MLS is designed to promote competitive balance, to a point. Games like Saturday’s shocker in Kansas City aren’t supposed to happen.

AP File PhotoThe Columbus Crew offense continues to struggle as the Black and Gold dropped two spots after their scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers.

MLS is designed to promote competitive balance, to a point. Games like Saturday’s shocker in Kansas City aren’t supposed to happen.

In what may be the most surprising regular-season result in recent MLS history, the Montreal Impact defeated Sporting Kansas City, 2-0, at Livestrong Sporting Park.

An SKC win seemed a foregone conclusion for several reasons, including:

— At 7-1-0, the hosts were MLS’s best team over the first two months of the season.

— SKC had the weekend of April 28-29 off and had two weeks to get healthy and prepare for the game.

— SKC had built a genuine home-field advantage at LSP, losing just three of 23 MLS matches at the new stadium since it opened last year and winning the first four in 2012 (three by shutout).

— Montreal is an expansion team that entered Saturday’s game 2-5-2. The Impact were 0-5-1 on the road in MLS play.

— With Canadian Championship semifinal games vs. Toronto FC sandwiched around Saturday’s game, it made a lot of sense for Impact coach Jesse Marsch to rest several regulars. He did.

And none of that mattered. The Impact earned the first shutout in their short top-tier history and shocked fans north and south of the border. Turns out, you can’t take anything for granted in MLS. Just ask the L.A. Galaxy.

“It's a huge result for us. We're a new group, and we came into a very difficult place to play against a team that has established themselves as one of the best, if not the best, in the league right now,” Montreal captain (and former SKC midfielder) Davy Arnaud told reporters. “We've stayed confident even though we maybe haven't got the results we wanted. A result like this will help us grow even more.”

Meanwhile, the San Jose Earthquakes saw their seven-game unbeaten streak end at the hands of the second-year Vancouver Whitecaps.

While Canada was restoring a bit of parity to MLS, the Seattle Sounders have emerged as the new No. 1 in Sporting News’ power poll. Coach Sigi Schmid’s team has won four straight and has yielded just one goal in the past five games. Seattle’s reign will begin with a match at reeling FC Dallas on Wednesday night.

Rising

Eric Hassli and Hamdi Salihi. The highly touted European strikers who’d endured a miserable start to their seasons finally are finding their form. Hassli, the Frenchman who electrified expansion Vancouver in 2011, ended his 2012 drought with a Canadian Championship goal at FC Edmonton last week. He then tallied the Whitecaps’ stoppage-time winner vs. the ’Quakes on Saturday.

Hassli's dramatic extra-time winner

Salihi, the Albanian Designated Player who’d been consigned to D.C. United’s bench, scored his first MLS goal on May 2 in San Jose, then doubled his total in Saturday’s 2-0 win in Toronto with a spectacular overhead volley.

Salihi's overhead volley vs. Toronto FC

“Every day I work for this,” Salihi told The Washington Post. “I know what I can do, and the goals will come.”

Nick Rimando. Real Salt Lake isn’t playing its best soccer, but it’s getting results. Saturday’s hectic 2-1 win over the New England Revolution, which held a man advantage for 22 minutes, featured another masterful performance from RSL’s veteran goalkeeper.

Rimando’s pair of acrobatic one-handed saves in the closing minutes preserved the victory and drew praise from coach Jason Kreis, who said, “For me, Nick got us the three points. Without him in goal we probably would be walking away with one.”

Kreis may have to get used to playing without Rimando soon. He’s a good bet to be named to the U.S. national team for its upcoming games in late May and early June. U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s gain will be Kreis’ loss.

Scrutiny of Hans Backe. The New York Red Bulls are finally starting to find some chemistry, and now it’ll be up to the head coach to maintain it. A makeshift back four, along with goalkeeper Ryan Meara, followed up an improved performance in a 1-0 win over New England with Saturday’s 1-0 shutout at L.A. Meanwhile, Joel Lindpere showed his qualities in central midfield and scored the only goal against the Galaxy.

Rafa Márquez, who’d been playing in the middle, is due to return from his three-game suspension on Wednesday night vs. the Houston Dynamo. Backe has shown considerable faith in the Mexican veteran without much reward. Will the manager mess with success and defer to the talented but underperforming Márquez? There’s a lot lying on the decision.

Falling

Respect for Toronto FC. After helping to hand Toronto its eighth straight league loss, which clinched the worst start in MLS history, D.C. United captain Dwayne De Rosario had this to say about his former (and hometown) club.

“You’re 0-7, why not just go for the win? It’s supposed to be attacking-style football and they sat back,” he told reporters. “A team like that is not an 0-8 team. With the talent they have, something’s wrong. They’ve got good players.”

That hurts.

Questions about the failing chemistry and system at Toronto continue to focus on coach Aron Winter, who still as a job as of Monday evening. There’s no sign, however, that it’s going to get better any time soon. Apparently, even opponents can see that.

Answers in L.A. Saturday’s setback was the fourth home defeat of the season for the champs, three in MLS play and one in the CONCACAF Champions League. The Galaxy didn’t lose at The Home Depot Center once in 2011. After resting David Beckham and Robbie Keane midweek and still failing to crack a New York team ripped apart by injuries and suspension, the Galaxy are running low on time and explanations.

“There’s no magical answer,” captain Landon Donovan said. “Obviously if we knew we would do it. The only way I know, the only way this team knows, is to keep going. It seemed like pretty much everything went against us today.”

Said coach Bruce Arena, “It is a bit of a broken record. Even giving up a goal, we had enough chances to create a couple goals in the game … We have the ball at the feet of our best players. Someone has to make the plays when they’re there. We didn’t make the plays.”

L.A. is 12 points out in the Western Conference.

Chivas USA’s relevance. The Galaxy’s HDC tenants are faring even worse. Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire was the Goats’ fifth straight at home to open the season, a laughable record that’s made worse by the fact that few seem to care. Chivas is averaging just 12,868 fans per home game and has tarped over sections of the stadium in order to mitigate the sense of emptiness.

As the club’s eighth season looks like it’s about to run off the rails, it’s time to ask the tough questions about whether club ownership has the wherewithal to compete, whether sharing a stadium with the Galaxy can ever work and whether branding the team as a Guadalajara offshoot is the smartest way to woo supporters in Southern California.

