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Stephen Strasburg set to make highly-anticipated big-league pitching debut tonight

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Strasburg, with a blazing fastball and dazzling curveball, pitches for the Nationals before a rare standing-room crowd in Washington. The right-hander, 21, faces the Pittsburgh Pirates, and is set up to pitch in Cleveland against the Indians on Sunday.

stephen-strasburg.jpgStephen Strasburg pitching for the Class AAA Syracuse Chiefs last Thursday in Buffalo against the Bisons.Washington -- The anticipation is nearly over. The 21-year-old with the fastball that approaches 100 mph and the curve that freezes batters is about to take the mound in the nation's capital.

Stephen Strasburg is set to make his Washington Nationals debut Tuesday night.

Standing room only tickets went on sale Monday, all part of a rare Nationals Park sellout. The Internet is humming with offers for good seats. More than 200 requests for media credentials have been submitted, forcing officials to turn a dining area into a work space to accommodate all those reporters with laptops.

For the Nationals, Strasburg's major league debut is best summed up in one word.

Finally.

"I'm looking forward to that first outing or two being out of the way," manager Jim Riggleman said. "I know the attention's not going to go away completely, but the anticipation of the thing has been building since the draft -- and before the draft -- last year."

No one's seen anything like it. A No. 1 overall pick who gets sellout, rock-star, hire-extra-security treatment in minor league cities such as Harrisburg and Rochester. It's the type of overexposure usually reserved for top picks in the NFL or NBA.

The Nationals are actually having a decent year following back-to-back 100-losses seasons, but everything they've done has been overshadowed by talk about a player who didn't have a locker in the clubhouse, whose debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates has been given its own baseball holiday nickname: "Strasmas."

"He needs to take a step back, take a deep breath and kind of soak in the moment because you only debut once in your career. It's a special day for him, also," general manager Mike Rizzo said. "We're looking forward to getting back into a more normal routine with Stephen Strasburg as part of the Washington Nationals."

That would be just fine with Strasburg. He has candidly stated on many occasions that his majors debut has been long overdue.

"I feel like I've been ready," he said after his last minor league outing, five scoreless innings for Triple-A Syracuse at Buffalo last week.

There's not much argument there. It was almost cruel to watch Strasburg overwhelm hitters in Double-A and Triple-A. His combined stats: 7-2 with a 1.30 ERA with 65 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 55 1/3 innings.

But money trumped wins, at least this year. Having already invested heavily in the right-hander from San Diego State with a record $15.1 million contract over four years, the Nationals wanted to save some dough down the road by calling Strasburg up after June 1, thus delaying by one year the eventual date when he will be eligible for arbitration.

Strasburg is also looking forward to normalcy because he's not a limelight guy.

He usually doesn't have much to say when the microphones are turned on, and the team has protected him by limiting his availability. He will sometimes let a reporter know if he doesn't care for a question, which can be both refreshing and embarrassing. Strasburg was married in January, but the Nationals have already announced that on Tuesday: "Strasburg's family will NOT be available to media [no exceptions]."

Relief pitcher Drew Storen has been called the anti-Strasburg. Drafted nine places after his more famous teammate, Storen is on Twitter and always has time for an interview. At spring training, Strasburg seemed to have an invisible wall around him, while Storen once spent about 10 minutes with reporters discussing socks. Storen, called up to the majors a few weeks ago, jokes that he and Strasburg have "that Batman-Robin thing going on."

Storen, therefore, doesn't mind sharing the news: Strasburg does indeed have a pulse.

"He's got a great personality -- it's just that he's a very low-key guy," Storen said. "And it's not what you'd expect out of a guy like that. You expect a big-time talent to have a big-time personality and be this real outspoken guy, and he's far from that. He's a guy that will ask anybody questions and is willing to learn from anybody, and that's the key to his success. ... He's got a different type personality than I do, but he's got the right personality for the position he's in."

The toned-down persona hasn't stopped the hype machine. Want to bet on how Strasburg's going to do Tuesday? There are odds on whether his first pitch will be a ball or strike, how many innings he'll last and nearly everything else in between. Nationals Park has been sold out only once so far this season -- on opening day -- but the thought that Strasburg might pitch drew the season's second biggest crowd Friday against Cincinnati.

Strasburg's thoughts about it all? Pretty straightforward.

"It's my major league debut. What more can you say?" he said. "It's something I've dreamed about my entire life, and now it's starting to become a reality."

