The Toledo Rockets and Akron Zips are among the MAC teams making an early statement as contenders for division races.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Perhaps there is a pulse in the Mid-American Conference East and West Division races. What looked to be a Northern Illinois runaway in the MAC West, and a Bowling Green romp in the MAC East, now seem to have some rising contenders.

Backup train: The Toledo Rockets deliver a strong statement with impressive Mid-American Conference victory over Central Michigan, 42-28, as a pair of backups in quarterback Logan Woodside and tailback Terry Swanson led UT, aided by a defense that allowed less than 100 yards rushing.

Woodside has taken over for transfer Phillip Ely (knee), who was hurt two weeks ago and appears done for the season. Woodside finished with 339 yards passing and 2 TDs. Swanson, playing in place of the injured Kareem Hunt (ankle), rushed for 97 yards and a TD against the Chippewas.

Toledo (3-2, 2-0) now puts some pressure on idle NIU (3-1, 0-0), which will not play its first MAC game until this week, hosting winless Kent State (0-5, 0-1).

Star Wars: Perhaps it was the new shiny gold chrome helmets they wore, looking like a bunch of R2D2s on turf, that made the Akron Zips (2-2, 0-0) look like clearly the best team on the field in a 21-10 road upset over the Pitt Panthers, now a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Offensively, once Akron became untracked, and defensively throughout, it was an effort that rekindled the belief the Zips will indeed be a MAC East Division contender.

Akron's linebacking unit of Jatavis Brown, Justin March and C.J. Mizell, plus safety Bre' Ford, led the Zips with a combined 33 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble, and contained James Conner, the leading rusher in the nation going into the game, to just 92 yards and no touchdowns, well under the 174.8 yards a game he had been averaging.

Akron, with a pair of struggling teams upcoming in Eastern Michigan (1-3, 0-0) and Miami (0-5, 0-1), the Zips now have a chance to build up a head of steam for a stretch run to a possible title.

Just a 'Minute': The UMass Minutemen (0-5, 0-1) remained winless after falling to Bowling Green, 47-42. But the Minutemen, who are leaving the MAC after this season, did provide some anecdotal news. Playing their homecoming game in refurbished McGuirk Stadium for the first time in three years, a rented scoreboard just outside of the playing field collapsed in the third quarter.

There was a hydraulic failure causing a 15-20 foot drop where, thankfully, there were no fans around.

The tightrope: Bowling Green's (3-2, 1-0) chances at repeating as division and conference champions will be a balancing act all season. After five weeks the collapse of arguably the best MAC defense in 2013 remains a puzzle, and shows no signs of improvement.

BG's defense allowed UMass 638 yards of total offense, 589 passing, forcing the Falcons offense to roll the tote board. The game was not decided until a UMass fumble on the last possession was recovered by Bowling Green. BG has recovered 11 fumbles and picked off four interceptions already this season.

'Cat' Daddy: It's hard to believe that with so many Division I football teams in the state and so many others that recruit within the borders, that a player can fly under the radar. And truth be told, tailback A.J. Ouellette wasn't so much under the radar as he was flying within the pack.

Still the 5-10, 200-pound Ouellette was not recruited, and was a walk-on for the Ohio University Bobcats (3-2, 1-0). It's only taken a couple of weeks, but he has a scholarship now, and quite likely a starting job at tailback for OU.

Since emerging in the opener at Kent State, when he came off the bench to anchor the winning drive (six carries, 28 yards), the former Division VII Player of the Year from suburban Dayton, Ohio has now rushed for 288 yards, 5.9 yards per carry, and 4 TD, including 132 yards vs. Idaho and 87 vs Eastern Illinois.

In the process, OU should be considered a contender as well, now that the Bobcats are putting points on the board and the defense has remained solid.

Plain Ol' Willard put together his best race ever at ThistleDown on Sunday afternoon, winning the inaugural $50,000 Catlaunch Stakes.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Catlaunch was ThistleDown Racino's iron horse for almost a decade, a popular stakes performer who was finally retired last year at the advanced age of 12. He ended his career a thoroughbred millionaire with an amazing 40 victories.

Plain Ol' Willard has a long way to go to match those totals, but the four-year-old gelding put together his best race ever at ThistleDown on Sunday afternoon in the inaugural $50,000 Catlaunch Stakes. With a last-to-first performance under the guidance of jockey Noel Vigil, Plain Ol' Willard spoiled the day for Jac's Fact, a precocious three-year-old colt chasing his second stakes win in a row and fourth straight victory.

It was the first victory in 10 starts this season for Plain Ol' Willard, who won four of 11 races in 2013 for M.Y. Stables inc.

"He's a nice little horse, but Plain Ol' Willard has just been racing against better horses (in the last couple of stakes races at ThistleDown) and has had a streak of bad luck this year," said Kentucky trainer Cathy Lowry. "The horses he raced today are good, but Plain Ol' Willard may be finally coming into his own. You never know about horses. Sometimes they'll amaze you, like Plain Ol' Willard did today."

Winning the 1 1/16-mile distance test in 1:47.02, Plain Ol' Willard will now head to Cincinnati's Belterra Park for the Best of Ohio Endurance, a 1¼-mile race on Oct. 11.

Lowry gave much of the credit to Vigil after the jockey found himself dead last in the big field of 11 at the quarter. Vigil moved Plain Ol' Willard up to ninth along the rail by the half-mile mark, and sixth at the 3/4-mile pole. When the crowd of thoroughbreds turned for home, Vigil and Plain Ol' Willard ran out of racing room on the rail, but they weren't done yet.

"It was impressive, the way Vigil let the others burn themselves out early by racing too fast for that distance," said Lowry, who trains Plain Ol' Willard with her son, Anthony Lowry. "When Vigil ran out of room on the rail turning for home, he went to the outside and circled the field in the stretch, picking off the leaders one by one. He did his job perfectly."

A 2½-length winner, Plain Ol' Willard paid $12.40, 4.40, 3.60. Favored Jac's Fact was second, $4, 3, with 15-1 Uncle Virgil finishing third, $9.

Catlaunch, who had been retired late last year by owner Ron Fields of Scioto Farm Supply in Chillicothe, Ohio, wasn't an immediate star as a youngster race horse, either. The son of Noble Cat won just six of 33 outings over this first three racing seasons. The big brown gelding finally found consistent success as a five-year-old for trainer Ivan Vasquez, winning eight of 12 starts. The dominance continued, and as a 10-year-old Catlaunch won five of eight in 2011, all stakes races.  

A tough customer that likes to compete, according to Fields, Catlaunch won 22 Ohio stakes races and $1,122,309. It didn't seem to matter if he was racing six furlongs or a mile and a quarter. After winning only one stakes race in 10 outings in 2013, Fields decided the old-timer deserved to enjoy the rest of his life, putting him out to pasture.

Reliever Bryan Shaw led the Indians -- and the majors -- with 80 appearances.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the Indians' statistical leaders for the 2014 season:

BATTING

Games: Michael Brantley, 156.

At bats: Michael Brantley, 611.

Runs: Michael Brantley, 94.

Hits: Michael Brantley, 200.

Doubles: Michael Brantley, 45.

