Cabrera is hitting .302 with 12 homers, 42 RBI, 40 runs and seven steals in 60 games. He has a .532 slugging percentage and a .353 on-base percentage. But that's not enough to sway voters away from longtime Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

View full sizeChuck Crow l The Plain DealerIndians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, top, has been outstanding in the field this season.

Cabrera has played in the Bronx, going 0-for-2 in old Yankee Stadium and 5-for-10 in the new stadium since his major-league debut in 2007. But this will be the first time he arrives as a headliner.

Need evidence? The ESPN promotion of Monday night's finale shows a photo of Cabrera next to Chief Wahoo on the left, Derek Jeter next to the NY logo on the right.

Cabrera is hitting .302 with 12 homers, 42 RBI, 40 runs and seven steals in 60 games. He has a .532 slugging percentage and a .353 on-base percentage. He is 22-for-51 with runners in scoring position.

Cabrera ranks highly among all American League players, not merely shortstops, in numerous categories.

And that's just the offensive side.

Cabrera's glove work has been superb. Seemingly every game, he does something extraordinary in the field. He was so good the other night against Minnesota that Twins manager Ron Gardenhire called him a "stud." Gardenhire said the talk in his dugout was, "Don't hit it to that guy."

"I appreciate when a manager or somebody else says nice things about me," Cabrera said, "but I'm not trying to impress anybody. I'm just playing the game to the best of my abilities."

Asked if this is the most comfortable he has been with the bat and glove at one time, Cabrera said, "I feel pretty good, yeah."

In the next breath, though, Cabrera offers a permutation of his stock answer to many questions. It serves as a defense mechanism for a quiet, humble man.

"I don't think too much about that," he said. "My job is to play."

Cabrera is all about keeping his mind clear. That way, when it comes time to play, he can make the difficult seem routine.

Let others talk about Cabrera's place in the game. Let others outside of New York squawk about how Jeter leads him in the All-Star voting -- Jeter, who was hitting .261 with two homers, 17 RBI and a .654 OPS through Wednesday.

"I don't think about the All-Star Game," Cabrera said. "I think about winning games for the Cleveland Indians."

Jeter is the latest example of a future Hall of Famer riding past accomplishments to All-Star glory. Jeter had 2,989 hits through Wednesday.

Tribe closer Chris Perez has his shortstop's back.

"Obviously, anyone who looks at the numbers knows who the starter should be," Perez said. "I know we don't get the most media attention or play on national TV every night, but Cabby's body of work speaks for itself. That's no disrespect to Jeter. I understand why he's getting votes. He's done his thing for years and years, the fans love him, and they want to see him in the All-Star Game."

Even if Cabrera does not somehow overtake Jeter, he is a virtual lock to be an Indians representative. Regardless, Perez said that the power behind "All-Star starter" should not be taken lightly.

"You never know how many shots you'll get at starting in the All-Star Game," he said. "Being the All-Star starter, especially at a premium position like shortstop, is a big deal.

"It's the fans' call, though. And I don't know if you should look at getting it changed, because the game is for the fans."

The Indians' offense has been a two-man show for most of the season, Cabrera being joined by outfielder Michael Brantley. Brantley (.295, five homers, 25 RBI) makes his first visit to Yankee Stadium, old or new.

"Any player going to Yankee Stadium for the first time is going to be excited," he said. "You think about the tradition, the atmosphere. I'm looking forward to seeing how electric the crowd is going to be."

Cabrera said he thoroughly enjoys performing on the big stage in the Bronx.

"I love when the stadium's full, how loud it gets," he said.

At the same time, Cabrera said, he does not get wrapped up in playing the Yankees more than any other.

"They are a big team in the league, but they're a team we need to beat," he said. "We can't think about it like, 'We're playing the Yankees.' We're going to play hard no matter who it is."

Pronk update: Injured designated hitter Travis Hafner is scheduled to take his first batting practice session in New York today. Depending on how that and the next few BP sessions feel, he could be assigned for minor-league rehab games, although manager Manny Acta wasn't sure where yet.

High praise: Despite Shin-Soo Choo's continuing struggles at the plate, Acta called him "probably the best right fielder in the game."

Name change: The Indians manager's self-evaluation was a bit harsher when explaining that it's unhealthy for him to react to what the media writes, broadcasts and posts on the Internet, so he ignores it.

"I was a genius in town a couple weeks ago," Acta joked. "Now they call me different names."

Plain Dealer reporter Bill Lubinger contributed to this report.

Grand Lake St. Marys in Western Ohio is a major mess that has legislators, state officials and Ohio boating groups feuding over how to fund ways to fix the sprawling reservoir.

Public health advisory signs were posted recently at Grand Lake St. Marys in St. Marys, Ohio in warning of an algae bloom. The lake is still open for fishing and boating. (Columbus Dispatch photo by Tessa Bargainnier)

Grand Lake St. Marys in Western Ohio is a major mess that has legislators, state officials and Ohio boating groups feuding over how to fund ways to fix the sprawling reservoir.

The shallow, 13,500-acre lake in Mercer and Auglaize counties has been around since 1845, created as a water storage facility for the Miami-Erie Canal. Decades of sediment and agricultural runoff have resulted in a need for dredging and prompted toxic blue-green algal blooms. The blooms forced the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to close the lake this summer to swimming, wading and fishing.

Boating and fishing drive a $200 million tourism industry there, says state Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina).

Faber pushed for a provision in the state budget bill to take $4 million from the Ohio Division of Watercraft’s Waterways Safety Fund to treat the waters with alum (a chemical compound), and another $750,000 for dredging.

“Now that we’ve found another funding source for the $4 million Caesar Creek Reservoir Marina, which was to be funded by the Waterways Safety Fund, we’ve freed up money for the projects at Grand Lake St. Marys,” Faber said.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources doesn’t agree, but won’t fight Faber’s financial solution.

Ohio’s boating industry has long fought against sharing money generated by boat registrations, boat fuel taxes and federal boating grants, which are dedicated for Ohio boating programs. When Waterways Safety Funds are used for nonboating projects, such as Grand Lake St. Marys, it prevents the Division of Watercraft from receiving matching federal money, said the Westlake-based Lake Erie Marine Trades Association.

