Indians playing "Wahoo Baseball," which is how the game should be played.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerFor the first time in nearly a year, Grady Sizemore was able to fully take part in the postgame congratulations following another Indians win on Sunday. Sizemore's return was a hit -- with a homer and double -- but the victory was based on Manny Acta's credo of "Wahoo Baseball," says Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Wahoo Baseball, baby!

Those words are on the board in Manager Manny Acta's office.

Wahoo baseball is what Acta calls "a clean game." It's why the Indians just swept the Baltimore Orioles after Sunday's 4-2 verdict in front of 13,017 at Progressive Field. Wahoo Baseball is a team that does hit some timely homers, but it's really powered by pitching and defense.

It's a team that hasn't allowed more than four runs in a game since they lost, 8-3, in the second game of the season. It's a team that has allowed only two unearned runs, a team near the top of the American League in several defensive categories.

It's a team that came home having lost two in a row -- and stopped the losing this weekend.

"That's huge," said Acta. "You win eight in a row, and then you lose a couple. You don't want to get to three or four. You don't want to give it all back."

The Indians have been team streak. They opened with two losses. Won eight in a row. Lost two in a row. Then won three this weekend.

It was great for Grady Sizemore to return to roar of fireworks as blasted a homer and ripped a double. It was gratifying to see Travis Hafner club yet another homer -- his fourth already -- and for Carlos Santana to break out of his 0-of-23 slump with a homer.

Despite that, the Indians only put up four runs. That often isn't enough to win in the American League with its designated hitter. But Wahoo Baseball makes up for that.

It began with Fausto Carmona putting away the first nine hitters, and then being helped by two brilliant double plays. The first was the classic Cabrera to Cabrera to LaPorta. Make it 6-4-3. Make it Asdrubal Cabrera to Orlando Cabrera to Matt LaPorta, whose defense at first has not been fully appreciated.

Then there was the 3-6-1: LaPorta neatly fielding a grounder and throwing to Asdrubal Cabrera, who throws to Carmona, who showed how a pitcher needs to be aware and hustle to cover first base.

This is beautiful baseball.

"The pitchers help us because they throw a lot of ground balls," said Asdrubal Cabrera, who made two plays deep in the hole worthy of at least a gold star as he tries to show that he can be in the discussion for a Gold Glove.

The infield has only three errors, no player with more than one. The outfield has been solid. Tribe catchers haven't allowed a passed ball and been effective blocking pitches in the dirt. Yes, they are 0-of-4 throwing out baserunners, but their arms have kept most runners from even considering a theft.

Acta is especially proud of the two Cabreras. Remember how the manager insisted Orlando Cabrera "could play second base with his eyes closed?" Well, the 36-year-old veteran has opened a lot of eyes with his defense and clutch hitting.

Acta proclaimed Asdrubal Cabrera his starting shortstop, insisting the 25-year-old "passed the eye test." He meant the younger Cabrera has superior range to what some of the baseball metrics claimed a year ago.

Then there's the bullpen. These guys aren't just good, or even outstanding. It's ridiculous. Chris Perez is 5-of-5 in saves and hasn't allowed a run since August 6, 2010. That's 26 scoreless innings. Tony Sipp pitched a scoreless eighth and hasn't allowed a run in 8 2/3 innings this season.

Wahoo Baseball?

It's why the Indians are baseball's surprise team.

Consensus among pundits is, still, that the Browns' most urgent needs are at wide receiver and on the defensive line. Numerous Browns and draft links.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerThe Browns have some serviceable wide receivers such as Brian Robiskie (photo), but they need one who demands much attention from opposing defenses.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns are 14-34 in the last three seasons.

That means at least two things regarding the Browns and the NFL draft:

(1) It's quite important for the Browns to draft well to begin a march toward contender status.

(2) With wins having been at such a premium, Browns fans look forward to the draft as much as they do most games.

Well. the draft begins on Thursday, April 28, continues that Friday and concludes that Saturday.

The Browns, barring a trade, own the sixth pick in the first round.

Clark Judge of CBSSports.com writes about the Browns' draft needs, including, of course, at wide receiver:

If the Browns believe they have their franchise quarterback -- and they do -- then they better find him a franchise wide receiver. For now the cupboard is bare, one reason the club targeted its wideouts only 47.7 percent of the time. Mohamed Massaquoi is the best of the group, but he's inconsistent and a second or third receiver on most clubs. Brian Robiskie is little more than adequate, though he finished with a rush, while slot receiver Chansi Stuckey might have run out of time with the club. Those are the Browns' three top wide receivers, and, quick now, tell me which one requires double coverage. That's the problem. The most dangerous guy here is Josh Cribbs, but while he is explosive he can also be brittle. Face it: Cribbs is a special-teams dynamo who should make infrequent appearances on offense, reserved only for when the Browns absolutely, positively need a playmaker on the field. Uh, that would be nearly anytime. Hang the "Help Wanted" sign at this position.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's story about the draft prospects of Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus; Tony Grossi's NFL Insider; his "Hey, Tony!;" Terry Pluto's "Terry Pluto's Talkin.' " 

Post patterns

The top 100 draft prospects, in order, on Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

History shows the results of using high picks on defensive linemen are erratic. By Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

A mock draft on FoxSports.com.

Small-college wide receivers with area ties have a chance to be drafted. By Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Some NFL draft rumors, by Wes Bunting of the National Football Post.

Some little-known draft prospects who could help NFL teams, by Don Banks for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

A mock draft on CBSSports.com.

An off-season look at the Browns' needs, by Andy Benoit for CBSSports.com.

A mock draft on ProFootballWeekly.com.

Sunday's individual titles were awarded at the Women's NCAA Gymnastics Championships at the Wolstein Center.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerUCLA's Brittani McCullough finishes her floor exercise in style during Sunday's individual round of the 2011 NCAA Gymnastics Championships at the Wolstein Center. McCullough finished tied for second with a score of 9.9000.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Every sport, almost every season, have one or two iconic performers who are its faces.

For this gymnastics season, one of those faces was UCLA's Brittani McCullough, complete with the megawatt smile, demure physique and explosive athleticism.

Sunday's individual titles were awarded at the Women's NCAA Gymnastics Championships at the Wolstein Center. Florida's Marissa King took vault with a 9.8750; Georgia's Kat Ding won the uneven parallel bars with a 9.9125; UCLA's Sam Peszek won on balance beam with a 9.9000, and Alabama's Geralen Stack-Eaton captured the floor exercise with a 9.9375, which kept the crowd favorite, McCullough, at No. 2.