At least Strasburg won't have to wait long for the next phenom to come along. Baseball's draft was held Monday, and the Nationals again held the No. 1 overall pick. As expected, Washington selected Bryce Harper, a junior college slugger who's had about as much hype as Strasburg.

It makes for quite a week for a franchise that hasn't had a winning season since moving to Washington from Montreal in 2005.

"I can't remember back-to-back years where there's two players who have separated themselves from the rest of the field the way Strasburg did in '09 and Harper does in '10," Rizzo said. "In that respect, it is very, very unique. I think it's a lucky time to have two No. 1 picks overall."

 


The summer of LeBron; the return of Victor Martinez; and the Browns' fantasy prospects

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Cleveland sports bloggers discuss LeBron's marketing strategy, Tom Izzo's potential, Victor Martinez's departure from the Indians and rank Browns players by fantasy value.

Want more Cleveland sports blogs? Check out more headlines on our Fan Blog page.

lebron james.jpgView full sizeThe timing of LeBron's interview with Larry King was questioned by some.

Cavaliers

LeBrowns Town: "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. That's my advice for LeBron James in a nutshell. Sunday afternoon I was in a friendly debate over LeBron's planned attendance of that night's NBA Finals game. ... LeBron did not attend that game simply to take in a game; he attended that game to ensure that the spotlight remained on him, and not what should be the centerpiece of the NBA season, the Finals. Make no mistake about it ... LeBron knows exactly what he's doing when he gives Larry King an interview during the NBA Finals and when he attends the game, among other publicity stunts." » Read more

Cavs HQ: "That said, I wish I was more confident that [Tom Izzo] would make a great NBA coach. While instruction and gameplanning is important in both the college and pro games, an NBA coach must manage the egos of millionaires while keeping his team focused over the course of 82 regular season games in six months. Until you have seen a coach manage those egos and that long season, you cannot know how he will fare in the NBA." » Read more

Cleveland Frowns: "Chilling stuff for Cavs fans if true. But how convenient for Ferry's camp to point the finger at Gilbert in this way? If Ferry had as much 'muscle with Gilbert' as Wojnarowski suggests, why did things turn out the way they did? If Ferry was such a bulwark against Gilbert's enabling ways, so effective at 'challenging the owner,' what victories did Ferry win on this front? Without evidence that he won a single such battle, we're now supposed to believe that the Cavs' organization is set to fly off the hinges without Ferry in place to hold it all together? And that the sense of a businessman with Gilbert's resume goes completely out the window when it comes to running a basketball team?" » Read more

Indians

WaitingForNextYear: "We all know why Victor was pushed out the door. The team was afraid that he would demand market value for his services and the Indians are just not willing to pay players what they are worth. So Victor, like Sabathia and Lee had to go." » Read more

Browns

Cleveland Reboot: "But rather, let's take a look at which of our current Browns could have a fantasy impact in 2010. Which means it's time for a list. 1. Jerome Harrison. 2. (Thinking.) 3. (Thinking Really Hard.) 4. Josh Cribbs? Do these nerds count special teams stats? 5. (Giving Up.) And there you have it. That's it. That's the list. Harrison and maybe Cribbs." » Read more

Dawg Scooper: "When Harrison showed up, it appeared he was leading by example for all the other unsigned RFAs - or he was feeling the pressure of hearing how well rookie running back Montario Hardesty was adapting to the pro game. Vickers has also shown up for OTAs on June 7. Since Vickers in now practicing with the rest of the team, one could also assume that he too felt the pressure of all the reports coming from the media that new fullback/halfback Peyton Hillis was getting acclimated to the Browns' offense very well too." » Read more

Indians Comment of the Day: Allie should go to school

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"High School players are always a huge risk to take early. Allie should heavily consider going to North Carolina for a couple years and could end up the top pick in the draft in 2012." - sadsamjones

stetson-allie.jpgView full sizeStetson Allie was expected to be a first round draft pick, but is still waiting to be picked as the draft enters its second day.

In response to the story St. Edward star Stetson Allie still waiting for MLB draft selection, cleveland.com reader sadsamjones thinks Allie should seriously consider going to college for a bit. This reader writes,

"High School players are always a huge risk to take early. Allie should heavily consider going to North Carolina for a couple years and could end up the top pick in the draft in 2012."

To respond to sadsamjones' comment, go here.

