Rodriguez will play last game Aug. 12, help young players through 2017

NEW YORK -- He's A-Goner.

Alex Rodriguez will play his last major league game vs. the Rays at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 12 before becoming a special advisor and instructor with the Yankees, the team said in a press release just before his press conference on Sunday morning.

The role will last through Dec. 31, 2017.

Rodriguez will report directly to owner Hal Steinbrenner.

"After spending several days discussing this plan with Alex, I am pleased that he will remain a part of our organization moving forward and transition into a role in which I know he can flourish," Steinbrenner said.

"We have an exciting group of talented young players at every level of our system. Our job as an organization is to utilize every resource possible to allow them to reach their potential, and I expect Alex to directly contribute to their growth and success. Baseball runs through his blood. He's a tireless worker and an astute student of the game. Alex has already proven to be a willing and effective mentor to many players who have come through our clubhouse, and I am confident that this next phase of his baseball life will bring out the best in Alex and the next generation of Yankees."

Rodriguez almost immediately became emotional while discussing his decision.

"This is a tough day," he said. "I love this game. I love this team. And today I'm saying goodbye to both. This is also a proud day. I was 18 (years old) when I broke into the big leagues. I never thought I could play for 22 years. At 18 I just wanted to make the team."

He thanked Steinbrenner.

"Hal, I'm grateful to you for the faith you're showing in me today," Rodriguez said. "No athlete ever ends his career or her career how you want to. We all want to keep playing forever but it doesn't work that way. Accepting the end gracefully is part of being a professional athletes. Saying goodbye might be the hardest part of the job, but that's what I'm doing today."

The Yankees made a surprise announcement of the press conference late Saturday night. Manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman also attended.

The announcement comes in the midst of maybe the toughest time of Rodriguez's career.

While Rodriguez is no stranger to conflict and controversy, he's rarely failed to captivate on the field.

The owner of 696 career home runs -- No. 4 on the all-time list -- and a three-time MVP, many consider Rodriguez one of the most talented players in history. He has a .295 career batting average, 329 stolen bases and 2,084 RBI -- the third-most ever.

Rodriguez was also a gifted shortstop who moved to third base -- and was very good there, too -- to accommodate Derek Jeter when the Yankees acquired him from the Rangers before the 2004 season.

But this season has been painful on the field for the slugger.

Gooden: A-Rod hurt by release talk

In 62 games, Rodriguez has hit .204 with nine homers and 29 RBI. It's a huge turnaround from the feared hitter he was just as early as 2015, when he clubbed 33 homers and drove in 86 runs in 155 games.

The Yankees had banked on a similar performance from Rodriguez for this season. Instead, due to his poor play, Rodriguez lost his full-time job as DH. Then when it became clear to the Yankees that Rodriguez also couldn't hit left-handed pitching, Girardi was suddenly answering questions about if it would be easier for him if Rodriguez weren't on the team.

In perhaps the final straw, the Yankees sat Rodriguez against 43-year-old Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon on Thursday. In 56 at-bats against Colon, Rodriguez has a eight home runs and .411 batting average. Yet Girardi didn't put him in the lineup. Even Colon was surprised, calling Rodriguez his "dad" for the way he's dominated him.
 
There's little doubt Rodriguez would have been a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer if not for his performance-enhancing drug history.

Rodriguez categorically denied using steroids before finally admitting he used them at a press conference during 2009 spring training.

He also was suspended all of 2014 for violating the league's PED policy. Rodriguez allegedly received the drugs from Anthony Bosch, the founder of Biogenesis, a clinic that provided PEDs to another dozen players, including former National League MVP Ryan Braun and ex-Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli.

Rodriguez follows friend and teammate Mark Teixeira, who said in a teary press conference on Friday that he would finish his 14-year career at season's end. Teixeira has suffered a similarly tough season, his production at the plate (10 HR, .202 BA) and health (neck, knee) failing.

Two Northeast Ohio natives should wage a battle that could get interesting this fall. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A breakdown of the position battle for the starting SAM job on Ohio State's defense.

WHO WILL WIN THE SAM LINEBACKER JOB?

Players in the mix: Chris Worley, Jerome Baker

What are the Buckeyes are saying? 

Urban Meyer: "I'm giving (my assistant coaches) a line of demarcation where they have to name a starter (this fall). At some point you've got to say, 'This is our guy.' Jamarco Jones is the only guy that we've done that with. So I've put a lot of pressure on our coaches, too, that I need to know by this scrimmage who is our starting outside linebacker. Is it Chris Worley or is it Jerome Baker?"

Raekwon McMillan: "Just like a trusted Darron (Lee) and Joshua (Perry), I have to trust Dante (Booker) and Chris Worley, or whoever else is in, to do their job, also. Without them, I can't do my job and without me, they can't do their job." Did McMillan give a hint on who's ahead? 

McMillan: "(Baker) is doing pretty good. He's a great athlete, everyone knows, he made that one-handed catch. But it's not about making one play, it's about being consistent over and over and over again. That's what y'all look for, that's what our coaches look for, that's what teammates look for: consistency. Without consistency, you don't see the field." 

What could happen: Though Worley has been waiting a few years for Lee to leave so he could finally take over as Ohio State's strongside linebacker, he has to win the job, not just walk into it. That's how it works at Ohio State, especially when it recruits highly-athletic guys like Baker, who also had the speed to play running back in high school. 

Baker kind of stole the show in the spring game when he had that one-handed interception, a play that really put his athleticism on display. And Lee was so successful during his Ohio State career because he was fast and athletic, so it makes you think about Baker. 

The competition could last through spring -- or at least until Meyer makes the deadline to identify starters -- but Worley has to be considered the favorite at this point. 

Stuck behind Darron Lee: Is Chris Worley ready?

