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Columbus Clippers 25 games over .500 at Class AAA all-star break: Minor league notes

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Team features some Indians prospects, some of whom could help when major league rosters expand in September. Also, the Aeros, Kinston Indians, Captains, Scrappers and Crushers.

jason-kipnis2.jpgThe overall play of second baseman Jason Kipnis has helped the Columbus Clippers reach the all-star break 25 games over .500.

MINOR LEAGUE NOTES

AAA Columbus Clippers

Notes: The Clippers are on their all-star break. The 2011 Triple A All-Star Game will be played in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night....The Clippers lead the International League West Division with a 58-33 record, 9 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Louisville Bats....Columbus hosts the Indianapolis Indians on Thursday night.

CF Ezequiel Carrera (.288) is 11-for-37 (.297) with eight stolen bases in eight attempts in his last nine games. He leads the IL with 33 steals. He has been caught stealing just four times, and three of those are on pickoffs....IF Jason Donald (.295) is 8-for-18 (.444) with one double and two home runs in his last five games....2B Jason Kipnis (.297) is 2-for-15 (.133) in his last four games, after going 11-for-22 (.500) with three homers and a double in his previous six games.

LH Scott Barnes (7-4, 3.68) is 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA, striking out eight and walking three in 11 1/3 innings in his last two starts, including Sunday's game, when he injured his left knee. Prior to those two outings, Barnes was 5-1 with a 1.88 ERA in his previous eight games, striking out 55, walking 16 and giving up 35 hits in 48 innings....RH Jeanmar Gomez (9-3, 2.40) is 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA in his last 10 games, during which he has fanned 52, walked 21 and yielded 58 hits in 70 1/3 innings....LH David Huff (8-2, 3.70) is 5-0 with a 3.09 ERA in his last seven games, fanning 36, walking 10 and giving up 36 hits in 46 2/3 innings.

RH reliever Josh Judy (2-2, 13 saves, 3.09) is 0-1 with six saves in his last 10 games. He has given up five runs -- all unearned -- struck out 17, walked five and allowed six hits in 11 2/3 innings....RH Justin Germano (0-1, three saves, 4.07) is 0-0 with two saves and has not given up a run in his last seven games, including one start. He has struck out 15, walked none and given up five hits in 12 2/3 innings. 

AA Akron Aeros

Notes: Going into Monday night's home game against the Erie SeaWolves, catcher Michel Hernandez was 10-for-22 (.455) in eight games since joining the Aeros, with three doubles, seven RBI and no strikeouts....C-1B Raul Padron was 10-for-32 (.313) as an Aero, with three doubles, one homer and nine RBI.

RH closer Cory Burns (2-3, 24 saves, 2.21) had not given up a run in his last 17 appearances. He had fanned 16, walked three and allowed seven hits in 17 2/3 innings....RH Paolo Espino (4-0, one save, 2.79) was 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA in his last nine games, including two starts. He had struck out 23, walked nine and given up 28 hits in 33 1/3 innings....LH reliever Eric Berger (2-0, 3.52) was 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his last eight games, striking out 18, walking five and yielding 11 hits in 13 innings....LH T.J. McFarland (5-4, 4.30) is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last four games. In 25 innings, he has fanned 20, walked eight and given up 15 hits. 

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Notes: Including the Indians' 9-1 road loss to the Frederick Keys on Monday, OF Abner Abreu (.227) is 9-for-23 (.391) with four homers, two triples and two doubles in his last four games....OF Anthony Gallas, of Strongsville High School and Kent State, is hitting .161 in 87 at bats since being promoted from Lake County. He is in a 1-for-28 slump over his last seven games, the hit being a home run. In Gallas' last 24 at bats, he has struck out just once, putting the baseball in play in his other 23 at bats, but getting just the one hit -- the homer.

3B Adam Abraham (.256) is 5-for-13 (.385) with two homers in his last four games....RH reliever Kyle Landis is 3-0 with one save and an 0.89 ERA for Kinston. He has struck out 24, walked four and given up 10 hits in 20 1/3 innings....LH reliever Francisco Jimenez (3-1, 3.64) is 2-0 and has not allowed a run in 10 1/3 innings in his last four games. He has struck out 12, walked none and allowed seven hits....LH Drew Pomeranz (3-2), Cleveland's first pick and the fifth overall in the 2010 draft, leads the Carolina League with a 1.87 ERA. In 77 innings, he has struck out 95, walked 32 and allowed 56 hits, including just two homers.

RH Brett Brach (6-5, 2.71) is 3-2 with a 2.17 ERA in his last nine games. In 54 innings, he's fanned 30, walked 13 and allowed 40 hits....LH T.J. House (6-7, 3.95) is 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA in his last six games, allowing just 19 hits in 35 innings. 

A Lake County Captains

Notes: Going into Monday night's home game against the Lansing Lugnuts, catcher Alex Monsalve (.282) was 13-for-32 (.406) with one homer and one double in his last eight games....OF Brian Heere (.231) had reached base in his last 13 games and was on an eight-game hitting streak, going 9-for-28 (.321) with two doubles....1B Jesus Aguilar (.288) was 13-for-39 (.333) with four doubles and two homers in his last 11 games....3B Giovanny Urshela (.230) was 16-for-52 (.308) with three doubles, one triple and one homer in his last 16 games.

