SBTV hosts Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough debate the issue and the reader reaction in the wake of Jim Brown's decision to boycott the Sept. 19 Browns Ring of Honor ceremony.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter,
The Plain DealerJim Brown and Mike Holmgren appeared a bit friendlier in a January 2010 meeting.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Jim Brown's refusal to participate in the Sept. 19 Ring of Honor ceremony over what the Browns legend feels is a slap in the face by President Mike Holmgren is bound to trigger a flurry of arguments.

Holmgren wanted Brown to take a $100,000 position with the team that the legendary running back said turned him into "a mascot" rather than the "executive adviser" to owner Randy Lerner. Brown balked, in the form of a letter to Holmgren that has raised tempers on both sides, according to a report from Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi.

Online comments on stories like Grossi's and a piece from PD columnist Bill Livingston, and polls about the exchange and Brown's decision are numbering in the hundreds, if not thousands. In a cleveland.com poll, 90 percent of the voters disagreed with Brown's choice to boycott the ceremony. Some called it a shot at the organization.

But there is another side, those who feel that Brown was sticking to the principles by which he's lived his entire life. He's his own man, makes his own decisions and lives with the consequences.

Starting Blocks hosts Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough argue the opposing sides in this special edition of Starting Blocks TV.

We encourage you to add your voice to this debate.

Browns linebacker David Bowens thinks the team might cut him Saturday in the final trim to 53.

Browns linebacker David Bowens isn't sure he'll make the final roster on Saturday.

CLEVELAND -- Browns linebacker David Bowens, who sparked the defense over the last half of 2009, thinks he might get cut on Saturday in the final trim to 53.

"I'm uncertain,'' he said. "Sometimes you get a sense of what's going on by what you're doing. I mean, in eight years I don't think I've played in the fourth quarter.''

Bowens, a 12-year veteran, was referring to the fact that the Browns had him on the field in Detroit all the way into the fourth quarter, when most of the backups were playing. He admitted it was tough to take.

"Yes, considering what I've done and what I've tried to do for this team and my teammates,'' he said. "It was surprising. But I went out there and did it. I'm never going to cry about anything.''

Bowens said he still wants to play and if the Browns cut him "I'll have to look at other options.''

Over the final eight games of last season, after Eric Barton and D'Qwell Jackson went down with injuries, Bowens moved inside, made the defensive calls and played some of the best ball of his career. He made 38 tackles, five sacks (second on the team overall), forced one fumble and intercepted a pass.

"I feel like I still have a lot of football left in me,'' he said.

Randy Lerner weighs in on the Jim Brown decision to boycott the Ring of Honor ceremony. (We wish.)

View full sizeAP Browns owner Randy Lerner gets a little consulting advice from Hall of Famer Jim Brown during the 2009 preseason.

The Browns waived four players and placed one on injured reserve one i

Gerard Lawson was among four players cut by the Browns.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns made five moves today to get down to the roster limit of 75, cutting four players and placing one on injured reserve.

Waived were: defensive John Bowie, wide receiver Taurus Johnson, defensive back Gerard Lawson and offensive John Malecki. Lawson recently pleaded no contest to a D.U.I.

Also, defensive lineman Titus Adams was placed on injured reserve with a leg injury.

Jim Brown is angry at the Browns, and that's not about to change.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerRandy Lerner has cultivated a relationship with Hall of Famer Jim Brown ever since taking over the team following Al Lerner's death. But Brown's bizarre spat with Mike Holmgren could sever the team's ties with its greatest player, says Terry Pluto.

• Starting Blocks debate | What should Lerner do? (poll)
• Jim Brown, right or wrong? (poll) | Livingston on dispute

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In 1999, Jim Brown was convicted of vandalizing his wife's car. He also was charged with "making" terrorist threats to her, a charge later dropped.

The court gave Brown the option of doing community service and receiving counseling, rather than doing jail time. He refused, taking the six-month jail sentence, released after four months. While in jail, he went on a hunger strike for two weeks.

That was in 2002, when he was 66 years old.

Wise or not, Jim Brown did it his way.

As Mike Freeman wrote in 2002 in the New York Times: "He said he chose jail instead of complying with probation requests because the judge's sentencing 'was wrong, mean-spirited and not justice ... They offered me three deals ... and I refused.'"

Last Friday, I wrote that Browns owner Randy Lerner should arrange a meeting with team president Mike Holmgren and Brown, hoping to find a way in which Brown joins the other Hall of Famers at the team's Ring of Honor ceremony on Sept. 19 at Browns Stadium.

It's still a decent idea, but it's doubtful anything will change -- even if Lerner actually had the boldness and strong will needed to bring these two men together.

Brown's letter to Holmgren explains why there is a break between the two men. The Hall of Famer did the Browns a huge favor by leaking the letter to the media, because it's a window into why the Browns have decided to back away from their former star.

