Mike Holmgren told 92.3 The Fan that rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden will have to compete with Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace for the starting job.

View full sizeAP file"We have to let them play and see what happens," Mike Holmgren said of quarterback Brandon Weeden and veterans Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace. "The fact that we drafted (Weeden) so high means that we like him, but we also like Colt McCoy and we like Seneca as well."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns President Mike Holmgren stressed Tuesday that although the team expects rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden to start this season, he'll still have to beat out Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace for the job.

"We drafted a young quarterback that we think can come in and play right away,but we're not just going to hand him the football," the Browns president said on The Bull and Fox Show on 92.3 The Fan. "I still love Colt McCoy [but] we had a chance to get a mature quarterback who has a chance to come in 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 as well."

Holmgren said the staff will also let the backup competition, presumably between McCoy and Wallace, evolve.

"I think we have to let that one play out," he said. "I'd 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."

Holmgren said things have obviously changed since General Manager Tom Heckert told The Fan a few months ago that McCoy would be the starter in Week One.

"Again we don't know yet," said Holmgren. "We have to let that thing play out and let them compete. [Coach] Pat Shurmur has an awful lot to say about that. 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."

He said the comments made by McCoy's father, Brad -- that his son shouldn't have been put back in the Pittsburgh game after the blow to the head by James Harrison -- had no bearing on the Browns' decision to find another starter.

"No, not at all," he said. "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.'"

He said he had no problem with Wallace's comments late last season that it wasn't his thing to mentor McCoy. Wallace told The Fan last week that he's willing to help Weeden because everyone knows he's the starter.

"His comments didn't bother me at all," said Holmgren. "I don't expect any of those guys to be mentors to anybody. I'm the mentor or the coach is the mentor."

He said that Eric Mangini's staff in 2010 allowed Jake Delhomme to be almost a player-coach with McCoy after he was injured.

"If I was still coaching I wouldn't do that," he said. "The mentor thing is overblown to me. ... I know Seneca as well as anybody because he played for me [in Seattle], he's 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's performed pretty well. Last year, none of our quarterbacks had the supporting cast that we needed to get around them."

Holmgren also acknowledged that the Browns had targeted Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright at No. 22, but shifted to Weeden when Wright went No. 20 to Tennessee.

"That's kind of how it came down," he said. "We liked Kendall 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 liked the quarterback a lot. The decision in essence was made for us."

He defended the Browns' decision not to take a receiver earlier than the top of the fourth round, when they chose Miami speedster Travis Benjamin 100th overall.

"[We] got a wide receiver in Benjamin who's really different than the type of receivers we have," he said. "This guy's fast on fast, so we can stretch the defense a little bit. That was a good draft pick in my opinion."

He also said the club expects receiver Mohamed Massaquoi to step up this season.

"[He's] had a couple tough years with injury and not getting the ball thrown enough his way in my opinion," said Holmgren. "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."

He said the Browns could also add a veteran receiver between now and training camp. He added that he might be more visible to the fans and media this season, and that he was trying to let the coaches speak for the team.

"If anyone thinks that it will help, including people in this building, then I'll do it," he said.

He also said the perception that he's not 100 percent committed to the Browns is erroneous.

"Rest assured, I'm all in," he said. "[Wife] Kathy and I, we love Cleveland and this is ourhome. I've never had a job anywhere where I wasn't all in and I'm all in here."

He reiterated what he told season-ticket holders in February: "I expect us to take a pretty good jump [this year], I really do."

Finally, he said he's consider brown jerseys at home this season. "I'll do what I can do," he said.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

The Indians rallied late to tie Chicago, but Chris Perez suffered a rare lapse in the 10th as Chicago scored twice for a victory.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The last meeting between closer Chris Perez and Alex Rios ended in shouts and anger. Tuesday night the rematch ended in victory for Rios and the White Sox.

Rios tripled home pinch-runner Brent Lillibridge to break a 3-3 tie in the 10th inning as Chicago beat the Indians, 5-3, at Progressive Field.

"What happened in Chicago was just part of the game," said Perez. "This is totally different. We didn't say any words tonight. I just made a bad pitch and left it out over the plate and he did what he was supposed to do -- hit it in the gap."

The loss ended the Indians' three-game winning streak. The victory ended a three-game losing streak for Chicago.

On May 3 at U.S. Cellular Field, Perez retired Rios on a grounder to short for the final out in the Indians' 7-5 victory. Perez shouted in excitement when he saw Rios' grounder headed to short. Rios was displeased and yelled at Perez when he reached first base.

Except for a few quotes in the paper and on the Internet the next day, that was the end of it.

Perez (0-1) started the 10th. He gave up a single to Paul Konerko, who was replaced by Lillibridge as a pinch-runner. A.J. Pierzynski popped up, but Rios tripled to the wall in right-center field to score Lillibridge.

Alexei Ramirez scored Rios on a grounder to second.

Perez had allowed one run in his previous 13 appearances. It was the first time he's allowed more than one run in an outing since the season opener against Toronto on April 5.

When asked if even he gets surprised when he gives up a run, Perez said: "That's a stupid question. This is baseball. What, I'm never going to give up another run? Come on."

The last White Sox to hit a triple in extra innings? None other than Alex Rios. The pitcher he hit it against? You guessed it, Perez on Aug. 16 in the 11th inning of a 8-7 Chicago victory. On Sept. 10, Rios hit a walk-off grand slam against Perez, which just so happens to be the date of his last loss.

Rios is 3-for-10 with two triples, one homer and five RBI against the Tribe closer.

Perez had problems entering games with the score tied last year.

"You can't let the other team beat you with your seventh guy out of the pen instead of your best arm," said manager Manny Acta. "It gets noticed when he doesn't get it done, but you have to do it. Come September or playoff time, I'm not going to be putting the seventh guy out of the pen in that situation."

Hector Santiago (1-1) earned his first big-league win with a scoreless ninth. Addison Reed pitched the 10th for his second save.

The White Sox took a 2-0 lead in the first off Justin Masterson. Gordon Beckham singled with one out and went to third on Adam Dunn's double off the wall in right center that Michael Brantley should have caught. Dunn came into the game hitting .389 (7-for-18) against Masterson.

Konerko's grounder to third scored Beckham as third baseman Jack Hannahan thought about throwing home before going to first. Pierzynski singled home Dunn.

Carlos Santana pulled the Indians into a 3-3 tie with a single off Chris Sale in the eighth. Last week the White Sox moved Sale from the rotation into the closer's role.

