning and had one at-bat, hitting a hard one-hopper in the seventh that resulted in a 6-4-3 double play.

Futures Game boxscore

"I enjoyed every little, single second of it," said Lindor, who spent Sunday night with his family in New York.

"It's the last time I'll get to see them for the rest of the season," he said.

On Monday, Lindor will be dipping his toes into the Eastern League with his new Akron teammates.

"Going up to Double-A means a lot to me," said Lindor. "It means the organization has faith in me. It expect to see better pitching, better umpires, better baseball, better everything."

Lindor played 83 games for the Carolina Mudcats. Hitting behind leadoff man Tyler Naquin much of the time, he batted .306 (100-for-327) with 19 doubles, six triples, one homer and 27 RBI in 83 games. He scored 51 runs and stole 20 bases in 25 attempts (80 percent).

Naquin, the Indians No.1 pick in 2012, is hitting .293 (103-for-351) with 23 doubles, five triples, six homer and 34 RBI in 84 games for Carolina. He's scored 54 runs and stolen 10 bases in 16 attempts (63 percent).

"He's a great, great player," said Lindor. "Hopefully, he'll be up in Double-A soon. He hustles, plays hard and he's smart. He's doing whatever it takes to move up."

Last season at Class A Lake County, Lindor hit .257 (126-for-490) with 24 doubles, three triples, six homers and 42 RBI in 122 games. He stole 27 bases in 39 attempts (69 percent) and seemed to wear down in his first full pro seasons.

"I've been more consistent this year with everything I do -- work ethic, offense, defense, everything," said Lindor. "I feel much stronger."

In spring training, several of the Indians top prospects played in big league Cactus League games. The Indians needed the bodies because the World Baseball Classic robbed them of some of their regulars.

It turned out to be a good thing for Lindor, who hit .292 (7-for-24).

"It gave me confidence," said Lindor. "It helped my mentality. 'OK, I can do it, I can do it.' And I got a couple of lessons from the big-leaguers, which was awesome."

The U.S. won its fourth straight Futures games by scoring two runs in the fourth to overcome a 2-1 deficit. Futures MVP Matt Davidson (Arizona) hit a two-run homer for a 3-2 lead.

The Cleveland Indians' rotation coming out of the break features lefty Scott Kazmir in the lead. All-Star Justin Masterson is third.

Clubhouse confidential: Left-hander Scott Kazmir is not the Indians' No. 1 starter, but he will be first to pitch coming out of the All-Star break.

Kazmir will start the opener of a three-game series Friday night at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn. He will be followed by Corey Kluber, Justin Masterson and right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, with the fifth slot to be determined.

Tribe No. 1 starter Masterson is an All-Star. Francona did not want the rotation to be dependent on how much pitching, if any, Masterson does in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.

"We want Masty to enjoy his experience there, be able to pitch, and not have to worry about coming out of it three days later,'' Francona said Saturday.

The TBD depends on the progress of Zach McAllister, who had been on the disabled list since June 8 because of a sprained middle finger. McAllister threw 61 pitches, but no curveballs, in a rehab outing for Class AA Akron on Saturday night.

McAllister has been throwing curves only from flat ground. The Indians think problems with his curveball grip led to the injury during a start June 2 against Tampa Bay.

If McAllister is not ready by July 23 at Seattle, the leading candidate to fill in for him is right-hander Danny Salazar. Last Thursday at Progressive Field, Salazar dominated the Blue Jays for most of six innings in his major-league debut. It was going to be a spot start regardless of outcome. He returned to Columbus the next day.

Kazmir is 5-4 with a 4.60 ERA in 16 starts. He has pitched 86 innings. In the previous two years combined, he pitched 1 2/3 innings in the majors.

Locked in: Closer Chris Perez is 7-for-7 in save opportunities with a 0.90 ERA since returning from the disabled list June 27.

Stat of the day: Second baseman Jason Kipnis has 57 RBI, most by an Indian in a first "half'' since Victor Martinez's 59 in 2009.

