Northfield Park officials are already hiking race purses at the harness oval in anticipation of new revenue expected from slots gambling at its Hard Rock Rocksino, which opened Dec. 18.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Northfield Park officials are already hiking race purses at the harness oval in anticipation of new revenue expected from slots gambling at its Hard Rock Rocksino. The $265 million entertainment complex and racino opened Dec. 18.

Northfield Park officials decided last year not to wait for cash from the racino before boosting the horsemen’s share. In anticipation of the extra purse money, the track raised purses twice in 2013, both times by 10 percent. The track will kick in another 10 percent hike to the purse fund starting with Thursday night’s program.

With 214 racing dates this season, the Northfield cash will be spread much thinner than at Scioto Downs, where purses and wagering blossomed last year. Its racino opened in June 2012 and purses increased dramatically at the Columbus oval in 2013. The big increase in purses was expected.

Scioto Downs’ racino is in operation year-round. The additional revenue from the racino gambling propped up purses over the track’s short 90-race season.

“We wanted our purses to go up with a natural flow, rather than tossing out a big purse increase down the road,” said Dave Bianconi, executive vice president of racing and simulcasting. “Because of the increases in the purse money, we had a large overpayment of purses by the end of the 2013 season. Owner Brock Milstein had floated that overpayment until the Rocksino opened, wanting to keep our purses at a competitive level.”

Bianconi said Northfield Park is quite different than the Ohio tracks with a single race meeting and a finite amount of purse money. “We have to outlay purses throughout the year, while the other tracks build up a purse fund all year for a much shorter racing schedule,” he said.

Bianconi said there would be more purse increases in 2014, and fans should see a steady improvement in the quality of horses racing here. He also hinted a major stakes race is in the works for later this year.

Crunching the numbers: The wagering at Ohio’s four harness racing tracks in 2013 was mediocre, and downright frightful at the three thoroughbred tracks. That matches a national trend that saw a miniscule increase in thoroughbred wagering, while harness racing enjoyed a much healthier 6 percent jump in dollars bet.

The Ohio State Racing Commission reported Northfield Park’s wagering fell almost 10 percent last year, with $44.3 million bet over 212 nights of racing. There was $34.8 million bet during Thistledown’s 122 live racing dates, almost an 18 percent decline. Overall, the seven Ohio tracks handled $184.9 million, a 13 percent drop.

The first Ohio track to open a racino, Scioto Downs took advantage of the new gambling revenue. Hosting Ohio sires stakes championship races and weekly featured open races, Scioto Downs enjoyed a 39 percent jump in wagering, reaching $31.9 million.

Nationally, harness fans bet $1.6 billion on 3,880 race cards. Thoroughbred racing generated $10.8 billion with 5,143 race days.

"I don't think we were connected. We got connected probably 32 minutes too late," Aaron Craft said. "We finally got a group in there that started playing together and we got stops and started rolling."

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Wrapping up Ohio State's 72-68 loss to Michigan State on Tuesday night.

1. How can the two leading scorers for the No. 3 team in the country play themselves off the court for the final 10 minutes of a game – and then see their team rally in their absence?

LaQuinton Ross (13.6 points per game) and Lenzelle Smith Jr. (12.7) were OSU's only double-figure scorers coming into Tuesday night. They finished with a combined 12 points, Smith scoring seven on 3-of-11 shooting while Ross scored five points on 1-of-7 shooting. So they didn't shoot well, and they also didn't play much. Ross was on the court for just 22 minutes, less than half the game, and Smith for 27. Neither were in foul trouble.

Both were subbed for with 10:42 left and Ohio State down 14. Minutes later, the OSU run began without their top two point producers. Thad Matta plays the hot hand sometimes, but that is not a good sign. The Buckeyes made their run with Sam Thompson and freshman Marc Loving on the floor, and Ross and Smith watching.

Speaking generally about the rally after the 72-68 loss, Aaron Craft said, “I don't think we were connected. We got connected probably 32 minutes too late. We finally got a group in there that started playing together and we got stops and started rolling. This is something we have to grow from.”

• Game story/video | Aaron Craft: Buckeyes haven't done anything yet (video)

2. Not having the leading scorer the floor helped lead to Loving with the ball in overtime after the Buckeyes got the ball back with 14.4 seconds left, down three. Craft dribbled down and passed to Loving, and he said he put the freshman in a bad spot. For the first time since he came out with 10:42 left, Smith had checked in with 16 seconds left. But Ross was still watching.

3. Thad Matta said the Buckeyes were hoping for a pick-and-pop in that situation, but the Buckeyes never gave themselves to set the pick.

4. Loving held his own. You wondered how much Matta would use his bench in a physical, defensive game, and Loving held his own. He has to hit some big outside shots to make a difference, and he was only 1-of-5 on 3-pointers and 2-of-8 from the field. But he made five of six free throws and scored 10 points in 23 minutes.

5. Matta and Craft both talked a lot about turnovers, “21 times we didn't get a shot at the basket,” Craft said. The culprits: Shannon Scott 6; Craft 4; Amir Williams 3; Ross 2; Smith, Loving and Thompson 1 each; and two team turnovers.

6. Tom Izzo had high praise for seniors Keith Appling and Adreian Payne, though he didn't like the effort from the rest of his guys. Appling battled cramps in the second half, Izzo said, while scoring 20. Payne didn't start because of a foot injury but scored 18 points off the bench in 32 minutes. Izzo said he's hard on Payne at times, but was impressed with his grit. His night included two huge putback dunks, which made it hard to imagine what he would have done if both his feet felt fine. He was 7-of-14 from the field and 2-of-3 from 3-point range.

