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Bubba Watson easy to embrace: Bill Livingston

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The "Bubba Show" has been a hit on the Internet because of Watson's trick shots, but his recent play is making him a breakthrough star in pro golf.

bubba watson.jpgView full sizeFirst-round leader Bubba Watson acknowledges the crowd after making a birdie from off the 18th green Thursday at the World Golf Championships in Akron.

AKRON, Ohio — They don't hug in his family, so Gerry "Bubba" Watson's outstretched arms only gathered in startled cheers on the 18th green at Firestone South, as he became the real-life star of "The Bubba Show."

Still, Bubba Watson is a guy the world should be itching to embrace.

There was Bubba, tossing the ball he had rolled into the cup for a 36-foot birdie on 18 to a kid as he strolled off the green toward the scorer's trailer.

There was Bubba, a Bridgestone rookie, who, after making putts from all over the place for a 6-under 64 and the first-round lead, said he was just trying to make the cut.

Informed that there is no cut in the exclusive invitational event, Watson said. "Perfect! Then I made it!"

Bubba is making it in a lot of ways, albeit as an overnight success who toiled five years on the PGA Tour before breaking through as a winner this summer.

"Bubba" is the nickname for the 31-year-old, self-taught player from the Florida Panhandle. The "Bubba Show" is made up of his happy-go-lucky Internet videos, featuring trick shots and comedy. He once wedged a ball out of a teeny-weeny loving cup, over a swimming pool, and into a sand pail. He once lashed the "Ol' Wooden Stick," a persimmon driver, at a pineapple on the tee in Maui. The shot, call it a "Hawaiian punch," juiced the thing toward Molokai.

Watson also once sang "Happy Birthday" to Ellen DeGeneres in a video, which doesn't have much to do with golf, but shows how willing he is to try to improve a stranger's day.

And talk about trick shots -- well, 18 on Thursday will suffice.

After the left-handed Watson sliced his drive into the left rough, he popped a lob wedge through a narrow opening, over the trees guarding the green, and left it at the green's bottom-most fringe. The putt rolled uphill, along a ridge, hung a right, and tumbled downhill, straight into the hole. Dozens of fans, baking in the early afternoon heat, whooped and clapped as Bubba spread his arms in surprise.

Watson said he was looking at the big picture, not immediate gratification, since so much golf is left to play here. His goal is to make the Ryder Cup team and play for his country. He needs a couple good weeks to sew up a spot. "No matter if your country wins or loses, it's a thrill. It's an honor. I would give up my win to play with the Ryder Cup. That's how much it means to me," Watson said.

His victory meant a great deal. But Bubba Watson is the son of a Green Beret. Patriotism means more.

In June, in Connecticut at the Travelers Championship, in a three-way playoff, after he came from six shots behind at the start of the final round, Watson finally won on the second playoff hole. His first, and thus far only, victory speech was an emotion-choked, tearful tribute to his father. Also named Gerry, the elder Watson has been stricken with throat cancer.

It was really the day his son needed to spread his arms and welcome the world's best wishes. A devout Christian, Bubba barely got through the part about how hard he was praying for his father before the dam broke.

"My dad is a Vietnam vet, Special Forces Green Beret, but he's a teddy bear now as he gets older. He talks more about family now. Growing up, it was like -- he was like a soldier. We don't hug, we don't -- Watson family doesn't hug. We don't say 'I love you,' " said Watson. "So now it's a lot different. He's changed a lot because he's battling something that's not good. But he's changed a lot, and as a whole family we've changed a lot."

Life isn't an Internet video with amazing shots you can practice until you get them right. But in one of the top 10 tournaments in the world, on an unfamiliar course, despite family problems, the Bubba show's first take Thursday was a bigger smash than the pineapple.


Cleveland plans to keep Carlos Santana as a catcher: Indians Chatter

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Santana's season-ending injury doesn't change the team's plans to keep the rising star behind the plate.

carlos santana knee injury 2.jpgView full sizeIndians catcher Carlos Santana will have surgery on his injured left knee Friday and miss the rest of the season.

Clubhouse confidential: Despite the left knee injury that put catcher Carlos Santana on the operating table today at Cleveland Clinic, manager Manny Acta said there are no plans to change his position.

"Every catcher goes through an injury here and there," said Acta. "If that was the case, Joe Mauer wouldn't be catching in Minnesota. It happens in the game. Johnny Bench caught. So did Carlton Fisk, Pudge Rodriguez and Jorge Posada.

"We knew down the road we'd be getting him some playing time at first base. We value the kid as a catcher. It's just an injury. When your number is up, your number is up."

Progress: David Huff returned from Class AAA Columbus on Tuesday to get his 10th loss, but he thinks he's making progress. In the fifth inning of the 3-1 loss, he struck out Boston's DH David Ortiz.

"I threw him three change-ups in that last at-bat," said Huff. "That's what I've been working on. I think I threw one at 1-2, and he took it for a ball. I threw another at 2-2, and he took it because I spiked it [threw it in the dirt] to make it 3-2. Then with everybody in the world knowing a fastball is coming, I threw it again.

"It was low, and it wasn't a strike, but he swung at it. . . . It was good to see what I worked on in Columbus put into effect."

Stat of the day: Jason Donald ranks third among AL rookies with 16 doubles. Santana is fourth with 13.

T.J. House getting batters out for Advanced A Kinston Indians: Minor league report

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The left-handed House, 20, has pitched three straight superb games after a so-so mid-season stretch.

tj-house.jpgT.J. House is considered one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in the Cleveland organization.

FARM REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Thursday night: Bisons 11, Clippers 4 A nine-run eighth inning sunk Columbus in an International League rout at Buffalo, N.Y., on Thursday. The Clippers’ Matt McBride (.400) had three hits.