THE CHOICE

Last year when we wrote about Worley, everyone on the team -- coaches and players -- said there would be little dropoff if Lee were injured and Worley came into the game. Sometimes people just say nice things about their teammates, but if there's any truth to that, then Worley has to be the choice. 

If those statements were embellished, then Baker has a real shot to win the job. Remember, Lee himself came in as a redshirt freshman and took the world by storm. By the midpoint of his redshirt freshman season, Lee was considered by some as one of the best defenders in the Big Ten. 

As things stand right now, though, Worley is a redshirt junior who has played multiple years behind Lee, has made special teams plays and is seemingly ready for his time. 

Jerome Baker's crazy one-handed interception

Other battles:

All the starting jobs up for grabs in preseason camp

Offensive line

Safety

Cornerback 

VOTE 

Joey Bosa, the No. 3 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, continues as the only rookie holdout.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A Bosa started practice Sunday, a football phrase that can be uttered in Ohio but not in California. 

Maybe the San Diego Chargers should swing by Columbus for a quick reminder of what they're missing out on.

Joey Bosa remains the only unsigned first-round pick from the 2016 NFL Draft, the former Buckeye All-American delaying the next step in his football career. Picked No. 3 by San Diego, Bosa attended rookie camp in May, but skipped a mandatory mini-camp in June and now hasn't been around for preseason camp.

The Chargers checked into their team hotel on Friday, July 29, and Joey Bosa wasn't there.

The Buckeyes checked into their team hotel on Saturday, eight days later, and Nick Bosa was there.

The Chargers held their first practice on Saturday, June 30 - no Joey.

The Buckeyes held their first practice on Sunday, eight days later - there was Nick, looking like Joey.

In San Diego, there appears to be no end in sight. As Chargers writer Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune explained it in-depth, the real problem may be that both sides are right.

Bosa's agent has a point. The San Diego front office has a point.

Bosa has precedent to point to. The Chargers have precedent to point.

Gehlken breaks it all down and his story is definitely worth a read, but here's a particularly interesting reality he pointed out:

Fact: If Bosa reported last Friday at the start of training camp, accepting the offer on the table, he'd have pocketed less cash this calendar year than each of the four rookies selected after him.

Think of that and you get a sense of why Bosa isn't there.

Watch Nick Bosa and you wonder how his older brother, the player he's looked up to his whole life, isn't playing right now as well.

"He needs to be here," San Diego coach Mike McCoy told reporters as camp opened. "I think everybody needs to be here, especially as a younger player for the installations, playing with your teammates - things like that."

Pro Football talk wrote that this is the longest rookie holdout since 2011, when the NFL instituted a new rookie salary scale. That means this is new territory in some ways. So Pro Football Talk delved into some true doomsday scenarios for the start of Bosa's NFL career, including what would happen if he didn't sign at all.

That's hard to imagine.

Watching Nick Bosa in his first Ohio State practice Sunday morning, it didn't seem right that Joey Bosa isn't practicing at all.

 

Jim Furyk shot the first 58 in PGA Tour history Sunday in the Travelers Championship.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jim Furyk shot the first 58 in PGA Tour history on Sunday in the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.

Click on Furyk's scorecard here.

Furyk missed on a 27-foot birdie attempt that would have given him a 57. He then tapped in a 2-footer for the par and raised his arms in celebration.

Furyk, 41, shot a course record 27 on the front nine, including an eagle on the par-4 third hole, sinking his shot from 135 yards. He had a 31 on the back.

"There's a lot of rounds by a lot of great players ahead of me that have never reached 58, so to hold that record alone right now, on the PGA Tour at least ... is phenomenal," Furyk said. "To have a little, small place in history is something you dream of."

Furyk, with 17 PGA Tour victories, was already one of six golfers to shoot a 59. He did it during the second round of the BMW Championship in 2013.

The others were Al Geiberger at the 1977 Memphis Classic; Chip Beck at the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational; David Duval at the 1999 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic; Paul Goydos at the 2010 John Deere Classic and Stuart Appleby at the 2010 Greenbrier Classic.

Furyk finished the tournament at 11-under and was four shots behind leader Daniel Berger, who had not teed off when Furyk finished.

Furyk's putt to end his round:

(The Associated Press contributed)

Alex Rodriguez says he'll play his last big-league game on Friday when the Yankees play Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium.

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez, one of baseball's most starcrossed players, says he's at peace with the decision to play his last big league game Friday.

In a press conference before Sunday's game against the Indians, the Yankees announced that Rodriguez, 41, will be unconditionally released from his contract after Friday's game against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium to serve as a special advisor and instructor with the team through Dec. 31, 2017.

GM Brian Cashman said the remainder of Rodriguez's contract will be paid in "full force." Rodriguez will make $21 million this year and $21 million next year. He has spent the last 13 years with the Yankees, serving a season-long suspension in 2014 for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Previously, Rodriguez admitted to using steroids from 2001 through 2003 after with Texas after signing a 10-year $252 million deal. After opting out of that contract while playing for the Yankees in 2007, he signed another 10-year, $275 million dollar deal with New York.

Rodriguez, 41, has been playing sparingly since early July as his production has dropped and the Yankees have fallen out of race in the AL East. The rumors have been swirling ever since about what the Yankees were going to do with their fading slugger. Rodriguez said he met last week with team owner Hal Steinbrenner and this plan was agreed upon.

"I love this game and I love this team," said Rodriguez at a Sunday morning press conference. "Today I'm saying goodbye to both."

It has been an eye-opening weekend for the Yankees. Veteran first baseman Mark Teixeira announced Friday that he would retire at the end of the season. Now Rodriguez is walking into the sunset.

The Yankees have been trying to get younger for the last couple of years. They're doing it in hyper-drive right now.

So have we seen the last of A-Rod, the player?

