If James returns to the Cavaliers and is interested in trying to convince Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski to coach here -- that's two giant ifs -- he might have a tough time.

UPDATED: 8:52 p.m.

(Chasing down rumors about LeBron James' basketball future could be a full-time job. Now it's my full-time job. Just call me The Rumor Monger. Every day we'll compile a list of the rumors we're hearing about James and his next contract. Just remember these are just rumors, not necessarily facts.

It's going to be a long and rough ride, Cavs fans. Buckle up. -- Mary Schmitt Boyer)

Sara D. Davis / Associated PressAn institution at Duke and arguably one of the top five coaches in NCAA history, Mike Krzyzewski's collegiate success would make a move to the NBA (and the Cavaliers) very unlikely, says Duke grad Grant Hill.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If James returns to the Cavaliers and is interested in trying to convince Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski to coach here -- that's two giant ifs -- he might have a tough time. Phoenix forward -- and Duke alum -- Grant Hill told Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports that he can't see Krzyzewski leaving the college ranks.

Said Hill, "He gets his fix with the Dream Team. (Team USA includes James and won the Olympic gold medal in 2008.) He gets the best players without all the headaches. What I mean by that is if you go through a season, there are things that come up. Not every situation is ideal in terms of having the chemistry or camaraderie that we have or the Lakers have, the teams that are playing right now. He can get those [Team USA] guys to buy in. They're All Stars who suppress their egos and buy into what they're doing.

"But if he turned down the Lakers, turned down New Jersey, I can't see him going to Cleveland. I think he's happy, he's content and they got some good players there. We're about to make another [championship] run [at Duke]. He's in a good place: Lifetime contract, involved with the business school.

"I'm trying not to be biased, trying to be objective, he really was what Dean Smith was 10 to 20 years. He is college basketball. He's the face. He knows he has a good thing going and I can't see him leaving."

• Then there's the rumor about Lakers coach Phil Jackson returning to Chicago.

ESPN's Chris Broussard said the Bulls have '"reached out through back channels to gauge his interest" in returning to Chicago.

Funny, I'd have thought Jackson was kind of busy right coaching the Lakers in the playoffs. But whatever.

Anyway, Broussard, a former Plain Dealer reporter who covered the pre-James Cavs for the Akron Beacon-Journal, writes, "James is intrigued by the possibility of playing with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, according to sources, and the return of Jackson would only make the Bulls that much more attractive to the Cleveland Cavaliers' two-time MVP. ... Jackson, who is in the final year of his contract with the Lakers, likely would be interested in coaching Chicago only if James signed there.

"If Jackson and James joined the Bulls, Jackson would have the unparalleled opportunity to have coached Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and James."

A Bulls source downplayed the report to the Chicago Tribune, while an NBA source dismissed it as speculation to the Chicago Sun-Times.

But Fanhouse.com columnist Jay Mariotti, formerly of the Sun-Times, writes, "It would be enticing, sure, for Jackson to coach James after coaching Jordan, Bryant and O'Neal. But there's no guarantee that LeBron will end up in Chicago. The firing of [Mike] Brown, who often was criticized by James for his substitution patterns and bizarre game plans, might open the coaching door in Cleveland for John Calipari, James' good friend.

"Wasn't it curious to see Calipari, during the Game 5 debacle in which James shockingly laid down, sitting across from the Cavaliers' bench with LeBron's agent? By dismissing Brown on Monday, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert sent an olive branch to James and is telling him that he can hire the next coach."

Said former Dallas coach Avery Johnson on ESPN on Tuesday, "To put LeBron James and Phil Jackson together, that's going to be very difficult."

Johnson cited the great roster Jackson has with the Lakers, including Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, not to mention the great weather for a soon-to-be 65-year-old coach who has had some health problems.

Let's not forget Johnson is looking for a coaching job, too.

• Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones probably won't be helping Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recruit James when and if the time comes.

"I don’t think that Mark or the Mavericks really need me in any way," Jones told Tim MacMahon for his Mavericks blog on ESPNDallas.com. "They stand tall with what they could bring to the table for any basketball player, LeBron included."

Jones met James when the Cowboys opened the 2008 season in Cleveland, where noted Cowboys fan James was a guest in Jones' suite. James also had Jones speak at his party during All-Star Weekend.

"Certainly, I appreciate that he’s a Cowboys fan," Jones said of James. "He’s a credit. He’s a credit to sports and certainly the NBA. But Mark Cuban doesn’t need me to do anything but carry his bag for him."

We presume he means Cuban's bag...not James'.

Harrah's Operating Company purchased Thistledown Race Track in a Tuesday morning auction in New York.

UPDATED: 9:17 p.m.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerGaming corporation Harrah's will soon be the new owner at Thistledown following Tuesday's auction of the race track in New York, according to reports.NORTH RANDALL, Ohio -- Thistledown Race Track has a new owner.

Harrah's Operating Co. bought the thoroughbred track Tuesday for $43 million at an auction in New York, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed.

Harrah's officials would not confirm the sale.

Harrah's is the largest casino company in the world. It owns 38 casinos and now three horse racing tracks. The others are Harrah's Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., and Harrah's Chester Racetrack near Philadelphia. If the naming pattern continues, Thistledown would become Harrah's Thistledown.

This is the second time Harrah's has made a bid to buy Thistledown. In September, Las Vegas-based Harrah's Entertainment bid $89.5 million for the track, but the deal was contingent on state legislators allowing video lottery terminals, also called slots, to be installed at horse racing tracks. The bid was voided when efforts by LetOhioVote.org led to the issue being placed on this November's ballot.

Harrah's bid Tuesday had no contingencies, it will be the owner of the track.

"I've been very impressed, working with Harrah's [after the first sale in bankruptcy court]," said Executive Director Tom Fries Jr. of the Ohio State Racing Commission. "Harrah's has been very forthright from the beginning, and very enthusiastic about horse racing at Thistledown."

Penn National Gaming Inc. was an aggressive bidder for Thistledown in last September's bankruptcy auction in Maryland. Magna Entertainment Corp., which bought Thistledown in 1999, is being dissolved. Ownership of Thistledown was transferred to Magna's parent company, MI Developments Inc. in Aurora, Ontario, near Toronto. Magna once owned 11 race tracks around the country.