On this episode of Sunday Insider, cleveland.com's Glenn Moore talked about Andrew Bynum coming to Cleveland and the Tribe's hot end to the first half of the season. Dennis Manoloff also came on to talk Tribe.

Is Jason Kipnis the Tribe's MVP through the first-half of the season? Glenn Moore talks about this and more during this week's episode of Sunday Insider. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) 

Shawn Casady, 19, edges Joe Fargis, 65, at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field.

In a dramatic finish, 19-year-old Shawn Casady, riding Twister, emerged victorious Sunday at the $30,000 Cleveland Grand Prix horse show jumping event. He narrowly edged out 65-year-old Joe Fargis, riding Lariat, at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field.

Casady came in with a time of 38.978 seconds. Fargis was right behind with a time of 39.171 seconds.

Richard Cheska, riding Quick Tempo, came in third, while defending champion Federico Sztyrle, riding Chicago 88, finished fourth.

Hundred of people turned out despite the smoldering heat to see the program. The Grand Prix is a part of the Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic, a two-week event that features three rings of exciting horse show jumping competition. It's an annual summer tradition in Northeast Ohio.

The Cleveland Grand Prix continues to be of the utmost importance in the equestrian community. It was the first show-jumping grand prix in all of North America, making its debut in 1965 at the same Polo Field they use today.

Sixteen competitors took the field at this year's event. The first 12 to place received a cash prize ranging from $9,000 (first) to $600 (12th). The competitors came from as far away as Florida and California for a chance to claim first place.

After the first round, which saw all 16 horses complete the course in a time ranging from 82 to 89 seconds, five horses qualified for the Jump-Off round. In this round, the course is shortened from 16 jumps to just seven. The horses generally complete the course in half the time it takes to complete the regular course.

For Fargis, first place at the Grand Prix has always been elusive, as he has finished second a handful of times. Fargis has no plans to stop riding competitively any time soon.

"I try not to think about that," Fargis said. "I just try to think about next week. When I feel like I'm impeding the horse, I'll stop."

The lone competitor hailing from Cleveland in the competition, Megan Moshontz-Bash riding Pourkoipa Fontaine, did not qualify for the Jump-Off round. In the first round, she was penalized for a "knock-down," meaning her horse failed to clear one of the jumps cleanly. She finished the first round in a time of 82.631 seconds with eight faults.

The Hunter Jumper Classic is organized and presented by the Chagrin Valley Professional Horsemen's Association Horse Show Inc. The Classic concludes next Saturday with the third annual $25,000 Grand Prix.

The Lake County Captains score three in the ninth inning to beat Wisconsin, 4-3.

Class AAA: Columbus 6, Indianapolis 1 Jeremy Hermida hit an RBI double in a three-run sixth inning and the Clippers beat the Indians. T.J. House (3-9, 5.15) gave up seven hits in six innings and struck out six batters for the win.

Class AA: Altoona 9, Akron 4 Toru Murata was on the hill for the Aeros and surrendered a combined eight singles in the first three innings. He lasted only 4 innings after giving up five runs. Akron's Jose Ramirez hit an RBI triple in the third for Akron.

Class A Advanced: Carolina 5, Frederick 3 Joseph Colon (1-2, 3.72) allowed just three hits in a six-inning start and the Mudcats topped the Keys in Frederick, Md.

Class A: Lake County 4, Wisconsin 3 The Captains rallied to score three runs in the ninth inning to beat the Timber Rattlers. With one out, Joe Sever homered to left field to trim the Wisconsin lead to 3-2. Jeremy Lucas then singled and moved to second base on a wild pitch. Eric Hasse ripped a double to left field to tie the game at 3-3. Anthony Santander then doubled to right field and the Captains led 4-3. Benny Suarez (2-2) pitched the final two innings for the win, allowing just one hit and holding the Rattlers scoreless.

Class A Short-season: Vermont 5, Mahoning Valley 1 Robert Whitenack (1-4) and two Scrappers relievers gave up 11 hits and the Lake Monsters won at Mahoning Valley. The Scrappers gave up 11 hits. The Scrappers' only score came on a Brian Ruiz sacrifice fly in the second inning.