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

Browns Comment of the Day: Pay Lawrence Vickers

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"Vickers annihilates people. Pony up the cash for this dude and sign him long term." - EricCartman13

Cleveland Browns lose to Packers, 31-3View full sizeLawrence Vickers has established himself as a crushing blocker at the fullback position.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns fullback Lawrence Vickers shows up at OTAs without a deal, but with optimism for season, cleveland.com reader EricCartman13 thinks Lawrence Vickers is worth a big investment. This reader writes,

"Vickers annihilates people. Pony up the cash for this dude and sign him long term."

To respond to EricCartman13's comment, go here.

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

Cavaliers Comment of the Day: Izzo not worth it

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"Why throw all of this money and these incentives at a man who has only one NCAA championship and no NBA coaching experience when we can get (or hope to get) someone like Byron Scott, who has back-to-back NBA Finals appearances?" - FANofLEBRON

izzoag.jpgView full sizeIs Tom Izzo worth the offer Dan Gilbert has reportedly made to him?

In response to the story Dan Gilbert in hot pursuit of Michigan State's Tom Izzo to coach Cleveland Cavaliers, cleveland.com reader FANofLEBRON isn't sure Tom Izzo is worth the offer Dan Gilbert has reportedly made. This reader writes,

"Why throw all of this money and these incentives to a man who has only one NCAA championship and no NBA coaching experience when we can get (or hope to get) someone like Byron Scott, who has back-to-back NBA Finals appearances?"

To respond to FANofLEBRON's comment, go here.

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

Tom Izzo's offer from Cavaliers could be worth more than $30 million, Brian Windhorst says (Starting Blocks TV)

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Plain Dealer Cavs beat writer talks about whether Izzo is using Cavs as leverage.

tom-izzo-3.jpgTom izzo

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports.


On today's show, hosts Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough:


• Talk about whether a college coach, like Michigan State's Tom Izzo, can make the jump to the NBA and be successful. What's your opinion? Take the poll now posted on the Starting Blocks blog.


• Talk with Plain Dealer Cavaliers beat writer Brian Windhorst about the contract the Cavs reportedly have offered Izzo. Windhorst says he thinks it could be worth more than $30 million, which is the number he felt confident reporting today. Also, he talks about the demands of covering the LeBron James sweepstakes, which have him on the phone from 7 a.m. to past midnight each day.


SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, who will talk about Washington Nationals pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg, who makes his first start tonight and is scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Indians.


Have a question for Dman? Post it in the comments below, and we'll ask the best ones during Wednesday's show.



Rate local golf courses and read all the reviews: Local golf online features

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Rate your favorite -- and not so favorite -- local golf courses and take a look at the reviews written by other golfers before you hit the links.

 

Xpinehills00054_9.jpgView full sizeNo. 18 at Pine Hills Golf Club in Hinckley.Cleveland, Ohio - The Plain Dealer has launched a Northeast Ohio public golf course rating guide.

Rate your favorite -- and not so favorite -- courses and take a look at the reviews written by other golfers before you hit the links.


Terry Pluto talks Cavaliers, Indians and Browns - Podcast

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Can Tom Izzo be successful in the NBA? Who would you like to see coach the Cavaliers? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto was online, tackling those questions and more in his weekly chat.

Terry Pluto use this new head shotTerry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.Can Tom Izzo be successful in the NBA? Who would you like to see coach the Cavaliers?

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto was online, tackling those questions and more in his weekly chat on cleveland.com earlier today.

Among the other topics discussed:

- At what point do the Indians need to start seeing real return on the CC Sabathia deal?

- How will the Browns' backfield shake out this season?

- And much more!

Click on the play button below to listen or download the MP3 podcast here to listen on the go.


Derek Dietrich, former St. Ignatius High School star, drafted by Tampa Bay in second round of Major League Baseball draft

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The 6-1, 195-pound shortstop was the 79th player chosen overall.

 

Xderek00122_9.jpgView full sizeDerek Dietrich, who was a standout shortstop at St. Ignatius, was drafted today for the second time in his career. The Georgia Tech junior was selected by Tampa Bay at 79th overall.Cleveland, Ohio - Former St. Ignatius star Derek Dietrich was drafted today for the second time in his career when the shortstop was chosen by Tampa Bay in the second round of Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft.

Dietrich, a 6-1, 195-pound shortstop, was the 79th player chosen overall.