“He's a handful,” Craft said. “He had a couple big threes, especially in overtime that he took early in the shot clock. But what can you do? He's a guy you have to try to account for on the offensive end as much as possible and with offensive rebounding, but he does a great job.”

7. Izzo was angry after the game, and jokingly reluctant to talk about Craft.

“Give him credit,” Izzo said. “I'm tired of giving him credit, but he just wants it so bad.”

8. The Buckeyes did want an goaltending call on Shannon Scott's missed layup at the end of regulation. But Thompson was regretting that he didn't get the putback down before Adreian Payne knocked it away.

“I should have dunked it,” Thompson said.

9. Before the Ohio State comeback, my story was focusing on the growing two-sport rivalry between the Spartans and Buckeyes, especially since the MSU football team was honored at halftime. After the win, Izzo jumped right into that idea, unprompted.

“It's a good football rivalry. It's going to turn into a good football-basketball rivalry,” Izzo said.

10. So the halftime display by the Michigan State crowd was impressive, everyone raising their hands and shouting, “Yes,” in unison as directed by Michigan State lineman Travis Jackson. You can see the video in the instagram below.

“Nobody's got it better than the Spartans,” Jackson said after leading the cheers.

Ohio State had dropped that kind of night on plenty of opponents in the past. Celebrate a victorious football team, then let the basketball team throw in its own win. The Buckeyes are less accustomed to being on the other end – in both the football highlights shown at halftime and basketball realities on the scoreboard.

On Tuesday night, Jackson’s point was hard to argue.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – For the second straight week, nobody dropped out of the cleveland.com wrestling Top 10. Instead, teams such as Perry, Wadsworth and Crestwood solidified their spots in the rankings with successful weekends. Meanwhile, idle Brecksville-Broadview Heights retained the top spot, and St. Edward remained close behind in second.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – For the second straight week, nobody dropped out of the cleveland.com wrestling Top 10.

Instead, teams such as Perry, Wadsworth and Crestwood solidified their spots in the rankings with successful weekends. Meanwhile, idle Brecksville-Broadview Heights retained the top spot, and St. Edward remained close behind in second.

Do you agree or disagree with our poll? Let us know in the comments section, or share your own Top 10. To comment you will need to register, but it's fast, easy and free.

Each Wednesday we will release an updated poll, along with a video discussing the picks. Also, watch for weekly talking points post, which will explain some of the decisions that go into shaping each week's poll. 

(The Top 10 takes into account both dual and tournament results. Previous ranking in parentheses.)

1. Brecksville-Broadview Heights (1)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Idle.

This week: At Olmsted Falls with Westlake Thursday; At Detroit Catholic Central Super Duals Saturday.

Comment: After a week off, the Bees have a quick SWC stop before heading to the Detroit C.C. Super Duals with five other top programs from around the country.

2. St. Edward (2)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated No. 5 Wadsworth 39-15, Westerville North 60-9; Lost to Claymont 31-29.

This week: Hosts quad with Marmion Academy (Ill.), Marysville and Toledo Central Catholic Saturday.

Comment: The Eagles bring in more talented opponents this week with an Illinois state power and two teams that reached the Ohio state dual tournament last season.

3. Perry (4)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Won Perry Pin City Invitational with five champions, two runners-up and 11 placers in all.

This week: At Grand Valley Saturday.

Comment: The Pirates ruled their Pin City event again, and went 3-1 in championship matches against St. Vincent-St. Mary.

4. Wadsworth (5)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Lost to No. 2 St. Edward 39-15; Defeated Claymont 31-29, Westerville North 39-24.

This week: At Green with Copley Thursday.

Comment: The Grizzlies had a closer-than-it-seemed dual loss to St. Edward, then an impressive win over Claymont, leading to a jump in the Top 10 this week. 

5. St. Vincent-St. Mary (3)

Trending: Falling.

Last week: Finished third at Perry Pin City Invitational with two champions, three runners-up and nine placers in all.

This week: Hosts Coventry Saturday.

Comment: The Irish fall a couple spots this week after going 2-4 in championship matches at Pin City.

6. Nordonia (6)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Quad at Austintown-Fitch with Poland and Berea-Midpark postponed.

This week: At Green with Copley Thursday.

Comment: The Knights had the week off thanks to the weather, but jump back into Suburban League action with a Wadsworth dual looming next week.

7. Brunswick (7)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Idle.

This week: At Padua with St. Ignatius Saturday.

Comment: The Blue Devils got head-to-head Saturday against two teams trying to break into the Top 10 – Padua and St. Ignatius. 

8. Elyria (8)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Won Mentor Duals (defeated Mentor, 43-23, Solon 48-21, Twinsburg 54-20, Amherst 38-22, Mason 36-30).

This week: Hosts Mayfield Friday; At Oregon Clay quad Saturday.

Comment: The Pioneers ran their dual record to 8-2 last week by sweeping the Mentor Duals.

9. Crestwood (9)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated No. 10 Lake Catholic 45-30, West Carrollton 75-0; Lost to Uniontown Lake 40-24.

This week: At Springfield with Ravenna Thursday.

Comment: The Red Devils got former state runner-up Aaron Yonker back in the lineup and solidified their spot in the Top 10 with a win over Lake Catholic.

10. Lake Catholic

Trending: Falling.

Last week: Lost to No. 9 Crestwood 45-30; Defeated Uniontown Lake 34-32, West Carrollton 84-0.

This week: Idle.

Comment: The Cougars get the week off after 2-1 in the Jimmy Cook Quad.

Dropped out: None.

Just off the mat: Garfield Heights, Padua, St. Ignatius, Strongsville, Walsh Jesuit.

Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@ScottPatsko). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Earlier today we debuted the cleveland.com high school wrestling Top 10. (Follow the link to check out this week's rankings). Each week after posting the updated poll, we'll post another story with talking points, including insight into why some teams moved up or down, in or out of the rankings.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Earlier today we debuted the cleveland.com high school wrestling Top 10. (Follow the link to check out this week's rankings).

Each week after posting the updated poll, we'll post another story with talking points, including insight into why some teams moved up or down, in or out of the rankings.

We also invite you to provide your input in the comments section, a new feature added to high school stories this school year. Tell us what you agree or don't agree with. You can even post your own rankings.

Talking point No. 1: Can anybody break up the top two of Brecksville-Broadview Heights and St. Edward

While the Bees and Eagles could find themselves switching spots again before the season is over, both teams have proven they are in a class by themselves this season.

However.

Wadsworth's dual loss to the Eagles last week, a loss in which the Eagles won six matches by three points or less, served notice that the Grizzlies may have the talent to shake up the Top 10.

Both the Grizzlies and Eagles are in the same region of the state dual tournament, and are likely to meet in a regional final Jan. 29.

Talking point No. 2: For the second straight week, nobody dropped out of the Top 10. When will more teams be involved?

The final two weeks of January could change the status quo with the Top 10. The state dual tournament gets underway on Jan. 22 and has the potential to create Top 10 matchups.

Also, conference tournaments show up on the schedule at the end of January, giving every Top 10 wannabe a shot at the rankings.

While teams can certainly falter or impress enough to cause a shakeup before then, the end of the month is almost guaranteed to do it.

Talking point No. 3: What tournaments and duals will shape next week's Top 10?

Brunswick's tri-meet with Padua and St. Ignatius Saturday could cause a shake-up in the Top 10 if either team is able to top the Blue Devils.

Both the Bruins and Wildcats have been inching closer to the rankings each week. This could be their chance to finally jump in.

Talking point No. 4: How is this poll put together?

The holidays left the last two Top 10s stranded without talking points. In case this is your first look at the cleveland.com rankings this season, we'll recap a talking point we had with our very first Top 10:

Wrestling, like golf, swimming and running sports, has both team and individual elements to it. With that in mind, the cleveland.com high school wrestling Top 10 takes into account how teams compete in both duals and tournaments.

Head-to-head duals can give us an easy indicator of how teams match up. A tournament can tell us how a team's top wrestlers compete against top competition, or at least better competition than they might see week-to-week in dual matches.

Some teams are better at duals than others. Some teams can score points big points at a tournament thanks to just a handful of wrestlers. As this season progresses, we'll take both aspects into account.

Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@ScottPatsko). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

The Cavaliers new small forward said the most difficult part of moving quickly from Chicago to Cleveland was explaining the concept of being traded to his mother.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – The most difficult part for Luol Deng of leaving the Chicago Bulls for the Cleveland Cavaliers was not packing his five bags in a scattered hurry, not saying goodbye to his teammates of nine years or even trying to quickly learn the Cavaliers' system so that he can start Friday in Utah.

The toughest part of it all was telling his mom.

"To me, that was one of the hardest things I had to do – explain to her that the organization I've been with nine years no longer wanted me there," Deng said Wednesday after practicing with Cleveland for the first time. "She couldn't understand why. She feels like I'm a nice guy, I get along with everybody. So I had to explain to her, and she was asking me, 'You're not playing well? What's going on?'"

He is a nice guy, and he actually is playing very well, averaging a career-high 19.0 points this season. But the small forward had difficulty reaching an agreement with the Bulls on a contract extension; he will be a free agent this summer.

The Cavaliers' risk in the trade is that Deng is a short-term solution to their long-standing small forward problem. But asked if he thought Cleveland might be a long-term destination, Deng was succinct: "I hope so," he said.

"It's something new for me and I'm really looking forward to the challenge," Deng said. "I want to work hard, I want to fit in as much as I can and I want to turn it around."

Deng said he is "open to" negotiating an extension with the Cavaliers this season, but he's certain to have numerous suitors when he is a free agent this summer.

In essence, the remainder of this season becomes an audition process for both sides. Does Deng provide the help the Cavaliers desperately need at small forward? Do the Cavaliers give Deng hope for victory, playing opportunity and a hefty contract?

"Any time anybody's a free agent, it's a two-way street," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "I don't think any of us are sitting here saying, 'He's ours forever.' It's got to be a good chemistry, a good feel on both sides for this to continue in a positive way.'

Already, Deng is working on becoming acclimated in Cleveland. He said goodbye to his Bulls teammates one day earlier, a process that was difficult for both sides. Chicago players expressed dismay and disappointment at the Deng trade after learning of it. Deng admitted he still was shocked.

"It's basketball at the end of the day, and it's my job. But the hardest thing is those are friends," Deng said. "It's really hard when you wake up the next day and know that your friend is gone and he's going to be competing against you."

And Deng had a difficult discussion after he arrived in Cleveland: he asked rookie Matthew Dellavedova to give up No. 9 so that Deng could wear it. Deng has worn No. 9 for his entire career, a nod to his mother for having nine children.

"It was one of the hardest things I had to do," Deng said of his conversation with Dellavedova. "I knew I had to speak to him at some point. I think we sat in the locker room for a little while looking at each other. It was almost like we were about to break up. It was really hard, but he's such a nice guy. He gave up the number."

Dellavedova now will wear No. 8.

And Deng will attempt to come to terms with how his life has turned upside-down in a matter of 36 hours.

"It's a contract thing, and my time has come up," Deng said. "That's the direction the organization chose to go. They have every right to do that. As players, sometimes we forget that we're employees, that's who we work for. They have the final say."

He continued: "I wish we would have handled the whole contract situation better. But at the end of the day, either way I think the decision was going to have to be made. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision for them, either."