RH reliever Dale Dickerson (1-1, two saves, 1.63) had not allowed a run in his last 10 games, fanning 10, walking none and allowing 10 hits in 11 2/3 innings....RH reliever Clayton Ehlert (1-2, 10 saves, 2.04) had given up one run on seven hits in his last 12 innings for an 0.75 ERA....RH reliever Bryce Stowell (0-1, 2.08) had struck out 16, walked eight and allowed six hits in 13 innings with the Captains.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Notes: Going into Monday night's road game against the Williamsport Crosscutters, OF Jordan Smith (.356) was on a six-game hitting streak, going 9-for-18 (.500) with four doubles, one triple, six walks, four RBI and four runs....SS Tony Wolters (.306) was 13-for-36 (.361) with two doubles, one triple, six runs and five RBI in his last nine games.

LH Danny Jimenez was 1-0 with an 0.92 ERA in seven games, including three starts. He had struck out 14, walked 10 and allowed 17 hits (no homers) in 19 2/3 innings....RH reliever Cody Allen was 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA in seven games. He had fanned 22, walked six and given up seven hits (no homers)....RH reliever Enosil Tejeda (1-2, two saves, 3.60) was 1-2 with two saves and a 2.61 ERA in his last eight games, striking out 16 while allowing four walks and six hits (no homers) in 10 1/3 innings. 

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Notes: The Crushers are on their all-star break. They are the host team for the Frontier League All-Star Game. It will be played on Wednesday night at All-Pro Freight Stadium in Avon.

RH reliever Kelyn Schellenberg is 1-0 with one save and an 0.61 ERA in 23 games. He has struck out 13, walked one and given up 20 hits in 29 2/3 innings....OF Kevin Kulbacki (.304) is on a 14-game hitting streak, going 22-for-52 (.423) with five doubles....3B Andrew Davis (.292) is on an eight-game hitting streak, going 17-for-30 (.567) with one homer, one double, eight runs and six RBI....C Joel Collins (.311) has hit in six straight, going 8-for-21 (.381) with five RBI.


Cleveland Browns' top rookie, Baylor's Phil Taylor, enjoys first camp with new teammates

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The Browns' No. 1 pick is finally meeting his teammates at Camp Colt IV, which includes defensive players for the first time.

phil taylor.JPGView full sizeBrowns first-round draft pick Phil Taylor didn't want to miss out on getting the chance to meet some of his new teammates at Monday's players workout in Austin, Texas. "I just wanted to come here and meet the guys and talk it up, learn some new things," he said. "I've been hanging out with a lot of the guys and getting to know some of them, so it's been good."

AUSTIN, Texas -- Ben Watson zipped past the Browns' No. 1 draft pick Phil Taylor sitting on a rock at a resort here and then stopped back and said, "Hey man, congratulations. Nice to meet you. Glad to have you with us."

Here it is mid-July, and the team's top pick is meeting his teammates for the first time at Camp Colt IV. Such is the weird world of the NFL lockout.

"I just wanted to come here and meet the guys and talk it up, learn some new things," said Taylor, the nose tackle from Baylor. "I've been hanging out with a lot of the guys and getting to know some of them, so it's been good."

Taylor, taken 21st overall, has been working with close friend and former Penn State teammate Jordan Norwood, the wide receiver who was re-signed to the Browns practice squad last season.

"We've been working out at Velocity Sports and Performance in Naples, Fla., and working really hard," said Taylor. "I'm ready to go whenever we get this thing started."

Taylor was one of about 15 defensive players who attended the full-squad workout Monday hosted by quarterback Colt McCoy, the first camp to include defensive players. But at the advice of his agent, Taylor opted out of the on-field drills because he's not yet under contract and has no injury protection.

He's been attending the team meetings, film sessions, team dinners and recreational activities. Monday night, McCoy took the team to his favorite barbecue in town after a two-hour workout.

"I'm just taking it all in and trying to whatever I can to get ready for the season during this work stoppage," said Taylor. "A lot of the terminology of this defense, I've heard before at the Senior Bowl and things like that so it's not really new. I won't have a big problem adjusting."

While many of his teammates will be adjusting to the 4-3 defense, "I've played it all through college, so it's what I feel most comfortable in," said Taylor.

He got a chance to spend some time here with 12th year defensive lineman Robaire Smith, who's hoping to re-sign with the Browns when the lockout ends.

"He's a great addition to the defense," said Smith. "He's big and strong and obviously has a lot of talent."

Norwood, who's also attending the camp, said fans will love their new tackle.

"They can expect a really high motor," said Norwood, whose father, Brian, coached defense at Penn State when Taylor was there and was his defensive coordinator at Baylor the last two seasons. "He's 330-plus pounds but he has a definite motor and they'll see that game in, game out, play in, play out. I'm excited to have him up here and to be able to see him play up close too."

Norwood can attest that Taylor, who improved remarkably last season when he got his weight down to 337, has been working hard this off-season.

"He's going to do everything he needs to do to be ready to play," said Norwood. "Judging by where they drafted him, I know the coaching staff expects him to be ready to play."

Taylor was so determined to get here that he paid his own way -- even though veterans have been helping out rookies who haven't made any money yet.

"That shows a real commitment on his part and we really appreciate it," said McCoy.

Taylor, who went to school 100 miles from here in Waco, met teammates Sheldon Brown, Chris Gocong, Scott Fujita, D'Qwell Jackson and Mike Adams.

"I came mostly for the camaraderie, to get to know these guys a little," said Taylor. "It's been great."

