The Rangers tied the World Series at 2-2 as Holland allowed just two hits and Mike Napoli added a three-run homer.

View full sizeChris Lee, St. Louis Post-DispatchDerek Holland dominated a Cardinals lineup that had savaged the Rangers one night earlier, working into the ninth inning with just two hits allowed in a 4-0 victory in Game 4 of the World Series Sunday night.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Wherever the Derek Holland who pitched Sunday night has been hiding, he picked a good time to stumble back into the spotlight.

Holland threw a two-hitter over 8 1/3 innings and Mike Napoli hit a three-run homer as Texas beat St. Louis, 4-0, to tie the World Series at two victories each. Perhaps Holland's revival will mean good things for another struggling Ranger lefty, C.J. Wilson, who faces Chris Carpenter Monday night in Game 4.

Manager Ron Washington let Holland go out for the ninth. When he walked Rafael Furcal with one out, he called for Neftali Feliz to finish the game.

"I was begging to stay out there," said Holland, a native of Newark, Ohio.

Said Washington, "He was begging all right. I told him if you want to stay in here get down on your knees. He walked off the mound."

"I heard what Wash said," laughed Holland. "I'm going to get him back."

Holland also heard the sellout crowd of over 50,000 cheer as he left the mound in the ninth inning. "It made the hair on my arm stick up," he said. "It gave me a crazy tingly feeling."

The victory was Holland's first since he beat Tampa Bay in Game 2 of the ALDS. He was still rolling back then, winning 10 of his last 15 starts in the regular season. After the victory over the Rays, Holland's trail went cold.

Holland says he's had trouble controlling his October adrenaline. With the help of Napoli, Washington and pitching coach Mike Maddux, he was able to do that in his first career start against St. Louis.

"He controlled his emotions," said Washington. "He's always pacing in the dugout. Tonight was the first time I've seen him actually sit down in the dugout."

It's something Holland has been working on. "That's my boxing approach," he said. "There's nine rounds and I sit down between each round."

Holland pitched 8 1/3 innings, the Rangers' longest start of the postseason. He struck out seven, walked two and threw 116 pitches. It was a performance that Texas desperately needed after Albert Pujols and the Cardinals hammered its bullpen for 11 runs Saturday night in a 16-7 victory.

"This couldn't have come at a better time," said Washington.

Feliz immediately walked Allen Craig, but Pujols flew harmlessly to center and Matt Holliday struck out on a 3-2 pitch.

Napoli homered off Mitchell Boggs in the sixth to make it 4-0. St. Louis starter Edwin Jackson left after walking Nelson Cruz and David Murphy with one out. Jackson walked a season-high seven batters and threw 109 pitches.

Boggs relieved and threw a first-pitch fastball high to Napoli. He sent it into the left-field seats for his second homer of the Series and third of the postseason. He hit a two-run homer in Game 1.

Napoli has been one of the Rangers' hottest hitters in the World Series. Why was he hitting eighth? Washington said he was just trying to break up his left-handers at the bottom of the order.

Manager Tony La Russa brought in Boggs to face Napoli because he thought it was a made-to-order double play -- Boggs throws a sinker, Napoli doesn't run well. But Boggs' sinker stayed up.

The Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the first when Josh Hamilton, playing with what he says is a sports hernia, doubled home Elvis Andrus from first. Andrus reached on a single.

Pujols came into the game after a record-setting performance in Game 3. In five straight at-bats, he hit two singles, three homers and knocked in six runs. Holland stopped the streak in the first as Pujols grounded out. He fouled out to first and bounced out to the mound in his next two at-bats.

"He's a great hitter," said Holland, "but I wanted to make sure he saw my A game. I did everything I could to go right at him."

Lance Berkman had the Cardinals' two hits.

Holland is the first AL pitcher to throw 8 1/3 scoreless innings in the World Series since New York's Andy Pettitte in Game 5 of the 1996 World Series against Atlanta. Pettitte was Holland's favorite pitcher when he was growing up.

"This is huge in Newark," said Holland. "I know I've got a lot of people back home in Newark watching and cheering for me."

Holland, in his first full season as a starter, went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA. He struck out 162 and walked 67 in 198 innings. Four of the wins came on shutouts.

Sunday night, he almost had a fifth.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

It was the third overtime contest in as many games for the Monsters, who won two of them.