That McCullough had a huge bobble on a vault dismount, dropping her to last in that competition, may have had fans nervous for the UCLA senior's final collegiate performance on floor exercise. It certainly was a surprise to her.

"I don't know what it was," McCullough said. "It just kind of happened."

But the fans should have known better than fret. Many of the competitors crowded around the floor mat as McCullough's music began to play to signal the start of her routine. The competitors clapped and boogied in place as the bounding, twisting, tumbling, dancing routine unfolded in front of them. They knew what was coming.

"I've seen it many times," Oregon State sophomore Makayla Stambaugh said. "She has some great, entertaining routines."

Failing to stick the vault landing was never on McCullough's mind.

"No," she said. "I like to perform. It's a lot of fun to perform in front of a big crowd."

When the routine finished the arena erupted, even as the final 9.900 score was short of the title. Everyone knew they had seen the good-bye moment from a champion.

"It was nice to end that way," said McCullough who finished in a three-way tie for second with Michigan's Kylee Botterman and Florida's Maranda Smith.

It was sweet for McCullough, but not for UCLA coach Valorie Kondos Field, who will not see McCullough perform in Bruins colors again.

"A lot of melancholy with Brittani leaving," Kondos Field said. "I've said it earlier. She is an exceptional human being. She has integrity across the board."

McCullough was not the only gymnast who overcame an early setback. Alabama's Stack-Eaton fell during her routine on the uneven bars, ultimately finishing last. She had to regroup for the last event, floor exercise, where McCullough was the favorite. The one plus was Stack-Eaton would go first, where a strong score would put pressure on McCullough.

Stack-Eaton delivered.

"It was really difficult," she said. "I do that bar routine daily and never do that. It was quite frustrating. But I had to put it behind me and treat it like it was a meet and like I was doing it for my team. So I just went out there on the floor and just laid it on the line."

Sunday's individual championships capped four days of gymnastics at the Wolsten Center and drew a crowd of 2,534. When added to the previous three days, the total for the four-day session was 12,430. This marked the first time the NCAA has held its women's gymnastics final at a neutral site. The 2012 championships will also be off campus at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga.

Cleveland's total was down from the 15,026 who attended last year on the University of Florida campus. But it was slightly more than the 12,197 in 2009 at the University of Nebraska.

Talbot's elbow remains enough of a problem that the Indians placed him on the 15-day disabled list.

View full sizeRose Palmisano / Orange County RegisterMitch Talbot, 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts, will not throw for seven days and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a sore right elbow.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On April 11 in Anaheim, Mitch Talbot dominated the Angels. He pitched eight shutout innings, throwing low-90s fastballs, in a 4-0 victory.

The performance came with a price. His right elbow barked near the end of the outing and into the next day. Talbot's elbow remains enough of a problem that the Indians placed him on the 15-day disabled list Sunday morning, activating Grady Sizemore.

Talbot, 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts, will not throw for seven days and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks.

Indians manager Manny Acta said right-hander Jeanmar Gomez will be recalled from Class AAA Columbus. Talbot was scheduled to start Tuesday against the Royals in Kansas City, Mo.

"This injury is definitely not a serious thing," Talbot said in the Tribe clubhouse Sunday morning. "It's just something that's going to take time. We had an MRI scan, and it was negative. The doctor said I have some inflammation caused by a strain of the UCL [ulnar collateral ligament]. We're going to kick it out of there and make sure everything's solid again."

Talbot suffered a sprain of the UCL as a minor leaguer in the Tampa Bay system in 2009. He missed more than two months.

"That was a lot more serious than what I have now," Talbot said. "I had a partial tear back then. There's no evidence of a tear this time."

Last Friday, Acta announced Talbot would be pushed back from a scheduled start Sunday until Tuesday. Acta said it was being done to keep Fausto Carmona on regular rest and to give Talbot two extra days, but that Talbot was healthy.

In reality, Acta was buying time.

"I told Manny after my last start that I was a little extra sore," Talbot said. "He said, 'We'll give you a couple of extra days to recover, then we'll hope to get you back out there.' That was the game plan, but the elbow just wasn't coming back."

Talbot said the elbow does not bother him in day-to-day activities.

"It's just when I pick up the ball, it feels like the ball's not coming out when I go to throw it," he said. "I think I could be back in two weeks, but they're not going to let that happen after seven days of not throwing."

Acquired from the Rays in December 2009, Talbot went 10-13 with a 4.41 ERA in 28 starts last season as a rookie. He missed two weeks because of a mid-back strain. Indians head trainer Lonnie Soloff is expected to give an update on Talbot and other injured Indians on Monday in Kansas City.

Gomez made his major-league debut with the Tribe last season and went 4-5 with a 4.68 ERA in 11 starts. He was signed as a non-drafted free agent in April 2005.

Brantley sits: Michael Brantley, who had been playing center and batting leadoff, was not in the starting lineup Sunday. Sizemore did both in the Tribe's 4-2 victory over the Orioles.

Brantley will move to left field when he returns, presumably Monday. Brantley's right knee was wrapped in ice as he packed for the trip; he said the knee is fine and that he will be ready to go.

Brantley is hitting .302 in 14 games. Travis Buck played left field against the Orioles and went 1-for-3.

Acta said the decision to have Sizemore bat leadoff basically was made after the two talked in spring training.

"He's comfortable there, he's been very good there," Acta said. "The reason he's leading off now is because we have Carlos Santana in our lineup. Our lineup is deeper than in the past. The reason we got Grady out of the leadoff spot last year was because Victor [Martinez] had left, our lineup wasn't as deep, and we needed that bat a little more toward the middle."

Sizemore said he was willing to do "whatever needs to be done."

Acta said Brantley will be hitting in the lower third of the order on days Sizemore plays.

"Michael is great about it," Acta said. "He's the type of player we want around here. He's unselfish. He really doesn't care where he hits, as long as he's able to contribute.

"It's still going to be 60 feet, 6 inches. It doesn't matter where you hit. You still need to get your pitch, swing your bat and find your hole. And if they don't pitch to you, you walk."

Skid stopper: Santana homered in the second inning for the game's first run. He snapped an 0-for-23.