Triples: Michael Bourn, 10.

Homers: Carlos Santana, 27.

RBI: Michael Brantley, 97.

Total bases: Michael Brantley, 309.

Walks: Carlos Santana, 113.

Strikeouts: Carlos Santana, 124.

Stolen bases: Michael Brantley, 23.

Batting average*: Michael Brantley, .327.

On-base percentage*: Michael Brantley, .385.

Slugging percentage*: Michael Brantley, .506.

OPS*: Michael Brantley, .890.

Offensive WAR: Michael Brantley, 7.1.

*Among qualifiers.

PITCHING

Games: Bryan Shaw, 80.

Starts: Corey Kluber, 34.

Victories: Corey Kluber, 18.

Losses: Corey Kluber, Josh Tomlin, nine.

Saves: Cody Allen, 24.

Holds: Bryan Shaw, 24.

Innings: Corey Kluber, 235 2/3.

Strikeouts: Corey Kluber, 269.

WAR: Corey Kluber, 7.5.

ERA (starters): Corey Kluber, 2.44.

ERA (relievers; minimum 50 games): Cody Allen, 2.07.

The indians season ended Sunday with a 7-2 victory over Tampa Bay, but the Indians fell short of reaching the postseason for a second straight year.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – It was over and the Indians were headed home.

MVP candidate Michael Brantley was one of the first to leave, equipment bag and 200 hits in hand. Cy Young candidate Corey Kluber soon followed.

The 2014 Indians were done. It ended Sunday at 3:33 p.m. with a 7-2 victory over the Rays in front of 21,400 fans on a pleasant Sunday afternoon in late September.

The game was played in a well-paced 2 hours and 28 minutes. Both teams were in swing mode.

"They were swinging for the fences," said T.J. House, who pitched five innings for the win. "My stuff plays down so if I kept it down I knew I'd get a bunch of ground balls. That's what ended up happening."

House found out Saturday that he was going to start Sunday for Danny Salazar. It took him 49 pitches to go five innings and earn his fifth victory of the season.

"Nothing changes," said House. "You can tell me one day ahead of time or five days ahead of time, I still have to go out there and pitch. You take the mentality of, 'Hey, I want to make my numbers better so I can't let them go out and hurt me.'"

The Indians ended the season at 85-77. They were not eliminated from the postseason until Friday, Game No.160 out of 162.

There were boxes everywhere as players emptied their lockers. One player simply taped a note in his locker saying, "Mail everything to such and such address."

Three or four large boxes were filled with baseball shoes of all shapes and sizes. They weren't headed for the dump; they were headed for the minor leagues, gifts from their big league brothers.

Trevor Bauer had his shoulder tube packed and ready for shipment home. So did Salazar.

House ended the season with four wins in his last four decisions. Someone asked him if he'd like to start the 2015 season tomorrow. House smiled and said no.

"I'm going to go get lost for a while," he said.

At the end of a baseball season, no one immediately starts thinking about next year. Well, no one except the general manager.

"Usually when the season is over I just about collapse for a couple of days," said manager Terry Francona. "When I turn the switch off, it takes me a couple of days. Actually each year it takes me a little bit more."

The Indians begin their offseason meetings Saturday in Goodyear, Ariz., and Francona said he'll be ready by then.

While the rest of the clubhouse was a blur of activity, Carlos Santana was sitting at his locker playing with his cell phone. He was in no hurry to go anywhere.

Santana drove in two runs with a bloop single in the seventh inning Sunday to give him a career-high 85 RBI. After the first two months of the season, he was hitting .159 (28-for-176) with six homers and 17 RBI.

In his last 30 games, Santana drove in 24 runs.

"This year was a blessing for me," said Santana. "I had a very slow start, but I kept fighting. I learned a lot about everything.

"We have a good team. A young team and next year we'll be fighting for the playoffs."

Santana ended the year hitting .231 (125-for-541) with 27 homers and a MLB high 113 walks.

Jose Ramirez, one of the fastest moving Indians, was continually stopping by Santana's locker to talk to him and Jesus Aguilar. In the game, Ramirez operated at an even faster clip, going 3-for-4 with one run, one RBI and a stolen base.

Ramirez, who replaced Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop when he was traded to Washington on July 31, hit .262 (62-for-237) with two homers and 17 RBI. Before the game Francona brushed aside a question about whether Ramirez would go to camp next year as the starting shortstop.

But he did say, "He is a major league shortstop."

"I talked to Ramirez this morning," said Santana. "I made a couple of points. A, I told him baseball is hard. B, I told him to keep working in the offseason because nothing in baseball is for sure.

"I was very positive and he listens."

After the Indians were eliminated Friday, Francona was asked Saturday for his thoughts on the season. He was asked the same question Sunday.

He answered the questions, but it was easy to tell he wasn't ready to let this season go yet. There had been too much of an investment made.

"It's hard to turn the engine off," he said.

But the players were headed out the door, this time for good.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – He's a walking double-double, extremely durable and at only 23, his upside is through the roof.

Close to 12 points, a shade over nine rebounds in 31 minutes to go along with solid defense is what Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson has been providing the organization for the past two years.

Thompson has accelerated the curve in terms of production. He's nowhere near reaching his ceiling. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you're looking at it, Kevin Love is now a member of the Cavaliers.

The two play the same position. For the first time in two years, the Cavaliers' power forward position will have a new owner, and that will be Love. No argument there.

Most players will have a difficult time adjusting to what some feel is a demotion. But being the team guy that he is, Thompson just wants to fit it and play his part.

"I don't think I have to adjust too much," Thompson told Northeast Ohio Media Group following the first day of practice. "Ever since I joined the Cavilers, my job has always been the same. I just come out and play hard. Be a hardhat guy, punch in the clock and just play my game. That's not going to change."

"Even though we've added LeBron [James], Kyrie [Irving] stepped up a lot this summer and having Kevin, I think my role will be the same. Just come out and play hard, be an asset to this team."

It's a pivotal year for the Cavs, as so the case for Thompson, individually. He is entering the final season of his rookie-scale contract and the Cavs can reach an extension with their young forward by the Oct. 31 deadline.

If not, he will become a restricted free agent next summer with the Cavs having the ability to matching any offer sheets competitors throw his way. Thompson would surely have no shortage of suitors entering free agency because of his tremendous upside and high character.

As of now, Northeast Ohio Media Group is told, "there have been no communication" between the Cavs and Thompson's agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group. That doesn't mean much. Quite frankly, it's simply too early.

"In terms of contract, I'm not worried about that at all," Thompson said to NEOMG. "My main focus, especially with this new team, is how we can gel and trying to pick up coach [David] Blatt's philosophy. My mindset is solely on how I can help this team win and help us grow as a franchise. As long as we win, that's all that matters and everything else will take care of itself."

Spoken like a true pro.

And just because he won't be logging the majority of his minutes in his natural position, Thompson, at 6-10, is more than willing to lend his services at the five spot. He just wants to play and help his team win games.

He may end up having a fine season after all.

"At the end of the day, I'm a basketball player," he said. "I've played center before earlier in my career. I've played center, power forward. Wherever I can help my team be successful, whether that's playing power forward or center, I'm going to come out and do my job. Nothing changes."