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, RH reliever Vinnie Pestano (1-1, nine saves, 1.53) had not allowed a run in his last 13 outings, fanning 19 and allowing seven hits and five walks in 14 1/3 innings. Overall, Pestano had struck out 47, walked 12 and not given up a homer in 35 1/3 innings....IF Josh Rodriguez (.315) was 11-for-30 (.367) with three doubles, three homers and seven RBI in his last seven games....RH reliever Bryce Stowell (0-0, 3.75) had struck out 18 and walked 13 in 12 innings for Columbus, after totaling 74 strikeouts and 19 walks in 47 2/3 innings with Akron and Kinston....2B Cord Phelps (.340) was batting .396 (40-for-101) in his last 27 games....OF Matt McBride was 9-for-25 (.360) with one double, one homer and three RBI in his first six games with Columbus. In his last 26 games at Class AA Akron before being promoted to the Clippers, McBride hit .364 (36-for-99) with 13 homers, 11 doubles, 32 RBI and an .869 slugging percentage....Catcher Damaso Espino has been promoted to the Clippers from Akron, where he was hitting .250 (49-for-196) with four doubles, two homers and 20 RBI....IF Argenis Reyes and catcher have Juan Apodaca have been acquired from the Boston Red Sox organization for cash considerations. Reyes will play for the Clippers and Apodaca joins Class AA Akron. Reyes hit .256 (11-for-43) in 14 games for the Class AAA Pawtucket Red Sox after being released by the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization in April. Reyes, 27, played in 58 games with the New York Mets in 2008-09, batting .205 (26-for-127) with one homer and three stolen bases. He played in the Indians' minor league system from 2001-07.

AA Akron Aeros

Thursday night: Curve 6, Aeros 1 Akron matched a season high with a sixth straight loss as host Altoona, Pa., finished a four-game sweep with an Eastern League victory. Despite just one earned run charged against Aeros pitchers Kelvin De La Cruz and Nick Hagadone, the offense again could not muster enough support.

 

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, the Aeros were on a five-game losing streak....2B Jason Kipnis (.337) was 15-for-41 (.366) with two doubles, three triples, one homer and eight RBI in his last 10 games....RHP Omar Aguilar (2-4, 3.62) had not allowed a home run in 49 2/3 innings this season. He had struck out 59, but walked 27....Catcher Damaso Espino has been promoted to AAA Columbus. Catcher Juan Apodaca has been acquired from the Boston Red Sox organization and activated by the Aeros. Apodaca and IF Argenis Reyes, who joined Class AAA Columbus, were acquired for cash considerations. Apodaca has played this season for the Class AAA Pawtucket Red Sox and the Class AA Portland Sea Dogs. In 55 total games this season, Apodaca has a .239 batting average with three home runs and 12 RBI.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Thursday night: Hillcats 5, Indians 1 Lynchburg’s three-run eighth inning led to a Carolina League victory at Kinston, N.C. Travis Turek (3-3) took the loss for Kinston, giving up four runs on six hits in two innings. Karexon Sanchez, Jeremie Tice and Juan Diaz each had two hits for Kinston.

 

Notes: LH starting pitcher T.J. House (4-8, 3.68) is 2-0 and has given up one run (0.47 ERA) in his last three starts, pitching 19 innings while allowing just six hits and four walks while striking out 12. House, 20, was picked by Cleveland out of Picayune (Miss.) Memorial High School in the 16th round of the 2008 draft....Going into Thursday night's game, catcher Chun Chen (.311) was 12-for-31 (.387) with four doubles, one home run, eight RBI and eight walks in his last nine games.

A Lake County Captains

Thursday night: Captains 6, Dragons 1 Delvi Cid and Jason Smit homered to lead Lake County past Dayton in Midwest League action at Eastlake. Captains starter Giovanni Soto (8-6) got the win. He pitched six innings, allowing one run on two hits. He walked two and struck out three. Preston Guilmet came on in the seventh to pick up his ninth save, throwing three scoreless innings.

 

Notes: RH starting pitcher Brett Brach (3-6, 2.91) is 2-1 with an 0.78 ERA in his last three games, pitching 23 innings and allowing 17 hits and two walks while fanning 12....Going into Thursday night's game, 1B Adam Abraham (.254) was batting .438 (28-for-64) with seven doubles, six homers and 23 RBI in his last 16 games.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Thursday night: Scrappers 3, ValleyCats 2 Diego Seastrunk’s RBI sacrifice fly in the ninth gave Mahoning Valley the New York-Penn League victory over Tri-City (Troy, N.Y.) in Niles, Ohio.

 

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, OF Jonathan Burnette (.285) was 7-for-18 in his last five games, with two doubles and two homers....OF Carlos Moncrief was also 7-for-18 in his last five games, with a homer and two stolen bases.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Thursday night: ThunderBolts 4, Crushers 3 (10) Lake Erie fell to Windy City in suburban Chicago on a walk-off single by Gilberto Mejia in the bottom of the 10th in Frontier League play.

 

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, OF Dom Duggan (.234) was 8-for-24 (.333) with two doubles, one triple and one home run in his last eight games.

Cleveland Indians great Kenny Lofton visits D-Man's World

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Lofton will be inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame on Saturday in part because of his ability to impact games with speed and daring.

kenny-lofton-cleveland-indians.JPGView full sizeFormer Indians center fielder Kenny Lofton will be inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame on Saturday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Of all the electrifying moments on the Kenny Lofton highlight reel, none captures the essence of the player any better than his 180-foot dash to glory on Oct. 17, 1995.

It happened in the eighth inning of Game 6 of the American League Championship Series between the Indians and Seattle Mariners at the Kingdome. With the Indians leading, 1-0, and Ruben Amaro on third, Lofton beat out a bunt against Randy Johnson. Lofton stole second. Moments later, Big Unit's pitch got away from catcher Dan Wilson and rolled toward the Tribe dugout on the first-base side.

Amaro, as expected, scored easily on the passed ball. The shocker -- to everyone except the man himself -- was that Lofton hit third base and kept on running. In a blur, Lofton slid in safely, catching Wilson and Johnson sulking/napping. The Indians went on to win the game, 4-0, and the series, 4-2, to advance to their first World Series in 41 years.

"My instincts made that play happen," Lofton said by phone earlier this week. "Once I took off, I knew I had the speed to take me where I needed to go."

Lofton will be inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame on Saturday in part because of his ability to impact games with such speed and daring. He also knew how to swing the bat and catch the ball. Everything was on display against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 3, 2000, when Lofton went 4-for-7 with a homer, walk, four runs and five steals in a 12-11 victory in 13 innings at Jacobs Field.

Lofton played for 11 teams in a major-league career that spanned from 1991 through 2007, but he always will be known as an Indian. He had three stints with Cleveland (1992-1996; 1998-2001; 2007) and remains the franchise leader with 452 steals and ranks third with 975 runs. Five of his six All-Star selections and all four of his Gold Gloves came with the Indians.

Lofton retired as a .299 hitter in 2,103 regular-season games overall. He had 2,428 hits, 1,528 runs and 622 steals. He played in 95 postseason games, including 50 with the Tribe, and scored 65 runs.

With the Indians Hall of Fame induction around the corner, Lofton reflected on his career:

Plain Dealer: When you think of yourself as a Cleveland Indian, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

Kenny Lofton: Stolen bases. In Cleveland, I think people look at me as the guy who stole bases.