TORONTO, Canada -- Rookie defenseman Tyson Barrie scored his second goal of the night at 1:21 of overtime Sunday to lead the Lake Erie Monsters to a 5-4 win over the Toronto Marlies.

It was the third overtime contest in as many games for the Monsters, who won two of them.

Barrie netted his first goal as a professional at 3:49 in the second period on a power play, with assists from David van der Gulik and Adrian Foster, that gave Lake Erie a 3-1 lead.

Also scoring for the Monsters were van der Gulik, David Liffiton and Evan Brophey.

Goaltender Trevor Cann recorded 24 saves on 28 shots in the win.

The Monsters were 3-for-6 on the power play against the Marlies, their best showing of the young season.

Lake Erie returns to The Q on Wednesday, when it hosts the Syracuse Crunch at 7 p.m.

News, notes and leftover tidbits about the Buckeyes and the Big Ten.

View full sizeAP fileCarlos Hyde barely qualifies as one of the 100 top rushers in the NCAA.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- News, notes and leftover tidbits about the Buckeyes:

Ohio State must really be back. Among the 115 voters in the Harris poll, which makes up one-third of the BCS standings, the Buckeyes received six points, which would be equal to six No. 25 votes or one vote at No. 20. That put Ohio State at No. 38 in the overall Harris voting, just ahead of Rutgers, which earned four points. ...

After getting just three carries for eight yards against Illinois last week, running back Carlos Hyde barely hung on to his top-100 rushing ranking after the bye week. Averaging 58.3 yards per game, Hyde is No. 99 in the nation and 11th in the Big Ten. Dan Herron, after one game, hasn't played enough to qualify. ... Luke Fickell on this bye week: "You can't think you're going to reinvent the wheel in an extra week. But you've got to get better at what you do."...

Quarterback Braxton Miller is No. 13 in the Big Ten in total offense, averaging 108 yards per game. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is over 300 yards per game and five other QBs average more than 200 yards. ... Cornerback Bradley Roby's three interceptions kept him tied for 19th in the nation. ... The highest-ranked OSU receiver, Devin Smith, is 28th in the Big Ten with 26.7 yards per game. ... Kicker Drew Basil is 12th in the conference in scoring with 43 points in seven games. He is 8-of-10 on field goals and 19 for 19 on extra points.

Big Ten Bits

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema made the right calls in aggressively using his timeouts on defense during Michigan State's last drive Saturday night in an attempt to get the ball back. As it turned out, topping the clock helped the Spartans have enough time to win on a last-second throw into the end zone.

At that point, Bielema was operating with what he should have thought was one of the best teams, and certainly one of the best offenses, in the nation. Getting quarterback Russell Wilson the ball with any time on the clock would have been worth it. The Badgers were too good to play scared and settle for overtime. "We were going for the win," Bielema said afterward, and really, that's all that needed to be said. ...

Michigan State is now 10-1 in its last 11 Big Ten games and may be on the verge of flipping a switch. Remember, when the Big Ten divided the conference into two divisions, it looked to separate what recent history indicated were the six best programs in the league: Ohio State, Nebraska, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa. Michigan State was just another team to slide into place. Now the Spartans, after sharing the conference title last season, are the highest-ranked Big Ten team in the polls. ""t means that we have a program," MSU coach Mark Dantonio said in Saturday's postgame news conference. "We keep talking about that; we are trying to build a program." They're getting there. ... Michigan State has a 12-game home winning streak, tying its longest streak since the 1964-66 seasons. But the win over previous No. 6 Wisconsin is a rarity. It was the Spartans' first win over a top 10 team since beating Notre Dame in 2005, and its best win since beating No. 4 Wisconsin in 2004. ...

Wisconsin, which had been averaging 50 points per game to lead the nation, dropped to No. 5 after the 37-31 loss. ... Penn State seems to have settled on QB Matt McGloin, who threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Northwestern. That should be OK with Ohio State. McGloin completed just 50 percent of his passes and threw two touchdowns and two interceptions in last season's loss to the Buckeyes. ...

Boy, do Minnesota and Indiana miss each other. In opposite divisions, the teams don't face each other this season and both seem headed toward 0-8 conference seasons. The Golden Gophers have been outscored 144-31 in an 0-3 conference start, while the 0-4 Hoosiers have been outscored 161-61. In contrast, 0-4 Northwestern has been outscored, 155-114.

