News and notes from around the Northeast Ohio golf scene.

Bob Rossiter / Canton RepositorySome legends from pro football and golf will participate in a charity golf event Saturday at Clearview Golf Club in Canton to honor course founder and golf pioneer William Powell, who passed away last December.

• Off The Green with Clearview's Renee Powell | Hey, T.R.!
• Hole of the Week: Where Aces Fly | Video: Get more power

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It is a national championship designed with the recreational golfer in mind.

Sort of. You won't find any high-handicappers at the U.S. Mid-Amateur championship.

In 1981, the USGA inaugurated the U.S. Mid-Amateur, providing a formal national championship for the post-college amateur, for whom the game is truly an avocation. Players must be at least 25 to play.

The Northern Ohio Golf Association, in conjunction with the USGA, will conduct an 18-hole qualifier for the U.S. Mid-Am Sept. 1 at Shale Creek Golf Club in Medina. A field of 57 players will vie for four spots in the 30th annual Mid-Am, to be held Sept. 25-30 at the Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, N.Y.

Only one Ohioan, Bob Lewis, who now is a member at The Country Club in Pepper Pike, has ever made it to the match play finals. Lewis, formerly of Warren, twice finished as the runner-up.

Winning the Mid-Am is not easy. After two rounds of stroke play, the field of 264 will be cut to the low 64 players, who will advance to match play. The eventual winner could be required to play 162 holes -- or more -- in six days, should all his matches last 18 holes or longer.

Legends in Stark: Hall of Famers from football and golf are expected to participate in the 26th annual Clearview Celebrity Tournament at Clearview Golf Club in East Canton on Saturday. Conducted to honor the legacy of the late William Powell, who founded the club in 1946, the event has drawn a large number of celebrities over the years.

Clearview, designated as a National Historic Site by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2001, is regarded as the only course designed, built, owned and operated by an African-American. Powell died in December.

Lee Elder, who broke the color barrier when he became the first black golfer to play in the 1975 Masters, has informed tournament officials that he will attend. So, too, will Charlie Sifford, the first black player to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Other stars expected to play are Pro Football Hall of Famers Paul Warfield, Leroy Kelly and Franco Harris, as well as former NFL players Greg Pruitt, Kevin Mack, Jim Houston, Dave Robinson and Don Cockroft.

"I think it is always very special when you have celebrities come to Clearview because of its significance," Powell's daughter and former LPGA member, Renee, said in a prepared statement. "It is not Augusta or Pebble Beach. It is Clearview, and it's known for its creation by my father, who had a vision and a passion to make a difference for all people."

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Clearview Legacy Foundation for education, research, training and the preservation of the course.

All in the family: Larry and Judy Traxler of Valley City are going to celebrate later this week after both recorded holes-in-one this summer. The Traxlers have solved half of Ironwood's par-3 holes with aces.

In 2004, Larry got his first hole-in-one on the 171-yard 11th hole. His wife got her first on Monday, when she aced the 193-yard second hole, using a driver. Larry picked up the second ace of his career earlier this summer when he drove the 316-yard fifth hole at St. Bernard in Richfield.

Chris Antonetti, the Indians' GM in waiting, talked about the team and his new job before Tuesday's game against the A's. He's scheduled to officially replace Mark Shapiro on Nov. 1.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerIncoming Indians GM Chris Antonetti (with manager Manny Acta during spring training) says he has learned from being an assistant to Mark Shapiro, but will have his own way of running the team's big-league operation.

INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: If you want something done right, you usually have to do it yourself.
Catcher Lou Marson thought for sure he was off the hook Sunday when Jayson Nix tumbled head first into the photographer’s pit head first to catch a foul pop in the seventh inning at Comerica Park.
He thought Baseball Tonight would replace the Buehrle Meter with the Nix Meter as the standard to grade great defensive plays this season. It didn’t make it and the Buehrle’s between-the-legs flip to retire Marson in the season opener on April 5 is still the gold standard.
“I guess I’m going to have to go out and make a play by myself,” said Marson.

Plenty of elbow room: The Indians are on pace to draw 1.4 million fans this season. It would be the fewest fans to watch the Indians since they moved to Progressive Field in 1994, and their smallest attendance since they drew 1.2 million at Municipal Stadium in 1992.

Stat of the day: Lefty Tony Sipp has allowed just 16.7 percent (6-of-36) of his inherited runners to score. It’s the best percentage in the AL.
— Paul Hoynes

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chris Antonetti, who officially replaces Mark Shapiro as general manager Nov. 1, met with reporters before Tuesday's game against Oakland at Progressive Field. Here are some of the subjects he talked about.

• Antonetti said he's assumed more and more responsibility running the baseball side of the team this year as Shapiro has become more immersed in moving to team president.

"I'm excited about the opportunity," said Antonetti. "I'm excited by the challenge. I'm confident we have the people in place to be successful. That's what we're all building toward to get back to a championship-caliber club."

Antonetti has been heavily involved in the in-season trades the Indians have made the last three years, especially this year.

"Mark has always been great about giving me opportunities to grow and develop," he said. "This year has been another step. It's probably been more incremental than anything monumental.

"The one thing you can't simulate is being in that chair making that final call. Until that happens, I can't simulate it."