It was less likely Penn would challenge Harrah's in the New York auction because of Penn's recent purchase of Beulah Park in Columbus. Legislation would have been needed to allow Penn, which owns Raceway Park in Toledo, to own three Ohio race tracks. Penn also got voter approval in a statewide Ohio ballot last November to build casinos in Toledo and the Columbus area. The Ohio State Racing Commission has yet to approve the sale of Beulah Park.

Mitch Talbot picks up his sixth win of the season, allowing two runs over seven innings.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerShin-Soo Choo's seventh homer of the season followed Jason Donald's first big-league blast in the third inning Tuesday at Progressive Field.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Indians defeated the White Sox, 7-3, tonight in the second game of a three-game series at Progressive Field.

Big pop: The Indians, who entered the game ranked 12th in the AL in homers, took a 3-0 lead in the third. The rally was sparked by homers by Jason Donald and Shin-Soo Choo off Jake Peavy. It was Donald's first big-league homer and Choo's team-high seveth. A double by Travis Hafner and Russell Branyan's RBI single accounted for the third run.

Three more: The Indians added three more runs in the sixth to make it 6-0. Jhonny Peralta had an RBI double and Luis Valbunea and Lou Marson hit sac-flies off Peavy.

I don't believe what I just saw: After Chicago made it 6-3 with two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth, Valbuena squeezed home an insurance run in the eighth. Austin Kearns, who singled and took third on Choo's single, scored. For the previous seven years under manager Eric Wedge, the squeeze was all but banned as being unmanly.

The lines: Mitch Talbot allowed two runs on six hits in seven innnings. Peavy allowed six runs on eight hits in six innnings.

Pregame notes:

Game 44: Manager Manny Acta said there was no discussion today about whether Justin Masterson will stay in the Indians rotation after his tough outing Monday against Chicago.

"We're still evaluating the situation, the choices that we have and all that kind of stuff," said Acta. "It's something that we haven't given that much thought to."

Acta said Masterson, as of now, will make his next start Sunday against New York at Yankee Stadium. Masterson is 0-5 in nine starts this season. He's lost his last 11 decisions.

Sizemore tour: Grady Sizemore was in Vail, Col., today getting his left knee examined by Dr. Richard Steadman, noted knee surgeon. Sizemore is getting two different opinions on the knee after being examined in Cleveland last week after bruising his left knee diving back into first base on May 16 against Baltimore.

Sizemore originally injured the knee in April. "We'll have an update on Grady later this week when he's done visiting the doctors," said Acta. "Anytime any injury like that involves any of your players, regardless of their status, you have to be worried about it for the kid's sake, not only for the (sake of the) season.

"Hopefully, the doctors don't find it as serious as people think it is and things work out."

As for getting numerous opinions on the knee Acta said, "They're looking at different ways to attack it. Not necessarily surgery.

"It doesn't have to be one type of the surgeries that are out there. Hopefully, he doesn't need any of them. We'll find out later this week."

Lineups: White Sox (19-25): LF Juan Pierre (L), SS Alexei Ramirez (R), CF Alex Rios (R), RF Andruw Jones, 1B Mark Kotsay (L), DH Carlos Quentin (R), 3B Mark Teahen (L), C Ramon Castro (R), 2B Gordon Beckham (R) and RHP Jake Peavy.

Indians (16-27): CF Trevor Crowe (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), LF Austin Kearns (R), 1B Russell Branyan (L), 3B Jhonny Peralta (R), 2B Luis Valbuena (L), C Lou Marson (R), SS Jason Donald (R) RHP Mitch Talbot.

Umpires: H Paul Schrieber, 1B Rob Drake, 2B Joe West, 3B Angel Hernandez.

Quote of the day: "Nobody should hit .200. Anybody should hit .250," Charlie Lau, the late hitting coach of the Kansas City Royals, as it appeared in Baseball's Greatest Quotations by Paul Dickson.

Too bad Lau isn't around to tell that to Indians' regulars Jhonny Peralta (.236), Russell Branyan (.221), Luis Valbuena (.143), Lou Marson (.212), Jason Donald (.208) and Matt LaPorta (.206).

Next: RHP Jake Westbrook (2-2, 4.56) vs. LHP Mark Buehrle (3-5, 4.55) Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. at Progressive Field. No TV.

The Indians don't go to Toronto until the end of July, but manager Manny Acta warned his players Monday to act now if they had a criminal offense in the background that may keep them out of the Great White North.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerRussell Branyan slides home ahead of the throw to score on Luis Valbuena's sixth-inning sacrifice fly Tuesday night against the White Sox.

INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: Mike Redmond, Fausto Carmona’s personal catcher, is not looking forward to interleague play after watching Carmona swing the bat Monday.
“I love Carmona to death, but I’m never going to get a pitch to hit,” said Redmond. “They’ll just walk me to face him.”
When asked to describe Carmona’s swing, Redmond laughed and said, “You know how some guys don’t even look good wearing a batting helmet?”
Carmona is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts in his career. Indians pitchers will be required to swing the bat June 18-27 when they play Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Cincinnati on the road.

Warming up: Manager Manny Acta, coming off off-season surgery on his right shoulder, threw batting practice before Tuesday.
“It’s about the fourth time I’ve thrown batting practice,” said Acta.

Stat of the day: The Indians' offense isn’t much to write home about. One of the best things they do is hit triples. They rank fifth in the AL, in a five-way tie, with seven.
— Paul HoynesCLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians don't play in Toronto until the end of July, but manager Manny Acta held a meeting before Monday night's game about that trip.

It concerned a memo sent to players and agents late last week by the MLB Players Association about a crackdown at the Canadian border on big-league players who are not Canadian citizens and have a past criminal record. These players can be detained at the border and in some cases not allowed into the country.

Acta said that every team that has played Toronto this season has had at least one player detained.

"It doesn't matter when the offense happened, they can detain you," said Acta. "We just wanted to let the players know that this can be handled by signing some documents."

This has always been the law in Canada, but the MLBPA memo said, "Canadian authorities have stepped up enforcement of these laws, resulting in several non-Canadian players traveling to Toronto with their teams being detained at the border because of a past criminal record."

