Ohio State did former quarterback Terrelle Pryor a favor in regards to the supplemental draft but also banned him from the football program for five years.
Associated PressTerrelle Pryor
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Don't look for Terrelle Pryor at an Ohio State football game until at least 2016.
Ohio State has banned the former quarterback from the football program for five years, meaning, among other things, he can't use any athletic facilities or accept free tickets from players, coaches or alumni.
But the university also did Pryor a favor. In a letter written Tuesday by athletic director Gene Smith, Ohio State officially reported that Pryor's refusal to cooperate with an NCAA investigation would have deemed him ineligible for the entire 2011 season, an issue also explained and confirmed by Larry James, the Columbus attorney that represented Pryor during his NCAA issues.
Smith sent the letter to Pryor, James, an NCAA representative and OSU coach Luke Fickell, among others.
That change in eligibility -- Pryor was only known to have been banned for five games previously -- eliminated any last questions about his eligibility for the NFL supplemental draft. Most had assumed Pryor's June departure from Ohio State after NCAA allegations and the forced resignation of coach Jim Tressel would have been enough of a change in status to persuade the NFL to let him into the supplemental draft. But questions about the strict interpretations of the NFL's draft rules had emerged since the end of the lockout.
There should be no questions now. Pryor can be taken whenever the league sets a date for its supplemental draft, and he won't be around Ohio State football for a while.
In the letter addressed "Dear Terrelle:" Smith thanked Pryor for his cooperation in the past for consenting to long interviews with the Ohio State and NCAA and providing "certain financial records." But when the NCAA wanted to talk more in the spring about further allegations, Pryor said no, because, according to James, the quarterback had nothing to gain by talking.
When it comes to current players and coaches, talking to the NCAA isn't a choice. It's a requirement. Ignoring that request put Pryor in violation of NCAA Bylaw 10.1, the unethical conduct statute that helped lead to Tressel's departure.
"In light of that decision, the University must declare you ineligible for intercollegiate competition," Smith wrote. "In addition, due to your failure to cooperate, the University must also disassociate you from its athletic program for a period of five years."
Smith made it clear that Pryor is eligible to enroll at classes at Ohio State and use the tutoring facilities available to athletes or players who return to complete their degrees.
"As you know, I would encourage you to complete your degree," Smith wrote.
But Pryor won't be hanging around the program on NFL bye weeks, in the off-season or during spring practice. Former Buckeyes make regular appearances on the sidelines during home games, and several live in Columbus and use the OSU workout room in the off-season. That's off limits for the two-time bowl MVP whose association with a Columbus tattoo parlor owner helped start Ohio State's NCAA troubles.
But at least Pryor, projected by most as a mid-round pick in the supplemental draft, is certain he'll be allowed to get a football job in the next few weeks.
The Wednesday Night Run can be a humbling right of passage for area runners.
View full sizeLonnie Timmons III, The Plain DealerArea high school runners who want to measure themselves against the best area college and adult runners know the place to be is the Rocky River Reservation's South Mastick Picnic Area, where a 10-mile trail run begins every Wednesday night. Last Wednesday, 22 runners showed up despite 94-degree weather. Emerging from the woods are, from left, Strongsville senior Mike Miller; 2011 Rocky Rocky River grad Eric Stoddard, who will run at Saint Louis University this fall; 2011 Strongsville grad Aaron Moore, who will run at Xavier; Malone University senior Nick Meeson of Lakewood; Elyria Catholic 2011 grad Dan Kuhman, who will run at Memphis; Padua and Baldwin-Wallace graduate Aaron Apathy; 2010 Elyria Catholic graduate and former state champion Marty Coolidge, a sophomore at Iowa State, and St. Ignatius and Duke graduate Ken Sullivan.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For high school runners who dare, those who are willing to leave their egos in the parking lot, and those who want to know the truth about themselves, there is a place and a time for them.
"It's intimidating, but it's a right of passage," said Strongsville senior Jacob Nestor.
The Wednesday Night Run, a weekly event for almost a decade, attracts elite area high school, college and adult runners who gather informally in the Rocky River Reservation for an often-grueling 10-mile trail run.
About 20-30 runners usually take part, and during the summer when college runners are home, the field can be intense. As many as a half-dozen former high school state champions are present, as well as accomplished marathon and road racers.
"Perspective," is what St. Joseph Academy coach Fred Kieser said the run gives high school kids. "You in your school might be the best runner, but then you come down here and you can get very quickly humbled by kids from other schools, kids that weren't good in high school, but went to college and got good, and 40- and 50-year old guys that you just assume you're better than because you're younger."
Despite a 94-degree afternoon last Wednesday, 22 runners arrived at the South Mastick Picnic Area just before 6 p.m. College runners Colby Alexander (Oregon) and Marty Coolidge (Iowa State) were there, as well as Memphis-bound Dan Kuhman and recent Duke grad Ken Sullivan. The patriarch and organizer of the group, Kieser, is a two-time Olympic marathon trials qualifier.
High school runners from Elyria to Brecksville frequently attend. Bay often comes as team. Ohio State-bound state cross country and track champion Michael Brajdic of Bay said the seeds of his stellar senior year were planted during Wednesday Night Runs last summer.
It's usually an all-male affair, but Medina standout Anna Boyert has tested herself there.
"It's nice to run with older guys," Strongsville senior Mike Miller said. "It's nice to be under somebody's wing."
Runners are a social lot and they thrive on the camaraderie of a group run. They usually linger in the parking lot and chat, and sometimes they'll have a weenie roast.
The Wednesday Night Run is not a race, but these are elite athletes. They are competitive.
"Oh, yeah. Being in college, I don't want a high schooler beating me," said Edinboro University junior Dustin Thomas of Broadview Heights, who added that as he gets older, he realizes it's more important to train than to race.
The course starts and finishes with three miles of mostly flat trails, and the middle four miles feature two large hills near Lewis Road that lead to a spectacular stand of tall pines Kieser calls the Ewok Forest, from "Star Wars."
Going downhill is no picnic, either. There's a curving, 200-meter drop at about a 45-percent grade that last week had been ripped up by a heavy rain.
"The hills help out a lot," Miller said. "For me, it's good for your physical strength, but it's also good for your mental strength. When I get into a race in, say, October and I see a hill, I'm not so worried about it because I've run this."
A good time is 62 to 65 minutes for 10 miles. Several runners start early and add on a two-mile warmup. Kieser likes to say they "chill" the first seven miles, but others say pace picks up earlier, on the hills.
"It started off really nice and calm," said Nestor, a first-timer last week who intends to return. "Then they picked it up and I couldn't go with them any more. I'm not an elite runner like them."