Power poll

(Last week’s rankings in parentheses)

1. Seattle Sounders, 6-1-1 (3)

2. San Jose Earthquakes, 7-2-1 (2)

3. Sporting Kansas City, 7-2-0 (1)

4. Real Salt Lake, 7-3-1 (4)

5. D.C. United, 5-3-3 (5)

6. Vancouver Whitecaps, 5-2-2 (7)

7. New York Red Bulls, 5-3-1 (8)

8. Chicago Fire, 3-2-2 (11)

9. Houston Dynamo, 2-2-2 (6)

10. Colorado Rapids, 5-5-0 (12)

11. FC Dallas, 3-4-3 (10)

12. Montreal Impact, 3-5-2 (15)

13. L.A. Galaxy, 3-5-1 (9)

14. Philadelphia Union, 2-5-1 (13)

15. New England Revolution, 3-6-0 (18)

16. Columbus Crew, 2-4-2 (14)

17. Chivas USA, 3-6-0 (16)

18. Portland Timbers, 2-5-2 (17)

19. Toronto FC, 0-8-0 (19)

-- This article originally appeared on SportingNews.com

AL Central-leading Indians, who host White Sox tonight, have a 17-11 record despite a 1-4 start. Orioles are an early AL East surprise. Links to more Indians stories.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians' first-base coach Tom Wiedenbauer (left, back to the camera) and center fielder Michael Brantley (right front) in the victory line after the Tribe's 8-6 win over the White Sox in the first game of Monday's day-night doubleheader.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians host the Chicago White Sox tonight, looking to extend a three-game winning streak. 

Right-hander Justin Masterson (1-2, 5.20) takes the mound for the Indians while the ChiSox will counter with lefty John Danks (2-4, 6.51).

The Indians are starting to put together an early-season run somewhat similar to a year ago. Cleveland has won 16 of its last 23 games -- including six of its last seven -- after a 1-4 start and is 17-11, three games ahead of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Division.

Last season, after losing their first two games, the Indians won 30 of 43 for a 30-15 record and a seven-game lead over second-place Detroit. The Tribe faded and finished 80-82, second to the Tigers by 15 games in the division race.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes Paul Hoynes' story that Class A Lake County Captains shortstop Francisco Lindor -- the Indians' first pick in the 2011 amateur draft -- is Cleveland's minor league Player of the Week; Dennis Manoloff's interview on Starting Blocks TV, in which he says the Tribe can contend in the AL Central deep into the season; Manoloff's story on the Indians' sweep of the White Sox in Monday's day-night doubleheader; his Cleveland Indians Insider; his Indians chatter; a Starting Blocks poll asking who the Indians' most pleasant surprise is thus far this season; the Indians Minor League Report.

An ESPN.com report addresses which teams are the major leagues' biggest surprises -- both good and bad -- so far in 2012.

The Baltimore Orioles (19-10) are off to a strong start, tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. 

As to the question, "Which surprising first-place team is more likely to stick: Orioles or Indians?," ESPN.com's Eric Karabell replies:

Sorry, but neither team can come close to sustaining this. The Orioles are a better team and would eat up the Tribe head-to-head, but the stark differences in division come into play here. The AL Central stinks. The AL East does not. The Indians have a better shot since the only other decent team chasing them is Detroit. That's not a rip on the Orioles, though.

Mark Simon's answer to the question for ESPN.com:

I will say the Orioles, because I think the Tigers are going to run and hide in the AL Central in the next month now that their starting pitching has rounded into form. I think the Indians are a .500 team on their best day and they'll be fortunate to finish within 15 games of first place. The Orioles have a good combination of legitimacy (having gone 5-1 on their recent road trip) and good karma. I also think Jim Johnson is underrated, and will provide a means of finishing games that Baltimore hasn't had in a few years.

Indians story links

Indians players make sure to share credit with each other. (From the blog "WaitingForNextYear")

Discussing the White Sox team that the Indians play tonight and Wednesday night. (JJ Stankevitz and Lewie Pollis for the blog "Wahoo's on First.")

Justin Masterson and John Danks are meeting as the Indians' and White Sox' starting pitchers for a third time this season, and other notes. (By Zack Meisel, MLB.com)

Indians notebook. (By Sheldon Ocker, Akron Beacon Journal)

Indians notes, including an update on Travis Hafner's career triples. (By Jim Ingraham, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

An in-depth look at the Indians' Class AA team, the Akron Aeros, over the last week. (By Jim Piascik, Indians Prospect Insider)

Around the Cleveland Indians farm system -- Monday games, etc. (By Jim Pete, Indians Prospect Insider)

Indians sweep the White Sox in a rainy doubleheader. (By Sheldon Ocker, Akron Beacon Journal)

Not a good day and night in Cleveland for the White Sox. (By Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun-Times)

Could Braylon Edwards be headed back to Ohio? The Cincinnati Bengals are interested in the free-agent wide receiver, ESPN reports.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerBraylon Edwards caught just 15 passes in 9 games before being released by the 49ers in 2011.

Could Braylon Edwards be headed back to Ohio? The Cincinnati Bengals are interested in the free-agent wide receiver, ESPN reports.

Edwards, 29, who had his best years with the Cleveland Browns, is trying to find a home after being released by the San Francisco 49ers before last season's playoffs. His other former team, the New York Jets, had already said they hadn’t ruled out the possibility of adding Edwards for 2012.

At 6-3, 214 pounds, Edwards was an All-Pro in 2007, but his biggest issue is his health. With recent knee and shoulder woes, he first must prove he’s healthy enough to make a roster.

The Bengals are in the process of settling on a No. 2 wide receiver opposite A.J. Green after choosing not to bring back Jerome Simpson, a free agent who signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

The best current candidate for that job is rookie third-round pick Mohamed Sanu. Edwards has appeal as a more seasoned option.

This story originally appeared on SportingNews.com

This week, John Fiander of Sleepy Hollow G.C. shares tips on how to carry your good practice sessions on the driving range to the first tee.

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

This week, PGA Master Professional John Fiander of Sleepy Hollow Golf Course in Brecksville shares tips on how to carry your good practice sessions on the driving range to the first tee.

Need help with your game? Explain your problem to golf@plaind.com in an email. We will select one each week. Need a lot of help? Check out all the videos in an archive dating back to 2010.

"Not much reason to expect much more from WR Benjamin in his rookie season than what he did at Miami. He'll have a better quarterback throwing to him; but he's not going to turn into some kind of superman overnight. He's a prospect that could develop down the road; but to believe that he is going to come in and blow everybody away in the NFL is unrealistic. He is what he is in his rookie season - a 4th round WR prospect." - BigShowBacker

View full sizeAP Photo/Phil SearsOne cleveland.com reader says you shouldn't expect much from fourth round pick, Travis Benjamin.

