Woods' return to golf has been met with open arms by several players this week at Firestone.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain Dealer"(Tiger Woods) not being here was a great opportunity for other players to come up and show their skills," defending Bridgestone champion Hunter Mahan (left) said of Tiger Woods' return this week. "But, there's no one like Tiger."

AKRON, Ohio -- While his presence might diminish their chances of winning, Tiger Woods' return to golf in general and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in particular has been met with open arms by several players.

That includes defending champion Hunter Mahan, who compared Woods' absence to the first Michael Jordan retirement.

"It's great that he's back," Mahan said Wednesday. "I mean, he's great for golf. ... There was a hole in the game. Him not being here was a great opportunity for other players to come up and show their skills. But, there's no one like Tiger. I've never seen anyone like him. He's one of those once-in-an-era players who can change the game forever."

Rookie Scott Stallings, who gained entrance to the Bridgestone by winning last week's Greenbrier Classic, said, "I'm like anyone. I'm a player but I'm also a fan and Tiger was the one who made golf cool."

British Open champion Darren Clarke said he was looking forward to being paired with Woods for the first two rounds.

"It is fantastic," said Clarke, the winner here in 2003. "It's good for all the world to see Tiger Woods back playing golf again. For us to have a chance to compete against him can only be good for the game."

Germany's Martin Kaymer, winner of last year's PGA Championship, said he hopes Woods plays well.

"We need him," he said. "We really need him. He's the best player ever to play the game. He's struggling a little at the moment, but I just hope that he can go back to basics and show us how great a golfer he is. I think the PGA Tour needs that."

Tiger sighting: As Woods left the course and headed for the parking lot after his 9-hole practice round Tuesday, he was greeted by 22-year-old Anthony Bonelli of Washington, N.J., who welcomed him back and wished him luck.

Woods shook his hand, chatted and thanked Bonelli, who is bound to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy. The Rutgers senior was born three months early, weighing 2 pounds, 5 ounces, and suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at 10 days old. Bonelli, an aspiring sports broadcaster, was visiting with his parents, stopping by Firestone before their regular summer trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions this weekend.

Younger is better: The last four winners of WGC events -- Luke Donald, Mahan, Francesco Molinari and Nick Watney -- have an average age of 29 years, one month and six days. The average age of the previous six winners -- Ernie Els, Ian Poulter, Phil Mickelson and Woods -- was 36 years and six months.

Plain Dealer reporter Bill Lubinger contributed to this report.

The Indians' newest starter joined the team on Wednesday. He's happy to be here and wants to do all he can to keep the team in the AL Central race.

View full sizeAP photo"The Indians got me because they feel good about me," said new starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez on Wednesday. "That's going to make me work hard every single day because I know they're expecting good things from me."

BOSTON -- Manny Acta said the plan to improve the Indians before Sunday's trading deadline was simple and direct.

"We went after the best pitcher and best position player," said the Indians' manager.

The way they Indians figure it, they batted .500, which is a whole lot better than Acta's current lineup. They acquired right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez from the Rockies, but missed on outfielder Carlos Beltran of the Mets, who was traded to the Giants.

They tried to get a couple of other hitters before Sunday's 4 p.m. deadline expired, one being Ryan Ludwick, but came up empty.

Jimenez, the part of the plan that worked, checked into the Indians team hotel late Tuesday night and reported to Fenway Park on Wednesday. He threw a bullpen session and ran some sprints in the outfield in preparation for his debut Friday against Texas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

David Huff, who made a good impression in three starts, was optioned to Class AAA Columbus after his start Tuesday to make room for Jimenez on the 25-man roster. Acta gave the impression that Huff would be back sooner rather than later, which couldn't have been missed by Wednesday's starter, Carlos Carrasco. Carrasco has been locked in a deep slump and is expected to start serving a six-game suspension after Wednesday's game.

Unless there's an injury, Huff has to stay in the minors for 10 days. That will give Carrasco at least one more start to get his act together. If he's not pitching better by then, Huff could be back because Carrasco has an option.

Jimenez, who will wear No. 30 after wearing 38 (Joe Smith's number) in Colorado, was the focus of non-stop trade rumors before news broke Saturday night and became official Sunday after he passed a physical by the Indians.

"I heard so many rumors the last few weeks," he said. "It was like I don't know where I was going to be. When I heard I got traded to the Indians I was very excited. Especially because of the way they've been playing.

"They're only three games back and they're doing everything they can to win games."

Jimenez was in the Rockies' rotation in 2007 for their amazing stretch run on the way to the World Series. He was a youngster then, but if the Indians stay in the race through August, he'll be facing heavy expectations to ignite the same kind of run by the Tribe.

"I know the Rockies got really good talent in the trade for me," said Jimenez. "At the same time, the Indians got me because they feel good about me. That's going to make me work hard every single day because I know they're expecting good things from me.

"I know I have to be there for them. I want to do everything possible to help them win."

One of the reasons the Indians insisted on Jimenez taking a physical before signing off on the trade was because of his drop in velocity. He said it was due to a groin injury in spring training that didn't allow him to get his arm in shape for the start of the season.

He was also bothered by an injury to his right thumb.

"The Rockies pitching coach [Bob Apodaca] told me the average velocity on his fastball last year was 96 mph," said pitching coach Tim Belcher. "If he's a hair off from that, he's only human."