Last Wednesday, Sullivan finished first in 68 minutes and Miller was second, impressive for a high school runner who didn't make much of a splash last school year. It was hot and many decided not to push the pace.
Two weeks ago, Coolidge and Kieser hammered the last three miles in 5:14, 5:07 and 4:57. Kieser said he holds the record for the fastest final mile, 4:31.
It's quite an education, especially for the high school runners.
"This workout is like running in the state championships," said Bay coach Steve Babson. "If you want to keep up with those guys, that's how hard you have to run."
For those who can handle it, their time will come.
Medina businessman will stage his "100 for Hospice" event for the third straight year on Aug. 1 at Fox Meadow in Medina.
View full sizePatrick Spoerndle will have an exhausting day on Monday, but it's for a good cause.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Medina businessman Patrick Spoerndle will stage his "100 for Hospice" event for the third straight year on Aug. 1 at Fox Meadow in Medina. Spoerndle will attempt to play 100 holes non-stop, as he has done in each of the two previous years. He is accepting pledges and donations with the proceeds going to Hospice of Medina County. He has raised $37,000 during his first two ventures.
For more information or to make a donation, call 330-721-8822 or send donations to "100 for Hospice," c/o 7-D Marketing, Inc., 245 State Road, Medina, Ohio, 44256.
Age: 54
Residence: Medina
Q:How did this all get started?
A: As a business owner I get non-stop requests for donations. I play a lot of golf and five or six years ago I got this idea about how to raise money for a charity through golf. I came up with the 100-hole idea.
Q:What's the significance of the 100?
A: It's 100 holes; 100 percent of the proceeds actually go to Hospice of Medina County and the donations are 100 percent tax deductible. In most fund raisers the charities only get about 40 to 60 percent of the proceeds, after expenses, etc.
Q:Why did you pick Hospice of Medina County?
A: I live in Medina County, my business is in Medina County. Hospice of Medina County is based in my community and it provides phenomenal medical service for our residents. I did not have any connection with Hospice when I started, but since the first event I've had two family members go through Hospice. I saw what they do first-hand and it only re-enforced my commitment.
Q:How long will it take?
A: I usually average nine holes in 50 minutes. Last year it took nine hours to play. I started at 6:30 a.m. and finished at 3:30 p.m. I just hope it doesn't rain, but if it does I'll still play.
Q:You must play pretty fast.
A: Very fast. Non-stop. I have two caddies, my daughter, Alex, and her friend Megan Bricker, who caddy for me. One stays in the cart with me and the other fore-caddies as a spotter. As soon as I get the ball on the green the spotter will go to the next hole and tee my ball up. There isn't a lot of wasted time.
Q:You also must play pretty well.
A: My handicap index is 3.2. I'm usually in the 70s during the 100 holes. I don't lose many balls.
Q:What about nourishment?
A: I have a cooler with sports drinks. I live on the fifth hole at Fox Meadow so I call home and have someone bring me food. Usually a turkey wrap. I eat on the run.
Q:What about when nature calls?
A: I go as needed. There are several restrooms on the course.
Q:What have you learned during the first two runs?
A: From the first one I learned I could do it. It might sound silly, but 100 holes is a lot of golf. That's five rounds, plus 10 more holes. And, I learned I could do it faster than I thought. On the charitable side, I learned just how good and giving people can be.
My target donation is $1 per hole, but I've had people pledge $5 per hole and up. One company I do business with has donated $2,500 both years.
One player to watch at this year's tournament would be Country's Fran Crawford, who lost in last year's semifinals.
View full sizeLynn Ischay, The Plain DealerVenerable local golf champion Mary Ann Bierman, now 71, won't be defending her Cleveland Women's Golf Association title this year.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When Mary Ann Bierman walked off the 31st hole with a 7-and-5 victory over youngster Jillian Hollis and her record 12th Cleveland Women's Golf Association championship last year, she announced that it would be her last.
After winning one of the most prestigious events in women's area amateur golf at least once in every decade since 1969, who could blame her?
Bierman, a member of the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame and the 1981 state amateur champ, is holding steadfast to her decision. She will not be part of the 64-player field when the 88th annual championship is held over four days starting Tuesday at Beechmont Country Club.
Bierman, 71, did not play on the Kirtland team that won the CWGA team play title last week at Lake Forest.
Hollis, a freshman at Magnificat, also will not return as she will be involved in tryouts for the school golf team. Tournament officials said none of the other recent champions -- Chagrin Valley's Frederique Bruell (2009, 2007), Avon Oaks' Alexis Brent (2008), Shaker's Kathy Hays (2006) or Columbia Hills' Amy Suleiman (2005) -- are entered.
That leaves the door open. One player to watch would be Country's Fran Crawford, who lost to Hollis in last year's semifinals. Others to keep an eye on include Lyn Gross of Beechmont, Anne MaGuire (Lake Forest) and Midori Sato (Columbia Hills).
The format is match play in four flights, beginning at 8 a.m. each day with the players seeded by handicap.
Big odds: The local qualifying tournament for the 111th annual U.S. Amateur Championship will be held at Weymouth and Fox Meadow on Aug. 3, where 72 players will compete for three spots.
The USGA received 6,188 entries for the Amateur, which will played at Erin Hills, in Erin Hills, Wis., Aug. 22-28. Kent State team members dominated the event last year as MacKenzie Hughes was the medalist at 12 under and teammates J.P. Paiement (3 under) and John Hahn (2 under) finished third and fourth, respectively. None of those three have entered, but runner-up Mike Drobnick, of Columbus, will return. Drobnick, who finished at 6 under, played at Miami University.
Double-teaming: Husband and wife Art and Chris Shibley scored holes-in-one at the Country Club of Hudson within 18 days of each other. Chris got her ace on June 30th and Art followed on July 18th. Art's ace was his third in three years.
Notes on six minor league teams, including updates on area products Anthony Gallas and Alex Lavisky, who have both been hitting well.
Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerJosh Judy, here with the Indians in spring training, has been superb as the Columbus Clippers' closer this season.
MINOR LEAGUE NOTES
AAA Columbus Clippers
Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game at Syracuse against the Chiefs, RH reliever Josh Judy (4-2, 14 saves, 2.72) had not allowed an earned run in his last 14 games, striking out 23, walking eight and allowing eight hits in 16 innings, and posting a 2-1 record with seven saves....RH reliever Chen Lee (2-0, 0.61) had struck out 22, walked four and allowed 11 hits in 14 2/3 innings with the Clippers.
