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Indians lead Red Sox, 3-0, through 6: Cleveland Indians briefing

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Trevor Crowe is 2-for-3 with two runs as Indians lead Red Sox, 3-0, through six innings.

crowe-scores-ap.jpgTrevor Crowe scores past Boston catcher Victor Martinez to give the Indians a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Crowe scored on a sacrifice fly hit by Jhonny Peralta.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe faces the Red Sox tonight at Progressive Field.

Game 58 

In-game updates:

The Indians led the Red Sox, 3-0, through six innings.

Trevor Crowe, who wore the goat horns Tuesday night, was 2-for-3 with two runs.

Crowe led off the first with a single and moved to second when Shin-Soo Choo walked.

After Austin Kearns flied out, Russell Branyan walked. Jhonny Peralta had a sacrifice fly to right to make it 1-0.

Crowe tripled to lead off the third and scored on Kearns' double-play grounder.

Peralta led off the fourth with an infield single to third. He eventually scored on Clay Buchholz's wild pitch.

Master lock: Tribe righty Justin Masterson gave up two hits -- a single by Victor Martinez in the second and a single by J.D. Drew in the fifth -- walked one and struck out four.

Masterson is making his first start against the franchise that traded him July 31, 2009. Martinez went to Boston.

Among those playing good defense behind him was first baseman Branyan.

Pregame notes: The Indians-Red Sox series has two games remaining, but much of the talk Wednesday afternoon was about the weekend set against the Washington Nationals in Cleveland.

To be precise, the focus was on Sunday afternoon's game, when Indians lefty David Huff opposes Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg.

Nothing against Huff, but fans are gobbling up tickets to watch Strasburg, the 21-year-old phenom who crafted a debut for the ages Tuesday night.

Strasburg, one of the most-hyped prospects in baseball history, struck out 14 and walked none in a victory over the Pirates in Washington, D.C. He gave up two runs. The day had a holiday feel to it in the nation's capital, then Strasburg lit up the night.

Strasburg is the first in major-league history to whiff 14 with zero walks in his debut.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, only three other rookies since 1969 did not walk a batter in which they struck out at least 14: Roger Clemens in 1984 (15 K), Dwight Gooden twice in 1984 (16 K both times) and Kerry Wood in 1998 (20 K).

Wood, now the Tribe's closer, gave up one hit in a complete-game victory over the Astros at wet Wrigley Field in his fifth major-league start.

The Indians were busy losing to the Red Sox on Tuesday night, but by the time they arrived at the ballpark Wednesday, most -- if not all -- personnel had watched highlights.

"Strasburg was impressive and as-advertised,'' said outfielder Austin Kearns, a former National. "It will be a fun challenge (Sunday).''

Tribe manager Manny Acta said: "The kid's special. Those fans deserve something to cheer about.''

Tribe outfielder Shin-Soo Choo said: "The debut was special. Two strikeouts every inning is pretty good.''

Lineups:

Red Sox (35-25) -- 1. Marco Scutaro ss; 2. Dustin Pedroia 2b; 3. David Ortiz dh; 4. Kevin Youkilis 1b; 5. Victor Martinez c; 6. J.D. Drew rf; 7. Adrian Beltre 3b; 8. Jeremy Hermida lf; 9. Josh Reddick cf; and rhp Clay Buchholz (8-3, 2.39).

Indians (21-36) -- 1. Trevor Crowe cf; 2. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 3. Austin Kearns lf; 4. Russell Branyan 1b; 5. Jhonny Peralta 3b; 6. Travis Hafner dh; 7. Luis Valbuena 2b; 8. Anderson Hernandez ss; 9. Lou Marson c; and rhp Justin Masterson (1-5, 5.46).

Notable: Masterson will make his first appearance against the franchise that traded him July 31, 2009. Martinez went to Boston.

Hernandez will make his first start as an Indian.

Umpires: P -- Todd Tichenor; 1b -- Andy Fletcher; 2b -- Adrian Johnson; 3b -- Mike Everitt.

Next for Indians: Series concludes Thursday night with Indians RHP Mitch Talbot (7-4, 3.54) facing Red Sox LHP Jon Lester (7-2, 2.73).

 


Indians righty Justin Masterson two-hits Red Sox in 11-0 victory

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Indians right-hander Justin Masterson dazzled in a victory over his old team.

masterson-horiz-crow.jpgJustin Masterson didn't allow a hit after the fifth inning in dominating the Red Sox for his second win of the season Wednesday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Justin Masterson made the most of his first appearance against his former team.

Masterson pitched a two-hitter and Trevor Crowe went 2-for-4 with three runs as the Indians defeated the Red Sox, 11-0, Wednesday night at Progressive Field.

The Tribe (22-36) snapped a three-game slide. It piled on with eight in the eighth inning, four scoring on Travis Hafner's 10th career grand slam.

The Red Sox (35-26) had beaten Cleveland seven straight times dating to last season.

Masterson crafted arguably the best start of his tenure in Cleveland, which began after a July 31, 2009, trade from Boston. Pitchers Bryan Price and Nick Hagadone also went to Cleveland in exchange for catcher Victor Martinez.

Masterson's only other comparable Tribe start came Sept. 30, 2009, against the White Sox at Progressive Field. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out 12 in a complete-game, 1-0 loss.

On Wednesday, Masterson  gave up a single to Martinez in the second and a single to J.D. Drew in the fifth. He walked two and struck out six.

In his last three starts, Masterson is 2-0 and has allowed four runs in 21 1/3 innings. He had a superb start at Yankee Stadium on May 30 and beat the White Sox in Chicago on June 4. The victory over the White Sox was his second as an Indian, his first since August 2009.

Crowe rebounded from a rough night. His dropped-fly error led to a 3-2 loss to Boston on Tuesday.

Crowe led off the first with a single and moved to second when Shin-Soo Choo walked. After Austin Kearns flied out, Russell Branyan walked. Jhonny Peralta had a sacrifice fly to right to make it 1-0.

Crowe tripled to lead off the third and scored on Kearns' double-play grounder.

Peralta led off the fourth with an infield single to third. He eventually scored on Clay Buchholz's wild pitch.

The bottom of the eighth lasted for what seemed like forever.

 

Stands are buzzing at World Cup: Bill Livingston

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Is the plastic horn that produces the bee-like drone at the World Cup a South African cultural tradition or an instrument of hell? Hint: Where's the bug spray?

billhorn.jpgThanks to fans, such as this backer of the USA, blowing on horns, known as vuvuzelas, the World Cup is being played with a background of buzzing that sounds like a mad swarm of bees is descending on the field.

Shouldn't they do that "vuvu"-doo at New Orleans Hornets games?

The reference is to the vuvuzela, the plastic horn that makes all the World Cup soccer games in South Africa sound like they are being played in the flight path of vast swarms of bees.

French players blamed their scoreless tie with Uruguay in part on their inability to communicate in the droning din. Perhaps they were stung again in a 2-0 shutout by Mexico.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been responsible for more flops than Anderson Varejao and Kevin Costner combined, blames the vuvuzelas for almost everything, including possibly huffing and puffing and blowing his equilibrium down.

Television commentators, adding their own whine to the metallic monotone, say the vuvuzelas drown out their words. (In that case, quick, let vuvuzelas be legalized at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Almost any sound is preferable to Chris Berman, possibly even Dick Vitale.)

The vuvuzelas might have the effect of killer bees on some American fans' soccer interest. Soccer is never going to be a mainstream sport here because too many other activities are on the calendar. But quadrennial events like the World Cup should not drive viewers to hit the mute button.

This is the road to Vitale. I note, however, that Dickie Killer V has not shouted "Freeze it!" (or whatever his current pet phrase might be) in my house in years. More precisely, he has not shouted it so that I can hear it. Wonderful invention, the mute button.

FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, has ruled that the vuvuzelas will stay. Said Sepp Blatter, the top kick himself, the president of FIFA: "I have always said that Africa has a different rhythm, a different sound. I don't see banning the music traditions of fans in their own country. Would you want to see a ban on the fan traditions in your country?"

blame.jpgAnnoyed by the World Cup buzzing? Here's the man to blame: Neil van Schalkwyk. His company makes the vuvuzelas that are such a hit in South Africa.

