Travis Buck is going and Shelley Duncan is expected to be coming as the Indians make a roster move before playing nine strailght games under NL rules.

PD fileShelley Duncan.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shelley Duncan, the Indians top pinch hitter, is rejoining the Indians just in time for interleague play.

The Indians cleared a spot for the expected promotion of Duncan by optioning struggling outfielder Travis Buck to Class AAA Columbus. Buck was told after the Indians 4-3 victory over Colorado on Wednesday.

Duncan is expected to join the Indians on Friday in San Francisco when they open a three-game series against the Giants.

Buck was in a 2-for-28 slump when he was optioned. This is the third time he's been optioned to Columbus this year. He's hitting .228 (23-for-101) with 17 runs, six doubles, two homers and nine RBI.

Duncan is hitting .222 (18-for-81) with six doubles, two homers and 17 RBI.  Duncan is .271 (13-for-48) hitter against lefties with 10 RBI.

He's 4-for-7 with seven RBI as a pinch-hitter this year for the Tribe. He represents a valuable option for manager Manny Acta in the upcoming nine games in NL parks where the DH cannot be used and pitchers must hit. 

Cinesport video: Paul Hoynes on the Indians homestand

For more Cinesport video on cleveland.com, go here.

Are Cavaliers trying to deal for another lottery pick tonight?

APEnes Kanter

Despite all of the disappointment and issues associated with this past season, tonight's NBA Draft means the Cleveland Cavaliers are escaping purgatory, writes Ohio.com reporter Jason Lloyd.

Regardless of whom they take, the Cavs will have two good, young pieces in place to begin what will be a lengthy process. There might not be another LeBron or Kevin Durant awaiting them, but ultimately that might not be as horrific as it sounds.

That's why Cavs General Manager Chris Grant must get it right tonight. He did a masterful job in steering the organization to this point, acquiring the pick from the Los Angeles Clippers that turned out to be the No. 1 choice in tonight's draft, but now he must choose wisely, writes Lloyd.

It's easy for the rest of the league to casually name Irving the top player in this draft. They don't have riding on this what Grant does in his first season as a GM.

Making a point

No matter how much love the Cavaliers have for Derrick Williams, it looks like the Cavaliers will use the No. 1 overall pick on Duke's Kyrie Irving.

But things are not as clear cut at No. 4, writes News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan. Enes Kanter is the favorite to go in that spot:

"If they take Kanter at 4," said one league source, "he might not be wearing their hat by Friday."

The Cavs could have as many as two deals on the table for Kanter, the source said. Washington could be one of the teams willing to deal for the Turkish center. One rumor making the rounds is the Cavs trading the No. 4 pick to Washington for the Wizards' Nos. 6 and 18 selections.

However, multiple league sources indicate the Cavs want to get their hands on Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, even if he can't play in the NBA next season.

ESPN's Chad Ford is reporting that the Cavaliers are trying to use their trade exception to gain another lottery pick, perhaps from Sacramento or Detroit.

Back to the basics

Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer is in New York preparing for tonight's draft. On Wednesday, she followed Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams and a host of other draft hopefuls who all participated in a clinic with 60 Special Olympians.

Mock Drafts

Yahoo.com

NBADraft.net

HoopsWorld.com

SBNation.com.

Big Z may not retire

As The PD's Mary Schmitt Boyer first reported, former Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas informed the Miami Heat that he will pick up his $1.4 million player option for next season. Ilgauskas, who had spoken in recent weeks of retiring, may still hang it up but the Heat would have to buy him out.

But for now, Ilgauskas will be on next year's roster along with LeBron James.

"While it would be nice to add a big RH bat, who do you trade for? And, better yet, what team is willing to give up a big bat this early? You rarely see big trades in June. Even the CC trade didn't happen until after the 4th of July. There are simply too many teams still in the hunt for the playoffs. Even the Twins still look alive. So while it would be nice to get a bat, the reality is it's simply not feasible right now." - hermie13

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerThe Indians' braintrust will be faced with a tough decision come July if this team is still in contention.

In response to the story Orlando Cabrera gets another start at third base: Cleveland Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader hermie13 doesn't think there's a deal to be made right now. This reader writes,

"While it would be nice to add a big RH bat, who do you trade for? And, better yet, what team is willing to give up a big bat this early? You rarely see big trades in June. Even the CC trade didn't happen until after the 4th of July. There are simply too many teams still in the hunt for the playoffs. Even the Twins still look alive. So while it would be nice to get a bat, the reality is it's simply not feasible right now."

"I hope for Terrelle's sake he gets far away from Ohio. If he goes to Cleveland or Cincy, he'll only be known as the guy who took down Tressel." - unc09

View full sizeTerrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel had great success at Ohio State - and both left under scandal.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns doing their research on Terrelle Pryor for NFL supplemental draft, cleveland.com reader unc09 thinks playing in Ohio is bad for Terrelle Pryor. This reader writes,

"I hope for Terrelle's sake he gets far away from Ohio. If he goes to Cleveland or Cincy, he'll only be known as the guy who took down Tressel."

"Most of the negotiations are likely to try and limit the owners from spending. Since Gilbert is willing to spend what it takes, the new rules are likely to be bad for the Cavs' ability to turn the team around by spending Gilbert's money. Deals we were able to make, like the one getting the first pick and Baron Davis, will no longer be allowed with the hard cap. So be careful what you wish for." - RickRock

View full sizeMark Duncan | Associated PressDan Gilbert's ability to spend could be hampered under a new CBA.

In response to the story 2011 NBA Draft: Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams hold court on eve of turning professional, cleveland.com reader RickRock thinks a new CBA could be bad for the Cavaliers. This reader writes,

"Most of the negotiations are likely to try and limit the owners from spending. Since Gilbert is willing to spend what it takes, the new rules are likely to be bad for the Cavs' ability to turn the team around by spending Gilbert's money. Deals we were able to make, like the one getting the first pick and Baron Davis, will no longer be allowed with the hard cap. So be careful what you wish for."