The Indians ended the season on a winning note with a 7-2 victory over Tampa Bay. It's the first time since 2000 and 2001 that they have put together consecutive winning seasons.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians, headed nowhere but home, ended their season Sunday at Progressive Field.

The last game of the year, without an invitation to the postseason, is always a wistful time. There is regret, hope and anticipation for what is to come.

In Sunday's 7-2 victory over Tampa Bay, there was more anticipation and hope than regret for manager Terry Francona's team that finished the year at 85-77.

The first three pitchers the Indians sent to the mound Sunday, rookies T.J. House, CC Lee and Kyle Crockett allowed one run on six hits in six innings. House (5-3, 3.35) worked five innings for the victory.

Zach Walters, another rookie, supplied power with a second inning homer and a RBI double in the sixth.

Then there was rookie shortstop Jose Ramirez who operates at one speed – fast. He doubled in the first, hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth and singled, stole a base and scored a run in the seventh.

Ramirez wasn't done. With two out in the eighth, he added another single to give him three hits for the game.

Rookie catcher Roberto Perez handled the combined seven-hitter. He doubled in the second for good measure.

What it means

The Indians did most of Sunday afternoon's damage against Alex Cobb (10-9, 2.87), the pitcher who threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings against them in last year's wild card game. Cobb and the Rays won that game, 4-0.

On Sunday, the Indians reached Cobb for four runs on 10 hits in six innings. A pessimist would say the Indians were a year late and a dollar short. An optimist would say the Indians finally got it right.

For the first time since 2000 and 2001, the Indians put together winning seasons. They won 92 games last year.

The House is rocking

House, who replaced scheduled starter Danny Salazar, continued to be a pleasant surprise to the very end. He allowed one run, a leadoff homer to Sean Rodriguez in the second, as he did an effective five-and-fly for the victory.

House allowed one run on five hits. He struck out two and didn't walk a batter as the Indians improved to 7-0 in his last six starts.

The left-hander needed just 49 pitches to navigate five innings. He threw 69 percent (34-for-49) of those pitches for strikes.

House won his last four decisions.

Long-time coming

Walters' homer was his 10^th of the season and seventh with the Tribe. It was his first homer in over a month (Aug. 26) and took him into the offseason feeling a little bit better about the 5-for-50 skid he'd been in.

Thanks for coming

Sunday's crowd of 21,400 brought the Indians total attendance for the season to 1,437,393. It's the lowest in the big leagues, just below the Rays at 1,446, 464.

It is the second lowest attendance in the history of Progressive Field. In 2010, the Indians drew just 1,394,812.

Good day for the Irish

David Murphy finished an up-and-down season by going 2-for-4. He put the Indians on the board with a leadoff homer in the second. He singled in the sixth and and scored from first on Walters' double to left. 

What's next?

There is no next. The Indians season is over.

They'll report to spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., in mid-February. The regular season begins April 6 in Houston.

"Braxton is our quarterback," Meyer said. "To be fair to Braxton, Big Ten Player of the Year. (But it's) good to know we've got both of them."

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State hasn't even reached conference play of the 2014 season, so it's absurd to start thinking about quarterback controversies for 2015, right?

It's never too early to talk about quarterback controversies. Never.

So as freshman J.T. Barrett comes into his own while senior Braxton Miller stays on the sideline while recovering from his second shoulder surgery, the question begs to be asked: Who will be Ohio State's starting quarterback next year?

"Braxton is our quarterback," Meyer said. "To be fair to Braxton, Big Ten Player of the Year. (But it's) good to know we've got both of them." 

It would seem obvious that Miller, one of the most electrifying players in college football the last two years, would return as the starter next season if he gets fully healthy. But if Barrett keeps playing at this level, it could make for a conundrum, specifically because the two quarterbacks play different styles. 

Does it make sense to keep moving forward with a quarterback like Barrett, who has poise in the pocket and could be an impressively polished passer by the time he's a sophomore? 

Or does it make more sense to go with Miller, who can make jaw-dropping plays but by that point wouldn't have played in a game for nearly two years?

Good thing that's Meyer's decision. 

Midview moves into a tie for No. 9 with Avon after beating the Eagles last week.

Midview moves into a tie for No. 9 with Avon after beating the Eagles last week.

The Indians are 177-147 in two seasons under manager Terry Francona.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – In 40 years of following the Indians, I never had watched every inning of every game until this one.

The project was thoroughly enjoyable but exhausting – and all I did was observe and take notes. The project gave me a new level of appreciation for any major leaguer, and especially those who play almost every day. I gained a new level of appreciation for the beat writers; the project was grueling -- and I didn't even travel. Props to such luminaries as Paul Hoynes of NEOMG, Jim Ingraham of The News-Herald and recently retired Sheldon Ocker of The Akron Beacon Journal, writers who have covered the Tribe year after year for decades.   

I relied heavily on SportsTime Ohio telecasts primarily because I needed to watch replays -- and more replays -- in order to chart pitches and dissect at-bats. I did not want to depend on anybody for my material, but I certainly listened to STO play-by-play voice Matt Underwood, analyst Rick Manning, reporter Katie Witham, studio host Al Pawlowski and studio analysts Jason Stanford and Jensen Lewis. All pros.

Periodically, I piped in WTAM/AM 1100's broadcast in the background so I could hear legendary play-by-play voice Tom Hamilton and his sidekick, Jim Rosenhaus.

I subscribe to WTAM Indians reporter/host Nick Camino's belief that each game should be viewed in a vacuum, as 1/162nd of a season. Even though the MLB season unfolds over months and months, I don't like the long view because I think each game has plots and subplots that deserve to stand on their own merits.

I strove to be as objective as possible in chronicling a team that finished 85-77, third place in the AL Central. When the Indians won, I presented a "positive" picture. When they didn't, I didn't. When it came time to critique, I went to great lengths not to take perceived cheap shots. A Tribe player with whom I spoke early in the season said he was reading the reports, didn't always like what I was writing, but respected that I was fair. He said that, if I did go below the belt, he would let me know. He never voiced that concern.

Here is a capsule look at what I observed from the Indians in 2014:

Co-MVPs: LF Michael Brantley and RHP Corey Kluber

The Indians featured not one, but two players who performed at a star level. It is too bad fans -- and the baseball nation -- didn't get to see them in the postseason.

Brantley

• Nickname: Dr. Smooth.
• First-time All-Star.
• 7.0 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
• Batted .327 (200-for-611) with 20 homers, 45 doubles, 97 RBI, 94 runs and 23 steals in 156 games.
• Only player in MLB with .300 average, 20+ HR, 40+ 2B, 90+ RBI, 90+ R and 20+ SB.
• Third in MLB in batting average.
• 18th player in franchise history with 200 hits, the first since Kenny Lofton had 210 in 1996.
• One of two players in MLB with 200 hits (Jose Altuve, Houston, 225).
• Only player in franchise history with 200+ hits, 20+ homers, 40+ doubles and 20+ steals. The 11th player in MLB history with that line. 
• Ninth player in franchise history with 20+ homers and 20+ steals -- the first since Shin-Soo Choo (2009-10).
• Two extra-inning walkoff homers (May 19 vs. Detroit, Aug. 3 vs. Texas).
• 59 multi-hit games.