Blatter argues that there is no point in taking the world's biggest event, except in the pesky U.S., to the continent of Africa for the first time only to "Europeanize it." The trumpets have thus become legitimized, as an integral part of the soccer culture in South Africa.

It is hard to dismiss the culture argument FIFA has made, particularly given the sordid history of European colonialism in Africa.

But even some South Africans say the plastic horn is an "instrument of hell."

It is also an instrument of harm. If your stadium seat were on an airplane runway and jets were taking off next to it, you would be exposed to between 130-150 decibels of noise. At a measured peak of 127 decibels, the vuvuzela cacophony poses an obvious threat to spectators' hearing.

The peak noise level at The Q, probably the loudest arena in the NBA, is around 110 decibels. That is the equivalent of having a chainsaw chewing away an oak tree in the seat next to you.

The vuvuzelas do have one thing going for them, however. Tuneless, mindless, monotonous as it is, the bummer hummer of the summer is a sound produced by human beings.

It is not the obnoxious, deep-voiced recording bellowing "De-fense! De-fense!" that is played everywhere in the NBA. It is not the even more infantile recording that tells NBA spectators everywhere, "Everybody clap your hands!" The NBA has simply become a sonic dump.

The Cavaliers abhor any vacuum, for fear some observant fans might fill it by saying, "Hey, hasn't the team pretty much said, 'No mas' tonight?"

So sounds produced without prompting, sounds produced by the fans themselves, should be more acceptable than all this mechanized cheerleading.

Still, the vuvuzelas turn each soccer venue into a beehive, and the hell with courtesy to others.

FIFA therefore should not be surprised if some visiting fan, turning a deaf ear to the vuvuzelas' cultural imperative, opens up on the horn section with Black Flag or Bug B Gone.

Daily LeBron James rumor mill: Twins, 12, have plan to snag LeBron for Knicks

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Daily LeBron James rumor mill

The good news in all the LeBron James free-agency lunacy is that his destination will not be determined by mistake-prone World Cup referees. Or mistake-prone Major League Baseball umpires, for that matter. But if there's any truth to the old adage that there's power in numbers, then Cleveland might have reason to worry.

wall.jpgOne person who has been able to talk to LeBron James since Game 6 of the Boston series is John Wall, expected to be the No. 1 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft. James told Wall, who played one year at Kentucky, to relax, play ball and not worry about the hype when he takes the floor for the Wizards in the fall. It appears Wall doesn't need any advice on garnering publicity as he appears on the cover of ESPN The Magazine.

The New York Daily News reports that 12-year-old twins Corey and Jason Grant so desperately want LeBron James to play for their beloved Knicks that they've launched an interactive movement deemed "NY heart LeBron."

Really, it's only a way to tally the votes of people who say they want James to sign with the Knicks when he's eligible to be a free agent in 12 short days.

The boys set up "LeBron buttons" -- which are giant basketballs -- in 10 locations in New York City. Anyone who can't vote in person can vote on nyheartlebron.com or on their Facebook or Twitter pages.

Even the Daily News admitted the tally wasn't scientific, as computer users can vote multiple times. The vote count jumped from 120,000 to more than 1 million Wednesday, the newspaper reported. By Friday evening, it was more than 1.1 million.

According to the Daily News, family friends Cory Berger and Michael Kantrow helped the twins formulate the plan focused on a simple declaration of love to attract James to New York.

"We have to get LeBron to come to the Knicks," Corey Grant said.

Because there hasn't been enough LeBron James news in the past month, ESPN's "SportsCenter" will present a three-part series on The Most Coveted Free Agent in the History of the World (our label, not theirs), debuting during Sunday's 10 a.m. program on ESPN2.

The schedule is as follows: Sunday -- The Wooing of LeBron: how cities have made their case; Monday -- Global Marketing: how LeBron's decision will impact global marketing; Tuesday -- World Wide Wes: how much influence does William Wesley have?

There doesn't appear to be anything new or earth-shattering in the series based on excerpts released. Among those included: "I think if you're going after LeBron and you haven't put in a phone call to [William Wesley], you're probably going to have little chance of getting him," Rick Pitino, Louisville coach said about the NBA middleman.

And on why there's a lot of hubbub over a guy who hasn't even won a title, there's this from CNBC's Darren Rovell: "All you have to do is visit the big cities in China -- Beijing, Shanghai -- and Kobe is clearly bigger than LeBron. I would say he's at least two times bigger. And the reason for that is that the Chinese really do respect a champion."

James might not be talking to former Cavaliers coaching prospect Tom Izzo. Or to any media save CNN's Larry King. But at least he remembers his roots.

James gave advice to Kentucky guard John Wall, the projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, according to the Washington Examiner. The Washington Wizards have the No. 1 pick in the draft and are expected to select Wall.

"The one advice LeBron [James] gave me was: 'Don't try to live up to all the hype. Just go out there and play basketball. Enjoy the game and be happy to be out there to play,' " Wall said at a news conference.

Finally, no news is good news for Cavaliers fans. At least according to oddsmakers.

As of Friday, the Cavaliers still held the edge in re-signing James, according to SBR Forum. The Clippers have been downgraded with the L.A. Lakers championship because oddsmakers believe James won't want to play in Bryant's shadow in Los Angeles.

A breakdown of odds: Cavaliers, 5 to 9; Chicago Bulls, 2 to 1; Miami Heat, 9 to 2; New York Knicks, 5 to 2; Los Angeles Clippers, 15 to 1; New Jersey Nets, 4 to 1; Harlem Globetrotters, 100 to 1.

For a complete breakdown, go to tinyurl.com/lbjodds

Tribe leading Pirates, 4-3, after 7 innings: Cleveland Indians briefing

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Rookie Carlos Santana catches Fausto Carmona tonight for the second straight time.

 

pirates.jpgThe Pirates hosted the Indians on Friday night at PNC Park.

Updated: 9:16 p.m.

PITTSBURGH, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Pirates tonight in the first of a three-game interleague series at PNC Park.

In-game notes:

Score: Indians 4, Pirates 3 after seven innings.

Big inning: After being victimized by the big inning in a three-game sweep by the Mets at Progressive Field, the Indians put together a four-run seventh inning tonight against the Pirates to take a 4-0 lead.

Jason Donald, Trevor Crowe and Shin-Soo Choo singled home runs. Carlos Santana doubled home the fourth and final run with Choo getting thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

Pirate comeback: Fausto Carmona, staked to his first lead of the game, wilted in the 7th. Ryan Church made it 4-3 with a three-run double with no one out. Neil Walker beat out an infield single, Andrew McCutchen walked and Garret Jones singled to load the bases.

Good relief work, however, by Rafael Perez and Frank Herrmann protected the 4-3 lead. Perez relieved Carmona and retired two straight hitters as Church advanced to third. Herrmann relieved and retired Ronny Cedeno on a fly ball to center to end the inning.

Save the day:  Santana gave the Indians their first hit of the game against Paul Maholm with a leadoff single in the fourth.  He advanced no farther than second.

Two for the Pirates: Jones started the second with a single to give the Pirates  their first hit against Carmona.

 Walker opened the fourth with a single for Pittsburgh, but Santana threw him out on an attempted steal of second. Andrew McCutcheon didn't swing on an attempted hit-and-run, which made Walker easy pickings.

The line: Carmona allowed three runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked one. Maholm allowed four runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.   

 Pre-game notes:

 Game 66: It looks like Mike Redmond is no longer Fausto Carmona's personal catcher. Rookie Carlos Santana caught him for the second straight game tonight at PNC Park.

 "Santana is the catcher of the future here," said Redmond. "He's got to get out there and play. I certainly understand that."

 Redmond caught Carmona throughout spring training and in his first 12 starts of the regular season. He played a big role in helping Carmona find himself after two years of struggle following his 19-win season in 2007.

 "I understand my role on this team," said Redmond. "I'm prepared to play whenever they want me and to catch whoever they want me to catch."

 Redmond said he'll be in the lineup Saturday when David Huff starts against the Pirates.

