The more tentacles OHSAA's proposed playoff solution grows, the more I'm convinced this is a problem that never will be solved.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As a fisherman, I know to keep the lid on my worms. When I don't, it's chaos in wormville.

Welcome to wormville.

While I applaud the Ohio High School Athletic Association for a creative approach to an impossible-to-please-everyone dilemma, the more tentacles its proposed playoff solution grows, the more I'm convinced this is a problem that never will be solved.

The solution itself has more snags than the issue. A recently proposed referendum -- to be voted on by principals in May -- would reset divisions according to a series of mathematical factors that take into account tradition, economics and mostly how schools admit students, whether private or public with open enrollment.

It is a complicated, but not convoluted, proposal. Each factor was developed with sound reasoning and good intentions. The goal is to level the playing field in high school sports, where private and some non-boundaried public schools have a huge advantage when it comes to accumulating talent.

The proposal has major flaws and the cumulative effect will be negligible on the balance of power. Also, it unfairly dumps some of the problem onto the laps of Division I schools, which also have the unresolved burden of an enormous disparity between the smallest and largest Division I schools.

The Westlakes and North Olmsteds still will run into St. Ignatius and Magnificat, and under the proposed changes, private school powers such as Lake Catholic and Hathaway Brown might be added to the Division I mix.

While making Division I more difficult, consider what could occur in football divisions II, III, IV and V. Division VI might rid itself of Delphos St. John, which beat Shadyside in the state final, 77-6. But St. John could move up to Division V, which might kick superpower Youngstown Ursuline to Division IV, and so on. Same problem. Different uniforms.

As unfair as it may seem, the best solution might be to just leave the lid on the worms. Let the best play the best regardless of how they get their students. Yes it's hard, but not everyone deserves a trophy. The disadvantage can be overcome.

Olmsted Falls volleyball, Wadsworth wrestling, Maple Heights football and Independence boys cross country are recent examples of public school state champions defying the odds. The real solution is build a better program.

Davis, who qualified by winning a wild-card spot, lost in straight sets to fifth-seeded Samantha Stosur, 6-1, 6-1.

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Lauren Davis' first match in a major tennis tournament lasted long enough for the Gates Mills native to experience just how tough the competition is at the sport's highest level.

Davis, who qualified for the Australian Open by winning an eight-player tournament for one wild-card spot, lost in straight sets to fifth-seeded Samantha Stosur on Tuesday in Melbourne, 6-1, 6-1. Stosur, a native Australian, took 53 minutes to eliminate Davis, who had closed out 2010 on a hot streak.

Stosur, whose fastest serve was clocked at 115.5 mph, had a winning percentage of 92 on her first serves compared to 53 percent for Davis, whose top serve was timed at just under 100 mph.

Davis, who made her pro debut, won three tournaments at the end of last year. She moved to Boca Raton, Fla., a year ago to attend the Evert Tennis Academy.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal's quest to complete his "Rafa Slam" at the Australian Open started with a first-round victory that lasted only 47 minutes and helped conserve plenty of energy.

Nadal led, 6-0, 5-0, when his Brazilian opponent Marcos Daniel retired with a left knee injury on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old Spaniard sympathized with Daniel. Nadal retired from the last Australian Open with an injured knee in a quarterfinal loss to Andy Murray. But he recovered quickly and won the next three majors and is now aiming to be the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam trophies at the same time.

Australian wild-card entry Bernard Tomic advanced to the second round with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (5) win over Jeremy Chardy of France. He is a potential third-round opponent for Nadal.

Hoping a third time will be luckier, Vera Zvonareva began her bid to reach a third consecutive Grand Slam final with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win over Sybille Bammer in the opening match Tuesday on Rod Laver Arena.

Nadal's easy run to the second round came the day after his chief rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic got their campaigns started with straight-sets wins on Monday.

Defending champion Federer dismantled Lukas Lacko, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3. The 16-time Grand Slam champion is aiming to become only the second man to win the Australian Open five times; Roy Emerson won six.

Djokovic took no chances against Marcus Granollers, soundly beating the 24-year-old Spaniard, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. He thinks it's premature for anyone to be talking about winning the title.