"Not much reason to expect much more from WR Benjamin in his rookie season than what he did at Miami. He'll have a better quarterback throwing to him; but he's not going to turn into some kind of superman overnight. He's a prospect that could develop down the road; but to believe that he is going to come in and blow everybody away in the NFL is unrealistic. He is what he is in his rookie season - a 4th round WR prospect.

GO BROWNS!!!!!"

The draft concluded 10 days ago, but observers continue to analyze how the Browns did with their 11 picks, and how the 31 other NFL teams fared. Links to more Browns stories, featuring Trent Richardson, Billy Winn, Travis Benjamin, DB coach Tim Hauck, etc.

Cal Sport Media via APThe Browns selected California offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz in the second round of the NFL draft, with the 37th overall pick.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns and the NFL's 31 other teams concluded the three-day draft of college players 10 days ago.

Still, reaction lingers.

ESPN.com looks back at the Browns' draft, including a poll to grade how the Browns did. At the draft's conclusion on April 28, a cleveland.com Starting Blocks poll asked what you thought of the Browns draft.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's story that Browns linebacker Scott Fujita denies involvement in the infamous New Orleans Saints' bounty program. Fujita played for New Orleans from 2006-09, then signed with the Browns as a free agent prior to the 2010 season. A Starting blocks poll asks if Fujita has a case in denying any involvement. 

Browns story links

While he was sitting out football for much of his sophomore year due to academic ineligiblity, Billy Winn -- a Boise State defensive lineman drafted by the Browns in the sixth round -- wasn't aware of his potential. (By Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal)

A story on the Browns' new defensive backs coach, Tim Hauck, who played the position for 13 years (1990-2002) in the NFL. (By Matt Florjancic, clevelandbrowns.com)

Trent Richardson will try to prove that some of the cliches about the running back position are false. (By Bob Evans, National Football Authority)

Browns president Mike Holmgren is telling various media that the team will be improved in 2012. (On the blog "WaitingForNextYear")

Trent Richardson, maybe, could rush for more yards in 2012 than the last several Browns rookie running backs combined. (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

A slideshow analysis of what the 2012 Browns' running back situation will be. (Bleacher Report)

The Browns know wide receiver Travis Benjamin -- a fourth-round draft pick from Miami (Fla.) -- is fast enough, but will he be good enough overall to make a major contribution? (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

Bud also talks with Kiley and Booms about Scott Fujita and the ongoing NFL bounty situation.

AP file photoIndians manager Manny Acta.

Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw had thoughts this morning on baseball managers who go by the book as he made an appearance this morning on the Kiley and Booms show on The Fan, 92.3 FM. Bud also shared some insight on Scott Fujita and the ongoing NFL bounty situation.

Each weekday, Plain Dealer reporters and writers will share their insights on sports topics on The Fan. You can also catch their views on SBTV on the Starting Blocks blog. And don't miss Bud's appearances on the PD Sports Insider show on Cleveland.com Mondays and Thursdays.

"The Indians are too expensive for too many people. A family of 4 can't really afford it any longer. With tickets, a surcharge, parking and concessions, it adds up to quite a bit. Higher prices for some games may have hurt. It doesn't matter what other teams do, they have to cater to the local fans." - justthefacts

View full sizeThomas Ondrey/The Plain DealerThe Indians may be in first place, but the price to come to the ballpark is keeping fans away.

"The Indians are too expensive for too many people. A family of 4 can't really afford it any longer. With tickets, a surcharge, parking and concessions, it adds up to quite a bit. Higher prices for some games may have hurt. It doesn't matter what other teams do, they have to cater to the local fans.

Quit selling season tickets and packages for the upper deck. Only sell indivual games. On the days that low draw teams play the Indians they could sell any upper deck for $5."

Browns President Mike Holmgren talked about the Browns draft, about targeting Kendall Wright at No. 22 and a host of other things with the Bull and the Fox today on 92.3 The Fan.

Scott Shaw, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren rehashed the Browns draft and offseason with 92.3 The Fan today.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Browns president Mike Holmgren spent more than 30 minutes with the Bull and the Fox on 92.3 The Fan today. Here are some exceprts:

On how he feels after the draft:

"We like the whole draft. But if you were to ask anybody after the draft if they like their draft they'd probably tell you that they liked it. We set out with a strategy of specific areas that we thought we needed to make the team better and we almost got them all. We almost got them all."

On targeting Richardson & trading up:

"Once we made the decision that Trent was going to be the guy we went after; even though you think you're pretty safe at four and we were pretty sure Minnesota wasn't going to take a back because they have a fine running back but you never know if someone is going to hop over you into that spot to take your guy, so we had to talk about how far were we winning to go if we had to move up and make the pick. Once that was decided it was easy. Even though a lot of people said we didn't have to move up, we had to move up. Believe me. And we got our guy. At the end of the day if you get your player then the rest of it doesn't mean a whole lot if you get the player you wanted. We got the player we wanted."

Did he want Kendall Wright?:

"That's kind of how it came down. We will never know for sure but between the time we picked and the time we got to 22 there was a lot of discussion as you might imagine in our room and as players were coming off of the board. We liked Kendal Wright a lot. And we knew wide receiver was an area that we were going to try and hit in the draft one way or the other but then we also like the quarterback a lot. The decision in essence was made for us. Kendall was taken before us and so it became pretty easy to take the quarterback."

If Wright was there at 22, would he have traded up for Weeden?:

"That was the discussion. Before Kendal was chosen (we asked) 'how are we going to do this' and we talked about it for weeks prior to the draft. If we're willing to take the quarterback at 37, if that's what we thought that we could do because you never know some other team could pop up there and get him and Tannehill had already gone, I said if we're going to take him let's just take him. I didn't pound the table. Pat and Tom and I, we had talked about this so much before the draft that it was not a difficult thing to do and we love the quarterback so we just went ahead and did it."

On perception front office doesn't get fans' passion:

"Respectfully, I think they're wrong. I think what happens is that I'm not out in front and center too much and that's by choice. When I was coaching I was out there and you're doing press conferences and the fans see a lot more of the head coach than they do either the general manager or the president. When I came to Cleveland I think there was a feeling that it would be the same way. In all honesty I don't mind doing that. I like talking to you guys and talking to our fans and when I have a chance I do it but I think in some respects because I coached so long that whoever the coach was going to be here with the Cleveland Browns it would be rather unfair if I was the one out front. So I made the choice not to do that. This season coming up I might be a little bit more out there to answer questions and to do things but really I want to be here to help the head coach to help the general manager in their jobs. I had 25 years of being out front and I don't have to do it anymore but if anyone thinks that it will help, including people in this building, then I'll do it. I've done that on purpose. That's not to slight anybody or keep information or anything like that."

On fans feeling he's not all in with Browns:

"I honestly don't know where that comes from. Maybe it comes from maybe wanting me to be more out there in press conferences and different things but rest assured I'm all in. Kathy and I we love Cleveland and this is our home. I've never had a job anywhere where I wasn't all in and I'm all in here. It's just that I'm not coaching anymore and my role is different. Pat, Tom and I talk every day. We have a great staff and a lot of them worked for me at one time or another and there's great communication here. I have been very comfortable in allowing and wanting to pass the baton to Tom and Pat and let them be the face and voice of the team. That's kind of the way that it should be."

On Seattle radio appearances & saying "them" when referring to Browns & fans:

"The comedy part of it is excellent, I will tell you that. If I misspoke or said a word I certainly didn't mean that. I used to work on that radio show. I had a show and those were the guys I worked with and that's the only reason I did that. They are friends of mine. Once again, this is where am. This is where my heart is, this is what my job is and this is where my mind is."

 
On going with a new QB: "I wouldn't say that we made up our mind to go in another direction. We
drafted a young quarterback that we think can come in and play right away,
he has that type of maturity, but we're not just going to hand him the
football. There's going to be a competition as always and as it should be at
every position. The quarterback position is talked about the most on any
team but I love Colt McCoy. I still love Colt McCoy but I will always try
and do what I think we have to do to make the team better and to improve
ourselves. We had a chance to get a veteran, not a veteran although he is 28
years old, but a mature quarterback who has a chance to come in with that
maturity and contribute right away. Whether that happens or not we have to
let it play out. We have to let them compete. We have to let them play and
see what happens. The fact that we drafted him so high means that we like
him but we also like Colt McCoy and we like Seneca (Wallace) as well."
 
What about all the attempts to get Luck, RG3 and then drafting Weeden: 
"I'm always looking at quarterbacks. I think when you're building a football
team you've got to find that guy. So if you think you haven't found him
necessarily or you haven't had the time to find him yet if someone comes
your way that you think 'OK this guy has a chance to be that guy,' that's
not saying the other guy couldn't over a period of years or a couple of
seasons but now this guy has a chance to be that guy then maybe you take
him. And we took him."
 
Tom Heckert said in an interview on 92.3 The Fan that Colt would be the
starter week 1. Will Weeden be the quarterback in week 1: 
"Again we don't know yet. If tom said that Colt would e the quarterback in
week one then I think we have to let that thing play out and let them
compete. Pat Shurmur has an awful lot to say about that. Both Tom and I are
kind of watching from a distance a little bit. I think it'll be obvious and
then we'll make the decision. The bottom line is that everybody wants the
team to do well. Everyone wants the team to do better. I expect us to take a
pretty good jump this next season and so we have to play our best guys.
We'll see who they are down the road."
 
Did comments from McCoy's dad impact offseason decisions or Colt's
relationship with the team: 
"No, not at all. I'm kind of sorry that it came out like that but as a
father myself I totally understand the emotion of it. But it was too bad and
I think immediately after it happened, everyone kind of felt like 'gee it's
too bad that it happened."
 
On Seneca Wallace and mentoring:
"I look at that a little different than some people. You mention Jake
Delhomme, Jake played in the league a long time and when he couldn't play
anymore because of the injury he wanted to do something. He wanted to. That
coaching staff allowed him to take an active role, almost to the point of
being an assistant coach. If I was still coaching I wouldn't do that. The
mentor thing is overblown to me. I'm going to coach the player. I'm not
going to have another player coach the player. They can be friends but when
it comes to what I want him to do on the football field, that's my call not
another player's call. So when Seneca said that and I know Seneca as well as
anybody because he played for me, he is a good guy who wants to play
football and is a very good player and has always been in a certain role but
given the chance he has performed pretty well. Last year none of our
quarterbacks had the supporting cast that we needed to get around them. His
comments didn't bother me at all. I don't expect any of those guys to be
mentors to anybody. I'm the mentor or the coach is the mentor."
  Q: Would you be shocked if Seneca and Colt were both on the roster?
 A: Again, I think we have to let that one play out. I would agree with the comment that you don't see it too often, but you have seen it. When we look at the roster, we're going to do what we feel is best for the team at the particular time, and right now, they're all here and they're competing like crazy, so that's what I want.
 
 Q: ON the Peyton Hillis drama and his end here. 
 A: It was too bad because he's a fine football player and there's a bunch of stuff that happened last year that prevented him from being the best he could be. Then he became a free agent and he tested a market and got what he wanted and that was as simple as that. Were we ever in it? We talked to him about coming back, but I'm not sure to be honest with you.
 
 Q: Hillis/did he quit/did you want him back?
 A: Once we made the decision that Trent Richardson was going to be our guy, that kind of ended that. You make choices. I will never believe that he quit on the team. He was hurt and it was unfortunate, and a good running attack which we thought we had coming into the season turned out to be less than we thought and it hurt us last year offensively.
 Q: Did the locker room think he quit?
 A: I don't know. Rumors in this business, I don't put too much stock in them. Somebody's got to tell me or if I talk to somebody, I get it straight from the horse's mouth. That's what I believe.
 Q: On Pat Shurmur
 A: Given the circumstances Pat came in on, I think he did okay. I really do. For a first time head coach excited and everything and having to go through the lockout, and with a young team and with the injuries that took place and the Peyton Hillis thing that we talked about. All in all, he probably had to deal with things he never thought in his wildest dreams he'd have to deal with. I know this about Pat Shurmur: he's a bright guy, he has a tremendous work ethic, he knows football, he communicates well with the players and I think having Brad Childress as an offensive coordinator will really help because it frees up Pat to do a lot of head coach type things and get a much better picture of the big picture. He was hard on himself. I think you'll see a big jump this year.
 Q: Childress' impact on Pat:
 A: They'll work hand in hand. And having your coordinator, it frees you up to take an hour and a half of your day where you'd normally be acting as the coordinator in meetings with players or coaches, now he can take that hour and a half and do other things, whether it be studying, planning, thinking or whatever. There is a learning curve (for a head coach). Pat's going to be fine and really considering what he had to go through last year, I thought he did a good job.
 
