The 1954 Indians were so focused on beating out the Yankees, the players seemed worn down by the time they played the World Series -- according to Al Rosen.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I sat with Al Lopez at the kitchen table. We stared out the window at his backyard -- and the Gulf of Mexico.

The year was 1995, and I went to visit Lopez at his modest ranch home in Tampa, Fla.

"We had Hall of Famers on that pitching staff, and we were swept in four games," said Lopez.

Former Tribe Manager Al Lopez, shown here in 1998. He died in 2005 at the age of 97. AP 

Forty-one years after it happened, the former Tribe manager couldn't believe it happened. Not to that team, the 1954 Indians.

Lopez died in 2005. That spring morning in 1995 was the only time I ever spent with the man whose Tribe team had a 111-43 record that season.

It remains the best record in history for a 154-game season. The 2001 Seattle Mariners now have the overall record (116-46 in 2001).

Lopez wore glasses that day, just as he did when he managed. He was a man who once caught Walter Johnson. He was a former big league catcher who had a few gnarled fingers, souvenirs of foul tips from 19 years in the big leagues.

Growing up in Tampa, Lopez sold Cuban bread from the back of a horse-drawn wagon. He later spent 17 years as manager.

Between 1949-64, the Yankees failed to win only two American League pennants. Both times, the teams were managed by Lopez (the 1954 Tribe, 1959 White Sox).

He had seen almost everything, and little surprised him.

But the 1954 World Series ... he could barely speak about it. There were a few shakes of the head.

Finally, he said, "We just picked the worst time to have a slump."

Lopez was a quiet man, a gentle man. Herb Score told me that Lopez was -- by far -- the best manager that he ever played for. He insisted Lopez was one of the best ever.

Lopez battled ulcers for much of managerial career. You can be sure that some of them came from the 1954 World Series -- and how the Indians were never able to return to the World Series.

I became fascinated with the 1954 season, especially the World Series. A few newspaper stories led to my writing a long chapter on it in my book, OUR TRIBE. Bill Madden just published a brilliant book called "1954," looking at why this was such an important year in baseball history.

The 1954 World Series was 60 years ago, but it's still hard to figure out what happened to the Tribe.

HATING THE YANKEES

Also in 1995, I met with former Tribe star Al Rosen in his home near Palm Springs, California. Rosen said to understand the 1954 Indians, you needed to know what it was like to try and beat the Yankees in the 1950s.

Consider the Tribe's records:

• 1950: 92-62.
• 1951: 93-61.
• 1952: 93-61.
• 1953: 92-62.

The Indians had excellent teams, but the Yankees were always better.

Every year ... the frustration mounted.

Every year ... missing the World Series.

Every year ... it was Wait 'Til Next Year.

Rosen's point was that Lopez drove the Tribe very hard in 1954. It was not to set a Major League record for victories. It was to make sure that they would not lose to the Yankees.

At the All-Star break, the Indians were 56-27 -- but the Yankees were only a half-game behind.

Remember, this was 1954. Baseball was two leagues -- 16 teams. No playoffs. No wild cards. No way to creep into the postseason. You started a six-month, 154-game marathon and only one winner in each league went to the World Series.

The Indians feared the Yankees. The Indians hated the Yankees. And down deep, they wondered if they would ever beat the Yankees in a tight pennant race.

A DIFFERENT GAME

Al Rosen in 2006. The former star third baseman still recalls how the Tribe feared the Yankees.Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer 

In 1953, Rosen was the American League Most Valuable Player, batting .336 (1.034 OPS) with 43 homers and 145 RBI. He played third base.

In the spring of 1954, the Indians unleashed a spring phenom named Rudy Regalado. Under the bright sunshine of Tucson, Regalado hit 11 homers and batted .447. He was a third baseman.

Lopez asked Rosen to move to first base.

Think about that. He wanted to move a star third baseman to first to make room for a rookie. Rosen didn't like it, but back then -- you did what the manager asked.

He moved to first -- and two bad things happened.

Leaving Arizona, Regalado forgot how to hit. He batted .250 with two homers and was sent back to the minors after 65 games.

Rosen was holding a runner on base at first when Jim Rivera hit a smash down the first base line.

"For a split second, I lost the ball because I was shielded by the runner," said Rosen.

The ball took a wicked hop, bounced over the glove on his left hand and struck his right index finger.

He played with a sore, swollen finger for a week before it was determined that he had suffered a fracture. He played all year with it.

Rosen said he'd broken his nose 13 times between bad-hop grounders and other incidents on the diamond.

"But I couldn't hold the bat right all year," he said. "I lost a lot of power."

Rosen moved back to third when Regalado was sent back to the minors. The Indians traded for Vic Wertz, who hit .275 with 14 homers and 48 RBI in 98 games for the Tribe. He took over at first base.

PITCHING AND MORE PITCHING

The 1954 Indians had a 2.78 ERA. They completed 77 starts -- exactly 50 percent of their games.

• Bob Lemon (23-7, 2.72 ERA).
• Early Wynn (23-11, 2.73 ERA).
• Mike Garcia (19-8, 2.64 ERA).
• Art Houttman (15-7, 3.35).
• Bob Feller (13-3, 3.09).

That's right, Feller was the fifth starter on the team. At the age of 35, Feller completed 9-of-19 starts.

How great was that staff? It's easier to name the starters NOT in the Hall of Fame: Garcia and Houtteman.

Lopez is credited with creating a right/lefty combination in the bullpen. Ray Narleski and lefty Don Mossi combined for 20 saves.

