Rotsky lives his life through an unusual and somewhat bizarre combination of Morgan Stanley senior vice president and Cleveland Heights head football coach.

View full sizeTracy Boulian, PDThere have been plenty of challenges on and off the football field for Cleveland Heights coach Jeff Rotsky.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Between a bear, a bull and his Tigers, these are interesting times for Cleveland's sideline banker, Jeff Rotsky.

Rotsky lives his life through an unusual and somewhat bizarre combination of Morgan Stanley senior vice president and Cleveland Heights head football coach. Somehow, he makes it work. But it's never easy, and last week especially was challenging.

"You have no idea," he said.

The craziest few days in Wall Street history were a roller-coaster ride with no harness. Rotsky, who oversees Morgan Stanley's high net-worth division, said he held many investors' hands as the Dow soared and plummeted an unprecedented four consecutive daily swings of more than 400 points.

"It's been hard," the normally upbeat Rotsky admitted late in the week. "That's life. It's been a blessed place to work. I enjoy what I do.

"I'm not a fan of 400-point swings, but hopefully we're not back to where we [were] three and four years ago. You have to have a strategy, just like when you're coaching."

For Rotsky, it always comes back to football and kids, a refuge where he wears his emotions on his sleeve and his ever-present baseball cap backwards. Rotsky espouses the Jewish concept "tikkun olam," or "repairing the world," which in part explains his fondness for taking on some pretty big challenges on Cleveland's East Side.

He has a well-earned reputation for rescuing football programs, but is quick to correct and say he'd rather be known for "rebuilding kids." His family's Rotsky Foundation has done much to mentor at-risk children, and not just those who don cleats and shoulder pads.

Usually, his two passions have a way of evening out -- when one is down, the other is up -- but while Wall Street heaved, it wasn't exactly smooth sailing on Cedar Road, either.

After what he called a great first week of practice, Rotsky had 14 players miss a scrimmage either because of injuries or disciplinary reasons last Friday. Just another day at the office for a football coach who has seen his share of ups and downs.

Rotsky authored dramatic turnarounds at St. Peter Chanel and Maple Heights in the first nine years of his career, which served to raise expectations when Cleveland Heights hired him in 2007. Heights has proven to be a tougher nut to crack. After two losing seasons, the Tigers appeared on the typical Rotsky track to success in 2009. They were headed toward a 7-3 season and a playoff berth until a clerical error led to three forfeits. Another 4-6 season followed last year.

This will be a critical season for the Tigers. They feature plenty of size, talent and speed, but questionable depth, and they expect to be a factor in the Lake Erie League as well as Division I, Region 1.

There surely will be more dramatic swings to come -- in both jobs -- and Rotsky said he has learned how to cope and continue. Lately, he has found himself running two miles and swimming for half an hour to unwind at the end of some very long days, before heading home to Gates Mills.

"You have to do that," he said. "Then I come home to my wife and two kids who I love, and I love hanging out with them."

Rotsky said his father always taught him you make your own bed in life, so you better like the way it feels.

"I like the bed I made, but it's tough at times," he said.

Of course it is, when you tangle with bears, bulls and Tigers.

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Breaking down Jim Thome's 600 career home runs (and his postseason ones, too), with thanks to baseball-reference.com.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIt was fitting that Jim Thome's 600th home run came against the Tigers --- he's hit more circuit clouts against Detroit than any other big-league team.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Breaking down Jim Thome's 600 career home runs (and his postseason ones, too), with thanks to baseball-reference.com.

For teams

Indians 334; White Sox 134; Phillies 96; Twins 36.

Home: 335 Away: 265

Against teams (30)

1. Tigers 65; 2. Twins 57; 3. Royals 48; 13. Indians 20.

Parks (38)

1. Jacobs/Progressive Field 186; 2. US Cellular 98 (White Sox); 18. (tie) Cleveland Stadium 6.

Pitchers (393)

1. Rick Reed 9; 2. Roger Clemens 8; 3. Justin Verlander 7; 4. (tie) Eric Milton, Bobby Witt, Mike Mussina 6.

Field location

Right 204; center 113; left 105; left-center 91; right-center 87.

Men on base

None – 329; one – 182; two – 80; three – 9.

Position in batting order

Fourth – 202; third – 153; fifth – 141; sixth – 53; seventh – 33; eighth – 15; ninth – 3.

Position in field

1B – 310; DH – 194; 3B – 93; PH – 4 (one home run counts as both a DH and PH).

Vs. RHP 486; vs. LHP 114.

By pitch count

First pitch, 90; 3-2, 82; 1-1, 69; 1-0, 65; 2-1, 48; 2-2, 46; 0-1, 45; 2-0, 39; 1-2, 38; 3-1, 37; 3-0, 17; 0-2, 14.

In wins 403; in losses 195.