Judy, 25, has made three relief appearances with the Indians this season, allowing one run in four innings. The Indians selected him in the 34th round of the 2007 draft....Lee, 24, began the season with Class AA Akron, where he was 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA in 23 games. He struck out 56, walked 11 and allowed 27 hits in 39 2/3 innings. Lee, from Taiwan, was signed by the Indians as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
Going into Tuesday night, IF Jason Donald (.320) was 22-for-52 (.423) with six doubles and two home runs in his last 14 games....OFs Jerad Head (.287) and Tim Fedroff (.258) were in mini-slumps: Head going 2-for-18 (.111) with a double in his previous six games and Fedroff 3-for-18 (.167) with a double in his prior five games....RH reliever Zach Putnam (5-2, seven saves, 3.65) had struck out 16 in his last 13 1/3 innings, over nine games, but allowed 13 hits and six walks for a 5.40 ERA.
AA Akron Aeros
Notes: Going into his start in Tuesday night's game against the Trenton Thunder, LH T.J. McFarland was 7-4 with a 4.08 ERA, but 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA in his previous six starts. He had fanned 28, walked 10 and yielded 28 hits during that span....LH starter Drew Pomeranz, the Indians' first pick and the fifth overall in the 2010 draft, is 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA in three starts with Akron. He has struck out 17, walked six and given up 10 hits in 14 innings. Pomeranz, making his professional baseball debut this season, began the campaign at Advanced A Kinston. In 18 combined starts with Akron and Kinston, he is 3-3 with a 1.98 ERA. In 91 innings, Pomeranz has struck out 112, walked 38 and held opponents to a .202 batting average, including just three home runs.
Going into Tuesday night's game, OF Ben Copeland (.307) was 15-for-43 (.349) with seven doubles, one triple, one homer, eight runs and seven RBI in his last 10 games....3B Kyle Bellows (.227) was 13-for-38 (.342) with two doubles and six RBI in his last 10 games....Catcher Chun Chen (.280) was 6-for-21 (.286) with two homers, two doubles and eight RBI in his last eight games....OF Jordan Henry (.264) was 10-for-31 (.323) with a double, four walks, seven RBI, seven runs and three stolen bases in his last seven games. He had 27 stolen bases in 33 tries for the season.
Advanced A Kinston Indians
Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game at Winston-Salem against the Dash, OF Anthony Gallas (.211) was 12-for-32 (.375) with six doubles and eight RBI in his last nine games. Gallas, from Strongsville High School and Kent State, had 10 doubles and two homers in 123 at bats with Kinston. He began the season at Class A Lake County, where he hit .314 with 24 doubles and six homers in 207 at bats. Gallas was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indians in 2010.
OF Abner Abreu (.247) was on a power surge, going 20-for-53 (.377) with seven homers, three doubles, one triple, 16 RBI and 14 runs in his last 16 games....3B Adam Abraham (.252) was 7-for-17 (.412) with two doubles in his last five games....DH-IF Jeremie Tice (.271) was 13-for-40 (.325) with four doubles and three homers in his last 11 games....1B Chase Burnette (.234) was 6-for-20 (.300) with two homers and two doubles in his last six games....RH reliever Preston Guilmet (1-1, 1.74) was second in the Carolina League with 26 saves. He had struck out 45 and walked seven in 41 1/3 innings, and had held opponents to a .187 batting average....RH reliever Kyle Landis (5-0, one save, 0.96) had held opponents to a .165 batting average, and had fanned 30 and walked six in 28 innings.
A Lake County Captains
Notes: The Captains were off on Tuesday and host the Bowling Green (Ky.) Hot Rods on Wednesday night.
1B Jesus Aguilar (.292) is hitting .354 (64-for-181) with 19 doubles, 12 homers and 39 RBI in his last 50 games....OF Carlos Moncrief (.239) is 21-for-66 (.318) with five homers, three doubles and one triple in his last 15 games. The five homers have been in his last eight games....Catcher Alex Monsalve (.281) is 0-for-14 in his last four games, after going 13-for-24 (.542) in his previous six games....RH reliever Clayton Ehlert (1-2, 11 saves, 1.79) has allowed one earned run on 10 hits in his last 17 innings....RH Michael Goodnight (5-9, 4.22) is 0-6 with an 8.18 ERA in his last eight starts, fanning 24 while allowing 23 walks and 43 hits in 33 innings. Goodnight was one of the Midwest Lague's best pitchers in his first 12 games, when he was 5-3 with a 2.14 ERA. He struck out 60, walked 21 and allowed just 38 hits in 63 innings.
A Mahoning Valley Scrappers
Notes: The Scrappers were off Tuesday. They host the Lowell (Mass.) Spinners on Wednesday night.
Catcher Alex Lavisky (.201), a 2010 Lakewood St. Edward High School graduate and the Indians' eighth draft pick that June, has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games, going 16-for-53 (.302) with five doubles and three homers. He has eight doubles and three homers in 134 at bats with the Scrappers, after beginning the season at Lake County, where he hit .207 with 10 doubles and eight homers in 184 at bats. Lavisky has recently cut down on his strikeouts, fanning just three times in his last 27 at bats, after 93 K's in his first 291 at bats this season.
SS Tony Wolters (.304) is on a six-game hitting streak, going 12-for-24 (.500) with three doubles....OF Jordan Smith's .344 batting average was fourth in the league before Tuesday's New York-Penn League games. Smith is 44-for-128 with 13 doubles, one triple and just 12 strikeouts....RH Joseph Colon (3-2, 3.55) is 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA in his last seven games, fanning 23, walking nine and allowing 29 hits in 35 2/3 innings.
Independent Lake Erie Crushers
Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game, 3B Andrew Davis (.314) was 37-for-81 (.457) with nine doubles, three triples, two homers and 18 RBI in his last 20 games....OF Kellen Kulbacki (.303) was 13-for-32 (.406) with three doubles and one homer in his last seven games....RH starter Josh Roberts (6-3, 3.59) was 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA in his last nine games. He had fanned 36 and walked 11 in 58 2/3 innings during the span....RH reliever Paul Daniels (4-1, 2.43) was 4-1 with a 1.46 ERA in 24 2/3 innings over his last 15 games.
Talking to myself about Coco Crisp, Matt LaPorta and the Indians in contention.
View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerMatt LaPorta's struggles at the plate have been one of the bigger factors in the Indians' offensive issues, says Terry Pluto.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Talking to myself as the Indians somehow remain in playoff contention at the end of July.
Question:When will the Indians make a trade? They gotta do something, right?
A: O.K., Coco Crisp.
Q:Coco Crisp?
A: I wouldn't be surprised that by the end of the week, the Indians discover they can't make a big deal, and they settle for Coco in a little trade, a two-month rental.
Q:Haven't you been saying that you'd rather have Ezequiel Carrera than Coco?