When asked how his tenure as GM would differ from Shapiro's, Antonetti said, "We're different people. At the same time we have worked together for a while. One thing I can tell you that we have in common is that we're never satisfied.

Mark can tell you he's never satisfied with any area of the organization and nor am I. We try to look at each year and each juncture in time and try to improve."

• Antonetti said center fielder Grady Sizemore and catcher Carlos Santana will be ready for the start of the 2011, but might not be at full strength for the start of spring training.

Sizemore underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee on June 4. Santana had surgery on the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee on Aug. 6.

Regarding Santana, who is missing the final two months of his rookie season because of a collision at the plate, he said, "It's not ideal. We were hoping he'd get more time to transition up here.

"When you look at the range of potential outcomes when we were sitting in Fenway Park that day ... we thought there may be some jeopardy to his career and his career as a catcher. Thankfully, that doesn't appear to be the case. It appears he'll be able to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of next year."

• Alex White, last year's No.1 pick, will remain a starter with a chance to reach the big leagues next year. Antonetti added that the Indians would be happy if Drew Pomeranz, this year's No.1 pick, follows White's path next season.

White started the year at Class A Kinston and progressed to Class AA Akron.

• Regarding September call-ups, Antonetti said the Indians will balance the needs of Class AAA Columbus, which is competing for a playoff spot, and the Indians'.

"There will certainly be some guys called up before the end of the Columbus season [Sept. 6] dictated by our major-league needs," said Antonetti.

Good signs: Michael Brantley could be back in the lineup Wednesday night. He has not played since twisting his left ankle in the batter's box Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.

He ran the bases Tuesday and took batting practice.

"I ran the bases at 100 percent," said Brantley. "I feel good."

Brantley twisted his ankle after hitting an RBI grounder in the ninth inning against the Royals. As he turned through his swing, he twisted his ankle, fell to the ground and never left the box.

"I was very concerned when it first happened," said Brantley. "I heard a pop in the ankle. Anytime you hear that, it's never good. The MRI was negative and I can work through the soreness."

Finally: The A's currently have 10 players on the disabled list. They've used the DL 23 times this year, second most in their history.

The swift outfielder went into Tuesday night's game third in the International League in hitting and just one stolen base from the league lead.

FARM REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Mud Hens 7, Clippers 3: Zachary McAllister (8-11, 5.19) gave up five runs in the second inning as host Toledo won its third game over Columbus in four days. Aaron Laffey, on rehab assignment from the Cleveland Indians, pitched 1.1 innings in which he gave up four hits and two runs.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game, OF Jose Constanza (.314) was on a nine-game hitting streak, going 17-for-35 (.486) with two doubles, one triple, nine runs and four RBI. Constanza was third in the International League in batting, and his 33 stolen bases (in 38 attempts) were one behind league-leading Desmond Jennings of Durham. Beginning with the 2005 season, Constanza had 209 steals in 258 attempts going into Tuesday night's game. The left-handed hitter, who will turn 27 on Sept. 1, was batting .363 (29-for-80) against left-handed pitching this season....IF Argenis Reyes was 11-for-34 (.323) with two doubles since joining the Clippers....RH reliever Zach Putnam (0-1, 4.67) hadn't allowed a run in his last five games, allowing two hits and one walk in 7 1/3 innings, with eight strikeouts....RH reliever Josh Judy had a 1.84 ERA over his last 26 games, with 40 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings....RH reliever Bryce Stowell (1-1, 5.49) struggled with his control early in his stint with the Clippers, and had walked 17 going into Tuesday night, but had struck out 28 and held hitters to a .167 batting average in 19 2/3 innings. Including his time with Kinston and Akron, Stowell was 3-1 with seven saves and a 2.14 ERA, striking out 102 and walking 36 in 67 1/3 innings, and holding batters to a .183 average.

AA Akron Aeros

Baysox 1-3, Aeros 0-6: Host Bowie (Md.) won a makeup game, and then Lonnie Chisenhall hit a three-run homer in the third inning to lead visiting Akron in the nightcap.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's games, OF Tim Fedroff (.276) was 10-for-27 (.370) with one double, two triples, one homer and five walks in his last eight games....OF Jerad Head (.310) was batting .420 (29-for-69) with nine homers, five doubles, 21 RBI and 18 runs in his last 19 games with the Aeros....RHP Chen Lee (5-3, 3.47) was 1-0 with an 0.00 ERA in his last 12 games, striking out 14 and allowing just five hits and two walks in 15 innings. Lee had fanned 68 and walked 20 in 62 1/3 innings overall, giving up just four home runs....RH reliever Connor Graham (3-5, two saves, 3.13) was 1-0 with one save and an 0.86 ERA in his last 13 games, striking out 25 and walking four in 21 innings, while allowing 11 hits....OF John Drennen (.303) was 14-for-36 (.389) with two doubles in his last eight games.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians vs. Keys, ppd.: Kinston’s home game against Frederick (Md.) will be made up at 6 p.m. Wednesday night before the regularly scheduled game.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game, LH reliever Chris Jones (2-3, two saves, 1.62) had struck out 56, walked 22 and allowed just one homer and a .205 batting average in 61 innings....Catcher Chun Chen (.313) was 13-for-32 (.406) with three doubles, two homers, 10 walks, eight runs and six RBI in his last 11 games....OF Abner Abreu (.253) was 15-for-39 (.385) with four doubles, one triple, nine RBI and six runs in his last 11 games....SS Juan Diaz (.272) was on an eight-game hitting streak, going 12-for-27 (.444) with three doubles, one homer, six RBI and six runs.