Dietrich, currently playing in the College World Series for Georgia Tech, was picked in the third round by Houston in 2007, but elected to attend college instead

Dietrich is the second player chosen from the Greater Cleveland area. St. Edward pitcher Stetson Allie also was chosen earlier this afternoon in the second round, going to Pittsburgh with the 52nd pick overall.

Tom Izzo just wants some attention, says Lansing State Journal

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Is Michigan State coach Tom Izzo pulling a Brett Favre? Michael Rosenberg writes in The Lansing State Journal that Izzo loves the attention that the Cleveland Cavaliers are giving him with a contract offer. I think he loves this attention. Absolutely loves it. He loves knowing that the NBA teams might want Tom Izzo from Iron Mountain in the...

izzoag.jpgMichigan State coach Tom Izzo.Is Michigan State coach Tom Izzo pulling a Brett Favre? Michael Rosenberg writes in The Lansing State Journal that Izzo loves the attention that the Cleveland Cavaliers are giving him with a contract offer.


I think he loves this attention. Absolutely loves it. He loves knowing that the NBA teams might want Tom Izzo from Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula. But also, I think he loves that other people know it.

I think he wants everybody at MSU to understand that he could leave at any time. I think he gets a violent reaction to the mere notion of being taken for granted - by his administration, his fans or the media.

Rosenberg writes that Izzo and MSU are made for each other. He's a small-town guy in a small town. But apparently, the small town stuff isn't enough.

Izzo is a chronic complainer, and I can see where that might drive administrators a little crazy. The man never seems happy. But again: If you want Izzo, you get the full Izzo, and he did not bring MSU this far by being happy. 

 

 

Not so successful

If Tom Izzo becomes the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, he could join a long list of college to first-time pro coaches who have not been successful. Here's a list of a few coaches who had a rude awakening when they joined the NBA.

* Dick Motta, Bulls, Bullets, Mavericks, Kings, Nuggets, 1968-97, 935-1017.

* Bill Fitch, Cavaliers, Celtics, Rockets, Nets, Clippers, 1970-1998, 944-1106.

Roy Rubin, Philadelphia 76ers, 1972-73, 4-47.

John MacLeod, Suns, Mavericks, Knicks, 1973-1991, 707-657.

Dick Vitale, Detroit Pistons, 1978-79, 34-60.

Jerry Tarkanian, San Antonio Spurs, 1992, 9-11.

P.J. Carlisimo, Portland Trail Blazers/Golden State Warriors, 1994-2009, 204-296.

John Calipari, New Jersey Nets, 1996-99, 72-112.

Rick Pitino, Boston Celtics, 1997-2001, 102-146.

Tim Floyd, Chicago Bulls, 1998-2001, 49-190.

Lon Kruger, Atlanta Hawks, 2000-2002, 69-102.

Leonard Hamilton, Washington Wizards, 2000-01, 19-63.

Mike Montgomery, Golden State Warriors, 2004-2006, 68-96.

 

* Won NBA title.

 

 

P.M. Cleveland Indians links: Dice-K shines here, can't catch a break in Boston

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Dice-K earns respect of the Tribe, but not of a Boston scribe.

daisuke-matsuzaka.jpgDaisuke Matsuzaka sliced and diced the Tribe Monday night, allowing zero runs in eight innings.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Daisuke Matsusaka's nickname is Dice-K. It's a pretty onomatopoetic description of what he did over eight innings to the Indians Monday night: He sliced and diced 'em like a human Veg-o-matic for a 4-1 win.

He darn-near had them scared hitless. If not for that useless lead-off homer in the ninth by Austin Kearns -- against Daniel Bard, and not Matsuzaka -- they would have been scoreless, too. Dice-K's line against the hapless Tribe (please, Lord, let there come a day again when that adjective isn't appropriate): eight innings, four hits, no runs, five strikeouts, two walks.

In his game story, Plain Dealer beat writer Paul Hoynes details Dice-K's dissection of the Tribe.

Despite Matsuzaka's performance, he's still catching grief from the hometown paper. Specifically, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald:

Daisuke, tell us: Is it safe yet to rely on you putting together a run of consistent, decent starts. You don't need to be great, but could you please, Daisuke, just not implode?

"It's the first time I was able to string together two good starts this season, but who knows?" Matsuzaka said after the 4-1 Red Sox victory. "Maybe I can keep going like this."