Two-home run games: 46

Three-home run games: 2

Walk-off home runs: 12 (tied for all-time lead with Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson).

Milestone home runs

(Career home run number: date, where, pitcher, opponent; score)

With the Indians:

No. 1: Oct. 4, 1991, New York, Steve Farr, Yankees. After trailing, 2-1, a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning; Indians win, 3-2.

No. 2: June 29, 1992, Cleveland, Jack McDowell, White Sox. His first home run in Cleveland; Indians lose, 9-6.

No. 18: June 15, 1994, Cleveland, Scott Brow, Blue Jays. His first walk-off home run, in the bottom of the 13th inning; Indians win, 4-3.

No. 50: July 26, 1995, California, Mike Harkey, Angels; Indians lose, 6-3.

No. 100: May 14, 1997, Texas, Bobby Witt, Rangers; Indians lose, 4-3.

No. 150: June 9, 1998, Cleveland, Jon Lieber, Pirates; Indians lose, 7-4.

No. 175: July 3, 1999, Cleveland, Don Wengert, Royals. Hits a 511-foot blast to center field, which remains the longest home run in Jacobs/Progressive Field history; Indians win, 9-5.

No. 200: April 15, 2000, Cleveland, Mark Clark, Rangers; Indians lose, 6-4.

No. 243: May 29, 2001, Detroit, Victor Santos, Tigers. Becomes the Indians' all-time home run leader, passing Albert Belle; Indians win, 6-4.

No. 250: June 12, 2001, Cleveland, Jimmy Haynes, Brewers; Indians lose, 4-2.

No. 300: June 5, 2002, Minnesota, Eric Milton, Twins; Indians win, 6-4.

No. 332: Sept. 25, 2002, Minnesota, Rick Reed, Twins. His 50th home run, tying Albert Belle's single-season team record; Indians lose, 7-5.

No. 333: Sept. 27, 2002, Cleveland, Wes Obermueller, Royals. His 51st home run breaks Indians' single-season record; Indians win, 8-3.

No. 334: Sept. 28, 2002, Cleveland, Jeremy Affeldt, Royals. His 52nd home run of the season and last of his Indians career. He remains Indians' all-time leader in career and single-season home runs; Indians win, 6-5.

With the Phillies:

No. 350: June 21, 2003, Philadelphia, Mike Timlin, Red Sox; Phillies win, 6-5.

No. 400: June 14, 2004, Philadelphia. Joe Acevedo, Reds; Phillies win, 10-7.

With the White Sox:

No. 449: May 29, 2006, Cleveland, Cliff Lee, Indians. His first home run in Cleveland as an opponent; White Sox win, 11-0.

No. 450: May 29, 2006, Cleveland, Guillermo Mota, Indians; White Sox win, 11-0.

No. 500: Sept. 16, 2007, Chicago, Dustin Moseley, Angels. Becomes the 23rd player with 500 home runs on the ninth-inning, walk-off homer; White Sox win, 9-7.

No. 541: Sept. 30, 2008, Chicago, Nick Blackburn, Twins. His seventh-inning home run is the game-winner in the AL Central Division first-place tiebreaker game; White Sox win, 1-0.

No. 550: June 1, 2009, Chicago, Santiago Casilla, Athletics; White Sox win, 6-2.

With the Twins:

No. 581: Aug. 17, 2010, Minnesota, Matt Thornton, White Sox. Trailing, 6-5, a two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning -- his 12th career walk-off homer, tying five Hall of Famers for the all-time record; Twins win, 7-6.

No. 587: Sept. 11, 2010, Cleveland, Justin Germano, Indians. Becomes eighth -- the position he still holds -- on the all-time career home run list, passing Frank Robinson, with a 12th-inning homer. Twins win, 1-0.

Nos. 599 and 600: Aug. 15, 2011, Rick Porcello, Daniel Schlereth, Tigers. Went opposite field twice to become eighth hitter with at least 600 home runs.

Jim Thome has 17 postseason home runs in his career, all with the Indians. He hit eight homers in American League Division Series games, six in AL Championship Series games and three in World Series games.

Twice, Thome hit two home runs in a postseason game.

On Oct. 9, 1998 in Cleveland, he homered twice off Andy Pettitte as the Indians defeated the Yankees, 6-1, in Game 3 of the ALCS eventually won by New York, 4-2.

On Oct. 11, 1999 in Cleveland, he homered off Brett Saberhagen and Derek Lowe, but the Indians lost to the Red Sox, 12-8, in Game 5 of the ALDS, losing the series, 3-2.

Also, on Oct. 13, 1998 in New York, Thome hit a grand slam home run off David Cone to become the first player to hit four homers in an ALCS, but the Indians lost to the Yankees, 9-5, in Game 6 of the ALCS, losing the series, 4-2.