“The water degradation sins of upland users and abusers should not be paid for by the boaters of Ohio,” association official Ken Alvey said at a state hearing last week.

The Ohio Waterways Safety Council meets Wednesday at 10 a.m. to brief members and the public at the Division of Watercraft headquarters in the ODNR Fountain Square Complex, 2045 Morse Road, Building A, Columbus.

Jager team a winner: Mentor fishing guide Steve Jager and his Cleveland Clinic Team won Wednesday’s National Multiple Sclerosis Walleye Tournament on Lake Erie at Port Clinton, weighing a limit of six walleye totaling 39.8 pounds. The Cleveland Clinic Team included Dr. Robert Fox and his brother, Paul Fox, Don Bush, Jennifer Hartman and Jeff Diher. Jager said they caught their walleye northeast of South Bass Island, trolling Michigan Stinger spoons behind the new True Trip diving planers in 33 feet of water. The top lure was the Stinger Jager Bomb spoon (colored green-orange with a pink nose).

Finishing second was a team guided by Mel Erb of Mellannee Fishing Charters in Port Clinton.

Lake Erie tournaments: The Northeast Ohio Walleye Association hosts its 28th annual Father’s Day Classic Fishing Tournament and Family Picnic on June 19, with anglers checking in at the Western Reserve Yacht Club on the Grand River in Fairport Harbor. Call Jerry Vest at 440-428-3536. The Ashtabula Wine and Walleye Festival Pro-Am Fishing Tournament is Aug. 27, based at the Transient Dock on the Ashtabula River. Call Tom Hogan at 440-645-7656.

Ohio license needed: Ohio wildlife officials have changed the rules in applying for a controlled waterfowl or deer hunt. A current Ohio hunting license is now needed by youth and adult hunters in order to apply. The new computer licensing system automatically determines if a hunter has a 2011-12 hunting license when an application is submitted.

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

Yellow perch are being caught in good numbers from Avon Lake to Lorain, but catches are spotty around Cleveland.

D'Arcy Egan, The Plain DealerThe top spots for walleye have been in Ontario's Pelee Island area, and west of West Sister Island.

Lake Erie fishing can range from good to miserable, depending on location and time of day. Yellow perch are being caught in good numbers from Avon Lake to Lorain, but catches are spotty around Cleveland. The top spots for walleye have been in Ontario's Pelee Island area, and west of West Sister Island. Inland anglers are doing very well on bass, catfish and bluegill.

Cleveland area

Yellow perch fishing has been spotty around Cleveland Harbor, but limits have been reported off Lakewood and around the East 72nd Street area, off Euclid Hospital and in front of Cleveland Browns Stadium, in 35 to 38 feet of water. The top areas have been from Lorain to Avon Lake in 27 to 30 feet of water.

Walleye fishing has been consistently mediocre, with some trophy fish caught but limits still hard to find. Walleye fishermen have focused on 46 feet of water, or deeper, from Lorain to Geneva. While spinner rigs and nightcrawlers might work for walleye, the abundance of sheepshead, white perch and white bass are a nuisance for live-bait fishermen. Most walleye anglers are relying on spoons and minnow-style plugs.

Inland lakes, reservoirs

Bluegill fishing is in the spotlight as the chunky panfish head to shallow spawning beds. Cast flies or tiny jigs tipped with live grubs to visible spawning areas. Most farm ponds and reservoirs are very good right now for bluegill.

Crappie fishing has been good, with crappie in transition. Some are still in shallow spawning areas, including the causeways at Mosquito, Pymatuning and LaDue reservoirs. The stump area off Linesville, Pa., has been a Pymatuning crappie hot spot. Big post-spawn crappie are also being caught in 10- to 15-foot depths on minnows worked under a float. Anglers have to keep moving to find small schools of crappie.

Most of the largemouth bass being caught this week have been small, as smaller males guard the freshly hatched fry and the bigger females move to deeper water. Casting top-water lures along the shoreline, as well as soft plastic baits, are picking off numbers of bass at Mosquito and East Branch reservoirs, Wellington Upground reservoir and Lake Milton, where there is a 15-inch minimum for bass.

Pymatuning and Mosquito reservoir walleye fishing continues to be good, but many walleye caught at Pymatuning are smaller than the 15-inch minimum. Anglers are trolling diving plugs and bottom-bouncing spinner rigs tipped with nightcrawlers. Walleye are also being caught while casting jig-minnow and jig-nightcrawler combos to emerging weed beds.

For catfish, work typical catfish baits on the bottom at Mosquito, Berlin and West Branch reservoirs. Nightcrawlers are a top choice, followed by cut bait and traditional catfish potions.

Western Lake Erie

Walleye fishing in Ohio waters has been very inconsistent, with some walleye being caught around Gull Shoal and northeast of Kelleys Island Shoal. Anglers are heading to the Pelee Island area in Ontario waters, trolling minnow-style plugs, spoons and spinner rigs tipped with nightcrawlers. Drift-and-cast fishermen are focusing on deep reefs with weight-forward spinners and small spinner rigs tipped with nightcrawlers.

Walleye fishing has been fair to good northwest of West Sister Island and along the Michigan shoreline.

Yellow perch are being caught east of Kelleys Island, east of Ballast Island and south of Gull Shoal.

Fishing tournaments

Wildwood Marina's 10th annual Battle of Lake Erie Perch Tournament

How they finished: 1. Roger Marin, 1,751 millimeters, $230; 2. Ray Koeth, 1,711, $92; 3. Mike Flynn, 1,704, $46.

Youth Division – 1. Derek Sinclair, 928 mm, $25; 2. Sean Chojnowski, 758, $18; 3. Robbie Gattarello, 596, $14.

Largest Perch – 1. Marin, 537 mm; Sinclair, 327.

LeBron James fills the stats sheet, but it wasn't enough for Miami. Watch LeBron James' reaction following the Heat's loss in Game 5 and then react: Have Cavaliers fans seen this before?

Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) holds his head down during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Thursday, June 9, 2011, in Dallas. The Mavericks won 112-103 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

DALLAS -- LeBron James said Game 5 of the NBA finals was going to be the most important of his life.

He responded with a triple-double.

Even that wasn't enough for the Miami Heat.

His final line: 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, the first triple-double in Heat playoff history and the seventh of his postseason career. Still, the Heat fell to the Dallas Mavericks 112-103 on Thursday night, falling behind 3-2 in the title series.

"The only thing that applies to me is a win. Win or a loss," James said. "I could have made a couple more plays for my team, but at the end of the day, all it is is about a win or a loss. And a triple-double means absolutely nothing, you know, in a loss."

With that, his "Now or Never!!" post on Twitter at 2:27 a.m. Eastern time Thursday looks more than a little ominous for the Heat, who have to win two games at home to take the title. Game 6 is in Miami on Sunday night.

"Triple-double," Heat forward Chris Bosh said. "We just didn't win the game."

According to the NBA and STATS LLC, James' was the 29th triple-double in finals history. But he was held to two points in the fourth quarter again, and those came with 29.6 seconds remaining. He had been stuck on 15 points for 15 minutes before his final basket of the game.

"I don't think it was a case of offense again tonight," James said. "There was enough offensive play. We shot 52 percent, they shot 56 percent. We scored 103 points, they scored 112. The offense wasn't a problem."

James has been criticized throughout the finals for his offense, especially late in games. His scoring and field goal totals dropped from the previous game in each of the three most recent finals outings. A slight uptick came Thursday, when James shot 8 for 19 from the field.

James has 11 points in the five fourth quarters of this series. By comparison, Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki has 52 in those periods.

"LeBron was much more aggressive tonight," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Obviously, he had a triple-double. And he had an impact on the game."

He had exceptional moments late in games against Chicago and Boston, particularly from beyond the 3-point arc. But on Thursday, he was 0 for 4 on 3s, including a miss that could have put Miami up by one with 1:50 left.

"Shot I made before," James said. "Just didn't make it that time."

The Larry O'Brien Trophy was not awarded Thursday night, so technically, it wasn't a now-or-never scenario for James.

But before the game, James' teammates said they understood what he meant. And no explanation is necessary now, not staring at a 3-2 deficit.

"We wouldn't have it any other way than the hard way," Spoelstra said.

James found it mildly humorous that his late-night tweet generated so much attention. He came into Thursday looking to recover from his lowest-scoring postseason game in 90 career outings, an eight-point night in Game 4, after which he's heard two days of questions about not carrying more of the offensive workload.

"Whatever I do ... someone is going to say something about it," James said.

More will be said until Sunday night as well. James took only two free throws in Game 5, and hasn't shot more than four during any game in this series. It's the first time in his career that he's gone five games without taking at least five free throws.

"We as a team, we played good enough to win again," James said. "Put ourself in position to win down the stretch. Everyone, guys made plays. They just made a few more than we did. That's what it came down to."

It can't be that way on Sunday, or else his chase of a first ring will last at least another year.

"We'll be better in Game 6," James said.

Was LeBron James' game last night reminiscent of Game 6 last year against the Celtics, in which he had a triple-double but appeared disinterested in a Cavaliers loss? Post your comments below.

The Dallas Mavericks are one victory away from winning an NBA title and star-telegram.com columnist Randy Galloway wants to know why not the Mavericks? So far, the Mavs are the team that steps up during crunch time. Galloway even took a shot at Dwyane Wade in the process. It was another stretch run that seemed Hollywood scripted, which has become the...

APLeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

The Dallas Mavericks are one victory away from winning an NBA title and star-telegram.com columnist Randy Galloway wants to know why not the Mavericks?

So far, the Mavs are the team that steps up during crunch time. Galloway even took a shot at Dwyane Wade in the process.

It was another stretch run that seemed Hollywood scripted, which has become the norm in this series, and speaking of Hollywood, there was even bad acting by one of the NBA's most noted actors, Dwyane Wade.

His hip hurt.

This is the same guy who blew off Dirk Nowitzki's illness of Game 4 with "he's a great player without all the dramatics."

What's this? The drama queen of the league scoffing at someone else's misfortune?

Right back at ya, D-Wade. And where was your game when you were needed?

Galloway also made a good point in that the Miami Heat's defense has been overrated in this series.

The Mavericks were simply missing too many open shots. The missing stopped this time.

Triple double not enough

Yahoo.com's Adrian Wojnarowski is one of the best writers when it comes to LeBron James. An in his latest work, Wojnarowski lays out how LeBron is on the cusp of greatness ---- or failure.

The next 72 hours promise to be the most torturous for James, because the world will keep closing on him, keep parsing and replaying and re-engaging everything about his Finals failures. He can’t help himself, because so much of the way he sees himself, the way he built himself, was through the prism of this basketball “Truman Show.”

From the edge of disaster, from the brink, James can still do the unthinkable. 

 

Team vs. individuals

Many wondered if the trio of stars in Miami would become a team and beat a team that played like one, writes CBSSports.com reporter Ken Berger.

It took 100 games and 44 minutes of basketball, but the answer came Thursday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Once again, the Dallas Mavericks were the kings of the fourth quarter. The King and his subjects offered barely a whimper, their star power outshined by a better team -- a better, more complete, and more versatile team.

"Astro has been the best all-around player for the team with one of the league's best record the first two-plus months. Even in hard times, he still shines." - sonnynono

View full sizeAP FileAsdrubal Cabrera has been producing all season, whether the team has been playing well or during its current slump.

In response to the story ESPN, foes and Cleveland Indians teammates are not selling Asdrubal Cabrera short, but All-Star voters are, cleveland.com reader sonnynono is impressed with Cabrera's steady performance in 2011. This reader writes,

"Astro has been the best all-around player for the team with one of the league's best record the first two-plus months. Even in hard times, he still shines."

"Truly sorry to hear about this tragic death. I have fond memories of Mike Mitchell's tremendous talents playing with some very difficult Cavaliers teams. This guy was smooth as silk. His shot was as sweet as they come - literally teardrops swishing through the net. His midrange game was tough as nails and this guy was a tremendous athlete - he could really leap and dunk." - randyosu

View full sizeMike Mitchell.

In response to the story Former Cleveland Cavalier Mike Mitchell passes away at age 55 after battle with cancer, cleveland.com reader randyosu has fond memories of Mitchell. This reader writes,

"Truly sorry to hear about this tragic death. I have fond memories of Mike Mitchell's tremendous talents playing with some very difficult Cavaliers teams. This guy was smooth as silk. His shot was as sweet as they come - literally teardrops swishing through the net. His midrange game was tough as nails and this guy was a tremendous athlete - he could really leap and dunk."

"Wallace has that edge about him, something every quarterback needs to be successful. It's better to hear the truth than it is to hear someone just singing the song. Hey, I want a guy thats going to push and challenge. That makes for better competition, better play, and that makes our team better." - Brownsfanatic

View full sizeLisa DeJong | The Plain DealerSeneca Wallace has raised some eyebrows with comments during his time with the Browns, but he's also been a solid back-up.

In response to the story Fire to play still burns for Cleveland Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace, cleveland.com reader Brownsfanatic likes that Wallace has a little edge to him. This reader writes,

"Wallace has that edge about him, something every quarterback needs to be successful. It's better to hear the truth than it is to hear someone just singing the song. Hey, I want a guy thats going to push and challenge. That makes for better competition, better play, and that makes our team better."

First pick happy Tribe picked him.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerManny Acta talks with the Indians' assistant general manager Chris Antonetti.

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com writes about Francisco Lindor who was the Cleveland Indians' top pick in the Major League Baseball draft.

Lindor is a 17-year-old shortstop out of Montverde Academy in Florida -- with the eighth overall pick during the First-Year Player Draft.

Lindor has been on a path to the Major Leagues -- at least that was his goal when, at 12 years old, he and his father said goodbye to family and friends, left their home in Puerto Rico and headed to Florida for better baseball opportunities. Lindor spoke no English when he arrived and enrolled at Montverde, a renowned boarding school that draws students from around the world.

Lindor is committed to Florida State University. It isn't likely he will play for the school, but anything can happen.

 "I can't predict the future," Lindor said. "Right now, I'm just happy I got picked."

Manny being Manny

The Tribe finished 1-6 in their recent homestand. They begin a four-game series at the New York Yankees tonight.

Manager Manny Acta, meanwhile,  refuses to get frustrated with his team's recent slide, writes Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour.

''Baseball doesn't frustrate me. People who drive slow in the left lane, that frustrates me,'' Acta said. ''Frustrated and luck are completely out of my vocabulary.''

Ridenour also writes how Acta has refused to watch the news or read the newspapers.

''It's not healthy for me,'' he said. ''You have to deal with these [reporters] on an every-day basis and I want to make sure when they come to work every day I can smile and talk to them. Not if I read something bad they wrote about me and be guarded or bitter."

MVP

Jim Ingraham of The News-Herald writes that Asdrubal Cabrera is the American League MVP if the voting was done today.

That's right.

I know Jose Bautista is leading the American League in everything worth leading, but I'd still go with Cabrera as the AL to-this-point-in-the-season MVP.

Offensively, Cabrera is almost single-handedly carrying the Indians right now. He's also been their best defensive player. He's played every single game. He's played a premium position. He's been the best player on the team that for most of the first 2 1/2 months of the season has been the best team in baseball.

New York Yankees

The New York Times has this article on Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain. The article recalls a term called "Joba Rules" and on Joba possibly having Tommy John surgery in the near future.

No pitcher, perhaps, has endured more scrutiny for his development. The term “Joba Rules,” a play on his dominance and the restrictions the Yankees placed on him as a rookie — partly so that Manager Joe Torre would not overuse him — became a running controversy around the team.

Plain Dealer Browns reporter says he thinks team might go with a developmental QB instead of the veteran. Watch video

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough.

With Tuesday's news that Terrelle Pryor has quit the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, the question is, what's next? He has already turned down an opportunity in the Canadian Football League. If he makes an NFL team, what position do you think he will play? That is the topic of today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV, Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi, says that if Pryor ends up being a receiver, he had better commit completely to playing the position.

It's Friday, which means Tony also answers fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature. Tony says Jake Delhomme might not be a Brown for much longer; and also talks about Seneca Wallace's role as a mentor; when the NFL lockout will end; and whether the Browns might have interest in Houston running back Steve Slaton.

SBTV will return Monday. Have a great weekend.

Which position will Terrelle Pryor play in the NFL?

AP PhotoTerrelle Pryor

Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor says through his lawyer that he will not play in the CFL or the UFL. Pryor is ready to take his talents to the NFL.

But which position will Pryor play at the next level? He certainly needs more work at quarterback. But will he try to improve at QB, or will he decided to move to another position like wide receiver, tight end or even free safety.

Pryor certainly has the size (6-6, 235 pounds) and speed (4.4 in the 40) to play other positions, but will or does he need to make a change?

What can we reasonably expect Cord Phelps to contribute? How surprising are LeBron's struggles in the NBA Finals? Craig Lyndall and Scott Sargent from WaitingForNextYear.com answered those questions and more in a podcast today.

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerCord Phelps will get regular time at second base with the Indians.

What can we reasonably expect Cord Phelps to contribute? How surprising are LeBron's struggles in the NBA Finals?

Craig Lyndall and Scott Sargent from WaitingForNextYear.com answered those questions and more in a podcast today.

Among other topics discussed:

• How big are these next two series for the Indians?

• Did anything surprise you about this week's draft picks by the Tribe?

• Who should the Cavaliers take at No. 4?

• Can the Cavaliers find rotation players in the second round of this draft?

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

More from WFNY:

Seven reasons not to give up on the 2011 Indians

Bill Simmons says "The Decision" worked

Tribe fans, welcome to the Cord Phelps era

Will OSU get punished more than USC?

AP fileFormer Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

 Despite the sanctions, giving up its national championship, and everything else associated with what led to the NCAA slapping USC, Dan Wetzel of Yahoo.com writes that Ohio State needs to get punished more.

Wetzel references the website SportsByBrooks that reported how the NCAA enforcement staff discovered “dozens of payments [quarterback Terrelle] Pryor received in past years from a Columbus sports memorabilia dealer. … the NCAA violations were discovered when the name of the local memorabilia dealer, Dennis Talbott, was seen on checks Pryor was depositing in his personal bank account.”

Checks? Seriously, checks? In the long, illustrious history of NCAA violations, the existence of a paper trail of deposited checks is almost unprecedented. Bags of cash? Absolutely. Tricked-out car registered in grandma’s name? Standard operating procedure. Downtown condos where the rent is never due? Of course.

And here's something I wasn't aware of:

While it may be Gestapo-esque, Ohio State always had the ability to access Pryor’s bank records. That’s one of many rights student-athletes are forced to give up in exchange for a scholarship and it’s how the NCAA could get them during its current investigation into the program.

“At the beginning of each school year student athletes sign a statement that gives consent for that information to the school,” said NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn, who would only confirm there is an ongoing investigation at OSU.

Not ready for prime time

Terrelle Pryor has a future in the NFL, but not as a quarterback, writes Wes Bunting of The NFL Football Post on Yahoo.com.

Pryor's future in the NFL is at wide receiver, explains Bunting, because Pryor does not have the skills to become a quarterback in the NFL.

Bunting's reasoning is out of some 1950's ideology when it comes to quarterback requirements.

As I had talked about countless times throughout the 2011 NFL draft process when discussing the quarterback position, being a successful signal caller in the NFL depends less upon a prospect’s physical skill set and more about his attributes from the shoulders up.

However, that doesn’t mean this freak athlete can’t find a home elsewhere and be successful in the NFL. At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, Pryor is a really gifted athlete for his size with the ball in his hands. His combination of size, strength and explosion allow him to routinely break tackles with a devastating stiff arm and create after contact. He’s a strider who possesses sneaky straightline speed that seems to consistently outpace defenders’ angles and also displays enough short-area quickness to create in tight areas as well.

  

Pryor's OSU career

Bruce Hooley of Fox Sports writes how Terrelle Pryor had a me attitude from the start.

Pryor’s leaving had nothing to do with his recent sit-down with NCAA investigators, the tightening vice on his remaining collegiate eligibility after the damning ESPN report or the risk that interim coach Luke Fickell wouldn’t treat him like the teacher’s pet he always was under Jim Tressel.

If you believe that, then you’re still among the dwindling few disciples who continue to buy into the hype Pryor brought with him from high school.

Hooley also writes how Maurice Clarett, Pryor and others with their hands out don’t get is the system is one of delayed gratification, just like what every other student who pays his or her own way through school encounters.

Those who study for four years to enter the work force get their payoff when they land a job.

Cash and carry

Doug Lesmerises of The Plain Dealer writes about Columbus photographer Dennis Talbott who reportedly gave Terrelle Pryor money.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade mock Dirk Nowitzki prior to Game 5.

Tony Dejak / APLeBron James

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade apparently were amused by Dirk Nowitzki's sinus infection and the ensuing storyline, writes ESPN Dallas reporter Tim MacMahon.

Following shootaround on Thursday, Wade and James pretended to cough and wheeze, smirking as they repeatedly covered their mouths with their shirts.

"Whoa, did y'all hear me cough? I think I'm sick," Wade said before turning toward James and chuckling.

This came two days after Nowitzki scored 21 points, including a critical driving layup in the last minute, while playing with a 101-degree fever during the Dallas Mavericks' NBA Finals-tying Game 4 win.

Wade, writes MacMahon, had already made it clear that he believed the story of Nowitzki playing through illness and injury -- the Mavericks' superstar tore the tendon in his left middle finger in the series opener -- had been overblown.

The Lake County Captains young players should benefit from the upcoming All-Star break.

 

Lynn Ischay / The Plain DealerFormer St.. Edward standout Alex Lavisky is working through his first season in the Indians farm system with the Lake County Captains.

Anthony Gallas of Strongsville High School and Kent State and Alex Lavisky of St. Edward High School are farmhands in the Indians organization, both currently playing for the Lake County Captains. They will share their thoughts on the season in an occasional blog.

Lavisky, who helped St. Edward to the state tournament a year ago, is hitting .206 on the season. He is tied for second on the team with seven home runs, and tied for fourth with 22 RBI.

Lavisky filed this report from the road, as the Captains are currently in the midst of a six-game road trip. They lost the last two games against the Wisconsin Rattlers after winning the opener. Tonight they open a three-game set at Beloit.

> EM

On the road right now traveling through Wisconsin. The bus trip was pretty long coming from Eastlake, roughly around 11 hours, however I'm glad that we made it here safe.

Looking around (the bus), I see a lot of guys with their headphones on listening to music or watching a movie, and I see other guys either playing chess or reading.

I'm usually listening to music, however on this road trip I've found myself doing all of the above trying to pass the time.

We just finished up our series with the Timber Rattlers and saw some nice pitching out here in the Western Division.

We're traveling to Beloit now and I'm tremendously excited with how our team is progressing, along with myself. We're starting to figure things out as a group when it comes to routines and feeling the same each day.

We still have a long way to go. We need to make some adjustments at the plate to get some timely hitting and sharpen up our defense, and truly learn to be focused and expecting to make that next play. However I think that the All-Star break will be very beneficial for all the first-year players on our team.

I'm looking forward to finishing up our road trip and the next two weeks of the first half on a good note. I'm expecting big things from myself and the team in the second half of the season now that the first half is under our belt and we all know what to expect. I think the experience from the first half will shine through in our young team to make for an exciting second half of the season.

Let's go Captains in Beloit!

-- Alex

Terry Thomas and Jeff "Bubba" Strauss are good at pulling a limit of yellow perch from Lake Erie, but neither angler was optimistic on Wednesday afternoon.

D'ARCY EGAN/THE PLAIN DEALERJeff "Bubba" Strauss (left) of Cleveland, and Terry Thomas, of Hinckley, show off a pair of yellow perch they caught from Lake Erie to anglers in a nearby boat. They were fishing Wednesday afternoon near Cleveland Harbor.

 Terry Thomas and Jeff "Bubba" Strauss are good at pulling a limit of yellow perch from Lake Erie, but neither angler was optimistic on Wednesday afternoon.

The weather has been a roller coaster ride for Lake Erie fishermen this year, and so has the perch and walleye fishing. What seemed like a tropical heat wave on Wednesday had pushed the thermometer to within a couple of degrees of the century mark. The southwest winds were piling up waves and every fisherman we contacted earlier in the day had stories of mediocre Cleveland area perch fishing.

We weren't about to waste a tall bucket filled with water and emerald shiner minnows, or the big bag of ice nestled in the cooler. I brought along a glimmer of hope, if only because a pair of perch fishing veterans were leading the way.

Thomas and Strauss are almost always able to figure out where to find perch, and how to catch them. They have sneaky, little perch tricks, and a general confidence they'll catch the most perch, and usually some jumbos. Jumbo perch top the 10-inch mark. A perch needs to stretch at least 13 inches to earn a Fish Ohio Award.

A two-time state champion wrestler at St. Edward's High School and now a coach at Rocky River High School, Strauss is on the road to recovery after recent hip surgery. That gave him a pass on the heavy lifting as we toted our gear down the Whiskey Island Marina dock to Thomas's boat, a 23-footer named the "Double T."

Thomas fired up the engine and headed out on the big lake to a spot west of Cleveland Harbor that he said was our best chance for success. 

 "There's a ledge along the shale bottom, and we have to be at exactly the right depth along the drop-off," Thomas said, motoring back and forth to position the boat. The hardest task when fishing a hard, flat bottom is getting the anchor to bite. We were lucky the first time around. The boat swung in the wind, setting up over the right depth.

 Thomas let the motor run.

 "We're doing the 'rain dance' right now," Thomas said, with a laugh. "When you anchor, running the motor at idle speed for a few minutes seems to attract perch."
 Thomas handed me a spinning rod, and told me to take great care with it. The rod and reel belonged to Renee' Thomas, and there would be a husband in peril if it was damaged.

"Renee' is a very good perch fisherman," said Thomas. "She'd much rather anchor and catch a lot of perch than troll for walleye."

 I'd been on the water quite a few times with Strauss, who lives a few blocks from the Cleveland shoreline. Thomas, of Hinckley, has docked his boat at Whiskey Island Marina the past 15 years so he can enjoy a couple of hours of perch fishing after work, or a full weekend of trolling for walleye.

Thomas's spinning rod had obviously been used to catch schools of yellow perch. The rod blank once had a bright brand name printed on it. That was now impossible to read, with a thick coating of shiner minnow scales covering the rod.

Thomas is a single-minded perch fisherman when it comes to his perch-fishing technique. Instead of using the popular perch spreader, with a pair of hooks, or a multi-hooked crappie rig, Thomas relies on one sinker and one snelled, long-shanked No. 6 gold wire hook on the end of his line.

"I may use just one hook, but I catch as many perch as anyone," he said. lowering a shiner minnow to the lake bottom.

Seconds later, Thomas proved his point. His light spinning rod was in full bend and Thomas wore a big smile.

"They're here," Thomas said, reeling in a 10-inch perch. Even he was surprised at the quick success after such a gloomy forecast.

The few fishermen around us were baking in the sun, hoping for a nibble. Thomas was on fire, and Strauss and I were steadily hauling perch aboard, as well.

The tell-tale specks on the sonar screen were painting an electronic picture of a school of perch. They weren't there when we had set up, but it seemed as if my partners had a perch whistle and called them in. The bite ranged from slow and steady to hot and heavy. Two hours later, I was pulling the anchor.

 Ninety perch were in the cooler, ready for a fillet knife.

D'ARCY EGAN/THE PLAIN DEALERTerry Thomas of Hinckley unhooks another nice Lake Erie yellow perch while fishing off Lakewood on Wednesday.

Bennett has tips for flavorful Lake Erie perch

 Clevelanders rave about Lake Erie yellow perch, both the catching and the cooking.
 Perch anglers think their secret recipe is best, and I've had some delightful fried fish dinners over the years. Some have been just terrible. 

 Some of the best fillets I've savored have been fried by Master Perch Chef Chris Bennett of Lorain. He's deep-fried tons of perch fillets at local events, and his secrets for success begin well before the cooking. 

 Here are Bennett's tips to make a perch dinner sparkle:

• Keep perch on ice, not on a stringer in Lake Erie or in a cooler or bucket filled with water. You can keep perch on ice overnight before filleting, but always pop the cooler's drain plug so melted water flows out.
• When storing perch, put them in a plastic bag with a tight seal. Filling bags with fillets and water before freezing helps prevent freezer burn in a typical frost-free freezer.
• Bread the perch a half-hour before frying to allow breading to set and fillets to fry evenly. Bread fillets hours or even a day early and breading absorbs too much moisture from the perch fillet. Breaded just before cooking, fillets curl and breading falls away in hot oil.

Bennett's perch fillets are the star of the show at Vermilion's Festival of the Fish on June 17-19 at Victory Park in Vermilion; Wine and Walleye Festival in Ashtabula on Aug. 26-28; and Lake County PerchFest in Fairport Harbor on Sept. 9-11.

Struggling team and struggling No. 1 starter visit the Yankees for four-game set.

View full sizeChris Sweda | Chicago Tribune | MCTFausto Carmona has given up 27 earned runs over 31 innings in his last five starts.

(AP) -- The New York Yankees can't be happy with their start to a season high-tying 10-game homestand. Having the sputtering Cleveland Indians visit appears to be just what they need.

Coming off a sweep at the hands of their fiercest rival, the Yankees look to continue their success against the AL Central-leading Indians in the opener of this four-game wraparound series Friday night.

New York (33-27) has dropped 10 of 14 at home after getting swept in three games by Boston to relinquish the AL East lead. The Yankees dropped two games behind the first-place Red Sox with Thursday's 8-3 loss, which was delayed 3 hours, 27 minutes by rain.

"It's not how you wanted it to end tonight, it did and you've got to move on," manager Joe Girardi said.

The Yankees can do that as they enter the second series of this challenging homestand, which concludes with three games against West-leading Texas.

New York has won 10 of 13 against Cleveland (34-26) while hitting .304 and averaging 6.8 runs.

Cleveland has been a major surprise this season, but has lost 11 of 15 to see its lead atop the Central sliced from seven games to one over Detroit.

"What comes around goes around," manager Manny Acta said.

The Indians concluded a 1-6 homestand with a 3-2 loss to Minnesota on Wednesday, and are opening a seven-game trip that concludes with three games against the surging Tigers.

Cleveland's recent struggles, including a .196 average over the last seven games, aren't much of a concern to Acta.

"Most of these guys that are here went through even tougher times last year," Acta told the team's official website. "I don't think their confidence has wavered at all.

"It's human nature. One guy wants to win the whole game by himself and does way too much in certain at-bats, and the next guy does the same thing. You just have to let the game come to you and just take what the pitcher gives you, and go from there."

Acta gives the ball to Fausto Carmona (3-7, 5.33 ERA), who is 1-4 with a 6.87 ERA in seven career starts against the Yankees while compiling a 10.66 ERA in losing the last three.

The right-hander is 0-4 with a 7.84 ERA over his last five games, and was the victim of a pair of two-run homers over 6 1-3 innings in Saturday's 4-0 loss to Texas.

Michael Brantley has been a rare bright spot offensively for the Indians recently. He's hitting .378 with five extra-base hits and six runs over nine games.

The Yankees turn to Ivan Nova (4-4, 4.50), who seeks his first win in four starts.

The right-hander is 0-1 with a 4.96 ERA in his last three games, getting six runs of support during that span. He could have used a little more help from his teammates last Friday, as he allowed two earned runs in six innings of a 3-2 loss to Los Angeles.

"It's really encouraging," manager Joe Girardi told the team's official website. "We saw him use his changeup. We saw him use his sinker. We saw him throw more strikes."

Curtis Granderson is tied with first basemen Mark Teixeira for the team lead with 18 homers and 43 RBIs after connecting for a two-run shot Thursday. The center fielder has a .444 average with three doubles, three triples and two homers off Carmona.

Time to "Buckeye up" and face down the scandal with some brass and sass, OSU fans. These possible bumper stickers say it all.

Terry Gilliam / Associated PressThis sentiment, expressed by two OSU students on the day Jim Tressel announced his resignation, is nice, but Buckeye fans have many ways to vent their frustration over the scandal that has tainted the football program, Bill Livingston says.

Although dobbers are down and crests have fallen across the Heart of It All with the Ohio State football scandal and the resignation under fire of coach Jim Tressel, fans of one of the flagship schools in college football's ruling class should not despair. It is time to Buckeye up.

Ohio State was never exactly a Goody Two-Cleats like Notre Dame, but it tried to distance itself from the biggest rascals of the college game. As only a cursory glance at college football shows, however, crime in fact does pay, certainly well enough in a world without remuneration. (Honest, wink-nudge, they're amateurs).

Auburn won the national championship, and its quarterback Cam Newton copped the Heisman Trophy amid charges that Newton was a modern-day Hessian. Southern California dominated college football in the middle of the last decade while defrocked Heisman winner Reggie Bush had his hands out for far more than the football.

The memorabilia sale scandal of Big Ten championship rings and game-day gear by players at Ohio State for money and discount tattoos, and even its cover-up, amounted to comparatively small potatoes. But if the Buckeyes did not measure up then, who's to say, with a hearty embrace of their raffish side, they might not set the standard in the future?

We will have no sack cloth and ashes, no heads lowered or voices hushed. These Bucks do not stop here.

The dark side has its fascination. Who dominated the "Star Wars" movies but Darth Vader? NBA playoff ratings spiked because of the devil's spawn in South Beach, the Miami Heat.

Brutus Buckeye might develop rare "crossover" appeal to the NFL audience with only the small addition of the skull and crossbones of the Oakland Raiders' logo, slapped, like a buckeye leaf, below his little beanie.

With some properly chosen slogans, OSU fans can find defiance in defeat, strength amid the coming sanctions and power even if the Buckeyes go on probation. OSU fans should never let their meek flag fly.

The first step is to warn opponents that that trademark Ohio State swagger is back. That proverb that pride goeth before a fall? It can sure goeth after it too. Hide your mea culpas behind these bumper stickers:

Buckeye Football: We almost got away with it.

* Willing to look the other way.

* You don't know the half of it.

* Three yards and a cloud of suspicion.

* Luck? We make or buy our own.

* That's only the part you know about.

* Next time, they won't catch us.

Intimidation always has value in football. The threat of reprisal is always useful. The Buckeyes will have no more squealers in their midst.

Buckeye Football: Sleep with your eyes open.

* Watch your back.

The scandal included sweetheart car deals to players and cheap tattoos. OSU should not hide from this, but should seek to capitalize with sponsorship tie-in's. You say, tsk-tsk; I say, ka-ching!

Buckeye Motors: A ride so quiet the NCAA will never hear it.

Buckeye Tattoos: There's no such thing as bad ink.

The Southeastern Conference has won the past five BCS Championship Games. If you can't beat 'em, the Buckeyes can join 'em, at least in a collegial spirit of questionable academic values and moral squalor. They can even take Alabama coach Bear Bryant's famous comment about a tie and turn it to their use.

Buckeye Football: It's like we're kissing YOUR sister.

* We don't know any better.

Often considered the "fourth pro sport in Cleveland" because of the football team's popularity here, the Buckeyes need a catch-phrase to compete in this city's sports market place with the Tribe's "What if". I lean to:

Buckeye Football: What about it?

OSU fans should face up to those pesky pitfalls of its past. Embrace them. Fans, get down with your bad selves this way:

Buckeye Football: He never punched anybody.

* Yeah, we're NUTS!

Go Bucks. Let the bad times roll!

Indians outfielder Travis Buck may have whiplash after riding in a cab that was involved in an accident Friday in New York City.

Chris Carlson | Associated PressTravis Buck is OK after a car accident.

NEW YORK, New York -- Manager Manny Acta said outfielder Travis Buck and his wife were hospitalized Friday after the New York City cab they were passengers in was involved in an accident.

A team spokesman called the accident a "minor fender bender." Buck, scheduled to DH Friday night against the Yankees, reported to Yankee Stadium. Trainers examined him and suggested that he and his wife go to the hospital.

"We sent them for precautionary reasons," said Acta. "The trainers felt Travis looked a little dazed. He may have whiplash."

Buck is hitting .256 with two homers and eight RBI for the Indians. He's on his second tour with the club. He opened the season with the Indians, but was sent down on April 19 when right-hander Jeanmar Gomez was recalled. Buck was recalled on May 16.

About a half hour before gametime, Buck rejoined the Indians at Yankee Stadium. He will be in uniform for Friday's game.

Nice swing: Travis Hafner took batting practice Friday afternoon for the first time since straining his oblique muscle on May 18.

"Everything felt good," said Hafner.

After taking three rounds of BP, Hafner ran the bases as Acta watched.

Hafner is scheduled to take BP again Sunday and Monday. Then the Indians will discuss his rehab assignment.

"Travis swung the bat very well," said Acta. "It was good to see. He was effortless and right on time."

Hafner did not seem overly excited about the prospect of going on a rehab assignment. Few players are, but Acta said he needs one.

"I absolutely think he needs a rehab," said Acta. "He needs to play some games. He's been out for too long just to throw him out there."

Hafner has not played since May 17.

Tonight's lineups:

Indians (34-26): CF Michael Brantley (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), CF Grady Sizemore, C Carlos Santana (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), DH Cord Phelps (S), 2B Orlando Cabrera (R), 3B Jack Hannahan (L), RHP Fausto Carmona (3-7, 5.33).

Yankees (33-27): SS Derek Jeter (R), CF Curtis Grandson (L), 1B Mark Teixeira (S), 3B Alex Rodriguez (R), 2B Robinson Cano (L), RF Nick Swisher (S), DH Jorge Posada (S), LF Brett Gardner (L), C Francisco Cervelli (R) and RHP Ivan Nova (4-4, 4.50).

Him vs. me: Lots of Yankees hit Carmona hard, including Granderson, who is batting .444 (16-for-36) with three doubles, three triples, two homers and five RBI against him.

Adam Everett is the only Indian to face Nova. He went 0-for-1 against him.

Umpires: H Scott, 1B Iassogna, 2B Bucknor, 3B Muchlinski.

Next: RHP Mitch Talbot faces New York's Bartolo Colon on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. STO/Channel 3 and WTAM/1100 will carry the game.

Jim Tressel received email back in March 2007 claiming Talbott was selling Buckeye memorabilia with autographs of current players.

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerTerrelle Pryor, above, golfed with Dennis Talbott two years ago, according to sources.

Columbus - Ohio State can't say it was surprised to hear the name Dennis Talbott this week in reports claiming he paid former quarterback Terrelle Pryor thousands of dollars for signing memorabilia.

The Plain Dealer has learned that on at least two occasions, Ohio State was warned about Talbott and his relationship with OSU football players, long before Tuesday's ESPN report that Talbott gave between $20,000 and $40,000 to Pryor.

In a March 21, 2007 email to Tressel, which was provided to the Plain Dealer, a source gave the following warning about the alleged online activities of Talbott, a Columbus-based freelance photographer who also is involved in memorabilia sales:

"He has sold over 50 items with underclassmen signatures before their eligibility expires and would seem to be someone that both you and the university is aware of. I have a full report of his eBay activities if you would like to explore further or require documentation."

The email was sent to the account tressel.3@osu.edu. That is the same address that Columbus attorney Chris Cicero used to email Tressel in April of 2010 about OSU players selling memorabilia, an email that Tressel did not disclose to his bosses, an NCAA violation that eventually led to his May 30 resignation.

The Plain Dealer requested a copy of the 2007 email from Ohio State, but the school does not retain email records that are more than three years old.

Despite the warning in 2007, Talbott received free tickets from an OSU player to eight Buckeye games during the 2008 season, according to school records. OSU redacted which player or players left tickets for Talbott.

The second warning about Talbott to OSU came in the summer of 2009. Two employees of Scioto Reserve Golf Club contacted members of the athletic department after seeing Talbott and Pryor golfing together. One employee said he talked to an Ohio State assistant coach he knew socially, and was told the matter would be taken care of. Another employee, Regan Koivisto, the club's general manager, said he called the football office and detailed his concerns while talking to an administrative assistant.

"I just thought it would be best if the coaching staff was aware, because I'm certain they always had their players' best interests in mind and would want to know," Koivisto told The Plain Dealer.

Talbott on Thursday told The Plain Dealer that although he golfed with Pryor, he never paid for Pryor.

Koivisto, who said his concern arose from his understanding that Talbott was involved in memorabilia sales, said he was asked if he'd like a coach to call him back, but he felt that was unnecessary because he'd provided all the information he knew.

ESPN reported Friday that Pryor and Talbott golfed in 2008, but Koivisto confirmed in a followup conversation with The Plain Dealer that it was in 2009.

At the start of preseason camp on July, 31, 2009, Tressel said of Pryor, "He's gotten this sudden urge to take up golf, and he's addicted to golfing."

For 2009 season, Talbott remained a credentialed photographer, working the sidelines of the OSU home games.

With Tressel's resignation, Pryor's decision to leave the team and the fact that Talbott is not under NCAA jurisdiction, the issue at hand isn't about a coach, a quarterback or a photographer.

The issue is whether Ohio State had reason to act when it came to Talbott's access to the team; whether his continued presence around the program led to any NCAA violations that could have been prevented; and whether those at Ohio State committed potential violations if they failed to follow up on information.

Tressel faced major violations for not disclosing the Cicero emails to the Ohio State administration or compliance office.

It's unknown what Tressel or the university did after these warnings about Talbott; but it is known that Talbott remained around the program. He told The Plain Dealer this week that he had a friendly relationship with Pryor.

Told of these warnings, Ohio State spokesperson Jim Lynch offered no comment, but did confirm that Talbott was not issued a media credential in 2010. Asked if that meant Talbott was denied the credential, Lynch said only that Talbott did not receive one.

Talbott told The Plain Dealer that he chose not to photograph home games in 2010 so he could attend them as a fan, but he did photograph Ohio State road games last season.

WBNS Channel 10 in Columbus today reported another warning to Ohio State in the form of a call to the compliance office's anonymous tip line in July on 2010. The station said the office then began to look into Talbott's relationship with Pryor.

Talbott and Larry James, a lawyer who represented Pryor through his NCAA issues, both said that money never changed hands between the photographer and the quarterback.

But it's safe to say that when the allegation came out this week, people at Ohio State should have known the name Dennis Talbott.