PD: Highlight of your career?

KL: Having been able to play on a lot of teams that made the playoffs. Having had a lot of opportunities to win a ring.

PD: You played in 20 postseason series in 11 years. Does one postseason stand out above the rest?

KL: The first one, with the Indians in 1995. That will stick out forever, because we were able to go to the World Series in Cleveland for the first time since 1954.

PD: Should the Indians have won the 1995 World Series against the Braves, or did they simply get beat by a better, more seasoned team?

KL: Honestly, I believe we played well enough to win. We put our hearts out there. But to be honest, with the teams and the situations what they were, I don't think we got a fair shot.

PD: Explain.

KL: In my opinion, we didn't get a fair shot from the umpires. The [Tom] Glavine and [Greg] Maddux strike zones were not right. They were getting the calls off the plate and our pitchers weren't. I'm not the only one who says that. You had to deal with it, though. You had no other choice.

PD: Your favorite Indians club?

KL: The '95 team, because of the personalities we had. We did a lot of freelancing. It was awesome.

PD: And you set the tone.

KL: The guys called me the igniter. Once I ignited the flames, everything took off. It was an exciting time.

PD: Which postseason ending in your career stings the most?

KL: The toughest to take is '95 because, as I said, I don't think the umpires were fair. Second is the Giants in 2002 because we were up, 3-2, in the World Series and had a five-run lead in Game 6 but lost to the Angels. We just lost.

PD: You also were on the Cubs when they fell to the Marlins in the infamous 2003 NLCS, during which fan Steve Bartman reached out and seemingly denied Moises Alou a catch late in Game 6.

KL: I've never viewed the Bartman situation as more than what it was -- a fan reached out and didn't get the ball. Those things happen. But the play soon after that, when Alex Gonzalez booted the double-play ball . . . that was the deciding factor. Everyone put it on Bartman, but I saw the double-play ball that didn't happen. Regardless, we still had Game 7. We didn't get it done.

PD: Do you believe in the Curse of Colavito (Indians) or Curse of the Billy Goat (Cubs)?

KL: No. If you put the right team on the field and play the way you should play, there's no curse. Look at Boston in 2004. Everybody said there was a curse, but they had the right team to win it all that year -- and they did. Bottom line: It's what you do on the field.

PD: You were a teammate of Barry Bonds in 2002. How do you view him? Is he a Hall of Famer?

KL: (Long pause) I'll say it this way: With Barry Bonds, for me, you have to be innocent until proven guilty in the Hall of Fame situation. So that's a tough one, because you have to show me some type of proof. I know there are allegations, but there's no proof. So, if the allegations had not come up -- for sure, he's a Hall of Famer. But because the allegations came up, and there's a lot of doubt, it makes it very tricky to say he's a Hall of Famer.

PD: Do you believe Barry Bonds used PEDs [performance-enhancing drugs]?

KL: That's not for me to say. I won't say I believe anything about that, because it's my own personal answer or thought in my head.

PD: Is Alex Rodriguez a Hall of Famer?

KL: I would not vote for him for the Hall of Fame. He cheated the game, he admitted it, and the game acts like nothing happened. It's as if he got a slap on the wrist. There's something wrong with that.

PD: How much baseball do you watch these days?

KL: Not a lot, but more this year than at any point since I retired. I love the game, but I'll be honest with you: I'm upset with the game. I'm upset because I was put out of the game because I wasn't cheating the game, if that makes sense.

PD: It does.

KL: I could have cheated and put up better numbers. Then I could have cheated to stay in the game. But I didn't. I was clean and played by the rules. And I know there are people who cheated, cheated to extend their careers, and it's not right.

PD: So it's safe to say that you, as a clean player, are upset you were forced to compete periodically on an uneven playing field?

KL: Do I have a problem with it? Without a doubt. I have a huge problem with it. It sticks with me to this day, knowing that people were cheating and knowing I was playing against them, with them, whatever. What really ticks me off is that baseball could have done something about it but didn't.

PD: Please elaborate.

KL: It comes back to the emphasis on home runs, when they came out with the commercial campaign of 'Chicks Dig The Long Ball.' Baseball wanted guys to hit homers because it was good for business. Why do you think certain guys started hitting so many home runs?

PD: As a result, your contributions get overshadowed.

KL: When everybody started talking about the long ball, they forgot about the speed, which was my game. It took my impact from close to the top to middle/bottom. Once they emphasized the long ball, I was looked at as a totally different player.

PD: Word association -- '95 Indians?

KL: Outstanding.

PD: Albert Belle?

KL: Intense.

PD: Carlos Baerga?

KL: Had fun playing the game.

PD: Sandy Alomar Jr.?

KL: Very focused.

PD: Mike Hargrove?

KL: (Chuckle) He had a tough job.

PD: Manny Ramirez?

KL: Great hitter.

PD: Jim Thome?

KL: Very strong.

PD: Joel Skinner?

KL: Very technical.

PD: I thought you would say of Skins: 'Never should have held me at third in Game 7 of 2007 ALCS.'

KL: (Chuckle) I can't hold that against him. He was the one who held me up, but I can't blame him, per se. He needed to make a decision; he just made the wrong decision. It's like when a pitcher should have thrown the fastball but throws a curve and the guy hits a homer. It's not about blame.

PD: How did Pat Listach beat you out for AL Rookie of the Year in 1992?

KL: To this day, I don't know how. I'm still trying to figure that out. But it worked out in the end for me. No disrespect to Pat Listach, but if you would have told me that I'd get Rookie of the Year and have my career end like his, I would have said, 'I don't want Rookie of the Year. You can have it.'

PD: On Aug. 4, 1996, you made what many consider the greatest catch in Jacobs/Progressive Field history, scaling an 8-foot wall in center to bring back a potential two-run homer by B.J. Surhoff of the Orioles. Did you amaze even yourself on that one?

KL: I don't know how I did it, but it happened. I don't think people understand the difficulty involved. It was one of the best catches I made and one of the best I've seen on film.

PD: Any regrets about your career?

KL: Not winning the World Series. I wanted it badly, but it didn't happen. My career still was a lot of fun.

PD: Best player you ever played with?

KL: That's where it gets tough. Performance enhancing is what makes it tough for me to make that call.

PD: What made you the player you were?

KL: Focus, determination, love of the game.

PD: You seemed to play with a chip on your shoulder, as if you had something to prove. Is that accurate?

KL: I'm not sure I wanted to prove the doubters wrong as much as I wanted to let people know that, 'Hey, I'm an athlete, I can play this game.'