The law, according to the memo, covers all offenses, no matter how small. The memo also said players might be risking their jobs if their teams didn't already know about their criminal record. The memo said for players to contact the union before telling their current teams of any past offenses.

Open season: Brad Grant, director of amateur scouting, says the Indians have no restrictions in selecting the fifth overall player June 7 in the first year player draft. It's the highest pick the Indians have had since 1992.

"We going to take the best player," said Grant. "Everyone is in play for us this year. We're not eliminating anyone."

That means position players or pitchers, be they high-school seniors or draft eligible college players, will be considered.

In the last four years, the fifth overall pick has been: 2009 RHP Matt Hobgood, Norco High School, Norco, Calif., $2.42 million signing bonus, Baltimore; 2008 C Buster Posey, Florida State, $6.2 million, San Francisco; 2007 C Matt Wieters, Georgia Tech, $6 million, Baltimore; 2006 RHP Brandon Morrow, University of California, $2.45 million, Seattle.

The Indians have not taken a high-school player with a No.1 pick since 2001.

The top two players in the draft are believed to be Bryce Harper, a 17-year-old junior college catcher, and high school right-hander Jameson Taillon. Washington, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Kansas City pick before the Indians.

Mock drafts in various publications have linked the Indians to Arkansas third baseman Zack Cox, University of Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal, Florida Gulf Coast left-hander Chris Sale, Florida high school shortstop Manny Machado and University of Mississippi lefty Drew Pomeranz. It's believed the Indians are still evaluating a group of 10 to 12 players, most of them pitchers.

Their scouts will come to Cleveland on Sunday to start final evaluations.

Sizemore tour: Grady Sizemore was in Vail, Col., Tuesday getting his left knee examined by Dr. Richard Steadman, a well-known knee surgeon. Sizemore is getting at least two opinions following an MRI in Cleveland last week after he bruised the knee diving back into first base on May 16 against Baltimore.

Sizemore originally injured the knee in April.

"They're looking at different ways to attack it," said Acta. "Not necessarily surgery.

"It doesn't have to be one type of the surgeries that are out there. Hopefully, he doesn't need any of them. We'll find out later this week."

Status quo: Acta said struggling right-hander Justin Masterson is expected to make his next start Sunday against the Yankees. He's 0-5 in nine starts this season. He's lost his last 11 decisions.

It's off to Chattanooga and a shot at the national championship for the Kent State men's team.

Kent State photoKent State golf coach Herb Page is looking for a third top-10 finish for the Golden Flashes in next week's NCAA national tournament in Tennessee.

• On the green: NOGA's Rorabaugh
• Hole of the week: No. 4 at Fowler's Mill
• Hey, T.R.! | More local golfCLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's off to Chattanooga and a shot at the national championship for the Kent State men's team.

The Golden Flashes will make the school's 14th appearance in the NCAA national tournament next week, thanks to a tie for first place with Texas in the East regional last week at The Golf Course at Yale, in New Haven, Conn.

With freshman Kevin Miller and junior John Hahn each finishing in the top 10, the Golden Flashes posted a 5-under 835 team total. UCLA was third at 836, followed by Penn State (837) and Virginia (843).

The co-championship means the Flashes will be one of 30 teams to play at least 54 holes in what could be a grueling NCAA national tournament at The Honors Course, in Chattanooga, Tenn., starting Tuesday.

The top eight teams after the first three rounds will advance to the match-play portion of the event, where the first-place team will play the eighth-place team (and so on) in a single-elimination format.

Miller, from Dover, Ohio, tied for fourth in the regional with a 4-under 206 and Hahn, from Hudson, tied for eighth at 208. Canadians Brett Cairns (210) and Mackenzie Hughes (211) rounded out the scoring.

Miller chipped in for birdie from about four feet off the green on the final hole to get the Flashes into the tie.

Hudson freshman Isaac Charette shot 239, but his score was not included in the play-five, count-four format. The regional championship was the third for the Flashes under veteran coach Herb Page. They also won in 1993 and 2001. KSU has two top 10 finishes in the NCAA, finishing ninth in 2000 (with Ben Curtis and John Mills) and sixth in 2008 (with Hahn and Cairns).

Moving on: At least three players with local ties have advanced out of local qualifying to the sectional qualifier for the U.S. Open, to be played next month at Pebble Beach in Southern California.

Former Walsh Jesuit and Ohio State star Ryan Armour was the medalist with a round of 65 in a local qualifier in Wallace, N.C., last month. He was followed by Kent State's Hahn, who qualified at Riviera Golf Club in Dublin last week. On the same day, Bainbridge resident Zack Bates, a freshman at Cincinnati, qualified at Maketewah Country Club in Cincinnati by shooting 72. Bates, who played at Kenston, birdied the first hole in an eight-man playoff to earn one of the final three available spots.

Chipping in: The PGA always has been known for its contributions to charity, and the local Northern Ohio chapter is continuing that tradition with a program called A Golf Lesson For Life. The program, devised by Canterbury pro Michael Kernicki, has raised about $5,000 to aid fellow members and their families in Tennessee victimized by the recent floods. Northern Ohio members were asked to donate their fees from one golf lesson to the cause.

Missed and made: Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz was one of four professional athletes who failed to reach one of the 12 U.S. Open sectional qualifiers around the country. Smoltz, now a broadcaster, shot 76 at Marietta (Ga.) Country Club and missed the cut by seven shots.

The others were former Oakland and St. Louis pitcher Mark Mulder (missed by six), Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell (missed by 14 in Orlando) and Jacksonville place-kicker Josh Scobee (missed by 11 in Jacksonville).

Some notables who made it include Dallas quarterback Tony Romo (shot 69 in Dallas), former Tour player turned broadcaster Bobby Clampett and former Tour wunderkind Ty Tyron, who shot 67 and was the medalist at Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brookville, Fla.

The Indians didn't have to play catch up baseball Tuesday night because of Mitch Talbot's pitching. The offense, given a chance to play pressure-free baseball, pounded Jake Peavy.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerIn notching his team-best sixth victory of the season, Mitch Talbot scattered six hits and didn't walk a White Sox batter in his seven innings of work Tuesday night.