So, that is not a ringing endorsement of his powers to see into his own future, but he was not signed to be Nostradamus. It would be nice, however, if he simply could be trusted to be an above-average major league starter.

Is that asking too much?

Shoot, yeah it is. Here in Cleveland, the Indians are just looking for an average one.

With that in mind
The 2010 Indians most likely couldn't get into this year's Little League World Series without a ticket. So let's talk about the future, say the 2013 Indians.

The Tribe on Tuesday drafted left-handed power pitcher Drew Pomeranz out of Ole Miss. The kid has a chance to be something special for the Indians, at least according to the story by Dennis Manoloff in today's Plain Dealer.

By the way, Starting Blocks thinks that perhaps the best response to Dman's story is from ShadOwcat216: "(Larry) Dolan is already trying to trade Pomeranz to cut payroll."

But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Here's what the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger had to say about the Tribe pick:

Pomeranz, a 6-foot-5, 231-pound left-hander from Collierville, Tenn., is the highest MLB draft pick in school history and the state's loftiest since Mississippi State pitcher B.J. Wallace was taken third overall by the Montreal Expos in 1992.

"My heart was definitely racing a little bit more right before that pick," Pomeranz said. "I felt pretty confident that Cleveland would pick me. It's just an awesome feeling to actually have it happen."

. . . Pomeranz went 9-2 this spring with a 2.24 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 100 2/3 innings for the Rebels (39-24), whose season ended Sunday in the NCAA regional at Charlottesville, Va. Those numbers earned Pomeranz SEC pitcher of the year honors and the Ferriss Trophy as Mississippi's top college player.

"I needed to come to college for a few years and refine a few things, like my mechanics," Pomeranz said to MLB.com after being drafted. "Playing three years in the best conference in the country, you pick up things here and there, things like knowing the importance of throwing three pitches for strikes and moving the fastball in and out and keeping hitters off-balance."

At first, Starting Blocks figured Pomeranz is a perfect match for the Tribe. And then we realized: He meant three pitches for strikes per batter, not per game.

Welcome home, Victor
Everybody knew it was going to be an emotional return to Cleveland for Victor Martinez. Of course, the son-of-a-gun could've helped out his old team if he really wanted to. But alas, he didn't. Martinez turned out to be the star of the game for the Red Sox in their 4-1 win, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Plain Dealer beat writer Paul Hoynes talked to Martinez, who spent 13 seasons in the Tribe organization before being dealt to Boston last year, for his Indians Insider column. Coolest detail of that? Learning that Martinez spent part of his day with Bob and Patty Bixler, the mom and dad in the host family when he first came to the states from Venezuela and played in Mahoning Valley.

The Boston Globe also recognized the story within last night's game. But as you might expect, had a bit of a different spin:

The applause was warm and full as the Indians' former catcher stepped to the plate in the first inning.

It was not, however, very loud, though that had more to do with the low attendance at Progressive Field on the night Victor Martinez returned to Cleveland for the first time as a member of the Red Sox.

And in that reception by the few that came out to support the home team -- announced as 14,758 -- is the reason Martinez is grateful for being shipped out of Cleveland.

"There's no doubt about it," Martinez said, before last night's game. "I left this place that I always am going to have in my heart. I left the place that saw me growing up as a player, as a person. I really can't say thanks enough. They sent me to one of the greatest teams in baseball, to the Red Sox, to a contender team that is always in the race, always has a chance to win a World Series. I'm really, really happy to be here."

And Starting Blocks is torn between being really, really happy for Martinez and really, really jealous of Red Sox fans, who can look forward to a team contending every year.

The LeBron-O-Meter: A three-year deal in the offing?

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With Izzo maybe circling the bait, and a theory that LeBron is interested in a three-year deal with the Cavs, we choose to be optimistic.

Like everyone else in Cleveland, we wonder what LeBron James will do when his contract is up this summer. Will he stay home, or follow the bright lights to Broadway? Until he decides to talk, we have to rely on hunches, instincts and educated guesswork. We'll report our findings, more or less daily, using the                    LeBron-O-Meter.
If Tom Izzo is really entertaining offers from Dan Gilbert, that's probably good news. As Brian Windhorst reported, the likely deal would be for five years and $30 million, or about twice what Izzo now gets each year at Michigan State.

