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Cleveland Cavaliers A.M. Links: Byron Scott makes changes; game stories

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The Cavaliers played better but it still doesn't matter.

Cleveland Cavaliers in contract talks with Byron Scott as head coachByron Scott

The Cleveland Cavaliers played tougher but the results were the same in their loss to the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night.


Coach Byron Scott made a few changes (moving Antawn Jamison and Daniel Gibson into the starting lineup and removing Joey Graham and J.J. Hickson) but the Cavaliers still came up short, writes Ohio.com's Jason Lloyd.




''Obviously, I'm searching for something,'' Scott said. ''I just think it's a move that's warranted. Right now the things we're doing are not working and the guys we have out there aren't working, so I don't see what we can lose.''


Putting the veteran Jamison into the starting lineup and moving out Hickson is proof Scott is serious about salvaging this season, writes Lloyd. Although the Cavs began the night 7-14, Scott has no intention of playing for next season and said General Manager Chris Grant and owner Dan Gilbert aren't ready to do that, either.




''I'm nowhere near there right now,'' Scott said. ''I still have a lot of faith and trust in them. They have to stop feeling sorry for themselves and go out and play basketball, period.''


 


Game stories


Ohio.com: Cavaliers' lineup is a winner in loss.


Cleveland.com: Shuffled lineup produces close game.


News-Herald: Bulls defeat Cavaliers.


Chicago Tribune: Rose the key for Bulls over Cavaliers.


Chicago Sun-Times: Rose is a rose.


 


New crib


LeBron James also took his talents to Coconut Grove. James purchased a mansion for $9 million. It has six bedrooms and eight and a half bathrooms. There's a wine cellar, library, home theater, three-car garage and guest house. 


 


Buffalo Bills wide receiver Lee Evans on DSN's Locked and Loaded

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Listen to an interview with Bills wide receiver and Bedford high graduate Lee Evans at 11:15 today on Digital Sports Network.

lee-evans.JPGView full sizeBills wide receiver and Bedford high graduate Lee Evans will be on Locked and Loaded today at 11:15 a.m.
Digital Sports Network is talking Browns, Cavaliers and Indians all day today and getting you ready for Sunday's game in Buffalo.

Join Greg Kozarik and Brian Fowler on Locked and Loaded from 9 a.m. to noon. You can call, e-mail, tweet or jump in the chat room to get your questions answered and your opinions heard.

Joining the guys this morning at 11:15 will be Buffalo Bills wide receiver and Bedford high graduate Lee Evans to talk about this Sunday's matchup.

You can check out a live video stream of the show or just listen to the audio.

Talk Cavaliers with Mary Schmitt Boyer Thursday at noon

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What can the Cavaliers do to get out of this losing streak? Will Byron Scott's lineup changes really make a difference? Mary Schmitt Boyer will answer those questions and more in a live chat today at noon.

Mary Schmitt BoyerChat with Mary Schmitt Boyer at noon.
What can the Cavaliers do to get out of this losing streak? Will Byron Scott's lineup changes really make a difference?

Mary Schmitt Boyer will answer those questions and more in a live chat today at noon.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Mary's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

Remember, you can also send her questions to Hey, Mary! Those answers will appear in the newspaper and online every Sunday.





 


Fans share in blame for athletes' attitudes - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"To a degree, the fans have created the problem with their mindless hero worship, willingness to pay anything to attend events and laying out insane amounts of cash for overpriced merchandise. Do you think the players on the Cavs care that the Q was built with taxpayer money? Why does a society that cannot afford to properly fund education for our children subsidize arrogant, multi-millionaire athletes?" - samstheman

Quicken Loans Arena - The QView full sizeQuicken Loans Arena.

In response to the story When it comes to the pro athlete, fraternity is more vital than integrity: Bill Livingston, cleveland.com reader samstheman thinks the fans are at least partially to blame for athletes' attitudes. This reader writes,

"To a degree, the fans have created the problem with their mindless hero worship, willingness to pay anything to attend events and laying out insane amounts of cash for overpriced merchandise. Do you think the players on the Cavs care that the Q was built with taxpayer money? Why does a society that cannot afford to properly fund education for our children subsidize arrogant, multi-millionaire athletes?"

