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Golf legend Jack Nicklaus on Jim Tressel and the Ohio State football suspensions

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Golf legend and former Buckeye Jack Nicklaus called Jim Tressel "an honest guy" and expressed the belief held by some OSU fans that Tressel is taking the fall with his NCAA violations.

jack.jpgJack Nicklaus dotted the i at Ohio State in 2006, and today he defended Jim Tressel and the OSU football program.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- On golf, Jack Nicklaus may be the world's foremost expert. On Ohio State football, Nicklaus is a fan.

And he's a fan who is standing behind Jim Tressel.

At a charity event Monday for his Memorial Tournament, a luncheon that raised $250,000, Nicklaus was asked by The Plain Dealer for his thoughts on the suspensions of Tressel and five players for the first five games of the 2011, and Nicklaus expressed a opinion that isn't unique among Ohio State fans.

Contrary to what Ohio State self-reported to the NCAA, that Tressel did not tell anyone at Ohio State when he received emails last April that some of his players may have been selling memorabilia in violations of NCAA rules, Nicklaus believes Tressel isn't alone on this one.

"I don't know what really happened, but I'll promise you that Tressel wasn't the only one that knew what happened," Nicklaus told The Plain Dealer. Nicklaus' theory runs contrary to the facts as the public knows them and contrary to the facts as presented by Ohio State in its self-report to the NCAA.

Nicklaus said he isn't close to Tressel, but does talk to him. He said he isn't privy to any inside information. But in his role as a fan with some clout, it's interesting to hear Nicklaus express what some OSU fans think, or maybe hope, is the truth.

"I can't imagine that the university didn't know what was going on," Nicklaus said. "Unless Jim, who is a terrific guy, maybe he decided to take it on his own shoulders. That could be, I don't know. I just like him a lot.

"I think he's an honest guy, he's a straight guy and he's a great coach. I think he really cares about his kids. And if I had a kid who was of age to play here, I'd love to have him play under Tressel, because I just think he's a great guy."

Nicklaus does have a grandson who is of age, but Florida native and tight end Nick O'Leary, the son of Nicklaus' daughter Nan, was a big-time recruit who chose to attend Florida State instead of Ohio State.

"He just felt Ohio State was not his kind of offense," Nicklaus said. "He wants the ball and he's not going to get the ball as a tight end up here."

A former college athlete, and now the grandfather of a soon-to-be college athlete, Nicklaus also favors an increase in the scholarship money given to players. He feels that would prevent players from doing the kind of thing quarterback Terrelle Pryor and others did when they sold memorabilia in exchange for money and discounted tattoos in violation of NCAA rules. That, also, is a view held by many others.

"As an outsider 50 years removed, it makes no sense to me," Nicklaus said of the current NCAA system. "Something has got to get done or you're going to continue to have this problem, and you're going to have administrators and coaches who are going to fall into the category of having to be the scapegoat for what's happening.

"The universities are making millions off these kids," Nicklaus said. "To me a scholarship is something that should take care of these kids, particularly because a lot of these kids don't have any money and they need something so they don't get themselves in trouble. Does it cost much to do that? No."

So, not surprisingly, Nicklaus stands behind Ohio State. And he feels he can relate to everything that happened. Well, almost everything.

"Some kids wanted to get tattoos and they didn't have any money to get tattoos," Nicklaus said. "I don't approve of tattoos, but that's their business, not my deal."


Not a lot of surefire stars in this draft - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"Seems there are only two potential stars in this draft, Irving and Williams. They have to take one of the two if they are available." - sudoku77

kyrie-irving-duke.jpgView full sizeKyrie Irving is the player many Cavaliers' fans have their eyes on.

In response to the story Cavaliers can't gamble on Derrick Williams - Comment of the Day, cleveland.com reader sudoku77 thinks it has to be Williams or Kyrie Irving. This reader writes,

"Seems there are only two potential stars in this draft, Irving and Williams. They have to take one of the two if they are available."

To respond to sudoku77's comment, go here.

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

Pitching should hold up; will the offense? - Indians Comment of the Day

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"I worry more about the offense this season than the pitching, even though our starters are due for some leavening - the sub 3.00 ERA wont last forever. They appear to be talented and organizationally deep. The offense, however, is coming off a sub-700 run season and is going to have to hit on all cylinders to keep us competitive in the division race." - ossievitt

hafner-home-hit.jpgView full sizeTravis Hafner is hitting like it's 2006 again.

In response to the story Mitch Talbot's sore elbow will get at least a week of rest: Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader ossievitt is still concerned about the team's offense. This reader writes,

"I worry more about the offense this season than the pitching, even though our starters are due for some leavening - the sub 3.00 ERA wont last forever. They appear to be talented and organizationally deep. The offense, however, is coming off a sub-700 run season and is going to have to hit on all cylinders to keep us competitive in the division race."

To respond to ossievitt's comment, go here.

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

Too much college celebration could be cause for trepidation (and lost touchdowns): Mid-American Conference Insider

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One of the big questions going into the 2011 college football season will be getting a clear explanation of what is taunting and what is celebration.

bgreen-celebrate-horiz-01-ap.jpgView full sizeCollege teams will have to make sure not to begin their touchdown celebrations prematurely following the NCAA's decision to toughen unsportsmanlike penalties. "I think it's going to get some guys, I really do," said first-year Kent State head coach Darrell Hazell. "It's subjective. It's a little scary."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- One of the big questions going into the 2011 college football season will be getting a clear explanation of what is taunting and what is celebration.

That's because the NCAA has ruled, starting next season, that taunting before actually scoring a touchdown will be deemed a 15-yard penalty from the spot of the foul. The score will be erased.

During the Mid-American Conference spring conference call, coaches responded to the new rule.

"I think it's going to get some guys, I really do," said first-year Kent State head coach Darrell Hazell. "It's subjective. It's a little scary."

Akron's second-year head coach, Rob Ianello, said the rule has to be understood by players and coaches, and is glad it wasn't around when he was the receivers coach at Notre Dame.

"I coached a young man at Notre Dame, Golden Tate, who would have had a ton of these penalties," Ianello said. "At least I now have some film to show to our guys."

