The Book of Norman looks back at a time when everything was "better."

Library of Congress/MCTBabe Ruth lived during a different, simpler time, writes Norman Chad.

The other afternoon, when I ventured into America — actually, I only go out maybe once or twice a week, to 7-Eleven, if I get a hankering for a Slurpee and a Slim Jim — a complete stranger tapped me on the shoulder and asked if things ever would be the way they once were.

“How’s that?” I said.

“Better,” she said.

Better?

Like when Moses parted the Red Sea, effectively creating the first HOV lane?

Like when Babe Ruth called his shot, pointing toward the centerfield bleachers at Wrigley Field and then hitting a home run to center field?

Like when banks actually held on to your money instead of investing it in risky, unsecured mortgages?

Like when Jim McKay’s voice filled every Saturday afternoon by telling us about “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat”?

Like when Oscar Robertson averaged a triple double — 30.8 points, 11.4 assists and 12.5 rebounds a game — for an entire NBA season?

Like when Bobby Jones retired from golf at age 28 after winning the Grand Slam?

Like when you actually would borrow a cup of sugar from your next-door neighbor?

Like when UCLA won 10 national men’s basketball titles in 12 years with no one-and-doners?

Like when the Good Humor man would give you change out of that little contraption attached to his belt?

Like when Roger Maris hit 61 homers one year in short sleeves and steroid-free?

Like when the sublime Johnny Carson — rather than the subpar Jay Leno — was hosting “The Tonight Show”?

Like when Kramer promised the boy in the hospital that the Yankees’ Paul O’Neill would hit two homers in a game?

Like when Don Rickles could kid and cajole every ethnic group in the audience without incident?

Like when Mean Joe Greene took the Coke from the kid and then threw him his jersey?

Like when Woody Allen — pre-Soon Yi — was making “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan”?

Like when you would wait for your father to bring home the afternoon newspaper?

Like when you could get a bleacher seat at Fenway Park for a buck?

Like when flight attendants were called stewardesses and stewardesses at least pretended they cared if you had a pleasant flight?

Like when Otto Graham, without hype or hysteria, led the Cleveland Browns to 10 league championship games in the 10 seasons he played for them?

Like when the National Enquirer and the Wall Street Journal didn’t cover sports?

Like when Lucy would pull the football away from Charlie Brown every time he was about to kick it?

Like when John Riggins drunkenly told Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to “loosen up, Sandy baby”?

Like when Ernie Harwell, Jack Buck, Bob Prince, Mel Allen and Chuck Thompson fashioned sweet sounds on summer nights?

Like when people called you rather than texted you?

Like when Bill Veeck sent 3-foot-7-inch Eddie Gaedel to the plate for the St. Louis Browns?

Like when my mother and father wed — not even speaking the same language — and, 61 years later — still not speaking the same language — are still married?

Like when Muhammad Ali was Cassius Clay, Prince was The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, Chad Ochocinco was Chad Johnson and Metta World Peace was Ron Artest?

Like when you could ride up to a 7-Eleven on your bike and just leave it out front unlocked?

“Things weren’t necessarily better then,” I told her. “They were just different — maybe simpler.”

I got back into my car to go home and turned on Jim Rome’s radio show. Man, he was riled up about something.

Q:How do you account for the fact that Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, at age 44, is still fooling hitters some of the time with absolute junk? – William R. Mitchell, Indianapolis.

A: Knuckleballs are like third marriages – you never know where they're going.

Q: Similar to Charlie Sheen in “Major League,” were you juiced up in “Tilt”? – Joshua Feinberg, Washington, D.C.

A: I did nothing out of the ordinary to prepare for my part in “Tilt,” other than sleep with my ESPN partner Lon McEachern.

Q: A la the Cowboys' Roy Williams, has The Slouch ever proposed via the U.S. Postal Service? – Don Morgan, Brookfield, Wis.

A: Yes, but I was smart enough to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope to get the ring returned.

Q: In the realm of statistical minutiae, what percentage of Yankee batters do not theatrically pout after a called strike? – Joseph Kaschalk, Cleveland.

A: Pay the man, Shirley.

You, too, can enter the $1.25 Ask The Slouch Cash Giveaway. Just email asktheslouch@aol.com and, if your question is used, you win $1.25 in cash!

Norman Chad is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Watch video from the Indians locker room following their 7-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Pitching coach Tim Belcher talks about Carrasco's game as well as the Indians' standing at the All-Star break. Carrasco also talks about his performance also. The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff reports from Progressive Field.

Carlos Carrasco (AP)

Watch video from the Indians locker room following their 7-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Pitching coach Tim Belcher talks about Carrasco's game as well as the Indians' standing at the All-Star break. Carrasco also talks about his performance also. The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff reports from Progressive Field.

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

Mohammed Massaquoi is tapping the brains of some of the NFL's best in an effort to become the receiver he thinks he can be.