And then there's the matter of explaining to his mother, Martha, why he was traded. Some of the lack of understanding might be because Deng's family originally is from South Sudan. They fled to Egypt when Deng was 5, and eventually settled in London. Deng attended Duke for one season before he was drafted in 2004.

Not even Deng knows how the trade business works. When many of his new Cavaliers teammates texted him welcoming messages Tuesday, Deng was surprised at the warm reception.

"I don't know normally if guys get traded if that's what happens," Deng admitted. This is my first time. I told them I really appreciated it. They're just so welcoming."

As for Martha Deng? Her son still is working on that one.

"She still doesn't understand," Deng said, laughing. "She knows I'm here now. I think at some point I'll bring her out to see everything. It will change her mindset a little bit. It's been nine years. I'm the only kid in the NBA so she doesn't know how it works. She'll be OK with it."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As winter break wrapped up, schools in Northeast Ohio were granted a couple of extra days off with sub-zero temperatures on Monday and Tuesday.  We want to know what high school athletes spent their time off doing. Did you go sledding? Listen to the warnings and stay inside? Or did you continue to go to the...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As winter break wrapped up, schools in Northeast Ohio were granted a couple of extra days off with sub-zero temperatures on Monday and Tuesday. 

We want to know what high school athletes spent their time off doing. Did you go sledding? Listen to the warnings and stay inside? Or did you continue to go to the gym to workout and stay prepared for your season or upcoming season?

North Olmsted football and baseball player Joey Keleman Tweeted his plans:

HOT TUB SHABANG TONIGHT IF WE HAVE OFF TOMORROW! :-)

— Joey Keleman (@Joey_Keleman6) January 7, 2014

In today's High School Sports Question of the Day we ask: What did high school athletes in the Northeast Ohio area do with school closed?

New this school year: Readers can now comment on all cleveland.com high school sports stories — and we encourage it.

Look for the comments section at the bottom of every post. Registering for an account is free and takes just a few minutes (click here for an account). Once you register you will have the ability to comment on all posts.

Contact high school sports reporter Lexi Pluym by email(apluym@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@LexiPluym). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — On the second installment of cleveland.com’s Full Court Press boys basketball podcast, we take a look at the season thus far and look ahead to the holiday tournaments. David Cassilo (@dcassilo), Mark Kern (@MarkKern11) and Bill Landis (@blandis25) of cleveland.com’s high school sports staff break down the action, and talk with Warrensville Heights' coach Brian Swift...

CLEVELAND, Ohio — On the second installment of cleveland.com’s Full Court Press boys basketball podcast, we take a look at the season thus far and look ahead to the holiday tournaments.

David Cassilo (@dcassilo), Mark Kern (@MarkKern11) and Bill Landis (@blandis25) of cleveland.com’s high school sports staff break down the action, and talk with Warrensville Heights' coach Brian Swift and Beachwood's coach Matt Miller and guard John Davis.

Both No. 11 Beachwood and No. 19 Warrensville Heights have big games coming up this weekend, and had members of their team discuss their games.

Also discussed in this week’s podcast are No. 2 Villa Angela-St. Joseph's difficult weekend coming ahead, as the Vikings play two Top 15 teams in the USA Today poll.

You can see the latest installment of the cleveland.com top 25 here.

A few of the area’s top teams will be in action this weekend, with many of them playing difficult teams.

The Full Court Press will be a weekly podcast starting in the new year, featuring insight from David, Mark and Bill as well as discussions with area players and coaches. We’ll have a promo post each week inviting you to share any questions you might have for our guests.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the high school basketball season and engaging with you throughout the year.

Jack Morris, MLB’s best pitcher in the 1980s, failed to make the Hall of Fame in his last year of eligibility.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Well, at least the Baseball Writers Association of America elected somebody this year after throwing a shutout last year.

I’m happy that Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas are going into the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. The induction at Cooperstown in July will be especially gratifying for the Atlanta Braves with 300-game winners Maddux and Glavine going in with manager Bobby Cox, who was elected by the veterans committee in December.

While I rejoice for Maddux, Glavine and Thomas, who were on my 10-player ballot, I’m disappointed that Jack Morris didn’t make it in his last year of eligibility. Last year Morris was on the cusp of Cooperstown when he received 67.7 percent of the vote. A player needs 75 percent to get into Cooperstown.

This year, his 15th on the ballot, Morris went backward, receiving 61.5 percent of the vote. I have a hard time understanding why Morris, who won more games and pitched more innings in the 1980s than any pitcher in the big leagues, wasn’t elected a long time ago. I’m baffled by it, I truly am.

Here are the 10 players I voted on my ballot. They’re listed by the percentage of votes they received:

1. Maddux: Mad Dog received 97.2 percent (555-of-571) of the votes cast: He was a shoo-in. How 16 voters left him off his ballot is remarkable. Maddux won 355 games in a career that lasted 23 seasons. He won four Cy Young awards, four NL ERA titles and won 15 or more games in 17 straight seasons.

2. Glavine: He received 91.9 percent (525-of-571) of the vote. I forgave Glavine, and Maddux, a long time ago for the treatment they received from the umpires in the 1995 World Series against the Indians. The plate always seemed five inches wider for them. OK, so I might not be completely over it.

Still, Glavine won 305 games, and no one gets that much help from the umpires. Glavine had five 20-win seasons, won two Cy Young awards and topped 200 innings for 14 times.

3. Thomas: The Big Hurt – perhaps the best baseball nickname ever besides Pepper “The Wild Horse of the Osage’ Martin – received 83.7 (478-for-571) of the vote. Thomas, a big and intimidating hitter, won consecutive AL MVP in 1993 and 1994 for the White Sox.

