Why should baseball change its rules and overturn obvious errors, as in the recent umpire-botched perfect game? Baseball is the way it's always been, right?

Paul Sancya / Associated PressIf umpires such as Jim Joyce are going to continue to put themselves in the middle of baseball's biggest plays -- as he did on this slide to home by Detroit's Magglio Ordonez on Thursday -- must big-league baseball remain tied to 1900s thinking in a digital world?CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Designated hitter. Interleague play. Wild cards.

Maple bats. Cowhide balls.

Jets.

It's a good thing Bud Selig, the baseball commissioner, whose vision for the game makes myopic umpires Jim Joyce and Don Denkinger look like eagle eyes, wouldn't set a precedent by overturning a blatantly bad call that ruined the recent almost-perfect game of Detroit's Armando Galarraga against the Indians.

Blind Bud knows baseball should always stay the same.

A three-tiered playoff system. West Coast teams. A Canadian team that won it all, twice.

Latinos. Asians.

Blacks.

While Selig had a hand in some big changes, enough is enough.

Why, if you could just bring Ty Cobb back to life, although why anyone should want to do so is unclear, he would say it's the same darn game, right? Only in more colorful language.

Then again, the cuss words would be the only things of color in it.

On-base Plus Slugging (OPS). Walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP). Total Player Rating (TPR).

The slider. The splitter.

No spitter.

Baseball should change as little as possible, say those who want to keep the game "pure."

Mascots. Domes. Retractable domes.

Artificial turf. World Series games, at night, and in November.

Instant replay boards.

All Denkinger's gaffe cost the St. Louis Cardinals was a very good shot at winning the 1985 World Series. All Joyce's flub cost was perfection. Instant replay showed both of their hugely missed calls again and again, in excruciating detail.

But bad calls happen. Deal with it.

Steroids. Greenies. "Red juice."

Sosa. McGwire.

Bonds.

Bad records happen, too. Deal with them. (Although baseball didn't, until it was too late).

Videography. Computer modeling. Mission statements.

Radar guns. Pitch counts.

QuesTec.

Baseball will have none of this new-fangled technology and fancy Dan business school jargon. Except selectively.

Tennis uses a triangulation system that relies on high-speed cameras that are extremely accurate to adjudicate line calls. But baseball can only go by what it sees. Except for balls and strikes and home run calls.

Nor does baseball want to stop the breakneck pace of the game when Rafael Betancourt is on the mound or when Mike Hargrove was in and out of the batter's box.

It will have none of those NFL coaches' challenges to umpires. It will have no stoppages of play when a referee peers at a replay screen under a shroud, looking much as Matthew Brady might have when he took Honest Abe's photograph with flash powder and a puff of smoke.

Baseball will take vehement manager/player/umpire arguments without much possibility of redressing injustices instead.

To purists, baseball was just perfect the way it was in the old days, when the in-shoot and the out-shoot were the new pitches and "Wee Willie" Keeler was hitting 'em where they ain't, when players rode the rails and played two, and when 16 teams in 10 cities made up the major leagues.

Cuban defectors. The World Baseball Classic. The Olympics, for a time.

Big markets. Small markets.

Free agency.

Some naysayers will rail against the baseball Luddites who refuse to use replay to review egregious calls. These radicals will oppose leaders like Selig for his refusal to correct obvious errors.

Such insurgents live in the modern world, with all its fuss and worry. They do not reside in a dream world, in a rural country, in a safer time, when Morse Code was the big new thing.

Change? Why, baseball hasn't changed, the purists say. Just look at the Yankees.

Backlash over James' ability to take the spotlight away from the NBA Finals continues with each new piece of James news.

Mark J. Terrill / Associated PressIf it appears that Kobe Bryant is less than enthusiastic when it comes to a LeBron James question during the NBA Finals ... you're simply seeing a case of a picture being worth 1,000 words.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Larry King interview of The King, LeBron James, came and went on the eve of Danny Ferry's resignation as Cavaliers general manager Friday. Not a single bombshell, small or large, was dropped by James.

However, backlash over James' share of the spotlight away from the NBA Finals -- where the L.A. Lakers lead Boston, 1-0 -- continues with each new piece of James news.

Friday, there was James' interview on CNN, Ferry's resignation and James declining to comment on the move, speculation that he might release special Free Agency Tour 2010 shoes and questions posed to everyone in the NBA world about whether it was right for James to garner so much attention without actually playing basketball.

"I don't care about attention," the Lakers' Kobe Bryant said in a formal press conference. "It doesn't mean anything to me."

Later, CBSsports.com's Ken Berger got more detail from Bryant about James.

"I don't deal with that, and I don't think about it," Bryant said. "I know him personally, and he's a great person; a great person and a hell of a player. My deal with him is, I wish people would just leave him the hell alone and let him do his thing and that's all I'll say about that. I really don't think about anything other than just him doing well."

The New York Post's Marc Berman asked specifically, of course, whether Bryant knew if his buddy James is going to New York.

"You're asking me if LeBron is going to New York?" Bryant told The Post. "I'm trying to tell you in a polite way, I don't give a [bleep].

"As a fan, it's a big deal. You're talking about LeBron and Dwyane Wade, it's two huge names changing cities. It alters things drastically in the NBA. But I really don't care about it."

Berger also caught up with Magic Johnson, who defended James' right to seek publicity.

"I don't think [the criticism] is fair," Magic said. "We've never had a summer like we're going to have in the NBA, and we've probably never had a guy like this on the free-agent market -- and the other guys, as well. And what's good about it is, the NBA is staying in people's faces, so I like that. So I would say, 'Continue to do what you're doing.' And also, he's doing it on the off days, so it's given people something to think about while the series has two days off.

"You know, hey, the man is great, he's got personality. You know we were upset when these guys were not marketing our league; I was upset. Now, they've got guys going out here and doing it."

Meanwhile, the report that said James planned to partner with Nike to release a Free Agency Tour 2010 set of sneakers turned out to be false, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard.

"The report is not true," Nike spokesman KeJuan Wilkins said. "Nike is not creating any shoes in relation to LeBron's free agency."

That's a good thing, wrote Broussard: "Everyone who read about that supposed plan must have grimaced and screamed, 'Yuck!' Talk about a PR blunder. That would've been the Titanic, the Michael Jordan, the Rolls-Royce of PR blunders."

Speaking of Nike, ESPN TrueHoop's Henry Abbott said the shoe company has tons at stake this summer -- and not all of it is wrapped up in James. Other free agents who have Nike deals include Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Joe Johnson, Amar'e Stoudemire and Dirk Nowitzki.

Wrote Abbott: "Two people with insight into the inner workings of the basketball shoe industry point out that Nike has as many dollars at stake in 2010 NBA free agency as anybody, and it's not exactly in the way you might expect. ... One of the experts suggested that in that analysis, the Cavaliers, Bulls and Heat -- teams with more developed rosters than the Knicks or Nets -- would be the favorites."

Which, of course, leads us to having no idea where James is headed, still, with 24 days until free agency.

AREA CHAMPIONS Boys

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy's Christina Blair, right, edges Dayton Chaminade-Julienne's Lizzie Gleason for the Division II 1,600 meters title in Columbus.



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(John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer )

AREA CHAMPIONS

Boys

Division I

High jump: Deverin Muff (Strongsville) 6-8

4x200: Glenville (Justin Hardee, Quincy Downing, Shane Wynn, Latwan Anderson) 1:26.72

1,600: Colby Alexander (Strongsville) 4:09.44

300 hurdles: Donovan Robertson (Berea) 37.19

800: Jake Hiltner (Wadsworth) 1:51.15

Division II

110 hurdles: Doran Grant (St. Vincent- St. Mary) 14.31

100: Nathaniel Harris (Buchtel) 11.00

4x200: Buchtel (Johnathan Coleman, Damarquis Owens, Ernest Calhoun, Nathaniel Harris) 1:27.55

200: Nathaniel Harris (Buchtel) 21.93

**3,200: Marty Coolidge (Elyria Catholic) 9:03.11

Girls

Division I

**High jump: Taylor Burke (Medina) 5-11

Long jump: Kaila Barber (Midpark) 19-81/4

4x200: Buchtel (Unity Sykes, Ji Esha Thomas, Arnita Johnson, Kachay Hullum) 1:39.96

1,600: Madeline Chambers (Magnificat) 4:47.37

400: Kachay Hullum (Buchtel) 54.67

300 hurdles: Kaila Barber (Midpark) 42.04

800: Natalie Zidd (Medina Highland) 2:10.36

Division II

Team: Collinwood

Long jump: Erin Busbee (Collinwood) 19-33/4

100 hurdles: JeRica Sanders (Lake Catholic) 14.29

*4x200: Collinwood (Brittini Brown, Amirah Harbour, Jasmine Lett, Amber Smith) 1:39.76

1,600: Christina Blair (Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) 5:00.25

*300 hurdles: Amber Smith (Collinwood) 42.83

Division III

800: Bekka Simko (Gilmour) 2:12.62

*OHSAA Division II and state meet record

**stadium record

Columbus -- Medina and Hathaway Brown won girls lacrosse state titles Saturday at Upper Arlington High. Medina topped Upper Arlington, 15-9, in the Division I final to cap an undefeated season at 21-0. Hathaway Brown won the Division II crown with a 14-5 victory over Chagrin Falls.

Columbus -- Medina and Hathaway Brown won girls lacrosse state titles Saturday at Upper Arlington High.

Medina topped Upper Arlington, 15-9, in the Division I final to cap an undefeated season at 21-0. Hathaway Brown won the Division II crown with a 14-5 victory over Chagrin Falls.

Medina's Nikki Boltja, a Louisville recruit, scored seven goals for the state's top-ranked team and led the Bees to their first state title.

Hathaway Brown was paced by senior Halle Biggar, who scored 12 goals in the Blazers' two final four games, including six in the final. Freshman Annie Brockett added three goals Saturday.

Hathaway Brown finishes at 17-3-1; Chagrin Falls at 18-3.

Among boys, University School lost, 14-6, to host Dublin Jerome in the Division II championship.

University School had an early 1-0 lead before the Celtics took over, gaining an 8-1 advantage in the second quarter.

Lacrosse is not sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association and competition is through the Ohio High School Lacrosse Association for boys and Ohio Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In the end, considering what they went through, the Glenville Tarblooders were happy with third place at the Division I boys state track and field meet. "We didn't lose to some bad teams, especially as young as we are," coach Tony Overton said. "Hopefully the kids learned a lot from this experience to come back next...

Strongsville's Colby Alexander celebrates his 1,600-meter triumph Saturday afternoon in the seventh-fastest time in state history.



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(John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In the end, considering what they went through, the Glenville Tarblooders were happy with third place at the Division I boys state track and field meet.

"We didn't lose to some bad teams, especially as young as we are," coach Tony Overton said. "Hopefully the kids learned a lot from this experience to come back next year. We've got a pretty good group coming back."

Just one senior competed this weekend for Glenville, Latwan Anderson, who battled through knee and hamstring injuries that knocked him out of the 200 and 400 before Saturday. Anderson returned to run a dramatic anchor leg on the winning 4x200, and was on the runner-up 4x400 and third-place 4x100 relays.

Juniors Shane Wynne and Quincy Downing ran on all three relays. Wynn also placed sixth in a 100-meter final that saw all eight runners break 11 seconds, and Downing was fourth in the 800.

"It was exciting. I'll remember the toughness of the guys trying to overcome Latwan's injury," Overton said. "Shane and Quincy did a great job trying to put the team on their backs with Latwan's injury."

