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Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving can use defense to elevate his game, says Mary Schmitt Boyer (SBTV)

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Plain Dealer Cavs reporter says defense and mid-range game are two ways Rookie of the Year can reach the next level. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough, who's flying solo today as Branson Wright is off.

Now that the Cavaliers have the NBA's reigning Rookie of the Year in Kyrie Irving, they will turn their attention to NBA Draft 2012. Assuming they don't land the No. 1 pick - which will almost surely be Kentucky center Anthony Davis - which player do you think would be best for the Cavs to take and feature alongside Irving? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Cavs reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer, who has thoughts on that and other topics. She discusses what parts of the game Irving needs to work on heading into next season; and which teams she thinks has the best chance of knocking off LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the NBA playoffs.

SBTV returns Tuesday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff talking Browns and Tribe.






PD Sports Insider: Indians reliever Joe Smith is a guest, plus Browns and Tribe talk

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Joe Smith joined Dennis Manoloff and Bud Shaw today. Bud and DMan talked Tribe baseball and also looked back at Browns rookie minicamp. Watch video

Are Indians players watching the standings already? Does it bother them fans aren't coming out to the ballpark yet?

On today's edition of PD Sports Insider: Browns Edition, brought to you by Ed Tomko Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Avon Lake, Joe Smith joined The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff and Bud Shaw to talk Indians baseball. They talked about the team's recent play, fan interest and more.

Hit play on the video to watch the program as the PD Sports Insider team talks about:

- Can the Indians hold on to first place?

- Is there really going to be a quarterback competition for the Browns?

Today's PD Sports Insider is brought to you by Ed Tomko Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Avon Lake. Stay tuned for the next show Monday, May 14 at noon.

Be sure to like PD Sports Insider on Facebook

About the show: PD Sports Insider airs live every Monday and Thursday at noon. Co-hosted by Bud Shaw and Dennis Manoloff, the show features a timely and lively debate of the biggest sports topics of the day and gives readers a chance to interact directly with PD sportswriters and columnists.

Viewers have to the opportunity to ask questions and post comments in a live chat room during the show. They can also their video questions during the week. Fans who miss the live show can watch the archive, available a few hours later.







Kyrie Irving: Rookie of the Year - Around the Web

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See what's being said around the web about Cavaliers' rookie point guard Kyrie Irving.

Cleveland Cavaliers beat New York Knicks, 98-90View full sizeKyrie Irving is the NBA's 2012 Rookie of the Year.

The Basketball Jones: All in all, Kyrie Irving did everything you’d want from a No. 1 overall pick, including giving Cleveland fans a reason to buy one of those new jerseys. No offense to Antawn Jamison, but it’s going to be way more fun for those guys to root for a young, exciting player for the next however many years than wasting $75 on a season of awkward flip shots. He was an easy pick at No. 1 and everything came out roses during his first season, barring a relatively minor shoulder injury. » Read more

WaitingForNextYear: "Not all Rookies of the Year end up transforming their franchises. For every Rose, Durant, Paul and Griffin there’s a Tyreke Evans, Emeka Okafor or Mike Miller. However, there tends to be a certain eye test for franchise players. When Evans, Okafor and Miller won their awards, nobody was proclaiming them great franchise players. They tended to be more of winners by default in weak rookie classes. Only time will tell how strong or weak this year’s rookie class ends up being, but nobody will say Irving only won because there weren’t any franchise rookies." » Read more

ESPN: "Irving, who didn't even turn 20 until March 23, also shot the ball better as a rookie than many scouts projected, registering shooting percentages of .469 from the field and .399 from 3-point range. Irving's performance quickly established him as Cleveland's new franchise player in the Cavaliers' second season without LeBron James." » Read more

Bleacher Report: "It's hard to believe now that there was actually a debate as to whether the Cavaliers should select Irving or Derrick Williams with the first-overall pick last summer. Williams struggled throughout the season, chipping in just nine points per game for the Minnesota Timberwolves." » Read more

From The Plain Dealer:

• Videos: The best of Kyrie Irving's rookie season.

• Kyrie Irving year in review.

• Irving's talent is big, ego is small.

Kyrie Irving worth building around - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"Really hope that Kyrie remains a Cav his entire career. Great player and a quality person. Love watching this kid play basketball. Love his unselfish attitude. He will lead the Cavs to a NBA championship or two or more." - pastorrick

Kyrie IrvingView full sizeKyrie Irving.
In response the story, Kyrie Irving's rookie legacy? Big talent, little ego: Tom Reed, cleveland.com commenter pastorrick was happy with what he saw out of Kyrie Irving this season.
"Really hope that Kyrie remains a Cav his entire career. Great player and a quality person. Love watching this kid play basketball. Love his unselfish attitude. He will lead the Cavs to a NBA championship or two or more."

Do you agree that Irving is the type of player that can lead the Cavaliers to a title?

Indians of 2012 very different from Indians of 2011 - Comment of the Day

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"I still don't think this is like last year. Last year the Indians kept on winning and winning before they fell flat. This year, they really haven't looked all that great overall. They had a short stretch of playing well to get themselves out of the 1-4 hole. That's it. So 18-16 is actually pretty good considering how bad the pitching has been. The one similarity to last year is that it's a three team race at this point in the season. One of the three teams is going to step up and win the division. All three have issues with poor situational hitting and spotty pitching." - clevelandtx

Cleveland Indians lose to Tigers, 14-0View full sizeManny Acta's Indians jumped out to a 30-15 start. This season hasn't gone as well, but they're still in first place.
In response to the story, Boston beats up Justin Masterson, Cleveland Indians, 12-1, at Fenway Park, cleveland.com commenter clevelandtx thinks this year looks very different from last. This reader says:
"I still don't think this is like last year. Last year the Indians kept on winning and winning before they fell flat. This year, they really haven't looked all that great overall. They had a short stretch of playing well to get themselves out of the 1-4 hole. That's it. So 18-16 is actually pretty good considering how bad the pitching has been. The one similarity to last year is that it's a three team race at this point in the season. One of the three teams is going to step up and win the division. All three have issues with poor situational hitting and spotty pitching."