Colt McCoy says his hard-working teammates have made the first three "Camp Colts'' a huge success.

Joshua Gunter | The Plain DealerColt McCoy and other veterans have helped the rookies and young free agents with their travel expenses for "Camp Colts.''

CLEVELAND -- Browns quarterback Colt McCoy credits his teammates with the success of the three lockout camps he's hosted over the past few months.

 Josh Cribbs affectionately dubbed the sessions "Camp Colts'' but McCoy prefers to deflect the attention.

 "My teammates are really willing to work hard and that's what's made them so great,'' said McCoy in a phone interview. "We don't accept the things that have happened, especially last year. We felt like we had the opportunity to win some games there and didn't get it done, so guys are really working hard, they're staying in shape and they're willing to make the extra effort.''

 McCoy, who's organizing a fullsquad session in the near future along with linebacker Scott Fujita, said players for the most part have paid their own expenses to Austin, Tex. twice and Cleveland once. The first and third camps were held at the University of Texas and the middle one at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea.

 "Guys were willing to pay a little extra money for their flights and for their meals when we got together and it's all going to be worth it,'' said McCoy. "The turnouts have been great and it's all going to pay off during the season. I'm just proud of all of them for putting forth the effort.''

McCoy said the veteran players have helped the rookies and other young players pay their way to the camps.

 "We do everything we can as a team to make sure everybody can get there,'' McCoy said. "The rookies and free agents don't have any money, so we definitely make sure that all the guys that want to be there, can be.''

 One rookie that McCoy was especially glad to see at the last camp at Texas June 9-11, was receiver Greg Little, the second-round pick from North Carolina. Little sat out all last season on a suspension for accepting improper benefits and is determined to make an impact this season.

 "It was great having Greg there,'' said McCoy. "He's in shape, he ran great routes and he has good hands. Drafting him as high as they did, I think the coaches have high expectations for him. It was good to get him with Mo (Mohamed Massaquoi), Jordan Cameron (rookie tight end), Brian Robiskie, Ben Watson and Evan Moore. Those guys kind of took him under their wing and taught him a little bit.''

 From what he saw of Little, McCoy definitely expects him to make up for lost time.

 "He's not going to be missing a step,'' said McCoy. "I think he's done a great job of staying in shape and  continuing to work. Obviously he wanted to play last season and that didn't happen, but he was in the same (West Coast) system that we're putting in in Cleveland, so system-wise I think he'll be fine.''

 McCoy was also happy to have fellow quarterrback Seneca Wallace making his first appearance.

 "Having Seneca around, he's been in the West Coast, so without having a coach there, he was able to answer some of the deep playbook questions that I might have -- even though I feel like I have a great grasp of the playbook. It was nice to have an extra arm, and I'm blessed to have both Seneca and Jake Delhomme around to help me out. Jake was able to come to the second camp in Cleveland, and those guys provide some of the experience I lack.''

 McCoy said he's excited to get the whole team together soon for a players-only camp if the lockout lingers. He declined to reveal the time and place.

"I think it will happen, but everybody will just have to know pending the lockout this is where we're going to meet and this is what we're going to do,'' he said. "But as we get closer (to the season), guys are getting more anxious and I think we'll have a great turnout on both sides of the ball.''

Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant and Head Coach Byron Scott talk about their first round 2011 NBA Draft picks Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. Watch video

More NBA Draft 2011 multimedia

Mary Schmitt Boyer reports from the NBA Draft in New Jersey

Cavaliers top pick Kyrie Irving conference call

Fan reaction from the NBA Draft Party at The Q

CineSport video: More reaction from the NBA Draft

Gallery: Reaction to NBA Draft in Cleveland

Gallery: Cleveland Cavaliers pick Kyrie Irving

Gallery: Cleveland Cavaliers pick Tristan Thompson

Fin, Feather & Fur Outfitters of Ashland opened a satellite store in the Cleveland area this week, with plans to eventually create a network of stores around Ohio.

Fin, Feather & Fur Outfitters of Ashland opened a satellite store in the Cleveland area this week, with plans to eventually create a network of stores around Ohio.

“We’ve created a downsized version of our Ashland store in Middleburg Heights, with 20,000 square feet of hunting, fishing, camping and outdoor gear,” owner Mike Goschinski said. “The firearms section of the new store, however, is about the same size as what we have at the Ashland store.”

The family-owned Fin, Feather & Fur Outfitters opened in 1985 in the Ashland area. Goschinski created a 72,000-square-foot destination store in 2000. It is a short distance west of the original store on U.S. 250.

The new store is at 18030 Bagley Road, next to Kmart. Store hours are: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Record gar shot: Akron bowhunter Zachary Jared shot a 19.21-pound longnose gar while night hunting on Turkeyfoot Lake in the Portage Lakes chain in Summit County on May 12. The fish has been certified by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio’s Record Fish Committee, knocking off a 14.72-pound longnose gar shot by Jake Kerstetter on the Little Miami River on July 11, 2008.

Border scare: Canada Border Services Agency officers on the St. Lawrence River caused a stir among fishermen along the U.S./Canada border with a new interpretation of Canada’s reporting rules for U.S. boaters. An incident May 30 resulted in a New York angler fishing in Ontario waters having to pay $1,000 to prevent his boat from being seized.

Despite the St. Lawrence River action, CBSA Officer Rosemary Graham in Windsor, Ontario, said by telephone that Canada’s rules for Ohio anglers who are fishing in the Canadian water of Lake Erie have not changed. As long as Ohio fishermen don’t set foot on Canadian soil, or moor or anchor their boats in Canadian waters, they don’t have to report to a shoreline customs office.