Eighth-seeded American Andy Roddick had a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over Jan Hajek of the Czech Republic.

His U.S. Davis Cup teammates had a tougher time, with Mardy Fish coming back from two sets down to win in five for the first time in his career and Sam Querrey losing in a five-setter.

In the 14 years since stopping Michael Moorer, Evander Holyfield has gone 8-7-2. He will be 48 when he climbs through the ropes on Saturday night in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., to take on Sherman “Tank” Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs), no youngster at 38.

AP File PhotoAt 48, Evander Holyfield is still looking for another shot at the title.

Everyone knows Evander Holyfield refuses to quit.

That earned him massive laurels when he resurrected his career with two monster victories against Mike Tyson, in 1996 and 1997, and another stirring win against Michael Moorer.

But that was long ago. In the 14 years since stopping Moorer, he has gone 8-7-2. He will be 48 when he climbs through the ropes on Saturday night in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., to take on Sherman “Tank” Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs), no youngster at 38.

No matter the advancing age and mediocre record, Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) insists he can become the champ once again.

“I didn’t get discouraged for long, and I will try to get my title shot,” Holyfield told fightnews.com. “I want to finish my 26-year career as champion. Everybody knows this.”

Everybody knows how cruel the ring can be. You will have to shell out pay-per-view dough to watch at 9 p.m. Cleveland junior welterweight Miguel Gonzalez (12-2, 11 KOs) is on the undercard against Ramon Guevara (9-20-2,6KOs).

Real deal: A much better match should take place when undefeated 140-pound champions Timothy Bradley (25-0, 12 KOs) and Devon Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs) square off Jan. 29 at the Pontiac Silverdome, the former home of the Detroit Lions.

Since neither fighter is from Michigan, it has been a tough sell for the 80,000 seats in the old football stadium. Don King, who has WBC titleist Alexander, will do his best the next two weeks to drum up business.

Visit silverdometickets.com or call 248-338-2500 for tickets that are $25 to $400. But if you don’t want to make the trip north, HBO will be there to televise it at 10 p.m.

Back together: Promoters Bob Arum and King will be in New York on Wednesday to hype their joint venture of WBA super welterweight Miguel Cotto (35-2, 29 KOs) taking on Ricardo Mayorga (29-7-1, 23 KOs) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on March 12. Arum and King most recently co-promoted a show five years ago.

King plans to bring back Christy Martin (49-5-3, 31 KOs) in a bid for her 50th career win. Her husband, Jim Martin, is in jail in Florida awaiting trial after shooting and stabbing the women’s boxing legend on Thanksgiving.

This one will be a Showtime-produced pay-per-view television deal.

Amateur show: Cleveland’s West Side Boxing Club presents “Battle in the Ballroom II” at the Slovenian National Home, 6417 St. Clair Ave., in Cleveland on Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 VIP, $20 table and $15 general admission, $5 more on fight night. Call Bill Godhard at 440-785-4900 or Todd Kincaid at 440-223-7409.

Next: Undefeated Cleveland welterweight Shawn Porter (17-0, 13 KOs) has landed on the ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” in Salisbury, Md., on Feb. 18. He will take on Adrian Mora (20-1-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Although a Stow High graduate, Porter calls Cleveland his fighting home.

Awards: The Boxing Writers Association of America has voted Micky Ward the 2010 James A. Farley Award for “Honesty and Integrity in Boxing.” Ward, 45, went 38-13, 27 KOs, with his trilogy against Arturo Gatti considered classics. His final bout was a loss to Gatti on June 7, 2003. Ward, who is portrayed by actor Mark Wahlberg in the movie “The Fighter,” will be honored at the BWAA’s annual awards dinner later this year.

Wladimir Klitschko, Sergio Martinez, Manny Pacquiao, Giovanni Segura and Andre Ward are the BWAA nominees for fighter of the year.

This week in history: Muhammad Ali turned 69 on Monday. . . . Sandy Saddler stopped Flash Elorde in the 13th round in San Francisco in to retain the featherweight title on Jan. 18, 1956.

New leader: USA Boxing has selected Joe Zanders as its new national coach. Zanders was a member of the 2004 coaching staff at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

The native of Long Beach, Calif., recently retired after 30 years as a youth counselor with the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

Which team will win the Super Bowl?