View full sizeEd Suba Jr.,
Akron Beacon-JournalMohamed Massaquoi says he has used the lockout to go to school -- studying with Pro Bowl receivers to become the wideout he thinks he can be.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Plain Dealer Browns writer Mary Kay Cabot, who is covering quarterback Colt McCoy's Camp Colt IV in Austin, Texas, gave Cleveland fans a look inside the head and heart of wideout Mohamed Massaquoi in today's Sports section.

In her piece, Massaquoi said he has spent the lockout at the feet, as it were, of Pro Bowl receivers like Chad Ochocinco, Hines Ward, Larry Fitzgerald and more. As Mary Kay pointed out, Massaquoi -- one of two second-round picks for the Browns, the other being Brian Robiskie -- has never had a true mentor here, so he's using this time to learn from those he thinks are the best.

And he's sure that the West Coast offense the Browns are installing will work to his favor and help him achieve the breakout season that's eluded him during his two years with Cleveland (70 catches and five touchdowns does not a Pro Bowler maker).

But can he become what he thinks he can? His speed and his hands are suspect at best. What do you think?

"Manny Acta has the Tribe 1/2 game out of first with two of the worst starting pitchers in the AL (Carmona and Talbot) in the rotation and without much hitting. Give the guy some credit for what he's doing." - hdawg

View full sizeAPManny Acta has the Indians near the top of the AL Central at the All-Star break.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians fall to Toronto Blue Jays, fall behind Detroit Tigers in AL Central, cleveland.com reader hdawg thinks Manny Acta did a good job in the season's first half. This reader writes,

"Manny Acta has the Tribe 1/2 game out of first with two of the worst starting pitchers in the AL (Carmona and Talbot) in the rotation and without much hitting. Give the guy some credit for what he's doing."

"Mark Price as the shooting coach would be a brilliant idea. If Scott isn't intimidated by the fact that the shooting coach is more popular with the fans, this could be a real coup for the team." - Sorry, but you're wrong

View full sizeAPMark Price was - and still is - a fan favorite in Cleveland.

In response to the story NBA lockout creates plenty of scenarios with no clear answers: Hey, Mary!, cleveland.com reader Sorry, but you're wrong thinks hiring Mark Price as an assistant would be a great move. This reader writes,

"Mark Price as the shooting coach would be a brilliant idea. If Scott isn't intimidated by the fact that the shooting coach is more popular with the fans, this could be a real coup for the team."

"Massaquoi is not a No. 1 receiver. He flourished when Edwards was here and noticeably declined once Edwards was traded. Hopefully, with the introduction of the WCO and the addition of Little, it will allow him to get more opportunities. It's what you do with these opportunities that defines the player." - daddybull

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerMohamed Massaquoi's best game as a pro may have been against Cincinnati in 2009, when Braylon Edwards was playing opposite him.

In response to the story Browns' Mohamed Massaquoi picks brains of experts during lockout, cleveland.com reader daddybull hopes Massaquoi will thrive in the Browns' new offense. This reader writes,

"Massaquoi is not a No. 1 receiver. He flourished when Edwards was here and noticeably declined once Edwards was traded. Hopefully, with the introduction of the WCO and the addition of Little, it will allow him to get more opportunities. It's what you do with these opportunities that defines the player."

Walsh Jesuit High School graduate will return to his alma mater to work on Luke Fickell's staff.

AP file photoMike Vrabel will become linebackers coach at Ohio State on the staff of his good friend, Luke Fickell

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Former All-Pro linebacker Mike Vrabel is retiring from the Kansas City Chiefs and returning to his alma mater as an Ohio State assistant coach.

Vrabel, a graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School, confirmed this morning the end of his 14-year career and that he had taken the job as linebackers coach with the Buckeyes. The position was previously held by his college roommate and teammate, Luke Fickell, who was elevated to interim head coach when Jim Tressel resigned May 30.

Vrabel played for Pittsburgh and New England before closing out his career with the Chiefs. He announced his retirement in a statement issued through his agent.

Vrabel played eight seasons with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowl titles as a hybrid defender and a spot short-yardage and goal-line offensive player.

Columbus Clippers right-hander Jeanmar Gomez will not pitch in the Class AAA All-Star Game on Wednesday. He likely is coming to Cleveland, a source said.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Jeanmar Gomez of the Columbus Clippers will not pitch in the Class AAA All-Star Game on Wednesday -- the surest sign yet that  change is afoot in the Indians' rotation after the All-Star break.

A source, asked if Gomez not pitching in the All-Star Game means Gomez is coming to Cleveland, said, "You can make that assumption.''

Gomez is 9-3 with a 2.40 ERA in 14 starts for the Clippers. He pitched for Cleveland earlier this season, going 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in four appearances (three starts). 

At the moment, the odds heavily favor Gomez replacing Mitch Talbot -- but Gomez also could be coverage for Fausto Carmona, who remains on the disabled list.