 "I feel good that Carmona, while I was catching him, got off to a good start," said Redmond. "That's all that matters. Not only for us, as a team, but the organization needed him to go out there and become the pitcher that we know he can be.

 "I certainly feel he's on the way. I feel good that I was able to help in doing that. We're all in this with the same goal -- to try and win ball games and get guys pitching the way they're capable of doing."

 On the run: Early Friday afternoon, manager Manny Acta was running on the warning track.

 Indians (25-40): CF Trevor Crowe (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), C Carlos Santana (S), LF Austin Kearns (R), 3B Jhonny Peralta (R), 1B Shelley Duncan (R), SS Anderson Hernandez (S), 2B Jason Donald (R) and RHP Fausto Carmona (5-5, 3.23).

 Pirates (23-43): LF Jose Tabata (R), 2B Neil Walker (S), CF Andrew McCutchen (R), 1B Garret Jones (L), RF Ryan Church (L), 3B Pedro Alvarez (L), C Ryan Doumit (S), SS Ronny Cedeno (R) and LHP Paul Maholm (4-4, 3.63).
 
 Lineup notes: Crowe is back in the lineup after missing two starts because of a bruised right knee. He fouled a ball off his knee last weekend against the Nationals.

 "I hit it pretty good, but I feel good now," said Crowe before tonight's game.

 Umpires: H Gary Darling, 1B Bruce Dreckman, 2B Paul Emmel, 3B Bill Hohn. 

 Quote of the day: "My mother used to pitch to me and my father would shag balls. If I hit one up the middle close to my mother, I'd have some extra chores to do. My mother was instrumental in making me a pull hitter," Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews, during his induction speech to Cooperstown.

 Next: LHP David Huff (2-8, 5.82) vs. RHP Jeff Kastens (1-2, 4.50) Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Cleveland Indians bullpen rescues victory as Tribe hands Pittsburgh Pirates 12th straight loss

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UPDATED: The Indians are in last place. So are the Pirates, but more than 28,000 came to PNC Park in Pittsburgh to watch them play baseball Friday night. At least a mud-wrestling match didn't break out.

kerry wood.jpgView full sizeIndians closer Kerry Wood made a rare appearance on Friday in Pittsburgh and made quick work of the Pirates, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth to finish off the Tribe's victory.
Updated at 11:27 p.m.

PITTSBURGH -- OK, so maybe you had no interest in seeing two of the worst teams in the big leagues tangle on a muggy Friday night at PNC Park. It's a free country and people can do what they want.

But how do you explain the more than 28,000 fans who came to the ballpark to watch the Indians beat the Pirates, 4-3, in an interleague game? Don't say that there's nothing else to do on a Friday night in the Steel City. This place has a good vibe.

There maybe some of that Browns-Steelers rivalry at the root of this. Or maybe it was just a good night to watch a baseball game in a city that is much like Cleveland -- a good baseball town made ill by questionable management and ownership.

For six innings it didn't look like anyone was going to score. It made sense. The Pirates are last in the 16-team National League in scoring. The Indians rank 11th in the 14-team American League.

It helps explain why the Pirates have lost a season-high 12 straight games, while the Indians broke a four-game losing streak with Friday's victory.

When the Indians finally took a 4-0 lead in the seventh, manager Manny Acta said to himself, "It's over." He was basing that observation on what Fausto Carmona did to the Pirates through the first six innings.

Not only had he held them scoreless, he allowed only two hits and no walks, while striking out seven.

"I thought we were going to cruise," Acta said.

The cruise turned rough.

Neil Walker started the bottom of the seventh with a single. Andrew McCutchen walked and Garret Jones singled to load the bases. Ryan Church, the former Indians farmhand, unloaded them with a three-run double to the wall in left center to make it 4-3. Carmona was done after only 85 pitches and Acta had to entrust a one-run lead to a bullpen that has the highest ERA in the AL.

"I always appreciate the bullpen, and not just tonight," Carmona said.

First came lefty Rafael Perez, with Church on second and no one out. He retired rookie Pedro Alvarez on a fly ball to right as Church advanced to third. Then he popped up switch-hitting Ryan Doumit.

pirates.jpgView full sizePirates manager John Russell, left, takes the ball from starter Paul Maholm in the seventh inning. Maholm had success shutting down the Tribe until the seventh.

Frank Herrmann relieved and retired Ronny Cedeno on a fly ball to center to end the inning and protect the lead. Herrmann has not allowed a run in seven appearances since getting promoted from Class AAA Columbus.

Chris Perez took over in the eighth. He gave up a one-out double in the eighth, but retired Walker and McCutchen to end the threat. Then the ball went to Kerry Wood.

The little-used Indians closer, who blew his previous save opportunity, worked a perfect ninth for his fifth save in seven chances. It was his first save since June 5.

"That was nice," Wood said. "We need a few more of those."

Chris Perez agreed. "That's the way you draw it up. I was sitting in the bullpen thinking it was over after seeing us score four runs and seeing what Fausto was doing to the Pirates. Give Pittsburgh credit, they came back."

Carmona (6-5, 3.31) won for just the second time in his past six starts. He allowed three runs on five hits.

Jhonny Peralta started the four-run seventh with a double high off the right-field wall against Paul Maholm (4-5, 3.77). A single by Anderson Hernandez sent Peralta to third and rookie Jason Donald singled past first for a 1-0 lead. Acta let Carmona hit instead of going with a pinch-hitter because he had the lead and was dominating the Pirates, but Carmona struck out.

Trevor Crowe picked him up with an RBI single. Shin-Soo Choo singled home another run to knock Maholm out of the game. Carlos Santana finished the scoring with an RBI double to right. After Crowe scored, Choo was thrown out at the plate.

"Once you break the seal and get that first run, it takes the pressure off the rest of the offense," Crowe said.

Maholm held the Indians hitless until Santana singled to start the fourth. Carmona gave up leadoff singles to Jones in the second and Walker in the fourth.

The victory was only the Indians' third at PNC Park in 10 games. They are 4-6 in interleague play. The Pirates are 0-7.

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

In a World Cup match, proud Slovenian Americans see more than a futbol game

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A tie against Team USA felt like a win to fans of Slovenia, who took pride in their team's strong showing in the World Cup.

slovenian soccer.jpgView full sizeA crowd of Slovenians celebrate Slovenia's World Cup soccer tie Friday against the U.S. inside the Harbor Inn on Main Avenue in the Flats of Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- David fought Goliath to a draw Friday, a 2-2 score, and Greater Cleveland's Slovenian community savored the moment.

By the hundreds, local Slovenian-Americans descended on the Harbor Inn in the Flats to witness an improbable drama on big screen TVs. They watched tiny Slovenia, population 2 million, play the mighty U.S.A. in the world game.

The thrilling match stoked a roller coaster of emotions, from elation to anguish, as it refreshed a reservoir of cultural pride.

Men, women and children from the largest Slovenian community in America erupted in thunderous cheers as their team scored early and convincingly. They sang spirited Slovenian sports songs and broke into spontaneous polkas incited by strolling accordionists.

The second half brought anxious breaths and groans of despair as Team USA rebounded. But after 90 minutes of soccer, even a tie felt like victory. The smallest of the 32 nations in the World Cup had played the largest and proved it belonged in its league.

slovenian soccer 2.jpgView full sizeAlbin Lampic, of Chardon, hugs Jure Zmauc (hat) inside the Harbor Inn as Slovenia scores its second goal.

"For Slovenians, this is a great achievement," said Tony Hiti, a Euclid architect and the son of a Slovenian immigrant. "A win would have been better, and I'm a little disappointed, but at the end of the day an American flag is flying at our house. This was just a lot of fun."

World Cup spirit runs electric through the ethnic communities of Northeast Ohio, but the games inspire an extra measure of pride and passion among Slovenian Americans, who are thrilled to be taking part.

The Baltic nation became independent from the former Yugoslavia less than 20 years ago. It enjoys a fan base of fewer than 3 million people worldwide.

But 50,000 of those fans -- the largest concentration outside of Slovenia -- live in Greater Cleveland. A community best known for its singing societies, polka players and quiet work ethic suddenly has a flashy futbol team -- and a place on the world stage.