A couple of bad early exchanges cost Glenville in the 4x200, but Wynn and Anderson made up for it, and Anderson overcame a 10-meter deficit to win by .22. Downing got chased down by Trotwood Madison standout William Henry, whose team broke the state record with a time of 3:13.05. Glenville was second in 3:13.90, the third-fastest time in state history.

Warren Harding won its fourth boys state championship, and its first since 1967. The Raiders edged Trotwood Madison, 47-44. Glenville had 32 points and Wadsworth was fourth with 28, thanks largely to senior Jake Hiltner, who won the 800 after anchoring the record-setting 4x800 Friday. He also anchored the 4x400 to third place.

Hiltner, a standout soccer player, said he's finally starting to think of himself as a runner.

"I guess I'm a runner who plays soccer now. I thought I was a soccer player who was a runner," he said. "[The gold medal] changes my mind a lot, and so does the other one in my bag [from the 4x800]."

Berea sophomore Donovan Robertson authored one of the weekend's most dramatic comebacks. He was in a three-way fight in the 110-meter hurdles, the first final of the day on a slick track after a one-hour rain delay. He hit the seventh hurdle hard and the eighth even harder, fell and did not finish. He was distraught as he was pulled from the awards area bullpen, realizing he would not get a medal.

About an hour later, he came from five meters behind to win the 300 hurdles by .09 when Huber Heights' Demoye Bogle clipped the last hurdle.

"I saw him hit the hurdle and saw my opportunity," he said. "I put all my emotions and all my energy into the race after the 110s. I cleared my mind and raced."

Strongsville senior Colby Alexander was pushed hard by Revere junior Josh Sabo for the first 1,200 meters of the 1,600. Then Alexander took off and won in a career-best 4:09.44, the seventh fastest time in state history.

"He's something else," said Sabo, who was second in 4:12.10 said. "Wow. He's a really special athlete."

Alexander said he had one thought when Sabo was with him. "Relax, relax, relax," he said. "My experience down here really helped."

Alexander's teammate, senior Deverin Muff, won the high jump at 6-8. Several jumpers had difficulty getting traction after the rain delay. Solon's Caden Johnson was second at 6-7.

"I'm used to jumping in the rain. I was comfortable with it," Muff said. "Considering the conditions, I feel I jumped great. This means a lot after not even coming here the last two years, and now coming here and winning."

St. Edward senior Seth Cunningham won four medals, including third-place finishes in the 100 and 200.

"The 100 was a fast race," he said. "I was happy I got top three in the state. I gave it my all. I was really hoping to be a state champion."

Southview's Christian Nogueras was third in the long jump. Solon's A.J. Hicks placed third in the discus and fifth in the shot put.

The draft begins Monday. The Indians, with the fifth overall pick, have some interesting choices in front of them. Will they make the right one?

Photo courtesy Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFlorida Gulf Coast University left-hander Chris Sale could be a target of the Indians in Monday's first round of the amateur draft.CHICAGO -- MLB's first year player draft begins Monday and the Indians will be picking fifth overall. It's their highest pick since they took Paul Shuey with the second overall choice 18 years ago in 1992.

Various mock drafts, including Baseball America, link them to a variety of players. A name that keeps appearing next to theirs is left-hander Chris Sale from Florida Gulf Coast University.

Nam Y. Huh / Associated PressJuan Pierre wasn't pleased with this missed bunt in the third inning of Saturday's game. In the seventh inning Pierra struck out when he bunted foul with two strikes.

INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: Just when it looked like Travis Hafner was starting to chip away two years of rust, he got stuck out in the rain again.
After hitting .321 (25-for-78) with five doubles, two homers and 10 RBI in May, Hafner entered Saturday night’s game against Chicago in an 0-for-19 slump.
“For a while he looked like he was putting it together,” said manager Manny Acta. “He had a high on-base percentage and was swinging the bat better. He’s struggling right now with his timing at the plate. He’s got to get his hands set and be ready for the pitch.”
Hafner ended the slump with a ninth-inning double.

Speaking of slumps: Acta was asked about Shin-Soo Choo’s recent 0-for-17 skid.
“That was the best slump I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Acta. “The guy was lining bullets all over the place at least two times a day.”
Choo homered against Jeremy Bonderman on Tuesday in Detroit. He went 2-for-4 Saturday night.

Stat of the day: Aaron Laffey made his first start at Class AAA Columbus on Friday. He went 4 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits in a 5-0 loss to Indianapolis. The Indians sent Laffey to Columbus to get stretched out as a starter after opening the season in the bullpen.
— Paul HoynesReportedly the Indians do like Sale, but they like other pitchers just as much if not more. The question is, will any of those pitchers be available?

Washington, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Kansas City have the first four picks. The Royals could take Sale with the fourth pick. Baseball America's latest mock draft has them making just such a choice.

Sale, a 6-6, 180-pound left hander, went 11-0 with two saves and a 2.01 ERA in 17 appearances this year. He led the nation with 146 strikeouts, while walking 14. His strikeout to walk ratio was 10-to-1.

The Indians are also considering a position player. Texas-Arlington outfielder Michael Choice, Arkansas third baseman Zach Cox and University of Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal are possibilities. Baseball America says Cox and Grandal are seeking above the slot signing bonuses which could cause them to slip in the draft.

The Tribe's fear in this draft is that even though it his a high pick, thanks to 97 losses last year, there are only a few high-ceiling players. After that the talent levels off.

Amateur scouting director Brad Grant, running his third draft for the Indians, says its a deep draft and that should allow the Indians to infuse talent into the organization.

The first day of the draft, covering the first three rounds, will be televised by MLB-TV and take place in Secaucus, N.J. Travis Fryman, Class A Mahoning Valley manager, will represent the Indians. The last two days will be conducted by conference call.

Reason to hope: Sandy Alomar Jr., the Indians' first base coach and former catcher, is proof that there is life after microfracture surgery.

Center fielder Grady Sizemore had microfracture surgery on his left knee Friday and will be sidelined for the next six to nine months. Alomar had the same surgery twice on his left knee while playing for the Indians.

"The doctors said I'd be out six months," said Alomar. "I made it back in three months. I had a divot in my bone. At that time no one in baseball knew what it was. I had to have surgery because I couldn't squat down to catch."

Alomar had it for the first time before the 1995 season. Dr. Richard Steadman, who operated on Sizemore in Vail, Colo., operated on Alomar. He had it done again in 1999.

"If you get that thing done, you should be OK," said Alomar, referring to Sizemore. "I played all the way from 1995 until 2007 and I was catching. The guy Steadman is pretty good. He operated on Carlos Beltran, too, and he's just about ready to come back for the Mets."

Microfracture surgery makes tiny fractures in the joint, causing it to bleed and create a scab. That scar replaces loose or damaged cartilage that's been removed through surgery or injury.

Under review: What kind of player is rookie shortstop Jason Donald?

"We haven't had enough games to determine that," said manager Manny Acta. "Donald is up here because Asdrubal Cabrera got hurt. He would be in Columbus if that wasn't the case.

"We're in the process of evaluating him. ... We don't know if he's going to be an everyday player. We're still evaluating that, too."

Finally: Indians relievers, entering Saturday's game, had allowed 31 earned runs in 21 1/3 innings in seven games on this trip. ... SportsTime Ohio will show the Tribe's game against Boston on Monday. ESPN was originally going to televise the game, but dropped the broadcast.

Having survived the toughest year of his 10-year NFL career as an assistant coach, Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is enthused about redeeming himself and having the offense be an integral part of a winning season.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerA slimmer and happier Brian Daboll shares a few words with Browns head coach Eric Mangini during a minicamp workout on April 30. After a difficult 2009 season, Daboll is heartened by some new faces and a new feeling in the Browns' Berea headquarters.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Being named offensive coordinator of the Browns last season at the age of 34 was a career dream of Brian Daboll's. It turned into a nightmare as the team struggled through one of its worst seasons in history.

A pair of psyched-out quarterbacks, a leaky offensive line, rookie receivers, and a feature running back who quit combined to make the offense harder to watch than in the franchise's expansion season of 1999. It was the first Browns team to lose 11 of its first 12 games.

The job was consuming Daboll, the second-youngest assistant coach on Eric Mangini's staff. He'd pore over film until 2 or 3 in the morning with Whoppers and soft drinks. He slept little and exercised less. Daboll, who is about 5-10, ballooned to nearly 250 pounds.

But the team turned around late and won its last four games. Daboll's personal turnaround continued in the off-season. He lost 65 pounds by eating better and exercising more.

Embarking on his second season, with new quarterbacks and running backs and a more confident receiver group, Daboll is hoping the offense, like himself, will be a shadow of its former self.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerThere was so much aggravation and frustration during the first 11 games of the 2009 season that Daboll spent nearly every waking moment in the Browns' offices and gained lots of weight. “When you’re 1-11, nothing’s rosy. Everything [stinks]. You feel terrible yourself, you feel terrible for the players, you feel terrible for the community."Daboll recently sat down for an in-depth look back and ahead. Excerpts of the interview follow.

• Until they won their last four games, the Browns' lone win was a 6-3 decision in Buffalo in which Derek Anderson completed two of 17 passes. Horrendous numbers on offense and plenty of losses made it Daboll's toughest season in 10 NFL years.

Daboll: "It was terrible. There's been very few places that I've been where I've lost. I'm used to winning. But you're taking over a whole new culture. You're giving it all you've got and you're not getting it done. Things aren't going great. That was one of the most difficult things -- to come in each week and you have to have something else ready for the guys.

"When you're 1-11, nothing's rosy. Everything [stinks]. You feel terrible yourself, you feel terrible for the players, you feel terrible for the community. But the thing I was so proud of these guys for -- first half of the season, was just [really bad] -- we got to the bye week and we did a good job sitting down [and changing]. I wish you could throw away the first half, but we would be in the top 10 in a couple categories, points included, after the bye. We went from 9.8 ppg to 21 ppg or something. When guys start seeing improvement, they start grabbing on a little bit more.

"The one thing that was not different and won't be different -- three things I won't change -- my preparation, my passion for this game, and my work ethic."

• Anderson and Brady Quinn combined for one of the worst years of quarterbacking in Browns history. They completed 49.5 percent of their throws, for 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Their combined passer rating of 56.7 was almost 25 points below the league average.

Daboll: "A lot of things go into games, go into the season. Turnovers, that's first. I know we went from three turnovers a game the first half of the season to less than one turnover a game. The last eight, we didn't throw it as much, we ran the [heck] out of it, ballcarriers did a great job of protecting the football and the decisions the quarterbacks had to make were a little bit less.

"I don't know what they [the quarterbacks] did before. There were things they did well and there were things that weren't so good. I don't want to get too much into those guys. I hope you can respect that. I think there's a lot of factors -- 1. new system, 2. they're in with a lot of young guys, receivers, 3. pass protection early wasn't great, 4. we didn't run the ball really well."

Tracy Boulian / The Plain DealerDaboll on working with president Mike Holmgren: “Honestly, I don’t feel any pressure. I’m very confident. And what’s good is, he’s here as a great resource. It’s like learning from the best. How can you not be excited about that?"• After Mike Holmgren arrived as president in December, he said no team can win consistently the way the Browns did over their last four games.

Daboll: "No question. We did what we needed to do to win those games. I said, 'Look, I don't know how it's going to go, but I'm going to run the [heck] out of the ball.' As we went on, there became an identity. 'We're the tough guys.' Forget about the record. We had some good schemes for them, but that's no secret you've got to be able to throw the ball."

• Holmgren also said the quarterback is the most important person in the franchise, that the franchise doesn't get to the Super Bowl without having "the guy."