On Oct. 7, 1999 in Cleveland, he hit a grand slam home run off John Wasdin to become the first player ever with two career grand slam home runs in postseason play, as the Indians defeated the Red Sox, 11-1, in Game 2 of the ALDS eventually won by Boston, 3-2.

Tribe goes over the suggested MLB signing guidelines in securing the top selections.

View full sizeAP photoShortstop Francisco Lindor received a $2.9 million signing bonus from the Indians Monday as the team's top draft pick.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It took almost $5 million and every tick on the clock to the midnight deadline late Monday, but the Indians signed their first two picks in the June draft.

High school shortstop Francisco Lindor received a $2.9 million signing bonus, while Dillon Howard, a high school right-hander from Searcy, Ark., received $1.85 million. Both bonuses were well above the recommended slotting prices. The slotting price for Lindor was $2.4 million. It was $545,000 for Howard.

Lindor and Howard had bargaining power. Lindor had a free ride to Florida State, while Howard had signed a letter of intent to attend Arkansas.

The only unsigned pick among the Indians' first 10 choices was left-hander Stephen Tarpley. The Indians drafted Tarpley, another high school senior, out of Gilbert (Ariz.) High School with their eighth-round pick. He has a scholarship offer to Southern California.

The Indians had until midnight to reach agreement with all their unsigned picks.

Lindor came to the United States from Puerto Rico when he was 13. He played shortstop at Montverde Academy in Florida. Many high school players are drafted as shortstops, but eventually change positions.

The Indians feel Lindor is talented enough to be an everyday shortstop in the big leagues.

"He has the ability to stay at shortstop," said Brad Grant, Indians director of amateur scouting, the day they drafted Lindor in June.

Baseball America's scouting report says he has a line-drive swing from both sides of the plate with smooth and fluid actions defensively. There are questions of just how much power he'll generate.

He had committed to play college at Florida State, but his father, a former semi-pro baseball player, is suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome. His sister has multiple sclerosis.

In his senior year at Montverde, Lindor hit .528 (28-for-53) with 31 runs, six homers, 13 RBI and 30 stolen bases.

Howard is a right-hander from Searcy (Ark.) High School. He usually throws between 92-94 mph with sink. The Baseball America scouting report said command can be sometimes be a problem. He's played catcher, shortstop and third base as well. His curve and change-up need work, but he does have a feel for both pitches.

Howard had committed to play college at Arkansas. Standing 6-4 and 210 pounds, he was 9-1 with a 0.31 ERA, allowing two earned run in 58 innings. He struck out 115 and walked 25 in 12 starts this year at Searcy.

The Indians completed the night by signing 18th round pick Shawn Armstrong, a right-hander from East Carolina University, for $325,000. The Indians signed 17 of their top 19 picks. Overall, they signed 29 of the over 50 players they drafted.

The Indians entered deadline Monday having already reached deals with third-round pick RHP Jake Sisco, Merced (Calif.) College, $325,000; fourth-round pick C Jake Lowery, James Madison, $220,000; fifth-round pick RHP Will Roberts, University of Virginia, $150,000; sixth-round pick OF Bryson Myles, Stephen F. Austin (Texas) College, $112,500; seventh-round pick C Eric Haase, Divine Child (Westland, Mich.) High School, $580,000; ninth-round pick 3B Jordan Smith, St. Cloud (Minn.) State, $125,000 and 10th-round pick RHP Jeff Johnson, Cal Poly State, $100,000.

The Indians also signed 18th-round pick Shawn Armstrong, a right-hander from East Carolina before Monday's deadline.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Here is Tuesday's essay by Ben Toot of Brunswick.

View full sizeScott Shaw, The Plain DealerStephen Strasburg's appearance at Progressive Field in 2010 didn't impress some Indians fans --- and one Indians legend.

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 Tuesday's essay by Ben Toot of Brunswick:

It was June 13, 2010, and Progressive Field was filled with excitement. It was Stephen Strasburg's second MLB start. The much-heralded right-handed prospect was the talk of all of baseball. Experts were comparing him to the legendary pitchers of all time. All of this with just one game under his belt. As I made my way to my seats I looked around to see a usually empty stadium filled with spectators wanting to catch a "piece of history."

I watched this pitching "legend" struggle with my beloved Indians. He stopped the game several times, complaining about the mound as if to shift blame from his bad performance. In the end, Strasburg pitched a very forgettable game (Editor's note: Strasburg allowed one run on two hits and five walks with eight strikeouts over 5.1 innings in the Nationals' 9-4 victory).

The game ended and I made my way down the stairway from the upper deck. I stepped behind an elderly man who was getting out of the south-side elevator. This old man walked alone, slow, as if he had not a care in the world and no rush to be anywhere. As I went to pass him, I noticed this man looked very familiar. As my mind raced, I realized that the old man in front of me was Bob Feller.

I gathered my thoughts and introduced myself. I asked him the first thing that came to me. "What did you think of Strasburg?"