A: I even wrote it on my Facebook page. And next year, that is true. But upon further review, Coco is .270 (.711 OPS) with four homers, 33 RBI and 27 steals. He still is above average in the outfield. Since June 1, he's batting .274. Makes him look like Kenny Lofton in his prime in this outfield.
Q:Is that the best you can do?
A: I'm not saying Coco is my first choice, or that I'm enamored with the guy. I do know the Indians (along with the Reds and others) are interested in him. I know the Indians want to do something -- and Coco may be that something.
Q:So Coco will win the Central for the Tribe, right?
A: I'll ignore that, and present this question: What Central team has the best record since June 1?
Q:Don't say it's the Indians.
A: Nope, they are 20-28. It's Minnesota (30-19), and they started play on Tuesday 7.0 games out. Then comes Detroit (26-22) and the White Sox (24-20).
Q: Your point?
A: In July, here were the records before Tuesday's game: Minnesota (13-10), White Sox (10-9), Detroit (10-10), Tribe (10-11) and Kansas City (10-11).
Q:Meaning what?
A: Meaning no one is doing much of anything. No one is winning many games. No Central team has made a significant trade. The only revealing number is Detroit with a 22-12 record in the Central. Then comes Minnesota (22-17), the Tribe (15-16), White Sox (14-19). Those are the contenders.
Q:If the Indians didn't start 30-15...
A: But they did. And those first 45 games still count. And they are 19-26 in the last 45 games, but still only a game out of first place. That's because Detroit is 24-21 in the last 45 games, the White Sox are 25-20.
Q:Don't you think the Tribe will be a better team next season? So why make a big trade?
A: I picked them to be 74-88 in 2011 with a chance to contend in 2012. But they are contending now. After the 2007 Indians were 96-66, no one in the front office thought they'd not contend for the next three years. Or that the Indians would be 134-190 combined in 2009 and 2010.
Q: So they should try to win now, right?
A: That's why they have brought up their prime prospects -- from Alex White to Lonnie Chisenhall to Jason Kipnis -- all earlier than planned. It's why they are grooming White to pitch in the bullpen (just for this season), so he can come back faster from his finger injury.
Q:Isn't the outfield awful?
A: Let's excuse Michael Brantley from that discussion, but that's true -- especially with Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore injured. They are playing Travis Buck or Austin Kearns (projected as backups) and Carrera (who was supposed to spend all year in Class AAA). But I'm thinking about something else.
Q:Not Coco Crisp?
A: I'm open to adding Coco, assuming the price isn't very high. But I'm thinking Matt LaPorta is hitting .233 with four homers and 22 RBI in 167 at-bats since May 1. He has 44 strikeouts and eight walks in that span.
Q:Are you blaming the lack of hitting on LaPorta?
A: Of course not. But he's 26 and unlike Brantley (who is two years younger), he's not improving. He doesn't seem to be making adjustments. He's a right-handed batter hitting only .208 against lefties this season. LaPorta came into Tuesday night with 27 homers and 96 RBI in 801 big-league at-bats, hitting only .233 (.694). But his lack of production has put even more pressure on the front office to make a trade.
View full sizeAP photoLonnie Chisenhall tracks down a bouncer hit by the Angels' Jeff Mathis in the third inning Tuesday night at Progressive Field.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Angels led the Indians, 2-1, through 7 1/2 innings Tuesday night at Progressive Field.
Tribe right-hander Josh Tomlin carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh.
Bobby Abreu led off with a single to center. He moved to second on a chop-groundout in front of the plate by Vernon Wells. Alberto Callaspo flied to left.
Howie Kendrick, who had scalded the ball in previous at-bats, was intentionally walked.
Tomlin got ahead of Mark Trumbo, 1-2, and threw a nasty pitch that Trumbo fouled off. The next pitch leaked over the plate at the thighs and Trumbo ripped it off the right-field wall for a two-run double.
Matt LaPorta homered to left in the Tribe seventh to make it 2-1. The homer came off righty Jered Weaver, who was relieved by lefty Scott Downs to begin the eighth.
The Indians threatened in the third. Jason Kipnis led off with a double to left and moved to third on Travis Buck's grounder to second. Ezequiel Carrera walked.
Michael Brantley popped out and Asdrubal Cabrera grounded to first baseman Trumbo, who flipped to Weaver.
The Indians put runners on first and third with two outs in the fourth. Kipnis struck out.
Erick Aybar led off the first with a sharp grounder to third. Lonnie Chisenhall, pinched in to guard against the bunt, reached to his right, grabbed the ball and threw on target to first.
In the Angels' second, Tomlin was busy with the glove. He retired Callaspo on a grounder, Howie Kendrick on a liner and Trumbo on a grounder.
In the Angels' third, Chisenhall handled two grounders seamlessly. The second amounted to a tough play moving to his left.
Tomlin has worked at least five innings in each of his 33 major-league starts.
No runners have attempted to steal off Tomlin this season.
Weaver has pitched at least six innings in 30 consecutive starts. He was helped in the first six innings by a breeze blowing in from center that knocked down hard-hit flyballs to center by LaPorta and Travis Buck.
Trades, signings, free agent pursuit, player releases...for a team with a new coach, offense and defense. Links include free agent reports.
John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer(Left to right) Browns president Mike Holmgren, coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert have a lot of work to do.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's the most frantic of times for NFL teams.
In the aftermath of the 4 1/2 month-long lockout, teams are rolling various transaction-type activities -- trades, free agent pursuit, rookie signings, release of veteran players, etc. -- that would normally proceed over months into a few days.
The Cleveland Browns are no exception, of course, and for them, matters are complicated because of the presence of a new coaching staff, led by head coach Pat Shurmur, and the transition to a new offense (the West Coast) and defense (the 4-3).
Regarding what the Browns might try to achieve in the veteran free agent sweepstakes, Lane Adkins writes for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report:
At the present, it appears the Browns have targeted two defensive linemen, a defensive back and an offensive lineman in their initial free agent player fury. Names will hopefully soon follow.
The wide receiver position is one the organization has debated in adding a veteran free agent. Presently, the Browns are putting feelers out regarding potential targets. Sources say that both Vincent Jackson and Terrell Owens are out of the question.
As for the defense – throughout the offseason, the Browns have evaluated and ultimately determined that any veterans who can play at a high level would be beneficial to defensive coordinator Dick Jauron’s scheme.
The Browns aren't expected to make more free agent moves than most teams, but it's going to be a busy few days, Jeff Schudel writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.
AFC North teams are looking for defensive players in free agency, Ber Heiser writes for the National Footbll Authority.
Cornerback Joe Haden and safety T.J. Ward are looking forward to playing in the Browns' new defense, Jeff Schudel writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones would be a good player for the Browns to pursue, writes Samuel Ingro for the National Football Authority.