 Q: No coordinator in Shurmur's first year?
 A: We talked a lot about not having a coordinator. We could've hired somebody to be the coordinator, but we wanted the right person at the right time and because of Pat's background as a coordinator with the Rams, we felt this is possible, we can do this. And now we've got the right guy. We've got Brad now and I think it's going to work out for Pat and for the team. He wasn't overwhelmed. I thought he handled things beautifully. It's just that stuff happens.
 
 Q: Regrets on not getting more wrs?
 A: I wouldn't say regrets. We had plans of trying to get a wide receiver in the draft and got a wide receiver in Benjamin who's really different than the type of receivers we have. This guy's fast on fast, so we can stretch the defense a little bit now with him so that's a good thing. That was a good draft pick in my opinion. The other thing that I expect is that Massaquoi, who's had a couple tough years with injury and not getting the ball thrown enough his way in my opinion and so on and so forth. I think you're going to see him have a little bit of a breakout year and we need him to do that. He has the potential to be a very, very good receiver and no one's seen it yet. If that happens, and we know Little can play, Little had a good rookie year, Cribbs is Cribbs, our tight ends, Watson's back, we should be okay. Having said that, between now and the time we tee it up in training camp, there's a lot of time left to maybe add a player here or there and that could happen.
 
 Q: Lack of activity in free agency:
 A: We had some wide receivers come in and it didn't happen. There are teams in the league that if you get in a bidding contest with certain teams in the league, it's almost impossible to win. And that's kind of what happened. It's not that we didn't try. It just didn't happen. We'll stick with our philosophy of building through the draft and signing our own free agents.
  
 Q: On any regrets over "with us or against us'' comments:
 A: No, I was mad at the time. The stuff that came out, it seemed to me that was the press conference dealing with Colt's injury and I was mad. Some of the questions even by your standards -- and you guys never do this -- but some of the questions I was asked were a little bit on the line and I thought I was reasonable in my responses. You want playoff tickets, you can phone me for playoff tickets. (tongue in cheek) Is that what you want me to do? I'm going to be rather selective though, just so you know that.
 Q: What are the expectations for this year's team?
 A: I expect us to take a pretty good jump, I really do. Looking back on last year, our record was what it was, but if you analyze it, we were a couple of snaps of the football by our field goal or PAT snappers, from winning two or three more games. I hadn't seen that happen ever. While the record was very poor, it should've been better without stretching the imagination too much. Are we there yet? No. This year, I expect us to take a little more of a jump. We'll just see what happens at the quarterback position and if that's solidified or we feel like we got the guy, or whoever that is, then I think there's light at the end of the tunnel.
 Q: But you could've lost to Miami, Jacksonville and Seattle too.
 A: My point is, not too many times do you see a bad snap.
 Q: If this team wins three games, what are the consequences for the coaches and players.
 A: We'll have to deal with that when the time comes. I choose to see the glass half full so I don't expect that to happen.
 
 Q: Brown jerseys at home this year?
 A: Really? They want the Brown jerseys this year? I had always thought the white jerseys were popular. Listen, I'll do what I can do. Actually we're going to have a meeting on attire tomorrow. That's one of my presidential duties.
 
 Q: Do you get the frustration from the fans?
 A: Absolutely. I get it. Every chance I do get to talk to them, I recognize that fact. If I'm frustrated and I've only been here a couple of year, I can imagine what the fans are, but my message is the same, that we are going to fix this it's difficult and painful to be this patient and I know they've heard it before, but this is a different group, and we're going to get this thing done.
 Q: When you look back at the job you've done here, any regrets and what are you most proud of?
 A: It's not regrets necessarily, but I'm disappointed we haven't won more games. That's what we're in this business to do. So that's the number one thing. But in attempting to get there, we're building the team properly. When I got here, I looked at the draft choices that were still on the roster -- primarily the No. 1 choices -- that are still on the roster from the previous 10 years and there weren't many at all....I applaud our fans. The responses we've got back from them have been encouraging to be quite honest. They're great fans and they deserve a winning football team and that's what we're trying to do.
 

"While this makes sense in theory, there's not a single team in the NBA that would trade the No. 1 pick overall in this year's draft, for darn near any package that doesn't include a top 10 NBA player." - mazzmann2

View full sizeAP Photo/David J. PhillipOne cleveland.com reader thinks the Cavaliers should package a deal together to get another Top 10 pick and get Perry Jones from Baylor.

"While this makes sense in theory, there's not a single team in the NBA that would trade the No. 1 pick overall in this year's draft, for darn near any package that doesn't include a top 10 NBA player.

To give you an idea of how good a prospect Davis is, the Nets probably would not trade Anthony Davis for Dwight Howard straight up (even if he didn't have back surgery). Comparisons being thrown around for the caliber of prospect Anthony Davis is include: Kevin Garnett, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan.

I think the more realistic trade up would be to get Kidd-Gilchrist or Brad Beal IF the ping pong balls don't go our way. I could also see us trying to trade up to get a swingman (Jeremy Lamb? Harrison Barnes? Perry Jones?) in the late lottery with our second pick."

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, O. - A familiar name in Lorain County has been named head coach for Lake Ridge Academy's girls basketball team as former Elyria High School/Indiana State standout Lisa Verhoff-Medvetz takes over the program.  "We are thrilled to have a westside icon with such great playing and coaching experience join the Lake Ridge Academy community,'' athletic director Debby...

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, O. - A familiar name in Lorain County has been named head coach for Lake Ridge Academy's girls basketball team as former Elyria High School/Indiana State standout Lisa Verhoff-Medvetz takes over the program.

 "We are thrilled to have a westside icon with such great playing and coaching experience join the Lake Ridge Academy community,'' athletic director Debby Ghezzi said in a prepared release.

  Verhoff-Medvetz, who earned a bachelor's degree in sports fitness/excercise physiology, will teach K-12 physical education.

  "After meeting with students and teachers, I knew this was the school to develop my own program at,'' said Verhoff-Medvetz. "I look forward to helping create a tradition of success.''

 
 This is her first head coaching assignment after serving as assistant women's basketball coach at Notre Dame College the past five seasons.

 Verhoff-Medvetz succeeds Randy Thomas, whose supplemental contract wasn't renewed after one season because Lake Ridge wanted to fill its physical education vacancy with a coach. Thomas, who is working on a degree in math, compiled a 9-6 record in his only season with the Lions.

 Thomas coached LRA during the second of a two-year postseason ban.

 The Division IV, private coed school in North Ridgeville received the order near the end of the 2010-11 season after the Ohio High School Athletic Assn. determined it committed four recruiting violations and a bylaw covering administrative responsibility.

The Tribe look to continue their winning ways over the Chicago White Sox after taking two games yesterday. First pitch is at 7:05. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes, @hoynsie.

The Tribe look to continue their winning ways over the Chicago White Sox after taking two games yesterday. First pitch is at 7:05. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes @hoynsie or click here for a live game box score. You can also download our Cleveland Indians app for Android to get Tribe updates on your mobile device. Read on for a game preview.

View full sizeAP Photo/Mark DuncanThe Tribe look to win the series tonight against the Chicago White Sox after taking both games yesterday.

D'Andrea is the manager of the municipally-owned J. Edward Good Park and Mud Run golf courses in Akron.

View full sizeCourtesy City of AkronAkron golf manager Dante D'Andrea is proud of Good Park "old-school" layout.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nine questions with Dante D'Andrea, manager of the municipally-owned J. Edward Good Park and Mud Run golf courses in Akron. D'Andrea has been with the city for nine years, working as a staff member at both courses.

Age: 39.

Residence: Akron.

1. Running one golf course is a handful. Are there enough hours in the week to run two?

A: It's a little crazy and I'm not home much, but you do what you have to do. I have good supervisors at both sites but I can say I'm never at a loss for something to do.

2. With 2011's horrible weather, it had to have been a nightmare. True?

A: The weather and all the issues it caused -- we had several flooded fairways at Good Park after it rained six inches in one day in July -- made it rough.

3. So, how is business at both sites?

A: Like everyone else, our business is going well compared to last year.

4. League play is vital to the livelihood of public courses and Good Park has always been a popular site for leagues. What is the current status?

A: We have 21 leagues at Good Park that play Monday through Friday. There are seven at Mud Run.

5. What changes have been made at the two courses?

A: One of the things I am most proud of is the establishment of our Web site (cityofakrongolf.com) two years ago. We needed to get into the times.

6. Do you think Good Park is underrated?

A: Only by the people who haven't played here. The Park is an old-school golf course, with tree-lined fairways and fast greens.

7. How has the addition of the First Tee of Akron program at Mud Run affected local golf?

A: I think it's been a huge asset to the city of Akron. Kids who might never have had the opportunity to play are playing and learning.

8. What hurdles do muni-owned courses face that privately-owned public courses don't?

A: We have to do everything the privately-held publics do, only better. Privately-owned public courses also can redirect their revenues to where they are best suited. We are restricted in that.

9. Do you foresee any rate changes at either course?

A: We haven't raised our rates in five years and we're trying to keep it that way. We already have great deals in place, like $25 for 18 and a cart before noon on weekdays. You can add a breakfast on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the same price. That's as good as it gets.

CUYAHOGA FALLS, O. - Walsh Jesuit 5-8 senior outside hitter Brittany Zmyslinski has signed a national letter of intent with Saint Francis (Pa.) University.  The two-year captain averaged 10.8 digs and 3.18 kills in helping the Warriors post a 20-8 record, earn a co-North Coast League Blue Division title and Division I final four appearance.

CUYAHOGA FALLS, O. - Walsh Jesuit 5-8 senior outside hitter Brittany Zmyslinski has signed a national letter of intent with Saint Francis (Pa.) University.

 The two-year captain averaged 10.8 digs and 3.18 kills in helping the Warriors post a 20-8 record, earn a co-North Coast League Blue Division title and Division I final four appearance.

 "The opportunity to play at a Division 1 level was too difficult to pass up,"  said Zmyslinski, who is undecided in a major. "The St. Francis environment offers outstanding academics, a small nurturing atmosphere, beautiful location and a terrific volleyball coach."

Over the last 20 years, the Indians can claim a handful of excellent pitchers and catchers, the Cavs a string of superb point guards. The Browns' specialty? Good punters and long snappers.

View full sizeAP fileSince the franchise's restart in 1999, the Browns have had few areas of consistent success -- perhaps most famously kicker Phil Dawson (left) and -- until last season -- snapper Ryan Pontbriand.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Every team in the City Waiting For a Parade has been able to thrive with good players at a few positions. Championships remain unclaimed, in some cases because those signature players couldn't wait to sign for more money elsewhere.

Still, the three major Cleveland pro teams have shown a good eye for players in a few well-defined roles. It's not always the role expected, however.

It would be, well, premature to say the reputation of the Browns in the Mike Holmgren regime as quarterback gurus has been proven. (Yeah, "premature" works. It's a much nicer word than "ludicrous" in the wake of the Jake Delhomme signing and then the Colt McCoy experiment, when the front office failed to surround him with playmakers).

Let's limit the discussion to two decades, the generation that spans the years from 1992 to 2012.

Clearly, the Cavs knew what they were doing at point guard. The occasional lapse with Smush Parker or Kevin Ollie is not enough to dim the memories of Mark Price, Terrell Brandon and Andre Miller. The Cavs' certain Rookie of the Year, Kyrie Irving, is just the latest in the line.

The Indians have been hit even harder in free agency than the Cavs were by LeBron James. The Tribe has developed All-Star players and then lost them to bigger markets in free agency or traded them before doing so. Nonetheless, it is clear that when it comes to "batteries," as the pitcher-catcher combination is sometimes called, the Tribe has some serious juice.

The Indians traded Cy Young winners CC Sabathia and CLiff Lee in back-to-back seasons to begin the current, still iffy, rebuilding process. They traded a future Cy Young winner, Bartolo Colon, to begin an earlier program.

Needing catchers for such hurlers, the Indians boasted three very good ones in the 20-year time frame -- Sandy Alomar Jr., Victor Martinez and Carlos Santana. The latter's quick progress behind the plate is in part due to Alomar's tutoring.

The Browns took the wrecking-ball hit of Art Modell's move to Baltimore, spent three seasons on hiatus, like a really bad TV series, then returned as an expansion team. The statute of limitations long ago ran out on that excuse, however.

Since the team returned, left tackle Joe Thomas, the franchise's best player, has played in five straight Pro Bowls. The 2007 season, in which Kellen Winslow Jr., Braylon Edwards and Derek Anderson emerged as powerful forces, was a mirage.

The Browns' specialty seems to be special teamers. These players' signatures might as well be their monograms. They are not on the field very long.

Kick returner Josh Cribbs has made a couple of Pro Bowls, but the new, restrictive kickoff rule has lessened his value. With a perennially awful offense, the Browns have had to punt a lot. The great Paul Brown first called the punt, by virtue of the yardage involved, "the most important play in football." But the most important play is also one of the most boring.