Independent: Sauget 3, Crushers 2 Seth Granger went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a walk, while Daniel Bowman went 2-for-4 for the Crushers, but the Frontier Greys had three runs in the top of the fourth inning, which was enough for the win at Pro Freight Stadium in Avon. The loss for Lake Erie (26-25) was just their second in their last seven games.

Hall of Famer McCormack was a first- or second-team all-NFL selection in each of his nine years with the Browns, the last eight at right offensive tackle.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.

No. 13, MIKE McCORMACK, offensive tackle-defensive lineman, 1954-62

Hall of Famer Mike McCormack could do it all for the Browns at right offensive tackle.

The 6-4, 250-pound McCormack was fast, as swift, even, as some modern tight ends. He was agile and athletic, able to get out front and escort Hall of Fame running backs Jim
Brown and Bobby Mitchell on the Browns' feared end sweep. He was strong, able to overpower opponents with straight-ahead blocking and seal them off to create running lanes.

Coaches marveled at McCormack's technical soundness.

He combined all of those attributes to be a dominating pass blocker, seldom allowing his man to threaten the Browns quarterback.

To top it off, McCormack was smart. For the Browns, having him was like having a coach on the offensive line. In fact, McCormack would be a head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Colts and an interim head coach for Seattle before becoming the Seahawks' president and general manager -- a dual position he would also hold while building the expansion-era Carolina Panthers.

The New York Yanks selected McCormack out of the University of Kansas in the third round of the 1951 draft with the 34th overall pick. As a rookie offensive tackle he made the Pro Bowl team.

McCormack missed the 1952 and 1953 seasons as he served in the United States Army. Meanwhile, the Yanks moved and played in 1952 as the Dallas Texans. The team folded, but many of its assets were awarded to a group from Baltimore, where the Colts began play in 1953 (and eventually moved to Indianapolis in 1984). Baltimore held McCormack's playing rights.

The Browns acquired McCormack in the famed 15-player trade with the Colts on March 26, 1953. They knew he wouldn't be able to join them until 1954 because of his military duties.

Cleveland sent 10 players to Baltimore in the deal and got five in return. Among the other players acquired by the Browns was defensive tackle Don Colo, who would make first- or second-team all-NFL in each of his six seasons (1953-58) with Cleveland.

The players the Colts received included guard Art Spinney, defensive backs Carl Taseff and Don Shula and all-around skill-position player Bert Rechichar. Shula, from Painesville Harvey High School and Taseff's teammate at John Carroll University in University Heights, began his 33-year NFL head coaching career with the Colts in 1963 at age 33.

McCormack immediately became a starter with the 1954 Browns but on defense at middle guard. He replaced future Hall of Famer Bill Willis, who had retired. Middle guard was a common position at the time, with the player lined up in a two-point (standing) stance between the tackles and a couple steps off the line of scrimmage, facing the center.

McCormack, playing tough against the run and providing a strong inside pass rush, made second-team all-NFL. Besides making play after play, he recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass, returning it 14 yards.

The Browns routed the Detroit Lions, 56-10, in the NFL championship game at Cleveland Stadium. In the second quarter, McCormack yanked the football from Lions Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne. The play, officially recorded as a fumble recovery, set up Browns Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham's 5-yard touchdown run and a 28-10 Cleveland lead.

Bob Gain had returned from his stint with the U.S. Air Force with two games left in the 1954 regular season. Gain could play anywhere along the defensive line and the Browns put him at middle guard in 1955. He would later move to tackle and become a star.

The change on defense allowed the Browns to move McCormack back to the position he had already proven himself, offensive tackle. He was put on the right side, where he had played for the New York Yanks in 1951.

Again, now with McCormack on offense, the Browns had a dominating championship game performance. They clouted the Rams, 38-14, at Los Angeles in Graham's final game. Graham retired after having quarterbacked the Browns in each of their first 10 seasons since becoming a franchise in 1946. They played in the championship game all 10 years, winning All-America Football Conference title games in all four years (1946-49) of the league's existence and NFL championships in 1950, 1954 and 1955.