Plenty of people still believe that Izzo, whatever the offer, is unlikely to leave a situation where he has near-total control of his program for the NBA, where coaches run a distant second to star players. But in the belief that Gilbert wouldn't have opened talks with Izzo without some signal from LeBron that he'd regard it favorably, we see this as a good thing.

Peter Vecsey also claims to have a source - "an appreciably well-wired roundball entrepeneur," whatever the hell that is -- saying LeBron is leaning toward signing a three-year contract with Cleveland. If the Cavs don't win a championship in that time, the argument runs, he could leave for some other city with a clear conscience, thinking he'd given it a full decade.

Vecsey is no oracle, but we have to admit the argument makes a fair amount of sense.

So with all this in mind, we're going out on a limb and moving the 'Meter in a positive direction today.

Today's meter reading:
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Indians Comment of the Day: LaPorta needs to be in the bigs

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"Why on Earth would you give Laporta's at-bats to Russell Branyan? If the Tribe is committed to LaPorta he should be playing first base every day in Cleveland." - bodini

laportafile.jpgView full sizeMatt LaPorta has not produced much in 2010, but he's also lost some at-bats due to the Indians' signing of Russell Branyan.

In response to the story Victor Martinez has an enjoyable return to Cleveland: Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader bodini still doesn't understand the Russell Branyan signing. This reader writes,

"Why on Earth would you give Laporta's at-bats to Russell Branyan? If the Tribe is committed to LaPorta he should be playing first base every day in Cleveland."

To respond to bodini's comment, go here.

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

Shaquille O'Neal in the digital world

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LeBron James is not the only player on the Cleveland Cavaliers who will become a free agent this summer. Shaquille O'Neal will also become a free agent on July 1, as well. No one is sure if Shaq will re-sign with the Cavaliers, but in the meantime, O'Neal will continue to make the rounds this summer. Last week he...

shaq.jpgShaquille O'Neal

LeBron James is not the only player on the Cleveland Cavaliers who will become a free agent this summer. Shaquille O'Neal will also become a free agent on July 1, as well.


No one is sure if Shaq will re-sign with the Cavaliers, but in the meantime, O'Neal will continue to make the rounds this summer. Last week he was in Washington watching the National Spelling Bee. On Wednesday, Shaq will participate in a digital content event in New York.


 


St. Edward High School catcher Alex Lavisky drafted by Indians in eighth round

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Indians select St. Edward High School catcher Alex Lavisky in eighth round Tuesday.

alex-lavisky.jpgAlex Lavisky

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians drafted St. Edward High School catcher Alex Lavisky in the eighth round (240th overall) on Tuesday.


Lavisky, a member of two state baseball champions, has signed a letter of intent to play at Georgia Tech.


Lavisky hit 13 homers this season as the Eagles won the Division I title.


The Tribe selected center fielder LeVon Washington, from Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, in the second round (55th overall) -- their first pick of the day. Rounds 2-30 unfold in the second of a three-day draft that lasts 50 rounds.


The speedy Washington was drafted 30th overall in 2009 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He has had labrum surgery and his arm right now is comparable to those of Coco Crisp, Johnny Damon, and Shannon Stewart. He's considered a "tools player.''


Here are some other Cleveland picks early in day two:


87th overall -- Tony Wolters, shortstop, Rancho Buena Vista (Calif.) High School.


120th -- Kyle Blair, right-hander, University of San Diego.


150th -- Cole Cook, right-hander, Pepperdine.


180th -- Nicholas Bartolone, shortstop, Chabot College.


210th -- Robbie Aviles, right-hander, Suffern High School.


270th -- Jordan Cooper, right-hander, Wichita State.


300th -- Tyler Holt, center fielder, Florida State.


 


Ohio State men's basketball team adds forward Evan Ravenel, a transfer from Boston College

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The 6-8 Ravenel averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 39 games for the Eagles the last two seasons. He will be a junior when he becomes eligible to play for Ohio State in the 2011-12 season.

UPDATED: 6:43 p.m.

evan-ravenel.jpgEvan Ravenel (left), then with Boston College, battles Duke's Mason Plumlee for a rebound during a game last season.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The basketball transfer wheel continues to spin at Ohio State.

Last season, the Buckeyes' bench, which offered limited contributions to the team's Big Ten title season and Sweet 16 run, was composed of five transfers. With three players -- Kyle Madsen, P.J. Hill and Jeremie Simmons -- graduating, the Buckeyes are restocking with another transfer.