It oozes the same anger that Brown has shown dating back to the 1950s and 1960s, when he was the NFL's greatest running back. Brown experienced Jim Crow's racism in his early youth in St. Simmons, Ga. He later felt it in the 1950s, being barred from some hotels and restaurants.

Ever since then, he's viewed the world as black and white. His letter with highly-charged racial terms tries to transform his break with the Browns in those terms.

One problem is Paul Warfield, his former teammate who left his advisory position with the Browns this spring, partly to deal with some illness in his family. The Browns have offered Warfield the chance to come back at any time.

It's sad that it must be pointed out that Warfield is black. Or that Brown dismissed Warfield in his letter, refusing to name him, "One [at the Ring of Honor press conference] made the statement that he was overwhelmed to be honored, and the other started talking about a subject that was highly important, and that was the pension plan ..."

Brown then named Joe DeLamielleure, who has been pushing for the worthy cause of more medical and retirement benefits for former players. But he ignored that fact that DeLamielleure gushed about being honored, and was excited that his eight grandchildren would be at the ceremony.

If Jim Brown really wanted to point the spotlight on former players, a great way would be at a press conference with several former Browns at the Ring of Honor weekend when the media is focused on them.

The weekend also would be a tremendous opportunity for Brown to connect with former teammates Mike McCormack, Leroy Kelly, Bobby Mitchell and Warfield. None of them are getting any younger.

As for the fans, Brown never mentions them in his letter. Make of that what you will.

The Ring of Honor is for the fans and the former players. The team should have done this years ago.

Brown could have taken the moral high road by saying, "I don't agree with how the Browns are treating me, but I am here for my teammates, the fans and to say the NFL and the union must do a better job to taking care of the men who played the game and are now hurting physically and emotionally."

By turning that down, Brown may believe it's a principled stand, but it actually comes off a bit selfish.

He is upset that he no longer has the title of "executive advisor" with the team. In the last several years, he was paid between $250,000 and $500,000 annually to hang around with Randy Lerner and sometimes talk to the players at the request of the coaches.

Holmgren offered him $100,000 for a lesser role in the organization, "to be controlled by you," as Brown wrote in the letter to Holmgren.

The fact is that when you work for someone, you are controlled by them -- at least to some extent. That's why they pay you. It's very hard to find any sympathy with Brown's hints of mistreatment by the team.

It's Brown's right to refuse the new position. It's his decision to skip the Ring of Honor ceremony. But it's dead wrong to claim Holmgren said anything approaching "One monkey don't stop the show" at the Ring of Honor press conference.

It's bizarre that Brown concluded, "So let me end with a little humor, because as you say, one monkey don't stop the show, and as I say 'Willie Lynch missed a few of us', and there will be no Buck Dancing."

No one is trying to hurt Jim Brown or make him dance to their tune. They actually want to honor him -- perhaps one last time, but it's doubtful he'll ever see it that way.

In 2002, Brown elected to go to jail rather than counseling. He would rather be locked up in a cell of his own emotions, wounds and rage. In many ways on an emotional level, he is doing the same thing again.

Cleveland wrestling icon Dick Bonacci and five others from around the state will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Sept. 12, in Columbus.

Allison Carey / PDFormer CSU wrestling coach Dick Bonacci heads a six-man class entering the Ohio chapter of the Wrestling Hall of Fame.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The name Dick Bonacci and "Hall of Fame" are starting to go together quite often.

The Former Cleveland State wrestling coach, who was also a successful high school and college wrestler, will be part of the inaugural class of inductees into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Ohio Chapter, Sept 12, in Columbus.

This will mark his fifth HOF induction, but Bonacci noted "this will be the first national one."

Bonacci will be honored along with Chris Ford (Ohio State), Jim Humphrey (Ohio State), Harry Houska (Ohio), Richard "Doc" Leffler (St. Francis deSales HS) and George Kovalick (Bridgeport HS) in the initial class. Bonacci was familiar with all of them and was a college teammate of Leffler with the Toledo Rockets.

Bonacci is most known for the eight All-Americans he coached, the string of sending wrestlers to 34 straight NCAA Championships, and for winning 296 dual matches while coaching at Cleveland State. Included in those wins is one of which Bonacci is especially proud, a 29-17 upset of No. 7 Oklahoma in 1978.

"We wrestled Oklahoma down in the old arena because the demand for tickets was so great," Bonacci said. "There was a basketball game before us, then they put us on as the feature. That year was probably the best. It has been a great career."

According to a release, when Bonacci arrived at Fenn College to coach in 1962 he revived a wrestling program that had been dormant for almost 30 years. He then was part of the change over to Cleveland State. In his 36 seasons at CSU, he compiled a 296-177-9 record that featured 31 winning seasons. The Vikings posted winning records in 19 consecutive seasons from 1964-65 through 1980-81.

Bonacci, who lives in Rocky River, began his wrestling career at Cleveland's West High where he was undefeated on the mat. "I was 60-0," he said. "We didn't wrestle in as many matches then as they do now."