“There have been no changes in our rules,” Graham said. “ Ohio fishermen do not have to report to customs before they can fish [the Canadian water of Lake Erie].”

Roy Anderson of Thousand Island Park, N.Y., was stopped by Canadian officers near Gananoque Narrows on the Ontario side of the St. Lawrence River. Anderson had an Ontario license and he and his father had fished the area for years without incident.

Officers told him he was required to first check in at a customs office at one of three Canadian ports before each fishing trip. Since Anderson was fishing, and not heading to one of those ports, they seized his boat. Anderson paid a $1,000 fine on the spot with a credit card.

The incident has New York politicians up in arms. U.S. Rep. William Owens of Plattsburgh, N.Y., contacted Canadian officials, complaining the new enforcement rule would cripple the tourism and fishing industries in the Thousand Islands region, reported the Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times.

Out and about: The Youth Fishing Area ponds at the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s district headquarters in Akron are closed Saturday and Sunday for a paving project, with the weekend-only kids fishing area to reopen for the holiday weekend July 2-4. . . . Shooter Lynda Green of Chagrin Falls earned a pair of bronze CMP Achievement pins at Crooked Creek Conservation Club by twice scoring 546 of a possible 600 points in the rimfire sporter telescope class. . . . The Ohio State Trapshooting Tournament runs through Sunday at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio, south of Mansfield.

National Matches to begin: The First Shot Ceremony on July 11 is the official start of the 2011 National Rifle and Pistol Championships at Camp Perry, the Ohio National Guard facility west of Port Clinton. The monthlong shooting events are hosted by the National Rifle Association and the Civilian Marksmanship Program. There is no admission charge, and visitors can tour the firing line and the shooting sports exhibitions, including industry row.

The competitions include pistol (July 12-16), smallbore rifle position (July 21-23), smallbore rifle prone (July 24-28), Springfield M1A Match (Aug. 7), high-power rifle (Aug. 9-12), national defense match (Aug. 13-14) and long-range championship (Aug. 13-17). Visit nrablog.com for details.

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

Watch video from the NBA Draft in New Jersey as Mary Schmitt Boyer looks at the Cavaliers' first-round draft picks Kyrie Irving of Duke and Tristan Thompson from Texas.

Watch video from the NBA Draft in New Jersey as Mary Schmitt Boyer looks at the Cavaliers' first-round draft picks Kyrie Irving of Duke and Tristan Thompson from Texas. Video includes reaction from both Irving and Thompson.

CineSport video: More reaction from the NBA Draft

Cavaliers Cavaliers talk about their 2011 NBA Draft first round picks

Cavaliers top pick Kyrie Irving conference call

Fan reaction from the NBA Draft Party at The Q

Gallery: Reaction to NBA Draft in Cleveland

Gallery: Cleveland Cavaliers pick Kyrie Irving

Gallery: Cleveland Cavaliers pick Tristan Thompson

Complete Cavaliers draft coverage »

Here is Friday's essay by Ernest Ramage of Cleveland.

View full sizeAP photoA doubleheader in Cleveland was a tough day's work for New York's celebrated Whitey Ford.

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

It was 1962, I was 14 and living in Youngstown. The New York Yankees were coming to Cleveland and a radio station was sponsoring an excursion by train to the doubleheader. My cousin Tom and neighbor Bud wanted to go also. We begged our parents to let us go and, surprisingly, they said yes. The train arrived at the Terminal Tower Sunday morning. A large crowd packed the stadium. The Indians and Yankees were battling for first place.

In the first inning, the Yankees went quietly 1-2-3. Whitey Ford was the starter for the Yankees. That inning, the Tribe hit three home runs. Who could have imagined the great Whitey Ford being smacked around like that? He made it through the first inning, but was sent to the showers in the second inning. The remainder of the game was full of great plays. The Indians won both games.

Little did I know the best was yet to come. Our train was not leaving until 8 p.m., so we decided to find the Yankees clubhouse. I found a discarded program and waited for the doors to open so players like Berra, Maris, Ford and Mantle could make the used program my treasure. Finally, the doors opened and, one by one, I got my autographs.

Wait, one player was missing, Mickey! I was looking around to make sure he didn't slip past me. Suddenly, I looked down one of the exit tunnels. There he was walking toward a taxi cab. My feet never moved so fast. I actually beat him to the cab.

"Come on kid, let me in." he said.

"Just one autograph Mickey, please," I begged.

He quickly signed my program. Then he jumped into the cab and told the driver "get me out of here."

On the train ride home, I looked at my autographs of Joe Pepitone, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Casey Stengel, Roger Maris and, of course, Mickey. I would take it out of my dresser drawer often and remember my phenomenal day.

An NBA draft that included a record four international players who didn't play at a U.S. college selected in the lottery soon became dominated by deals, which the NBA was still hustling to approve and announce as the second round wound down.

NBA Commissioner David Stern, left, poses with the No. 3 overall pick, Kentuckys' Enes Kanter, from Turkey, who was selected by the Utah Jazz in the NBA basketball draft Thursday, June, 23, 2011, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

NEWARK, New Jersey --  An NBA draft that included a record four international players who didn't play at a U.S. college selected in the lottery soon became dominated by deals, which the NBA was still hustling to approve and announce as the second round wound down.

Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette and John Salmons were part of the three-way deal, and fellow vets such as Andre Miller, Rudy Fernandez, Raymond Felton and George Hill were involved in other trades.

The deals spiced up what was thought to be a lackluster draft, which was missing its usual buzz with the NBA perhaps a week away from a work stoppage.

Three of the first six players taken were from Europe, capitalizing on the absence of some American college players who might have gone in their spots and made this a stronger draft.

Even Kyrie Irving has international ties. He was born in Australia while his father, Drederick, played professionally there and said he might be interested in playing for the Australian national team.

After grabbing him with their first No. 1 pick since taking LeBron James in 2003, the Cavs used the No. 4 selection on Texas forward Tristan Thompson. They were the first team since the 1983 Houston Rockets with two top-four picks.

The Minnesota Timberwolves took Arizona forward Derrick Williams with the No. 2 pick. The Utah Jazz then took Turkish big man Enes Kanter third with their first of two lottery selections.

Cleveland State's Norris Cole went to Miami after a trade, while Portland selected Ohio State guard Jon Diebler was picked by Portland.

The league's uncertain labor situation hung over the draft, and likely weakened it. Potential top-10 picks such as Jared Sullinger of Ohio State and Harrison Barnes were among those who decided to stay in school, without knowing when their rookie seasons would have started.

Stern, who could lock out his players next week if a deal for a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached, was booed when he came onto the stage at the Prudential Center, which is hosting the draft while its usual home, Madison Square Garden, is undergoing summer work.

New Yorkers made the trip across the river to join the crowd of 8,417, cheering loudly when Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette were taken in the top 10 and booing when the Knicks made Georgia Tech guard Iman Shumpert the No. 17 selection.

The draft was filled with little-known European players. Kanter hasn't played competitively in a year, forced to sit out last season at Kentucky after being ruled ineligible for being paid to play in Turkey. Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas went fifth to Toronto and Jan Vesely of the Czech Republic was taken sixth by Washington.

"Basketball in my country is not so popular, but after this night, I think - I hope - that the basketball will be more popular," Vesely said. "I will do my best to help that."

Bismack Biyombo of Congo went seventh as one of six international players who went in the first round, three short of the record set in 2003. The 18-year-old forward moved to Charlotte as part of a three-way deal.

Kentucky's Brandon Knight went eighth to Detroit as casual fans finally heard a name they recognized again. He was followed by Walker of national champion Connecticut, who wiped away tears on the draft stage after he was taken by Charlotte, and Fredette.

"It's been like a movie. This whole year has been magical, honestly," Walker said. "So many different, crazy things have been happening to me, and you know, I just feel lucky."

Irving became the third point guard taken first in the last four years, following Derrick Rose in 2008 and John Wall last year. Rose was the NBA's MVP this season, ending James' two-year reign.

Irving insists he's not trying to replace James - whose highlights were booed when showed on the overhead screen - in a different manner now.

"I'm looking forward to getting to Cleveland," Irving said. "It's a big sports town and I cannot wait to embrace all of the fans there and the fan support. I can't wait."

Kansas twins Markieff and Marcus Morris went with back-to-back picks to round out the lottery. Phoenix took Markieff at No. 13 and Marcus followed to the Rockets.

2011 NBA Draft selections

How do you grade the Cleveland Cavaliers draft?

APNBA Commissioner David Stern, left, poses with the No. 3 overall pick, Enes Kanter, from Turkey, who was selected by the Utah Jazz.

The Cleveland Cavaliers made Kyrie Irving the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and many people didn't argue with that. Irving was the best point guard in the draft and many expect big things out of Irving in years to come.

But the addition of Irving gives the Cavaliers four point guards. The Cavaliers loaded up on power forwards when they selected Tristan Thompson out of Texas. Thompson is a power forward that needs to work on his post game and outside shot.

The Cavaliers, who desperately need another scorer (especially at the shooting guard spot) selected another power forward in the second round in Milan Macvan.

Designated hitter Travis Hafner feels he's better prepared to deal with the inactivity of a nine-game interleague trip than he was last year.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer"I feel like a different hitter now," Travis Hafner said of dealing with a pinch-hitter's role in National League ballparks. "I'm not really concerned about anything that happened last year. I feel like I'm much better prepared for it this year."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If the TV cameras happen to pan the dugout at AT&T Park on Saturday afternoon, and they settle on a big guy lounging in the corner of the Indians dugout wearing shades, flip flops and a Tommy Bahama shirt, that would be Travis Hafner hard at work.

The Indians open a nine-game interleague trip Friday in San Francisco. The DH is verboten in National League parks, which means that outside a pinch-hitting appearance once a game, Hafner is going to have plenty of time to study the sight lines of the Giants' jewel of a ballpark on the shores of San Francisco Bay, the Diamondbacks' Chase Field in Phoenix and Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark.

Hafner would love to play, and manager Manny Acta would welcome him at first base, but he just can't do it. The surgery he underwent in October of 2008 on his right shoulder made throwing a baseball a non-option. For most of 2009 and 2010 Hafner had enough trouble just swinging a bat.

This year is different. Hafner is hitting .338 (44-for-130) with seven homers and 29 RBI. With runners in scoring position, he's hitting .500 (18-or-36). He has 15 RBI in his last nine games.

When Hafner comes to the plate now, he looks like the Pronk of old. He oozes danger, sporting a two-day growth of beard with the top couple of buttons on his jersey undone. What's more he has the quick bat to back up the bad intentions.

Lamented Acta after watching Hafner hit a two-run homer in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over Colorado, "Travis is at his peak right now. He's so intimidating and locked in at the plate. It's just sad that we're not going to see him for nine games ... very sad."

The Indians played the same nine-game stretch last year. They lost seven games and Hafner went 0-for-5 with a walk as a pinch hitter.

Acta complained, saying he enjoyed interleague play, but not when he had to play nine straight games without his best hitter. The schedule makers were so moved, they gave the Indians the same schedule this year.

The Indians are the only team in the AL Central, a division they led by one game after Wednesday's victory, that has to play nine straight interleague road games. They're joined by Boston, Toronto and the Angels. The Yankees are playing seven straight.

"I wish we didn't have this stretch coming up," said Hafner. "You have to deal with it the best you can. You prepare for your pinch hit and, hopefully, you can make an impact in the one at-bat. Get up there in some big spots and do some damage."