Finally: Closer Chris Perez extended his scoreless-innings streak to 26 with a perfect ninth. He has converted all five of his save opportunities this season and 15 straight dating to last year.

Disputed goal lifts Manitoba to Game 2 victory against the Monsters.

View full sizeTim Harrison / Special to The Plain DealerLake Erie goalie John Grahame skates off the ice as Manitoba celebrates their 3-2 overtime win in Sunday's AHL playoff game at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lake Erie knew it was skating on thin ice going into overtime on Sunday afternoon at The Q. But the last thing the Monsters needed was a kick in the teeth.

Make that a kick into the goal.

As far as they were concerned, that's just what they got as Manitoba evened its best-of-seven Calder Cup series with a 3-2 victory in front of 8,822 disgruntled fans.

The end came eight minutes into the extra session when Moose center Rick Rypien, while in the goal crease, used his left skate to re-direct the puck past Lake Erie goalkeeper John Grahame. The rules don't allow a player to use a distinct kicking motion to send the puck into the goal.

Since the American Hockey League does not use video replay, it was up to the four on-ice officials to make a ruling. After gathering for about 20 seconds, the referees agreed that the goal was good and the teams headed to Winnipeg for Tuesday's Game 3.

Depending on your viewpoint, it was a terrible call or the right one.

"Everyone saw the replay and he kicked it in," said Lake Erie coach David, omitting the referees on that one. "If you have the technology, why not use it? But the bottom line is they deserved to win."

Rypien would agree with both of those statements. He said he did nothing against the rules, the puck just deflecting off his skate. He also pointed out that his club came on strong when it had to.

"The referees made the right call," said Rypien. "From the angle of the foot it was clear and that's how the referees saw it. The last few minutes we were getting the momentum. These games are going to be close."

The Monsters appeared ready to go up 2-0 in the series after defenseman Julien Brouillette scored with 7:32 remaining for a 2-1 lead. Pressed by the Manitoba offense, the Monsters held on until, with six attackers on the ice, Marco Rosa scored with 50 seconds remaining.

In overtime, the puck was in the Lake Erie end much of the time as Manitoba put eight shots on goal to three by Lake Erie. A crossing pass from Aaron Volpati was the one that Rypien's educated skate deflected.

"I don't think any [winning] coach would tell you that the goal was no good," said Manitoba coach Claude Noel. "But really I think it was a matter of time. They were having trouble with our bigger guys down there."

Noel pointed out that the Moose nearly won it four minutes earlier in the extra session, but the refs ruled the net had come off the posts just before an apparent score.

Manitoba opened the scoring on a goal by Volpati with 9:22 left in the first period. The Monsters answered in the final minute of the period on a power play when David van der Gulik sent a rebound past goalkeeper Tyler Weiman, who was with the Monsters last season.

"It's a game of momentum and we lost a lot after that late goal [in regulation]," said Van der Gulik. "It was in our end a lot. But you shouldn't be flat. It's overtime."

The second period was a 20-minute scrum as both teams clamped down on the defensive side. Rypien nearly broke through with 90 seconds left, but his slap shot hit the post.

The period ended with the teams engaged in plenty of hugging and punching in front of the Lake Erie net. Manitoba's Nolan Baumgartner got two minutes for slashing Grahame, which did not sit well with the Lake Erie side.

Grahame finished with 40 saves, Weiman 34.

Grady Sizemore leading off? I defer to Manny Acta on this decision.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Some scribbles as this successful April for the Indians continues:

1. When Sunday's game began, it was 48 degrees and the wind was wicked -- as in the Terminal Tower was swaying. The Tribe and manager Manny Acta picked this dubious day to bring back Grady Sizemore after his microfracture knee surgery. I didn't like the idea of Sizemore playing in these conditions, as wind can cause a player to make sharp stops, cuts and swerves. Nor did I favor leading him off.

2. Sizemore played. He doubled. He homered. He had no problems in center. He led off. He did not look very fast running immediately out of the batter's box. I still think his future is as a power hitter lower in the lineup. But right now, Acta has the magic touch when it comes to managerial moves. He deferred to Sizemore being a veteran, and let him return to his own lineup spot. Right now, I defer to a manager who is making all the right moves as was evident in the weekend sweep of Baltimore, including Sunday's 4-2 victory.

3. Assuming Sizemore can play at least an average center field, I'm OK with Acta putting Michael Brantley in left. But Brantley needs to play. He's hitting .302. His on-base percentage is .367, only Travis Hafner (.407) is higher among the regulars. Quietly, Brantley is having a strong season.

4. After praising Mitch Talbot in my Sunday notes for throwing more fastballs for more speed and better control in his 112-pitch, eight shutout innings in Anaheim last week ... I guess he threw too many. He was in the 91 mph range, and hit 94 several times. He was at 93 mph in the eighth inning. Now his elbow hurts. I'm concerned, because I thought he had a health issue in the spring because he didn't throw hard or look good. He also has a significant history of elbow problems.

5. The Indians sold nearly 8,000 tickets in a 24-hour period before Friday's game, when the crowd was 16,346. They drew 13,017 on Sunday, their third best home attendance this season. In the first nine home games, the average temperature has been 45 degrees. The high of 54 degrees came Saturday, when it was pouring rain all morning and into the early afternoon. It's hard to make a last-minute decision to go to the park when the games are on TV. Sunday is one of the few home games this year where the sun came out.

6. We can write off the 10 opening-game runs allowed by Fausto Carmona to being overly excited ... or something. In his next three starts, he has a 1.25 ERA, allowing three runs in 21 2/3 innings. He has looked like the 19-game winner of 2007. It's worth noting that only twice have Tribe starters failed to pitch at least six innings. The good defense (only two unearned runs allowed) helps the starters pitch longer, and that allows the bullpen to be fresh with the best arms ready when they are needed the most.

7. Carlos Santana homered, but he's in a 1-for-27 slump. His average has sunk to .196 and he is way out front on off-speed pitches. He will see a lot of those until he begins to connect with some authority.

8. Tony Sipp has thrown 8 2/3 scoreless innings. He has walked two, and allowed three hits. Opponents are batting .103. With Sipp and Chris Perez (5-of-5 in saves, 0.00 ERA), the Indians have owned the eighth and ninth innings. Raffy Perez (7 2/3 scoreless innings) and Vinnie Pestano (1.80 ERA) after been superb in the seventh. After the starting pitching, the bullpen has been just as important as the defense, as the Indians are playing beautiful baseball to watch.