To respond to samstheman's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Hodges has been a godsend - Browns Comment of the Day

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"Hodges has been a godsend for this team. He's a much better-than-average punter and he does a fine job as Dawson's holder on extra points and field goals." - theksukidd73

reggie-hodges.jpgView full sizeBrowns punter Reggie Hodges has also done well handling some high snaps on Phil Dawson field goal attempts.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns punter Reggie Hodges enjoying the winter of his NFL content, cleveland.com reader theksukidd73 thinks Reggie Hodges was a good find for the Browns. This reader writes,

"Hodges has been a godsend for this team. He's a much better-than-average punter and he does a fine job as Dawson's holder on extra points and field goals."

To respond to theksukidd73's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Cleveland Indians lose Josh Rodriguez and Jose Flores in Rule 5 draft

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The Indians supply the first two picks in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft as Josh Rodriguez goes to Pittsburgh and Jose Flores goes to Seattle.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Indians didn't take a player in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft, but they lost two Thursday at the winter meetings. In fact, they provided the first two picks in the draft.

Pittsburgh took infielder Josh Rodriguez, 25, from the Class AAA Columbus roster with the first pick in the draft. Seattle took right-hander Jose Flores with the second pick from the Columbus roster.

Rodriguez, a second round pick by the Indians in 2006, had a breakout year. He hit .317 (20-for-63) at Class AA Akron and really emerged at Columbus where he hit .293 (93-for-317) with 12 doubles and 46 RBI. He had a .858 OPS -- .372 on base percentage and .486 slugging percentage.

"Looking at the free agent middle infielders available, he's a good fit for us," said Pirates GM Neal Huntington. "He can play second, short and third and we like the bat. He absolutely has a shot of sticking with us."  

Flores, 21, pitched at Class A Lake County. He went 1-1 with a 2.14 ERA and six saves in seven chances in 28 games. He struck out 51, walked seven and allowed 35 hits in 42 innings. The opposition hit .224 against him.

He was signed as a free agent in 2008 in Venezuela.

"It's unusual to take a guy from (low) A ball," said Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik. "But again, when you look at it, the key to the thing is that he's a strike thrower. He's aggressive and has size and arm. We'll see what happens."

Zdurencik said the Mariners scouted Flores, 6-3, 185 pounds, last season and checked with their Venezuelan scouts to see how he pitched as an amateur. 

The Indians will receive $50,000 each for Rodriguez and Flores. The Pirates and Mariners must keep them in the big leagues all season or offer them back to the Indians along with $25,000.

Ross Atkins, Indians director of minor league operations, said he'd definitely take both players back if they don't make the Pirates and Mariners big-league clubs coming out of spring training.

"It's a great opportunity for them, but selfishly we'd absolutely take them back," said Atkins.

The Indians considered creating space on the 40 roster to take a player in the draft, but decided against it. 

"We feel good about the roster we held," said Atkins.

The Indians have a lot of players at second base including Jason Donald, Luis Valbuena, Jayson Nix and prospects Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps. Atkins said that was one of the decisions that went into leaving Rodriguez unprotected.

Atkins said it was "unusual' for a player to get pick from low A ball as Flores was, but he understood the attraction.

"He's a good pitcher," said Atkins. 

The Indians left former No.1 pick Adam Miller unprotected and he was not draft. Miller has had a series of operations on the middle finger of his right hand that have threatened his career. But he ended last season healthy and will attempt a comeback in spring training.

Ohio State Buckeyes A.M. Links: Reporter predicted showdown between OSU and Arkansas; No tickets; Arkansas coach could replace Urban Meyer

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Ohio State Buckeyes predicted to play Arkansas, but not in Sugar Bowl.

Ohio State loses to Wisconsin, 31-18Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) throws against the Wisconsin defense.

The great predictor, also known as Toledo Blade reporter Jon Spencer, wrote in October that Ohio State and Arkansas would meet in a bowl this season.

Spencer, however, had the right teams but the wrong bowl.

No need to belabor the fact that I was off by three days (they'll be playing Jan. 4 instead of New Year's Day) and a few hundred miles (the distance between Jacksonville and New Orleans).

Weathermen would kill to be so close with their forecasts.

Spencer also writes how quarterback Terrelle Pryor didn't get much recognition from the media and coaches in the Big Ten.

I've had a vote on the all-league team in the past, so I know how difficult it is to get it right, especially in a Big Ten where the game plans sometimes set football back to the last century. Check that, 19th century.