Hafner just came off the disabled list on June 17 after missing 28 games with a strained right oblique muscle. The Indians were 10-18 without him.

"I didn't swing the bat very well during this stretch last year, but I feel like a different hitter now," he said. "I'm not really concerned about anything that happened last year. I feel like I'm much better prepared for it this year."

Hafner said his swing has been streamlined to a simple low-maintenance action that should get through this spell of inactivity.

As for the crack about Hafner lounging in the corner of the dugout, well, that was just to get your attention. He'll be taking batting practice every day and then going to the bullpen. No, he's not planning on re-inventing himself as a reliever.

"I'll sit in on some bullpens and simulate seeing pitching," said Hafner. "I'll probably stand at the plate a little bit when the starters are warming up, but a lot of guys just study in the bullpens."

Then he'll look at video and the scouting reports on the relievers he could be facing late in the game.

Inactivity will hurt a hitter's timing. Changing hitting coaches three months into the season can be a disruption as well. The Indians fired Jon Nunnally on June 18 and replaced him with Bruce Fields, their minor league hitting coordinator.

Initially, the firing did not go over well in the clubhouse.

"I feel like the team has moved on and turned the page," said Hafner. "I feel Bruce has a lot to offer. ... Our focus still stays the same. The team is still focused on winning games and making it into the playoffs."

Hafner and Nunnally were close.

"Jon knows hitting," he said. "He's very positive. He puts a lot of confidence in his hitters. You always feel you're going to get a hit. We spent a lot of time working together this winter and in spring training.

"He helped me out a great deal. ... He did a good job."

Asked if he was bringing his first baseman's glove on the trip just in case, Hafner smiled and said, "If we had a flashlight and something to get through the cobwebs, we could go look for it."

Duncan on the way: The Indians optioned outfielder Travis Buck to Class AAA Columbus after Wednesday's game and Shelley Duncan was expected to take his spot on Friday.

Buck was in a 2-for-28 slump when he was optioned. Duncan is hitting .222 (18-for-81) with six doubles, two homers and 17 RBI. He's the Tribe's top pinch hitter, going 4-for-7 with seven RBI.

Mr. Consistency: Josh Tomlin went 6 1/3 innings in his victory over the Rockies on Wednesday. He has now pitched at least five innings in his first 27 big-league appearances for a franchise record.

The last big-league pitcher to do it was Japanese veteran Daisuke Matsuzaka for Boston in 2007. Matsuzaka's streak reached 28 games.

Not now: Asked if he thought about being tied for AL lead for victories by a pitcher with nine, Tomlin said, "Not now. Maybe in August or September."

Sunday night: ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball features the Indians and Giants. Dan Shulman will do the play by play, with analysts Orel Hershiser and Bobby Valentine. Hershiser pitched for the Tribe from 1995-97. Valentine interviewed to be the Indians manager before Acta was hired after the 2009 season.

The Baseball Tonight crew, host Wendi Nix, John Kruk and Barry Larkin, will do the show live from AT&T Park.

Finally: After 73 games last year the Indians were 26-47. This year they're 40-33. ... In his last 41 games, Asdrubal Cabrera is hitting .320 (55-for-172) with 31 runs, 14 doubles, two triples, seven homers and 22 RBI.

While the Cavaliers' selection of Kyrie Irving as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft was highly expected, their next pick had fans scurrying to google Tristan Thompson's name. Cheers for Irving quickly turned into head scratching for Cavs fans as no mock drafts had the Texas forward going that high. What did you think?

Cavs fans at the draft party at The Q loved the selection of Kyrie Irving. (Joshua Gunter/The Plain Dealer)

While the Cavaliers' selection of Kyrie Irving as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft was highly expected, their next pick had many fans scurrying to google Tristan Thompson's name. Cheers for Irving quickly turned into head scratching for Cavs fans as no mock drafts had the Texas forward going that high.

"Thompson [is a] dime a dozen undersized 'energy guy' at the power forward. HOW MANY power forwards do we have?" cleveland.com reader Ctown-kb wrote.

Not all fans felt that way.

"I like that we picked Irving," Roderick Law told The Plain Dealer at the team's official draft party at The Q. "It's an upgrade. Thompson is going to surprise people. He got skills."

Here is more reaction on the Cavaliers' draft from fans and media types on Twitter.

What did you think of the draft? Post your comments below. You can also grade the Cavs draft in our poll here.

The Cleveland Cavaliers earned good grades from national experts.

APDuke's Kyrie Irving.

The Cleveland Cavaliers got the point guard they wanted in Kyrie Irving and they added two power forwards in Tristan Thompson and Milan Macvan.

Here's a look around the web on how the Cavaliers were graded.

CBSSports.com:

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson. Grade: A. Taking Irving with the first pick gave the franchise a new face, but the selection of Thompson, which was largely unexpected, showed that GM Chris Grant has the guts, vision and power to rebuild a roster his way. Thompson is an excellent two-way player who was a solid find amidst all the Euro hype.

SBNation.com:

Grade B. Thompson wasn't in play at No. 4 as recently as Tuesday. It seemed almost as if the Cavaliers got too cute and tried to add assets instead of picking the prospect they apparently really wanted in Jonas Valanciunas. Perhaps Thompson was the pick all along -- it just doesn't remotely seem that way, and Cleveland management wasn't convincing in their comments late Thursday. Thompson's as much a project as Valanciunas at a lesser position.   

NBCSports.com:

Cleveland Cavaliers (19-63): They made the right move with Kyrie Irving, but Tristan Thompson seems like a reach. A lot of teams like him but his offense is so raw, I wasn’t a fan. Not loving their night because it feels like it could have been better, but they got the best guy overall. Grade B.

WFNY discusses how the NBA labor issues could remove any feel-good moments from last night's NBA Draft

AP/Mel EvansHow long will the NBA's labor issues keep Cleveland from seeing Kyrie Irving in uniform?