For the next three minutes, "Rapid Robert" told his thoughts about the young pitcher. Like an encyclopedia of knowledge, he rehearsed all the fine points of pitching to me. He ended by telling me to "ask me that question after he wins 100 games. He's no Satchel Paige!"

As he turned to go, I muttered the words, "He's no Bob Feller, either!"

Bob stopped, turned his head, and with a big smile said, "Thank you, son."

I got a thank you from the Heater from Van Meter!

I followed him out the gate. Mr. Feller went totally unnoticed by the crowd. As the people rushed past, little did they know that this old man who walked among them struck out Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and some of the best to ever play the game. He had more accolades, no more limelight, but on this day had a three-minute story to tell me.

I bought a ticket that day to watch a "future" legend. Little did I know I would meet a true legend. Thank you, Mr. Feller.

Even with the unexpected loss of seven players to the professional ranks after last season, the clear intent for the Zips is rare back-to-back NCAA soccer championships. The last program to do that was Indiana, twice (1998 and 1999, 2003 and 2004) and before that Virginia, with four straight (1991-94).

PHIL MASTURZO AKRON BEACON JOURNALAkron goalkeeper David Meves makes a stop on a penalty kick against California in an NCAA Tournament quarterfinal game on Dec. 4. in Akron. The Zips won, 3-2, on penalty kicks and went on to win the national championship. Akron lost many players to the pros, but Meves returns.

Akron men’s soccer coach Caleb Porter is not going to have his team tip-toe into defending its NCAA championship, even as there are some questions to be answered.

He is fully aware the Zips can be a consistent national power in soccer, and that’s the plan.

Even with the unexpected loss of seven players to the professional ranks after last season, the clear intent for the Zips is rare back-to-back NCAA soccer championships. The last program to do that was Indiana, twice (1998 and 1999, 2003 and 2004) and before that Virginia, with four straight (1991-94).

If 2011 plays out like 2010, it will be something akin to a 22-1-2 season, including a 6-0-0 Mid-American Conference slate. But that was with a veteran team that had advanced to the national title game in 2009 before winning it last year.

“We had figured everything out,” Porter said. “We were at midseason form to start the season.”

Porter does not expect the same from a team that returns only four starters and will have a whopping 16 newcomers. But he does expect his team to be ready to defend its title right from the beginning.

“We’re going to throw them in the deep end,” the coach said. “We don’t have time for them to crawl, then walk, then run. I think the way we train and approach this season, we can accelerate [their learning curve].

“That [losing so many players] probably numbed winning the championship a little bit,” Porter conceded. “No one that I know of has had to deal with seven players going to the pros, so that gave us quite [a recruiting] task.”

It is a job made easier with the return of goalie David Meves, plus Scott Caldwell, who scored the winning goal in Akron’s 1-0 triumph over Louisville in the 2010 title game.

The Zips posted 14 shutouts last season, and only four teams scored two or more goals. At the same time, the Zips have ranked in the top five nationally in scoring the last two seasons.

“We have a distinct identity and style of play,” Porter, 36, said. “The way we play, people recognize our players are prepared for the next level.”

Akron’s roster, with a recruiting class ranked No. 2 in the nation, is as eclectic as one can get, with players from five different nations and eight different states. It also has Porter, who owns the best winning percentage (.841, 90-13-10) in college soccer since becoming Akron’s head coach five years ago.

His office is evidence of his success since coming to the Zips from Indiana. One wall has some signed professional jerseys from former players. Another is covered practically from corner-to-corner with All-America citations for former players.

Akron’s record going into the NCAA Tournament was 23-0-0 in 2009 and 18-1-1 in 2010. With so many new faces this season, the opportunity for the Zips to repeat as national champion is an opportunity Porter relishes.

“I’m a better coach than I was five years ago,” he said, noting that he arrived at Akron coming off those back-to-back NCAA Indiana championships as an assistant.

“I’m more confident than before. The nice thing is, I won a couple of championships as an assistant. Now I’ve done it as a head coach.”

Clearly he and the Zips want to do it again.

Detroit Lions cornerback Eric Wright pulled himself out of practice twice with an injured right groin Monday.

AP File PhotoEric Wright

Detroit Lions cornerback Eric Wright pulled himself out of practice twice with an injured right groin Monday.

After some stretching and jogging, Wright, a former Brown, tried to test it, only to go back to the sideline a few snaps later.

“My leg was hurting a little bit, so I just got to play it safe,” he said. “We’ve got plenty of days to get better. I didn’t want to do something I might’ve regretted.” Wright played for the Browns during his first four seasons.

He was beaten badly for touchdowns early last year and then-rookie Joe Haden eventually got his job. If Wright is bitter about his experience with the Browns, he’s trying to keep it to himself.

“It’s the second preseason game,” Wright said three straight times, dodging questions about playing this week in Cleveland.