A three-time state champion in three weight classes, Bonacci was part of a highly successful West High team under coach Harold Kester.

"In 1951 we had six state champions out of 10 weights. For 59 years they didn't break that record," a proud Bonacci said. "That was 10 weights, one division; now they have 14 weights in three divisions. Says a lot for the coach we had. I just repeated everything he taught me."

Bonacci has also been inducted into the CSU Athletic Hall of Fame, the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Toledo Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.

The other inductees are:

Chris Ford -- Successful high school coach at Huron High, and later at Ashland University. Also coached 10 years at Ohio State where he produced a national champion and several All-Americans.

Harry Houska -- A state wrestling champion at Parma High, a NCAA wrestling champion, 191 pounds, at Ohio State, and successful head coach at Ohio University.

Jim Humphrey -- A 1972 All-American and Big Ten champion at Ohio State went on to become U.S. Olympic (freestyle) wrestling head coach.

George Kovalick -- Considered the father of high school wrestling in the Ohio Valley, where he led Bridgeport High to a 1959 state title. The only team in Southeast Ohio to ever win a state title when there was only one division in the state.

Richard "Doc" Leffler -- guided Toledo St. Francis to state titles in 1964 and 1967.

-- Reporter Pat Galbincea also contributed to this story.

Maple Heights wins season-opener despite Washington sidelined most of game with knee inury.

View full sizeLonnie Timmons III/The Plain DealerShaq Washington expects to return to the field soon after suffering a knee bone bruise in Week 1.

Editor's note: Maple Heights quarterback Shaq Washington is taking readers inside his team’s huddle by writing a blog for cleveland.com throughout the 2010 football season.

Last Friday my team came out victorious to start the season 1-0.

We were very excited our team overcame great adversity and came together as a team to beat Nordonia, 26-14.

I unfortunately got injured early in the second quarter and was sidelined the rest of the game. I suffered a bone bruise on my knee and should be back shortly. I'm very thankful the injury was nothing serious.

This Thursday we will play against Normandy. We have been preparing very strong for this game just like the last one. We have the fire power all-around to be able to win this game so all we have to do is let it loose and we should be victorious by the end of the night Thursday.

KSU's Doug Martin wants his veteran team to look and play the part when Kent opens its season Thursday against Murray State.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerA team with a number of returning lettermen has Kent State football coach Doug Martin optimistic entering Thursday's home opener against Murray State.

THIS WEEK'S MAC GAMES
Thursday: Kent State vs. Murray State, 7; C. Michigan vs. Hampton, 7; Buffalo vs. Rhode Island, 7; Ball State vs. SE Missouri St., 7 ; N. Illinois at Iowa State, 8
Friday: Temple vs. Villanova, 5; Toledo vs. Arizona, 8, ESPN
Saturday: Akron vs. Syracuse, 6; Miami (Ohio) at Florida, noon, ESPN; W. Michigan at Michigan State, noon, ESPN2; E. Michigan vs. Army, 7; Ohio vs. Wofford, 7; Bowling Green at Troy, 7

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The key word around Kent State football is experience. Head coach Doug Martin wants his veteran team to look and play the part when Kent opens its season Thursday, 7 p.m. against Murray State at Dix Stadium.

"There is a lot of excitement about this football team. Now it is up to us to go out and prove we are worthy," Martin said.

Expectations for a winning season shines the spotlight on an offense that has plenty of returning players including quarterback Spencer Keith, tailback Eugene Jarvis and wide receiver Tyshon Goode. But it is also an offense that has been long on highlight-type plays, but short on overall points.

Martin expects that to change this season.

"The offensive side is where the experience needs to show," he said. "We've shown a lot of improvement in spring and fall, particularly at the wide receiver position. That alone will help us be a better football team."

Calling the defense: Toledo and defense did not go together last season as the Rockets allowed a whopping 407 yards and 37 points per game, ranked 12th in the league in turnovers, eighth in pass defense and eighth in run defense. None of this set well with head coach Tim Beckman, who arrived at UT with the reputation of a defensive maven while an assistant at Oklahoma State, Ohio State and Bowling Green.

"We've got to continue to strive to tackle better, and to be around the football better," Beckman said. "But [after] a year around the system, you can see us mature as a defensive unit. We look forward to showing we are a much better defense."

Top billing: Syracuse may have been 4-8 last season, but Akron's first-year head coach Rob Ianello sees "an excellent football team" coming into InfoCision Stadium at 6 p.m. on Saturday to take on the Zips in their season opener. Syracuse certainly has the chance to open the season strong as games against Maine and Colgate round out September's schedule after a road date at Washington.

Leading the Orangemen is tailback Delone Carter. The senior product from Copley has rushed for 1,871 yards in his career, including 170 yards on 30 carries in Syracuse's 28-14 win last season over the Zips.