Nevertheless, Chris Gardocki, the first expansion-era punter, never had one blocked. Bay Village's Dave Zastudil and last year's punter Brad Maynard often bottled opponents up inside their 20-yard lines. Rambling Reggie Hodges ran for a 68-yard gain on fourth down against New Orleans in 2010. It was the longest run ever by an NFL punter and, sigh, the longest of the season by any Brown. None of those guys made the Pro Bowl, though.

Along with good punting comes proficient long snapping. Ryan Kuehl spent the first four years of the expansion era here, as one of the top long snappers in the NFL. After him, Ryan Pontbriand made two Pro Bowls before melting down last season. Coach Butch Davis selected Pontbriand in the fifth round of the 2003 draft. In the insular world of long snapping, it caused quite a sensation.

With all the misses on Gerard Warren and William Green, with the reach on Chaun Thompson and the embarrassment of Jeremiah Pharms, Pontbriand remains Davis' best draft pick. Which says a lot about him.

But much more about the franchise's talent evaluation overall.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

Many project the Cavs to draft a shooting guard or small forward with their first pick, but Connecticut center Drummond is a factor in some mock drafts. Florida guard Bradley Beal remains a popular Cav pick. Links to several mock drafts.

Associated PressConnecticut's Andre Drummond is expected to be among the first big men picked in the NBA draft on June 28.

The re-building Cleveland Cavaliers, who finished the lockout-shortened 2012 season with a 21-45 record, will be among the teams in the spotlight for both events.

Plain Dealer Cavaliers beat writer Tom Reed recently wrote about the team's draft standing:

The club has two first-round picks and the lowest they will select after factoring in the May 30th lottery is sixth overall. They also own the 24th pick from the Lakers. In the second round, they have selections Nos. 33 and 34.

It's a strong mathematical improbability that the Cavaliers would drop to sixth in the draft order. The Cavs' positioning for both of their first-round picks was aided somewhat on April 27, as Plain Dealer reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer wrote that a couple tiebreakers went the Cavs' way:

In the first drawing, Cleveland (21-45) won a tiebreaker with New Orleans (21-45) and now ranks third, with 138 chances out of 1,000, for the No. 1 pick in the NBA lottery. New Orleans, now fourth, will have 137 chances. Even if three teams behind them move up in the lottery, the Cavs will pick no worse than sixth.

The Cavs won the lottery last spring and used the No. 1 pick to select Kyrie Irving, the likely Rookie of the Year.

In the second drawing, the Los Angeles Lakers (41-25) won a tiebreaker with the Memphis Grizzlies (41-25) and now have the No. 24 pick in the NBA draft, a pick that was sent to the Cavs in the trade for Ramon Sessions.

As the draft approaches -- especially after the lottery is conducted and the playoffs end -- we will see more and more mock drafts.

Many project the Cavaliers to draft either a shooting guard or small forward with their first pick.

The mock draft on NBA Draft Room says otherwise, predicting Cleveland will take Connecticut big man Andre Drummond with the third overall pick -- assuming that's the Cavs' draft slot following the lottery.

NBA Draft Room says about Drummond:

Physical specimen who is built like Dwight Howard. Very good quickness and explosiveness for a big man - can attack the rim with great power. Should be a very good rebounder and interior defender at the pro level and is developing nice offensive post moves. A rare, elite center prospect.

NBA Draft Room anticipates the Cavs selecting Syracuse guard Dion Waiters with their second first-rounder, at No. 24.

Mock draft links

The Cavaliers pick a small forward and a power forward in the first round. (The Hoops Report)

A shooting guard and a center become first-round Cavs picks. (mynbadraft.com)

A shooting guard and a center are headed to Cleveland as first-round picks. (WalterFootball.com)

The Cavaliers select a shooting guard with their first pick in the draft and a power forward with their second first-rounder. (fanspeak.com)

That "2" guard remains a popular first pick for the Cavs. (SBNation.com)

The top 30 players in the draft, from a Cavaliers perspective. (Fear the Sword)

This par 3 demands an accurate tee shot and canny putting skills.

View full size

"Par is a great score here," says Rawiga's PGA pro, Bill Colianni.

Like most quality short holes, players are given plenty of options and tee boxes. Stretched to its 216-yard max, there's a chute of trees that add danger to poorly-played long irons and fairway woods. But even the front tees force players to accurately judge their ball flight while accounting for an 80-foot drop in elevation.

A tee shot that finds the green isn't home free -- a front pin position forces skillful judging of a sloping putt from back to front.

Colianni's right. Walking to the 16th tee with a 3 in your pocket is a solid accomplishment.

Golfsmith, one of the largest retail golf companies in the country, holds the grand opening for its new store in the Harvard Park Shopping Center in Warrensville Heights on Friday.

View full sizeChuck Burton, Associated PressAn opportunity to play nine holes with Tiger Woods is the grand prize in a national contest being run by Golfsmith.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Want a chance to play nine holes with Tiger Woods after being outfitted with a set of Nike clubs and golf apparel from head-to-toe?

Golfsmith, one of the largest retail golf companies in the country, will give you that opportunity starting Friday when the company holds the grand opening for its new store in the Harvard Park Shopping Center in Warrensville Heights.

Customers can register in a nationwide contest to win a chance to play nine holes with Woods at an unnamed resort in Florida. A company spokesperson said the winner and three playing partners will be flown to Florida to play with Woods.

Golfsmith has been in business for 45 years with 85 stores throughout the country, including two locations in Columbus. It also has an extensive mail order catalog business through its Web site (golfsmith.com).

"Our studies have shown that the Cleveland-area is starved for a golf store," general manager Daryl George said in explaining the company's presence. "There are plenty of courses, but just a few places to buy equipment."

The store in Warrensville Heights, located at 4063 Richmond Rd., plans on giving away about $10,000 in prizes, merchandise and gift cards during the weekend, George said.

Custom club-fitting is the hottest thing in the golf business and the 20,000 square-foot store is equipped with four state-of-the-art simulators and the latest technology in club-fitting.

The first 500 customers through the doors Friday and Saturday will receive either a $20 Golfsmith gift card or a free two-pack of golf balls.

Mixed doubles: The husband and wife teams of Matt and Jennifer Creech and Vinnie and Karen Paolozzi made their presence felt in Monday's Northern Ohio PGA's Republic Services Pro-Pro event on the South Course at Firestone.