On a fourth attempt, Wright budged a little.

“I have great memories from Cleveland,” Wright said. “They drafted me in ’07 — moved up to draft me.”

Around the NFL

Broncos: Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Lloyd and rookie starting safety Rahim Moore got into a brief fight at training camp. Lloyd and Moore, a second- round draft pick from UCLA, exchanged simultaneous punches to the face before the fight quickly dissipated.

Dolphins: Veteran linebacker Marvin Mitchell signed with Miami after spending the past four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Mitchell, a former seventh-round draft pick from Tennessee, played mostly on special teams for the Saints.

Jets: Mark Sanchez tells GQ magazine in its September issue that he was angry when coach Rex Ryan told reporters he would think about sitting him last December after a poor performance. “I wanted to fight him,” Sanchez told the magazine. “I was really mad.” Ryan made Sanchez one of the Jets’ captains this season and several teammates have praised the quarterback’s leadership skills and desire to win.

Packers: Talk about a false start: Linebacker Desmond Bishop didn’t get to join his teammates at the White House because he forgot his ID on the team plane. Security wasn’t willing to make an exception to let him in without identification, so he had to stay on the team bus.

Titans: Right tackle David Stewart has a sore left hamstring that could keep him out for a week, so Tennessee signed veteran offensive tackle Adam Terry. Terry was a second- round pick by Baltimore in 2005, and he has started 18 of the 50 career games he has played in.

You can read live tweets below from Plain Dealer Browns beat reporters @TonyGrossi and @Mary Kay Cabot as they describe the action on the practice field, fill you in on the latest news and post photos and more from 76 Lou Groza Blvd.

After closing practice to the public on Monday, training camp will be open to fans once again this morning for a 8:45-11:15 a.m. session in Berea. It will be their only open practice this week.

The Browns will continue preparations for Friday's preseason game against the Lions. Fans headed to Berea will get their first opportunity to see Monatrio Hardesty, who practiced for the first time on Monday.

You can read live tweets below from Plain Dealer Browns beat reporters @TonyGrossi and @Mary Kay Cabot as they describe the action on the practice field, fill you in on the latest news and post photos and more from 76 Lou Groza Blvd.

Get the complete training camp schedule here.

• See more photos from training camp or post your own

• Watch videos from Berea

• Colt McCoy pleased with results of workout with Brett Favre: Browns Insider

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at 12:15 p.m. as he talks Cleveland sports. Can the Indians add a bat before August 31st? What were Terry's thoughts on the first preseason game? We'll talk about that and more.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at 12:15 p.m. as he talks Cleveland sports.

Can the Indians add a bat before August 31st? What were your thoughts on the first preseason game?

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Terry's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

Note: We are experiencing difficulties with our regular chat room. The chat room below is a moderated chat room. All comments must be approved. Some users may be approved to post without moderation.

The Cleveland Browns could use a healthy Montario Hardesty and D'Qwell Jackson this season.

John Kuntz/ The Plain DealerLinebacker D'Qwell Jackson.

Tony Grossi writes on Cleveland.com how running back Montario Hardesty practiced on Monday and took his first hit in 12 months.

Hardesty has had a history of injuries at Tennessee and he's coming back from ACL surgery on his left knee last September.

The Browns can really use Hardesty this season in the backfield, especially if the team doesn't want to run Peyton Hillis ragged.

Defensively, the Browns could also use a healthy D'Qwell Jackson at linebacker who has been marred by injuries for the past two years. He's the type of linebacker that can cover a lot of ground in the new 4-3 defense. Before last weekend's preseason game, Jackson had missed 30 consecutive games.

So which player is needed more?

"I applaud the signings. In spite of some nay sayers, this is how a team like the Indians has to build for success. You can't draft out of fear. You have to go after the players you believe have the highest ceilings." - centerfield6

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerBrad Grant has impressed many since taking over the Indians draft.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians sign top pick SS Francisco Lindor, No. 2 pick RHP Dillon Howard before midnight deadline, cleveland.com reader centerfield6 thinks the Indians are taking the right approach in the draft. This reader writes,

"I applaud the signings. In spite of some nay sayers, this is how a team like the Indians has to build for success. You can't draft out of fear. You have to go after the players you believe have the highest ceilings."

Commissioner David Stern says the NBA may consider contraction.

Mary Altaffer | Associated PressNBA Commissioner David Stern.

The NBA lockout remain in play (does anyone notice) and commissioner David Stern says on an ESPN podcast that the league is seriously considering contraction.

That means the league will reduce the number of teams from 30 to probably 28.

"[Contraction] is not a subject that we're against," Stern said. "In fact, when you talk about revenue sharing, a number of teams have said that if you have a team that is perpetually going to be a recipient, aren't you better off with the ability to buy them in? Because between the revenue sharing and the split of international and the TV money, we could almost buy them in with their own money.

