Tuesday morning, you get to vote on what player the Indianapolis Colts should pick, and about 12 hours later, what player the Washington Redskins should select. Wednesday night, the Browns go on the clock.

Associated PressBaylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor (right) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after Taylor was selected with the 21st overall pick by the Browns in the first round of the NFL draft last April 28.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns and NFL fans, beginning on Tuesday, you get your chance to say who all of the teams should pick in the first round of the draft on April 26.

From Tuesday at 10 a.m. through April 22, via polls, we'll ask you every day to make the first-round picks for each of two teams. The polls will go up on cleveland.com at approximate 12-hour intervals, around 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day.

For instance, beginning on Tuesday morning at 10, for about 12 hours you will vote on what player you think the Indianapolis Colts should select with the first overall pick in the draft. Then, within moments, the Washington Redskins will go on your 12-hour clock. The player you pick to go to the Colts will be off the board for the Redskins.

Wednesday, you will get to make the third and fourth picks, belonging to, respectively, the Minnesota Vikings and, of course, the Browns.

On April 23-24, you'll be asked to make the picks for each of three teams (at approximate eight-hour intervals), completing the 32-pick first round.

When it's all done, we can see how your picks match up with what happens two weeks from Thursday.

Meanwhile, continue to check The Plain Dealer for Browns and NFL coverage.

Happy drafting!

Cleveland Indians' Monday farm report.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 4, Indians 3 Host Columbus scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Indianapolis.

Gregorio Petit's two-out double to left was the catalyst, scoring two runs.

Clippers starter Chris Seddon gave up three runs on five hits in four innings. He struck out five batters.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 5, Curve 1 Akron scored three runs in the second inning and never looked back in Altoona, Pa.

Aeros' pitchers combined to strike out 12 Altoona batters.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Mudcats 6, Blue Rocks 0 Carolina improved to 3-1 by pounding out 10 hits to bury Wilmington in Zebulon, N.C. Dwight Childs helped the Mud Cats' cause with three RBI, while Tony Wolters chipped in two more.

Carolina starter T.J. House (1-0) went seven innings and didn't allow Wilmington to score on two hits.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 8, Loons 0 Lake County scored four runs in the second inning during the rout of Great Lakes in Fort Wayne, Ind. The highlight was Luigi Rodriguez's two-out, two-run double. Rodriguez finished the game with three RBI.

Captains starter Joe Colon (1-0) got the win by working six shutout innings on three hits, walking two while striking out three.

In a 100-game schedule that runs from late February to September, a group of NE Ohio baseball fans share in the joy of a baseball simulation game and each other.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerWorld Baseball Association manager David Shires awaits the result of an at-bat during a Strat-O-Matic game against Jim Forbes in the basement of a Brunswick home in March. "We all love baseball," said league commissioner Mike Meissner, 57, of Fairview Park. "That's what we have in common."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians are into the first full week of the season, but as far as these 12 men are concerned, baseball season started more than a month ago.

And on a recent game night, it sure sounded like baseball season.

"Jim's trying to steal home! ... He's out!"

"Chipper's up, two down, second and third ... strikeout."

"Two-out bingo. C'mon Big Papi."

Such banter emanates from members of the World Baseball Association, a 12-team Strat-O-Matic baseball league whose first pitch was thrown in 1980 -- back when Mike Hargrove was at first base and Rick Manning played center for the Indians.

League managers come from all walks of life and Northeast Ohio locales. Every other Thursday, in a 100-game schedule that runs from late February to when a World Series champion is finally crowned in September, they share in the joy of a game and each other.

"We all love baseball," said Mike Meissner, 57, of Fairview Park, the league's founder and commissioner. "That's what we have in common."

Strat-O-Matic is based on statistically accurate Major League Baseball player cards and the probability of dice. When combined, devoted players say they get swept up in the realism and strategy they don't find in video games or fantasy leagues.

Boys usually pass through "Strat" on their way to routine and responsibility. But somewhere along the way, the managers of the WBA decided they didn't want to let it go.

Sportscaster Bob Costas, a lifelong Strat fan, discusses the game

"I don't know about you guys," said Jim Pehotsky, a 50-year-old Cleveland Clinic psych nurse who joined the league 20 years ago, "but for me, for six hours every other week, we get to be kids again."

Hal Richman was an 11-year-old kid in New York when he invented the game in 1948. He perfected it through summer camp and as a student at Bucknell University, to the point where it went mainstream. The official version of Strat-O-Matic celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

The WBA hasn't been around that long, but it's close. Meissner, who started playing with friends at St. Ignatius in 1970, launched the league by advertising for players in a Strat-O-Matic magazine after returning from Harvard Law School. The league had eight teams and an 81-game schedule that first year.

"My goal was, I wanted a league that lasted a long time," said Meissner, a Squire Sanders corporate tax lawyer.

It has, mainly because he's so dedicated. Meissner produces a bi-weekly newspaper, called "The Daily Observer," with standings, statistics and game stories. He also puts out a season wrap-up, maintains all-time statistical leaders and has kept up a season-by-season review since Day One.

"The league would fall apart without him," Pehotsky said.

But no league can't exist for 33 years without turnover. The average manager's tenure is 15 years; most are in their 40s and 50s. Some have moved or quit. Three died, including one mid-season. When one of the managers died 10 years ago, Dave Shires, 62, the only other WBA founder still active in the league, placed his lucky dice in his friend's coffin.

"I figured he needed something where ever he was going," he said.

Teams with such catchy names as the North Coast Gnats, West Park Wolves and Newburgh Heights Schnobs try to squeeze in four nine-inning double-headers each game night.