That's why Lopez can't understand how his team could have been swept by the Giants.

Here is the great catch made by Willie Mays against the Tribe in the 1954 World Series. AP 

WHAT HAPPENED

On the surface, the Giants were hot -- the Indians were not.

Willie Mays made that great back-to-plate catch deep in center field in Game 1. There were two runners on base in a 2-2 game. Estimates were that Mays was at least 440 feet from home plate when the ball settled into his glove.

Feller once told me, "They say that was the best catch in baseball history. It was a great catch, but I saw Willie make even better ones in spring training."

Rosen was on first base when Wertz connected. He feared Mays would catch it.

"Back then, he caught almost everything," said Rosen.

The Indians lost that game, 5-2. Dusty Rhodes hit a pinch hit homer ... 261 feet.

That's right, a 261-foot homer to right field. The Polo Grounds was an insane place. Center field was bigger than the Grand Canyon, right field 260 feet away.

"A wind-blown pop up," Lopez recalled.

You can look up all the other bad stuff. Rhodes was 4-of-6 with two homers and seven RBI in the four games.

"Dusty Rhodes' time on earth," is how Rosen remembered it.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED

"It was a letdown, pure and simple," Rosen told me back in 1995.

He meant the team was physically worn down.

Rosen's finger was still a mess. He also was limping on a bad leg.

Larry Doby hit 32 homers with 126 RBI that season.

"Both of us had bad hamstrings," said Rosen. "Larry's leg was raw from all the tape they kept putting on and taking off."

Doby had a bruised shoulder. Bobby Avila won the batting title (.341), but the second baseman was 2-of-15 in the World Series.

The Tribe scored only nine runs in four games, batting .190 as a team. Doby and Rosen were a combined 5-of-28, all singles.

The pitchers weren't quite as sharp. Was it due to all the innings and complete games? Who knows?

When the Tribe finally clinched the pennant, there was a parade downtown with more than 250,000 fans lining the street to see the players roll by in convertibles.

The Yankees won 103 games, finishing eight games behind the Indians. But the Tribe never really felt safe.

"In many ways, beating out the Yankees was like winning the World Series to us because we had been a bridesmaid for so long," said Rosen.

The 1954 New York Giants were 97-57, so they were an excellent team. But the Indians were better -- only not in October.

Berry was offered as an athlete by Ohio State.

Berry was offered as an athlete by Ohio State.

See all the Week 9 football matchups involving Northeast Ohio Conference teams.

See all the Week 9 football matchups involving Northeast Ohio Conference teams.

A look at midweek headlines from around college football.

Two of last week's top five teams fell over the weekend, making room for a pair of one-loss teams from Alabama in an increasingly crowded playoff race.

Here are those stories and other midweek headlines from around college football:

First down: Playoff race congested

With nearly half a season left to play, forecasting the playoff field involves the possible selection of at least a dozen teams and maybe more depending on the chaos that ensues. However, as tricky as it would be to pick the four best teams today, a member of the College Football Playoff selection committee said Tuesday he believes the top four teams will make themselves known in the coming weeks: (via ESPN.com)

"At the end of the day, I think it will become more and more clear who the top teams are," [Lt. Gen. Mike] Gould said. ... "We'll have to work this hard for the next seven weeks, and I think it will take shape where we'll be able to narrow it down and probably be no huge surprises. We just have to wait and see."

LSU head coach Les Miles waves to fans as he comes off the field after defeating Florida 30-27 in an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. LSU won the game 30-27. (AP Photo/John Raoux)John Raoux 

It's a near certainty that the playoff picture will get more clouded before it clears up, with a handful of teams in particular with either a very outside chance of making the playoffs or a decent chance of ruining another team's shot. Yahoo! Sports' Pat Forde tabs LSU, Oregon State and West Virginia as teams with further chaos in mind.

This week, four of the top five teams in the Associated Press Top 25 poll are from the SEC West. Top teams from other conferences are now accusing the AP voters of having a bias toward the SEC that they believe will lead to an unfair advantage for the conference in the selection process for the first playoff.

Part of the perceived bias is due to the SEC's mutually beneficial relationship with ESPN, which has Nebraska coach Bo Pelini wondering how the dominating television coverage might benefit SEC teams over more deserving teams from other conferences: (via The Associated Press)

"You want to be as neutral as you can. I'm sure they say that they are. We're all human. Being a member of a different conference than that, would that worry me if it came down to two teams and a decision? Yeah, it would worry me a little bit."

Second down: Drama overshadowing football in Florida

Florida State hasn't lost a game in nearly 700 days but the headlines about the Seminoles are more focused on Heisman-winning quarterback Jameis Winston's legal and maturity issues. Coach Jimbo Fisher has faced criticism for how he and Florida State handled Winston's off-field discretions, and Monday Fisher balked at questions from AL.com about how it has affected the coach's public perception:

"Why is my reputation taking a hit? For backing a kid who has done nothing wrong?" Fisher said. "I don't want to get into this. The questions weren't supposed to be asked today. I'm done. I'm done."

Soon after ending the interview, Fisher contacted AL.com to answer the questions he previously declined and again stood behind Winston. The incident was just another in a string of happenings that bring serious doubts about Fisher's motivations, according to USAToday.com's Nancy Armour, who thinks Fisher has gone too far in defending his quarterback.

In Gainesville, the Gators are dealing with an entirely different host of issues stemming from three-plus seasons of mediocrity under coach Will Muschamp. Muschamp's job security is very much in question, but athletic director Jeremy Foley said Florida will evaluate Muschamp's status as the rest of the season plays out. (via ESPN.com)

At this point, Gators fans must be dreaming of the success they experienced during Tim Tebow's tenure at Florida. Now an analyst for the SEC Network, Tebow identified with Florida fans and offered his two cents: (via Sports Illustrated)

"I don't think that the offense has an identity right now, and I don't think that they know what they want their identity to be," Tebow said. "One of the biggest problems on the offense is leadership. You need to have something to motivate you, something to give you an edge ... they're not out of the SEC East."

Third down: Spartans up, Wolverines down

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook (18) throws against Indiana's Bobby Richardson (95) during the first half of a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014 in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Sam Riche)SAM RICHE 

This weekend's matchup between No. 8 Michigan State and four-loss Michigan isn't going to be what it could have been or what it has been in the past. The Wolverines are in the midst of a nightmarish season that has coaches and members of the administration on the hot seat.

The Spartans have dominated the rivalry of late, winning five of the last seven meetings under coach Mike Dantonio, but that doesn't mean the game means any less for either side, writes MLive.com's Mike Griffith:

"It was when I got here (as an assistant coach to Nick Saban) and it was 1995, and that's when I first had a taste of it, and it was embraced at that time because of the past,'' Dantonio said. "I've said all along I didn't make these rules, I'm just playing by them.

"It gets in your blood a little bit. There's no difference in this game than the South Carolina-Clemson game when I was in college (playing for the Gamecocks). It divides the state, and it makes it unique in that respect.''

Michigan State will take the field Saturday playing to keep up in the Big Ten and in the playoff discussion, but the motivation on the other sideline couldn't be more different.

If the Wolverines are to have a chance to upset Michigan State, they'll need to play angry, writes MLive.com's Nick Baumgardner -- something the Spartans have used to take over the rivalry and win their way to national prominence:

Michigan has to have a serious edge to it in this game. It's been a national punch line all year. MSU has embarrassed this program recently, winning five of six and doing so in dominant fashion a few times. At some point, personal pride has to take over and you have to go with the "enough's enough" approach. Play angry, play with an edge. For Michigan, this is the season. 

Fourth down: Autographs to remain pro bono

Georgia running back Todd Gurley, a Heisman contender and vital cog in the Bulldogs' offense, was suspended Oct. 9 amid an investigation into whether he accepted payment for signing memorabilia. Since then, similar allegations have surfaced involving Jameis Winston, who has so far avoided suspension.

Star Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon said he doesn't agree with the current NCAA rules that make it a violation for any collegiate athlete to profit from their own likeness: (via ESPNWisconsin.com)

"It's crazy that they're making money," said Gordon, who went to a similar auction website just to see what was out there with his name on it. "It's crazy. You think, like, man what if I got some money off that. I should get something, but it just doesn't work out like that right now."

But at least for now, the rule will remain unchanged, according to NCAA president Mark Emmert: (via AL.com)

"There's not anyone talking about change in that rule right now," Emmert said. ... "All of those things will be debated by all of the conferences and the member presidents going forward."

Akron quarterback Kyle Pohl is back in action for the Zips, but head coach Terry Bowden says backup Tommy Woodson could start for a second straight game.

AKRON, Ohio -- The good news for the Akron Zips is that quarterback Kyle Pohl is back, 100 percent good-to-go on the football field. The question is, will he return as the No. 1 trigger-man when Akron (4-3, 2-1) travels to play at Ball State (2-5, 1-2) on Saturday in Muncie, Indiana?

Head coach Terry Bowden left that an open debate at his weekly media briefing on Tuesday, listing both Pohl and Tommy Woodson as No. 1 on the depth chart. Bowden also said no final decision would be made on a starter until the end of the week, although both quarterbacks would likely play.

"He played very much like a redshirt freshman,'' Bowden said of Woodson's performance in his first start, a 23-20 loss at Ohio University on Saturday. "And there were so many things he did well."

Woodson finished the game 23-of-45 passing for 268 yards with 2 TD and 2 interceptions. He was victimized on his last two possessions by a fumble after a pass reception that was recovered by the Bobcats, then an interception that locked up the OU victory.

That game snapped an 18-game streak with Pohl as the Zips starter. He suffered a first-half head injury against Miami, and was held out of action until this week.

Following a recent practice, where Pohl participated full-go in full gear, the 6-3, 215-pound junior QB said he was now ready for a return to action.

"I feel great,'' he said. "I have felt good since the middle of last week. Just wanted to go through all the precautions. I am ready to go."

For the season Pohl has passed for 1,289 yards and 7 touchdowns. Overall he has a 9-9 record as a starter, including 8-3 in his last 11 straight starts.

"It was a weird feeling after 18 starts,'' Pohl said of watching the Zips setback from the sidelines. "It was tough to watch and not be able to do something.

"I'm ready to go, cleared, and knocking the rust off from last week, getting back into it. I feel good."

You won't shoot your eye out -- but you may be a bit sore if you partake in the latest "A Christmas Story" event in Cleveland. A Christmas Story House will hold their second annual A Christmas Story 5K/10K Run on Saturday, December 6, at 9 a.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - You won't shoot your eye out – but you may be a bit sore if you partake in the latest "A Christmas Story" event in Cleveland.

A Christmas Story House will hold the second annual A Christmas Story 5K/10K Run on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 9 a.m.

The race is open to both runners and walkers – and skippers and joggers. Participants are invited to dress as their favorite movie characters as they visit locations from "A Christmas Story" along the route. Last year, there were more than a few running Ralphies in pink bunny jammies.

The inaugural A Christmas Story Run attracted 7,000 people. This year, organizers are expecting that number to be much higher. The route begins at Public Square.

Register at www.AChristmasStoryRun.com through Nov. 1. Registration is $55 and includes admission to the museum and "delicious hot rich Ovaltine" at the finish line. For those who cannot attend the race in Cleveland, there is a virtual race option in which participants can still run the race from anywhere in the world. Runners for both the Cleveland race and the virtual race are encouraged to send photos of their run for www.AChristmasStoryRun.com.

A Christmas Story Run is the largest benefactor for A Christmas Story House Foundation Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps to restore and maintain the Tremont neighborhood surrounding A Christmas Story House & Museum in Cleveland. 100 percent of the proceeds from the race go to the foundation.

The day after flipping four-star linebacker Jerome Baker of Benedictine from Florida, Ohio State earned a verbal commitment from three-star defensive end Rashod Berry of Lorain, Ohio, according to the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Another day, another commitment from a Northeast Ohio prospect for Urban Meyer and Ohio State. 

The day after flipping four-star linebacker Jerome Baker of Benedictine from Florida, Ohio State earned a verbal commitment from three-star defensive end Rashod Berry of Lorain, Ohio, according to the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. 

Rated by 247Sports the No. 36 weakside defensive end in the 2015 recruiting class, Berry just picked up offers from Ohio State and Michigan State on Tuesday night before making a quick commitment to the Buckeyes. 

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound prospect also had scholarship offers from Illinois, Minnesota Syracuse and was drawing interest from Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin. 

With the additions of Berry and Baker, the Buckeyes' 2015 class is up to 19 and six of them are from Northeast Ohio. The others are defensive back Denzel Ward of Macedonia; wide receiverAlex Stump of St. Edward; defensive end Dre'mont Jones of St. Ignatius; and athlete Eric Glover-Williams of Canton McKinley. 

Join the Forward Progress crew featuring insight from Nathaniel Cline, Stephanie Kuzydym and Robert Rozboril every Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Join the Forward Progress crew featuring insight from Nathaniel Cline, Stephanie Kuzydym and Robert Rozboril every Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Brian Hoyer, no matter what he does on the field, will struggle to escape the shadow of Johnny Manziel, writes one New York Times reporter.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- No matter how Brian Hoyer plays this season -- whether it's a 200-yard, game-winning drive performance like he had against New Orleans or a stinker like the one he had against Jacksonville -- Johnny Manziel will always be a topic as long as he's on the roster. 

The New York Times featured the dynamic between Hoyer and Manziel in an article last week written by William C. Rhoden:

"Still, Manziel has been a shadow and an ever-present cloud overhead everywhere Hoyer goes. He sees the traces of Manziel around the city: Johnny Football shirts and caps; Manziel jerseys. Manziel's presence is everywhere except in the starting lineup. No doubt, some would like to see him there, too."

Rhoden tells a story about St. Ignatius high school receiving a call from a local TV station about holding a "Throw like Johnny" contest at halftime of a game. You can imagine how that was received. 

And, although it was written prior to the Jacksonville game, the last paragraph is as timely as ever:

"For all the good feelings around his early season success, Hoyer knows that he is one bad half, one bad game, one bad loss from hearing calls for the next Johnny-come-lately."

(New York Times: A Hometown Hero in a Cleveland Shadow)

More Browns links

What Did the Browns Lose Sunday? One Game. (WaitingForNextYear)

Cleveland Browns Face Make-or-Break Games in Next 2 Weeks (Bleacher Report)

The Film Don't Lie: Browns (ESPN.com)

Browns are members of unwanted club (CantonRep.com)

More NFL links

2015 NFL Mock Draft: Oregon's Marcus Mariota lands with Bucs (CBSsports.com)

Ranking the NFL's backup quarterback situations 1-32 (USA Today)

The Microsoft Engine That Nailed The World Cup Is Predicting Every NFL Game — Here Are Its Picks For Week 8 (Business Insider)

Berry also received offers from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State and Minnesota.

Berry also received offers from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State and Minnesota.

Get live updates for coach and player availability today from Berea.

BEREA, Ohio -- Get live updates from Berea today as our Browns beat reporters, Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed, will be there for Mike Pettine's pre-practice press conference. They'll also be in the locker room after practice for player availability.

Scroll down to the comments of this post to read their tweets and see what's being said. Quarterback Brian Hoyer is also scheduled to speak today.

Wide receiver Paul Warfield began his Hall of Fame career as a rookie with the Browns in 1964.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Back when there were no 24-hour sports television networks, the 1964 NFL Draft took place at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Chicago and Ohio State senior Paul Warfield sat in his dormitory room focused on limited radio updates.

The Dallas Cowboys were on the clock with the No. 4 selection, and Warfield anticipated the announcement of his name.

"The Dallas Cowboys had shown an extraordinary amount of interest in me," Warfield said. "Gil Brandt [vice president of player personnel] visited me on several occasions and basically assured me that the Cowboys would select me."

Despite Brandt's promises, the Cowboys went in another direction with the selection of Texas defensive lineman Scott Appleton. And Warfield remained on the outside six picks later.

"I waited and waited to hear my name," Warfield said. "Hours later, I get a call from Art Modell. I'm completely shocked and surprised. One minute I'm low, but now I'm elated because the best thing I could've heard happened when Modell said the Cleveland Browns were going to draft me."

In Part 7 of this 17-part weekly series, The Plain Dealer continues to profile the men who played during the 1964 NFL Championship season. Last week's feature was on Baltimore Colts running back Tom Matte, a Cleveland native, who shared the Colts perspective on the game. Today is a look at Warfield, who kept his eye on the Browns from his hometown of Warren and from Columbus as a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Warfield was the No. 11 selection of the 1964 NFL Draft (that took place on Dec. 1, 1963). He was prepared to join a team he adored as a youth. Warfield often made bus trips from Warren to Cleveland Municipal Stadium to watch the Browns and the Indians.

"I knew the history of both organizations," said Warfield, who rattled off the name of stars for the Tribe and Browns. "So joining the Browns was the best that could've happened to me."

Years later, Warfield would be involved in one of the most controversial trades in Browns' history. Following the 1969 season, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins, where he would join with new coach Don Shula, the Grand River, Ohio native and former Browns defensive back who coached the Colts in 1964, and win two Super Bowls. After one abbreviated season in the upstart World Football League, he returned to the Browns in 1976 and finished his career in 1977.

But before Warfield transformed into one of the best wide receivers of all time, the Browns briefly considered placing him in the defensive backfield shortly after the NFL Draft. Warfield was a two-way player at OSU as a running back and defensive back.

The decision came down to a minicamp for the draftees that took place at Lakewood High School. Players were split to either the offense or defense. Warfield spent time at wideout and cornerback. Coach Blanton Collier made his decision, but it was not shared with Warfield until later that summer at training camp at Hiram College. That is where the staff not only revealed to Warfield his position, but he was also told he would receive instruction from the recently retired wide receiver Ray Renfro.

"That was music to my ears because I didn't relish the thought of tackling 200-pound running backs," Warfield said. "And I was happy about the opportunity to work directly with Ray Renfro. It was absolutely the best thing for me because I had little or no knowledge about execution in the art of pass pattern running. I could catch a ball, and I could run, but I didn't know the intricacies or the techniques of all the things a pass receiver needed to know."

Renfro's lessons not only sped up Warfield's learning process, it also gave him a jump on other rookies who did not have the daily one-on-one tutoring offered by Renfro. Time spent with Renfro remained with Warfield throughout his eventual Hall of Fame career.

"The fundamentals he taught me made me an all-star player in that first year, and made me the player that I became throughout my career," Warfield said. "I was more advanced from the shoulders up more so than first-year players."

Moments with Renfro developed Warfield into a Pro Bowl receiver his rookie season in 1964. His 52 receptions ended up as his best season for catches in his career. He also had 920 yards and nine touchdowns that season.

Warfield and veteran wide receiver Gary Collins were an incredible one-two punch for quarterback Frank Ryan. The offense was also bolstered with the great Jim Brown, and the Browns needed them all in a key game against the New York Giants.

The Browns had to win for a chance to advance to the NFL Championship. They were in first place in the Eastern Conference, just ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals, who were 8-3-2 and favorite to win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Baltimore Colts (12-2) had already clinched the Western title, and were waiting.

"Before the Steelers, the Giants were the Browns rival, and although they were out of it, they would not have loved anything better than to knock us off," Warfield said.

That was a strong possibility since the Browns had last won the East seven years prior. The Giants had won the conference in five of the previous six seasons, including the last three.

None of that mattered as the Browns trounced the Giants, 52-20, in Yankee Stadium. Ryan was 12 of 13 for 202 yards. He threw two TD passes to Ernie Green, one to Collins and one to Warfield. Warfield's five catches were for 103 yards, his third 100-plus game of the year.

The victory advanced the Browns to the NFL Championship against the Colts. In just a year, Warfield found himself in the ultimate game after so much uncertainty when it came to the draft and his pro position. And here he was in a championship game with many players he once admired in his youth.

"I'm on the same field with Johnny Unitas," Warfield said. "I'm on the same field with Lenny Moore, Jim Parker, Raymond Berry and Gino Marchetti. I had to compose myself to think what I was doing."

All of Warfield's goals and dreams of his past met head-on in that title game. And the Colts complimented Warfield with double coverage for the entire game. He caught one pass for 13 yards in the 27-0 victory.

"I remember as a youngster watching games at Cleveland Stadium musing to myself how I'd love to be down there [playing] one day," Warfield said. "It all happened. I have a ring that says 1964 Championship and I cherish it to this day."

 

THE PAUL WARFIELD FILE

Name: Paul Warfield
Position: Wide receiver
College: Ohio State
Cleveland Browns career: 1964-69, 1976-77.
1964 season: Caught 52 passes for 920 yards and 9 touchdowns.
1964 Championship: One pass reception for 13 yards.
Resides: Rancho Mirage, Calif.  
Occupation: Retired NFL executive.
 
• Read original Plain Dealer story from Week 7 of the '64 season.

• Previous profiles in this series: Ernie Green; Ross Fichtner; Jim Ninowski, Walter Beach, Mike Lucci and Colts RB Tom Matte.

Political spending by Major League Baseball, through the commissioner's PAC, has grown dramatically since 2008.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Nationals washed out in the playoffs, so you won't see video showing D.C. lobbyists and congressmen in the stands as the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants go at it in the World Series. Yet the regular season's end did not halt the matchup of baseball and politics.