A Lake County Captains

Dragons 11, Captains 5: Visiting Lake County took advantage of two Dayton errors in the first inning and a double by Tyler Holt to take a 2-0 lead, but Dayton erupted with 10 runs combined in the second and third to take control. Brett Brach (4-8, 3.55) took the loss.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game, 1B Adam Abraham (.256) had one hit, a home run, in 11 at bats in the last three games, but he was still hitting .370 (50-for-135) with nine homers, nine doubles and 35 RBI in his last 32 games....Greg Folgia (.253) was 12-for-31 (.387) with one homer, one double, five runs and four RBI in his last eight games....SS Casey Frawley (.268) was hitting .325 (25-for-77) in August, with four doubles, three triples, two homers, 13 RBI and 13 runs in 20 games....RH reliever Preston Guilmet (3-1, nine saves, 2.45) had struck out 61, walked eight and held batters to a .186 average in 44 innings....RH reliever Jose Flores (0-1, five saves, 2.62) had struck out 42, walked six and allowed 30 hits -- just one homer -- in 34 1/3 innings....Tuesday night's starter, RHP Brett Brach (4-7, 2.87) was 3-2 with a 1.67 ERA in his last six starts, striking out 31, walking three and allowing 32 hits in 43 innings.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 1, Spikes 0: Nicholas Bartolone doubled and scored on Richard Martinez’s sacrifice for the only run as host Mahoning Valley defeated State College (Pa.). Gregorio Antonio Rosario (1-1, 5.23) recorded the win.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game, OF Brian Heere (.254) was hitting .448 (13-for-29) with two doubles, one triple, seven walks, five runs and three RBI in his last 10 games. His 38 walks ranked second in the New York-Penn League....RHP Casey Gaynor (5-2, 3.38) was 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA in his last five games (three starts), striking out 18, walking seven and allowing 16 hits in 24 innings....LHP James Reichenbach (1-2, three saves, 3.52) had three saves in his last six games, giving up one run on four hits in nine innings, with eight strikeouts and five walks....RH reliever Kyle C. Smith (0-0, 5.53), from Kent State, had not given up an earned run over his last five appearances, striking out 12 in seven innings. Smith had 43 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings and was holding batters to a .206 average.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Wild Things 3, Crushers 2 (10): Mark McGonigle led off the bottom of the 10th with a triple to right and scored on a sacrifice fly by John Delaney as Washington (Pa.) defeated Lake Erie.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game, the Crushers had been getting superb starting pitching. Tuesday night's starter, Alberto Rolon (2-4, seven saves) was ninth in the Frontier League with a 2.86 ERA in 29 games -- the last seven as a starter. RHP Matthew Smith (9-6, one save, 3.86) was tied for third in wins, making 17 starts in his 20 appearances. RHP Josh Roberts (8-5, 2.97), who has made 18 starts, was tied for seventh in wins and was 10th in ERA. RHP Travis Risser (6-4, 3.14) was 12th in ERA, making 16 starts in 17 outings.

"I'm just terrified that our roster consists of a bunch of No. 2 and/or No. 3 receivers. As good as Watson, Moore, Hillis and Harrison have looked catching passes, we can't dink and dunk the whole game. We need Massaquoi, Robiskie, and Stuckey to stretch the field and open things up a bit. Is any team afraid of those guys? No." - andredavis

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain Dealer Mohamed Massaquoi is vital to the Browns' offensive success this season.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns: Biggest disappointment, poll, cleveland.com reader andredavis is worried about the wide receiver position. This reader writes,

"I'm just terrified that our roster consists of a bunch of No. 2 and/or No. 3 receivers. As good as Watson, Moore, Hillis and Harrison have looked catching passes, we can't dink and dunk the whole game. We need Massaquoi, Robiskie, and Stuckey to stretch the field and open things up a bit. Is any team afraid of those guys? No."

"This will make no difference. As we all know, until the resources, or lack thereof, behind the team change, we will remain losers and not winners. I still cannot believe how close we were in 2007 followed by an immediate fall to the bottom. I won't spend a dime on the Indians until the Dolans sell the team." - tribefanatic

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerIndians fans have little faith in Paul Dolan and the current Tribe ownership.

In response to the story Incoming GM Chris Antonetti eager to take control: Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader tribefanatic doesn't think the Indians will be competitive until ownership changes. This reader writes,

"This will make no difference. As we all know, until the resources, or lack thereof, behind the team change, we will remain losers and not winners. I still cannot believe how close we were in 2007 followed by an immediate fall to the bottom. I won't spend a dime on the Indians until the Dolans sell the team."

"Cleveland never played well without LeBron because it was his show. Now we need a few guys to step up. I'd love to see J.J. Hickson have a breakout year. These guys will be doing a lot of running and gunning this year and it will be fun to watch." - mike e

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerCavaliers fans are hoping that J.J. Hickson can have a big year in '10-'11.