PD: How do you want to be remembered as a player?

KL: As a guy who played the game right, played it fair. As a guy who loved the game and respected it.

Cleveland Browns Training Camp update: Day 6 - video

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Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot report on what happened during day six of training camp in Berea. Today, they also discuss quarterbacks Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy.

Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot report on what happened during day six of training camp in Berea. Today, they also discuss quarterbacks Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy.


Cleveland catcher Carlos Santana to have surgery, will be sidelined 4-6 months: Indians Insider

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Santana will undergo surgery on his left knee Friday at Cleveland Clinic after being injured in a collision at the plate Monday in Boston.

carlos santana knee injury.jpgView full sizeIndians catcher Carlos Santana, right, will have surgery after injuring his left knee on this collision with the Red Sox's Ryan Kalish on Monday in Boston.
BOSTON — Carlos Santana and the Indians were made for each other. Rebuilding as they are, few teams could better afford to hit a rookie catcher in the middle of the lineup while he learned the big-league life.

Santana's lessons will have to wait until next year. He'll undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee Friday at Cleveland Clinic to repair a strained lateral collateral ligament in his left knee. Indians head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff said Santana's recovery time will be four to six months.

Dr. Rick Parker will perform the operation.

The switch-hitting Santana was injured in a collision at the plate with Boston left fielder Ryan Kalish in the seventh inning Monday night at Fenway Park.

"Carlos is expected to make a full recovery by the beginning of the 2011 [regular] season," Soloff said.

Soloff said this is not reconstructive surgery, which usually requires six months to a year of recovery time, because most of the damage to Santana's knee appears to be outside the knee. When an athlete suffers a torn anterior cruciate ligament or a posterior cruciate ligament, those injuries take place inside the knee.

Santana's surgery does not require a ligament from a different part of his body to be added to the injured area.

The LCL in Santana's left knee is strained (torn), but Soloff said it should be able to be repaired with existing ligament. He said the surgery is necessary to stabilize the "lateral, or outside aspect, of his left knee."

Santana was hitting .260 (39-for-150) with 23 runs, 13 doubles, six homers and 22 RBI in 46 games with the Indians. He started the year at Class AAA Columbus and hit .316 (62-for-196) with 14 doubles, 13 homers and 51 RBI.

He gone: Third base coach Steve Smith was fined and suspended for two games for his part in Tuesday's benches-clearing melee with the Red Sox. Tribe pitcher Jensen Lewis was fined as well.

jensen lewis.jpgView full sizeIndians reliever Jensen Lewis, right, was fined by the league after he threw a pitch behind Boston's Adrian Beltre on Tuesday, instigating a bench-clearing shoving match.

Boston's Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury were fined. Youkilis, Pedroia, Cameron and Ellsbury came on the field while on the disabled list.

Smith began serving his suspension Thursday.

Bob Watson, MLB's dean of discipline, in a statement said Smith was suspended for his "inappropriate and aggressive actions" during the incident.

The umpire's report, filed by crew chief Tim Welke, singled out Smith for taunting the Red Sox when the initial confrontation had been calmed down. Smith, as he said Tuesday night, has a history of being ejected and fined by MLB.

Acta, who coached third base in Smith's place, called the decision "sad and unfair."

"I think Smitty is being judged on his past, and it's sad," said Acta. "For everything that happened out there with the pictures and videos [of the incident], and you're going to tell me the only guy to get suspended out of that whole thing is Steve Smith? I think it's unfair."

Acta believes managers and coaches aren't treated fairly by MLB when it comes to being disciplined.

"We don't have a right to appeal," he said. "To me, it's unfair. A player can bump an umpire, hit a guy in the head and appeal and continue to play. A coach has no right, not even to be heard.

"You ask coaches to police 25 guys, who are sometimes making 20 times as much as them, to get the speed of the game and the discipline in order. I think the least you can do is treat us fair, treat us the same."

This is not a new argument for Acta.

"I know the answers to all the questions I'm asking," he said. "You're not part of the union. Life is tough, get a helmet. If you don't like your job, quit. It beats asking 'Paper or plastic?' at a grocery story. But it still doesn't make it fair."

Hot corner: Acta coached third for five years with the Mets and Expos. He coached third as well throughout his minor-league managing career.

"I just don't think it's fair to ask anybody who hasn't coached third base in the big leagues to do it here," said Acta. "This is the toughest park in the big leagues to coach third base."

Finally: Anthony Reyes has a sore back and will throw a bullpen session for the Indians today to see if he can resume the rehab assignment. . . . The Indians reclaimed Wes Hodges from the Rockies and optioned him to Columbus. . . . Youkilis will have season-ending surgery on his right thumb today.

Bubba Watson holds first-round lead at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

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Playing his first competitive round on Firestone Country Club's South Course, Watson opens with a 6-under 64. Phil Mickelson and Kenny Perry are close behind after rounds of 66.

bubba-watson.JPGView full sizeBubba Watson shot a 6-under 64 Thursday at holds a two-stroke lead in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

AKRON, Ohio — So much for familiarity and how it figures in the scheme of winning golf tournaments.

Of course, Bubba Watson hasn't won anything this week. But, he gave himself an early leg up on the field Thursday during the opening round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.

Watson and the South Course at Firestone Country Club got to know one another intimately. It's a relationship Watson hopes will last.

Playing his first competitive round on the South Course, Watson opened with a cozy 6-under 64, but he did it in a manner uncharacteristic to his game.

Known as one of the biggest hitters on the PGA Tour -- he is third in driving distance at an average of 306.7 yards per whack -- Watson took a two-shot lead over four others thanks to efficient putting.

The long-hitting left-hander needed just 22 putts -- best on the day in the field of 81 -- and that included a day's best 12 one-putt greens, a statistic that would even make a world putt-putt champion proud.

Phil Mickelson and Kenny Perry, with 76 rounds in WGC events at Firestone between them, are two of the four players looking up the leaderboard at Watson after rounds of 66. The other two are Adam Scott and U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, each of whom are also familiar with the South's approximate 7,400 yards.

Gallery preview

Watson's round contained several benchmarks. It is his lowest first-round score on the PGA Tour this year and the second-lowest opening round of his career, bettered only by a 10-under 62 at the 2009 Bob Hope Classic.

It also was one stroke shy of the low first round at the Bridgestone, a 7-under 63 by Stewart Cink in 2003 and Scott in 2006, and equals the lowest first-round score by a player making their Bridgestone debut, previously accomplished by Stow's Ben Curtis in 2003.

