It's Frank Herrmann's turn to see if he can help the Indians battered bullpen. Veteran Jamey Wright was designated for assignment.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerJamey Wright was 1-2 with a 5.48 ERA in 18 appearances for the Indians out of the bullpen.

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Indians are bringing a bit of the Ivy League to the big leagues.

They promoted former Harvard right-hander Frank Herrmann from Class AAA Columbus today. He'll be in Chicago tonight to open a three-game series against the White Sox.

To make room for Herrmann, veteran right-hander Jamey Wright was designated for assignment.

On Wednesday, manager Manny Acta said "Frankie has earned a shot.' The shot probably came a little sooner than expected because of the ragged state of the Tribe's bullpen.

Herrmann was 3-0 with a 0.31 ERA at Columbus. He struck out 22, walked eight and allowed 15 hits in 28 2/3 innings. Hermann, in 19 appearances, had an 0.80 WHIP. International League hitters were batting .158 against him.

"Those are pretty good numbers even for Little League," said Acta.

The Indians signed Herrmann as a minor league non-drafted free agent in August of 2005. He earned a degree in economics from Harvard in the fall of 2006.

Herrmann, a converted starter, was in big league camp with the Tribe this spring.

Wright made the Indians as a spring training invite. He was 1-2 with a 5.48 ERA in 18 appearances. He struck out nine, walked nine and allowed 25 hits in 21 1/3 innings. The opposition was hitting .294 against him.

LeBron James, according to a source, is in discussions with Nike to create a new shoe for every visit along his free agent path starting July 1.

Lorenzo Bevilaqua, CNN via APKing James and Larry King CLEVELAND ---- If you thought the hype over LeBron James and his pending free agency was over the top, it looks like more is in store, according to FanHouse.com reporter Sam Amick.

Amick writes the Larry King interview that airs tonight on CNN is only the beginning of an elaborate scheme to draw unprecedented attention to LeBron.

James, according to the source, is in discussions with Nike to create a new shoe for every visit along his free agent path starting July 1. The shoes would have the date of the visit printed, with James already having scripted his itinerary for the Free Agency Tour 2010.

And there's more. Amick writes the source insists that LeBron will head for New York first to visit with the Knicks, and then spend time with the Nets.

Chicago will be next, with the Bulls hoping he wants to follow in the footsteps of Michael Jordan and become the Windy City's beloved star. Depending on the level of sustained public interest and the discussions with the teams in the respective cities, James will decide at that point whether to continue on to Miami and possibly Los Angeles to see the Clippers.

 

The Associated Press   TOLEDO -- An Ohio man has had to shut off his phone service because he has the same name as the umpire who accidentally cost a Detroit Tiger pitcher a perfect game earlier in the week. Jim Joyce, of Toledo, said he started receiving calls not long after the baseball game ended. He said the...

The Associated Press

Paul Sancya / Associated PressUmpire Jim Joyce accepts Thursday's lineup card from Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga. A blown call by Joyce Wednesday night cost Galarraga a perfect game. Joyce was the plate umpire Thursday in the Tigers' 12-6 win over the Indians.TOLEDO -- An Ohio man has had to shut off his phone service because he has the same name as the umpire who accidentally cost a Detroit Tiger pitcher a perfect game earlier in the week.

The 'Meter is moving again. David Stern, will you please shut up?

Columbus, Ohio - Gilmour seniors Grace Brennan and Rebekka Simko and freshmen Alexis Anton and Meghan Pryatel combined to win the girls 4x800-meter relay Division III state championship today at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus. The foursome finished in 9:31.28 to win by more than four seconds over defending champ Versailles.

Cuyahoga Heights senior Brandon Eddy clears 6-4 on the high jump today at the Division III state track championships at Ohio State.



-

(John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

Columbus, Ohio - Gilmour seniors Grace Brennan and Rebekka Simko and freshmen Alexis Anton and Meghan Pryatel combined to win the girls 4x800-meter relay Division III state championship today at Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus.

The foursome finished in 9:31.28 to win by more than four seconds over defending champ Versailles.

Simko, Brennan and Anton, along with senior Kathryn Drew, also qualified for the final in the 4x400.

The Trinity boys finished seventh in the 4x800. All juniors, Eric Godbey, Nate Babb, Rob Morel and Nick Gliha finished in 8:03.10, 13 seconds off the winning time.

In preliminary action, Trinity's girls 4x200 team of juniors Jessica Glaser and Chelsea Nehez and sophomores Nicole Lungaro and Nicole Kontur advanced to the finals, as did Cornerstone junior Courtney Reese in the 400.

With two events scored, Gilmour and New Middletown Springfield each have 10 points. The pole vault, discus, high jump and shot put will be finished later this afternoon.

Chris Grant, assistant GM to Ferry for the last five years, will replace him.

Plain Dealer fileDanny Ferry, who has resigned as GM of the Cavs, looks on during the press conference when Antawn Jamison joined the team late this season.

Updated: 2:34 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In a decision that is surprising and perhaps throws the Cavaliers into more uncertainty, Danny Ferry resigned as the team's general manager today.

In an interview with the The Plain Dealer, Ferry said the decision was mutual after the sides had talks about a new contract earlier this week. Ferry's five-year deal that he signed when he came to the team in 2005 was scheduled to expire at the end of June.

Ferry will be replaced by top assistant Chris Grant, who has been functioning in the role of a co-general manager for the last several years.

It will now be Grant and Gilbert who hire the next coach after another of the organization's top leaders, Mike Brown, was fired last week.

"I thought it was critical for there to be as much clarity as possible with the basketball operations moving forward," Ferry said. "In hiring a coach it is important for the person to know the structure and who they're partnering with so they can continue to build on the high level that is here now."

Ferry and Gilbert, who will hold a press conference later today, enjoyed a very close relationship over the last several years, but that seemed to change in recent weeks. After the Celtics eliminated the team in the playoffs, Ferry made a case behind the scenes for Gilbert to keep Brown.

When Ferry took the job he pushed to have full personnel control in his contract, even walking away from the table at one point during negotiations. With another contract on the horizon and the uncertainty over LeBron James' future with the team weighing on the franchise, it isn't clear whether Gilbert was ready to cede as much control this time around.

Ferry would not comment on the specifics of what led to the decision.

"At the end of the day," Ferry said, "it was the right time for me to move on."

Gilbert issued the following statement in a team release:

"For five years, Danny Ferry was instrumental in leading the establishment of a culture, process and professionalism that has become part of the fabric of the definition of 'who' are the Cleveland Cavaliers. Danny worked extremely hard to create this strong foundation that we will continue to build upon going forward with much gratitude and appreciation. This solid foundation is evident by the natural and clear choice to choose his close associate, Chris Grant, whom Danny worked in partnership with for his entire five years leading the Cavaliers front office, to succeed Danny as the Cleveland Cavaliers new general manager."

"On behalf of the entire Cleveland Cavaliers organization, I would like to thank Danny and hope that he and his family experience nothing but continued health and success in the years ahead."

Cavaliers photoChris Grant With the franchise heading for a makeover, having a firm succession plan for general manager does have value to the team. Grant has run the Cavs draft since joining the team with Ferry in 2005 and over the last few years has been involved in contract and trade talks.

He turned down a chance to become the general manager of the Atlanta Hawks two years ago, in part to stay with Ferry.

"Our basketball staff was so intertwined, that this will be a natural transition for Chris," Ferry said. "He's done everything that a GM does at every level. Our players know that, our staff knows that, and I'm extremely confident he'll be a strong leader for this basketball team."

U.S. opens World Cup play against England in South Africa next Saturday.

Associated PressRio Ferdinand was hurt during this match against Japan today and will miss the World Cup.

England captain Rio Ferdinand was ruled out of the World Cup today after injuring his left knee in the team's first full training session in South Africa. The United States will open World Cup play against England next Saturday, June 12.

The 31-year-old center back sustained the ligament damage while defending against striker Emile Heskey at England's training ground near Rustenburg a week before England's opener against the United States on June 12.

Hospital tests showed that Ferdinand will be out for four to six weeks and his place on the roster will be taken by Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, while midfielder Steven Gerrard assumes the captaincy.

"It is obviously bad news and everyone with the squad is very disappointed and sorry for Rio," England coach Fabio Capello said. "It was an accidental injury in training, but had nothing to do with the pitch."

It came at the end of another injury-plagued season for Ferdinand at Manchester United, whose back problems forced the defender to just 12 starts for United.

Matthew Upson or Ledley King, who has chronic knee problems, are likely to take Ferdinand's starting spot in central defense alongside John Terry.

Former captain David Beckham, whose World Cup campaign was ended by an Achilles' tendon injury, has traveled with the squad.

World Cup stars have been battling the injury bug lately.

Ivory Coast may have lost its star and captain, Didier Drogba. He broke his right arm today in a 2-0 warmup victory over Japan.

Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo is home in Milan with a calf injury that could force him from soccer's showpiece event. Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar missed practice for the second straight day because of a back injury.

And American striker Jozy Altidore has a sprained right ankle that makes him doubtful for Saturday's tuneup match against Australia.

Shaw: Ferry realized he was caught between a desperate owner and a irreplacable superstar.

Plain Dealer file photoDanny Ferry, shown in happier times with owner Dan Gilbert, has resigned as GM of the Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In resigning Friday, Danny Ferry leaves at a time when owner Dan Gilbert must entice LeBron James to stay -- any way, any how -- or suffer a significant loss in the value of the franchise.

If you were a GM who felt strongly about steering your own ship, the unchartered territory the Cavs suddenly find themselves in would be the defintion of troubled waters.

Don't forget that Ferry would've passed on the Cavs' job five years ago without full authority to run the organization.

Who's calling the shots on a coach to replace Mike Brown? How about on personnel upgrades to get this franchise over the top?

I think it's reasonable to conclude Ferry saw an obvious usurping of his authority about to take place.

Was he forced out? If so, Gilbert better have already come up with a terrific Plan B because whatever mistakes Ferry made his good work more than made up for them.

I think it's more likely Ferry saw the position he was in -- caught between a desperate owner and a irreplacable superstar. If LeBron James wants the seats at The Q painted with his face on each one, Gilbert would have to consider it.

Ferry couldn't have been thrilled with the firing of Brown. But I don't think that was the deal breaker alone. He's played the game. He had to see some of the issues this team had offensively under Brown. He had to see how the distance between Brown and James grew in recent seasons and especially during these playoffs.

Ferry brought in Antawn Jamison and had to notice that Jamison got lost in the Cavaliers' mix during the Boston series. If they ran any plays for Jamison, I didn't notice.

Head coach became a chip in the poker game to keep James as soon as this team took a nose dive against Boston. Ferry had to understand that. So I don't think the firing of Brown was it.

But it was a first step toward convincing him that the parameters of the job he signed on for five years ago were undergoing signficiant and irreversible change.

He was named GM on June 27, 2005.

PD file photoDanny Ferry spent five seasons as GM of the Cavs.

June 27, 2005 -- Ferry named the eighth general manager in Cleveland Cavaliers history.

June, 2005 -- Cavaliers select Martynas Andriuskevicius in the second round.

August 5, 2005 -- Signs free agent Larry Hughes, free agent Donyell Marshall.

September 8, 2005 -- Signs free agent Damon Jones

February 23, 2006 -- Trades Mike Wilks to Seattle for Flip Murray

June, 2006 -- Selects Shannon Brown in the first round and Boobie Gibson in the second round of the NBA Draft.

Feb. 21, 2008 -- Acquires Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Seattle, Ben Wallace and Joe Smith from Chicago in exchange for Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Shannon Brown to the Chicago Bulls and Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall to Seattle. In addition, Cleveland acquired Chicago's second-round pick for 2009.

June, 2008 -- Selects J.J. Hickson in the first round of the NBA Draft.

August 13, 2008 -- Trades Joe Smith to Oklahoma City and Damon Jones to Milwaukee in exchange for Mo Williams.

June 2009 -- Selects Danny Green in the second round of the NBA Draft.

June 25, 2009 -- Trades marginal rotation players Ben Wallace and swing man Sasha Pavlovic, as well as $500,000 and a future second-round pick to Phoenix for Shaquille O'Neal.

July 13, 2009 -- Signs free agent Anthony Parker.

July 24, 2009 -- Signs free agent Jamario Moon.

August 11, 2009 -- Signs free agent Leon Powe.

February 17, 2010 -- Trades Zydrunas Ilgauskas and his expiring contract to the Washington Wizards for Antawn Jamison. Ilgauksas returns 30 days later after he is released by the Wizards.Cavs also receiver Sebastian Telfair from Clippers in the trade.

June 4, 2010 -- Ferry resigns.

Woodridge boys and St. Vincent-St. Mary girls win relays at state track meet

St. Vincent-St. Mary sophomore Sean Poholski hugs teamate sophomore Tessa Weigand after the girls took first in the division II 4x800 and the boys finished fourth during the 2010 State Track & Field Tournaments June 4, 2010 at the OSU's Jesse Owens Memoiral Stadium in Columbus. (John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

Columbus - The Woodridge boys and St. Vincent-St. Mary girls made good impressions in their opening events at the Division II state track meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on Friday.

The Bulldogs won the 4x800 relay, holding off rival Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in the only boys running final. The quartet of Vibushan Sivakumaran, Kyle Cochrun, Jimmy Charles and Drake Sulzer clocked a 7:54.09 to the Royals' 7:58.41.

The Fighting Irish girls had a much tougher time keeping Kettering Alter at bay as Emily Tomei, Samantha Kirk, Tessa Weigand and Marie Arnone combined for a 9:17.15. Kettering Alter came in at 9:18.21.

In other boys finals, Keystone senior Corry Sprouse won the boys long jump with a 22-9.

Chagrin Falls senior Ryan Kochert was second in the pole vault and senior Adam Patterson of Benedictine was third in the shot put.

In girls finals, Southeast senior Brooke Lamar was second in the discus and junior Christina Matheny from Manchester was third in the high jump.

The rest of Friday afternoon was devoted to preliminary running events.

Grant turned down the general manager position with the Atlanta Hawks in 2008.

The Chris Grant file

Cavaliers photoChris Grant, the Cavs' new GM

• Joined Cavaliers in July 2005, hired by Danny Ferry.

• Spent previous nine years with Atlanta Hawks, where his last position was vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager. Held six other positions with the organization, including video intern, video coordinator, advance scout, assistant director of scouting, director of scouting and vice president/assistant general manager.

• Turned down general manager position with Atlanta in 2008.

• A 1994 graduate of University of San Diego, with a degree in psychology. Spent three years on USD basketball team. Played for Cavaliers assistant coach Hank Egan, and played with former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown. Earned a master's degree in educational leadership from USD.

• 38 years old. Married to wife, Kelly, and has two sons, Cameron and Boden.

Go back to main Danny Ferry story

Columbus, Ohio - St. Edward junior Stephen Kisan tied a state record by hitting two home runs -- his first two of the year -- and fellow classmate Vince Bartolone scattered seven hits as the Eagles defeated Olmsted Falls, 10-2, in a Division I state semifinal this afternoon at Huntington Park. The teams endured a 50-minute rain delay in...

St. Edward baseball player Ross Kivett had three hits in the Eagles' state semifinal victory over Olmsted Falls.

Columbus, Ohio - St. Edward junior Stephen Kisan tied a state record by hitting two home runs -- his first two of the year -- and fellow classmate Vince Bartolone scattered seven hits as the Eagles defeated Olmsted Falls, 10-2, in a Division I state semifinal this afternoon at Huntington Park.

The teams endured a 50-minute rain delay in the bottom of the fourth inning, but Bartolone retired in order the first six hitters he faced after play resumed and went on to win his fifth game of the season and second in postseason play.

The victory sends St. Edward (27-3) into Saturday's finals against Cincinnati Elder (28-4) at 4 p.m. for the state title.

The Eagles had 16 hits in winning their 24th consecutive game. Kisan, a third baseman, and lead-off man Ross Kivett, a Kansas State recruit, had three hits each and Kisan knocked in three runs. Kisan tied a record held by three others, the last being Hamilton's Rob Huffman in 1983.

Bartolone, a right-hander, struck out five and walked three. St. Edward will send Stetson Allie (8-1) against Elder.

Phil Mickelson is tied for fifth, six shots off the lead, through nine holes today.

Associated Press fileTiger WodsDUBLIN, Ohio - After a record-tying first two rounds, Ricky Fowler is on top at the Memorial Tournament with the second half of the field still on the course this afternoon. And Tiger Woods at least won't be going home early.

Fowler followed Thursday's 65 with a 66 today, putting him at 13-under par, four shots ahead of Tim Petrovic, who also shot 66. Woods followed his first-round 72 with a 3-under 69 that leaves him 10 shots off the lead and assured of making the weekend.

"That's great playing," Woods said of Fowler's start. "That's great playing out here. You know, we all know he's got the talent to do it. It's just a matter of him doing it."
 
Phil Mickelson, after a first-round 67, is on the course now at 7-under par and tied for fifth through nine holes.

Fowler tied Scott Hoch's record for the low 36-hole score at the Memorial, set in 1987. Hoch went on to tie for third that year after ballooning to a 78 in the final round.

The 21-year-old Fowler is looking for his first PGA Tour win after finishing second at the Phoenix Open in February.

"Just being in contention the few times I have over the last eight months or so since I turned pro, this is by far the best that I've felt," Fowler said.

Woods is still searching for his game after missing several weeks with a neck injury. The Memorial is only his fourth tournament of the year. Woods said he played better than he did Thursday and lipped out five putts that could have given him a much better score than a 69.

"As I said, usually most guys are at this point in January. Here we are in June, and I'm at the point which most guys are beginning of the year," Woods said. "So it's just one of those things where the more times, the more good shots I hit, keep building, and it's a process. As I said, I hit more good shots today than I did yesterday."

Play was suspended by rain for 24 minutes this afterboon. Anticipating bad weather on Saturday afternoon, the tournament will put the players in groups of three and tee off between 7:20 a.m. and 9:20 a.m on Saturday.
 

"Dan Gilbert is looking at a potential nightmare if LeBron James doesn't re-sign. The Cavs will be rebuilding for years. And worse for him, his investment will take a serious hit. How can one athlete mean that much to a city and a franchise? I don't think I have ever seen anything like this." - bobbyz23

View full sizePD fileThings looked good for Danny Ferry and the Cavaliers a month ago. Now Ferry has resigned and the Cavs are watching the Finals on TV.

In response to the story Danny Ferry resigns as GM of Cleveland Cavaliers, cleveland.com reader bobbyz23 can't believe what has happened to the Cavaliers in less than a month. This reader writes,

Dan Gilbert is looking at a potential nightmare if LeBron James doesn't re-sign. The Cavs will be rebuilding for years. And worse for him, his investment will take a serious hit. How can one athlete mean that much to a city and a franchise? I don't think I have ever seen anything like this.

Texas and Notre Dame are the home runs for the Big Ten when it comes to expansion, but is getting both realistic?

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerOSU president E. Gordon Gee This had been a day for Texas talk when it comes to expansion, but the Longhorn dance could be pushing Notre Dame toward a partner as well.

An interesting story from the Columbus Dispatch today detailed contact between Ohio State president Dr. E. Gordon Gee and his counterpart at Texas, William Powers.