Getting clarification on the rule will now become a priority, the coaches said, when they meet later this spring. The subjectivity of the rule is what has them concerned. When asked if the rule was a petty move by the NCAA, Ohio University head coach Frank Solich said it has definitely caught everyone's attention.

"To take points off the board is pretty dramatic," he said. "Part of the problem is [players] see it every week on TV. I'm never going to say the NCAA does anything petty. But as coaches we just learn to live with some things."

First-year Miami head coach Don Treadwell agreed. "Whatever the NCAA puts out in front of us, we have to follow," he said. "[But] you have to call them honest. Like a lot of rules, it's subjective. It's through the eyes of who is making the call. There is some subjectivity to it that makes you a little nervous."

Akron under the center: Last season it seemed Patrick Nicely was alone at quarterback as the Zips' backups were either hurt or departed. Now the Willoughby South High product will have competition in his junior season from freshman Zack D'Orazio and JC transfer Clayton Moore.

Nicely, however, appears to have survived the challenge after spring drills.

"We have a good evaluation on all three of them," Ianello said. "[But] Patrick will still run out of the huddle first when we start training camp. I was pleased with Patrick's development. I was pleased with Clayton Moore's progress. The good news is, we are better at the QB position now than we ever were last season."

Ohio under center: Solich said the jury is still out on talented, but injury-prone, quarterback Phil Bates, who missed some time last season with ailments and has been injured in spring camp.

"I don't think he's fragile," Solich responded when asked if the 6-2, 226-pound Bates just couldn't physically hold up. "He had an injury he played on a share of the season, and showed his toughness doing that.

"He definitely wants to continue to try and play quarterback. We'll get a chance to maybe see him do a little throwing this week. This summer will be important for him, and early fall, we'll see. If he's not going to be the top guy, we'll have to find ways to get him on the field."

GM Chris Grant on the Cleveland Cavaliers: 'We're in a really good position'

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Chris Grant thinks his team's future is solid with two high draft choices, plus the trade exception and lots of options for improving the team.

chris grant cavaliersView full sizeCavaliers GM Chris Grant: "From our standpoint, we're in a really good position: high picks, trade exception, flexible contracts."

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- In spite of everything, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant thinks his team is in a great spot.

In spite of the NBA-record 26-game losing streak, the 63 losses, the fact that no less than five players will be coming off surgeries next season and several highly touted college players are electing to stay in school, Grant likes the Cavs' options.

"From our standpoint, we're in a really good position: high picks, trade exception, flexible contracts," Grant said in a postseason meeting with the media on Monday at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

"We can make a lot of different things happen. On top of that, as you all know, our ownership group is very supportive and aggressive, which puts us in a position where we can go out and attack things but also with the understanding it's got to be sustainable and successful."

There are, of course, many unknowns, starting with the May 17 lottery to determine just how high the two first-round picks will be. The Cavaliers have their own draft choice and one from the Los Angeles Clippers. The best-case scenario would be that they get the first two choices. The worst case is they get the fifth (three teams move ahead in the lottery) and 11th.

Grant is undaunted by Monday's news that North Carolina's Harrison Barnes will return to school, as will Ohio State's Jared Sullinger.

"It's not something we can control," Grant said when asked if the talent pool was getting smaller. "What we can control are the guys who are ultimately in the draft and then try to figure out who that group is.

"So, from our standpoint, we know we're going to add two good players to our team, not even considering the trade exception and some other tools. So I feel like we're in a good spot, regardless of who's in the draft.

"Every year we know one thing: We know there's 10-15, 12-15 good players. Our job is to figure out who those guys are. Those are the marching orders we give our scouts: Go figure out who those guys are."

Grant said it often takes two or three seasons to accurately judge the depth of a particular draft. He pointed to Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, who was not highly touted coming out of UCLA but developed into one of the league's top point guards.

"You just don't know how it's going to play out," Grant said. "How it looks today may look totally different three years from now. Our job is to identify those guys, find out as much as we can about them, do our research, do our work and then try to get as many of them as we possibly can."

Grant said he and his staff will meet with coach Byron Scott and his staff to determine a course of action moving forward. Asked whether he anticipated drafting to fill a need or to acquire the best player available, Grant did not hesitate.

"My philosophy, best available," he said, "particularly when you're drafting high, you want to look for the best talent and human beings. The human being part is very important."

He also reiterated the Cavs intent to use the $14.5 million trade exception obtained in the deal that sent LeBron James to Miami -- if it makes sense.

"I'm hopeful," said Grant, noting that the exception could be worth up to $14.6 million. "I'd like to use it. ... There are worse things (than not using it). We don't want to take on a bad contract. We don't want to put ourselves in a spot where we lose flexibility, but certainly we are hopeful and we are going to try to use it."

Michael Brantley moves to the seventh spot in Manny Acta's reshuffled batting order: Indians Insider

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Manager Manny Acta has moved Michael Brantley from leadoff to seventh in the lineup because he thinks Brantley is a "good fit" there.

acabrera-out-2nd-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeAsdrubal Cabrera comes up short -- literally -- in his attempt to advance to second base on Shin-Soo Choo's sacrifice fly in the third inning of Monday night's game. Royals second baseman Mike Aviles makes the tag.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Manager Manny Acta's new lineup, with the arrival of Grady Sizemore, has Michael Brantley hitting seventh.

Brantley was the Indians' leadoff hitter until Sizemore came off the disabled list Sunday. He did a nice job, hitting .302 (16-for-53) with seven runs, six RBI and two steals. His on-base percentage is .367.

Acta was asked why he didn't move Brantley to the No.9 spot in the lineup.

"I don't know why you should have a guy hitting ninth so you can put him together with the first guy," said Acta. "Why put two guys ahead a someone, who probably aren't as good a hitter as him, just because he's faster. I don't get that one.

"Would I hit Ichiro ninth to put him together with Grady and have eight guys who aren't as good a hitter as him hitting in front of him?

"What am I going to tell you if in the first or second inning we have a rally going and I have the best hitter hitting ninth, and two guys hitting in front of him, and we're not going to push a run across?"

Some managers prefer speed in the ninth and first spots because it could create more RBI opportunities for the middle of the lineup. Last year, Brantley made 60 starts in the leadoff spot and seven starts in the ninth spot. He hit second three times and fourth once.