Starter John Danks opened the eighth, but Casey Kotchman and Hannahan reached on bloop hits to start the inning. Sale, 2-0 against the Tribe this year as starter, got Johnny Damon to ground weakly to short, but Alexei Ramirez made an error to load the bases.

Jason Kipnis' grounder to first made it 3-1 to bring Santana to the plate with runners on second and third. Santana, down in the count 1-2, singled through the middle for the game-tying hit.

"It was a great comeback, especially against those arms," said Acta. "But the early situations where we had cheap RBI that we didn't pick up hurt us."

Masterson held the White Sox scoreless for five innings after the first. Double plays got him out of trouble in the fifth and sixth innings.

He allowed two runs on six hits in six innings. Masterson threw 109 pitches, 68 for strikes. He's 1-1 with a 4.13 ERA against Chicago this season.

While Masterson gave up his two runs in the first, Danks gave up two in the eighth. He allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. He's 1-1 against the Tribe this year with a 8.44 ERA.

With injuries and inexperience abound on the Columbus Crew roster, the team signed veteran Chris Birchall to help anchor the midfield.

AP File PhotoChris Burchall won an MLS Cup title last year with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

With injuries and inexperience abound on the Columbus Crew roster, the team signed veteran Chris Birchall to help anchor the midfield.

Birchall, who has 39 caps for the Trinidad & Tobago national team and played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, signs a multi-year deal after spending the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He helped the Galaxy win MLS Cup last year, but his contract was not renewed for 2012.

Craig Merz writes on MLSSoccer.com that Birchall prefers to play the defensive midfield position, which would give the team some insurance just in case Danny O'Rourke isn't 100 percent, but he can also play on the right wing.

The club had to put goalkeeper Will Hesmer on the season-ending injury list in order to make room for the England native who will take up the Crew's last international roster spot.

Does this solve their goalscoring woes? No, but it helps adds depth and experience to a young midfield. A move like this, along with new signing Jaro Arrieta and a possible Designated Player addition during the next transfer window, could help Columbus climb the table.

Elyria Country Club assistant pro Jake Scott wins medalist honors with a six-under 65.

View full sizeSix professionals and two amateurs survived the first round of trying to play in the U.S. Open by advancing from the local qualifier at Beechmont Country Club on Tuesday and Wednesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Six professionals and two amateurs, including one high school senior, survived a demanding golf course and one day of inclement weather to earn spots in next month's U.S. Open sectional qualifying tournament during a local qualifier at Beechmont Country Club on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Strongsville's Jake Scott, an assistant at Elyria Country Club and former mini-tour player, won medalist honors with a six-under 65, edging Canadian amateur Garrett Rank by one stroke.

Professionals Parker Reeves, Vaughn Snyder, Ryan Yip, Mark Evans and Dwayne Randall and amateur Jake McBride also advanced to one of 13 nationwide sectional events to be held June 4.

The start of the tournament was delayed for approximately three hours Tuesday because of inclement weather, forcing 31 players to return and finish Wednesday. There were 124 players in the original field and 118 finished.

Scott got off to a rousing start when he opened with a front-nine five-under 31 and maintained his sub-par round by coming in with a one-under 34. Reeves, a pro at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, was third at four-under 67, and Snyder, a former Ohio Open champ from Massillon, was fourth at 68. Yip, a former Kent State player, was fifth at 69.

Evans, an assistant at Beechmont, Peek'n Peak pro Randall and McBride, who will graduate from Uniontown Lake next month, all shot 70 and emerged from a five-player playoff for the final three spots. Former Ohio Open champ Dennis Miller and former Ohio high school state champion Ryan Gutowski also shot 70 but faltered in the playoff.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians.

AP Photo/Charlie NeibergallDo the Browns want to go through another quarterback controversy?

"This phantom quarterback dilemma might end up being one of the reasons the team decides to eventually part ways with Colt McCoy. As long as he is on the team, many media members might not be able to resist the urge to write the easy “Who will they choose?” piece, stoking the fire the best they can, knowing that fans love a good quarterback competition."

"Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, co-hosts of ESPN Radio’s morning show Mike and Mike in the Morning, were at Progressive Field on Tuesday evening to throw out the first pitch before the Indians and White Sox matched up. The duo currently is broadcasting their show from Progressive Field this morning for the third year in a row.

Golic is a native of Willowick, Ohio, who attended St. Joseph High School (now Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School) before playing football at Notre Dame and completing an eight-year career in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Houston Oilers. After his playing career, he became an analyst at ESPN and eventually the co-host of the morning show."

AP Photo/Chris YoungThank you, Antawn Jamison.

"It would be disingenuous of me to say I don’t know anything about Antawn Jamison. I know he has emerged from this melting scrap heap of a Cavalier team still remarkably handsome, with a piercing smile that I hope to see more of when he plays in Dallas or Miami or wherever next year. I know he will bring his class, his articulate way, his still-decent jump shot to whatever future home he inhabits. I know he deserves the future success he encounters. May he have an excess of it. Farewell, Antawn."

Should Chris Perez pitch in non-save situations? When can the Indians expect Grady Sizemore back? The Plain Dealer's Tribe beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerThe Tribe is getting closer to having center fielder Grady Sizemore back.

Should Chris Perez pitch in non-save situations? When can the Indians expect Grady Sizemore back?

The Plain Dealer's Tribe beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore.

Among other topics discussed:

• Great outings from the rotation, including taking two-of-three from Rangers.

• First impressions of Johnny Damon.

• Thoughts on Yu Darvish.

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

Be sure to follow Hoynes on Twitter.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert told Pro Football Talk Live today that the team expects rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden to be installed as the starter right away.

Mark Duncan, Associated PressBrowns GM Tom Heckert said the team expects Brandon Weeden to start right away.

CLEVELAND -- Browns general manager Tom Heckert said today that he expects Brandon Weeden to be installed as the Browns starting quarterback right away.

 “Yeah, that’s the overall view,” Heckert told Pro Football Talk Live. “That’s what we think he’s gonna be. We took him there, so we expect him to be the guy. Now if it doesn’t work out that way right away, we’re not gonna throw him out there just because we took him at 22. We’re not in this thing to look good in our draft picks and all that stuff. We want to win football games, so we’re gonna play the best guy. But obviously when we took him at 22, we expect him to be the guy.''

 Asked if McCoy could win the job, Heckert said, "Yeah, I mean I think that’s the way we look at it in all positions. It’s the same thing to a lesser extent with Trent [Richardson]. If Trent is not the guy, we would play the best guy. But our feelings going in [are] that those two guys [Richardson and Weeden] are going to be hopefully what we thought they were and be the guy.''