Those outside the sphere of Strat-O-mania wouldn't understand. By now, Chris Peer, 39, a lawyer from Strongsville, is used to the questions and strange looks.

"The reaction," he said, "is, 'You're a dork. What is it, dungeons and dragons for sports?'"

There is no entry fee. Champions don't win a World Series share, just bragging rights and their names on a three-foot-tall trophy that's passed around each year. It's like a roving poker game -- without the money, cigars and alcohol.

"The cash wouldn't mean anything," said Pehotsky, of North Olmsted, who's won the league a record seven times, including a stretch of six years in a row. "Just winning the league..."

On a recent game night, nine managers set up on three card tables in the basement of retired RTA maintenance supervisor Paul Werner's house in Brunswick.

Between games, managers helped themselves to pizza, veggies and dip, bowls of chips and nuts and pop. The televised replay of the major-league opener in Japan between Seattle and Oakland was on mute. Instead, the room was filled with clinking dice and baseball chatter.

"Mabin ... not a good number. ... He strikes out."

"C'mon, double play, Upton."

"C'mon Escobar, 6-5, that's your card."

Then mailman Jim Fletcher busted through the steady murmur with his calling card any time one of his players hits a homer: "Ding ding, ding ding ding!"

Managers shake hands and wish each other luck before each game. Sportsmanship is the rule, but frustration occasionally turns them into Billy Martin. Fletcher once flipped former pitcher Bill Swift's card into a nearby kiddie pool in disgust. Another manager once set a player's card on fire.

"I have been known to rip a player in half," Meissner said. (It was closer Joe Nathan, after blowing an important save.)

But mostly it's just friendly ribbing -- the kind you might find in a close-knit clubhouse.

"The guys are like brothers I never had," said Shires, manager of the Brooklyn Backstops. "Baseball -- it's the common denominator."

The thrill of the game

What does a Strat-O-Matic game look like? In 1992, a league of friends gathered in Florida for their yearly draft of the I-75 Strat-O-Matic League and began their season. On this night, a little video history was achieved -- thanks to the Strat card of Nolan Ryan.

The Indians will announce Carlos Santana's contract extension Tuesday afternoon at Progressive Field.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerCarlos Santana, pointing to the stands on Sunday after hitting his second homer of the game against Toronto, has agreed on a multiyear contract extension with the Indians.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Catcher Carlos Santana has reached a five-year $21 million agreement on a contract extension with the Indians. The team will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m,. to announce the deal.

The deal runs through 2016 with a club option for 2017. The club option covers Santana's first free agent year.

In a Tweet, Indians President Mark Shapiro said, "Excited to get a multiyear deal done with Carlos that could keep him here through 2017. He's an exciting middle-of-the-diamond run producer that we can build around."   

Santana, 26, is entering his second full season in the big leagues. He will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2016 season when he'll be 30.

The Indians recently signed Santana, still not eligible for arbitration, to a one-year deal worth $501,900. It is not known if that will stay the same or be restructured as part of the extension.

Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore and Jhonny Peralta are some of the pre-arbitration eligible players the Indians have signed to multiyear deals. Sometimes the deals included the purchase of the player's first free agent year or gave the club an option to purchase it.

Martinez serves as a good comparable to Santana. They're both switch-hitting catchers/first baseman. On April 5, 2005, Martinez signed a five-year $15.5 million extension with the Indians.

The deal ran through 2009 and the Indians held a club option for 2010, Martinez's first free agent year. They traded him to Boston in 2009.  

Sizemore signed a six-year $23.45 million deal in the spring of 2006. It ran through 2011, which would have been Sizemore's first free agent season. This past winter, the Indians didn't exercise the option on Sizemore for 2012, but did re-sign him as a free agent for one year on a $5 million deal.

He is currently on the disabled list after undergoing back surgery on March 1.

Peralta signed a five-year $13 million deal in the spring of 2006 as well. The Indians did not purchase a free agent year from the durable shortstop, but traded him to Detroit in 2010, the final year of the deal.

Santana is hitting .250 (4-for-16) with two homers and four RBI through the first four games of this season. He hit two homers Sunday to celebrate his 26th birthday. He drove in a run in Monday's 4-2 loss to Chicago.

The Indians are basing their investment on Santana on what he did last year. While hitting only .239 (132-for-552), Santana hit 35 doubles, two triples and 27 homers with 79 RBI. He scored 84 runs, drew 97 walks for a slugging percentage of .457 and an on base percentage of .351.

Santana split time between catching and first base last year. This year he'll concentrate on catching. He'll move to DH against certain lefties to rest his legs.

On Wednesday, the Indians signed shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to a two-year $16.5 million extension. Cabrera, who will make $4.55 million this year, under the terms of the extension Cabrera will make $6.5 million on 2013 and $10 million on 2014. If Cabrera had turned down the extension, he could have been a free agent after the 2013 season.

Cabrera and Santana's extensions are the first signed by the Indians since 2008.

Last year Santana's 27 home runs set a club record for switch hitters. He also become just he first catcher in Indians history to record at least 30 doubles, 25 homers and draw 90 walks in one season. 
 

Highlights include White Sox at Indians and Bobcats at Cavaliers.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerJeanmar Gomez is slated to take the mound for the Indians tonight at 7:05 against the White Sox. The game will be televised on SportsTime Ohio and broadcast on WTAM/1100-AM.

Tim VanNewhouse is a man with a plan. While the fledgling promoter is working on his second professional show on May 19, he is also hoping to get in on the front end of boxing at Cleveland's new casino.

Rock Gaming LLCThe Horseshoe Casino Cleveland is scheduled to open May 14.