Suddenly the path for the Buckeyes to reach the Big Ten championship game is visible, if very demanding.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As Ohio State was completing its collapse against Nebraska 16 days ago, as the Wisconsin Badgers sat home on their bye week that night and watched the Cornhuskers, a team they'd beaten by 31, take down the Buckeyes, no one thought this:

In two weeks, Ohio State will almost control its own destiny in the race for the Rose Bowl.

In light of Wisconsin's last-second Hail Mary loss to Michigan State on Saturday night, here is Ohio State's path to the Big Ten title game:

1. Win out.

2. Have Penn State lose to either Nebraska, Wisconsin or Illinois.

That's it. That had the Buckeyes fired up on Twitter in the immediate aftermath of the Wisconsin loss.

"Dear world. We are back," wrote junior tight end Jake Stoneburner.

"Well, our season is back. Let's go," wrote Reid Fragel, the other junior tight end.

"It's time to rock. Guess [who's] back in the hunt?? That's right. Let's Go Bucks!!" wrote junior fullback Zach Boren.

Now, "win out" with five games remaining is a bit like saying all you must do to become a millionaire is earn a million dollars. But the guess is that the mere idea of getting back in the race will do something for the Buckeyes this week.

Penn State, with wins over Indiana, Iowa, Purdue and Northwestern by just over a touchdown per game, isn't all that impressive as a 4-0 Big Ten team. The idea of the Nittany Lions losing at least twice in four games against the Illini, Cornhuskers, Buckeyes and Badgers isn't a stretch.

So the Buckeyes are back in business. And the Big Ten is back to being a big mess.

Wisconsin's loss removed the Big Ten from the national championship picture, which means the conference's streak without a national champion will reach nine seasons. The six-year run of getting two Big Ten teams into BCS bowls also could be in jeopardy.

The SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12 all appear more likely to earn a second berth. But the race inside the conference has ratcheted up and could swing from week to week for the rest of the year. More games like the Spartans' upset of the Badgers and Purdue's win over Illinois on Saturday are in store.

At the start of the season, my predictions included every Big Ten team losing at least twice, and that remains a possibility. Michigan State, 3-0 in Big Ten play, has wins at Ohio State and over Michigan and Wisconsin, and the schedule gets much easier in the second half of the season. But the trip to Nebraska this week is a challenge, and games at Iowa and Northwestern aren't sure things.

Besides the Spartans, Nebraska has trips to Penn State and Michigan and finishes at home with Iowa.

If you think Ohio State can take down Wisconsin in primetime in Ohio Stadium -- though an angry and aware Wisconsin may not be the best thing for Ohio State -- then go ahead and ponder the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes have already proven they can hang with Michigan State and Nebraska, the most likely Big Ten title game teams from the Legends Division.

If you think Ohio State loses Saturday, a decent New Year's could still be in store if the Buckeyes can avoid imploding. At 8-4, or even 7-5, bowls will be fighting to grab the Buckeyes as soon as the rules allow. (Big Ten bowls can, for instance, take an 8-4 team over a 9-3 team, but may not take a 7-5 team over a 9-3 team.)

Ohio State hasn't played in the Capital One Bowl since losing to Tennessee on Jan. 1, 1996. Since then, seven other Big Ten teams have been to Orlando.

The Buckeyes haven't been to the Outback Bowl since Jan. 1, 2002, and since then five Big Ten teams have gone to Tampa.

The only time Ohio State went to the Gator Bowl was for Woody Hayes' final game after the 1978 season, and the Insight Bowl and the bottom three Big Ten bowls have never seen the Buckeyes.

When it comes to bowls selling tickets, the Buckeyes remain the Buckeyes. When it comes to being in the Big Ten race, the Buckeyes are back where they're used to residing. At least for this week.

In what Luke Donald considers his biggest win of the year, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck presented him the trophy.

Luke Donald, of England, stands with people dressed as the Disney character's Mickey Mouse, left, and Donald Duck after winning the Children's Miracle Network Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.  — In what Luke Donald considers his biggest win of the year, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck presented him the trophy.

Disney featured the weakest field of any event Donald has played this year. It's the final tournament of the PGA Tour season, filled with dozens players well down the money list who were desperate to keep their cards for next year. It hardly compares with his wins at the Match Play Championship in Arizona or Europe's flagship event at Wentworth.

Perhaps it was only fitting that after Donald ran off six birdies on the back nine Sunday and closed with an 8-under 64 to win the Children's Miracle Network Classic, he struggled to hoist the bronze trophy over his head.