Chris Paul had 33 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds, flawlessly leading the Hornets down the stretch

View full sizeMark J. Terrill / Associated PressHornets point guard Chris Paul splits the defense of the Lakers' Lamar Odom (left) and Kobe Bryant during this second-half drive to the basket Sunday in Los Angeles. Paul's 33 points led New Orleans to a 109-100 victory in Game 1 of the first-round NBA playoff series.

Kevin Ding

The Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES -- Credit Chris Paul, who was a maestro all game but particularly brilliant with his grand finale.

Kudos to New Orleans' no-name bench, which enjoyed three guys outplaying likely NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom.

But criticize the Lakers, too, for letting the Hornets own the playoff opener Sunday at Staples Center, 109-100.

"We were the ones responsible for that to happen," Lakers forward Pau Gasol said. "We have to own up to that."

The Lakers were hardly the only upset victims on Sunday, as San Antonio saw its advantage as the West's top seed disappear in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Boston Celtics needed a late 3-pointer by Ray Allen to hold off the Knicks while Kevin Durant's 41 points and Bryant Westbrook's 31 allowed Oklahoma City to escape a valiant effort by Denver.

Gasol acknowledged his subpar outing of eight points on 2-of-9 shooting against clever mixed coverages by New Orleans. He was singled out after the game by All-Star teammate Kobe Bryant for not bringing enough.

"It's one and two; it's me and him," said Bryant, who had 34 points on 13-of-26 shooting.

Bryant added he had "no doubt" that Gasol would be spurred by the failure to deliver a better Game 2 on Wednesday night. And plenty of Lakers would be wise to start that game with better focus, something Odom said usually has come after letdowns.

"For our team, it's good to be humbled, get a swift kick in the butt," Odom said. "That's just the personalities, the makeup of this team. We're cocky."

Bryant said the Lakers strayed regularly from the game plan to contain Paul, who had 33 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds, four steals and two turnovers. The Hornets had just three turnovers for the game after no team committed fewer than five against the Lakers all season.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said his big men need to provide better support for the guards against Paul's pick-and-rolls.

Paul had 17 points in the fourth quarter, when Gasol had two points and Bryant shot 3 for 9 from the field without a free-throw attempt. The Lakers bench, particularly Matt Barnes, started the fourth quarter poorly after the Hornets' lead was just 73-72 after the third.

So Jackson's self-described "last stand" in coaching started with the Lakers being ambushed by a team Hornets coach Monty Williams described as "strong and courageous." Jackson is 48-0 in playoff series when his teamwins Game 1.

Asked if he was stunned to be the one to take the first punch of the first round, Jackson had a one-word answer: "Yes."

Akron, Lake County and Kinston all stumble on the road.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 6, Mud Hens 2: With the aid of the long ball, Columbus beat Toledo on Sunday at Huntington Park. Jerad Head belted two homers and Luke Carlin slugged one to pace the Clippers. Head has three home runs for the season.

Notes: Clippers right fielder Chad Huffman went 2-for-4 at the plate, and gunned out Toledo's Scott Sizemore at second base in the eighth inning. ... Columbus sits at 8-3 on the Class AAA season.

AA Akron Aeros

Phillies 5-5, Aeros 1-4: Akron left-hander Matt Packer (0-1, 5.91 ERA) suffered the loss in the opener at Reading, Pa. He went five innings, giving up five runs (three earned) on five hits. Aeros second baseman Matt Lawton (.250) homered. Meanwhile, Matt Langwell gave up a game-winning RBI single to Michael Spidale in the bottom of the eighth as Akron lost in the nightcap. Aeros outfielder John Drennen (.310) hit his second homer of the year.

Notes: The Aeros will continue their road trip as they begin a three-game series with the Bowie Baysox Monday. Lefty Kelvin De La Cruz (0-2, 0.90 ERA) will start for Akron.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Dash 9, Indians 0: Winston-Salem (N.C.) jumped all over visiting Kinston in the middle innings. Kinston starter Giovanni Soto (0-2) went 3 innings, giving up six hits and four runs (two earned). Joey Mahalic had trouble out of the pen for Kinston, giving up four hits and five earned runs through 21/3 innings. The Dash (6-3) was led by a three-run home run from Ian Gac. The 25-year-old hitter has a Carolina League-leading five home runs.

A Lake County Captains

Hot Rods 7, Captains 6: Phil Wunderlich's two-run home run in the seventh lifted Bowling Green (Ky.) over visiting Lake County. The Captains' Alex Lavisky hit his second home run of the year. Owen Dew (0-2) took the loss.

Notes: The Captains return home Monday to begin a six-game homestand. Lake County's Mike Rayl (2-0) faces Lansing Lugnuts RHP Daniel Webb (0-1).

The center, the only one of its kind in Northeast Ohio, will showcase the best of Cleveland sports history with more than 25,000 books and magazines and research materials, including old photos, scrapbooks, movies and movie clips.

Lisa DeJong, The Plain DealerAmong the memorabilia housed at the new Cleveland Public Library's Sports Research Center is this 1883 book, "Reach's Official American Association Baseball Guide."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Step into sports history at the Cleveland Public Library.

A baby photo of Bob Feller. Golden Gloves scrapbooks dating to 1929. Pro wrestling posters from the Cleveland Arena.

These are just a few of the treasures in the library's Sports Research Center, which will open April 25.

The center, the only one of its kind in Northeast Ohio, will showcase the best of Cleveland sports history with more than 25,000 books and magazines and research materials, including old photos, scrapbooks, movies and movie clips.

Also featured will be special displays of memorabilia -- some exclusive -- honoring Feller, the greatest Cleveland Indians player.

"We will have more baseball-related material than any other building in the country" except the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., said Tena Wilson, a library administrator. "We'll be revealing a lot of hidden treasures."

View full sizeLisa DeJong, The PDThis rare book published in 1911, "Humor Among the Minors", by Michael Ashenback, can be seen at the new Sports Research Center at the Cleveland Public Library.