Stephan Savoia / APCan Jets coach Rex Ryan win in Pittsburgh?

The NFL season has come down to the final four with the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship, and the New York Jets at the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC Championship.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports. Hear Terry's thoughts on the Browns' new head coach, the Cavaliers struggles and more.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports.

Hear Terry's thoughts on the Browns' new head coach, the Cavaliers struggles and more.

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

Cavs players try to remain optimistic despite their 8-32 record.

View full sizeAP FileAntawn Jamison remains optimistic despite the Cavs' league-worst 8-32 record. A run of wins here and there and they're right back in it, he says.

The Cavs have lost 23 of their last 24 and have the worst record in the NBA, at 8-32. At times, it looks as though they couldn't score on a Fisher-Price basketball set. Parma Kindercare would have to spot 'em 10 points just to be competitive.

And yet, Antawn Jamison and Daniel Gibson remain optimistic, at least according to Rick Noland's piece in today's Chronicle-Telegram:

“If you win seven out of nine (games), 10 out of 13, you’re right back in the thick of things,” veteran forward Antawn Jamison said Monday following practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts. “There’s still hope.”

Maybe, but with starting center Anderson Varejao likely out for the season with a foot injury and a number of other key players ailing, how much is debatable.

Cleveland’s last 23 losses have been by an average of 16.9 points, including 19.1 in 15 games on the road, where it hasn’t won since Nov. 9, and 12.9 in eight games at Quicken Loans Arena.

Nineteen of the Cavs’ 23 losses have come by nine points or more, including 12 by at least 15 points and seven by at least 20.

The high-water mark — or low-water mark — was a franchise-record, 55-point defeat to the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers (112-57) a week ago. It was followed by a 22-point loss in Utah and a 28-point defeat in Denver.

The Cavs, however, insist they are moving on — and moving forward.

“I feel like every day we’re getting better,” said guard Daniel Gibson, who is on the verge of returning from an ankle injury. “We’re learning how to win. It will start showing up sooner or later.”

Lately, though, Gilbert is trying the patience of even his staunchest supporters mostly because he’s no longer the Gilbert that the fans were growing to trust. At a time when the franchise is struggling to find an identity, a face, Gilbert has adopted a bunker mentality as his team embarrasses its way through the 2010-11 season.

Since the whole James fiasco, in fact, Gilbert has changed and not for the better. The same goes for the front office. Instead of being out front, it comes across as left behind. The lack of noise is deafening. Meanwhile the fans are screaming as the team is in the midst of foisting upon its fans all the history it thought had been erased once Ted Stepien sold the team to the Gund Brothers.

Maybe there isn’t much Gilbert could do anyway, but right now the Cavs are coming across as an organization that simply doesn’t care.

They didn’t have a first-round draft pick last year. Their first-rounder this year will be extremely high, as will their first-rounders for the foreseeable future.

Despite an apparent influx of high-quality talent in the near future, things don’t look like they’ll be getting much better for the sorry franchise or the sports-tormented city.

What franchise would be a good comparison at this point?  While the Thunder and Blazers are beacons of rebuilding through the draft, they had veterans playing key roles with the development of their youth – the Thunder with Thabo Sefolosha and Nick Collison, the Blazers with Andre Miller and Marcus Camby, and Steve Blake and Joel Pryzbilla before them.

However, the key for the Blazers and Thunder were lucking out with franchise-defining talents in the draft in Brandon Roy and Kevin Durant, respectively.

Based on the talent who’s projected to enter the draft this year, there are no Roys, no Durants, heck, no Russell Westbrooks.

New Browns coach not sold on Colt McCoy, according to report.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerFormer Browns offensive coordinator Brian Dabol.

If you believe National Football Post reporter Dan Pompei, new Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur does not exactly trust quarterback Colt McCoy.

Seriously.

Despite all McCoy did during his rookie year, including wins over New England and New Orleans, does Shurmur really believe he can get someone better next season?