"It's about a 60-pound trophy," Donald said. "I nearly dropped it on the green."

It felt about as heavy as the burden of expectations he placed on himself all week.

Donald knew that his best chance to win the PGA Tour money title, and state a convincing case that he should be voted player of the year, was to win Disney. He had not played at Disney in eight years, and because his caddie was on his honeymoon, Donald had to borrow Gareth Lord from Thomas Bjorn.

He was five shots behind going into the final round, and four shots back at the turn.

And then he left no doubt who was No. 1 in the world — or on the PGA Tour.

Starting with a simple up-and-down from just short of the par-5 10th green, Donald unleashed the kind of golf expected out of the world's No. 1 player. He dropped a wedge into 8 feet on the 11th, and an 8-iron to 6 feet on the 12th. Then came a lob wedge to 5 feet on the 13th — Simpson missed from just outside of him — and an 18-foot birdie on the 14th to take his first lead.

Then came one of the most moments when everyone should have known — or at least heard — that there was no stopping him. Donald rolled in a 45-foot birdie putt for his sixth straight birdie, crouching when it fell, slamming his fist in a rare display of emotion, that sent him on his way.

"I'm thrilled," Donald said. "I'm over the moon."

Three pars was enough to seal his win, which was memorable for so many reasons.

Simpson, who decided to play at Sea Island last week, took over the lead on the money list by $363,029 when he finished second. Simpson was one shot out of the lead — and two ahead of Donald — when they made the turn.

By winning, Donald captured the money title with just over $6.68 million — $335,861 clear of Simpson, who tied for sixth — and kept alive his bid to become the first player to win the money list on the PGA and European tours in the same season. Donald lead in Europe by about $1.8 million with just over a month to go.

Donald wrapped up the Vardon Trophy for the lowest adjusted scoring average.

It was his second win of the year, as many as anyone else. The last player who won the money title, Vardon Trophy and at least tied for most wins on tour without winning the player of the year award was David Duval in 1998. He was beaten that year by Mark O'Meara, who won two majors. PGA champion Keegan Bradley is the only player with multiple wins and a major this year.

Donald, who finished at 17-under 271 and earned $846,000, was asked to make a case for someone other than him.

"Not sure I could at the moment," he said. "I think I've answered everyone's questions. Coming into this week, I felt like Webb was probably the favorite, based on he was ahead of me on the money list and he was ahead of me in wins this year. Obviously, I've drawn level on wins and I've gotten ahead on money.

"Feels like I've answered all the questions thrown at me."

Simpson wasn't quite sure.

"I don't know yet," said Simpson, who won twice and was No. 2 on the money list and the FedEx Cup. "I think I've played great. Luke has played great. Couple other guys have played well. Still probably up in the air a little bit. But I'm sure I'll vote for myself."

Other than Disney, the biggest win for Donald would have been the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where he beat Lee Westwood in a playoff to replace him atop the world ranking. Donald has been No. 1 ever since.

Wentworth is far more significant than Disney.

He had to go head-to-head against Westwood, compared with a collection of players in the hunt at Disney, from Justin Leonard to Kevin Chappell to Nick O'Hern to Billy Mayfair.

But it was the all-or-nothing aspect of the tournament that Donald later summed up on Twitter after he won. "Wow! What a day, it's nice to come up with the goods when I needed them most. That's why I play this game."

"In a way, there was a little bit more on the line this week," Donald said in his press conference. "I felt like if I hadn't won at Wentworth, I felt I was playing well enough that I would have got to No. 1 in the world at some point. Obviously, winning Wentworth was a huge event and it meant a great deal to me.

"But I think having this amount on the line this week, and coming up and shooting 30 on the back nine on Sunday, finding the shots when I needed to, really will mean a lot to me and to all the people that I work with."

Leonard finished with eight pars for a 71. He already is exempt for next year, but kept alive his streak of never finishing out of the top 125 on the money list since joining the tour in 1994.

Tom Pernice Jr., a 52-year-old who refuses to give up on playing with guys half his age, closed with a 69 for a three-way tie for third, earning enough money to finish at No. 121 and earn back his PGA Tour card.

Pernice only moved into the top 125 when Nick O'Hern bogeyed his last hole and fell out of the logjam at third place. On the other side of the Magnolia Course, D.J. Trahan knocked in a 22-foot birdie putt on his last hole at No. 9 — the second-toughest hole.