Do you agree? Do you think the Indians can win the A.L. Central?

Brandon Weeden will make the wide receivers better - Browns Comment of the Day

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"Can't wait to see this kid throwing to the WRs we have. He will make all those guys look better just by putting the ball on the money. In the NFL, the QBs throw the receivers open an awful lot. This kid has excellent timing and anticipation on his throws, and that's what will make him fun to watch as a Browns fan." - Browns_Fansince82

brandon weedenView full sizeBrandon Weeden joins the PD Sports Insider crew live at noon.
In response to the story, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden ready to start competition for starting job, cleveland.com commenter Browns_Fansince82 thinks Brandon Weeden will make the Browns receivers better.
"Can't wait to see this kid throwing to the WRs we have. He will make all those guys look better just by putting the ball on the money. In the NFL, the QBs throw the receivers open an awful lot. This kid has excellent timing and anticipation on his throws, and that's what will make him fun to watch as a Browns fan."

Do you agree that having a more accurate QB with a better arm will help the receivers?

Cleveland Browns cut RB Armond Smith, sign Toledo RB Adonis Thomas and former Idaho LB JoJo Dickson

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Browns waive running back Armond Smith, sign two free agents.

armond.jpgRunning back Armond Smith was cut by the Browns today. They also signed former Toledo running back Adonis Thomas.

CLEVELAND -- The Browns today cut running back Armond Smith and signed former Toledo running back Adonis Thomas, who came to rookie camp on a tryout basis, the Browns announced.

The Browns also signed former Idaho linebacker JoJo Dickson, who was originally signed by the Jaguars as an undrafted rookie in 2011, but was waived in July. He was re-signed by the Jaguars in April, but waived again.

 Dickson, 6-1, 245, is primarily an inside linebacker but can also play outside.

Smith, 5-9, 194,  made the Browns roster last season after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent out of Union College. He played in three games in a reserve role, rushing for two yards on three carries. He also caught one pass for no yards,

Smith spent the last 11 games of the season on the practice squad.

Thomas, who impressed the coaches in the rookie camp, rushed for 1,071 yards last year at Toledo.

 The Browns also placed linebacker Andrew Sweat, a free agent signee from Ohio State, on the reserve/retired list.

 

Ohio State Buckeyes basketball will visit Duke Blue Devils as part of 14th annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge

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Buckeyes visit Duke on Wed., Nov. 28. The Nov. 27 and 28 games include nine teams ranked in an ESPN.com early preseason top 25, including five of the top nine: No. 1 Indiana, No. 5 Michigan, No. 6 NC State, No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Michigan State.

aaron-craft-seth-curry.jpgOhio State's Aaron Craft (left), one of the nation's premier defensive guards, covers Duke's Seth Curry during the Buckeyes' 85-63 ACC Big Ten Challenge win over the Blue Devils last Nov. 29 in Columbus.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 14th annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will be played on Nov. 27-28.

Ohio State's Buckeyes will visit Duke on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

The Buckeyes defeated the Blue Devils, 85-63, in an ACC/Big Ten Challenge game last Nov. 29 in Columbus.

The Ohio State-Duke game, with the Nov. 27 North Carolina at Indiana and North Carolina State at Michigan games, feature six programs expected to be highly ranked entering the 2012-13 season.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise all 12 games of the two-day event matching top college basketball programs playing for conference supremacy and the Commissioners Cup. 
 
The 2012 Challenge involves nine teams ranked in an ESPN.com early preseason top 25, including five of the top nine: No. 1 Indiana, No. 5 Michigan, No. 6 NC State, No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Michigan State.
 
The ACC won the first 10 Challenges while the Big Ten captured the Commissioner Cup for the third straight time last year, earning eight wins to four for the ACC. In the event of a 6-6 tie, the Commissioner’s Cup will remain with the conference that won the previous year.

2012 ACC/Big Ten Challenge schedule

(times and networks are to be determined) 

Tuesday, Nov. 27

No. 13 North Carolina at No. 1 Indiana

No. 6 NC State at No. 5 Michigan

No. 25 Minnesota at Florida State

Maryland at Northwestern

Iowa at Virginia Tech

Nebraska at Wake Forest

Wednesday, Nov. 28

No. 8 Ohio State at No. 15 Duke

Virginia at No. 22 Wisconsin

No. 9 Michigan State at Miami

Purdue at Clemson

Georgia Tech at Illinois

Boston College at Penn State

2012 Challenge highlights
 
* Off a Ratings High: ESPN’s telecast of Ohio State’s 85-63 victory over Duke last year was the highest-rated and most-viewed Challenge game ever, averaging a 2.6 rating and 2,618,000 households. The telecast propelled ESPN to its most-viewed Challenge, averaging 1,555,000 households, based on a 1.6 rating.

* One more Shot at the Dozen: Duke, which has won 11 of its 13 Challenge games, will host Ohio State in its quest for an event-record 12th victory. Duke lost to Ohio State last year and to Wisconsin in 2009.