Anticipation for Friday's game had been building for weeks and soared after Slovenia defeated Algeria 1-0 for its first world cup victory in history.

Wally Pisorn, who bought the Harbor Inn five years after arriving from Slovenia in 1964, posted flyers offering breakfast with kranjska klobasa (Slovenian sausage) and plenty of cold bottles of Lasko beer. The faithful filled the bar and spilled out onto Main Avenue on the west bank of the Flats.

Mary Anne Hiti noted that her two boys, ages 9 and 11, were out of school but said she might have brought them anyway.

"This is kind of the Slovenian St. Patrick's Day," she said.

Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman, the son of a Slovenian immigrant, arrived and announced that Serbia had just upset Germany in a World Cup match, drawing cheers from the Slovenian fans.

"This just shows you the incredible pride people have for their homelands," Cimperman said. "This is what makes Cleveland great."

Medina urologist David Turk wore a red accordion strapped over his hospital scrubs. Jure "JZ" Zmauc, the Slovenia's consul general in Cleveland, stood tall a under a felt top hat colored the red, white and blue of the Slovenian flag. Dozens of fans wore the green-and-white jerseys of the Slovenian national team.

Three members of the Slovenian Parliament, who happened to be in town, drank in the ambience, spellbound.

Miro Petek, who is touring America as head of a parliamentary committee for Slovenians abroad, said he was delighted to find "Slovenia" in Sports headlines and Clevelanders acting as if they were watching the match in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.

"We're a winner, no matter what happens," he said.

His voice was drowned out by a thunderous cheer. An accordion player led a small brass band into the packed bar. A couple got up and began to quickstep.

A corner of Cleveland welcomed the World Cup -- Slovenian style.

Cleveland needs Carlos Santana's bat, even if everyone were healthy: Indians Insider

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Even if Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore were in the lineup, Carlos Santana would still be an important part of the order.

carlos.jpgCarlos Santana's bat is too potent to use low in the order, even if Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore were healthy.

PITTSBURGH — If Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore -- the first two hitters in Manny Acta's ideal lineup -- were still healthy, rookie Carlos Santana wouldn't be hitting third, but don't jump to any conclusions.

It doesn't mean Acta would protect the prized prospect at the bottom of the lineup as Mike Hargrove did with Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez and many others when the Indians were producing big-league hitters like a large man eats doughnuts.

"If Cabrera and Sizemore were here, [Santana] was probably going to hit in the fifth hole," said Acta. "It wasn't like he was going to be at the bottom.

"We really felt that this guy, offensively, was ready. Mike Sarbaugh, our Triple-A manager, said, 'There's no need to fear. You can put this guy between those two lefties [Shin-Soo Choo and Travis Hafner].' That's something we've been looking for."

Santana, since getting called up June 11, is hitting .273 (6-for-22) with three doubles, one homer and four RBI (going into Friday's game). He's struck out twice and walked four times.

"He's not a total hacker," said Acta. "He knows the strike zone pretty good. He's not feeling for the ball either. This guy takes a very healthy hack, and he's not one of those guys who swings and misses a lot."

Acta is not worried about Santana handling the pressure of the No. 3 spot.

"He's very confident in his ability," said Acta. "I don't think we're in that situation where it's packed with pressure. We're not one game out. In order for you to be one game out some day, we need him in our lineup."

Brainstorming: GM Mark Shapiro was in Pittsburgh on Friday to check out PNC Park and the Pittsburgh Penguins' Consol Energy Center. The Indians are looking for ways to reshape Progressive Field.

Cleveland Indians fire Eric WedgeView full sizeGeneral Manager Mark Shapiro.

Progressive Field has 150 suites. Newer ballparks have closer to 50. The Indians are trying to find ways to make better use of that space.

The Indians also are talking about removing the glass wall at the Terrace Club restaurant to bring diners closer to the game.

These will be some of Shapiro's projects when he becomes team president at the end of this season.

Fine kettle of fish: The Pirates entered Friday's game having lost 11 straight, while the Indians have lost four straight.

Acta said there was no mention of the Pirates' losing streak in his pregame scouting meeting.

"We don't even bring that up," said Acta. "We have our own four-game losing streak. At some point, they had to be playing good because they've lost 11 in a row and we only have two more wins than they have."

Looking for work: Mike Redmond is no longer Fausto Carmona's personal catcher. Santana caught him for the second straight game Friday.

mike redmond.jpgView full sizeIndians catcher Mike Redmond, left.

"Santana is the catcher of the future here," said Redmond. "He's got to get out there and play. I certainly understand that."

Redmond said he will catch David Huff tonight. He caught Carmona in spring training and in his first 12 starts this season as Carmona rebounded after two years of struggle.

"I feel good that Carmona, while I was catching him, got off to a good start," said Redmond. "That's all that matters. Not only for us, as a team, but the organization needed him to go out there and become the pitcher that we know he can be."

Finally: Choo hasn't homered since June 1, a stretch of 36 at-bats entering Friday's game. ... Trevor Crowe started in center field Friday after missing two starts to rest a bruised right knee. ... The Pirates' Ryan Church and Lastings Milledge hugged Acta before the game. They played for him in Washington.


Players' 'experience' comes in handy on trip to Pittsburgh: Cleveland Indians Chatter

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With eight of the Tribe's 25 players having minor-league experience this season, a trip on a bus is no big deal.

Clubhouse confidential: The Indians boarded two buses at Progressive Field on Thursday night after getting swept by the New York Mets for the trip to Pittsburgh. It took two hours, 11 minutes.

Reportedly, there were no complaints from the players for the minor-league mode of transportation. Eight of the Tribe's 25 players spent time in the minors this season.

Rolling: Frank Herrmann has thrown a combined 33 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings with the Indians (six innings) and Class AAA Columbus (27 1/3). The streak started April 8. Herrmann was called up June 4.

"He's a good story," said manager Manny Acta. "Especially since he has a degree from Harvard. You know at any time that he was in the minors, he could have walked away and started a new life."

Stat of the day: At least the Indians are consistent. They went into Friday's game against the Pirates at 12-20 at home and 13-20 on the road.

Exciting ending leaves most everyone happy as East defeats West in all-star football game

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SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Tackled 3 yards short of the end zone as time expired, West quarterback Casey Pierce had every reason to be disappointed following the East's 21-14 victory in the annual East-West high school football all-star game at John Carroll on Friday. But Pierce was smiling.













West quarterback Casey Pierce (Normandy) somehow eludes the grasp of Austin Pickens (Cleveland Heights) on Friday at John Carroll University.



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(Thomas Ondrey / PD)












SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Tackled 3 yards short of the end zone as time expired, West quarterback Casey Pierce had every reason to be disappointed following the East's 21-14 victory in the annual East-West high school football all-star game at John Carroll on Friday.

But Pierce was smiling.

"It was one of the most exciting games I've ever been a part of," said Pierce, a 6-4 left-hander from Normandy. "Two weeks ago, we did not know each other and we came together and became great friends and played as one. That's a very hard thing to do, picking up offenses and molding together, but we did it well."

It showed -- on both sides -- in the closing minutes.

Pierce threw two touchdown passes and was named the West's Most Valuable Player. The East MVP was tailback Isaiah Chambers (Chanel), who scored twice: a 41-yard TD run to start the scoring in the second quarter, and the game-winner on a 1-yard leap over the line with 1:51 remaining in the fourth.

The latter TD followed a 61-yard catch and run by wideout Steven Yarbrough (Beachwood), who reeled in Jake Voigt's (Solon) pass and broke a tackle at the 38. Voigt passed for 161 yards.

Pierce guided the ensuing drive from the 20, completing passes of 42 yards to Joe Lowe (Westlake), 21 yards to Dave Moglinicki (Midpark) and 18 yards to Bo Heinemann (Berea) at the 12 with 10.5 seconds left.

East defensive back James Bullock (Collinwood) broke up a pass in the end zone with 0.9 seconds left.

On the final play, Pierce, who threw a touchdown on the last play of the first half, dropped back, pulled the ball in and took off. He cut to the left, where he was chased down by linebacker Bobby Gittinger (Chanel).