Kluber

• Nickname: Klubot.
• 7.3 WAR, second in MLB among pitchers (Clayton Kershaw, L.A. Dodgers, 7.5).
• Went 18-9 with 2.44 ERA in 34 starts. Gave up 207 hits in 235 2/3 innings, walked 51 and struck out 269.
• 18 victories are most by an Indian since Cliff Lee went 22-3 in his Cy Young season of 2008.
• 269 strikeouts ranked second in MLB (David Price, Tampa Bay/Detroit, 271) and sixth in franchise history.
• 26 Quality Starts (6 or more IP, 3 or fewer ER).
• MLB-best 10 starts of seven or more innings, two or fewer earned runs and 10 strikeouts.
• 11 double-digit strikeout games, most by an Indian since Herb Score's 11 in 1956.
• 21 starts of at least eight strikeouts, tied for third in franchise history (Bob Feller, 21, 1946).
• Went 4-0 with a 2.09 ERA and 60 strikeouts in May.
• Went 5-0 with 1.12 ERA (40 1/3 IP, 5 ER) in final five starts.
• Posted back-to-back starts of nine innings in which he faced one batter over the minimum (July 24 @ Kansas City; July 30 vs. Seattle).

Best stat: Kluber and Brantley are the first 250K/200H duo in franchise history, the first in the majors since lefty Randy Johnson (364K) and Luis Gonzalez (206H) with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999.

Biggest accomplishment, team: The Indians and manager Terry Francona finished with a winning record for the second consecutive season. The franchise hadn't posted back-to-back winning records since 2000-01.

Biggest accomplishment, individual: Kluber emerged as a Cy Young candidate and Brantley authored one of the best all-around offensive seasons in the majors.

Biggest disappointment, team: The Indians failed to make the playoffs and finished with a worse record than year's 92-70 club that played in a wildcard game.

Biggest disappointment, individual: The collective lack of production from the $48.26 million men.

The Indians' four highest-paid players for 2014, according to Cot's Baseball
Contracts via baseballprospectus.com, were: 1B-DH Nick Swisher ($15 million), CF Michael Bourn ($13.5 million), SS Asdrubal Cabrera ($10 million) and RHP Justin Masterson ($9.76 million).

Those four accounted for 57 percent of the franchise's Opening Day payroll of $84.4 million (also according to Cot's). The Indians received pennies on the dollar
for their investments.

• Swisher batted .208 with eight homers, 42 RBI and 111 strikeouts in 97 games. He had an OPS of .608. He was shut down in mid-August because of knees that required surgery.
• Bourn batted .257 with a .314 on-base percentage and 114 strikeouts in 106 games. He scored 57 runs and stole 10 bases. His surgically repaired left hamstring flared up again this season and forced him to miss games.
• Cabrera batted .246 with nine homers and 40 RBI and underwhelmed defensively in 97 games for Cleveland. The Indians traded him to the Washington Nationals at the end of July.
• Masterson, who began the season as the No. 1 starter, went 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts for Cleveland. He gave up 106 hits and walked 56 in 98 innings. The Indians traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals in late July; he was even worse as a starter for the Cardinals.

Game of the year: May 24 vs. Tigers at Progressive Field.

Final: Indians 11, Tigers 10 (13 innings).

The Indians trailed, 4-0, after one-half inning and 4-1 after 1 ½. They scored five
runs on six hits in the second against reigning AL Cy Young Max Scherzer.

The score was tied, 7-7, until the eighth, when Detroit pushed across two runs
against John Axford.

With one out in the ninth, Michael Brantley singled and stole second against Tigers
closer Joe Nathan. David Murphy homered to right-center to make it 9-9.

Detroit took a 10-9 lead in the 13^th on Alex Avila's two-out homer off Josh
Tomlin.

The Indians scored once and loaded the bases with two outs in their half. With Ryan Raburn at bat in a 1-0 count, Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque balked -- a
walkoff balk.

The game required 475 pitches and lasted 5 hours, 16 minutes.

Most shocking swing of the year: Nick Swisher vs. LA Angels, June 19 at Progressive Field.

After the Angels took a two-run lead in the top of the 10^th inning, the
Indians loaded the bases with two outs. Swisher, who had been 0-for-4 with
three strikeouts, stepped in against righty Ernesto Frieri. Swisher smacked a
1-2 pitch over the right-field wall for a grand slam to give the Tribe a 5-3
victory.

Best late show:  June 4-5 vs. Red Sox at Progressive Field.

Final: Indians 7, Red Sox 4 (12 innings).

The scheduled start of the 7:05 p.m. game was delayed by rain for 2 hours, 28
minutes. The score was tied, 4-4, after nine innings. With runners on first and third and one out in the bottom of the 12^th, Asdrubal Cabrera homered off former Indian Edward Mujica. Cabrera ended the game at 2:02 a.m.

The Indians completed a three-game sweep of the defending World Series champion. They went 6-0 on a homestand that included Colorado.

Play of the year: July 1 at L.A. Dodgers.

The Dodgers entered the bottom of the fourth inning trailing by three. Dodgers
pitcher Josh Beckett led off with a double against Justin Masterson. Beckett
advanced to third on Dee Gordon's bunt single and scored on Yasiel Puig's
single, the latter moving Gordon to third. With lefty Adrian Gonzalez due up,
lefty Kyle Crockett relieved Masterson.

Gonzalez flied to left fielder Michael Brantley, who fired a strike to catcher Yan Gomes to erase the speedy Gordon. As Gomes looked down, Puig took off for second. Gomes spotted Puig and threw on-target to second baseman Jason Kipnis, who was convinced the Indians had just pulled off a 7-2-4 triple play. However, second-base umpire Paul Nauert called Puig safe.

The Indians challenged Nauert's call; it was overturned. The Dodgers challenged
plate umpire Adrian Johnson's call on Gordon; it was upheld. The Indians had, in fact, turned a 7-2-4 triple play.

The Tribe won, 10-3.     

Game of the year, position player: Lonnie Chisenhall, June 9 at Texas.

Chisenhall went 5-for-5 with three homers and nine RBI in a 17-7 victory over the Rangers. He became the first MLB player with those numbers since at least 1920, when RBI became a statistic. Three others have posted five hits, three homers and nine RBI.

Chisenhall hit an RBI single off Nick Martinez in the first; a two-run homer off Martinez in the second; a two-run homer off Scott Baker in the fourth; an RBI double off Baker in the sixth; and a three-run homer off Baker in the eighth.

Chisenhall raised his average to .385 and his slugging percentage to .615. The bat  was shipped to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Game of the year, pitcher: Corey Kluber, July 30 vs. Seattle at Progressive Field.

Kluber allowed three hits and struck out eight in an 85-pitch complete game as the Tribe won, 2-0. He out-dueled Felix Hernandez (7 IP, 4 H, 2 R).

Kluber became the first Indian to craft a shutout with fewer than 90 pitches since
Charles Nagy on June 12, 1992.

Kluber threw 69 strikes (81 percent) and faced one over the minimum. The game wrapped in 2 hours, 10 minutes.