But relegating Pryor to honorable mention, especially when 10 of his teammates made first team, seems a particularly harsh sentence.

  

Tickets

Columbus Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon writes how Ohio State sold out its public allotment of Sugar Bowl tickets within 15 minutes on Wednesday, but Arkansas fans still might be in the majority at the Sugar Bowl.

Demand at both schools is high, officials say.

Each school was allotted 17,500 tickets. Both gave priority to their donors, season ticket-holders and other university groups.

The difference is that Arkansas had 24,000 pre-orders, and after accommodating all the above-named groups, the public had no crack at those.

 

 

Arkansas to Florida?

Will Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino replace Urban Meyer who resigned on Wednesday from Florida?

Arkansas News reporter Robbie Neiswanger writes Petrino's name came up, although it's not known if Petrino was a candidate Wednesday night, but media reports mentioned the coach being on Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley’s radar. He wasn’t alone, joining others like Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen, Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops and Louisville’s Charlie Strong.

The Sporting News said in a story Wednesday night Petrino is “at the top of the list” after being a finalist for the job Meyer won in 2004. ESPN college football analyst Mark Schlabach also made a strong statement regarding Petrino during a television appearance earlier in the day.

“I think his offense would be a nice fit in Florida,” Schlabach said. “I think there would be a bunch of coaches around the SEC and across the country that wouldn’t be too thrilled to see Bobby Petrino in Florida with all those athletes.”

Attempts to reach Petrino were unsuccessful Wednesday.

 

   

Sugar Bowl is expensive exhibition - Ohio State Comment of the Day

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"Why spend that much for an exhibition game? That's what it is. Neither team can possibly come out No. 1." - mjp96

jim-tressel-ap.JPGView full sizeJim Tressel and the Buckeyes will play Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.

In response to the story Ohio State sells out Sugar Bowl ticket allotment -- but not necessarily to all Buckeyes fans, cleveland.com reader mjp96 doesn't get why fans are paying that much for tickets. This reader writes,

"Why spend that much for an exhibition game? That's what it is. Neither team can possibly come out No. 1."

To respond to mjp96's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Northeast Ohio high school sports listings for December 9, 2010

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North Olmsted seeks two track coaches: a jumps/pole vault coach and a throwing coach. Send letter of interest and resume to Tim Carras, Athletic Director, North Olmsted High School, 5755 Burns Road, North Olmsted, OH 44070 or e-mail tcarra@leeca.org. Lakewood is accepting applications for the position of varsity head girls soccer coach. Send resume to Lakewood High, c/o Bob...

North Olmsted seeks two track coaches: a jumps/pole vault coach and a throwing coach. Send letter of interest and resume to Tim Carras, Athletic Director, North Olmsted High School, 5755 Burns Road, North Olmsted, OH 44070 or e-mail tcarra@leeca.org.

Lakewood is accepting applications for the position of varsity head girls soccer coach. Send resume to Lakewood High, c/o Bob Thayer, 14100 Franklin Blvd., Lakewood, Ohio 44107.

Magnificat seeks a sprint and hurldles coach. Contact head track coach Anjanette Ababian Whitman at aarabian@magnificaths.org.

Magnificat seeks a varsity soccer head coach. Applicants should have previous coaching experience at the high school or club level. Contact Athletic Director Rhonda Rickelman at rrickelman@magnificaths.org. The deadline is Dec. 22.

St. Vincent-St. Mary seeks a varsity volleyball coach. Send letter of interest and resume to Athletic Director, 15 North Maple Street, Akron, OH 44303 or ajalwan@stvm.com. The deadline is Jan. 4.

Wadsworth is accepting applications for head boys tennis coach and JV boys tennis coach. Send a letter of interest and resume to Athletic Director Rich Berlin at rberlin@wadsworth.k12.oh.us or call 330-335-1400. The deadline is Dec. 13.

Cleveland Metropolitan Schools seek track coaches for the spring season. Contact Leonard B. Jackson, commissioner of interscholastic athletics, at 216-574-8670.

Marion Harding is seeking applicants for the following positions: head girls tennis coach, assistant girls tennis coach, assistant cross country coach, head boys tennis coach and assistant boys tennis coach. E-mail letter of interest and resume to Athletic Director Gary Miller at gary_miller@marioncity.k12.oh.us.