"I've done it before, a game-winning touchdown like that, but that time it didn't work out," Pierce said. "It was just two body lengths [short], and a great job by the defender, because I didn't think I was going down for anything."

Chambers' 41-yard run in the second quarter gave the East a 7-0 lead. On the last play of the first half, Pierce rolled to his left and zipped an 8-yard TD pass to Lowe in the back of the end zone.

An early fourth-quarter interception and 59-yard return by defensive back Carlos Hawthorne (John F. Kennedy) sparked the East. Ronnel Spates (Villa Angela-St. Joseph) scored three plays later on a 3-yard run.

Pierce's 5-yard TD pass to Jose Sanchez and John Rodriguez's (North Olmsted) kick tied it, 14-14, with 4:14 remaining.

Moglinicki had a big game for the West. He chased down Hawthorne and tackled him at the 15 after his interception. Moglinicki also punted four times for a 47.25 average and caught four passes for 76 yards.

In a pregame ceremony, the game was dedicated to the late Plain Dealer sportswriter Dick Zunt, whose family was honored at midfield.

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

Communication lines are still open between LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers

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While James does not plan to commit to anything regarding his future until after July 1, he is not operating in a blackout with the Cavs -- the team and James continue to be in contact.

lebron james.jpgView full sizeLeBron James is maintaining communication with Cavaliers officials, but he still has no plans to sign a new deal with the team before July 1.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — When Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo said he did not speak with LeBron James before turning down the Cavaliers' offer to become head coach earlier this week, it shook up some Cavaliers fans.

With James choosing not to take an active part in the Cavs' coaching search, it was assumed by some -- and reported by some media outlets -- the franchise player and the organization were not communicating. With his free agency now just a couple weeks away, that was interpreted as James putting distance between himself and the home team.

But while James does not plan to commit to anything regarding his future until after July 1, he is not operating in a blackout with the Cavs.

According to both a team source and a source close to James, the Cavs and the two-time Most Valuable Player continue to be in contact. Both sides said the communication has been standard for the off-season.

James has met face-to-face with team officials recently, and the Cavs' front office has been in regular contact with Leon Rose, James' agent.

The Cavs have been in contact with all of their potential free agents, including Shaquille O'Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jawad Williams.

Publicly, the Cavs have declined to discuss their recent communications with James, which fed speculation the sides were not talking.

James has said he would not talk to potential coaching candidates, but it is possible James has been consulted on what types of candidates the Cavs pursue.

James has until June 30 to pick up his player option of $17.1 million for next season, which he is not expected to do, or to sign an extension of his current contract with the Cavs. By letting the contract expire and then starting over with a new deal with the Cavs or another team, James would lose about $1.9 million on a maximum contract over the next three seasons because of the shrinking salary cap.

byron-scott-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeByron Scott.

For this reason, the Cavs are expected to offer James a max extension before July 1 and might already have. However, all signs point toward James declining those choices and proceeding to unrestricted free agency.

Coaching update: The Cavs are planning a second interview with Byron Scott next week and might be drawing closer to offering him the coaching job.

Scott, who has one of the most impressive resumes of coaches on the market, has interest in the Lakers' coaching job if Phil Jackson does not re-sign. But with the champion Lakers in position to threepeat, the general belief is Jackson will look to return if cleared by his doctors.

According to a source, while Scott has long had an interest in coaching the Lakers, he is very intrigued by the Cavs' job and coaching James.

Scott, a former Hornets coach, still is quite close with New Orleans guard Chris Paul, who is one of James' closest friends.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bwindhorst@plaind.com, 216-999-5166

Lake County Captains' victory puts them in tie for first in Class A Midwest League: Minor League Report

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The Lake Erie Crushers, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Lake County Captains, and Columbus Clippers all get wins on Friday.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 2, Red Sox 1 Third baseman Jared Goedert hit a two-run homer -- the fourth time he has gone deep in seven games -- and right-hander Josh Tomlin (6-2, 2.81 ERA) allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings as Columbus won Friday in International League play at Pawtucket, R.I. Matt LaPorta (.375) doubled and singled for the Clippers.

Notes: Goedert, who went 2-for-3 to raise his batting average to .381, hit .325 with seven homers and 32 RBI in 44 games with Class AA Akron earlier this season.

AA Akron Aeros

Sea Dogs 8, Aeros 7 (10) Second baseman Jason Kipnis (.318) hit a two-run homer, but left-hander Nick Hagadone (6.19) allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings and Akron blew a 10th-inning lead in Eastern League play in Portland, Maine. Right fielder John Drennen (.301) and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall (.285) each had three hits for the Aeros.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Red Sox 3, Indians 2 (11) Designated hitter Doug Pickens (.259) had three hits for Kinston, but left-hander Fabian Williamson held the K-Tribe scoreless for five innings, and the Indians went on to lose in 11 innings in Carolina League play in Salem, Va. Kinston left-hander T.J. House (3.30) gave up two runs in six innings, and he struck out six.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 3, Lugnuts 2 Casey Frawley's eighth-inning single drove in Delvi Cid as host Lake County won at Lansing, Mich., in Midwest League play. The Captains are tied with Great Lakes for first place with two games left in the first half. Frawley (.275) went 3-for-4. Third baseman Jeremie Tice (.278) homered and doubled, and right-hander Brett Brach (4.03) gave up one run in 5 innings for the Captains.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 7, Jammers 5 (10) Catcher Wyatt Toregas homered twice, and Mahoning Valley scored three times in the 10th inning in the Scrappers' season-opening win in Jamestown, N.Y. A Juan Aponte single and two errors on the play brought home the three runs in the 10th for Mahoning Valley.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers Crushers 7, Beach Bums 6 (12) Andrew Davis' 12th-inning triple drove in Jodam Rivera as Lake Erie won a Frontier League game at Traverse City, Mich.

Phil Mickelson unleashes birdie barrage to grab share of second place at U.S. Open

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Mickelson has six birdies to join three others at two strokes behind leader Graeme McDowell, who shoots a 3-under 68.

phil mickelson.jpgView full sizePhil Mickelson celebrates his birdie on the 11th green during the second round Friday at Pebble Beach, Calif. Mickelson's 66 has him just two shots behind the leader heading into the weekend.

Doug Ferguson / Associated Press

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- From the top of every grandstand to the beach down below, fans desperate for a star at Pebble Beach saluted Phil Mickelson with throaty cheers and messages written in the sand.

He gave the gallery what it wanted. He gave the U.S. Open what it needed.

Mickelson beat the entire field at a major for the first time in his career -- a tournament-best 66 -- to put some life into an overcast day and give himself another chance to finally take something more than silver home from a U.S. Open.

One day after he didn't make a single birdie, he made six of them Friday. It wasn't enough to catch Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, who set the early pace with a 3-under 68 to take a two-shot lead into the weekend.

All that mattered to Mickelson, however, was getting back to even par.

"I'm in a good spot," said Mickelson, whose five runner-up finishes are a U.S. Open record. "I don't look at the leaderboard. I don't look at other players. I look at par. If you can stay around par, you're going to be in the tournament Sunday. That was kind of the goal."

U.S. Open, Day 2

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- A brief look at the second round of the 110th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (all times EDT):

Leading: Graeme McDowell, who was at 3-under 139 after a second-round 68.

Just behind: A quartet of players, including Phil Mickelson, who shot a 66 in his second round. Tied with him were two-time champion Ernie Els, Dustin Johnson and 18-year-old Rya Ishikawa.

Where's Tiger? Tiger Woods shot a 72 and is seven shots back.

Noteworthy: This was the first time Mickelson had ever had the lowest round by himself in a major.

Noted: Pebble Beach played a half-shot easier at 74.6 in the second round as greens were softer.

Quoteworthy: "Certainly my mood is better. I'm a lot cheerier" -- Mickelson, after following a first-round 75 with a 66.

Key stat: After making no birdies between them in the first round, Phil Mickelson (6) and Tiger Woods (3) combined for 9 of them.

Bad stat: PGA champion Y.E. Yang followed a 34 on the front nine with a 49 on the back.