Daboll: "I agree. Wholeheartedly. My first meeting with those guys, I said, 'The most important person in this franchise, men, are you.' Bill [Belichick] always used to say in order to be really good in this league, you've got to run it when they know you're going to run it, you have to throw it when they know you're going to throw it. Third down and 8. They know it's coming, you know it's coming. You've got to be able to get open, throw it and catch it, in order to win. In a four-minute drive to close out a game, you've got to run it. They know you're going to run it. You've got to run it. Being able to do both those things when they know you've got to do it."

• As Holmgren deliberated the fate of Mangini, his coaching staff fretted about losing their jobs. It was a nerve-racking few days.

Daboll: "Yeah, it was. I'll be honest. You didn't know. The one thing I'm confident about, though, is despite the record, I know the things I've learned from the guys I've worked for have been really good.

"I've tried to take bits and pieces from all these guys to become who I am. I'm a good football coach. I teach well. And I do a good job in terms of dealing with these players. So I gave it everything I could give. When they brought us back, it was like having another kid. It was awesome. You know you give everything you can give and you hope it's enough. He said, 'I'm really impressed with what you guys did at the end of the year. You guys coached them up great, kept them together. They fought their [butts] off. And we're gonna keep you.'"

• Holmgren casts a huge shadow over the franchise. Everyone calls him coach. Daboll is running the offense under the auspices of not only Holmgren, but also Gil Haskell, Holmgren's longtime friend and offensive coordinator with the Packers and Seahawks.

Daboll: "Honestly, I don't feel any pressure. I'm very confident. And what's good is, he's here as a great resource. It's like learning from the best. How can you not be excited about that? It's awesome. He's a great man, great personality, very approachable. And he wants to win. It's great to go up to him and ask him anything I want to ask him. I feel very optimistic, encouraged, energized.

"I think he's going to come in on Mondays and say 'Great job, good win.' Really, working for the guys I've worked for in the past, you get that on Monday regardless of where you're at. The guy that's the main guy in charge, it's his responsibility to do that. Hopefully he'll come in and say, 'good job, nice play right there.'"

• The perception is that Holmgren, through Haskell's tutelage, is introducing elements of the West Coast offense.

Daboll: "[The interaction with Haskell] has been good, the same type of thing. I know he's Mike's good friend and trusted adviser, but it's just another resource in the building. It's going to be the Cleveland Browns offense. Are there certain plays that we have implemented that we didn't run last year? Yes. Have I run those plays before? Yes. But it's not going to be something dramatic because there's a lot of plays that he's run that we've also run."

• Much time in off-season practices has been devoted to developing the passing game and also incorporating special Wildcat packages designed with quarterback Seneca Wallace and utility player Josh Cribbs on the field together.

Daboll: "I think we have two good players that can do a lot of different things. The Wildcat is just a package of plays that you have in your offense. The one good thing about Seneca -- those two guys have a pretty good thing going -- you can run normal things, too. It'll be definitely an element. Now, one week it may be more and other weeks it might not be as good an idea. We've tinkered with a lot of things out there.

"If you've got the right people, I think you use it. I don't think you're going to morph into I-A football where you're spreading people out."

• A unique challenge for Mangini and Daboll will be to acclimate three new quarterbacks -- Jake Delhomme, Wallace and rookie Colt McCoy -- and get the starter prepared to open the regular season.

Daboll: "For Jake, what's great is a lot of the terminology he's had is almost identical. Seneca, I just make up a chart for him and transfer the information and he's done a great job. Colt's smart as [heck]. I think it depends on the guys you have. I think Eric will have an outstanding plan for that when we get to it."

• In organized team activities, the receiving corps -- second-year players Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie; Chansi Stuckey, who arrived in the middle of last year; and Cribbs, who's more attuned than ever to the position -- has been a source of optimism. Delhomme has consistently has been putting the ball on the mark. Despite external skepticism, the club has no immediate plans to add a veteran receiver.

Daboll: "I feel very comfortable with the guys that we have because I've seen them for the last four months. I've seen how they've grown. I've dealt with two young guys with New England, David Givens and Deion Branch, and I watched their growth [their second years]."

"Brian has made some really good plays. He's a professional kid. He's doing little things [on routes] he didn't do last year. Little nuances are showing up every day. And I can move those two young guys around, Brian and Mohamed. It's easy now to say, go play a spot and they can just do it.

"Mohamed ... little things like leaning on the [defensive back], coming back to the football ... a year of playing ... things are coming naturally to him now that were [in the] thinking process last year. Then you have a guy like Chansi. He's a slot guy. He had a few dropped balls last year but he came in in the middle and he's a really smart guy and has good hands. He has a real good sense inside. And he's had a year, too, which was different from coming in from New York. He's made some real good plays in this camp.

"Those three guys and you have Josh. He's really bought into receiver now.

"These guys have come together. They've played for one another. If we want to get another guy, we'll get another guy. But I'm very pleased with the guys that have been here -- the two young guys, Stuck and Cribbsy."

• The Browns have run nine practices and have seven more to go before they break for a month leading up to training camp. Delhomme's pinpoint passing, the development of the receivers, the addition of tight end Benjamin Watson and the impressive maturation of rookie running back Montario Hardesty have Daboll enthused.

Daboll: "I can't tell you what it's going to be [for the season]. I can say this, I'm very very optimistic, I'm excited. You get beat down. You had some light at the end of the tunnel last year. The chemistry has been really good. I think it starts with No. 17 [Delhomme]. I'm very optimistic."

Indians rookie Mitch Talbot beat the Chicago White Sox for the third time this season Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Field. He says he just seems to have his good stuff when he faces them.

Nam Y. Huh / Associated PressMitch Talbot put in a full night's work in shutting down the White Sox for his seventh win of the season. The Indians continued their domination of the White Sox with Saturday night's 3-1 victory, their eighth in 11 games this season.

• Indians pondering draft options: Insider
• Baseball's replay shame: Livingston
• More Indians coverage | BoxscoreCHICAGO -- Manny Acta, before Saturday night's game, said Mitch Talbot probably walks more people than he should. He added that Talbot doesn't strike out a whole lot of batters, either.

Then Acta said Talbot just has a way of making the right pitch at the right time.

The rookie right-hander must have been listening. He did just that over seven innings in the Indians' 3-1 victory over Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field. It was the Indians' second straight victory, the first time they've won consecutive games since May 15-16 against Baltimore.

Talbot (7-4, 3.54 ERA) is 3-0 against Chicago this season. He's held them to four runs in 23 innings.

"I just seem to have my best stuff when I face them," he said.

The White Sox, with the lowest batting average in the AL, are far from an offensive juggernaut, but they are third in the AL Central. If they had to face Talbot and the Indians every day, they wouldn't be.

The cellar-dwelling Indians are 8-3 against Chicago. Thirty eight percent of their victories (8-of-21) have come at their expense.

"Pure coincidence," said Acta. "It's not like we have their number or anything."

What Talbot had working Saturday night was a good change-up. The White Sox's lineup featured eight right-handed hitters.

"So I had to use it," he said.

In the fifth, working with a 2-1 lead, Talbot used it to strike out Paul Konerko with runners on second and third to end the inning. Konerko came into the game tied for second in the AL with 16 homers.

He used it again in the sixth to strike out Jayson Nix with runners on first and second and two out.

Last place teams usually don't send more than one player to the All-Star Game. The Indians' candidates are Shin-Soo Choo and Talbot. "I haven't even thought about that," said Talbot of the showcase, scheduled this year in Anaheim, Calif., on July 13.

Talbot allowed one run on six hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked three. The five strikeouts tied a season high. Overall, he has 32 strikeouts and 27 walks.

"It was big for Mitch to get through the seventh inning for us," said Acta. "We only wanted to use Chris Perez for one inning."

Perez and Kerry Wood repaired some of the bullpen's lost dignity on this trip. Perez worked a scoreless eighth and Wood pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his fourth save.

The Indians beat Jake Peavy (4-5, 5.90) for the second time this season. It was not an easy task. Peavy allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings.

They took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Trevor Crowe, Choo and Austin Kearns started the inning with consecutive singles to left. Crowe scored on Kearns' single. When Juan Pierre overran Kearns' hit, Choo tried to advance to third and was thrown out.

After Kearns moved up on a wild pitch, he scored on Peavy's balk to make it 2-0.

Chicago made it 2-1 in the fourth on Ramon Castro's two-out single, but it was the only run Indians pitching allowed. Talbot, Perez and Wood combined on a seven-hitter.

The Indians added an insurance run in the eighth against left-hander Matt Thornton. Choo singled with one out. After Kearns struck out, Choo stole second.

"Thornton throws 97 and 98 mph, but he's slow to the plate," said Choo. "I watched a lot of video on him. In a one-run game, you want to try and get that extra run."

Russell Branyan made Choo's theft pay off with a single to right for a 3-1 lead. It was the first run Thornton has allowed in 12 innings.

"The last run was huge," said Acta. "We had two of our left-handed hitters come through against a tough lefty in Thornton."

The 20-somethings have a good shot entering Sunday's fourth and final round at the Memorial Tournament.

Terry Gilliam / Associated PressThere weren't a lot of dry places to wait out Saturday's rain at Muirfield Village, but this fortunate fan found shelter inside the course's pro shop.DUBLIN, Ohio -- Muirfield Village typically belongs to the veterans, with only two players in their 20s, Carl Pettersson in 2006 and Tiger Woods on three occasions, winning the Memorial Tournament in the last 23 years.

The 20-somethings have a good shot entering Sunday's fourth and final round. Led by 21-year-old leader Rickie Fowler, seven of the top 11 players are in their 20s. Of those top 11, only two -- 49-year-old Kenny Perry and 40-year-old Jim Furyk -- have won more than once on the PGA Tour. And those veterans are in the six-way tie for sixth, seven shots off the lead.

Chances are the final round will come down to which young, inexperienced golfer can hold himself together.

"It will play on everyone's minds for sure," said 29-year-old Justin Rose, who has five international wins but no PGA Tour victories and is four shots back in fourth. "That's why being four back isn't such a bad thing. Go out there and play aggressive. I've got nothing to lose. ... I think the more you can treat it as another day, the better you are. That comes with experience. It's hard to do. Sounds easy, but it's hard to do."

Fowler, in his first full year on tour, is holding a lead entering the final round for the first time. But he showed his composure Saturday while shooting a bogey-free 69 without his best game. His last time in contention, he entered the final round of the Phoenix Open one shot out of the lead and shot a 68 to finish in second.

"I guess I was a little bit shaky that last round, even though I played bogey-free and played well," Fowler said. "I feel a lot more comfortable this week, and I think that just goes to show being in contention prior definitely helps."

Ricky Barnes, 29, is tied for second with Tim Petrovic and has had less Sunday success near the top of the leaderboard. He had the 54-hole lead at last year's U.S. Open before a 76 left him tied for second. He said he's come a long way in the last year, particularly when it comes to controlling his emotions.

"[It's] withholding a little bit of them, walking slower, talking slower, and being patient," Barnes said. "Obviously, having a few good rounds breeds a little bit of confidence. ... I definitely knew I needed to change my attitude. I get hot under the collar pretty easily, and I've been doing that pretty well here the last, I would say, one full year."

Tap-ins: Phil Mickelson, who had a chance to take over the No. 1 ranking in the world with a win, shot a 2-under 70 and is 8-under, in a five-way tie for 12th, eight shots back. ... Because of potential bad weather, groups of three will be used again today, with the players going off a little ahead of schedule on both tees. The first groups will start at 10:50 a.m., while the last group will tee off at 12:45 p.m. ... Brendan de Jonge, in his third year on the PGA Tour, is playing in his first Memorial, and his 65 was the second-best round on Saturday. He's fifth, five shots back. Eight years ago, he attended the Memorial as a spectator while his Virginia Tech team was playing in the NCAA championship at Ohio State. ... Vijay Singh shot a 66, his second-best round in 18 Memorial starts, to move into a tie for 16th.