* First Challenge Matchups: Four of the telecasts will feature first-time Challenge matchups: Virginia at No. 22 Wisconsin, Maryland at Northwestern, No. 9 Michigan State at Miami and Georgia Tech at Illinois.

* In addition to first-time Challenge games, several of the teams are infrequent opponents: Michigan State and Miami have never met; Northwestern and Maryland played one other time, a Northwestern victory in 1958; Virginia and Wisconsin split its two games, Virginia in 1975 and Wisconsin in 1999; and Illinois has defeated Georgia Tech in six of its seven games, including the last one in 2001.

* Tourney Teams: Eleven teams between the two conferences played in the 2012 NCAA Tournament: Duke, Florida State, North Carolina, NC State and Virginia from the ACC, and Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin from the Big Ten.

* Following a First with a Rematch: Boston College and Penn State and Nebraska and Wake Forest will follow first-time Challenge meetings with a second consecutive showdown in the event.

* Boston College, which won its first five games, lost to Penn State last year, while Nebraska lost its Challenge debut to Wake Forest.

* Threepeat: Five of the games will mark three-time Challenge matchups: North Carolina at Indiana (Indiana win in 2001 and North Carolina in 2004), NC State at Michigan (Michigan win in 2003 and NC State in 2006), Ohio State at Duke (Duke win in 2002 and Ohio State in 2011), Iowa at Virginia Tech (won by Virginia Tech in 2006 and 2009) and Purdue at Clemson (Purdue win in 2003 and Clemson in 2007).
Three and one more: Minnesota and Florida State will meet for the fourth time (Minnesota won in 2000 and Florida State in 2004 and 2007).

     --Information used from ESPN, the Big Ten and ACC


Cleveland Indians add RHP Jeremy Accardo to replace Dan Wheeler in bullpen

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Righthander Jeremy Accardo has been brought in from Columbus to fill the hole in the Indians bullpen.

tribe-logo-alt.jpg

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Indians have added righthander Jeremy Accardo to the bullpen to replace Dan Wheeler, who was designated for assignment following Sunday's loss in Boston.

Accardo, 30, was a non-roster invitee in spring training after spending last season in the Baltimore organization, Has been working in relief at Class AAA Columbus, posting four saves in as many chances.

He has a 2.76 ERA in 13 relief appearances, allowing 12 hits, five earned runs and seven walks in 16.1 innings, while striking out 16.

Left-handed hitters have hit .118 (2-17) against him and right-handers have hit .244 (10-41).

Accardo will be available tonight when the Indians take on the Twins. 

Dennis Manoloff talks about Brandon Weeden's strong minicamp on 92.3 The Fan

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Plain Dealer reporter Manoloff discusses Weeden and some of the other players who performed at last weekend's minicamp,

brandon-weeden9.jpgQuarterback Brandon Weeden and other Browns rookies began their introduction to the NFL during the weekend's rookie minicamp in Berea.

Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff said this morning during the Baskin & Phelps radio show on The Fan, 92.3, that quarterback Brandon Weeden excelled during the Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp this weekend.

Manoloff also talked about how other players preformed at the minicamp, which included the Browns' 11 draft picks and 15 undrafted free agents. Weeden was selected by the Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the first round, after Cleveland had tabbed Alabama running back Trent Richardson with the No. 3 overall selection.





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 Manoloff's appearances on the PD Sports Insider show on Cleveland.com Mondays and Thursdays.


Cleveland Indians P.M. links: Weekend in Boston reveals concerns; erratic Ubaldo Jimenez; any righty hitter sightings?

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Jimenez followed one of his best Indians outings with a bad one. Tribe has virtually no right-handed hitting. Links to more Indians stories.

shelley-duncan2.jpgIn 34 games, the Indians have just five home runs from players batting right-handed. Shelley Duncan has three of them, but he has trouble making consistent contact.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians attempt to halt a mini-losing streak -- three games -- when they visit the Minnesota Twins tonight.

The Indians (18-16) lead the Detroit Tigers (17-17) by one game in what has been, in the season's early going, a mediocre-to-bad AL Central. The Twins, the class of the division during much of the last decade, represent the bad. Their 10-24 record is the worst in baseball.

Right-hander Jeanmar Gomez (2-2, 4.66) gets the start for the Tribe. The Twins will counter with an ex-Indian, righty Carl Pavano (2-3, 5.02).

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes Paul Hoynes' story that the Indians have called up right-handed relief pitcher Jeremy Accardo from Class AAA Columbus, and designated righty reliever Dan Wheeler for assignment; the PD Sports Insider, the twice-weekly half-hour video feature that features Indians reliever Joe Smith as a guest in this edition; Hoynes' Cleveland Indians chatter, featuring pitcher Zach McAllister; his Cleveland Indians Insider, highlighting pitcher Derek Lowe; his game story on the Indians' 12-1 loss to the Red Sox in Boston on Sunday; and much more.

The blog "WaitingForNextYear" details how some of the Indians' shortcomings were revealed over the weekend against the Red Sox. Three games really don't mean much of anything, but some of the problems observers had anticipated for the Tribe are surfacing, while others may become a trend.

Erratic right-handed starter Ubaldo Jimenez had pitched seven shutout innings in his previous start to earn a win over the powerful Texas Rangers. Friday night, the Red Sox had no problems solving hin.