In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers worst team in the NBA?, cleveland.com reader mike e is somewhat optimistic about the Cavaliers. This reader writes,

"Cleveland never played well without LeBron because it was his show. Now we need a few guys to step up. I'd love to see J.J. Hickson have a breakout year. These guys will be doing a lot of running and gunning this year and it will be fun to watch."

"Every day that goes by before the Marshall game, I am more focused on the offensive line. I almost do not care about anything else, as I have been absolutely convinced that our season will go as far as the offensive line takes us." - mittymjs

View full sizeTerry Gilliam | Associated PressOhio State's offensive line, with players like Justin Boren (above), will be a key to the team's success.

In response to the story Defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins among the fresh-faced Ohio State Buckeyes who could see action this fall, cleveland.com reader mittymjs cares about one area of the team and one area only. This reader writes,

"Every day that goes by before the Marshall game, I am more focused on the offensive line. I almost do not care about anything else, as I have been absolutely convinced that our season will go as far as the offensive line takes us."

Cowher believes the sexual assault investigation that led to a six-game suspension for Roethlisberger has forced the Steelers quarterback to reflect on his behavior.

Associated PressBen Roethlisberger (left) played his first three seasons with Bill Cowher (right) as the Steelers coach.

NEW YORK – Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher says it was hard to get through to Ben Roethlisberger after the quarterback had so much success early in his career.

Yet Cowher believes the sexual assault investigation that led to a six-game suspension for Roethlisberger was a "slap in the face" that has led to some much-needed maturity.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Cowher described how Roethlisberger used to respond to advice about his off-field behavior. "'But we're winning games. We're winning championships,'" Cowher recounted. "'What do you mean? Isn't that what we're here to do?'"

"Yeah," Cowher said, "but there's more to it than that."

"It's the whole body of work. It's you as a person, what kind of legacy you want to leave," he added. "I really think he understands that now."

Cowher coached Roethlisberger during the quarterback's first three seasons — in Year 2, he became the youngest at the position to win a Super Bowl. Roethlisberger picked up another ring under Mike Tomlin after Cowher retired, only to put his stellar career in jeopardy.

Roethlisberger was not charged after a Georgia college student accused him of sexual assault, but commissioner Roger Goodell still suspended him for the first six games of the season, citing a "pattern of behavior" embarrassing to the NFL.

Roethlisberger has said Cowher was one of the people he turned to for advice as he tried to get his life back on track, and that the two are now closer than ever before.

"Just like with your children, sometimes when you say things to them: 'Yeah, right.' They have all the answers," Cowher said. "All of a sudden, the older they get: 'Maybe he's right about that.'

"I think Ben has had a chance to reflect a lot. I think he's a good person. While it's unfortunate, I think it may be an eye-opener to him, kind of a slap in the face."

Before the Georgia case, there were earlier incidents, too. Roethlisberger was badly injured in a motorcycle accident while riding without a helmet or a permit after his first Super Bowl victory in 2006. He also is being sued by a woman who says he raped her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel-casino. Roethlisberger denies the accusation and was not charged. He has claimed counter-damages in a lawsuit.

Some people mature later than others, Cowher said, and he believes Roethlisberger is a late bloomer.

"There's no question as a player he's always been a great player," Cowher said. "But there's a lot more to this professionally than that. It's how you carry yourself off the field. I think he realizes that now. I really think you're going to see a different person."

Even without Roethlisberger to start the season, Cowher thinks his former team will be just fine because the coaches have time to prepare for the suspension, which could be reduced to four games.

"I know a lot of players on that team. They need to hear that they can't do something," Cowher said. "That always seems to be the impetus to say, 'OK, we'll show you.'"

Since Cowher retired after the 2006 season, the rest of the NFL has wondered whether he'll show he can coach again. His name seems to come up whenever there is an opening, and Cowher isn't going to quell that talk.

"I certainly will look into situations with open ears," he said.

For now, he's an analyst for CBS, which allows him to stay close to the game if he does choose to coach again — or lets him fulfill his football cravings without returning to the field. At the network's NFL media day Tuesday, he said his new colleagues have become family, just like it was with the Steelers, and he'd only leave for an ideal situation.

"I'm not sitting there lobbying for any one team," Cowher said. "You know what? I always thought, you'll know. When the time comes, you'll know. Right now the season's starting, and my thoughts aren't on coaching. My thoughts are on trying to give great coverage."

The familiarity of football season offers comfort for Cowher, whose wife, Kaye, died of skin cancer a month ago. Cowher said he never considered taking time off.

"As all our family's doing right now, we're all kind of moving on with our lives. It's the way my wife would have wanted it," he said. "I'm just very thankful for everybody in America who reached out, sent e-mails, texts, the donations they've made to a couple of charities. It's been very heartfelt, very sincere. I couldn't be more grateful."

PD Browns writer says No. 3 quarterback spot could be determined in the last preseason game Sept. 2 vs. Chicago.

Colt McCoy: Will he be the Browns' No. 3 quarterback in 2010?

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Mike Peticca and Bill Lubinger. Let's go to the highlights:

• Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot checks in from Berea, right after coach Eric Mangini's meeting with reporters this morning. Mary Kay says the Browns will have to make decisions soon on what the 2010 season will hold for Colt McCoy and Brett Ratliff, who are battling for the No. 3 quarterback spot. Both figure to play a lot in the fourth preseason game; the starters figure to see much of the time on Saturday when the team plays its third preseason game at Detroit against the Lions at 5 p.m.