"Anybody who plays Syracuse will have to account for Delone Carter," Ianello said.

Unsettled at QB: Coach Frank Solich makes it clear that Ohio will be playing two and possibly three quarterbacks this season, and at least through the first few weeks.

"We have named a starter [for Saturday's opener vs. Wofford) but we have not announced it, and that will likely be the case throughout the year," Solich said. "I'm not one to generally do that type of thing, but it probably makes sense for us, the way we want to handle the quarterback situation this year.

"We've got guys that have specific abilities. Phil [Bates] is by far the best rusher we've got at the quarterback spot. Boo [Jackson], when he's scrambling, has a knack for finding guys in the open field.

"Tyler Tettleton has had an excellent spring, and an excellent fall camp, so they all bring something a little different to the table. It probably makes sense for us not to announce it ahead of time to allow preparation for a specific style of quarterback."

If Justin Masterson keeps pitching like he did Tuesday night, he could keep his spot in the Indians' rotation for 2011.

UPDATED: 11:21 p.m.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerWorking into the eighth inning and allowing just one run to the Chicago White Sox, Justin Masterson made another strong pitch toward keeping his starter's role in 2011 on Tuesday night. "Going into next year, I think I'm a starter," said Masterson. "We've put together some good ones."

• Manny Ramirez joins the White Sox

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Last week, Justin Masterson said he felt as if he'd done enough to be considered a starter for next season. Tuesday night he pitched like it.

There is much debate about Masterson. Is he a starter or reliever? Boston reportedly tried to reacquire him just before the July 31 trade deadline to make him a set-up man again.

Tuesday night he was all starter. Hard-luck starter, true, as A.J. Pierzynski hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning off Frank Herrmann to give the White Sox a 4-3 victory over the Indians.

While Masterson was in the game, however, he was large and in charge. He and Chicago right-hander Edwin Jackson were a sight to behold.

Masterson took a 1-0 lead into the eighth inning. He walked Mark Kotsay to start the inning. Brent Lillbridge pinch ran and went to second on Alexei Ramirez's sacrifice bunt. Mark Teahen singled to center to make it 1-1. When Masterson walked Juan Pierre, he was done.

Jackson (3-0, 4.37) kept pitching. He struck out 11 and was one strike away from his second complete game of the season when the Indians staged a rally that almost matched Pierzynski's tie-breaking blast. Jason Donald hit a two-run single to make it 4-3 and end Jackson's night. Closer Bobby Jenks relieved and pinch-hitter Matt LaPorta singled.

The rally ended when Michael Brantley bounced back to Jenks for the final out and Jenks' 25th save. Jackson allowed three runs on seven hits. He walked one and threw 129 pitches. It's the second-most pitches he's thrown this season. He threw 149 on June 25 when he no-hit Tampa Bay while pitching for Arizona.

"I'm extremely proud of these guys," said manager Manny Acta. "We're facing a team that was in first place and is battling for the division. We've got six kids playing for the first time in the big leagues and we just continue to put up a fight."

The fight reached the final round in the ninth. Joe Smith (1-2) started the inning by walking Alex Rios. He struck out Paul Konerko, but walked Carlos Quentin. With Pierzynski waiting at the plate, and Manny Ramirez on deck to pinch hit, Acta didn't have a lefty to counter Pierzynski.

He had used Tony Sipp earlier in the game. Rafael Perez was unavailable after throwing 27 pitches in the 11th inning Monday and 41 pitches Saturday.

In came the right-handed Herrmann. Lefties are hitting .329 (24-for-73) against him and Pierzynski showed why. He hit Herrmann's 0-1 pitch over the right-field wall for a 4-1 lead. It was the fourth homer Herrmann has allowed to a left-hander this season.

"I was ahead 0-1 and tried to throw a slider in the dirt," said Herrmann. "I left it up and he made me pay."

Masterson allowed one run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two in 102 pitches.

"It was an outstanding effort by Masterson," said Acta. "Especially with the state our bullpen is in. He really went deep and saved us."

This was one of those nights where Masterson showed that the Indians' commitment to start him this season was not in vain. He's allowed three runs in 13 2/3 innings over his last two starts. This is how he pitched against Boston on June 9 and Aug. 4. He did the same thing against the Yankees on May 30 in the Bronx and against Toronto on July 1.

"Nights like tonight keep a lot of people thinking he could be a pretty good starter," said Acta. "He hasn't had the great year, but he's had a few games like this."

Masterson is 5-12 with a 5.04 ERA.

"Going into next year, I think I'm a starter," said Masterson. "We've put together some good ones. We've shown when we repeat ourselves we can throw strikes and keep us in the ballgame."

Shelley Duncan's leadoff homer in the seventh gave the Tribe a 1-0 lead.

"The way Justin was throwing I was hoping that would be enough," said Duncan. "But Jackson was filthy. He was throwing 98 mph fastball with a filthy slider."