So if contraction comes into play, which two teams are more likely to go?

"Taking Hardesty in the draft was a huge gamble because of his knee issues. The Browns are not in a position to gamble away draft picks foolishly, especially with red health flags flying everywhere. I saw Hardesty as an above average running back - certainly not outstanding - which made the drafting of him even more curious." - brownsblood

View full sizePD file photoMontario Hardesty showed some flashes last year in his only preseason game before leaving with an injury.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns' Montario Hardesty upbeat after return to practice, cleveland.com reader brownsblood is still unsure as to why the Browns risked a high second-rounder on Hardesty. This reader writes,

"Taking Hardesty in the draft was a huge gamble because of his knee issues. The Browns are not in a position to gamble away draft picks foolishly, especially with red health flags flying everywhere. I saw Hardesty as an above average running back - certainly not outstanding - which made the drafting of him even more curious."

Plain Dealer Browns reporter says future Hall of Famer has a lot in common with Browns' starting QB. Watch video

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

The Cleveland Browns welcomed running back Montario Hardesty back to the practice field Monday, as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson also is trying to have a productive 2011 after missing parts of the last two seasons with injuries.

Which player is more important for the Browns to have on the field? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, who checked in from Berea today while she was covering training camp. She says having Jackson on the field is more important because of the Browns' lack of depth at linebacker.

Mary Kay also has thoughts on Colt McCoy's offseason cram session with Brett Favre, future Hall of Famer and star of the classic film "There's Something About Mary." She also discusses where how the Browns and Detroit Lions, who will play a preseason game Friday at Browns Stadium, compare in their rebuilding processes.

SBTV will return Wednesday.

What are the pros and cons for the Tribe winning the Central Division?

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerManager Manny Acta and catcher Carlos Santana.

Will the Cleveland Indians win the Central? News-Herald reporter ">Jim Ingraham gives us the pros and cons when it comes to the Tribe becoming the division champions.

First the pros.

-- Their starting rotation — With the acquisition of Ubaldo Jimenez, the emergence of David Huff and the largely unnoticed reawakening of Fausto Carmona — in his last six starts, the Indians are 4-2 and his ERA is 2.86 — the Indians (and don't forget their two best starters, Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin) suddenly have a deep rotation, and all five are pitching well now.

-- They have shortened the season — In order to win their division, the Indians don't need to be better than the Tigers or White Sox for six months. They only have to be better than them for the next six weeks.

The cons?

-- They are too young — It's almost incomprehensible that they are even in the division race while starting three rookie position players. At some point, fielding a lineup that includes rookies at second base, third base and one of the outfield spots is going to take its toll.

-- Their defense is horrible — Only three teams in the league have a worse fielding percentage than the Indians.    

Developing talent

Zack Meisel of MLB.com writes about local product Brian Ruiz, who was recently drafted by the Indians. Ruiz signed last week, and now the journey to play in Cleveland begins.

But before Ruiz called Cleveland his hometown, he spent some early years in the Dominican Republic.

Ruiz developed his skill while attending Lincoln-West High School, where he was named Player of the Year in the Senate Athletic League during his final two years.

His senior season, he batted .600, while using a wooden bat and leading the Wolverines to the Division I district semifinals, the farthest a Cleveland public school has advanced in 24 years.

With harsh winters soaking up much of the Cleveland calendar, Ruiz didn't have the advantage prospective players do in warm-weather cities, where athletes can train and compete year-round. That has left Ruiz a bit behind the eight ball.

"Having played in Cleveland, you don't get as consistent quality competition," said Junie Melendez, an area scouting supervisor for the Indians. "That's why the next few years are going to be vital for his development."

White Sox series

The CantonRep.com breaks down the start of today's series with the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox lead the season series, 6-1, and trail the Indians by a game and a half for second place in the AL Central. ... The two teams will play 11 times over the rest of the regular season. ... The Indians bullpen has not allowed a run in its last 19 innings. ... Chris Perez has a 5.21 ERA and three blown saves on the road this season, compared to a 1.82 ERA and zero blown saves at home.

It's been awhile since former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and former University of Michigan coach Lloyd Carr were on the same football field. But there they were standing together at Browns training camp this morning, talking with Browns President Mike Holmgren and shaking hands with players like Colt McCoy.

BEREA, Ohio -- It's been awhile since former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and former University of Michigan coach Lloyd Carr were on the same football field.

But there they were standing together at Browns training camp  this morning, talking with Browns President Mike Holmgren and shaking hands with players like Colt McCoy.

"Browns coach Pat Shurmur said he talked to Jim Tressel mostly about QB play today," Mary Kay Cabot tweeted.

Cavaliers GM Chris Grant and former Packers GM Ron Wolf were also guests at training camp today.

For the record, Tressel beat Carr 6 out of 7 times during their Big Ten days.