See the Gordon Gee e-mails (.pdf)

But the most intriguing part of the emails, which The Plain Dealer also obtained from Ohio State today, was this line from Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany in a response to Gee.

"Also need to make sure we leverage this to increase chance of hr additions."

Obviously, Delany is talking about "home run" big-time schools that would be the headliners in a Big Ten move.

There are only two home run schools out there for the Big Ten - Texas and Notre Dame.

So for all the talk about Missouri and Rutgers and Nebraska and all the other expansion candidates, many of whom probably will end up joining the Big Ten, it is clear that the Big Ten, as expected, is working every angle to pull in the big dogs.

Meanwhile other reports have the Pac-10 ready to offer Texas and five other Big 12 schools admission to that league, which would create a 16-team power conference on the West Coast and in the Southwest.

That would be a seismic change, way beyond just the Big Ten growing a bit. That would be the kind of change that would encourage big thinking everywhere, probably guaranteeing what is already near-certain Big Ten expansion, and maybe moving the SEC to act as well.

That's the kind of seismic change that could make Notre Dame determine that staying independent isn't a logical option any longer.

I still wonder whether Texas makes the most sense for the Big Ten, beyond the money side of things. And if Texas is trying to stick with Texas A&M and Texas Tech (check the Tech problem reference in the e-mails), adding three Texas schools seems to make no sense for the Big Ten.

So a Texas move could lead to a "home run" for the Big Ten. Maybe not the Longhorns. But the Fighting Irish.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It is scary to think about how much of what the Cavaliers have accomplished is due to the pure, dumb luck of a ping-pong ball bouncing the right way and delivering the messiah-(still)-in-waiting, LeBron James. Seven years, two general managers, two head coaches and one interim coach later, James is still here, until he decides otherwise....

Scott Shaw / The Plain DealerFrom the day the ping pong balls bounced their way, LeBron James has been the team's "king".

Seven years, two general managers, two head coaches and one interim coach later, James is still here, until he decides otherwise.

It is unfair to judge a player or a person by his single worst moment, so only fleeting mention will be made of LeBacle, the Game 5 surrender against the Celtics by James and his teammates that sealed coach Mike Brown’s fate.

If you’re scoring at home, not making the playoffs James’ first two years sealed Paul Silas’ fate, and the debut of Dan Gilbert as owner meant interim coach Brendan Malone was just passing through.

Jim Paxson was gone as GM after the playoff misses too, and Ferry is packing up because he knows he won’t call the shots in personnel now.

But it was James’ team before this, and it is so now more than ever.

A name change to Cleveland Kings could happen if King James seeks it. What is the Sacramento franchise to insist on the name and stand in the way of basketball royalty?

Chris Grant, Ferry’s top aide, will have to know the score as he assumes the GM title. That means he must know how to grit his teeth as the LeBron courtship jamboree tours cities whose panting fans will be eager to forget Game 5 ever was played.

And there is no doubt that whoever gets James will be a contender. He is that good, despite the warts that have appeared and the egomania everyone has tried to downplay for so long. It is worth remembering, however, that he publicly signed off on every Ferry move, both those that worked and those that didn’t.

Even if he leaves, Gilbert will do anything humanly possible to create a winning team. He has too big a stake in James to part ways without the full breadth and depth of his considerable powers of persuasiveness coming into play.

Also, very significantly, the Gilbert-owned gambling casino downtown could open as soon as next year, by some forecasts. The owner needs 20,562 fans pouring out of The Q on a regular basis and heading for his wagering emporium, either looking to celebrate or to forget their troubles.

Does this mean Kentucky’s John Calipari, ace college recruiter, so-so to less-than-so coach in an NBA trial years ago, and a close friend of James, might come here as head coach?

It would be foolish to bet against any associate of James right now.