Writes WFNY:

Friday night, Jimenez reverted back to being the real Ubaldo, the guy who has spotty command and can’t blow his one time un-hittable fastball by anybody. He lasted just four and a third innings giving up seven earned runs on nine hits, walking five more hitter while striking out four. Just another in a long line of disappointing performances from a guy the Tribe completely over-estimated.

The Indians' roster remains baffling, with its stunning lack of right-handed hitters, let alone righties who pose much concern for opposing teams.

WFNY notes:

Against lefties, the Indians are 27th out of 30 teams in baseball with a .216 batting average. The stat that tells it all – the Tribe leads the majors in at-bats against left-handed pitching with 459. That won’t change all year either.

Indians story links 

The Indians are at a disadvantage when facing left-handed pitching. (By Sheldon Ocker, Akron Beacon Journal)

First baseman-outfielder Matt LaPorta is keeping the right attitude while playing for the Class AAA Columbus Clippers (By John Wagner for MLB.com)

Counting down the top 100 all-time Indians. No. 96, third baseman Max Alvis. (Let's Go Tribe)

Detailing some Indians numbers. (By Ryan McCrystal, "It's pronounced 'Lajaway' ")

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

What can the Indians do about Ubaldo Jimenez? And other Tribe notes. (By Tony Lastoria, Indians Prospect Insider)

Around the Indians farm systerm. (By Jim Pete, Indians Prospect Insider)

A look at the Indians' opponent the next two games, the Minnesota Twins. (By Lewie Pollis/Nate Gilmore, Wahoo's on First)

Columbus Crew review: Justin Meram, Sebastian Miranda's impressive first goals give Crew much-needed win (with video)

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Justin Meram and Sebastian Miranda picked a good time to score their first MLS goals as they helped the Columbus Crew snap their five-game winless streak in a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas.

justin-meram-michigan-vs-central-florida-soccer.jpgThe last time Justin Meram scored a goal that counted was at the University of Michigan when Meram and the Wolverines defeated Central Florida, 2-1 in the 2010 NCAA tournament.
Justin Meram and Sebastian Miranda picked a good time to score their first MLS goals as they helped the Columbus Crew snap their five-game winless streak in a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas. 

In addition to snapping their streak, it also earned them the Pioneer Cup -- a trophy awarded to the winner of the season series between Dallas and Columbus. 

The two goals, scored within five minutes of each other in the second half, propelled the Crew to their first win since Mar. 31. 

Meram's was a low shot from well outside the penalty area while Miranda headed his past the keeper from just outside the 18, a distance you rarely see on a goal that comes off a player's head. (SEE VIDEO BELOW)

It was a busy night for Meram who drew the foul that led to the second yellow card by Dallas' Zach Loyd, but he picked up a yellow card of his own for accidentally kicking Hernan Pertuz of FC Dallas in the throat on an attempted bicycle kick

With the offense struggling lately (this was only their third multi-goal game of the year), take a look at both goals and determine which is more impressive. Any shot from 35 yards out is difficult, but is it more difficult than a header from the edge of the 18? Check out the videos below and let us know what you think ...

Meram's 35-yard equalizer

Miranda's game-winning header

Shin-Soo Choo is Tribe's newest leadoff hitter: Cleveland Indians daily briefing

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Manager Manny Acta picked Shin-Soo Choo to bat leadoff tonight against the Twins because he needs someone to get on base and Choo's has a .361 on base percentatge.

shin-soo choo.jpgShin-Soo Choo gets a start at the top of the lineup.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The past repeated itself Monday evening at Target Field when manager Manny Acta elected to use right fielder Shin-Soo Choo in the leadoff spot to face Carl Pavano and the Twins.

It's the first time Choo has hit leadoff since August after he'd missed almost two months after having his thumb fractured by a Jonathan Sanchez pitch. On Aug. 12, he faced Pavano and went 1-for-4 with a run score. He was back in the leadoff spot the next day, going 0-for-3.

Acta put Choo in the leadoff spot that time to get him some extra at bats. This time around, Acta is more interested in Choo's .361 on base percentage.

"We need somebody to get on base," said Acta. "Choo has a good on base percentage. The league average is .319."

The move coincides with Johnny Damon's struggles in the leadoff spot and Michael Brantley's emergence in the No.7 spot. Before the Indians brought Damon to the big leagues on May 1, Brantley was their leadoff hitter.

"I like Michael in the No.7 spot because I like to see him coming up with runners in scoring position," said Acta. "For some reason, he stays calm and doesn't panic in those situations."

Brantley is hitting .294 (10-for-34) with 13 RBI with runners in scoring position. In the No.7 spot, Brantley is hitting .341 (14-for-41) with five doubles and seven RBI.

Choo hit leadoff in 2006 for Class AAA Tacoma when he was still with Seattle. Choo hit .323 (121-for-375) with 21 doubles, three triples, 13 homers and 48 RBI for Tacoma. He scored 73 runs and stole 20 bases in 30 attempts in 115 games.

"I'm not going to change anything whether I hit leadoff, third or sixth," said Choo.

Choo is the fifth player to hit leadoff for the Tribe this year. The others are Brantley (21 games), Damon (10), Jason Donald (two) and Jason Kipnis (one).
 
New arm: Jeremy Accardo, 30, joined the Indians on Monday to replace Dan Wheeler in the bullpen. Wheeler was designated for assignment Sunday after giving up six runs on five hits in the seventh inning against Boston.

In 13 appearances at Class AAA Columbus, Accardo allowed five earned runs on 12 hits and seven walks. He struck out 16 in 16 1/3 innings, posted a 2.76 ERA and save four games. The opposition hit .207 (12-for-58) against him.