Key pairing: 6:30 p.m. Alex Cejka, Phil Mickelson; 6:40 p.m. Ryo Ishikawa, Ernie Els.

Television: 4:30-11 p.m. today, WKYC Channel 3 (NBC).

Mickelson finished with seven strong pars and was at 1-under 141, joining a shrinking group of five players who have beaten par over two days at Pebble Beach. Also two shots behind were two-time U.S. Open champion Ernie Els (68), 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa (71) and Dustin Johnson (70), who has won the last two times in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and looks right at home in much firmer conditions.

Even so, the day belonged to Mickelson.

The Masters champion, who opened with a 75 on Thursday, ran off five birdies in first eight holes. The blazing stretch ended on the par-4 eighth with a 5-iron off the tee that came perilously close to the edge of a 60-foot cliff, setting up a wedge he hit over the ocean to 15 feet and another big roar.

Just like that, he was back in the game.

"I can't wait for tomorrow's round," Mickelson. "I love being on this golf course."

Tiger Woods believes he's still in the mix, too, although a pedestrian round of 1-over 72 left him seven shots behind. Woods has never won a major when trailing by more than six shots going into the weekend.

Asked if he liked his positions, Woods replied, "Absolutely."

"I'm right there in the championship," Woods said. "I just need to make a few more birdies, a few more putts on the weekend, and I'll be right there."

It starts with McDowell, a 30-year-old with five European Tour victories and a pair of 18-hole leads in the majors.

He was among the early starters, when the greens were in the best shape and the air was cool and calm. McDowell holed a 35-foot birdie putt on the 14th -- the par 5 that chewed up so many other players throughout the day -- and pulled ahead with smart shots into the fourth hole and the par-5 sixth to build his lead.

"I'm really trying to put no expectations on myself this weekend because I know there's a lot of great players out here ... and this golf course is extremely difficult," McDowell said.

It just didn't look that way Friday.

It was a gentle start to the second round, with the calm of Stillwater Cove broken only by a pair of dolphins searching for breakfast. Over the next 12 hours, conditions didn't change much except for a freshening breeze late in the day.

McDowell's round ended with a three-putt bogey on the ninth hole, but it was significant. By dropping to 3-under, he assured that everyone within 10 shots, 7-over or better, would make the cut to play on the weekend -- a group that included 60-year-old Tom Watson.

Graeme McDowell.jpgView full sizeGraeme McDowell of Northern Ireland has a two-stroke lead at Pebble Beach.

Watson, who won his only U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 1982, made par on the last hole to follow his 78 with a 71. Turns out he would have made the cut on his own, one of the 83 players who were among the top 60 and ties.

Watson, the only player to compete in all five U.S. Opens at Pebble Beach, was not surprised by the good scoring.

"When you have some wind, that's when it's hard to get on these greens, to get the right shot in there, to get the right distance," Watson said. "Today, the course is going to play as easy as it's going to play for four rounds. I can guarantee you that."

Mickelson made him look like a prophet.

Woods did not.

The world's No. 1 player made his first birdie of the tournament by chipping in from about 20 yards short of the green on his second hole at No. 11. But he made only two more birdies, and they were not enough to offset the tee shot that caromed off a tree into grass so deep he took a penalty drop, or the plugged lie in the corner of the bunker on the 12th, or his failure to birdie the easiest par 5s.

Mickelson knew he would have to take advantage on the first seven holes, and he did just that.

"I thought something in the 60s was out there and would get me into contention," Mickelson said. "I knew I needed to get off to a quick start because the birdie holes are the first seven."

ernie els tiger woods.jpgView full sizeErnie Els, left, is tied for second, while Tiger Woods is seven strokes behind the leader.

As he finished out the ocean holes, a small crowd walking the beach wrote in the sand, "GO PHIL."

He made birdie on the 11th and finished with seven strong pars, giving himself four good looks at birdie but no complaints when they didn't fall. Mickelson was nine shots better than his opening round.

"This is so much fun, and I don't want the weekend to end," Mickelson said.

It's just beginning. His family was due in from San Diego on Friday night, stirring memories of his Masters victory in April. Once he took the lead, his wife, Amy, came out to the golf course for the first time since being diagnosed with breast cancer more than a year ago.

But this U.S. Open is only halfway over.

McDowell has not faced weekend pressure in a major, and he conceded that it was hard not to think about that shiny trophy.

Ishikawa, who has a chance to become the youngest U.S. Open champion, is used to the bright lights. Even though he only graduated high school in March, he is treated in Japan the way Woods is around the world. And it helped to play two rounds with Watson, who is revered in these parts.

Els, already a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year, also knows how to win a U.S. Open, even though his last title came in 1997.

"I needed something in red figures to get me back in the tournament," the Big Easy said.

Paul Casey took an 8 on the par-5 14th when a chip rolled back toward his feet -- stopping near a divot he had smoothed over during the time it took the ball to roll up and down the slope. He was not penalized because it was deemed not his intention to improve his lie. Casey shot a 73 and was at even-par 142, along with Brendon De Jonge (73), Alex Cejka (72) and Jerry Kelly (70).

Two dozen players were separated by six shots, a group that included Lee Westwood, the No. 3 player in the world who played with Els and Woods and has done well to stay in the game.

Westwood scrambled for a 71 on a day he thought would be the easiest of the week.

"I don't think anybody's going to run away with this," Westwood said.

Iowa Barnstormers coach John Gregory helped Kurt Warner raise his stock

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Gregory is the man responsible for giving Warner, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, his first big break after college.

kurt warner.jpgView full sizeFormer Iowa Barnstormers quarterback and two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Hollywood script would have John Gregory walking into an Iowa grocery store -- preferably surrounded by cornfields -- spotting a kid zipping a paper-towel roll to another employee in aisle 3 and saying, "He looks like a great quarterback for my arena football team."

The reality is, Gregory did not happen to be in the Cedar Falls Hy-Vee when he "found" Kurt Warner stocking shelves in the mid-1990s. But Gregory is the man responsible for giving Warner, a future two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, his first big break after college.

Gregory remains coach of the Iowa Barnstormers, who visit The Q tonight for a game against the Gladiators. Iowa (4-5) and Cleveland (4-6) desperately need a victory to stay competitive with Chicago and Milwaukee in the Midwest Division.

As Gregory was building the roster for the Barnstormers entering their inaugural season in 1995, he received a call from Terry Allen, coach at the University of Northern Iowa. Allen suggested he take a look at Warner, who played for Allen and was undrafted in 1994. Warner went to the Green Bay Packers' training camp, was cut and returned to Northern Iowa as a graduate assistant.

Today

What: Gladiators vs. Iowa

Barnstormers.

When: 7 p.m. 

Where: The Q.

Radio: WJMO AM/1300.

"We were searching for players, especially players from Iowa," Gregory said. "Kurt was pretty good on the game tape I had. So he was worth taking a look at, sure. We brought him in for an open workout, he played well, so we signed him."

Warner earned the starting job. The next two years, he put up terrific numbers in leading the Barnstormers to the ArenaBowl.

"Kurt was a class guy to work with," Gregory said. "He was smart and picked things up quickly. Although he didn't have very good speed, he had what I would call basketball quickness. He got out of trouble with his ability to slide one way or another. He had great downfield vision and was able to make plays on the run."

In 1998, the St. Louis Rams signed Warner and allocated him to NFL Europe. In 1999, Warner took over for injured Trent Green in St. Louis and orchestrated "The Greatest Show on Turf." He earned his first MVP award and helped the Rams get to the Super Bowl, where he threw for 414 yards in a victory over Tennessee and was named game MVP.

Warner also was regular-season MVP in 2001. His Rams went to the Super Bowl as favorites but lost to Bill Belichick's Patriots.

Warner later played for the Giants and Cardinals before retiring after the 2009 season. He ranks among the highest-rated passers in NFL history.

Gregory, asked if he ever saw this coming, did not engage in revisionist history that might enhance the screenplay.

"No," he said. "I don't think anybody could have imagined Kurt would rise to those heights. I think that would be impossible for anybody to project."

Then Gregory laughed.