• Canadian customs an issue for MLB teams | Pluto: Draft must improve | Boxscore CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have been outscored, 30-18, in the first inning this season. Before they even get their eyes open and their legs loose, they're already behind.

"It's tough when you have to climb out of a hole right off the bat," said manager Manny Acta.

Tuesday night, Mitch Talbot gave his teammates a chance to leave their shovels in the bat rack by pitching six scoreless innings before giving up a run. Jason Donald and Shin-Soo Choo put that peaceful interlude to good use with home runs in the third inning as the Indians beat Chicago, 7-3, at Progressive Field.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerJason Donald got the full hero's welcome from Shelley Duncan and the rest of his Indians teammates when his first big-league homer gave the Tribe a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Victory in itself has been a rare occurrence. To do it without having to come from behind with sirens blaring -- they've come from the back of the pack in 10 of their 17 wins -- is even rarer. To do it with a combination of power and guile borders on the mystical.

The Indians have hit the third-fewest homers in the AL. Tuesday night they looked like Power Inc., as Donald started the third with a drive to the left-field bleachers off Jake Peavy for his first big-league homer. Choo followed one batter later with a long homer to right center for a 2-0 lead.

Travis Hafner almost made it three in a row with a ground-rule double that sailed over Andruw Jones head in right field, bounced off the warning track and into the stands. Russell Branyan scored him with a single to make it 3-0.

"It was exciting to see Jason Donald do that," said Acta. "He lit a fire under us."

Said Donald, "I think that's the best I've got in me. If that didn't go out ..."

Donald didn't know if the Indians retrieved the ball or not. "I hope they did," he said.

Indeed they did. It cost the Tribe a couple of autographed balls and tickets, but Donald's first home run ball was secured.

"We've given up a lot of runs in the first inning," said Choo. "It's only the first inning. Look what we did in Baltimore when we were shut out and scored eight runs in the ninth. But when our pitchers go 1-2-3 in the first, you say, 'OK, let's go.'"

Talbot (6-3, 3.73) faced the minimum number of batters in five of the first six innings. It was his second victory over Chicago this season. He beat them April 16 with a complete game for his first big-league victory.

"I thought Talbot was fantastic," said Acta. "That's what so great about this game of baseball. On any given day, a guy like Mitch can beat a guy like Peavy. I'm very proud of my kids. They had some very good at-bats against a very good pitcher, but I think Mitch deserves all the credit because he didn't make us play catch-up baseball and gave us an opportunity to score runs."

At the end of last season, Talbot was a 26-year-old right-hander buried in Tampa Bay's farm system. He was out of options and coming off a season in which he missed a big chunk of time with shoulder and elbow problems.

"Sooner or later, you reach a breaking point," said Talbot. "The options were the breaking point."

In December, the Indians traded catcher Kelly Shoppach to Tampa Bay for Talbot. Today he has six big-league victories.

"It's cool for me to go from a guy in Triple-A to a guy having success in the big leagues," said Talbot.

Said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, "It looked like Talbot had 10 strikeouts in the first three or four innings."

Actually, he had three in the first three innings and four in seven. What Talbot did was throw strikes. He threw 74 percent of his pitches (57-of-77) for strikes. He threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of the 25 batters he faced.

After the Indians made it 6-0 with three more runs in the sixth against Peavy (3-4, 6.05) on Jhonny Peralta's double and sacrifice flies by Luis Valbuena and Lou Marson, Chicago made it 6-3 with two runs off Talbot in the seventh and one against Chris Perez in the eighth.

Then the Indians turned to guile. Valbuena squeezed home Austin Kearns with a one-out bunt to make it 7-4 in eighth. The Indians PR staff was unable to uncover their last squeeze bunt because for the last seven years it was all but banned by former manager Eric Wedge, who did not think it was good baseball.

Good or bad, it helped them win a game Tuesday.

Omar Vizquel is contemplating retirement. Is Major League Baseball about to lose its best shortstop ever?

Chuck Crow,
The Plain DealerOmar Vizquel was Rudolf Nuryev around the bag when he turned double plays for the Tribe.Cleveland, Ohio -- Omar Vizquel, who's finishing his 22nd and possibly final career in the big leagues as a utility player with the Chicago White Sox, was in his prime the best shortstop in baseball during that era.

But any statement like that usually triggers a debate: Where does Vizquel rank among shortstops in the history of baseball? For Clevelanders who watched his artistry from 1994 to 2001, the answer almost has to be at the top of the list, sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Outside of Cleveland? Maybe you get a different answer. So we want to know, who's the best shortstop who ever played the game?

Cleveland's sports bloggers discuss who the next coach of the Cavaliers should be, as well as a nomination for the worst LeBron-to-New York argument yet and five reasons why the Browns won't have a losing record in 2010.

Want more Cleveland sports blogs? Check out more headlines on our Fan Blog page.

View full sizePlain Dealer fileDan Gilbert's decision on Mike Brown's replacement could be the most important hire he's ever made.

Cavaliers

Cavs HQ: "For all the people talking about Dan Gilbert's commitment to winning, I think the next big test for him is hiring his next head coach. Money talks in the coaching world, and Gilbert has a lot of it. While people assume that quality coaches will avoid signing on with the Cavaliers before LeBron makes his decision on where to play next season, I think that Gilbert's checkbook can go a long way to alleviating that problem." » Read more

Stepien Rules thinks the time is right for Mike Krzyzewski to make the leap to the NBA.

There have been a lot of questionable "Where LeBron should play" articles written. WaitingForNextYear might have found the worst.

Browns

No Logo Needed gives us five reasons the Browns will not have a losing record in 2010.

Former middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik will not have a rematch with Sergio Martinez, according to a story on myboxingfans.com. It was Pavlik who lost a unanimous decision and his title belts to Martinez last month in Atlantic City. Pavlik, out of Youngstown, won't fight Martinez in a rematch because Pavlik plans move up and  fight at 168 pounds against IBF champion Lucian Bute. Pavlik...

APKelly Pavlik is moving up.Former middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik will not have a rematch with Sergio Martinez, according to a story on myboxingfans.com.

It was Pavlik who lost a unanimous decision and his title belts to Martinez last month in Atlantic City.