Consider these nine highlights on political spending and fundraising by the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball PAC, as well as Ohio's Indians and Reds. The Northeast Ohio Media Group got the data from the Federal Election Commission, the Center for Responsive Politics, the Sunlight Foundation, Political Money Line and lobbying records filed with the U.S. Senate.

1. The Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office PAC has spent more on politics so far this year than in any other year, at $615,250. Even in 2012, a presidential-election year, Major League Baseball spent slightly less. Its spending has grown dramatically since 2008, when the commissioner's PAC – the official political action committee for baseball's owners – spent a relatively modest $360,000.

2. Here is why Major League Baseball cares about politics: It has a stake in heavily regulated broadcast and cable matters, copyright and trademark issues, taxes, alcohol and drug-abuse education and emergency and disaster planning.  From 1989 through June 2014, the commissioner's office spent more than $3.2 million on lobbying.

3. All this lobbying is good for a Cleveland-based law firm, Baker & Hostetler. The firm is registered as the commissioner's office's lobbyist, although most of the political work takes place through Baker's Washington office. Baker & Hostetler billed baseball $260,000 in the first half of 2014.

4. So far this year, the baseball PAC has given $102,375 to House of Representatives Republicans and $68,000 to House Democrats.  Does baseball prefer Republicans to Democrats? Maybe this year, yes, but consider that Republicans control the House. Also:

5. Democrats control the Senate. The commissioner's PAC has donated $85,500 to Democrats in that chamber and $63,500 to Senate Republicans. Add these up and you'll see that the totals still favor Republicans – just slightly.  Still, all 435 House districts in the country have an election this November, compared with 36 of the 100 Senate seats. That means far more House members are hitting up baseball for cash. You can slice this other ways, but it helps to remember that baseball pays attention to whichever party has power. In 2010, when Democrats still controlled the House, the commissioner's PAC gave overwhelmingly to Democratic candidates. (That doesn't mean the PAC can pick winners. House Democrats got crushed and lost their reins that year.)

6. Sen. Ed Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, got the most money from the baseball PAC this cycle: $17,000. Markey, a former House member, had to run in a special 2013 election to hold the seat (formerly held by John Kerry, who became secretary of state) through this year, then file for the 2014 election. Next up are Sen. John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, with $10,000; Sen. Dick Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, with $9,000; Sen. Mark Udall, Democrat of Colorado, with $7,500, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, with $6,500.

7. Baseball played it straight when giving money to the political parties. It gave $30,000 each to the Democrat and Republican party committees working to win or keep majorities in the House as well as the Senate.

8. The commissioner's PAC gets its money from team owners, executives and spouses. The Reds gave more this cycle than the Indians. Reds owner Bob Castellini, his wife Susan, and vice president Michael Stiles gave a combined $30,000, versus the $15,500 total from Indians owner Paul Dolan and his wife, Karen.

9. In separate, personal donations, Larry Dolan gave $2,600 to Dan Sullivan, the former Clevelander running for U.S. Senate as a Republican in Alaska, and $2,000 to Sen. Sherrod Brown, the Ohio Democrat. Sullivan is in a race that could tip control of the Senate to Republicans. Brown is not up for reelection this year but is campaigning to keep the Senate under Democratic leadership.

Here are five things to look forward in the Cavaliers preseason finale against the Grizzlies.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- Although LeBron James is sitting this one out against the Memphis Grizzlies to insure he's goes in the regular season healthy, some Cavaliers desperately need this final preseason game to finish off strong.

To cap off the 2014 preseason schedule, here are my five things to look for in Memphis.

1. Can Miller break his preseason funk against his old team?

Mike Miller is better than this. The sharpshooter is shooting 26 percent from the field and is two-of-13 from three-point range. There's no reason to be too concerned since he is a career 40 percent shooter from behind the arc. He'll eventually find his stroke and finding it against his former team would be a nice way to head into his 14^th NBA campaign.

2. Marion not finishing

Nine-for-26 isn't terrible, but if it's Shawn Marion's field goal line, then it's a problem. Marion's game is predicated on finishing around the basket. Being that he has only shot two threes this preseason, he's simply not converting consistently in the painted area. Look for him to be aggressive tonight in a starting role in place of LeBron James.

3. Memphis' bulk

After tonight's game, Cleveland will have played arguably the three ruggedness teams this preseason in Indiana, Chicago and Memphis. These types of games will challenge their interior toughness. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol love laying a pounding and it's that style of play that Cleveland will have to adapt to on the fly, especially when postseason play arrives. This is a nice final preseason test for Cleveland.

4. An eight-man rotation?

Monday against the Bulls was the first time David Blatt distributed minutes as if it were a regular season game. With the exception of Mike Miller's eight minutes logged, Blatt really only played eight guys. He's still figuring out what he has on this roster but is a rotation of eight going to be enough to get it done in the long haul? Things will most definitely change throughout the course of the season but it's interesting to see whom he has confidence in right now.

5. What has happened to James Jones?

He was a target in the offseason and ever since playing in the team's first three preseason games, he hasn't sniffed the court since. He doesn't appear to be injured because he has been practicing everyday. Jones is a guy that will play for stretches and sit for stretches, that's been the trend with him over the last few seasons. However, sitting a huge stretch during exhibition play is a bit puzzling.