Watson, who earned his first Tour victory at the Travelers Championship in June, had just one bogey and seven birdies, making four in a row at one point. He downplayed his length off the tee in relation to his entire game.

"If you've noticed, I didn't win the long drive last year and I'm not winning it this year," he said. "It doesn't hurt my feelings not to talk about the long ball because I don't try to hit it long. That's just something I do.

"I like to hit driver and I hit it far. I wish everybody talked about how short I hit it and how many wins I've got. But right now we hit it long and we've got one win, so I've got to step up on the W's."

Watson arrived in Akron on Sunday, one day earlier than normal. He played a practice round Monday and said he immediately recognized what was in store.

"I saw it was a tough golf course," he said. "It's tough to make shots around this course. It's a shot-maker's course. I knew it was going to be tough, but today I just putted really well, hit good iron shots and made it look a little bit easy."

No one has won the Bridgestone in his first appearance, other than Tiger Woods in the inaugural in 1999.

Mickelson, trying to replace Woods as the world's top-ranked player and trying to win at Firestone for the first time, got off to a rocky start but shot himself into contention with five birdies over his last nine holes.

Starting his day on the 10th hole, Mickelson equaled his lowest opening-round score in 12 appearances in Akron by shooting 5-under 30 on the front, aided by a chip-in birdie on the sixth hole. His score was one stroke shy of Scott's tournament record 6-under 29 in 2006.

"When that went in, it gave me a nice boost," Mickelson said of his lob shot. "Not only was I able to get it up and down, but I made a nice birdie and was able to get two more coming in."

Woods' disappointing summer continued when he suffered through his worst round ever at Firestone. His 4-over 74 left him tied for 70th and still looking for answers.

One bad inning costs Josh Tomlin, Indians chance to win at Boston, but rookie and team still earn kudos

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UPDATED: Josh Tomlin, even in defeat, shows promise as a starting pitcher. The Indians rookie loses his first big-league game Thursday night because of one bad inning, but makes an impressive recovery.

josh tomlin.jpgView full sizePitcher Josh Tomlin was making just his third start for the Indians on Thursday against the Red Sox in Boston.

Updated at 11:21 p.m.

BOSTON, Mass. — One bad pitch, delivered in one bad inning, made rookie Josh Tomlin a loser for the first time in the big leagues, but it was the way he recovered that caught the attention of Indians manager Manny Acta and pitching coach Tim Belcher.

Tomlin retired 10 straight batters before the game turned left and he turned right Thursday night at Fenway Park. The result was a grand slam by Adrian Beltre as Boston beat the Indians, 6-2, to split the four-game series against the last-place team from the AL Central.

The Red Sox are trying to remain a factor in the postseason race. They are six games out of first place in the AL East and 5 1/2 games out of the wild card. The Indians made them sweat from the first to the last out of the series.

"I'm proud of my guys," said Acta. "Especially coming in here and being able to split against a club as good as the Red Sox."

Marco Scutaro gave Boston its first hit with a one-out single in the fourth after Tomlin (1-1, 2.79 ERA) opened the game with 10 straight outs. Tomlin retired David Ortiz for the second out, but Victor Martinez and J.D. Drew worked him for walks to load the bases.

After a visit from pitching coach Tim Belcher, Beltre sent a 1-0 pitch over The Green Monster for a 4-1 lead. It was Beltre's eighth career slam and fourth homer against the Indians this year. Three of them came in this series.

"I lost it for a few hitters right there," said Tomlin. "Got out of my game a little bit. That's what happens when you walk two people."

Tomlin, pitching out of the stretch for the first time in the game, said he was out of balance a bit after Scutaro's single.

"I just got ahead of myself," said Tomlin. "I was rushing."

Belcher told Tomlin to relax and get ahead of Beltre. It was easier said than done.

"The pitch to Beltre was a fastball in the middle and a little bit up," said Tomlin.

Tomlin recovered nicely. He held the Red Sox to one hit in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. For the night, he allowed four runs on four hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked two.

"I'll tell you what, the kid can pitch," said Belcher. "He's got great focus. You give up a grand slam in Fenway Park and go back out there and pitch as well as he did, that's pretty impressive.

"That's just moxie. He's mentally tough. That's what it takes to stay here and pitch well. I look forward to seeing him do that."

Gallery previewShin-Soo Choo gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a long homer to center with two out in the first off Daisuke Matsuzaka. The ball cleared the 420-foot mark at Fenway's triangle in center field. It was Choo's 14th homer, and it had to travel at least 440 feet.

It was the only run the Indians scored off Matsuzaka (8-3, 3.96) over eight innings. He's 2-0 against the Tribe this season, allowing one run in 16 innings. He's 4-1 in his career against the Indians.

"Dice-K was tough," said Acta. "We're not claiming to be an offensive-machine type of club, but he had good stuff. He was throwing in the low 90s and with the arsenal he has, he was very good tonight."

All of which made for a lonely night for Acta, who coached third base in place of suspended coach Steve Smith. Besides Choo, only one runner reached third base until the ninth inning.

"I've coached third my whole life," he said. "I enjoy it. The only thing I don't like is wearing that stupid helmet."

Boston added two more runs in the eighth on J.D. Drew's bases-loaded single off Frank Herrmann.

The Indians made it 6-2 on Luis Valbuena's single in the ninth. It knocked Hideki Okajima out of the game and forced Boston to use closer Jonathan Papelbon. It was a save situation because the tying run was on deck when he entered the game.

Papelbon struck out Andy Marte but walked Shelley Duncan to load the bases. He earned his 26th save by striking out Trevor Crowe.

The Indians had a chance to win their first season series from Boston since 2006. Instead, they went 4-4.

They missed a chance to win their first series in Boston since 2005. The Indians went 4-3 on the trip through Toronto and Boston.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158


Tiger Woods 10 strokes back after rough first round at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

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Woods, winless so far this year following an off-season marred by extramarital affairs, bogeys the first two holes and stumbles to a 4-over-par 74.

tiger-woods.JPGTiger Woods was smiling after banging a shot off a TV tower on No. 10 Thursday, but his 4-over 74 on the day was his worst ever at Firestone.

AKRON, Ohio — If Tiger Woods was going to shake his inconsistency, it was here, it was now.

No course has been as kind to him. And the fans at Firestone Country Club were ready, in full-on embrace.

"C'mon, Tiger, make it eight!" a fan shouted moments before Woods and Australian Lee Westwood teed off Thursday in the first round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.

Woods, winless so far this year following an off-season marred by extramarital affairs, has owned the place, winning seven times in the past 10 years. He's never finished worse than tied for fifth.