Pavlik, out of Youngstown, won't fight Martinez in a rematch because Pavlik plans move up and  fight at 168 pounds against IBF champion Lucian Bute. Pavlik also has his sights on IBO light heavyweight champ Chad Dawson.

Pavlik may have had trouble with Martinez because of weight issues.

 Rumor is that Pavlik was struggling to make weight two days before losing at the hands of Martinez. Pavlik had to lose 13 pounds before the weigh in.

"It would take 147 years for the current Indians catchers to total 10 home runs. Please get Santana up to the bigs!" - d3dawgpound

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerIndians fans have been unimpressed by Lou Marson this season.

In response to the story Santana's 10th homer can't prevent Clippers loss: Minor league report, cleveland.com reader d3dawgpound thinks it's time to call up the Indians' top-hitting catcher. This reader writes,

It would take 147 years for the current Indians catchers to total 10 home runs. Please get Santana up to the bigs!

"If the Super Bowl is the crowning glory to any NFL season and the league's ultimate game, doesn't it stand to reason that the game should be played under the best possible conditions? That means a warm-weather city." - theksukidd73

View full sizeAssociated PressRoger Goodell announced yesterday that the NFL will hold the Super Bowl in New Jersey in 2014.

In response to the story Cold weather Super Bowl: Poll, cleveland.com reader theksukidd73 doesn't like the idea of the Super Bowl in the cold. This reader writes,

If the Super Bowl is the crowning glory to any NFL season and the league's ultimate game, doesn't it stand to reason that the game should be played under the best possible conditions? That means a warm-weather city.

Tony also talks about Browns longshot rookie Kwaku Danso, who played only a handful of plays at East Carolina and never made a tackle.

Associated PressThe New Meadowlands StadiumWelcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. The show will post on weekday mornings. Today's video runs 6:49 (there is a minute of dead gray screen on the end; we're working on it!)

• Talk about whether the Super Bowl should be held in cold-weather open-air stadiums. The league just awarded the 2014 Super Bowl to the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. What do you think? Take the poll now posted on the Starting Blocks blog.

• Talk with Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi, who says he is not a fan of the NFL's new overtime rules. Tony says the league should have kept them the same as they were. Also, Tony talks about Browns longshot rookie Kwaku Danso, who played only a handful of plays at East Carolina and never made a tackle.

SBTV will return Thursday with Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston as the guest. Have a question you'd like to ask Livy? Post it in the comments below and we'll pick the best ones to ask him during Thursday's show.

"Mike Brown had five seasons worth of chances. The guy never showed that he had a clue on offense or that he knew how to make adjustments. I am sick about hearing that Mike Brown was treated unfairly. He was handed the best player in the world and a solid team and he did not know how to lead them." - notkelsey26

View full sizeAPFormer Cavaliers' coach Mike Brown struggled at times in trying to integrate Shaquille O'Neal into his team's style on both ends of the floor.

In response to the story Mike Brown did not have a chance: Yahoo Sports, cleveland.com reader notkelsey26 doesn't want to hear about Mike Brown being treated unfairly. This reader writes,

Mike Brown had five seasons worth of chances. The guy never showed that he had a clue on offense or that he knew how to make adjustments. I am sick about hearing that Mike Brown was treated unfairly. He was handed the best player in the world and a solid team and he did not know how to lead them.

The Browns were last - 32nd out of 32 NFL teams - in total offense last season, and scored more points than just three teams.

John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer Brian Robiskie (80) is part of a Browns' receiving unit that has impressed new quarterback Jake Delhomme.The Cleveland Browns' offensive players are eager to put the 2009 season behind them.

You can't blame them. The Browns ranked last - 32nd among the 32 NFL teams - in total offense, netting just 260.2 yards per game. They were 29th in scoring, averaging 15.3 points a game.

The Browns say they expect to move the football better next season. They'd better, if they hope to improve on a 5-11 record last season.

Matt Florjancic writes for ClevelandBrowns.com that newly acquired veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme is optimistic about the players who will surround him, including the guys who will catch his passes.

Delhomme’s teammates, particularly the wide receivers, have impressed the 12-year NFL veteran.

“They’re very smart, they know what they’re doing and they work hard,” Delhomme said. “You know it’s still very early, I don’t know any other way to put it. I’m a lot more worried about what I’m doing out there than what they’re doing right now.

“You’re getting your feet wet, but if you tell them to run through that wall, they will do it,” he added. “They do things the right way, they’re coached the right way, and it’s so far so good, very impressive.”

Keep track of the Browns in The Plain Dealer, featuring beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot, and on cleveland.com/browns. Also, Tony Grossi talks about the Meadowlands getting the 2014 Super Bowl and the NFL's new overtime rules on today's edition of Starting Blocks TV.

Block 'em

In late May, fans who are realists understand that rebuilding teams won't go 16-0. Most observers believe a team can manage at least an 8-8 record, though. Aaron Ziraks of the blog NoLogoNeeded.com lists five key reasons he believes the Browns will play at least .500 football in 2010, including:

2. Offensive Line - We all saw late last season what happens when the Browns line is clicking on all cylinders and the running backs are hitting the holes hard. Thomas, Steinbach, Mack and Womack should be able to open holes all year long for Harrison, Hardesty and Hillis. The addition of Pashos will be an upgrade from last year, because an orange construction barrel would be an upgrade over St. Clair. The Browns averaged 243 yards rushing over the final three games of 2009, all three of which were wins. This was even more impressive due to the fact the Browns were not even attempting to pass. This is a testimate to the offensive line being able to handle a stacked box and still shine.

Ninety-nine

Scott Fujita started at linebacker for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints last season, and now he's with the Browns, signed by them as a free agent. (See Mary Kay Cabot's feature on Fujita that appeared Monday on cleveland.com.) Matt Florjancic writes for ClevelandBrowns.com not just about that adjustment for Fujita, but others, too, such as:

Fujita left behind friends and former teammates with whom he shared the football field with for four years. He also left behind something that is held most dear by many athletes, his jersey number.

Instead of wearing the familiar 55 he had during his time in New Orleans or 51 at his first NFL stop in Kansas City, Fujita will don No. 99 in the orange and brown.

