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Is Manny Ramirez in training to be the next Jason Giambi? MLB insider

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Jason Giambi has carved out a unique job with the Indians. Could Manny Ramirez, another aging slugger with a tainted past, do the same?

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Jason Giambi has invented a new role on a big league team. He is a coach, assistant manager and clubhouse guru, who can still come off the bench and hit a ball 400 feet. In an unsentimental business, the Indians have continually manipulated their roster to keep Giambi, 43, on it for the last two seasons.

It worked so well for the Indians last year that the White Sox are doing the same thing with Paul Konerko this year. In April, on the Indians first trip to Chicago, Konerko talked to Giambi about how to make the job work.

The first thing Giambi told him is something big-time, middle-of-the-order big leaguers aren't used to hearing.

"It's not about you anymore," said Giambi. "It's about the team. It's about everybody else but you.

"If you're in the manager's office every other day trying to get at bats, the players are going to see right through that and you're done."

There are a lot of reasons the Indians' clubhouse has stayed a positive place through the first two disappointing months of this season. Manager Terry Francona and his coaches are one. Jason Giambi is another.

There is a reason Giambi has made every trip with the team this year despite been on the disabled list twice.

"The more G talks, the more I like it," Francona is fond of saying.

It wouldn't work if it was just the manager saying that.

"We have a lot of talent in this room and we know it," said center fielder Michael Bourn. "It's about putting it together. We've fallen into this deal where we're still kind of young at some spots.

"When you're young, and things don't go exactly as you want, you might not think you can climb out of that hole, but you can. It's just playing baseball one game at a time. That's the formula and we have Big G to help us do that. I think that's his best attribute."

The White Sox, by the way, do not resemble the sad-sack team that was beaten often and badly last year. A lot of it has to do with Cuban rookie Jose Abreu, who is on the disabled list. Konerko, who has driven in 11 runs, has had a hand in things as well.

Chicago's other big league team picked last week to announce that Manny Ramirez had been hired as a player-coach for their Class AAA Iowa team. Cubs President Theo Epstein, who dealt with Manny-being-Manny all those years in Boston, said there's absolutely no way Ramirez will be promoted to the big leagues as a player with the Cubs.

Epstein wants Ramirez to play a couple of days a week and spend the rest of his time working with the Cubs young hitters. If he ignites interest in another big league team, Epstein said Ramirez is free to go. It sounds like he's in training for a Giambi-like job in the big leagues.

There are similarities. Ramirez, one year younger than Giambi at 42, was suspended twice for using performance-enhancing drugs. Giambi, before the days of drug testing, testified in federal court in the BALCO hearings concerning Barry Bonds.

Ramirez, one of the best right-handed hitters in history, has 555 homers in his career. Giambi, a left-handed hitter, has 440.

As strange and unpredictable as Ramirez was during his hey day, Giambi's reputation of "raking like an All-Star and partying like a rock star' was well earned.

When Giambi says, "I've been to the top of the mountain and down in the gutter in this game," he could easily be talking about Ramirez as well.

The question is can Ramirez do what Giambi is doing now? He was in Boston last week, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Red Sox World Series championship. He apologized for his bad behavior as a Red Sox. He said he's gotten religion and is ready to help the Cubs young hitters.

Giambi knows Ramirez has the knowledge to do the job. More importantly, he's still swinging a bat. It gives him an edge over one of Giambi's mentors, Mark McGwire, who waited years to return to baseball after leaving in a steroid-induced haze.

But is Ramirez willing to make it about "everybody else,' but him? It will be fascinating to watch.

This week in baseball

There are three strikes in an out and three outs in every half inning. Here are two more sets of three to think about from last week in baseball. (All stats through Friday).

Three up

Corey KluberTwo months do not a season make, but Indians' right-hander Corey Kluber is headed for big things this season. 

1. Corey Kluber's strikeout to walk ratio is 95 to 18 in 80 innings. He's averaging 10.7 strikeouts and 2.0 walks per nine innings.

2. Clayton Kershaw's strikeout to walk rate is 47 to six in 35 1/3 innings. He's averaging 11.7 strikes and one walk per nine innings.

3. Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija, sporting a 1.68 ERA, won his first game in 17 starts Tuesday by beating the Giants. 

Three down
Billy HamiltonReds center fielder Billy Hamilton, who ran wild in the minors, is having a tough time stealing bases in the big leagues. 

1. Billy Hamilton has been caught stealing nine times in 15 attempts. That's more than the Orioles, Yankees, Angels, A's, Marlins, Cardinals, Nationals and Braves have been caught as a team.

2. In Boston's 10-game losing streak, that ended Monday, David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia combined for one RBI           

3. Tampa Bay's Juan Carlos Oviedo needed only two pitches to lose Wednesday's game 3-2 to Toronto. He gave up a leadoff single in the ninth inning to Dioner Navarro. Then he threw away Anthony Gose's bunt attempt as pinch-runner Kevin Pillar scored from first. It matched the fewest pitches ever by a Rays' pitcher in a loss.

Tribe talk

Mike Aviles:  Cleveland Indians 2014Mike Aviles didn't see Adam Eaton's grounder skip past him in a downpour Wednesday at U.S. Celluilar Field, but he heard it. 

"I could barely see from me to Justin Masterson. It was raining pretty good. It was one of those balls that must have skipped right by me. I know I heard it," third baseman Mike Aviles on infield hit by Chicago's Adam Eaton that he lost in in a downpour Tuesday night.

MLB talk

"I always say that smart beats rich. But it's better to be rich and smart," Dodger President Stan Kasten to ESPN on the team's $229 million pay roll.

 

Stat-o-matic

Shin Soo-ChooShin-Soo Choo is reaching base at a high rate for Texas. 

1. On base machine: Shin-Soo Choo has reached base three times or more times in 16 games this season. Only three other players have done that this year – Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen and, Toronto's Jose Bautista with 17 each and Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki with 16.

2. Month by month: Oakland's Sonny Gray went 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA in five starts in April. He went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in five starts in May. The most runs he allowed in May were four to Detroit, proving what Hall of Famer Bob Feller always said, "It's not how you pitch, it's when you pitch."

3. Walk the walk: Not saying that this could be the White Sox year, but this could be the White Sox year. They had eight walk-off wins last years, while losing 99 games. They already have six this year, two coming against the Indians.