The trade allows Jimenez to void the 2014 club option on his contract, but he declined to talk about that.

"The only thing I'm thinking about is winning," he said. "We have to take it one step at a time. I can't worry about what will happen in two or three years."

Good news, bad news: Shin-Soo Choo, recovering from a broken left thumb, will take batting practice with the team on Thursday for the first time since his injury. He took 50 to 60 swings in the batting cage Wednesday afternoon.

"He seems a lot closer than we would imagine at this point by the way he swung the bat," said Acta.

On the flip side, left fielder Michael Brantley didn't play Wednesday and will miss Thursday's game with a sprained right wrist. Brantley has been trying to play through the injury for over a week.

"Our medical staff says he needs to get a day or two if it's going to heal properly," said Acta. Brantley is in a 3-for-29 slump.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

The Ohio State freshmen are ready to play for Luke Fickell, while wearing Jim Tressel wristbands.

View full sizeAP fileJim Tressel may have been dismissed by Ohio State, but that doesn't mean he still doesn't have an impact -- and occasionally contact -- with the team's incoming freshmen.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Five-star linebacker recruit Curtis Grant hesitated before he reaffirmed his commitment to play at Ohio State.

"I'm not going to lie, I did at first," Grant said Wednesday. "I just prayed about the situation and I felt like this was still the place for me."

And he's here. Three days before they officially report for the start of the preseason camp, Grant and the rest of the Buckeyes' 22-player freshmen class briefly met with reporters on Wednesday.

They all stuck with Ohio State amidst NCAA turmoil and Jim Tressel's resignation, and they stood as a departed coach's farewell gift, a class recruited and signed by Tressel that will never play for him. Several acknowledged Tressel's absence by wearing "JT" wristbands. One player said he was given his by an OSU staff member.

"I wear it because he was a good guy to me, he recruited me strong," defensive end Steve Miller said. "It means a lot to me, coming here, and he recruited me strong and I miss him."

Defensive tackle Joel Hale, a freshman who did get to play for Tressel for a month in spring practice, said he still communicates with Tressel, getting occasional words of encouragement. But he doesn't have a wristband yet.

"I probably need to get one," Hale said. "I think it's important."

Asked if the last few months had been confusing, freshman defensive back Doran Grant admitted they were, but said he never had doubts he wanted to stay with the Buckeyes under new coach Luke Fickell. But the wristbands are just one example of how this entire summer, as well as preseason camp and the 2011 season, should be remembered by these freshman.

Unlike the rest of the current Buckeyes, they never experienced Tressel in full. Yet they'll still be playing in the shadow of what's gone down.

Only one player, Pennsylvania linebacker Ejuan Price, changed his mind about the Buckeyes after National Signing Day in February and Tressel's May resignation. Especially with the recruiting for 2012 struggling with the uncertainty around the program, this group will have to serve as a foundation.

"It's kind of tough. I always looked forward to playing for [Tressel]," said defensive back Ron Tanner, a Columbus native. "But Coach Fickell was also part of recruiting me and I developed a relationship with him as well, so the change isn't too bad, because he's a great guy. No matter who the coach is, the program will always be strong."

In fact, Curtis Grant, a Virginia native, said the new coach was a major reason he stayed on board.

"Me and Coach Fickell have a great relationship," Grant said. "As far as him as the head coach, that just made me want to come here even more. He was a guy who was truthful with me. He never tried to sell me anything. It was what you see is what you get."

Odds and ends: Tight end Jeff Heuerman, who has developed a reputation in the weight room already, said he has gained 30 pounds since enrolling at Ohio State in January and is up to 254 pounds. "I've changed a little bit physically," he said with a smile. ... Defensive tackle Michael Bennett, coming off a broken forearm suffered in a January postseason all-star game, said he plans to wear a splint on his left arm on the field, during camp and probably in games, but he doesn't expect the injury to slow him down.

Boston records second walk-off win in as many nights against the Indians.

BOSTON, Mass. -- Lefties have barely touched Joe Smith this season. They've owned him in the past, but not this year.

Baseball, however, is a game of evening out. Wednesday night, it evened out against the side-arming Smith and the free-falling Indians in a 4-3 loss to Boston at Fenway Park.

Jacoby Ellsbury, for the second straight night, beat the Indians with a walk-off hit. On Tuesday it was an RBI single through the middle off Vinnie Pestano with one out in the ninth. Wednesday night he hit one quite a bit farther, pounding Smith's 0-1 pitch into the center-field bleachers with two out in the ninth to drop the Indians four games behind Detroit in the AL Central.

It's the Tribe's biggest deficit of the season.

Left-handers were hitting .091 (4-for-44) against Smith when he entered the ninth with the score tied at 3. He retired righties Darnell McDonald and Marco Scutaro on grounders, but Ellsbury, the lefty, was waiting for him.

"I threw a slider for a first-pitch strike," said Smith. "I threw a fastball on the second pitch and he hit a homer."

It was the first homer Smith (2-2) has allowed to a lefty this year.

"In years past, I've gotten behind lefties," said Smith, who entered the game with a 1.06 ERA. "This year I've been getting ahead of them and that's helped a lot. Tonight I got ahead of him and he beat me.

"It happens. If I face him again, I'll go right after him again."

The good Carlos Carrasco gave the Indians a solid start Wednesday. With a six-game suspension waiting at the end of his outing and his rotation spot uncertain after David Huff's impressive three-game performance, Carrasco threw his best game since late June.