He hit 521 homers, but as much more than a slugger. He hit .301 for his career and walked more times (1667) than he struck out (1397).

4. Craig Biggio: He received 74.8 percent (427-of-571) of the vote. That means he missed induction by two votes because there is no rounding off in the Hall of Fame. How frustrating for the former Killer Bee.

It used to be 3,000 hits meant an automatic pass to Cooperstown. Well, Biggio has 3,060, but he’s going to have to wait until next year. At least his vote total jumped from 68.2 percent to 74.8 percent in his second year on the ballot.

If you’re interested, Biggio fell short of immortality by the smallest margin in Cooperstown history, tying Nellie Fox in 1985 and Pie Trayor in 1947.

5. Morris: I still can’t believe he’s not in the Hall of Fame. Why, because of a 3.90 ERA? Morris wasn’t a great guy, but he was the classic No.1 starter.

Tue Veteran Committee has to be kinder to him, right?

6. Jeff Bagwell: He received 53.3 percent (310-of-571) of the vote, a drop from 59.6 percent in his first year on the ballot in 2013.

Bagwell, like Biggio, played his whole career with Houston. He hit 449 homers and won the NL Rookie of the Year in 1991 and NL MVP award in 1994. Whispers of steroid use probably have hurt him in the voting

7. Tim Raines: He received 46.1 percent (171-of-571) of the vote, down from the 52.2 percent last year.

Raines, the NL version of Rickey Henderson, ranks fifth in history with 808 stolen bases. He had to lose some votes to this year’s crowded and talent-packed ballot.

8. Lee Smith: He received 29.9 percent (171-for-571) of the vote, tumbling from 47.8 percent last year. When the imposing Smith retired, he led baseball with 478 saves 802 games finished. He still ranks third in saves.

This is Smith’s 12th year on the ballot. Like Raines, a crowded ballot hurt him. Things won’t get any easier with Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and John Smoltz scheduled to appear on the ballot next year.

9. Edgar Martinez: He received 25.2 percent (144-of-571) of the vote, dropping from 35.9 percent last year. Martinez, like Thomas, did the majority of his damage as a designated hitter.

Martinez won two AL batting titles with Seattle and went to seven All-Star games. As imposing as Thomas was in the middle of Chicago’s lineup, I think Martinez was a more dangerous hitter.

10. Alan Trammell: He received 20.8 percent (119-of-571) of the vote, a drop from 33.6 percent last year. Trammell, who played 20 seasons with the Tigers, has been on the ballot for 13 years.

I’m always surprised how easily Barry Larkin, shortstop for the Reds, sailed into the Hall of Fame and Trammell has been forced to wait for so many years. Larkin had more speed, but other than that they were comparable players.

It was a tough go for some of the game’s greatest steroid-tainted players. Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro saw their vote totals decrease. Palmeiro, who topped 3,000 hits and 500 homers in his 20-season career, did not receive the necessary five percent of the vote to stay on the ballot.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The pick-and-roll girls basketball podcast will begin on Thursday. Girls basketball beat reporter Stephanie Kuzydym, will be joined by Mark Kern to take a look at some of the big boys basketball storylines this week. We will be joined by Berea-Midpark head coach Kevin Braaten and guard Jess Barnes.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The pick-and-roll girls basketball podcast will begin on Thursday.

Girls basketball beat reporter Stephanie Kuzydym, will be joined by Mark Kern to take a look at some of the big boys basketball storylines this week. We will be joined by Berea-Midpark head coach Kevin Braaten and guard Jess Barnes.

If you have questions for any of our guests, submit them in the comments section below. You can register for an account here. If there are any topics you’d like the hosts to discuss, you can submit those in the comments section as well.

Stephanie and Mark will also take a look back at the girls basketball season up to date, and take a look at the big games coming up this weekend.

There was very little movement in the girls Top 25 poll this week in large part to the weather, but this weekend's games promise to be exciting.

As always, we’ll preview the weekend ahead and set up the early portion of next week’s girls basketball slate.

The Wolverines managed to drop 603 yards on Ohio State in the midst of an ineffective end to the season.

COLUMBUS, Oho - Everyone knows the Ohio State defense had problems this season. What does it say when the coach who gameplanned an effort that dropped 603 yards and 41 points on the Buckeyes loses his job?

That's what happened Wednesday when Michigan let go of offensive coordinator Al Borges after three seasons. The Wolverine offense struggled through a 7-6 season that saw the offense put up 168 yards and 6 points against Michigan State; 175 yards and 13 points against Nebraska; 158 yards and 21 points against Iowa; and 261 yards and 14 points in the Buffalo Wild Wings bowl against Kansas State.

That was part of a 1-5 end to the season, when the only highlights were an overtime win against Northwestern and the offensive explosion in a 42-41 loss to Ohio State that came down to a failed 2-point conversion. Michigan finished 46th in the nation in points, scoring 32.2 per game, and 87th in yards per game, with 374.

Borges came to Michigan with head coach Brady Hoke from San Diego State in 2011.

"Decisions like these are never easy," Hoke said in a statement released by Michigan. "I have a great amount of respect for Al as a football coach and, more importantly, as a person. I appreciate everything he has done for Michigan Football for the past three seasons."

At least he'll always have this season's Ohio State game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Former Plain Dealer sportswriters Bob Fortuna and Tim Rogers are among four men chosen Wednesday for induction into the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. Joining Fortuna and Rogers are former Fremont News-Messenger sports editor Bob Marker and current Lima News sportswriter Tom Usher. They will be honored during the boys basketball state tournament in...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Former Plain Dealer sportswriters Bob Fortuna and Tim Rogers are among four men chosen Wednesday for induction into the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame.

Joining Fortuna and Rogers are former Fremont News-Messenger sports editor Bob Marker and current Lima News sportswriter Tom Usher. They will be honored during the boys basketball state tournament in March.