The Indians do not need to make an official move any earlier than Sunday, when Talbot is scheduled to pitch against the Orioles in Camden Yards.

Talbot (2-6, 6.33 ERA) has not been the same since injuring his elbow during a start April 11 against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif. His fastball lacks life and his secondary pitches are just OK. Mostly, though, lack of pinpoint location has hurt him.

After Talbot's most recent start, a loss to Toronto on Friday, Indians manager Manny Acta hardly gave a vote of confidence. He said the hierarchy does not want to overreact, but that 3 1/2 months of baseball have been played and the organization needs to do things in the best interests of the ballclub.

Talbot said after the Blue Jays game that he understands the business and that, when a player does not perform for a team in contention, the player can expect to be replaced.

Talbot went 10-13 with a 4.41 ERA as a rookie with the Tribe last season. He is out of options, so the Indians likely are seeking a trade partner. It is possible Talbot could be moved to the bullpen.

Carmona was placed on the DL on July 3 because of a strained right quadriceps. He is not eligible to come off until July 18 -- the first day of a road series at Minnesota. As of last Sunday, all signs were that Carmona will be ready to be activated on time, but he still needs to clear a few hurdles in the coming week.

The Indians open the second half with a four-game series against the Orioles. Justin Masterson will pitch Thursday, Josh Tomlin on Friday and Carlos Carrasco on Saturday. 

Reporting in from Austin, Texas, Plain Dealer Browns reporter says Browns are getting in some good bonding time, as well as practice time. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Bill Lubinger.

Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot has a story today about receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who has been seeking advice during the offseason from some of the best veteran receivers in the NFL. Do you think he will be able to take his game to the next level? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Reporting in from Austin today, where she is covering the Browns' all-team workout, Mary Kay is today's SBTV guest. She says she thinks the off-the-field lessons will go far in helping Massaquoi develop into an offensive threat. She also talks about what is most valuable about this Camp Colt; whether the Browns will re-sign defensive lineman Robaire Smith; and predicts when the NFL lockout might end.

SBTV will return Tuesday with Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston as the guest.

ESPN sources say belief is growing within the league that "the NFL and NFL Players Association will have an agreement in place that can be ratified during the July 21 league meetings in Atlanta."

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns tight end Ben Watson catches a pass despite the efforts of Bengals defensive back Roy Williams (31) in a game last season. The teams are scheduled to open the regular season on Sept. 11 in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NFL lockout will be four months old on Tuesday. The bottom line thus far is that no games have been missed or cancelled.

The folks in Canton who operate the NFL Hall of Fame are holding out hope that the Hall of Fame Game can be played as scheduled, matching the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams on Aug. 7.

Cleveland fans, specifically, want to see first-year coach Pat Shurmur and the Browns kick off the preseason on Aug. 13 against the Green Bay Packers at Browns Stadium, and begin the regular season with a Sept. 11 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Maybe all of that will work out.

Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter report for ESPN.com that sources say (with a caveat) that the NFL and its players seem to be moving toward a new labor deal:

There is a growing belief inside league circles that the NFL and NFL Players Association will have an agreement in place that can be ratified during the July 21 league meetings in Atlanta, according to sources familiar with the state of negotiations.

As one NFL owner said this weekend, there's "no reason to believe it won't get done."

Other people familiar with the talks now think an agreement in principle will be put in place in the next seven to 10 days, a handshake deal that would allow each side to ratify the deal to start the 2011 season.

However, one member of the players' negotiating team who has been a constant presence at the table said that players feel they have made significant concessions and overtures "that have not been reciprocated."

He stated that negotiations Wednesday and Thursday will be the most telling days on whether an agreement indeed will be finalized within the July 21 time frame because "we've basically reached the limits of compromise."

The Indians, considered a last-place contender in the spring, are instead in division-title contention despite recent struggles.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerJustin Masterson, who has pitched much better than his 7-6 record indicates, will take the mound for the Indians on Thursday night in Baltimore.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians, at the all-star break, are one of baseball's surprise teams, with a 47-42 record, one-half game behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Division.

The Indians lost their first two games of the season, then stunned the sport by winning 30 of their next 43 games to become 30-15.

Cleveland led the division by as many as seven games, but then lost 14 of its next 18 games. When many observers then expected the Indians to fold, they held their own -- mostly against a string of contenders -- to win 13 of 23 games and improve to 47-39 and a 1 1/2-game division lead.

Unfortunately for the Indians, they dropped their final three games before the break to the Toronto Blue Jays. Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes, among many other reports, Dennis Manoloff's game story on the Cleveland's 7-1 loss to Toronto on Sunday, and Manoloff's report on some potential tweaking of the Indians' starting pitching rotation. 