"He'll be the sixth or seventh reliever in the bullpen," said Acta. "Why him? He almost made our club out of spring training, he was pitching the best out of all the guys in the bullpen at Columbus and he has big league experience."

Take a seat: Third baseman Jack Hannahan didn't start Monday in front of his hometown crowd at Target Field because of a sore back. He injured it against Boston on Sunday.

Tonight's lineup:

Indians (18-16): RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), 2B Jason Kipnis (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), DH Travis Hafner, C Carlos Santana (S), CF Michael Brantley (L), 3B Jose Lopez (R), 1B Casey Kotchman (L), LF Shelley Duncan (R) RHP Jeanmar Gomez (2-2, 4.66).

Twins (10-24): CF Denard Span (L), SS Brian Dozier (R), 1B Joe Mauer (L), LF Josh Willingham (R), DH Ryan Doumit (S), 3B Trevor Plouffe (R), RF Darin Mastroianni (R), C Drew Butera (R), 2B Jamey Carroll (R), RHP Carl Pavano (2-3, 5.02).

Indians vs. Pavano: Lopez .500 (3-for-6) with three homers,  Choo .368 (7-for-19), Johnny Damon .346 (9-for-26) and Johnny Damon .346 (9-for-26). 

Twins vs. Gomez: Span is hitting .250 (2-for-8).

Umpires: H Mike Estabrook, 1B James Hoye, 2B Jim Joyce, 3B Jim Reynolds. Joyce, crew chief.

Next: RHP Derek Lowe (5-1, 2.47) vs. Twins right-hander Jason Marquis on Tuesday at 1:10 p.m. ET. STO/WTAM will carry the game.

Cleveland Browns P.M. links: Trent Richardson's lofty goal; job competitions begin

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Richardson wants to become of the NFL's best running backs ever. Past struggles, injuries and other factors create job opportunities. More Browns story links.

trent-richardson5.jpgRunning back Trent Richardson runs a drill during the Browns' rookie minicamp.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp has run its course and now the team is into its off-season program.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's story that rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden is ready to start competing for the starting quarterback job; her Browns Insider; Bill Livingston's column on the Browns rookies; Cabot's report on some Browns roster moves; the PD Sports Insider, the twice-weekly half-hour video with Plain Dealer reporters and occasional guests talking about Cleveland's teams; Dennis Manoloff's interview on 92.3 The Fan, talking mostly about Brandon Weeden and the Browns' rookie minicamp held over the past weekend. 

Among the players who enjoyed impressive rookie minicamps was Alabama running back Trent Richardson.

No surprise there. The Browns traded up a spot with the Minnesota Vikings to select Richardson with the third overall pick in the NFL draft.

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that Richardson's goal is to become one of the league's all-time greatest backs. Ulrich writes, quoting Richardson:

“It’s just a goal I’ve always had,” Richardson said Sunday as the Browns’ three-day rookie minicamp wrapped up. “It’s always been a dream. I told [people] last year I wanted to be one of the greatest players to ever play college football. I wanted people to always remember my name and, hopefully, I left a great legacy in college football.

“But when I get done with this game in the NFL, hopefully they can say that this guy’s gotta be compared to Richardson. Now they compare folks to [former St. Louis Rams running back] Marshall Faulk to be one of the greatest. To be one of the best rookies when this class comes in, that’s just a high expectation for me, and I’m gonna have to reach much higher. When it comes down to it, the sky is the limit for my game and for me getting better.”

Browns story links

Predicting the 2012 Browns 53-man roster -- a slideshow. (Bleacher Report)

A list of 10 top rookie vs. veteran position competitions includes a Browns matchup. (By John Clayton, ESPN.com)

Rookie minicamp reunited former college teammates on the field: Alabama's Trent Richardson and Brad Smelley and Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden and Josh Cooper. (By Matt Florjancic, clevelandbrowns.com)

The Browns hope Josh Cooper, signed as an undrafted free agent, can help fill the slot receiver spot. (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

Trent Richardson demonstrates his abilities. (By Steve DiMatteo, Dawg Pound Daily)

The potential loss of defensive tackle Phil Taylor to injury can be somewhat offset thanks to general manager Tom Heckert's foresight in the draft. (By Sam Ingro, National Football Authority)

The Browns wrap up rookie camp. (By Fred Greetham, Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report)

Ohio State offensive lineman Jeff - also known as J.B. - Shugarts, signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent, is happy to remain in Ohio. (By Matt Florjancic, clevelandbrowns.com)

Reasons the Browns can win eight games in 2012. (By Michael Fitzpatrick, for the Bleacher Report)

Colt McCoy's father was catalyst for necessary change in NFL's sideline medical procedures, Bill Livingston writes

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In retrospect, Colt McCoy’s father was clearly a catalyst for necessary change in how the NFL treats players suspected of head injuries during games.

bradmccoy-livingston-may15.jpgWhen Brad McCoy, right, spoke up on behalf of his son, Colt, left, the fallout led to the NFL changing its sideline medical procedures.

I wanted to talk to Brad McCoy, the high school coach who changed pro football Monday, but he didn't return a message I left for him.

The last time McCoy spoke to Cleveland reporters, the NFL, the mightiest and most profitable league in American professional sports, changed its medical procedures. It was the only official response they could have made to conform to the imperatives of safety and empathy in a sport in which bravery, no matter how admired, seldom trumps savagery, no matter how deplored, in the end-game.