"Otherwise, I would have been his agent right there," he said.

Gregory said countless players have asked over the years if they have what it takes to reach the NFL. Part of it comes from players being competitive and never wanting to settle, but part of it comes because players -- especially quarterbacks -- know about Warner.

"The key for any player is being in the right place at the right time, but I don't know if I'll ever have a two-time NFL MVP again," he said. "I've had a lot of really, really good quarterbacks over the years, but obviously he's been the best."

The Barnstormers are coming off a 48-42 victory over Bossier-Shreveport last Saturday. They had lost two in a row.

"It's been a roller-coaster season," Gregory said. "It's one of those things: Which team are we going to have this week?"

The Gladiators suffered their worst loss of the season last Saturday when the Milwaukee Iron rolled them, 82-54, in Milwaukee. But the Gladiators have a victory over Iowa in their pocket, having prevailed, 70-56, on the road in Week 6.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com, 216-999-4664

Harrison County lakes remain fishing favorites: D'Arcy Egan's Destinations

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Clendening and Piedmont lakes in Harrison County are fishing favorites from among the 10 reservoirs that make up the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.

largemouth bass fishing.jpgView full sizeA largemouth bass fights to shake the hooks of a surface plug as it dances on the water.
What

Clendening and Piedmont lakes in Harrison County are fishing favorites from among the 10 reservoirs that make up the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. The MWCD lakes were constructed for flood control.

The lakes are close neighbors in southeast Ohio but feature different types of fishing. Clendening Lake is known for its outstanding largemouth bass, and offers good angling for saugeye, catfish and panfish. Piedmont Lake attracts muskie fishermen, but most anglers who launch there are eager to cast for saugeye, a walleye lookalike.

Peaceful feeling

For peace and quiet -- and beautiful, uncluttered shorelines -- Clendening and Piedmont lakes are just right for small-boat fishermen. Both lakes restrict boaters to 10-horsepower motors. Noisy jet skis and high-powered bass boats are not allowed. Pontoon boats filled with fishermen and families cruise leisurely around the lake pushed by pint-sized outboards.

fishing graphic.jpgView full size

The lakes are a feast for weary urban eyes. The wooded shorelines have minimal development. Wildflowers, shore birds, the occasional glimpse of white-tailed deer and turkey, and hiking trails abound.

Possum Lodge

To enjoy an almost wilderness experience, but in complete comfort, sportsmen can book a stay at Possum Lodge. It's on a gravel road just minutes from Clendening and Piedmont lakes. The spacious log cabin overlooks 64 acres of woods. Owners Chuck and Nancy Slusarczyk have a

small feeding station behind the cabin to lure wildlife into view in the evenings.

The cabin rents for $175 a night, $125 in January-March. Visit possumlodgecabins.com or call 440-537-2026.

Piedmont's prowess

Piedmont Lake's muskie fishing is legendary because of a muskie boated by local resident Joe Lykins on April 12, 1972. Still Ohio's record, the muskie stretched 501/4 inches and weighed 55 pounds, 2 ounces, and hangs on the wall at Piedmont Marina.

Saugeye and catfish are just as popular, though almost a couple hundred big muskies are still caught each year. A saugeye is a hybrid of a male saugeye and female walleye that is more temperature-tolerant than walleye.

Piedmont tactics

Clinton Smith at Piedmont Lake Marina said most saugeye are caught on jigs tipped with half a night crawler. Smith marked a lake map with likely fishing spots and sent us on our way. The jig-nightcrawler rig worked, though we did not catch a saugeye longer than 15 inches, the length limit in place at Piedmont Lake starting March 1, 2011.

Veteran anglers also troll small spinners and night crawlers, diving plugs and small spoons for saugeye. Muskie lures can range from medium to as long as a forearm.

Clendening bass

Rated as one of Ohio's top lakes for largemouth bass, Clendening doesn't get the pressure of other lakes with unlimited horsepower experience every weekend. There is a lot of shoreline vegetation and woody cover where anglers can cast plastic worms and lizards, pitch a jig, toss a Carolina rig or buzz bass with a top-water lure.

Tie on a top-water lure at dawn or dusk and cast it to the shallows. On this trip, the bass were willing to gobble a Yum Lizard in late afternoon. Pitching the green plastic lizard along the shoreline, a 3-pounder snapped it up when it swam past its shoreline lair on the eastern end of the lake.

A place to stay

Both Clendening and Piedmont lakes have rental campsites, cabins and docks. Motels are in short supply in this neck of the woods.

Get there

To get to Clendening or Piedmont Lake, take I-77 to U.S. 250 East. Just past Urichsville, turn right and go south on Ohio 800 until you see the signs for the lake marinas and boat launches.

Information

For maps and descriptions of Clendening and Piedmont lakes, contact the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, 1319 Third St., New Philadelphia, Ohio, 44663-1305. You can call for maps and information (330-343-6647) or get it all online at mwcd.org

Contact D'Arcy Egan at: degan@plaind.com, 216-999-6136


Cleveland Race Week sailing competition begins today on Lake Erie

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About 100 boats will compete just north of Edgewater Yacht Club in Cleveland on five courses.

cleveland race week.jpgView full sizeSpinnakers blossom as racing yachts in Cleveland Race Week's J-22 class compete in 2008. This year's race begins today at Edgewater Yacht Club.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A regular sign of Cleveland's summer arrives this weekend off the shores of Lake Erie as Cleveland Race Week begins its 30th year of competition, running today through June 27 at Edgewater Yacht Club.

Cleveland Race Week began in 1980 as two separate events and evolved into 10 days of racing for a variety of sailors. Organizers anticipate at least 200 boats from surrounding yacht clubs on Lake Erie to participate.

The racing begins today with the one-design fleets: J-22s, J-24s, Jet 14s, T-10s, J105s, Highlanders and Dragons. About 100 boats will compete just north of Edgewater on five courses. Depending on the wind, up to six races could be held the first weekend. These boats will compete for two days.

"A cumulative of those races will determine who is first, second and third in each fleet." said Mary Dodge, publicist for the event.

Cleveland Race Week

What: Yacht racing.

When: Today through June 27.

Where: Edgewater Yacht Club, Cleveland Memorial Shoreway (next to Edgewater State Park).

Schedule: Today, One Design Racing, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, One Design Racing, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Monday, Remote Control Model Boat Racing, 7-8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Women's Race Night, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Junior Sailing Day, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday, Evening Race, 6-10 p.m.; Friday, Evening Race, 6-10 p.m.; June 26, Cruising Class Racing, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 27, Cruising Class Racing, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Things to know: Most of the racing is done a half-mile to a mile out on Lake Erie. While the events can be seen from Edgewater Pier, it would be helpful to bring binoculars. Monday's Remote Control Model Boat Racing will be closer to shore. Women's Race Night on Tuesday will be closer to shore as well.

-- Elton Alexander

For those interested in getting a look at yacht racing, it is possible to get a glimpse from shore.

"You could probably see some of it from the pier at Edgewater, but it is about a mile out," Dodge said. "If you look out [today], you could see as many as 80 boats. Bringing binoculars would be helpful. We haven't gotten spectator boats, but that is a dream of mine."

The second weekend of racing is referred to as the Offshore Division weekend. These boats are typically bigger and vary in design. Each boat is assigned a rating or handicap that allows it to compete against others on a fair scale. They, too, will compete for prizes in races held over a two-day period.

There's even a remote-control model racing boat night Monday, where boats less than 2 feet long are maneuvered around race marks by their owner on shore.

Event details are available at ewyc.net/CRW2010

Edgewater Yacht Club is on Lake Erie adjacent to Edgewater Park, at the western end of the 5 mile-long main harbor.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

USA's complacent start against Slovenia is a surprise: Michael Nanchoff's World Cup Insider

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The University of Akron star is shocked the United States doesn't come out firing in a game that ends up being a draw.

michael nanchoff.jpgView full sizeMichael Nanchoff

Walsh Jesuit graduate Michael Nanchoff will share his thoughts on World Cup action throughout the tournament. Nanchoff, who comes from a soccer family, will be a junior this fall on the highly regarded University of Akron soccer team, which was the NCAA runner- up in 2009. Here are his thoughts on Friday's U.S.-Slovenia draw and Wednesday's game against Algeria:

On why the U.S. came out flat: I was really surprised it happened, especially after that first game against England. I saw that they were feeling good after the tie against England, and because they were feeling so good, they got complacent. They seem like they were banking on getting a break, like they did against England. I was shocked to see how they didn't come out firing. It was unbelievable to see how they bounced back, because not many teams can do that.