That ultimately enabled Trahan to finish at No. 125 on the money list by $1,431 over Bobby Gates.

"I don't know what par would have done," Trahan said. "I really, honestly don't know what difference that would have made, but birdie certainly didn't hurt me. So I'm thrilled that I made that putt."

Donald, however, stole the show.

For more Cinesport video, go here.

The Browns beat the Seahawks, 6-3, to even their record to 3-3. How encouraged are you by the victory? What concerns do you still have about Colt McCoy, Pat Shurmur and the rest of the team? Talk about these topics and whatever you like with other fans in our open Browns Fan Chat room.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerBrowns' D'Qwell Jackson and Joe Haden celebrate their win over Seattle.

The Browns beat the Seahawks, 6-3, to even their record to 3-3. How encouraged are you by the victory? What concerns do you still have about Colt McCoy, Pat Shurmur and the rest of the team?

Talk about these topics and whatever you like with other fans in our open Browns Fan Chat room. Just remember to play nice with others.

Then Monday afternoon, listen and fire away with your questions for Tony Grossi as he'll join us for an audio chat at noon.

Note: To turn off audio alerts, click on round button on bottom left of chat room and click on preferences.

Indians DH Jim Thome is the first baseball player since Babe Ruth to address the Cleveland City Club. He will speak at noon at the Marriott at Key Center. Indians radio voice Tom Hamilton will serve as moderator. Click to listen to the live streaming audio, copyright 2011 The City Club of Cleveland, courtesy of ideastream.

APListen to Jim Thome address the City Club at noon.

Cleveland Indians great Jim Thome is the first baseball player since Babe Ruth to address the Cleveland City Club. He will speak at 12:30 p.m. at the Marriott at Key Center.

Indians radio voice Tom Hamilton will serve as moderator. Use the player below to listen to the live streaming audio, copyright 2011 The City Club of Cleveland, courtesy of ideastream.

Here now, as David Stern maneuvers to save the season and his legacy, a rare inside look at a recent typical day in the life of the NBA commissioner.

AP FileIt's a hectic life for David Stern, surmises Norman Chad.

David Stern’s NBA — the only NBA many of us have ever known — is teetering momentarily, locked in a labor-management dispute marked by greed, power, lust and, I’m sure, the occasional Caucasian lie. As a rule, Stern gets his way; when he doesn’t, somebody usually goes away.

Here now, as he maneuvers to save the season and his legacy, a rare inside look at a recent typical day in the life of the NBA commissioner:

6:40 a.m.: Checks the New York Times obituary page for possible Supreme Court openings.

6:53: Summons Scarsdale, N.Y., police after family’s “Where Amazing Happens” welcome mat disappears.

7:08: Has personal assistant decline “Dancing With the Stars.”

7:33: Writes four major airline CEOs requesting “something better than first class.”

7:55: Fines Mark Cuban $250,000 out of force of habit.

8:12: In a sign of the times, packs a bag lunch to work — Chateaubriand on whole-wheat toast, ’09 Domaine La Milliere Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes.

8:50: Fires gardener after he refuses to adhere to coat-and-tie-on-the-road dress code.

8:59: Fires driver for reading Peter Vecsey’s New York Post column on coffee break.

9:08: Fires dry cleaner for not putting enough starch in his boxers.

9:45: Spends an hour at Occupy Wall Street protest wearing Roger Goodell mask.

10:57: Drops by Madison Square Garden to see if they can extend Westminster Dog Show to a full week.

11:16: “Think, think, think: Is Doug Collins a coach or a TV analyst?”

11:23: Emails Gary Bettman to get a tip or two on what to do with a whole year off.

11:35: Orders TNT to play 1984, 1998 and 2010 NBA Finals on endless loop until further notice.

12:02 p.m.: Contacts Tim Donaghy to find out easiest way to get a bet down on an NHL game.

12:17: Invoking hidden clause in NBA bylaws, strips Mavericks of 2010-11 title and declares Lakers as champions.

12:39: Makes discreet inquiries to Tamika Catchings and Diana Taurasi about plausibility of WNBA “replacement players.”

1:01: To avoid public derision, shifts Friday shoeshine in-house.

1:26: “Note to self — see if Hawks will consider changing nickname to ‘Angry Birds.’ ”

1:47: Calls Marriott in Orlando to see how much more time he has before losing deposit on All-Star Weekend hotel suite.