Lima seeks a head football coach/program coordinator. Possible teaching opening. Send letter of interest and resume to Jim Offenbaker, Athletic Administrator, Lima Senior High School, 1 Spartan Way, Lima, OH 45801. Call 419-996-3050, fax 419-996-3053. Material must be postmarked by Dec. 13.

Martin Luther King seeks nonconference games for the boys and girls basketball season. Contact Janice Woolfolk at 216-881-1457.

Maple Heights is looking for a girls track head coach. Send resume to Tom O'Connor, Athletic Director, 5500 Clement Dr., Maple Heights, OH 44137 or e-mail thomas.oconnor@mapleschools.com.

Hathaway Brown is seeking varsity softball games for the upcoming 2011 season. Contact Paul Barlow at 216-320-8796 ext. 7106 or pbarlow@hb.edu.

St. Peter Chanel seeks a head football coach. Send cover letter and resume to Office of the Athletic Director, St. Peter Chanel High School, 480 Northfield Road, Bedford, OH 44146.

Lincoln-West seeks regular season games for the 2010-11 girls basketball season, as well as a football game during Week 7 (Oct. 7 or 8) of the 2011 season. Contact Athletic Director Anthony Simeone at 216-272-5630 or ALSime1@hotmail.com.

Kirtland seeks a varsity and junior varsity girls basketball game. Call Matt Paul at 440-256-3366 ext. 4002.

Southwestern Conference seeks a league secretary. Candidate should have a background working with high school athletics. The SWC consists of eight schools in the western suburbs of Cleveland. Contact Midpark Athletic Director Bob Johnson at 216-676-8400, ext. 8759 or e-mail rjohnson@berea.k12.oh.us.

Crestwood seeks a freshman baseball coach. Contact Athletic Director Steve Matheos at 330-274-3826 or matheos@crestwood.sparcc.org or Crestwood High, 10919 N. Main Street, Mantua, OH 44255.

University School is seeking a head tennis coach. Experience playing competitive tennis and coaching tennis at the high school or college level is preferred. Send a letter of interest, resume, college transcript and references to Ron Grant at rgrant@us.edu or University School, 2785 SOM Center Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022.

Revere needs two assistant softball coaches. Contact Bill Schumacher at bschumac@revereschools.org.

Beachwood seeks a boys tennis head coach and an assistant high school and middle school tennis coach. Prior head coaching experience is preferred for the high school tennis position. Candidates must be willing to help build all levels of the program. Contact Ryan M. Peters, director of athletics, at rmp@beachwoodschools.org or call 216-831-2080, ext. 210.

Hathaway Brown seeks an assistant varsity softball coach and a middle school softball coach. Send resume to Amanda Brown, athletic director, 19600 North Park Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH 44122 or e-mail abrown@hb.edu.

Rhodes seeks junior varsity and varsity boys basketball and girls basketball games for the upcoming season. Call Athletic Director Cheri Dzuro at 216-459-3111.

John Adams is looking for freshman boys basketball games for the 2010-11 season. E-mail Dan Hubbard, athletic director, at daniel.hubbard@cmsdnet.net or call 216-491-5700.

Independence needs a JV and varsity girls basketball game and a track coach. Contact Tim Skoczen, athletic administrator, at 216-642-5861.

Lincoln-West is looking for varsity and JV boys basketball games on Jan. 28 or Jan. 29. The school is also looking for Week 2 football opponent for the 2011 season. Contact Anthony Simeone, athletic director, at ALSime1@hotmail.com or 216-272-5630.

Youngstown Boardman seeks a baseball coach. Send resume to Dave Smercansky, Boardman High, 7777 Glenwood Ave., Boardman, OH 44512 or e-mail david.smercansky@boardmanschools.org.

Cuyahoga Heights needs to fill the following: A third football game in 2011; varsity football scrimmages for 2011; gymnastics meets in 2010-2011; and a fourth team for a double-dual in wrestling on Jan. 7. Contact Dave Brown at 216-429-5795 or e-mail dbrown@cuyhts.org.

Urban Meyer would be a worthy successor someday to Jim Tressel as Ohio State football coach, says Doug Lesmerises (SBTV)

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Tressel will coach for years, PD reporter says, but when the time comes, Meyer's resume speaks for itself. Watch video


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.


Today's guest is Plain Dealer Ohio State writer Doug Lesmerises. Doug talks about the sudden retirement of University of Florida football coach Urban Meyer on Wednesday. Doug says that given Meyer's Ohio roots, he might make a great replacement for OSU coach Jim Tressel years from now when Tressel decides to retire..