The two Big Ten rival coaches watched separately and then met after the Browns practice.

BEREA -- Observations from Browns morning practice ...

 * It was a veritable who's who of football watching from the sidelines -- former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel talking with former Green Bay GM Ron Wolf on one end of the field while former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr visited with Mike Holmgren on the other. In between were Cavaliers GM Chris Grant and assistant coach Paul Pressey speaking with Browns GM Tom Heckert. Photographers were dying to get Tressel and Carr in the same frame, but they kept about 25 yards apart the whole practice. Afterwards, the former Big Ten rivals talked and walked off the field together with Holmgren. Accompanying Tressel was former Browns defensive coach Dave Adolph, who is an academic counselor with Ohio State's football team.

 * Quarterback Colt McCoy was besieged with questions about his visit with Brett Favre in the offseason. McCoy, who wore No. 4 in high school because he idolized Favre, said he received some tips on footwork and other nuances of the West Coast offense from the former Packers QB. This was during the NFL lockout when coaches could not communicate with their players. But it's really hard to believe that Holmgren didn't have something to do with the meeting. McCoy obviously didn't make the trip just to get Favre's autograph. He has become a fast study of the offense, evidenced by his first game Saturday against the Packers.

 * Linebacker Titus Brown looks and talks like a player determined to take the next step and make contributions on defense, not just special teams. The backup middle linebacker had the 43-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Green Bay. He also made a solid play defending a Packers screen pass. Brown dismisses the notion that the Browns need to pick up a veteran linebacker for depth. He believes he, Kaluka Maiava and undrafted players Brian Smith and Benjamin Jacobs are more than capable of providing solid depth behind the starters.

 * On his second day back from a two-week layoff, running back Montario Hardesty had a wrap on his left calf, but he participated in all drills. It appeared coach Pat Shurmur eased up on Hardesty's reps in team drills, but he denied it.

 * Shurmur wouldn't divulge his plans for the Detroit game but he indicated the starters would play the entire first half.

 * McCoy connected on another of those seam passes to a tight end at practice. Alex Smith was blanketed by Brian Smith 20 yards downfield, but McCoy's ball came in right in Alex Smith's hands over the defender's helmet. That play is going to be there a lot.

 * Receiver Jordan Norwood got more work as the No. 1 slot receiver than Greg Little. Little came in in four-receiver sets.

During the NFL lockout, Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy called up Brett Favre to see if he would be willing to get together and talk about the west coast offense. They spent a few days together over the summer talking football. Watch video

Ubaldo Jimenez makes his third start for the Tribe tonight in Chicago.

View full sizeMatt Strasen | Associated PressUbaldo Jimenez will make his third start in an Indians uniform tonight.

(AP) -- The Cleveland Indians' upcoming six-game road trip may not make or break their season, but they still know it's a critical stretch.

Before visiting the AL Central leaders, the second-place Indians look to end their struggles against the third-place Chicago White Sox starting with the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night.

Cleveland (60-57) is chasing Detroit, but it also has to focus on the surging team right behind it. The Indians are only 1 1/2 games up on Chicago, winner of eight of 10 overall and 12-2 in the last 14 meetings between the teams.

The White Sox have also beaten the Indians four straight times at U.S. Cellular Field.

"Those games are very important to us," manager Manny Acta told the Indians' official website. "And going forward, every one of them is, but especially because this is a road trip where we're going to be playing those two teams. We won't need to be doing any scoreboard watching this week."

Acta's club heads to Detroit for a weekend series, and will have six games remaining with the Tigers and eight against Chicago after this week.

Cleveland has won four of five, having taken the first two games of its series against Minnesota before Sunday's finale was rained out.

One of the key players in the division race will likely be Ubaldo Jimenez (1-0, 3.46 ERA), scheduled to make his third start for the Indians on Tuesday.

Jimenez gave up three unearned runs in eight innings of a 10-3 win over Detroit on Wednesday. He struck out six and allowed five hits.

"I've been there before, especially in the playoffs," Jimenez said of being part of a postseason race. "So I know how it's just an unbelievable experience. You come to the stadium every day expecting to win. Everything counts."

The right-hander faced the White Sox on June 29 with Colorado, allowing two runs and four hits in seven innings of a 3-2 loss. He didn't get a decision.

The White Sox (60-60) kept rolling Sunday, defeating Kansas City 6-2. Brent Lillibridge hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Paul Konerko extended his hitting streak to 11 games, going 3 for 3 with two walks and a run.

Konerko hasn't played in the field since July 31, when he was hit by a pitch near his right knee, but he could be back at first base Wednesday.

By then, the White Sox hope they'll have a winning record for the first time since April 15, when they were 7-6.

"We have to finish ahead of Cleveland and Detroit," left-hander John Danks said. "If that puts us above .500 so be it. Our focus is more on being ahead of them and being in first than being above .500."