The list:

            Indians hitters rank third in the big leagues in pitches seen with 8441. Here's a player-by-player breakdown.

            Player                         Pitches seen            Average         OPS.

            Carlos Santana              1,010                        .159               .628.

            Nick Swisher                    943                         .211               .631.

            Asdrubal Cabrera              842                         .246               .705.

            Michael Brantley               822                         .309               .884.

            Yan Gomes                      778                          .261               .743.

            David Murphy                   735                          .269              .768.

            Michael Bourn                   630                          .289               .772.

            Mike Aviles                       569                          .266                .652.

            Lonnie Chisenhall              525                          .382                .946

            Jason Kipnis                     485                           .235               .729.

            Ryan Raburn                    441                           .218               .564.

            Nyjer Morgan                   187                           .341               .868.

            Source: MLB.com                                          


Manny Ramirez has one more apology to make: Paul Hoynes' rant of week

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Seeing that how Manny Ramirez apologized to just about everyone connected to the Red Sox last week while celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2004 World Series championship, does he owe the same to manager Terry Francona?

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Manny Ramirez was in an apologetic mood last week when he returned to Boston to help the Red Sox celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2004 World Series championship that ended the 86-year-old Curse of the Bambino.

He apologized to Jack McCormick, the 64-year-old traveling secretary he knocked to the ground during a dispute over tickets in Houston in 2008. He told reporters that he behaved badly during his playing days with the Red Sox, ultimately forcing the team to trade him.

I wonder if he'll ever get around to apologizing to his manager during his productive, but stormy stay in Boston – Terry Francona.

In his book "Francona: The Red Sox Years," Francona said he loved Ramirez's talent, and appreciated his contribution in helping Boston win World Series titles in 2004 and 2007, but had a hard time comprehending why he did the things he did. In the book Francona talked about Ramirez removing himself from a series against the Yankees.

"I'll never forget that," Francona told author Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe. "He came off the field, walked down the dugout steps and yelled over his shoulder, 'Hamstring!' and I said, 'Manny, which one . . . and he pointed to both hamstrings. He was like, 'You pick. (Expletive), I'm coming out.' It was funny later, but it wasn't funny at the time. I had had it with Manny at that point."

Francona, in the book, said when Ramirez was finally traded to the Dodgers, he broke down and cried.

Last week when Theo Epstein, Francona and Ramirez's old boss in Boston, hired Ramirez as a player coach for the Cubs' Class AAA team, Francona was asked his opinion. He said little with the exception that he'd traded texts with Epstein.

Oh, to be a fly in cyberspace.

Under-the-weather Trevor Bauer leaves the opposition feeling sick: Zack Meisel's musings

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Despite their best hacking, the Rockies came up close to empty against Bauer on Saturday. Here are five observations following the Indians' 7-6 win.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Trevor Bauer felt sick before his start on Saturday. The right-hander provided a little too much detail about his symptoms.

"I hacked up a couple pretty disgusting pieces of mucus before the game," Bauer said.

Despite their best hacking, the Rockies came up close to empty against Bauer on Saturday. Here are five observations following the Indians' 7-6 win.

1. Sick performance: Bauer said he felt flu-like symptoms for the last few days, but started to feel better on Saturday. His pitching effort offered no evidence of any illness. Bauer limited the high-powered Rockies to two runs on four hits and one walk over six innings. He tallied eight strikeouts.

"For the most part, he was really good," said manager Terry Francona. ... "He gave it everything he had."

2. Rebounding: Bauer labored through his previous outing in Baltimore, where he surrendered four runs on six hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings of a loss to the Orioles. He was pleased with his ability to tweak some deficiencies in his delivery.

"I was a little off-balance in Baltimore," Bauer said. "My lower half was going a little bit quick. I worked on that cycle and worked on my command and my changeup a little bit. It was good to see what I worked on transfer over."

3. Left is right: Lonnie Chisenhall went 2-for-3 on Saturday. He logged an RBI single, a home run and a sacrifice bunt. He is now batting .563 (9-for-16) against left-handed pitchers. He entered the season with a career .182 average (22-for-121) against lefties.

He shifted from third base to first in the eighth inning so Francona could get Jason Kipnis into the action.

"He's just doing everything better," Francona said. "He's just playing the game really well."

4. Super sub: Mike Aviles filled in for Kipnis while the second baseman spent a month on the disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle. Last season, Aviles played every day when Asdrubal Cabrera landed on the DL. He has spent time at second, short, third and the outfield. He has developed into Francona's ideal vision of a utility player.

"You're looking for games to get him in," Francona said. "That's how I feel about him."

5. Poke and a pop: On Saturday, Aviles provided the power with a three-run homer in the second inning. He added the game-winning RBI single in the eighth. He is batting .280 with 21 RBIs, which ranks third on the team. He has appeared in 43 of the Indians' 56 games.

"He knows he's going to play probably more than the average guy that doesn't start," Francona said. "He always plays with energy. ... He just knows how to play the game."

Final round updates, golf leaderboard from Memorial Tournament 2014 as Bubba Watson chases title

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Bubba Watson will try to win his third tournament of the season today at the Memorial at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin. Follow along all day with updates and a leaderboard.

DUBLIN, Ohio – Follow the final round of the Memorial Tournament and track a live leaderboard all day Sunday as the golf tournament concludes at Dublin's Muirfield Village.

Check the box below often for live Twitter updates, including pictures and videos from the PGA Tour's official Twitter account and other notable Twitter feeds. Below the box is a live leaderboard. Click here to see tee times for the final round.

Play began at 8 a.m., with the final twosome teeing off at 1:45 p.m.

The final group consists of fan favorite Bubba Watson and Scott Langley.

Watson, the reigning Masters champion, is in pursuit of his first Memorial title in his ninth start at Muirfield Village. In fact, he's never finished better than 23rd at Jack Nicklaus' tournament.

Watson shot a 3-under 69 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Langley into the final day.

Watson has posted scores in the 60s all week and stands at 12-under 204 overall.

Also in the hunt is Japan native Hideki Matsuyama, who shot a 69 on Saturday and is two strokes behind Watson. World No. 1 Adam Scott, who won the Colonial last week in a sudden death playoff with Jason Dufner, benefitted from a 68 Saturday to get within three shots of Watson.