Jim Brown, regarded by many as the best running back ever, joined the Browns as a first-round draft pick from Syracuse in 1957. For his first six seasons, his spectacular efforts would be aided by the relentless blocking of McCormack.

McCormack earned various first-team all-NFL honors in the first seven of his eight years at tackle for the Browns. In his eighth and final campaign, he was a second-team all-pro. Besides his 1951 Pro Bowl selection as a Yanks rookie, McCormack was a Pro Bowler in 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961 and 1962. Though his play was still at a high level, McCormack retired at age 32 following the 1962 season.

McCormack turned 83 on June 21.

(The Browns' all-time top 100 players so far)

Video: From the 1961 Browns highlights film, with game action called by television play-by-play broadcaster Ken Coleman and other footage described by radio game analyst Jim Graner. Mike McCormack (74) is at right offensive tackle for the Browns in wins on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Redskins:

Signed by the Cleveland Indians on July 7, 1948, Negro Leagues legend Satchel Paige went 6-1 as the Tribe went on to win its last World Series title.

By Ryan Whirty

There were a fair share of doubters after the Indians signed Satchel Paige to a contract in July 1948.

Most people had heard stories of Paige's glory days, had heard how dominant the Alabama native had been in the Negro Leagues for more than two decades, had heard about his fanning legendary slugger Josh Gibson on three straight whiffs, had heard about him telling his outfielders to have a seat because he was so good and so confident.

But this . . . this was different. This was major-league baseball, the Show, the pinnacle of baseball achievement. And ol' Satch was 42 years old (give or take a year or two). What was Bill Veeck, the whimsical, renegade owner of the Indians, thinking when he signed Paige to a major-league contract July 7, 1948? The Indians were in the thick of a pennant race, and he's bringing in someone who's practically a senior citizen, for cryin' out loud?

"How much help he can give the Indians now is problematical . . ." opined New York Times legend Arthur Daley on July 8, 1948. "The speed has gone from his arm but the cunning still remains. . . . The Satch of a decade or two ago might have been able to assure the Tribe of a pennant. But he's been in the twilight of his career for so long that there's just no telling."

But there were just as many believers. Listen to the man who cracked the major-league color wall a year before.

"While we were together at Kansas City [with the Monarchs] I became aware of the greatness of the man," wrote Jackie Robinson on July 17 in his weekly column for the Pittsburgh Courier. "He is not only one of the best pitchers I have ever seen, he is also one of the greatest competitors that ever put on a baseball uniform. . . . I know that Paige will help the Cleveland Indians a great deal in their drive for the pennant."

About three months later, Paige had answered all questions with an exclamation point. The Indians had won the World Series -- their last for 65 years and counting -- and all Paige had done was go 6-1 with a 2.48 ERA, including two complete-game shutouts. Instead of overpowering batters as he did years before -- his fastball had, by 1948, lost its burn -- Paige used laser-like accuracy, baffling batters with a curveball and knuckler.

As authors, historians and fans in general look back six and a half decades, no more questions, no more doubts remain. Without Satchel Paige, the Indians wouldn't have been able to snatch the American League pennant from the Boston Red Sox.

"If you remove Paige's contribution, in such a tight pennant race, I don't think the Indians manage to win the AL and go to the World Series," said Stephanie Liscio, a doctoral student and researcher on Negro Leagues history at Case Western Reserve University. "He didn't get much playing time during the World Series (just two-thirds of an inning, in which he pitched well), but they may not have even made it that far without him."

Larry Tye, author of 2010's acclaimed "Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend," agreed. It was almost as if Paige had emerged from a plume of misty fog and took his place in the Indians dugout, like a magician exploded through a haze of theatrical stage smoke, a survivor of the rigors of segregation and an unspoken "gentlemen's agreement" that prevented him -- and hundreds of other Negro League greats -- their fair shot at the big time.

Tye said having someone like that in the bullpen -- a lanky, crafty pitcher of supreme confidence, wisdom and battle scars -- reassured the Indian hurling staff that a championship was easily in their grasp.