Tim VanNewhouse is a man with a plan.

While the fledgling promoter is working on his second professional show on May 19, he is also hoping to get in on the front end of boxing at Cleveland's new casino. Just like the venues in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, putting on a fight show in a gambling setting is a natural.

Citing the HorseShoe Casino, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Positively Cleveland, Newhouse said he hopes to partner with those entities to make the fight game a regular attraction.

“Creating consistent and sustainable sporting events, such as our boxing events, helps improve the city's appeal,” said VanNewhouse, mentioning ESPN's “Friday Night Fights” series as an attraction.

VanNewhouse, 26, said his shows at the LaVilla Grand Ballroom on Brookpark Road in Brooklyn can be viewed as examples of his work. He termed his first show in November a “rousing success” and wants the casino entities to “come see what we are all about.”

While the May 19 lineup has not been finalized, tickets at $50, and $25, plus table seating, will be available through VanNewhouse at 216-299-0910 or newhousepromotions.com.

Semifinals: The semifinals of the 84th Cleveland Golden Gloves are set with 16 bouts for Saturday at the Brook Park Recreation Center, 17400 Holland Road, in Brook Park at 7 p.m.

Director Clytee Dunn said the first two nights of the tournament over the Easter weekend attracted about 300 patrons each session. He expects a bigger turnout Saturday and for the April 21 finals.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children 12-and-under. Call the Cleveland Amateur Golden Gloves office at 216-662-7445.

AP PhotoFloyd Mayweather Jr., left, and Miguel Cotto pose during a Feb. 28 news conference. The two will fight May 5 in Las Vegas. Mayweather is 42-0, with 26 knockouts.

Around the ring: HBO is coming out with a 30-minute profile on Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KOs). “Floyd Mayweather: Speaking Out” will begin airing on April 21 at 10:30 p.m. to hype Mayweather's HBO pay-per-view bout against Miguel Cotto on May 5. . . . Japan's Shinsuke Yamanaka (16-0-2, 11 KOs) kept his WBC bantamweight title as he decisioned former champ Vic Darchinyan (37-5-1, 27 KOs) last Friday in Tokyo. Scores were 117-111 and 116-112 twice. . . . Felix Sturm (36-2-2, 15 KOs) defends his WBA middleweight title against former WBC titlist Sebastian Zbik (30-1, 10 KOs) on Friday in Cologne, Germany. . . . IBF super middleweight champ Lucian Bute (30-0, 24 KOs) will make his 10th title defense against two-time 168-pound champion Carl Froch (28-2, 20 KOs) on May 26 in Nottingham, England. The bout will be streamed free on a trial basis at EpixHD.com. . . . The rematch between WBC welterweight champ Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs) and Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KOs) has been rescheduled for June 23 in Los Angeles. It was supposed to go Feb. 11, but Berto suffered a biceps injury in training to force the postponement. Ortiz won the title a year ago when he decisioned Berto in a slugfest.

OAC meeting: The Ohio Athletic Commission will hold its monthly meeting at the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, 4800 East 131st St., in Garfield Heights on Wednesday at 10 a.m. It is open to the public.

Amateur news: The West Side Boxing Club is putting on another “Battle in the Ballroom” show at the Slovenian National Ballroom, 6417 St. Clair Ave., in Cleveland on May 11. Call coach Bill Godhard at 440-785-4900 or Todd Kincaid at 440-223-7409.

History: Joe Louis died in Las Vegas on April 12, 1981. He was 66.

Friday: The ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” are at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas where Michael Katsidis (28-5, 23 KOs) faces Albert Mensah (24-3-1, 10 KOs) at 140 pounds at 9 p.m.

Saturday: You will have to shell out pay-per-view television dollars ($44.95) if you want to watch Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KOs) take on Sergey Fedchenko (29-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior welterweight title. That fight will take place in Mexico.

The other feature will be at the Mandalay Bay where Brandon Rios (29-0-1, 22 KOs) faces Richard Abril (17-2-1, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBA lightweight title. The HBO PPV telecast begins at 9 p.m.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse

Former Colts vice chairman Bill Polian says Alabama running back Trent Richardson belongs in the same class when players such as Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are mentioned.

AP PhotoFormer Colts vice chairman Bill Polian says Alabama running back Trent Richardson belongs in the same class when players such as Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are mentioned.

The two quarterbacks expected to be selected in the top two picks in the 2012 NFL draft—Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin III—are seen by many scouts and talent evaluators as "can't-miss prospects." One notable former team executive thinks one more notable offensive prospect belongs in that category.

Appearing as a guest on Sirius XM NFL Blitz on Sirius XM Radio on Monday, former Indianapolis Colts vice chairman Bill Polian—now an analyst for ESPN—called Luck, Griffin and Alabama running back Trent Richardson the "three sure-thing players" in the class of 2012.

The Colts are expected to take Luck with the first overall pick on April 26, in their first draft without Polian since 1997—the year before they took Peyton Manning in the same No. 1 spot. The Washington Redskins also are very confident that Griffin can be a franchise QB and are set to take him No. 2 after trading up with the St. Louis Rams.

As for where Richardson goes, that's up in the air. Even with feature back Adrian Peterson coming off a major knee injury, the Minnesota Vikings are in greater need of an offensive tackle (such as USC's Matt Kalil) and a cornerback (such as LSU's Morris Claiborne).

Picking in the two spots after Minnesota, the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are viewed as potential landing spots for Richardson. So while he won't be right behind Griffin and Luck again—like he was in the 2011 Heisman Trophy race—he might be ahead of them with his potential to provide an immediate impact to the team that makes him a top-five pick.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at 12:15 P.M. as he talks Cleveland sports. What is going on with the Tribe's offense? Should the Browns trade down in the NFL Draft? We'll answer those questions and more.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions today at 2:15 P.M.

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

What is going on with the Tribe's offense? Should the Browns trade down in the NFL Draft?

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

With the first pick in the first round, the Indianapolis Colts select....Who do you say? This is the first pick -- by voting in a poll -- made by the fans in Cleveland.com's fans' mock draft.

Associated PressQuarterback Andrew Luck during Stanford's Pro Day on March 22.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns and NFL fans, it's time for you to say who all of the teams should pick in the first round of the draft on April 26.

From today through April 22, via polls, we're asking you to make first-round picks for each of two teams. The polls go up on cleveland.com at approximate 12-hour intervals, around 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day.

On April 23-24, you'll be asked to make the picks for each of three teams (at approximate eight-hour intervals), completing the 32-pick first round.

Meanwhile, continue to check The Plain Dealer for Browns and NFL coverage.

The first pick in the first round of the draft belongs to the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts finished the 2011 season with a 2-14 record. 

The Colts' most urgent need is at quarterback. Future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning missed all of last season after undergoing multiple neck surgeries, and after the Colts decided to pass on the remainder of his contract, signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent.

Indianapolis could use help almost anywhere else, too. Their most glaring weaknesses, besides at quarterback, may be the receiving corps and at cornerback.

"Quality not quanity should be the theme this year. We need some stars in our first three draft choices. If you want to trade a third and forth to move down into the second thats fine or two fifth and a forth to move down but please don't trade with Dallas or Seattle which would be to far down." - Moosie

View full sizeAP PhotoBrowns fans want quality in this year's draft and that includes possibly drafting Justin Blackmon.

"Quality not quantity should be the theme this year. We need some stars in our first three draft choices. If you want to trade a third and fourth to move up into the second that's fine or two fifth and a fourth to move up but please don't trade with Dallas or Seattle which would be to far down. Move down to eighth at the very least to pick up another second rounder and hope a team ahead of you picks someone off the wall so you still get one of the big 4 which are either Kalil, TRich, Blackmon, or Claiborne and please, no Tannehill."

"Oh, dear, giving up on a 162 game season after 4 games? Look, I tried to watch last night's game and was bored out of my mind waiting for the Indians to get something going on offense. But the other two losses were extra innings losses to what I think is a very good Blue Jays team. We got good starts out of Masterson, Ubaldo (who I'm very negative on, but will reserve judgment till the All Star break), and Lowe. Tomlin started rocky last night but settled in and gave the team a chance to win...if only they could get some offense." - sosfromcleveland

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerOne cleveland.com reader hopes Tribe fans don't give up on the team so early in the year, especially with players who give the team a bright future, like Carlos Santana.

"Oh, dear, giving up on a 162 game season after 4 games? Look, I tried to watch last night's game and was bored out of my mind waiting for the Indians to get something going on offense. But the other two losses were extra innings losses to what I think is a very good Blue Jays team. We got good starts out of Masterson, Ubaldo (who I'm very negative on, but will reserve judgment till the All Star break), and Lowe. Tomlin started rocky last night but settled in and gave the team a chance to win...if only they could get some offense.

The Tigers look like they'll win the division, but you never know what will happen in a baseball season. Detroit's #2 pitcher is already on the DL I think? If the Tigers should stumble the division is wide open.

Carlos Santana, if he stays healthy, has tons of talent and huge potential and this extension is good news. "

"Scott is a very good coach. He was coach of the year in 2007 and was New Orleans and New Jersey all time winningest coach. I don't see how you can say he is a bad coach when he has to play d. league players and his starting point guard and starting center are out. The team was also looking pretty decent before those injuries." - rome

View full sizeAP Photo | Wilfredo LeeOne cleveland.com reader believes Coach Scott has done a great job this season considering the roster he has been dealt.

"Scott is a very good coach. He was coach of the year in 2007 and was New Orleans and New Jersey all time winningest coach. I don't see how you can say he is a bad coach when he has to play d. league players and his starting point guard and starting center are out. The team was also looking pretty decent before those injuries. Scott took to losing franchises farther than they have ever been, and has won more games in a season then any other coaches did for those teams before and after. You can also look it up Chris Paul credit Scott for developing him, and when he was fired Chris Paul and David West were very upset."

Justin Masterson will start Wednesday's game against Chicago. Jeanmar Gomez will pitch Saturday in Kansas City.

View full sizeAP fileJustin Masterson will make his scheduled start Wednesday against the White Sox at 12:05 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tuesday night's game between the White Sox and Indians at Progressive Field was postponed because of bad weather. No makeup date was announced, but the game will probably be played when Chicago visits the Tribe for a three-game series from May 7-9.

Jeanmar Gomez, scheduled to start Tuesday, will start Saturday in Kansas City with Ubaldo Jimenez being moved back to Sunday. Justin Masterson will start Wednesday's series final against Chicago's John Danks. Manager Manny Acta said Gomez will probably take Josh Tomlin's spot in the rotation.

"It's not etched in stone, but we'll probably have Tomlin available out of the bullpen a few days before getting him back in the rotation on April 19 (at Seattle)," said Acta.

As for why the game was postponed, Acta said, "It was going to be harsh conditions out there. It wouldn't have been baseball, it would have been about survival."

Fans are asked to hold their tickets for Tuesday's postponed game. The Indians will announce when the game will be rescheduled in the near future.

For details on the Indians' rainout/reschedule game policy fans can go to indians.com/schedulingchanges.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kayla Kosmerl realized she had given herself a second chance and she wasn't going to let it slip away. After missing most of the 2010 and 2011 gymnastics seasons with ankle and shoulder injuries, the Mentor senior returned healthy in 2012. More than that, she returned more focused and determined. The result was an eventual state...

Kayla Kosmerl became the first Mentor gymnast to win the coveted all-around state championship when she scored 37.875, the highest winning score since 2000. - (Allison Carey, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kayla Kosmerl realized she had given herself a second chance and she wasn't going to let it slip away.

After missing most of the 2010 and 2011 gymnastics seasons with ankle and shoulder injuries, the Mentor senior returned healthy in 2012. More than that, she returned more focused and determined. The result was an eventual state championship in the all-around and being named The Plain Dealer's Gymnast of the Year, the first Mentor athlete to do so.

"I don't think I was ever more focused than I was for the state meet," said Kosmerl, whose all-around title followed a first place on the uneven bars, second on the balance beam, third on the vault and a tie for fourth on the floor. "After 2010 and 2011, I wanted to be able to do my best my senior year. When I went to state I had to forget my scores in the sectional and district. I didn't want to go in over-confident."

Her all-around score of 37.875 was the state's best since 2000. Her lowest score over two days in the team and individual competition was a 9.30 on the beam during the individual portion.

"Overall, I couldn't complain," she said. "I could have wiggled less on the beam, but all in all, I was pretty happy."

Kosmerl, who would like to become a physician's assistant, said she has narrowed her college choices to Kent State, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan and Bowling Green, with KSU holding an edge.

Throughout her injuries, Kosmerl said she never became discouraged or felt she would never be able to compete again. Her only concern was being able to return to the level she had previously reached.

In becoming the first Mentor athlete to win the state all-around, it was mission accomplished.

Gymnast Of The Year

Kayla Kosmerl

Mentor

Senior

College: Undecided.

Notable: Became the first Mentor gymnast to win the coveted all-around state championship when she scored 37.875, the highest winning score since 2000 and the fourth-highest score since the scoring system was altered in 1990. She also won the uneven bars, was second on the beam, third on the vault and tied for fourth on floor exercise. She missed most of the 2011 season due to shoulder surgery, but returned in time to qualify for the state meet and placed sixth on the floor and 13th on the vault.

Other All-Stars

Jessica Matia

Brecksville-Broadview Heights

Junior

College: Undecided.

Notable: Her solid performance in the team competition helped Brecksville win an unprecedented ninth straight state championship. She was second on the team in two events and third in another, posting scores of 9.150 or better in all three events. Individually, she placed a personal-best fourth in the state in the all-around and had two other top-10 finishes. She also had top-five finishes in the district tournament on floor, bars and the all-around.

Michaela Romito

Brecksville-Broadview Heights

Sophomore

College: Undecided.

Notable: One of three repeaters on this team, the 10th grader already has three state titles on her resume while fighting Crohn's disease. This season she won the beam for the first time and the floor for the second time, which led to a second-place finish in the all-around. She helped her team win a ninth consecutive state title by posting the highest scores on the floor and the beam. Her 9.7 on the floor was the highest in the team competition in any event. Individually, she had three other top-10 finishes in the state meet.

Whitney Stoops

Avon

Junior

College: Undecided.

Notable: Making her second straight appearance on this team, she was third in the state all-around after winning the gold medal on the vault with a score of 9.725, the highest score by any competitor in any event in the individual competition. It was her second consecutive state title in that event. She also had top-six finishes on the bars and the beam. She was a district champion on the beam and the vault.

Madison Weisbarth

Brecksville-Broadview Heights

Junior

College: Undecided.

Notable: She helped Brecksville win an unprecedented ninth straight state championship when she posted the second-best scores on her team in bars and floor exercise. She finished seventh in the state in the all-around after finishing second on the floor and ninth on the vault. She was a sectional and district champion on the bars and she is on this team for the second year in a row.

Coach Of The Year

Joe Corrigan

Mentor

Notable: He just completed his 38th year and coached Mentor to the best season in school history. The Cardinals placed second at the state meet, the program's highest finish ever. They also were Northeast Ohio Conference champs, sectional champs and district runners-up. At the state meet, the Cardinals had the second-best scores on the vault, bars and floor and tied for second on the beam. In addition, senior Kayla Kosmerl became the first Mentor gymnast to win the state all-around championship. Corrigan also coaches the programs at Lake Catholic, Perry, Riverside and Willoughby South.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com; 216-999-5169

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

Former Plain Dealer player of the year has decided to leave Penn State after one season and will enroll at CSU.

View full sizeAllison Carey, The Plain DealerFormer Plain Dealer basketball player of the year Trey Lewis is leaving Penn State for Cleveland State and will sit out one year before regaining his eligibility.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A strong bond with Gary Waters has convinced former Plain Dealer player of the year Trey Lewis to leave Penn State and enroll at Cleveland State.

The CSU coach and Lewis, who averaged 23 points, 5.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds for Garfield Heights in 2011, formed their relationship during the recruiting process.

"When I made my decision to go to Penn State, Coach Waters told me that our paths would cross again and I guess he was right," Lewis said in a phone interview from Penn State, where he will finish the academic year on May 4 before returning to Garfield Heights. "My final two choices were Penn State and CSU. It was a hard decision because I love Cleveland and I loved CSU."

The desire to play in the Big Ten made Lewis pick PSU.

"I learned that I could compete at that level but the situation just wasn't right," said Lewis. "I found out that it's not about playing in the Big Ten but it's about playing where you are wanted and having good relationships."

Lewis must sit out one year before regaining his eligibility.

Lewis was recruited to PSU by then-assistant Lewis Preston and head coach Ed DeChellis. After Lewis signed a national letter with PSU, DeChellis left abruptly for Navy and Preston became the head coach at Kennesaw State. Patrick Chambers replaced DeChellis on June 4, 2011.

"I wouldn't trade my one year at Penn State for anything," Lewis said. "But it's tough when you're not the guy the coach recruited."

Lewis, a 6-1 guard, got off to a fine start with the Nittany Lions, but a stress fracture in one of his vertebrae caused him to miss 10 games from Jan. 12-Feb. 25. He averaged 5.6 points while playing in 20 games. He started six games, including the season-opening win over Youngstown State when he led PSU with 17 points. He started the Big Ten playoff game against Indiana and scored 11 points.

He finished the season with 28 rebounds, 17 assists and 10 steals while committing 18 turnovers. PSU finished with a 12-20 record.

Lewis led Garfield Heights to a 24-2 record -- the best in school history -- during his senior season. The Bulldogs reached the Division I state semifinals before losing to Columbus Northland. He was the co-player of the year in Division I, sharing the honor with Northland's Trey Burke, who went on to win Mr. Basketball before becoming co-Big Ten freshman of the year at Michigan. Garfield Heights was 77-17 and won three conference titles in the four years Lewis was in the lineup.

"I am excited about coming home," Lewis said. "I'll take the year off and rehab and get back to 100 percent. I'll get acquainted with the system and get to know the guys in the program. I am looking forward to being a part of Coach Waters' vision and helping Cleveland State as best I can."

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

The Cavaliers look to rebound from their overtime loss to the New Jersey Nets Sunday with a win over the visiting Charlotte Bobcats tonight at The Q. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed and Mary Schmitt Boyer @PDCavsInsider. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The Cavaliers look to rebound from their overtime loss to the New Jersey Nets Sunday with a win over the visiting Charlotte Bobcats tonight at The Q. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed and Mary Schmitt Boyer @PDCavsInsider in the box below. Check out the in-game box score here. Read on for a game preview. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

View full sizeAP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank GunnBismack Biyombo and the Charlotte Bobcats come into town tonight to face the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The deals to Asdrubal Cabrera and Santana not only make sense when it comes to the dollars and security for the players, but smart for the team

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer"This is such a big day for Carlos," said Andy Mota, agent for the Indians catcher, on Tuesday. "He can just relax and play."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The year was 2007, and Carlos Santana was learning how to catch as a member of the Class A Great Lakes Loons. In the process, he suddenly seemed to forget how to hit.

"No way," said Andy Mota, Santana's long-time agent. "That's what Carlos told me when the Dodgers moved him [from third base] to catcher." Then Mota talked about "the fear that every kid coming out of poverty feels at some point" in their careers as Santana lost his confidence at bat as he was learning a new position.

"That's why this is such a big day for Carlos," said Mota. "He can just relax and play."

Tuesday Santana signed a five-year, $21 million extension with the Tribe with a club option of $12 million for 2017. Santana led the Indians with 27 homers and 97 walks in 2011, along with driving in 79 runs. His .239 batting average needs work, as does his defense.

But the switch-hitting Santana is on the verge of becoming an elite, middle-of-the-lineup powerful bat that the Indians so desperately need. It was something Santana didn't see coming in 2007. It was his first pro season above rookie ball. He was batting .223 as he struggled both at bat and behind the plate with only seven homers in 292 at-bats.

"He was worried that he wouldn't make it," said Mota. "There is a fear that he'd lose all that he had worked for."

In 2008, Santana was growing accustomed to catching, and pounding the ball at a .323 clip when he was traded to the Tribe for Casey Blake and a pitcher named John Meloan. While the Tribe has been fairly criticized for receiving no impact players (at least, not as of yet) in the deals for former Cy Young winners Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia, the Blake/Santana trade may become one of the best in franchise history.

As Steve Dilbeck wrote last month in the L.A. Times: "If there was one deal General Manager Ned Colletti probably would like to have back, it was [sending] Santana to the Indians for third baseman Casey Blake in the summer of 2008. It wasn't like Blake did not contribute to the Dodgers making the playoffs for consecutive seasons. He was a very nice player and great in the clubhouse. A very solid addition.

"It's just that Santana has already blossomed into one of the best catchers in baseball and he's all of 25. Meanwhile, with Russell Martin flaming out in Los Angeles, the Dodgers are now working on their third starting catcher in three years."

The Indians should have their starting catcher for as long as the next six years, if the Tribe picks up a team option in 2017.

Overcoming the Boston collision

It was nearly forgotten after Santana played 155 games last season, but he sustained a serious knee injury in 2010 after a collision at Fenway Park's home plate against the Red Sox. It came in his 46th major-league game, and required surgery.

The dedication Santana showed in rehabilitation -- combined with the durability that he displayed last season -- were some of reasons that the Tribe was open to a long-term deal even though he won't be a free agent until 2017. Santana received $1 million on top of his $501,000 salary this season. The big money doesn't kick in for three years -- and some may say Santana gave up the chance to cash in earlier in the arbitration process.

But consider what happened when Grady Sizemore signed a six-year, $23 million extension with the Tribe. It was in 2006 after he played only 211 big-league games. There was speculation that Sizemore was on the verge of becoming a superstar, and that he had sold himself too cheaply by giving away a chance at free agency in 2010 along with opportunities to strike gold in the arbitration process.

That was especially true when Sizemore made the All-Star team from 2006-08, making $6 million over those three years. Then injuries hit. In the last three years, Sizemore missed more games (276) than he played (210), while batting .232. But he was paid $17 million from 2009-11.

Suddenly, Sizemore signing that long-term deal looked very wise view from the lens of the player and his agent.

Santana's agent, Mota, talked about Salvador Pena signing a five-year, $7 million extension with Kansas City, then suffering a knee injury that requires surgery. Odds are that Pena will fully recover, but the contract eases some of the anxiety.

This is not about predicting doom or injuries for players, but it about how both sides try to "weigh the risk," as Tribe CEO Paul Dolan called it. The Indians believe Santana's bat is so strong that he doesn't have to catch 120 games to be valuable. In fact, that's bad idea because it will lead to injuries. Last season, Santana caught 95 games and played 66 games at first.

So Santana can play first base, be the designated hitter and catch 90-110 games, with the very capable Lou Marson filling in behind the plate the rest of the time.

An early-season trend

It was last week that Asdrubal Cabrera signed a two-year, $16.5 million extension -- keeping the Tribe shortstop under contract for three more years. He kept his $4.5 million salary this season, adding $6.5 million in 2013 and $10 million in 2014. He could have been a free agent after 2013 under his old deal.

While the Cabrera and Santana signings are hardly startling, they are good signs that the team is at least trying to keep some of its key players. They have talked to Shin-Soo Choo, but no progress has been made. Choo is represented by Scott Boras, who takes most of his players into free agency unless the player makes a strong case of wanting to remain with his current team.

Choo is a free agent after 2013. He hired Boras last year, a certain sign that free agency is on his mind.

The next player who should be approached by the Tribe is Justin Masterson. He is under Tribe control for three more seasons. There's always risk of signing pitchers to long deals -- Jake Westbrook blew up his elbow after signing a three-year, $33 million extension. Westbrook had major surgery and was only 7-9 in 26 games in three years before being traded to St. Louis in a deal that brought Corey Kluber (7-11, 5.56 ERA at Class AAA in 2011) back to the Tribe.

Some signings work, and some don't. No one will accuse this ownership of being wild spenders.

But the deals to Cabrera and Santana not only make sense when it comes to the dollars and security for the players, but smart for the team because it does show others in the clubhouse that the Indians are not determined to trade everyone when their free agency looms.

New York Rangers in the East and Vancouver in the West carry the top seeds into a marathon tournament that often results in upsets.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As Brunswick native Mike Rupp labors to help the New York Rangers earn their first Stanley Cup in 19 seasons, 15 other teams open their series Wednesday and Thursday with the hope of hoisting the Cup in eight weeks.

Thanks to the NHL Network and NHL.com, here are video previews of each series.

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers (1 seed) vs. Ottawa Senators (8)

Boston Bruins (2) vs. Washington Capitals (7)

Florida Panthers (3) vs. New Jersey Devils (6)

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (5)

Western Conference

Vancouver Canucks (1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (8)

St. Louis Blues (2) vs. San Jose Sharks (7)

Phoenix Coyotes (3) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (6)

Nashville Predators (4) vs. Detroit Red Wings (5)

A fourth-line forward who has carved out a nine-year career with his fists, grit and team-first approach, gets another opportunity to chase a title with the Rangers, the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

View full sizeCal Sport Media via AP ImagesWith just four goals and an assist for the New York Rangers this season, Brunswick's Mike Rupp (facing camera, against Chicago's Brandon Bollig) proves his worth in more physical ways. "Rupper does a lot of heavy lifting for us on the ice," says New York teammate Brian Boyle.

NEW YORK -- Mike Rupp stood in the center of the New York Rangers locker room, looking every bit his 32 years and reflecting on the naivete of youth.

The Brunswick native and former Columbus Blue Jacket became the unlikeliest of NHL postseason heroes in 2003 as an injury to a key teammate thrust Rupp into the lineup during the Stanley Cup Finals, in which he scored the clinching goal for the New Jersey Devils in a Game 7 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Rupp was a rookie who brought his sport's most precious treasure to Northeast Ohio, taking the Cup to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, showing it off at his alma mater, St. Edward High School, and filling its bowl with 20 scoops at a Honey Hut Ice Cream Shoppe.

"When you win the Cup that early in your career you think you'll play for it several times," said Rupp, the only player in NHL history to have his first playoff goal be a Cup winner. "I've been on some good teams since then and have never been past the second round.

"That's a story that can be shared with the young guys in here: There are no guarantees, so many things can happen. ... That why you have to focus in and make sacrifices and play this year like it may be your only chance. Because it could be."

The fourth-line forward, who has carved out a nine-year career with his fists, grit and team-first approach, gets another opportunity to chase a title with the Rangers, the top seed in the Eastern Conference and one of the playoff favorites. New York opens a seven-game, first-round series Thursday against the Ottawa Senators in Madison Square Garden.

It has been a surreal and satisfying journey from his days with the Parma Heights Wings to the star of this year's outdoor Winter Classic. Along the way, Rupp has started a family, survived a health scare and played for five NHL organizations, often endearing himself to teammates for his willingness to stand up for them.

"He's obviously a great team guy, someone who will go to war with you," Rangers forward Brian Boyle said. "Rupper does a lot of heavy lifting for us on the ice. Off the ice, he's lot different. He's kind, he's gentle and a good friend. He's huge part of our team and great with leadership."

Rupp is one of just three Rangers -- Brad Richards and Ruslan Fedotenko are the others -- to win a Cup title. He has earned regular ice time for a conference championship team suffers from a paucity of dynamic offensive players.

The Rangers rely more on their sweat glands than their talent. They are among the league leaders in hits, blocked shots, fights and post-game ice packs. Rupp, who ranked tied for 11th in the NHL with 13 fighting majors, meshes with the bruising style coach John Tortorella wants his team to project. It's really the only way Rupp has ever played in his stops with New Jersey, Phoenix, Columbus, Pittsburgh and the Rangers, with whom he signed a three-year, $4.5 million deal in the off-season.

Rupp doesn't score many goals -- just 53 in 557 regular-season games -- but he has a knack for big moments. He rallied the Rangers for a 3-2 win on Jan. 1 with a pair of goals at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Not a bad afternoon's work for a winger who contributed four regular-season goals in 60 games.

"At the end of the season it was still only worth two points, but there's more attention paid to that game so it's good to be able to come through," said Rupp, who played for Pittsburgh in last season's Winter Classic.

After one goal, he snapped off a salute in mocking tribute to Flyers' star Jaromir Jagr, a move that infuriated the Philadelphia bench. The league's holiday showcase has become the focal point of HBO's critically-acclaimed "Road to the Winter Classic," a four-part series that offers fans an intimate and unflinching behind-the-scenes look at the rival teams and central characters.

One of the more memorable moments of this year's series featured Rupp verbally sparring with Flyers enforcer Jody Shelley, who was trying to goad Rupp into a fight.

"You're [expletive] irrelevant out here," Rupp barked at Shelley while wearing a mic. "If you had any outcome on the game I'd [expletive] go with you. You don't. You don't."

Rupp said he regretted the taunt and cringed at the sight of the clip. Shelley exacted his revenge April 3 with a one-sided victory in a scrap against Rupp.

"The HBO cameras allow fans the chance to see a little more in depth about what life is like for us -- the good things and sometimes the bad things that we encounter," Rupp said.

The two tough guys were teammates in Columbus during the 2005-06 season, one which ended prematurely for Rupp. Diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat six years earlier, Rupp sat out the final weeks of the season after his heart "fluttered" for more than an hour. He underwent surgery to correct the condition on March 17, 2006 at Cleveland Clinic and has not experienced any setbacks.

Rupp, a husband and father of three kids, said he returned to the sport a changed player.

"What I've learned is when you try to hold on too tightly to things you find ways to mess them up," Rupp said. "Going through that allowed me to approach some things in my life a bit more loosely, a big less seriously. Hockey has become more of a fun thing now and I enjoy it a bit more."

Even after winning two state titles at St. Edward (1994, 1995) he never imagined playing 500-plus NHL games. Rupp has had the honor of calling future Hall of Famers such as Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens and Sidney Crosby teammates. Rupp is one of the Rangers' most seasoned players, a veteran trying to prepare the youngsters for the playoff grind and wild emotional swings ahead.

"We are obviously a good team, but there's a lot of growing to be done hopefully in the next couple months," Rupp said.

No longer naive to the fickle nature of postseason, Rupp still yearns to eat more scoops of ice cream from the Stanley Cup.

A plastic thumb protector kept right fielder Shin-Soo Choo off the disabled list Monday night against Chicago.

View full sizeTony Dejak, Associated PressA frightening moment for the Indians was the sight of Shin-Soo Choo on the ground, reaching for his left thumb, after being hit by Chicago starter Chris Sale in the sixth inning Monday night. Choo missed much of the 2011 season after being hit on the same hand by San Francisco's Johnathan Sanchez, but on Monday he was eventually able to get up and jog to first base. "If it wasn't for the protector, my thumb would have been broken again," Choo said Tuesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A plastic thumb protector kept Shin-Soo Choo off the disabled list Monday night.

An inside pitch from Chris Sale hit Choo on the left thumb and knocked him down in the sixth inning of a 4-2 loss at Progressive Field.

"If it wasn't for the protector, my thumb would have been broken again," said Choo, who needed surgery to repair his fractured thumb last year after getting hit by San Francisco's Jonathan Sanchez on June 24. He missed six weeks of the season. When he returned, he was fitted with a molded thumb protector.

"I wore it every game when I came back last year," said Choo. "I've only worn it against lefties this year, but I might start wearing it all the time."

Choo has already been hit three times this season, all by lefties.

"Ask them," said Choo, when asked about why pitchers were hitting him.

Said manager Manny Acta, "Pitchers crowd him in, they pitch him inside. They know he has opposite-field power. A lot of teams crowd him."

Pitching changes: The decision to postpone Tuesday night's game because of bad weather -- at 7:37 p.m., it was cold, but there was no rain and a light wind blowing at Progressive Field -- has re-arranged the Tribe's starting rotation.

Justin Masterson will make his scheduled start Wednesday at noon against Chicago. Following Thursday's off-day, Derek Lowe will start Friday in Kansas City followed by Jeanmar Gomez on Saturday. Gomez was supposed to make his first start of the season Tuesday night.

Ubaldo Jimenez, whose five-game suspension ends Friday, will start Sunday after getting bumped by Gomez. Where does that leave Josh Tomlin, who started and lost Monday's 4-2 game to Chicago? Acta said he'll be in the bullpen until rejoining the rotation on April 19 in Seattle.

Fans are asked to hold their tickets for Tuesday's postponed game. No makeup date has been announced, but it will probably be played as a doubleheader when Chicago returns to Cleveland on May 7-9.

Asked why the game was postponed, Acta said, "We have enough days off this month, but unfortunately, it's going to be grueling weather out there. It's not going to be baseball, it's going to be survival."

Finally: Bench coach Sandy Alomar, who has been working with Carlos Santana on his defense, says Santana made some big steps the last 10 days of camp in his throwing to second base and blocking balls in the dirt. ... Lefty David Huff (right hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. Huff, who opened the year on the disabled list, says his hamstring is feeling better.

On Twitter: @hoynsie