A little football, a little baseball, a little basketball ... it's just a typical week of ponderings from the Plain Dealer columnist.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's summertime, and Terry's talkin' ...

About the Browns...

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerWhether or not defensive backs Joe Haden (left) and T.J. Ward are immediate starters for the Browns this fall, their presence reflects a determination by the team to dramatically buttress the last line of the team's defense, says Terry Pluto.1. Coaches believe depth is the key to this season. They look at cornerback, where Eric Wright, Sheldon Brown and rookie Joe Haden are battling for two spots. They also have used Michael Adams at corner, and Brandon McDonald has received praise for his off-season work. McDonald looks good in these drills because there is no tackling, the accent is on speed. Brown and Haden are more physical cornerbacks, and they will be noticed more once tackling begins.

2. But the key is the options at cornerback. They don't have to rely on McDonald and his soft tackling. They don't have to have Wright on the field for every play. If a cornerback is not fully engaged in practice or film work, he can lose playing time to someone else. They believed Wright and McDonald had developed a sense of entitlement because no one was there to take their jobs. That all has changed.

3. While the Browns believe they have upgraded at safety with rookies Larry Asante and T.J. Ward, they know it remains one of the team's weak spots. That's true even if restricted free agent Abe Elam signs. Asante and Ward have not been disasters in pass coverage, but it's obvious that they are best against the run. Michael Adams is the best cover safety, but they like him as a cornerback and covering slot receivers.

4. Someone needs to remind Elam that he made it from Kent State to the NFL by being a smart guy who fit into the team. He also needs to remember the main reason he has become a starter is this coaching staff believes in him and gave him that chance, first with the Jets and now with the Browns. He has started 33 games as a pro with one interception, three sacks and only seven passes broken up. He is not an impact player, and no one is going to give a restricted free agent in his position a multi-year contract.

5. Linebacker is another area where the Browns seem loaded. They have two respected, legitimate leaders in Scott Fujita and David Bowens. Veteran Eric Barton is back from neck surgery, but the team won't know for certain about his recovery until the tackling begins. Chris Gocong seems made for 3-4 defense. Jason Trusnik has been starting at outside linebacker in place of Matt Roth, the restricted free agent who has not signed. Marcus Benard can rush the quarterback from OLB. The coaches say David Veikune is making progress at inside linebacker.

6. The point is Roth needs to realize that playing six solid games (28 tackles, four sacks) after being claimed on waivers doesn't turn him into Jim Houston or Clay Matthews. Like Elam, he's a restricted free agent and needs to sign the one-year deal and truly establish himself. In five years, Roth has only 29 starts, never more than five sacks in a season.

7. Restricted free agent D'Qwell Jackson simply needs to wake up. The Browns have Fujita, Barton, Bowens and Gocong as legitimate inside linebackers. Yes, they also can play outside. But Jackson is another who needs to sign, because he may not even start on this team. Just like what happened at cornerback to Wright and McDonald, Jackson's world has changed with all the new players who can take his job.

8. On the theme of restricted free agents and depth, given Jerome Harrison credit for being the first unsigned RFA to show up for voluntary workouts. He knows the Browns really do like rookie Montario Hardesty. He knows he had only three big games at the end of last season. He knows big money will come if he can have a strong season. And the coaches love what they see from Harrison, Hardesty and Peyton Hillis in the backfield. Then there's Wildcats Joshua Cribbs and Seneca Wallace, even more power for the running game.

9. One coach said, "I know people don't believe this, but Cribbs keeps working hard at being a receiver, and he'll help us there this season. Never underestimate this guy." The new contract just seems to have inspired Cribbs to work even harder.

10. I mentioned Jonathan Haggerty (6-1, 195 pounds) last week as someone who impressed the coaches. That remains true. The undrafted receiver from Southwestern Oklahoma State (Division II) has been getting a lot of work. ... They also are using third-rounder Shawn Lauvao at center and guard, the idea being to turn him into a lineman such as Rex Hadnot, who could play both spots.

11. The Browns keep stressing to veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme that he doesn't have to make big plays to establish himself. The job is his, just keep the team organized. Stay out of damaging plays and turnovers. Delhomme is a relentless worker, a natural leader. He knows that some people have written the end of his career at the age of 35. So far, the Browns have been pleased with him.

12. In my blog from Thursday's OTA, new tight end Ben Watson was praised for his pass catching. Some fans said, "What's the big deal, he had only 29 catches for New England." Let's look deeper. Five of those catches were for touchdowns. Twenty were for first downs. He caught 29 of 41 passes thrown in his direction. He had two drops.

About the Tribe...

Kathy Willens / Associated PressDavid Huff's quick recovery from being struck by an Alex Rodriguez line drive buoyed his teammates in the Indians dugout, but the team would appreciate some improved pitching nearly as much.1. The good news is lefty David Huff (2-6, 6.08) is remarkably healthy after being struck in the head with a line drive. The bad news is he isn't pitching well, period. In his last six starts, he's been shelled for 43 hits (6 HR) and 25 earned runs in 27 innings. Lefties are batting .320, righties .311. He probably has one more start before serious consideration is given to sending him back to Class AAA Columbus, where Aaron Laffey is being prepared as a starter.

2. At Columbus, Carlos Carrasco (4-2, 4.68) has allowed 12 runs in his last 13 innings, covering two starts. The Indians are working on his motion from the stretch, as he was so slow last season -- making it easy for runners to steal. The best starter has been John Tomlin (5-1, 2.45 ERA). He has allowed 38 hits and 12 walks in 51 innings, which is excellent. He has struck out 32, and generally throws in the high 80s. A problem is lefties (.302), while the right-hander has held righties to a .158 average. He is not overpowering and has never been considered a hot prospect by the Tribe.

3. When Grady Sizemore signed a 6-year, $23.5 million deal in 2007, some agents were critical because the Tribe outfielder delayed free agency by two years. Well, after his season-ending microfracture knee surgery, that contract now looks wise. Consider that Sizemore was paid $4.6 million in 2009 when he batted .248 in 106 injury-marred games. This season, it's .211 in 33 games and knee surgery. He is guaranteed $5.6 million in 2010, $7.5 million in 2011 and the team has an $8.5 million option in 2012.

4. The same was said of Fausto Carmona when he signed a lon-term deal. But when he lost his stuff last season and ended up in the minors, he was paid $2.8 million. He's back this year, making $4.9 million and guaranteed $6 million in 2011. The Indians also have three more club options from 2012-14. Sometimes, it makes sense to take those mega-million dollar contracts early in a career, because players do get hurt or suddenly lose their edge.

5. I recently was critical -- for good reason -- of the Tribe's drafting, especially their No. 1 picks. But there is hope. Brad Grant has run the last two drafts, and his top two picks are already at Class AA Akron. Alex White is 2-1 with a 1.83 ERA, 11 hits, 11 Ks and 4 walks in 19 2/3 innings. Not bad for a guy in his first pro season. The 2008 top pick, Lonnie Chisenhall, batted .325 in April. He developed a sore shoulder, dropped to .193 in May, then rested a few weeks. Since returning, the third baseman is 10-of-25 with two homers.

About three baseball books...

Kathy Willens / Associated PressYankees owner George Steinbrenner will probably never be a sympathetic character in baseball, but a new book has given Terry Pluto some food for thought about the longtime Yankees owner.1. Never was a Reds fan and didn't care much about the Big Red Machine, but Joe Posnanski's account of the 1975 Reds (The Machine) is just a great story to read. Posnanski is a native Clevelander, a terrific writer and makes the most of a big-name cast including Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez and Sparky Anderson.

2. Nor did I think I'd enjoy a book on George Steinbrenner, but Bill Madden's The Last Lion Of Baseball has so much good stuff and incredible stories, it really is hard to put down. Recently voted into the Hall of Fame, Madden (a New York Daily News writer) covered Steinbrenner for decades. He has all the inside stuff on the Cleveland native who wanted to buy the Indians and ended up with the Yankees.

3. Kent State product Dirk Hayhurst has written a minor-league version of Jim Bouton's Ball Four, called The Baseball Gospels. I just started reading it, but it's a painfully honest look at a pitcher trying to make the majors -- and all the frustrations that come when you're not a high draft pick or hot prospect.

About the Cavaliers ...

1. While the big news is the resignation of General Manager Danny Ferry, the fact remains that the Cavs still need a coach. Assistant general manager Chris Grant -- expected to take over for Ferry -- has been doing most of the work on the coach search. He joined the Cavs with Ferry back in 2005, and was with the Hawks for nine years before that. He tends to see the basketball world much like Ferry, so he would probably prefer a coach who has a strong defensive mindset.

2. Which brings us to Jeff Van Gundy. He doesn't seem to be interested in coaching again, but it's possible he could emerge as a candidate -- especially if owner Dan Gilbert throws a lot of money in his direction. Van Gundy is known for his willingness to challenge his star players, and for stressing defense. Not sure where he stands with LeBron James, other than James seemed to think that the Cavs needed a different personality from Mike Brown. Van Gundy would be that.

3. In his last coaching stop, Van Gundy had some strong regular seasons with Houston, but never made it past the first round in four years. He has turned down several jobs in the last three years, preferring to work for ESPN.

4. Also on the radar screen is Byron Scott, who tends to give teams what is called "a Byron bounce" in the short term. Then the players tend to battle with him. He has a huge supporter in Hornets point guard Chris Paul, whose buddy is James. A former Lakers star, Scott supposedly would prefer that job (and be in line for it) if Phil Jackson quits or leaves after the playoffs. But no one is sure what Jackson will do.

5. Scott has his critics, some mentioning his lack of preparation. There also has been some battles with players and the media. But he did find a way to take the Nets to the Finals (2002, 2003). He won 56 and 49 games in his last two full seasons with the Hornets before being fired after a 3-6 start this season.

6. It doesn't appear Avery Johnson will be a candidate, but he is near the top of the list in New Jersey. In addition to Kelvin Sampson, the Cavs are looking at assistants Elston Turner and Tyrone Corbin. Turner has been trained by Houston coach Rick Adelman. He worked for Adelman for nine years. A former Cavalier role player, Corbin has been an assistant for Utah's Jerry Sloan, and he was interviewed for the New Orleans job.

If Cavs fans are going to spend energy enticing anyone, they should try enticing Jeff Van Gundy to be the next coach, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerWhen it comes to LeBron James, a group mentality has always symbolized the reaction -- for good or ill -- from Cavaliers fans. But Bud Shaw has a few novel ideas for the next few stressful weeks. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "Beards for 'Bron" is WKNR's effort to show LeBron James how much he's loved.

Frankly, it seems a little misguided, like refusing to shower in hopes of convincing Halle Berry to date you.

At best, that energy could be better spent on a different front. James knows what he has going here. Family. Friends. A global reach despite the market size. He's enjoyed seven seasons of hero worship and one or two post-games of criticism. Who wouldn't take that ratio in their work place?

James will either stay after an ego-massaging free-agent tour or he'll minimize the previous seven years of neck rubs he got here and decide to go somewhere else.

Either way Spin readers can get involved by joining one of two more meaningful groups.

The first is for the more active fan, the Type A personality, who feels he has to do something. Go unshaven or Climb The Q in a gorilla costume. Or grow his hair like a gorilla and save on the suit.

