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Charles Barkley says he's sure he's had gay teammates . . . and doesn't care

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NBA analyst Charles Barkley says he's sure he's played on teams with gay players . . . and couldn't care less about their sexual orientation.

charles-barkley-ap.JPGView full sizeCharles Barkley says he's sure he's played on NBA teams with gay athletes. He also says, "So what?" Ability should count more than sexual orientation, he says.

Charles Barkley is a turrible golfer, just turrible ... but he's become a breath of fresh air in the sports broadcasting world.

And it's because of his candor in saying things like what he told the Washington Post's Mike Wise while taping Wise's radio show: that he he's sure he's had gay teammates on at least two of his NBA teams.

The interview came in the wake of Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts coming out recently in a story in the New York Times.

From Wise:

Fears of feeling uncomfortable in the shower or the dressing areas, Barkley said, are unfounded in his experience.

“A guy is never going to put himself in that situation in a professional locker room,” Barkley said. “It never crossed my mind, and I never felt any different about the guy.”

Also weary of the perception that a majority of straight male athletes are intensely homophobic, Barkley said gay players pose no problem, adding, “Man, we need to outlaw guys who suck at sports.”

“I really like ESPN,” Barkley added. “They do a great job. But like once every two or three months, they bring all these people on there, and they tell me how me and my team are going to respond to a gay guy.

“First of all, every player has played with gay guys. It bothers me when I hear these reporters and jocks get on TV and say, ‘Oh, no guy can come out in a team sport. These guys would go crazy.’ First of all, quit telling me what I think. I’d rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can’t play."
Two of many things we like about this: One is Barkley's dismissal of orientation as an issue and putting ability in the lead role. The second is that Barkley didn't name any names. If a player or former player wants to come out, it should be his decision, not something decided by someone else.

We'll laugh uproariously every time Barkley swings a golf club, but we do so without malice. And we applaud his honesty and willingness to address the 800-pound canary in the room.







Pittsburgh Steelers have the best looking helmet? Poll

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have the number one helmet.

aphelmet.jpgWhich NFL helmet looks better than this one?

James Walker, AFC North blogger for ESPN, is one of the best reporters when it comes to the National Football League.


But even one of the best has the right to be wrong.


Walker and ESPN's Power Rankings crew say (it's even hard to type) the Pittsburgh Steelers have the best-looking helmet in the NFL.


Click laugh track here.


Walker explains that the Steelers' helmet has a combination of solid colors, symbolism and uniqueness. The Steelers also are the only NFL team with the helmet logo on one side.


Ho hum


When it comes to the Browns, Walker writes:




It's also worthy to note the Cleveland Browns registered their first top-10 finish in this year's Power Rankings series. The Browns' helmet ranked No. 8 in the NFL. I did not vote for the Browns and actually feel their helmet is one of the worst in the league. But, again, the voting really came down to personal tastes.


So which team really has the best-looking helmet?


 









St. Ignatius tight end Blake Thomas commits to Ohio State

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - St. Ignatius junior tight end Blake Thomas gave his oral commitment to Ohio State on Monday. The 6-4, 240-pounder received a scholarship offer from OSU late last week and picked the Buckeyes over Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville and Virginia.

St. Ignatius tight end Blake Thomas chose the Buckeyes over Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville and Virginia. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - St. Ignatius junior tight end Blake Thomas gave his oral commitment to Ohio State on Monday.

The 6-4, 240-pounder received a scholarship offer from OSU late last week and picked the Buckeyes over Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville and Virginia.

In 10 games last fall, he caught 24 passes for 256 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Thomas is the seventh commitment for OSU's 2012 class, joining St. Edward offensive tackle Kyle Kalis, among other players.

Thomas plans on majoring in pre-dental.

Cavaliers can find good rotation players - Comment of the Day

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"Doesn't appear that, even with the ping pong balls bouncing the right way, there are the impact players available to turn things right around. But if they can get two future rotation players out of the deal, or even trading chips, then it'll be a step in the right direction." - tiredofitall

gilbert-horiz-fistraised-ap.jpgView full sizeDan Gilbert may not get his franchise player in this draft, but there are some valuable pieces to be had.

In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers A.M. Links: Making history; Franchise player? Not impressed, cleveland.com reader tiredofitall thinks the Cavaliers can at least get good rotation players in this draft. This reader writes,

"Doesn't appear that, even with the ping pong balls bouncing the right way, there are the impact players available to turn things right around. But if they can get two future rotation players out of the deal, or even trading chips, then it'll be a step in the right direction."

To respond to tiredofitall's comment, go here.