But a clunkier start he couldn't have imagined. Woods stumbled out of the gate with back-to-back bogeys and finished 4-over 74. Only eight of the 80 other golfers were worse. The third-ranked Westwood, paired with Woods for today's second round, finished at 1-over 71.

Woods' driver was inconsistent, failing him left early and then right, leaving him next to or behind trees or in adjacent fairways much of the day.

Entering the tournament, Woods had said his irons and putter were giving him trouble, but his drives had come around. And now this.

Instead of pacing the field, he stumbled to a handful of forgettable firsts:

• First time he'd ever begun a round at Firestone with two bogeys.

• First time he's ever made bogey on the par-5 second hole, historically one of the easier holes on the course. (In 36 rounds, he's totaled 30 under for that hole.)

tiger lady.jpgView full sizeMary Nell Wilshire of Suffolk, Va., also known as the "Tiger Lady," manages to smile Thursday despite Tiger Woods' worst round at the World Golf Championships.

It was the worst round ever here for Woods, who has shot as low as 62. His previous high was 72 in 2003, when he rebounded to finish second.

The round was especially frustrating, Woods said, because he felt good, warmed up well and felt that his practice sessions at home were solid.

"I just didn't get off to a good start, obviously," he said. "I was 2-over through two. Two easy holes, and from then on, I didn't hit any good putts, either. I was struggling on the greens and didn't hit any good iron shots all day today."

At one point, Woods, who scored six bogeys and just one birdie on each nine, managed par when his second shot on the 10th hit a television tower and landed three feet from the green.

All along, fans showed the love as crowds followed the world's struggling top-ranked player like a rock star under the constant hum of the MetLife blimp. Moms and dads pointed Woods out to their kids. Fans tried to walk along the ropes with him. People shouted encouragement.

"Hang in there, Tiger!" a man shouted after Woods missed a 4-foot putt for par on the 14th hole to slip to 5 over.

When Woods finally sank a birdie putt on hole 17, he tipped his cap and, with a half-smile, bowed three times to the cheering crowd.

"He has changed his demeanor. He's not the brat he was," said fan Cherie McClain of Copley, in a black Tiger Woods ball cap. "He didn't smirk if he didn't like his shot. When he walked off, he acknowledged the crowd. He was more mature. I just love seeing that."

"The only thing I did good today," Woods said, "is I kept my patience out there, grinded all day, and that was the best I could have done today."

No more so than when he walked off the course after his round. The lone insulting voice heard while following Woods' round jarred what otherwise had been a club-wide embrace.

"You're washed up, Tiger. Give it up," a 20-something man snapped at him.

Woods just kept walking.

Cleveland Cavaliers assistant GM Lance Blanks hired as Phoenix Suns GM

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The Cavs are expected to look for replacements for both Blanks and Mike Winger, the former team legal counsel and salary-cap specialist who was hired by Oklahoma City last week.

cavaliers logo.jpgView full size

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Despite the fallout over the past month, the Cavaliers' front office must have done at least a few things right over the past five years. Because teams keep hiring their executives away.

The latest was Cavs assistant general manager Lance Blanks, who was hired as the Phoenix Suns' general manager on Thursday. Blanks, who arrived with former GM Danny Ferry from the San Antonio Spurs in 2005, is the second executive to be hired away in the past week.

Team legal counsel and salary-cap specialist Mike Winger was hired by the Oklahoma City Thunder for a higher-level management position last week. Ferry, who resigned in June, interviewed for the Portland Trail Blazers and New Jersey Nets general manager jobs after leaving the Cavs.

Blanks was especially effective in working with players during his time with the Cavs. He was also an integral part of recruiting new coach Byron Scott to the team.

"Lance has been a great person to work with for the last five years," Cavs GM Chris Grant said in a statement. "He has been a key part of a special group that has helped establish a culture of success that our organization can be very proud of and continue to build off of into the future. He deserves this opportunity and we wish Lance the best as he moves on to the Suns."

The Cavs are expected to look for replacements for both Winger and Blanks. One name that they may be interested in is Mark Warkentien, who was let go by the Denver Nuggets at the end of his contract this week.

Warkentien, who was the 2009 Executive of the Year, is a draft specialist who worked with the Trail Blazers and with the Cavs before going to the Nuggets in 2005. With 15 draft picks over the next five years and the intention to acquire more, the Cavs may be interested in hiring a draft expert such as Warkentien.

Warkentien also has been linked to the New York Knicks, who have been considering hiring a general manager to eventually replace team President Donnie Walsh.

Firestone 'rock star' Rickie Fowler on the right track: WGC-Bridgestone Insider

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With his long hair poking out from beneath his golf hat, young Rickie Fowler looks out of place in a PGA Tour locker room. But he does not look out of place on the golf course.

rickie fowler.jpgView full sizeRickie Fowler, 21, is just four strokes off the lead after the first round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.
AKRON, Ohio — He is a rock star among a room full of maestros.

With his long hair poking out from beneath his golf hat, young Rickie Fowler looks out of place in a PGA Tour locker room.

He does not look out of place on the golf course.

The 21-year-old California native made his Firestone debut a successful one Thursday, shooting a 2-under 68 that left him four shots behind leader Bubba Watson.

Fowler is the third-youngest player in the field, behind Ryo Ishikawa (20) and Rory McIlroy (21).

Fowler, who is seeking his first PGA Tour victory, is 14th on the money list with winnings of $2,171,531 this season. He was second at the Memorial and the Phoenix Open and has won in Northeastern Ohio before.

Members of the Country Club of Hudson still talk about his victory there in the Hudson Junior Invitational in 2005 when he shot 68-72-64 -- 204 (12 under).

Mark this: Firestone pro Dave Champagne played as a marker with Henrik Stenson when Robert Allenby withdrew Wednesday with a knee injury. Despite an admitted case of nerves, Champagne shot a respectable 6-over 76. Stenson shot 79.

"My goal was to stay out of his way," Champagne said.

Local touch: Stow's Ben Curtis, a Kent State graduate, received a warm reception on the first tee and finished his first round at 1-under 69.

That equals his best round at Firestone since he opened the 2003 NEC Invitational -- the same year he won the British Open -- with a 6-under 64. His last round of 69 came in the second round last year.

Making the switch: Curtis was one of approximately 10 players in the field using the new Titleist 910 D3 driver. The club is not yet available to the public.

Speaking of Titleist, about 50 percent of the field played the Pro V1 ball, followed by TaylorMade, Callaway, Nike, Srixon and Bridgestone.