He won't guarantee he'll be starting on opening day, but it won't be for lack of effort.

"I'm excited to get in there and do whatever I have to do to play," he said.

At least now he'll recognize a few faces when camp opens.

Asdrubal Cabrera batting second in American League lineup: All-Star Game Insider

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Asdrubal Cabrera finds himself hitting second in the AL's starting lineup for the All-Star Game.

acab-sunlit-infield-vert-cc.jpgView full size"He's earned everything he's getting," Indians manager Manny Acta said of starting AL shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. "He has played like a true All-Star from day one."

PHOENIX -- Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera is going to be hitting second Tuesday night for the American League in the All-Star Game.

"He's a switch-hitter and he just fit in that spot," said AL manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers. Cabrera is hitting behind New York's Curtis Granderson and in front of Boston's Adrian Gonzalez.

The fans didn't vote Cabrera into the starting lineup. That honor went to Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, but he elected not to play in the game to prepare for the second half. Cabrera, who finished second in the voting, was next in line.

"He should feel pretty good about himself," said Indians manager Manny Acta. "We feel great that the guy who is representing us is in such an important spot in the American League lineup. He's earned everything he's getting. He has played like a true All-Star from day one."

Closer Chris Perez is the Indians' other All-Star. With veteran closer Mariano Rivera unavailable, and so many first-time All-Stars in the AL bullpen, Washington said he picked Detroit's Jose Valverde to close because he wanted a veteran in that role.

"Youth is taking the AL by storm. I wanted to make sure I had someone there who could handle whatever heat the game may apply," said Washington.

That means Perez, if he gets into the game, will probably be in a set-up role.

NL manager Bruce Bochy said Brian Wilson, who helped Bochy win the World Series last year for the Giants, will close for the National League. Bochy made that clear at Tuesday's press conference. But it didn't sound as if Wilson needed much confirmation from his manager.

Asked if he felt his chances to close were good because his manager was calling the shots for the NL, Wilson said, "I think I have a good chance because I'm good."

Cabrera and Perez each received a $50,000 bonus for making the All-Star Game.

Trade bait? Houston outfielder Hunter Pence has been rumored to be available for trade by the struggling Astros.

"I haven't heard any of the rumors because I'm not listening," said Pence. "I've been with Houston since 2004. I'm looking forward to making Houston a winning franchise in the future."

Change of plans: Jhonny Peralta didn't find out that he was going to Phoenix until the seventh inning on Friday, when the Tigers were playing Kansas City. That's when Jeter withdrew from the game, making Cabrera the starter and Peralta the backup.

"[Manager] Jim Leyland told me I was going to the All-Star Game," said Peralta. "I said, 'Wow, you surprised me.' I had everything ready to go to the Dominican. So I had to change my plans."

Peralta hit .312 (92-for-295) with 14 homers and 50 RBI going into the break.

Next step: Acta on being picked for the AL All-Star coaching staff: "One more dream accomplished. One less thing on my bucket list. The next one should be managing one of these clubs. That only happens when you get to the World Series."

On Twitter: @hoynsie

All-Star pride is still strong for former Cleveland Indian great Rocky Colavito: Terry Pluto

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Charismatic former Tribe slugger is dismayed that some players want to skip the All-Star Game.

colavito-tomsic-color-vert.jpgView full size"If I could walk, I wanted to be there," former Indians power hitter Rocky Colavito said about the All-Star Game, in which he played nine times over six seasons from 1959-66. "It was an honor. It was prestige. It was being with great players. It's part of why you play the game."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The year was 1961. Rocky Colavito walked into the dressing room at San Francisco's Candlestick Park to prepare for the All-Star Game.

He was in the same dressing room with so many stars, including Roger Maris and Norm Cash.

"We all were [once] with the Indians," said Colavito. "Roger and I roomed together in the minors. We picked up Cash from Kansas City. Just think if they had kept us all together."

In 1961, Maris hit 61 home runs, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60. He did it for the Yankees. Cash batted .361 with 132 RBI ... for Detroit. Colavito hit 45 homers, drove in 140 runs ... for Detroit.

"Just think if that egomaniac had kept all three of us," said Colavito, sounding like an Indians fan as he talked about former Tribe General Manager Frank Lane. After dealing Maris, Cash and Colavito, the only significant players Lane had to show on his 1961 roster were Woodie Held and Willie Kirkland.

Colavito thought about a lineup that could have been Maris, Colavito and Cash.

"I really believe if I had spent my entire career in Cleveland [with that lineup], I'd have hit 500 homers," said Colavito, who finished with 374. "I loved every minute with the Indians."

Double your stars -- with mixed results

Colavito was talking about the first of two All-Star games in 1961. One was in San Francisco on July 11, 1961. The next was July 31 in Boston.

They used to say "let's play two" before a Sunday doubleheader in the hope of drawing more fans, but "the two All-Star games were done to raise money for the players pension fund," said Colavito.

This was back before players had agents, before free agency. It was when Mickey Mantle's salary was cut from $70,000 to $66,000 because he batted .285 with "only" 31 homers and 75 RBI in 1959. The Yankee star was baseball's highest paid player.

The owners' stance was if the players wanted more money for their pension fund, then play an extra All-Star Game. So they did that from 1959-1962. Finally, they stopped when, as John Drebinger wrote in the New York Times: "The public at large is finding a second all-star attraction something of an anticlimax, like playing a second World Series in Brazil."