Browns President Mike Holmgren has stressed in radio and television interviews this week that Weeden will have to compete with  McCoy and Seneca Wallace for the starting job. 

"If Weeden isn't the opening day starter than there is a problem. What other team in the NFL has 3 QBs competing for the starter's job? Senaca needs to step back and enjoy his paycheck. Weeden needs to start and I still think they should trade/cut McCoy so there is no discrepency. This QB circus has freakin' gone on long enough." - believeland125

View full sizeAP Photo/Sue OgrockiIf Brandon Weeden isn't the starter next season, will you question the pick?

"If Weeden isn't the opening day starter than there is a problem. What other team in the NFL has 3 QBs competing for the starter's job? Seneca needs to step back and enjoy his paycheck. Weeden needs to start and I still think they should trade/cut McCoy so there is no discrepancy. This QB circus has freakin' gone on long enough."

Buckeyes linebacker Andrew Sweat and offensive lineman J.B. Shugarts, Zips offensive lineman Jake Anderson and one of Brandon Weeden's wide receivers at Oklahoma State, Josh Cooper, are among signees.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerOhio State linebacker Andrew Sweat (42) is among the 15 undrafted free agents who have been signed by the Cleveland Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns today announced the signing of 15 undrafted free agents.

(Brief player profiles follow)

The players were not selected during the seven-round NFL draft on April 26-28.

Cleveland signed five defensive backs, four offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two linebackers and one defensive lineman.

The Browns also announced that they have waived linebacker Brian Smith.

Browns undrafted free agent signings:

Name                       Pos.     Ht.       Wt.      College                    Hometown

Mike Allen                  DB      6-0      180      James Madison        Powhatan, Va.

Jake Anderson           OL      6-5      305      Akron                      Erie, Pa.

Johnson Bademosi     DB      6-0      200      Stanford                 Silver Spring, Md.

Matt Cleveland           OL      6-3      295      Idaho                      Kent, Wash.

Josh Cooper               WR     5-10    190      Oklahoma State       Mustang, Okla.

Emanuel Davis           DB      5-10    195      East Carolina           Manteo, N.C. 

L.J. Fort                     LB       6-0      230      Northern Iowa        Waynesville, Mo.

Garth Gerhart             OL      6-1      305      Arizona State          Norco, Calif.

Tashaun Gipson          DB      5-11     205      Wyoming                Dallas, Texas

William Green             DL      6-3       250      Florida                     Hoover, Ala.

Antwuan Reed            DB       5-10     190     Pittsburgh               Johnstown, Pa.

Bert Reed                   WR      5-10     180      Florida State            Panama City, Fla.

Jermaine Saffold        WR      6-0      200      Missouri State          Grandview, Mo.

J.B. Shugarts              OL       6-6       305      Ohio State               Klein, Texas

Andrew Sweat            LB        6-0      230      Ohio State               Washington, Pa.
 
Player profiles, from the Browns

MIKE ALLEN – Four year letterman at James Madison University (2008-11)… Began collegiate career as a wide receiver before converting to defense prior to junior season… Totaled 63 career tackles, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery… Attended Blessed Sacrament Huguenot High School in Powhatan, Va.

JAKE ANDERSON – Four year letterman at the University of Akron (2008-11)… Did not miss a game in four years, appearing in all 48… Utilized mostly at right tackle… Attended McDowell High School in Erie Pa.

JOHNSON BADEMOSI – Appeared in 48 games at Stanford University (2008-11)… Totaled 122 career tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception… Was also a member of the track and field team at Stanford… Attended Gonzaga High School in in Silver Spring, Md.

MATT CLEVELAND – Three year starter at the University of Idaho (2009-11)… Miss the 2008 season due to injury, but went on to start the next 38 games at left tackle… Attended Kentwood High School in Covington, Wash.

JOSH COOPER – Tallied 161 career receptions, 1,696 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns at Oklahoma State University (2008-11)… As a senior, finished second on the team in receptions (71) and receiving yards (716), while adding three touchdown catches… Attended Mustang (Okla,) High School.

EMANUEL DAVIS – Appeared in 49 career games at East Carolina University (2008-11) with 38 starts… Notched 230 career tackles, nine interceptions, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 1.5 sacks… Attended Manteo (N.C.) High School.

L.J. FORT – Appeared in 50 games game at the University of Northern Iowa (2008-11) with 34 starts… Finished 2011 as the Division I FCS national leader in total tackles (184) and tackles per game (14.15)… Named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and was selected as the FCS National Defensive Player of the Year by both College Sporting News and College Sports Madness… Finished fifth in school history with 356 career stops… Attended Waynesville (Mo.) High School.

GARTH GERHART – Started 35 of the 39 games in which he saw action in at Arizona State University (2008-11)… Opened 27 games at center, five at right guard and three at left guard… Brother, Toby, is a running back for the Minnesota Vikings… Attended Norco (Calif.) High School.

TASHAUN GIPSON – Four year starter at the University of Wyoming (2008-11)… Notched nine career interceptions… As a senior, recorded 95 tackles and three interceptions… Attended Kimball High School in Dallas, Texas.

WILLIAM GREEN – Appeared in 53 contests with four starts at the University of Florida (2008-11)… Totaled 53 tackles and 2.5 sacks… As a senior, saw action in 13 games, notching 21 tackles and half a sack… Attended Spain Park High School in Hoover, Ala.

ANTWUAN REED – Four year letterman at the University of Pittsburgh (2008-11)… As a senior, totaled 30 tackles, seven passes defensed and three fumble recoveries, including returning one for a touchdown… Named to the All-Big East second team after final season… Attended Greater Johnstown (Pa.) High School.

BERT REED – Four year letterman at Florida State University (2008-11)… Finished career ranked fourth in school history in receptions (170) and 12th in receiving yards (2,022)… Also notched 10 career touchdown receptions, while adding 34 rushing attempts for 243 yards with three scores… As a senior, totaled 29 receptions for 403 yards with five touchdowns… Attended Bay High School in Panama City, Fla.

JERMAINE SAFFOLD – Four year letterman at Missouri State University (2008-11)… Set the school single-season season (913 in 2011) and career (2,221) records for receiving yardage… As a senior, recorded 45 receptions with eight touchdowns and ranked 25th nationally in receiving yards per game (83.0)… Nine career 100-yard receiving performances were also a school record… Attended Grandview (Mo.) High School.

J.B. SHUGARTS – Four year letterman at Ohio State University (2008-11)… Three year starter at right tackle… Father, Bret, was a defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1987)… Attended Klein (Texas) High School.

ANDREW SWEAT – Appeared in 49 career games at Ohio State University (2008-11)… Totaled 201 career tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one sack… As a senior, finished second on the team with 72 tackles, while adding one interception and one forced fumble… Attended Trinity High School in Washington, Pa.

"Beal should be the pick if he's there with our first pick. Melo at 24 if he's there. That would be a great draft! Just think, Beal and Irving. Two great shooters spreading the defense. I remember getting killed my the Magic's shooting in the playoffs. It would be great to add a 7ft, athletic center to mix in Melo." - JFuzion

View full sizeAP Photo/Matt YorkOne cleveland.com reader says adding Bradley Beal to the roster would improve the backcourt with Kyrie Irving.

"Beal should be the pick if he's there with our first pick. Melo at 24 if he's there. That would be a great draft! Just think, Beal and Irving. Two great shooters spreading the defense. I remember getting killed my the Magic's shooting in the playoffs. It would be great to add a 7ft, athletic center to mix in Melo."

The Browns have agreed to terms on four-year deals with fourth-round linebacker James-Michael Johnson and Alabama tight end/fullback Brad Smelley. They're also close to reaching agreement with others, including Trent Richardson.

The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND -- The Browns have agreed to terms on a four-year deal with fourth-round linebacker James-Michael Johnson, his agent Scott Smith announced on twitter.

The deal is worth four years, $2.52 million, a source told the Plain Dealer.

The Browns have also signed Alabama fullback/tight end Brad Smelley, a league source confirmed.

First-round pick Trent Richardson also told 92.3 The Fan today that he's close to reaching agreement on his contract and hopes to have it done by Thursday.

 Smelley's deal is worth $2.14 millions, including a signing bonus of $45,890, according to scout.com

Johnson started 50-of-54 games at Nevada, 23 at strongside linebacker and 27 in the middle. He ranks sixth in school history with 299 tackles, including 170 solos.

Johnson could play a significant role for the Browns early if linebacker Scott Fujita is forced to serve his full three-game suspension for his alleged involvement in the Saints bounty system.

Fujita had denied involvement and is appealing the suspension.

"I'm an athletic linebacker,'' said Johnson on draft day. "I an instinctive linebacker. I come downhill. I can guard man-to-man out of the backfield. I can guard the tight end man-to-man. I'm a competitor.''

Smelley, 6-2, 230, was selected in the seventh round (247 overall) after starting 10 games for the Crimson Tide last season. His most notable game was in the BCS Championship victory over LSU when he caught seven passes.

Gilbert believes in the work of general manager Chris Grant and coach Byron Scott.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer"I just believe we have the right front office and the right coaching staff," Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said of GM Chris Grant and coach Byron Scott. "Those two never crossed my mind in the last couple years as to, 'Is there an issue in either place?' That hasn't been the case at all."

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Dan Gilbert arrived at the club's training facility on Wednesday wearing a gold-colored horseshoe lapel pin on his blue-check blazer.

The Cavaliers owner -- who's opening a downtown casino Monday -- is looking for some more luck in the upcoming NBA draft lottery even as thinks fortunes for his recently-troubled franchise already are changing. Gilbert expressed strong support for his management and coaching staff, optimism for the future thanks in part to the development of rookie Kyrie Irving and belief the Cavaliers could be back in the playoffs as soon as next season.

"As you guys know before the injuries we had, we were knocking on the door through the All-Star break," Gilbert said of a 21-45 season that saw the team lose 20 of its last 25 games.

"So, I certainly think it's a possibility we are in the playoffs next year. I think we play every year to be in the playoffs regardless of who is on the court. So I don't think anyone has put any limits on where the team can go in any year."

But Gilbert, who acknowledged the need for patience in post-LeBron James era, sounded more enthusiastic about contending next season than coach Byron Scott did on April 27, a day after the season.

"It's still a long process," Scott said that day. "We're probably not going to be there this coming year, but if we hit home runs in the draft, it puts us in a position to get much better quicker."

The Cavs have won a combined 40 games the past two seasons, finishing with the second- and third-worst records since James left for Miami via free agency. Gilbert, however, is committed to Scott and General Manager Chris Grant continuing the rebuild. Grant drafted Irving, the presumptive NBA rookie of the year, and Tristan Thompson last summer and his staff helped discover key contributor Alonzo Gee in the Development League a season ago.

Scott had the team two games out of the final playoff position on March 15 when the Cavs traded guard Ramon Sessions to the Los Angeles Lakers for a first-round pick in this year's draft. The coach worked from a roster that included eight players who saw time in the D-League this past season.

"I just believe we have the right front office and the right coaching staff," Gilbert said. "Those two never crossed my mind in the last couple years as to, 'Is there an issue in either place?' That hasn't been the case at all. Really what it is for us now is personnel and making the right choices and developing the players on the court.

"We think Byron has been great for the franchise. He is the consummate professional in every possible way."

Scott never had the chance to coach James, whose name will always be linked to the franchise and Gilbert. The owner put his anger over James' departure into comic sans font on July 10, 2010, the night he announced his decision to join the Heat.

Gilbert was asked if he had forgiven James.

"The truth of the matter is, July 11, 2010 we started focusing on the future," he said. "You try to just look ahead. That's where we're at."

In February, James told reporters he made mistakes in the way he exited Cleveland and left open the possibility to returning to the franchise one day. Gilbert said he could not comment on a player under contract with another franchise.

But was he surprised by James' remarks?

"Nothing in the NBA surprises me," he said.

It's clear the Cavs have no intention under Gilbert of again being so reliant on one player.

"We want to build a franchise with Kyrie or with other superstars, not around superstars," Gilbert said. "We think that's probably not a great formula for success, right? Or else we would have rings already here. We would have championship trophies. We believe the 'With' is the key here and we're looking forward to adding more great pieces."

The man bringing games of chance to Cleveland is juiced for another one in the May 30 draft lottery. The superstitious Gilbert is trying to assemble the same traveling party -- which included Bernie Kosar, Joe Haden and Josh Cribbs -- present when the team won the right to choose Irving first overall last year. The 20-year-old point guard is being added to the mix and, of course, Gilbert's bow tie-wearing son, Nick, will serve as lead representative.

The Cavs have a 13.8 percent chance of winning the lottery. They can select no lower than sixth. The Cavs also have 24th, 33rd and 34th selections in the June 28 draft.

"We're definitely bringing Nick to the lottery," Gilbert said. "If he doesn't get the first pick, he will be grounded all summer."

Dribbles: Gilbert said he has not explored buying the Indians. He doesn't believe they are for sale and added Major League Baseball has restrictions regarding casino ownership. ... Gilbert said timetables are much tougher to place on sports franchises than other business ventures because of variables such as the draft lottery, player development and the rate of improvement of rival teams.

Will Indians and/or White Sox stick around the Tigers? Indians attendance problems. Links to more Indians stories.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerTeammates greet Carlos Santana (41) after his ninth-inning grand slam home run gave the Indians a 9-5 win over the Detroit Tigers last April 29. The Tigers finished 15 games ahead of the second-place Tribe in the AL Central. The teams could contend for the division title this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians host the Chicago White Sox tonight, concluding the teams' four-game series.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes Paul Hoynes' game story on the Indians' 5-3, 10-inning loss to the White Sox on Tuesday night; his Indians Insider; Hoynes' podcast; and much more. 

The Tribe leads the American League Central Division by two games over the Detroit Tigers, four over the White Sox, seven over the Kansas City Royals and nine over the Minnesota Twins.

Christina Kahrl writes for ESPN.com that the Royals and Twins are baseball's worst teams, and that the division's three other teams are exactly powerhouses.

The Tigers ran away with the division over the last two months of the 2011 season, finishing 95-67, 15 games ahead of the second-place Indians.

About the 2012 Indians, Kahrl writes:

.....the Indians have slipped out to a modest early lead with their 17-12 start. However, that just echoes last year’s 30-15 season-starting run: Cause for celebrations on the banks of the Cuyahoga, and healthy skepticism everywhere else.

Can the Tribe be taken any more seriously this time around? Maybe if Ubaldo Jimenez and Justin Masterson get a handle on their early-season control problems, that would help, but their front five doesn't match up well with the best rotations.

On offense, they’re currently 10th in the American League in ISO or isolated slugging; it’s hard to identify where they’re going to get a major power boost as the season progresses.

Kahrl concludes about the division race:

I’d suggest Tigers fans keep the faith. They may feel letdown by initial expectations that they’d romp from day one, but a couple of long months beating up on the Twins and Royals will help. Barring an in-season overhaul for the Indians, it’s still Detroit’s division to win.

Indians story links

Does a certain Indians outfielder have the worst arm in the major leagues? (By David Schoenfield, ESPN.com)

Outfielder Grady Sizemore is on track for a return in early June. (By Sheldon Ocker, Akron Beacon Journal)

Why aren't more fans paying attention to the Indians? (By Martin Rickman, SB Nation Cleveland)

Tracking Indians attendance since 1993. ( "Let's Go Tribe" )

Indians notes. (By Jim Ingraham, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

Justin Masterson's command has been off some, and maybe it's because of mechanics. (By Brian La Shier, Indians Prospect Insider)

Casey Blake is retiring, and baseball's a little worse off with the third baseman who gave the Indians some pretty good years. (By Merritt Rohlfing, Wahoo's on First) 

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Danny Allie, who coached St. Edward to two Division I state baseball championships, has announced plans to resign at the end of the season and said he will return to his hometown of Orlando, Fla. "I am leaving for all the right reasons," said Allie, who spent 18 years in the area and five years as...

Danny Allie, who coached St. Edward to two Division I state baseball championships in five season, announced he will resign after the season ends because he is relocating back to Florida to be closer to family. - (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Danny Allie, who coached St. Edward to two Division I state baseball championships, has announced plans to resign at the end of the season and said he will return to his hometown of Orlando, Fla.

"I am leaving for all the right reasons," said Allie, who spent 18 years in the area and five years as head coach at St. Edward.

Allie's oldest son, Logan, recently graduated from the ROTC program at the University of Mississippi and is hoping to become a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. Oldest daughter Brittany recently gave birth to Allie's first grandchild in North Carolina and his youngest son, Stetson, is with the Pittsburgh Pirates Instructional League team in Bradenton, Fla., where he is undergoing the transition from starting pitcher to closer and is playing some third base.

"I spent the first 37 years of my life in Orlando and our roots are there," he said. "We have plenty of family down there."

Allie is president and owner of the Premier Baseball Academy in Valley City and said he plans on opening another in Orlando. He said he will spend two weeks every month in the Cleveland area.

Allie's teams won state titles in 2008 and 2010, the second sparked by his son, Stetson, Indians' farm hand Alex Lavisky, Kansas State outfielder Ross Kivett and current St. Edward shortstop Tommy Mirabelli, who has committed to Kansas.

His teams have an overall record of 93-33 entering Wednesday's sectional game against John Marshall.  

The Indians look to take the final game of their series against the Chicago White Sox tonight. First pitch is at 7:05. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes, @hoynsie.

The Indians look to take the final game of their series against the Chicago White Sox tonight. 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 DuncanAlex Rios, right, was the hero last night for the Chicago White Sox, driving in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning.

"Business is really booming right now," because nicer weather lifted the entire industry. "We followed the worst weather year with the best spring of all time, and there's a lot of pent-up demand. People are also having a little more faith in the economy and willing to spend a bit more as well."

View full sizeScott Shaw, The Plain Dealer fileChuck Stefano of Lyndhurst tries out the putting green in the middle of the Golfsmith store in Warrensville Heights. The $2 million store is the only one in the 86-store chain with four high-tech golf simulators, along the wall behind him, where shoppers can drive before they buy.

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio - A Texas golf chain sees our region as the perfect place to open more stores, but a retail expert wonders if there is enough of a market to support that growth.

Golfsmith International Holdings Inc. says the affluence and enthusiasm of local golfers, as well as the abundance of area golf courses, puts Northeast Ohio "in the top three or four under-served markets" for golf retail shops.

"Based on the number of courses, the number of players, the number of golf magazine subscribers, the number of rounds being played in Cleveland, and the number of golf specialty retailers, Cleveland does not have the choices that you have in other parts of the country," said Marty Hanaka, chairman and chief executive of Golfsmith, via phone from Austin, Texas.

The chain, which already has two stores in Columbus, is opening its 86th store in Warrensville Heights on Friday and is looking next at Cincinnati. Hanaka wants to open two more stores here, possibly in Westlake and Akron.

"We're looking throughout the Midwest, but Ohio is a place we'd like to set up camp," he said. Golfsmith plans to open 10 stores this year and move four others into larger digs, for a total of 90 stores nationwide.

View full sizeScott Shaw, The Plain Dealer fileGulfsmith store associate Shawn Inmon chats with customer Tom Babinski of North Royalton in front of the wall of irons that greets customers who walk into the Warrensville Heights store. Even though the store doesn€™'t officially open until Friday, customers have been coming in to browse -€“ and buy -€“ since April 30.

But retail analyst Robert Antall, who calls himself a serious golfer for the past 54 years, expressed doubts about the idea of opening more stores, pointing out that the number of golfers nationwide has fallen.

"Back in the '90s, virtually everyone was predicting a boom in golf, and virtually everyone was wrong," said Antall, managing partner of Consumer Centric Consulting LLC in Shaker Heights.

"The boom never materialized, and we have had declines in golfers for most of the last 10-plus years," from 27.1 million in 2009 to 26.1 million in 2010, what the National Golf Foundation called the third straight annual drop.

"As a result many golf retailers, golf manufacturers, and some golf courses went bankrupt in the last decade," he said.

"I see nothing to indicate golf has picked up substantially other than maybe a recent small rebound that all retailers are experiencing as a result of economic improvement."

In Northeast Ohio, besides the Golf Galaxy stores in Mayfield Heights, Akron and North Olmsted, "there are probably 50-plus pro shops and a half dozen Dick's (Sporting Goods) and Sports Authoritys," he said. "The competition is fierce."

But Golfsmith isn't the only local golf retailer looking to buck the trend.

Louis Rittberger, owner of Stinger Tees Inc. in Warrensville Heights, expects sales to grow 30 percent to 40 percent this year.

Stinger Tees makes and distributes specialized thin bamboo tees that it says help balls go higher and faster for longer, straighter drives. Its tees are sold at golf courses, country clubs, sporting goods stores and golf stores like Golfsmith.

View full sizeScott Shaw, The Plain Dealer fileEddie Lynch of Willoughby tries out one of the $25,000 golf simulators at the new Golfsmith store in Warrensville Heights on Tuesday. The Austin, Texas, retailer sees the potential for two more stores in Northeast Ohio, saying there aren'€™t enough retail choices for all the golfers here.

"Business is really booming right now," because nicer weather lifted the entire industry, Rittberger said.

"We followed the worst weather year with the best spring of all time, and there's a lot of pent-up demand. People are also having a little more faith in the economy and willing to spend a bit more as well."

Irene Dooley, who opened Girls Got Swing, a Rocky River boutique specializing in women's golf and resort wear, shoes, accessories, golf bags, golf purses, hats and outerwear, says her customers drive in from Vermillion to Chagrin Falls.

"We're very optimistic, thrilled actually," she said. "We're really looking forward to this year, because people just want to make up for lost time. They're chomping at the bit to get out there, that's how golfers are."

Sales at her store, which she owns with her husband, Terry, are 20 percent higher than they were this time last year, with customer traffic so brisk that they're open seven days a week.

"I buy specifically for my customers, and we go from size 0 to 22, with a nicer variety of golf shoes, and the women appreciate it," she said.

She said she rings up sales not only during Ohio's golf season, but throughout the year, because her customers come in to shop before going on golf vacations to Florida or the Southwest.

Dooley said that The 19th Hole Magazine says that "40 percent of new golfers are women, and that women are the fastest-growing segment of the market."

Unlike men who can shop online, "women are more tactile than men, and they care more about fit and style," she said.

"For women, if you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good when you're out on the course, you play well."

Hanaka said that Golfsmith is investing more than $2 million to lease, staff and equip the 20,000-square-foot Warrensville Heights store - the only one in the chain with four high-tech, $25,000 hitting bays where golfers can try out different clubs before they buy.

It also has a custom-fit and repair workshop and a putting green in the middle of the store.

"I think golf's on the rebound, and this is definitely a strong community for golf," said Daryl George, general manager of the store, pointing out the customers streaming in before the store's official opening on Friday.

Besides moving George here from Memphis, the store also hired 24 people locally.

Tom Kenney of Parma stopped by on Tuesday to look for a new driver.

"I need something to give me some distance, because I'm getting too old," he joked, taking a few swings at the simulator as salesman Walt Klepac studied his stroke.

Trummie Hudson of Berea said that based on what he's seen as a golf pro at both Mallard Creek and Royal Crest Golf Courses in Columbia Station, "I do think golf is coming back."

Karen Shiffler of Chardon agreed that the area needs more golf stores.

"I just wish there were more options in the Cleveland area for women who golf," she said, carrying some outfits to the Golfsmith fitting room.

"A lot of (golf) places won't come to Northeast Ohio, because it's such a short season, but there are a lot of golfers here."

Front office making media visits, and signing draft picks and undrafted free agents. Links to more Browns stories.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns' decision-makers are saying that Brandon Weeden will not be handed the starting quarterback job, maybe leaving the door slightly open for Colt McCoy (photo) to retain it.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns front office has been busy with media interviews and trying to bolster the roster in recent days.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's story that the Browns have signed draft picks James-Michael Johnson and Brad Smelley and are nearing terms on an agreement with their first pick, running back Trent Richardson; the report that the Browns have signed 15 undrafted free agents; Cabot's story about team president Mike Holmgren -- on 92.3 The Fan radio -- saying that the Browns' second first-round draft pick, Brandon Weeden, will have to win the starting quarterback job; Cabot's story on Holmgren's further explanation -- on ESPN's Mike and Mike -- that Weeden is not being handed the job; Bill Livingston's column that the Browns have been unable to establish a reputation for excellence at any position in recent years; and more.

Browns story links

General manager Tom Heckert says the Browns won't hand the starting quarterback job to Brandon Weeden, but they expect him to win it. (By Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal)

An early look at the Browns' new depth chart on offense. (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

Arizona cornerback Trevin Wade, a seventh-round Browns draft pick, has a knack of exceeding others' expectations. (By Stephanie Storm, Akron Beacon Journal)

Did the Browns reach in drafting University of Cincinnati defensive lineman John Hughes in the third round? (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

Mini-camp can bring out the best in some of the lesser known players. (By Bernie Kosar, clevelandbrowns.com)

Making Brandon Weeden compete for the starting QB job is the best thing for him. (By Andrea Hangst, Bleacher Report)

An enthusiastic reception enveloped Lowe the first time he returned to Fenway Park three years ago, and it doubtless will do so the second time.