Brad McCoy had a big megaphone when he told The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot that his son, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, never should have gone back into a nationally televised Dec. 8 game at Pittsburgh after receiving a bone-jarring, helmet-to-helmet hit from the Steelers' James Harrison late in the game.

It cost Harrison $73,529, his pay for the one week he was suspended. It cost the NFL a lot of credibility in its campaign to convince fans and former players that it is truly vigilant about player safety.

The feeling here is that the Browns were victims of a "perfect storm," made up of many factors, including a glut of injuries to other players that was occupying the attention of team doctors and trainers, the inability of anyone with access to replays of the hit to intercede in the decision-making about McCoy's fitness, and the pressure of the game- and play-clocks. No Browns medical personnel even saw the hit, not even on the replay board.

The play itself also occurred in something of a gray area. It came after Colt McCoy had taken several steps as he scrambled. He appeared intent on running the ball, forfeiting rules protection afforded him in the pocket, before throwing a pass at the last instant.

Still, the examination procedure was deeply flawed. If Colt had been an elite quarterback, such as Tom Brady or Drew Brees, there's little doubt he would have been the first priority of the medical staff. Previously injured players would have had to wait their turn. As it was, McCoy, although in pain, did not begin to show concussion-like symptoms until the game was over.

Only 12 days later, the NFL announced a simple, proactive addition to its "concussion protocol." Certified athletic trainers, seated in the press box with access to instant replay, can require further examination of an injured player if they are concerned about his fitness to return to the game. Video replay will be available to medical personnel on the sidelines, too.

No league makes such a substantive change regarding player safety during the season unless it has to. But the public perception of the NFL's safeguards keeps worsening -- with the recent suicide of the great linebacker Junior Seau and the undetermined role head injuries might have had in it; with probable future Hall of Famer Kurt Warner dissuading his own son from playing the game; with broken men, their bodies and minds in ruins, suing the league for overlooking or downplaying the damage they suffered.

It took Dale Earnhardt dying in a racing crash for NASCAR to institute head-and-neck safety restraints. It took a 13-year-old girl getting killed by a flying puck in Columbus for the NHL to string up protective nets. Brad McCoy should be praised as a catalyst for clear and necessary change.

At the same time, he, like most whistle-blowers, rankled the powers that be. Maybe the Browns will let the whole thing go, but they probably consider the elder McCoy a complication his struggling son does not need. The line between pushiness and prudence is not a fine one in pro sports.

In the book, "Growing Up Colt," the elder McCoy preaches his most basic parenting principle: "Prepare your children for the path, not the path for your children." Yet Brad McCoy was the quarterbacks coach for his son in middle school, even though he was also the town's high school coach at the time. He coached Colt throughout high school. He, in fact, spent considerable time smoothing the path.

I can think of worse parenting sins.

Recently, Andre Iguodala, a shaky free throw shooter who swished two foul shots in the final seconds to win an NBA playoff series for Philadelphia, said a teammate told him to think of something he loved before stepping to the line. "So I thought of my son," Iguodala said.

I thought of Brad McCoy when I heard that. It's a compliment.


Padua is search of varsity basketball coaches

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PARMA, O. - Padua is looking for head basketball coaches since boys coach Pat Teresi didn't have his supplemental contract renewed and girls coach Tracy Shuman resigned.  "I was told (the school) wants the program to go in another direction,'' said Teresi, who directed the Bruins for four seasons.

PARMA, O. - Padua is looking for head basketball coaches since boys coach Pat Teresi didn't have his supplemental contract renewed and girls coach Tracy Shuman resigned.

 "I was told (the school) wants the program to go in another direction,'' said Teresi, who directed the Bruins for four seasons.

 
 Shuman resigned for family reasons.
 

"We have a 2 1/2-year-old at home and we'd like to see our family grow,'' said Shuman, who ends a seven-year stint at her alma mater. "It's bittersweet because I love to coach and I love the kids but when you're working, raising a family and coaching, somone always loses.''

Now batting leadoff for the Tribe: Shin-Soo Choo: Cleveland Indians Insider

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Manager Manny Acta says Shin-Soo Choo will be the Tribe's leadoff hitter on Monday and Tuesday.

choo-leadoff-minnesota-may14.jpgView full sizeManny Acta has turned to Shin-Soo Choo in his search for a leadoff hitter. Choo will hit leadoff against the Twins on Monday and Tuesday.

Minneapolis -- Manager Manny Acta is looking for a leadoff hitter who can get on base and give his offense a chance to score more than the seven runs they did in the three-game losing streak they took into Monday night's game against the Twins.

Johnny Damon has a .196 on-base percentage since joining the team on May 1. Regular leadoff man Michael Brantley has a .310 OBP. Besides, he's settled in rather nicely in the No. 7 spot.

So after the Indians lost to Boston, 12-1, Sunday at Fenway Park, Acta's gavel fell upon Shin-Soo Choo and his .361 OBP.

"Manny told me Sunday that I'd be hitting leadoff," said Choo.

History is repeating itself. Choo hasn't hit leadoff since Aug. 12-13 against the Twins. His Aug. 12 start came against right-hander Carl Pavano, who started Monday.

Last year Acta wanted Choo to hit leadoff because he missed almost two months with a broken left thumb and needed the extra at-bats. This time around, Acta is looking for offense to help his team keep its tenuous hold on first place in the AL Central.

"Johnny is scuffling right now," said Acta. "He'll continue to get his at-bats, but right now we feel Choo is the best option."

Acta isn't sure how long Choo will stay at the top of the lineup, but said he'd be hitting No. 1 on Tuesday as well.