"He can do anything he wants," said GM Brian Cashman. "If someone calls him and asks him if he can get it cranked up again . . .I don't think anyone here would stand in his way on that in any way, shape or form. But the one thing I did get from is that he's at peace in the decision he's come to."

As an aside, Cashman said, "Alex could be an agent because he negotiated the greatest contract in sports history."

Rodriguez, when asked if he wanted to continue to play, said "Sure I feel I can still play baseball. You always feel you have one more hit in you and that you can help the team win one more game, for sure. That was in the cards. That was the Yankees' decision and I'm at peace with it."

Later in the press conference Rodriguez was asked if he would consider playing for another team.

"I have not thought past the pinstripes," said Rodriguez. "My horizon is Friday."

The three-time AL MVP and 14-time All-Star is fourth on baseball's home run list with 696 homers, including a record 25 grand slams. He ranks second in RBI with 2,084, trailing only Hank Aaron with 2,297. He's eighth in runs with 2,021 and 19^th in hits with 3,114. Rodriguez is the only player to have 14 seasons with at least 30 homers and 100 RBI in history.

"The last four weeks have not been fun," said Rodriguez. "It's been very painful and embarrassing to be on the bench. It's been awkward. So from that sense I'm very happy we've found this solution."

Rodriguez's announcement was top-secret stuff. There were no leaks by order of Steinbrenner so manager Joe Girardi didn't find out until Sunday morning.

Apparently Steinbrenner told Rodriguez that he'd play Friday. Girardi added that if Rodriguez wants to play in the games leading up to Friday, he'd make it happen.

"Alex and I need to have a conversation," said Girardi.

Cashman and Girardi praised Rodriguez's for his ability to assess talent in young players. Rodriguez thinks he can help them in another area.

"For a guy who has been to hell and back and has made every mistake in the book," said Rodriguez, "I think they can learn equally from all the mistakes I've made and hopefully not make them."

After Friday's game at Yankee Stadium, Rodriguez said he'll go home to Miami. His new job with the Yankees starts in spring training next year.

Take a look at the gallery inside -- one that has photos of Torrence Gibson, Joe Burrow and others -- to get a sense for how things looked at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's veterans took the field on Sunday afternoon to officially begin the Buckeyes' 2016 fall camp. It's actually football season in Columbus again. 

Take a look at the gallery above --  one that has photos of Torrence Gibson, Joe Burrow and others -- to get a sense for how things looked at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. 

More Ohio State photos: Freshmen begin camp with morning practice

The Buckeyes opened camp on Sunday. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer opened Ohio State's first preseason practice for the Buckeyes veterans on Sunday by acknowledging some of players returning from injury.

Players like safeties Erick Smith and Cam Burrows and receivers Corey Smith and Dontre Wilson, players the Buckeyes need because so many others are gone.

Meyer prepares for new kind of practice in 2016

The starting jobs up for grabs

With sixteen starters to replace for 2016, check out the first practice of the preseason for the OSU veterans on Sunday.

The younger players held their first practice on Sunday morning.

Photo gallery

The Buckeyes opened camp on Sunday with two practices, one for freshmen and one for upperclassmen.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When the Ohio State freshmen and newcomers took the field on Sunday morning for the start of camp, only one of those players had a realistic shot of earning a starting job.

Junior college transfer Malcolm Pridgeon will begin battling for a starting offensive line spot in earnest when the full team gets together for practice on Monday morning.

But on Sunday afternoon, the Buckeyes upperclassmen took the field for their first practice of training camp. That's where you get a better idea of where the depth chart stands.

So after watching the first 30 minutes or so of the upperclassmen practice -- the allowed media viewing period -- here's a stab at Ohio State's depth chart to begin fall camp with some notes:

OFFENSE

Quarterback: J.T. Barrett; Joe Burrow.

Running back: Mike Weber, Antonio Williams.

* Freshman running back Demario McCall worked out at running back during the morning practice. In true running back depth, he'd likely be behind these two plus Curtis Samuel if needed.

One thing of note is that Williams, a true freshman who enrolled early, did not practice in the morning. The Buckeyes like him, and he was one of three true freshmen (also Michael Jordan and Austin Mack) out with the returning players in the afternoon.

Receiver: Noah Brown, James Clark, Terry McLaurin, Austin Mack, Corey Smith.

Receiver: Dontre Wilson, Parris Campbell, K.J. Hill, Torrance Gibson, Johnnie Dixon.

Slot/H-back: Curtis Samuel.

* Receiver jobs are the most difficult to peg down because there are so many names for two starting spots, three if you include the slot/H-back. Brown, Wilson and Samuel definitely stood out as the top three players in the rotation.

But the Buckeyes will want more than three here. Every player listed has a chance to crack that second tier of receiver. The order they're listed in now is based off how they were lined up in drills on Sunday.

Samuel and Wilson also got some work in the backfield with the quarterbacks during one of the periods. So that makes them both the leaders for touches out of the H-back position.

Left tackle: Jamarco Jones.

Left guard: Michael Jordan, Demetrius Knox, Kyle Trout.

* Jordan practice without a black stripe on his helmet. A sign that he's earned his way to being a full-fledged member of the team. Freshmen don't get their black stripe removed until they have earned it in the eyes of Urban Meyer.

Center: Pat Elflein, Billy Price, Brady Taylor.

* Price would be the backup center if needed, and the Buckeyes would shuffle pieces.

Right guard: Price, Evan Lisle.

Right tackle: Isaiah Prince, Branden Bowen.

* When the full team practices together for the first time on Monday, I would expect Pridgeon to be in the depth at tackle. Ohio State will look for the best five, but it's clear they're high on Jordan starting at the left guard spot.

But Pridgeon has a real chance to push Prince for the starting job at right tackle.

Tight end: Marcus Baugh, A.J. Alexander.

* Three true freshman tight ends -- Jake Hausmann, Luke Farrell and Kierre Hawkins -- practiced in the morning. Hausmann could supplant Alexander as the No. 2 tight end early in camp.