Some of those treasures include hard-to-find items like several pro wrestling publications from the late 1940s. One from 1949 has a cover story on then-famous star "Lord" James Blears perusing a horse. Five years earlier, Blears was on a World War II ship that a Japanese submarine sank in 1944. He was captured but before he would have been beheaded as a prisoner, he swam his way to freedom.

Another of the treasures is a collection of Golden Gloves programs from 1929 to 1961. The boxing event was first sponsored by The Plain Dealer.

Mark Moore, who with Darlene Ronney helped collect and organize the sports artifacts, said he was amazed at some of the items found stored or hidden in the library's archives.

"We have 'The Bobbin Boy' from 1860, which is the first book to describe baseball within its pages," he said, "and we also have dime baseball novels written by Burt L. Standish, the author of the Frank Merriwell series -- he was a fictional athlete great in virtually all sports."

Even rarer are the Mears collection of baseball box scores obtained and preserved from newspapers in the 1880s, with sketches of pre-modern-day pitchers like Charles "Old Hoss" Radbourn and Amos "The Hoosier Thunderbolt" Rusie showing how to pitch.

Tennis fans have a chance to see programs from the 1960 Davis Cup and the 1965 Wightman Cup -- both events held in Cleveland.

There are other points of interest for people who don't want to see books, programs or newspaper clippings. IPads are also available that will let the user see many of the sports photographs the library has in its files and others it borrowed. A wide variety of movies will also be shown, such as the Cleveland Browns' televised classic 1964 NFL title game victory over the "invincible" Baltimore Colts.

The grand opening will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 25, on the fifth floor of the library's Louis Stokes Wing at East Sixth Street and Superior Avenue.

Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer"Pitchin' Man" by Hal Leibovitz, published in 1948, can be seen at the new Sports Research Center at the Cleveland Public Library, which will open April 25. The story is about Satchel Paige, who joined the barely racially integrated Cleveland Indians in 1948.

An exhibit called "Pride and Passion" will center on black professional baseball, particularly the Negro Leagues, and will run through May 3. Past Negro League players will meet with the public, including Elyria resident Ernest Nimmons, who played with the Philadelphia Stars, Kansas City Monarchs and the Indianapolis Clowns, the latter alongside a burgeoning slugger named Hank Aaron.

Another exhibit not to miss features Jackie Robinson, the first black player in Major League Baseball. The collection features personal letters and writings obtained from Martin Stone, Robinson's personal attorney.

Also available for questions and answers and autographs following their speeches are Bob DiBiasio, Indians vice president of public relations, and Joe Charboneau, ex-Indians outfielder and the 1980 American League rookie of the year.

"Sports are a part of Cleveland DNA," said Felton Thomas, Cleveland Public Library director. "Clevelanders either love or hate the changing weather seasons, but they always embrace the start of a new sports season. And this [center] gives fans a chance to travel back into Cleveland sports history to reminisce about a favorite player or game or discover something new about their beloved sports teams and heroes."

Lisa DeJong, The Plain DealerThis retro Indians baseball uniform can be seen at the new Sports Research Center at the Cleveland Public Library beginning April 25.

Grady Sizemore returned on Sunday, and not only does that mean the he returns to the center and the leadoff spot, and more changes are in store.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore

Grady Sizemore returned on Sunday, and not only does that mean the he returns to the center and the leadoff spot, but Ohio.com's Sheldon Ocker writes that more changes are in store.

Ocker writes that Jeanmar Gomez will move up from Columbus to take Mitch Talbot's spot and that means another outfielder will have to go.

Austin Kearns hasn't produced (.136 average), but he has a track record of success as a reserve outfielder and he hits from the right side of the plate, which makes him a relatively scarce commodity on this team. Tribe deep thinkers like Travis Buck, but he is a left-handed batter, and he has an option, so he wouldn't be lost on waivers.

The other change comes in the batting order since Sizemore will leadoff. Manager Manny Acta wouldn't have it any other way.

''No, not at all,'' the manager said when asked whether there had been discussion of the issue. ''We talked to him about it in spring training. He's leading off, because we have Carlos Santana in the lineup. Last year, with Victor [Martinez] gone, we didn't have much depth. But Grady has been very good in the leadoff spot.''

Sizemore led the American League in runs (136 in 2006) and finished among the top five (118 in 2007). In two other seasons, he drove in 100 or more runs.

Quick starts

Who figured before the season that the first series between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals would battle for top spot in the division with a start of a four-game series tonight?

MLB.com reporter Spencer Fordin writes how the Tribe got off to their fast start because of its starting rotation which has gone 9-1 with a 1.86 ERA in the last 13 games. And the Royals have had success due to their bats.

"It should be a fun series," said right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who signed with Kansas City in the offseason. "They've got good pitching, hard sinkerballers and they're going to try to get you to chase some of that stuff."

Carlos Carrasco will be first up for the Indians, and he'll be matched up against Kansas City's Kyle Davies. Carrasco will be trying to continue a streak that has seen the Indians throw 12 quality starts in 13 games.

Game stories

MLB.com: Indians stay hot at home.

Cleveland.com: Great day for Grady.

Baltimore Sun: Orioles drop seven straight.

News-Herald: Sizemore off to flying start.

Ohio.com: Sizemore is back home.

Roger Goodell wakes up every morning with the weight of the world – or at least ESPN – on his shoulders. The NFL – the lifeblood of America; our annual distraction from economic woe, political quagmire and two wars (or is it three?) – is on the brink of a season lost to a multibillion-dollar labor dispute, and Goodell's legacy may rest on his ability to break the gridiron gridlock before a single kickoff is missed.

AP PhotoNorman Chad takes a rare inside look at a typical day in the life of the NFL commissioner, tongue firmly in cheek. We think.

Roger Goodell wakes up every morning with the weight of the world – or at least ESPN – on his shoulders. The NFL – the lifeblood of America; our annual distraction from economic woe, political quagmire and two wars (or is it three?) – is on the brink of a season lost to a multibillion-dollar labor dispute, and Goodell's legacy may rest on his ability to break the gridiron gridlock before a single kickoff is missed.

(If the 2011 NFL season is canceled, Ron Jaworski reportedly has told friends he will defect to Canada.)

Here now, a rare inside look at a typical day in the life of the NFL commissioner, grappling moment by moment with the fate of Sports Nation:

7:35 a.m.: Arises, gazes into bathroom mirror and says out loud, “I am Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League.”

7:45: Daily breakfast of strawberries, truffles, a Crepe Suzette and champagne.