"I can promise you that," said Acta.

Choo is the fifth player to hit leadoff for the Tribe this year. The others are Brantley (21 games), Damon (10), Jason Donald (two) and Jason Kipnis (one).

Before the Indians added Damon to the roster on May 1, Brantley was the starting leadoff hitter. When Damon arrived, Brantley went to the No. 7 spot where he's hitting .341 (14-for-41) with five doubles and seven RBI.

"I like Brantley everywhere in the lineup, but I really like him in that spot," said Acta. "He doesn't strike out much. He's one of those guys I love to see at the plate when we have runners at scoring position. Somehow he doesn't panic and gives us good at-bats."

Brantley is hitting .294 (10-for-34) with 13 RBI with runners in scoring position.

Choo hit leadoff in 2006 for Class AAA Tacoma before Seattle traded him to the Indians for Ben Broussard. As a refresher course, here were his numbers at Tacoma: .323 (121-for-375), 21 doubles, three triples, 13 homers and 48 RBI, 73 runs and 20 steals in 115 games.

"I don't change anything no matter if I'm hitting leadoff, third, sixth," said Choo. "I just want to swing at good pitches."

When asked about stealing bases, Choo said: "Why not? But I want to be smart. With (Jason) Kipnis and (Asdrubal) Cabrera hitting behind me, my focus is on-base percentage. I'd have to be 120 percent sure that I could steal a base.

New arm: Right-hander Jeremy Accardo, 30, joined the Indians on Monday to replace Dan Wheeler in the bullpen. Wheeler was designated for assignment Sunday after giving up six runs on five hits in the seventh inning against Boston.

In 13 appearances at Class AAA Columbus, Accardo allowed five earned runs on 12 hits and seven walks. He struck out 16 in 161/3 innings, posted a 2.76 ERA and saved four games. The opposition hit .207 (12-for-58) against him.

"He'll be the sixth or seventh reliever in the bullpen," said Acta. "Why him? He almost made our club out of spring training, he was pitching the best out of all the guys in the bullpen at Columbus and he has big-league experience."

Accardo said a key to Accardo's good showing in spring training and Columbus was the split-finger fastball.

"I'd stopped throwing it the last couple of years because I fell in love with the slider," said Accardo.

Acta asked Accardo about the splitter in a meeting before spring training opened. Accardo has been throwing it ever since.

Take a seat: Third baseman Jack Hannahan didn't start Monday in front of his hometown crowd at Target Field because of a sore back. He injured it against Boston on Sunday.

Hannahan is from St. Paul, Minn. Acta said it's possible he could start Tuesday.

Jose Lopez, with three career homers against Pavano, started at third.

Finally: Travis Hafner, Lou Marson, Justin Masterson and Vinnie Pestano will host 50 children from Cleveland's Boys and Girls Club before Wednesday night's game against Seattle at Progressive Field. It's part of the MLB players association's "Buses for Baseball" program.

Cleveland Indians score in ninth inning to beat Twins, snap losing streak

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Leadoff hitter Shin-Soo Choo gives the Indians a 5-4 victory over the Twins with a two-out single in the ninth inning at Target Field.

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Minneapolis -- Indians manager Manny Acta tinkered with the top of his lineup before Monday night's game against the Twins.

Help arrived from the familiar bats of Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera. Then a new voice was heard from at Target Field.

Shin-Soo Choo, installed in the leadoff spot for the first time since August, hit a two-out single in the ninth inning to score pinch runner Lou Marson and give the Indians a 5-4 victory over the Twins.

In a game of contrasting strategies, Acta made more good decisions than bad as the Indians ended a three-game losing streak. The win went to Joe Smith (3-1), and Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his 12th save.

The Indians entered the eighth with a 4-1 lead, but Vinnie Pestano couldn't get through the inning. Pestano, who is having trouble against lefties, walked Denard Span to start the inning. He retired the next two batters, but Span stole second and scored on Josh Willingham's double past first to make it 4-2.

Acta called for rookie left-hander Nick Hagadone instead of the right-handed Smith to make switch-hitter Ryan Doumit bat right-handed. Doumit had four homers coming into the at-bat, all from the left side of the plate.

Doumit foiled that strategy as he hit a two-run homer into the left-field seats to make it 4-4. He hit a 2-0 fastball.

"Nick has thrown the ball really well," said Acta. "We wanted to turn Doumit around, and he just got Nick."

The opposition has 35 at-bats against Hagadone. Doumit's homer was just the fourth hit Hagadone has allowed.

"I'm just glad we won," said Hagadone.

Casey Kotchman, who has spent the first six weeks of the season searching for his swing, gave the Indians a jolt from the bottom of the lineup with a two-run homer off Carl Pavano in the fifth for a 4-1 lead.

Kotchman contributed to the winning rally, as well, with a one-out single off Matt Capps (0-2). Aaron Cunningham popped out to second, but Kotchman advanced to second on a wild pitch with Choo batting. Acta sent Marson to pinch-run for Kotchman, and Choo delivered the game-winner on a clean hit to center.

"First, I felt good for the team because we ended a losing streak," said Choo. "Second, I felt good for me. I think the team will feel good coming to the park for our next game."

Acta took no credit for moving Choo into the leadoff spot.

"It worked because we didn't pitch better at the end of the game," said Acta. "I didn't make up the lineup thinking Choo was going to come up with two out and a runner on second base in the ninth inning."

The homer was Kotchman's third of the season, but his first since April 15. Jose Lopez, who joined the Indians on Saturday in Boston to replace demoted Jason Donald, started the inning with a double to the wall in left.