Fortuna covered high school sports in Northeast Ohio for more than 36 years, including more than 23 years at The Plain Dealer. A Willowick resident, he began his career at the Sun Newspapers in 1977.

Fortuna’s honors include OPSWA writer of the year and media awards from the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association, the Ohio High School Athletic Association Northeast District Board, the Greater Cleveland High School Basketball Coaches Association and Reality Sports Inc.

Fortuna presently owns and runs "Nothing Fancy,'' an interior painting/yard work business.

Rogers covered high school sports in the region for four decades with The Plain Dealer and Cleveland Press.

Rogers was named as the 2001 OPSWA writer of the year and has won numerous writing awards. He also was named as the Ohio sportswriter of the year in 2012 by the National Football Foundation and recognized by such organizations as the Associated Press Society of Ohio and the Press Club of Cleveland.

Rogers, a Cleveland native, is currently a free-lance contributor to the JJHuddle web site, the Beacon Journal and Canton Repository.

See all the Hall of Famers dating back to 1983 here.

McDaniels is preparing the Patriots offense for its playoff game Saturday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has taken himself out of the running for the Browns head coaching vacancy, a source confirmed for cleveland.com.

McDaniels, the Canton native, interviewed with the Browns on Saturday.

His decision was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

On Monday, McDaniels told reporters on a conference call that he loves his job with the Patriots and declined to elaborate on his interest in the Browns job.

“We met and that’s about all there is at this point,” McDaniels, 37. "Nothing, nothing further.”

McDaniels is helping prepare the Patriots for their meeting against the Colts on Saturday night in the divisional playoffs.

“I appreciate the question, and I understand it,” said McDaniels, a Canton native. “I know that’s something that comes up each time this year for other coaches. The opportunities are certainly flattering if they come up. That being said, I am going to try to keep my focus on the Colts and our preparation this week. Like I’ve said in the past, I’m fortunate to have the job I have, and I love being here. I love doing what I’m doing. Each opportunity that comes along is a little different and I’m going to leave it at that and continue to put my effort and attention into the Colts this week.”

McDaniels is one of the three NFL assistants the Browns have interviewed. The others are Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. The Browns have also received permission to interview Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, but he has declined overtures from the Browns and Vikings until the Broncos are out of the playoffs.

On Wednesday, the Browns were in Green Bay to interview Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo.

McDaniels has long been on the radar of Browns general manager Mike Lombardi, and has also long been admired by Browns CEO Joe Banner.

The Browns have also requested permission to talk to Vanderbilt coach James Franklin, and are reportedly interested in Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, whose team lost to Florida State in the BCS national championship game Monday night.

The Broncos will face the Chargers Sunday in Denver.

“I told both teams that were interested in me that I appreciated it and I was going to wait until after our season had concluded,'' Gase said. "They were great about it. They said they appreciated me being upfront and honest about it, and I thought that was the best decision for what we are trying to accomplish with our team.”

Gase said if he decides to interview, it's because he feels prepared for the job.

“If it comes down to it, where I actually do get a chance to interview for it—I wouldn’t interview if I didn’t think I was ready for that role. But right now I have tofocus on what we’re doing for the playoffs and it’s a one-game elimination tournament and I have to make sure my role is prepared for.”

Gase, 35, was the first candidate who surfaced the day after the Browns fired Rob Chudzinski.

When the Browns quickly fired Rob Chudzinski, I thought they'd have a coach in place by now. I thought wrong.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When the Browns fired Rob Chudzinski only hours after the season ended, I thought they had a replacement in mind.

I thought wrong.

I thought they would make a move such as Tampa Bay, which targeted veteran NFL head coach Lovie Smith. Or Houston, which romanced and then hired Penn State coach Bill O'Brien. I would have applauded either of those selections.

But the Browns appear to be in a long search.

I'm not sure that Josh McDaniels was the favored candidate. The assumption is that McDaniels having a close relationship with General Manager Mike Lombardi would make him a likely choice. But as I wrote last Sunday, too many people are over-estimating the power that Lombardi has.

His title is General Manager, but it's CEO Joe Banner who makes the major decisions such as hiring a coach, along with major free-agent signings, etc. Yes, Banner consults with Lombardi and assistant GM Ray Farmer, but it's Banner who is painting the big picture.

And it's owner Jimmy Haslam who is Banner's boss -- and who has an enormous say when it comes to the next head coach.

I believe it's the Haslam/Banner combination that makes the call when it comes to who replaces Chudzinski.

One of the reasons that McDaniels pulled out of the race was that the John Carroll product didn't sense the job was his -- or perhaps something about it bothered him. I also think McDaniels is not the ideal candidate because of his troubles as a head coach in Denver (2009-10).

So far, we know the Browns have interviewed Dan Quinn (Seattle defensive coordinator), Todd Bowles (Arizona defensive coordinator), Ben McAdoo (Green Bay quarterback coach) and McDaniels (New England offensive coordinator). They will soon talk to Ken Whisenhunt (San Diego offensive coordinator), who was the head coach in Arizona (2007-12). They have an interest in Denver offensive coordinator Adam Gase.

Last year, I wrote a story suggesting Whisenhunt be hired. It was not a strong endorsement. It's just that he seemed like a decent choice from a very undistinguished field. The Browns selected Chudzinski instead, and that came after two interviews with Whisenhunt.

I guess I'm still leaning in his direction, while wishing there was a more interesting alternative.

It's always possible the Browns will come up with a surprise and they just are waiting for the right candidate to become available. Meanwhile, they are talking to others as a way to do some homework and perhaps confuse some of the other teams looking for coaches.