Pick 'em up: Members of the Millbury Lake High golf team, whose school was leveled by a tornado that killed seven people in the small town near Toledo in early June, were tournament guests of the Northern Ohio PGA on Wednesday.

The visit to Firestone was just a fraction of what the NOPGA has done for the team since the devastating storm. Two of the players lost their clubs in the tornado, so the NOPGA got them new ones. The team also was outfitted with shirts, slacks and shoes, all from various manufacturers through the NOPGA's urging.

Beware, Bubba: First-round leaders don't have much to write home about, both at Firestone and on the PGA Tour. First-round leaders have won just four times in 11 Bridgestone events and only seven times in 32 stroke-play events on the Tour this year.

Looking ahead: Kenny Perry, who turns 50 on Tuesday, is tied for second with Phil Mickelson after shooting a 4-under 66. It marked the third time he's shot 66 at Firestone, but it was his best opening round in eight starts on the South Course.

Faces in the crowd: Akron women's basketball coach Jodi Kest, a 12-handicap. Before basketball and recruiting stole so much of her time, she was shooting as low as a 10. "But that was years ago," said the 2009-10 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year and Mayfield High grad. Her Akron contract provides a Rosemont Country Club membership, although Kest said her golfing is limited to May and June. . . . Also, Akron softball coach Julie Jones was in attendance.

Plain Dealer reporter Bill Lubinger contributed to this report.

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

Quinn Pitcock comes back from depression and addiction

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Former Ohio State lineman Quinn Pitcock has returned to football. Two years ago, as he headed for training camp with the Indianapolis Colts, Pitcock made a sudden decision. He decided to quit football. Pitcock, a third-round choice of the Colts, quit in only his second year. Pitcock went into depression and became a hermit for a year. In a SeattlePI.com...


quinnp.jpgFormer Ohio State lineman Quinn Pitcock has returned to the NFL.

Former Ohio State lineman Quinn Pitcock has returned to football. Two years ago, as he headed for training camp with the Indianapolis Colts, Pitcock made a sudden decision. He decided to quit football.


Pitcock, a third-round choice of the Colts, quit in only his second year. Pitcock went into depression and became a hermit for a year.


In a SeattlePI.com story, Pitcock also developed a peculiar addiction. He did nothing but play video games.




"I got sucked into that," said the 26-year-old. "I'm going to be working soon starting some sort of charity to help kids who are addicted to video games because that turned into my way out and I got lost to the world. It took me awhile to get myself back and get my bearings and get back into society.


"You always say, 'I'm fine, I'm fine.' Then finally you just have an awakening where you say, 'What am I doing?' I got to the point where I broke and burned many video games trying to quit. That was my outing. Once I got rid of that and realized I could slowly start eating healthy, exercising and doing all that, I got back on track."


Pitcock received help from the NFL Players Association through counseling and treatment for depression and anxiety. He continues to make his way back.




"A lot of athletes do deal with depression and anxiety and a lot of issues that don't get covered as much," Pitcock said. "Being alpha males and being the strong type, you try not to show your weaknesses.



 

Roger Goodell mulls penalties for gun-toting Cleveland Browns; what would you do? Poll

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What if you could decide what punshiment -- if any -- the NFL will dole out to gun-toting linemen Shaun Rogers and Robaire Smith.

mike-holmgren-roger-goodell-john-kuntz.jpgView full sizeBrowns President Mike Holmgren, left, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell get some quality time together during the commissioner's visit to Browns camp on Thursday.
Cleveland, Ohio -- O.A. "Bum" Phillips, the colorful former coach of the Houston Oilers and the New Orleans Saints, used to say, "There's two kinds of coaches in the NFL: Them that's been fired, and them that's gonna git fired."

To paraphrase ol' Bum, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might say this about Browns defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Robaire Smith, both facing league punishment for gun incidents:  "There's two kinds of Browns defensive linemen: Them what's been disciplined and them that's gonna GIT disciplined."

Goodell was in town Thursday and told media and fans that the cases were still under review by his office. Rogers was arrested -- appropriately enough -- on April Fool's Day for having a loaded handgun in his carry-on luggage at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Smith was busted for a similar incident at Bishop Airport in Flint, Mich., in November 2009.

Rogers entered a diversion program that will see the federal charges dismissed. The case against Smith, filed last month, is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Both players said they "forgot" about having the weapons in their luggage. Goodell and the league are likely to give 'em some good reminders. Let's pretend, though, that YOU are the NFL commissioner. What would you do to ensure the two players see the error of their ways?


Cleveland Browns: T.J. Ward; Roger Goodell visits

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Cleveland Browns rookie T.J. Ward will have a height disadvantage when he goes against tight end Kellen Winslow when the Browns host the Tampa Bay Bucs in the season opener. Overcoming a height disadvantage is nothing new to the 5-10 Ward, but he won't let that slow him down . Reporter Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald writes how the coaching...

wardmug.jpgCleveland Browns rookie T.J. Ward.

Cleveland Browns rookie T.J. Ward will have a height disadvantage when he goes against tight end Kellen Winslow when the Browns host the Tampa Bay Bucs in the season opener.

Overcoming a height disadvantage is nothing new to the 5-10 Ward, but he won't let that slow him down .

Reporter Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald writes how the coaching staff has faith in Ward, because he has been lining up with the first-team defense next to veteran safety Abe Elam from the beginning.

"I'm quicker than them, so I have to use that to my advantage," Ward said after practice Thursday. "Just because they're that much taller doesn't mean they can jump that much higher. I can jump higher, but I'm shorter. I have to play their hands. Even if they catch it, I have to rip it out when they're coming down."

Ward, picked 38th overall in the draft, is one of the most active and visible players in training camp. Some of that visibility has been good, some of it not so good.

Once during camp, Ward stripped the ball away from Jerome Harrison.  Then there are the not so good plays. There was the easy touchdown catch tight end Robert Royal got on Ward.

During practice Thursday, the offense used a flea flicker. Delhomme took the snap and handed the ball to the running back, who took a step forward then turned and flipped the ball back to Delhomme. Ward took two or three steps toward the line to defend the run. By then Brian Robiskie was running by him. Robiskie dropped the pass, but that was no solace for Ward.

 

Visit

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell visited Cleveland Browns training camp on Thursday. He answered questions from the media, players and fans. Here's Tony Grossi's story on the visit.

Here's the transcript from Goodell's visit.

Garfield Heights basketball standout Trey Lewis headed to Penn State University

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Lewis chose the Nittany Lions over St. Bonaventure, Dayton, Akron, Bucknell, Cleveland State and Duquesne.

lewis.jpgGarfield Heights guard Trey Lewis is coming off a junior season in which he averaged 21 points and seven assists.