The Ohio State starting jobs up for grabs during camp

DEFENSE

Defensive end: Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes.

Defensive tackle: Michael Hill, Dre'Mont Jones, Jashon Cornell.

Defensive tackle: Tracy Sprinkle, Davon Hamilton, Robert Landers.

Defensive end: Sam Hubbard, Darius Slade, Rashod Berry.

* Nick Bosa will work his way into the defensive line depth in some fashion. That could be at end or at tackle. Tackle appears to be the easier path to playing time. Lewis, Hubbard and Holmes are pretty solid there.

Hill and Sprinkle are still the starters at tackle. Jones, Hamilton, Cornell and Bosa should at the least provide better depth.

Outside linebacker: Dante Booker, Justin Hilliard.

Middle linebacker: Raekwon McMillan, Nick Conner.

Outside linebacker: Chris Worley, Jerome Baker.

* Former walk-ons Craig Fada and Joe Burger worked ahead of everyone in drills. But the true depth would have both of them at least behind Baker and likely behind Hilliard and Conner.

Cornerback: Gareon Conley, Damon Arnette, Joshua Norwood.

Safety: Damon Webb, Cam Burrows.

Safety: Malik Hooker, Erick Smith, Eric Glover-Williams.

* Hooker seems pretty solid. Webb manned the other spot during the spring, but part of that was because Burrows and Smith weren't healthy. Burrows went ahead of Webb and Smith in individual drills, but Webb was with the first-team during team drills. This is a battle that could carry out through the summer.

Cornerback: Marshon Lattimore OR Denzel Ward.

* Ward was the starter here in the spring, but Lattimore appears to be fully on the mend. If he can stay healthy, he can hold off Ward for this post. Both players worked with the first-team defense opposite from Conley on Sunday. For what it's worth, Lattimore got the firs turn with the first-team.

Right-hander Carlos Carrasco was solid but the Cleveland Indians lost to the New York Yankees, 3-2, Sunday afternoon in Bronx, N.Y.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka allowed one run in six-plus innings and Didi Gregorius homered as the New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Indians, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y. The Yankees won two of three in the series.

Here is a capsule look at the key aspect(s) of the game, which was televised by Fox Sports Time Ohio:

Nick Camino Scoreboard Watch: The Indians (62-47) remain 2.0 games in front of second-place Detroit (61-50) in the AL Central. They have Mets second baseman Neil Walker to thank. Walker hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to give the Mets a 3-1 victory at Comerica Park.   

Sputtering: The Indians have lost five of seven; the games comprised series against the last-place Minnesota Twins and Yankees (56-55).

Not good: The Indians finished 2-5 against the Yankees and are 7-15 against the four AL East teams currently above .500. They went 1-5 against Baltimore and are 2-2 against Toronto and 2-3 against Boston. (They went 5-1 against sub-.500 Tampa Bay.)

Tip of the cap: Tanaka gave up six hits, walked none and struck out eight. He threw 76 of 101 pitches for strikes.

Tanaka (8-4, 3.32 ERA) did not succeed by accident. The Indians saw the sharp Tanaka, not the one who allowed a combined 10 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings of his previous two starts.

Tanaka consistently stayed out of the middle of the zone. He was particularly adept  at throwing fastballs on the outer half, or tantalizingly off the plate, to lefties. He moved pitches up and down, in and out. His slider was nasty throughout, compensating for a spotty splitter. 

Tanaka's ability to control the top two in the Tribe's order, Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis, factored heavily in the outcome. Santana and Kipnis were a combined 0-for-6 with three strikeouts against him.

Forgettable afternoons: The Indians can't be expected to win when Santana and Kipnis are off their games simultaneously.

Santana finished 0-for-5 with two strikeouts and was responsible for six outs in 18 pitches. Kipnis went 0-for-4 with one walk and two strikeouts. At least Kipnis put good swings on several deep fouls to right and saw 27 pitches.

Chris Gimenez led off the ninth inning against righty Dellin Betances and rifled a 2-1 fastball (98 mph) to left for a single. The ball featured serious topspin and one-hopped the wall. Brett Garnder fielded too quickly for Gimenez to even think about a double.

Santana fouled a slider and swung through a fastball. He grounded a slider to the right of second baseman Starlin Castro, who fielded on the move and shoveled to shortstop Gregorius. It did not seem possible that Gregorius would be able to turn two, but his throw beat Santana by half a cleat. First-base umpire Dan Iassogna's call was upheld after Cleveland's challenge.

The play by Castro, who was inserted as a defensive replacement in the top of the eight, should not be glossed over. He made a tricky play seem routine.

Kipnis struck out swinging at a 1-2 slider in the dirt.

Yikes: Santana and Kipnis were not the only Indians to struggle offensively. Right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and center fielder Tyler Naquin was 0-for-4 with one strikeout.

Chisenhall did manage a 12-pitch at-bat against Tanaka in the sixth, during which Tanaka was shown talking to himself because he couldn't put away Chisenhall. 

Understandable: Mike Napoli was ejected after being called out on strikes leading off the eighth. Napoli took a 2-2 breaking pitch from righty Tyler Clippard that appeared to be high -- in real time and on replay. Napoli sternly but calmly let Barrett know of his disgust, and Barrett tossed him.

Napoli had every right to be upset. Barrett should have recognized his mistake and let Napoli say his piece, but that is not the m.o. of umpires these days.

Quality stuff: Tribe righty Carlos Carrasco rebounded from a bad outing against the Twins to allow the three runs on five hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out nine.

Carrasco authored the Indians' second straight good start, which rates as news. Corey Kluber allowed two runs in eight innings Saturday in a victory.  

Carrasco paid maximum price for three mistakes.