The Indians have walked more batters than any team in the AL. Masterson's leadoff walk in the eighth and Smith's two walks in the ninth showed how painful they can be.

"We doomed ourselves with the walks," said Acta.

The Indians ended August with a 10-18 record. They have lost 16 of their last 22 games.

Two-time NOPGA champ Trivisonno has 3-shot lead entering Wednesday's final round.

WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Two-time champion Gary Trivisonno and Brad Apple each shot a course-record 6-under 65 at Lakewood Country Club on Tuesday and are at the top of the leaderboard of the Northern Ohio PGA Professional Championship heading into Wednesday's final 18 holes.

Trivisonno, seeking a third section title, is in first place with a 36-hole total of 7-under 135, good for a three-shot lead. Apple, seeking a first championship, is second at 4-under 138.

Trivisonno, who won this event in 1990 and 1996, can become the fifth three-time winner in the 37-year history of the tournament. Affiliated with the Strongsville Golf Range, Trivisonno was bogey-free on Tuesday while Apple, the pro at Belmont Country Club, had eight birdies and two bogeys.

Their rounds stand as the course record after Lakewood installed six new tees in 2008. The record for the old course was 63, shot by R.H. Sikes while winning the 1966 Cleveland Open and later equaled by Lakewood pro Tom Waitrovich.

Inverness Golf Club's Jaysen Hansen, the NOPGA's Player of the Year in 2009, Pepper Pike Club pro Rob Moss and 2007 champ Todd Lancaster, of Westwood Country Club, are tied for third at 3 under.

The top eight finishers will qualify for the 2011 PGA Professional National Championship, to be held at the Hershey (Pa.) Country Club in June.

Manny Ramirez, master of the unexpected, is back in the American League with the White Sox.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerManny Ramirez stretched with his new White Sox teammates Tuesday afternoon at Progressive Field, but did not play against the Indians in Chicago's 4-3 win.

INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: In the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game, Luis Valbuena was at second base representing the winning run with no outs. Andy Marte was at the plate against White Sox closer Bobby Jenks.
Jenks had just allowed three runs to tie the score, 6-6, but he retired Marte, Jason Donald and pinch-hitter Trevor Crowe on ground balls to escape. Why didn’t Manny Acta have Marte move Valbuena to third with a sacrifice bunt?
“In that situation, what you need to weigh is whose hands are you going to take the bat out of [to bunt]?“ said Acta. “Marte was the best hitter out of the three guys who were going to hit there.
“I’m not going to have Marte bunt there when I don’t think he’s ever bunted in his life. ... Marte could have been the hero and he wasn’t. It’s as simple as that.”
The White Sox eventually won the game, 10-6, in 11 innings. Marte has eight sac bunts in 278 games, including seven in 2008.

Arbo men: Among the Indians who will be eligible for arbitration this winter are Shin-Soo Choo, Asdrubal Cabrera, Rafael Perez, Marte, Anthony Reyes and Joe Smith. There’s a chance that Chris Perez will be eligible as a super-two player.
Perez will have two years and 136 days of big-league service time. Every year the top 17 percent of the players who have fewer than three years’ big-league service time, but more than two, are eligible for arbitration.

Stat of the day: Chris Perez entered Tuesday’s game having allowed two earned runs in his last 24 1/3 innings.
— Paul Hoynes

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Maybe it's the room.

In October, Bobby Valentine met with reporters after interviewing to be the Indians' manager. For about 40 minutes, Valentine conducted a strange give-and-take with the media. At one point, he said he'd like the job. At another, he said he wasn't sure if he wanted it.

Valentine didn't get the job.

On Tuesday, Manny Ramirez, wearing sunglasses tinted dark red with white frames, his dreadlocks wrapped in a pony tail that trailed down the back of his neck, came into the same interview room at Progressive Field to meet the press after joining the White Sox. Ramirez, 38, was born in the Dominican Republic, but has lived in the United States since he was 13.

He's a U.S. citizen and speaks English well, but Tuesday he spoke only Spanish through interpreter Joey Cora, Chicago's bench coach.

When ESPN's Pedro Gomez asked Ramirez why he was speaking Spanish when he'd talked to reporters in English for years, Ramirez said, "I feel more comfortable with Spanish. I understand, but I want to make sure."

Manager Ozzie Guillen said he just wanted Manny to be Manny. Now he's got him.

Ramirez, who didn't play Tuesday, is expected to start against the Indians in Wednesday's 12:05 p.m. game. Tuesday was the first time Ramirez has talked to reporters since spring training. He talked to the Dodgers' writers early in camp and then closed his mouth.

When asked if he has been told to cut his dreadlocks to conform with to the White Sox's dress code, Ramirez said, "I'm just worried about playing baseball. I'm not worried about hair or nothing."

Ramirez started his career with the Indians where he hit 236 of his 554 homers.

"I'm happy to be in Cleveland again," said Ramirez. "I've got a lot of friends here."