The two games were just a fact of financial life. Before the 1961 season, the schedule was increased from 154 to 162 games to accommodate expansion -- and raise more revenue for the owners. The players didn't receive any extra money.

That season, the Yankees had a 109-53 record. Colavito's Detroit Tigers were 101-61. The Indians? They were 78-83.

The Rock loved All-Star honor

rocky-kiss-bat-balt.jpgView full size"I look back at what Roger [Maris], Mickey [Mantle], [Hank] Aaron and the rest of us did hitting homers," says Colavito today, "and I know we did it the right way."

On August 10, Colavito will be 78. He is in good health, his weight not far from the 190 pounds that he carried on his 6-foot-3 frame with the Tribe. He had prostate cancer in 1992, a heart bypass in 2003 and a knee replacement last year. He still lives in the small Eastern Pennsylvania town where he has spent most of his retirement.

He is dismayed that some players want to skip the All-Star Game.

"If you are really injured, it's one thing," he said. "But if I could walk, I wanted to be there. It was an honor. It was prestige. It was being with great players. It's part of why you play the game."

He made six All-Star teams between 1959-66. He was 6-of-25 (.250) with three homers and eight RBI.

He also missed only five games in five seasons from 1961-65.

"That's how it was back then, you played," said Colavito. "I wish I could have played longer."

The first All-Star game was in San Francisco. The outfielders for the National League were Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson and Stan Musial. The American League countered with Maris, Mantle, Colavito, Yogi Berra, Al Kaline and the Tribe's Tito Francona.

There were 21 Hall of Famers in the game. But the story was how Giants pitcher Stu Miller was knocked off the mound by a 40 mph gust of wind whipping off the bay near Candlestick. In a San Jose Mercury story last week, Miller (now 83) told reporter Jeff Faraudo, "I was not blown off the mound."

Miller insisted it was more like "a flinch."

Colavito heard that and laughed.

"I was the batter," he said. "This big wind came and knocked him off. It didn't knock him over, but the wind definitely got him."

In that at-bat, Colavito hit a grounder to Ken Boyer, who made an error. Poor Miller had four errors made behind him in his 1 2/3 innings. There were seven errors in the game, the National League winning, 5-4, in 10 innings.

Twenty days later, they played again in Boston. It ended in a 1-1 tie. Colavito homered for the American League, and rain washed away the game in the ninth inning.

Going deep, 'the right way'

Harvey Kuenn was not on the 1961 All-Star team. He was the 1959 batting champ (.353) for the Tigers, while Colavito hit 42 homers for the Tribe. They were traded for each other, a deal that still angers Tribe fans.

Kuenn's last All-Star appearance was in 1960, when he batted .308 with nine homers and 54 RBI for the Tribe. He was traded after the season to San Francisco for Kirkland.

Colavito said he often talked with Kuenn, but never about the deal.

"Neither of us wanted to be traded, and we had no control over what happened," he said. "But fans would see us together, and want us to pose for pictures."

So they did. "Why not?" asked Colavito.

In 1960, Colavito said he was "still in shock from the trade and didn't have a very good year." He still hit .249 with 35 homers and 87 RBI for the Tigers. In 1961, it was .290 with 45 homers and 140 RBI.

From 1958-1966, Colavito averaged 35 homers a year. From 1960-64, he hit 173 homers. He came back to the Tribe in 1965 (an ill-fated deal for Tommie Agee, Tommy John and John Romano) and hit .287 with 26 homers and led the American League with 108 RBI. He also played every game in right field and didn't make an error.

"I look back at what Roger [Maris], Mickey [Mantle], [Hank] Aaron and the rest of us did hitting homers," he said. "And I know we did it the right way. Based on what we know now [about steroids], it's even more impressive."

Pitching remains baseball's big midseason story: All-Star Game Chatter

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Hard-throwing pitchers are dominating the game, says Milwaukee's Ryan Braun.

haven-fielder-allstar-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeHaven Fielder, the 5-year-old son of Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, helps keep the field orderly during Monday's All-Star Workout at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Clubhouse confidential: Milwaukee All-Star outfielder Ryan Braun feels pitchers are throwing harder, which is one of the reasons offense is down in the big leagues.

"There have been a lot of young pitchers who have been coming up with really good stuff," said Braun. "I haven't looked at any numbers, but if you look at velocity, it feels guys are throwing harder and velocity always gives you more room for error.

"And again, now that they've cleaned the game up, and the drug testing is legit, there are less guys who can hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs. That's the truth. It's really changed the game in its entirety.

"It's become focused on pitching, defense and base-running again."

Eight is great: Ron Washington's AL lineup for Tuesday night's All-Star Game had Robinson Cano hitting eighth.

"When you got Robinson Cano hitting eighth, all I can say is 'watch out, Bruce [Bochy],'" said Washington in a warning to the NL's All-Star manager.

Cano went into the break hitting .296 with 57 runs, 15 homers and 57 RBI for the Yankees.

Stat of the day: Sixteen players selected for Tuesday's game are out because of injuries and other reasons.

Yankees' Robinson Cano tops Boston's Adrian Gonzalez in Home Run Derby

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The derby had a new format this year, pitting the AL against the NL. The AL won going away, 76-19.

cano-homer-derby-2011-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeHome run derby champion Robinson Cano got a lift from his American League teammates after belting his 12th homer of the final round to top Boston's Adrian Gonzalez.

PHOENIX -- The All-Star Home Run Derby came down to Red Sox vs. Yankees. As if we haven't seen enough of these two teams.

New York second baseman Robinson Cano won with a record 12 homers in the final round to beat Boston first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Cano tied Gonzalez's 11 homers in the final with a 472-foot drive. Then he won it on the next pitch from his father, Jose Cano.

Gonzalez, with Indians manager Manny Acta pitching, set the bar high in the final. His 11 homers was a record until Cano broke it.

Cano advanced in the first round with eight homers and 12 in the second round. Gonzalez advanced with nine homers in the first round and 11 in the second round to tie Cano. Gonzalez, acquired by Boston during the off-season, went into the break hitting .354 (128-for-362) with 17 homers and 77 RBI. He leads the AL in average, hits, and RBI.

Cano is hitting .296 (100-for-338) with 57 runs, 15 homers and 57 RBI for the Yankees.

The home run totals in the first two rounds did not count in the final round.

The derby had a new format this year, pitting the AL against the NL. David Ortiz was the AL captain and Prince Fielder captained the NL. Ortiz picked a team of Adrian Gonzalez, Robinson Cano, Jose Bautisa to join him. Fielders went with Rickie Weeks, Matt Kemp and Roy Holliday.

The AL won going away, 76-19.

Soon it became an AL competition as Holliday, Weeks and Kemp failed to get past the first round. So did Toronto's Jose Bautista, who entered the All-Star break leading the big leagues in homers. Bautista, who hit three homers over the weekend against the Indians, managed just four in the first round.

Cleveland Indians: Grade the Tribe at the All-Star break, poll

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How would you grade the Cleveland Indians at the All-Star break?

Indians beat Royals, 7-3Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) is taken out of the game by manager Manny Acta as catcher Carlos Santana looks on.

The Cleveland Indians are a 1/2 game out of first place in the Central Division behind the Detroit Tigers at the All-Star break. Sure, it's disappointing when you consider the Tribe came out the gate on fire and has been at or near the top of the division for most of the season until they recently slipped behind the Tigers.

But no one predicted the Tribe would be contenders this season. They are one of the better teams in baseball.

Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com writes how manager Manny Acta expects at least a four-team race after the break.

But how did the Tribe do in the first half?

 

 





Ohio golfers tops in rounds dropped in May

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Ohio's second rainiest May in 100 years was likely the biggest reason why the PGA said the Buckeye state led the nation in biggest percentage drop of golf rounds played in 2011, compared to May, 2010.

padric-marcy-lakewood-golfing.JPGPadric Marcy of Lakewood watches his drive off the 11th tee at Big Met Golf Course. PGA statistics listed Ohio as the state with the biggest decrease in rounds played in May this compared with May of 2010 -- down 32.1 percent.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio golfers proved to be No. 1 in the nation for the month of May, but not in good way.

Buckeye duffers had more dropped rounds in May than golfers in any other state compared to a year ago. The statistics, compiled by the Professional Golf Association of America, show golfers in Ohio played 32.1 percent fewer rounds in May.

June and July have seen a turnaround -- sort of like hitting the perfect wedge shot to escape a nasty sand trap. The wet spring gave way to moderate summer temperatures. But it took a mighty swing to save this golf season.

Ohio experienced its second rainiest May in the last 100 years - 7.74 total inches, with rain on 24 of 31 days. Only 1989, when May's rain accumulation was 9.14 inches, was wetter.

Scotte Rorabaugh, executive director of the Northern Ohio Golf Association, and David Griffith, tournament director for the Northern Ohio PGA, both had two tournament events were cancelled in May because of the wet weather.

"Northeast Ohio has the most golf courses in the state, and we had a lot of lake effect rain in May," Rorabaugh said. "But nobody in Ohio was immune to rain. Courses were inundated with water, and it was sad to see that. We have a five- to seven- month season for golf, and when you lose just one month to bad weather, it hurts your bottom line.

"Green fees and cart fee revenues were way down in May and that hurts course owners. Nowadays many people won't play unless they can take a cart, and courses in May were so saturated that management told golfers they couldn't take carts at all, or they had to keep them on cart paths...and that discourages many people from playing."

12CGGOLF.jpgView full size

Then, Mother Nature gave Ohio golfers a mulligan.

"Golf at our courses in June was a lot better and Independence Day weekend play was the best I've seen in eight years," said Jimmy Hanlin, director of golf at upscale public courses Little Mountain in Concord and Stonewater in Highland Heights. "So, I think we've finally turned the corner."

Mike Raby is the golf pro at Big Met, which at one time was the most played public golf course in Ohio. He has seen play pick up there but still worried about the final score.

"It looks like we'll do way better in June and July, but it's hard to make up for the bad May we had," Raby said. "After all, there are only so many tee times available in a year. And no matter how nice the weather is in October and November, people in Ohio tend to stop playing golf after Labor Day."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: pgalbincea@plaind.com, 216-999-5159


Indians' Chris Perez at All-Star Game: Video

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Watch video as Indians closer Chris Perez talks during media day at the All-Star Game in Phoenix. Perez talks about the Indians' surprising first-half, playing for manager Manny Acta and what to expect in the second half.

74450e924ed47f0ff20e6a706700873f.jpgThe Indians' All-Stars.

Watch video as Indians closer Chris Perez talks during media day at the All-Star Game in Phoenix. Perez talks about the Indians' surprising first-half, playing for manager Manny Acta and what to expect in the second half.