Probable Starters

Memphis Grizzlies (2-4)

F Zach Randolph

F Tony Allen

C Marc Gasol

G Courtney Lee

G Mike Conley

Cleveland Cavaliers (5-1)

F Kevin Love

F Shawn Marion

C Tristan Thompson

G Dion Waiters

G Kyrie Irving

Check out all the latest news in the Southwestern Conference.

Check out all the latest news in the Southwestern Conference.

Join the discussion and share what your thoughts on what the key to victory will be for Hudson and Mentor.

Join the discussion and share what your thoughts on what the key to victory will be for Hudson and Mentor.

Cleveland State University will be able to create an all-season tennis facility with the addition of a dome funded by a $1.4 million gift from Medical Mutual of Ohio.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State University will install a dome to create an all-season tennis facility with a $1.4 million gift from Medical Mutual of Ohio.

The gift will allow the university to cover its six tennis courts on East 21st Street with a seasonal dome and install mechanical systems to provide heat, air and insulation for year-round play. It will be similar to the dome that covers the university's soccer field.

In recognition of the contribution, the new facility will be named the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion. CSU said it will be the only school in the Horizon League to have an on-campus, indoor tennis facility for its men's and women's teams.

Currently the teams practice and compete indoors at the Paramount Tennis Club in Westlake, according to the athletic website. 

"With Medical Mutual we have a partner in promoting the health of our university and community. This generous gift will allow us to provide another avenue for wellness while adding an amenity to downtown Cleveland," CSU President Ronald Berkman said in a press release. 

The upgraded tennis courts will be the only indoor facility of its kind in downtown Cleveland. The university will explore rentals and other programming for community members.

Medical Mutual is the largest health insurer headquartered in Ohio and has partnered with CSU to support internship and scholarship programs.

"Our company promotes the vital link between physical activity and the lifelong maintenance of good health, and we recognize Cleveland State's shared commitment to this through its strong intercollegiate athletics and campus-wide wellness programs," Rick Chiricosta, Medical Mutual chairman, president and CEO, said in the release.

"I left on my own terms, that's the good thing about it ... I thought it was time to move on," Johnson said. "Coach Franklin brought his staff in. I didn't want to be the guy to be held over again. I felt the best thing for me was to move on." Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Maybe Larry Johnson felt like it was his time to be the head coach at Penn State, or maybe he was tired of the turnover. 

What isn't a maybe is that Johnson knew he wasn't going to make it to year 19 with the Nittany Lions once James Franklin was hired. 

"I left on my own terms, that's the good thing about it ... I thought it was time to move on," Johnson said. "Coach Franklin brought his staff in. I didn't want to be the guy to be held over again. I felt the best thing for me was to move on."

That Johnson felt that way couldn't have worked out better for Ohio State. Johnson is practically the perfect gift that fell out of the sky for Urban Meyer when he was forced to replace former defensive line coach Mike Vrabel, who left the program to pursue a career as an assitant in the NFL with the Houston Texans. 

Johnson had everything. A long history of developing talent on the defensive line, sure, but he was best known as a fierce recruiter. And he did it in the areas that Ohio State was looking to gain ground – Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia. 

"I think when you've got a guy like Larry who is so well-respected nationally and also in this community, there were a lot of reasons why it would have been great to keep him here," Franklin said. "But I also knew Larry felt like it was time for him to move on, and I'm glad that things are going so well for him."

Franklin doesn't want things to go too well for Johnson. Though Johnson was an integral part of the Nittany Lions success for much of the past two decades, he's now the enemy – both on the field Saturday when the Buckeyes play at Penn State, but also off the field in the recruiting game. 

Johnson is prepared to go back to the place he spent so much time, but it'll be different. For one, he'll be hosted in the infamous Penn State visitors locker room that is known for being small and less than comfortable. 

"I've heard about it," Johnson said of the locker room. "It's very small." 

What won't be small is the crowd, as Penn State is expecting nearly 110,000 rowdy fans dressed in white for what will be the harshest atmosphere in front of which the Buckeyes will play all year. 

Johnson, who served as interim head coach after Bill O'Brien left Penn State for the Houston Texans in January, is well respected in State College. But Penn State fans won't be happy to see him. 

"You've got all the fans there, shaking the fence, doing what they do, and the guys are all hyped up, ready to go," Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry said. "So it will be interesting to see him in that arena."

How will Johnson be treated? 

"Probably like one of us now," Perry said. 

View full sizeOhio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson is making his first return trip to Penn State after spending nearly 20 years as a Nittany Lions assistant. Jay LaPrete 

Johnson is ready for that. 

"It will be different," he said. "You spend 18 years at one place, a long time, then you walk back in there, different sideline. But I'm looking forward to going back. I'm looking forward to going back with Ohio State University." 

More Johnson tidbits: 

On how he's different from Vrabel: "I think we both do it different. I think we're both technicians. I think we're fundamentally sound in our coaching philosophy, what we believe in. 

"There's different ways to deliver a message to a player. Mine might be a little different. I am a developer. I like to be closer to a player, develop a relationship. I tell the guys all the time, I don't want to coach you, I want to invest in in you. If I invest in you, at the end of the day when you get married and have your first kid, you'll call me and say, Coach Johnson, I just had my first kid. That is an investment.  When you invest in them, they'll do anything in the world for them.  That's my march, try to make sure the players understand I trust them, believe in them, but I am also going to invest in them."

How recruiting Maryland, D.C. and Virginia for Ohio State is going: "It's going pretty good. Actually, Maryland, Virginia, D.C., the guys that know me know me.  I'm just walking in with a different color on. I think they know the value I bring to the table and what I'm looking for recruiting-wise. 