"I think he's a good fit in the seventh spot," said Acta. "I think he fits well right behind Orlando Cabrera. I have an opportunity to do some things with both of them. It will also give Matt LaPorta more traffic front of him. With Brantley at running at first base, LaPorta probably has a chance to see more fastballs."

Medical update: Head trainer Lonnie Soloff said Mitch Talbot will be sidelined for at least four weeks with a strained right elbow. Soloff said he expects Talbot to be pitching in a rehab situation after that four-week period.

Jeanmar Gomez will take Talbot's spot in the rotation. Gomez was 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA at Class AAA Columbus. He struck out 11 and walked three in 12 2/3 innings.

Gomez was competing with Josh Tomlin and David Huff for the one open spot in the rotation in spring training.

"We wanted him to work on his secondary pitches," said Acta. "He has a good two-seam fastball and can throw strikes low and away. He survived here last year because he threw strikes."

Jason Donald strained his left groin at Columbus on Saturday and will miss three to five days. Donald started the season on the disabled list with a cracked left middle finger. That injury is doing well.

Anthony Reyes is in extended spring training in Goodyear, Ariz. He's building strength in his right shoulder and elbow and is expected to be up to four or five innings by the end of April.

Topsy turvy: April brings strange things to baseball such as the Indians and Royals playing with first place in the AL Central at stake. Over the last two seasons, they've spent most of their time trying to climb over each other to stay out of last place.

"I don't care how early it is," said Acta, "I'm excited for our ball club and I'm happy for the Royals."

The Indians went into Monday's game with a one-game lead. The last time the Indians and Royals occupied the top two spots at least 15 games into the season was on May 31, 1999. The last time the Indians and Royals finished first and second was 1995, when the Indians won the division by 30 games.

"I'm happy for both towns and both franchises and the young players we have," said Acta. "This is good for baseball. We're kind of in the same situation."

Still, it is hardly time to be studying the standings.

"It's better than the alternative, but at this point of the season it's really a waste of time," said Royals manager Ned Yost. "The only thing that matters is the game we're playing tonight."

Acta stays away from the standings as well, but it's impossible to escape friends, family and his followers on Twitter.

"After second guessing me on all my bad decisions, and sending me 30 different lineups for each game, saying we're in first place is something I've got to enjoy," said Acta.

Finally: The Indians traded Yohan Pino to Toronto for cash in a minor-league deal. Pino, pitching for Class AA Akron, was acquired from the Twins for Carl Pavano.

Minor league report: Local products Anthony Gallas and Alex Lavisky driving the baseball for Lake County: Update

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Gallas, an outfielder from Strongsville High and Kent State, and Lavisky, a catcher from St. Edward High, are showing extra-base power. Captains, Columbus and Kinston lose, though. Aeros win.

anthony-gallas.jpgAnthony Gallas, in a photo from last season, when he finished his Kent State career with 49 home runs.

MINOR LEAGUE REPORT

Class A

LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS

Lugnuts 7, Captains 5 Lansing (Mich.; 6-3) rallied from a 5-3 deficit to overtake the host Captains (6-6) in a Midwest League game at Eastlake.

Captains starter Mike Rayl (2-0, 1.15) didn't get a decision, giving up his first runs of the season after pitching 11 scoreless innings in his first two starts. Rayl yielded three runs -- two earned -- on six hits in 4 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and one walk.

LH reliever J.D. Reichenbach (1-1, 3.18) gave up three runs in three innings to take the loss.

Captains catcher Alex Lavisky (.234), DH Alex Monsalve (.311) and 1B Jesus Aguilar (.279) were each 2-for-5 with a run scored, and one of Lavisky's singles drove in two runs. RF Anthony Gallas (.341) singled to boost his hitting streak to eight games, and scored two runs.

Notes: Going into his Monday night start, LH Mike Rayl was 2-0 with an 0.00 ERA in 11 innings over two starts, allowing no runs on two hits and three walks, with 11 strikeouts....OF Anthony Gallas, of Strongsville High School and Kent State, was 13-for-37 (.351) with eight doubles and three stolen bases in three tries. He was on a seven-game hitting streak, going 11-for-25 (.440) with seven doubles. The right-handed hitting Gallas, 23, was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an undrafted free agent last June, after he had slugged 49 home runs in four years at Kent State....Catcher Alex Lavisky was 5-for-14 (.357) with two homers and a double in the last three games. Lavisky, 20, is a right-handed hitter who was the Indians' eighth-round draft pick last June, just after he had graduated from Lakewood St. Edward High School. Lavisky had boosted his batting average to .214 after starting the season 4-for-28 (.143)....OF Jason Smit was 20-for-44 (.455) with five doubles, one triple, two homers, nine RBI and nine runs. Smit, a 21-year-old right-hander, is from Perth, Australia, and was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He spent some of the early 2010 season on the disabled list and started slowly, then finished with a .262 batting average, 20 doubles, one triple, eight home runs and 41 RBI in 313 at bats over 86 games -- all with the Captains. He stole eight bases in nine tries....3B Giovanny Urshela was 16-for-42 (.381) with five doubles, eight runs and four RBI....SS Tyler Cannon was 11-for-30 (.367) with one triple, two homers, seven RBI and nine runs....RH reliever Clayton Ehlert (0-0, 1.80) had three saves. He had struck out five, and allowed three hits and one walk in five innings....LH reliever Francisco Jimenez (1-0, 1.64) had pitched 11 innings in three relief outings, fanning nine while yielding four hits and three walks....LH reliever J.D. Reichenbach (1-0, 1.08) had pitched 8 1/3 innings in three games, fanning six while yielding five hits and three walks....RH reliever Dale Dickerson (0-0, 3.38) had inherited five base-runners when coming on to pitch, and had allowed none of them to score....RH Michael Goodnight is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 15 innings over three starts, allowing eight hits and four walks while fanning 11.

Class AAA

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS

Mud Hens 13, Clippers 5 RH starter Corey Kluber (0-2, 7.45) took the loss for the host Clippers (8-4) in the International League game, giving up six runs on six hits in the first 4 2/3 innings. LF Andy Dirks slugged a two-run home run, a solo homer and a single for Toledo (4-8), and C-CF Clete Thomas drove in six runs with a homer, single and sacrifice fly. 1B Wes Hodges (.143) and RF Chad Huffman (.162) both hit two-run doubles for the Clippers.