James has the most power over a franchise ever, in any sport, although Brett Favre’s NFL diva act is close. Even in previous seasons, James has seldom been reticent in his opinions about prospective Cavalier player acquisitions. One day, however, he ducked questions by saying, "I’m not the general manager?"

The writers walked away, saying to each other, "When did he ever stop?"

PD's Cavs beat writer says transition to new GM Chris Grant should be seamless.

PD file photoDanny Ferry

VIDEO: Danny Ferry resigned earlier today as general manager of the Cavaliers. Plain Dealer Cavs beat reporter Brian Windhorst analyzes the development in this interview with Starting Blocks TV host Bill Lubinger. (The video runs about eight minutes.)

Brian talks about the struggle for control between owner Dan Gilbert and Ferry, as well as how this will affect the LeBron James free agency.

Also, Brian says the team is in good hands with Chris Grant as the new GM, as Grant has been working side-by-side with Ferry for the last five years.

An excerpt from Brian's story on the Ferry resignation:

Ferry and Gilbert, who will hold a press conference later today, enjoyed a very close relationship over the last several years, but that seemed to change in recent weeks. After the Celtics eliminated the team in the playoffs, Ferry made a case behind the scenes for Gilbert to keep Brown.

When Ferry took the job he pushed to have full personnel control in his contract, even walking away from the table at one point during negotiations. With another contract on the horizon and the uncertainty over LeBron James' future with the team weighing on the franchise, it isn't clear whether Gilbert was ready to cede as much control this time around.

Grady Sizemore has microfracture surgery on left knee today in Vail, Colo.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerIndians center fielder Grady Sizemore is out for the rest of the season.

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Grady Sizemore is done for the season and then some.

Sizemore, the  face of the Indians franchise, underwent mircrofracture surgery on his left knee tody in Vail, Colo. He will miss six to months.

A release by the Indians said Sizemore is expected to play in Cactus League games next spring. Dr. Richard Steadman performed the surgery in Vail, Colo.

It was an arthroscopic procedure that took 90 minutes. The Indians said Steadman wouldn't know the extent of the injury until he started operating. This had to be their worst case scenario.

Microfracture surgery involves drilling small holes in the hole to promote the growth of cartilage. The Indians said the cartilage under Sizemore's knee cap was unstable after he injured the knee diving back into a base in April and re-injured on May 16 in Baltimore.

Sizemore missed most of September last year with surgery on his left elbow and left groin.

Columbus -- Getting off to a good start sure helped on the opening day of the Division II state track meet. No teams knew that better than the Woodridge boys and St. Vincent-St. Mary girls. If the Bulldogs and Fighting Irish wanted to hang with the big boys and girls, scoring an early 10 points by winning the 4x400-meter...

St. Vincent-St. Mary junior Marie Arnone hugs Woodridge junior Vibushan Sivakumaran after both helped their teams to first place in the Division II 4x800-meter relays Friday at the state track meet in Columbus.



-

(John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

Columbus -- Getting off to a good start sure helped on the opening day of the Division II state track meet.

No teams knew that better than the Woodridge boys and St. Vincent-St. Mary girls. If the Bulldogs and Fighting Irish wanted to hang with the big boys and girls, scoring an early 10 points by winning the 4x400-meter relay was the way to go in the two-day meet.

Woodridge held off rival Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, the quartet of Vibushan Sivakumaran, Kyle Cochrun, Jimmy Charles and Drake Sulzer clocking a 7:54.09. CVCA, the runner-up to the Bulldogs at the district and regional, was four seconds behind.

"We were a little bit scared," said anchor Sivakumaran, referring to the recent wins against CVCA. "They really hung with us. We had to get those big points."

Faced with the daunting task of going against powerful Collinwood, CVCA and Columbus Bishop Hartley, the Irish girls did not have the luxury of going against known opposition. But after hanging tough through three legs behind senior Emily Tomei and sophomores Samantha Kirk and Tessa Weigand, junior anchor Marie Arnone held off the concerted charge of Kettering Alter's Rebecca Esselstein to get the nod by a second in 9:17.15. CVCA finished fifth.

"I said no, it's not happening," said Arnone of the stretch duel. "Losing was not an option. We knew about CVCA. Alter's a good team, too."

It felt extra special for senior lead-off runner Tomei, who went through a lot of physical problems last year that nearly ended her running career.

"At this point last season I might not have been running again," said Tomei, keeping her ailments to herself. "I knew what I wanted to do. [Today] I'll be back in the 800."

With only four boys finals and three girls, the other area winner was Keystone senior Corry Sprouse. In his first season of track, the football running back won the long jump on his last attempt with a leap of 22-9. That edged Milan Edison senior Brady Gelvin's 22-81/2.

After that, it was a case of area athletes falling just short.

Benedictine senior Adam Patterson took the lead on two-time champion Matthew Hoty on his fifth toss in the shot put. But Hoty came right back, only to be denied a third title when Pemberville's Justin Welch beat him with a record 66-11 3/4.

Patterson had to settle for third place at 61-6 3/4.

"I'm not disappointed at all," said Patterson, who will attend South Alabama on a track scholarship. "Nobody was feeling it until I popped that 61. That got everybody going. The numbers don't lie."

Chagrin Falls senior Ryan Kochert was locked in a one-on-one finale in the pole vault against senior Jamey Robson from Mansfield Ontario. After matching Robson's 15-4 vault, he could not duplicate Robson at 15-8. Still, Kochert had his personal best on the state's biggest stage.

"I was definitely happy to get over 15 and the school record," said Kochert, who will report to the U.S. Naval Academy on July 1. "I have no regrets. He cleared 15-8 clean."

In girls finals, Ravenna Southeast senior Brooke Lamar was second in the discus and Manchester junior Christina Matheny was third in the high jump. Collinwood senior Erin Busbee finished fourth.

It was a matter of timing for the rest of the day as preliminaries were run in eight running events.

The Collinwood girls qualified in seven events, with Bishop Hartley matching the Railroaders. Defending co-champion CVCA advanced in four events.

Buchtel sophomore Nathaniel Harris had top times in both the 100 and 200. He also anchored the top-qualifying 4x200 relay team.

State track recap, Day 1 Division II

Chagrin Falls senior Ryan Kochert celebrates his 15 feet, 4 inch effort in the Division II pole vault, good for second place at the state track meet in Columbus.



-

(John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

State track recap, Day 1

Division II

What happened:

Northeast Ohio produced three winning efforts on the opening day of the Division II track meet at Ohio State's Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The Woodridge boys and the St. Vincent-St. Mary girls 4x400-meter relay teams were victorious in the lone running finals. In field event finals, Keystone senior Corry Sprouse won the long jump on his final attempt with a leap of 22 feet, 9 inches. It was Keystone's first state track champion since 1991.

The stars:

• Keystone's Sprouse never thought he would be a track star, opting to play football and baseball for the Wildcats. He decided to run sprints this spring to pick up speed as a running back in the fall at Notre Dame College in South Euclid. He wound up winning the long jump on Friday with a leap of 22-9.

• Collinwood senior Amber Smith will have a busy day today. In the morning she will compete with senior teammate and fellow Michigan recruit Erin Busbee in the long jump. After qualifying first in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, the latter in a Division II record 42.94, she will also run in the 4x200 relay.

• Buchtel sophomore Nathaniel Harris was the top qualifier in the 100 and 200, while anchoring the Griffins on their top-seeded 4x200 relay.

•Columbus Bishop Hartley senior Chesna Sykes qualified first in the 100 and 200 and was on both of the top qualifying 4x100 and 4x200 relays, the latter setting a Division II record.

Notable: Collinwood and Bishop Hartley are locked in a two-team race in the girls division. They will square off against each other in seven events today, including three relays. Collinwood's Busbee is the favorite in the long jump, with Hartley junior Maya Pederson going solo after qualifying third against defending champ Daianna Barron of Warrensville Heights, the top qualifier.