But is it actually Evan Turner's scholarship, with the national player of the year headed for the NBA, that opened a spot for Ohio State to add 6-8, 255-pound Evan Ravenel. He played 39 games in two years, averaging 2.8 points, at Boston College. He will sit out the required year and then have two years of eligibility starting in 2011.

At that point, he could join Jared Sullinger and Zisis Sarikopoulos as the only big men on the roster. The Buckeyes could really need him if Sullinger leaves for the NBA after his freshman season. Without many great big men to choose from in the high school Class of 2011, the Buckeyes thought Ravenel was one of the better options available.

Football adds duo: Since getting an oral commitment from top-ranked quarterback Braxton Miller last week, Ohio State has kept the recruiting momentum rolling, adding Illinois receiver Evan Spencer and Indiana defensive lineman Joel Hale. Both are listed as three-star prospects by Rivals.com. Spencer is the son of former Ohio State running back and assistant coach Tim Spencer.

Ohio State's class for 2011 is at 14 pledges, with probably about eight spots remaining. At this time last year, Ohio State had only five players in its 2010 class.

Cleveland Indians drop Mark Grudzielanek; Anderson Hernandez promoted from Columbus

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Cleveland Indians designated another veteran, this time it's Mark Grudzielanek, for assignment from the big league club.

 CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mark Grudzielanek was designated for assignment by the Indians before Tuesday's game. Utility infielder Anderson Hernandez, promoted from Class AAA Columbus, will take Grudzielanek's spot.

 Grudzielanek is the second veteran jettisoned by the Indians in the last five days. Jamey Wright was designated for assignment over the weekend when the Indians were in Chicago to play the White Sox.

 On Sunday, Grudzielanek started for the Indians, but left the game with a strained right hamstring. Manager Manny Acta said he was better Monday, but he did not play against Boston.

 The Indians claimed Hernandez on waivers from the Mets in spring training. He was Acta's starting second baseman in Washington for the first half of last season. They had to purchase his contract from Columbus because he was no on the 40-man roster.

 Hernandez was hitting .234 (39-for-167) with four doubles, one homer and 17 RBI in 46 games at Columbus.

 Grudzielanek, 39, hit .273 (30-for-110) with the Indians. All 30 hits were singles. 

 

Tips on chipping from various distances: Bud Shaw's Ask the Pro golf video

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This week, PGA pro Bob Bourne of StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights offers tips on chipping from various distances.

Ask the Pro: How to hit long and short chip shots

 

Cleveland, Ohio - Local pros solve your swing problems in a weekly instruction video at cleveland.com/golf with Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw.

This week, PGA pro Bob Bourne of StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights offers tips on chipping from various distances.

Need help with your game? Explain your problem to golf@plaind.com in an e-mail. We will select one e-mail each week. All videos are archived.

Columbus Blue Jackets introduce former NHL forward Scott Arniel as new coach

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Scott Arniel was interested in the Columbus Blue Jackets even before they showed any interest in him.

jackets-arniel-ap.jpgView full sizeScott Arniel, left, discusses his plans and hopes for the Columbus Blue Jackets after GM Scott Howson introduced him as the new coach Tuesday in Columbus. Arniel was the coach of the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League for the past four seasons.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Scott Arniel was interested in the Columbus Blue Jackets even before they showed any interest in him.

Arniel, introduced as the Blue Jackets new head coach on Tuesday, said of the four NHL teams who were looking for a head coach in recent weeks, he singled out the Blue Jackets.

"I had a big circle around Columbus," he said at the news conference announcing his hiring. "I thought it was the perfect fit for me at this time.

The 47-year-old Arniel was the head coach of Manitoba of the American Hockey League for the past four seasons. He succeeds interim coach Claude Noel, who took over on Feb. 3 when Ken Hitchcock was fired.

Arniel takes over a young team that took a step backward a year ago after making its first trip to the NHL playoffs. He was offered the job on Monday, shortly after it was turned down by Hamilton Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher.

General Manager Scott Howson phoned Arniel on Monday afternoon. Arniel thought the call was to tell him that Boucher had been hired.

"When I got the call yesterday, I thought it was going to be the 'thanks for coming' speech," he said with a laugh. "But it was the other way. It did kind of floor me. But I jumped in my car and drove to my wife's business. My son met me over there. I just said to her, 'I don't have anything to wear.' She didn't know what I was talking about and I said, 'I've got to go to Columbus tomorrow.' And they both came out of their shoes."