View full sizePD fileDerek Lowe returns to Boston for his second start against the Red Sox at Fenway Park since leaving the team after the 2004 World Series triumph.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The start of tonight's game between the Indians and White Sox is being delayed because of threat of inclement weather.

 The grounds crew rolled the tarp onto the field at 7:06.

 Scheduled starters are Tribe right-hander Jeanmar Gomez and White Sox righty Jake Peavy.

Lowe down: Today was picture day for the Indians. Right-hander Derek Lowe had an excused absence, having flown ahead to Boston, where he will start Thursday night. Lowe's image will likely be added later.

Before and during his start Thursday night, Lowe will be dealing with an unusual potential distraction for an athlete on the road. Cheers and applause. Positive, not negative, name calling.

An enthusiastic reception enveloped Lowe the first time he returned to Fenway Park three years ago, and it doubtless will do so the second time. It is the least Red Sox Nation can do for a player whose fingerprints all over one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.

Lowe pitched for Boston from 1997-2004 before signing with the Dodgers. In his Red Sox tenure, he saved 42 games in one season (2000) and won 21 in another (2002). He won 70 overall in the regular season, one of which was a no-hitter.

But Lowe achieved legendary status in Boston for what he did after the regular season in 2004. He delivered a pitcher's trifecta, earning victories in the clinching games of the ALDS, ALCS and World Series. In the ALCS, he won Game 7 in Yankee Stadium. In the World Series, he won Game 4 in St. Louis.

The 2004 title was the first for the franchise in 86 years. As a result, alums are gold -- especially those who played prominent roles.

Lowe pitched four seasons in Los Angeles, then signed with the Braves. During his first season in Atlanta, he returned to Fenway Park for an interleague series. He started on June 20, 2009.

"Fenway is always going to be a special place for me because of the obvious: playing eight years there, all the incredible games I was fortunate to be a part of, and the ultimate -- winning the World Series,'' Lowe said. "That day with the Braves was unbelievable. I received a standing ovation going to the bullpen for warmups, and the fans were great throughout the game. You don't go into a game expecting to hear ovations like that, but it's a city that's passionate about sports and doesn't forget.''

Lowe pitched reasonably well in his first career start against Boston, allowing three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, but he had the misfortune of being matched against a locked-in Josh Beckett. The Braves managed five singles off Beckett, who went the distance in the Red Sox' 3-0 victory.

As Lowe was hooked in the seventh, the crowd stood and roared.

It so happens Lowe will be facing Beckett again Thursday in the opener of a four-game series.

"Hopefully, this time, it will be better for me, emotion-wise,'' Lowe said. "In '09, I'd been looking forward to it for so long, and so much was going on, that I almost forgot I had a game to pitch. It was an amazing experience, but a lot was going through my mind.''

Red Sox fans should be extra-amped to see Lowe because he was unable to attend Fenway Park's 100th anniversary celebration weekend in April. Neither, for that matter, was Tribe left fielder Johnny Damon, the long-haired leader of those "Idiots'' who stunned the Yankees and rode to glory in 2004. Damon, unlike Lowe, has returned frequently since leaving Boston after 2005, as a player with the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

No news on Hernandez: The update on right-hander Roberto Hernandez -- formerly known as Fausto Carmona -- is that there is no update, at least not publicly.

Indians manager Manny Acta told reporters Wednesday afternoon that Hernandez is working out at the Indians' baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, "doing the things he needs to do.'' The Indians and Hernandez are awaiting the untangling of legal matters pertaining to his identity falsification.

Acta did acknowledge that Hernandez's camp thought his issues would be resolved by now.

Hanny's groin: Third baseman Jack Hannahan (groin) is day-to-day. He will not start tonight against the White Sox but Acta said he was "playable.''

Bean counting: As someone who holds Fenway Park in such high regard, Lowe was acutely aware of Tampa Bay outfielder Luke Scott's assessment last month. Among Scott's comments: "As a baseball player, going there to work, it's a dump. I mean, it's old. ... from a player's point of view, it's not a place where you want to go to work.''

Lowe's rebuttal was more reality lesson than dig at Scott.

"I guarantee you Boston Garden wasn't a beautiful place to go as a visiting player,'' Lowe said. "Old Yankee Stadium and Tiger Stadium weren't, either. If those places were still here, people probably would be saying the same thing.

"If you're looking for off-the-field amenities, then yes, you can say Fenway is not one of the better ones. But so what? There are gyms at the hotel. If you want to work out, work out at the hotel. Fenway is about the atmosphere of playing on the field, and there's really nothing like it.''

Shut-eye: For a player to take a power nap at some point pregame is not unusual. To nap the way second baseman Jason Kipnis does, is.

Every so often, Kipnis will snooze for 20-30 minutes. But instead of being in a private location, Kipnis is on the floor against the wall in front of his corner locker in the clubhouse.

"I use a towel for a pillow, put on my sweatshirt for some coziness and curl into a ball,'' he said. "It's more comfortable than you think.''

Among many places Kipnis could nap is a large couch in the middle of the clubhouse.

"Problem is, you're in the middle of the action, in the middle of all the noise, and it's bright,'' he said. Though in front of his locker, Kipnis does his best to hide. He sleeps behind a laundry bin and chair.

"I want people to think I'm not here,'' he said with a chuckle.

Man from Manto: When Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton hit four homers Tuesday night at Camden Yards in Baltimore, giving him five in six at-bats over two games, former Indian and current White Sox hitting coach Jeff Manto could relate.

In June 1995, Manto, as a member of the Orioles, tied a major-league record with homers in four consecutive at-bats. It happened over three days at Camden Yards.

"Whenever somebody hits four homers in a game, or hits four in a row, I'll get messages from fans,'' he said. "After Josh's game, I got a couple of Facebook messages and texts saying, 'I remember what you did in '95.' It feels good to be remembered.''

 Manto homered in his final official at-bat against Seattle (June 8), went 2-for-2 with two homers and two walks against the Angels (June 9) and homered in his first at-bat against the Angels (June 10).

Lineups

White Sox -- 1. De Aza cf; 2. Beckham 2b; 3. Dunn dh; 4. Konerko 1b; 5. Pierzynski c; 6. Rios rf; 7. Ramirez ss; 8. Viciedo lf; 9. Escobar 3b; and Peavy rhp.

Indians -- 1. Damon lf; 2. Kipnis 2b; 3. Cabrera ss; 4. Hafner dh; 5. Santana c; 6. Choo rf; 7. Brantley cf; 8. Kotchman 1b; 9. Donald 3b; and Gomez rhp.

On June 10, 1959, the Indians' slugging outfielder was the eighth big leaguer to hit four homers in the same game.

View full sizeBaltimore/Washington Examiner photo"I've seen my name lots of times on TV," former Indians slugger Rocky Colavito said Wednesday, one night after Texas' Josh Hamilton equaled Colavito's 1959 feat of four homers in a single game (Colavito's reaction in 1959 captured above). "But as time goes by, you get older and you don't hear it as often. When you see it or hear it, it makes you smile a little bit."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Rocky Colavito had just returned from dinner out with his wife Tuesday night.

She turned on "Dancing With the Stars." He flipped on ESPN and, within seconds, heard about Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton's four-homer night and saw his name flashed on the TV screen.

Hamilton, who also doubled in a 5-for-5 night, became the 16th major leaguer to blast four homers in one game. On June 10, 1959, Colavito was the eighth -- and only the third at the time to do so in consecutive at-bats.

Like Hamilton, Colavito also made history in Baltimore -- although at old Memorial Stadium, not Camden Yards.

"You know what, that really struck me," the former Indians slugger and fan favorite said by phone Wednesday from his home in Pennsylvania.

On his historic night, Colavito walked his first time up, then stroked four straight homers, with five runs scored and six RBI in an 11-8 Indians win.

Hearing of Hamilton's feat, the first since Toronto's Carlos Delgado hit four against Tampa Bay in 2003, couldn't help but spark a flashback.

"The first time you do it, of course, that's the best 'cause you finally did it," said Colavito, who played for the Indians from 1955-59 and 1965-67.

He almost did it again. After a gut-wrenching trade to Detroit in 1960, Colavito returned to old Municipal Stadium with the Tigers on July 5, 1962 and hit three straight homers, missing a fourth with a monstrous drive into the upper deck that landed about 15 feet foul.

"I stayed right at home plate because I knew there was no chance of anybody catching that one," he said. "Sometimes you know when you hit a ball that well, and I hit it that well and I just stood there waiting, and it was hooking, and I was praying it would stop hooking, but it didn't."

Had the ball stayed fair, he'd be standing alone in baseball history.

"That's the sad part," he said. "You would have been, so to speak, in a class by yourself. Nobody's ever done it. Maybe Hamilton will do it, he's pretty young."

Colavito actually did hit four home runs in the same day again. On Aug. 27, 1961 -- also with Detroit -- he blasted one in the first game and three in the second of a doubleheader sweep of Washington.

That was long ago, but the sheen on Hamilton's special night also shines on a Cleveland icon, as it did on Sunday, when Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis became the first position player in the American League to earn a victory as a pitcher since Colavito in 1968.

"I've seen my name -- and I say this in modesty -- I've seen my name lots of times on TV," Colavito said. "But as time goes by, you get older and you don't hear it as often. When you see it or hear it, it makes you smile a little bit -- that they didn't forget you entirely."

Josh Hamilton's historic slugfest Tuesday night in Baltimore made him the 16th player in major league history with four homers in a game. Here's how his big night stacks up against the rest. Josh Hamilton, Texas, May 8, 2012: The Rangers' outfielder sets an AL record with 18 total bases, going 5-for-5 with four two-run homers and eight RBI...

Josh Hamilton's historic slugfest Tuesday night in Baltimore made him the 16th player in major league history with four homers in a game. Here's how his big night stacks up against the rest.

Josh Hamilton, Texas, May 8, 2012: The Rangers' outfielder sets an AL record with 18 total bases, going 5-for-5 with four two-run homers and eight RBI in a 10-3 victory against the Orioles.

Carlos Delgado, Toronto, Sept. 25, 2003: The last man before Hamilton to homer four times in game, Delgado went 4-for-4 with six RBI and the Blue Jays beat Tampa Bay, 10-8, in Toronto.

Mike Cameron, Seattle, May 2, 2002: Hit four consecutive solo home runs in the Mariners' 15-4 victory against the White Sox. And in his fifth at-bat, hit a flyball to the warning track that was caught.

Shawn Green, Los Angeles, May 23, 2002: Green went 6-for-6, with a single and double to go along with his homers. He set a major-league record with 19 total bases and drove in seven runs as the Dodgers won 16-3 at Milwaukee.

Mark Whiten, St. Louis, Sept. 7, 1993: After going hitless in the first game of the doubleheader in Cincinnati, Whiten went 4-for-5, tying another major-league record with 12 RBI as the Cardinals won 15-2.

Bob Horner, Atlanta, July 6, 1986: Horner went 4-for-5 with six RBI, but it wasn't enough to keep the Braves from losing to the Montreal Expos, 11-8, in Atlanta.

Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia, April 17, 1976: The star third baseman went 5-for-6 and knocked in eight runs as the Phillies beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field, 18-16, in 10 innings.

Willie Mays, San Francisco, April 30, 1961: Mays went 4-for-5 with eight RBI in the Giants' 14-4 win at the Milwaukee Braves.

Rocky Colavito, Cleveland, June 10, 1959: Finished 4-for-4 with four straight homers, six RBIs and five runs scored in the Indians' 11-8 victory.

Joe Adcock, Milwaukee, July 31, 1954: He went 5-for-5 with a double, setting a record with 18 total bases and driving in seven runs in a 15-7 victory at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

Gil Hodges, Brooklyn, Aug. 31, 1950: The Dodgers' first baseman went 5-for-6 with nine RBI, and hit his four homers off four pitchers in a 19-3 home victory against the Boston Braves.

Patrick Seerey, Chicago, July 18, 1948: In the first game of a doubleheader in Philadelphia, Seerey went 4-for-6 with seven RBI in an 11-inning game that the White Sox won, 12-11, against the Athletics.

Chuck Klein, Philadelphia, July 10, 1936: His fourth homer was a three-run shot in the 10th inning to give the Phillies a 9-6 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went 4-for-5 with six RBI.

Lou Gehrig, New York, June 3, 1932: Went 4-for-6 with four consecutive home runs and six RBI in the Yankees' 20-13 road victory over the Philadelphia Athletics.

Ed Delahanty, Philadelphia, July 13, 1896: According to The Sporting News Major League Handbook, all four of his home runs were inside the park. He went 5-for-5 with seven RBI for the Phillies in a 9-8 loss to Chicago.

Robert Lowe, Boston, May 30, 1894: The first player to hit four homers in a major-league game went deep in four straight at-bats for the Beaneaters against the Cincinnati Reds and finished 5-for-6 with six RBIs in a 20-11 victory.