Seattle's Kyle Seager singled with one out in the second. He was erased by Logan
Morrison's double-play grounder. Robinson Cano singled with two outs in the second and advanced to second on right fielder David Murphy's error. Kendrys Morales, in what turned out to be Seattle's lone AB with a runner in scoring position, grounded out. Morrison singled with one out in the fifth and was erased by Mike Zunino's double-play grounder.

The Mariners went 1-2-3 on eight pitches in the ninth.

Biggest mystery: What type of player is second baseman Jason Kipnis?

Is Kipnis the player who, in his first full season in 2012, batted .257 with a .714 OPS, 14 homers and 76 RBI in 152 games?

Or is he the player who last year batted .284 with an .818 OPS, 17 homers and 84 RBI in 149 games and made the All-Star Team?

Or is he the player who this year batted .240 with a .640 OPS, six homers and 41 RBI in 129 games?

Kipnis's WARs in those respective seasons: 3.7, 5.9, 0.9.

An oblique injury sidelined Kipnis for most of May, and some observers wondered if the lingering effects sapped him of his power. At the very least, he appeared to be playing through discomfort.

Kipnis owns a high baseball IQ and plays hard. He wants to win badly. He doesn't make excuses. But the intangibles don't mean much when the numbers aren't where they need to be.

Most startling start: Josh Tomlin, June 28 at Seattle.

Tomlin threw a one-hitter and struck out 11 as the Indians won, 5-0. He threw 77 of 111 pitches for strikes. His Bill James Game Score was 96.

Seattle's Kyle Seager led off the fifth with a single. With two outs, Seager advanced to second on Tomlin's wild pitch and to third on catcher Yan Gomes' throwing error. Michael Sauders, in what turned out to be Seattle's lone AB with runners in scoring position, struck out looking.

In Tomlin's previous start, June 22 against Detroit, he gave up eight runs
(five earned) on eight hits in four innings. In Tomlin's first start after the one-hitter, July 4 against Kansas City, he allowed five runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Best full-service performance: Yan Gomes, twice – July 30 vs. Seattle and Sept. 17 at Houston.

On July 30, Gomes caught Kluber's 85-pitch complete game and hit a two-run double in the fifth off Felix Hernandez as the Tribe won, 2-0.

On Sept. 17, Gomes caught Carlos Carrasco's two-hitter and went 2-for-4 with two
RBI as the Tribe won, 2-0.

Biggest waste of jet fuel: Trip in late April.

On the night of April 24, the Indians flew to California for a three-game series
against the San Francisco Giants that began April 25. They lost 5-1, 5-3 and
4-1.

The Indians traveled to Anaheim for a three-game series against the Angels. They
lost 6-3, 6-4 and 7-1.

Then they flew home.

Most impressive career turnaround: Carlos Carrasco.

Carrasco began the season, his sixth as an Indian, in the rotation. He struggled in four starts and was demoted to the bullpen. It did not appear that the talent in his
right arm ever would translate as a starter, at least in Cleveland.

Carrasco pitched well in the bullpen -- which happened last season, as well.       

On Aug. 10, Tribe manager Terry Francona inserted him back into the rotation for a start against the Yankees in the Boogie Down. Carrasco gave up two hits in five
shutout innings of a 4-1 victory. The performance served as a springboard to a
fantastic run. In his final nine starts, Carrasco, working exclusively out of the stretch, allowed one or zero earned runs seven times. Part of the dominance was a two-hit shutout Sept. 17 in Houston, with both of the hits infield singles.

In a span of two months, Carrasco went from a career in question to the Indians' No. 2 starter.  

Biggest embarrassment: Offensive defense.

The defense – or lack thereof – was historically bad. Nothing makes a team look worse than failure to make routine plays, and the Indians excelled at it, most ingloriously on the infield and at catcher.

The issues extended beyond the high error total (116) to a boatload of plays not made: The list included double plays that turned into nothing more than forceouts and grounders that eluded range-challenged fielders for singles. Opposing runners routinely took an extra base on the Tribe's below-average arms in center and right field. Yes, the Indians played better defense later in the season, but by then, a lot of the damage had been done. A strong case can be made that the Indians failed to make the playoffs simply because of their leaky defense.

Most under-the-radar contributor: T.J. House.

Lefty House began the season in the minors. He made his major-league debut May 17 against Oakland, working a hitless inning in relief. His next 18 appearances
for Cleveland were starts. He went 5-3 with a 3.35 ERA in 102 innings overall. House does not possess dazzling stuff, but he does compete, stay calm in tight spots and give his team a chance to win. He knows his limitations and understands how to pitch. House's solid rookie season has put him at least in the discussion for the fifth-starter spot next year. An organization never can have enough pitching, and House is young (he turned 25 on Monday) and throws left-handed.

Best series, team: May 19-21 vs. Detroit at Progressive Field.

The Indians won the opener, 5-4, in 10 innings on Michael Brantley's homer off Al Alburquerque. Corey Kluber gave up three runs in seven innings. Cody Allen allowed a homer to J.D. Martinez in the ninth to make it 4-4.

The Indians won the second game, 6-2. They built a 5-1 lead off Justin Verlander through two innings. Trevor Bauer allowed two runs in six innings.

The Indians completed the sweep with an 11-10 victory in 13 innings. The winning run scored on Alburquerque's bases-loaded balk. Tribe bats knocked around reigning AL Cy Young Max Scherzer for 12 hits and seven runs in seven innings.

Best series, individual: Carlos Santana at Kansas City, July 24-27.

Santana combined to go 9-for-14 with five homers, one double, eight RBI, six runs and five walks. Unfortunately for him and the Indians, the Royals went 3-1 in the series.  

Loudest finishes: Seven walkoff homers, by six players. 

Here is the list:

1. May 19 vs. Detroit (W, 5-4, in 10 innings): Michael Brantley, solo.
2. June 1 vs. Colorado (W, 6-4): Michael Bourn, two-run.
3. June 4 vs. Boston (W, 7-4, in 12 innings): Asdrubal Cabrera, three-run.
4. June 19 vs. LA Angels (W, 5-3, in 10 innings): Nick Swisher, grand slam.
5. Aug. 3 vs. Texas (W, 4-3, in 12 innings): Michael Brantley, solo.
6. Aug. 13 vs. Arizona (W, 3-2): Zach Walters, solo.
7. Aug. 15 vs. Baltimore (W, 2-1, in 11 innings): Mike Aviles, solo.

Brantley became the first player in franchise history to register 200 hits, 40 doubles, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Michael Brantley has been named the Indians' nominee for the 2014 Hank Aaron Award, which recognizes the most outstanding offensive performers in each league.

Brantley became the first player in franchise history to register 200 hits, 40 doubles, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season. He finished the year with a .327/.385/.506 slash line, 20 homers, 97 RBIs, 23 steals and 94 runs scored. He walked 52 times and struck out on only 56 occasions. He became the first Tribe hitter to record 200 hits since Kenny Lofton in 1996.

"He's a complete player, and, we think, [is] deserving of MVP consideration with the year he had," said General Manager Chris Antonetti. "He was a huge part of our success and we think [he's] one of the best players in the American League."