• Mary Kay also talks about the impressive display of smashmouth football exhibited by big back Peyton Hillis and lead blocking back Lawrence Vickers during Saturday's preseason loss to the St. Louis Rams.

• Today's Starting Blocks poll asks you to vote on what has disappointed you most about the Browns so far in the preseason. Is it Montario Hardesty's injury, or something else?

SBTV will return Thursday morning with Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston as the guest.

Cleveland sports bloggers discuss the Dawg Pound, the muni lot, Cleveland sports talk, whether or not the Cavaliers should have interest in J.R. Smith and the disappointing seasons by two of the Tribe's top prospects.

View full sizeLynn Ischay | The Plain DealerLawrence Vickers (left) has become a huge piece of the Browns' rebuild.

Browns

WaitingForNextYear asks the question, Are the Dawg Days over?

Cleveland Reboot hands out its 2010 Mid-Preseason Awards.

No Logo Needed: "I absolutely love the way Lawrence Vickers plays the game. He's as selfless a player as there is, just blowing linebackers and defensive backs backwards and opening the hole for the running back. I do not know that many people realized how important he was to Jerome Harrison's success at the end of last year. This guy is going to quickly earn another story by yours truly entitled, 'Pay the Man!'" » Read more

Cleveland Frowns: "It's not just that the entire roster of ESPN Cleveland talent uniformly wanted to run the first decent NFL coach this town has seen in more than a decade; or that we remember the glory days of Pete Franklin and Bruce Drennan (and even Geoff Sindelar, to an extent). It's that even today we go to other cities - even Pittsburgh - and regularly hear intelligent, thoughtful, informative and funny sports talk on the air. We know it's possible." » Read more

'64 and Counting: "As for what drove the decision, what it means for traffic and why in the world anyone would find it necessary to delay the opening of the grandest and most-populated tailgate parking lot in the city? Those are all good questions." » Read more

Cavaliers

Cavs: the blog: "So J.R. Smith is available, apparently. Once upon a time, I wanted to see him on the Cavs, but I think his bad habits are embedded way too deep. Jacking threes whenever you feel like it when you're as talented as J.R. isn't the best way to go about things, but he's convinced that that's 'his game,' and he's been successful enough to get away with it, I suppose." » Read more

Stepien Rules: "There is no doubt that Smith would come in with a UHaul filled with baggage, but there's also no denying the fact that he can play. He'll turn 25 next month and has already played six seasons in the NBA since making the jump from St. Benedict's Prep in 2004. He could be the right mix of youth and experience for a Cavaliers team that, according to a Comic Sans press release I read, seems focused on making the playoffs next season." » Read more

Fear the Sword: "If Smith could be acquired without destructing the core of this team, it would be a good pickup considering he brings experience and is only twenty five years old. I just don't see how we could acquire a player like Smith from Denver without shelling out players we can't afford to loose. The Nuggets are shopping Smith, but I don't think this is a situation where he's traded for nothing." » Read more

Indians

Land Loyalty: "The centerpieces of the CC Sabathia trade two years ago, Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley, have been models of inconsistency and under performance. LaPorta showed signed of life after being called up after the All-Star Break, but that improvement didn't last. Brantley is currently injured, and recently was finally showing us the hitting potential he brings to the table, but if the Indians are looking for a new leadoff hitter, it isn't Brantley. A good September would go a long way towards restoring confidence in his potential that, right now, he hasn't shown." » Read more

Oakland broke out of a power drought on Tuesday night, unlike the Indians. Also, about the bullpen, Shin-Soo Choo, etc...and, Manny Ramirez.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians pitcher Fausto Carmona gets a pat on the back from manager Manny Acta after pitching 6 2/3 innings in the Tribe's 5-0 loss to Oakland.

Cleveland, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians have had trouble scoring runs, as Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes details in his story on the Tribe's 5-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.

Observers following the Athletics were certainly pleased with the pitching of Oakland left-hander Gio Gonzalez, but were giddy about another development.

Joe Stiglich writes for the Oakland Tribune:

The A's began a 10-game road trip by pounding three home runs in a 5-0 victory before a smallish crowd of 11,751 at Progressive Field.

Three homers is a decent night's work for some teams. When the A's do it, confetti should fall.

They entered the game with a major league-low 73 homers, and it had been exactly one month since they last enjoyed a multi-homer game. They also went deep three times in a July 24 win over the Chicago White Sox.

That 26-game streak of one homer or fewer was five games short of the Oakland record.

The "Cleveland record" is not good: 50-75, with losses in 20 of the last 29 games. Tonight, the Indians and Athletics play again at Progressive Field, in a game previewed on MLB.com. Indians rookie right-hander Mitch Talbot (8-10, 4.23) and Oakland's darkhorse Cy Young Award candidate, righty Trevor Cahill (13-5, 2.54), will make the pitching starts.

Also in The Plain Dealer and on cleveland.com/tribe is Hoynes' Tribe Insider.