Notes: OF Jerad Head (.370) is 10-for-27 with two doubles, three homers, seven RBI and nine runs....CF Ezequiel Carrera (.351) is 13-for-37 with two doubles, one home run, seven walks, 11 runs and five stolen bases in six tries....C Luke Carlin (.333) is 8-for-24 with a homer and seven walks....2B Cord Phelps (.302) is hitless in 11 at bats over the last three games. He was 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in the 13-5 loss to Toledo. Phelps has one double, one triple, two homers, nine RBI, seven runs and eight walks....RH Alex White (0-0, 1.64), the Indians’ first-round draft pick in 2009, has struck out 13 in 11 innings in his two starts, giving up nine hits and three walks....LH David Huff (1-0, 2.12) has pitched 17 innings in three starts, fanning eight while yielding 10 hits and 10 walks....RH Carlton Smith (1-0, 0.00) has pitched five scoreless relief innings, striking out four and allowing no walks and four hits....RH reliever Zach Putnam (1-0, 1.23) has two saves, pitching 7 1/3 innings. He’s fanned four and given up four hits and one walk....RH reliever Josh Judy (1-1, 3.38) has 11 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and four walks....RH Paolo Espino was sent from Columbus to AA Akron. Espino made one relief appearance for the Clippers, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in four innings, with four strikeouts.

Class AA

AKRON AEROS

Aeros 4, Baysox 3 DH Matt McBride (.279) slugged a two-run home run following an RBI double by catcher Chun-Hsiu Chen (.250) in the first inning and the Aeros (6-6) led the rest of the way to get the Eastern League win in Bowie, Md. (5-6).

LH Kelvin De La Cruz (1-2, 1.80) went the first five innings to get the win, striking out nine while allowing two runs on six hits and a walk. LH Nick Hagadone (0.00) followed with 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings, giving up three hits while fanning four and walking none. RH Cory Burns (0-0, 1.69) then got his fifth save in as many tries, yielding one hit -- a solo home run -- while striking out two and walking none.

McBride singled and scored on RF John Drennen's sixth-inning single. Drennen (.333) also tripled. Aeros SS Juan Diaz (.196) singled twice and scored a run.

Notes: Going into Monday night’s game, LH starters Scott Barnes (1-0, 1.64) and Kelvin De La Cruz (0-2, 0.90) and RH starters Joe Gardner (2-0, 3.27) and Austin Adams (1-0, 3.27) had a combined 2.30 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 43 innings. They had given up just 25 hits, including no home runs....Cory Burns (0-0, 0.00) had earned saves in all four of his appearances, with 11 strikeouts in four innings. He had allowed four hits, no walks and one unearned run....LH Nick Hagadone (0-0, 0.00) had made three relief appearances, pitching six scoreless innings on two hits, with six strikeouts and no walks....CF Jordan Henry was 12-for-36 (.333) with two doubles, six runs, four RBI and 4-for-4 in stolen bases....OF John Drennen was 9-for-29 (.310) with two doubles, two homers, six RBI and six walks....OF Tim Fedroff was 9-for-30 (.300) with one double, one homer, four RBI and four runs....The Indians traded RH Yohan Pino to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations. He had pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in two relief appearances for the Aeros....RH Paolo Espino was sent to Akron from AAA Columbus, where he had made one relief appearance, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in four innings, with four strikeouts.

Class A (Advanced)

KINSTON INDIANS

Blue Rocks 5, Indians 3 1B Chase Burnette (.275) drilled a pair of RBI doubles and catcher Roberto Perez (.179) doubled home a run, but it wasn't enough as the Indians (2-8) dropped the Carolina Leauge game to the Blue Rocks (8-2) in Wilmington, Del.

LH T.J. House (0-1, 8.10) gave up four runs on six hits and two walks in the first four innings to get the loss. He struck out two. RH reliever Jose Flores pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, fanning three and yielding one hit.

Notes: Going into Monday night’s game, 3B-1B Adam Abraham was 8-for-26 (.308) with three homers, one double, six RBI and eight walks....LF Bo Greenwell was 10-for-30 (.333) with one double, one homer and two stolen bases....2B Justin Toole was 6-for-18 (.333) with a double and two stolen bases....LH Drew Pomeranz, the Indians’ first pick and the fifth selection overall in the 2010 draft, is 0-0 in two starts, but has given up just one run — unearned — and has struck out 17 in 11 innings, allowing three hits and two walks....LH T.J. McFarland (0-1, 2.25) has made two starts, striking out 12 in 12 innings, while allowing nine hits and a walk.

Firestone’s Bartley arrested on weapons, drug charges

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AKRON, Ohio -- Andrew Bartley, a two-time state swimming champion from Firestone High, was arrested last Thursday at the school on weapons and drug charges. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, after a complaint by a parent that Bartley, 18, might be targeting blacks in an unspecified manner, the senior was questioned by a school official and a police...

AKRON, Ohio -- Andrew Bartley, a two-time state swimming champion from Firestone High, was arrested last Thursday at the school on weapons and drug charges.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, after a complaint by a parent that Bartley, 18, might be targeting blacks in an unspecified manner, the senior was questioned by a school official and a police officer who works at the school.

Bartley admitted he had weapons in his car. When it was searched by police, they found an SKS 7.62mm rifle, a gram of marijuana, a pill crusher, 10 rounds of ammunition, brass knuckles, a butterfly knife and a marijuana pipe.

He was arrested and charged with conveyance of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone, possession of a deadly weapon, drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from Summit County Jail after posting bond Saturday.

Firestone is on spring break this week, and neither Principal Larry Petry nor Athletic Director Brian Fuller could be reached by The Plain Dealer.

Bartley won the 100-yard breaststroke in 2010 and in February, when he told The Plain Dealer that he was undecided on college plans. He was recognized as a Plain Dealer All-Star last month.


Better late than never: Cleveland Indians score four in tenth inning to top Royals, 7-3

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Shelley Duncan's RBI double breaks a tie as Indians keep rolling.

Gallery preview

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Indians and Kansas City, the top two teams in the AL Central, played with a purpose Monday night that belied the calendar.