The Hank Aaron Award was created in 1999 to honor the 25th anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. Manny Ramirez won the award as a member of the Indians in 1999, when he batted .333 with 44 homers and a league-high 165 RBI. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera was the American League recipient each of the last two years.

A panel of Aaron, Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Frank Thomas and Robin Yount will help determine the winners. Fans can also vote online on the team sites.

The Lake Erie Monsters open training camp Tuesday in Strongsville with practices free and open to the public.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Baseball ends, hockey begins, and Cleveland's sports calendar turns another page.

The Lake Erie Monsters open training camp Tuesday at IceLand USA in Strongsville. Their regular season begins Oct. 10 at Grand Rapids, and both teams return to Cleveland on Oct. 11 for the Monsters' home opener at Quicken Loans Arena.

Lake Erie, the Colorado Avalanche's affiliate in the American Hockey League, will conduct free and open practices Tuesday through Thursday. The Tuesday and Thursday workouts are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday is a double session, 8:30-11:15 a.m., and 4:50 p.m.

View full sizeDean Chynoweth returns for his third season as Lake Erie Monsters' head coach. Lisa DeJong, PD file

The Monsters play exhibition games against Grand Rapids on Friday in Windsor, Ont., and on Saturday in Grand Rapids.

Colorado assigned 19 players to Cleveland from the Avalanche's training camp, and the Monsters on Monday had 36 players listed on their training camp roster – 20 forwards, 12 defensemen, and four goalies.

Forwards: Troy Bourke, Paul Carey, Trevor Cheek, Nathan Condon, Paul Crowder, Angelo Esposito, Eric Faille, Thomas Frazee, Christian Hanson, Mitchell Heard, Garrett Meurs, Reid Petryk, Matt Pistilli, Jean-Francois Plante, Marcus Power, Kenny Ryan, C.J. Severyn, Michael Sgarbossa, Colin Smith, and Shawn Szydlowski.

Defensemen: Ian Barteaux, Gabriel Beaupre, Cody Corbett, Stefan Elliott, Max Iafrate, Matt Krug, Markus Lauridsen, Joey Leach, James Martin, Jared Nightengale, Cody Sol and Karl Stollery.

Goalies: Sami Aittokallio, Pat Nagle, Francois Tremblay and Roman Will.

Smith is the top returning scorer with 34 points in 76 games for the Monsters last season. Aittokallio had a .909 save percentage and 2.65 goals-against average in 34 games last season.

Dean Chynoweth begins his third season as Monsters' coach. The Monsters were 33-32-10 in the Western Conference North Division last season and did not reach the playoffs.

Lake Erie moves to the Western Conference Midwest Division this season, taking the place of Iowa, and its new division rivals are Grand Rapids, Rockford, Milwaukee and Chicago.

Magyar heads to Kitchener: Winger Nick Magyar of Mentor, Colorado's fourth-round draft pick this year, was assigned last week to his junior team, Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League. He did not have a point in the Rangers' first two OHL games.

Nedeljkovic assigned to Plymouth: Parma native Alex Nedeljkovic, who was Carolina's second-round pick this year, was assigned to Plymouth (Mich.), where he was the OHL Goaltender of the Year last season.

Before being farmed out, Nedeljkovic stopped five of six shots in the Hurricanes' exhibition loss against Columbus on Sept. 21.

He had a shutout in Plymouth's OHL opener Friday, and he gave up five goals the next night in an overtime loss.

LeBron James is "nowhere near" deciding whether he will play for Team USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil -- where he and the Cleveland Cavaliers will be next week.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – The intrigue surrounding Decision 2016 has begun in Ohio for LeBron James.

The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar said he is "nowhere near" a decision on whether to play for Team USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. 

Another NBA superstar, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, told ESPN "he intends to be on Team USA for 2016 Olympics after his '14 summer off," according a tweet from ESPN NBA Insider Marc Stein.

"I haven't even thought about it too much," James said Monday after practice. "Obviously I know what's going on and when it's happening, but I haven't decided."

James is sure to face similar questions about his intentions because of an upcoming international trip for the Cavaliers. Cleveland is traveling to Rio de Janeiro on Oct. 7 for an eventual preseason game against Miami on Oct. 11.

The 2016 Summer Games will also be in Rio, and James is sure to be showcased by the NBA while there next week. James has won two gold medals and a bronze in three Olympics with Team USA. He would be 31 for the Rio games.

In the meantime, James will have two chances to lead the Cavaliers to the first NBA title in franchise history. He was asked Monday why, unlike when he and Chris Bosh joined the Miami Heat four years ago, this Cleveland team doesn't seem to have been labeled as the league's villain.

"I don't know, people are just excited I guess about the game of basketball and me returning home," James said. "It's a new day and a new age and time heals all wounds."

James was also asked why, unlike his first seven seasons in Cleveland, he was able to help convince established stars and veterans like Kevin Love, Shawn Marion, Mike Miller, and James Jones to join him on the Cavaliers in one summer.

"I guess I had to prove I could win a championship. I did that twice," he said.

"I appreciate him protecting our players," Meyer said. "I would rather him not have a lawsuit if something bad would happen, you drill a guy like that."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State associate director of strength and conditioning Anthony Schlegel continues his stardom on social media after his tackle of a fan who ran onto the field during Ohio State's game on Saturday night.

We know who that fan is now.

Here are 7 more things to know about Schlegel and the hit.

1. He earned an award, and a talk, from Urban Meyer: "In all seriousness, I grabbed Anthony last night," the head coach said Monday. "I appreciate him protecting our players. I would rather him not have a lawsuit if something bad would happen, you drill a guy like that.

"So we had a partial serious conversation. And then we also gave him a Hit City Award, our team, and had a little fun with it, too."

2. That was an old technique: Many have compared Schlegel's takedown to a wrestling move, but grabbing the fan around the neck reminded linebackers coach Luke Fickell of an old football star, Dick "Night Train" Lane. The former All-Pro defensive back, who played from 1952-65, was known for tackling opponents around the head and neck, which was then legal. Some called it the "Night Train Necktie."

NFL.com at one time named Lane the second most-feared tackler in NFL history.

"I'm not sure the Dick 'Night Train' Lane around the neck (hit) would have been legal in today's age," Fickell said with a laugh.

3. The OSU linebacker tradition is alive and well: Fickell coached Schlegel as an Ohio State linebacker in 2004 and 2005 after his transfer from Air Force. A third-round NFL pick by the New York Jets in the 2006 draft, he started at middle linebacker between future first-round picks A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter.

"You can see that's what the linebackers at Ohio State are all about," Fickell said.

4. Maybe he thought the fan was a wild boar: Schlegel is an avid hunter who has taken others on wild hog hunts, as seen on his personal website.

Schlegel processes the meat and gives it to homeless shelters.

5. The players were impressed: "The kid came on the field and I thought it was some bodyguard," defensive back Armani Reeves said. "I didn't find out until after the game it was Coach Schlegel. But there's a reason he played football I guess. ... I don't know how that kid actually got up. He actually got forced up. It was a good hit, a good form tackle."