"He was coming seemingly out of the pages of history onto that championship team," Tye said. "He lived through everything, all of the racial trials and tribulations of baseball. Having him alongside all those younger pitchers, it just gave them confidence. He was just an extraordinary figure. Everyone was drawn to him. He was just a character. [Teammates] loved his sense of humor, and they loved what he could do [on the mound]."

Paige got his first Major-League win July 15, 1948 -- 65 years ago today -- in a relief role when the Tribe downed the Philadelphia A's, 8-5. Realizing Paige's potential to rally the team, Cleveland player/manager Lou Boudreau gave him the start Aug. 3, and, after a shaky beginning, Paige settled down to pick up another victory.

The moment came in front of more than 72,000 frenzied fans, a league record for a night game, and boosted Cleveland back into first place.

But then came Paige's crowning performances -- two complete-game shutouts, a 5-0 win over the White Sox on Aug. 13 and a 1-0 domination of Chicago on Aug. 20. The old man gave up only three hits per game, and on Aug. 13 at Comiskey Park, more than 50,000 fans jammed the seats, with thousands more streaming in illicitly by swamping ticket-takers.

At home on the 20th, another record crowd of more than 78,000 turned out at Cleveland Stadium, meaning more than 200,000 people had witnessed the three starts of a man who was supposedly past his prime. Pundits took note of Paige's effect at the turnstiles, with the esteemed Chicago Defender tabbing Paige "Baseball's "Greatest Drawing Card," the inheritor of that title from Babe Ruth himself.

Behind the scenes, though, was Veeck, the hardball showman and proverbial dice-roller who had defied the skeptics and signed a supposedly aging Paige to help his team to a world crown, a move that, by October, seemed like madcap genius.

"Veeck knew Paige still had a great deal of talent, even at the age of 42," Liscio said. "He also knew that Paige would be a great promotional draw, due to his popularity in the Negro Leagues and the increased crowds on days in which he was scheduled to pitch. Veeck definitely took a risk because of Paige's age, and the fact that he was known to go to the beat of his own drum and to speak his mind. At the same time, it would be a great promotional draw, and Paige's accuracy was still laser sharp, even in his 40s."

Tye stressed that Veeck's role in integration has been overshadowed by his National League counterpart, the Brooklyn Dodgers' Branch Rickey, who had signed Robinson to initially break the color barrier. Veeck, Tye noted, integrated the American League when he signed Larry Doby in July 1947, but he added that the visionary owner had wanted to crack the wall several years earlier when he bought the Philadelphia Phillies.

With the inking of Paige, Veeck confirmed his importance and trailblazing vision, Tye said. The two figures, pitcher and owner, were in many ways mirror images of each other -- bold, outspoken, self-assured to the point of cockiness and quite aware of the importance of seizing their chance to change history.

"He is very overlooked when it comes to integration," Tye said of Veeck. "He wanted to do it before Branch Rickey ever dreamed about doing it. And it took a lot of courage to sign Satchel Paige. [Veeck] was every bit as important to integration as Branch Rickey, but he's never gotten the credit that Branch Rickey has."

The fates of everyone involved would change significantly over the next few years, however. Paige pitched well for the Tribe in '49, but his numbers couldn't compare to his stats a year before. And in the end, the destiny of owner and player remained entwined -- Veeck sold the team after the 1949 campaign because of his divorce, and, with that, the Indians gave Paige his unconditional release.

Veeck went on to become even more larger-than-life -- after buying the bumbling St. Louis Browns, he famously signed little person Eddie Gaedel to draw fans, and his unfortunate swan song came in 1979 when, as the owner of the White Sox, Veeck staged Disco Demolition Night, an over-the-top and literally explosive event that ended in an actual on-field riot.

Paige, meanwhile, bounced around pro and semipro ball at various levels, including a fairly successful three-year stint with Veeck's Browns in the early 1950s, the minor leagues and the Negro Leagues until he finally gave his arm a permanent rest in 1966. He eased into the life of a folk hero and homespun philosopher and, in 1971, became the first player to spend most or all of his career in the Negro Leagues to be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was followed into the hallowed hall by Veeck exactly 20 years later.