What do you think the future holds for Meyer? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.


Doug also talks about the quick sale of 1,700 Sugar Bowl tickets by the OSU athletic department on Wednesday; whether Buckeye QB Terrelle Pryor will be a Heisman Trophy finalist next season; and whether the OSU men's basketball team deserves to be ranked No. 2 in the nation in this week's polls.


SBTV will be back Friday with PD Browns reporter Tony Grossi answering questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.

Mary Schmitt Boyer talks Cavaliers basketball - Podcast

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Will Byron Scott's lineup shake-up make a difference? What was the most surprising aspect of LeBron's return last Thursday? Mary Schmitt Boyer answered those questions and more in her weekly podcast.

Mary Schmitt BoyerChat with Mary Schmitt Boyer at noon.

Will Byron Scott's lineup shake-up make a difference? What was the most surprising aspect of LeBron's return last Thursday? 

Mary Schmitt Boyer answered those questions and more in her weekly podcast, recorded earlier today on cleveland.com.

Among the topics Mary talks about:

- What did you think of the actions of the Cavaliers players towards LeBron James on Thursday night?

- What's happened to Ramon Sessions' minutes?

- Has this team made any decisions in regards to a roster shake-up?

- Would the Cavaliers take on a bad contract if it meant they could get a good young player along with it?

- Does the lack of effort prior to last night's game against Chicago concern you?

Click on the play button below to listen to the podcast or download the MP3 version to listen on-the-go!

Podcast: Mary Schmitt Boyer talks Cavaliers audio


Remember, you can also send her questions to Hey, Mary! Those answers will appear in the newspaper and online every Sunday.

'You Pick the Winners': Branson Wright pads his lead over co-host Chuck Yarborough; panic ensues

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Branson Wright widens the gap over his "You Pick the Winners" co-host with another lucky win by the Raiders. Watch video


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tina Addison of Middleburg Heights went 14-2 last week and took the tie-breaker to win a $25 gift card and qualify for a spot in the finals in our "You Pick the Winners" football pick 'em contest.

Host Branson Wright padded his lead over co-host Chuck Yarborough by going 13-3, and 117-73 overall. Chuck stands at a respectable 11-5 and 112-78. The biggest factor in Branson's gain? An inexplicable -- and dang it, inexcusable -- Oakland win over San Diego. How does the NFL's leading quarterback fall to the Raiders? Arrrrrrrgh.

This week, fortunes will turn when Chuck's home-state Dallas Cowboys rise up against Michael Vick and the Eagles in Dallas. The Cowboys, whose 1-8 start led to Chuck's falter out of the gate, were picked to be the first team to host the Super Bowl. Clearly out of the picture now, the Pokes won't even make the playoffs, which makes them dangerous. They will be extra motivated against their division rivals. Plus, beloved former quarterback Don Meredith, who passed away earlier this week, will be looking down from that Great Jumbotron in the Sky. This game is in the bag.


Each week, fans can go online to cleveland.com/footballpicks and
make their predictions. The winning prognosticator gets that $25 gas
card and the opportunity to be the guest of SBTV hosts Branson and Chuck on "You Pick the Winners," streaming on cleveland.com.

In the event of a tie, we'll use the total score
of the Browns game as a tiebreaker, which is how Matt emerged the winner in this week's contest. Whoever comes closest to the total
without going over will prevail. If there's still a tie after that,
we'll do a random drawing. See official contest rules
for further details. Whoever makes the most correct picks will become a
finalist for a $250 gift card to be awarded at the end of the season.
(OK, it's not much; this is mostly for fun.)

you-pick-the-winners.jpgView full size

Pro Football Hall of Fame due a $24 million expansion

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Pro Football Hall of Fame is going to get the largest expansion in its 50-year history.

pro-football-hall-ap.JPGView full sizeThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is getting a major make-over.
Canton, Ohio —The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Ohio will embark on a $23.6 million expansion and renovation, the largest in its history.

The project will be detailed at a news conference Friday at the hall in Canton.

The renovation and expansion is scheduled for completion in 2013, the hall’s 50th anniversary. It draws nearly 200,000 visitors yearly.

The 2011 Hall of Fame class will be selected Feb. 5 and will be formally inducted on Aug. 6.