“I’m having trouble taking myself seriously at this point,” Fujita joked. “There were no ‘50’ numbers available when I got here and I didn’t want to try and punk some younger guy for a number. I called my family, put it to a vote with my friends and family and kids, and they all chose 99. I’ve got twin girls, twin numbers.”

Making the cut

There are still 109 days to go before the Browns open the regular season on Sept. 12 at Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers (Browns schedule is here).

It's not too early, though, for the Orange and Brown Report on Scout.com, to project the Browns' 53-man roster going into that game.

At tight end, predicts OBR:

Ben Watson

Robert Royal

Evan Moore

COMMENT: Alex Smith is a bit of an underachiever and doesn't seem the Mangini type. Royal will have to fight for a roster spot. Moore can be split out wide at times and makes the roster due to his verstatility.

Here and there

CBSSports.com tracks each team's remaining free agents, re-signed free agents, and players acquired and departed.

Omar Vizquel is considering retirement after 22 years in the big leagues.

Chuck Crow,
The Plain DealerOmar Vizquel, captured during a pensive moment when he was still with the Indians, said Tuesday he may hang up his spikes after this season. Vizquel is a utility infielder with the visiting Chicago White Sox.

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has called Omar Vizquel the best player ever to come out of Venezuela.

Anyone who watched his artistry at shortstop in what was then known as Jacobs Field will not disagree, especially when he was teamed with Robby Alomar at second base.

Is Omar the greatest shortstop ever? A poll

Unlike some other Indians of that era -- Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome and Albert Belle -- Vizquel remains dear to the hearts of Clevelanders. So even though he's part of "the enemy" now -- a utility infielder with the visiting Chicago White Sox -- those hearts are going to be a bit heavier with the knowledge that Vizquel is contemplating retirement.

Twenty-two years in the big leagues is a long, long time. The 11-time Gold Glover told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday that the strain of being a utility infielder after starring for so long is why he may hang up his spikes.

Being a utility player the last two seasons has beaten up Vizquel mentally to the point that he doesn't see himself going through another season in this role.

"It's hard to play in the role that I am when you're used to playing every day," Vizquel said. "It's hard preparation. Sometimes you feel disappointed, sometimes you're sad. Your mental process is different. ... I don't know if I can do it another year. I could probably do it physically because I feel pretty good, but mentally it takes a toll on your [mind]. It makes you doubt sometimes. I don't think I want to go through that process again."

Is there a chance he will change his mind?

"I have to finish this season pretty strong," Vizquel said. "If I feel like I finish the way I really want to, I might give it a thought to go another year."

The problem is, he likely won't get a real opportunity to finish strong while playing sparingly like he has.

Here's hoping that when he does retire, it's after signing a ceremonial contract with the Tribe. He's spent time with San Francisco, Seattle, Texas and Chicago, but for those of us who saw him play, Omar Vizquel will always be an Indian.

We all know that Omar was a genius with a glove -- or without it (remember all those bare-handed plays?). We came to take for granted that if a ball was hit in the same time zone, O would make the play. And he believed the same. But he told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that he takes even greater pride in his 2,713 (and counting) hits.

"Everything that I do, something offensively fulfills me more than making a great play," Vizquel said Tuesday. "I know that my glove always has been consistent, and I'm always at the top of my game. But the offense, for me, has been a question mark ever since I came to the big leagues. I only started switch-hitting six months before I made it to the big leagues and it has been a very hard process for me to develop my switch-hitting abilities."

Vizquel, now 43, went to the Instructional League in Arizona to learn to switch hit under the supervision of instructor Bobby Tolan, a former major leaguer who once worked in the Sox organization.

"The next year (1989) I got an invitation to the big leagues, and I stayed there," Vizquel said. "I've been around some great people, and it really has helped me to be around them."

It's a pretty sure bet that a lot of people can say the same about being around Vizquel.

For the second time in as many showdowns, the White Sox made Mitch Talbot look like an All-Star pitcher.

As for Jake Peavy, the Sox have yet to see a lengthy period of dominance from the former Cy Young winner.

Those developments added to the astonishment of the Sox season, as their 7-3 loss Tuesday night at Cleveland typified their inconsistencies.

And there might not be one greater than that of Peavy (3-4), who has slipped into another regression.

In the estimation of manager Ozzie Guillen and Peavy, Wednesday's series finale is as important a game as any the Sox (19-26) have played to this point as they try to win their second series and regain momentum heading into this weekend's four-game set at formidable Tampa Bay.

"I think that's as frustrating as anything," Peavy said after allowing at least six earned runs for the fifth time. "We know we have to take care of business, I told you guys that the other day. Not being able to do that for the team, that's what gets to me the most. I mean you're going to have starts where you don't have good stuff, that's fine.

"This is the first time in a while I went out there and just didn't feel good, just didn't feel like I could go to something, and it can get me out of trouble. I didn't have anything to go to stuff-wise, and that's tough.

But we have our guy ( Mark Buehrle going Wednesday). I just hope the boys can pick me up and we can go down to Tampa on a good note and grind it out there."

Buehrle goes against Jake Westbrook in a rematch of Opening Day pitchers. The Indians lost that one in U.S. Cellular Field, 6-0, with Buehrle helping his own cause with a highlight-reel put-out of Indians catcher Lou Marson.

Jim Massie of the Columbus Dispatch was among a cadre of reporters who talked to Donald after the game.

Donald set the offensive tone with a leadoff home run into the bleachers in left field to open the third. It was his first home run and his third extra-base hit in the past two games.

"It felt good," said Donald, who was called up from the Clippers last week. "I put a pretty good swing on it. I hit it pretty good. I think that's the best I've got in me.

"(Peavy) is really one of the best starters in the game. I don't want to say I grew up watching him. But I've seen him for a long time on TV and I feel real fortunate. It's something that I'll keep with me for the rest of my life."

"I don't want to say I grew up watching him?" Great quote, made even funnier by reality: Donald is 25; Peavy will be 29 on Monday.

Paul Hoynes' game stories for The Plain Dealer usually are more entertaining than the game he's covering. Tuesday's 7-3 win was a rare combination of both.