The other group, which I'll discuss later, is for the rest of us who don't mind getting involved in a civic endeavor but who really aren't that committed, like to take frequent naps, and want to be especially careful not to break a sweat.

If James leaves, owner Dan Gilbert is going to need to make a splash. One way is to hire the right coach. That's why we're announcing, "Van Dykes for Van Gundy."

Eric Gay / Associated PressJeff Van Gundy could start a new look in Northeast Ohio, if Bud Shaw's idea to campaign for the former NBA coach pans out.Yes, Jeff Van Gundy would be a perfect fit for the Cavs, with or without James.

(Hold off on the emails. I did consider "Fu Manchus for Phil." But there's a better chance Drew Carey will invite City Council to tell him how to run "The Price is Right" than Phil Jackson coming to Cleveland.)

Van Gundy should be the target of Gilbert's money-throw to land a new bench leader and Gilbert shouldn't take no for an answer.

He would bring instant credibility to a rebuilding organization if James takes off. And if James stays, Van Gundy has the name recognition and respect to succeed in coaching a superstar.

Sure, James might still expect the head coach to bring him coffee. But Van Gundy won't hesitate, when the occasion calls for it, to tell James what he doesn't want to hear even if it's "Sorry, LBJ, they were out of Half-and-Half."

Van Gundy likes his life in the broadcast booth and won't be easily persuaded to change. But an entire city of men wearing Van Dykes would identify Cleveland as the kind of place ... well ... the kind of place where people can be talked into pretty much anything.

But I believe Spin's second group will end up with more members than "Beards for 'Bron" or "Van Dykes for Van Gundy." That's why I am announcing "Baldies Not Necessarily for 'Bron."

I'm not suggesting shaving your head (Look where that got Danny Ferry and Mike Brown, after all). No, this is much more passive and maintenance-free. Members simply vow to let their hairlines continue to recede no matter what happens.

There are only two rules:

No buying toupees.

No begging LeBron.

This is for people who would like to see James stay for the good of the city, but are committed to letting his free agency follow the same course as nature.

Two ways you don't spell "Relief" -- Jose Mesa and Anamika Veeramani

Jacquelyn Martin / Associated PressIt's true, Anamika Veeramani has ended a 46-year drought. Does that make you feel better? Does it?The first line of a story on 14-year-old Anamika Veeramani of North Royalton winning the National Spelling Bee reads, "Who says Cleveland can't win a championship?"

Really now, what does one have to do with the other? I mean, it's not like we don't routinely produce spelling bee winners.

"She broke a long Ohio drought..." the story continued.

Yes, but it's not like there's a correlation between the last Ohio winner and the last championship in Cleveland.

"...becoming the first bee winner from the state since 1964."

Just in case God still has an ear turned toward Cleveland sports fans -- and there is no evidence of that but just in case -- altogether now, "This doesn't count, right?"

Next Shaq takes on a math whiz to name The Dif in 120-88 game...

Shaquille O'Neal has challenged 14-year-old Kavya Shivashankar, the 2009 winner of the National Spelling Bee, to a spelling contest as part of his "Shaq vs." reality show.

Tensions are expected to mount when Shaq asks for the definition of "blitzkrieg" and the judge says, "Game 5 against the Celtics."

SPINOFFS

The people behind SendLeBrontoChicago.com bought a billboard advertising their desire to land James in free agency. The billboard slogan: "Unfinished Business." What? Michael Jordan won six NBA championships and the goal was seven?

Cleveland fans should have the final say on what qualifies as unfinished business. Also "unstarted business"...

President Obama shifted directions and said how wonderful it would be for James to stay in Cleveland, this after telling Marv Albert what a good fit he'd be in Chicago. I'm sure the people of the Gulf Coast were relieved to hear him set that straight...

Ken Griffey Jr. retired again, this time not just to go sleep in the clubhouse...

Opponents of instant replay in baseball say reviewing plays will slow the game down too much. ... As if the game is much better being slowed down by managers fruitlessly arguing with umpires...

Instant replay would've only preserved a historic night for Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga and protected a good umpire, Jim Joyce, from a mistake that will now become the first line in his obit. Other than that, why bother with such a newfangled technology...

YOU SAID IT

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerWith some daunting concession prices and a losing team, about the only thing to root for at Progressive Field is enough empty seats around you to make it easy to catch a free souvenir.(The Expanded "Take that, Pittsburgh; We won the spelling bee" Sunday Edition)

"Dear Bud:

"Is it true Anamika Veeramani was not eliminated when she spelled "LeBron" G-O-N-E?" -- Michael

It's always good to start off with some uniquely Cleveland positive energy.

"Bud:

"I think the back of a baseball ticket should warn you about concession prices, not foul balls." -- Matt

In a free market like ours, it's all about choice: a ballpark beer, college tuition or your very own Rembrandt.

"Bud:

"Is the phrase 'LeBron James' the new drinking game in Cleveland?" -- Violet

Good one. Like our fans need a game to drink.

"Hey Bud:

"Regarding Anamika Veeramani winning the National Spelling Bee, is it too soon for 'Cleveland+' to start the campaign to keep her from going to Harvard? 'Born here, raised here, spells here, stays here!'" -- Laszlo

Yes. Too soon. Let's wait for her to get her priorities in order, drop her plans to become a cardiovascular surgeon and excel at a sport.

"Hey Bud:

"I bet that if you took The Expanded Sunday Edition of You Said It and slowly read each item and your response over and over and over and over and over again, you might have enough material to fill a 3-hour radio show just like Jim Rome's." -- Pat

Good take. Excellent. Nice. Well done. Very good take. Really excellent. Rinse and repeat.

"Bud:

"Do you think Tiger Woods and Hank Haney ended their association because they disagreed on what a swing coach was supposed to do?" -- Joe

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"Would you happen to have Jim Joyce's address? I have to deliver a bouquet of flowers and a 'Thank You' note from the CEO of BP." -- Pat

Repeat winners receive an all-expenses-paid snorkeling trip off the coast of Louisiana.

One fan wants to give Victor Martinez a proper reception when the former Indians catcher returns to Cleveland with the Red Sox.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerVictor Martinez didn't complete his career as a Cleveland Indian, but at least one fan holds no grudges when he returns Monday with the Red Sox.

He loved Cleveland, and the fans owe it to him to show how much we appreciated his love for the Tribe. I think Victor deserves a big standing ovation when he first comes to the plate. I hope to see everyone there. -- Jody Michael, Rootstown

Hey, Jody: Great idea.

Some players will always be Indians no matter what uniform they wear or where they go after leaving Cleveland: Mike Hargrove, Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle, Sandy Alomar Jr., Carlos Baerga, Omar Vizquel, Charles Nagy, Lenny Barker, Duane Kuiper, Rick Manning, CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome all meet the requirements. I'm sure there are several others.

Martinez definitely fits into that category.

Hey, Hoynsie: Don't you think it would be wise of Tribe ownership/management to reach out to the fans? Maybe stop gouging fans for food and drink at the park, kids are always free etc? They still seem so smug, arrogant yet unknowing. -- Gus Fring, Ashland

Hey, Gus: Do you want them to just open the gates and let everyone in for free?

I understand what you're saying, but the Indians have a lot of discounted ticket plans. I doubt they're going to start giving out free food. There's always $1 dog night. Maybe they'll bring back 10 cent beer night.

Tony Gutierrez / Associated PressThe histrionics used by some umpires -- such as Chris Guccione on this ejection on Friday night of Texas manager Ron Washington -- have worn out their welcome with many fans.

Hey, Terry: Several years ago, when the umpires were brought under the rule of the commissioner, some veteran umpires were let go who had become entities unto themselves. They were replaced by younger umpires as baseball tried to introduce a more uniformed strike zone.

Now it seems like the same thing is happening again.

Umpires such as Joe West, Jim Joyce, Bill Hohn have created a lot of unwelcome news recently. Still, the umpires have a union and Selig can't randomly fire them.

Last week, however, Selig said that he would review the umpiring system following several incidents, including Joyce's blown call of Armando Galarraga's perfect game, and consider an expanded use of replay. If I were an umpire, I'd consider myself put on notice.

Hey, Hoynsie: Some baseball people believe that team defense starts at first base. We know GM Mark Shapiro is a nonbeliever. What about Chris Antonetti? Might we finally see a legit first baseman under his watch? -- Walter White, Cleveland

Hey, Walter: If I could have a first baseman who could field and hit like Mark Teixeira, I'd take him in a second, but I don't think he's going to fit in the Tribe's budget. As far as building a good defensive team from scratch, I've got to start up the middle -- catcher, shortstop, second base and center field.

I know Shapiro feels that way. I would imagine Antonetti does as well.

Hey, Hoynsie: Umpires usually call close calls in favor of the home team, don't they? If umpires are employed by MLB and not teams, how is this favoritism possible? -- Leon Kimmelfield, Shaker Heights

Hey, Leon: Are you sure about that?

I just covered a game last week where the first-base umpire cost a hometown pitcher a perfect game with a bad call on what should have been the 27th and final out of the game.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerIs Carlos Santana is most coveted Indian that most fans have never seen?

Hey, Johnny: The Indians say Santana still needs to do some work defensively, especially when it comes to throwing out runners.

I'm sure they're punching their calculators right now to make sure that when he is called up he won't get enough service time to be eligible for arbitration as a super two player.

Players with three full seasons in the big leagues are eligible for arbitration. If a player is in the upper 17 percent of players with fewer than three years, but more than two, he's also eligible for arbitration.

Still, I side with you. Bring the kid up and let's see him play.

Hey, Hoynsie: Is it me, or is Manny Acta the bilingual version of Eric Wedge? Both are dull, slow starters, and can't motivate players if their lives depended on it. -- Frank Jacett, Cleveland

Hey, Frank: I think it's you.

If you don't deal with someone on a daily basis, it's hard to form an opinion on them. Acta has been a blast to cover. He's fun, quick-witted and a great quote. He has a deep understanding of the game and where the Indians are right now as a team.

If you don't think Wedge could motivate, you weren't paying attention when he managed in Cleveland. He took a rebuilding team from 2003 to within one victory of reaching the World Series in 2007 on a restricted payroll.

That's nothing but motivation, people skills and making the right decisions at the right time.

Yeah Frank, I think it's you, definitely you.

Hey, Hoynsie: Besides catcher Carlos Santana, who are the Indians' can't-miss prospects down on the farm? How much longer are we going to have to wait before calling on the farm system? -- Saul Goodman, Cleveland

Hey, Saul: I hate that phrase, can't miss. Anybody tagged with it has a good chance of missing the boat.

So let's just talk about prospects, regardless of classification.

Reliever Frank Herrmann arrived Friday. Shelley Duncan, who made a great catch in left field in Friday's victory over Chicago, is already here. As are Jason Donald, Matt LaPorta, Justin Masterson, Luis Valbuena, Trevor Crowe, Mitch Talbot, Lou Marson, Chris Perez and Tony Sipp.

I would imagine they'll be joined by Santana, Michael Brantley, Jordan Brown, Joe Smith, Jess Todd and, perhaps, Carlos Carrasco sometime near or after the All-Star break.

Those are a lot of players for you to study. Maybe even a couple of them will turn into can't-miss big leaguers.

Hey, Hoynsie: Counting Kerry Wood, Jake Westbrook and Jhonny Peralta, the Indians have $25 million coming off the books at the end of this season. With interest in the team already at a low level, don't you feel they have to spend some of that on a solid free agent or two? -- David Gumola, Cleveland

Hey, David: No, I don't. I think the payroll will keep decreasing. There is no way this team will be ready to win next year. Then and only then will the Dolans take a chance on an expensive free agent or trade.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerWhere have you gone, Scott Lewis? At least one fan's lonely eyes have turned to the ex-Indians pitcher.

Hey, Julie: Chris Antonetti, the general manager in waiting, said that they needed Lewis' spot at Columbus to make other moves. Lewis, who spent almost all last season on the big-league disabled list with elbow problem, had already been on the DL once this year before the Indians dropped him.

Hey, Hoynsie: Carlos Santana is tearing up Class AAA pitching. If his defense is not major-league ready, will the Indians consider a position change to get his bat up here? -- Robert Driscoll, Parma

Hey, Robert: If the Indians were contending, and needed help offensively, I believe Santana would be here today as the starting catcher.

Now, the Indians feel there's no need to rush him. They want him to work as much as he can on his defense. I was talking to Sandy Alomar Jr., the first-base coach and catching instructor. He said Santana has to work on the transfer of the ball from his glove to his throwing hand when it comes to throwing out runners. Santana has a strong arm, but he has to get rid of the ball faster.

If Santana simply can't catch, certainly a position change would be in order because from what the Indians say his bat is ready. But I don't think that's the case at all.

Hey, Hoynsie: I need help sorting out the current Tribe corporate thinking. Since the strategic plan obviously was to lose this year and next, is Grady Sizemore's injury viewed as "negative" (unable to deal him for prospects multiple years before his free agency) or "positive" (declining open market value increasing chances of resigning him)? I know from a normal baseball perspective (where the goal is to win games) the injury would be a huge negative, but these are not normal times. -- Steve Cornelius, Avon Lake

Hey, Steve: No matter what Sizemore's physical condition, I don't think the Indians had any intention of trading him this year. He's signed through 2011 with a club option for 2012.

Ideally, they wanted Sizemore to play this season at full strength and help carry this rebuilding team through some rough waters. Now he's out six to nine months following last week's surgery on his left knee. In that regard, it's a big negative.

Trade wise, it certainly puts Sizemore's value in question for 2011. It might even give the Indians pause when it comes to picking up his option for 2012.

Hey, Hoynsie: I watched the Yankees-Indians on Memorial Day on the Yankees' television feed. With all their pomp and pageantry, it appeared that the Yankees are trying to become the most patriotic team in baseball. -- Lenny LaRocca, Mansfield

Hey, Lenny: It was a moving tribute to our country and the men and women who serve it. The Yankees have taken special pride in honoring America and its armed forces since the September 11 terrorists attack on New York City.

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you have knowledge of what Chris Antonetti's responsibilities have been? I'm concerned that his input/information gathering has been relied upon for many of GM Mark Shapiro's poor decisions. -- Henry Schrader, Massillon

Hey, Henry: I can tell you that no one has worked closer with Shapiro than Antonetti. In the end, however, the final decision always rests with one man -- the general manager.

Hey, Hoynsie: You've written several times that the Tribe has budgeted for the 2010 draft. In past years, have budget restraints determined who they have drafted? Is that why their drafts have been failures? -- Kenny Power, Columbus

Hey, Kenny: In some cases that's certainly happened. I think it's happened with most big-league teams, but I don't think that's the only reason the Indians have struggled in the draft.

-- Hoynsie

We're still several weeks from training camp, but the fans' questions are always in mid-season form.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerUntil the exhibition season gets underway, don't expect to see the Browns working out against anyone in a different NFL helmet, says Tony Grossi. Scrimmages against other franchises are quickly becoming a part of the league's past.

Hey, Dave: Never say never, but I know that both Mike Holmgren and Eric Mangini are against scrimmaging other teams and nothing is scheduled for this summer. Sometimes it takes a relationship between coaches to decide to scrimmage and I don't believe one exists between Mangini and the Bills' Chan Gailey.

Hey, Tony: What do the coaches see in John St. Clair that the fans are missing? Browns fans will disagree about who the starting QB should be, and possibly any other subject but the one thing fans agree on is the value of John St. Clair (or lack thereof). -- Glenn Studevant, Tucson, Ariz.

Hey, Glenn: I imagine what they saw was a big offensive lineman (6-6, 320 pounds) with 10 years of NFL experience. St. Clair had 55 starts with three teams before the Browns signed him in free agency last year. Going the free agent route with offensive linemen is always a risky proposition because they generally are too valuable for teams to let go.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerWas the move from defensive end in college to inside linebacker in the NFL too big a leap for David Veikune? The Browns aren't ready to end that experiment this season.

Hey, Mike: Veikune started out at outside linebacker in minicamp as a rookie, but quickly was moved inside. In trying to explain the difficult transition a college defensive end must make to play linebacker in the NFL, Mangini once brought up Tedy Bruschi as an example. Bruschi played defensive end at University of Arizona and played both outside and inside linebacker in 13 seasons with the New England Patriots. Mangini has said that Veikune will stay at inside linebacker this year.

Hey, Tony: Is Lawrence Vickers going to be relegated to short-yardage situations? If Montario Hardesty and Jerome Harrison share a backfield, this has to assume at least 3-receiver sets in order to move the extra defender to a more outside position, I should think. I don't see Vickers in this kind of role, even though he is an effective pass catcher. -- Dennis Thompson, Akron

Hey, Dennis: Since Vickers has boycotted OTAs, it's difficult to project what the plans are for him when he returns. He is almost without peer as a traditional lead-blocking fullback. My guess is he would continue to be used in that role. That said, the rotation of the running backs -- Peyton Hillis included -- will be a mystery until we see them line up in training camp.

Hey, Tony: Joe Haden seems to have a swagger to him that I have not seen in a Browns DB since we have been back. What is your take on him and do you see something good gelling with all these new young DBs? -- Michael Spitale, Galena, Ohio

Hey, Michael: Swagger isn't what's impressive about Haden. It's his physical play, his willingness and effectiveness to support the run. As one general manager told me at the NFL combine, a cornerback who doesn't tackle on running downs will get you beat.

Hey, Tony: Before the draft, there was an article in which Tom Heckert vowed to stay true to his draft board. He said the worst mistakes he'd ever made on Draft Day came when he reached for positions of need instead of staying true to his board. I hope he did that, but I notice that most of our picks were for positions of need. For example, we needed a cornerback and a safety; sure enough, those were our first two picks. So what are you hearing from folks in Berea? Did the Browns stay true to their draft board, or did they let positions of need dictate some of their selections? -- P.T. Cooper, West Chester, Ohio

Hey, P.T.: I think an example of what Heckert was saying would be if he would have picked safety Earl Thomas ahead of Haden with the first pick. Everyone knew cornerback and safety were positions of need. But we all figured the need at cornerback was lessened by the trade for Sheldon Brown. But Heckert picked Haden first because he had him rated above Thomas.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerSheldon Brown (24, deflecting a pass away from Donte Stallworth) hasn't been joined by enough former Eagles to rival last year's influx of New York Jets to Berea.

Hey, Kenny: Since you brought it up, last year Eric Mangini hired at least nine coaches, executives or staff members who formerly worked with him with the Jets or Patriots and eventually signed 11 players who played for him with the Jets. That's at least 20 with connections to him. Two of the executives have since been let go. So far, Heckert has traded for three players who formerly played with the Eagles while he was there and has added at least four scouts or staff members from the Eagles. So my scorecard reads, 18-7, with Mangini's Jets easily leading Heckert's Eagles.

Hey, Tony: In your opinion, how excited should all fans be about the good reports coming out of the OTAs? I'm reading good things about Brian Robiskie, excellent showing by the new quarterbacks, Peyton Hillis has been catching some nice passes out of the backfield, it all sounds good. What do you think? Way to early to tell, quietly optimistic or the Browns should be deep into the playoff hunt between Thanksgiving and Christmas? -- Greg Dineen, Middletown, Ohio

Hey, Greg: I'm encouraged by what's going on. They've got a lot of distance to make up, but they're gaining ground. It all comes down to the play of the quarterback(s).

Hey, Tony: I believe the Browns will finish 9-7, or 10-6; that's if Jake Delhomme's arm (and body) hold up. Where do you see the Browns finishing in 2010? -- Tim Heinrich, Lakewood

Hey, Tim: My official prediction will be unveiled the week before the season opener, but I would say more than five wins is in the cards. How many more is too early to say.

Hey, Tony: What's the story behind the story of Seattle cutting RB LenDale White after trading for him a few weeks ago? White is reportedly down to 220 pounds. Do you think the Browns would have any interest in adding him? Thanks. -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.

Hey, Tim: I only know what I've read, that White's practice habits and work ethic were not up to Seattle's standards. He also is facing a four-game suspension by the league. I don't believe the Browns have an interest in White.

Hey, Tony: Now that you've seen both Brady Quinn and Colt McCoy in person, which one has the stronger arm? -- Steve Bohnenkamp, Geneva, Ill.

Hey, Steve: It's close. I need to see more. I will say that McCoy throws the ball more effortlessly. Quinn's throws just looked to take a great deal of effort.

Hey, Tony: Yahoo.com recently wrote an article about Kwaku Danso, the 28-year-old rookie from Eastern Carolina. I was just wondering if you have had a chance to meet him and if you think he has a real shot at making the team. -- Chris Mangosh, Willoughby

Hey, Chris: Have not met him yet (there are more than 90 players on the roster). If he makes the team, he will be one of the all-time Cinderella stories in NFL and Browns annals.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerSeneca Wallace may never start a game for the Browns this season, but the team certainly seems interested in seeing him make some plays.

Hey, Josh: I'm not saying it won't be used. My point is that Mangini appears to want opponents to think it's going to be used a lot.

Hey, Tony: If a player sits out while under contract, they are fined for each day that player misses. Why not threaten to do the same -- CBA or no CBA -- in 2011 to put pressure on the players' union to get a deal done? -- Jay Lasky, Dayton

Hey, Jay: Because the players union would never agree to it and it falls under the category of rules that have to be collectively bargained. Then again, nobody knows what to expect if a CBA is not agreed upon by March of 2011.

Hey, Tony: I see Montario Hardesty is raising eyebrows so far ... obviously very early on. But I was curious, what's the word on James Davis? How's he been looking? Is he fully recovered from his injury? -- Brian Henighan, Medina

Hey, Brian: Davis said he's fully recovered from his shoulder injury. I think the additions of Hardesty and Peyton Hillis have made it a steeper climb for Davis up the depth chart.

Hey, Tony: Do the Browns have any interest (or a chance to get) OJ Atogwe? -- Jason Brunner, Elyria

Hey, Jason: Not that I'm aware of.

Hey, Tony: A three-part question about the Browns' safety situation: (1) If T.J. Ward shows enough range and coverage ability, is it possible that he starts at deep/free safety and Abe Elam goes in the box at strong safety? (2) Would moving Ward away from the line of scrimmage lessen the advantage of his hitting ability? (3) Is it possible that sometime later we could see Ward starting with Lary Asante? -- Paul Thiel, Crescent Springs, Ky.

Hey, Paul: Mangini prefers to designate his safeties right and left, rather than strong and weak. He interchanges them, so that one may play in the box on one play and deep in the field on another. I saw Ward make an interception covering deep down the field on one OTA day. I think they consider him capable of covering NFL tight ends and receivers. I do believe it's possible we could see Ward and Asante starting together at some point, if not immediately.

-- Tony

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Motorcycle daredevil Robbie Knievel completed another successful jump at Texas Motor Speedway. Knievel cleared a line of police cars and ambulances spanning 200 feet in his "Above the Law" jump Saturday night before the IndyCar Series race. "Texas, I love you!" Knievel said after his third jump at the track. "There's a little Evel in...

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Motorcycle daredevil Robbie Knievel completed another successful jump at Texas Motor Speedway.

Knievel cleared a line of police cars and ambulances spanning 200 feet in his "Above the Law" jump Saturday night before the IndyCar Series race.

"Texas, I love you!" Knievel said after his third jump at the track. "There's a little Evel in all of us."

The 48-year-old son of the late Evel Knievel has successfully completed more than 250 jumps since performing his first show with his dad at Madison Square Garden when he was only 8 years old.

Two years ago, Knievel successfully jumped over 21 Hummer vehicles at Texas Motor Speedway. In 2001, he jumped over the starting field of 20 IRL cars lined up nose-to-tail in two rows of 10 before the race.

"I'm so happy this is over," he said. "I always have doubts."

But Knievel easily cleared the line of six police vehicles, a fire truck parked lengthwise and five ambulances. He landed about halfway down the ramp, then rode onto the frontstretch of the track pumping his fist.

Knievel has successfully completed every jump his father attempted except for a bus-jumping record at London's Wembley Stadium in 1975 and going over the Snake River Canyon in a rocket-powered "Skycycle." Plans are in the work for the younger Knievel to try both of those.

More information could be learned today at meetings of the Big Ten and Pac-10.

M. Spencer Green / Associated PressDevelopments throughout college football may force Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany and the conference's school presidents to make some immediate decisions about expansion.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The torrent of news about college sports expansion has made one thing clear.

Everything is connected.

Nebraska and Missouri, logical Big Ten targets, have been given deadlines to declare their allegiance to the Big 12 or else. Because ...
 
If those schools leave for the Big Ten, then six other schools, led by Texas, might head to the Pac-10. So ...

Texas, one of two "home run" options for the Big Ten, would be off the table, leaving only Notre Dame as the only earth-shattering addition left to be made. However ...
 
My belief is that Notre Dame is more likely to consider joining the Big Ten if the league is doing more than just adding the Fighting Irish to reach 12 teams. Notre Dame may need seismic change in the college landscape to give up its independence, and that would mean the Big Ten adding multiple teams to reach 14 or 16. And ...
 
That would mean the Big Ten adding schools like Nebraska and Missouri.

It's a great big circle, and that means the Big Ten's timetable, originally announced at 12 to 18 months in December, doesn't exist in a vacuum. No one is going to be hasty, and no one wants to admit they are being reactive instead of proactive, but if one shoe drops, it's likely that several others will. For instance, if Nebraska wants the Big Ten, and the Big Ten wants Nebraska, but Nebraska needs assurance within the next week that it's getting an invite, then that forces the Big Ten's hand.

Big Ten presidents are meeting in Chicago today, and Big Ten boss Jim Delany is expected to speak with reporters there later this afternoon. With the Pac-10 also finishing meetings in San Francisco, there could be much more news by the end of the day.

Check out photos from the title game   COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Handing St. Edward senior pitcher Stetson Allie a four-run lead is like giving sprinter Usain Bolt a two-second head start in the 100-meter dash.

The celebration gets underway for the St. Edward High School baseball team after claiming the state Div. I title on Sunday in Columbus.



-

(Joe Maiorana / ImpactActionPhotos.com)

Check out photos from the title game  

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Handing St. Edward senior pitcher Stetson Allie a four-run lead is like giving sprinter Usain Bolt a two-second head start in the 100-meter dash.

It's tough to beat.

Allie's teammates did just that in the fourth inning Sunday at Huntington Park, leading to an 8-3 victory over Cincinnati Elder for the Eagles' third Division I state baseball championship and second crown in three years.

"That's the most dominating performance I've seen since I've been coaching high school baseball," said Elder's 21-year head coach Mark Thompson, referring to Allie. "He was awfully tough."

Allie was close to untouchable through five innings. Riding a 4-0 lead, the North Carolina recruit and likely first-round choice in Monday's MLB amateur draft gave up just one hit, walked two and collected 13 strikeouts against the 12-time state champion Panthers (28-5), ranked No. 2 in the final coaches state poll.

Senior catcher Alex Lavisky started the Eagles' fourth-inning surge with a double that caromed off the left center field wall. First baseman Cody Cooper followed with an RBI double to left center. Andrew Busser's single plated Cooper.

After designated hitter Stephen Kisan was hit by a Matt Pate pitch and shortstop Vince Bartolone laid down a sacrifice bunt, pinch runner Matt Dillow came home on center fielder/Kansas State recruit Ross Kivett's single and Kisan was right behind when Elder shortstop Selby Chidemo threw wildly to first base.

"We realized [Elder] came to play when we didn't jump on them right away," said Lavisky. "When that happened, we figured we had to pick it up in order to compete with them."

The fourth-ranked Eagles added four more runs in the sixth inning, the crunching blow being Tommy Mirabelli's two-out, two-run double down the right-field line.

"I just wanted to clear off the bases," said Mirabelli, who finished with two of the Eagles' 14 hits. "It was a fastball right on the hands."

Allie stumbled in the sixth inning, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks. Chidemo, who got two of the Panthers' five hits off Allie, doubled during the rally.

"A couple walks here and there, and I was getting down in the counts," said Allie, who threw 124 pitches in six innings. "You can't do that against the real good teams."

Cooper spelled Allie in the seventh inning, and gave up two hits and a walk before a double play ended the game.

Indians can't hold onto 6-2 lead after three innings as Westbrook, bullpen struggle.

UPDATED: 5:26 p.m.

Paul Beaty / Associated PressPaul Konerko's two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning prevented the Indians from taking advantage of a 3-0 lead as the White Sox eventually ralied for an 8-7 victory at U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday.CHICAGO, Ill. -- Jake Westbrook wasted two three-run leads as Chicago rallied to beat the Indians, 8-7, today at U.S. Cellular Field. The victory prevented a three-game sweep by the Indians.

Tony Sipp (0-2), wrapping up a horrendous trip, took the loss. He gave up what proved to be the winning run in the seventh.

The Indians went 4-6 on this trip through New York, Detroit and Chicago.

Westbrook was presented with leads of 3-0 and 6-3, but couldn't hold them. The Indians made it 8-7 in the eighth on Jhonny Peralta's RBI single, but could could get no closer.

J.J. Putz (1-2) was the winner. Bobby Jenks pitched the ninth for his ninth save.  

Back from the depths: The White Sox, who already overcame two three-run deficits, took their first lead of the game on Carlos Quentin's two-out, two-run single in the seventh off Rafael Perez. Tony Sipp and Jensen Lewis created a base-loaded jam for Perez. He retired Mark Kotsay, but Quentin sent his 0-2 pitch through the middle to break the 6-6 tie.  

Chicago rally: Trailing 6-2, the White Sox scored one run in the fourth and three in the fifth to tie the game. In the process, they knocked Jake Westbrook out of the game.

Quentin's two-out single off shortstop Luis Valbuena's glove behind second base scored Alex Rios to make it 6-3 in the fourth. Rios reached on a leadoff double.

The White Sox tied it in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Omar Vizquel and RBI singles by Rios and Kotsay. Westbrook was gone after Kotsay's single.

Flat tire: Mark Grudzielanek left the game after grounding out in the sixth with a tight right hamstring. Jason Donald came in to play short and Valbuena moved to second.  

Three spot: The Indians jumped Mark Buehrle for a 3-0 lead in the first. Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run double following after Shin-Soo Choo singled and Austin Kearns doubled him to third. Shelley Duncan followed with the Tribe's third straight double to make it 3-0.

Three-spot, Part 2: Lou Marson hit a three-run homer over the left-field fence with two out in the third for a 6-2 lead. It was Marson's first AL homer and the second in his big-league career. It also ended an 0-for-19 slump for the Tribe catcher.

A walk by Valbuena and Matt LaPorta's single set the table for Marson.

In search of a shutdown inning: After the Indians handed Westbrook a 3-0 lead in the first, he gave up a two-out, two-run homer to Paul Konerko in the bottom of the first. Not being able to shut down the opposition in the next half inning following a Tribe rally has been a pet peeve of Manny Acta's this season.

The line: Westbrook allowed six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He threw 97 pitches, 57 for strikes. Buehrle didn't come out for the fourth. He threw 95 pitches in three innings, allowing six runs on eight hits. He walked three and struck out three.

Pre-game updates:

Game 55: And after the 18th straight start at shortstop, Jason Donald rested.

Donald, a rookie, was out of the lineup for his first game since arriving from Class AAA Columbus to replace injured Asdrubal Cabrera on May 18. Luis Valbuena, who has suddenly started hitting again, started at short.

 "Everything has happened so fast for him," said Steve Smith, Indians third base coach and infield instructor, about Donald, "that I think it's going to be good for him to sit and watch a game. It will be like, "Hey, I really am in the big leagues."

Smith worked with Donald when they were both with Philadelphia.

"His biggest thing, a few years ago, is that he'd get so hyper," said Smith. "Now he's calming his game down and slowing it down. His clock is getting better."

Clock?

"He's learning and understanding different runners," said Smith. "When to be quicker, when to slow it down. We call it a clock and his clock is getting better."

Donald is hitting .234 (15-for-64) with four doubles, two triples, one homer and six RBI.

"I think he's done a nice job," said Smith. "It's tough to lose Cabrera, but now we get a chance to see what the kid can do."

Manager Manny Acta, with Cabrera out for eight to 10 weeks with a broken left forearm, is trying to be careful with Donald's playing time.

"With Cabrera not being here, he's obviously going to get a big chunk of innings out there," said Acta. "With four months to go, we have to find a way to monitor that."

Valbuena is the backup shortstop even though he's struggled at the position this year. Jhonny Peralta and Mark Grudzielanek are Acta's other options, but he said, "Valbuena is our back up."

Rumblings below: Valbuena went into today's game with seven hits in his last 12 at-bats over the last three games. It raised his average from .134 to .183.

Lineups: Indians (13-33): CF Trevor Crowe (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L) LF Austin Kearns (R), 3B Jhonny Peralta (R), DH Shelley Duncan (R), 2B Mark Grudzielanek (R), SS Luis Valbuena (L), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), C Lou Marson (R) and RHP Jake Westbrook (3-3, 4.36).

White Sox (23-32): LF Juan Pierre (L), 3B Omar Vizquel (S), CF Alex Rios (R), 1B Paul Konerko (R), DH Mark Kotsay (L), RF Carlos Quentin (R), C A.J. Pierzynski (L), SS Alexei Ramirez (R), 2B Gordon Beckham (R) and LHP Mark Buehrle (3-6, 4.84).

Lineup notes: Travis Hafner broke an 0-for-24 skid with a leadoff double in the ninth inning Saturday, but he wasn't in the lineup today against the left-handed Buehrle. Westbrook is 8-13 lifetime against Chicago, while Buehrle is 12-15 against the Indians.

Umpires: H Ed Rapuano, 1B Tom Hallion, 2B Ron Kulpa, 3B Lance Barksdale,

Quote of the day: "Well, that's football," former Tribe catcher Ray Fosse after his famous collision with Pete Rose at the 1970 All-Star game from Baseball's Greatest Quotations by Paul Dickson.

Next: Boston's RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (4-2, 5.49) vs. RHP Fausto Carmona (4-4, 3.53) Monday at 7:05 p.m. at Progressive Field.
 

Even if the Cavs keep LeBron James, owner Dan Gilbert's retooled organization is further away from a title than it was under Danny Ferry and Mike Brown.

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerIf trying to devise a scenario that keeps LeBron James in Cleveland is a head-scratching task, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has made it clear that he's making the big decisions in trying to keep the franchise healthy.
• The LeBron rumor mill: Free-agent tidbits found on the trail of 'World Wide Wes'

Actually, it's potentially more than just that. It could bring an upgrade, a downgrade or even a disaster.