Matt Creech, head pro at Sand Ridge, and Karen, a pro at The Country Club, won the better-ball event with a score of four-under 66. Vinnie Paolozzi (Barrington) and Karen (Chagrin Valley) finished in a tie for eighth at 2-under 68. They were the only co-ed teams in the field.

A stroke up: Orange Village resident Barry Cohn and Hudson's Mike Cassell each shot 1-under 70 on Monday to win the first flight and senior's first flight titles, respectively, in the Northern Ohio Golf Association's stroke play championship at Lakewood Country Club. Cohn, who also won the title in 1993, edged Oberlin's Jon Nagy by one shot.

Winning at Windmill: Highland High junior and two-time Plain Dealer player of the year Jessica Porvasnik was a big winner Sunday at Windmill Lakes in a Golfweek Junior Tour event. Porvasink, who recently committed to Ohio State, shot 71-69 for a 1-under 140 to win the 15-19 age group by eight shots over Pennsylvanian Emily Rohanna. It was the second GJT win of the season for Porvasnik, who started the final round tied with Canton's Cassie Pantelas.

Jillian Hollis, a freshman at Magnificat, finished in a tie for third at 149 and Ashley Yarbrough, who helped Hathaway Brown win a state title in 2010, was fifth at 152.

Ryan Troyer, a Kent State recruit from Dover, won the boys 16-19 age group in a playoff with Aurora's Richard Radis after both shot 143.

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

Buckeyes expected to achieve some success in first year with Urban Meyer as their coach, despite the one-season bowl ban. Links to more Ohio State stories, including a Buckeyes basketball report.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerOhio State coach Urban Meyer watches the Buckeyes warm up prior to their Scarlet-Gray spring game on April 21.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ohio State Buckeyes finished their spring football practices on April 21, with their annual Scarlet-Gray game -- as then reported by Plain Dealer OSU beat writer Doug Lesmerises.

This week, the College Football News, with Scout.com, has ranked the nation's Division I teams.

Ohio State, which will open its first season with coach Urban Meyer in a Sept. 1 home game against Miami (Ohio), gets a solid standing.

The CollegeFootballNews.com ranking for the Buckeyes:

11. Ohio State (2011 Record: 6-7, 2012 Roughly Projected Record: 10-2)

Urban Meyer will have the team ready to rock and roll from Day One, but it’ll be a building season for 2013. The Buckeyes might not be eligible for the Big Ten championship or a bowl game, but there’s a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and QB Braxton Miller appears ready to blossom into a superstar in Meyer’s attack. At the same time the Buckeyes will play loose, since there’s no pressure with nothing to play for, and angry, because Urban is will make the team that way.

UCF is a dangerous non-conference game, as is Cal, but both are at home with Buckeyes getting five home games in the first six weeks. There are only four road games and one of them is Indiana. However, going to Michigan State and Wisconsin will be beartraps and Penn State isn’t a layup. Michigan and Illinois have to come to Columbus, and the Buckeyes should take care of home and win both.

Continue to check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Ohio State coverage.

Buckeyes story links

Running back Jordan Hall brings a new attitude to Ohio State's new offense. (By Brandon Castel, the-Ozone.net)

The Buckeyes will consider other linebacker recruits after one rescinds his commitment. (By Tim May, Columbus Dispatch)

A post-spring practice analysis of the defensive line. (By Tony Gerdeman, the-Ozone.net)

Defensive lineman John Simon could be a candidate in the 2012 Big Ten defensive Player of the Year race. (By Adam Rittenberg, ESPN.com)

Ohio State's basketball team will host an official recruiting visit this week for Rodney Hood, a sophomore forward who is leaving Mississippi State. (By Todd Jones, Columbus Dispatch)

Sizemore, recovering from surgery on a herniated disc, says he's still on course to rejoin the Indians in June.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer"When I visualize, I see myself out there next month," Grady Sizemore said Tuesday of his schedule for returning to the Indians' outfield. "There is still a lot to do, but I feel like we're at the tail end of this rehab."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Grady Sizemore has been through six surgeries since September of 2009. He has played 210 of a possible 486 games, but retirement is not a something he's considering. The former Gold Glove center fielder is thinking about playing for the Indians in June.

"I still love this game and don't see myself calling it quits anytime soon," said Sizemore, talking to reporters for the first time since February in spring training.

Sizemore jogged and ran sprints in the outfield Tuesday at Progressive Field before the Indians played the White Sox. He's recovering from a March 1 operation to repair a herniated disc.

"Nothing is going to happen before June because of where I'm at [in his rehab schedule]," said Sizemore, 29. "I don't know if they really know when I'll be back. We change the program from week to week depending on how I feel.

"Still, I'm shooting for sometime in June. I don't know if anything is set in stone. It all depends on how the body responds and each progression."

Sizemore says his body feels good. Indians head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff has been impressed with his progress.

"When I visualize, I see myself out there next month," said Sizemore. "Things can change, anything can happen. I still have a long way to go. There is still a lot to do, but I feel like we're at the tail end of this rehab."

Sizemore said his latest surgery wasn't needed to relieve back pain.

"There was no pain in the back," he said. "The herniated disc was pressing against nerves and it caused my left leg to go dead. I lost a lot of strength and function in the leg."

The back surgery delayed the rehabilitation Sizemore was doing on his right knee following a September operation. Asked what injury was his biggest concern, Sizemore said, "The body in general. ... Everything is connected. I have to focus on every body part."

After not exercising his club option for $9 million after last season, the Indians re-signed Sizemore as a free agent for a one-year, $5 million deal.

Sizemore said he did not come to spring training injured. "I did take a physical," he said. "You don't find a herniated disk in a spring training physical.

"This wasn't an incident that was there two or three days before I started spring training. This was because of something I was doing on the field. It wasn't like I came to camp with an injury that slipped by the team."

Sizemore does not regret re-signing with the Indians.

"If I signed somewhere else, I don't know if this would have happened or not," he said. "The fact is, I hurt myself and I've got to get better. This is where I wanted to be. I wouldn't have wished it any other way."

Sick bay: Left-hander Rafael Perez, on the disabled list with a strained left side muscle, has just started playing catch. Carlos Carrasco, in extended spring training, is throwing off the mound as he recovers from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Host families wanted: The Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the Indians' Class A team in the New York-Penn League, are looking for host families to house their players. The season starts in June and runs through mid-September. Interested families can contact the Scrappers at (330) 505-0000 or snovak@mvscrappers.com.

Finally: The Indians' doubleheader sweep of the White Sox was their first since June 13, 1976.

On Twitter: @hoynsie