Victory in itself has been a rare occurrence. To do it without having to come from behind with sirens blaring -- they've come from the back of the pack in 10 of their 17 wins -- is even rarer. To do it with a combination of power and guile borders on the mystical.

The Indians have hit the third-fewest homers in the AL. Tuesday night they looked like Power Inc., as (Jason) Donald started the third with a drive to the left-field bleachers off Jake Peavy for his first big-league homer. Choo followed one batter later with a long homer to right center for a 2-0 lead.

Hoynesie's Indians Insider covers a Major League Baseball warning to players with criminal records about travels to Toronto. Canada of late has been enforcing a provision that permits authorities to detain those crossing the border if they have any criminal record, no matter how old. The Tribe visits the Blue Jays at the end of July.

That's the serious business, but the funniest thing in the Indians Insider is Hoynesie's Clubhouse Chatter conversation with Mike Redmond:

Mike Redmond, Fausto Carmona's personal catcher, is not looking forward to interleague play after watching Carmona swing the bat Monday.

"I love Carmona to death, but I'm never going to get a pitch to hit," said Redmond. "They'll just walk me to face him."

When asked to describe Carmona's swing, Redmond laughed and said, "You know how some guys don't even look good wearing a batting helmet?"

Maradona, Argentina's coach, talks a day after Argentina defeated Canada 5-0 Monday in its final warm-up match before the World Cup. Video included of a famous goal scored in 1986 by Maradona.

Natacha Pisarenko, Associated PressArgentina soccer coach Diego Maradona.

Buenos Aires, Argentina -- Diego Maradona has promised to run naked through the center of Buenos Aires if Argentina wins the World Cup.

The Argentina coach made the promise during a radio show. The unpredictable Maradona was speaking a day after Argentina defeated Canada 5-0 Monday in its final warm-up match before the World Cup.

Argentina plays in Group B, opening against Nigeria on June 12. The Gauchos also face Greece and South Korea.

Video: Maradona scores the famed "Hand of God" goal against England in a 1986 World Cup semifinal.

The Thursday, Sept. 2 regular-season opener against Marshall in Ohio Stadium kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Dates for all games have been known, but kickoff times for six games have not yet been announced.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerMany analysts expect Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor (photo) and the Buckeyes to be national championship contenders.The Ohio State football program has confirmed the kickoff times for six of the 12 games on its 2010 regular-season schedule.

The Buckeyes open the season when they host Marshall on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Ohio Stadium. Following three more games against nonleague opponents, Ohio State will begin its defense of the Big Ten championship, playing the first of its eight conference games on Oct. 2 at Illinois. The Illinois game is one of six Ohio State games that does not yet have an announced starting time.  

The Buckeyes finished last season 11-2 and ranked fifth in the country.  

The Associated Press reports:

The seventh meeting between in-state rivals Ohio University and Ohio State will kick off at noon on Sept. 18.

 

The two schools announced Wednesday that the game, played at Ohio Stadium, will be shown on the Big Ten Network.

 

The Buckeyes have won all six previous meetings with the Bobcats.

 

Five other 2010 Ohio State games now have confirmed kickoff times: Sept. 2 vs. Marshall (7:30 p.m.); Sept. 11 vs. Miami, Fla. (3:40 p.m.); Oct. 16 at Wisconsin (7:15 p.m.); Oct. 23 vs. Purdue (noon); and Oct. 30 at Minnesota (8 p.m.).

Now that coach Mike Brown has been fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers, what's next for General Manager Danny Ferry? News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan writes there have been no indications on Ferry's future. His  contract expires on June 30. Ferry, writes Finnan, would likely be replaced by Cavs assistant GM Chris Grant. Some observers around the league wondered why Ferry allowed...

Plain Dealer fileWill GM Danny Ferry, left, and owner Danny Gilbert have something to laugh about this summer?

News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan writes there have been no indications on Ferry's future. His  contract expires on June 30.

Ferry, writes Finnan, would likely be replaced by Cavs assistant GM Chris Grant.

Some observers around the league wondered why Ferry allowed himself to be so tight with Brown. The answer was easy: The two have been close friends since their days in San Antonio.

They seemed to have the perfect “marriage.” Ferry was able to make suggestions about things on the court. Brown trusted him, which is not always the case in coach-GM relationships.

That’s why Ferry wanted nothing to do with Brown being fired. He apparently signed off on the move, which leads some to believe he’ll remain with the Cavs.

If Ferry stays, he'll have to help solve several issues facing the team, the biggest being signing LeBron James.

If James indicates he’s going to sign elsewhere, the Cavs must enter into sign-and-trade discussions. They can’t afford to allow James to walk and get nothing in return.

They need to find a way to lower payroll and still add talent. Ferry, if retained, would have to find a way to retool on the run, which is difficult, to say the least.

Next move

The Cleveland Cavaliers have plenty to fix to get prepared for next season. Ohio.com's Jason Lloyd writes in his interview with Jeff Van Gundy, how all the right pieces have to be put together.

''The most important factor on any team or organization is you have to have an owner committed to winning, and you have to have a star player who is the right star player,'' ESPN analyst and former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy said. ''That star player has to be responsible, accountable and an absolutely tenacious competitor. There are very few star players who are the right players to win it all. LeBron James is one of those guys.''

Phil, not LeBron

New York Daily News reporter Mitch Lawrence writes that Phil Jackson, not LeBron James, is the best prospective free agent this summer in the NBA.

Lawrence bases this on watching what transpired in the NBA playoffs.

And it's not even close.

 Phil Jackson's collection of 10 championship rings is more than all the top free agents own combined, and he could have No. 11 in a matter of weeks. When you look at what he's been doing with the defending champs, compared to James' embarrassing exit against Boston, Wade's latest first-round flop and the largely uninspiring performances of other top-flight free agents, many of whom have been costing themselves millions with their ordinary play, there's no reason why Jackson shouldn't be pursued before anybody else.

Lawrence's assertion that Jackson is the best free agent prospect is cute, but we all know LeBron is the gem of the summer.

Then again, James could try to bring Jackson to Cleveland. But that would mean that LeBron would actually be showing some loyalty to his home-area team. We've yet to hear him say anything about that.