The two franchises, who have spent the last two years dining on the table scraps left behind by the Central's ruling class, pushed and pulled their way into extra innings before Shelley Duncan's pinch-hit double ignited a four-run rally in the 10th to give the Indians a 7-3 victory on a cold night at Kauffman Stadium.

The win gave the Indians a two-game lead over the Royals in the AL Central. Sure, it's too early for the standings to reflect much more than an early-season memory, but it has to mean something to a franchise that spent the last two season losing 190 games.

Duncan, 2-for-2 as a pinch hitter this season, doubled down the left-field line off left-hander Tim Collins following a leadoff walk by Carlos Santana to break a 3-3 tie. It was the Indians' first run since the seventh inning and paved the way to the biggest offensive inning of the game.

"When you're playing every day, you can have a good day and feel good or a bad day and brush it off," said Duncan. "When you're pinch-hitting, you have that one at-bat. If you do well, you're jacked. Your emotions are sky-rocketed.

"When you fail in that situation, you're at the bottom. But you have to appreciate both emotions. These are things that not everyone in life gets to feel. You ride both of them. You don't let the bad ones bury you or the good ones get you too high."

After Orlando Cabrera flied out to right, Michael Brantley walked and Matt LaPorta hit into a force play at second. Shortstop Alcides Escobar made a throwing error attempting to get the double play as Adam Everett, running for Duncan, scored. Jack Hannahan, hitless in four previous at-bats, doubled home LaPorta. Grady Sizemore followed with an RBI single off second base to score Hannahan for the final run.

The Indians have won four straight and 12 of their last 14 games.

Joe Smith (1-0), who entered the game in the eighth, earned the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

"We can swing the bats a little bit," said Smith. "We just kept throwing up zeroes and waiting on them. They came through huge for us."

Smith, activated Friday, felt the first-place vibe in the air Monday.

"I've been here 2009, 2010 and we haven't been battling for first place," said Smith. "We're off to a hot start, playing the team right behind us in our division. Now's the time to really gain some ground."

Carlos Carrasco held the Royals to three runs in 6 1/3 innings for his third straight quality start. He entered the sixth with as 2-1 lead, but allowed four straight hits as Kansas City took a 3-2 lead.

"That's the best hitting team in the league right now," said manager Manny Acta. "They can swing the bats, but that was another good start by Carlos."

The Indians tied it in the seventh, but they should have done more damage. Jeremy Jeffress started the inning in relief of Kyle Davies. He walked Brantley and then tried to pick him off first. The throw sailed down the right-field line, hit the grandstand and bounced into right field. Brantley probably should have stopped at second, but he made a wide turn and kept going to third.

LaPorta dribbled a 10-hopper through the left side of the infield to score Brantley. A wild pitch by Jeffress put LaPorta on second. After Hannahan lined out to left, Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera worked Jeffress for walks to load the bases. But Aaron Crow relieved and struck out Shin-Soo Choo on a called third strike and popped up Santana to escape.

Carrasco started the seventh, but gave up a leadoff single to Wilson Betemit. After Matt Treanor advanced him to second on a sacrifice bunt, Vinnie Pestano relieved. Escobar grounded out to second as Betemit went to third. Pestano ended the inning by striking out Aviles, who pounded the bat in the dirt in frustration.

In 6 1/3 innings, Carrasco allowed three runs on seven hits. He struck out four and walked one on 93 pitches. It was his third straight quality start.

The Indians, 12-4, finished with 13 hits, including three by Sizemore.

"I didn't see this from Grady last year," said Acta. "I understood later that he was hurt from the get go and he couldn't push off his back leg. One of the reasons I came here was to enjoy watching this guy from the dugout. It's nice to have him back."

The Indians took a 1-0 lead against Davies in the first with two out. Choo beat out an infield single, stole second and scored on Santana's single to left center.

The Royals tied the score in the second when Carrasco walked Butler, who went to third on Francoeur's double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Betemit.

The Indians reclaimed the lead in the third. Sizemore led off with a double. Asdrubal Cabrera moved him to third with a single and he scored on Choo's sacrifice fly. Cabrera took the steam out of the inning when he was thrown out trying to advance to second.

Davies, removed after the sixth, held the Indians to two runs on seven hits in 90 pitches. He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter.

Cinesport video

 

On stage or on the course, Trinity's Nick Gliha steals the show: Tim Warsinskey's Take

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Trinity senior Nick Gliha is an Artful Dodger who picks his way to the top off and on the track.

gliha-mug-timstake-ac.jpgView full size"Doing theater work gave me another sense of working with people and being a leader," said Trinity's Nick Gliha.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- His oversized gray coat flowing as he strolls to center stage, Nick Gliha does a little spin, doffs his floppy stovepipe hat and bows deeply to his co-star, Emma Raulinaitis. The crowd of a few hundred in Trinity's tiny gym loves it, and the standing ovation grows louder.

Lonely distance runners don't often hear such cheers, but this particular Artful Dodger's talent involves more than moving forward in silence.

Gliha played the swaggering pick-pocket expert Artful Dodger with appropriate bluster in Trinity's recent production of the musical "Oliver!" It was the character for which he auditioned, and that was an interesting choice, considering he had no previous theater experience. The role demands a confident actor who can sing and dance.

Gliha, it turned out, was a perfect fit.

"The role reminds me of myself, a funky kid who when he sets his mind to something he wants, he really achieved it," said Gliha, a senior from Lakewood. "I saw myself in that a lot, and I had a lot of fun with it."

Who says distance runners have to be boring?

Gliha usually spends endless days running and running and running in relative anonymity, even though he is one of Ohio's premier distance men. He won the Division III 3,200-meter state championship as a sophomore in 2009, helping Trinity capture the team title. He has been All-Ohio in cross country and track six times, including a state runner-up finish in the 3,200 last year and a third-place finish in cross country in 2009. Gliha has signed with Youngstown State, where he'll study physical therapy.

Acting and running, it turns out, have a lot in common for Gliha. A lead role suits him, and he prefers racing with the lead.

"I like to set the pace," he said. "I don't see myself as very tactical. I see myself getting it done from the front."