6. The internet loves Schlegel now:

The one true Ohio State coach pic.twitter.com/KTxDBksd8j

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 28, 2014

10 years from now on the Ohio State campus pic.twitter.com/6Y7gLfs9as

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 28, 2014

Tie him to the flag, lads! pic.twitter.com/PLjHBrrD1k

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 28, 2014

7. So does Meyer: The Buckeyes showed the team the best of the Schegel web moments during a team meeting on Sunday.

"They showed all the Internet stuff about him, like Iwo Jima and all the things," Meyer said. "We had a lot of fun in here with that. "

Schlegel is an energy giver, the kind of guy who Meyer likes to have around, a guy who is always up. When the Buckeyes had students race against players during the spring football game, it was Schlegel who grabbed the microphone and served as the race host.

"They love Schlegel, as we all do," Meyer said. "He's an incredible person."

And tackler.

Akron Public Schools called an executive session to discuss Firestone coach Time Flossie's future.

Akron Public Schools called an executive session to discuss Firestone coach Time Flossie's future.

See the latest Ohio AP football state poll for all seven divisions.

See the latest Ohio AP football state poll for all seven divisions.

Is the failure of the Indians to capture the city's heart despite their gritty overachieving leads related to the dominance of pitching and the Indians' woeful offense?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Who is the face of the Indians' franchise, now that, y'know, Chief Wahoo is in modified prominence, and this is the town to which the King returned and in which Johnny Football is a national discussion topic, at least whenever he has a free weekend?

Is it Michael Brantley with his 200 hits, the first since Indian to do that since 1996?

Corey Kluber with his 269 strikeouts, a total not topped since the 1960s?

Cody Allen, who became the closer in the wake of the intriguingly scented smoke from Chris Perez's bullpen pyre?

Carlos Santana, who has the great name, and made 27 home runs erase some of the memories of a terrible start?

Yan Gomes? Manager Terry Francona said Gomes' throwing became such a deterrent after a bad start that he called only "three or four pitchouts" in an attempt to catch basestealers.

Nick Swisher was supposed to be that guy, bro.

Never worked out. Swisher is trying to come back from surgery on both knees. He's a designated hitter, maybe for the two years he has left on his contract, maybe not even that.

"It's our team, a collective group. You can't really say it's one player," said General Manager Chris Antonetti on Monday.

Nothing against the collective group, but a team, especially one with an attendance problem, needs a player fans can make the focus of their passion.

Doesn't have to be a nice guy.

I give you Albert Belle, ol' "Corky," biceps flexing and photographer strafing and trampling out the Vina where the grapes of his considerable wrath were stored. Albert went 50-50 in homers and doubles in a 144-game season. Belle could have done anything short of running down egg-throwing trick-or-treaters in his SUV, which he tried to do (unsuccessfully) and he still would have been the people's choice.

Doesn't have to be a fan of the local teams.

A Yankee cap atop the head of a rather illustrious current Cavaliers player at an Indians-Yankees 2007 divisional series game was quickly excused by most fans (and this writer) on the ground of freedom of choice.

Doesn't have to refrain from adjustment of his nether area while pointing the bat at the pitcher, as Rocky Colavito would do, at least with the bat part. Jim Thome got a statue of himself.

A team is a fine concept in all sports. The Cavs tried to sell the motto "hard-working team, hard-working town" in the late '90s. Didn't work. Fans wanted to go where amazing happens.

But in baseball -- even with runners on base affecting pitch selection, even with analytics-influenced defensive shifts affecting swings -- a batter still steps into the box to face the pitcher alone.

The game is more interdependent than such simplification implies, however, especially in an era of dominant pitching here and almost everywhere else in the big leagues.

The 2014 Indians' pitching staff led all of baseball in strikeouts, set a league record with four pitchers appearing in 70 or more games, and got more managerial manipulation than any team ever in the American League, as Terry Francona changed pitchers at a record clip in the land of the DH.

The problem is that these are metrics that measure the absence of runs, and the strangling of offense doesn't capture fans. Simon and Garfunkel wondered where Joe DiMaggio had gone, not Bullet Bob Feller.

The Indians have been last in baseball in attendance for the last two years. It's not all cold weather or the Dolans or ballpark pricing.

Give me the 1999 Indians, who scored 1,009 runs. The Indians' defensive star of that era, Omar Vizquel, was flashy. He still made almost every play, so the fundamentals were there.

Brantley, nicknamed "Dr. Smooth" by the irrepressible Dennis Manoloff, does everything well, even hitting with markedly more power now. He almost never wastes an at-bat. He works hard in the off-season.

But I remember Omar bare-handing a grounder in the 1995 World Series more.

Running the bases, pitching and (uh-oh, for the skillet-handed Indians) defense come into play in determining the "run environment" in today's game.

Great pitching is the purist's delight. A game that often drags on too long anyway, with all the pitching changes in the American League vying with National League skippers making double-switches for sheer excitement, does not need K parades and crooked numbers going on the endangered digits list.

"I'd rather win 3-1 than 8-7," said Francona, citing the wear and tear in bullpen arms.

We are doomed to the former in too much profusion unless the Tribe can sign a big bat.

One Indians DH, Swisher, is fighting the battle of wounded knees. The other out-and-out slugger, Jason Giambi, will be 44 in January and went on the DL three times this season.

Somewhere men are laughing, as the poem said, and somewhere children shout, but there is no joy in lots of towns, not just here. Because everybody strikes out.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke has come under fire for leaving an injured player in during Saturday's game against Minnesota. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said he leaves such decisions up to his medical staff.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michigan coach Brady Hoke is just that — a football coach.

He isn't a doctor. He doesn't make decisions about putting injured players back into the game.

Such decisions are left up to the medical staff.

That was the refrain during Hoke's Monday news conference when he was peppered with questions about the decision to leave quarterback Shane Morris in during the fourth quarter of Saturday's loss to Minnesota after Morris was noticeably injured.

Asked on Monday how he handles injured players during a game, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer offered a similar response.

Meyer doesn't handle it.

"We have people, we have an excellent training staff. (Head athletic trainer) Doug (Calland) and them, that's their job," Meyer said. "They do nothing else. I don't know if you see it, every series I have a conversation with my strength coach."

Hoke has come under fire for his decision to leave Morris in the game. Morris was first hit low, suffering a leg injury that left him hobbling for the next couple plays. Then he took a big hit that left him wobbling, at one point leaning on a teammate to stay upright.

He stayed in for one more play before being pulled, then was put back into the game for one snap after reserve quarterback Devin Gardner was forced to sit a play after losing his helmet on a scramble.

Morris was carted off the field after the game.

When asked Monday if Morris went through the proper concussion protocol, Hoke referred to a forthcoming statement from the Michigan medical staff that had yet to be released as of 7:30 p.m. Monday.

A Michigan spokesman tells me that there is currently no ETA on the release from U-M's medical staff re. Shane Morris.

— Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) September 29, 2014

"I'd never put a kid in that situation," Hoke told reporters Monday. "I never have, never will."

With all of the commotion that happens on a college football sideline, it's possible for a coach to not have a full grasp on what's going on with injured players when they come off the field.

That's why coaches like Meyer and Hoke rely on medical staff to keep them updated.