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio - Garfield Heights guard Trey Lewis has made an oral commitment to attend Penn State.


Lewis, who can play either guard position, chose the Nittany Lions over St. Bonaventure, Dayton, Akron, Bucknell, Cleveland State and Duquesne.


The 6-0 senior averaged about 21 points and seven assists last season.


Ohio State Comment of the Day: OK with Indianapolis

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"Predictable but good move, at least for the first year. Indy will be a great site. Sure, I'd like to see it at Lambeau or Cleveland Browns Stadium, but if it works out at Lucas Oil Stadium and the teams and fans all have a great experience, stick with it." - ScriptOhio02

lucas-oil-stadium.jpgView full sizeIndianapollis' Lucas Oil Stadium will host the first Big Ten Championship football game.

In response to the story First Big Ten football title game will be played in Indianapolis: Ohio State Insider, cleveland.com reader ScriptOhio02 can live with Indianapolis as the game's host city. This reader writes,

"Predictable but good move, at least for the first year. Indy will be a great site. Sure, I'd like to see it at Lambeau or Cleveland Browns Stadium, but if it works out at Lucas Oil Stadium and the teams and fans all have a great experience, stick with it."

To respond to ScriptOhio02's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Beanie Wells is Akron's newest king?

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Now that LeBron James has become one of the biggest villains in Ohio, reporter Jacob May of azdailysun.com writes how Beanie Wells is next in line to become No. 1 among fans in Akron. But no matter how much LeBron is despised in Cleveland, many fans in Akron will stay loyal to the king. Maybe. "I'll take that reign,"...

wellshorizmf.jpgFormer Ohio State running back Chris Wells.

Now that LeBron James has become one of the biggest villains in Ohio, reporter Jacob May of azdailysun.com writes how Beanie Wells is next in line to become No. 1 among fans in Akron.

But no matter how much LeBron is despised in Cleveland, many fans in Akron will stay loyal to the king.

Maybe.

"I'll take that reign," Wells joked. "When I go home, I officially put on the crown of the king."

Both are from the same neighborhood, Wells said, and have known each other for quite some time.

"Not a lot of people make it out of little ol' Akron," he said.

 Wells, a former Ohio State star, has not lived up to his potential so far since he joined the Arizona Cardinals as the team's first-round pick in 2009. Wells rushed for 793 yards and seven touchdowns last season. With more time and more carries, Wells will be even better.

 

Cavaliers Comment of the Day: Sign-and-trade wasn't an option for Shaq

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"Shaq had to take the only offer out there and the Celtics held all the cards and dictated the terms. There is no way the Celtics were going to give up anything of value to sign him." - Running_On_Empty

Shaquille O'NealView full sizeThere was very little interest around the NBA for free agent center Shaquille O'Neal.

In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers assistant GM Lance Blanks hired as Phoenix Suns GM, cleveland.com reader Running_On_Empty doesn't see any way the Cavaliers could have worked out a sign-and-trade involving Shaquille O'Neal. This reader writes,

"Shaq had to take the only offer out there and the Celtics held all the cards and dictated the terms. There is no way the Celtics were going to give up anything of value to sign him."

To respond to Running_On_Empty's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Ohio State ranked No. 2 in preseason coaches poll, Alabama No. 1

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Ohio State is ranked in the top 10 in a preseason poll for the eighth straight year.


Ohio State is back in familiar territory, ranked No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll released today.

This is the eighth year in a row the Buckeyes are ranked in the top 10 in at least one major preseason poll, and the fourth time in the last eight they are ranked in the top five.

Ohio State earned the four first-place votes that didn't go to No. 1 Alabama, which had 55 first-place votes.

The Big Ten has four teams ranked in the top 14, with Iowa at No. 10, Wisconsin at No. 12 and Penn State at No. 14.

In 2003, the Buckeyes were No. 2 in both the coaches poll and AP poll; in 2004, they were No. 9 in both polls; in 2005, they were No. 9 in the coaches and No. 6 in the AP; in 2006, they were No. 1 in the both polls; in 2007, they were No. 10 in the coaches and No. 11 in the AP; in 2008, they were No. 3 in the coaches and No. 2 in the AP; and last year they were No. 6 in both polls.

Ohio State beats Oregon, 26-17, in the Rose BowlThe Buckeyes celebrated their Rose Bowl win over Oregon and parlayed that victory into a No. 2 ranking in the coaches preseason poll.

The coaches poll makes up 33 percent of the BCS rankings, and the poll typically doesn't shuffle teams much until they lose. So a high early ranking goes a long way in the national title race.

The Buckeyes have four teams on their schedule that are ranked in the top 14, with a week two matchup with No. 13 Miami joining the conference games against the Hawkeyes, Badgers and Nittany Lions.

The AP poll will be released on Aug. 21.  

Here are the full rankings:


 1. Alabama
 2. Ohio State
 3. Florida
 4. Texas
 5. Boise State
 6. Virginia Tech
 7. TCU
 8. Oklahoma
 9. Nebraska
 10. Iowa
 11. Oregon
 12. Wisconsin
 13. Miami
 14. Penn State
 15. Pitt
 16. LSU
 17. Georgia Tech
 18. North Carolina
 19. Arkansas
 20. Florida State
 21. Georgia
 22. Oregon State
 23. Auburn
 24. Utah
 24. West Virginia

 

Browns' Shaun Rogers, Robaire Smith should expect one-game suspensions, Tony Grossi says (Starting Blocks TV)

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PD Browns reporter also answers fan questions about No. 1 receivers, the Kamerion Wimbley trade and Leroy Kelly.


shaun-rogers.jpgBrowns defensive lineman Shaun Rogers: Tony Grossi predicts a one-game suspension from the NFL.

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright. On to the highlights:


• If you were NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, how much of a suspension, if any, would you give Browns Shaun Rogers and Robaire Smith? Both were found carrying guns in their luggage at an airport, and Goodell said Thursday the league is still considering its next move. What would you do? Vote in the Starting Blocks poll now posted in the blog.


Today's guest, Plain Dealer Browns beat reporter Tony Grossi, says he expects both players to receive a one-game suspension from the NFL.


Also, Tony answers fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature. He discusses why rookies can participate in OTAs without a contract; about what it means to be a No. 1 receiver; and Browns Hall of Famer Leroy Kelly.


Ask Tony a question. It may be selected for next Friday's edition of SBTV.


SBTV will return Monday morning with Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot as the guest.












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