Gavin Floyd (10-10, 4.53) is 3-5 with a 7.06 ERA at home, but he'll be bidding for his third win in as many starts against Cleveland this season. He allowed one run in 14 2-3 innings over the first two outings.

The right-hander is coming off a 4-3 victory at Baltimore last Tuesday, allowing three runs in 6 2-3 innings.

Designated hitter Adam Dunn could return Tuesday after missing the Royals series for personal reasons. Dunn, batting .161 with an AL-leading 146 strikeouts, has batted .320 (8 for 25) with eight RBIs against the Indians.

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski was placed on the disabled list for the first in his career hours before this game due to a fractured left wrist suffered after being hit by a pitch Friday night.

This week, PGA Master Professional John Fiander of Sleepy Hollow explains how to take a good divot with your irons. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Local pros solve your golf problems in a weekly instruction video with Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw and videographer David I. Andersen.

This week, PGA Master Professional John Fiander of Sleepy Hollow Golf Course in Brecksville explains how to take a good divot with your irons.

Need help with your game? Explain your problem to golf@plaind.com in an email. We will select one each week. All the videos dating back to 2010 are archived.

Peoria Journal Star coverage of Thome includes when it all started: "The 7-year-old boy arrived on the baseball field at Bradley Park, right-handed thrower, glove turned the wrong way, but hustling everywhere and with a huge smile."

David I. Andersen, The Plain DealerJim Thome holds Indians' records for most home runs in a career (334) and in a season (52 in 2002).

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland fans hope that Jim Thome will be depicted on his Hall of Fame plaque wearing an Indians cap.

After all, Thome slugged 334 of his 600 home runs -- and all 17 he clouted in postseason games -- in an Indians uniform. He spent the first 14 years (1989-2002) of his storied career in the Cleveland organization.

While Thome the baseball player is most identified with Cleveland, he was born in Peoria, Ill. and lived there until the Indians selected him in the third round of the 1989 June draft, and signed him soon after (that June 18).

Tuesday's Peoria Star Journal features on its pjstar.com website a special commemorative package on Thome  -- who became the eighth player to reach 600 homers on Tuesday night, when his two blasts led the Minnesota Twins to a 9-6 win over the Tigers in Detroit.

The special section includes numerous stories, photos and videos -- including video of Thome taking batting practice with his Illinois Central College team in 1989, shortly before being drafted by the Indians.

(Plain Dealer and cleveland.com coverage of Thome's milestone includes Terry Pluto's column about the slugger; a breakdown of Thome's home runs; a report on Thome's milestone game on Monday night, with his career timeline)

Included among the Peoria Star Journal stories on Thome is one titled, "It all started in the West Peoria Little League."

The 7-year-old boy arrived on the baseball field at Bradley Park, right-handed thrower, glove turned the wrong way, but hustling everywhere and with a huge smile.

Gary Trotter looked at him and said, "Are you a Thome?"

The answer was yes.

"Then he threw right-handed, but he had his glove wrong, and a little while later I noticed he was hitting left-handed," Trotter said. "He said he was doing that because his brother Randy said it was closer to first base.

"That was Jim Thome the first time I met him. He had a love for the game from the first day. He was a Thome, and I had coached his brothers, Randy and Chuck, so I knew he was going to be a special player."

Kirk Wessler writes for the Peoria Star Journal about Thome becoming a member of one of baseball's most exclusive clubs with homer No. 600.

Wessler notes that much of Thome's career was during the "steroids era," when some of baseball's most accomplished sluggers were linked to performance-enhancing drugs.

Thome is not among those implicated. His family history explains that there's good reason he grew, naturally, to be 6-3, 250 pounds, as Wessler writes:

Thome's growth from a lanky teen, though, would not surprise Tom Couston, the scout who signed Thome for the Cleveland Indians in 1989, after one season at Illinois Central College. Couston noted in his report the physical size of the Thome family members.

Jim's oldest brother, Chuck, is 6-5 and once pushed 300 pounds. His other brother, Randy, is similar in size to Jim. Their father, also named Chuck, is a burly man himself, with thick forearms and iron fingers. The old man delights in telling the story of a Philadelphia newspaper reporter who visited Peoria when Jim was playing with the Phillies, from 2003-05:

"We had him out to the house. My wife, Joyce, made a nice dinner. She was taking pictures, and Randy walked in. And then Chuck walked in, and the guy said, 'I guess that answers any questions I was gonna ask about steroids.'"

Jim comes by his talent naturally, too.

The Thome family - namely his grandfather Chuck, Uncle Art, Aunt Carolyn and his dad - is in the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. Grandpa, Dad and Art were stalwarts in the Peoria Sunday Morning League, when every roster was stocked with former pros. Carolyn, who played for the national powerhouse Lettes teams in the 1950s and '60s, is a member of the national Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame.