St. Louis forecast for Thursday is clearing with a gametime temperature in the low 50s.

APThe St. Louis Cardinals' Daniel Descalso throws at Busch Stadium today after officials announced that Game 6 of the World Series is postponed due to rain.

ST. LOUIS -- Game 6 of the World Series was postponed today because of a wet forecast, further dampening a rainy baseball season and delaying the Texas Rangers' bid to clinch their first championship.

Major League Baseball announced the decision about 41/2 hours before the Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals were set to play. At the time, no rain had fallen at Busch Stadium, but heavy precipitation was expected.

Texas leads the Series 3-2. Game 6 was rescheduled for Thursday night at 8:05 p.m. EDT. If Game 7 is necessary, it would be played Friday night.

Colby Lewis had been set to start for Texas, with Jaime Garcia ready to go for the Cardinals. If anything, the extra day likely will lead to more intrigue over who might pitch should the Series go to a Game 7 for the first time since 2002.

The forecast for Thursday was much better -- clear enough with a gametime temperature in the low 50s.

Rain has hovered over the majors all year with more than 50 washouts, baseball's highest total since 1997.

This was the first Series rainout since 2008 at Philadelphia. That year, Tampa Bay and the Phillies were tied in the sixth inning when rain and snow turned the field into a quagmire, forcing a suspension. It rained the next day, too, and the game finally resumed two days later, with the Phillies winning to take the crown.

Because of the debate about how to handle that situation MLB adopted a rule a few months later mandating that any postseason game stopped in progress would be resumed at the point of suspension, rather than being postponed and starting over.

Before that, the previous Series rainout came at Busch Stadium, when Game 4 between Detroit and the Cardinals was pushed back by a day.

A few hundred fans already were milling outside Busch Stadium when the Rangers-Cardinals game was called. The tarp was on the field at the time.

Bad weather has lingered throughout the big leagues since opening day. Even before that, actually, as the Milwaukee Brewers and Reds worked out in snow flurries a day before their March 31 opener at Cincinnati.

Wicked weather intruded earlier in this postseason, too. So did the threat of storms.

A game in the AL championship series between Detroit and Texas was postponed for a day because of a dicey forecast. The players left Rangers Ballpark and went home -- the rain, however, never came.

The opener of the AL playoff series between Detroit and New York was halted after 11/2 innings by showers that lasted all night. The game at Yankee Stadium was suspended and picked up the next day at the point when it was stopped.

The only other suspension in postseason history was that Rays-Phillies game in 2008.

Baseball began the playoffs a week earlier this year than last season, intending to have the World Series conclude before November. MLB also hoped the adjustment could help avoid a chilly finish for the championship. It was in the 40s and raw last week for Game 1.

It was in the 70s and clear at Busch Stadium on Tuesday. A perfect night to play, but it was a travel day for Texas and St. Louis. Rangers manager Ron Washington was aware of the shaky forecast.

"If it's possible we can play, of course we want to play. You don't want to sit down. We're here to play baseball," he said Tuesday. "But if the forecast says that it's going to be bad weather and we're going to play and start and stop ... We want to make sure the conditions are correct, and if we have to wait a day, then we have to wait a day."

"It may be wise to wait a bit before enshrining Harbaugh into the HOF. He may well be a great coach, and it sure looks good, but in 2009 Josh McDaniels had the Denver Broncos and gray hoodies all the talk of the NFL with his 6-0 start. Two years later he is no longer a head coach. Let's wait a bit and see what happens when he suffers injuries, close losses, contract disputes, QB controversies and more." - Big

View full sizeAP Photo | Ed ReinkeJim Harbaugh has the 49ers off to a strong start.

In response to the story A fiery leader inspires a resurgent San Francisco 49ers: Tony Grossi's Scouting Report, cleveland.com reader Big thinks we should wait and see on whether Jim Harbaugh will be a great coach. This reader writes,

"It may be wise to wait a bit before enshrining Harbaugh into the HOF. He may well be a great coach, and it sure looks good, but in 2009 Josh McDaniels had the Denver Broncos and gray hoodies all the talk of the NFL with his 6-0 start. Two years later he is no longer a head coach. Let's wait a bit and see what happens when he suffers injuries, close losses, contract disputes, QB controversies and more."

Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis talked with the media following his first practice since injuring his hamstring. Watch video

Given the Browns' recent performance and Jim Harbaugh's penchant for controversial handshakes, Browns fans should make sure to watch until the very end of the game on Sunday at San Francisco.

View full sizeCarlos Osorio, Associated PressMoments before his famous confrontation/handshake with Lions coach Jim Schwartz, 49ers Jim Harbaugh and former OSU lineman Alex Boone initiated the physical celebration of San Francisco's victory over Detroit on Oct. 16.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Blame Alex Boone.

The former St. Edward High School and Ohio State star who now plays for the San Francisco 49ers chest-bumped his coach, Jim Harbaugh, just before the now infamous handshake between the ebullient Harbaugh and Detroit coach Jim Schwartz two weeks ago.

Schwartz took offense to an obscenity he said Harbaugh uttered after the hearty handshake and subsequent back slap, and the two had to be separated by players and team officials as they left the field.

If the Browns' offense doesn't play any better this Sunday in San Francisco than it did last Sunday in Cleveland, the post-game handshake between Harbaugh and Browns coach Pat Shurmur might be the most interesting part of the game.

Harbaugh, after all, has a bit of a history with this particular piece of coaching etiquette. Back in 2009, Harbaugh and then-USC coach Pete Carroll had this enlightening exchange after Harbaugh's Stanford team clobbered USC, 55-21. During the post-game handshake, Carroll supposedly said, "What's your deal?" to which Harbaugh replied, "What's your deal?"

"It's about as well-documented a six-word sentence as there could be," Harbaugh said when those two met as pro coaches earlier this season.

Both incidents have been replayed on a seemingly endless loop the past two weeks, becoming the most-watched handshakes since that fascinating series between Eric Mangini and Bill Belichick.

But the Harbaugh-Schwartz handshake wasn't actually shown live by Fox. According to Fox announcer Kenny Albert, the game ran late and the network had to switch to the second game of a doubleheader. Albert noted that Harbaugh, a Toledo native, and Schwartz, a former Browns scout, actually were together in Baltimore in 1998, when Harbaugh was the starting quarterback and Schwartz was a defensive assistant.

Albert said the two were complimentary of each other in pregame interviews. Harbaugh told Albert he didn't know Schwartz well, but thought he was a hard worker. Schwartz recalled how Harbaugh would hang around the offensive coaches and pick their brains during any down time in practice.

Video provided by Bay Area radio 95.7 'The Game'

Not that any of that mattered two weeks ago in what was just the latest example of coaches behaving badly.

Last year, Kansas City coach Todd Haley refused to shake hands with Josh McDaniel, instead pointing finger at him, after Denver's 49-29 victory. Earlier this season, Haley and Baltimore's John Harbaugh, Jim's older brother and a Perrysburg native, had an awkward moment after the Ravens' 31-13 preseason win, because Haley thought Ravens ran up the score.

This latest handshake dust-up prompted much discussion, almost as much as when former Cavalier LeBron James failed to shake hands after playoff losses in Orlando and Boston.

Which is worse? Is it time for a shakeup in the post-game protocol? Or a shakedown?

Apparently no one really cares. In an ESPN SportsNation poll after the incident, 38 percent of more than 59,000 respondants said the whole thing was no great shakes.

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

Former Buckeye and St. Edward's standout 'was running out of chances,' but revives career with help of LeCharles Bentley's mentoring.

View full sizeMarcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press"People see me as the drunk, the crazy dude who always wants to fight," former Ohio State offensive lineman Alex Boone now admits as he treasures a backup's role with the 49ers. "That was cool when I was 20. But I knew I was running out of chances."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Seated at a cozy restaurant table with his mother and his mentor, Alex Boone devoured second helpings the way he once went through second chances.

Amy Boone watched with satisfaction as her son and former Pro Bowl offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley helped themselves to another skewer of marinated meats at the downtown Brasa Grill in February.

Alex had played in his first pro game only weeks earlier for the San Francisco 49ers in their 2010 regular-season finale. He had evolved from an undrafted free agent with a history of alcohol-related arrests to a backup left tackle with a future in the NFL.

He owed part of that transformation to the man sitting across the table. His mother cannot recall how many times she had suggested that he reach out to Bentley, who like Boone is a Cleveland native and a former Ohio State Buckeye.

As the two men continued to dine, Amy raised the question again.

"Don't you wish you would have followed my advice years ago?" Amy said to her son. "LeCharles is the voice of reason. Wouldn't it have been nice to have the voice of reason in your head?"

Bentley, 31, turned to Amy and answered the question for Alex.

"The truth is that you have to have the right people in your life at the right time when you really need them," Bentley said. "Alex just wasn't ready to hear the message."

A career in need of salvaging

Boone and the surprising Niners (5-1) face the Browns (3-3) on Sunday in San Francisco. The 6-8, 300-pounder, who's appeared in every game this season, is expected to play in short-yardage and goal-line packages.

While he aspires to become a starter, his position is infinitely improved from his first year in San Francisco when then-coach Mike Singletary vowed to "break him like a wild horse." Boone spent the entire 2009 season on the practice squad, an intriguing prospect plagued with conditioning issues.

Sensing his pro career was in jeopardy, he placed the call that his mother had been urging him to make.

"LeCharles is one of the reasons I'm standing here right now," said Boone, raised in a single-parent household. "He's a person who got me in the right place mentally and physically."

View full sizePD file"Alex has found his comfort zone in life," says mentor LeCharles Bentley. "I would go to the wall for him."

Bentley did not need to hear Boone's back story. He had read it in the papers, heard it on SportsCenter. Four-year Buckeyes starter. Binge drinker. Arrested for a DUI after his freshman season. Arrested again and Tasered by police in California on Feb. 2, 2009 for a drunken tirade in which he allegedly jumped on car hoods and yanked on a tow truck cable.

Projected as a mid-round draft pick following his junior season, Boone's stock plummeted. Just months earlier, Amy had received a chilling phone call from then-OSU coach Jim Tressel who told her: "As far as I'm concerned, Alex should never touch another drop of alcohol as long as he lives."

As Boone's life unraveled in the winter of 2009, Bentley was opening the L. Bentley O-Line Academy, a 6,500-square foot facility in Avon. He began training offensive linemen, helping them improve their strength, technique and diet.

The former New Orleans Saints and Browns center was selective in his clientele. Bentley said he works with about 20 offensive linemen, 15 with NFL connections. In the spring of 2010, he agreed to assist Boone but not before they had what Bentley termed "a come to Jesus meeting." His message focused on self-discipline, dedication and making the right decisions.

Boone informed Bentley that he had joined Alcoholics Anonymous a year earlier. Previous attempts at sobriety had failed, he admitted, but that he was committed again to making changes.

"People see you in one light and it's hard to reverse that image," said Boone, 24. "People see me as the drunk, the crazy dude who always wants to fight. That was cool when I was 20. But I knew I was running out of chances."

Fate had denied Bentley the opportunity to end his career on his terms. He joined the hometown Browns after signing a six-year, $36 million free-agent deal in 2006. He suffered a torn patella tendon in his left knee early in training camp, however, and had to retire due to complications from staph infection.

He sees the academy as "my calling," a chance to give back to the game. Bentley, a St. Ignatius grad was willing to help Boone, a St. Edward's grad, resurrect his career.

"When he came to me [in 2010] he was fat and out of shape," Bentley said. "He was like 325 pounds with a high level of body fat. There was lots of work to be done."

A wholesale life change

View full sizeBen Margot, Associated Press"Alex is getting progressively better," says 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman. "He's improving and he's a great guy to have around because of his enthusiasm and grit."

Boone trained five days a week under Bentley's watch. He refined his blocking technique, lifted weights, flipped tractor tires and pushed a Hummer H2 around a parking lot with Bentley in tow.

Muscles hardened. Pounds melted away. Bentley made important changes to his charge's diet, even accompanying him to the grocery store to ensure he loaded up on protein and whole grains.

"His philosophies began rubbing off on me about how to conduct my life," Boone said. "It's about trying to be humble and trying to stay quiet -- although I don't really do that one too well."

In the summer of 2010, NFL.com invited the gregarious Boone to participate in a series that involved five players trying to make their team's rosters. "On The Fringe: Fighting for their NFL Lives" featured a blog from Boone and training footage from the academy.

The Niners have witnessed a significant change in their left tackle since aligning himself with Bentley.

"Alex is getting progressively better," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. "He's improving and he's a great guy to have around because of his enthusiasm and grit."

In May, Boone married Dana Armbruster, whom he met in 2009, and the couple is expecting its first child next week. He's eager for fatherhood and welcomes the responsibility that comes with it.

Boone continues to attend AA meetings and says he's been sober for two years. His history gives doubters reason to remain skeptical, but Bentley believes Boone has conquered his alcohol dependency and predicts he will become a starter in the near future.

"Alex has found his comfort zone in life and rediscovered his love for football," Bentley said. "I love him like a baby brother and I would go to the wall for him."

Better late than never, Alex Boone embraces the message and the messenger.

Bumps, bruises (and a dislocation) throw a wrench into early workouts.

View full sizePD file photoCleveland State's Trevon Harmon hasn't been able to work out with the rest of the Vikings as he recovers from a concussion.

AKRON, Ohio -- As the first exhibition games loom for Cleveland State, Akron and Kent State, all three men's basketball programs have been hit by injuries.

It is still to be determined if senior guard Tre Harmon (concussion) at Cleveland State, freshman guard Adedeji Ibitayo (knee) at Akron or KSU sophomore forward Scooter Johnson (thumb) will be ready when the lights come on.

Akron coach Keith Dambrot had yet to hear official word on Ibitayo's injury Wednesday before speaking at Akron's media day. But speculation is a meniscus tear that could keep the 6-3 guard from suburban Chicago out for up to a month. Prior to the injury, Ibitayo was making serious inroads as the backup point guard.

"I am almost ready to put all the other guards on the wings and let them fight it out for their minutes," Dambrot said.

Sophomore Alex Abreu is the starting point guard, but with Ibitayo as No. 2, that would leave senior Brett McClanahan, sophomore Brian Walsh, junior Chauncey Gilliam, junior Quincy Diggs, fast-developing sophomore Nick Harney and freshman sharpshooter Blake Justice in a battle over two spots.

But if it is a meniscus, and Ibitayo is out for a month, then the potential for his redshirt comes into play, and backup PG duties open for someone to fill.

The 6-1 Harmon is coach Gary Waters' leading returning scorer (13.2 ppg) from last season. Harmon said he hoped to be cleared for practice by Monday.

As Earl Boykins watched his nephew, freshman forward Anton Grady -- both products of Cleveland Central Catholic High -- go through the physical regimen at Cleveland State practice, Boykins recalled playing for Waters when he was an assistant to Ben Braun at Eastern Michigan.

"Same drills," Boykins said. "Only difference is Coach Braun would be coaching the offense against it. Here, coach Waters has the defense and the team all to himself."

At Kent State, by all accounts the scream was piercing Sunday when Johnson slammed awkwardly to the floor during practice. It was matched only by the sight of Johnson's thumb bone exposed, dangling and bleeding on his left hand.

"Freaked everybody out," KSU coach Rob Senderoff said. "[Guard] Randal [Holt] flipped. We thought we'd have to take him to the hospital, too."

Ghastly as the injury looked, it proved to be only a dislocated thumb. It was set back in place and the skin restitched. Johnson could be out as little as a week, or up to three weeks.

Cardinals skipper says on-base percentage is a misunderstood stat.

View full sizeDuane Burleson, Associated PressDetroit's Miguel Cabrera was tops in the American League in on-base percentage in 2011, but it's his run production, not batting eye, that is most important to Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Clubhouse confidential: St. Louis manager Tony La Russa is not a fan of the Moneyball concept of baseball.

Here is his take on on-base percentage: "It's one of the most dangerous concepts of the last seven or eight years, because it forces some executives, coaches and players to think it's all about getting on base by drawing walks. The fact is that the guys with best on-base percentage are really dangerous hitters whenever they get a pitch in the strike zone.

"You watch your productive hitters and when they get a chance to drive in runs, they look for the first good strike. ... That's the kind of danger that creates counts. It's not sitting up there taking strike one, strike two so you can work the count."

In the National League this year, the top five on-base players were Cincinnati's Joey Votto, Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, the Cardinals' Lance Berkman, the Dodgers' Matt Kemp and the Brewers' Ryan Braun. In the AL, the top five were Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, Toronto's Jose Bautista, Boston's Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz and the Tigers' Alex Avila.

Hollywood: La Russa said he was going to go see Moneyball on Wednesday after the game was postponed. Texas manager Ron Washington is portrayed in the movie.

In one scene, Oakland GM Billy Beane (played by Brad Pitt) is telling Scott Hatteberg that he would have no problem moving from catcher to first base. He turned to Washington, an Oakland coach at the time, for confirmation. Washington, instead, said, "It will be incredibly difficult."

"That really happened," said Washington, "but it was in Phoenix for spring training, not in Hatteberg's house. That's Hollywood."

Stat of the day: Closer Neftali Feliz has appeared in all 10 of the Rangers' postseason wins.

Hall of Famer will face questions about dementia and Alzheimer's disease on Thursday at the Southeastern Conference media day, as she makes her first major public appearance since being diagnosed with the disease.

Associated PressTennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, here in a March 27, 2011 photo, a few months before she revealed that she had been diagnosed with dementia.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee -- Pat Summitt has handled the talk about her dementia diagnosis the same way she manages Tennessee basketball and her life: with control and determination.

The Hall of Fame coach dictated how news of her condition was revealed in August and has made it clear since that she wants the focus to be on the Lady Volunteers basketball program and not her.

"That's the reason for when I came out with dementia and Alzheimer's," Summitt said. "I knew I had to do it, and I did it. I've got a good game plan. I feel good about it, and I think it motivated this team."

She's stuck to that plan, speaking reluctantly at practices about her diagnosis while steering conversations to Tennessee's strengths, weaknesses and chances for a ninth national championship.

On Thursday, she'll face more questions about dementia and Alzheimer's disease when she makes her first major public appearance for the annual Southeastern Conference media day in Birmingham, Ala.

"I don't want it to be all about me. I want to be able to help other people know you can live your life with dementia," Summitt said.

She's got plenty of basketball to talk about, with the Lady Vols unanimously picked by the media this week to defend their SEC title and senior forward Shekinna Stricklen tabbed as the league's preseason player of the year.

Assistant coach Dean Lockwood doesn't think Summitt or anyone on the team will be distracted by talk of Summitt's condition.

"Once you've accepted something, it becomes part of your daily existence. That's part of us now," Lockwood said. "They'll answer questions, but after a while it's going to become 'ho hum.' (The players are) very focused on doing well. I think maybe this has given them an incentive to do it even more for a coach they love and respect."

Summitt made it clear to the Lady Vols that nothing would change after she told them in August she'd been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. She was still their coach, and the plan to win a national championship this season hadn't changed.

What has changed for Summitt is her daily routine.

While drinking her morning coffee she'll play brain-bender games on her iPad or work on math skills to help keep her mind sharp. She adds coconut oil to her daily protein shakes. Son Tyler Summitt writes out her to-do lists to keep her organized, and Summitt occasionally will take a few extra breaks outside of her daily naps that she claims have been a key to her ongoing success.

She still has her friends and staff over for dinner from time to time, and she has no problem joking with her assistants, like she did after a 6 a.m. Monday practice last week.

"She walked in and said, 'Who called this practice? I thought I was the head coach. I wouldn't be calling a practice this early,'" said associate head coach Holly Warlick, the offending party.

Summitt has long relied on her assistants to scout opponents and develop players. Warlick, Lockwood and assistant coach Mickie DeMoss have been more involved in running practice drills this month, but Summitt is always on the sideline shouting assessments of the players' performances while wearing her trademark icy stare.

"She still has her bench under both baskets and yells at people as they walk past her," senior forward Glory Johnson said with a laugh. "She's fine. Her memory, I don't think has changed. She still remembers to call people's names out when they miss their layups. I don't think she's lost a step in anything."

Summitt has taken breaks during drills to talk with her Olympic coach and mentor Billie Moore. Former Lady Vols players Chamique Holdsclaw, Semeka Randall and Michelle Marciniak also have stopped by practice to say hello. During those times, her assistants, who have a combined 52 seasons at Tennessee among them, bark enough directions and critiques to cover for the head coach.

At the end of practice, Summitt comments about the Lady Vols' need for better passing and more defensive rebounds while acknowledging that she feels pretty good about their chances. The players are spending more time on their own in the gym, and they have a strong leader in fifth-year senior forward Vicki Baugh. Freshman Ariel Massengale's arrival means they finally have the bona fide point guard, a missing piece since the 2008 national championship.

"This team right now is at a different level," Summitt said. "I think they're very focused. I think their leadership has been solid. I think we'll be disappointed if we don't cut down the nets this year."

Ohio's horse racing has been in the doldrums, a situation that came to a head this week as Thistledown canceled a live racing program.

View full sizeLisa DeJong, The Plain DealerWith few bettors standing -- or sitting -- near the rail and purses suffering, Thistledown's horse owners didn't enter enough horses to allow Thursday's scheduled card to take place.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio's horse racing has been in the doldrums, a situation that came to a head this week as Thistledown canceled Thursday's live racing program because of too few entries.

It was the first time in the track's history it lost a full card due to a lack of entries, said trainer Richard Genovese, 70, a Thistledown regular for more than 60 years.

Ohio tracks have been struggling to compete with horse racing in neighboring states, where the addition of slot machines and casino gambling has substantially boosted purses. Ohio has approved slots, but it might take many months and approval from the Ohio Supreme Court to allow the exotic gambling.

"It's a matter of economics," said Genovese. "It's the end of the season, and we're seeing owners who can't afford to keep a horse and enter it in races. I've never seen so many horsemen quit so early, either. I've seen horses being given away to places like riding academies because the owners don't have the money to keep them over the winter."

Genovese, a Pennsylvania native, said he's a lucky horseman. To supplement his horse racing income, Genovese works part time as a pharmacist at Kaiser Permanente in Parma.

"Thistledown never used to run out of horses," said trainer Jeff Radosevich of Hiram. "When the bottom-level purses were cut to $4,300, it had a major impact. A second-place horse gets $860, which isn't enough to cover the training, veterinarian, feed and shoeing bills. I'm still running a bunch of horses here, trying to help out, but I can do that only because I have good owners like Jack Boggs and Gerald Silver."

Radosevich doesn't want to see Thistledown cut more days of live racing, though, for simulcast racing.

"On-track wagering is where we get our purse money, not simulcast racing," he said. "Right now, you have to run as hard or harder to win at Thistledown [than out-of-state tracks], and for less money. That's why our leading trainer [Jamie Ness] pulled out."

Tim Hamm of Blazing Meadow Farm in North Jackson said Ohio's thoroughbred tracks, which include Beulah Park and River Downs, should team up to put together a yearly schedule that does not have overlapping live racing programs.

"This week, some of the horses at Thistledown went to Beulah Park to race," said Hamm. "Many of those trainers need stables at Beulah so they'll have a place to winter. And the horses training at Beulah that had been coming to Thistledown are now racing at Beulah. There are already issues with track owners over horses training at their track while it isn't open."

Beulah Park kicked off its late-season racing Oct. 10.

If and when Ohio's horse racing tracks get slots to give revenue a boost, Hamm said, a solid Ohio schedule without competition between tracks will help increase purses.

"I'm not going to say we'll have Grade A racing, but maybe we will see Grade 1B racing," said Hamm.

Thistledown has 122 days of live racing this year, with its season ending Nov. 5. Beulah Park has 122 racing programs, while River Downs had 93 days of live racing.

Looking ahead: Despite Thistledown applying for just 91 days of live racing in 2012, General Manager Lee Dillard told the Ohio State Racing Commission that the track plans to race 122 days nevertheless.

Northfield Park applied for 210 live racing programs next year, three fewer than in 2011. The OSRC received live racing applications from Beulah Park (117 live programs), River Downs (96), Lebanon Raceway (52), Raceway Park (40) and Scioto Downs (57).

Top handicappers: Ten savvy bettors at Thistledown last Saturday qualified for the $2 million DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship at Treasure Island Las Vegas in January.

Michael Mefford of Terre Haute, Ind., who had already qualified for the championship, topped the field of 136 handicappers, making $10 win and place bets on designated races. Mefford finished with a $329.25 bankroll.

Ohio bettors making the cut were Rob Diesel of West Chester, Oris DuPont of Northfield Center and Thomas Ryan of Dayton.

Expanded wagering: Thistledown will extend its simulcast racing hours to midnight on Wednesdays, Nov. 9-30, to offer thoroughbred racing from Penn National, Delta Downs, Woodbine, Charles Town Races and Remington Park, and quarter horse racing from Evangeline Downs.

Thistledown has simulcast action every day, with the track opening at 11:30 a.m., and already offers late-night wagering on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

When game time rolled around Wednesday night, the field was covered, but only a light rain was falling.

View full sizeEric Gay, Associated PressWith Wednesday's early afternoon postponement, World Series fans had time to ponder their Thursday plans for Game 6 at Busch Stadium.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Has the World Series gone soft?

MLB officials postponed Game 6 Wednesday night at Busch Stadium because of a threat of rain and the promise of good weather Thursday and Friday, if a seventh game is necessary.

When game time rolled around Wednesday night, the field was covered, but only a light rain was falling. Texas third baseman Michael Young said he understood that officials wanted to play a potential elimination game under the best conditions possible, but added, "It better pour tonight."

It was clear the Rangers, one victory away from their first World Series title in franchise history, wanted to play.

There was no change in the scheduled Game 6 pitching matchup between Texas right-hander Colby Lewis and Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia. It's a Game 2 rematch in which the Rangers scored twice in the ninth inning for a 2-1 victory.

Joe Torre, MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations, said the decision to postpone was weather driven because of the importance of Game 6.

"Every forecast we've had for the last three days, and we're getting them hourly now, is calling for precipitation during the game," said Torre on Wednesday afternoon. "We're expecting clear weather the next two days. I think that was more of a decision maker than anything else."

Torre also said they wanted to get the word out as soon as possible to the Cardinals' far-flung fan base. Still, it was easy to see Torre was preparing for the second-guess because of the quirky nature of St. Louis weather.

"This town is one of the toughest as far as trying to figure out the weather," said Torre. "That's from my playing days and managing days here."

Game 2 of the ALCS between the Rangers and Tigers was postponed in Arlington, Texas because of the threat of rain. One problem, it never rained. The decision to postpone Wednesday's game was made by Commissioner Bud Selig, Torre and Peter Woodfork, MLB's senior vice president of baseball operations.

When the World Series was played in Cleveland in 1997, there was no rain, but plenty of snow and cold. It was 38 degrees with flurries for the first pitch of Game 3 against the Marlins. There no talk of postponement.

By the middle innings, the auxiliary pressbox in the second deck in right field was all but empty at Progressive Field. Reporters risked frostbite sitting out there and Dick Jacobs, the late owner of the team, complained because he could have sold those seats. Of course, he was sitting in his heated loge.

After the game, Selig was besieged by questions about moving the World Series to a neutral, and warmer, site. Perhaps that is the future of the World Series if the threat of rain can cause a World Series game to be postponed.

The two-day break in the series -- Tuesday's scheduled travel day and Wednesday -- has put some pitchers back in play for Game 6. Texas manager Ron Washington said Derek Holland and C.J. Wilson, who started Game 4 and 5, will be available in the bullpen Thursday. If a seventh game is needed, the postponement gives Washington the opportunity to start Holland on three days' rest. Holland threw 8 1/3 scoreless innings against St. Louis in a 4-0 victory in Game 4.

Washington said he wasn't going to do that.

"Matt Harrison is my Game 7 pitcher," he said. "He's been a big part of this team all year. I'm not changing the things I've been doing all year."

The extra day's rest should help Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton, who is expected to undergo surgery for a sports hernia after the World Series.

Manager Tony La Russa didn't name him, but if there is a Game 7, Chris Carpenter should start on short rest. Carpenter started Game 1 and Game 5, winning the series opener and going seven innings in a no-decision in Game 5.

"It seems like a push to say Carpenter could contribute anything in Game 6 without jeopardizing his career," said La Russa. "On three day's rest, he's already done that. So we'd feel better about Game 7 if we need him."

This is not the first time the wild-card Cardinals have been in a tough spot this season. They trailed Atlanta by 10 1/2 games in late August, but tracked them down. In the ALDS, they went to Game 5 against the Phillies.

"We've been in this situation before," said Albert Pujols. "We've proven it over and over to you guys that we're a tough team. The series is not over.

"Are we in a bad situation? Of course, we know that. There is no tomorrow for us. We just have to show up for Game 6 and push this thing to Game 7."

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot preview the Browns' game against the San Francisco 49ers. Watch video

Ohio State has barely played three linebackers together in Big Ten play, but the Buckeyes will need a great game from their linebackers to have a chance to stop Wisconsin on Saturday.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerAndrew Sweat (tackling Colorado's Rodney Stewart) has been the most consistent linebacker for the Buckeyes this season, while Tyler Moeller has split his time between the star and strongside linebacker.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State may trot out an unusual defense against Wisconsin on Saturday, one that the Buckeyes haven't used very often lately.

A defense with three linebackers.

In 205 defensive snaps in Big Ten play, the Buckeyes have put three true linebackers on the field together just 14 times. One of those was the final kneeldown by Michigan State in the Spartans' win four weeks ago. The Buckeyes still refer to that three linebacker look as their base defense, but it is far from their foundation.

As the spread offense has moved through college football, Ohio State and other teams have played more and more nickel defenses, with one more defensive back on the field. The Buckeyes call that position their "star," and look for a player who can cover like a safety and hit like a linebacker. Sixth-year senior Tyler Moeller has filled that role this season, and the Buckeyes have been smart to get him on the field almost all the time.

The decision to so seldom play three linebackers has been more than just schematic. Moeller is one of their best 11 defenders. He's often been a true Sam, or strongside, linebacker, staying on the field against Michigan State, Nebraska or Illinois at times even when the offense had in three tight ends.

"It's just a name," head coach Luke Fickell said. "Call him a Sam or a star or a safety, he does a lot of different things and that's kind of been his role. He obviously plays more than the three linebacker set."

In the past, the players the Buckeyes called their Sam and their star had very different skill sets. Moeller comes the closest to straddling the line. Keeping Moeller on the field has led to the creation of Stormbino, the combo linebacker who has shared the middle linebacker responsibilities, with Andrew Sweat playing on the weakside. Juniors Storm Klein and Etienne Sabino have split the snaps almost 50-50, more because neither has clearly won the second linebacker job than because both have played so well.

But this may be the week, against Wisconsin's physical offense, when Klein, Sabino and Sweat are out there together again on more than just goal line or third-and-short situations, as has been the case. Klein believes the three linebackers will be on the field a lot, though the coaches have been more noncommittal, talking only about the need for multiple defensive looks.

"We always try to get the best 11 out there," Fickell said. "Sometimes what the [offense] puts out there dictates what you can do."

This, seemingly, would be one of those times. In the past, the Wisconsin game was what a true Sam linebacker like former Buckeye Austin Spitler would live for. Pushed to the sideline by the spread, Spitler wanted to bang heads with the Badgers and stop the run, getting up near the line of scrimmage over the tight end and taking on blocks.

"This is the front seven's Super Bowl," Klein said.

This Ohio State roster doesn't really have a true Sam, though. Sabino would play there Saturday but he is a more natural middle linebacker who is listed as the starter on the strongside out of necessity. True freshman Curtis Grant was moved to No. 2 on the depth chart at Sam this week, but he has barely seen the field and is still learning the defense.

So the Buckeyes' decision on personnel against the Badgers, who feature a huge offensive line, a very good running back in Montee Ball and a quarterback in Russell Wilson who can run or throw, is to play a 6-3, 230-pounder in Sabino who hasn't had a great year, or play a 6-foot, 210-pounder Moeller who may not be big enough to hold up against this type of offense over 60 minutes.

The play at that position, and among the linebackers as a group, will decide if the Buckeyes have a chance to slow the Badgers down. Last season, when Wisconsin stormed to a big first-half lead on the way to a win in Madison, the OSU linebackers got run over.

In Ohio State's favor is the fact that Klein, while improving against the pass, feels he's built for this game.

"I like playing against the run. I just like to hit people," Klein said. "That's why they've got me in there, and that's what I enjoy playing."

Sabino is coming off his best game of the year against Illinois. The Buckeyes' linebackers as a group did a much better job attacking and shedding blocks and making open-field tackles in the win over the Illini.

"I just think I made plays when I was supposed to," Sabino said. "I did my job on a more consistent basis."

The Badgers may see more of Sabino and Klein on a consistent basis than any opponent this season. The Buckeyes need that defense to work.

Buckeyes completed one of four passes in their win against Illinois. It will take more than that against the Badgers. And, more Ohio State links.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerOhio State quarterback Braxton Miller, here lining up behind All-American center Michael Brewster, will need to produce in the passing game against Wisconsin.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Resorting to extraordinary means in search of a much-needed win at Illinois on Oct. 15, Ohio State's coaching staff had true freshman quarterback Braxton Miller attempt just four passes.

It wasn't the most appealing of football games, but the tactic worked. The Buckeyes won, 17-7, handing the Fighting Illini their first loss of the season. And, the one completed pass was quite helpful -- Miller's 17-yard touchdown toss to Jake Stoneburner.

Ohio State (4-3, 1-2) plays a Big Ten Leaders Division game against 12th-ranked Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1) on Saturday night at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Though their win-loss records are similar, the Badgers pose more of a challenge for opponents than does Illinois (now 6-2, 2-2).

It's unlikely that the Buckeyes can stay near Wisconsin with the same strategy they used against Illinois.

For BuckeyeSports.com, Marcus Hartman considers five questions about the Ohio State-Wisconsin game, including: 

2. Will Ohio State get anything from its passing game?

The Buckeyes won at Illinois two weeks ago despite completing only one pass at Illinois, but they don’t figure to get away with that this weekend against a Wisconsin team averaging more than 47 points per game.

Freshman quarterback Braxton Miller looked shaky in the pocket at windy Memorial Stadium in Champaign his last time out, but he has shown a few flashes of his five-star talent during four starts. His teammates like what they have seen from him in practice lately.

“I just see a different guy than I saw against Michigan State or Miami,” senior center Mike Brewster said. “He has so much more confidence. I’m sure he understands and feels way more comfortable in the offense and controlling the huddle. I really think he’s been going out there and playing like he knows how to play, being calm and being natural.”

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Ohio State coverage includes Doug Lesmerises' story that Ohio State needs some big plays by its linebackers against Wisconsin; his Ohio State Insider; his story that OSU is looking forward to playing Wisconsin, which handed the Buckeyes their lone defeat last season; Bill Livingston's column on the developing Ohio State-Wisconsin rivalry; a Starting Blocks Ohio State-Wisconsin poll; and, much more.

About the Buckeyes

A story about the 1961 Buckeyes, by Brandon Castel of the-Ozone.net.

Ohio State had some contact with Wisconsin star quarterback Russell Wilson during his recruitment last summer, Tom Mulhern writes for madison.com.

Buckeyes offensive coordinator Jim Bollman and cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson discuss Wisconsin. By Brandon Castel for the-Ozone.net.

The Buckeyes aren't thinking in terms of revenge vs. the Badgers, John Kampf writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

What Ohio State president Gordon Gee had to say at a gathering in Newark, by Seth Roy of the Newark Advocate.

With Ohio State next, Wisconsin can't dwell on its tough loss to Michigan State, Adam Rittenberg writes for ESPN.com.

Ohio State football notebook, by Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch.

Wisconsin's loss to Michigan State gives the Buckeyes some division title hopes, writes Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch.

"I'm floored that this happened," Monsters coach David Quinn said. "It's the last thing I expected."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Facing Syracuse on Wednesday night, the Monsters figured to benefit from the absences of Crunch standout wingers Patrick Maroon and Kyle Palmieri. Maroon was recalled by the Anaheim Ducks on Monday and Palmieri is day-to-day because of a hip injury.

Maroon and Palmieri had formed two-thirds of a lethal line that also included center Nick Bonino. Through Tuesday, Palmieri led the AHL with eight goals.

No one could have foreseen what did, in fact, unfold. The Crunch's way of compensating was to score with ease -- and score some more. Five players had goals in a 7-0 rout at The Q. Goalie Iiro Tarkki made 25 saves as the Crunch (4-1-1-1) rebounded splendidly from a 7-0 loss Sunday at Hershey.

The Monsters (2-6-1-0) were coming off a five-point weekend, which included overtime victories Saturday at Syracuse and Sunday at Toronto. The margin of defeat set a franchise record. Lake Erie, in its fifth season, has lost by six on two occasions.

"I'm floored that this happened," Monsters coach David Quinn said. "It's the last thing I expected, especially after how we played last weekend. It wasn't like four guys had bad nights; almost everybody had a bad night. It made me think, 'Did we do something wrong as a staff?'

"We had a good practice Tuesday, and you think, 'All right, we're headed in the right direction.' To take a step back of this magnitude. ... I can't tell you how disappointing this is."

Quinn kept the locker-room door closed longer than normal, but not because he was peeling paint.

"With something like that, you don't need to yell at them," he said. "They know what happened. To be a pro, to be an NHLer, you can't have games like that -- individually or collectively. If you can learn from something like this, maybe it's worth it. But it's hard to think that way right now."

Syracuse applied pressure in each period, scoring twice in the first, twice in the second and three times in the third. The Crunch finished with a 33-25 advantage in shots.

"They out-everything-ed us," Quinn said. "They skated faster than we did, hit harder than we did, shot harder than we did and passed more than we did. I've been doing this a long time, and I don't think I've felt like that standing behind a bench. It was such a complete 180 from what happened the last three games."

Lake Erie goalie Trevor Cann, who entered with a 2.86 goals-against average and .895 save percentage, allowed six goals on 29 shots. James Reid replaced him early in the third.

"We left Trevor Cann out to dry," Quinn said.

The Monsters, terrific at home last season, are 0-4 at The Q. They host Toronto on Friday night.

Mark Bell and J.F. Jacques scored two goals apiece for the Crunch. Bonino had a goal and an assist.

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

Rocky River defeated Bay, 4-2, in a wild shootout in a girls soccer district semifinal on Wednesday night. The score was tied at 1 after regulation. Rocky River decided the outcome during the shootout as Morgan Berg, Abby Elinsky and Sarah Molina scored. Hallie McCue, however, scored the game-winner.

Rocky River defeated Bay, 4-2, in a wild shootout in a girls soccer district semifinal on Wednesday night.

The score was tied at 1 after regulation. Rocky River decided the outcome during the shootout as Morgan Berg, Abby Elinsky and Sarah Molina scored. Hallie McCue, however, scored the game-winner.

Pirates goalie Kim Leitch and Rockets goalie Margaret each had eight saves.

Hawken 2, Gilmour Academy 0: The Hawks advanced to the district finals as sophomore forward Katherine Zalar scored with an assist by Kaylee Gialamas, and midfielder Cailin Conner scored on a free kick with four minutes left.

Hathaway Brown 2, Lake Catholic 1: Blazers' junior Lysette Roman snapped a 1-1 tie with 17 minutes left in a district semifinal game. Vicky Martinis scored for Lake Catholic.

Laurel 2, Kirtland 0: Abby Napoli and Sydney Riddle scored to lead the Gators in the district semifinal.

Walsh Jesuit 9, Aurora 0: Juli Knapp, Maddy Anzelc, and Sandra Yu scored two goals each to lead the Warriors to victory in a Kent district semifinal.

Elyria Catholic 1, Cuyahoga Heights 0: Jenna Ellingson scored on a corner kick with 2:37 left in double overtime to give the Panthers a victory in a Division III district semifinal game in Rocky River.

Field hockey

Hathaway Brown 2, Hawken 1: The Blazers, the No. 1 seed, rallied from a 1-0 deficit behind goals by Emily Weinberg and Audry Warner to win the district semifinal game.

First two weeks of season already have been canceled, and there's little time left to save any basketball in November.

Associated PressNBA commissioner David Stern, here in an Oct. 19 photo, and other team owners' representatives met today with the NBA players union.

NEW YORK -- NBA owners and players were engaged in another marathon session Wednesday, meeting for more than 11 hours in talks aimed at ending the lockout.

The two sides got back to the table with a small group meeting less than a week after three intense days of mediation didn't produce a new labor deal.

Negotiations broke down last Thursday when players said owners insisted they agree to a 50-50 split of revenues as a condition to further discuss the salary cap system.

The first two weeks of the season already have been canceled, and there's little time left to save any basketball in November. Commissioner David Stern has said he feared even games through Christmas would be in jeopardy if there wasn't a deal last week.

Stern rejoined the talks Wednesday after missing last Thursday's session with the flu. He was joined by Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, owners Peter Holt of San Antonio, Glen Taylor of Minnesota and James Dolan of New York, and a pair of league office attorneys.

The union was represented by executive director Billy Hunter, president Derek Fisher of the Lakers and vice president Maurice Evans of the Wizards, attorney Ron Klempner and economist Kevin Murphy.

The players have lowered their proposal to 52.5 percent of basketball-related income, leaving the sides about $100 million apart annually, based on last season's revenues. Players were guaranteed 57 percent of BRI under the previous collective bargaining agreement.

The system is the other chief hurdle. Seeking greater parity among their 30 teams, owners are looking to reduce the ways that teams can exceed the salary cap so that big markets won't have a significant payroll advantage. They have proposed raising the taxes the highest spenders would pay, but players fear the penalties would be so punitive they would act like a hard salary cap.

The sides also are struggling over items such as the length of the deal, players' contract lengths and the size of their raises.

Silver said last week it was "unclear" to him whether an 82-game schedule was still possible. The league could try to reschedule the lost games if a deal can be reached soon.

Though Ohio State has a lot to play for, it's Wisconsin's attitude that may determine Saturday's outcome.

View full sizeCarlos Osorio, Associated PressThe shock of last Saturday's loss to Michigan State knocked Wisconsin linebacker Kevin Claxton to the ground and even earned the sympathy of MSU's Anthony Rashad White. Will the Badgers be able to put together a bounce-back effort against the Buckeyes on Saturday? OSU players expect it.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Pout or seethe? Mopey or angry?

What may have the greatest effect on No. 12 Wisconsin's visit to Ohio State on Saturday night is how the Badgers react to their first loss of the season. Everyone knows the Buckeyes have a multitude of reasons to be ready, but after seeing their national title hopes shot down by Michigan State's last-second touchdown last week, will the Badgers' hearts be in it?

As Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema pointed out, the Badgers don't have a lot of experience with losing lately. He said breaking down film after a loss is one of the most difficult things for players to do. They didn't gather to do that after the loss to TCU in the Rose Bowl last season, and they lost just once in the 2010 regular season.

Overall, the Badgers are 21-3 in their last 24 regular-season games. Over that same span, Ohio State is 20-4.

"So there's not a lot of history to go back on," Bielema said. "I said to them ... you should never get used to this feeling. This feeling should hurt. It should be in your mind, and it's something that we need to get rid of and shake out tonight, Sunday night.

"But if you ever accept it, or if it becomes common for you, or you can think that this is something that you can live with, then it's going to begin to happen more than you'll ever want it to. So that was a very important thing I wanted our guys to hear."

If they do hear it, Ohio State could be in trouble. The Badgers are their best will be a tall order.

"Anytime you're coming off a loss, you have that nasty taste in your mouth," OSU cornerback Travis Howard said. "You want to just go out the next week and prove a lot of people wrong."

Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman said he has seen some teams over the years not bounce back after a tough loss, "but most good teams come back and play really hard after that. I would expect these guys to come back and play their hearts out."

Honoring Eddie: Former Heisman Trophy winner and Ohio State running back Eddie George will be honored at halftime Saturday for his election to the College Football Hall of Fame. The induction is in December. George is also a former teammate of OSU head coach Luke Fickell.

"Eddie George is probably to me one of the best stories that I've ever been around here at Ohio State," Fickell said. "From a guy that came in, things didn't go his way to start with, [and] for the next three years, he was the hardest-working guy on the team. I've told guys that story several times.

"I don't know in my time here that there was anybody that out-worked him. That's why he is where he is today. That's why he's going into the Hall of Fame. That's why he has a Heisman Trophy. It's not just on the ability. It's on the person, the character, the work ethic that he had to get better."

Simon one of 20: Junior defensive lineman John Simon is one of 20 national quarterfinalists for the Lott Impact Trophy. The award, with the winner announced after the season, honors both defensive performance on the field and character. The Big Ten has the most quarterfinalists of any conference with six.

While Fujita returned to practice Wednesday, Mohamed Massaqoui and Ben Watson were idle with their concussions. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The fog has lifted for Scott Fujita, and the Browns linebacker is expected to return Sunday in San Francisco from his concussion suffered Oct. 16 against the Raiders.

The same can't be said for tight end Ben Watson and receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who both sat out practice on Wednesday with their concussions and haven't been cleared to practice.

"Doing well," said Fujita, who rested last Sunday and was sent home from practice every day last week. "It's great to get back with the guys. I think practice was great."

He's not sure how many concussions he's had.

"I don't really want to know. But I was cleared [Tuesday], so I'm happy to put it behind me and just get back to football."

Fujita didn't realize the extent of his condition.

"I have a pretty good idea about when it happened," he said. "It's one of those things that kind of builds and builds. I feel good that I have a couple teammates and a coach who kind of noticed that my demeanor was off and they alerted the people.

"I felt like the management from the point that it happened through yesterday was just fantastic. So that makes me feel really, really good. I couldn't be happier with the way [trainer] Joe Sheehan and our doctors handled everything."

He's already had discussions with Massaquoi and Watson. Both have had multiple concussions and will need to be extra careful.

"I talked to both of those guys after their issues happened," said Fujita. "It's tough when this happens, it's a part of this game, unfortunately. I keep talking about the management and care, that's the most important thing."

A member of the NFL Players Association executive council, Fujita said the players asked for a seven-day injury list to have time to heal properly as part of the new collective bargaining agreement.

"Unfortunately it wasn't adopted with the new CBA," he said. "It would've been a good thing, absolutely.

"Obviously there's so much heightened awareness [in the NFL about concussions] and I'm an older guy in my career and with a family and stuff, so certainly you think about those big-picture things," he said. "But again, I feel confident in the doctors and stuff and trust me, I know a lot about this issue, I'm on every email list. I think I'm pretty up to date on some of the concerns, so, yeah, I feel good about where I'm at right now."

Fujita returns just in time to try to help snuff the 49ers' power running game, which has been steamrollering through the NFL. Over the past three games, the 49ers have rushed for an average of 193.3 yards -- first in the NFL. Behind Frank Gore, they've racked up 580 yards on 90 carries (6.4 average) and four TDs in those games.

"It's a challenge," said Fujita. "These guys are really good at what they do.

"It's a really big-time power offense. They love to run the ball and they're committed to it, and they do a good job."

Injury updates: Kicker Phil Dawson (thigh bruise) was limited, but special teams coach Chris Tabor said he's not concerned about Dawson. ... Right guard Shawn Lauvao, who sat out practice, said he hyperextened his right knee during the Seahawks game, but expects to play Sunday. He ran on the side Wednesday with a knee brace on, moving well.

Edwards' status uncertain: San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh originally thought Braylon Edwards might return this week from surgery to repair a torn meniscus six weeks ago, but now isn't so sure about the former Browns receiver.

"We need a little more evaluation," Harbaugh told reporters. "I might have been overly optimistic about our guys in general who we may get back for this ball game. We'll assess it day to day."

“If the knee’s not ready, then we’re not going to go, regardless of who it is,” Edwards said after practice. “If the knee is ready, then so be it. It just so happens to be a team I used to play for.”

Traded away to the Jets during the 2009 season, Edwards says he has no hard feelings at this stage of his career.

“They gave me an opportunity. They drafted me in the first round in 2005, so I’m very grateful to that society and the organization for taking a chance,” Edwards said. “Had some good times, we had some bad times, as you do in life. But I hold no grudges toward anybody there and I still have some friends from that area.”

Back in the game: Receiver Carlton Mitchell, who underwent surgery on his left ring finger during preseason, will be active this game, Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. Mitchell will most likely take Massaquoi's place on the roster.

"I'm very excited," said Mitchell. "[The surgery] was a pretty decent setback because I missed all of preseason, but things happen for a reason."

Mitchell brings much-needed speed to the offense, which is last in the league with only eight plays of 20 yards or more.

"I was blessed with pretty decent speed and I think I could definitely help, even if it's just clearing guys out," he said. "I'm not a selfish player at all. If I can just clear it out and open things up for other guys, I'm [fine]."

He said his finger, which had four screws inserted, feels great.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

NBA players are going to lose the PR battle with owners during this lockout, but do its biggest stars have to make it so easy?

View full sizeSue Ogrocki, Associated PressLeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were raising money for Oklahoma City charities with other NBA stars on Sunday, but such games -- and international tours for the top players -- don't help the players' cause with the public during the owners' lockout, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A couple dozen high-profile NBA players begin a two-week, four-continent tour beginning Sunday in San Juan. From there, the locked-out nomads find work in London for two games, then on to Macau before showing up in Melbourne for another double shift.

Not since the Olympic Dream Team at Barcelona held its "training camp" in Monte Carlo have NBA players proven themselves such men of the people.

You can argue on behalf of the players in the long, tortured lockout. You can say you understand why players would put the onus on owners to first show they can share the wealth with each other before demanding such a large give-back from them. You can rightly argue people who depend on NBA games for their livelihood can only blame the owners for games lost, since the owners are the ones who've bolted the doors to tax-funded arenas.

You can do all that and still ask yourself one question about this World Tour: Does this sound like a good idea? Right now?

I mean, why not stop off in France after London and dedicate an exhibition to the memory of Marie Antoinette? Reports say players will receive salaries ranging from six figures to $1 million.

Some -- maybe even much -- of the revenues will go to charity, which certainly beats none of the revenue going to charity. But back home, big- and small-market NBA owners will wrangle over increased revenue sharing while players of lesser acclaim will be budgeting for the possibility of a season completely detonated.

Wonder if the rank-and-file gambling with their financial futures will gain strength from the image of its stars doubling down on the blackjack tables of Macau. Back home, arena workers in every NBA city will brace against a prolonged management-union stalemate. But, hey, summer, with all its natural beauty -- au naturel in the case of Australia's topless beaches -- is coming to Melbourne.

It's Day 118 of the lockout. For some reason the NBA players association hasn't called to ask my advice on how to handle this stalemate from a public-relations standpoint. Since this is a time of sacrifice for all involved, I'll forego my fee.

Fellas, stay home. Home is where the fans and jilted arena workers are.

Visit America first. Announce a tour of NBA cities. Rent a place to play close to the NBA arena in each city. Say you're doing it to bring some money to the restaurants and hotels losing income during the lockout. Set up a game in each town with players from that city, not just the NBA's elite.

Grab the microphone at halftime. (Just don't let Amar'e Stoudemire talk about starting your own league. And turn off Kenyon Martin's mic. Too risky.) Apologize. Say thanks.

Remind people it's a lockout, not a strike, if that's part of your message. If you're looking for a militant theme of protest, wave all three-second calls. Title it Occupy The Lane.

Anything other than a World All-Star Tour.

Or follow the lead of NBA players spending their time on a USO Tour...

Sacramento's Tyreke Evans, Miami's Mike Miller, Chicago's Derrick Rose, Charlotte's D.J. Augustin, Atlanta's Al Horford, New Jersey center Brook Lopez, Washington big man JaVale McGee and Mike Miller of the Heat played an exhibition Tuesday in Hawaii alongside a group of military players. The eight NBA players visited a Wounded Warrior center and ate with troops. Rose called the experience "a great reminder never to take anything for granted."

One of the military players visited both benches just before halftime to say goodbye. According to the AP, Sylvester "Wes" Lawrence had to leave to pack for deployment.

Not to Macau, unfortunately. To the Middle East.

HE SAID IT

"That is absurd. Terrell will, of course, only be playing in the NFL." -- agent Drew Rosenhaus after the Chicago Rush of the Arena League issued a release saying they had extended an offer to Terrell Owens.

Having seen his reality show, this is hardly the most absurd thing ever associated with T.O.

SPINOFFS

Owens wore a T-shirt with "I am" on the front and "ready" on the back for a public workout Tuesday. No NFL scouts attended, but St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa could not rule out using Owens out of the bullpen in Game 6. ...

LaRussa's bullpen blunders in Game 5 were quite the turn of events for a guy who not only considers himself the smartest guy in the room but all of baseball as the "room."... I'm reminded of a line a writer friend once used about Bobby Valentine. If LaRussa knew there would be nights like Game 5, he would've never invented baseball...

View full sizeAP photoHe has 163 saves over the last four years but ... yeah ... it's about the beard.

The 2007 Quarterback Class -- Jamarcus Russell and Brady Quinn (first round), Kevin Kolb, John Beck and Drew Stanton (second round), Trent Edwards (third), Jeff Rowe and Troy Smith (fifth), Jordan Palmer (sixth) and Tyler Thigpen (seventh) -- is "celebrating" its fifth year in the league. At least those still in the league...

Russell, who is out of football, told SI recently that sleep apnea played a role in his lethargy at team meetings while with the Raiders. He also ripped his former head coach, Tom Cable. Just Jamarcus owning up to the fact he has no one to blame except everyone but himself...

NFL teams coming off byes are 3-9. The 49ers, the Browns' opponent Sunday, are coming off a bye. That sounds promising for Pat Shurmur's guys but there's no precedent for how a team coming off a bye can be expected to fare against a team coming off a baseball score...

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

View full sizePD fileThere was Reconstruction and the Second Industrial Revolution, but ... yeah, it's about that beard.

Rutherford B. Hayes and Giants reliever Brian Wilson -- Jack Chase

Seattle QB Charlie Whitehurst and actor Keanu Reeves -- Ketti Finneran, University Heights

Rex Ryan and Blue Collar comedian Ron White. -- Erich Mausser, Independence

YOU SAID IT

(The Often Unappreciated Mid-Week Edition)

"Hey Bud:

"I like 'living on the edge' ... does watching the Browns qualify?" -- Doug, Westlake

You call Sunday "living"?

"Dear Bud:

"Shouldn't the 'separated-at-births' have at least a passing resemblance? Or would Brad Pitt and Dan Coughlin work?" -- Jim O, Chardon

Probably depends on whether we're asking Brad Pitt or Dan Coughlin.

"Bud:

"After sitting through Sunday's game, my wife no longer wants me complaining about Dancing With the Stars being unwatchable." -- Bob H., Medina

Not to say the Seattle pass rush was pouring in from unseen places but I believe Chaz Bono was credited with two of the five sacks.

"Bud:

"If a tie is like kissing your sister, what was the Browns' 6-3 victory over Seattle like?" -- Stan, Trumansburg, N.Y.

Like kissing your kicker.

"Bud:

"If cavemen found a way to turn stone into useful tools, then what can be done with Mike Adams' hands?" -- Tom Braddock, Painesville

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"When the sports editor asks what scoops you're working on, do you hold a piece of paper over your mouth so the other writers can't read your lips?" -- Ignatowski

Repeat winners receive a bye.

"Bud:

"With scores like 6 to 3, will Randy Lerner start watching?" -- Joe S

Repeat winners also get a one-on-none with the Browns owner.

Brad Seely, who mentored fine Browns' special teams the last two years, has helped make the 49ers' units among the best in the NFL. Plus, addressing an incomplete report on Peyton Hillis. More Browns links.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerOakland's Jacoby Ford returned a kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown during the Raiders' 24-17 win over the Browns on Oct. 16.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns' special teams have been good, bad and in-between.

And, the Browns are 3-3.

The San Francisco 49ers' special teams have been strong and consistent.

The 49ers are 5-1.

The Browns visit the 49ers on Sunday. Chris Tabor, in his first season as the Browns' special teams coordinator, is still trying to blend his players into cohesive, reliable units.

The 49ers' special teams coordinator is Brad Seely, who was the Browns' coordinator the last two years. He was named the NFL's Special Teams Coach of the Year in 2009.

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal writes about the Browns and 49ers' special teams:

Entering Sunday’s game, the host 49ers are ranked second in the league in kickoff returns with an average drive start of 26.1. The Browns are a respectable fifth with 23.6. Ginn is averaging 31.8 yards per kickoff return and 13.7 yards per punt return.

He returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in Week 1 when the 49ers defeated the Seahawks.

San Francisco’s top talent on special teams does not end with Ginn.

Punter Andy Lee is tied for first in the NFL with a net average of 44.4 yards and kicker David Akers also ranks among the league’s best, tied for fifth with 22 touchbacks. Akers is also 13-for-15 on field goals this season with a long of 55.

As a team, the 49ers are ranked 15th in average drive start allowed (21.1), while the Browns are second from last (24.9).

“It’s gonna take a year or two to get certain guys in place,” Browns return ace Josh Cribbs said. “Before Seely came, we were a pretty good special teams unit. We had the guys here. Now that he’s gone, it’s been a huge turnover. A lot of people have left, Nick Sorensen, Blake Costanzo, a lot of key members in the core special-teams unit have left. So that’s what happens with the coaching changes. So, you’ve got Tabor now and he’s building a whole special-teams unit from scratch.”

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tom Reed's feature story on the comeback of 49ers lineman Alex Boone, the former Lakewood St. Edward and Ohio State star; Tony Grossi's story on Browns running back Peyton Hillis, who looks forward to getting back on the field; Mary Kay Cabot's Browns Insider; Grossi and Cabot preview the Browns-49ers game, via a David I. Andersen video; video of Hillis talking with the media after Wednesday's practice, by Andersen; a Starting Blocks poll on the Browns-49ers game; and, much more.

The full story, please?

The Browns still consider Peyton Hillis their featured running back, Jamison Hensley writes for ESPN.com.

Some Starting Blocks commentary on Hensley's report is in order. First, let's establish that both Hillis and Montario Hardesty have been running behind subpar blocking, and they're also hampered by a passing attack that has limited big-play ability -- often enabling opposing defenses to key on the line of scrimmage. 

But, in the interest of fairness, Hensley needs to tell the whole story.

He writes:

If the Browns had made the decision that Hillis didn't fit into their plans or offense, this would be the time to make the shift to Hardesty, who is coming off a 95-yard game against a tough Seattle run defense.

There has been much criticism of Hillis for his ordinary rushing average of 3.5 yards a carry. Hensley didn't write that it took Hardesty 33 carries for the 95 yards; 2.9 yards per carry. Hardesty's rushing average for the season is 3.3 yards. The case can be made that Hillis and Hardesty have done about as well as can be expected given the other circumstances.

Hensley also writes:

In Hillis' four starts, the Browns are 1-3. In Hardesty's two starts, the Browns are 2-0.

Hensley again ignores the full story. The Browns are averaging 11.5 points a game in Hardesty's two starts. Seven of those points came on the late-game touchdown drive for a 17-16 win over the winless Miami Dolphins. Hardesty didn't run the football once during the drive, though he made a key pass catch on a fourth-down play that kept the drive going. We won't get into the differences in the pass-catching and blocking abilities of Hillis and Hardesty.

Hillis has made four starts. In the two games (including the 27-19 win over winless Indianapolis) when he was healthy and indeed the featured back, the Browns averaged 22 points. He started in the 31-13 loss to Tennessee, but actually got one less touch than did Hardesty.

Hillis started but played only briefly due to a pulled hamstring in the 24-17 loss to Oakland. Seven of the Browns' points against the Raiders came at the end of the game, when Oakland was simply focused on stopping the big play.

Nothing against Montario Hardesty, who has shown glimpses of being a fine back. Sometimes, though, it seems that not all of the facts are addressed in analyses of Peyton Hillis' play.

Goal to goal

Coach Pat Shurmur wants the Browns to run the football, writes Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Compliments for the Browns defense, in Sports Illustrated SI.com's team power rankings.

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy compliments Boise State QB Kellen Moore, who is set to pass McCoy for the most career wins by a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) quarterback.

Peyton Hillis wants to play and not talk about his contract status. By Stephanie Storm of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Pat Shurmur looks for balance from his team. By Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

Josh Cribbs and Peyton Hillis' quotes from Wednesday, on clevelandbrowns.com.

A Browns-49ers preview, on CBSSports.com.

An interview with former Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who may or may not be able to play for the 49ers against the Browns, as he continues to work his way back from Sept. 18 knee surgery. By Eric Branch for SFGate.com.