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

Paul Hoynes talks at the All-Star Game: Video

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Watch video as Cinesport's Noah Coslov talks to The Plain Dealer's Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes from the All-Star Game in Phoenix. Hoynsie talks about the Tribe's surprising first half of the season, what to expect after the All-Star break and if the Indians should

chase_field.jpg

Watch video as Cinesport's Noah Coslov talks to The Plain Dealer's Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes from the All-Star Game in Phoenix. Hoynsie talks about the Tribe's surprising first half of the season, what to expect after the All-Star break and if the Indians should make a trade at the deadline.

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

Kelly Pavlik to face lefty Darryl Cunningham next month: Boxing Insider

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Kelly Pavlik knows he will have to get through a left-handed fighter to get his career back on track. So the former middleweight champion has lined up Detroit's Darryl Cunningham (23-2, 10 KOs) as his opponent at Youngstown's Covelli Centre on Aug. 6. It will be televised by Showtime.

kelly pavlikKelly Pavlik is preparing for his fight with International Boxing Federation super middleweight champion Lucian Bute in November.

Kelly Pavlik knows he will have to get through a left-handed fighter to get his career back on track. So the former middleweight champion has lined up Detroit's Darryl Cunningham (23-2, 10 KOs) as his opponent at Youngstown's Covelli Centre on Aug. 6. It will be televised by Showtime.

Youngstown's Pavlik (37-2, 32 KOs) is taking the proverbial tune-up in preparation of challenging International Boxing Federation super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, a southpaw fighter, in November.

The left-handed Cunningham, 36, has won his past 16 bouts, but he has not been in with the quality of opposition that causes concern. Still, stranger things have happened in the ring.

In his most prominent bouts against lefties, Pavlik was the first fighter to stop Bronco McKart in July 2006. However, he lost his title on a unanimous decision to Sergio Martinez in April 2010.

Bute (29-0, 24 KOs) retained his title Saturday with a fourth-round stoppage of France's Jean-Paul Mendy (29-1-1, 16 KOs).

Yikes: What's wrong with boxing was on display Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J.

Former middleweight champion Paul Williams (40-2, 27 KOs) got the nod from two judges to win a majority decision against Cuba's Erislandy Lara (15-1-1, 10 KOs). Even though Williams was getting hit with lefts all night, two judges scored it for Williams, 116-114 and 115-114, with the other having it even, 114-114.

According to CompuBox numbers, Williams threw 1,047 punches, landing 200 (19 percent). Lara landed 224 of 530 punches (42 percent).

This one calls for a rematch.

Second chance: After losing in the opening round of the recent USA Boxing national championships, 2008 Olympian Raynell Williams got a measure of redemption on Saturday in Cincinnati.

The Cleveland fighter earned a trip to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in February by winning on a third-round disqualification against Kevin Rivers from Landover, Md.

Williams lost his opening bout at the Olympics in Beijing. He will have to get past a field of eight boxers at 132 pounds in the Trials to earn a trip to the 2012 London Games.

Flats show postponed: Promoter Tim VanNewhouse has decided to hold off on the pro show scheduled for Aug. 13 at Jacobs Pavilion on the west bank of Cleveland's Flats. The first-time promoter said he wanted to line up more sponsorships for his opening venture.

He is now looking at a late September or early October date at the same site.

Still undefeated: Cleveland 130-pounder Yuandale Evans improved to 15-0 (11 KOs) with a sixth-round stoppage of Mexico's Emmanuel Lucero (26-7-1, 14 KOs) on Friday in Phoenix. Evans, 22, has won six bouts this year.

Bivins book: Local historian Jerry Fitch of Avon has come out with “James Louis Bivins: The Man Who Would Be Champion.” Filled with photos, it chronicles the life and times of Cleveland legend Jimmy Bivins, who will be 92 in December.

Contact Fitch for a copy autographed by him at jerryfitch@aol.com. Cost is $14.99.

Farewell: Former Boston Herald columnist and boxing writer George Kimball died last week at 67 after a six-year fight against cancer. He recently edited a boxing anthology “At the Fights: American Writers on Boxing,” which is a must for fight fans. He will be missed.

This date: Evander Holyfield decisioned Dwight Qawi in Atlanta to win the WBA cruiserweight title in 1986. Julio Cesar Chavez was born in 1962.

By the way, Jake “Raging Bull” LaMotta (83-29-4, 30 KOs) turned 90 on Sunday.

Friday TV: The ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” are in New York, where Pawel Wolak (29-1, 19 KOs) takes on junior middleweight Delvin Rodriguez (25-5-2, 14 KOs) in the feature at 9 p.m.

Later on Showtime, junior lightweight Diego Magdaleno (19-0, 7 KOs) faces Alejandro Perez (15-2-1, 10 KOs) in Las Vegas at 11 p.m.


Cleveland Indians A.M. Links: Good moves for Tribe; Grades are out;

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Past trades mean a bright future for the Tribe.

Cleveland Indians beat Twins, 1-0Cleveland Indians' Carlos Carrasco celebrates with closer Chris Perez.

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com writes about the good fortune for the Tribe when they received shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and closer Chris Perez in a trade.

Cabrera was a Triple-A infielder in the Mariners' system when the Indians landed him in the June 2006 trade that sent Eduardo Perez to Seattle. Chris Perez was in the Cardinals' bullpen when the Tribe acquired him in the June 2009 trade that shipped Mark DeRosa to St. Louis.

Both of those deals signaled that the Indians were officially raising the white flag on those seasons, writes Castrovince, but now those deals have paid off into Cabrera and Perez being named to the All-Star team.

Cabrera, 25, has undoubtedly been the Indians' MVP this season. Not only has he had his most consistent and impactful season at the plate, but he's also been a superb defender at shortstop, making the spectacular look routine.

"To me, arguably," teammate Orlando Cabrera said recently, "he's the best shortstop in the American League."

  

Grades

The Cleveland Indians are at the All-Star break and Jim Ingraham of The News-Herald breaks down his grades for each player.

Some of his grades are surprising, while others are right on. For example, Ingraham gives Michael Brantley a C grade because after his hot start, Brantley cooled off.

Ingraham was also right on when it comes to Asdrubal Cabrera.

The Indians' best player in the first half by a wide margin. Cabrera leads the team in virtually everything offensively, and his defense has been Vizquelesque. If he duplicates all that in the second half of the season and the Indians win their division, Cabrera should be right in the middle of the discussion for AL MVP. 

GRADE: A+

But what about catcher Carlos Santana? Does he deserve a C grade?

What a strange first half. Santana's batting average has languished in the low .200s, but he's among the league leaders in walks and is second on the team in home runs. He's on a pace for 23 home runs and 117 strikeouts. The Indians will live with the latter in exchange for the former. Has only thrown out 7 of 43 (16 percent) of attempted base stealers.

GRADE: C+

  

 

Ohio State: Could the Buckeyes actually benefit after getting penalized for violations?

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Does crime actually pay in college athletics?

gene smith.JPGOhio State Athletic Director Gene Smith.

CBS Sports has a five-part series on cheating in college athletics. Today's story by reporter Brett McMurphy looks at the impact penalties have had on schools who have committed violations.

Surprisingly, a CBSSports.com study discovered during the past 25 years that the majority of college football programs that committed major violations actually had a higher winning percentage after being penalized.

In other others, crime does pay.

Of the schools who committed the remaining violations, more than half (30) actually had a better winning percentage for the five-year period after the infractions were levied compared with the previous five seasons.

How is this possible you ask?

Since 1987, nearly three dozen programs have been eligible for the Death Penalty -- programs that have committed two sets of major NCAA rules violations within a five-year period -- but the NCAA hasn't taken that action. 

Add to that the Committee on Infractions' reluctance to ban schools from television -- Ole Miss was the last school to receive a live TV ban back in 1994.

    

Leadership an important quality in a quarterback - Browns Comment of the Day

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"I can't believe all of the negative comments about Colt McCoy. Obviously most of the negative commenters don't understand the importance of leadership or understand what camaraderie and getting familiar with your teammates does for a team. Great leaders get the most out of their people and help make them function more as a unit. That leadership quality along with reading defenses are the two most important qualities for a QB. As far as a strong arm, it's okay to have but not a necessity. For those of you that think it is, maybe you should move to Arizona and root for the Cards. They have a strong-armed QB by the name of D.A." - mojowoo

colt-mccoy-camp-colt.JPGView full sizeColt McCoy throws during "Camp Colt" in Austin.

In response to the story Colt McCoy commends Cleveland Browns teammates for latest players-only workout, cleveland.com reader mojowoo thinks McCoy is showing he has what it takes to be successful. This reader writes,

"I can't believe all of the negative comments about Colt McCoy. Obviously most of the negative commenters don't understand the importance of leadership or understand what camaraderie and getting familiar with your teammates does for a team. Great leaders get the most out of their people and help make them function more as a unit. That leadership quality along with reading defenses are the two most important qualities for a QB. As far as a strong arm, it's okay to have but not a necessity. For those of you that think it is, maybe you should move to Arizona and root for the Cards. They have a strong-armed QB by the name of D.A."

To respond to mojowoo's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Fond memories of Rocky Colavito - Indians Comment of the Day

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"Still my all-time favorite Indian and ML ballplayer. I was 11 when he was traded and I cried. All the neighborhood kids would put the bat behind their backs and stretch like Rocky did, and then point their bats straight at the pitcher. He was a class act and they don't make many like him these days." - fritz1910

rocky-colavito-bw.JPGView full sizeRocky Colavito.

In response to the story All-Star pride is still strong for former Cleveland Indian great Rocky Colavito: Terry Pluto, cleveland.com reader fritz1910 has good memories of Rocky Colavito. This reader writes,

"Still my all-time favorite Indian and ML ballplayer. I was 11 when he was traded and I cried. All the neighborhood kids would put the bat behind their backs and stretch like Rocky did, and then point their bats straight at the pitcher. He was a class act and they don't make many like him these days."

To respond to fritz1910's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.


Ohio State Buckeyes A.M. Links: Vrabel returns; Former Michigan player laughs at OSU's troubles; Clarett weighs in;

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Mike Vrabel is a key addition to the OSU staff.

vrabel.jpgMike Vrabel

Columbus Dispatch columnist Rob Oller writes how he is not surprised about the addition of Mike Vrabel to the coaching staff.

Oller writes that it's a smart move to bring in a three-time Super Bowl winner (for recruiting) who played for two likely Hall of Fame coaches in Bill Belichick and Bill Cowher (perspective).

Fickell and Vrabel go way back, to when Fickell was an OSU freshman who helped recruit Vrabel out of Stow Walsh Jesuit High School. They became roommates. Fickell was the four-year starter at nose tackle, Vrabel the sack-happy defensive end. Fans often confused the two.

Fickell entered coaching right after leaving Ohio State. Pittsburgh took Vrabel in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft and the friendship has never waned during Vrabel's 14-year career with the Steelers, New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.

Some people say hiring a good friend does not make a good working relationship. Coach Fickell said it sometimes takes a close friend to provide honest feedback.

"It's great to have someone who can come in the room, close the door and tell you what they really think," he said. "Obviously, it's not confrontational in front of people, but you know somebody that has your back ... and knows you well enough to stand up and say, 'No, this is wrong. You've got to do this or this or this.'"

 

No love for the Buckeyes

Former Michigan star and Detroit Lions linebacker Larry Foote does not feel sorry for the Buckeyes.

On Freep.com:


“I see we stole one of their five-star recruits the other day," Foote said, referring to Cleveland-area lineman Kyle Kalis, who committed to U-M on Sunday after initially picking the Buckeyes. 

When asked what OSU deserves, Foote said: “About a 10-year ban. Take all of those victories away, lose 100 scholarships. I’m quite sure they’ll work it out."

 

Clarett on the Buckeyes

In a recent radio interview on 1620 The Zone in Omaha, former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett says, among other things, that college players should receive a stipend of up to $20,000.

Clarett plays for the United Football League’s Omaha Nighthawks 

 

MLB All-Star Game 2011: A lame way to decide home field for the World Series, says Bill Livingston (SBTV)

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Plain Dealer says there are better ways to determine whether the American or National League earns the advantage. Watch video

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


The Cleveland Indians enter the All-Star break a half-game behind Detroit in the race for the American League Central Division title. What grade would you give the Tribe so far? That's our question in today's Starting Blocks poll.


Today's guest is Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston, who says he gives the Indians a B-plus so far. Livy also says that he dislikes the idea of having the winner of the MLB All-Star Game earn the right to host four games in the World Series, and proposes other ways to sort that out.


He also has thoughts on Mike Vrabel being named linebackers coach at Ohio State; and how the NBA lockout might be settled, something that appears to be months away from happening.


SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff as the guest.



Youngstown boxer Kelly Pavlik gets into scuffle with his brother, according to report

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Pavlik gets into tussle with brother at parents' home.

pavlik-clevelandcom.jpgKelly Pavlik

Kelly Pavlik will have a tune-up bout early next month in preparation of his championship bout against super middleweight champ Lucian Bute.

But it looks like Pavlik got a tune-up before the tune-up.

According to Vindy.com,  Youngstown police filed a report Friday stating that Kelly Pavlik, 29, and Michael Pavlik Jr., 35,  were at the home of their parents when the brothers were involved in a disagreement.

Reports say the brothers had been drinking at the time of the incident.

Kelly Pavlik was released from alcohol-abuse treatment and returned to Youngstown in January after two months of rehabilitation.

According to police, Kelly, after exchanging words with Michael, “punched the west-facing side door of the home and pulled his brother, Michael, out of the broken window.”

 

The fight between the brothers was witnessed by Michael’s girlfriend, who was at the home.

  

Terry Pluto talks Indians, Browns - Podcast

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Will the Indians make the playoffs? How much impact could adding one bat have? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Cleveland Indians beat Kansas City Royals, 4-3View full sizeManny Acta has the Indians right behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central at the All-Star break.

Terry will be speaking at the Bay Village library Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Will the Indians make the playoffs? How much impact could adding one bat have? 

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• Who is one player in the Tribe's lineup that has to step up in the second half?

• Is this starting rotation good enough to carry the team to a division title?

• When the NFL lockout ends, what areas will the Browns target in free agency?

• How important is winning in regards to judging Pat Shurmur in his first year on the job?

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

Be sure to also like Terry Pluto on Facebook.

Cleveland Browns in Austin, Day 2: Mary Kay Cabot

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The Browns put the finishing touches today on Camp Colt IV with another two-hour workout at a local high school.

fujita-sack-brees-horiz-ap.jpgLinebacker Scott Fujita has spent time in Austin, Tex. instructing his teammates on the new defense and the lockout situation.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Browns are finishing up their second practice today at a local high school and will be soon leaving the Travaasa resort where they stayed here. Some notes about camp:

• Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, one of the players closely involved with the labor negotiations, cautioned teammates not to pay much attention to reports of when the lockout will end, including one by ESPN saying the owners are targeting July 21st, the date of their meeting in Atlanta.

• Rookie receiver Greg Little has attended the last two camps and is developing good timing with Colt McCoy. Little's size (6-2, 215) is what immediately strikes you. He also displayed very good hands during drills.

• Rookie fullback Owen Marecic is just as intense and serious as advertised. He's all business here, and looks the part. Big and stocky.

• Fujita and Josh Cribbs both said today that if the locker lingers on, they'd consider having a fifth camp. They said Kent State is one of the places under consideration. Kent has said it will roll out the red carpet for the Browns.

• Cribbs said at one point his weight ballooned to almost 240 pounds, but now he's down to his playing weight of about 215 or 220. "I did two-a-days and it came off,'' he said.

• Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong were here in large part to help Fujita teach the new 4-3 defense. They played in the same scheme in Philadelphia.

• The tight end corps is very strong, with Ben Watson, Evan Moore, Alex Smith and Jordan Cameron, all of whom were here.

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