This spring, Gliha leads a track team that is a serious contender to win another state championship. He is developing enough speed to contend in shorter distances, which means he could score points in more events at the state meet. It also places added pressure on him as a team leader. That's where the confidence he gained from performing in "Oliver!" will transfer to track.

"[Performing] gave me another outlook on confidence," he said. "Doing theater work gave me another sense of working with people and being a leader. In that respect, it will help me as a runner. It helps in understanding the stresses and how to work with people in getting them to achieve their goals."

Gliha said he's trying his best to get the most out of his senior year, which is why he auditioned for "Oliver!" with the song "All for the Best" from "Godspell."

It is, as the Artful Dodger and friends sing, a fine life.

Indians' farewell to old Stadium offers a lasting family memory: Tribe memories

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Here is Tuesday's essay by Denise Fuchs of North Royalton.

stadium-fireworks-1993-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeThe fireworks that exploded over old Cleveland Stadium on Oct. 1, 1993 capped what proved to be a lifetime memory for Indians fan Denise Fuchs of North Royalton.

This spring, we asked readers to tell us their best memory at an Indians game. More than 600 responded. All season, The Plain Dealer will publish fan memories -- one each day the Indians are scheduled to play. Here is Tuesday's essay by Denise Fuchs of North Royalton.

I'd like to tell you about my most unforgettable day at an Indians game, the last Friday night game at the old stadium (Oct. 1, 1993).

That weekend, we would all meet for the last Friday night game at the old stadium before Jacobs Field. This night was so special because I met my baby brother, Stanley, with his son for the game. We talked about the Indians and their new stadium.

Sadly, Stanley died in a car accident not long after that Friday night game. In his memory, for years I would take my brother's two children to Indians games, and we would talk about my brother (their dad). Once, we stopped at the cemetery after a game, and I told my nephew that sometimes Grandpa (my dad) would say to my brother, "Son, the Indians won today," or, "Son, the Indians lost today," and he would leave the sports page on top of my brother's grave.

When I told that story to my nephew, he took his stub out of his pocket and looked at my brother's grave and said, "Dad, the Indians lost today," and put his stub on the grave.

It all goes back to that last Friday night game. That makes me smile and warms my heart when thinking about my late brother and our Indians. I still have my ticket stub from the game.

I walk by the Bob Feller statue now and remember all the history the new and old stadium have for baseball for the city. What memories.

Playoff roundup: Miami Heat take 2-0 lead over Sixers (Video)

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LeBron James scored 29 points, Bosh had his second straight double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Miami took a 2-0 series lead with a 94-73 victory over the abysmally shooting 76ers — who managed their second-lowest playoff scoring total in the last 56 years — on Monday night.

 

MIAMI, Florida — LeBron James outscored Philadelphia's entire starting five in the first half by himself.

So did Chris Bosh.

So did Dwyane Wade.

And that pretty much tells the tale of a night the 76ers would rather forget.

No comeback required for the Miami Heat this time. They went wire-to-wire on the lead, and moved two wins from advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

LeBron James, Evan TurnerMiami Heat's LeBron James (6) drives up against Philadelphia 76ers' Evan Turner during the first quarter of Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series, Monday, April 18, 2011 in Miami. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

James scored 29 points, Bosh had his second straight double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Miami took a 2-0 series lead with a 94-73 victory (Box score) over the abysmally shooting 76ers — who managed their second-lowest playoff scoring total in the last 56 years — on Monday night.

"It was a really complete game for us at both ends of the floor," James said.

Showing no signs of the migraine that he battled Sunday, Wade scored 14 points for Miami, now 17-3 in its last 20 games and halfway to winning its first playoff series since the 2006 NBA finals.

"I'm feeling a lot better," said Wade, who wasn't able to eat Sunday and was very low-energy at times before Monday's game. "I lost a lot of weight tonight ... but I think I did my job, to come out there and help my team get a win."

Thaddeus Young scored 18 points and Evan Turner added 15 for the 76ers, whose starters were outscored 76-29 by the Heat's first-string. Philadelphia shot 34 percent for the game, and after getting 42 points in the paint in Game 1, were held to 24 in that department Monday.

"We've had good defensive performances," Bosh said, "but I think today was our best of the season."

The 76ers find themselves needing to buck some serious history. Miami has never lost a series after winning the first two games (6-0), and the Philadelphia franchise is winless in 16 tries after falling into an 0-2 postseason hole. And then there's this — only 14 teams have won after losing the first two games of a best-of-seven NBA series.

BULLS 96, PACERS 90

CHICAGO, Illinois — Two playoff games, two dramatic victories for the favored Chicago Bulls, and all is right in Carlos Boozer's eyes.

Derrick Rose scored 36 points, Boozer added 17 points and 16 rebounds, and top-seeded Chicago escaped with another comeback victory over Indiana, beating the Pacers 96-90 (Box score) on Monday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

"Every game will be tough," Boozer said. "There's not going to be any easy games in this playoffs in any series. So we look forward to some more tough games. We're built for that. We've had close games all season, and we don't expect any easy games."

Rose went wild again, scoring eight points over the final 4 minutes. Kyle Korver, who made a tiebreaking 3-pointer in Chicago's opening 104-99 victory Saturday, connected from long range to make it 90-85 with just over a minute left.

The Pacers still wouldn't go away.

A.J. Price drew a foul on Rose and hit three free throws to get Indiana within two with 23.4 seconds remaining. But Luol Deng made two free throws, Mike Dunleavy missed a 3-point attempt at the other end and Ronnie Brewer hit two foul shots to help the Bulls hold on.

Chicago made its last 16 free throws to finish 27 for 34.

"Our play has to get better," said Rose, who powered the Bulls to an NBA-best 62-20 record in the regular season. "We have to be more smooth, more efficient, especially on the defensive end where we have to try a lot harder. But I feel like we're going to get things together pretty quickly."


Talk sports with Terry Pluto today at noon

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The Indians are off to their best start since 1999, the NFL Draft is about a week away and the Cavaliers are just beginning their draft preparations. We'll talk about those topics and more.

Terry Pluto use this new head shotTerry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

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

The Indians are off to their best start since 1999, the NFL Draft is about a week away and the Cavaliers are just beginning their draft preparations.  We'll talk about those topics and more.

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



Cleveland Cavaliers A.M. Links: GM Chris Grant on the team's future; summer league cancellation not good for Cavs

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GM Chris Grant is excited about the Cleveland Cavaliers future.

chris grant.JPGCavs GM Chris Grant.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were just  "turrible" at times during the season. Remember the 26-game losing streak and the blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers?

The Cavaliers, however, did manage to just some life at different times, especially late in the season, and that's one of the reasons why GM Chris Grant is excited about the future of the team.

The Cavaliers will have flexible contracts, two high draft picks (despite it being a luke warm draft) and a trade exception that the team plans to use.

Grant spoke about the future and other issues during a press conference on Monday at the team's practice facility.

We already know this isn't a great draft, and it didn't help that North Carolina's Harris Barnes decided to remain in school. Despite that news, Grant remains focused, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer.

"It's not something we can control," Grant said when asked if the talent pool was getting smaller. "What we can control are the guys who are ultimately in the draft and then try to figure out who that group is."

But the Cavaliers can have some control on how a player develops. Just because a player isn't a bona fide star now, doesn't mean he can't develop into one later. Grant pointed to the 2008 draft, when Russell Westbrook went fourth overall to the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder), writes Ohio.com's Jason Lloyd.

''People didn't really know who that guy was when he was in the draft, and now he's considered one of the top five or six point guards in the NBA,'' Grant said. ''You just don't know how it's going to play out. How it looks today may look totally
different three years from now. Our job is to identify those guys, find out as much as we can about them, do our research, do our work and then try to get as many of them as we possibly can.''

But Bob Finnan of The News-Herald writes that the Cavaliers just need two good players, especially since they get two lottery picks. And Grant said his philosophy is to draft the best available athletes who have character.

"Particularly when you're drafting high, you want to look for the best talent and human beings," he said. "The human being part is very important.

"We'd never pass on a star to fill a need, regardless of position."

 

Bad News

Due to a potential lockout, the NBA reportedly cancelled the Las Vegas Summer League. That isn't good news for the Cavaliers because it's young roster (and draft picks) can use all of the time on the court as possible. That's particularly good for rookies.

Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio writes:

The Vegas summer league, which typically features upwards of 20 teams, takes place during the second week of July. Rosters consist of rookies, free agents and younger members of the current team. Basically, the type of players who the Cavs need to spend the off-season evaluating.

That's especially true when you consider the Cavs have two lottery picks in the upcoming draft -- and three picks in the top 32. They also have a lot of key players who would be prime candidates to participate in summer league, from forwards Samardo Samuels, Luke Harangody and Alonzo Gee, to guards Christian Eyenga and Manny Harris, to center Semih Erden.

  

 

 

Cleveland Indians A.M. Links: What's on second? Game stories

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KC's Billy Butler caught off guard to help Tribe.

asdrubal-cabrera.jpgAsdrubal Cabrera

Maybe it wasn't the play of the game, but the play certainly helped the Cleveland Indians when KC's Billy Butler wandered off second base and was tagged out to end a potential rally.

The Tribe defeated the Royals 7-3 in 10 innings, but with the score tied 3-3 in the eighth inning, Alex Gordon reached first on a throwing error. Butler walked. On the next play, Matt LaPorta fielded a grounder and his throw to second base took a bounce to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Butler was called safe and Cabrera's throw to first base was too late.

So the Royals had the bases loaded with one out -- except that Butler thought he was out and wandered off the base toward the dugout, writes MLB.com reporter Dick Kaegel

"I didn't hear it [a safe call]. I don't say he didn't say it, but I didn't hear it," Butler said. "Obviously, if I hear it, I'm not going to come off of second. It's a tough play for me. It's something that just doesn't happen, you can't say it's a mistake, you can't say it was anything. It's just something that's a first for me."

Meanwhile, writes Kaegel, the shortstop noticed Butler leaving and called for Perez to toss him the ball.

"I saw he called safe. I tried to be quiet and call Raffy to throw me the ball. That's what I did." Cabrera said. "I saw Butler walking to the dugout and he threw me the ball."

Then he tagged Butler for the second out.

Butler stood in shock for a moment, but he knew the truth.

"I thought I was out, obviously," Butler said. "[West] said he bobbled it, but I didn't see it. But I was already off the base whenever he tagged me. I thought I was already out, I didn't know what was going on. I just thought it was a force out and we'd go on to the next hitter, but apparently that's not what Joe called."

So now the Royals had runners on first and third, and the inning ended on a foul out.

 

Game stories

Cleveland.com: Better late than never.

Ohio.com: Tribe is royal pain.

KC Star: Royals down in loss.

MLB.com: Four-run 10th.

 


Grete Waitz, nine-time New York City Marathon winner, dies

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Grete Waitz, the Norwegian runner who won nine New York City Marathons and the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, died Tuesday after a six-year battle with cancer.

oly_a_waitz_200.jpgGrete Waitz

OSLO, Norway -- Grete Waitz, the Norwegian runner who won nine New York City Marathons and the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, died Tuesday after a six-year battle with cancer. She was 57.

Helle Aanesen, the manager of the Active Against Cancer Foundation in Norway, said Waitz died early Tuesday at the Ulleval University Hospital in Oslo.

A former Oslo schoolteacher, Waitz won her first New York City Marathon in 1978, setting a world best in 2 hours, 32 minutes, 30 seconds in her first attempt at running the distance. She went on to win eight more times, with her last victory coming in 1988.

Grete Waitz won the London Marathon twice and gold at the 1983 worlds in addition to her nine New York City Marathon titles.
She won the London Marathon twice, in 1983 and '86, the Stockholm Marathon in 1988 and earned five titles at the world cross-country championships from 1978-81 and 1983.

Waitz also won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1983 world championships in Helsinki, Finland. A year later, she took second behind Joan Benoit in the first women's Olympic marathon.

Waitz competed at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics in the 1,500 meters, but missed the 1980 Moscow Games because of the American-led boycott.

"Grete is in my eyes one of the greatest Norwegian athletes of all time," Norwegian Athletics Federation president Svein Arne Hansen said. "Not only through her performances in the sport, but also as a role model for women in sports."

In a Twitter posting, marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe remembered Waitz as "an amazing champion and more amazing person."

Retired cyclist Lance Armstrong, who overcame testicular cancer to win the Tour de France seven times, called Waitz "a good friend and an incredible athlete" on his Twitter feed.

Aanesen said a private funeral ceremony is planned for next week, according to Waitz's wishes.

Waitz is survived by her husband Jack Waitz and her two brothers, Jan and Arild.

Waitz had never run a marathon when she started the New York City race in October 1978. Her husband had talked her into trying, but after about 18 miles she regretted it.

"I was hurting. I was mad. I was angry. I told Jack: 'Never again," Waitz recalled in 2008.

She broke the world record three more times: In New York in 1979 and '80 and in London in '83.

Waitz started undergoing cancer treatment in 2005 but rarely discussed her condition in public.

"That's not my personality," she said in November 2005. "I've always been a private person. ... I'll do that when I cross the finish line and win this race."

At the time she was optimistic she could conquer the disease.

"I'm crossing my fingers," she said. "I will beat it."

Like Waitz, Aanesen declined to specify which type of cancer she had.

"She didn't wish to put too much focus on herself and her disease, but hoped she could contribute in some way to help others," said Aanesen, who got to know Waitz through her work with the foundation.

"She was a fantastic and immensely successful sports practitioner and also a role model and pioneer in women's sports," Aanesen said. "She showed that women too can run longer distances than 1,000 meters."

Born in Oslo as Grete Andersen on Oct. 1, 1953, she trained and raced in her youth at Oslo's Bislett stadium, which raised a bronze statue in her honor in 1984.

Waitz received numerous other awards and honors for her achievements on and off the track.

In 2008, Norway's king bestowed upon her the prestigious Order of St. Olav for being a role model for female athletes. Last year, she received the International Olympic Committee's Women and Sport Award for Europe.

Waitz still holds the Norwegian records in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters.

 

No Madden curse - Browns Comment of the Day

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"I want Hillis on this cover so bad. I don't care about the Madden Curse honestly because the curse usually hits good teams that were good the year before and we all know how the Browns finished last year so there's really nothing to worry about. " - jazzflute582

hillis-runs-bills-horiz-jg.jpgCould Peyton Hillis be on the cover of Madden NFL 2012?

Browns running back Peyton Hillis is one step closer to being the cover player for the next edition of the Madden video game. Hillis is matched up with Eagles quarterback Michael Vick in the finals.

However, some fans aren't so sure about voting for Hillis, citing the Madden Curse. Players like Daunte Culpepper, Troy Polamalu and Shaun Alexander all suffered injuries or disappointing seasons after appearing on the cover.

The so-called curse is hogwash to fans like jazzflute582, who writes,

"I want Hillis on this cover so bad. I don't care about the Madden Curse honestly because the curse usually hits good teams that were good the year before and we all know how the Browns finished last year so there's really nothing to worry about. So if Hillis gets onto the cover, what's going to happen? The team goes 5-11 again? What's new? Madden Curse + Cleveland Curse= No More Curse. And one more thing. About all the injuries that occur to those on the madden cover, anyone remember 07 or 08 (whichever year) when Tom Brady blew out his knee in the first quarter of the first game? He wasn't on the cover the year before. My point is, big name players, no name players it doesnt matter. Football players get hurt. It's not flag football."

Did you vote for Hillis yet? More importantly, would Hillis on the cover make you more likely to buy Madden '12? Get in on the discussion in the comments section below.


Cleveland Indians: How many wins by June 1? Poll

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How many wins will the Tribe have after June 1?

Manny ActaCleveland Indians manager Manny Acta.

The Cleveland Indians are on a roll. The Indians are 12-4 and in first place in the division, but how long will this last?

We should know for sure if this is for real or all a dream by June 1. The Tribe will have 56 games in after they complete their series with Toronto on June 1. So after that game, how many wins will the Tribe have?

 

University of Massachusetts football to join Mid-American Conference, sources say

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MAC and UMass administrators are expected to hold a joint news conference Wednesday to announce the arrival of the Minutemen, beginning in 2012.

umasslogo.jpgThe University of Massachusetts will join the Mid-American Conference for football starting in the 2012 season, according to sources.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The University of Massachusetts will be joining the Mid-American Conference for football only, according to sources within the league.

This ends months of speculation and MAC and UMass administrators are expected to hold a joint news conference Wednesday to announce the arrival of the Minutemen.

However, while UMass will begin MAC football play in 2012 it will not be eligible for a MAC title or bowl opportunities until 2013.

The Minutemen will give the league two "football only" members with UMass joining Temple, and expanding the league to 14 members in football. This is expected to be an open-ended deal with both teams. While UMass will not be joining the MAC in any other sport, like the Owls it will be obligated to play two home and two road basketball games with MAC men's and women's teams every season.

This move will give the MAC two, seven-team divisions. How those divisions will be divided will be a topic for discussion in the upcoming league meetings in May. The most likely move will be Bowling Green back to the MAC West, where the Falcons would be paired again with their natural rival, Toledo.

But there has also been some discussion of going to North and South Divisions, which could see several MAC teams have different division partners than in the past.

Good draft, bad draft? Cavs should still improve - Comment of the Day

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"I doubt the Cavs will land any HOF players in this draft, but there is the potential to find a couple of All-Stars. Grant, with the little I've seen so far, has show an ability to improve this team so I'm comfortable letting him make the selections whomever they might be." - Sorry, but you're wrong

kyrie-irving-duke.jpgDuke point guard Kyrie Irving could be the No.1 pick in the draft.
Cavaliers GM Chris Grant met with the media on Monday and said he was excited about the Cavaliers' future. That future begins on May 17 when the team finds out where it will be picking in the NBA Draft.

Cavs fans like Sorry but you're wrong have faith in Grant.

"I doubt the Cavs will land any HOF players in this draft, but there is the potential to find a couple of All-Stars. Grant, with the little I've seen so far, has show an ability to improve this team so I'm comfortable letting him make the selections whomever they might be. I still think it'll take more than one draft to address all our needs so next years draft will be just as important as this years draft, and depending on the duration of the lockout could have us drafting in the same position. That's a lot of young talent to look forward to."
What should the Cavs do in the draft? Join the discussion below in the comments section.


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