1:48: Calls Alicia Keys to see how much more time he has before losing deposit on All-Star Weekend entertainment.

2:20: As part of oddly satisfying monthly ritual, has someone from NBA security warn Dennis Rodman about off-the-court conduct.

2:41: “If Billy Hunter comes back with a 9-9-9 plan, I’m gonna choke on my coffee.”

3:13: Sees if Ron Artest is serious about changing name from Metta World Peace to Metta World Tolerable Co-Existence.

3:38: Suspends work on memoirs until bust he commissioned is finished.

4:09: Checks with Greenwich, Conn., Boys & Girls Clubs to see if LeBron James’ check ever cleared.

4:22: Asks Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov if he knows any persuasive Russian “negotiators.”

4:47: Reaches out to Maloof brothers to check Palms Casino room availability at Christmas.

5:04: Suggests to ESPN that Stuart Scott may want to host Euroleague pregame and halftime shows.

5:48: Dines at Per Se; tries lobster bisque at recommendation of waiter, Carmelo Anthony.

7:12: Sends text to Brian Williams of NBC News correcting him on improper use of the term “didactic.”

7:30: Daily dilemma: “Wheel of Fortune” live or “Judge Joe Brown” on TiVo?

8:02: Watches first two seasons of “Mad Men” on DVD.

9:43: Double feature on home video: “Forget Paris” and “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh.”

11:02: In rare setback, wife, Dianne, decides to remove 24-second shot clock from master bedroom.

11:04: Weekly séance in ongoing attempt to reach Niccolo Machiavelli.

11:15: Plays 45 minutes of online poker. Screen name: commishoftheworld.

12:01 a.m.: Takes nightly hot tub while Adam Silver feeds him grapes.

Ask The Slouch!

Q: If Frank McCourt gets the Dodgers and Jamie McCourt gets $130 million, who gets the shaft? — Richard Pine, Pittsburgh

A. Dodgers fans and divorce lawyers.

Q. If Tony La Russa had been alive during colonial days, would Paul Revere have been permitted to finish his dash, or would he have been lifted for a relief rider? — Scott D. Shuster, Watertown, Mass.

A. Pay the man, Shirley.

Q. When Tony La Russa attends a wedding reception, does he demand different servers for the appetizer, salad, entrée and dessert? — Scott D. Shuster, Watertown, Mass.

A. Pay the man again, Shirley.

Q. Are you aware that Tony La Russa (below) has been known to change bank tellers midtransaction? — Scott D. Shuster, Watertown, Mass.

A. Yes, we have our first three- time winner in a single week!

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

Norman Chad is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Join us for a live Browns chat today at noon with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi. The Browns won ugly against Seattle on Sunday. Should we just be happy that they won and are sitting at .500? Did we see any progress on Sunday? We'll answer those questions and more.

View full sizeChat live with Tony Grossi every Monday at noon.

Join us for a live Browns chat today at noon with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi.

The Browns won ugly against Seattle on Sunday. Should we just be happy that they won and are sitting at .500? Did we see any progress on Sunday?

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

Note: To turn off audio alerts, click on round button on bottom left of chat room and click on preferences.

The Cleveland Browns defeated the Seahawks, but was the victory a gift?

Chuck Crow | The Plain DealerBrowns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson.

The Cleveland Browns defeated the Seattle Seahawks 6-3 on Sunday. One would imagine that it was a tough defensive battle, or that the weather had something to do with the low score.

Of course that wasn't the case.

It was a game between two pitiful offenses and (lets be honest) the Browns benefitted from several bad fortunate calls.

We'll let Seattle moan about an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown that was called back for a block to the back. Replays showed otherwise.

There was also the 15-yard penalty on Seattle Kam Chancellor for unnecessary roughness for leading with his helmet, when it did not appear he hit quarterback Colt McCoy with his helmet first.

There were more, but most disappointing was how inept the Browns offense played and how the Browns got two field goal attempts blocked.

But a win, is a win, right?

What the two lacked in height, they made up in guts, speed and determination. In an interview with The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff, McNeil and Hall looked back at their careers and talked about the origins of their nicknames. Watch video

Former Browns kick returners Dino Hall and Gerald "Ice Cube" McNeil returned to Cleveland on Sunday to serve as honorary captains for the Browns vs. Seahawks game.