"I'll probably drop my appeal and start serving my suspension on Thursday," said Carrasco, who allowed two earned runs with six strikeouts in seven innings.

MLB suspended Carrasco and fined him for throwing at the head of Kansas City's Billy Butler in a 12-0 loss last Friday to Kansas City.

The Indians have lost eight of their last 11 games and 14 of 21. Since they were 30-15 with a seven-game lead in the AL Central on May 23, they've gone 24-39. Overall, they've dropped from 30-15 to 54-54.

"I don't think this thing is getting away from us with two months to play," said manager Manny Acta. "I'll feel it's getting away from us when we're four games out with three games to play. How's that?"

The win went to Jonathan Papelbon (4-0), who retired the Indians in order in the ninth.

Ezequiel Carrera ruined Tim Wakefield's bid for 200 wins when he doubled home Lonnie Chisenhall with two out in the seventh to erase Boston's 3-2 lead. Wakefield, 45, was replaced by lefty Randy Williams. Chisenhall opened the inning with a double off the Green Monster in left. Carrera doubled into the right-field corner.

Boston took a 3-2 lead in the fourth when David Ortiz scored as Scutaro ran his way out of a inning-ending double play on a grounder to short. Carrasco walked Ortiz to start the inning and Carl Crawford doubled him to third. Carrasco struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia and intentionally walked left-handed hitting Josh Reddick to load the bases so he could face Scutaro. He had Scutaro down in the count 0-2, but couldn't put him away.

The Red Sox scored first, taking a 2-0 lead in the first. Carrasco retired the first two batters, but Adrian Gonzalez singled and Kevin Youkilis blooped a double into short right. Ortiz lined a single to left as Gonzalez scored and Youkilis came home on Austin Kearns' error.

Rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis made it 2-1 with a leadoff homer in the fourth. It was Kipnis' fourth homer in as many games. The last Indians rookie to do that, according to Elias, was Al Rosen from June 8-11, 1950.

"It's nothing I would have predicted. It's nothing I could have guessed would happen," said Kipnis. "I'm just starting to come down on the ball more. I'm taking better swings at better pitches in better counts.

"As enjoyable as these are, it doesn't mean too much if we don't get the W."

Asdrubal Cabrera followed Kipnis with a single and scored to tie the game when Travis Hafner bounced a double over first base.

Wakefield allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked two on 99 pitches.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

It's a safe bet Herb Page is walking around with some spring in his step today.

Brad Bournival

Special to The Plain Dealer

MEDINA, Ohio -- It's a safe bet Herb Page is walking around with some spring in his step today.

Who can blame Kent State's seasoned men's golf coach? When Kyle Kmiecik blitzed the field to win Wednesday's U.S. Amateur qualifier on the courses of Weymouth and Fox Meadow country clubs, the incoming transfer became the fourth Golden Flash from this year's team to earn a ticket to the event.

Add recent KSU graduate John Hahn, who qualified earlier, and it's a fab five few can deny.

"I don't want to sound pompous, but I'm not surprised," Page said. "Those young men are really good golfers. I knew how good they were, but to qualify in one-day tournaments, I'm really proud of them. It's a good day to be a Golden Flash."

With Hahn, Nick Scott, Taylor Pendrith and Mackenzie Hughes already playing in the 111th Amateur -- held in Erin, Wis., on Aug. 22-28 -- what Kmiecik did cemented what Page expects to be a great team. Opening the day with seven birdies at Fox Meadow, Kmiecik made the trip to Weymouth holding a one-shot lead over Kirtland's Alex Andrews.

By the time he was finished, the 2010 St. Ignatius graduate joined five-time qualifier Jeff Mallette of North Canton and Reminderville's Dennis Holub as representatives. He did it by shooting a 6-under 138 and pretty much led things from start to finish.

"Coach said, 'We already have four there, feel free to make it five,'" Kmiecik said. "I thought it was a good idea. It'll be a good chance to meet the rest of the team and have some fun."

Fun is exactly what Kmiecik had in his runaway win. At 4 under following the first round of the 36-hole tournament, he made the turn in the second round at even before birdies at the 11th and 17th put the qualifier away.

"It will be nice to send the professors an 'Excuse me, I'll miss some classes because I'll be playing at the U.S. Amateur e-mail,'" a smiling Kmiecik said. "I'm not sure how many schools have that many players there."

As for whether or not he'll lean on Hahn and Hughes -- who played in last year's Amateur -- that remains to be seen. What isn't in question is another solid year for Kent State's team.

"I'm getting excited about it already," Page said. "Seeing what these kids have done, it puts a big smile on my face."

Brad Bournival is a free-lance writer based in North Royalton.

Snedeker won The Heritage this year, beating Luke Donald in a playoff.

View full sizeJay Karr, MCTSure, there's always room for a gaudy sports jacket in anyone's closet ... as Brandt Snedeker found out when he won the Heritage in April.

AKRON, Ohio -- A quick nine with current Heritage Classic champion Brandt Snedeker.

Born: Dec. 8, 1980, Nashville, Tennessee.

Height/weight: 6-1, 185.

Turned pro: 2004. Snedeker won The Heritage this year, beating Luke Donald in a playoff. Snedeker was six shots behind before winning the event. He is a Vanderbilt graduate.

Q: Favorite course you've played?

A: Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. Traditional course, great town.

Q: Sum up Firestone South?

A: One of the best we play. It's 18 great tests of golf. You need to use every club in your bag.

Q: Smartest person you've met?

A: Former President George H.W. Bush. I was shocked by how intelligent he is. Very sharp man.

Q: Toughest part about being a pro golfer?

A: Travel. Being away from home for long stretches. Overall, though, we're very fortunate. It's the best job in the world.

Q: Favorite junk food?

A: French Fries. Any time of day. I don't need anything on them.

Q: Preferred activities away from the course?

A: I love any type of fishing -- fly, sport, bass, whatever. And spending time with family and friends.

Q: Best catch?

A: A 195-pound tarpon two years ago near Key West, Fla.

Q: Most bizarre thing you've witnessed on a course?

A: I've seen stuff we can't talk about in the paper. I won't go into the human element, but I will say that watching a couple of kangaroos go at it in Australia was very interesting.

Q: Advice to parent(s) of star young golfer(s)?

A: Let your kids force you to do stuff, not the other way around. Let them go at their own rate.

Answering some of the more common questions about carrying a golf bag on the PGA Tour.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerCaddies generally earn 5 percent if their player makes the cut, 7 percent for a top-10 finish and 10 percent for a tournament win, which would mean a nice profit for caddie John Wood if Hunter Mahan repeats this week at Firestone.

AKRON, Ohio -- Answering some of the more common questions about carrying a golf bag on the PGA Tour:

Q: What is their work schedule?

A: It lasts for as long as a golfer will have you, and for as many tournaments as he or she plays. But the average is about 30 weeks a year, although some caddies will tote for other golfers to pick up extra work. So, what about the other 22 weeks of the year?

"Whatever comes up," said Joe Skovron, Rickie Fowler's caddie since the 22-year-old went pro two years ago. "You take care of things at home that maybe you aren't able to take care of on the road. Maybe play a little golf."

Q: What does their typical tournament week entail?

A: Tournaments are usually six- or seven-day weeks. They walk the course on Monday or Tuesday, confirming yardages. Tuesday is typically a full practice day, including a round of usually nine holes. Wednesday is often a professional-amateur round (not at Bridgestone), and the four-day tournament starts on Thursday.

Q: How much do they make?

A: As independent contractors, caddies and their bosses -- the players -- negotiate their pay. On average, according to Dennis Cone, president and founder of the Professional Caddies Association, caddies make about $1,000 per week while on tour, plus a share of the winnings. Caddies generally earn 5 percent if their player makes the cut, 7 percent for a top-10 finish and 10 percent for a tournament win.

The World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational pays the winner $1.4 million, meaning the man lugging the bag potentially pulls in a sweet $140,000. Finish at or near the top consistently and a caddie can find himself in rarefied air. Steve Williams, former caddie for Tiger Woods and now caddying for Adam Scott, is reportedly a million-dollar man.

By the way, last place at Bridgestone paid $30,750 last year. Five percent of that is about $1,500. Not shabby for a week on the golf course, but caddies usually cover their own travel expenses, lodging, meals, insurance and other fees. So, for every Williams there's a Williams wanna-be.

Q: How much does that bag weigh?

A: "Depends on how they're playing," said Damon Green, Zach Johnson's caddie for eight years and a professional golfer himself. (Green tied for 13th in the U.S. Senior Open last week in Toledo.) "If they're playing good, [the bag is] light. If they're playing bad, it's really heavy."

A bag weighs anywhere from 30 to 50 pounds, with clubs and gloves, maybe a dozen balls, an umbrella, rain gear for each, drinks and snacks and first-aid items, such as bandages and pain relievers.

Q: What does a caddie do besides carry the bag and towel a golfer's clubs and ball between shots?

A: It's more like, what doesn't a caddie do?

"They could get anybody to carry a bag," said Dan Weigand, editor of the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology and co-author of "Caddy-Talk: Psychology of Being a Great Golf Caddy." "What we found is a caddie is very much an on-course psychologist, biochemist, nutritionist, physiologist, counselor, friend. It really depends on the what the player needs from the caddie."

A running half-joke is that a caddie's job involves "the three ups" -- show up, keep up and shut up. In reality, most top golfers expect much more.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerThis week, Tiger Woods has long-time friend Bryon Bell carrying his bag for the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. But it's likely Woods will eventually find a full-time caddie to replace Stevie Williams, "someone who probably has been there before and who understands it and can deal with that," Woods says.

AKRON, Ohio -- Next to the return of Tiger Woods, the soap opera turns to the new guy he hired to lug his clubs.

In a very public separation late last month, Woods fired caddie Steve Williams and replaced him -- at least for the moment -- with Bryon Bell, a long-time friend and president of Woods' golf design firm.

Woods and Williams had 12 mostly wonderful years together, but like a bad divorce, it got a little messy. Williams, now caddying for Adam Scott, has said he felt like he wasted the last two years of his life working for Woods as the golfer wrestled with his actual divorce, injuries and trying to rediscover his game.

"Well, that's what he says and what he feels," Woods told the media this week at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Akron's Firestone Country Club. "I thought it was time for a change," Woods continued, keeping his decision strictly business.

But to describe a caddie change as just business, not personal, greatly undervalues the relationships that endure.

"It has become much more personal than ever before," said Dan Weigand, editor of the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, and co-author of "Caddy-Talk: Psychology of Being a Great Golf Caddy."

For as much time as they spend together, for as linked as their livelihoods are, no one, family members aside, is closer to a golfer than his or her caddie.

"We're almost more like brothers," said Heath Slocum, describing his relationship with 20-year caddie D.J. Nelson.

Woods and Williams were in each other's weddings. Tom Watson and the late Bruce Edwards together publicly dealt with Edwards' gut-wrenching battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease. Caddie Joe Skovron, who is just 30 himself, has known his boss, Rickie Fowler, since the 22-year-old player was four.

When asked this week the most important attribute a caddie can have, golfers and their caddies repeatedly described a successful relationship in two words: Trust and confidence. Trust that each has the other's best interest at heart. Confidence that, together, the combination will consistently finish in the money.

"The biggest thing -- he reinforces 'pull the trigger,' that last little bit of encouragement before [the golfer] goes up to hit the ball," said Dennis Cone, president and founder of the Professional Caddies Association.

Cone, who represented Mike "Fluff" Cowan when Cowan was Woods' caddie, compared the role to a coach offering a last-ditch "you can do it" before a little leaguer steps to the plate.

"They also know when to shut up, too," Cone said. "It's just like a relationship with your wife. There's times when you talk about it and times when you leave it alone."

A running half-joke is that a caddie's job involves "the three ups" -- show up, keep up and shut up. In reality, most top golfers expect much more. In fact, a caddie who's mum is an invaluable as one who never stops yapping. Like success on the green, it's all touch and feel.

"Knowing when to kind of stay out of the way and when to step in," said Fowler, who as a young golfer looked up to Skovron when the caddie was a rising player back in Murietta, Calif. "You've got to have someone when you're playing good, [when] kind of everything's clicking, to just sit back, give you some numbers and let you go," Fowler said. "And there's times where you're having a rough day that they need to step in and say, 'Settle down, let's figure this out.' So it's just someone who kind of knows your personality, knows how you react and play on the course."

Some combinations survive for decades. Some golfers change caddies like they change putters. In April, Dustin Johnson dumped Bobby Brown after three years for Joe LaCava, who carried for Fred Couples. In May, Scott fired Tony Navarro after seven years and replaced him with Michael Doran before hiring Williams. Cowan is working for Jim Furyk.

Like some marriages, the relationship can just get stale.

"There's a belief," Weigand said, "that change is a quicker solution than working to make it work."

Woods may not yet be done with his caddie carousel. He told reporters this week that Bell's position was an interim one, based on how things go. "For now" could become "for good" if Woods and Bell mesh with a tournament on the line.

"You know, someone that obviously understands the pressure of the game coming down the back nine," said Woods, when asked what he looks for in a caddie. "Someone who probably has been there before and who understands it and can deal with that."

On the course, the player is CEO and caddie the employee. But when a golfer is struggling, the roles seem reversed -- which is where the trust and confidence come in.

"If a golfer's attitude was going down the wrong road," said caddie John Wood, "you need to kind of give them a little correction and say, 'Look, you know you don't play your best golf doing what you're doing right now.'"

Wood has been a PGA caddie for 15 years, the last six with last year's Bridgestone champion, Hunter Mahan. He was managing a bookstore when Kevin Sutherland, who knew him from their home town of Sacramento, asked if he might be interested in carrying his bag on tour.

Wood smiled when asked if the job is lucrative. "It can be, working for a good player, absolutely," he said, declining to offer specifics.

At Bridgestone, no golfer gets cut, so everyone gets paid. For caddies, this is a good week.

The Cleveland Triathlon turns 25 this year, and the race that once beckoned top professional triathletes is honoring its history.

View full sizePD file photoIn 1998, Mike Pigg led a sizable contingent of professional athletes into the Cleveland Triathlon, but the lack of a title sponsor has left the event without the very best performers for a few years. But event organizers see a bright future for the triathlon's 25th anniversary this weekend.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A quarter-century ago, when the first big triathlon came to Cleveland, there was still much confusion about the details.

Such as how to spell "triathlon."

"Everyone thought it was 'triath-a-lon,'" said Jack Caress, the organizer of the event.

Everyone knows now that there's no second "a," most are clear on the three disciplines involved (swim, bike, run), and there's no longer extensive lobbying that needs to be done to encourage participants in one of the fastest-growing sports.

About 950 participants are expected in this weekend's Cleveland Triathlon, the 25th anniversary of one of the first big-city triathlons in the United States. The Cleveland Triathlon has hosted some of the top professionals, been the site of U.S. championships and a world championship, injected innovative racing techniques into the sport, lost its big-ticket sponsor and now is climbing its way back from several lean years.

"In a way, it's sort of mirrored what's happened to Cleveland," Caress said. "There were ups and downs, and now there's kind of a resurgence."

Without a title sponsor, which the race lost in 2000, professional triathletes no longer come to Cleveland. But Karen Smyers remembers when Cleveland was one of the "must" races for any competitor. In the sport's infancy, professional prize money from the title sponsor, National City, was substantial.

Smyers won Cleveland a record five times (1990, '91, '94, 2001, '02), and enjoyed the course since it was not only in the same time zone as her Boston home -- a rarity when many athletes lived in California -- but also near family in Oberlin. On most schedules, Cleveland was just a few weeks before the Chicago Triathlon, and made for an easy Midwest tour.

"It was definitely something I would taper for and get excited for," Smyers said recently. "Then after I was a defending champion, I had a legacy to uphold. It became one of my important races.

"It was one of the few races that was held right in the city. I always liked being able to stay right downtown there, you could walk right out the door and get to the swim start."

View full sizeLynn Ischay, The Plain DealerThe opening of the Cleveland Triathlon from the shores alongside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has been an iconic part of the event.

The list of past winners is a who's who of the sport: Paula Newby-Fraser (1987, '89), Mark Allen (1989), Michellie Jones (1993, '97), Mike Pigg (1991-92), Barb Lindquist (1998-2000), Simon Lessing (1996) and Chris McCormack (2002-03). Athletes regularly came from triathlon-strong countries such as Australia and New Zealand to compete. A cocky teenaged Texan named Lance Armstrong even competed in 1990, though he went on to focus on biking.

The event's pinnacle came in 1996 when it hosted the world championships, becoming only the second U.S. city to do so.

"That might be the best thing I've ever done," Caress said. "There's nothing I'm more proud of because we spent three years putting together an incredible plan that involved the city, the hotels, volunteers, parties ... we pulled it off and it was very successful."

Not only did a record 3,200 athletes participate that year, but Cleveland also introduced a new way of racing. Until then, most triathlons had simple, out-and-back courses. The 1.5K swim would begin in Lake Erie and the 40K bike ride would travel from downtown all the way out to Shaker Heights, which appealed to many participants.

"I liked biking through that neighborhood with a long uphill with beautiful big houses, your older, more prestigious neighborhood," Pigg said. "Then finishing down by the water was fun then, too."

As a way to make the world championships more spectator-friendly, Caress and the event officials proposed arranging the course in loops -- the bike would travel through city streets and a closed-off Shoreway. Fans could see parts of the swim, bike and run course from one perch near the finish line.

"They were fortunate -- it kind of had everything you need to make the course interesting," said Nick Radkewich, the 1998 winner who had family in Hudson. "You had that hill by the Rock Hall, flats, tight turns. People would line the streets to watch. It makes it easier to race. It's no fun when you're out in the middle of nothing and you don't hear a sound except the crickets and the wind.

"In Cleveland, you always had a great crowd, they tended to know the athletes pretty well, and there were a lot of people just cheering for you. It just made it a lot of fun."

Those were the old days, though. Cleveland hasn't had a professional race since 2005, but it's just a matter of finding a new sponsor who is willing to pay a prize purse.

"Racers are all about money," Pigg said. "If the town has a lot to offer, like biking up those hills and a challenging course, that helps. But with pros it comes down to what's the most money they can make in a weekend."

In the meantime, Cleveland will celebrate a quarter century of a race that has had ups and downs, been innovative and now partners with United Cerebral Palsy as an official charity that has changed the culture of the event. Caress has been the race director for each year, and this year he'll add another accomplishment to his resume: His 25-year-old son, Nathan, will compete.

In a way, it's full circle for Caress. From teaching how to spell triathlon to watching his son and the race mature.

"This triathlon has been good to me, it's been good to my company," Caress said. "As along as we can make it work and break even, we'll continue to have it. Hopefully it's something that will be a legacy forever."

A three-time world champion, Smyers won Cleveland in 1990, '91, '94, 2001 and '02.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain Dealer"The first year I won the national championship (in Cleveland), I remember my brother being on the course when I was winning the run," said five-time Cleveland winner Karen Smyers, "he's two years older -- and being very proud that my brother was seeing me win a race."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A quick Cleveland Triathlon Q&A with five-time women's winner Karen Smyers.

Won Cleveland in 1990, '91, '94, 2001, '02. World champion in 1990, '95 and '96. Lives in Lincoln, Mass., with daughter, Jenna, son, Casey, and husband, Michael King. She coaches triathletes and runners and engages and speeches and clinics for groups.

Q: What is your most memorable Cleveland Triathlon moment?

A: I definitely have good memories. The first year I won the national championship, I remember my brother being on the course when I was winning the run. He does triathlons, too, he wasn't doing the race that day, I remember him cheering for me -- he's two years older -- and being very proud that my brother was seeing me win a race. My older brother that I was always chasing after. He had a big impact on me and my career.

Q: What kind of pre-race ritual did you have?

A: I'm one of the non Type A people in triathlons, that's really unusual, actually. My ritual is I have a beer the night before the race. For me, it allows me to relax. I know one little thing isn't going to ruin my race. It was sort of a way to make me not take it too seriously.

Q: What's a transition tip you can offer?

A: Triathlons can be an expensive sport to jump into with all the equipment. But people will spend $3,000 on a pair of race wheels that might save them 30 seconds to a minute, but they won't practice their transitions. Probably one of the best buys for your money is a pair of elastic laces for your shoes. You just throw those on your shoes, and you can make them fit like slippers. Another one of the big hurdles that really separates the really good transition people is learning to leave your shoes on your bike when you get off your bike. But that does take quite a bit of practice. But it's well worth it because it makes you look cool.

Through Wednesday evening, Beard was leading with 46 percent of nearly 12,000 online votes cast.

View full sizeDon Ryan / APTexas A&M's Jessica Beard, left, a Euclid High grad, is one of the finalists for the prestigious Bowerman Award.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Euclid native and Texas A&M senior Jessica Beard is one of three finalists for the women's Bowerman Award, given to the top college track and field athlete, and fans have a chance to vote online this week.

The other finalists are LSU sophomore Kimberlyn Duncan and Arkansas junior Tina Sutej.

Through Wednesday evening, Beard was leading with 46 percent of nearly 12,000 votes cast. Votes can be cast at thebowerman.org, and the deadline is Aug. 16. Online fan voting will result in one collective vote to be tallied along with votes from a panel of athletes, coaches and officials.

The winner will be announced in December.

Beard became just the third female in NCAA Division I history, and first since 1999, to win both the indoor and outdoor 400-meter national titles in the same year and run on both the indoor and outdoor winning 4x400 relays.

Beard, a four-time Big 12 indoor 400-meter champ, recorded the world's fastest 400 indoor time this year, 50.79. Outdoors, she clocked a 51.10 for the NCAA win and split 49.13 for the Aggies as anchor of the NCAA-winning 4x400 relay.

Here is Thursday's essay by Mike Fink of Eastlake.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerCatching a home run ball hit by Jim Thome was high on one fan's dream moments ... until he realized he might not want the publicity.

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

My most memorable game would have to be in 2001, when the Indians hosted the Boston Red Sox. At the time, I was a diehard fan and took every opportunity to go to as many games as I could. I had grown up most of my life in New York and was harassed for being the only Indians fan. The Yankees and Red Sox were huge favorites where I lived. So watching the Indians play as well as they did in the '90s and early 2000s was very exciting for me.

On this particular occasion, I was grounded and not allowed to go anywhere except church, school or work. My friend Jason called me that Sunday morning and wanted to know if I wanted to go to the Indians game. I knew I was not allowed to go, but I really wanted to, so I told him I would. I told my parents that I was going to be at work and figured that would cover my whereabouts.

Little did I know that my father, uncle and cousins were going to the same game.

I found this out when we parked downtown and I ran into my cousin John. I was really nervous, but figured I would blend into the 40,000 fans. Fortunately, our seats were in the mezzanine and my family was in the bleachers.

Everything was going great until Jim Thome came up to bat in the middle of the game. With one swing, he hit a home run that was headed right toward me. I was ecstatic. I had never caught a foul ball or a home run. Then I realized that I would be on the Jumbotron! So I jumped out of the way as my friend caught the ball.

Later, on ESPN's SportsCenter, I could see myself hiding from the ball. I will always remember that game, and 10 years later, my parents still don't know I was there!

Are you a high school upperclassman preparing for your first starting role on the varsity football team? The Plain Dealer is looking to spotlight first-year starters who are seniors or juniors who have been dreaming for years of taking the field for their first varsity game as a starter. We’d like you to share your experiences and excitement as...

The 2011 high school football season kicks off on August 25. - (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

Are you a high school upperclassman preparing for your first starting
role on the varsity football team? The Plain Dealer is looking to
spotlight first-year starters who are seniors or juniors who have been dreaming for years of taking the field for their first varsity game as a starter.

We’d like you to share your experiences and excitement as you ready for your first start under  the bright lights. Send an email to Metropolitan Sports Editor Kristen Davis at kdavis@plaind.com by Aug. 14.

Jack Graney was the first ballplayer to become an announcer. Jimmy Dudley was his longtime partner. In the decades since, Indians fans have been treated to the likes of Herb Score, Ken Coleman and Tom Hamilton. Which was best? Tell us in our poll.

Listening to the Indians games on the radio being announced by Jack Graney back in the 1940s. He really made you feel you were at the game in person. I have not since heard anyone give play-by-play coverage like Jack Graney.

-- Mary C. Booker, Cleveland

I recall my dad telling me about Jack Graney. He was an ex-Indian turned radio broadcaster with the Tribe. He was a member of the 1920 World Series-winning Indians.

For at least some of his broadcasting career, Graney would be sitting in front of a microphone and be receiving the teletyped accounts of the Indians' game. He wasn't at the game, but would announce the game as though he were there. And he was one of the best at his craft. (Editor's note: The Plain Dealer's Bob Dolgan wrote in 2005: "Graney would read the wire and describe the action as though he was at the game, sound effects and all. For instance, if Graney and his partner, Pinky Hunter, were awaiting news of the next batter’s actions, Graney might say, 'Look out, Pinky, here comes a foul ball.' Then they would make a thumping noise as if the ball had hit the pressbox wall and just missed them. The wire would give spare news of what each batter did. It was up to the imaginative sportscasters to fill in the details and make the game interesting.")

Not to mention that Jack was the FIRST batter to ever face Babe Ruth pitching for the Red Sox in 1914. And he was the first major leaguer to appear in a game wearing a number on his jersey.

He called the games on radio from 1932 to 1953, with one year off in 1945. Quite an interesting man.

-- juliofranco

Greg Popelka wrote on theclevelandfan.com:

In 1931, WHK had the radio rights to the Indians. They also had an opening for an announcer, and the station made Jack Graney the first player-turned-baseball announcer. Announcing play-by-play was the way Graney ultimately found his place in the heart of generations of Cleveland Indians fans.

St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck was an impressionable fifteen year old when his father relocated from the Northeastern U.S. to Cleveland to take a job with the Erie Railroad. This was in 1939, and Buck later said, "Mr. Graney brought to his job knowledge and controlled enthusiasm. He had a distinctive voice, high-pitched and raspy, but quite clear. You always knew, listening to him, that he knew what was going on and he told it to you simply and accurately."

While the Indians have dropped 2 out of 3 at Fenway Park this week, there have been some positives like Jason Kipnis' home run streak and the starting pitching. In the comment section on cleveland.com, fans have been divided about the Tribe's prospects for the rest of the season.

AP PhotoBoston's Jacoby Ellsbury beat the Indians for the second night in a row with a walk-off hit.

Another game, another loss courtesy Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury.

While the Indians have dropped 2 out of 3 at Fenway Park this week, there have been some positives like Jason Kipnis' home run streak and the starting pitching.

In the comment section on cleveland.com, fans have been divided about the Tribe's prospects for the rest of the season.

Representing the "glass half-full" group is ncarolinafan, who writes,

"Ezequiel Carrera ruined Tim Wakefield's bid for 200 wins when he doubled home Lonnie Chisenhall with two out in the seventh to erase Boston's 3-2 lead. Rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis made it 2-1 with a leadoff homer in the fourth. It was Kipnis' fourth homer in as many games. 6 weeks ago fans were crying to bring up the kids from AAA. Well they're here and it looks to me like their doing a great job! Tribe pitching holds the best offense in the Majors in check for 9 innings 2 games in a row. Losing to a clutch-hitting veteran. That alone tells me the team has what it takes to compete in the postseason. The Indians have 2 months to get healthy, gain confidence, and find their groove. Seeing the new faces excel, gives me a lot of hope for a successful finish to the 2010 season. GO TRIBE!"

Meanwhile, Moosie speaks up for the "glass half-empty" side.

"Good pitching almost every night and no hitting. After the Texas and Detroit series we'll be out of it. What might have been if only ownership and management would have given us a chance. As fans have we finally got to the point where we have had enough and force the Dolans to sell the team or stay away from the ballpark."

What side of the debate are you on? Post your comments below.

"With the loss of Hodges, I now give our Brownies a 28% chance of going better than 6-10. (That's down from 33% last week)."
-- draftmorejoehadens

AP PhotoWe're assuming Joe Haden is one of the players reader draftmorejoehadens classifies as a "keeper."

The loss of Reggie Hodges for the season and the less-than-gangbusters activity in free agency have many fans re-evaluating their expectations for the upcoming Browns season.

In today's Comment of the Day, Browns fan draftmorejoehadens tries to calculate the team's record.

"I count 6 offense players and 5 defense players on the Browns who I label as "keepers". Two additions on each side of the ball are "maybes". With the loss of Hodges, I now give our Brownies a 28% chance of going better than 6-10. (That's down from 33% last week). Go Browns! P.S- 3-13 if the special teams are average, including prima donna [Josh] Cribbs!"

Do you think the Browns' chances of going better than 6-10 is higher or lower than 28-percent? More importantly, did you use a scientific calculator to come up with that answer? Respond in the comments section below.

Tribe is four games out in the AL Central, its largest deficit of the season.

APIndians manager Manny Acta and the team's infielders gather at the mound as Carlos Carrasco is taken out during Wednesday night's loss to the Boston Red Sox.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians lost another close game Wednesday night, falling 4-3 to the Red Sox at Boston's Fenway Park.

For the second straight night, Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury beat the Tribe with a walk-off hit, taking a pitch from Tribe reliever Joe Smith into the center-field bleachers with two out in the ninth inning.

The Indians have fallen to four games behind Detroit in the American League Central Division standings, their largest deficit of the season.

The Indians have lost eight of their last 11 games and 14 of 21. Since they were 30-15 with a seven-game lead in the AL Central on May 23, they've gone 24-39. Overall, they've dropped from 30-15 to 54-54.

Which brings us to today's Starting Blocks poll: Do you think the Tribe can climb back into first place again this season?

Plain Dealer columnist says there's still much baseball to be played, and the Detroit Tigers won't run away with the division. Watch video

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

The Indians suffered another tough loss last night in Boston, leaving them four games out in the AL Central. Do you think they can put a streak together and return to the top spot in the division this season? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest is Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw, who says he doesn't see any reason the Tribe can't get back on top, as the division is not the strongest in baseball.

Bud also talks about what he thinks manager Manny Acta can do to get his team winning again; why he thinks the deal for Ubaldo Jimenez was a good one for the Indians; and why he thinks Tiger Woods won't finish near the top of the leaderboard at this weekend's Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone.

SBTV will return Friday with Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi answering fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.

Sabbatini birdies first four holes and stands at 5-under through 16 holes

View full sizeAssociated PressRory Sabbatini hits from the eighth fairway during the first round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron on Thursday.

• Check the latest leaderboard

Elam will reunite in Dallas with former Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Tracy Boulian | The Plain Dealer Abe Elam

SAN ANTONIO -- Free agent safety Abe Elam has agreed to a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.

Elam will get $2.5 million for one season, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the deal.

The deal today comes a day after unrestricted free agent safety Gerald Sensabaugh got a similar contract to remain with the Cowboys.

Elam spent the past two seasons in Cleveland playing for new Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Elam started 31 of 32 games while playing for Ryan.

Elam began his NFL career with Dallas in 2006 as primarily a special teams player for 15 games. He then played two seasons with the New York Jets before going to Cleveland.