Whisenhunt is expected to also interview with Detroit and Tennessee. The Lions' job should be very attractive, as Matt Stafford is the quarterback. The other three teams still seeking a coach -- Minnesota, Cleveland and Tennessee -- also are desperate for a big-time quarterback.

Vanderbilt's James Franklin interested the Browns, but he's headed to Penn State.

Perhaps the Browns have a college coach in mind whose name has not become public. Or perhaps they will hire a career NFL assistant and he becomes the next Andy Reid or Bill Cowher. And please, Cowher, Jon Gruden and Tony Dungy seem to have no desire to coach anywhere, so skip that dream.

I'm not about to say the coaching search is hopeless, and the Browns are in trouble.

I'll just say I never expected that two weeks after firing Chudzinski, the Browns' search doesn't seem to have a leading candidate in sight.

Johnny Manziel brought a Heisman Trophy and back-to-back winning seasons to Texas A&M. Today, the University showed its appreciation with an incredible highlight package.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Johnny Manziel brought a Heisman Trophy to Texas A&M and led the program to back-to-back seasons with at least nine wins. Today, Texas A&M showed its appreciation with an incredible highlight package, set to "Trophies" by Drake.

Manziel has become a fan favorite in Cleveland over recent weeks thanks in large part to his show-stopping performances. Some have already started dreaming about him in the orange and brown, outracing defenders to the endzone and flashing money signs at the Dawg Pound. 

The draft is four months away. Brace yourselves, the talk of Johnny Football coming to Cleveland is just getting started. 

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Wilson with Monsters on a "conditioning stint."

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Lake Erie Monsters defenseman Ryan Wilson talks about his season, the Colorado Avalanche, and his injuries.

Ryan Wilson

PD: The Colorado Avalanche sent you to the Monsters on Monday for a ‘conditioning stint.’ Explain.

RW: Last season and this season in Colorado, I’ve been pretty much on the disabled list or IR. I’ve played fewer than 30 games (25). I’m at a point where I’m trying to find my game again. I need to get comfortable in game situations. The coaching staff in Colorado thought this was the best way to do it. Obviously, I said yes.

PD: So this was Avalanche coach Patrick Roy’s idea?

RW: I assume so. I had a meeting with him and the ‘D’ coach. They threw it out at me. I think I had the option to say, ‘No, I don’t want to come,’ because of the CBA. But I’m a hockey player, and I want to play games and get to my top level. This is a good way to make that possible.

PD: Is ‘conditioning stint’ a euphemism for ‘demotion’?

RW: I wouldn’t say it’s a demotion. I wouldn’t use that word. But it is one of those things that, every once in a while, you’re going to go through.

PD: This season, you played 10 games through Nov. 6 before being sidelined because of a back injury. You returned Dec. 27 and played three games before being sent to Cleveland. Did you come back too soon?

RW: It took a lot longer to come back from that injury than I expected. When I did get back … it’s hard to explain. The best way to describe it is, I felt lost. I was making bad decisions with the puck, I wasn’t in the right position in d-zone coverage, things like that. So it’s better for me to get some games down here than to keep struggling in the lineup up there. We’re in a big playoff push in Colorado; to be messing around with a guy coming off IR who’s not playing his best hockey isn’t something they wanted to do.

PD: Last season, you were limited to 12 games primarily because of an ankle injury. How is the ankle?

RW: The ankle feels good. The body feels really good. My legs have felt fine in games. I’ve just got to get the mind going. When you’re struggling, you start getting down on yourself. I’m here with a positive attitude, working to get my game back, hoping it doesn’t take long.

PD: Roy was quoted as saying you would return to Colorado on Jan. 19. That would mean Monsters fans would not see you at The Q, because the next home game is Jan. 23.

RW: The team’s playing well; it just stinks that we will be on the road for five games (Jan. 10-18). I’ve been at The Q before in short stays with the Monsters (eight games in 2008-2009, three in 2009-2010), and I know how great the fans are. I really like Cleveland -- but I’ve got to get back to Colorado.

PD: Roy has the Avalanche in contention in his first season. What has it been like under him?

RW: I think I speak for everyone on the team when I say it’s been a lot of fun. He keeps everyone energized, motivated. We all enjoy playing for him.

PD: What are Roy’s best attributes as a coach?

RW: You know he’ll always have your back, no matter what happens. You know where you stand with him. He’s always pushing you to get better, which makes the team better. And he’s so passionate about the game. He needs to win. He can’t stand losing.

Irving trails only Dwyane Wade for All-Star votes in the latest ballot results released by the NBA. Voting ends Jan. 20 and starters are announced Jan. 23.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kyrie Irving is the second-leading vote-getter among Eastern Conference backcourt players in the latest All-Star ballot results released by the NBA on Thursday. The top two guards start in the Feb. 16 All-Star Game.

Irving trails only Dwyane Wade for votes for guards; his 652,522 votes are not far behind Wade's 718,109. The third-highest recipient is the injured Derrick Rose, far behind at 323,099.

Voting concludes Jan. 20, and starters will be announced Jan. 23 on TNT's "Inside the NBA" show. Reserves will be announced Jan. 30, also on TNT.

Newest Cavaliers small forward Luol Deng is 11^th among East frontcourt players, his 90,730 votes is far behind the No. 1 vote-getter, LeBron James, at 1,076,063.

"I think it's going to be an interesting time in the next few weeks, the next month, and I wouldn't count anything out," Tressel said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jim Tressel has not been contacted by the Browns. But he sounds like a guy who would like to be.

“I have not had discussions with Cleveland,” Tressel said in a radio interview Thursday. “That doesn't mean I don't have any interest in the NFL or anything. I don't want to paint that picture. But at this point, I have not.”