Second-year defensive backs T.J. Ward and Joe Haden are taking over leadership of the Browns' defense.
View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerLast summer, T.J. Ward (left) and Joe Haden accepted their supporting roles as rookies in the Browns' defense. But with a year's experience, both young defensive backs plan to be leaders in 2011.
BEREA, Ohio -- You can see it in their swagger and hear it in their voices. Joe Haden and T.J. Ward have gone from wide-eyed rookies to top dawgs of the Cleveland Browns' defense.
"We're definitely going to take over the defense," Ward said confidently on the first day players were allowed to report to the team facility. "We'll see about the team, but we're definitely going to be leaders in our own right."
Ward, who led the Browns and all NFL rookies with 105 tackles as a safety, admitted he and Haden knew their place last season.
"Last year was kind of sit back and watch the pros play," he said. "At the same time, I think we both started taking on leadership roles at the end of the year. This year, I think it's going to be the biggest jump from the first year to the second year more than any other year."
Haden, who led the Browns with six interceptions as a rookie cornerback and had the second-most among rookies, agreed. Now, the first- and second-round picks from last season plan to take command of their unit the same way second-year man Colt McCoy has the offense.
"As a rookie you can come in and be a leader, but how are you going to tell a 10-year veteran how to do something when it's your third game?" said Haden, one of about 12 players who reported for duty Monday. "This year, we have a year under our belt. We feel more comfortable not wondering how you're going to feel in Week Seven, how are we going to feel in Week Eight. We feel more comfortable. We know what's going on."
What's more, they're changing to a 4-3 system under new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron that won't bust their brains on the field.
"It's not going to be as difficult as our defense was last year," said Ward. "We had a bunch of schemes and a bunch of techniques and calls that, I think at times, confused some of the guys on defense and maybe our cohesion wasn't there as well last year. But I think this year it's more basic and you just use your athletic ability and skills as a football player to make plays."
The defense run by Eric Mangini and Rob Ryan was so intense that Mangini often gave pop quizzes to make sure the players knew it. This one is more defense 101.
"It's so much easier," said Haden. "If you got it, if you can hang with your man, it's going to be a good day for you. I like my chances, I like T.J.'s chances, I like Sheldon [Brown's] chances."
Added Ward: "The more confident you are in your role, you can play faster. If you're out there kind of thinking too much or not sure about this or that, it can hinder you. So just being able to go and play fast is going to help us all."
Haden and Ward know there's a good chance starting safety Abe Elam and cornerback Eric Wright, both unrestricted free agents, may not return. The Browns are talking to both players' agents, but the result is uncertain. There's some speculation Elam will be reunited with Rob Ryan in Dallas.
"I hope [Elam's back]," said Haden. "He's a hell of a teammate. I just like him being around. He's more of a leader. He's been here. He's been here a lot longer than T.J. He showed us the ropes, showed us what to do, along with E. Wright and Sheldon. You can never teach leadership."
Ward said he's kept in contact with Wright throughout the off-season.
"I'm sure he'd love to be back here," said Ward. "We fit great. I think we were a great secondary last year. We had great cohesion. I mean, I'd love for him to be back. That's just my personal opinion but I don't know what the hands above say about it."
Both said it wasn't as important for the defense to work together in the off-season as it was for the offense.
"Offense is more timing based, getting to know your receivers, your quarterback," said Ward. "Even with the O-line, the cadence of the quarterback is really important for the timing. With us, it's more of a reaction-type thing. We react to what they do. I think if you keep those skills together, then you'll be all right."
Haden and Ward aren't concerned about who the Browns will sign in free agency.
"They get paid to do that," said Haden. "I get paid to cover. [Ward] gets paid to hit. Whoever comes in here, we're going to try to get them into what we've got going. But we're going to do what we've got to do."
Akron can't overcome early deficit vs. Trenton; Kinston's Brach struggles in loss; Crushers lose in 11 innings.
View full sizeAPJustin Germano pitched just the fifth perfect game in International League history, and the first ever for the Clippers.
AAA Columbus Clippers
Clippers 3, Chiefs 0: Justin Germano (1-2) pitched a perfect game for Columbus, as the Clippers won at Syracuse, N.Y., in an International League game. Germano, a 6-2 right-hander, struck out seven in facing the minimum of 27 batters. He threw 95 pitches, and 69 were strikes.
In the bottom of the ninth, Germano retired Jhonatan Solano on a fly ball to center fielder Tim Fedroff, and then Jeff Frazier on a fly ball to left fielder Jerad Head. He finished with a flourish, fanning Corey Brown looking.
Fedroff slugged a double and triple and drove in two runs.
Notes: Germano, 28, pitched the first perfect game in Clippers history and the first thrown in the International League since 2003. It is the sixth no-hitter in Clippers history. Germano's ERA is 3.65 in 441/3 innings.
He has been used as a starter and reliever, and Tuesday's gem was his first complete game of the season. He has three saves. A native of Pasadena, Calif., he signed a minor-league contract with the Indians on March 24, 2010. He has appeared with the Indians this season in relief, compiling an 0-1 record in nine appearances, with a 5.68 ERA in 12 innings.
AA Akron Aeros
Thunder 4, Aeros 3: Akron rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth, but lost an Eastern League game at Canal Park to Trenton, N.J. Akron starter T. J. McFarland (7-5), was the starter and losing pitcher. He struck out six in five innings, and gave up three runs, but just one earned.
Notes: Akron was 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Advanced A Kinston Indians
Dash 9, Indians 2: Kinston, N.C., starter Brett Brach (6-7) gave up eight runs (seven earned) and nine hits in 5 innings, as the K-Tribe lost a Carolina League game at Winston-Salem, N.C.
A Lake County Captains
The Captains were off on Tuesday.
Notes: First baseman Jesus Aguilar has swung a potent bat. He leads the team with 68 RBI and 19 home runs, and is hitting .292 in 346 at-bats. Four pitchers lead the Captains in victories: Cole Cook (5-10), Michael Goodnight (5-9), Mike Rayl (5-5) and J.D. Reichenbach (5-1).
A Mahoning Valley Scrappers
The Scrappers were off on Tuesday.
Notes: Outfielder Jordan Smith leads Mahoning Valley with a .344 batting average, with 44 hits in 128 at-bats. With 16 walks, his on-base percentage is .430.
Independent Lake Erie Crushers
Wild Things 5, Crushers 4 (11): Robert Wendzicki (0-2), surrendered a solo home run in the bottom of the 11th inning, and Lake Erie lost a Frontier League game in Washington, Pa.
Notes: The Wild Things avoided a three-game sweep. Lake Erie collected 36 hits in the three games.