What the two lacked in height, they made up in guts, speed and determination. In an interview with The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff, McNeil and Hall looked back at their careers and talked about the origins of their nicknames. Click on the play button to watch.

Hall played five years with the Browns from 1979-1984. He is second all-time in Browns history in kickoff return attempts and yards.

McNeil is the smallest player in team history at 5'7 and 145 pounds when he played from 1986-89. He returned two kicks (one kickoff and one punt) for touchdowns in his career with Cleveland.

The offense didn't show up on Sunday, but the defense did again and again.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerDefensive coordinator Dick Jauron.

With an offense like this, thank goodness the Cleveland Browns have defensive help.

Marla Ridenour of Ohio.com writes how defensive coordinator Dick Jauron has been the best hire made by the Browns.

Why?

While the Browns’ offense vies with Ohio State, the University of Akron and Kent State as the worst in Ohio, Jauron’s men are doing more than holding up their end. After the 6-3 victory Sunday over the visiting Seattle Seahawks, quarterback Colt McCoy proclaimed, “Our defense won the game today.”

The Jauron led defense held the Seahawks to 137 yards, the fewest allowed by the Browns since 1993. The defense was also ranked seventh in the NFL going into the weekend.

More Browns

The Browns' defense continues to have its way against weak QBs.

Browns' offense was ugly, but it still produced a victory.

Performance for the ages?

When will the Browns' offense turn things around?

Post game thoughts on Seattle's loss and the Browns' victory.

Seahawks lose a stinker in Cleveland.

PD reporter says Sunday's win over Seattle Seahawks highlighted Browns' foundation of young defensive playmakers. Watch video

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

The Browns held off the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, 6-3, moving to 3-3 on the season. What was your impression of the win? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, who says the area that made the biggest impression on her was the play of the Browns defense. She says general manager Tom Heckert has built a defense that can help the Browns compete in the AFC North over the long term.

Mary Kay also talks about what she thinks is the biggest concern with the Browns' offense right now; and answers a question about which running back should start if Montario Hardesty and Peyton Hillis are both healthy.

SBTV will return Tuesday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff talking Browns.

And remember to catch this week's Browns Insider show that streams live Thursday at 10 a.m. You can find that at cleveland.com/browns.

Derek Holland comes through for the Texas Rangers.

Chris Lee, St. Louis Post-DispatchDerek Holland

When it comes to the greatest pitchers to ever pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals or the Texas Rangers, Fort Worth Telegram columnist Randy Galloway says the greatest pitching performance in Texas history now belongs to Derek Holland.

Not in four decades of franchise existence have the stakes ever been higher than this Game 4, plus Holland was facing Albert and the Blasters after that 16-run bombing raid the night before.

If the World Series was going back to St. Louis this week, if the Rangers were going to stay, stay alive, it came down to, yes, Derek Holland and his very shaky postseason résumé.

Galloway is probably all smiles as he writes how Albert Pujols was silenced (three balls not out of the infield and the fourth was a lazy fly to center) by the high school 'stache and you were upstaged in the muscle department by a guy known in his clubhouse as Dirt Bag.

Now for tonight's Game 5, Galloway wonders if C.J. Wilson be as good as Derek Holland?

More on the World Series

Cleveland.com's Paul Hoynes writes how Derek Holland was dominate.

The Cardinals have their man if this series goes seven games.

Mike Napoli gives the Rangers a needed boost.

Don't blame Tony La Russa for Game 4's loss to the Rangers.

Was Sunday's ugly victory a case of "a win is a win?" What can the Browns do to fix their special teams? Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeAP Photo | Tony DejakMontario Hardesty had a busy day for the Browns on Sunday.

Was Sunday's ugly victory a case of "a win is a win?" What can the Browns do to fix their special teams?

Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• What did you think of the play-calling yesterday against a team that came in with a good run defense?

• Was the performance on defense yesterday more a result of good defense by the Browns or bad offense by the Seahawks?

• Is the game T.J. Ward played yesterday and indication of the type of safety the Browns believe he can become?

• Did Mike Holmgren's meeting with the media on Thursday serve to calm the waters in Berea?

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

"Just glad to see a win. Truth is, I don't care if the Browns win 2-0 as long as they win." - wasillabrown

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerEven if it's by a score of 6-3, Browns fans are just happy to see their team win.