The Blue Jackets are one of the youngest teams in the NHL, led by right wing Rick Nash, who turns 26 on June 16, and 22-year-old goaltender Steve Mason. The club has a solid core of 20-something players, also including Antoine Vermette, R.J. Umberger, Jake Voracek and Derick Brassard. But after going 41-31-10 (92 points) for the franchise's first winning record and making the playoffs two years ago, the Blue Jackets sagged to 32-35-15 (79 points) this past season.

Arniel has a reputation of working well with young players, and his teams don't give up many goals.

"He's had a winning tradition there in Manitoba," said Mason, the NHL's Calder Trophy winner two years ago as rookie of the year. "The fact that he's played in the league, and coached there, it gives some instant respect from the players in our locker room."

Arniel led Manitoba to a 181-105-10-19 record in his tenure. This past season, the Moose went 40-33-2-1 and were fourth in the AHL's Western Conference. They lost in six games of their best-of-seven first-round playoff series against Hamilton -- coached by Boucher.

Arniel had a solid career as a player. He was a member of Canada's first gold medal-winning World Juniors team and was selected in the second round, 22nd overall, in the 1981 NHL draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He played in 406 games in two stints with the Jets between 1981 and 1991. His best season was 1983-84 when he had 21 goals and 35 assists in 80 games. A forward who also saw action with Buffalo and Boston, he totaled 149 goals and 189 assists in 730 games in 12 seasons.

He was an assistant for two years in Manitoba before working with the Buffalo Sabres from 2002-06. Arniel won praise during his time under Lindy Ruff in Buffalo for energizing the Sabres' power play, helping to make it one of the best in the NHL.

"It'll be up to him to get the most out of the players," Howson said. "I certainly believe he can do that."

The Blue Jackets players were open to a new coach and a new direction.

"I think it's a good fit. Do I know him as a person? No. Do I know a whole lot about him? I know he's done well, he was well-liked as an assistant with Buffalo," defenseman Mike Commodore said. "His time has come for him to get a shot, and I hope it works out. I hope it works out great."

St. Edward's Stetson Allie drafted by Pirates in MLB draft's second round

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Star pitcher is the second pick of the second round, and No. 52 overall.

UPDATED: 6 p.m.

Xstetson00246_9.jpgView full sizeSt. Edward pitcher Stetson Allie was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon. He was the second pick of the second round, No. 52 overall.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The anticipation ended for St. Edward pitcher Stetson Allie Tuesday when the hard-throwing right-hander was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Allie, 6-4, 215 and capable of throwing his fastball 98 mph, was the 52nd player chosen overall.

Allie was expected to be a first-round pick but that did not happen on Monday night, when major league teams went through 50 picks in the first round and compensation round.

Allie met being drafted by Pittsburgh with a tinge of disappointment, not because he was chosen by the Pirates at No. 52, but because he was not selected by the Indians in the first round.

"Stetson really wanted to go to the Indians," said Danny Allie, Stetson's father. "It would have been a great story. We thought the Indians were really interested and then something happened in the last minute. What that was, I don't know. But, he is excited about going to the Pirates and excited about being the 52nd player chosen overall. That's pretty special."

The Indians had the 55th overall pick.

Danny Allie said the next step would be to meet with the Pirates to discuss money.

"We'll meet with them and see if we can't get to a common ground in terms of money," he said. "First, I'll need to do some research and see what has happened with second-round picks in the past. So, I don't anticipate meeting with the Pirates real, real soon."

Allie's teammate, catcher Alex Lavisky, was selected by the Indians in the eighth round.

Gauntlett to Phillies: Former University School outfielder Gauntlett Eldemire was drafted in the sixth round by Philadelphia. Now a junior at Ohio, Eldemire was the 201st player chosen and it marked the second time in his career that he was picked. He was chosen in the 10th round last year by Oakland, but elected to continue playing college ball.

He currently is in the top five in the OU record book for home runs (44), stolen bases (37) and runs scored (156). He batted .398 this season, third in the Mid-American Conference.

Maddox to Reds: Former Villa Angela-St. Joseph outfielder Robert Maddox was chosen in the 18th round by Cincinnati. Maddox, from Euclid, was the second Ohio University player chosen this year, following Gauntlett Eldemire. Maddox batted .377 with 21 home runs and 78 RBI this season for the Bobcats.

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