8:13: Sets up TiVo for “Around the Horn” and “The Borgias.”

8:27: Cancels weekly foot massage due to minor fungal problem.

9:10: Alphabetizes file of players currently on suspension for drug violations.

9:20: Alphabetizes file of players fined last season for illegal hits.

9:30: Alphabetizes file of players detained by law enforcement in the past 12 months.

10:02: Fires gardener when he catches him watching MLS games instead of watering lawn.

10:40: Meets with tailor to decide what color wool coat to wear at next court appearance – light gray, dark gray, charcoal gray or Rozelle gray.

11:07: Tells priest – at confession – that he really doesn't care about the fans.

11:36: Bids $47,800 on eBay for Paulie Walnuts' pinky ring.

11:53: Calls Sports Illustrated's Peter King, tells him off the record that a settlement is “impending.”

11:59: Calls back SI's Peter King, tells him off the record that he meant a settlement is “improbable.”

12:05 p.m.: Monthly lunch with Paul Tagliabue; loses coin flip and has to pick up the check.

1:18: Contacts Dan Rooney because he's having trouble getting first-class upgrade on Aer Lingus for annual golf vacation in Dublin.

1:42: Impulsively tells driver to pull over into Men's Wearhouse so he can pick up new suit for NFL Draft.

2:07: Asks wife Jane – for the umpteenth time – to call him “Commissioner” outside of the house, too.

2:15: Makes prank call to DeMaurice Smith, telling him he has exceeded his cellphone usage for the month and must buy a higher-tiered rate plan.

2:17: Smiles devilishly as he lets Jerry Jones' call go to voicemail.

2:19: Calls James Harrison “to shoot the breeze.” Keeps talking after Harrison hangs up on him.

2:21: “Get Mubarak on the phone – we're thinking of playing a game in Cairo!”

3:10: Plays squash with Dick Ebersol at the Princeton Club.

4:16: Confides to manicurist that “personal seat licenses are the greatest thing since the advent of the pay toilet.”

4:40: Asks NFL Films to send him “all available footage” of NFLPA player reps.

5:02: Berates family butler for misplacing croquet set.

5:29: Can't find Brooks Brothers bowling shirt for NFL Network's Lucky Strike Lanes soiree.

6:10: Fishes out year-old USA Today from backyard pool.

6:33: Asks personal assistant to book him on “Larry King Live.”

6:55: While nobody's looking, pours a shot of Louis XIII cognac into his cup of herbal tea.

7:30: Monthly consult with David Stern in the back seat of the NBA commissioner's Lincoln Continental at that abandoned lot under the Brooklyn Bridge.

9:14: Rereads Machiavelli's “The Prince.”

10:20: Sends text to Ray Lewis: “Who's ur daddy?”

10:44: Sneaks into den, dresses up in his private collection of vintage Neville Chamberlain outfits.

Midnight: Takes nightly hot tub while Jeff Pash feeds him grapes.

Ask the Slouch!

Q:I see where Mike Sexton made a World Poker Tour final table, so he won’t be able to announce it as he normally would. What would happen if you ever made a World Series of Poker Main Event final table? — Mike Matthews, Oxon Hill, Md.

A:Pigs would fly.

Q:Re: Kobe Bryant’s slur directed toward referee Bennie Adams — is Black Mamba getting public-speaking tutoring from Charles Barkley? — Steven Richards, Albany, N.Y.

A:In Bryant’s defense, I believe Adams had just called him a “cluckin’ maggot.”

Q:Since many Middle Eastern rulers now have to find other work, is it safe to assume that Joe Paterno is the world’s longest-reigning dictator? — John Koch, Pittsburgh

A:Though semi-retired, Fidel Castro’s got him by seven years.

Q:Is there any truth to the rumor that you’re planning to lock out your readers unless we agree to send more questions and take an 18-cent pay cut? — William Murray, Chicago

A:Pay the man, Shirley.

You, too, can enter the $1.25 Ask The Slouch Cash Giveaway. Just email asktheslouch@aol.com and, if your question is used, you win $1.25 in cash!

Norman Chad is a freelance writer in Los Angeles.

J.J. Hickson just finished his best season as a pro, and he can't wait to continue to improve.

Mike Cardew / Akron Beacon-JournalJ.J. Hickson proved he can be a force.

J.J. Hickson just completed the best season of his NBA career, writes News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan. That season included career highs in points (13.8), rebounds (8.7), blocks (0.7) and minutes (28.2) per game.

It wasn't long ago when Hickson was considered just an athletic big who could only help a team from off the bench. Finnan writes how some people are starting to change their perception of the 22-year-old Hickson. Some think he could be a starter on a playoff team.

Cavs coach Byron Scott calls Hickson's maturation the most gratifying development this season.

Hickson had a run in with coach Byron Scott this season. It was either Scott's way or the highway, which actually meant limited minutes.

Hickson made a wise decision and got on board.

Hickson conformed to Scott's edict to hit the boards and play defense. Scott can live with an occasional missed jumper. He can't stand his power forward not rebounding.

Hickson became one of the best rebounders in the league in the second half of the season. He finished 15th in the NBA in rebounding at 8.7. He averaged 12.5 rebounds in his last 13 games.

Hickson owes the change to Scott, especially in how Scott did what he could to drive his point home.

"I think the turning point was when Coach started getting on me," Hickson said. "He knows I'm the type of player that if he talks like that to me, I'm going to respond. I'm not going to hang my head. I think that was the turning point with my rebounding."

More Cavaliers

Ohio.com's Jason Lloyd writes how unlike before, the players are ready for an NBA Lockout . . . News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan gives us his mock draft. . . How fast can the Cavaliers' improve?

Should Grady Sizemore return to the top of the lineup?

Plain DealerCleveland Indians' Michael Brantley.

Grady Sizemore is back. The Cleveland Indians are 1-0 with him in the lineup and 10-4 without him. Without question, the Indians are a better team with Sizemore, but are they a better team with Sizemore leading off?

Before his knee injury, Sizemore led the American League in runs (136 in 2006) and finished among the top five (118 in 2007). In also drove in 100 or more runs twice in two other seasons.

But why mess with what has gotten you here with Michael Brantley hitting .302 and a .367 onbase percentage?