*Gardner led off the first with an ambush of Carrasco, attacking a first-pitch fastball designed to ease into the game. The pesky Gardner sent it deep to center for a triple. Two pitches later, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a sacrifice fly to center.

*With one out in the fourth, Gregorius lined a hanging breaking pitch into the right-field seats to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. It came in a 2-2 count.

In his previous at-bat, Gregorius struck out swinging at a 1-2 off-speed pitch that dived to his feet.

*With two outs in the fifth, Ellsbury walked in five pitches. Mark Teixeira stayed on an 0-1 fastball and drove it deep to left for an RBI double. Carrasco had given Teixeira too much swinging room, but it never should have come to that. Carrasco undoubtedly will kick himself for not forcing Ellsbury to hit his way on.

Full-service player: First baseman Teixeira also hurt the Indians with his glove.

With runners on first and second and two outs in the Tribe seventh, Francisco Lindor grounded sharply down the first-base line. Teixeira smothered the ball behind the bag and scurried to slap it with his glove a fraction before the diving Lindor got there with his hand.

Inside are the seven takeaways you must have from Meyer's press conference.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer met with the media Sunday after the first day of Ohio State's fall camp. Here are five takeaways you must have from Meyer's media session: 

1. Given the freshmen practiced in the morning and the veterans reported in the evening, Meyer said it was hard to really gauge much. He said the one thing that stood out, though, is that the Buckeyes are an athletic team. 

2. Ohio State has had mottos the last two years, "The Chase" and "The Grind." This year, apparently it's "The Edge." Basically, Meyer explained that "The Edge" is the line where average is left behind and elite status is met. He wants the Buckeyes to make it to elite status, but that's something Meyer knows is really hard to accomplish. 

3. There are so many open starting spots on this team and Meyer mentioned at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago that there will be deadlines for assistants to identify starters. Meyer would like to think that those positions will have some clarity by practiced 12 or 13 of fall camp. 

4. Punter Drue Chrisman is currently paying his own way and is Ohio State's backup punter. He'll eventually be added to the roster as a scholarship player, but he's on the team now because he's paying his own tuition. 

5. Meyer said that Ohio State's 2015 recruiting class isn't very mature for some reason. The hypothesis he has is that they came in last fall, saw a bunch of NFL talent and realized that they weren't getting on the field no matter what they do. Meyer added that the 2016 class, which is just getting started, is far more advanced because they see opportunities ahead. 

6. Remember when Dontre Wilson was the next best thing at Ohio State? Well, he's a senior now and Meyer said he thinks it's possible that the H-Back becomes what everyone wished he would when he came to Columbus from Texas as a highly-rated four-star prospect. Meyer said it's too early to tell how it will all pan out, but it mostly has to do with Wilson staying healthy. 

7. Ohio State's first scrimmage will be Saturday. 

Meyer spoke to the media on Sunday evening after Ohio State opened 2016 training camp.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer wrapped up the first day of Ohio State football camp with a news conference on Sunday evening. Watch the video below to see Meyer's entire news conference.

Ohio State opened camp on Sunday with a practice for freshmen and newcomers in the morning, and a practice for upperclassmen in the afternoon.

7 things to know from Meyer's new conference

We'll try to bring full video of Meyer's news conferences all season. They will be streamed live on our cleveland.com Ohio State Facebook page. Make sure you like that page to hear Meyer speak live throughout the season.

*LIKE OUR OHIO STATE FACEBOOK PAGE*

Here is the video from Meyer's first news conference of the 2016 season:

Barrett no longer has competition to start for the Buckeyes as they kicked off preseason camp. But he had an interesting answer about his relationship with Jones. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Obviously this is different for J.T. Barrett.

A year ago he was coming off a broken ankle that ended his 2014 season and caused him to miss spring football in 2015. He was entering preseason camp in August 2015 in the most interesting quarterback competition in college football, fighting for the starting job with his friend, Cardale Jones.

Barrett wasn't himself - mentally and physically - and he never seized the job in camp, Jones starting for more than half the season.

So of course this, on many levels, is easier. 

Barrett is healthy, this is his team and the only other quarterbacks around are redshirt freshman Joe Burrow and true freshman Dwayne Haskins, two guys who have never played. 

So when Barrett spoke following Sunday's first practice of the preseason after the Buckeyes kicked off camp, he had less on his mind.

But did he miss his friend?

Watch the video to see Barrett talk about his past, current and future relationship with Jones, who is now in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills.

No one is quite sure why Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco made multiple throws to first base in the second inning of Sunday's loss to the Yankees.

NEW YORK - So just what was going on in the second inning Sunday at Yankee Stadium?

Yankee second baseman Rob Refsnyder hit a leadoff single and Carlos Carrasco stopped pitching. Instead he made one throw after another trying to pick off Refsnyder at first base.

The crowd kept booing, but Carrasco kept throwing to first. Catcher Roberto Perez visited the mound, but Carrasco kept treating first base like it was home plate. Then pitching coach Mickey Callaway sprinted to the mound.

"There was a little miscommunication there," said manager Terry Francona. "Carlos saw something and we didn't. We just wanted to make sure before he threw a pitch that he got it straightened out."

If there was a problem, it was solved in a hurry. Carrasco struck out three straight Yankees to end the inning.

"I don't know if he had some nerves going in the second inning or he just really didn't want Refsnyder to steal second base," said Jason Kipnis with a laugh. "It was just one of those innings, but I thought he settled in nicely after that and pitched a great game."

Carrasco (7-6, 3.17) pitched seven strong innings, but came away with the loss in New York's 3-2 victory.

"I was trying to pick a guy off over there, but I think I threw too many," said Carrasco. "I was trying to control the running game. I think I did too much.

"Yeah I heard the boos . . .a lot."

The call for the pitcher to throw to first base almost always comes from the bench and is relayed through the catcher.

"Millsie (bench coach Brad Mills) wasn't giving me the throw over sign," said Perez. "So when he kept throwing over there, I went 'Oh, maybe he's hurt or something.' I think he threw over there about 100 times.

"I don't know what he was thinking there, but he really had all his pitches going. His curveball, fastball and breaking ball were really good."

Carrasco allowed three runs on five hits. He struck out nine and walked two.

That's better: Carrasco, in his last start before Sunday, allowed a season-high eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Twins.

"There was 100 percent difference," said Carrasco after Sunday's start. "I had more control of the fastball, curveball and slider. It was great to pitch the way I did today. My last outing was not good, but I felt fine today."

Hot stuff: Third baseman Jose Ramirez likes playing in Yankee Stadium.

He had two of the Tribe's eight hits Sunday. In the three-game series, Ramirez hit .500 (6-for-12) with two runs and a steal.

A single in the fourth inning, extended Ramirez's hitting streak to 12 games. He's hitting .426 (20-for-47) with eight runs, four doubles, two homers and three RBI in the streak.

Ramirez has big day in Big Apple

"I do have family here, but I like to play here because the stadium is always filled with Dominicans and I like to be around those people," said Ramirez.

Ramirez is from the Dominican Republic.

Asked if he was worried about the race in the AL Central, Ramirez said, "No, I don't worry about that. We're playing good baseball right now."

The Indians have a two-game lead over Detroit with 53 games left.

The Tribe has four players with more than 100 or more hits - Francisco Lindor leads with 129 followed by Kipnis, 120, Ramirez, 111 and Carlos Santana, 100. Lindor has 38 multihit games, Ramirez and Kipnis have 33 and Santana 26.

Testing, testing: Jeff Manship (right wrist) has thrown two bullpen sessions without a problem in the last three days.

"My wrist feels lively again," said Manship. "The guys were laughing when I said it felt whippy. It just had life to it.

"Before I was choking everything off. I was just trying to protect it. I just had a lot of issues with it warming up. Subconsciously it was creating issues with me mechanically."

Manship can be activated Friday. 

"He's done well," said Francona. "We'll see if he needs to pitch a game somewhere (on rehab assignment)."

Finally: Perez's double in the third inning ended a 0-for-16 skid. Perez went 2-for-3. It was his first multiyear game since October against the Twins. . ."I'm starting to feel much better at the plate," said Perez . . .The Indians have lost five of their last six road games, but still own the second highest road winning percentage in the league. . .Joe Colon (right shoulder) threw a scoreless inning Saturday night to start his rehab assignment at Class AAA Columbus.

Hall President David Baker made the announcement Sunday after discussing problems with the turf with both teams. He said it was a safety issue and that all fans would be fully refunded for ticket purchases, which will cost the hall several million dollars.

CANTON, Ohio (AP) -- The Hall of Fame game between Green Bay and Indianapolis has been canceled because of poor field conditions.

Hall President David Baker made the announcement Sunday after discussing problems with the turf with both teams. He said it was a safety issue and that all fans would be fully refunded for ticket purchases, which will cost the hall several million dollars.

"This is a hard decision, but we know it is the right decision," Baker said. "In some respects a hard decision because of the impact it has. This is an important game to the people in Canton."

The NFL said in a statement: "We are very disappointed for our fans, but player safety is our primary concern, and as a result, we could not play an NFL game on this field tonight."

Workers used a variety of equipment to smooth the artificial surface. Rubber pellets used in the turf came loose and were scattered in several spots and needed to be removed, as well.

This was not the first cancellation of an NFL exhibition game -- the Hall of Game contest was not played in 2011 because of the lockout -- but it was the most high-profile preseason match to be called off.

In 2001, a new artificial surface at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium was deemed too dangerous for the Eagles to play the Ravens.

Baker said the Hall's class of 2016 would be introduced to the crowd, and the halftime show featuring Lee Greenwood would be held. Both teams walked onto the field at 8 p.m., moments before the game would have kicked off, and the players saluted the crowd.

Thousands of Packers fans came to Canton to see Brett Favre inducted Saturday night, and many returned Sunday to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. They sat watching highlights of Favre's speech and of Friday night's concert featuring Tim McGraw before they were told about the game's cancellation.

By BARRY WILNER, AP Pro Football Writer

Paint congealed at midfield and in the end zone, hardening those areas. Workers used a variety of equipment to smooth the artificial surface. Rubber pellets used in the turf came loose and were scattered in several spots and needed to be removed, as well.

CANTON, Ohio - An emotional and invigorating Hall of Fame weekend came to a grinding halt Sunday night when the Packers-Colts game was canceled because of poor field conditions.

One day after Brett Favre led the eight-member class of 2016 into the hall, its president, David Baker announced the cancellation after discussing problems with the turf with both teams. He said it was a safety issue and that all fans would be fully refunded for ticket purchases, which will cost the hall several million dollars.

"This is a hard decision, but we know it is the right decision," Baker said. "In some respects a hard decision because of the impact it has. This is an important game to the people in Canton."

The NFL and NFL Players Association said in a statement: "We are very disappointed for our fans, but player safety is our primary concern, and as a result, we could not play an NFL game on this field tonight."

Baker noted that the field was new and had been approved when inspected after its first installation. But paint congealed at midfield and in the end zone, hardening those areas. Workers used a variety of equipment to smooth the artificial surface. Rubber pellets used in the turf came loose and were scattered in several spots and needed to be removed, as well.

"We know a lot of you came a long way," Baker told the crowd, which booed when his name was announced. "Here at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we have the greatest respect for players and for player safety. As a result of some painting on the field today, some questions arose."

Team physicians also were consulted.

"We thought we would be able to remediate it by delaying the game for as much as an hour," Baker added. "But in the end, if it's remotely close to unsafe, we conferred with the league, we think the best thing to do is respect the safety of the players. It's the only thing to do.

"I can tell you, I had a son who played in this league. If it happened with him on the field, I would have wanted someone to make the same decision."

This was not the first cancellation of an NFL exhibition game - the Hall of Game contest was not played in 2011 because of the lockout - but it was the most high-profile preseason match to be called off.

In 2001, a new artificial surface at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium was deemed too dangerous for the Eagles to play the Ravens.

Both teams walked onto the field at 8 p.m., moments before the game would have kicked off, and the players saluted the crowd. When the hall's class of 2016 was introduced the stands remained relatively full for that. But then many fans departed the stadium even though the halftime show featuring Lee Greenwood was held.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said he was disappointed but understood the cancellation. He was looking to "find out about a lot of these young players."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy saluted the many Packers fans who came to Canton to see Favre inducted into the hall.

"We really were looking forward to performing tonight," McCarthy said. "You get tired of practicing against yourself and you get to play a real game."

Many of the thousands of Packers fans in Canton returned Sunday to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. They sat watching highlights of Favre's speech and of Friday night's concert featuring Tim McGraw before they were told about the game's cancellation.

Also inducted were Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace, Kevin Greene, Ken Stabler, Dick Stanfel and Ed DeBartolo Jr.

Carlos Carrasco looked like his old self, but the Indians' offense didn't awaken in time to beat the Yankees on Sunday. Watch video

NEW YORK -- If the Indians are still grieving the passage of their 14-game winning streak, the time to let it go is long past due.

The Indians, however, seem determined to be a mediocre team since their historic streak ended on July 2. Yes, they did it again.

After doing nothing for six innings Sunday afternoon, they managed to do just enough to lose to the Yankees, 3-2, at Yankee Stadium. The Indians are 13-17 since the end of their streak.

Masahiro Tanaka, a pitcher the Indians knocked around in July, baffled them for six innings Sunday for the win. Tanaka (8-4, 3.32) allowed one run on six hits in six innings. He struck out eight and didn't walk a batter.

Carlos Carrasco (7-6, 3.17) was determined to pitch better than he did in his last start. In that game, Carrasco lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing a season-high eight earned runs against the Twins.

Carrasco accomplished that goal, but it wasn't good enough for a win. He allowed three runs on five his in seven innings with nine strikeouts. But the offensive support, surprisingly, wasn't there.

"I thought Carrasco was pretty good," said manager Terry Francona. "It seemed like every mistake he made, he really paid for. He basically gave up a triple, double and homer and they all hurt him."

Sunday's game ended a streak of nine straight in which the Indians scored five or more runs.

"I thought Carlos pitched more than well enough to win the game," said Jason Kipnis. "This one was actually on the offense. I mean we lose, 3-2, and he gives up three runs. I'll take three runs from our starting pitchers every day."

Brett Gardner started the first inning with drive to deep center. Center fielder Tyler Naquin stumbled in his pursuit of the ball and never caught up as it fell for a triple. Jacoby Ellsbury followed with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.

In the second inning, Carrasco and catcher Roberto Perez seemed to have a communication problem. Following a leadoff single by Rob Refsnyder, Carrasco made several throws to first base without making a pitch to the plate.

Perez paid a visit to the mound, but Carrasco kept making pickoff attempts to first. Finally, pitching coach Mickey Callaway sprinted to the mound for a quick meeting. Whatever transpired, things corrected themselves quickly.

Carrasco struck out the next three Yankees in order.

Just as Carrasco was settling into a groove, shortstop Didi Gregorius interrupted his flow with a homer into the right field seats for a 2-0 lead in the fourth. It was Gregorius' 13th homer and third against the Indians this season.

"He hit a curveball," said Carrasco. "I should have thrown a better one."

Carrasco struck out three of the next four batters he faced before walking Ellsbury with two out in the fifth. Mark Teixeira sent a double over Rajai Davis' head in left field for 3-0 lead.

The Indians, who had 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings the last time they faced Tanaka, did little against him Sunday. It wasn't until the seventh inning that they scored against him.

Davis opened the inning with a double to left. Adam Warren relieved Tanaka and retired Naquin on a drive to the track in left. Davis tagged and advance on the fly ball.

Perez singled to right to make it a 3-1 game. It was his second hit of the game, but just his fifth of the season in 43 at-bats.

Pinch-runner Michael Martinez was forced at second on a grounder to first base by Carlos Santana with Santana advancing to second base on a throwing error by Gregorious. After Kipnis walked, Francisco Lindor sent a shot down the first baseline that Mark Teixeira knocked down behind the bag.

Then it turned into a race to first. Lindor dove, so did Teixeira and Teireira won by a couple of inches to save a run and end the inning.

"On a day when Tanaka wasn't overpowering, his secondary pitches were very effective," said Francona. "Everytime we tried to pull him, it played right into his hands."

The Indians made it 3-2 in the eighth when Jose Ramirez walked, stole second, took third on a throwing error by catcher Austin Romine and scored on a wild pitch.

The Tribe's best scoring chance before the seventh came in the fourth. Mike Napoli and Ramirez singled with one out. Tanaka, who had lost his last two starts, struck out Lonnie Chisenhall and retired Davis on a fly ball to left.

What it means

The Indians maintained their two-game lead in the AL Central despite the loss. Detroit had a chance to close the gap to one game, but lost to the Mets, 3-1.

He gone

Napoli was ejected by plate umpire Lance Barrett in the eighth inning for arguing balls and strikes. Napoli was tossed after taking a called third strike from Tyler Clipper to start the inning.

It was the sixth ejection of his career.

The pitches

Carrasco threw 96 pitches, 63 or 65 percent for strikes. Tanaka threw 101 pitches, 76 or 75 percent for strikes.

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Yankees drew 39,720 to Yankees Stadium on Sunday afternoon. First pitch was 1:09 p.m. with a temperature of 85 degrees.

What's next?