As the NCAA investigates Ohio State University's football program and programs at other universities, there's increasing focus on the role that presidents play in overseeing college sports programs.
Terry Gilliam, Associated PressOhio State University President E. Gordon Gee speaks at a March 8 news conference about football coach Jim Tressel's failure to notify the school about information he received involving players selling memorabilia. Tressel resigned in May.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee is an unabashed Buckeyes fan.
Perhaps more than most presidents, he says, he works to establish personal relationships with coaches and student-athletes, attending as many contests involving OSU's 36 varsity sports as his schedule permits.
In the fall, when thousands of the football faithful pack the Horseshoe -- as the venerable Ohio Stadium is known -- Gee is usually among them. He told a reporter last fall that he considered then-football coach Jim Tressel "a very dear friend."
Now, Tressel is gone, forced to resign amid an NCAA investigation of OSU's football program. (See the end of this story for some of the online reaction to that resignation, Gee's comments and more in a Storify aggregation of links and video)
And there's increasing focus on the role that Gee and other presidents play in overseeing college sports programs.
NCAA President Mark Emmert has invited 54 college presidents -- including Gee -- to a retreat Aug. 9-10 to discuss athletics.
"I think it takes on a very special significant form in most universities, especially those that are in the major conferences. When I was president of the University of Washington I always joked -- although it wasn't that much of a joke -- that athletics was 2 percent of the budget, 2 percent of the students and 98 percent of the attention that the university got," Emmert said. "The president needs to be very attentive to it."
Case summary good news for Ohio State; NCAA finds no new violations (July 22, 2011)
High school football coaches' planned tribute to Tressel is a fumbled idea: Bill Livingston (July 20)
In evaluation from 2005-06, Tressel found unacceptable in reporting violations (July 16)
Buckeyes' self-imposed penalties not too severe; school admits forcing out Tressel (July 8)
He also said that "at the end of the day it is all about presidential leadership. They are not the content experts around athletics, nor are they for medicine or physics. But they are the people that are ultimately responsible for what happens on their campus."
The NCAA Committee on Infractions has scheduled a hearing Aug. 12 on allegations that OSU football players sold memorabilia for cash and discount tattoos and that Tressel lied about what he knew. A decision on penalties is expected six to eight weeks after the hearing, but the scandal already has taken a toll on the university's image.
Athletic Director Gene Smith acknowledged this month that Tressel was forced out May 30 in part to improve OSU's position in the NCAA investigation. However, Smith also cited the "continued public attacks on the institution."
Gee has supported athletics at each of the five universities he has led -- including two stints at OSU .
"I often point out that I cannot get 105,000 people to watch a chemistry experiment on a Saturday afternoon, but we can certainly gather that number in the 'Shoe,' " he said in a recent e-mail. "Our athletics traditions are an important part of the fabric of this university, and they provide a wonderful vehicle for engaging fans with other aspects of the university."
Gee also said: "I am very engaged with Ohio State's athletics program, but it is not my role to manage it. Keep in mind that football represents just one-quarter of one percent of the university's budget. Ohio State is one of the most massive, complex institutions of higher education in the nation, and I spend the vast majority of my time focused on the academic side of this institution. I view my role as providing support and resources. I do not micromanage athletics or any other aspect of this complex university."
Coaches and athletic directors typically are the ones tolose their jobs in the wake ofNCAA violations; presidents generally stay above the fray.
But the responsibility for a scandal-free athletic department rests with the person holding the top job, says Carol Cartwright, who has led two Ohiouniversities and has been an influential voice in college athletics.
"Institutional control is paramount," said Cartwright, who retired June 30 after serving three years as president of Bowling Green State University and previously served 15 years as president of Kent State University.
"The tone at the top is very important," she said. "Nobody can be absolutely in charge to the extent that you can guarantee that nothing will ever happen. But it is just like in many other activities -- if you set the right tone, set expectations for appropriate behavior and monitor yourself and deal effectively with issues as they are identified, you have a much better chance of catching issues early, dealing with them and moving on."
Cartwright said she does not have firsthand knowledge of the OSU case, so she could not comment on it specifically.
But as the former chairwoman of the NCAA's executive committeeand a current member of the board of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, she said she took seriously the opportunity as a college president to set standards and make sure those directly accountable to her -- including the athletic director -- understood them.
"I believe that athletics plays a very important role in collegiate life, but so do a number of activities," Cartwright said. "The key is keeping the right balance."
University presidents have been heavily involved in the NCAA since 1984. Its 18-member board of directors is composed of campus presidents and chancellors.
The Knight Commission, which was instrumental in the NCAA approving stronger academic requirements for athletes in 1992, released a report last year titled "Restoring the Balance: Dollars, Values and the future of College Sports." The commission, an independent group of leaders in education, athletics and business, calls for three principles for reform: requiring that financial reports filed with the NCAA be made public; rewarding institutions that make academic values a priority; and treating athletes as students -- not as professionals.
Emmert has said he didn't plan the retreat because of recent high-profile NCAA investigations, such as the one involving OSU.
NCAANCAA President Mark Emmert has invited 54 college presidents -- including Gee -- to a retreat Aug. 9-10 to discuss athletics.
Instead, he said in an interview last week that the plans were driven by the "recognition that we need to address a number of big issues in intercollegiate athletics right now and we need more than incremental change. A number of areas -- some very serious and challenging -- need to be addressed to make intercollegiate athletics even stronger."
The presidents, most from Division I schools, will talk about helping student-athletes achieve academic success, achieving fiscal sustainability and strengthening the integrity of the schools.
Emmert said the goal is to ensure that "our athletic programs are being run in ways that are consistent with our rules and all the underlying philosophy of college athletics. There is enormous pressure from the commercial side that are placing coaches and players and boosters and administrators and everyone in the game in very difficult positions."
Gee plans to attend the conference, an OSU spokesman said.
Cartwright said she, like most presidents, has always been a big fan of all sports at her institution.
But her successor at KSU, Lester Lefton, is more likely to be found at a play than on the sidelines, said spokeswoman Emily Vincent.
"He goes to homecoming but he's more a fan of the arts," she said.
"But you have to make sure everyone knows and follows the rules," he said. "Every year I meet with all the coaches and talk about NCAA rules and our expectations. We will obey the rules and make sure that we have communicated not only to the coaches but to the athletes."
Williams also said he meets student-athletes during recruitment and emphasizes the importance of academics.
Gee isn't just a football fan.
He said in the email that his staff gives him a weekly schedule of the Buckeyes' home sports events and "I may drop by several of them if my schedule permits."
In February 2000, when Gee announced that he was leaving as president of Brown University, a story in the university's alumni magazine said Brown was losing one of its most visibly enthusiastic sports fans.
"Having come to Brown from such sports-crazed institutions as the University of Colorado and Ohio State, Gee filled his University Hall office with Bear booster items, showed up at every single home football game, and squeezed onto the bench during women's basketball games," the article said.
"Various athletes and coaches recall that the prexy with the shortest tenure in Brown history even had a tendency to hang around during varsity practices."
But Gee has been more than a fan when it comes to athletics.
In 2003, as chancellor of Vanderbilt University, he eliminated the athletic department and placed athletics under the division of student life so student-athletes could also have a full academic and social experience at the college. He scrapped the position of athletic director, giving those duties to David Williams II, vice chancellor for university affairs and general counsel.
Gee worked with Williams during his first turn as OSU presidentin the 1990s and hired him in 2000 to come to Vanderbilt.
"It has gone very well," Williams said in a recent interview about how the university and athletic program have fared. Teams have performed well, academic performance has improved, and athletes are more involved in study abroad and other university programs, he said.
While complying with NCAA rules and regulations is everyone's responsibility, a university president oversees so many aspects of running an institution that he has to rely on those directly involved with athletics to keep him aware of everything good -- and bad -- that occurs, Williams said.
"The athletic person has to be very comfortable telling the president the truth and making sure he has access to the president," he said.
"You don't want to say at a big school it is tougher," Williams said. "But when you have special gifted athletes, the more gifted the athlete the more opportunity that athlete may be approached to get deals. You have to watch that sort of situation even closer."
Shortly after his decision to eliminate the athletic department at Vanderbilt, Gee wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post.
"Many athletic departments exist as separate, almost semi-autonomous fiefdoms within universities and there is the feeling that the name on the football jersey is little more than a 'franchise' for sports fans," he wrote.
"College presidents and others need to take a good look at the system we have created for ourselves, in which the professional sports leagues have enjoyed a free feeder system that exploits young people and corrupts otherwise noble institutions," he wrote. "We have maintained the fantasy for far too long that a big-time athletics program is for the students, the alumni and, at public universities, even for the legislators.
"It is time for us to call it what it is has sadly become: a prep league for the pros, who have taken far more than they have given back. We should demand nothing less than a system in which student-athletes are an integral part of the academic institutions whose names and colors they so proudly wear on game day."
Asked if he thought that applies to OSU, Gee responded in his e-mail:
"I am working to ensure that Ohio State's athletics program is well integrated into the rest of the university. Our athletic director, Gene Smith, also serves as associate vice president within the university with other responsibilities beyond athletics. For example, he has been a leader across campus in our work to break down cultural silos.
"Our varsity athletes are students first and foremost, and we should never lose sight of that fact. Where others see helmets and shoulder pads, I see backpacks."
Here is Wednesday's essay by Jeanne Rose of Shaker Heights.
View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerA celebration like this -- when the Indians rallied from a 10-0 deficit to beat Tampa Bay in 2009 -- is the stuff that young fans (and older ones) dream about.
This spring, we asked readers to tell us their best memory at an Indians game. More than 600 responded. All season, The Plain Dealer will publish fan memories -- one each day the Indians are scheduled to play. Here is Wednesday's essay byJeanne Rose of Shaker Heights:
My most unforgettable day at an Indians game was Memorial Day 2009. The Indians were playing Tampa Bay and were losing miserably.
The game was going by slowly and it was a cold evening for late May. My family had been given great seats in the fourth row behind the Indians dugout, and while we were enjoying being so close to the action, my daughter (then 6) and I were growing tired. I suggested that we leave after the seventh-inning stretch, but my son (then 8) ignored me.
I suggested it again after the eighth inning, pointing out how many other fans had decided against staying at this game that was taking so long and with a losing score of 10-3. My son looked at me with an intense stare and said, "How can we leave? It's not over until the last out of the ninth."
Well, that last out never happened, as suddenly our luck improved and the runs started coming in. Next thing we knew, the winning run was on base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The excitement level in the ballpark was indescribable. My favorite player, Victor Martinez, came to the plate and, when we heard the bat and ball connect, I knew it was a winner. We scored seven runs that inning to beat the Rays, 11-10. Fireworks, screaming, cheering ... it was incredible.
But that is not why it was my most unforgettable day at an Indians game. It was unforgettable because it was then that I realized how much we can learn from our children who don't lose faith, even when things aren't looking so good. The way my son looked at me, incredulous that I would even think of giving up on our Tribe, and then the innocent joy in his eyes at the end of the game when we won.
I was proud that we stayed, not only so that I could berate our friends who left early on what an amazing ending they missed, but also because it was driven home to me that baseball is like life ... we can't give up when things aren't going our way. We may not always have a great ninth inning like the Indians did, but then again ... we might! The game of baseball, especially through the eyes of child, is a wonderful reminder of this.
Who will be named Big Ten player of the year at the end of the season?
Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerMichigan quarterback Denard Robinson tries to get off this pass.
In an informal poll by Plain Dealer reporter Doug Lesmerises, the Big Ten reporters voted Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson as preseason offensive player of the year, and Nebraska defensive lineman Jared Crick as the defensive player of the year.
Two fine choices, but which player in the Big Ten will finish as the overall player of the year at the end of the season?
Wide receiver-turned-free agent Braylon Edwards is hustling to find out whether he will face a probation violation and possible jail in Cleveland after pleading guilty to drunken driving in New York. A Cleveland Municipal Court hearing initially set for Aug. 8 was moved up to today.
AP FileToday's hearing is intended for a judge to decide whether Braylon Edwards' now-admitted drunken driving in New York amounts to breaking his probation in Cleveland.
New York Jets wide receiver-turned-free agent Braylon Edwards is hustling to find out whether he will face a probation violation and possible jail in Cleveland after pleading guilty to drunken driving in New York. A Cleveland Municipal Court hearing initially set for Aug. 8 was moved up to today.
The hearing is intended for a judge to decide whether Edwards’ now-admitted drunken driving in New York amounts to breaking his probation in Cleveland. In January 2010, he pleaded no contest in Cleveland to aggravated disorderly conduct after being accused of punching a friend of LeBron James.
NFL: All NFL personnel will be reimbursed for salary reductions during the lockout.
Commissioner Roger Goodell sent an email Tuesday to employees of the league, NFL Films, NFL Network and NFL.com telling them they will receive all lost wages from the work stoppage. All salaries will be restored to previous levels.
Ticketmaster said Tuesday that sales on its NFL Ticket Exchange were up 332 percent Monday from the day before. They were up 294 percent from the previous Monday.
Also, with the lockout over, the NFL announced it will return to London for a fifth straight year.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play the Chicago Bears at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 23 in the fifth regular-season game in the British capital.