Meanwhile, Paul Casey, who had a three-shot lead at the halfway point, struggled to a 76 on Saturday and is four strokes off the lead. Clustered with Casey at 8 under are Jordan Spieth (67 on Saturday), Charl Schwartzel (67), Billy Horschel (68), Brendon Todd (69) and Robert Streb (69).

Kent State alum Ben Curtis is one back at 7-under 209. Curtis has shot rounds of 69, 71 and 69.

Dufner, who was born in Cleveland, is tied for 20th at 5 under (71-69-71).

Cincinnati linebacker Justin Hilliard, at Ohio State Nike camp, says he plans to announce this summer, has top two: Buckeyes recruiting

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Hilliard said he knows a lot about the Ohio State coaches and players, and even some of the professors.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Cincinnati linebacker Justin Hilliard said before a Nike football camp on the Ohio State campus on Sunday that he plans to announce his college choice within the next month or so, and two schools have moved above the others.

Hilliard, who revealed a top five last week of Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, Notre Dame and Iowa, wouldn't say the two schools at the front of the pack. But as he continues to gather information, he has a good feeling about his process. He said he has visited all the schools in his top five several times, and now he's down to the details.

But his decision won't come down to a lightning bolt moment. Because he's had several of those.

"Whenever I see someone commit right after a visit, I feel like they made a decision based on their gut," Hilliard said. "But I don't believe in that. Sometimes after every visit I'll have a moment like, 'This is the school.' But I want to go and try to wait a couple days and see what I really think.

"When I make a decision I want it to be 100 percent, because I don't want to decommit. I want it to be my decision, hopefully in late June to early July."

Hilliard is ranked as the No. 49 recruit in the nation, the No. 2 recruit in Ohio and the overall No. 1 inside linebacker according to Rivals.com. He said one of the reasons he wants to commit soon is because he wants to get to work getting other players to join him at the school of his choice.

LB recruit Justin HilliardView full sizeJustin Hilliard, the No. 49 prospect in the Class of 2015 according to Rivals.com, attended a Nike camp at Ohio State on Sunday. 

He knows linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell well, and speaks with Cincinnati-area recruiter Kerry Coombs and head coach Urban Meyer. Hilliard said he has also spoken with Ohio State freshman linebacker Raekwon McMillan and former Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier.

"I basically know everything," Hilliard said, when asked about Ohio State. "I even know some of the professors."

Hilliard said academics and playing time are among the most important parts of his decision, but the final relationships with the staff and players are among the details he's focusing on.

The Buckeyes have four incoming freshmen at linebacker, which has been a position of need. Hilliard will make note of the linebackers already at a school, but not rely on it.

"My goal is to try to get to the NFL. I believe if you're not talented enough to start in college, you probably won't have a good shot to get to the NFL," Hilliard said.

So he'll also make note of what the linebackers who just left have gone on to do.

"I look at how much people get sent to the NFL," Hilliard said, "and my position coach and how talented he is at doing his job and how players feel about how he's doing right now."

Sunday, Hilliard was part of a camp run by Nike that isn't associated with Ohio State, it is just using the Ohio State practice fields outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Hilliard was among the more prominent prospects at the camp. 

Soon, he'll decide if he wants to be back on those fields for the next four years. 

Starting lineups for Sunday's Cleveland Indians -- Colorado Rockies game

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The Indians will attempt to sweep the Rockies on Sunday. Here are the starting lineups and the pitching matchup.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians will attempt to sweep the Rockies on Sunday. Here are the starting lineups and the pitching matchup.

Pitching matchup: Josh Tomlin (3-2, 3.04 ERA) vs. Jhoulys Chacin (0-4, 5.20 ERA)

Lineups

Indians

1. CF Michael Bourn

2. SS Asdrubal Cabrera

3. LF Michael Brantley

4. 2B Jason Kipnis

5. 1B Lonnie Chisenhall

6. DH Jason Giambi

7. RF David Murphy

8. 3B Mike Aviles

9. C George Kottaras

Rockies

1. CF Charlie Blackmon

2. 3B Michael Cuddyer

3. LF Carlos Gonzalez

4. SS Troy Tulowitzki

5. 1B Justin Morneau

6. DH Corey Dickerson

7. RF Brandon Barnes

8. C Jordan Pacheco

9. 2B D.J. LeMahieu

Live updates and chat with Zack Meisel: Cleveland Indians vs. Colorado Rockies, Game 57

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Join cleveland.com's Zack Meisel for a live in-game chat as the Indians take on the Rockies at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get scoring updates and analysis as the Indians take on the Colorado Rockies at Progressive Field and chat with cleveland.com's Zack Meisel in the comments section.

Game 57: Indians (26-30) vs. Rockies (28-27)

First pitch: 1:05 p.m. at Progressive Field

TV/radio: STO; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS 100.7

Starting pitchers: Josh Tomlin (3-2, 3.04 ERA) vs. Jhoulys Chacin (0-4, 5.20 ERA) FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here to get updates and comment.

Lewis Katz, Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner and former owner of the New Jersey Nets and Devils, killed in Massachusetts plane crash

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Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner Lewis Katz was killed along with six other people in a fiery plane crash in Massachusetts, just days after ending an ugly ownership dispute with a deal many hoped would end months of turmoil at the newspaper and restore it to its former glory.

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner Lewis Katz was killed along with six other people in a fiery plane crash in Massachusetts, just days after ending an ugly ownership dispute with a deal many hoped would end months of turmoil at the newspaper and restore it to its former glory.

His son, Drew, and a business partner confirmed Katz's death in a crash of a Gulfstream IV private jet, which went down on takeoff from Hanscom Field outside Boston on its way to Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday night. There were no survivors.

On Tuesday, Katz and Harold H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest struck a deal to gain full control of the Inquirer as well as the Philadelphia Daily News and Philly.com by buying out their co-owners for $88 million -- an agreement that ended a very public feud over the Inquirer's business and journalism direction.

James P. Leeds Sr., town commissioner of Longport, New Jersey, said his 74-year-old wife, Anne, was also aboard the plane. He received a text from Anne just four minutes before the crash saying they were about to take off, he said.

Anne Leeds, a retired preschool teacher, had been invited by her neighbor Katz on Saturday to attend an education-related function, James Leeds said. They left Longport at about 2 p.m., attended the event and went to dinner, he said.

Officials gave no information on the cause of the crash. They said the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.