"Ohio State speaks for itself education-wise and the program. I'm not selling anything different, just selling something I really believe in. I believe this is a great institution." 

Has it been hard? "Well, it's kind of exciting.  Ohio State has gone into Maryland a lot.  Not a lot of Virginia, Maryland players on the roster.  Now going in with Ohio State, it really helped because there's a lot of interest in us right now. 

Going to drop by your old house? "No, I'm not.  We sold it.  Got very lucky and sold it, about three weeks into the process. I won't stop by. I'm going to be in the hotel planning for the game. I won't see anything, to be honest with you." 

See the Top 25 football helmets then vote for which local high school dons the best lid. Hurry, voting to determine which 10 helmets move to the third round ends in a week.

See the Top 25 football helmets then vote for which local high school dons the best lid. Hurry, voting to determine which 10 helmets move to the third round ends in a week.

The Cavaliers have already played some beautiful basketball, and it's only the preseason.

LeBron James can help Kevin Love find his best role in the offense.Chuck Crow / The Plain Dealer 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I doubt I ever had so much fun watching the Cleveland Cavaliers play exhibition games.

That's because these sneak previews of the upcoming season give you reason to dream.

And I'm not just talking about an NBA title, although that's the goal of the team this season.

It's a chance to see some terrific basketball -- to watch the ball move from player to player, and the ball actually go through the rim.

LeBron James changed everything for the franchise by returning, but he is no longer The Everything about the franchise.

Casually checking out the Cavs 96-92 loss to Memphis on television Wednesday night created some very nice moments.

Coach David Blatt rested James, so this wasn't even close to the Cavs in regular-season form. The fourth quarter was played by guys who are fighting for the final spots on the roster.

Kyrie Irving is playing the best basketball of his young career. He threw in 16 points in Memphis, reminding us how he can drive to the rim almost at will -- and score with either hand.

Irving played in only three of the six preseason games because he had an ankle problem early in camp. But in those three games, he averaged 22.3 points in 31 minutes. He shot .535 from the field, .429 on 3-pointers and blended well with James.

Defensively, he still has some significant limitations. But as a point guard with the ball, he is a force -- a true star.

Yes, he's starting his fourth NBA season ... yet he's only 22.

The best really is yet to come.

LOVING THE GAME

You can see there are moments when Kevin Love isn't quite sure what he's supposed to do. And there are times when he forces up some off-balanced 3-pointers.

But through it all, Love rebounds. He's grabbing 7.8 boards in 24 minutes. He's also averaging 14.4 points, shooting .489 from the field (.455 on 3-pointers).

Some nights he scores big, others he does not. But his rebounding and superb passing are constants.

There were a few games when James played, and Love spent more time in the low post. He made hook shots with either hand. He passed to cutting teammates.

The 6-foot-10 Love also is athletic enough to catch and pass on the run, take a few dribbles and score when cutting to the basket in the half-court offense. Few men his size can do that.

In Memphis, the Cavs ran a sideline in-bounds play that highlighted Love.

The Minnesota import came from the far left-side of the court and curled around a pick near the foul line. He caught a perfect inbounds pass from Shawn Marion. Love then took one big dribble and made a layup in traffic.

It was a terrific play designed by Coach David Blatt, and pulled off by two veteran forwards.

Love averaged nearly 20 shots a game and 26 points last season for Minnesota. Those numbers will go down with the Cavs because the talent around him has gone way up.

Love scored 27 points in an early preseason game against Miami when James was feeding him the ball in great spots on the court for Love to score. You can see how some nights, that will be the story.

James will turn the stats sheet over to Love and Irving, letting them pile up the points. He will be in control with his passing and also his demanding that players move without the ball.

HOW DOES DION FIT?

Blatt plans to start Dion Waiters at shooting guard, and Waiters has definitely improved his 3-point shooting.

He's at .414 from long range in the preseason, but only .418 overall. The Cavs had only two games where James, Love, Irving and Waiters were all on the court together. It was not a fluid combination.

It looked liked too many guys who needed the ball to be effective.

Maybe they will work it out in practice, as they will have eight days before the regular-season opener on October 30. Irving's ankle injury prevented him from playing a lot with the other three.

Irving is now healthy. It will be up to Blatt to try to put the pieces to together.

If not, Waiters can be a dynamic scorer coming off the bench.

Meanwhile, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao combined to average 17.4 rebounds in 46 minutes a game in the preseason. Their relentless desire to rebound fits well in Blatt's system and with their high-scoring teammates.

Earl Clark in his days with the Cavaliers.Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer 

REMEMBERING EARL CLARK

Before the game in Memphis, it was announced that the Grizzlies cut Earl Clark.

Want to win a bet?

When the the Cavs open the next week against the Knicks and fans nearly blow off the roof when James is announced as the starting small forward, ask someone this: "Who was the opening night small forward for the Cavs last season?"

That's right, Earl Clark.

He actually started 17 games for the Cavs, played in 45. He averaged 5.2 points, shooting .375. He's no Jamario Moon, but who is? And The Moon Man was the first to start at small forward for the Cavs in 2010 after James left.

The Cavs averaged 105 points in the preseason, and seemed to do it with ease as their starters played about 25 minutes a night. And twice, James sat out games.

This team will win a lot of games. They will usually be a joy to watch. They definitely are contenders. We can talk about how they'll perform in the playoffs after seeing them play some games that actually count.

But right now, I can't wait for the regular season to begin.