Dennis Manoloff says pitching coach Tim Belcher deserves more credit for the pitching staff's success.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Branson Wright. Chuck Yarborough is out on yet another assignment, but Branson and Dennis Manoloff managed to do the show anyway.

Today's show is about the Cleveland Indians and our Starting Blocks poll when it comes to who should leadoff.

Manoloff talks about the Tribe's start, the upcoming four-game series at Kansas City, and why pitching coach Tim Belcher deserves credit for the success of the pitching staff.

SBTV will return Tuesday with Mary Kay Cabot on the Cleveland Browns.

The Indians' surprisingly hot start is providing Cleveland with a fun, feel-good attitude.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty ImageThe smiles are a welcome change along the Cleveland sidelines

As the essential post-game rock music echoes through the surrounding speakers, a set of golf clubs sits in the near corner of the Cleveland Indians locker room within the bowels of Progressive Field.  In a loud, fire engine red bag are approximately 14 clubs, ranging from a beautiful Taylor Made driver all the way down to an equally high-end putter.  They may as well have been shipped to Cleveland directly from Augusta, Georgia following the recent completion of the 2011 Masters Tournament.

Tribe first baseman Matt LaPorta walks over with his freshly spiked hair, slings the bag over his shoulder as if he were a caddy getting ready to proceed down the fairway following a solidly struck approach shot, and begins to make his way towards the door so that he can straighten the clubs up and carry on with the rest of his evening.

"What's your handicap?" I ask as he meticulously arranges the clubs in order, ensuring that he can not only carry his bag of belongings, but the eye-popping irons as well.  "Oh, I'm terrible," he replies with an ear-to-ear grin.  "It's really bad." 

Matt, like most individuals without the time to fully commit to the craft, enjoys the game of golf but is by no means what one would consider to be "scratch."  It is an interest he shares with his father-in-law back in St. Petersburg, Florida in case he needs to defend the hobby.  While he may not be the best to ever swing a set of steel shafts, he describes the peaceful release that the golf course provides.  Conversely, one would not be able to ascertain LaPorta being a below-average golfer if they were merely judging the swings he put on a baseball earlier in the night.

As if his bat was a nine iron off of a par-three tee box, LaPorta launched a knee-high, inside pitch as high off of the extended left field wall as possible without the ball clearing the guard rail and landing on the home run porch.  The ball caromed back toward the infield and the result was a triple - only the second triple of his career.  A delighted yet relieved LaPorta admits he thought the ball had dribbled further away from Baltimore Orioles left fielder Luke Scott than it actually had.  A fortuitous bounce allowed the 215-pound first baseman to slide in safely as third baseman Mark Reynolds could not cleanly field Scott's throw.

The triple ignited what would ultimately be a four-run inning, more than enough support for starting pitcher Justin Masterson who would go on to win his third game.  Masterson would later make the aforementioned Scott look like a woods-bound Shooter McGavin, experimenting with his inner-Happy Gilmore.  Scott attempted to hit a hard-breaking Masterson slider, but ultimately missed by at least six inches. 

The run support, the strikeouts, the winning, the fans.  As the weather beings to turn and the wins continue to pile up, fans of the second-winningest team in Major League Baseball are starting to give their beloved team some much-deserved attention.  Roughly one-third of Friday night's attendees - the walk-up variety - would have otherwise not been at the stadium.  A brief review of a Cleveland fans' Twitter feed during a Tribe game will show that the support ranges well beyond those that contribute the discretionary income necessary to enjoy a night at the park.

When I ask what the walk-ups mean to a player of his caliber - given his recent success - and to a team with as hot of a start as the Indians have provided, Masterson is certainly appreciative.  Appreciative, but understanding of those who have still not made it out to Progressive Field just yet.

"If [the fans] are not in the stands, I know they're watching at home," Masterson says. "People are watching no matter what - I know we have that support.  Right now, it's warming up a little bit, we're putting together a good team and we're playing good baseball.  I wouldn't want to come out if we weren't playing good baseball, I know how good my couch is too when I'm watching football in the offseason."

Whether it's the jubilation surrounding yet another Travis Hafner home run, the relief-laced smile of Grady Sizemore following his first game in almost a full year, or the delighted look on the face of manager Manny Acta after yet another well-executed in-game decision, these guys are actually having fun - something that the city of Cleveland has not consistently seen of their Wahoo Warriors since the fall of 2007.

Masterson and teammate Josh Tomlin have recorded their third wins of the year, a mark which was not met by Masterson last season until the month of July. A rejuvinated Asdrubal Cabrera is tied for the league lead in runs batted in. Hafner is fifth in the American League in batting average, third in OPS and is among the league leaders in home runs.  Even better, he is showing no signs of the shoulder issues which have plagued most of his last two campaigns. 

And most importantly, the team - the third-youngest team in the MLB, mind you - is winning baseball games, presently atop the AL Central with a record of 11-4; they've won eight of their past 10 games and are 7-2 within the confines of Progressive Field, a stretch they have not seen since their 2007 playoff run.

"This is nice," Masterson said of the team's latest bout of play with a heartfelt grin.  "It's a lot of fun, a lot of fun to be playing here in Cleveland."

"I think Sizemore should bat 2nd or 5th, but the idea that he never put up numbers that made sense for leading off is ridiculous. He had a .372 OBP from 2005-2008. The argument for Sizemore hitting down in the lineup was that he also had power which played better as a 2 or 3 hitter - witness the solo HR and bases empty double yesterday." - vladimir

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore is back in the Indians lineup.

In response to the story Great day for Grady and the Cleveland Indians: Sizemore homers as first-place Tribe completes sweep of Orioles, cleveland.com reader vladimir thinks there are a number of spots Sizemore could thrive at in the lineup, including leading off. This reader writes,

"I think Sizemore should bat 2nd or 5th, but the idea that he never put up numbers that made sense for leading off is ridiculous. He had a .372 OBP from 2005-2008. The argument for Sizemore hitting down in the lineup was that he also had power which played better as a 2 or 3 hitter - witness the solo HR and bases empty double yesterday."

Peyton Hillis is getting close to becoming the first Cleveland Browns player to grace the cover of Madden.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis.

Running back Peyton Hillis could become the first Cleveland Browns player to make the cover of the Madden football game. It has come down to Hillis and Michael Vick, the last two players standing in votes by the fans.