Bengals: Owner Mike Brown insisted that he won’t trade quarterback Carson Palmer, who wants to leave one of the NFL’s least-successful franchises. Palmer, who has four years left on his contract, told the team in January that he would retire if he’s not traded.
Asked why he wouldn’t trade Palmer and get some draft picks in return, Brown said it was a matter of principle.
“Carson signed a contract. He made a commitment. He gave his word,” Brown said.
Chargers: San Diego agreed to terms with three veteran free agents, linebacker Takeo Spikes, tackle Jeromey Clary and tight end Randy McMichael.
Eagles: Michael Vick was one of the first Eagles at team headquarters, lifting weights, catching up with teammates, doing all types of activities inside the complex that he was banned from doing during the lockout. He’s ready to report today to training camp, even without a new contract.
Giants: Mark Herzlich, the Boston College linebacker who survived cancer, has signed as a free agent. Herzlich was Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year after his sophomore season. He was diagnosed with bone cancer and missed the 2009 season. He returned in 2010 for the Eagles and started all 13 games. He had 65 tackles, forced two fumbles and intercepted four passes.
Packers: Green Bay finished on top last season and it’s reflected in their bottom line. The Packers are reporting a $12 million profit from operations for 2010-11, up $2.2 million from the previous year. The overall net income was $17.1 million — a jump of nearly $12 million over last year, due in large part to improved performance by investments.
Ravens: Running back Willis McGahee, former Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap, wide receiver Derrick Mason and nose guard Kelly Gregg have been told they will be cut, coach John Harbaugh confirmed.
“It’s just the reality of the salary cap,” Harbaugh said. “It’s the situation we’re in now, and going forward we’ve got to try to make the best team we can.”
But in five previous starts against the Tribe, Santana has five quality starts, a streak dating to September 2007.
He'll hope for the same type of outing on Wednesday at Progressive Field, ready to get that first win under his belt.
Having great control of his slider and fastball, which had great late life, Santana dominated in his last start, a 6-1 victory over the Orioles on July 22. Carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning as temperatures hit triple digits, the righty (5-8, 3.69 ERA) came away with the win in one of his best efforts on the season.
Santana will face Tribe pitcher David Huff, who hopes to pick up where he left off in his last outing. Huff allowed zero runs on five hits in seven innings of work in his first Major League start of the season against Minnesota last week.
"Nice job by David Huff," Indians manager Manny Acta said after the game. "I can't say enough about the job he did. He was on three days' rest, and it was so humid and hot out there. He kept himself well between innings and gave us an opportunity to win. It was a good win."
"It's like the movie 'Groundhog Day' almost every game. Great pitching that most teams in the league would love to have giving up two runs in the late innings on one mistake pitch, which is great in the A.L. Then the zero offense we have tries to come back and pull it out in dramatic style, which we do once every seven games, making us feel great about ourselves. If the Tribe had any offense and scored at least two runs in the earlier innings of most games, we would be rolling into the playoffs." - Joe_White_80
View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerJustin Masterson and the rest of the Indians pitching staff has not received much support from the offense.
"It's like the movie 'Groundhog Day' almost every game. Great pitching that most teams in the league would love to have giving up two runs in the late innings on one mistake pitch, which is great in the A.L. Then the zero offense we have tries to come back and pull it out in dramatic style, which we do once every seven games, making us feel great about ourselves. If the Tribe had any offense and scored at least two runs in the earlier innings of most games, we would be rolling into the playoffs."
Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran uses no-trade clause to stop Indians effort to trade for him.
AP PhotoMets' Carlos Beltran apparently isn't interested in playing for the Indians.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians, trying to revive their struggling offense, made a strong push for Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, but were told he preferred to go elsewhere.
In a story first reported Tuesday by Peter Gammons of MLB.com, the Indians offered to pay the remainder of Beltran's $18.5 million contract this year and give the Mets a player. The Indians were told it was a no go.
Beltran has a complete no-trade clause in his contract. If the deal had been made, the Indians would have been responsible for about $7 million in salary. Beltran can be a free agent at the end of the season and has a clause in his contract that the team he ends the season with cannot offer him arbitration. That means there would be no compensation draft picks for that team if he signed with another ballclub during the winter.
On Tuesday, Beltran told New York reporters that the deal was never presented to him. It's evident that Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, has given the Mets a list of teams that Beltran would be willing to lift his no trade clause for and that Indians aren't on it.
Beltran seemingly would prefer to stay in the National League. He'd also like to go to a team that has a chance to reach the postseason. The Indians trail first-place Detroit in the AL Central by two games.
The switch-hitting Beltran is hitting .289 (102-for-353) with 30 doubles, two triples, 15 homers and 66 RBI. He has a .904 OPS and has started 91 games in right field.
Beltran would have been a good fit for the Indians, who are currently platooning weak-hitting Austin Kearns and Travis Buck in right field after losing Shin-Soo Choo to injury. Kearns is hitting .220 (29-for-132) with two homers and six RBI. Buck is hitting .230 (34-for-148) with two homers and 18 RBI.
"Everyone thought that the Cavs were just buying a No. 1 pick in the BD trade. They may have gotten that pick plus a star level player and quality team leader for at least a couple of years. He has the opportunity to become a real fan favorite in Cleveland. That would be a great thing to see for everyone's sake." - rwbbowg
View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerBaron Davis was a solid contributor for the Cavaliers after they acquired him in February.
"Everyone thought that the Cavs were just buying a No. 1 pick in the BD trade. They may have gotten that pick plus a star level player and quality team leader for at least a couple of years. He has the opportunity to become a real fan favorite in Cleveland. That would be a great thing to see for everyone's sake."
Plain Dealer beat writer says uncertainty at QB and throughout roster, addition of Nebraska, will make it a compelling campaign.
Watch video
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.
The Big Ten Conference will hold its football media days starting Thursday in Chicago. Which player do you think will be the best in the league in 2011? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll..
Today's guest is Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises, who will be covering the events in Chicago and says he thinks Nebraska defensive lineman Jared Crick will be the Big Ten's most dominant player.
"I would not like to see the team trade away top-flight prospects and try to make a run in 2012 and beyond. Trading away the future starters now for a team with a small payroll could be disastrous. Hold steady and be disciplined with the plan. Stay the course." - Slimshady
View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerWill the Indians make a deal at the deadline or will they stay the course in trying to contend in future years?
"I would not like to see the team trade away top-flight prospects and try to make a run in 2012 and beyond. Trading away the future starters now for a team with a small payroll could be disastrous. Hold steady and be disciplined with the plan. Stay the course."
Terrelle Pryor