In response to the story Colt McCoy and the Cleveland Browns can grind together, but can they someday be great? Bud Shaw, cleveland.com reader wasillabrown doesn't care how the Browns win, just that they win. This reader writes,

"Just glad to see a win. Truth is, I don't care if the Browns win 2-0 as long as they win."

"I do think instant replay should be expanded, but for the playoffs only. In the regular season, over 162 games bad calls will even themselves out. No need to extend games more. In the playoffs though, with so much attention, I say expand. I'm and old school baseball guy - hate interleague play and the wild card with a passion - but times are changing." - hermie13

View full sizeAP Photo | Matt SlocumSt. Louis Cardinals' Lance Berkman argues with home plate umpire Ron Kulpa after striking out during the seventh inning of Game 4 the World Series.

In response to the story Umpire's missed call in Game 3 prompts more replay debate: World Series Insider, cleveland.com reader hermie13 is OK with expanded replay in the postseason. This reader writes,

"I do think instant replay should be expanded, but for the playoffs only. In the regular season, over 162 games bad calls will even themselves out. No need to extend games more. In the playoffs though, with so much attention, I say expand. I'm and old school baseball guy - hate interleague play and the wild card with a passion - but times are changing."

"Just follow college basketball instead this season. We have a great team right here in downtown Cleveland. You can take a family of four to see them and not have to take out a second mortgage to pay for the tickets or food or parking. The CSU Vikings play hard for the name on the front of their jerseys and there are some local kids on the team, too." - thebookman

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerGary Waters and the CSU Vikings could benefit from an extended NBA lockout.

In response to the story Will the NBA permanently turn off fans with latest labor strife? History says ... probably not, cleveland.com reader thebookman is going to watch a different brand of basketball this winter. This reader writes,

"Just follow college basketball instead this season. We have a great team right here in downtown Cleveland. You can take a family of four to see them and not have to take out a second mortgage to pay for the tickets or food or parking. The CSU Vikings play hard for the name on the front of their jerseys and there are some local kids on the team, too."

Browns kicker Phil Dawson suffered a thigh contusion early in the 6-3 victory over the Seahawks.

AP PhotoPhil Dawson kicks the winning field goal for the Browns on Sunday.

BEREA -- Browns kicker Phil Dawson, who kicked field goals of 52 and 53 yards in Sunday's 6-3 victory over the Seahawks and also had two blocked, suffered a thigh contusion after the game and was limping afterwards.

Coach Pat Shurmur said Dawson will probably not kick early in the week, but that he has no plans to bring in another kicker. Shurmur said Dawson may have suffered the bruise early in the game. He did make the tackle after Seattle recovered the first blocked field goal.

In other injury news:

* Right guard Shaun Lauvao, who left the Stadium on crutches, underwent an MRI on his knee today and it showed a bruise. He's day-to-day.

* Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and tight end Ben Watson are also day-to-day with their concussions.

* Linebacker Scott Fujita, who missed the game with a concussion, is improving, Shurmur said.

* Cornerback Joe Haden emerged from the game with his sprained left knee feeling sore, but Shurmur said playing didn't set him back at all.

* Running back Peyton Hillis ran today, which means he's making progress with his pulled hamstring. 

Will it be Luke Fickell, Urban Meyer, or someone else?

Jay LaPrete, Associated PressOhio State coach Luke Fickell.

Bob Hunter of The Columbus Dispatch writes about the rumors circulating about the next Ohio State football coach.

Presently, Luke Fickell is the head coach, but for how long?

There are already rumors about a coach (Urban Meyer) being named OSU's coach next month.

But before Meyer, or any other coach would take over, why would Urban Meyer even want to come to OSU under theses circumstances.

A better question: Why would an on-the-fence recruit want to commit to Ohio State? Fickell and his staff have wisely focused on Ohio kids to this point because they’re the ones who might want to go to OSU regardless of NCAA penalties or a change in coaches. The Buckeyes have 12 recruits committed for a class not expected to top 20, and as both athletic director Gene Smith and Fickell have reminded us at times, the signing period doesn’t open until February.

So if Meyer is not the player OSU needs right now, and Fickell is not the guy, what then?

Around the Horseshoe

Reporter Doug Lesmerises writes on Cleveland.com about the Buckeyes' running game.

Former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Chris Jent returns to his alma mater.

Check out this walk-on story done by The Dayton Daily News.

 OSU breast cancer center named for Stefanie Spielman.