New Browns coach Pat Shurmur is saying all the right things about Colt McCoy, but the truth is the team is in no man’s land with the quarterback. They like what he did enough as a rookie to want to see if he can continue to develop, so that could dissuade them from investing a first round pick in another quarterback. But they haven’t seen enough to be certain that McCoy can be the man. The likely scenario is the Browns will have a veteran to compete with McCoy, but if McCoy doesn’t step up they will have wasted another year.

 

Taking talents to South Beach

Former Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is now the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.

Daboll wasn't the best when it came to calling plays during games, but now he gets another chance with the Dolphins.

Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich writes how the Browns' offense ranked 29th (289.7 yards per game) in the NFL. In 2009, it ranked 32nd — last in the league (260.2 yards per game). In 2010, the offense averaged 16.9 points per game compared with 15.3 the previous season.

Zooming in on Zorn

News-Herald reporter Jeff Schudel writes how Jim Zorn, currently the quarterbacks coach of the Baltimore Ravens, could be the Browns' next offensive coordinator.

The connection?

Zorn was the quarterbacks coach under Browns president Mike Holmgren in Seattle from 2001-2007 when Holmgren was the Seahawks' head coach. Zorn helped develop Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in the West Coast offense. It is the same offense new Browns coach Pat Shurmur will run.

Shurmur plans to call plays initially, he said at his introductory news conference. Zorn would be able to take over eventually and in the meantime tutor Colt McCoy as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

In January of 2008, Zorn was hired as the Redskins' offensive coordinator. He became the coach a month later and finished 12-20 after two seasons.

Closer Chris Perez is signed, sealed and delivered for 2011. Shin-Soo Choo and Rafael Perez are still eligible for arbitration.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerChris Perez saved 23 games for the Indians last season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have signed closer Chris Perez to a one-year deal worth $2.225 million to avoid aribitration.

They have two players left who are still eligible for arbitration -- Shin-Soo Choo and Rafael Perez. Players and team  must exchange proposed salarey figures by 1 p.m.

Perez established himself as the Indians closer last season. He went 2-2 with a 1.71 ERA in 53 appearances.  He converted 23 saves in 27 chances.

He opened the season at closer because Kerry Wood was on the disabled list. When Wood was traded to the Yankees on July 31, Perez became the Tribe's fulltime closer.

Last season Perez made $423,800. Perez's 2011 contract includes award bonuses.

He qualified for arbitration as a super two player, meaning he had fewer than three years service time, but in the upper 17 percent of the players who have more than two years in the big leagues. Shin-Soo Choo and Rafael Perez are still eligible for arbitration.

Players with three years service time are eligible for arbitration.

The Indians came to terms with Asdrubal Cabrera on Monday night. He agreed to a one-year $2.025 million deal to avoid arbitration. 

The Indians haven't had a player go to arbitration since 1991.

Versatility: Jason Donald said in an e-mail that he's been working out at second, shortstop and third base this winter. Donald is a candidate to play third this year. He played second and short for the Tribe last year. 

Aaron Rodgers' outstanding play has convinced PD columnist that the Pack will go all the way. Watch video

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

Which team do you think will win the Super Bowl? Chuck and Branson both pick the Pittsburgh Steelers; but today's guest, Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston, says that with the way QB Aaron RodgersGreen Bay Packers going all the way. What do you think? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Livy also talks about what New England's loss to the New York Jets on Sunday did to the legacy of Pats coach Bill Belichick; about whether the Browns should have kept Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator; and whether this is the worst Cleveland Cavaliers team ever.

SBTV will return Wednesday with a special guest, Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo! Sports, who predicted before the season that the Cavaliers would win 12 games.

The NFL players union confirms that it has filed a collusion allegation against owners.

Mike Hargrove, who ranks second in victories among Indians manager, will help the team in spring training, do some TV work and press the flesh in the community.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerMike Hargrove will be back in an Indians uniform, assisting the coaching staff during spring training.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mike Hargrove, who played, coached and managed the Indians, has rejoined his old team as a special advisor.

Hargrove, a member of the Indians Hall of Fame, will do a little bit of everything in his new job. He'll assist manager Manny Acta's coaching staff in spring training. He'll work with the SportsTime Ohio's broadcast team for select telecasts. He'll also represent the team in its work with businesses and charitable organizations in the community.

 "I am very excited about the opportunity to once again be a Cleveland Indian and I am very much looking forward to helping any way that I can," said Hargrove. "Even when I was away and managing other teams I always had an interest in what was happening with the Indians. All I can really say is that it is good to be home."

 Said Indians President Mark Shapiro, "His legacy here is as a player and manager, as well as his consistent role in the community, provide him with a unique platform to impact our team, our fans and our community.  It will be an honor to once again work with Mike and we know his impact will be felt by generations of Indians’ fans and players who will all benefit from his knowledge of the game and love of Cleveland Indians baseball."

 Hargrove spent 22 years in an Indians uniform as a player, coach and manager. He managed the Indians from 1991 through 1999, leading them to two AL pennants and five AL Central championships. He ranks second all-time among Indians manager with 721 victories, seven behind Lou Boudreau at 728.

 As a player, Hargrove was a career .290 (1614-for-5564) hitter in 12 big-league seasons. He played with the Indians from 1979 through 1985. He won the AL Rookie of the Year award with Texas in 1974.

What does Terry think of Pat Shurmur? What about the OHSAA's division realignment plan? We talk about that with Terry Pluto, award-winning sports columnist for The Plain Dealer.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Click on play to listen to the chat or download the MP3 version to listen on-the-go!

Indians sign lefty Rafael Perez to one-year deal.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerRafael Perez avoided arbitration by signing a one-year deal with the Indians.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Left-hander Rafael Perez and the Indians have reached agreement on a one-year deal worth $1.33 million to avoid arbitration.

Starting Monday night, the Indians have signed Rafael Perez, Chris Perez and Asdrubal Cabrera to one-year deals to sidestep arbitration. Shin-Soo Choo is still eligible.

Rafael Perez had a bounce back season in 2010. He went 6-1 with a 3.25 ERA in 70 appearances. The opposition still hit .300 against him as he struck out 36 and walked 25.

His ERA from June 1 through the end of the season was 1.97 (10 earned runs in 46 innings). Fifty five of his 70 appearances were scoreless.

Perez made   $795,000 last year.  

Browns defensive coordinator candidate Dick Jauron of the Eagles will interview with the Browns today and tomorrow, a league source told the Plain Dealer. Another former NFL head coach, Dave Wannstedt, will also interview for the position this week, a source said.

APDick Jauron is in Cleveland to interview for the Browns defensive coordinator position.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns will interview Eagles senior assistant and secondary coach Dick Jauron for their defensive coordinator position today and tomorrow, a league source told the Plain Dealer.

Jauron, former coach of the Bears and Bills,  is one of two former NFL head coaches and coordinators to interview for the job this week. The other is former Bears and Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt.

Jauron is also candidate for the Eagles' coordinator job, along with Jim L. Mora and former Rams coordinator Bill Davis. Jauron might also draw interest from other teams.

On the offensive side, two assistants with ties to either head coach Pat Shurmur or Browns President Mike Holmgren or both -- Ravens' quarterbacks Jim Zorn and Rams receivers Nolan Cromwell, are not Browns coordinator candidates at this time, a league source said.

The Indians avoid arbitration for the 20th straight season by signing Shin-Soo Choo to a one year contract

Ed Zurga / Associated PressShin-Soo Choo hit .300 with 22 home runs and 90 RBI for the Indians last season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shin-Soo Choo and agent Scott Boras promised to be a tough hurdle to clear if the Indians were going to avoid arbitration for the 20th consecutive year, but GM Chris Antonetti got it done.

Choo signed a one-year, $3.975 million deal before the 1 p.m. deadline to exchange salary figures. Choo made $461,100 last year.

The Indians had four players eligible for arbitration entering this week and signed them all. Asdrubal Cabrera ($2.025 million), Chris Perez ($2.225 ) and Rafael Perez ($3.975) agreed to one-year deal.

Choo was the Indians best player last year.

Columnist is surprised Miami's hired Brian Daboll.

Tracy Boulian / The Plain DealerEx-Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

Former Cleveland Browns assistant Brian Daboll didn't exactly light up the Browns' offense this past season.

Under Daboll, the Browns' offense ranked 29th (289.7 yards per game) in the NFL. In 2009, it ranked 32nd — last in the league (260.2 yards per game). In 2010, the offense averaged 16.9 points per game compared with 15.3 the previous season.

So Miami owner Stephen Ross says he wants an aggressive, creative (offense) for next season.

And the Dolphins chose Daboll to open up the offense? Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour wants to know.

After a game, Daboll was once spotted conferring with former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, the master of drawing up plays in the dirt. But even when Daboll took chances in games, he was never consistent. Most of the chances were trick plays. He never went for the jugular after the Browns defense got a takeaway. He rarely threw downfield, perhaps convinced that the team didn’t have the speed or the receivers capable for a vertical passing game. Even when he had a quarterback (Derek Anderson) to make those throws, they were rarely in the game plan.

Daboll is an extremely nice man and I wish him the best in his coaching career. But I would have expected former coach Eric Mangini to find a job as a defensive coordinator before Daboll was calling the plays for another NFL team.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland native Greg Morrow has been named as Collinwood's new girls track coach, taking over the reigns of Cleveland's most successful public school girls sports program from retired coach Lou Slapnik. Collinwood last spring won its ninth state championship and 17th Senate Athletic League title.

Lou Slapnik led the Railroaders' girls track program to nine state championships and 17 Senate Athletic League titles before announcing his retirement last spring. - (Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland native Greg Morrow has been named as Collinwood's new girls track coach, taking over the reigns of Cleveland's most successful public school girls sports program from retired coach Lou Slapnik.

Collinwood last spring won its ninth state championship and 17th Senate Athletic League title.

Morrow has no previous experience as a high school track coach. He was a seven-time All-American sprinter at Division III Wilmington (Ohio) College between 2001-04.

Morrow, 28, currently is a junior varsity boys basketball coach at John Hay, and has been an assistant football and baseball coach at John F. Kennedy and East High. He has coached track at a summer youth program at Case Western Reserve the past two years.

Morrow is a planning center instructional assistant at Michael R. White K-8 school in Cleveland, where he works as an intervention specialist for kids at risk. He said his goal is to continue the off-track mentoring provided by Slapnik.

"I've been doing this for four years and I think the biggest thing I've learned is how to talk to the parents, and that will help me as far as being a head coach," he said. "This is a position where I can be effective. I'm a 2000 graduate of John F. Kennedy, so I understand the Collinwood tradition and I would love to try to continue that."

Morrow ran track and played football at JFK. He was a track and football team captain at Wilmington, where he earned an education degree.

"It looks like a good hire to me," Slapnik said. "He's a little younger and I hope he can relate to the girls. I told him, 'The girls' work ethic, sacrifices and education has to continue in order to be successful, and that's on your part as a coach. You've got to come in and do your thing.' He seems like someone that's ready for the challenge and capable for the job."

Collinwood graduated most of its top scorers last spring, but returns several promising runners led by senior sprinter Brittini Brown and junior hurdler Jasmine Lett. They ran on Collinwood's state championship 4x200-meter and runner-up 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

Cleveland, Ohio - Versatile Glenville senior runner Quincy Downing has made an oral commitment to Louisiana State's program, which has offered a full scholarship in track. Downing also considered offers from USC, UCLA, North Carolina, Georgetown and Columbia. "LSU can make sure I can win NCAA titles in my main event and as a team," said Downing, who visited...

Glenville's Quincy Downing runs the home stretch of his 4x800-meter relay split during the 2009 state meet. He has earned a full track scholarship to LSU. - (Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer)

Cleveland, Ohio - Versatile Glenville senior runner Quincy Downing has made an oral commitment to Louisiana State's program, which has offered a full scholarship in track. Downing also considered offers from USC, UCLA, North Carolina, Georgetown and Columbia.

"LSU can make sure I can win NCAA titles in my main event and as a team," said Downing, who visited the school in December. "In track, not many get a full ride, so getting a full-ride offer was a pretty big deal."

Downing has excelled in everything from the 100-meter dash to the 300 hurdles to the 800, and said he will focus on the 800, where he has several lofty goals this year and beyond. His immediate goal is to break St. Ignatius graduate Mark Sylvester's 2001 state mark of 1:48.93 in the 800. Downing said his personal best is 1:51.99, which he ran in the summer of 2009. He eventually wants to win NCAA and Olympic titles.