On the disallowed goal: I truly couldn't believe it. Even during live play, I heard the whistle blow before the ball was in the back of the net. First, I thought they called a foul; then I thought it might be offside.

On what to watch during that kind of free-kick play: You want to put a whipping, curving ball in, and you're looking to whip it across the frame of the goal, because anything goes. Guys are trying to mark their guy, and all it takes is a little deflection and it can go in. You just shoot it on frame and hope for the best. Two U.S. players were being held, Michael Bradley was one of them, but sometimes, the refs just don't want to make that call in the box, because it can turn into a huge controversy. But look at what they did, they took the goal away, anyway. That's the game of soccer. You have to remember the refs are human.

On Bradley's tying goal off a bouncing ball: That's a hard ball to play. Right when it was bouncing, I was thinking that he had to do everything in his power to keep the ball down. I was worried that he was going to lean back and hit the ball with his laces and hit it too high. But what he did was keep his weight forward and hit it with the cleats near his toes, and he caught the underside. That's exactly what he needed to do, and it worked out perfectly.

-- Michael Nanchoff

Online racing victory puts Gates Mills man behind wheel of real race car

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Gates Mills native Wyatt Gooden wins an online racing simulation contest, and now he's trying to master the real thing.

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- Wyatt Gooden offers a good example of how to use modern technology to advance a career.

In 2009, the Gates Mills native topped 1,163 competitors to win an online racing simulator contest that ultimately earned him a ride in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series for this season.

Along with a spot in the series comes the realization of how much work and travel is involved. This week, the fifth race of the season, the stop is at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, as part of the Grand-Am Racing weekend. And that suits Gooden just fine.

Grand-Am race weekend

Where: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio.

When: Races today and Sunday.

TV: 5 p.m. today, Speed Channel.

Feature race: EMCO Gears Classic today; 2 hours, 45 minutes, timed event.

Events: Rolex Daytona Prototype and GT; Continental Tire (Grand Sport and Street Tuner); VW Jetta Cup; Ford Mustang Challenge, ARCA Truck Series.

Course: Permanent road-racing circuit with two primary configurations: a 2.4-mile, 15-turn, and a 2.25-mile, 13-turn circuit.

Tickets, details: 1-800-Mid-Ohio or midohio.com

-- Elton Alexander

"This is nice being home," Gooden, 21, said this week. "All the other races have been so far away. This is definitely nice being just over an hour away [from the track]."

Yet, that has not been the biggest eye-opener for the neophyte race driver. He has discovered a world the iRacing.com online simulator racing series could not fully prepare him for.

"It's been a huge learning experience, coming from the simulated to the real life deal," Gooden said.

"The first race was my first car race, ever. I'd raced go-karts, stuff before, but never any car racing. Coming into it, I didn't know what to expect. But after the first race, I realized there is a lot to learn. I wasn't comfortable with the brakes and how the car handled. Definitely, everything was not how it was on the simulator, that's for sure."

He suffered some car damage in his first race, "and I learned my lesson there," Gooden said. Since then, he has qualified well and finished well, although he has yet to win.

"We have four rookies in our top 10, and he has been our top rookie," said Peter Calhoun, VW Program and Special Projects manager. "He had a podium [third-place] finish in our last race, and I don't think he's been lower than fifth since the first of the season."

But that does not mean Gooden has completed his learning curve on the track.

"Definitely the whole feel of it, the G-forces. You feel the fatigue, the dust. They don't give you that in the simulator," Gooden said. "I will say the I-racing did help me learn how to race a front-wheel drive car. It's a big momentum game. You have to be real smooth with it. You use the steering wheel as little as possible, and race with the brakes."

Yet another thing a simulator can't give, is the feel and sensation of having other cars and drivers around you on the track.

"That was an adjustment to get used to," Gooden admitted. "I think it was the third race when I got a good lesson racing in traffic. By far this is the biggest racing I've ever done. It's awesome to be this competitive."

On the pole: In the elite Rolex Grand-Am Series, Memo Rojas led five drivers past the speed record of 104.372 mph to land the pole for today's race. Rojas toured the track in 104.856 mph.

Ricky Taylor, 20, dominated most of the day, but Rojas bumped him to second. Burt Frisselle, Jon Fogerty and Brian Frisselle also topped the previous record.

In Grand-Am Continental qualifying, Matt Bell led the way at 86.813 mph in his Camaro in the Grand Sports division with Jack Roush Jr. (Ford Mustang GT) second at 86.808. In Street Tuner qualifying, David White (BMW) was quickest at 83.633 mph followed by Paul Gerrard (BMW) at 83.526.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

LeBron James comes to the day in his honor in Akron

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Just as some of the 3,500 people who came to the LeBron James Appreciation Day were heading for the exits, the object of their affection made an appearance.

C20lebrondayD.jpg LeBron James holds up a crystal award as Akron's Hometown Hero presented by the city of Akron in Akron University's Infocision Stadium June 19, 2010 at the end of a LeBron James Appreciation Day rally.

UPDATED 12:15 P.M.

AKRON, Ohio -- Just as some of the 3,500 people who came to the LeBron James Appreciation Day were heading for the exits, the object of their affection made an appearance.

With a number of security people accompanying him, James strode onto the football field at InfoCision Stadium, accepted a "hometown hero award" and told the crowd: "Akron is my home. It's my life. Everything I do is for this city. I love every last one of you."

And with that, the likely NBA free agent departed.

James got to the noon rally about 12:45 p.m. He was wearing a gray T-shirt and black shorts.

Nobody was sure if James would attend the event aimed at keeping him with the Cleveland Cavaliers. And nobody still has real clue if he will stay. Free agency begins July 1.

lebron-appreciation.jpg.jpgSome 3,500 fans turned out in Akron for LeBron James Appreciation Day, including the King himself.

Gretchen Fri, spokesperson for the organizers, had said Saturday morning they knew James was in town. "We made one final push yesterday," she said.

Activities on the campus of the University of Akron began around 10 a.m. The event was the idea of Carl Albright, InfoCision president and CEO.

Albright said if the city did not nothing to try to convince James to remain a Cavalier, "that would speak volumes." He called James a natural resource for the area.

Albright said New York and Chicago are putting on multi-million dollars campaigns to lure James to their NBA teams.

The LeBron-O-Meter: James is talking and he showed up

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Some good, some bad in the ongoing dance between the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James.

C20lebrondayE.jpgLeBron James showed up at his appreciation day in Akron. Is that a good sign?
UPDATED 2 p.m.

Ok, so he showed up after all. We'll stop being crabby, and move  the 'Meter in a happier direction.

While we take a moment to decipher what his appearance means, read our original post below:

It seems both the Cavs and LeBron James were concerned about the growing impression that they're not talking to each other, an impression rooted in LeBron's refusal to talk to prospective coach Tom Izzo in recent weeks. Fearing perhaps that this impression was creating a bitter feeling toward the Cavs superstar, they have let it be known that they are talking. About what, they haven't said, but we suppose talking is better than not talking, whatever the subject.

But as of this writing, about noon Saturday, the King has not shown up to greet the 5,000 people who showed up for LeBron Appreciation Day in Akron. Of course, he's under no obligation to do so, because it was organized without his input. Stiill, he was invited, and you'd think he could have managed a polite "Sorry, can't make it," if it wasn't convenient for him to attend.

Maybe LeBron is put off by the pleading tone of the "spontaneous" flash mobs and similar efforts to get him to re-sign with Cleveland. Deadspin isn't the only one suggesting the whole thing is getting a little sad

For today, at least, these two positive and negative developments cancel each other out.

Today's updated reading: Lookin' Good
lookGood.gif

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.
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