LeBron James was underpaid last season, Forbes magazine says

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LeBron James was underpaid by about $30 million last season.

southbeach.jpgLeBron James

Shame on you, Cleveland Cavaliers' fans. Shame on you for booing LeBron James when he was here with the Miami Heat last week, writes Tom Van Riper of Forbes magazine.

Instead of jeering James, writes Van Riper, fans should have given him a standing ovation. Van Riper calls Cleveland fans ungrateful.

Seriously.

Clevelanders ought to be thanking him for the great ride. Gilbert should be thanking him too -- the salary he doled out to James was a pittance compared to the victories and money that rolled in during his Cleveland reign.

Not only should fans have given LeBron thank you cards, but LeBron, who earned $15.8 million last season, was underpaid.

At almost 30 points and nine assists per game, 50.5% shooting and 39 minutes a night on the floor, James produced more wins for his club (27.2) than any player in the league. All while earning less than Zach Randolph and Pau Gasol, and about the same as slightly lesser stars Dwight Howard and James' new Miami running mate, Dwayne Wade. James edges out Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Boston's Rajon Rondo as the player who delivered the most for the money last season.

So Van Riper comes up with this formula which weighs heavily on wins, and he figures James should have earned something in the neighborhood of $46 million per season.

Bob Feller in last major interview with The Cleveland Plain Dealer

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Bob Feller's last major interview with The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Spring training 1938Bob Feller, the 19-year-old schoolboy hurler from Van Meter, Iowa, is shown with a high kick preparing for a hefty toss at the spring training camp of the Cleveland Indians in New Orleans on February 28, 1938.

While Hall of Famer Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller is receiving hospice care, we wanted to reflect on an outstanding interview he did with The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff in the spring.

Days before Feller took off for spring training, he took the time to share with Manoloff.

 
PD: When you hear the term 'living legend' used to describe you, what does it mean?

BF: I owe baseball everything I am today. Whatever I may or may not be, I owe to baseball. I think of a young kid who had great parents, teachers, coaches and a scout, Cy Slapnicka, who signed me and took me in almost as his son. Living legend? It's a term I respect and appreciate because I started out as a kid with no idea what might happen in the game. Thanks to Cy having a lot of confidence in me, I was able to pitch for Cleveland.
PD: Which of the nicknames most attached to you do you prefer: The Heater from Van Meter, Bullet Bob or Rapid Robert?

BF: I don't like any of them that much, to be honest. To me, Bullet Bob is Bullet Bob Turley (1958 Cy Young winner). Rapid Robert is the most popular, but I don't care for it. Anne, my wife, doesn't like it, either. I prefer to be called Bob. If they call me Rapid Robert, well, so be it.

PD: In official baseball records and on your statue outside Progressive Field, you are listed as Robert William Andrew Feller. What is behind the two middle names?

BF: My father's name was William. My grandfather -- his father -- was Andrew. Andrew's widow, when I was born in 1918, wanted me to have her husband's name. She asked right in our home in Iowa. So my parents said, "Yes, we're going to name him Robert William Andrew Feller." They didn't. She never knew it when she went to her grave. My legal name at the county recorder's office in Dallas County, Iowa, is Robert William Feller. Robert William Andrew Feller is not my name, legally.

PD: But you don't mind the two middle names?

BF: I don't mind at all.

 


Hillis could have a big day on Sunday - Browns Comment of the Day

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"Buffalo's run defense is terrible, which plays into the Browns' strengths. Jake shouldn't need to make risky throws if Hillis takes command early." - durangodawg

107184174.jpgView full sizePeyton Hillis could be up for a big day on Sunday in Buffalo.

In response to the story Jake Delhomme preparing for third straight start at QB: Browns Insider, cleveland.com reader durangodawg thinks Sunday will be another day for Peyton Hillis to shine. This reader writes,

"Buffalo's run defense is terrible, which plays into the Browns' strengths. Jake shouldn't need to make risky throws if Hillis takes command early."

To respond to durangodawg's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Happy to at least see some effort - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"I'll keep watching and supporting this team as long as they keep showing me effort and that they want to win. I was seriously concerned this week when they mailed in five straight games with no effort." - mainemike

carousel_varejao.jpgView full sizeWhile the Cavaliers have struggled, fans at least want to see effort, especially from veterans like Anderson Varejao.