Despite the Indians' recent inconsistency, most observers still regard the Indians' first 89 games an overall success. In fact, Anthony Witrado of SportingNews.com includes among his American League awards, to this point:

MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Manny Acta, Cleveland Indians

The Tribe's rapid rise has been as surprising a development as any this season. Cleveland showed signs of improvement late last season, but to have spent the majority of the first half in first place is a testament to the team's talent and its manager's ability. "If you look at (the team) closely, you're not going to be shocked by what they're doing," Angels manager Mike Scioscia says. "They're a good team. That's the bottom line."

The Indians begin the post-break portion of their schedule on Thursday night in Baltimore against the Orioles.

Indians info

Indians notebook, by Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Tribe Happenings by Tony Lastoria of Indians Prospect Insider.

The Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates are among the best stories of the season's first half, writes Anthony Witrado for SportingNews.com.

The Indians bullpen, brilliant for most of the season, needs the all-star break, writes Sheldon Ocker for the Akron Beacon Journal.

A FoxSports.com photo gallery of the Futures Game, featuring some of baseball's elite prospects, includes Indians farmhands Jason Kipnis and Drew Pomeranz.

Where the Indians and the other 29 Major League teams stand in the ESPN.com power rankings.

Baseball America ranks baseball's top 50 prospects.

Inter-active rosters of the American and National League all-star teams -- including Indians' AL stars Asdrubal Cabrera and Chris Perez -- on MLB.com.

A report on Future Game players Drew Pomeranz and Jason Kipnis, by Anthony French of MLB.com.

Browns players are enjoying their time at Camp Colt IV, which includes some relaxation and team bonding in addition to workouts and film study. Watch video

APBrowns fullback Owen Marecic is meeting his teammates for the first time at the players-only lockout camp in Austin, Tex.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Some random observations from Camp Colt IV:

• Rookie fullback Owen Marecic, the Browns' fourth-round pick out of Stanford, is attending his first Camp Colt because he was still in school for the others. Tight end Evan Moore, who played with Marecic for a year at Stanford, said Browns fans will love him. "I talked to the new Stanford coach about him and he said he's never seen anyone with that kind of focus,'' said Moore.

• Moore said he's fully recovered from the sports hernia surgery he had two days after the season and that he's ready for full football activity.

• Cornerback Sheldon Brown underwent rotator cuff surgery after the season but is ready for limited action. "I'm on track to be back on the field when I need to be,'' said Brown.

• Linebacker Scott Fujita got portions of the defensive playbook when the lockout was lifted for a day and has been disseminating them to his teammates. "Guys like D'Qwell Jackson already know it inside and out, so it really helped to get it,'' said Fujita.

• About 30 players are attending the camp, and it's the first one to include defensive players. Mike Adams, Jackson, Chris Gocong and Fujita took a quick dip in the pool this afternoon to cool off from the 100-degree heat.

• The first practice is this afternoon at an undisclosed location. The players have also been having meetings and watching film. Sunday night, they had a team dinner, with prime rib as the main course. Tonight, McCoy is taking the guys to his favorite barbecue and they're all abuzz about it.

• The second practice is tomorrow morning and then the players will disperse, probably until the lockout ends. "We're preaching patience but telling them to be ready to go at a moment's notice,'' said Fujita.

• No. 1 pick Phil Taylor paid his own way here even though veterans are willing to help out rookies who don't have contracts yet.

• The players all look to be in amazing shape. Jackson is even hoping to put back on the eight pounds he lost on a mission trip to Sierra Leone, Africa.

• The players are staying at a beautiful resort in Austin. In their spare time, they can ride a mechanical bull, do yoga, hike, ride horses or try a challenge course. Many are taking advantage of massages at the spa.

Watch today's Starting Blocks TV as Mary Kay checked in from Austin, Texas, site of Camp Colt IV.

Kalis implies he's concerned about sanctions Ohio State's scandal-ridden program could be assessed.

Special to The Plain DealerSt. Edward offensive tackle Kyle Kalis now plans to play college football at Michigan.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Events have consequences, as the Ohio State football program continues to learn.

OSU, in the wake of the memorabilia-for-sale violations by some of its top players and the ensuing coverup by former coach Jim Tressel, will likely be assessed some stern sanctions by the NCAA.

That probability has hampered Ohio State's recruiting efforts, discouraging some top recruits from committing to a program surrounded with question marks.

Lakewood St. Edward High School senior Kyle Kalis, considered one of the nation's premier offensive linemen in the 2012 recruiting class, rescinded his earlier oral commitment to Ohio State, as The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises reported on June 22.

Now, to make matters worse for Buckeyes fans, the 6-5, 306-pound Kalis has committed to Michigan, according to Joe Schad of ESPN.com.

Schad writes:

The only member of Ohio State's 2012 recruiting class ranked in the ESPNU 150, Kalis decommitted in June.

"I can't go there (Ohio State) and take penalties for something I never did," Kalis told ESPN.com on Monday. "Ohio State is a great program. I'm just not sure how long it will take them to recover. I want a solid, grounded coaching staff with a safe environment. Where there aren't such tough questions."