Kotchman hit Pavano's 1-2 pitch into the bleachers in right field. While Kotchman's defense at first base has been excellent, the Indians still are looking for the player who hit .306 with the Rays last year. He is hitting .282 (11-for-39) in May, but only .198 (21-for-106) overall.

Starter Jeanmar Gomez showed toughness in his most recent start when he pitched seven innings against the Chicago White Sox, despite allowing eight runs on nine hits, to save the bullpen.

Monday night, all he had to do was pitch.

Gomez allowed one unearned run on three hits in seven innings. Catcher Carlos Santana's throwing error in the third led to the run. Gomez struck out two and walked three against a Twins team that went 6-16 in April.

"He pitched well, but I feel bad for him, he should have got the win," said Acta.

Pavano was facing his former team with a sore right shoulder. He has had it since spring training, but has been able to pitch with it. He told Twins reporters Sunday that it has cost him some velocity.

The Indians were held scoreless until the fourth when Kipnis singled through the middle. Cabrera, who just missed homering down the right field line, readjusted his sights and doubled down the left-field line as Kipnis stopped at third.

Travis Hafner's grounder to second scored Kipnis to make it 1-1. Hafner is 4-for-32 with 11 RBI with runners in scoring position.

Santana's sacrifice fly made it 2-1.

Stow beats Nordonia in softball district semifinal: High School Roundup

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No. 2-seeded Stow earned a Division I district softball championship-game berth on Monday with a 4-0 win over fourth-seeded Nordonia.

Stow freshman Sadie Jones continued to pitch well in a Division I district semifinal softball game against No. 4-seeded Nordonia.

Jones silenced the Knights on four hits in a 4-0 victory Monday, and sophomore first baseman Danielle Tiller hit a two-run double to key a four-run fifth inning for the second-seeded Bulldogs (19-8).

North Royalton 2, Parma 0 The top-seeded Bears (22-5) squeezed out a Division I district semifinal win, thanks to Kelsey Stoneberg's two RBI. Midpark 3, Strongsville 1 Kelsey Schmidt's two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the third inning propelled second-seeded Midpark (14-11) to a Division I district semifinal victory. Solon 5, Garfield Heights 0 Gabby Lucarelli pitched a one-hitter with three strikeouts for the second-seeded Comets (17-9), who will play No. 1-seeded Brecksville-Broadview Heights (22-4) in today's Division I district title game. Chardon 5, Riverside 4 Gina Tosti's three hits, including two doubles and two RBI, led the third-seeded Hilltoppers (18-8) and earned them a Division I district championship game against top-seeded Willoughby South. Aurora 3, Hudson 2 The fifth-seeded Greenmen (22-5) played spoiler in this Division I district semifinal upset over No. 1-seeded Hudson. Aurora, which will play second-seeded Stow for a right to advance to the regional, got a two-out, RBI single from Erin McNamara after Nicole Doyle singled and stole second base. Medina 3, Cloverleaf 1 The top-seeded Battling Bees (21-3) will play No. 2-seeded Copley in a Division I district championship game as Hampton recruit Bobbi Langlois pitched 61/3 innings to get the win. Westlake 7, Amherst 6 The third-seeded Demons (20-8) avenged two regular-season losses to the Southwestern Conference champions and advanced to the Division I district title game against No. 1-seeded Elyria. Elyria 2, Avon Lake 1 The Pioneers (22-2), ranked No. 3 in the state coaches poll, got the runs they needed in the bottom of the fourth inning on Lex Roseboro's two-run homer. Columbia 7, Wellington 6 The third-seeded Raiders (14-9) won a Division III sectional crown by outslugging No. 2-seeded Wellington, 15-5. Emma Sullivan, Nicolette Kunath, Kailey Minarchick and Emily Viccarone combined for 13 hits and five RBI. Berkshire 6, Kirtland 4 The Badgers (16-4, 9-1) and Hornets (18-4, 9-1) share the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division title as Amy Lasco gave Berkshire the lead with a two-run home run in the first inning.

Baseball

Hawken 6, Beachwood 3 A three-run fifth inning was all the third-seeded Hawks needed to defeat No. 1-seeded Beachwood in a Division III district semifinal game. Josh Geisler's two RBI led Hawken. Keystone 1, Elyria Catholic 0 Top-seeded Keystone (18-7) won a pitching duel to advance to the Division III district final game. Brandon Sittinger blanked the Panthers on three hits.

Tuesday, May 15 television and radio sports listings for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

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Highlights include Indians at Minnesota in a 1:10 p.m. game, and NBA and NHL playoffs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

BASEBALL

11 a.m. Great Lakes at LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS, AM/1330

1:10 p.m. INDIANS at Minnesota, STO; AM/1100

2 p.m. Detroit at Chicago White Sox, WGN

6:35 p.m. AKRON AEROS at Erie, AM/1350

7 p.m. N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore, MLB Network

CYCLING

5 p.m. Tour of California, stage 3, NBCSN

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

6 p.m. Keystone/Elyria Catholic vs. Clearview/Independence, AM/930

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

4:30 p.m. Elyria/Avon Lake vs. Amherst/Westlake, AM/930

HOCKEY

1 p.m. World Championships, U.S. vs. Switzerland, NBCSN

NBA PLAYOFFS

7 p.m. Indiana at Miami, TNT

9:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, TNT

NHL PLAYOFFS

9 p.m. Los Angeles at Phoenix, NBCSN

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