You also wonder if Jackson would be willing to coach a player who appears to care more about expanding his "brand" than stepping up his game in the playoffs.

Because for the best of this summer's free agents, it's always been about winning for Phil Jackson. And nothing less.

White Sox lead Indians, 5-1, through six.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe plays host to the White Sox today at Progressive Field.

Game 45

Pitching matchup: Indians RHP Jake Westbrook (2-2, 4.56) vs. White Sox LHP Mark Buehrle (3-5, 4.55)

In-game updates:

The White Sox led the Tribe, 5-1, through six innings. They lost manager Ozzie Guillen and starting pitcher Mark Buehrle to ejection in the first three innings.

Chicago scored three in the fourth for a 3-0 advantage.

Juan Pierre doubled to left-center and advanced to third on a grounder. After Alex Rios walked, Paul Konerko drove in Pierre with a single to left. Austin Kearns made an errant throw attempting to get Rios at third, allowing Konerko to move to second.

Mark Kotsay was intentionally walked. Westbrook struck out Carlos Quentin but gave up a two-run single to Mark Teahen.

The Indians pulled within 3-1 in their half of the third.

Kearns led off with a single and moved to third on Russell Branyan's double to right. Tony Pena replaced Randy Williams and gave up a sacrifice fly to Jhonny Peralta.

Matt LaPorta grounded to shortstop Alexei Ramirez, who cut down Branyan at third. Branyan took off as the ball was hit, stopped and restarted.

Luis Valbuena struck out looking for the third out.

The White Sox made it 5-1 on Kotsay's two-run homer in the sixth.

The Tribe put runners on first and second in the sixth. Nothing else happened because of a flyout, flyout and groundout.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen (second inning)  and starting pitcher Mark Buehrle (third) were ejected by first-base umpire Joe West.

West called a balk on Buehrle in the second for breaking the plane on his stride toward first, where Matt LaPorta stood after a single. Buehrle apparently squawked at West, who began moving toward Buehrle. Guillen came out to keep the peace but became enraged when West dismissively waved him back to the dugout.

In the third, West called another balk on Buehrle for the same reason. Jason Donald was on first. Buehrle's first reaction was to drop his glove, which West viewed as showing him up. West immediately tossed him.

Buehrle, who threw 36 pitches in his 2 1/3 innings, was relieved by lefty Randy Williams.

With runners on first and third, Williams got Shin-Soo Choo to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to keep the game scoreless.

Tribe right-hander Jake Westbrook allowed one hit -- a bunt single by Alexei Ramirez with one out in the third. Westbrook reached the ball along the third-base side but had not play. Moments later, Ramirez was erased on a 4-3-6 double play.

Six of Chicago's outs were by flyout.

Pregame notes

Power surge: Indians shortstop Jason Donald was humble Wednesday morning when discussing his first major-league homer. The previous night, he went deep off White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy in a 7-3 victory.

 "I closed my eyes and swung,'' he said with a chuckle. "I felt like I made good contact, and I knew it had a chance. But I don't hit many homers, so I needed to see the ball clear the wall before I believed it.''

 Donald's shot off Peavy, a former N.L. Cy Young winner, led off the third inning. The ball sailed into the left-field bleachers.

  The homer was Donald's third of the season. He hit the first two at Class AAA Columbus, for which he played 37 games until being promoted May 18.

 Entering this season, Donald had 29 homers in 359 minor-league games since his pro debut in 2006.

 Donald said he spoke by phone with his father and former coach, Tom, late Tuesday night. Tom Donald was coaching Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif., in the playoffs when he heard the news about his son's homer.

 "The athletic director told him in the middle of the game,'' Donald said. "My dad told him, 'I'll check it out later.'''

 To acquire the home-run ball, the Indians traded a Shin-Soo Choo autographed baseball and four tickets.

 "Choo picked me up,'' Donald said. "That's a good teammate.''

 Asked if he was hurt that the fan did not ask for a Donald autographed item, the shortstop said: "Not at all. I'd be asking for something from Choo, too.''

 Choo was more than happy to help.

 "I know how special the first home-run ball is,'' he said. "I will never forget my first homer. I can't forget that game.''

 Who can blame Choo?

 On July 26, 2006, the Indians acquired Choo from the Seattle Mariners. To days later, he made his Tribe debut -- against the Mariners. He homered off none other than "King'' Felix Hernandez in the Indians' 1-0 victory.

  Long time coming: In the eighth inning Tuesday night, Indians second baseman Luis Valbuena's squeeze bunt drove in Austin Kearns. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it was the Tribe's first successful squeeze since May 17, 2003, when Omar Vizquel bunted and Matt Lawton scored against the Athletics.

Lineups:

White Sox (19-26) -- 1. Juan Pierre lf; 2. A.J. Pierzynski c; 3. Alex Rios cf; 4. Paul Konerko 1b; 5. Mark Kotsay dh; 6. Carlos Quentin rf; 7. Mark Teahen 3b; 8. Alexei Ramirez ss; 9. Gordon Beckham 2b; and Buehrle.

Indians (17-27) -- 1. Trevor Crowe cf; 2. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 3. Austin Kearns lf; 4. Russell Branyan 1b; 5. Jhonny Peralta 3b; 6. Matt LaPorta dh; 7. Luis Valbuena 2b; 8. Lou Marson c; 9. Jason Donald ss; and Westbrook.

Umpires: P -- Rob Drake; 1b -- Joe West; 2b -- Angel Hernandez; 3b -- Paul Schrieber.

Next: Off-day Thursday before four-game series against Yankees in the Bronx.

Cleveland native and South High School graduate Chet Mason talked to Branson Wright about winning another pro basketball title for Siroki in the Bosnian national basketball championship for the second straight season. During the regular season Mason became the first American to win the MVP of the Adriatic League. Mason, who attended Miami of Ohio, had nine points, 11 rebounds and eight assists...

Cleveland native and South High School graduate Chet Mason talked to Branson Wright about winning another pro basketball title for Siroki in the Bosnian national basketball championship for the second straight season.

During the regular season Mason became the first American to win the MVP of the Adriatic League. Mason, who attended Miami of Ohio, had nine points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as Siroki beat Igokea, 83-68, to sweep the finals, 3-0.