Kalis said although he is an Ohio State fan and has had "constant stress and anxiety" from the community about his decision, it's the best choice for him.

"When I de-committed to (Ohio State coach) Luke Fickell I called him and told him and he understood where I'm coming from," Kalis said. "With the turmoil and uncertainty I just couldn't."

A very basic question among many surrounding a team that has reached the postseason once since returning as a franchise in 1999. And, more links.

John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer(Left to right) Team president Mike Holmgren, coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert, key figures in the Browns' hopes of developing into a playoff contender.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have won 14 of 48 games over the last three seasons.

Going into the 2011 campaign -- assuming the lockout is soon resolved -- the Browns are like every other team that has experienced such futility.

They have a lot of question marks.

USAToday.com is running a series listing the top five question marks for each of the NFL's 32 teams.

The Browns have made the playoffs just once since returning as a franchise in 1999. Gary Mihoces writes that one question regarding the Browns is whether they can soon compete for the playoffs. His thinking: 

The key here is the Browns don't seem to be going for quick fixes under the direction of team president Mike Holmgren and Heckert. Turnarounds can happen overnight in the NFL, but the Browns know they have to lay the foundation first. That was evident in the way they maneuvered in the draft. They have a quarterback in McCoy who might be the answer. But it will take another season or two to figure that out, and in the always brutal AFC North, the Browns aren't going to catch up with one draft. Yet they may well have in place a system that will deliver results soon. This season will be a test of whether they are headed in the right direction.

The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com cover the Browns, including Mary Kay Cabot's report from Austin, Texas on "Camp Colt IV," the Browns workouts being hosted by quarterback Colt McCoy; Cabot's interview with Starting Blocks TV; her story on how wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi has tried to improve his game even during the lockout; her Browns Insider; a Starting Blocks poll on Massaquoi. 

Browns talk

Rookie wide receiver Greg Little would do well to try to model his play after Houston's Andre Johnson, Daniel Wolf writes for the National Football Authority.

"Vote for the greatest Brown" on FoxSports.com. Maybe some controversy on the list of five candidates?

Will Colt McCoy put an end to the Browns' "cavalcade of quarterbacks?" By Don Delco for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

Defensive end Jayme Mitchell and the Browns have mutual interest in him staying with the team, writes Mike Wilkening for ProFootballNews.com.

The "Browns Across America" series -- focusing on the best-ever Browns players from each state -- continues on clevelandbrowns.com. By Steve King.

The AFC North Blog by James Walker of ESPN.com.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com ranked the NFL's top 50 free agents, a list that really hasn't changed due to the lockout. 

"I hope White can help the Indians with a strong finish this year. They have a couple of holes in the starting rotation right now." - durhamlou

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerAlex White (center) impressed before heading to the DL with a finger injury.

In response to the story Cleveland right-hander Alex White to throw bullpen session Wednesday: Indians chatter, cleveland.com reader durhamlou hopes Alex White can come back and help the Indians soon. This reader writes,

"I hope White can help the Indians with a strong finish this year. They have a couple of holes in the starting rotation right now."

"Why does everybody try to make this harder than it is? This is not Pop Warner football. These are professional football players. They get payed to do a job, whether they like their boss or not or whether they trust him or not. If they can't get the job done, get somebody that can." - rutter

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerPat Shurmur won't have long to get his team on the same page once the lockout ends.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns coaching staff must earn players' trust once NFL lockout ends: Terry Pluto's Talkin', cleveland.com reader rutter thinks trust is overrated. This reader writes,

"Why does everybody try to make this harder than it is? This is not Pop Warner football. These are professional football players. They get payed to do a job, whether they like their boss or not or whether they trust him or not. If they can't get the job done, get somebody that can."

Curtis, who was ranked No. 396 in the world before his 2003 British Open win, has put together a solid career.

Associated PressBen Curtis during a press conference on Monday at Royal St. George's Golf Club.

SANDWICH, England -- Ben Curtis never gets too worked up about anything.

Back in 2003, when he pulled off one of the most stunning wins in golf history, Curtis didn't comprehend the significance until he returned to the U.S.

"We came down the escalator in baggage claim and there were thousands of people down there," Curtis recalled Monday. "That's when it really hit that this was a lot bigger deal than I thought it was."

And now that he's back at the scene of his improbable British Open triumph, how's he feeling?

Same as always.

"I just got here and got acclimated a little bit with the course and the grounds again," Curtis said, looking and sounding as if he might doze off any second. "I'm sure on Thursday I'll be a bit more excited and a bit more fired up and ready to go."

Lately, Curtis hasn't had much reason to get excited about his game.

He's missed more cuts than he's made this season, so naturally he hopes that being back at Royal St. George's will give him a bit of a spark.

"It definitely gives you a little bit of confidence because you know you've done it before, and there's no reason why you can't do it again," Curtis said. "I just hope this is my week. But I'm not going to think about holding that trophy yet. Hopefully when the last putt is holed on Sunday, it will be coming my way."