Ramirez hit .311 (61-for-196) with 15 doubles, eight homers and 40 RBI in 66 games for the Dodgers this year. His tenure with his last two teams, the Dodgers and Red Sox, did not end well. The Red Sox felt Ramirez quit on them in 2008, forcing them into a trade. Ramirez was banned for 50 games in 2009 when he tested positive for a banned substance. This year he missed time with a calf injury.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerWhite Sox manager Ozzie Guillen gave the Progressive Field grounds crew a hand a few minutes before the opening pitch Tuesday night. Guillen was smiling after the game as well, as the White Sox kept pushing the Central-leading Twins with a 4-3 victory.

"Those are two different situations," said Ramirez. "I loved the Dodgers. I had a great time there."

The White Sox claimed Ramirez on waivers. To make the deal happen, Ramirez had to waive his no-trade clause.

Now starting: Carlos Carrasco will start Wednesday against the White Sox. Josh Tomlin, scheduled to start Wednesday, will start Thursday in Seattle.

Carrasco is 10-6 with a 3.64 ERA in 25 starts at Class AAA Columbus. He was scheduled to make his next start at Columbus on Wednesday, but with the big-league rosters expanding, the Indians promoted him.

To make room for Carrasco in the rotation, rookie Jeanmar Gomez will be skipped. Gomez's next start is expected to be next week when the Indians play the Angels in Anaheim.

"He's going to get an opportunity every five days," manager Manny Acta said of Carrasco. "We want to see him as much as we can. He's lined up to go against Chicago, the Angels and the Twins.

"He's had a tremendous year in Triple-A and we really need him to come around in order for us to building a starting rotation for the future."

The Indians acquired Carrasco last year as part of the Cliff Lee deal with the Phillies. He made his big-league debut with the Tribe in September. To take Carrasco's place at Columbus, the Indians promoted Corey Kluber from Class AA Akron. Kluber was acquired from San Diego in the Jake Westbrook trade.

Testing, testing: Matt LaPorta, out with a strained left hip since Sunday, pinch hit and singled in the ninth inning Tuesday after going through a series of agility drills and batting practice.

He's expected to start Wednesday.

Finally: Jon Heyman of SI.com reported that Fausto Carmona was claimed on waivers and pulled back by the Indians. The Indians would not comment. ... Aaron Laffey (left shoulder) was activated and optioned to Columbus. He'd been on a rehab assignment. Acta said the Indians will be adding relievers in September. It's unclear if Laffey will be among them.

Big Ten Network could announce the conference's new divisions in 7 p.m. 'special' on Wednesday night.

Nati Harnik / APBig Ten Commissioner Jim Delany could announce the 2011 Big Ten divisions on Wednesday, and provide information on how it could affect the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nebraska assistant athletic director Jeff Jamrog expects the Big Ten to announce its divisions Wednesday, he told the radio show Big Red Wrap-Up on Tuesday night.

On Aug. 2, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said that he expected the decision on divisions in the next 30 to 45 days, and Wednesday is 30 days since that announcement.

The Big Ten Network has a one-hour block in its schedule set aside at 7 p.m. for a "Big Ten Football Special," which could potentially be used as a divisional show.

Ohio State president Dr. Gordon Gee has said there have been serious discussions about placing Ohio State and Michigan in opposite divisions, and a reasonable guess at the two six-team divisions, which would take effect in 2011, would have Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin at the top of one and Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa headlining the other.

Many fans, of course, have been concerned about whether the divisional setup could lead to Ohio State and Michigan playing before the last game of the regular season.

All-American candidate Cameron Heyward is a player, and a voice, that Ohio State would miss if he wasn't around.

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerRoss Homan and the rest of the Buckeyes seldom have to guess who will be the loudest voice when the Buckeyes take the field -- defensive lineman Cameron Heyward easily takes that prize. "Cam does not shut up at practice," senior receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. "There's a few other guys, but you're probably going to hear Cam the most."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- His voice echoed throughout Ohio Stadium. At times during Ohio State's jersey scrimmage during preseason camp, Cameron Heyward's voice was the only thing you heard.

"Cam does not shut up at practice," senior receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. "There's a few other guys, but you're probably going to hear Cam the most."

Linebacker Brian Rolle said Ohio State assistant defensive coordinator Luke Fickell often admonishes his team at practice, saying, "We can't have one guy yelling." The one is always Heyward.

"I talk a lot, I'm talking, but Cam does the job of yelling," Rolle said. "I can talk a lot, but I don't really like yelling, but I hear him yell and I say, 'Oh, I've got to yell then because everybody expects me to yell.' But he's a guy, you don't even have to look, you can just hear he's always yelling.

"It's something he does naturally. Cam does it and he doesn't even have to think about it, and that's something I like about him."

The voice was just a reminder about how much Heyward would have been missed if he'd gone to the NFL, or if he had never arrived at all.