Ryan Whirty is a free-lance writer who lives in the New Orleans area.

The Nittany Lions will have an off week before playing their seventh game of the season in Ohio Stadium, maybe behind five-star freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Penn State fans caught a glimpse of five-star recruit and freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg on Friday running around at a fundraising event. For Ohio State fans, what matters is how Hackenberg will look by Oct. 26. And whether he'll even be the starting quarterback when Penn State visits Ohio Stadium for a primetime start in the Buckeyes' eighth game of the season.

As the preseason countdown for the 25 most important things to Ohio State's season continues, we land on our second opponent question. And it's not about Hackenberg as much as the guy shaping him. Second-year head coach Bill O'Brien, after inheriting Matt McGloin last season, will get to mold his first Nittany Lion quarterback, and ...

No. 20: Will O'Brien's quarterback karma kick in?

20 days until the start of preseason practice

Penn State returns eight offensive starters from its team that went 8-4, including a 35-23 loss to the Buckeyes. Hackenberg arrives despite the continuing bowl ban in State College, where O'Brien is fighting to lessen those sanctions. Meanwhile, Penn State is creating replacement bowl trips, announcing a regular-season game in Ireland against Georgia Tech for 2014.

By then, Hackenberg should be finding himself as a college quarterback. But what about the midpoint of his freshman year?

He'll have to beat out junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson of California, who has been back in his homestate with his mother, who is battling breast cancer. The Nittany Lions expect him to return. Either quarterback gives O'Brien talent to mold. (Insert obligatory Tom Brady reference here.) But he also needs time.

Penn State opens with a manageable schedule, with four home games against Syracuse, Eastern Michigan, Central Florida and Kent State preceding the Big Ten opener at Indiana. Then it's Michigan, and, this helps, an off week, before the visit to Columbus.

O'Brien will have two weeks to get his offense prepped for the toughest game of the year. Can he make it a game?

Like Urban Meyer, he's a sharp offensive mind who will have players with a second year in the system. Unlike Meyer, he'll have a guy behind center who is new to it all.

Coming Tuesday, No. 19: Philly Brown, a reliable WR with a chance to do more

Dion Waiters scored a game-high 23 points as the Cavaliers improved to 2-0 in the Las Vegas Summer League following their 69-58 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Tyler Zeller added 11 points.

 

Video: Dion Waiters scored a game-high 23 points as the Cavaliers improved to 2-0 in the Las Vegas Summer League following their 69-58 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Tyler Zeller added 11 points.

The Cleveland Indians' on-field performance rates higher than fan interest in The Plain Dealer's stats-drive Believe-O-Meter.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Indians head in into the All-Star Break still in the hunt for a playoff position, but hardly a favorite, according to this week's update of The Plain Dealer's stats-driven Believe-O-Meter.

66	62	70
Overall	Heart	Head

The meter, an index taking into account on-field performance and fan interest, reads a 66 on a scale of 1-to-100.

That's up from a 59 one week ago.

The stats-driven Believe-O-Meter shown here is an alternate way to judge the Indians' hopes this season to the subjective fan-driven Believe-O-Meter. You can be part of that separate rating by voicing your opinion at this link.

Here's how we come up with the stats-driven Believe-O-Meter rating, an average of our head and heart indexes.

• For the head (currently an 70, up from 63 a week earlier): We've created an index that takes into account the Indians' record over the last 10 games, the overall record for the year, games behind first place, and the team's American League ranking for runs scored and runs allowed.

• For the heart (currently a 62, up from 55 a week earlier): The index factors in attendance over the last 10 home games and readership over the last week on cleveland.com for Indians stories vs. stories about the Browns, the Cavs and Ohio State. Indians stories ranked first over the last week.  Attendance has averaged 20,003 over the last 10 home games.
  

We'll check back weekly with updates on the the Believe-O-Meter, stats version, as the season goes along.

Visit the fan-driven Believe-O-Meter to register how you're feeling about the Tribe today.

Indians Believe-O-Meter rates a six.Bill Neff, The Plain Dealer