In response to the story Close, but still no win: Cavaliers in-game blog, cleveland.com reader mainemike just wants to see some effort from the Cavaliers. This reader writes,

"I'll keep watching and supporting this team as long as they keep showing me effort and that they want to win. I was seriously concerned this week when they mailed in five straight games with no effort."

To respond to mainemike's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Buckeyes' hoops team making good early impression - Comment of the Day

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"This is a real fun team to watch. Last year it all seemed to be on Evan Turner's back. This year it's a team in the real sense of the word." - sadsamjones

jared-sullinger-ap.JPGView full sizeFreshman Jared Sullinger is a big reason fans are excited about the Buckeyes.

In response to the story Ohio State's basketball veterans helping talented freshmen mesh into a winning team, cleveland.com reader sadsamjones likes what he's seen from the hoops Buckeyes. This reader writes,

"This is a real fun team to watch. Last year it all seemed to be on Evan Turner's back. This year it's a team in the real sense of the word."

To respond to sadsamjones' comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

High school players of the week for December 10, 2010

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See thumbnail index of this week's players of the week.

Gurjeet Gill, Strongsville
Sport: Basketball
Class: Senior
Age: 18
Ht: 6-1
Wt: 160

What Gurjeet did last week: In his first varsity game, guard scored 23 points, going 9-for-13 from the field and 4-for-4 on free throws. Also had four rebounds, six assists and three steals, with one turnover, in an 83-63 win against Olmsted Falls.

About Gurjeet: Favorites include the Cavaliers, Wizards rookie John Wall, "Step Brothers" movie, "Pardon the Interruption" TV show, facebook.com, "NBA 2K11" video game, hamburgers, Shinto restaurant, Polo clothes and psychology class. Wants to visit Cancun, Mexico.

Aaron Ashley, Cleveland Heights
Sport: Basketball
Class: Senior
Age: 19
Ht: 6-5
Wt: 180

What Aaron did last week: In an 81-60 win against Solon, guard had 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. In an 88-63 win over Lutheran East, he had 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. He was 5-for-10 on 3-pointers in the two games.

About Aaron: Favorites include the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant, "Love & Basketball" movie, "SportsCenter" TV show, music by Drake, "NBA 2K11" video game, "Lord of the Flies" book, pizza, Red Lobster restaurant and Nike shoes. Wants to try Cajun food.

Christen Nohra, Valley Forge
Sport: Basketball
Class: Senior
Age: 17
Ht: 5-8

What Christen did last week: In victories over Padua, North Olmsted and John Marshall, forward averaged 13 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and 2.3 assists. She had a 14-point, 13-rebound effort in the 53-49 win against Padua.

About Christen: Member of the National Honor Society and Student Ambassadors. Enjoys reading. Plans to attend Kent State and major in secondary English education. Favorites include the Cavaliers, "Shutter Island" movie, music by the Goo Goo Dolls, Boneyard restaurant and English class.

Alexis Guy, Laurel
Sport: Basketball
Class: Junior
Age: 16
Ht: 5-8

What Alexis did last week: Point guard scored 43 points, with seven steals, five assists and five rebounds in a 75-61 win against Our Lady of the Elms. In a 59-46 win over Trinity, she had 23 points. In a 56-49 loss to West Geauga, she scored 20 points.

About Alexis: Member of the school's community service board. Hopes to play college basketball. Favorites include Duke men's basketball and player Kyle Singler, "Remember the Titans" movie, "CSI Miami" TV show, ice cream, Chipotle restaurant and math class. Would like to visit Italy.

Mike Labry, Twinsburg
Sport: Wrestling
Class: Junior
Age: 16
Ht: 5-5
Wt: 125

What Mike did last week: Went 5-0 at the season-opening Solon Comet Classic, registering three pins and two technical falls.

About Mike: Hobbies include snowboarding, wakeboarding, skateboarding and jumping on his trampoline. Wants to wrestle in college. Favorites include Ohio State, "Troy" movie, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" TV show, "Assassin's Creed" video game, Buffalo Wild Wings and Chipotle restaurants and science class. Wants to try sky diving.

Yousef Abdel-Salam, Lakewood
Sport: Wrestling
Class: Senior
Age: 18
Ht: 5-5
Wt: 125

What Yousef did last week: Went 6-0 in winning the Knights of Columbus Tournament. He had four pins and 24 takedowns in the six matches. He has a 104-24 career record.