The Cavs made two picks in Thursday's NBA draft before it was all said and done. They took Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson before trading one of their second-rounders and then selecting a Serbian power forward - Milan Macvan - who will continue to play in Europe for the near future.  

Overall, most Cavalier fans seemed either cautiously optimistic or unhappy with the haul; common perception being that the Cavaliers reached when they selected Tristan Thompson from Texas.  Regardless of what you were thinking after the draft completed last night, it could all seem odd that we spent any emotion on it at all if the NBA isn't ready to begin the season in late October.

For all the legal wrangling in the NFL this off-season, it appears that they are on a path to being ready to start the season.  Talks have progressed this week and the rhetoric has softened as the sides appear to be coming together.  Unfortunately, I don't think we will be echoing these same sentiments regarding the NBA in a few months.  

The NFL situation seemed especially frustrating to fans because it truly was a game of chicken as the two sides tried to figure out how to split up the excesses. That same frustration probably won't be felt in the NBA labor struggle as there are legitimate financial difficulties in the game.  In the NFL labor debate, many were clamoring for the owners to "open up their books"  - to show their financial positions.  The NFL wasn't willing to do that, most likely because they didn't think it would make them look anything but greedy.  Conversely, the NBA couldn't open the books fast enough to show the purported hundreds of millions of dollars they are losing as a league.

That's the biggest difference between the NFL and NBA. At the end of the day, the NFL is making money and the NBA isn't.  Here in Cleveland Dan Gilbert ran the Cavaliers at a loss in the hopes of chasing down the NBA title.  Living in a town with the Cleveland Indians will make any sports fan appreciate that kind of commitment financially.  At the same time, just because an owner here or there is willing to run their business at a loss doesn't mean that a league can survive if they are running a loss annually as a whole.

Yet the NBA and the players' union are still very far apart in talks even as the next batch of NBA players figured out where they were headed last night.  Players are clinging to guaranteed contracts, soft salary caps and pretty much everything else that is currently causing the league to run at a deficit.  The NBA is preaching a need for fundamental and drastic change.  If I had to guess, the fans should also be prepared for a fundamental and drastic change this October - an October with no NBA.

**

More from WFNY:

2011 Cavs Draft: So, What Exactly Happened?

Welcome Back! Chisenhall Rakes in Clippers' 50th Win

Austin Kearns: Why is He Still Here?

Josh Cribbs Fought the Law and the Law...?

Kyrie Irving hopes to have a more memorable NBA career than many of the Duke players who have come before him.

APKyrie Irving gestures to the crowd after being taken first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft on Thursday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cavaliers' No. 1 overall draft pick, Kyrie Irving, joins the ranks of players going from Duke to the NBA.

He hopes to have a better NBA career than many Blue Devils who have gone before him.

Here is a list of 30 Duke players who have made the NBA over the last 25 years.

Only one player, Danny Ferry, has been on an NBA championship team, that in his final season (2003). Four players (Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Grant Hill, Christian Laettner) have been named NBA All-Stars, led by Hill's seven appearances.

Hill is the only former Duke player to be named to an All-NBA team (1997).

Including Brand, who was selected No. 1 overall, 16 of these 30 players were selected by lottery teams in the draft.

Not one player has a career average over 20 points per game, as Brand's 18.8 ppg leads the pack.

Duke players in the NBA, 1986-present

Alaa Abdelnaby, F

Drafted: 1990 by Portland, Round 1, 25th overall

NBA career: Five seasons, 5.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.3 apg, 12.5 mpg.

Mark Alarie, F

Drafted: 1986 by Denver, Round 1, 18th overall

NBA career: Five seasons, 7.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 16.9 mpg.

Notable: Retired due to knee injuries

William Avery, G

Drafted: 1999 by Minnesota, Round 1, 14th overall

NBA career: Three seasons, 2.7 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 8.5 mpg.

APShane Battier with the Houston Rockets.

Shane Battier, F

Drafted: 2001 by Vancouver, Round 1, sixth overall

NBA career: 2001-present, 9.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 32.9 mpg.

Notable: Two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team; NBA All-Rookie First Team

Carlos Boozer, F

Drafted: 2002 by Cleveland, Round 2, 35th overall

NBA career: 2002-present, 17.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 32.6 mpg.

Notable: Two-time NBA All-Star (2007, '08); All-NBA Third Team (2008); NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2003).

Elton Brand, F

Drafted: 1999 by Chicago, Round 1, first overall

NBA career: 1999-present, 18.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 36.9 mpg.

Notable: NBA co-Rookie of the Year (2000); two-time NBA All-Star (2002, 2006); All-NBA Second Team (2006); NBA All-Rookie First Team (2000); NBA Sportsmanship Award (2006).

Brian Davis, F

Drafted: 1992 by Phoenix Round 2, 48th overall.

NBA career: One season, 1.9 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 5.5 mpg.

Johnny Dawkins, G

Drafted: 1986 by San Antonio, Round 1, 10th overall

NBA career: Nine seasons, 11.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 27.5 mpg.

Notable:Current head coach of the Stanford men's basketball team

APLuol Deng

Luol Deng, G 

Drafted: 2004 by Phoenix, Round 1, seventh overall

NBA career: 2004-present, 16.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 35.0 mpg.

Notable: NBA All-Rookie First Team (2005); NBA Sportsmanship Award (2007).

Chris Duhon, G 

Drafted: 2004 by Chicago, Round 2, 38th overall

NBA career: 2004-present, 7.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, 27.1 mpg.

Mike Dunleavy Jr., G/F 

Drafted: 2002 by Golden State, Round 1, third overall

NBA career: 2002-present, 12.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 28.7 mpg.

Daniel Ewing, G 

Drafted: 2005 by Los Angeles Clippers, Round 2, 32nd overall

NBA career: Two seasons, 3.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 13.3 mpg.

Notable: Currently plays overseas in Poland

Danny Ferry, F 

Drafted: 1989 by Los Angeles Clippers, Round 1, second overall

NBA career: 13 seasons, 7.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 19.8 mpg.

Notable: NBA champion (2003)

Dave Henderson, F 

Drafted: 1986 by Washington, Round 3, 58th overall

NBA career: One season, 5.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 16.0 mpg.

Grant Hill, F 

Drafted: 1994 by Detroit, Round 1, third overall

NBA career: 1994-present, 17.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 34.8 mpg.

Notable: NBA co-Rookie of the Year (1995); seven-time NBA All-Star (1995-98, 2000-2001, 2005); All-NBA First Team (1997); four-time All-NBA Second Team (1996, 1998-2000); NBA All-Rookie First Team (1995); three-time NBA Sportsmanship Award (2005, '08, '10).

Bobby Hurley, G 

Drafted:1993 by Sacramento, Round 1, seventh overall

NBA career: Seven seasons, 3.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 15.5 mpg.

Dahntay Jones, G/F 

Drafted:2003 by Boston, Round 1, 20th overall

NBA career: 2003-present, 6.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.9 apg, 16.9 mpg.

Christian Laettner, F 

Drafted: 1992 by Minnesota, Round 1, third overall

NBA career: 13 seasons, 12.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 29.7 mpg.

Notable: NBA All-Star (1997); NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993); Member of Dream Team at 1992 Olympics.

Antonio Lang, F

Drafted: 1994 by Phoenix, Round 2, 29th overall

NBA career: Six seasons, 2.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.3 apg, 9.8 mpg.

APTrajan Langdon

Trajan Langdon, G 

Drafted: 1999 by Cleveland, Round 1, 11th overall

NBA career: Three seasons, 5.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 14.6 mpg.

Notable: Recently retired from career in Europe; was named to the Euroleague 2001-2010 All Decade Team.

Corey Maggette, G 

Drafted:1999 by Seattle, Round 1, 13th overall

NBA career:1999-present, 16.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 28.6 mpg.

Notable: Led NBA in FT made in 2003-2004.

Roshown McLeod, F 

Drafted: 1998 by Atlanta, Round 1, 20th overall

NBA career: Three seasons, 7.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.1 apg, 18.8 mpg.

Josh McRoberts, F 

Drafted:2007 by Portland, Round 2, 37th overall

NBA career:2007-present, 5.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 15.7 mpg.

DeMarcus Nelson, G 

Drafted: Undrafted in 2008, signed as free agent with Golden State.

NBA career: One season, 13 G, 4.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.0 rpg, 13.2 mpg.

Notable: Currently plays in France.

Martin Nessley, C 

Drafted: 1987 by Los Angeles Clippers, Round 6, second pick of the round

NBA career:One season, 44 G, 1.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.4 apg, 7.6 mpg.

Cherokee Parks, C 

Drafted: 1995 by Dallas, Round 1, 12th overall

NBA career:Nine seasons, 4.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.6 apg, 15.8 mpg.

Shavlik Randolph, F 

Drafted:Undrafted in 2005, signed as free agent with Philadelphia.

NBA career: Five seasons, 2.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.3 apg, 8.2 mpg.

Notable: Currently plays in Puerto Rico.

J.J. Redick, G

Drafted:2006 by Orlando, Round 1, 11th overall

NBA career:2006-present, 7.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 19.0 mpg.

Notable: Left Duke as the program's all-time leading scorer.

Jay Williams, G

Drafted: 2002 by Chicago, Round 1, second overall

NBA career: One season, 9.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.7 apg, 26.1 mpg.

Notable: Career was interrupted, ended by severe motorcycle accident.

Shelden Williams, F 

Drafted: 2006 by Atlanta, Round 1, fifth overall

NBA career: Five seasons, 4.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.4 apg, 14.2 mpg.

Notable: Holds Duke's career block and rebounding records.

-- Compiled by Michael Zavagno, Special to Cleveland.com

How did the Cavaliers do in Thursday night's draft? Is Kyrie Irving the type of point guard you can build a team around? Craig Lyndall and Scott Sargent from WaitingForNextYear.com answered those questions and more in a podcast today.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerByron Scott has his point guard in No. 1 pick Kyrie Irving.

How did the Cavaliers do in Thursday night's draft? Is Kyrie Irving the type of point guard you can build a team around?

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

Among other topics discussed:

• How surprised were you by the pick of Tristan Thompson at No. 4?

• How much of an impact did Utah taking Enes Kanter have on the Cavaliers' plans with the fourth pick?

• What did you think of the deal the Cavaliers made with Orlando to get two future second rounders in exchange for Justin Harper?

• Should the Cavaliers have used their final pick of the draft on David Lighty?

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

Here's a closer look at how the Cavaliers did in the draft.

Tim Farrell/The Star-LedgerThe Cleveland Cavaliers picked Tristan Thompson with the fourth pick.

The selection of Texas power forward Tristan Thompson means the Cleveland Cavaliers added to a stable of power forwards already on the roster that includes Antawn Jamison, Samardo Samuels, Anderson Varejao and starter J.J. Hickson.

Bob Finnan of The News-Herald writes how it's going to be next to impossible to find regular minutes for all four players, even though Varejao might be asked to play center once again. So does this mean Hickson will get traded?

It would be difficult for the Cavs to deal him. They've invested so much in him since drafting him 19th overall in 2008.

But it's not the craziest idea. He has much value around the league. The 6-foot-9, 242-pounder is still one of the most athletic players on the team.

Not so good

Yahoo Sports reporter Marc Spears was not impressed with the Cavaliers on draft day. It wasn't the picks that led Spears to writing the Cavaliers were losers on draft day, it was the waiting game.

The Cavaliers did their due diligence leading into the draft by working out Duke guard Kyrie Irving and Arizona forward Derrick Williams. . . But the Cavs also let Irving, supposedly the new face of the franchise, nervously wait out their selection without confirming he was the first pick.

The New Jersey native was a near-consensus top pick, so if you’re going to wait that long to tell him, you might as well be daring enough to draft someone else.

“I knew when everybody else knew,” Irving said. “They gave me no indication that they were going to pick me. I was really nervous sitting at that table with my family and my friends.”

 

All is good

Fox Sports reporter Sam Amico tells us to never mind that the Cavaliers drafted a point guard and power forward, two positions the Cavaliers are loaded.

All you need to remember are two names: Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. They are the future of Cavs basketball. And if general manager Chris Grant and his staff are correct, they are the here and now. Or at least the here and very soon.

But the Cavs still need to figure out what to do about the abundance of big men, and lack of wing players.

But the draft was really only the beginning. Plenty more can, and will, happen.

View from Jersey

Kyrie Irving relishes big night at home, even if LeBron James' shadow looms

Tristan Thompson chosen with No. 4 pick by Cleveland Cavaliers

More analysis

Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer gives her take on the draft in this video from the draft.

Sammy Cappelli's walleye could take the 15-year-old to Disneyland, by way of Lake of the Woods. Kaya Yonkers, 8, brought in a walleye to help his dad and granddad win the G.W.P. Memorial Walleye Tournament. Mack Massad, 6, is proud of the Battle of Lake Erie trophy he won for catching a dandy 12-pound steelhead trout.

Photo by Wade MassadMack Massad, 6, hauled in the biggest steelhead trout in last Saturday's 6th annual Battle of Lake Erie Walleye Tournament held on Lake Erie by the Cleveland Yachting Club. Team member Dirk Riemenschneider of Rocky River holds the trophy Father's Day catch for the pint-sized angler.

 Sammy Cappelli's walleye could take the 15-year-old to Disneyland, by way of Lake of the Woods. Kaya Yonkers, 8, brought in a walleye to help his dad and granddad win the G.W.P. Memorial Walleye Tournament. Mack Massad, 6, is proud of the Battle of Lake Erie trophy he won for catching a dandy 12-pound steelhead trout.

When you go fishing, especially if it's to compete in a tournament, having kids along adds to the excitement of a day on the water. A long list of big and small tournaments are held around the area in June, and Father's Day seems a popular date.

If there is a tournament designed specifically for a parent and offspring, the Angler & Young Angler Fishing Tournament on Mosquito Reservoir last weekend was a perfect fit for Youngstown's Sammy Cappelli and his 15-year-old son, Sammy. Sponsored by Buckeye Sports Center of Peninsula, the event allowed one adult and two kids on each team, and focused on walleye.

Cappelli, a heating contractor, is a tournament walleye fisherman. While his son's favorite sport is football, young Sammy is pretty handy with a fishing rod, as well. Knowing Mosquito Reservoir like the back of his hand, Cappelli targeted weed beds within shouting distance of the tournament's weigh-in site at the state park ramp. Father and son cast small jigs tipped with twister tails and leeches.

"Sammy caught the first walleye of the day, a 19-incher, and added a nice 21.5-incher," said Cappelli. "That put us over the top. Our winning three-walleye limit weighed 8.75 pounds."

They took home a 12-foot Lund with a 4-horsepower motor. They also earned an expenses-paid trip to Lake of the Woods for the AYA Tournament Championship this fall, where the top prize is a family trip to Disneyland.

When Wade Massad was building his team for the Cleveland Yachting Club's trophies-only 6th annual Battle of Lake Erie Walleye Tournament last Saturday, there was no discussion as to whether his pint-sized son, Mack Massad, would be aboard

 "He's only six and just getting ready for the first grade, but Mack is always thinking about fishing," said Massad, a Rocky River hedge fund manager. "He gets up early in the morning and, if Lake Erie is calm, wants to jump in the boat and go fishing. 

 "We took him to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. He wasn't that interested in all of the rides. Mack wanted to go fishing on the bass lake there. He watches all of the fishing shows on television, and spent the winter playing a fishing video game he got for Christmas."

Massad's team couldn't match the five walleye caught by the squad of David Minoff, Rich Benoit and Steve Carlson that topped 41 pounds, but the smallest team member captured the biggest steelhead trout to win a trophy.

Fishing is a family sport for the Northeast Ohio Walleye Association and the Cleveland Fishing Association, and club walleye tournaments on Father's Day included prizes for the youngest anglers.

Lake Erie fishing is a tradition for the Yonkers family of Avon. Kim Yonkers operates Noah's Ark Charters out of Lorain. His father, the late Bob Yonkers, a former sports editor of the Cleveland Press, was his first mate until he died three years ago at 94. Son, Ryan, is now the first mate, but he's following his real career to Chicago, opened the door for his brother, Jason, to become dad's new first mate.
 Waiting in the wings is Kaya Yonkers, who has some growing to do.

"It's always been about fishing and family," said Yonkers. "Dad took me fishing for 25 years. When I got a boat, I took him fishing for the next 32 years. Fishing helped us to stay very close over all of those years.

 "We entered the G.W.P. Memorial Walleye Tournament in Vermilion a couple of weeks ago because my son, Ryan, wanted us to fish together before his family left town," said Kim Yonkers. "The 65-team field was full, but when one team dropped out, we were ready to go."

The only family squad in the tournament, they checked six walleye measuring 137.5 inches. Kim Yonkers wasn't confident, but Ryan Yonkers checked the walleye. It was the winning catch.

"It surprised me, and absolutely delighted my Kaya," said Yonkers. "After the prizes we won are long gone, we'll still have great trophies on the wall and wonderful memories."