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com writes that at least something is going well for the Indians:

And if Talbot can somehow hand a lead over to the bullpen, then Cleveland might be in good shape to even this series. The run Tony Sipp allowed on Tuesday night was the only one Indians relievers have yielded over the past 9 1/3 innings. Over the past 12 games, the 'pen has a 1.86 ERA and over its past 158 1/3 innings, its ERA is 3.01. It's an area the Indians can certainly be proud of.

Shin-Soo Who?

Larry Dobrow is "rating the underrated" players in the major leagues for CBSSports.com. At No.2, behind Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, is Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Dobrow's comment:

So underrated, he's overrated. Or is it the other way around? Either way, Choo has replaced Garret Anderson as the league's overrated-for-being-underrated-or-maybe-vice-versa mainstay.

Manny's Manny

The Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes recently wrote about ex-Indians star Manny Ramirez's abilities to hit and to frustrate. Ramrez, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, could be acquired by a contender before the Aug. 31 postseason roster deadline.

Ken Rosenthal, writing for FoxSports.com, makes his opinion on Ramirez clear:

Claiming Manny Ramirez off waivers would be nuts. Trading for him — even if the Dodgers covered most of Manny’s remaining salary — would be only slightly less insane.

This isn’t 2008, when Manny went off in the final two months after the Dodgers acquired him from the Red Sox. He received a 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy the following season. Whether he simply avoided getting caught in ‘08, no one knows.

What we know now is this: Manny is 38. He has been on the disabled list three times this season due to leg injuries. And while he still can hit, he is not the same threat he once was, and all but useless in left field.

There also is this: Manny still is owed about $4.25 million for the rest of the season, much of which is deferred.

What does Manny have to say about his status? From the Associated Press:

Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez says he’s heard nothing amid speculation that he’ll be put on the waiver wire at the end of the week.

“No, man, nothing,” Ramirez said while snacking on a banana before returning to a conversation in Spanish with teammates Vicente Padilla and Ronnie Belliard. The clubhouse closed moments later for a standard team meeting before Los Angeles began a three-game series with Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

That's all?

Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal writes about Tuesday night's game:

With two more games to play in the season series, the Indians have lost five of seven to the A's, but only four of the defeats have been shutouts.

Bottom of the 9th

A story on Tuesday night's game by Anthony Castrovince for MLB.com.

No bulletin here, but the Indians do not fare well on the CBSSports.com power rankings and the FoxSports.com power rankings.

Indians notes by Jim Ingraham for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Chris Antonetti writes about Tuesday night's game for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Pitcher Carlos Carrasco will be a pitcher to watch for the Indians next month, writes Anthony Castrovince for MLB.com.

Former Ohio State star did not speak in the courtroom. OSU coach Jim Tressel sent a letter to the judge asking him to grant the request. Clarett served 3 1/2 years in prison for a hidden gun and holding up two people outside a bar.

Associated PressMaurice Clarett (13) with Ohio State in 2002.

Columbus, Ohio -- Maurice Clarett is one step closer to returning to football.

Clarett received permission Wednesday to leave Ohio to try out for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He appeared before Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge David Fais.

Looking fit and relaxed in a gray suit, purple dress shirt and dark purple tie, the 26-year-old former Ohio State star did not speak in the courtroom. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, however, sent a letter to Fais asking the judge to grant the request.

Clarett served 3½ years in prison for a hidden gun and holding up two people outside a bar.

(Note: Clarett, from Warren Harding High School, was the star running back on Ohio State's 2002 national championship team)

.....

An Associated Press report from Columbus on Monday, Aug. 23 follows:

Former Ohio State Maurice Clarett is asking a judge to allow him to travel to try out with a football team.

Clarett pleaded guilty in 2006 to aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon and served 3 1/2 years in a Toledo prison. He is attending classes at Ohio State while living in a detention facility in Columbus.

Tim Jackson, bailiff for Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge David Fais, said Monday that Clarett's attorney had filed a motion asking for Clarett to be allowed to travel. A review was tentatively set up for later in the day.

TV station WSYX reported on its website Monday that Clarett wanted to try out for the Nighthawks of the United Football League.

Clarett's attorney, Michael Hoague, did not immediately return a phone call.

This is the second time in 121 years that the Buckeyes have named six full-time captains.

In a nod to a deep senior class, Ohio State today announced six captains for the football team, all of them seniors: offensive lineman Bryant Browning, running back Brandon Saine, receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, linebacker Brian Rolle and linebacker Ross Homan.

This is the first time since 1990 that the Buckeyes have had more than four captains and just the second time in 121 years that they have named six - the other season was in 1982.

Ohio State Bryant Browning

"I’m very happy. I really felt honored when it was announced," Browning, a Cleveland native and Glenville High grad, said in a statement released by Ohio State. "I have tried to be a leader throughout my career. I hope this shows that my teammates appreciate what I have done. Now I am hoping to be one of the leaders of a great team, a championship team."

Junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor, viewed as captain candidate by some, was not named, but that should come as no surprise. OSU coach Jim Tressel said a month ago he thought there were so many seniors on this team, reaching into the junior class wouldn't be necessary.

The six that were chosen in a vote by teammates represent a wide range of personalities and backgrounds. Homan and Browning are fifth-year seniors, while the other four are in their fourth seasons. Heyward is from Georgia and Rolle from Florida while the other four are from Ohio.

Ohio StateBrian Rolle

Rolle is the most gregarious of the bunch, on and off the field, while Heyward has made an obvious effort to increase his vocal leadership this season and has done so naturally. Browning is consistently upbeat and known as one of the funniest players on the team, while Sanzenbacher has always seemed mature and self-confident, even as a younger player. Homan and Saine come across as more leaders by example who will make their greatest impact with the hits they deliver to opponents.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Monsters will play 27 of their 40 home games this season on weekend dates, including 12 on Saturdays. They also will have 10 games on Fridays and five on Sundays. The AHL released the 80-game schedules for its 75th anniversary season Wednesday. Notable for the Monsters: *For the third time in the four-year history of the franchise, they begin their...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Monsters will play 27 of their 40 home games this season on weekend dates, including 12 on Saturdays. They also will have 10 games on Fridays and five on Sundays.

The AHL released the 80-game schedules for its 75th anniversary season Wednesday. Notable for the Monsters:

*For the third time in the four-year history of the franchise, they begin their season at home. They play host to Syracuse on Oct. 8.

*After their season opener, they embark on a seven-game trip. They return to play eight straight home games.

*They will be involved in five doubleheaders with the Cavaliers, The Q featuring hockey in the afternoon and basketball in the evening. Those dates are Nov. 10, Nov. 13, Nov. 27, Feb. 5 and Feb. 16.  
 
*For the first time in franchise history, the Monsters will play at home on New Year’s Day (7:30 p.m.).

*They will host two “school day'' games. The 10:45 a.m. faceoffs will be  Nov. 10 and Feb. 16.

*They will play 17 back-to-backs, as well as nine back-to-back-to-backs.

*The home schedule concludes April 9. The regular-season finale is the next day in  Rochester, N.Y.

*The popular Dollar Dog Fridays continue this season, with hot dogs and sodas being sold for $1 each at all Friday night games.

In their third season in the AHL in 2009-10, the Monsters posted the sixth-best attendance average in the AHL, up from 9th the previous year and 11th in their inaugural season.

Lake Erie recorded two of the league’s top 10 highest-attended games in 2009-2010. The crowd of 18,626 for Shaq Bobblehead Night was the second-highest in the league for the season and a franchise-high. It ranked sixth in the AHL’s all-time single-game attendance records. Lake Erie’s crowd of 14,103 on Fan Appreciation Night was the 10th-largest of the 2009-10 regular season in the AHL.

The Monsters, affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, had 14 players promoted last season.

Quarterback Pryor is a great threat, whether passing or running. Boren is one of the blockers he relies on. Also...about the polls, Miami's Hurricanes, Buckeyes-Michigan, etc.

Associated PressGuard Justin Boren (65) during an Ohio State practice earlier this month.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Premier football programs such as Ohio State's have numerous standout players.

Sometimes, the "best" players don't necessarily equate to the "most important" players.

Scout.com, with CollegeFootballNews.com, lists what it believes are "The 100 Most Important Players Going Into the 2010 Season."

The two Buckeyes who make the list are not only "important," but also -- obviously -- very good.

Junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor is among the preseason favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Scout.com considers him the ninth most important player in the country, commenting, in part:

After a year and a half of starting experience, he’s more in command of the offense now, appears to be quicker with his decision making, and he’s ready to open up the attack more to unleash his tremendous arm on more downfield throws. Work-level isn’t an issue; he has had problems with a sore arm from overuse working on throw after throw. Toughness isn’t an issue; he played hurt at the end of last year and underwent minor knee surgery to clean everything up. This is his team and his season for the taking, and for all the hype and all the promise, he appears ready to be the player everyone has been waiting for.

No. 82 on the list is Justin Boren. Part of the comment about the senior guard:

(H)e’s a top-shelf NFL prospect. At 6-3 and 320 pounds with a mean, nasty streak, he’s a bear of a run blocker earning first-team All-Big Ten honors as the team’s best blaster for the ground game. While he was banged up a bit with a foot problem, he still managed to start in 12 games providing the physical presence the line was in need of.

Continue to keep track of the Buckeyes in The Plain Dealer and, on its website's Ohio State pages, cleveland.com/osu. Coverage includes Plain Dealer Ohio State beat writer Doug Lesmerises' report on the naming of Ohio State's six captains; his story on freshmen who could get playing time this fall; his report on Ohio State scheduling a 2011 home game against Colorado.

Flip Buckeyes, Tide?

Defending national champion Alabama is ranked first in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll. The Buckeyes are No. 2.

Reporters from various publications write for a Los Angeles Times blog what teams they believe are over-rated or under-rated as the season approaches. Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times, with a poke at OSU rival Michigan, comments:

Alabama should be loaded, for sure, but so is Ohio State, which picked up only three first-place votes in opening at No. 2. The Buckeyes return nine offensive starters, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the preseason Heisman favorite, and seven starters on defense. Ohio State also plays eight home games -- including four "paycheck" games against Marshall, Ohio, Eastern Michigan and 1-AA Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Hurricanes forecast

Ohio State opens the season at home against Marshall on Thursday night, Sept. 2. Next for the Buckeyes is another home game, this one much-anticipated, against No. 13 Miami (Fla.) on Sept. 11.

NCAAFootball.com previews the season for Miami, which is coached by Randy Shannon. Scott Haynes writes:

Shannon continues to rebuild the program and it won't be long before the team is a perennial national title contender again.

The preseason hype is not a distraction for Shannon.

"It's great for us. We are really excited about the opportunity to keep looking forward. We have done a lot of good things since I've been the football coach. We have won five games, seven and nine. We keep improving every year. The things we have done off the field has been tremendous and also academically. It shows how much the guys have put into this program and all the things we need to get done."

Everyone will get a chance to see just how far this team has come and has to still go week two with a trip to Columbus to take on Ohio State.

End zone

The Buckeyes' Cameron Heyward is one of three Big Ten defensive end stars that Tim May writes about for the Columbus Dispatch.

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany comments for ESPN.com about what could happen with the traditional Ohio State-Michigan game.

OhioStateBuckeyes.com details who the Buckeyes' six captains are.

The Athletics scored five in the first inning and led the Indians, 6-1, through six.

CLEVELAND, Ohio. -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians 2010 regular season. The Indians play the A's tonight in the second game of a three-game series at Progressive Field.

 Progressive Field's dimensions: Left field line 325 feet, left field power alley 370 feet, center field 400, right center field power alley 375, right field line 325.

 In-game updates:

 The Athletics led the Indians, 6-1, through six innings.

 Oakland scored five in the first.

 After Coco Crisp led off with a grounder to second, Daric Barton drew his 79th walk of the season. Kurt Suzuki was hit by a pitch -- or was he? Indians manager Manny Acta briefly argued with plate umpire Paul Emmel that Mitch Talbot's pitch struck the knob of Suzuki's bat.

 Jack Cust singled to right to drive in Barton. After Mark Ellis walked, Rajai Davis had an RBI single to left. Former Indian Kevin Kouzmanoff ripped a three-run double off the wall in center. Kouzmanoff leads the Athletics with 60 RBI.

 Talbot stranded Kouzmanoff by retiring the next two. Talbot recovered nicely, breezing from the second through the fifth.

 Athletics right-hander Trevor Cahill, who entered 13-5 with a 2.54 ERA and .198 average against, allowed seven hits and an unearned run. The Indians grounded into three double plays -- Asdrubal Cabrera in the first and Trevor Crowe in the second and sixth.

 The Indians pulled within 5-1 in the fifth. Jason Donald led off with a grounder that third baseman Kouzmanoff failed to field for an error. Donald scored from second on a two-out single by Cabrera, but the Athletics caught Cabrera between first and second.

 Kouzmanoff tripled off Tribe center fielder Michael Brantley's glove in the sixth and scored on a sacrifice fly.

 Hector Ambriz relieved Talbot to begin the seventh.

  Pre-game notes:

 Game 126: Progressive Field will go to the dogs Thursday night. No, that is not a redundancy considering the Indians record this season.

 For the first time, the Indians have invited dog owners to bring their pets to the ballpark for a game. Curtis Danburg, Indians director of communications and creative services, says the Indians sold 500 tickets to Puppypalooza. They are expecting 200 dogs at the park to watch the Indians play the A's.

 The dogs and their owners will have the run of the Bud Light Party Deck  behind the right field foul pole. Progressive Insurance has provided pet insurance for the event. The Northeast Ohio Sewer District and its PUP (pick up poop) campaign is one of the sponsors of the event.

 "We'll have dog vendors at the park, doggie pools and water dishes and a designated area for the dogs to be walked and do their business," said Danburg. "Before the game we'll have a parade where people can walk their dogs around the field.

 "We've done a lot of research on this. A lot of big-league parks have done it. We found out that 70 percent of the people who come to own games have pets. Why not let them bring their pets to the game?"

 Danburg added Thursday will be a fireworks free game to keep the dogs as calm as possible. Veterinarians from Banfield Pet Hospitals will be at the game.

 "Part of the proceeds for each ticket sold go to the Cleveland Animal Protective League," said Danburg.

 Pet owners must show proof that their dogs have the required vaccinations and sign a liability waiver prior to entering the park.

 Quick hits:

 -Center fielder Michael Brantley (left ankle) returned to the starting lineup tonight missing four games because of his ankle injury.

 -Aaron Laffey pitched 1 1/3 rehab innings for Class AAA Columbus on Tuesday. He allowed two runs on four hits. He's made four rehab appearances, but told manager Manny Acta he's still recovered from his tired left shoulder.

 "He needs more time," said Acta.

 Lineups:

 A's (62-62): CF Coco Crisp (S), 1B Daric Barton (L), C Kurt Suzuki (R), DH Jack Cust (L), 2B Mark Ellis (R), LF Rajai Davis (R), 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (R), RF Gabe Gross (L), SS Cliff Pennington (S) and RHP Trevor Cahill (13-5, 2.54).

 Indians (50-75): CF Michael Brantley (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), 3B Jayson Nix (R), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), LF Trevor Crowe (L), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), 2B Jason Donald (R), C Lou Marson (R) and RHP Mitch Talbot (8-10, 4.23).

 Umpires: H Paul Emmel, 1B Bill Hohn, 2B Gary Darling, 3B Bruce Dreckman.

 Quote of the day: "I don't care who you are, you hear those boos," the late great Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, to Look Magazine in March of 1969.

 Next: Justin Masterson (4-12, 5.33) vs. RHP Vin Mazzaro (6-5, 3.56) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.