Downing, who attends Ginn Academy, collected four medals at last year's Division I state track meet. He ran on Glenville's winning 4x200, second-place 4x400 and third-place 4x100, and he was fourth in the 800 (1:53.86). Earlier in the season, he ran the 300 hurdles in 37.41, which was the sixth-fastest in Ohio, according to milesplit.oh.

If only every day in the Tribe's season could be like this one. Arbitration is avoided and best of all, Mike Hargrove is back as a special consultant.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerIn 2004, Mike Hargrove returned to throw out the first pitch of the Indians' season. Now arguably the best-known living Indian, Hargrove is back with the franchise as an adviser in 2011 -- which is a good move by the team, says Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I know that everything done by the Indians on the eve of arbitration -- signing Shin-Soo Choo, Chris Perez, Raffy Perez and Asdrubal Cabrera -- won't change the fact that this team is destined to lose at least 90 games and have one of the game's lowest payrolls once again.

But I don't care.

I want some good news, any type of good news when it comes to a local pro sports team. It also was time to take a break from speculation about who will be the Browns defensive coordinator, along with all of the nuances of switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3.

The Browns will always own this town, no matter how many games they'll lose. But the Indians will always have a special place in the hearts of a certain breed of long-time baseball fans.

Which is why it was great to hear that former manager Mike Hargrove has rejoined the team as a "special consultant." He'll help Manny Acta in spring training, then do some television work and public relations appearances during the regular season.

This is a great and logical move by new team president Mark Shapiro.

After 22 years as a player, coach and manager with the Indians, he is as close to an icon as this franchise has following the death of Hall of Famer Bob Feller. That's especially true because Hargrove joined the Indians in the middle of the 1979 season. He soon bought a house here, and the Texas native made this his hometown.

Even after fired by the Indians following the 1999 season, then later managing in Baltimore and Seattle, Hargrove kept his home in Richfield. He is purebred Wahoo red, white and blue.

Want to feel a little old?

Hargrove is 61.

Want to feel a little nostalgic?

Think about how Hargrove managed a Tribe team that owned the Central Division from 1995-99, how it went to the World Series in 1995 and 1997. Think about how he used to play in front of more than 60,000 empty seats at the old Cleveland Stadium, and how he then managed a team with several Hall of Famers in front of nightly sellouts for five years.

Think about how Hargrove never complained, even after he was fired following a 97-win season in 1999. It also was the year the Indians were up, 2-0, in the Boston series, then lost three in a row.

Those were the days when October baseball in Cleveland came with the changing of the leaves, when Tribe fans could watch future Hall of Famers such as Jim Thome, Robbie Alomar, Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel and Eddie Murray. There were so many other sensational players passing through town: Kenny Lofton, Carlos Baerga, Sandy Alomar, Dennis Martinez, Orel Hershiser, Albert Belle, Travis Fryman and some others you may name.

I also remember how Hargrove was a true leader in the spring of 1993 when a boating accident took the lives of pitchers Steve Olin and Tim Crews. I remember how Hargrove could deal with a group of eccentric and sometimes outrageous personalities in his clubhouse as he rarely sweated the small stuff.

It is a different ballgame now, but Shin-Soo Choo would have fit in with those teams. Despite hitting .300 with 22 homers, 22 steals, 90 RBI and an OPS of .885, Choo may not have started with some of those Tribe teams -- at least not when Belle, Ramirez and Lofton were in the outfield.

But this guy is a real pro, a pleasure to watch and extremely dedicated. It was great to see him sign a one-year deal for nearly $4 million, rather than endure an ugly arbitration battle. It doesn't change the fact that the Tribe controls Choo for three more years, or that his agent Scott Boras is unlikely to sign him to a long-term deal that delays his departure date from Cleveland.

Nonetheless, having core players such as Choo, Chris Perez and Asdrubal Cabrera signed and reasonably happy for at least one summer is decent news on a gloomy January day. But best of all, it's nice to know that Hargrove is back with his favorite team.