The Georgia native, who said he would have gone to Florida if not Ohio State, was the last commitment to the Class of 2007. He could have turned pro after last season, projected as a first-round pick. Either way, the Buckeyes, who open the season against Marshall on Thursday night, would be unbalanced without him.

It's not his voice, it's his game that matters, but in a program where great players are replaced by other very good players as a matter of routine, defensive linemen like Cameron Heyward don't come around every day.

Carolyn Kaster / Associated PressSenior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has 12 career sacks for the Buckeyes, and looks to increase that number significantly in 2010.

"I was probably more pleasantly surprised about good a player he was than how good a kid he was," coach Jim Tressel said, remembering his encounter with Heyward and his mother, Charlotte Heyward-Blackwell, on their recruiting visit. "When his mom spoke, he was at attention, and he wasn't playing games. He had a deep belief in what she was talking about and he believed what she wanted for him.

"But did I know he'd be this good a player? Not really. But it's a great lesson for guys."

Heyward learned some of his lessons about leadership while rooming with linebacker James Laurinaitis during his first preseason camp. Much of the rest of it comes naturally, though Heyward was a little worried about being too nice to get on guys when needed. Heyward claimed he yelled in the past, too, but his teammates agreed he was drowned out by the booming voice of last year's captain from the defensive line, Doug Worthington.

On a team with six captains, everyone fills a different role, but the players admit Ross Homan, Brandon Saine and Dane Sanzenbacher are more quiet, with Heyward, Rolle and Bryant Browning the talkers. But only Heyward is a yeller.

"If you have too many yellers it's like too many cooks in the kitchen," Sanzenbacher said. "But I think we have a balance.

"It's funny how the attitude on defense and offense are different. The defensive guys are more of the yellers. On offense, we tend to be more composed guys, and if there's yelling, it's more out of frustration than motivation."

On defense, Rolle, with a smile, has been talking since his freshman year. Senior safety Jermale Hines, according to his teammates, usually gets in a little trash talk with the offense. But if there's someone out there telling a teammate to go harder, that's the guy who could be a millionaire already.

"I'm just trying to stay on guys," Heyward said. "You can't let them breathe. If we let them breathe, they might get complacent out there, and practice tends to lag. But I'm just trying to stay on top of my guys."

Odds and ends: Ohio State's alternate Nike jerseys for the Michigan game will be unveiled Wednesday. According to a press release on the Miami Hurricanes' Web site, the uniform will feature a camouflage print base layer, an American flag on the sleeve and honor the World War II-bound 1942 Buckeyes. ... Devin Barclay has moved ahead in the kicking battle, and Tressel said on his radio show that Barclay will handle all field goals 54 yards and closer, with freshman Drew Basil taking the very long field goals and the kickoffs.

Beau Mills' 3 RBI help Akron rout Trenton, Captains win pitching duel.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 5, Indians 2: 3B Jared Goedert (.271) hit his 20th home run, Paolo Espino (3-2, 4.30) struck out seven in seven innings, and Columbus won the International League game Tuesday in Indianapolis. Espino, a right-hander, gave up two runs (earned) on three hits and three walks. Columbus 2B Cord Phelps (.323) had two doubles.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 10, Thunder 4: 1B Beau Mills (.241) hit his 10th home run and had three RBI, DH Jerad Head (.312) drove in three runs, and Akron won the Eastern League game in Trenton, N.J.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 9, Keys 2: Kinston 3B Kyle Bellows (.255) belted his 10th home run and knocked in three runs, Marty Popham (4-4, 4.28) threw six strong innings, and the K-Tribe won the Carolina League game in Frederick, Md.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 1, Silver Hawks 0: Three Lake County pitchers combined on a four-hitter and the Captains won the Midwest League game over South Bend (Ind.) in Eastlake. Left-hander Francisco Jimenez (3.63) started for Lake County and allowed three hits in five innings. Lefty Nick Kirk (5.11) gave up one hit in 2 innings and righty Jose Flores (1-1, 2.25) earned the win with 11/3 hitless innings.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Doubledays 3, Scrappers 1: Mahoning Valley outhit Auburn (N.Y.), 6-4, but the Doubledays scored two in the top of the ninth to win the New York-Penn League game in Niles, Ohio. Righty Michael Goodnight (4.05) started for the Scrappers and pitched five scoreless innings.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 2, Wild Things 1: Lake Erie DH Matt Sutton (.186) hit a one-out ninth-inning single to drive in 3B Lee Huggins (.238) from second base and the Crushers beat Washington (Pa.) in the Frontier League game in Avon.

Quarterback Troy Smith's career with the Baltimore Ravens could be broken down to what could have been. Stricken by a severe viral infection two years ago, Smith experienced an illness that caused him to lose more than his tonsils and a lot of weight, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Smith appeared ready to become the starter...

AP file photoTroy Smith

Quarterback Troy Smith's career with the Baltimore Ravens could be broken down to what could have been.