About Yousef: Always prays before matches and runs sprints afterward. Wants to study education in college. Favorites include the Browns, mixed martial arts fighter Georges St. Pierre, "300" movie, "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" TV show, music by Kanye West, steakburgers, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and social studies class.

Audrey McDonald, Bay
Sport: Swimming
Class: Junior
Age: 16
Ht: 5-8

What Audrey did last week: In a metric dual against Cuyahoga Heights, she was on four winning events: 200 medley relay in 2: 14.08; 200 free in 2: 22.21; 100 breast in 1: 24.44; and 400 freestyle relay in 4: 26.96. At the Bay Rocket Relays, she was on winning teams in the 200-yard medley relay in a meet and pool record 1: 57.99; 200 breaststroke relay in a meet record 2: 19.79; and the meet and pool record 400 freestyle relay in 3: 48.80.

About Audrey: Member of the Lake Shore Swim Club. Favorites include Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, "Castle" TV show, facebook.com, ice cream, Olive Garden restaurant and physics class.

Coaches' nominations for Players of the Week will be taken Mondays between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The toll-free number for coaches to call for the seven-county coverage area is 1-800-388-4370.

As Cleveland Cavaliers lose games, rookie Manny Harris wins more minutes

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A six-game losing streak means a chance for rookie guard Manny Harris to showcase his skills and inject some rookie energy into the Cavaliers lineup.

manny harris.JPGView full sizeCavaliers rookie Manny Harris, front, says he knows he must be patient as he learns to play in the NBA.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — With six whopping games of playing experience under his belt, the game is finally, at long last, starting to slow down a little for Manny Harris.

At least on one side of the court.

"It did a lot on the defensive end," Harris said after the Cavaliers fell to Chicago on Wednesday. "On the offensive end, I just had to slow down a little bit. . . . Offensively, I have to continue to be patient."

The undrafted rookie guard from Michigan will have time to work on his patience. Cavaliers coach Byron Scott activated Harris for the 88-83 loss to the Bulls, and Harris played a season-high 21 minutes while scoring six points on 2-of-7 shooting.

The player who has seen action in just two of the past 12 games and has played a total of 67 minutes in the NBA is about to get his chance to see if he can figure out the offensive flow of the game. Scott said he plans to stick with lineup changes he injected Wednesday, despite the Cavaliers' sixth loss in a row.

That includes former starting small forward Jamario Moon on the inactive list, Daniel Gibson and Antawn Jamison in the starting lineup and either limited time for some starters (J.J. Hickson played nine minutes) or no time for others (Ramon Sessions didn't play).

Harris was Scott's first substitution of the game Wednesday, replacing Gibson with 4:54 remaining in the first quarter. His first shot attempt was blocked 11 seconds later.

But he nailed a 3-pointer early in the second quarter to bring the Cavaliers to within one point of the Bulls, he was active and energetic defensively and, in general, exhibited the kind of fearless play that helped him earn a place on the roster ahead of last year's second-round pick, Danny Green.

"Manny played particularly well. He gave us exactly what we wanted," Scott said.

"He was real good on the defensive end, and didn't really force anything."

With a player like Harris still trying to impress, Scott and the Cavaliers are bound to see the 21-year-old exhibit his energy whenever he's on the court. And he's happy to finally have his chance.

Now, if he can just get the game to slow down a little on both sides of the court.

"It felt good to get out there and play a little bit," he said.

Dribbles: Scott said he has been concerned about Jamison's balky left knee in deciding whether to foist more playing time on the 34-year-old power forward. But Jamison played 34 minutes

while starting in the loss to Chicago on Wednesday, and Scott said that's just about right. Jamison has been averaging 25.8 minutes as a reserve in 18 games this season.

"I think he can play 30, 34, 35 minutes right now," Scott said. "Obviously, I won't kill him in practice, but I wouldn't do that anyway." . . . Hickson said he didn't hear specifically from Scott what he needs to do to earn more playing time. "I guess rebound and play harder," he said after the loss to the Bulls. Hickson is averaging 5.2 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game. . . . Scott said he wasn't allowing players to use a snowstorm as an excuse for arriving late to Wednesday's game at The Q. About half the team arrived only about 30 minutes before tipoff, and a few had to abandon cars and run the last few blocks to the arena. "Our players were late getting here, and it didn't excuse them," Scott said. "They're all still getting fined."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jvalade@plaind.com, 216-999-4654


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