"(Calland) controls the sideline," Meyer said. "That's how we do it."

That's how most coaches do it, but Morris was clearly injured and stayed in the game.

It appears nobody was in control of the Michigan sideline.

After a horrid 2-3 start and a controversy with head coach Brady Hoke and whether he handled injured quarterback Shane Morris the right way in Michigan's 30-14 loss to Minnesota on Saturday, the Wolverines lost a verbal commit Monday evening.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Things just aren't going well at Michigan right now. And it's starting to impact the program on the recruiting trail. 

After a horrid 2-3 start and a controversy with head coach Brady Hoke in regards to whether he handled injured quarterback Shane Morris the right way in Michigan's 30-14 loss to Minnesota on Saturday, the Wolverines lost a verbal commit Monday evening. 

That player is four-star defensive end Darian Roseboro of Lincolnton, N.C., a 6-foot-4, 285-pound prospect who was once an Ohio State target.

RT @DarianRoseboro: I have officially decommitted from the university of Michigan

— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) September 30, 2014

Rated by 247Sports the No. 7 strongside defensive end in the 2015 class, Roseboro earned more than 30 scholarship offers before committing to Michigan, including ones from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, UCLA and others. 

Roseboro's decision came a day after four-star tight end and Michigan commit Chris Clark, another former Ohio State target, posted on his public Twitter account that a Hoke firing would "change everything" about his recruitment. 

Mike Miller tells NEOMG LeBron James was angered when Heat used amnesty provision on him.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – "We're as close as teammates than any I've had in my career. I've always wanted to play alongside of him.

When you go through tough times in an NBA season, you get to know each other even more beyond the game of basketball."

That was the comments made by Cavaliers' superstar LeBron James after Monday's practice when we asked about his relationship with teammate Mike Miller.

If you ask around the league, Miller gets along with any and everybody. No matter the race, religion, or political belief, the sharpshooter has a personable knack for making one feel comfortable around him.

Before they teamed up, James said he had always admired Miller from afar. When the two came together in Miami four years ago, they clicked from the onset. Miller said at times they were inseparable.

Miami putting together a super-team like no other rubbed folks the wrong way. It was a team structure most weren't willing to embrace. They went through it all. From the scrutiny, the sold-out hostile arenas and the 2011 NBA Finals debacle. It was a painful experience, but it would only draw them closer.

That growth materialized into back-to-back titles the following two seasons. They were the favorites going into the 2013-14 season, on a mission to be the first team to three-peat since the Los Angeles Lakers accomplished the feat in 2002.

The close-knit Miami group was ready to take on the challenge and then it happened. The Heat used their amnesty provision on Miller, releasing him from the team. It was a move that saved the organization approximately $17 million in luxury tax dollars.

The decision to waive Miller didn't sit well with James. It was one of the first times he began to question the Heat's brass.

Although Miller played in only 139 out of 246 games because of various injuries with the Heat in three seasons (he played in all 82 games last season for Memphis), his impact in the locker room always kept the team's morale in the proper state.

He was James' guy, and when you start to point to all the different reasons to why The King exited South Beach, the way, and timing, in which the Heat dumped Miller shouldn't be overlooked.

A three-peat quest without Miller didn't fare well. Not to say that Miller would have put them over the top of the San Antonio Spurs. However, his departure was definitely felt.

It was a departure James was highly against.

"LeBron thought it was an unnecessary change," Miller revealed to Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I'm not saying I would have been a difference-maker. San Antonio was unbelievable last year and there are a lot of things that go into a season, but it was difficult for LeBron.

"It was difficult for all of us. It was difficult for me. I had to uproot my family and move again. It was tough. I think he was disappointed because he understands legacies and he understands what he wants to do in life. That's what makes him special."

James was one of the first of his old teammates to reach out to Miller after he was amnestied. The two expressed their extreme frustration with the move. Miller found himself comforting James just as much as James tried comforting Miller.

A brotherhood was formed in Miami, and it seemed as if they were being torn apart forever.

"It was a tough pill to swallow for both of us," Miller said. "That team went through a lot. The same thing this team is hoping to go through. You're going to have ups and downs and you grow close. For me, I had a great relationship with LeBron and still have. It was extremely difficult.

"But it also meant a lot to me to see how much they cared, specifically LeBron and those guys, that I meant so much to them. Because at the end of the day, all you have are your teammates."

So when James made the decision to return to home, the first call he made for spot-up shooting assistance was to none other than his brother.

"He's hoping I'm a lucky charm for him," Miller said with a smile.

It has been a reunion of sorts in Cleveland with former Heat James Jones on the Cavaliers' squad, too. All is well. The business side of the NBA is the most complicated facet for players to deal with. James found that out the hard way.

Even though it's been over year since that fateful transaction occurred, Miller still wrestles with what could have been.

"It was difficult for me because we had a chance to do something special," said Miller. "This point in my career right now is about finding ways to do something special.

"It's not about getting out on the court, or playing or making shots. We had a chance to three-peat in Miami. That was difficult but I understand their move, the business side. I'm glad it's behind me. I'm happy where I'm at."

Shuba, who was white, congratulated his teammate on the Montreal Royals near home plate after Robinson hit a three-run homer on April 18, 1946,

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — George "Shotgun" Shuba, a member of the 1955 World Series champion Brooklyn Dodgers who was best known for offering a congratulatory handshake to minor league teammate Jackie Robinson, died Monday. He was 89.

The Los Angeles Dodgers said Shuba died at his home in Youngstown, Ohio. No cause of death was given.

Shuba, who was white, congratulated his teammate on the Montreal Royals near home plate after Robinson hit a three-run homer on April 18, 1946, off Jersey City Giants pitcher Warren Sandell. The moment shared by a smiling Robinson and Shuba was captured in a famous photograph and dubbed "A Handshake for the Century."

Shuba reportedly hung a copy in his living room.

Robinson went on to break major league baseball's color barrier when he started at first base for Brooklyn on April 15, 1947.

Shuba had a .259 career batting average with 24 homers and 125 RBIs in 355 games as a utility outfielder with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1948-55. The left-handed hitter was the first National League pinch hitter to homer in the World Series, connecting in Game 1 against the New York Yankees in 1953.

The Dodgers said Shuba earned his nickname after someone compared his line drives to the sound of buckshot. His career was featured in a chapter of Roger Kahn's book, "The Boys of Summer," a tribute to the 1950s Brooklyn Dodgers.

Shuba appeared at Dodger Stadium in 2005 when the club marked the 50th anniversary of its only championship in Brooklyn. He was joined by Carl Erskine, Roger Craig, Don Newcombe, Johnny Podres, Clem Labine, Sandy Koufax, Don Zimmer, Tom Lasorda and Duke Snider.

Born on Dec. 13, 1924, in Youngstown, Shuba was the youngest of 10 children whose parents were Czechoslovak immigrants.

He practiced his swing for hours with a rope tied to the ceiling, making knots in the rope where the strike zone would be. He swung a bat at the rope, helping to develop the powerful swing that later produced line drives in the major leagues.

Shuba is survived by his wife, Kathryn; a son, Michael; daughters Marlene and Marykay; and a sister, Helen.