Speaking with 97.1 FM in Columbus while promoting an appearance at an autograph show this weekend, Tressel absolutely expressed interest in coaching in the NFL and left open the door that he could be involved in the league's coaching carousel over the next month.

“I think it's going to be an interesting time in the next few weeks, the next month, and I wouldn't count anything out,” Tressel said.

• Full interview audio

Tressel said there are things swirling around in his life, including at his current employer, the University of Akron. Tressel has been mentioned as a potential candidate to be the school's next president.

But the football life is still a draw, more than 2 1/2 years after he was forced to resign as Ohio State's football coach because of NCAA violations.

Asked by hosts Beau Bishop and Anthony Rothman if he thought he'd be a good head coach in the NFL, Tressel said, "In order to be a head coach in the NFL, I think the key would be, 'Can you get the right kind of staff around you?' And I feel like I'm a pretty good judge of coaches.”

Tressel said he believes the NFL has become more like the college game in recent years. He cited the shorter careers in the league, with the roster turnover making it more like college. And everyone has seen offensive trends that started in college moving into the pros.

College coaches such as Pete Carroll, Jim Harbaugh and Chip Kelly have had recent success in the NFL. Tressel sounds like a coach who wouldn't mind getting the same chance. Watching bowl games and NFL playoffs recently, Tressel said he felt that renewed desire to rejoin the game.

“I think just being honest with yourself,” Tressel said, “you'd have to sit there saying, 'Oh my gosh, wouldn't that be fun to be a part of that?' ”

Don't worry Chief Wahoo fans. The Cleveland Indians are not looking to phase out the logo anytime soon.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Don't worry Chief Wahoo fans. The Cleveland Indians are not looking to phase out the logo anytime soon.

Deng joked with Earl Clark and Dion Waiters during a post-practice shooting drill Thursday.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- New Cavaliers small forward Luol Deng already is getting along with his teammates. He joked with Earl Clark and Dion Waiters during a post-practice shooting drill - and they gave him a hard time when he missed.

The Corps of Engineers has outlined a variety of costly plans to stop Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes. Selling one of the expensive projects to politicians and taxpayers is now the challenge.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) released on Monday had answers for thwarting a potential Great Lakes invasion of Asian carp. It also raised questions about how to sell one of the expensive projects to politicians and taxpayers.

Making the job exceedingly difficult will be $15 billion to $18 billion price tags for the plans most experts prefer. The Corps’ forecast that it will take 25 years to complete any of those projects won’t help, either.

The three plans most experts prefer each call for a permanent separation of the Chicago area waterways from Lake Michigan. All will need ancillary construction: untested locks and dams, as well as reservoirs and tunnels to prevent major flooding.

After the long wait for the Corps to produce the congressionally mandated report, which did not include any recommendations, experts and politicians promptly weighed in with choices.

• Executive Director Jeff Reutter, Ohio Sea Grant: “I hope we end up with the safest measure, and that is going to be hydraulic separation. Anything less is not going to be safe in the long term.”

• Sen. Rob Portman: “I wish the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ report would have identified the best option for preventing the spread of invasive species to the Great Lakes.”

• Sen. Sherrod Brown: We’re pushing and hoping for separation. We must stop Asian carp from getting into the Great Lakes.”

• Joel Brammeier, president and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes: “All evidence points to one conclusion. Physical separation is the only defensible solution to the epidemic of invasive species which pose a threat to people, wildlife and our economy.”

• Rep. Marcy Kaptur: “If America can build a Hoover Dam to direct massive waterflows to the West, even diverting rivers backwards to protect salmon and create agriculture in deserts, if we can build locks and dams from Minnesota to New Orleans to benefit states and businesses along the Mississippi River, then surely we can be equally attentive to the Great Lakes.”

• Ontario Provincial Parliament member Toby Barrett: “Permanent separation of the Mississippi River system from the Great Lakes is the only solution. The cost of ignoring, or putting it off, is too great.”

• Rep. Candice Miller of Michigan: “The only real solution ... is the complete separation of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River that will stop the Asian carp from coming into the Great Lakes and stop any further diversion of Great Lakes’ water.”

A public hearing on the plans is being held in seven cities, including Jan. 16 at the downtown Cleveland Public Library from 4-7 p.m.

Deer totals plummet: Hunters tagged about 24 percent fewer white-tailed deer in this year’s four-day special muzzle-loading rifle hunting season ending Tuesday, harvesting 16,464 bucks and does. The Arctic weather undoubtedly helped some counties report declines of 60 percent, or more. Last year, hunters harvested 21,555 deer. Hunter success was off 12 percent heading into the special season.

Fly fishers gather: The Trout Club of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History rescheduled last week’s dinner program featuring New York fly fishing expert Rick Kustich and a talk about spey fishing for Lake Erie steelhead trout. The club is gathering Wednesday, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35. Contact Karen Menn (216-231-4600 Ext. 3278). Kustich recently published his fifth book, “Advanced Fly Fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead.”

Also on the museum schedule is the F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour on Feb. 7. Tickets are $15, $20 at the door. They’re also available at Orvis in Woodmere and Backpackers Shop in Sheffield.

Outdoor flea market: The Columbia Game Club’s annual CGC Flea Market takes over the Medina County Fairgrounds main building on Feb. 8 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For exhibit tables, call Joe Najm, 440-845-6363. Admission is $5.

Out and about: The popular Walleye Wisdom Seminars in Kent on Feb. 8-9 are sold out. ... An avian cholera outbreak at a Pennsylvania game farm has forced officials to dispatch 2,400 pheasants that were to be released for late season hunting. ... The Sportsman Channel plans to begin airing Sarah Palin’s new outdoors-oriented show, “Amazing America,” in April and her co-host will be the Michigan rocker, Ted Nugent.