The Indians are off Monday and open a two-game series against the Nationals on Tuesday night at Nationals Park.

Trevor Bauer (7-5, 4.08) will face Washington's Max Scherzer (12-6, 2.87) at 7:05 p.m. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS 100.7 will carry the game.

Josh Tomlin (11-4, 3.81) will face lefty Gio Gonzalez (7-9, 4.13) Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. Mike Clevinger was originally scheduled to start Thursday, but the Indians skipped him because of Monday's off day.

Clevinger will pitch Saturday against the Angels at Progressive Field. The Angels drafted Clevinger.

Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III showed at the Orange and Brown scrimmage at Ohio Stadium why he deserves to be the Browns' starting quarterback.

Sure, the catcher position has morphed into an offensive black hole at the bottom of the batting order. The rest of the lineup, however, has excelled with power, speed and some timely hitting. All without Michael Brantley, too. Who would have envisioned this?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Thanks to an abnormally horrendous week of pitching, the Indians' offense appeared inferior to the booming bats of the club's opposition last week.

In four losses in a span of five days, Tribe adversaries amassed 48 runs and 33 extra-base hits. The onslaught overshadowed the Indians' own offensive feat: They scored five or more runs in nine straight games, their longest streak since 2002.

That the Indians' lineup produced to that degree shouldn't come as a shock. After all, the Tribe's lineup ranks fourth in the majors in runs per game (4.99). The Red Sox are the only American League team ahead of Cleveland in scoring.

This isn't a one-dimensional offense, either. Sure, the catcher position has morphed into an offensive black hole at the bottom of the batting order. The rest of the lineup, however, has excelled with power, speed and some timely hitting. All without Michael Brantley, too. Who would have envisioned this?

Power

The Indians rank eighth in the majors with 144 home runs, though they sit only five long balls from fourth place. During that nine-game stretch, the Indians belted 19 homers. First baseman Mike Napoli slugged six himself. His presence in the middle of the order (28 homers, 79 RBI, .513 slugging percentage) has made his $7 million salary a bargain.

Napoli open to talking extension

Napoli isn't the only one enjoying a power surge this season.

Home runs:

Napoli: 28 (career high: 30)

Carlos Santana: 24 (career high: 27)

Jason Kipnis: 19 (career high, including minor-league seasons)

Francisco Lindor: 13 (career high, including minor-league seasons)

Tyler Naquin: 13 (career high, including minor-league seasons)

Rajai Davis: 10 (career high, including minor-league seasons)

The Indians rank sixth in the majors in slugging percentage.

Speed

The Indians lead the American League (fifth in the majors) with 80 stolen bases. They have done so at an 80 percent success rate, the second-best mark in the majors. The Indians also rank second in the majors in Baseball Reference's extra-base taken category, which measures how often a team advances from first to third on a single, first to home on a double and so on.

Of course, to be able to exploit these advantages on the bases, players have to reach base. The Indians rank ninth in the majors in batting average (14th in on-base percentage).

Davis has been responsible for much of the Indians' havoc on the basepaths. He has swiped 28 bags in 31 attempts, the best rate of his career.

Davis: 'I've always been faster than everyone else'

On Thursday, Davis singled, stole second, stole third and scored on a wild pitch (before executing some sort of Michael Jackson-like moonwalk). 

Timing

The Indians rank fifth in the majors with a .790 OPS with men on base. That, paired with the extra-bases taken stat, creates a prosperous formula.

Naquin has thrived when his teammates reach base first. He has posted a 1.098 OPS in such situations. Lonnie Chisenhall owns a .946 OPS (.402 on-base percentage) with men on base. Jose Ramirez is batting .342 with men on base and has a .421 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position.

Scoring

Indians' longest streaks of five or more runs in a game.Via Baseball-Reference.com 

The Indians have been blanked only three times in 109 games. They have held the opposition to three runs or fewer on 52 occasions; they are 45-7 in those affairs. The Indians have scored three runs or fewer on 38 occasions; they are 7-31 in those contests.

When the Indians score four or more runs, they are 55-16. Four of those defeats have come within the last week. Their tendency to score four or more runs, though, has been better than it has in recent years.

2016: 65.1 percent (games with 4+ runs)

2015: 50.9

2014: 50.0

2013: 56.8

2012: 51.2

2011: 56.8

2010: 51.9

2009: 59.3

2008: 60.5

2007: 65.4

For a frame of reference, consider that the 1999 Indians, the only major-league team in the last 65 years to score 1,000 or more runs, scored four runs or more in 72.8 percent of their games. The 1995 Indians, who went 100-44, scored four or more runs in 70.8 percent of their contests.

Check out live updates from Monday's training camp practice and player availability in Berea.

BEREA, Ohio - The Browns' 2016 training camp rolls into its second full week on Monday. The team's first preseason game is Friday at Green Bay.

There are still a few training camps dates open to fans. Check out our visitor's guide for what you need to know about attending. But if you can't make it, we have you covered.

Cleveland.com Browns reporters Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe and Scott Patsko will be there. Follow along with live updates in the Twitter widget below and also in the comments. We'll have complete camp coverage at cleveland.com/browns.

Follow Mary Kay, Dan and Scott on Twitter by clicking on their names.

Haden was on the PUP list following ankle surgery.

BEREA, Ohio - Browns cornerback Joe Haden was moved to the active list on Monday and is expected to practice later today, the team announced. Haden has been sidelined following ankle surgery during the offseason. 

"I just can't wait to get back out there," Haden said at the beginning of training camp following the team's conditioning test. "It's really a 'what have you done for me lately' league, and you kind of see that when it was a very bad season for me last year. I had high expectations and I definitely didn't live up to them. I'm just ready to get back out there and prove that I'm still one of the best corners in the league." 

Haden played in just five games last season and his season ended against Arizona after entering the league's concussion protocol. He had previously been on the PUP list.