When bidding on the company, Katz and Lenfest vowed to fund in-depth journalism to revive the Inquirer and to retain its editor, Bill Marimow.

"It's going to be a lot of hard work. We're not kidding ourselves. It's going to be an enormous undertaking," Katz said then, noting that advertising and circulation revenues had fallen for years. "Hopefully, (the Inquirer) will get fatter."

Katz, who grew up in Camden, New Jersey, made his fortune investing in the Kinney Parking empire and the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network in New York. He once owned the NBA's New Jersey Nets and the NHL's New Jersey Devils and was a major donor to Temple University, his alma mater.

The fight over the future of the city's two major newspapers was sparked last year by a decision to fire the Inquirer's Pulitzer Prize-winning editor. Katz and Lenfest wanted a judge to block the firing. Katz sued a fellow owner, powerful Democratic powerbroker George Norcross, saying his ownership rights had been trampled. The dispute culminated last week when Katz and Lenfest, a former cable magnate-turned-philanthropist, bought out their partners.

Lenfest said Sunday that the deal to buy out the company will be delayed but will proceed.

Three previous owners of the company, including Norcross, said in a joint statement that they were deeply saddened to hear of Katz's death.

"Lew's long-standing commitment to the community and record of strong philanthropy across the region, particularly Camden where he was born and raised, will ensure that his legacy will live on," they said.

When the crash occurred, nearby residents saw a fireball and felt the blast shake their homes.

Jeff Patterson told The Boston Globe he saw a fireball about 60 feet high and suspected the worst.

"I heard a big boom, and I thought at the time that someone was trying to break into my house because it shook it," said Patterson's son, 14-year-old Jared Patterson. "I thought someone was like banging on the door trying to get in."

The air field, which serves the public, was closed after the crash. Responders were still on the scene Sunday morning.

Hanscom Field is about 20 miles northwest of Boston. The regional airport serves mostly corporate aviation, private pilots and commuter air services.


Lonnie Chisenhall's words of wisdom get Cody Allen back on track: Cleveland Indians notes

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Chisenhall has taken on a leadership role. On Saturday, he helped Allen, one of his best friends on the team, regain his focus.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cody Allen walked the leadoff hitter in the ninth inning on Saturday. Then, he started the next batter with a pair of pitches out of the zone.

Lonnie Chisenhall jogged to the mound, muttered a few words in Allen's ear, patted the pitcher's shoulder with his glove and retreated to first base.

On Allen's next offering, Wilin Rosario popped out. One pitch later, Allen induced a game-ending double play.

Whatever Chisenhall told Allen, it worked.

So what was the magic word?

"Relax," Allen said. "It was just to break the tempo."

Chisenhall's bat has done most of his talking. The 25-year-old entered Sunday's action with a .369 batting average and .977 OPS. He has struggled defensively at third base (eight errors), but has grasped the nuances of first base so manager Terry Francona can find more ways to get his lumber in the lineup.

Now, Chisenhall has taken on a leadership role. On Saturday, he helped Allen, one of his closest friends on the team, regain his focus.

"Sometimes you need to just take a step back and keep the game from speeding up on you," Allen said.

It's a lesson Chisenhall has had to learn along the way as well.

"He's always been a good teammate, but with success, people are going to look at you," Allen said. "You're a leader, whether you want to be or not. I think that's certainly happened with him and he's really accepted that role."

Testing, testing: Zach McAllister will make a rehab start for Class A Lake County on Wednesday. The right-hander is on the disabled list with a lower back strain. McAllister pitched to a few Captains players at Progressive Field on Friday afternoon and he completed a bullpen session on Sunday.

The Indians will wait to see how McAllister feels after his outing on Wednesday before they determine whether to activate him. He is eligible to return from the DL on Friday.

"I think we'd like to see how he does," Francona said. "I don't think there will be a whole lot to build up."

Head honcho: Carlos Santana wants to return on Wednesday. The Indians' training staff seems to think Friday would be a more appropriate target.

"The fact that he feels that strongly about it is really good," Francona said.

Santana landed on the seven-day concussion DL on Monday. He was slated to take dry swings and possibly hit off a tee on Sunday. He'll increase his level of activity as the week goes on.

"There has to be a progression and you have to handle it and you can't move on until you can," Francona said. "When he's doing everything he's doing without symptoms, he's going to be fine."

Finally: The Indians have a winning record on only Wednesdays (6-4) and Thursdays (4-3). ... The Indians finished May with a 15-13 mark. ... Cleveland's pitching staff leads the major leagues in strikeouts, strikeouts per nine innings and double-digit strikeout games.

Danny Salazar still working out the kinks at Triple-A: Cleveland Indians chatter

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In three starts with Triple-A Columbus, Danny Salazar is 0-3 with a 7.11 ERA. He has surrendered 21 hits and has issued eight free passes in 12 2/3 innings.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Seen and heard around Progressive Field on Sunday.

Clubhouse confidential: In three starts with Triple-A Columbus, Danny Salazar is 0-3 with a 7.11 ERA. He has surrendered 21 hits and has issued eight free passes in 12 2/3 innings.

The Indians optioned Salzar to Columbus on May 16 so the right-hander could work out some kinks in his delivery. He had trouble keeping his lead arm at a consistent height during his throwing motion. As a result, he lacked deception in his delivery, often struggled to throw strikes and racked up a 5.53 ERA and 1.623 WHIP in eight starts with the Tribe.

"He was getting it up too high," said manager Terry Francona. "It wasn't so much the height of the lead arm. It's what it was doing to the rest. He was kind of rocking. He wasn't driving off that back leg."

On Friday, Salazar allowed three runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings for the Clippers. Jason Bere, a special assistant to baseball operations, assured Francona that Salazar's outing wasn't as poor as the box score indicated.

"It sounded like he threw a lot more fastballs down in the zone," Francona said. "He got a little out of whack in his delivery. ... [Bere] said, 'Don't let that line score beat you up. He wasn't that bad.' That was good to hear."

Jesus be nimble, Jesus be quick: Jesus Aguilar is listed at 6-foot-3, 250 lbs. He is probably larger than that.

On the first play of Saturday's game, Aguilar nearly did the splits as he stretched to snag a throw on a groundout. For a guy with a sizable frame, Aguilar can field his position. Francona said he has been impressed with Aguilar's defense at first base.

"He has pretty good feet around the bag," Francona said. "He lowers his body good on ground balls to slow things down, which is hard to teach. Good infielders do that, as opposed to stabbing at balls. He stretches well."