For now, the "Cav-O-Meter" isn't exactly pointing in the right direction. What's happened to the Cavs in just a few weeks has been overshadowed by what could happen -- LeBron James leaving.

That doesn't make it any less swift and stunning.

Gilbert would no doubt argue that nothing has really happened yet other than a reorganization. Then again, nothing fatal happened to the Cavs in Game 5 vs. Boston, either. But how'd that end up?

Some of the greatest college football coaches in history subscribed to the theory that three things can happen when you throw the football and that two of them are bad. Yes, I know. That became outdated a long time ago. But it still has potential applications to the Cavaliers throwing the head coach out of his job and letting the GM walk after so much success.

If you argue that James was primarily the reason for the success, and that coach Mike Brown and GM Danny Ferry were basically oversized jockeys, then the blame for the pulling up lame against Boston should go to the Cavaliers' horse, too.

But Gilbert's actions don't speak to that, only to Brown as a flawed coach and to ownership's need to do whatever it feels it must to make this a place The Coddled One wants to play for beyond July 1.

In addition to firing Brown, Gilbert justified Ferry's departure as a case of changing dynamics. By that, he means he didn't want to cede any control at a time when owning the Cavs must feel less like involvement in a sport and more like a big casino play with James' free agency ahead.

It might be difficult to blame Gilbert for turning the status quo on its head. After all, his Top Five payroll didn't bring a title under Ferry and Brown. He's the one who stands to lose the most should James' free-agent tour lead to a tattoo of another city's area code on his arm.

Gilbert was a run-the-show businessman long before he became a NBA owner. Those instincts are at full throttle five years later. In replacing Ferry with the able but not established Chris Grant, Gilbert is ready to flex ownership muscle like never before.

Ferry didn't need the job. He would've walked without the authority Gilbert ceded in negotiations five years ago. Grant is in a different place in his career, and the Cavs are in a different place with July 1 looming.

Interestingly, Yahoo Sports quoted a friend of Ferry's saying the Cavs GM was "miserable" for the past few years in part because of the organizational kowtowing to James. True or not, what we can say for sure is that Ferry certainly learned in a different atmosphere in San Antonio. Then again, Tim Duncan made his reputation as the Big Fundamental, not as one of the Four Horsemen surrounded by cronies.

Convincing James to stay would be a huge business win for Gilbert. But even if that happens, it doesn't move the Cavaliers any closer to a title than they've been.

Is Gilbert organization building? Or superstar enabling?

Working off estimates of how much the value of the franchise will drop if James leaves, that's the $100 million question.

Long-time friend of James is one of the best-known unknown powers in the NBA.

AP file photoWilliam Wesley holds back Ron Artest during the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl in Auburn Hills, Mich. in 2004.
• In favoring the unknown, can Dan Gilbert avoid rolling craps? Bud Shaw

Um, William Who?

If you don't know Wesley, you don't know how the NBA operates. Wesley, who goes by the nickname of "World Wide Wes" for his ability to seemingly be everywhere, has been called "the most powerful man in basketball" and has been a close confidant of James' since the St Vincent-St. Mary product's high school days.

In a New York Post Q&A with Knicks president Donnie Walsh on Sunday, the executive speculated on Wesley's appeal.

"The players really like him and respect him, so when he speaks to them, they listen. ... He knows the game of basketball, and if they need help, he'll try to help 'em, is all I can tell."

Always somewhat of an enigma, Wesley signed with Creative Artists Agency earlier this year to become an agent for NBA and college coaches. CAA's basketball division is headed by James' agent, Leon Rose. Wesley also is close with Kentucky coach John Calipari, a godfather to former Cavaliers player Dajuan Wagner and is close to Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who played at Memphis when Calipari coached there.

A reported agreement for Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau to coach the Bulls happened only after Thibodeau signed with CAA.

All the connections can be dizzying, but it's enough to indicate that there's a lot of behind-the-scenes negotiating going on. One front-office executive told Yahoo, "I think all the big free-agent deals will be done by July 1, if not the draft. The NBA would have a cow if [it] knew what's going on now."

Paul Sancya / Associated PressIs Tom Izzo still at the top of Dan Gilbert's wish list as coach of the Cavaliers?

Yahoo! reported that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, a Michigan State graduate, is "determined to hire away Izzo," the longtime, successful Spartans coach.

Unless, of course, James really does want Calipari to coach the Cavaliers, as many have speculated. In the past, Danny Ferry would temper many of James' desires by standing up to Gilbert, Wojarnowski reported. Now that Ferry's gone?

"As much as anything, the Cavaliers are giving the franchise completely over to James and his inner circle now," Wojarnowski wrote. "Whatever he wants to stay, he'll get. Now, Ferry isn't there to play the wet blanket anymore. He never feared fighting Gilbert on issues because he had stature, money and, truth be told, he didn't need the job."

• Another front-office executive told Wojarnowski that James' disapproval with ousted coach Mike Brown and the departed Ferry was evident by the fact that both are now gone.

"LeBron never had to come out and say that he wanted Brown and Ferry gone," the executive said. "But the anti-Brown and anti-Ferry sentiment from LeBron's crowd was loud and clear to Dan Gilbert. He knew where LeBron stood."

• If James does decide to leave Cleveland, former L.A. Lakers forward James Worthy says The Chosen One will be perceived as a quitter.

"My personal opinion is a lot of times when you lose and you leave, it sounds like a quitter," Worthy told the New York Post. "I would never want to leave without accomplishing the goal.

"He's in the right position to demand what he wants," Worthy said. "He's in a position to tell the team what he wants. If they don't give it to him, I don't think he wants a Kevin Garnett situation where he's there 11 years, 12 years. He's got to ask for the same thing Larry Bird had, Magic had; he needs another Hall of Famer around. But I still see him in Cleveland."

• Meanwhile, James' buddy Jay-Z recognizes that winning is important to the most coveted free agent, and he told Rolling Stone that he won't try to persuade James to come to the New Jersey Nets, where Jay-Z is a part-owner.

"That's his decision," Jay-Z said. "We're friends - we've still gotta hang out! I don't want to convince somebody to do something, then have to see him and say, 'Uh, yeah, we're 4-30 ... sorry.'"

Jake Westbrook couldn't hold a pair of three-run leads as the White Sox rallied to beat the Indians.

Paul Beaty / Associated PressThere was plenty of frustration to go around for Shelley Duncan and the Indians, who wasted a fast start in losing, 8-7, to the White Sox Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field.

ON DECK: INDIANS VS. BOSTON RED SOX
Where: Progressive Field.
When: Monday through Thursday.
TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio Monday-Wednesday, WKYC Ch. 3 on Thursday; WTAM AM/1100.
Pitching matchups: RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (4-2, 5.49) vs. RHP Fausto Carmona (4-4, 3.53) Monday at 7:05; RHP Tim Wakefield (1-4, 6.02) vs. LHP David Huff (2-6, 6.08) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.; RHP Clay Buchholz (8-3, 2.39) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (1-5, 5.46) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. and LHP Jon Lester (7-2, 2.73) vs. RHP Mitch Talbot (7-4, 3.54) Thursday at 7:05 p.m.
Season series: The Indians went 2-7 against Boston last season. The Indians lead, 1,011-950, overall.
Indians update: Coming off 10-game trip through New York, Detroit and Chicago in which they went 4-6. Luis Valbuena hit .350 (7-for-20), one homer, two RBI and Shin-Soo Choo .304 (7-for-23), one homer, five RBI against Boston last year. Closer Kerry Wood was 1-1 against Boston in 2009.
Red Sox update: They’ve won 11 of their last 14 games. Matsuzaka, Wakefield and Lester all beat the Tribe once last year. Victor Martinez hit .417 (5-for-12) with one homer and nine RBI against the Indians last year after being traded to the Red Sox.
Injuries: Indians — CF Grady Sizemore (left knee), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (left forearm), INF Andy Marte (infected ingrown hair) and RHP Anthony Reyes (right elbow) are on the disabled list. Red Sox — RHP Josh Beckett (back), RHP Boof Bonser (right groin, right forearm), CF Jacoby Ellsbury (left side), SS Jed Lowrie (mononucleosis) are on the disabled list. OF Mike Cameron (abdominal) and C Victor Martinez (left foot) are day to day.
Next: Washington visits for a three-game interleague series starting Friday at Progressive Field.
— Paul Hoynes

In Detroit, they almost had a perfect game thrown against them for the first time in franchise history -- only to be saved by a blown call on the 27th and final out. Then they witnessed the biggest lovefest since San Francisco's Summer of Love in 1967, but it wasn't to celebrate free love and pot, it was for the umpire who blew the call.

Finally, they came to Chicago and had a chance to separate themselves from all the madness and go home with 5-5 record on this 10-game trip by completing a three-game sweep of the White Sox on Sunday. It looked good for a while, but Jake Westbrook couldn't hold a pair of three-run leads as the White Sox rallied to beat the Indians, 8-7.

When asked about the trip, Shin-Soo Choo simply said, "Not too good."

Said manager Manny Acta, "I'm disappointed we couldn't win the ballgame and end the trip at .500. We started the right way, scoring six runs off their No.1 guy and got him out of the third inning.

"But I could tell Jake wasn't going to have his best day. He was searching for his right arm slot."

For the curious, Westbrook has two arm slots, one over the top and one from a three-quarters delivery. He wasn't good from either angle Sunday.

"I lost this game for us," said Westbrook.

The Indians jumped Mark Buehrle for a 3-0 lead in the first. Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run double after Shin-Soo Choo's single and an Austin Kearns double. Shelley Duncan followed with the Tribe's third straight double to make it 3-0.

The first indication that it wasn't going to be Westbrook's day was the two-run homer Paul Konerko hit in the bottom of the inning. Konerko came into the game hitting .308 (20-for-65) with three career homers against Westbrook.

"He's got great numbers against me," said Westbrook. "I can't make that good a pitch to him right there."

The Indians put another three-run inning together in the third, as catcher Lou Marson hit a two-out, three-run homer off Buehrle. It was his first homer as an Indian and his second in the big leagues. It also ended an 0-for-19 slump.

Westbrook, however, couldn't stop the White Sox, who had lost eight of the previous 11 games between the two teams this year.

Trailing 6-2, the White Sox scored one run in the fourth and three in the fifth. Westbrook has allowed 18 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings against Chicago.

Carlos Quentin's two-out single off shortstop Luis Valbuena's glove behind second base scored Alex Rios to make it 6-3 in the fourth. Rios reached on a leadoff double.

Chicago tied it in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Omar Vizquel and RBI singles by Rios and Mark Kotsay. Westbrook was gone after Kotsay's single. He allowed six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

The White Sox broke the tie in the seventh on Quentin's two-run, two-out single off Rafael Perez. Tony Sipp (0-2) and Jensen Lewis created a bases-loaded jam. Perez retired Kotsay, but Quentin sent his 0-2 pitch through the middle.

The Indians made it 8-7 on Kearns RBI double in the eighth. Kearns went 8-for-13 in the series.

It was a brutal trip for Sipp. Not only did he take the loss Sunday, but in four appearances, the left-hander allowed 12 runs on nine hits in 1 1/3 innings. Overall, Tribe relievers allowed 33 runs in 26 2/3 innings. The pen went 1-3 with three saves overall.

"You can always make moves," said Acta, "but you just don't make moves whenever guys are struggling. You have to give them time to get back into it.

"It's not like going to the supermarket and buying five pounds of sugar and then go get another five pounds later. That's not the way it works. Some of them are just going to have to ride it out and get right."

Bobby Jenks pitched the ninth for his ninth save.