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

McCoy difficult to judge because of talent around him - Browns Comment of the Day

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"The Browns need a season with a better right tackle than John St. Clair, a better second running back than Mike Bell and better wide receiver options than Robiskie, Stuckey and Cribbs before they have any clue what they have in McCoy." - Joe1970KnowsFootball

Cleveland Browns lose to Ravens, 20-10View full sizeThere are still plenty of questions about Colt McCoy, but improved talent around him could help answer them more accurately.

In response to the story From a distance, Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur is pleased by 'Camp Colt', cleveland.com reader Joe1970KnowsFootball doesn't think it's fair to judge Colt McCoy until the talent around him improves. This reader writes,

"The Browns need a season with a better right tackle than John St. Clair, a better second running back than Mike Bell and better wide receiver options than Robiskie, Stuckey and Cribbs before they have any clue what they have in McCoy."

To respond to Joe1970KnowsFootball's comment, go here.

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

Brush girls basketball coach Chuck Collins' contract will not be renewed, school says

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LYNDHURST, Ohio - Despite leading Brush's girls basketball team to a pair of Division I regional appearances and a Northeast Ohio Conference River Division title in two seasons, Chuck Collins has been informed his supplemental contract will not be renewed. "We're very pleased in the fact that Chuck took our program to the regionals twice but we're looking to...

LYNDHURST, Ohio - Despite leading Brush's girls basketball team to a pair of Division I regional appearances and a Northeast Ohio Conference River Division title in two seasons, Chuck Collins has been informed his supplemental contract will not be renewed.

"We're very pleased in the fact that Chuck took our program to the regionals twice but we're looking to go into another direction," said Athletic Director Mike Murphy, who would not elaborate.

Supplemental contracts are renewable at the end of each school year, and coaches need to reapply.

"I don't know if Chuck was planning on reapplying, but we're reposting the position and have already told Chuck he would not be renewed," said Murphy.

Collins posted a 32-19 record, including a 12-14 mark this past season, which was a rebuilding one for the Arcs. Collins, who will remain at the school as a study hall monitor, declined to comment.

Ask the Pro: How to avoid swinging over the top of the golf ball

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This week, PGA Master Professional Bob Bourne of StoneWater Golf Club demonstrates how to avoid swinging over the top of the ball. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Local pros solve your golf problems in a weekly instruction video with Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw and videographer David I. Andersen.

This week, PGA Master Professional Bob Bourne of StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights demonstrates how to avoid swinging over the top of the ball.

Need help with your game? Explain your problem to golf@plaind.com in an email. We will select one each week. All the videos dating back to 2010 are archived.

Ohio State to host Duke in basketball's ACC/Big Ten Challenge

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The Blue Devils haven't played in Columbus in 47 years.

sullinger-vert-ill-tisdale-ap.jpgOhio State's Jared Sullinger will lead the Buckeyes against Duke in an ACC/Big Ten Challenge game in Columbus on Nov. 29.

Ohio State will host Duke in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Tuesday, Nov. 29, in a matchup of teams expected to be ranked in the top five in the preseason polls.

This is the second matchup between the schools in the 13-year history of the Challenge, which was won by the ACC for the first 10 years and by the Big Ten for the last two years. Duke hosted and beat Ohio State 91-76 in 2002.

It's the first glamour matchup in the Challenge for the Buckeyes since playing North Carolina in consecutive years in 2006 and 2007. The last three seasons Ohio State beat Florida State twice and Miami once.

The game will fall three days after Ohio State football finishes the regular season at Michigan and four days before the first Big Ten football championship game in Indianapolis on Dec. 3.

Duke leads the all-time series 3-2, and the Blue Devils' only previous trip to Columbus was a double overtime win over the Buckeyes in 1964.

Duke will feature freshman Austin Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers who is generally ranked as the No. 1 player in this class. The Buckeyes are bringing back sophomore big man Jared Sullinger, senior wing William Buford and sophomore point guard Aaron Craft. 

 


Indians go for 2-game sweep of Kansas City tonight

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Carlos Carrasco takes the mound tonight for the Indians in Kansas City.

carlos-carrasco-gray.JPGView full sizeCarlos Carrasco is 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA in 6 starts this season.

(AP) -- The Cleveland Indians have had little trouble scoring runs against the Kansas City Royals this season.

Coming off their most productive offensive effort in two years, the Indians look for a fifth consecutive win over the Royals and a sweep of the two-game set at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night.

After its last two games with Seattle were postponed due to rain, Cleveland (25-13) eagerly returned to action and scored 10 runs in the fourth inning of Monday's 19-1 win over Kansas City.

Michael Brantley hit a three-run homer and Travis Hafner added a bases-loaded double in the frame to mark the second time this season the AL Central-leading Indians scored 10 runs in an inning. Brantley and Matt LaPorta each had four RBIs during the Indians' biggest outburst since scoring 22 runs at New York on April 18, 2009.

"On those days when the pitchers are not on top of their game, these guys can really work a number on them," Indians manager Manny Acta said.

Cleveland has hit .328 and averaged 7.9 runs while going 6-2 against the Royals (20-20) this season, and outscored them 43-9 during its four-game winning streak in the series.

The Indians broke out hours after they placed star Grady Sizemore on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised knee. The club does not believe the injury is serious for Sizemore, batting .282 with six homers with 11 RBIs in 33 games.

"The good news is the extent of it is extremely mild," team trainer Lonnie Solooff said. "So we're hopeful the amount of time disabled is on the short end of 15 days."

Brantley, Sizemore's replacement in center field, is 8 for 20 with three homers and eight RBIs his last five games. He's a lifetime .316 hitter versus Kansas City.

Hafner has hit .371 with 13 RBIs in his last 21 games.

Cleveland was originally scheduled to face Vin Mazzaro on Tuesday, but the right-hander was used in relief in the opener and charged with 14 runs in 2 1-3 innings to become the third major league pitcher since 1947 to allow that many runs in a game. He was immediately sent down to Triple-A Omaha after the contest.

"It's tough. It was a tough game," Mazzaro said. "It's a funny game. You've just got to keep battling."

Cleveland will now face Sean O'Sullivan (2-2, 3.79 ERA), who is 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA in five starts this season.

The right-hander is 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA in three starts versus Cleveland, but allowed two runs and struck out six in six innings before leaving without a decision in a 3-2 loss to the Indians on April 21.

O'Sullivan picked up a win Thursday after he gave up four runs in 6 2-3 innings of an 11-5 win at Yankee Stadium.

Cleveland counters with Carlos Carrasco (1-2, 5.29), who looks to bounce back after he surrendered four runs in five innings of an 8-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Wednesday that snapped the Indians' 14-game home winning streak.

The right-hander was more effective when he gave up three runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 7-3, 10-inning win at Kansas City on April 18. Carrasco is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three starts against the Royals.

Big Ten meetings updates on Ohio State, Jim Tressel and Thad Matta

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Asked about Ohio State's NCAA violations, Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez said, "I'm not going there."

 

barry-alvarez.jpgWisconsin AD Barry Alvarez said the conference bosses talked Tuesday about adding a ninth conference football game.

CHICAGO - Notes from the Big Ten meetings so far, with the conference athletic directors, football coaches and basketball coaches gathering for two days in Chicago.

* The morning session ran so long, there was little time to talk during lunch. Coaches were expected to be out of their first session by noon and then be ready for another session at 1 p.m, but the first session ran right into the first, sending coaches scrambling to carry sandwiches up the stairs and into their next meeting.

* The possibility of adding a ninth conference football game was a major topic of the morning, but in talking briefly with Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez and Iowa athletic director Gary Barta, nothing was close to resolved. Barta said the issue is not divided among schools with large stadiums, who may want to stay at eight conference games and retain an extra nonconference home game to make more money, and schools with smaller stadiums that may want the extra conference game to avoid having to shell out money to pay an extra nonconference opponent. He said there are just a lot of ideas on the table.
 
The idea of some teams playing five home games and others playing four home games in the same year, potentially upsetting the competitive balance of the league, remains an issue. But it seems like this is something that will happen eventually.

* Neither basketball head coach is here for Ohio State. Assistant Dave Dickerson is here for men's coach Thad Matta, and an OSU spokesperson said that Matta is trying to rest as much as possible this summer, and there's no particular reason for his absence. Matta constantly fights a painful back condition that has required surgery. Women's coach Jim Foster is also not here, but both OSU athletic director Gene Smith and football coach Jim Tressel are in attendance.

* As you may have heard, Tressel and the Ohio State football program are facing NCAA sanctions. The rest of the Big Ten has heard about it, too. Asked if the violations of a program like Ohio State are a mark against the league, Alvarez said, "You need to talk to Ohio State about that. I'm not going there."

Barta said the Ohio State situation has caused him to remind his coaches at Iowa about staying within NCAA rules.

"We're not sitting in meetings talking about one particular institution’s specific compliance problems, he said. "As I look around the country, not talking about any institution in particular, it's no secret to say that in the last six months, college athletics, football and basketball, have taken some public relations hits."

* Check later for more updates. Coaches and athletic directors are expected to be available for comment after their latest meetings end before dinner. The meetings will then resume Wednesday morning.

OHSAA competitive balance results: Ohio high school principals defeat referendum seeking to help level playing field between private, public schools

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - It's back to square one for proponents of revised high school playoffs after a statewide measure failed. Principals voted 332-303 (52-48 percent) to defeat a "competitive balance" referendum that would have changed how schools are aligned in playoff divisions in several sports, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - It's back to square one for proponents of revised high school playoffs after a statewide measure failed.

Principals voted 332-303 (52-48 percent) to defeat a "competitive balance" referendum that would have changed how schools are aligned in playoff divisions in several sports, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday.

The OHSAA has 827 members, meaning 192 schools did not return a ballot voting on competitive balance, or any of the other 14 referendums. But that's not uncommon. In fact, this was the highest response rate (77.9 percent) since 78.1 percent voted in 2005.

The competitive balance referendum was designed to help level the playing field between public and private schools, the OHSAA said, while taking into consideration open enrollment for all schools, the traditional success of programs, and socioeconomic factors.

"Our Board of Directors will have to provide direction on whether to reconvene the OHSAA Competitive Balance Committee to review other 'competitive balance' options, so I cannot speculate on whether or not that possibility exists," OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross said in a statement.

"At the same time, we're also hearing that discussions to file a petition may be taking place by some member schools that are seeking to separate our tournaments totally between public schools and non-public schools. Again, whether that occurs or not, it's too early to tell."

The OHSAA said in order for the latter scenario to take place, a petition must be signed by 75 principals, including a minimum of five principals within each of the six OHSAA athletic districts, and submitted to the OHSAA between August 1 and December 1. Voting on an issue would take place next May.

Two such issues to separate the tournaments failed in both 1978 (83.9 percent to 16.1 percent, or 637 to 122) and 1993 (66.8 percent to 32.3 percent, or 482 to 240), the OHSAA said.

It's not unusual to have a lot of unreturned ballots on May referendums. In 2010, 587 schools voted. In 2009, 559 schools returned ballots.

Fourteen of the 15 issues up for a vote passed.

About 17 percent of the OHSAA schools are private, and the current proposal followed a study that showed 43 percent (146 of 340) of the state championships in selected team sports between 1999 and 2010 were won by private schools.

The OHSAA's 827 member principals from public and private high schools used mail-in ballots to vote between May 1 and Sunday. A majority was needed to pass.

The referendum would have changed the way teams are assigned to divisions in football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. Using a unique formula developed by a competitive balance committee that studied the issue from several approaches, the basis of the proposal was a three-part equation: enrollment, plus boundary factor (how students are obtained), plus tradition factor (regional and state success), minus socioeconomic factor (the number of free lunches) equals "athletic count." That new number would have been the sport's enrollment figure used to assign it to its division with like schools.

The selling point for many public-school voters was it could have bumped some private schools up to higher divisions, which they believed would have dampened the advantages private schools have in drawing student-athletes from across a region.

In interviews during the voting period, several principals in favor of a public-private playoff split said while the proposal didn't go far enough, it was a step in the right direction. Others were adamant that they wanted a public-private split instead of this formula.

Many voiced concerns about the tradition factor "punishing" teams for being successful. They worried about the cyclical nature of programs where a good group of athletes achieve state-level success, forcing the team to move up a division, but the next few classes might have less talent and then be saddled with the additional burden of competing in a higher division.

Others said the proposal amounted to a reshuffling of the deck, moving successful private schools around, but not leveling the playing field.

Principals at Division I schools noted the proposal would do nothing but make their division more difficult by moving Division II powers up to Division I.

Read more about the voting results in Wednesday's Plain Dealer and cleveland.com/hssports online.

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

 

 

Former Cavs coach Mike Brown among candidates to take over Pacers

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Former Cavs coach Mike Brown is among three on Indiana boss Larry Bird's short list to coach the Pacers.

mike-brown-gunter.JPGView full sizeFormer Cavs coach Mike Brown, who was coach of the year in 2009, is among the candidates for the Indiana Pacers head coaching job. Brown was an assistant in Indiana early in his career.


Indianapolis -- Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird said interim coach Frank Vogel, Mike Brown and Rick Adelman are among candidates he wants to talk to about filling the head coaching position.

Bird said Vogel is the front-runner. He took over at midseason when the Pacers fired Jim O'Brien, finished the regular season with a 20-18 record and led the team to the playoffs.

But he made no guarantees.

"A lot of people out there feel like Frank's probably going to get the job, but it's a process," Bird said Tuesday. "We want to do everything we can possibly do to get the right guy in."

Brown, a former Pacers assistant, led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals and was NBA coach of the year in 2009.

"I like Mike," Bird said. "Mike did an excellent job when he was here, a fantastic job in Cleveland. We have other guys in mind, also."

Adelman was interviewed the last time the Pacers had an opening. He went 193-135 in four seasons with the Houston Rockets before leaving the team last month. He ranks eighth in NBA history in wins with a career record of 945-616.

"I'll probably make a call, just to see where he's at," Bird said. "I hear the (Los Angeles) Lakers are interested in him. Rick's a very good coach. He's an easygoing guy that gets a lot out of his players."

Bird said Adelman performed well in Houston even though Yao Ming, the team's star, was out of action for much of his tenure.

"I like Rick," Bird said. "He had so many injuries down there, and he still won a lot of games."

Bird said the 37-year-old Vogel proved he can lead a team.

"He was put in a tough position and he did well," Bird said. "I saw some progress with our team. Especially when they made the playoffs, I think they did an excellent job of competing."

No matter who takes over, expectations will be high. The Pacers made the playoffs last season after missing the postseason the previous four years. Now, with a good young nucleus and a lot of money available for free agency, Bird wants more than a first-round playoff exit.

"When you win 37 games, that's not success," Bird said. "But you've got to look at your team and see where we're going and how much development we have out of our young guys. We are in a good position now, so we've got to take full advantage of it."


Cleveland Browns fire 12-year employee Jerry Butler, former coach and director of player development

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The club said the move had nothing to do with the owners lockout and Butler will be replaced.


butler-jerry-bio.jpgView full sizeJerry Butler had worked as a coach and in the front office for the Browns from their return to the NFL in 1999 to his dismissal this month.

Updated with more reaction at 6:45 p.m.

BEREA, Ohio -- A Browns club official confirmed the dismissal of Jerry Butler, a former NFL player and coach who had been the director of player development the past 10 years.

Butler had been with the Browns since their rebirth as an expansion team in 1999. He coached receivers his first two seasons and then moved to the office of player development in 2001, which he headed for the next 10 years.

In that role, Butler assisted players and their families by creating a career development program to help them transition into and out of professional football. Players relied on Butler's programs for financial education, career internships and the pursuit of college degrees.

On his official Twitter page, cornerback Eric Wright wrote, "We all understand that things change and business isn't always fair but the Browns fired one of the best guys in that building in Jerry Butler."

Browns spokesman Neil Gulkis said the move had nothing to do with the lockout and Butler will be replaced.

When he learned of the news, linebacker Scott Fujita wrote on his Twitter account: "It's a shame.

"Of all the teams I've played for, Jerry Butler is the best I've seen in that position.

"True professional & a valuable resource for players. He'll be missed at work, but will remain a friend to us all."

Before joining the Browns, Butler worked six years in player development and alumni relations with the Buffalo Bills. He was a receiver for eight seasons with the Bills and made the Pro Bowl in 1980.
 

Cleveland Indians minor leaguer John Drennen hit with 50-game suspension for using banned substance

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Indians minor league outfielder slapped with 50-game suspension.

drennen-mug-tribe.jpgView full sizeAeros outfielder John Drennen will miss 50 games after violating the minor-league drug policy.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Indians minor-league outfielder John Drennen has been suspended for 50 games for testing positive for the banned substance Clomphene.

Drennen was playing at Class AA Akron. His suspension begins immediately.

The left-handed hitting Drennen was the 33rd player taken overall in the 2005 draft. The Indians selected him as a compensation pick between the first and second round.

Clomiphene is a female fertility drug used to start ovulation.

Drennen was hitting .256 (30-for-117) with nine doubles, two triples, three homers and 15 RBI at Akron.

Indians still in need of power from the right side - Comment of the Day

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"I like Buck, but I am not sure his left handed bat fits in this lineup. If we are still in contention come July, I think we will be in the market for a right handed power bat. This lineup has been good, but we need another solid RH bat to be great." - alabmadogpnd

buck.jpgTravis Buck is getting another chance with the Indians, but they already have plenty of left-handed hitters.

In response to the story Second chance a welcome opportunity for Travis Buck with Sizemore on DL: Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader alabmadogpnd thinks the Indians need some more right-handed pop to really contend. This reader writes,

"I like Buck, but I am not sure his left handed bat fits in this lineup. If we are still in contention come July, I think we will be in the market for a right handed power bat. This lineup has been good, but we need another solid RH bat to be great."

To respond to alabmadogpnd's comment, go here.

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


KC makes repairs to pitching staff: Cleveland Indians daily briefing

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Travis Buck felt bad for former teammate Vin Mazzaro as the Indians pounded him for 14 runs on 11 hits in 2 1/3 innings.

brantley-homer-royals-vert-ap.jpgMichael Brantley's three-run homer Monday night was the final hit in the Indians 10-run fourth inning at the expense of Royals pitcher Vin Mazzaro.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After what the Indians did to their pitching staff in Monday's 19-1 victory, Kansas City needed some new arms. They started to arrive on Tuesday.

John Mazzaro, scheduled to start Tuesday, but forced into action Monday when starter Kyle Davies left in the first inning with right shoulder injury, was optioned to Class AAA Omaha after the game. Left-hander Everett Teaford was recalled from Omaha to replace him.

On Tuesday the Royals announced that prospect Danny Duffy will make his big league debut Wednesday against Alexi Ogando of Texas. Duffy is one of the prospects that has made the Royals farm system the talk of baseball.

The Royals are expected to place Davies on the disabled list to make room for Duffy.

Mazzaro allowed 14 runs in 2 1/3 innings. Those are the most runs allowed by a Royals pitcher in franchise history. Mazzaro is the first pitcher in the modern era, according to Elias Sports Bureau, to allow 14 or more runs in fewer than three innings. The modern era begins in 1900.

The last pitcher to allow 14 or more runs in fewer than three innings, according to SABR, was Ed Doheny of the New York Giants on June 29, 1899. Doheny allowed 17 in 2 2/3 innings.

Indians outfielder Travis Buck, a teammate of Mazzaro's in Oakland, felt bad for him.

"I was in left field and I saw him running out to the bullpen in the bottom of the first inning," said Mazzaro. "I talked to him a little bit. You could tell he wasn't expecting it. Mentally, he probably wasn't prepared.

"I know what he's capable of doing. I could tell Monday that he didn't have his best stuff. I feel bad for him. That the thing about this game. You never know. You got to always be prepared. I'm sure he'll take that as a learning experience.

"He'll definitely be back for them soon."

He's an All-Star: Manager Manny Acta has been picked to be a coach on the AL All-Star game at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz., on July 12.

AL manager Ron Washington asked Acta in spring training. First-year Toronto manager John Farrell, a former Indians pitcher and farm director, was also picked by Washington as a coach.

The Indians were playing Texas in spring training when Acta walked into his office and found Washington waiting for him.

"The last thing on your mind in spring training is the All-Star game," said Acta. "I thought he wanted to talk to me about a player. I was shocked when he asked me and got all teary eyed.

"At that point I don't think he realized what it meant to me. He kept asking me, "Are you sure you don't want to get your three days off?' I'm like, "Oh, my, God, this guy doesn't know what this means to me.' Like I'm going to say "You know what Ronnie, I'm going to take those three days off.'"

The tough part was keeping it a secret. He told his wife, but not too many other people. His parents found out Tuesday.

"It was hard to keep it inside," said Acta. "I wanted to get out of that office and jump around and tell the world that I was going to the All-Star game. But I gave him my word I'd keep my mouth shut until today."

Acta said going to the All-Star game as a coach or manager has been a goal of his.

Minor leaguer suspended: Indians minor-league outfielder John Drennen has been suspended for 50 games for testing positive for the banned substance Clomiphene.

Drennen was playing at Class AA Akron. His suspension begins immediately.

The left-handed hitting Drennen was the 33rd player taken overall in the 2005 draft. The Indians selected him as a compensation pick between the first and second round.

Clomiphene is a female fertility drug used to start ovulation.

Drennen was hitting .256 (30-for-117) with nine doubles, two triples, three homers and 15 RBI for Akron.

Ross Atkins, director of player development for the Indians, released this statement, "The Cleveland Indians strongly support Major League Baseball's Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. In addition to this support, we continue to implement an aggressive educational program at all levels of the organization. We want our players to be aware of the dangers of these substances and will continue to be vigilant in these matters."

Tonight's lineups:

Indians (25-13): CF Michael Brantley (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), C Carlos Santana, DH Travis Hafner (L), 2B Orlando Cabrera (R), Travis Buck (L), 1B Matt LaPorta, 3B Jack Hannahan, RHP Carlos Carrasco (1-2, 5.29).

Royals (20-20): 2B Mike Aviles (R), CF Melky Cabrera (S), LF Alex Gordon (L), DH Billy Butler (R), RF Jeff Francoeur (R), 1B Eric Hosman (.241, 2, 5), 3B Wilson Betemit (S), C Matt Treanor (R), SS Alcides Escobar (R), RHP Sean O'Sullivan (2-2, 3.79).

Him vs. me: LaPorta is 2-for-6 with a homer and four RBI against O'Sullivan. No one else in the Indians lineup has more than one hit against him.

Billy Butler is 5-for-8 with a homer against Carrasco.

Left vs. right: Lefties are hitting .358 (24-for-67) and righties are hitting .230 (14-for-61) with one homer against Carrasco. The Royals have two lefties and two switch hitters in the lineup.

Lefties are hitting .195 (15-for-77) with two homers and righties are hitting .278 (15-for-54) against O'Sullivan. The Indians have two righties and two switch-hitters in the lineup.

Quote of the day: "It (not talking to the media from 1974 through the end of his career) was perfect for me at the time. It took me two years to make up my mind. I was tired of getting slammed. To me it was a slap in the face. But it [his silence] made me concentrate better. And the irony is that they wrote better without access to my quotes. It's all quotes, anyway, and it all sounds the same to me. After that they wrote better and more interesting stuff. I took it personal. I got slammed quite a bit. To pick up the paper and read about yourself getting slammed, that doesn't start your day off right," Hall of Famer Steve Carlton on why he stopped talking to the media.

Umpires: H Chris Guccione, 1B Mike Winters, 2B Mike Muchlinski, 3B Mark Wegner. Winters, crew chief.

Next: RHP Justin Masterson (5-1, 2.73) vs. RHP Jake Peavy (0-0, 6.00) Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field as Indians open two-game series against White Sox. STO and WTAM/1100 will carry the game.

 

Area juniors get a chance to shine at IJGT tourney at Fowler's Mill: NE Ohio Golf Insider

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This weekend's event will send winners to a tournament of champions in Orlando later this month.

fowlers-mill-horiz-to.jpgView full sizeChesterland's Fowler's Mill Golf Course will host an International Junior Golf Tour event for boys and girls this weekend.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Another significant junior golf tour has decided to make a stop in the Cleveland area.

The International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) will conduct a 36-hole stroke play event for boys and girls at Fowler's Mill Golf Club in Chesterland on Saturday and Sunday.

The event will be conducted on Fowler's Lake and River nines for boys and girls ages 15 to 19 and boys under 14.

Tournament promoters say the event will be ranked by Golfweek and Junior Golf Scoreboard. The champion in each age division will receive an invitation to the IJGT Tournament of Champions at Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando at the end of May.

The IJGT event joins an already impressive list of junior events in the area. The Hudson Junior Invitational takes place June 14-15, followed by the Cleveland Junior Open at Red Tail in Avon (June 21-22) and the prestigious Ohio Juniors at Windmill Lakes June 28-29.

Partners for Patriots: Clearview pro Renee Powell and the PGA of America are working together to create an organization to aid female veterans who have been injured or dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. It is called H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere).

"Our Clearview H.O.P.E. is a part of the new PGA initiative and it's only the second golf program of its kind for women veterans in the country," said Powell. "There are a number of golf programs that have been established for veterans but none solely for female veterans."

The five-week program at Clearview will be conducted Fridays in July beginning at 5:30 p.m. The deadline for registering for the clinic at Firestone is May 25. For more information contact Sandy Hollis at the Louis Stokes V.A. Clinic at 330-489-4600, ext. 1601.

Heading south: Local Northern Ohio Golf Association professionals Tom Atchison (Congress Lake), Mitch Camp (Walden) and Tom Herzan (Findlay) have entered the 72nd annual Senior PGA Championship, to be held next week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., site of the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Tom Lehman is the defending champion, having won last year at the Colorado Golf Club. The event has added significance in that former Tour pro Ken Green, who lost the lower part of his right leg in a horrific recreational vehicle accident that took the life of his brother, girlfriend and his dog in 2009, is expected to compete.

Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA draft lottery, get the first and fourth selections next month

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Cavaliers' deal with Clippers at the trade deadline pays off with the top selection.

nba-draft-machine.jpgView full sizeThe Cavaliers received the xxx and the xxx selections in next month's NBA draft.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers finished with the first and fourth choices in the first round of next month's NBA draft following Tuesday's draft lottery held in Secaucas, N.J.

The Cavaliers benefited from their deal with the Los Angeles Clippers that sent Mo Williams to the Clippers and Baron Davis and a first-round pick to the Cavaliers, as that was the pick that was rewarded by the ping-pong balls and moved into the top three selections. The Cavaliers' own selection, which held the second-best chance (19.8 percent) for the No. 1 pick, was bumped to the fourth spot when Utah also moved into the top three.

Minnesota (25 percent), the Jazz and the Cavaliers had to wait for the final reveal.

Here is the draft order for the first 14 selections:

1. Cleveland

2. Minnesota.

3. Utah.

4. Cleveland.

5. Toronto.

6. Washington.

7. Sacramento.

8. Detroit.

9. Charlotte.

10. Milwaukee.

11. Golden State.

12. Utah.

13. Phoenix.

14. Houston.

The Cavaliers were represented on the stage during the broadcast by Nick Gilbert, the 14-year-old son of team owner Dan Gilbert.

Both the Cavaliers and the Utah Jazz have two selections among the top 14, thanks to mid-season trades.

NBA mock drafts 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers take (7 of 7 say) Kyrie Irving, and at No. 4, Cavs take?

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With the fourth pick, do the Cavs go big, or for perimeter scoring, or for a "tweener?" Do they make a trade?

enes-kanter.jpgEnes Kanter is regarded by many talent experts as the best big man in the NBA draft.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In its own way, the 2011 NBA Draft is more interesting for Cleveland Cavaliers fans than the last one in which they owned the first pick.


Eight years ago, it was a foregone conclusion that the Cavs would select Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School forward LeBron James. There would have been a public revolt for them to do otherwise.


Cleveland fans understand that a player of James' skill level (although dubious intangibles) doesn't come along often.


Yet now, compared to the interim between the 2003 lottery and the draft itself, there's the intriguing matter of, "WHO WILL THE CAVALIERS PICK?"


Numerous websites have updated their mock drafts in the aftermath of Tuesday night's draft lottery, from which the Cavaliers stunningly came away with the first and fourth overall picks.


The consensus is that Cleveland will take Duke point guard Kyrie Irving at No. 1. There will be numerous options at No. 4, and the mock drafts reflect that.


Let's look at the new mock drafts.


And, remember the Plain Dealer and cleveland.com's Cavaliers coverage, including beat writer Mary Schmitt Boyer's on-site report on the draft lottery from Secaucus, N.J.; columnist Terry Pluto's commentary on the Cavs' lottery win; much more, including videos. 


The DraftExpress.com mock draft, on Yahoo! Sports, predicts that the Cavaliers will select Kyrie Irving, and comments:




The lottery couldn't have gone any better for the second-worst team in the NBA this past season, as the Cavs have the ability to add the best player in the draft in Kyrie Irving and still select another top prospect just three picks later. Irving fills the biggest need Cleveland has and gives it a marquee player to build around on and off the court in the wake of LeBron James' departure. It seems to be a near-certainty that Irving will be the pick here.


 


There is no mock draft consensus on what the Cavs will do with their second pick, the fourth overall.


Center Enes Kanter is one of the candidates for that slot. Kanter was ready to play at Kentucky last season when the NCAA ruled him permanently ineligible to play college basketball. The NCAA said that while playing professionally in the Euro League before coming to the United States, Kanter was paid more than "actual and necessary" expenses. 


FosSports.com's mock draft has Cleveland picking Irving, and then Kanter. Its comment about Kanter: 




The Turkish center is a bit of a mystery man to scouts and personnel types, at least when it comes to seeing him in person on a regular basis. He was disqualified by the NCAA during his one season at Kentucky, and his greatest Stateside performance to date was a 34-point, 13-rebound outing at the Nike Hoop Summit last year. But it's not hard to see why his skills should translate, and the Cavs would be better with his gritty rebounding, scoring and defense down low.


 


More mocks


How the first round will go in the NBA draft. The SportingNews.com mock draft.


Hoopshype.com's mock draft.


InsideHoops.com has always featured credible mock drafts. Their mock draft after Tuesday night's lottery doesn't make a lot of sense, considering the combination of players it has the Cavs taking at Nos. 1 and 4.


The mock draft on CBSSports.com.


The mock draft from Sports Illustrated's SI.com.


 


 


 

Alabama football fan, 62, accused of poisoning oak trees at Auburn's famed Toomer's Corner is indicted

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Fans celebrate Auburn wins there. Man faces first-degree felony counts including criminal mischief, unlawful damage, vandalism/property theft; misdemeanors of desecrating venerated object.

harvey-updyke.jpgHarvey Updyke Jr. has a tentative trial date of June 20.

OPELIKA, Alabama -- The Alabama fan accused of poisoning the oak trees at Auburn's Toomer's Corner has been indicted by a Lee County grand jury.

Court documents posted online show the grand jury indicted Harvey Updyke Jr. on four felony charges and two misdemeanor charges.

The 62-year-old Updyke faces two felony counts of first-degree criminal mischief, two felony counts of unlawful damage, felony vandalism or theft of property from a farm animal or crop facility and two misdemeanor counts of desecrating a venerated object.

He is scheduled for arraignment on May 26 before Lee County Circuit Court Judge Jacob A. Walker III. He has a tentative trial date of June 20.

The trees are at Toomer's Corner, where Auburn fans have traditionally celebrated wins.

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