Stat of the day: Lonnie Chisenhall and Mike Aviles accounted for all seven of the Indians RBIs in Saturday's 7-6 win. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marked the second time since the RBI became an official statistic in 1920 that all seven (or more) of a team's RBIs have been tallied by the starters in the No. 8 and/or No. 9 spots in the batting order.

Nike Football Training Camp at Ohio State: News on 4-star Jashon Cornell, quick hits and photo gallery: Buckeyes recruiting

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Five players earned invites to The Opening, the prestigious Nike camp in Oregon, including Keystone tight end C.J. Conrad.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- News and notes from the Nike Football Training Camp at the outdoor turf fields at Ohio State on Sunday.

• Defensive lineman Jashon Cornell of Minnesota was one of the stars of the camp, named the MVP of the defensive linemen. He was also one of the five campers in Columbus invited to The Opening, the prestigious Nike training camp held in July at the company facilities in Oregon.

It also seems to have been a productive weekend for Ohio State and Cornell.

He visited with Ohio State coaches on Saturday, and then wrote on his Twitter account about the possibility of playing in Columbus with linebacker Justin Hilliard. National recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.com went as far as now projecting that Cornell will wind up in Ohio State's recruiting class.

Cornell is ranked as the No. 76 overall player in the Class of 2015 by Rivals.

 

In a video interview with SBNation, Cornell said, "That visit at Ohio State yesterday is one of my best visits yet," and as as result Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State are all among his top schools, with no leader. He has also been recruited a lot by Notre Dame and remains interested.

• Hilliard, the No. 49 player in the nation according to Rivals.com, was another of the five prospects at the camp invited to The Opening. He said he has two schools above the others on his list, and it certainly seems like Ohio State is one of them. We wrote a full story on Hilliard on Sunday.

• Keystone High School tight end C.J. Conrad, who is pledged to Kentucky, was another one of the five players invited to The Opening. We'll have more on Conrad in a story Monday, but he was obviously excited about his invite and winning the MVP award for the tight ends and receivers.

• Kentucky five-star running back Damien Harris was on hand but didn't participate in the camp because he is coming off elbow surgery. But he said he should be ready to go soon. He continues to have great interest in Ohio State. 

He also posted a photo on his Twitter account of himself and Hilliard that suggested the idea of both of them becoming Buckeyes.

• Andrew Dowell of St. Edward was the MVP of the running back group. He was there with his brother David, who did well with the defensive backs. Both are pledged to Northwestern, and we'll have more from Andrew Dowell on Monday as well.

• There were several players on hand from Cass Tech, the Detroit power that Ohio State has been recruiting hard. Among them were running back Mike Weber, offensive lineman Michael Onwenu, who was named the MVP in his group, and 2017 receiver prospect Donovan People-Jones, who said his only offer so far is from Ohio State. 

• Besides Hillard, Cornell and Conrad, the other two prospects in Columbus to earn invites to The Opening were linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. of Indianapolis, who is pledged to Michigan, and defensive back Josh Smith.

Cleveland Indians sweep Colorado Rockies with 6-4 win on Michael Bourn walk-off homer

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Bourn socked a walk-off home run into the right-field seats at Progressive Field, as a 6-4 win propelled the Indians to a three-game sweep of Colorado.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Michael Bourn isn't one for a methodical jog.

He scampered around the bases on Sunday afternoon, though any pace would have sufficed. Bourn socked a walk-off home run into the right-field seats at Progressive Field, as a 6-4 win propelled the Indians to a three-game sweep of Colorado.

"They said I was flying around the bases," Bourn said.

The Indians captured their fourth walk-off win of the season -- well, three walk-offs and one balk-off -- as they proved once again that they are masters of revival.

Just when the club reaches its perceived low point, when the season's sky begins to fade to an ominous, dark hue, the Indians bounce back. The weekend showing against Colorado canceled out a dismal showing earlier in the week in Chicago, where the Tribe dropped three straight to the White Sox.

When the Tribe returned to Cleveland following an 0-6 road trip through San Francisco and Anaheim at the end of April, the club posted a 5-2 mark on its ensuing homestand. After the Indians looked hapless in a weekend sweep at the hands of the Athletics, Terry Francona's bunch reversed course and swept division-leading Detroit.

They rebounded again this weekend with three consecutive wins against the high-powered Rockies.

"We know we have a good team," Bourn said. "We know we can play baseball. We know we're athletic. We just have to continue to work at what we need to do."

Mike Aviles opened the bottom of the ninth with a single to center. Catcher George Kottaras advanced him to second with a sacrifice bunt. Bourn then swatted an 0-1 fastball into the stands and sprinted around the diamond.

"I was running," Bourn said. "My emotions were going. I expect myself to be running that fast."

Josh Tomlin limited Colorado to three runs (two earned) on four hits over 5 2/3 innings. He tallied eight strikeouts as the Indians amassed 12 total, their third consecutive game with 11 or more. It marked the Indians' first instance of 11 or more punchouts in each tilt of a three-game series in franchise history.

"We had to pitch well," Tomlin said. "That's a good-hitting team. You had to locate your pitches and if you didn't, you paid for it. That showed in this series."

Tomlin departed after his 100th pitch, but the bullpen couldn't hold a one-run advantage. Colorado struck in the seventh off Bryan Shaw, who allowed a pair of hits and a walk. Charlie Blackmon knotted the score with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly.

"You look up and down their lineup," Francona said, " and you see .300, .320, .340/. They have stolen bases, power and they don't really strike out a lot."

Still, the Indians managed to keep the potent bats in check for much of the weekend. Scott Atchison struck out the side in the ninth to set the table for Bourn's heroics.

With the win, the Indians boosted their American League-best home record to 18-11. They have claimed six consecutive victories at Progressive Field.

Bourn's round-tripper served as his first career walk-off hit.

"My adrenaline was going," Bourn said. "It was just a good moment, a moment that you won't forget in your career, even when you get through. I cherish that, but at the same time, move on to tomorrow and be ready to play."

Hideki Matsuyama wins Memorial Tournament 2014 in playoff with Kevin Na

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Japan native Hideki Matsuyama earned his sixth career win Sunday -- his first in America -- at the Memorial in Dublin.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Hideki Matsuyama earned his first victory in America and validation as one of golf's young stars Sunday with birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff and a 10-foot par putt on the first extra to win the Memorial Tournament.

In a tournament that Masters champions Bubba Watson and Adam Scott threw away on a wild back nine, Matsuyama looked certain to join them.

He lost the lead by dropping three shots on two holes, and he didn't look like a winner when he pushed his drive toward the bunkers on the final hole. Lightly slamming his driver to the turf in disgust, the head broke off. Matsuyama followed with an approach to just outside 5 feet for birdie and a 3-under 69.

That forced a playoff with Kevin Na, who finished his round of 64 about two hours earlier.

Matsuyama chose not to replace his broken driver in the playoff, and his 3-wood went into the bunker. Na drove left into the creek and still had about 10 feet for bogey on the 18th hole in the playoff when Matsuyama made his par putt.

The 22-year-old from Japan pumped his fist as the ball was a few inches from dropping.

"I'm really, really happy," Matsuyama said through his interpreter. "It's a dream come true to win at Mr. Nicklaus' course."

Matsuyama won for the sixth time in his career, all of them on the Japan Golf Tour. He had a pair of top 10s in the majors last year.

Tournament host Jack Nicklaus greeted him behind the 18th green. Nicklaus spent much of the back nine in the broadcast booth, and it was a brand of golf that was unfamiliar to golf's greatest champion. The Memorial became only the latest event where proven players faltered badly.

Watson, who started the final round with a one-shot lead, was still in control until a couple of wild tee shots — one into deep rough on the 14th that led to bogey, and one so far right on the par-5 15th that it went over the trees and into a neighborhood, far out-of-bounds. That led to double bogey and he never recovered. Watson closed with a 72 and finished one shot out of the playoff.

"It's tough," Watson said, who was going for his third win of the year. "I made one bad decision. If I hit 4-wood off the tee instead of driver on the par 5, we make 5 and we win by one. But I made double, so we lost by one."

Scott had a share of the lead after 11 holes and was poised for his second straight PGA Tour win. But he put his tee shot into the water on the par-3 12th for double bogey, took two shots to get out of a bunker on the 14th for bogey, and then dropped another shot at the 15th when his wedge hit the pin and caromed back into the fairway. He closed with a 71 and tied for fourth with Chris Kirk (68).

"It's the way it goes," Scott said. "You get lucky breaks and you get bad ones."

Na was in the clubhouse at Muirfield Village, leaning against two pillows watching this collection of errors, even joking that he might win by sitting on a couch. He finally headed out to the range, but one swing into the water was too much to overcome.

The only consolation for Na was that his runner-up finish moved him high enough in the world ranking that he will be exempt for the U.S. Open. He had planned on going through 36-hole qualifying Monday.

Matsuyama was able to replace his driver because the playoff is not part of the final round. Instead, he chose to take 3-wood. It looked as if it might cost him when the shot was well back and caught the bunker. Na helped by finding the water. Matsuyama's approach hit a fan left of the green, but he played a good chip and made the most important putt of his young career.

Matsuyama should rise to about No. 13 in the world ranking.

A two-time winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur — he made the cut both times at the Masters as an amateur — he took a different route than Ryo Ishikawa by waiting to turn pro until a year ago. Matsuyama won once as an amateur, and he won in his pro debut in Japan.

He graduated from college in Japan a few weeks before the Masters.

Matsuyama had experience at Muirfield Village. He played in the Presidents Cup in October, teaming with Scott in four of the matches.

Cleveland Indians sweep Colorado Rockies: DMan's Report, Game 57, Sunday

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The Indians have won six straight home games thanks to three-game sweeps of Detroit (May 19-21) and Colorado (this past weekend).

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians played the Colorado Rockies in the finale of a three-game series Sunday. Here is a capsule look from The Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff:

Game: 57.

Opponent: Rockies.

Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland.

Time of day: Afternoon.

Time elapsed: 3 hours, 11 minutes.

Attendance: 16,682.

Result: Indians 6, Rockies 4.

Records: Indians 27-30, Rockies 28-28.

Comforts of home: The Indians are 18-11 at Progressive Field. They have won six straight, averaging 6.7 runs.

Broom service: Four of the past five series involving the Indians have ended in sweeps. All four have been three-gamers: Athletics over Indians in Cleveland, May 16-18; Indians over Tigers in Cleveland, May 19-21; White Sox over Indians in Chicago, May 26-28; Indians over Rockies in Cleveland, May 30-June 1.     

Bourn to homer: Indians center fielder and leadoff man Michael Bourn hit a two-run walkoff homer with one out in the ninth inning. Bourn smoked an 0-1 fastball over the plate from righty reliever Adam Ottavino into the seats in right. It is the first walkoff hit of Bourn's career and fourth walkoff victory for the Tribe this season.

Bourn finished 1-for-4 with the two RBI, two runs and one walk.

Since May 11, Bourn is 28-for-87 (.329). He has two hitless games in that span. Overall, he is hitting .288 with two homers, four triples and five doubles.

The power of calves: Indians third baseman Mike Aviles and his monster calves went 2-for-4 with one run and one steal.

Aviles, lurking in the eight-hole, ignited the game-winning rally by fighting off a 1-1 pitch from Ottavino and dumping it into left-center for a single. Aviles sprinted to second on George Kottaras's bunt and trotted home on Bourn's blast.

Aviles is 8-for-14 with one homer and one walk in his past four starts. Overall, he is hitting .286 with three homers and 21 RBI in 147 official at-bats of 44 games. 

King George: Catcher Kottaras is hitting .119 (5-for-42) with the Class AAA Columbus Clippers. But he has struck fear in opponents as a member of the Indians.

The first time the Indians promoted Kottaras from Columbus was May 3. Kottaras made his Tribe debut May 4 against the White Sox and went 2-for-3 with two homers and one walk. He did not appear in another game for Cleveland before being designated May 7. He was outrighted to Columbus on May 13.

On May 27, the Indians selected the contract of Kottaras when Carlos Santana was placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list. He appeared in his second game for the Tribe on Sunday. He batted ninth.

Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, perhaps intimidated by Kottaras's .667 average, 2.667 slugging percentage and 3.417 OPS, walked him to lead off the second. Chacin was ahead, 1-2, and threw three straight balls.

With Aviles on second and one out in the fourth, Kottaras drew a four-pitch walk from Chacin.

Kottaras grounded out against Tommy Kahnle to end the sixth.

In the ninth, Kottaras bunted the first pitch from Ottavino to the first-base side of the mound. Ottavino's only play was to first. Kottaras had made it look easy.

Kottaras is hitting .500 (2-for-4) with a .714 on-base percentage and 2.000 slugging percentage.

Tomlin time: Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin gave up three runs (two earned) in 5 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out eight. The strikeout total ties a career high.

Tomlin threw 68 of 100 pitches for strikes. He and Kottaras were in sync.

The Rockies -- specifically, Corey Dickerson -- staggered Tomlin in the first. After Justin Morneau led off by reaching on an error, Dickerson hammered a hanging off-speed pitch to right for a two-run homer. The Rockies pulled within 3-2.

Michael Cuddyer led off the Colorado third with a single to center. With one out, Troy Tulowitzki singled -- his first hit of the series -- and Cuddyer advanced to third. Tulowitzki moved to second on the throw. Tomlin traded an out for a run, Morneau grounding to second to tie the score, 3-3. Dickerson flied to right.

Morneau was the first of 10 straight retired by Tomlin. With Dickerson due up in the sixth, Indians manager Terry Francona signaled for lefty Josh Outman. The move denied Tomlin a shot at a quality start, but it absolutely was the correct call given Tomlin's pitch count and Dickerson's swings against him. Francona had a game to win. Outman held up his end by striking out Dickerson.

Tomlin primarily used a fastball/cutter/curveball/changeup combination. The curveball got two outs against quality hitters in important spots:

*With two outs and a runner on first in the first, Tomlin threw a wicked hook that froze Tulowitzki.

*After Cuddyer's single in the third, Carlos Gonzalez stepped in. He was coming off a four-strikeout game, but he is dangerous no matter what. With the count full and Tulowitzki to follow, Tomlin threw another filthy curve piece that froze Gonzalez.

Opportunistic: Through two innings, the score was tied, 3-3. The Rockies had four hits, including a two-run homer. The Indians had one hit, an RBI single.

Stretch time: Chacin worked out of stretch to begin the third. It became a moot point four pitches later when Michael Brantley doubled to right-center on a 1-2 pitch.

Dr. Smooth chronicles: Brantley finished May at .345 with five homers and 19 RBI. His first at-bat of June was an RBI single to right in the first that drove in Bourn from second.

Overall, Brantley is hitting .307 with nine homers and 40 RBI.

Mistake zone: Aviles booted the grounder by Morneau, giving Tribe third basemen 17 errors (Lonnie Chisenhall eight, Santana six, Aviles three).

Cleveland Indians On Deck: Game 58 vs. Boston Red Sox

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The Indians have won six straight home games.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.

Game: 58.

Opponent: Boston Red Sox.

Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland.

Scheduled first pitch: 7:05.

TV/Radio: SportsTime Ohio; WKYC/Ch. 3 today; WTAM/AM 1100; WMMS/FM 100.7.

Pitching matchup: Indians RHP Justin Masterson (2-4, 5.21 ERA) vs. Red Sox RHP John Lackey (6-3, 3.27).

Season series: First meeting.

Indians update: They are 27-30 overall, 18-11 at home. They are coming off three-game sweep of Colorado Rockies that wrapped Sunday. They have swept the previous two home series (Detroit, three games, May 19-21). LF Michael Brantley is hitting .307 with nine homers and 40 RBI. ... CF Michael Bourn is hitting .288. He hit a two-run walkoff homer to give Tribe a 6-4 victory Sunday.

Red Sox update: They are 27-29 overall, 12-12 on road. They have won seven in a row after losing 10 straight. They completed a three-game sweep of Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on Sunday. ... 2B Dustin Pedroia is hitting .272 and DH David Ortiz is at .262 with 12 homers. Former Indians CF Grady Sizemore is hitting .232. ... Red Sox are managed by former Indians pitcher and farm director John Farrell. In 1987, Indians pitcher Farrell stopped Brewers standout Paul Molitor's hitting streak at 39 games. Farrell won a World Series in 2013 – his first season as Boston's manager. In 2007, Farrell was Terry Francona's pitching coach when Red Sox won World Series. 

Injuries: Indians – OF Nyjer Morgan (right knee) is on 60-day disabled list; RHP Zach McAllister (back) and 1B Nick Swisher (left knee) are on 15-day DL; 3B-DH Carlos Santana is on 7-day concussion list. Red Sox – RHP Steven Wright (sports hernia) is on 60-day DL; RHP Clay Buchholz (left knee), LHP Felix Doubront (shoulder), C Ryan Lavarnway (left wrist), 3B Will Middlebrooks (right index finger), 1B Mike Napoli (left ring finger) and RF Shane Victorino (right hamstring) are on 15-day DL.

Next for Indians: Series continues Tuesday night.


Cleveland Indians recall Nick Hagadone, option Mark Lowe; Kansas City Royals claim Blake Wood

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Cleveland optioned reliever Mark Lowe to Triple-A Columbus and recalled southpaw Nick Hagadone.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians shuffled their bullpen prior to Monday's series opener against the Red Sox.

Cleveland optioned reliever Mark Lowe to Triple-A Columbus and recalled southpaw Nick Hagadone. Lowe appeared in four games with the Indians and allowed one run on five hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings.

Hagadone compiled a 3.09 ERA in 18 outings for the Clippers. He held the opposition to 12 runs (eight earned) on 18 hits and nine walks over 23 1/3 frames. He tallied 35 strikeouts.

Over three seasons with the Indians (2011-13), Hagadone posted a 5.59 ERA in 67 2/3 innings, with 67 strikeouts and a 1.419 WHIP. In 36 games with the Tribe last year, he racked up a 5.46 ERA and 1.436 WHIP.

The Indians also lost reliever Blake Wood, who was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals. The club designated Wood for assignment last Tuesday to make space on the 40-man roster for catcher George Kottaras.

The Indians had selected Wood off waivers from the Royals in November 2012, about six months after the right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery. After a lengthy rehab process, Wood pitched in two games for the Indians during the 2013 campaign. He appeared in seven games with the Tribe this season, but after allowing five runs and issuing seven free passes in 6 1/3 innings, he was optioned to Triple-A.

With Columbus, Wood had posted a 1.12 ERA, but had 11 walks in eight innings.

Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox (with Grady Sizemore) lineups Monday

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Former Indian Grady Sizemore is in right field and batting seventh for the Red Sox against the Indians on Monday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups for Monday night's game between the Indians and Red Sox at Progressive Field:

Red Sox (27-29)

1. Brock Holt 1B (.337)

2. Xander Bogaerts 3B (.296)

3. Dustin Pedroia 2B (.272)

4. David Ortiz DH (.262)

5. A.J. Pierzynski C (.288)

6. Jonny Gomes LF (.236)

7. Grady Sizemore RF (.232)

8. Stephen Drew SS (---)

9. Jackie Bradley Jr. CF (.204)

John Lackey RHP (6-3, 3.27 ERA)

Indians (27-30)

1, Michael Bourn CF (.288)

2. Asdrubal Cabrera SS (.242)

3. Michael Brantley LF  (.307)

4. Jason Kipnis 2B (.226)

5. Lonnie Chisenhall 1B (.361)

6. Jason Giambi DH (.143)

7. Yan Gomes C (.266)

8. David Murphy RF (.270)

9. Mike Aviles 3B (.286)

Justin Masterson RHP (2-4, 5.21)

Cleveland Cavaliers Luol Deng gets 1 1st-place vote for NBA's All-Defensive Team

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The Cavaliers showed improvement defensively this season, but Luol Deng was the only player to receive votes for the NBA's All-Defensive Team, released on Monday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavaliers forward Luol Deng received one first-place vote and two second place votes for the NBA's All-Defensive Team that was released on Monday.

Deng was the only Cav to receive any votes.

Chicago's Joakim Noah, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, led the first team, joined by Indiana's Paul George, the Clippers Chris Paul, Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka and Golden State's Andre Iguodala.

Miami's LeBron James, Indiana's Roy Hibbert, Houston's Patrick Beverly, Chicago's Jimmy Butler and San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard made up the second team.

The voting panel consisted of 123 writers and broadcasters from the U.S. and Canada.

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks not raising the bar when it comes to reaching heights

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Browns tied with Seattle Seahawks for the shortest collection of quarterbacks in the league.

BEREA, Ohio – Johnny Manziel settled into the pocket last week at Browns spring practice and momentarily disappeared in the tangle of offensive linemen and pass rushers before delivering a strike downfield.

A celebrated rookie who stands out in most crowds, the 6-footer can be hard to locate when watching from field level even in a red quarterback jersey. Manziel isn't alone.

The Browns' quartet of passers belong to a pair of unions -- the NFL Players Association and the Lollipop Guild.

"They are very short," Browns left tackle Joe Thomas said. "Even their (quarterbacks) coach (Dowell Loggains) is short. We tease him about that."

With an average height of 6-foot-1, the collection of Manziel, Brian Hoyer, Connor Shaw and Tyler Thigpen is tied for the NFL's smallest, according to measurements supplied on the teams' websites. They're seeing eye to eye with the diminutive group from the Seattle Seahawks led by Russell Wilson, who proved his 5-foot-11 frame was no detriment to winning the Super Bowl.

The Browns also are the only team without at least one quarterback taller than the league median (6-foot-2) from a year ago. See what you get for cutting Vince Young?

The club isn't cultivating a colony of small signal callers. It's mostly coincidence, but after several weeks of studying Kyle Shanahan's offense, Thomas offered another theory.

"In this system it's important to have an agile, mobile quarterback," he said.

For years, teams have coveted tall pocket passers such as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Nearly 42 percent of quarterbacks on current NFL rosters are 6-foot-4 or taller. The proliferation of spread offenses and the success of Wilson and Drew Brees (6-0), however, have allowed some teams to lower the bar on height.

Among the first five quarterbacks selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, only Blake Bortles (6-5) was listed taller than 6-2.

Manziel measured slightly under 6-foot at the combine, but the Browns are rounding up in listing him at 6-0, 210 pounds.

"You can measure height, but you can't really measure heart," Manziel said. "I feel like I play way bigger than 5-11 . . . That's just a stat. At the same time, I'm going to play extremely hard to make up that difference. I don't think you have to be a certain height to be successful."

The Browns' two rookie quarterbacks, Manziel and Shaw (6-1), thrived at the college level in part because they did more than pass from the pocket. Manziel rushed for 2,169 yards and 30 touchdowns on 345 carries at Texas A&M. Shaw ran for 1,683 yards and 17 TDs on 452 attempts at South Carolina.

Russell WilsonView full sizeSeattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson stood tall in his team's Super Bowl win over the Denver Broncos. 

Of course, shorter quarterbacks aren't the only ones capable of hurting defenses on the ground, as the long-striding Colin Kaepernick (6-4) and Cam Newton (6-6) have illustrated.

"There is no absolute in my opinion to any position," Shanahan said last week when asked about his quarterbacks. "You want guys who are good football players and people have proved it in every way possible. You'd like to say most great quarterbacks have all been 6-4, but there's been some pretty good quarterbacks, one who just won a Super Bowl who's not that.

"And, we don't have the tallest guys, we got some guys who are mobile. We ask for quarterbacks to move, but the best year that I had personally calling plays in our bootleg game was with Matt Schaub, and he's not a very mobile quarterback."

A season ago, Hoyer (6-2) was the Browns' smallest starting quarterback behind 6-5 Jason Campbell and 6-4 Brandon Weeden. Now, he'd be a power forward on the Browns QBs' pickup basketball team.

Shanahan doesn't sound worried about having many passes batted to the ground regardless of the starter. Good quarterbacks, he said, often throw through windows in the defense and not over the outstretched arms of rushers. Manziel has a knack for adjusting his arm angle to fit balls in holes, the offensive coordinator added.

Weeden had a penchant for getting passes swatted at the line despite his height.

Perhaps, a return to small ball will be a welcomed change in Berea.      

Grady Sizemore returns to Cleveland: Reaction

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See reaction from fans and media as Grady Sizemore returns to Cleveland.

Former Indians centerfielder Grady Sizemore is playing his first game at Progressive Field since signing with the Boston Red Sox last offseason. Sizemore played in Cleveland for eight seasons before his career with the Indians was derailed by injuries.

Sizemore hit 139 home runs and stole 134 bases for the Indians, including a 30/30 season in 2008. Sizemore is batting .232 this season with two home runs.

See what Clevelanders were saying as Sizemore returns to Progressive Field.

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