James Walker of ESPN writes how ESPN.com's SportsNation announced Monday that Hillis, a No. 10 seed, pulled another upset in the "Madden NFL 12" cover tournament.

He garnered 61 percent of the vote to defeat Green Bay Packers quarterback and No. 1 seed Aaron Rodgers. Hillis will face Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vick in the finals.

But is it a good thing for Browns' fans if Hillis makes the cover?
 

It may only be April, but first place in the American League Central is on the line as four-game series begins.

View full sizeAssociated PressCarlos Carrasco is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in 2 road starts this season.

(AP) -- For the past two years, the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals have rounded out the bottom of the AL Central.

Through the first two weeks of this season, the two are leading the division.

Two of the biggest surprises in baseball open a four-game series Monday night when the Indians, winners of 11 of 13, visit a Royals team looking to bounce back from its first loss in five games.

Cleveland was 69-93 last season while Kansas City finished last in the Central at 67-95. The teams finished tied for last in the division in 2009 with 97 losses apiece.

So far this season, the two are the Central's only teams with winning records.

The Indians (11-4) are off to their best start since 2002, and haven't opened 12-4 since 1999. They didn't win their 11th game last season until May 9.

Cleveland is coming off Sunday's 4-2 victory over Baltimore for its third series sweep of the season.

The Indians received a big lift from Grady Sizemore, who homered and doubled in his return to the lineup after being out since last May while recovering from left knee surgery. The three-time All-Star hit in his customary leadoff spot.

"I just wanted to go up there, have good at-bats, help the team and get a win," Sizemore said.

Cleveland has been winning despite a slow start from Shin-Soo Choo, who is batting .214 with six RBIs.

A series against Kansas City (10-5) could help the right fielder get on track.

Choo hit .377 with four homers, six doubles, 20 RBIs and a .488 on-base percentage to help the Indians go 10-8 against the Royals in 2010. In 22 games in Kansas City since 2008, Choo is hitting .404 with 20 RBIs, his highest totals in both categories for a visiting ballpark.

The Royals are 7-3 at Kauffman Stadium this season, and are off to their best start since opening 11-4 in 2003.

Kansas City is coming off Sunday's 3-2 loss to Seattle, snapping a four-game winning streak. The Royals matched a season low with five hits and Billy Butler was hitless for just the third time in 15 games this season.

Butler appears to have a good chance of bouncing back after batting .397 with a homer, eight doubles and 11 RBIs against the Indians last season. He is 3 for 6 with a home run against scheduled starter Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 5.03 ERA).

Carrasco allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings in Wednesday's 4-3, 12-inning loss to the Los Angeles Angels. The right-hander, who has a 2.77 ERA in his last two starts, is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against the Royals.

Kansas City counters with Kyle Davies (1-1, 9.00), who allowed five runs and 10 hits in five innings in a 10-5 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday. The right-hander only walked one after issuing five base on balls in 3 2-3 innings in his previous start in Detroit.

"The thing that I take away from it is that I only walked one guy," Davies told the Royals' official website. "That was the one thing I wanted to do this start: I don't care if they have 30 hits, I'm going to throw strikes. And I think I did a good job at that."

Davies employed a similar strategy in his three starts against the Indians last season, but it didn't lead to much success. He walked four in 17 1-3 innings but gave up 21 hits, and went 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA.

Davies is 3-5 with a 5.80 ERA in nine career starts versus Cleveland.

Chris Grant has been the general manager for nearly a year, but his real test begins now.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chris Grant was hired as the Cavaliers' general manager in early June.

A month later, his basketball world was utterly deflated when LeBron James and the team's playoff hopes both went south. Suddenly, the entire 2010-11 season became an asterisk, with the note of "Waiting for next summer" next to it.

Summer is nearly here, and it's Grant and his scouts who are on the spot as they have two lottery picks in addition to their own second-round pick and Oklahoma City's second-round pick. That last selection was part of the James deal with Miami.

So they have four picks, a $14 million trade exception and the news that Harrison Barnes (an elite small forward prospect) has decided to stay at North Carolina.

The draft will be tricky for the Cavs, no matter where they select.

Yes, they'll take Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick, but they may not have the chance. Do they pick Arizona's Derrick Williams, even if he's projected primarily as a power forward -- and the Cavs actually have depth at that position?

The answer may be ... yes.

View full sizeDavid I. Andersen / PDThe Cavaliers GM says he'll draft the "best player available," rather than pick players to fill certain positions.

That's based on Grant saying he'll draft the "best player available," rather than pick players to fill certain positions. Of course, that also assumes the Cavs have Williams rated as highly as some other teams.

If there's no Irving in their future, here's hoping Grant gives Kentucky guard Brandon Knight serious consideration for one of his lottery picks. Remember, there supposedly are no guaranteed stars -- no players such as Kevin Durant or Blake Griffin -- in this draft.

Does he grab one of the big men from overseas who are supposed to be top-10 prospects? Often, they become suspect as they deal with the NBA. Or it takes a few years to acclimate to America, instant wealth and a much different game.

While you hear it said most years, this draft really is rather underwhelming -- at least as of the moment.

Or perhaps they take a risk and trade their second lottery pick and use the $14 million exception to bring in an overpaid young star from another team that is in financial peril -- and that is the state of a few franchises. That may be the way to find the athletic small forward that this team needs.

Grant is correct to insist in every draft there are "12-to-15 good players." It's his job to find them.

Until now, little attention has been paid to his front office.

Owner Dan Gilbert was rejected by Tom Izzo. Talk about a blessing. Can you imagine what this 19-63 season would have been like with the Michigan State coach on the bench? His decision to stay in East Lansing allowed Grant (with Gilbert's approval) to hire Byron Scott. They needed every ounce of his energy, patience and pro experience to deal with this season.

Grant made some nice little moves such as picking up Ramon Sessions, Semih Erden, Luke Harangody and Ryan Hollins in trades. Gilbert's wallet helped Grant create a major deal, bringing Baron Davis and the Clippers' 2011 lottery pick to town.

After being decimated by injuries, the Cavs made the correct decision to take the losses and add ping pong balls for the draft lottery. It was Scott -- not ownership or the front office -- who was on the front lines each day as the defeats piled up.

Now, it's Grant turn, and what he does will dictate the future of the franchise for several years.

Chris Grant, general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers, discussed the team's off-season goals and the 2011 draft during a press conference at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence.