WFNY compares the Indians' recent struggles to those of other teams in the American League

Abelimages/Getty ImagesWith a five-game lead in the AL Central, WFNY says Fausto Carmona has time to figure things out

After storming out to a seven-game lead in the A.L. Central, the Cleveland Indians have seemed to start scuffling a bit.  Everyone knew the schedule was about to get tough against the likes of Cincinnati, Boston, Tampa, and Texas.  The Indians did the improbable by sweeping the Reds at home to start the stretch before dropping two of three to both the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.  

During that time, some of the more reactionary fans on Twitter have clamored for Fausto Carmona and Mitch Talbot to be ousted from the rotation, while others wanted team leader Orlando Cabrera benched for a would-be rookie out of Columbus.  It is time for a dose of perspective: The Indians are going to have some down moments this season and most other teams have already experienced far worse this year.

The New York Yankees currently lead the A.L. East by a game over the Boston Red Sox with a 30-23 record.  The Yankees are on a three-game winning streak at the moment that they hope to continue today in Oakland.  That streak ties them with their best winning streak of the season.  That's right.  The Bronx Bombers haven't strung together more than three wins in a row all season.  They do have a six-game losing streak under their belt though, which spanned a stretch of games against the Royals, Red Sox and Rays.

How about the Boston Red Sox who took two of three from the Indians during this last little stretch? Almost everyone will remember that they started this season with a six-game losing streak.  Presently, they're in the midst of a three-game losing streak.  The only reason the Red Sox are still in the hunt is that they have two big winning streaks of seven and five games, respectively.  

The Texas Rangers lead the A.L. West with a record of 29-26.  They don't have any tremendously long losing streaks, the largest being three games.  They started the season scorching with six straight wins.  They have a 59.3% winning percentage in April.  They have since fallen back to earth a little bit though with a 13-15 record in May for a winning percentage of 46.4% .

The Indians have undoubtedly had a lot of success so far.  They are struggling a bit through a tough part of the schedule to be sure.  Still, they maintain a five-game lead in their division.  Their longest losing streak is three, which has happened only twice this season.  They have winning streaks of eight, four, seven, three and four games to offset them.  The Indians dropped off in May after a red-hot April winning 69.2% of their games.  Even with their "slump" in May, they went 14-12 winning more games than they lost.

This doesn't mean I expect any Indians fans to stick their heads in the sand regarding team weaknesses.  Fausto Carmona's wild inconsistency could truly be a problem.  Then again, while everyone was screaming for Mitch Talbot's head after a rough outing coming off the disabled list and giving up eight earned runs in three innings against Boston, cooler heads prevailed.  Talbot came back last night against the Blue Jays with 6.2 strong innings, giving up just a single earned run.  I'm not sure what else anyone should expect from a fourth or fifth starter, which is what Indians fans should expect Mitch Talbot to be.

So there it is. Just another long-winded way of saying, "Hey, it's a long baseball season."  Or, "It's a marathon, not a sprint!"  Clichés became clichés for a reason, right?  

Jack Hannahan's glove is a nice, warm security for an Indians team not eager to rush Lonnie Chisenhall to the big leagues.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerJack Hannahan does something Tribe fans haven't seen in a while: make plays at third base.

Rick Manning and Matt Underwood talked about it last night during the Indians' 6-3 win over Toronto: Jack Hannahan has been such a find at third base that his presence is allowing Lonnie Chisenhall to play every day and develop at Class AAA Columbus.

When the Tribe broke Spring Training, Chisenhall was hitting something like .500 -- more of a beer league softball average than professional baseball -- and the Indians' prospects for the 2011 season looked like 2010 redux.

Here at Starting Blocks, your faithful contributor had higher hopes, partly because of a love for the optimism that comes with spring and partly because he's been around long to know that every year, there's one "Cinderella team." While we really dislike that term, we do agree that it'd be OK if the prince in "Some day my prince will come" is Prince Fielder, and he brings that bat of his. But the Brewers' Fielder is a first baseman, so except for the hitting, he's not part of this particular discussion.

All that being said, we love, love, LOVE watching Hannahan play third base. The snag of the line drive last night was the high point of the game ... until he ranged to his left to take a one-hopper off the turf and throw out the runner.

The saying in football is that good offense wins games and good defense wins championships. Guess what? It's the same in baseball ... and just about any other endeavor.

Yeah, we'd like to see more pop out of a third baseman's bat than  .229 average with four dingers and 17 RBI. But only three errors in 45 games and a .979 fielding percentage playing one of the toughest positions in the league? We suspect he and his glove have saved enough runs to more than justify his meager (by Major League standards) salary of $500,000. Ask Mitch Talbot, who was last night's winning pitcher and thus the beneficiary of Hannahan's artistry in the field.

At some point this season, Chisenhall will make it to the big club. He's hitting .265, with only five homers and 26 RBI, not that much different than Hannahan. As much as he needs the "seasoning" from a full year in Class AAA, so too does he need a taste of the Majors. Chisenhall will be the Indians' everyday third baseman, probably next year. And he needs to be ready for the task.

But if the Indians manage to stay the course and contend this year -- which we fully expect if they can get Travis Hafner or a suitable bat (see earlier reference to Prince Fielder) -- one major factor will be Jack Hannahan and the runs he saves.

Around the horn
* -- Want proof of catcher Carlos Santana's good eye? MLB.com's Jordan Bastian tweeted during last night's win over the Blue Jays that Santana has seen the fewest percentage of strikes (53)  in the American League.

* -- The Toronto Sun sounds a little disgusted, eh, with the way the Jays' bats went silent last night.

* -- A blogger for CBSsports.com can't for the life him figure out how the Indians are above .500, let alone boasting one of the best records in baseball.

* -- As good as the defense was for the Indians (Blue Jays manager John Farrell put things in perspective for hockey-mad Canadians when he said Hannahan's grabs made him look like goalie Patrick Roy), the D for Toronto was bad, says the Vancouver Sun.

* -- Rotoworld.com, which focuses on fantasy leagues, spotlighted Grady Sizemore's 2-for-4 night against the Jays and urged fantasy team owners to add him to their active rosters.

From The Plain Dealer
Beat writer Paul Hoynes said Mitch Talbot was a LOT better in his second game since coming off the disabled list than he was in the first.

Hoynsie's game story, while it had the good news of solid nights at the plate for Grady Sizemore and Carlos Santana, also included an account of another error by second baseman Orlando Cabrera.

Orlando Cabrera's problems in the field continued. Joe Smith relieved Talbot with one on and two out in the seventh with the Indians leading, 6-0. After Smith wild-pitched Patterson to second, Bautista sent a grounder between first and second. Cabrera, playing deep, fielded the ball, but made a wild throw to first as Patterson scored and Bautista went to second.

It was Cabrera's second error in two games and his fifth of the year. Rivera blooped a single to right that Choo pulled up on for fear of the ball bouncing over his head. Bautista scored to make it 6-2.

George Anderson had a layer in his soul that few Sparky Anderson's fans knew existed.

View full sizeJulian H. Gonzalez,
Detroit Free PressSparky Anderson was a great manager. But was we learned from a neighbor kid who grew up to be a sportswriter, the Tigers and Reds manager who died last November was an even better man.

George was committed to putting his family first. Sparky was folksy and friendly and a diamond icon as manager of the Reds from 1970 to 1978 and Tigers from 1979 to 1995, but at a cost familiar to many who make baseball a career. He was immersed in the season nine months a year and unable to say no to charity organizers, writers, friends and former players the other three.

Sometimes nothing was left by the time he got home, sometimes he barely recognized who his children had become and they could barely stand who he'd become. But once he took off the uniform for the last time and left the broadcast booth for good, he morphed back into George. He found sturdy common ground with his two sons and daughter, and relished time with his grandchildren, nephews and nieces. As he lay dying Nov. 4, 2010, even through the thick haze of dementia, he knew who he wanted to be in death.

He'd go as George Anderson.

Is the recent stretch of games cause for concern? Will this team look to prospects soon if the offense continues to sputter? Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerFausto Carmona has had an up-and-down year for the Indians so far in 2011.

Is the recent stretch of games cause for concern? Will this team look to prospects soon if the offense continues to sputter?

Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• Is Michael Brantley now this team's leadoff hitter, or is Grady Sizemore hitting down in the order temporary?

• Will we get a look at Zach McAllister in Cleveland this year?

• What, if anything, should this team do about Fausto Carmona right now?

• If this team is buying in July at the trading deadline, what type of player are they looking for?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Why do people love to hate LeBron? Wow, you got a few years to talk?

APLeBron James won his first NBA Finals game last night.

Does interim coach Luke Fickell really need Pryor and all of his NCAA and entitlement issues on the Buckeyes?

The Buckeyes would be better off going forward without Terrelle Pryor, writes Terry Pluto.

First, the disclaimer:

This is not to blame Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor for what happened to Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes coach had to resign for only one reason -- he lied to the NCAA at least twice, perhaps more often. That is a mortal sin in their eyes.

Yes, Pryor and the other players trading rings and jerseys for tattoos and some cash started it.

But Tressel could have ended the entire matter by taking those first emails to his bosses, and then OSU turning itself into the NCAA.

So this is not revenge for Jim Tressel.

But does interim coach Luke Fickell really need Pryor and all of his NCAA and entitlement issues on the Buckeyes as he tries to put the pieces back together following Tressel's departure? That's especially true after Pryor showed up at Monday's team meeting driving a snazzy Nissan 350z with a 30-day tag.

There are pictures of the car in many papers.

Pryor already has been questioned by the NCAA about where he obtained certain cars that he's been driving -- the Columbus Dispatch says that he has as many as six different ones in his four years at OSU. TV-4 in Columbus reported that Pryor is driving with a suspended license.

For Pryor to show up in that car at a team meeting when there was a real possibility of media being present . . .

When it's known the NCAA is looking at cars . . .

When the team is clearly in trouble . . .

The sense of entitlement is appalling.

Does a young coach such as Fickell need a ticket to trouble as his quarterback? And you can be sure that we've haven't heard the last of Pryor's problems.

Tressel is partly to blame for that. He never seemed to want to truly discipline his prized recruit.

But Tressel is gone. This is now Fickell's team, and he needs to decide what kind of team that he wants. What players will be at the moral center, the heart of leadership?

Those may sound like cliches, but they are critical to OSU moving forward under all the scrutiny and criticism still to come. There will be more in this media age where there are no flags for piling on.

Why single out Pryor as opposed to the other players involved in the tattoo parlor scandal? Because they are not the target of an NCAA investigation about cars, at least as far as we know.

If they serve their five-game suspensions, follow the rules and support the new coach -- they should stay.

But Pryor deserves a more serious penalty than the same five-game suspension as the others.

No matter what the NCAA decides -- and there will be more penalties -- the Buckeyes are not a championship contender this season. More importantly, they do need to tighten up the discipline and show the players and the NCAA that they are serious about a new way of doing business.

Dumping Pryor from the team is a meaningful first step. They should honor his scholarship, so that he can keep working on his degree, if that's his desire. But there is no reason for him to me one of the Buckeyes' team leaders as they go forward.

Related posts

Poll: Will Pryor play another game for the Buckeyes?

Video: Eddie George predicts Pryor is done at Ohio State

Powell said he never wavered in his decision to commit to the Buckeyes.

View full sizeSpecial to The Plain DealerBedford junior cornerback/safety Tyvis Powell orally committed to Ohio State on Wednesday, selecting the Buckeyes over Michigan State, West Virginia and Syracuse.

BEDFORD, Ohio - Bedford junior cornerback/safety Tyvis Powell said it was an easy decision choosing to play for Ohio State over Michigan State, West Virginia and Syracuse two days after Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel resigned.

Powell announced his oral commitment to play for the Buckeyes in the fall of 2012 Wednesday at the front steps of the high school.

"I knew eight years ago I wanted to play for Ohio State," Powell told the gathering, recalling he felt that way after watching OSU play on television. "I'm not going to take my talents out of state. I'm going to play for coach [Luke] Fickell."

While he said Tressel's resignation was surprising, Powell said he never wavered in his decision. He announced it at this time to concentrate on his senior year.

"Initially, I was shocked," Powell said of the Tressel situation. "But I remember him saying that he would only stay on if he wasn't hurting the university. I think he did it for the good of the school."

Powell said he told OSU defensive back position coach Taver Johnson of his decision. He planned to call Fickell later Wednesday.

At 6-4, 185 pounds, Powell played mostly safety last season for the Bearcats, although he did see some time at cornerback. He wants to play corner in college, after contributing 65 tackles, four interceptions and eight pass deflections in his career.

"I think he'll be a corner," said second-year Bedford coach Sean Williams, whose club went 2-8 last season and 1-7 in the Lake Erie League. "He's one of the best technical guys I've seen."

Powell said he plans to major in accounting or sports management. He intends to attend football camp at OSU on June 25.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

Former Cavalier just completed an injury-riddled season with the Boston Celtics.

Associated PressShaquille O'Neal plays against Boston during his season with the Cavaliers.

Well, we all knew this day would come, some day: Shaquille O'Neal says he's calling it quits.

Shaq said on his Twitter account today that he's retiring from the NBA; Shaq played 19 seasons in the league, including one with the Cavaliers in 2009-10, when he averaged 12 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The 7-1, 325-pound center played for the Boston Celtics for the last two injury-plagued seasons, appearing in just 37 games in 2010-11.

Here's the link to Shaq's video announcement.

"Who's to say Chisenhall wouldn't have done as well as Hannahan? He probably wouldn't have performed at the defensive level Hannahan has, but there's a good chance he'd have performed better on offense, and it would have pretty much been a wash. I wasn't someone who really wanted them to open the season with Chisenhall, but it's not like Hannahan has performed so spectacularly that Chisenhall couldn't have duplicated or surpassed his performance." - vladimir

View full sizeLonnie Chisenhall may not be the fielder Jack Hannahan is, but some fans feel he would contribute more offensively.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians' laboring offense could get a spark from Columbus' Cord Phelps: Terry Pluto, cleveland.com reader vladimir thinks this team would be fine if Chisenhall were at third. This reader writes,

"Who's to say Chisenhall wouldn't have done as well as Hannahan? He probably wouldn't have performed at the defensive level Hannahan has, but there's a good chance he'd have performed better on offense, and it would have pretty much been a wash. I wasn't someone who really wanted them to open the season with Chisenhall, but it's not like Hannahan has performed so spectacularly that Chisenhall couldn't have duplicated or surpassed his performance."

The rookies will have a symposium afterall, this one put on by the NFL Players Association.

The Plain DealerThe rookie symposium set for later this month in Canton was canceled, but the NFL Players Association will hold one of their own.

The NFL Players Association has stepped in to rescue the canceled rookie symposium.

 The original symposium, which was to begin June 26th at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, was canceled by the NFL last week because of the lockout.

 But the Players Association will instead host "The Business of Football: Rookie Edition'' June 28-29 in Washington, D.C., George Atallah, the assistant executive director of external affairs for the Players Association confirmed to SI.com.

 All 254 players selected in the draft will be invited to the event, which includes money management, media relations, and personal matters such as security and professionalism.

 Agent Peter Schaffer, who was critical last week of the NFL's decision to cancel the beneficial annual session, praised the Players Association move.

 "I think it's great,'' said Schaffer, who represents Browns No. 1 pick Phil Taylor, and Pro Bowlers Joe Thomas and Josh Cribbs. "It's terrific that people want to step up and help these young men make the transition from amateur athletics to professional athletics.''

 Schaffer said he'll encourage Taylor to attend the voluntary session in Washington, D.C. if the lockout is still on. The NFL's symposium was mandatory.

 "It would be a great learning opportunity and educational experience,'' said Schaffer.

 He re-iterated his dismay that the NFL is "dropping the ball on human issues'' including not paying for substance abuse treatment and counseling of players during the lockout or for  NFL trainers to be present at players-only workouts going on in various cities.

 "I understand the business aspect, but the human side should be totally outside the whole lockout,'' he said.

 Attallah told si.com, "It was important for us to do this because it's a critical time in the lives of players who are about to enter the league. Lockout issues aside, it's important that players are prepared for this next phase in their lives and careers.''

 The rookies will hear from current and former players during the event, as well as financial and other experts. The Players Association will pay for everything, including travel expenses.
 
 

Stakes performers Caleb's Posse and Wilkinson are the cream of a well-matched field of 10 three-year-old thoroughbreds competing on Saturday.

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio -- Stakes performers Caleb's Posse and Wilkinson are the cream of a well-matched field of 10 three-year-old thoroughbreds competing Saturday at Thistledown in the $100,000 Ohio Derby.

Caleb's Posse began the year with a victory in the $100,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., but the wheels came off in the $1 million Arkansas Derby there, his most recent start for the McNeil Stables and Cheyenne Stables. The bay colt has $245,805 in career earnings to lead the field.

Wilkinson is coming off an allowance win on May 11 at Churchill Downs. After winning the $100,000 LeComte at Fairgrounds Park in January, Wilkinson was sixth in the Louisiana Derby and 10th in the Blue Grass Stakes.

Rated the most likely to challenge Caleb's Posse and Wilkinson are El Grayling and Global Power, whose jockey, Jeffrey Sanchez, is shooting for his second Ohio Derby win. Sanchez took the 2007 Ohio Derby with Hobeau Farm's Delightful Kiss. Six jockeys have won the Ohio Derby twice, but none have notched a third derby win.

The Ohio Derby is the only graded stakes race in the state this season.

"This is a very good field of well-matched three-year-olds," said racing secretary Bill Couch. "It's a balanced bunch, and it should be a fun race to watch on Saturday afternoon."

The Ohio Derby will be the eighth race on the program, with a 5:50 p.m. post time. Thistledown has added an extra race for Ohio Derby, with a nine-race card. The first race post is 2:30 p.m.

Daniel Gibson took issue with some of LeBron James' comments about his former teammates in Cleveland.

View full sizeScott Shaw / The Plain DealerDaniel Gibson isn't feeling particularly friendly with LeBron James after the Heat star's latest comments about his time with the Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Daniel Gibson took issue with some of LeBron James' comments about his former teammates in Cleveland.

After Miami defeated Chicago last week to advance to the NBA Finals, James talked about his decision to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

"I wanted to team up with some guys that would never die down in the moment," James said. "The opportunity presented itself with this great organization and we made it happen."

Speaking on The Dugout Sports Show Podcast on Wednesday, Gibson said, "The way it's said, you can't help but take it personal. ... I don't think great players should feel the need to say this about a team or say that about a team. I think what it all boils down to if you're great, you go play great, be great and everybody will realize you're great. And you wouldn't have to let it be known that everybody else was less great.

"Great players shouldn't have to do that.

"So I feel like it's kind of an admission. He might have needed some help. He might have needed to go somewhere and find someone who is a little greater so maybe he wouldn't die down in those moments."

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

First career start as a designated hitter works out just fine for young outfielder.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerMichael Brantley (left, with Jack Hannahan) had quite an enjoyable time as a designated hitter on Tuesday, although he was back in center field Wednesday in Toronto.

TORONTO -- Clubhouse confidential: Michael Brantley didn't mind his first big-league start at DH on Tuesday. He went 3-for-5 with a double, triple, single and a run scored in the Indians' 6-3 victory.

Some players have trouble DHing because they're not on the field playing defense and there's too much time between at-bats.

"I took about five swings in the cage and that was about it," said Brantley. "I didn't watch any video. I'm not trying to over-think anything."

Resting: Second baseman Orlando Cabrera didn't start Wednesday's game.

"After five days on the turf, I wanted to give him a day off," said manager Manny Acta. "We're going to be facing quite a few lefties coming up and I want him well rested."

In a four-game series against Texas starting Thursday at Progressive Field, the Indians face lefties Derek Holland and C.J. Wilson. Cabrera is hitting .333 (17-for-51) with two homers and 11 RBI against lefties.

Stat of day correction: Derek Jeter got his first big-league hit on May 30, 1995, off Indians pitching coach Tim Belcher. The wrong date appeared in Tuesday's chatter.

The Indians are last in the AL in attendance, but their players didn't suffer the consequences in the first release of All-Star votes.

View full sizeDarren Celebrese / Canadian PressAsdrubal Cabrera's strong start to the season has been noticed in early returns to the All-Star Game's fan voting.

TORONTO -- The Indians' home attendance, which ranks last in the AL, didn't hurt their players in the first results announced in All-Star balloting on Wednesday.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera led the way. He was running second to New York's Derek Jeter with 672,105 votes. Jeter was well ahead with 931,410.

Asked what he thought about it, Cabrera said, "I didn't even know the vote came out today."

Said manager Manny Acta, "I hope Cabrera gets recognized and makes the All-Star Game."

Acta was not surprised at Cabrera's vote total. "Nowadays there are so many different ways to keep track of every team and every game," said Acta. "He's getting the recognition he deserves. I think a lot of it has to do with the way we've played as a team because it's drawn more attention to our team.

"Two years ago Asdrubal hit .300 and it doesn't seem like a lot of people know that."

Cabrera went into Wednesday's game hitting .296 (63-for-213) with 35 runs, 11 doubles, three triples, 10 homers and 36 RBI. He leads AL shortstops in runs, hits, homers and RBI. In his first three at-bats Wednesday, Cabrera doubled twice and drove in three runs.

Here are some other Indians vote totals: DH Travis Hafner was fourth with 407,334 votes, second baseman Orlando Cabrera was fourth at 384,004, catcher Carlos Santana was fourth at 395,892 and outfielders Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo were eighth and 12th respectively. Sizemore had 457,185 votes and Choo 366,575.

Acta was named to the AL All-Star staff last month. He says the expanded voting criteria, including voting by players, should give the Indians a chance to have more than one player going to Phoenix on July 12.

"It means a lot to guys when they're selected by their peers," said Acta. "It could also help the amount of guys who could go to the All-Star Game."

Fans can vote at big league ballparks and online at mlb.com. June 30 is the deadline.

Tap out: Acta and hitting coach Jon Nunnally asked Carlos Santana to stop tapping his front foot at the plate before Tuesday's game. Santana did as suggested and went 3-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and two RBI.

Acta said they asked Santana to stop the toe tap to "eliminate some of the body movement he has at the plate. He's hit like that before and he had a good day. That's why Tuesday was very important to him."

The Indians have been trying to get Santana fixed through the first two months of the season. He hit .198 (17-for-86) with five homers and 17 RBI in April. His average improved in May to .253 (20-for-76), but the production (one homer, seven RBI) was lacking. In the first five games of this six-game trip, Santana is hitting .500 (7-for-14). Since May 3, he's hitting .274 (20-for-73) with seven RBI and an OPS of .809.

"We just felt that a lot of his problems were coming from extra body movement at the plate," said Acta.

Hitters use the toe tap as a timing device, but when they don't get their front foot down in time to hit, it can prove troublesome. Santana is a switch hitter and that can compound the problem.

"Hitting is tough enough as it is," said Acta. "We're trying to keep it as simple as possible. There comes a time when you have to make adjustments at this level."

Acta said they've been talking to Santana about making the change since spring training. Tuesday the decisions was made.

"He was ready to make the change," said Acta.

Friendly faces: There is a definite Indians flavor to the Toronto coaching staff, starting with manager John Farrell. Torey Lovullo, long-time manager in the Indians' minor-league system, is Farrell's first base coach. Luis Rivera, long-time Indians first base coach, is Toronto's "eye-in-the-sky" coach.

Rivera works with players, and throws batting practice before games, and goes to the press box to watch games.

Finally: Texas scratched lefty Matt Harrison from Thursday night's start against the Tribe because of a blister. Dave Bush will start in his place against Carlos Carrasco.

Makrobondo "Dee" Salukombo arrived in Lakewood on Wednesday night after running 120 miles -- from Denison University in central Ohio -- over three days to raise money and awareness for the school in the Republic of Congo village where he grew up.

View full sizeLonnie Timmons III / The Plain DealerDenison distance runner Dee Salukombo is greeted by his sister Blandine after the end of his three-day, 120-mile run from Granville to Lakewood on Wednesday. His niece Sylvia Salukombo, left, is running to greet him also.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Of course, Makrobondo "Dee" Salukombo had a plan. It would be foolish to attempt to run 120 miles from Granville to Lakewood without a plan.

It's just that the Denison University distance runner's plan was simply to start running after he finished competing in the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships, and stop when he reached his family home in Lakewood. That's about it.

No water. No food. No idea where he'd sleep. Not a single penny or even a cell phone. Only a smile and the compelling story of how he wants to raise money for the children in the school in Kriotshe, the village in the Republic of Congo where he lived until he was 12.

On Wednesday evening, Salukombo jogged easily down his Lakewood street with a broad grin stretched across his face, his fluorescent yellow bib flapping against his lithe body in the cool breeze. He strode to the door of his house, where a hug from his mother, Aimee, awaited him.

He took a small swig of water. He did not pant for breath.

"I think I could do another 40 miles tomorrow," he declared with a smile. "I'm feeling good."

He won't have to. Wednesday's 37.5 miles was the final leg of a three-day journey he began Monday in Granville. He relied on the kindness of strangers to give him water, food and lodging.

In the longer tale, it was the continuation of the voyage Salukombo began with his family 10 years ago, when his parents and six siblings fled the war-ravaged Congo, endured three years as refugees in Uganda, and finally arrived in Lakewood to begin anew.

In that first part of his story, Salukombo survived fears that his father, Fanchon, had been killed when he was imprisoned for three days during an uprising in the Second Congo War. His family lasted a year in Congo as Fanchon escaped first to Uganda until the remainder of the Salukombos could join him. Then, after three years as refugees there, the family was allowed to move to United States, where they settled in Lakewood in 2005.

View full sizeLonnie Timmons III / The Plain Dealer"He is so nice, so unassuming, so pleasant and he takes for granted that everybody is like he is," Denison track coach Phil Torrens said of Dee Salukombo's decision to run 120 miles and rely on the courtesy of strangers. "And not everybody in the world is like he is. I wasn't concerned about the fact that he'd be on the road running, but I was concerned about the people he might meet up with."

Dee Salukombo was a standout soccer player and cross country runner at Lakewood High School, before deciding to attend Denison in 2007 to run track and study chemistry. Each time he drove home during his first two years at college, he wondered aloud if he could run that distance.

Finally, in his junior year, he began to plot his path. He would make the trip after the NCAA Championships, at the conclusion of the school year. He would take nothing with him but his faith that God would provide.

"I was scared," his mother, Aimee, said Wednesday. "Three days with no money, no phone? I couldn't sleep at night. But God is good."

For three days, Salukombo ran 10-15 minutes at a time, typically under an eight-minute mile pace. At every pause, he stopped to ask a stranger for water, feeling fortunate that he passed many people mowing their lawns who were happy to oblige.

"He is so nice, so unassuming, so pleasant and he takes for granted that everybody is like he is," Denison track coach Phil Torrens said. "And not everybody in the world is like he is. I wasn't concerned about the fact that he'd be on the road running, but I was concerned about the people he might meet up with."

On Monday, Salukombo survived 45 miles of running but also the 90-degree heat that made him question his quest among the hills of middle Ohio.

"I knew about the hills," Salukombo said, "but I wasn't expecting the heat."

When he ended Monday in Loudonville, he stopped to ask three people for lodging, and finally was forced to approach a policeman for help. Even after that, he walked for an hour after his long day of running until an elderly man agreed to house him for the night. When he finally sat down, he took one bite of a sandwich someone bought him, and threw up.

Tuesday, he subsisted on a bowl of cereal until he stopped near Wadsworth, where he stayed with a friend of Torrens' wife who had been forewarned to be on the lookout for him.

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Torrens, who considers Salukombo to be as close as a son, said he never considered interfering further with his runner's goal. Not only did Salukombo run the entire 120 miles, but he raised about $4,500 to donate to the school in the Congo where he once had to share a single book with all his classmates.

"He was determined this was something he was going to do," Torrens said. "He and his whole family are very religious because of what they've been through in their earlier life. They believe that the Lord will take care of you. He believed no matter where he stopped for a drink of water, a meal, someplace to sleep or take a shower, he would find someone to help."

Wednesday, as the heat broke and Salukombo ran closer a to 7-minute pace, he couldn't help but smile. Though every part of his body hurt at one point during the three-day run, he said he felt good when he finally stopped. He lost 12 pounds along his journey. He gained several new Facebook friends and met many kind strangers.

He finished, as it turns out, on National Running Day.

"It's a good day to finish," he said with a laugh. "Now, I'm planning on going to bed for three straight days."

Those interested in contributing to Salukombo can send money to: Dee Salukombo Benefit Fund, c/o Aza Bittinger, Jr., Huntington National Bank, 630 S. State St. CB 16, Westerville, Ohio 43081

Updates on Ohio State and the ongoing investigation and scandal surrounding its NCAA violations:

View full sizeAP file photoAfter stating that AD Gene Smith's job is safe in the wake of Ohio State's troubles with the NCAA, OSU President E. Gordon Gee shrugged off concerns about his status. "I think I feel very confident we have done what is in the best interests of the university," he said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Updates on Ohio State and the ongoing investigation and scandal surrounding its NCAA violations:

• Ohio State president Gordon Gee, in his first public comments since Monday's resignation of football coach Jim Tressel, backed Athletic Director Gene Smith on Wednesday in an interview with reporters after a student event on campus. Both Smith and Gee have drawn criticism from some for their handling of Ohio State's NCAA violations, with allegations continuing to grow in scope.

"Gene Smith's job is safe," Gee said.

And his own status?

"I'm not the one that hires or fires me," Gee said. "I think I feel very confident we have done what is in the best interests of the university."

Gee and Smith both staunchly claimed that Tressel would remain their coach in a March 8 news conference. Tressel resigned, under pressure from board of trustees members, fewer than three months later.

• The university's compliance department could also be held responsible if the NCAA proves that players were receiving loaner or discounted cars, an area which the compliance department is in charge of monitoring.

"Once issues start, then everything is looked at very carefully," Gee said. "Obviously, we're taking a look at our own failures, and I believe we have a compliant system, but we are going to make sure we have the best compliance system in the country and that has to be our goal.

"The world has changed and we need to understand that and compliance is part of that changing world, and we need to be thoroughly aggressive and thoroughly modern about it."

Gee said that the scandal has given the university a black eye, but Ohio State has recovered from other problems in the past and he's confident it will do the same now.

• Multiple reports had the NCAA on campus Wednesday conducting interviews in light of Monday's story in Sports Illustrated that as many as 28 current and former Buckeyes were involved in trading memorabilia with Columbus tattoo parlors. The university has said it continues to work with the NCAA whenever new issues arise.

Smith declined comment.

The Indians scored eight runs on seven hits in the third inning, then withstood late Toronto rally.

View full sizeDarren Celebrese / Canadian PressCarlos Santana (left) welcomes Matt LaPorta at home plate after LaPorta's three-run homer drove in Santana and Travis Buck to ignite an eight-run third inning Wednesday night.

TORONTO -- The Indians, led by Asdrubal Cabrera's four hits, beat Toronto, 13-9, Wednesday night at Rogers Centre.

Manny Acta's ballclub, after starting this six-game trip through St. Petersburg, Fla., and Toronto at 1-3, returned to Cleveland at 3-3 by beating Toronto in the last two with 19 runs and 30 hits.

The Tribe took a 4-0 lead against Kyle Drabek in the first, but didn't really find its stride until the third. Then they scored eight runs on seven hits for a 12-0 lead.

Michael Brantley and Cabrera started the game with consecutive doubles against Drabek (3-4, 4.69), the key player Toronto received from Philadelphia when they traded Roy Halladay after the 2009 season.

Cabrera's double made it 1-0. Drabek struck out Shin-Soo Choo, but walked Travis Buck and Carlos Santana to load the bases. Grady Sizemore unloaded them with a booming double to the fence in center.

Drabek, who allowed four runs on three hits, didn't make it out of the first. After he walked Jack Hannahan with two out, manager John Farrell called for Shawn Camp. The Indians were quiet in the second and rowdy in the third.

Buck singled and Santana walked to start the inning. Sizemore crushed a ball to center that Rafai Davis barely caught as he sprinted to the fence. Matt LaPorta followed with a three-run homer to center for a 7-0 lead. It was LaPorta's seventh homer of the season and second on this trip.

Then things turned serious.

Hannahan doubled and Adam Everett singled him home. Brantley singled Everett to third and Cabrera scored them with his second double in three at-bats for a 10-0 lead. Jason Frasor relieved Camp and Choo scorched a ball to center that went off the end of Davis' glove and rolled to the fence for a three-base error as Cabrera scored.

Buck followed with a pop up in shallow left field. Shortstop Yunel Escobar, battling 24 mph wind gusts, dropped the ball for an error as Choo scored for the final run of the inning.

Toronto made it 12-3 in unique fashion. Eric Thames, Davis and Jayson Nix hit three straight triples for the first two runs. Corey Patterson added an infield single to score Nix for the third run of the inning.

It's the first time since May 6, 1981 that a team has hit three consecutive triples. The Montreal Expos did it against San Diego.

The Indians stretched the lead to 13-3 in the sixth when LaPorta scored from third on a fielder's choice by Brantley. Toronto made it 13-6 on a three-run homer by Davis in the sixth.

Toronto added another run in the seventh to make it 13-7. Mike McCoy singled, took second on a wild pitch and went to third on an error by Everett at second. He scored on Jose Bautista's double play grounder.

The Jays took one more run at the Tribe in the ninth when Bautista hit a two-run single off Hannahan's glove at third. Rafael Perez started the inning and didn't look like he wanted to be out there.

He walked the leadoff hitter, then made a bad throw to second on a potential force play before giving up Bautista's two-run single. Vinnie Pestano relieved and struck out Juan Rivera and induced J.P. Arnecibia to hit into a force play. He walked Juan Encarnacion before striking out Thames to end it.

Cabrera went 4-for-6 with three RBI. He hit three doubles and drove in three runs. He's the first Indian this season to hit three doubles in a game. For the season, Cabrera has 14 doubles and 39 RBI.

Josh Tomlin (7-2, 3.27) went six innings for the Tribe. He allowed a season-high six runs on eight hits. He struck out a career-high seven and walked one.

Browns rookie receiver Greg Little had to miss Camp Colt II last month in Berea, but is eager to work with his teammates at Camp Colt III in Texas next week.

Rookie receiver Greg Little is eager to get his timing down with Colt McCoy.

"Personally, I'm a competitor," said Little in a phone interview. "I'm not really worried about injury."'

Little's agent, Andy Ross, had said he would advise his client to focus mainly on weight training, film

study and off-field activities because he's not yet under contract and has no injury protection.

"It's Andy's job to give me advice, but at the end of the day, it's still my decision and I will probably choose to take part in everything," said Little, the Browns' second-round pick out of North Carolina. "I think my teammates will take notice of that. They don't want to injure themselves either, but they're out there doing the drills."

Little, who sat out all last season for accepting impermissible agent benefits, said he regretted he couldn't attend Camp Colt II last month at Baldwin-Wallace in Berea because of a prior commitment.

"I was disappointed," he said. "Some things came up and I got notice of the workouts relatively abruptly so I wasn't able to plan accordingly."'

Little said he's looking forward to getting his timing down with quarterback Colt McCoy, who's hosting the third session at the University of Texas June 9-11. The first camp, in late April, was also held there.

"I think it's very important for me to start working with Colt," said Little.

"We've been talking and we're very eager about getting together. I texted Colt right after the draft and he quickly responded. I think he's very excited to have me."

Little, who caught 62 passes for 724 yards and five TDs in 2009, said he has been impressed with McCoy taking charge during the lockout, organizing the three offensive skills camps.

"He's a great leader," said Little. "He showed that last year and he's shown that all throughout his career. Colt does that very naturally and I think that's one of the great attributes about him."

He said he's just as excited about getting to know his teammates as he is to learn the Browns' new West Coast offense.

"I think it will be fun," said Little. "I'm pretty sure Colt has a whole itinerary of Texas things to do. It's a great time for guys not only to get their conditioning up, but to bond and get the camaraderie going. I think that's very important to becoming a successful team."

Little, who has a chance to become the Browns' No. 1 receiver, already knows current No. 1 Mohamed Massaquoi, a fellow North Carolina native.

"He actually hosted me on an unofficial visit to Georgia when I was down there as a junior going into my senior year," said Little. "He was somebody that I connected with, because we strive for the same things on and off the field."

Little is also tight with Browns cornerback Joe Haden.

"Joe and I have been to so many high school camps together and we became really great friends when we were on the college circuit together getting recruited," said Little. "We have a lot of friends in common and it was kind of funny that I'm coming to Cleveland, too. It will be really great to go against him in practice, really push each other to be better."

Little hopes to make the same kind of impact as a rookie that Haden did. Despite starting only seven games, Haden became a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist and finished tied for fifth in the NFL with a team-high six interceptions.

"I don't like to make empty promises, but I'm going to work just as hard as he did and hopefully things do turn out that way," said Little. Little hasn't gotten a glimpse of the Browns playbook yet, but hopes to get some materials from McCoy in Texas.

"The good thing is, my offense in college was very, very similar to the Browns' and I think that's one of the reasons they drafted me," he said. "I was able to sit down with my receivers coach in Cleveland pre-draft and they feel very confident in my ability to come in and pick things up. It also gives me confidence to go into a situation I'm familiar with."'

Little said he's also eager to work with fellow rookies Owen Marecic and Jordan Cameron. He has already gotten to know Cameron, the tight end from USC.

"I spent some time with him at the combine and I think he's a guy that loves to work," said Little. "He loves to play as well. It's a great group of guys on this team in general. I think we'll all jell together because we're all working toward one common goal and we'll do whatever it takes to get there."

Little said he's not looking at Camp Colt III as a chance to knock off the rust from his year off.

"I spent some time practicing up until October of last season, so it hasn't been as long as everybody thinks," he said. "Ultimately, it's something that you just don't lose in a year. Think of all the veteran guys that come off suspensions and they have that eagerness to prove and that determination to prove they still can play. I have the same mind-set."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Ohio State University will survive and prosper. It's far too big too fail. I'm just not sure the current cast of characters will survive judgment day.

View full sizePD fileOhio State University Athletic Director Gene Smith.

The morning after Ohio State University destroyed Oklahoma State in the 2005 Alamo MasterCard Bowl, the school's athletic director, Andy Geiger, read me the riot act in a conference call that ended with him basically calling me stupid.

That's what I liked best about Geiger, who was a fantastic university officer. He didn't mince words.

How did I earn his wrath?

I asked him a couple of simple questions:

One was, given that Troy Smith, the school's starting quarterback, had been suspended from the bowl game based on allegations he took money from a booster, could the university better police player misconduct and control the school's most fanatical sports boosters?

The other was, could the school's compliance officers find a way to keep an eye on Buckeye hero worshippers and assorted "friends" of the football program, who were most likely to compromise the university by giving players things like jewelry, cars, tattoos and cash-handshakes?

Geiger's response was revealing, insulting and, sadly, defeatist.

He asked me if I had a suggestion for where he might find the money to follow "these people" around. He asked if I knew of any legal authority he could summon to see if rogue boosters were slipping money into his athletes' bank accounts.

He asked me if I knew of any way he could put a set of eyes not only on his 85 scholarship players but also on the tens of thousands of people in Buckeye Nation who would do almost anything to get next to his players.

I had no answers to those questions. But I wasn't the athletic director.

Six months later, Geiger walked away from one of the most coveted positions in all college sports. His sterling reputation had been sullied by player, university and booster misconduct. On his way out the door, he said he was leaving "because the job wasn't fun anymore."

I doubt that the current athletic director, Cleveland native Gene Smith, is finding the job a bundle of joy. On Monday, his football coach, Jim Tressel, resigned in disgrace amidst an NCAA rules-violations investigation.

Tressel's resignation came just two months after Ohio State University President Gordon Gee shot down the notion that he ever considered firing Tressel. Gee's statement rankled many because he also joked that he hoped Tressel didn't fire him.

Smith got the same kind of job reassurance from Gee on Wednesday, when the university president told a Columbus TV reporter that Smith's job was safe. But given the way the football program continues to be exposed as rotting, it's not clear that anyone's job -- up to and including Gee's -- is safe.

As long as NCAA investigators continue to unearth evidence that rules were flouted, the short-term future of the school's most prized athletic program is in question.

As a quick aside, some people now suggest that the unfolding scandal offers yet another argument for paying cash to revenue-producing athletes, those who play football and basketball. I continue to disagree, however, even while recognizing that money generated by OSU's football and basketball programs is an important reason why this great public research university is able to field teams in 36 other varsity sports, for 900 other student-athletes.

Ohio State University football will survive and prosper. It's far too big too fail, even if the current cast of characters is forced out.

But scandal will come again if the university does not come up with answers to the questions I asked Geiger six years ago. Somehow, the university has to find a way to police player misconduct. Somehow, the university must do a better job of recruiting players willing to follow the rules and keeping those players free of boosters who would corrupt them.

To reach Phillip Morris: pfmorris@plaind.com, 216-999-5086

Large cranes will be lowering boat docks into the water around Cleveland’s Voinovich Park this week for the 12th North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest on June 11-12.

File PhotoThe North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest has powerboat and sailboat rides, fishing trips and more.

Large cranes will be lowering boat docks into the water around Cleveland’s Voinovich Park this week for the 12th North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest on June 11-12.

The free exhibition next to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has powerboat and sailboat rides, fishing trips, and the chance to help paddle a 48-foot Dragon Boat.

“If people want to try boating, or just have some fun on the water, it’s the best weekend of the year,” said Mike DiLorenzo of the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association. “It’s all free, and we’ll be giving away life jackets and fishing tackle to the youngsters.

“The Cleveland Dragon Boat Association handles about 20 people per trip on the Dragon Boat, a very stable way to try paddling,” DiLorenzo said. “To try sailing, B-About Sail Ministries is taking groups around the harbor aboard Journey, a 65-foot steel schooner. Ivancic Marine on Whiskey Island has powerboat rides.”

Live music and Captain Willie, the Great Lakes pirate, will entertain.

The Holiday party boat will ferry families to fish, with kids allowed to keep yellow perch. Wildlife officers and volunteers will teach new anglers to cast and catch perch and sheepshead. For a small- boat fishing experience, Bob Davis of the North Coast Black Bass Anglers Association will take out two or three anglers at a time to cast for smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Boaters can ride a boat on land, boarding the National Water Safety Congress’ new Boating Safety Simulator.

Out and about: Wildwood Marina is holding its 10th annual Battle of Lake Erie Perch Tournament on Saturday and Sunday for adults and kids, with entry fees of $20 and $10 at the marina. . . . The Irish Heritage Center and the local Elks 1350 are hosting an annual fishing contest Saturday at the IHC pond, 726 Avon Belden Road (Ohio 83) in Avon Lake from noon to 3 p.m., with bait provided. . . . The Kids Fishing Derby for anglers 12 and younger at the Eastlake Seawall at the north end of Erie Road is 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, with lunch and prizes to follow at the Chagrin River Salmon Association’s clubhouse. . . . Quail Hollow Pond, a small fishing hole in Quail Hollow State Park near Hartville, is being stocked today with 300 catchable channel catfish.

Hailers have DU picnic: Frog legs, venison, duck breasts, perch and draft beer are featured at the annual Cleveland Hailers Family Fish Fry and Game Dinner on June 25. Dave and April Blaylock and the Cleveland Hailers Chapter host the annual Ducks Unlimited event at the Blaylocks’ home in Cleveland from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $30, $50 per couple, and bring swimsuits. Also, the chapter has a small Texas Hold’em Tournament at 11 a.m.

Rocky River sweep: Volunteers with boots and gloves will prowl the Rocky River and its tributaries Saturday to clean up the area’s most popular fishing stream. Trash bags are provided for the stream sweeps.

The main gathering is at 9 a.m. at the Scenic Park Picnic Area next to the Emerald Necklace Marina on the lower river. Groups also gather at Coe Lake Pavilion behind Berea City Hall to tackle Baldwin Creek, the East Branch of the Rocky River and Coe Lake; and at the Susan Hambley Brunswick Nature Center for a sweep of Plum Creek.

At 10 a.m., crews meet at Joe Konery Park off Leslie Drive in Brook Park for a cleanup on Abram Creek; and at Roscoe Ewing Park in Medina for a tour of Champion Creek.

Mosquito, Magee changes: The application period for the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s controlled waterfowl and deer hunts is open through July 31, but with fewer hunts in 2011.

The regular-season waterfowl hunts won’t be held at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in northwest Ohio and officials are cutting waterfowl hunting opportunities at the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area and Refuge in Trumbull County.

Mosquito goose blinds will only be assigned by lottery, stopping the practice of allowing hunters to fill vacant blinds on the morning of the hunts. The daily drawings for waterfowl hunts will switch to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, dropping one day each week from the rotation.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: degan@plaind.com, 216-999-5158