Then again, the 34-year-old has never put much stock in karma. He certainly doesn't think he's got some sort of special edge just because he claimed the claret jug eight years ago at this course on the English coast.

Curtis didn't even bother trying to follow the identical routine that worked so well in '03. Back then, he stayed at a place that wasn't much bigger than the podium he was sitting on for his interview in the media center. This time, he bashfully admitted to doling out more than $10,000 for a home that could accommodate all his family and friends for the week.

"I'm not a big believer that you have to do the same thing every time you come back," Curtis said. "I'm just trying to keep it relaxed and enjoyable for everybody so when I get back to the house, it's not about the golf. It's just about being together."

While Curtis has put together a solid career — he's won two more times on the PGA Tour and played on the American team that won the 2008 Ryder Cup — but he's still known mainly as the guy who won a major championship on his very first try.

That week, he arrived at Royal St. George's ranked No. 396 in the world, barely known in golf. But something clicked over those four days, giving hope to everyone who supposedly doesn't have a chance.

Kyle Stanley was the last guy to qualify for this British Open, earning his spot with a runner-up finish Sunday at the John Deere Classic. This will be his first major championship as a professional, and he doesn't have much experience at links golf.

There's no reason for him to feel he can actually win.

Then he thinks of what Curtis did.

"This game is a lot of instinct, a lot of feel," Stanley said, looking a bit bleary-eyed after an overnight flight from the States. "You never know when it's going to be your week."

Eight years ago, Curtis arrived in England with few expectations.

"Really, the only goal I had was to play four days and see what it was like," he said. "It was my first major. I just wanted to see what it was like and just enjoy it. I never thought (about winning) coming in here. I said, 'This is the last time I might play in it.'"

Now, he's good to go until age 65.

Looking back, Curtis sensed it was going be his week the night before the final round. He was solidly in contention, though still barely noticed among the bigger names on the leaderboard. His now-wife Candace asked him what he expected to do the next day.

"I just kind of looked at her," Curtis remembered, "and said, 'I'm going to win.'"

Win he did, though he was a bit shaky coming down the stretch and needed plenty of help from Thomas Bjorn, who squandered a two-stroke lead with four holes to play.

"I think we had a little bit of a wait on 12," Curtis said. "That's when it kind of sunk in that I'm leading the tournament ... that I could win this tournament. That's when the rookie nerves came in."

He pulled himself together and finished with a 2-under 69 that left him as the only player to break par. Bjorn, after recapturing the lead, threw it all away when he bogeyed the 15th, then needed three shots to escape a pot bunker at the par-3 16th.

Curtis had already finished his round by the time Bjorn fell apart. In fact, he got word of the triumph from caddie Andy Sutton — hired only at the start of the week — while on the practice range getting ready for a possible playoff.

The extra holes, it turned out, weren't needed.

Curtis kept Sutton on his bag until about a year ago, when he decided to switch in hopes of breaking his slump. The two remain close, however, and the caddie even popped in to see his former boss Sunday night.

"He actually surprised me at the house," Curtis said. "I was grilling chicken on the grill and here he comes walking out with one of the kids in his arms. I'm like, 'How did you get here?' I didn't know he was coming. But he's a good friend of mine, and we still talk regularly."

They'll be seeing plenty of each other in the first two rounds. Sutton is now working for Aaron Baddeley, who is paired with Curtis and Paul Casey on Thursday and Friday.

There might be another reunion this week. Bjorn got into the tournament as an alternate Monday, giving him a chance to make up for what happened eight years ago — even as Curtis tries to repeat it.

"It's just a terrible thing that happened to him," Curtis said. "Thomas is a good guy and a good player, and it would be a shame if (he was) not here playing this week."

Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel got his 100th win as his Buckeyes defeated Indiana 38-10 , Saturday, October 9, 2010. (Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer) The tattoos for memorabilia scandal that has swept away former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel and ex-star quarterback Terrelle Pryor has now reached the state’s highest court in a public records showdown...

Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel got his 100th win as his Buckeyes defeated Indiana 38-10 , Saturday, October 9, 2010. (Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer)

The tattoos for memorabilia scandal that has swept away former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel and ex-star quarterback Terrelle Pryor has now reached the state’s highest court in a public records showdown between OSU and ESPN.
 

 The sports entertainment giant filed a lawsuit Monday with the Ohio Supreme Court claiming the university violated Ohio’s public records laws by failing to make available three different sets of public records sought by ESPN earlier this year. The lawsuit is essentially asking the state’s highest court to force OSU into releasing the records to ESPN. 

 One set of records involves e-mails, letters and memos from Tressel, OSU President Gordon Gee, OSU director of sports compliance officer Doug Archie and Athletics Director Gene Smith related to Pennsylvania businessman Ted Sarniak that ESPN requested on April 20.

 On May 27, OSU declined to provide those e-mails claiming they were prohibited from doing so by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), according to ESPN’s lawsuit.

 Sarniak, a businessman who has been described as a mentor for Pryor, was the person who Tressel forwarded e-mails to that the coach had received about certain OSU football players including Pryor being connected with a Columbus tattoo parlor owner, Eddie Rife. Those e-mails, which were sent by Columbus attorney Chris Cicero, told Tressel that Rife was the subject of a federal law enforcement investigation and that the players had exchanged signed OSU memorabilia in exchange for tattoos.

 Tressel did not forward the e-mails to his superiors at OSU or to the NCAA, a decision which ultimately lead to his ouster under pressure from Ohio State officials. Meanwhile, Pryor decided to leave OSU and apply for the NFL’s supplementary draft after Tressel was shown the door.

 In the lawsuit, ESPN says that OSU is “aggressive and misguided” and “equal parts cynical and hypocritical” for claiming they are prohibited by FERPA from releasing the communications that concern Sarniak. Noting that Sarniak is either a parent or guardian of any player on the team, the lawsuit states that OSU hasn’t indicated the records would discuss grades, financial aid or other items covered by FERPA.

 “It is impossible to imagine that Congress had any interest in restricting the flow of information about shady deals at a tattoo parlor when it passed FERPA in 1974,” states the lawsuit. ESPN attorney John Greiner declined to comment on the lawsuit.

 Jim Lynch, OSU director of media relations, said the university can’t release the Sarniak related correspondence because it would be too obvious that any student-athlete in the documentation would be Pryor. In an e-mail, Lynch said OSU “believes that it has adhered to all applicable state and federal laws.”

 The e-mails says the university has been “inundated” with public records requests including “voluminous” requests from ESPN. “While the university often receives media requests that are overly broad, given Ohio’s public record laws, we generally try to work with reporters to help them find the information they are seeking, working within the boundaries of the applicable laws,” it reads.

In a city of modest sports aspirations, the Indians have provided a welcome lift, as well as two walk-off grand slams that realized thousands of fans' fantasies.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here in the City of the 47-Year Wait, even the teams' slogans are modest. Perhaps there is honesty in advertising, after all.

The Cavaliers' catch-phrase "What's not to like?" invites obvious comments about drafting Tristan Thompson, who missed over half his free throws in his lone collegiate season, at No. 4 in the first round and trading J.J. Hickson.

The Indians' "What If" also is the set-up for a punch line. What if the Dolans actually sprang for a hitter at the trading deadline? What if a franchise that had traded away not one but two Cy Young winners, actually unlimbered the wallet? "What if" aspires to wishful thinking, but currently, despite fantasy league pitching incarnate, it invites cynicism or at the least, reasonable doubt.

The Browns have not yet come up with a slogan, but "How much worse can we be?" seems to resonate, at least in terms of the historical record.

The low expectations are understandable. The last championship team, the 1964 Browns, played during the Johnson Administration (Lyndon, not Andrew.) The few times since then that fans were emboldened enough to put their strut on, things did not work out.

The 1995 Indians, swaggering and pointing to their biceps, got one hit in the final game of the 1995 World Series.

Jose "No doubt about it" Mesa had a rattlesnakes' nest of psychological insecurities that struck out at the city in the bottom of the ninth of the final game of the 1997 World Series.

LeBron James, who made sensible fans uncomfortable with his whole King James persona, turned into a cabbage in the playoffs against the Celtics, then rolled off for Miami.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerCarlos Santana's slam against the Tigers on April 29 capped a magical first month of the 2011 season.

The Indians are in contention at the All-Star break, but fan enthusiasm has not been rampant. Bad weather played a factor early, but so did the bad image of ownership. The team is not dominant, but it has certainly proven resilient. A wave of injuries could have drowned the season, but the Indians' heads keep popping out of the water.

A young team, the Tribe seems susceptible to streaks, both good and bad. This is typical of inexperience. Still, there is no denying that the Tribe, at the All-Star break, looks like a "rabbit" in a distance race who has run himself out. The days off came just in time.

Knowledgeable fans know how valuable are the stability and promise of this team's young pitching and defense. Still, in a city of mostly casual baseball fans, it is the long ball that is the fan magnet.

These Indians can fall into almost pathetically overmatched hitting slumps, partly because of time missed by Travis Hafner, partly because of the downturns in play of Carlos Santana, Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo, who was just coming out of it when he was hurt.

They have compensated for this, however, with the most timely home runs since 1995, when the walk-off homer and the Headbangers' Ball in celebration at home plate were plot staples. Twice this season, the Indians have provided the game's cymbal-crash -- walk-off grand slams.

The first, by Santana, broke a tie with Detroit, the Tribe's leading rival in the division. That blast even drew attention away from the second night of the Browns' draft, which was taking place at the same time.

The second walk-off slam was the biggest spirit lifter of the last two years in this city. With the Indians down by three runs and the bases loaded against Toronto last Thursday night, Hafner hit the first pitch he saw with such forceful finality that he screamed in triumph before dropping his bat. The ball soared into the night and fell into a bellowing throng of fans in the right-field stands.

As surely as grown fans long ago dreamed of hitting game-winning shots in basketball, as inevitably as they dreamed as kids of swerving backyard touchdown runs in football, so a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to win by a run is the summer game's evergreen dream.

On the most shocking night in a season of surprises, "what if" was certainly for real.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

Manny Acta, an All-Star coach for the American League, says the Indians have to improve their offense and starting rotation to have a chance at winning the AL Central.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians manager Manny Acta is counting on Fausto Carmona to regain his effectiveness if the Tribe is to maintain its bid to win the AL Central this season. "We're not going to have to do that much scoreboard watching," Acta said Monday of the second half. "I'm anticipating that it's going to be intense and interesting."

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Life is unpredictable. So is baseball.

Manny Acta, almost two years to the date since he was fired as manager of the Washington Nationals, is at the All-Star Game with his latest team, the Indians, a half-game out of first place in the AL Central and one of the best stories of the first half.

"All of use know getting fired is part of the game," said Acta, named as a coach to the AL All-Stars by manager Ron Washington. "There are very few geniuses in this game. All of us, at some point, are as good as our roster.

"Right now I have a pretty good ballclub. A lot of kids with high character and a pitching staff that has done a tremendous job. In this game, you shove things behind you, keep working hard and move forward."

The Indians, 47-42, were at or near the top of the AL Central through most of the first half. They lost their last three games going into the break to allow the Tigers to move into first place by the thinnest of margins.

In the second half the Indians will play 47 of their 73 games in the AL Central. They are only 13-12 in division play.

"I was talking to Miguel Cabrera about the schedule," said Acta. "It seems like it was designed perfect. There is going to be a lot of play inside the division. It's going to be decided amongst ourselves.

"We're not going to have to do that much scoreboard watching. I'm anticipating that it's going to be intense and interesting."

The Indians have 13 games left against the Twins and White Sox, 12 against the Tigers and nine against the Royals. They're 7-2 against the Royals, 4-2 against the Tigers, 1-4 against Minnesota and 1-4 against the White Sox. In September, 22 of the Tribe's 26 games are in the AL Central.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer"I feel and our front office feels that adding a bat, to substitute for the loss of Shin-Soo Choo [is what we need to do] to compete," said Acta (right, with batting coach Bruce Fields). "Our offense needs to get better."

"I'm anticipating a minimum four-team race," said Acta. "Those games count more when we're face to face."

Acta knows that for the Indians to remain a factor, they have to improve. The two main areas of need are the offense and the starting rotation.

The Indians averaged 5.4 runs per game in April, but dropped to 4.5 in May and 3.4 in June. They've shown improvement in July, averaging 4.6 runs, but Acta isn't satisfied.

"I feel and our front office feels that adding a bat, to substitute for the loss of Shin-Soo Choo [is what we need to do] to compete," said Acta. "Our offense needs to get better.

"It would be nice if it's a right-handed bat. Everyone realizes we're left-handed heavy. But again, how many are out there and how many are available?"

Choo, the opening day right fielder, isn't expected to return until late August or September after suffering a broken left thumb when he was hit by a pitch on June 24.

Kansas City has two interesting outfielders in Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera. Prospect Lorenzo Cain is ready to jump to the big leagues if the Royals make a move. Kansas City, however, is looking for starting pitching. The Indians have it in prospects Alex White, Zach McAllister, Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff and Scott Barnes, but would they deal any of those arms for a short-term fix?

"We've already made it clear that we will not sacrifice our future," said Acta.

The Indians play Baltimore in a four-game series Thursday. Their reshuffled rotation has Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin and Carlos Carrasco pitching the first three games. There are serious questions about the fourth and fifth spots.

Struggling Mitch Talbot is scheduled to pitch Sunday and No.5 starter Fausto Carmona is still on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps muscle. Gomez, scheduled to pitch in Wednesday's Class AAA All-Star Game, has already been scratched and is expected to join the rotation for either Talbot's spot or one of the games in Monday's day-night doubleheader against the Twins.

There is a chance that Carmona could be activated to pitch one of Monday's games as well.

"We need the back end of the rotation to get better," said Acta. "I think our bullpen is good and here to stay."

Acta believes Carmona, his opening day starter who has struggled as much -- if not more -- than Talbot, is improving. He did not voice that kind of confidence in Talbot, who is out of options.

When asked about the arrival of Gomez, 9-3 with a 2.40 ERA at Class AAA Columbus, Acta said, "It's a possibility. We're going over certain things over the break. We've pitched very well in Triple-A. We owe it to ourselves, the franchise, our fans, to improve our club the best way we can.

"We're going to do whatever it takes to make the rotation better. We feel blessed that we have guys like Gomez, McAllister and Huff throwing the ball the way they're throwing it at AAA."

On Twitter: @hoynsie