Stricken by a severe viral infection two years ago, Smith experienced an illness that caused him to lose more than his tonsils and a lot of weight, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

Smith appeared ready to become the starter and all he needed was one more preseason game to solidify the starting job, but the infection put him on the shelf and Joe Flacco took over and became the starter.

Now as the Ravens prepare for their last preseason game, Smith is focused on the upcoming season and not the past.

 “A whole different situation, new team and just a good feel all around,” said Smith, who dealt with blood clots that moved from his throat to his lungs back in 2008. “I’m good. I didn’t get a chance to be a part of that, what happened back then. And things happen for a reason. Now, it’s a whole new year, a whole different mindset and we’re just moving forward.”

Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy at Ohio State, is expected to either start or play extensively against the Rams this time, perhaps even the entire four quarters.

There was a time where it looked like Smith could possibly land with the Cleveland Browns, at least from the point of view of Smith's former agent. His former agent, Ralph Cindrich, said Smith supposedly would crawl to his hometown of Cleveland to play for the Browns.

Ultimately, there were no takers and Smith wound up firing Cindrich and hiring Neil Cornrich.
Now, Smith is thinking about ensuring he remains in Baltimore.

“With this being my fourth year and having to go through some of the things that I’ve been through, it’s a business, first and foremost,” he said. “You can’t do anything about that. The only thing that you can control and have an effect on is what you do on a daily basis. I continuously get myself together as a player and as a man and as a quarterback, and that’s what I worry about.”

Who will be step it up to help Terrelle Pryor lead the Buckeyes to a national title?

View full sizeAP FileLeft guard Justin Boren, who's been called the best lineman in the Big Ten, could be a key to a Buckeyes BCS title drive.

Sports Illustrated reporter Damon Hack spent a few days in Berea recently to scout out the Cleveland Browns. He quickly made three observations about the Browns. 1. The Browns are a happy bunch, pulling in the same direction for a change. A year ago, in Eric Mangini's first training camp with the team, that was not always the case,...

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerCleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini.

Sports Illustrated reporter Damon Hack spent a few days in Berea recently to scout out the Cleveland Browns.

He quickly made three observations about the Browns.

Jim Brown supporter

Jim Brown's decline to attend the Ring of Honor ceremony on Sept. 19 has fueled plenty of debate over the past 48 hours.

Reporter Zachary Dzurick of The News-Herald writes how the opinion of the local media has been one-sided.

He calls it an open season on Jim Brown.

The local media has gone out of its way to sway public opinion toward the Cleveland Browns and away from the greatest player to ever don an Orange helmet.

• Yet another columnist asked if there was “anyone on Jim Brown’s side in this disconnect between the greatest player of all time and two people in the Browns organization, Randy Lerner and Holmgren?”

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson will remain the Cardinals' starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.

Azcentral.com reporter Bob McManaman writes that Anderson could start well beyond the team's fourth and final preseason game Thursday night against the visiting Washington Redskins.

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt said Anderson will start that game, with Matt Leinart coming in at some point to replace him, just like last week's game in Chicago against the Bears.

"It worked for us then, so we'll see if it continues to work for us," Whisenhunt said Tuesday.

Neither quarterback is expected to see extended playing time, however. Rookies Max Hall and John Skelton will take most of the snaps.

As for Leinart, whose demotion has become national news, Whisenhunt confirmed he met with the quarterback on Monday.

  More Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated's 2010 NFL preview issue was released to the public Wednesday, and SI's Peter King doesn't see much improvement in the Cleveland Browns. King predicts the Browns will go 5-11 and finish last in the AFC North.

"Masterson has it all. It's just a matter of getting it together. If he keeps his command, he is a top flight starter. When he gets it all together, look out." - joe kiely

View full sizeLisa DeJong | The Plain DealerJustin Masterson has shown flashes of how good he can be as a starter.

In response to the story Manny Ramirez 'happy to be in Cleveland' as he sits out first game with White Sox: Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader joe kiely thinks Justin Masterson has the potential to be special. This reader writes,

"Masterson has it all. It's just a matter of getting it together. If he keeps his command, he is a top flight starter. When he gets it all together, look out."

"Hate to see him go if he does, but this might just show that a decent player on a 5-12 team is just that. I have been going to training camp for years. I don't know if the new talent translates to more wins, but there is a notable difference in the quality of the players this year compared to past camps." - columbustim

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerDavid Bowens (96) played well for the Browns last season, but may not keep his job this season.

In response to the story The cruel cut: Veteran LB Bowens uncertain of fate as final Browns cuts loom on Saturday, cleveland.com reader columbustim thinks this team has much more talent than in years past. This reader writes,

"Hate to see him go if he does, but this might just show that a decent player on a 5-12 team is just that. I have been going to training camp for years. I don't know if the new talent translates to more wins, but there is a notable difference in the quality of the players this year compared to past camps."

"I hope that Michigan and OSU stay in the same division. A huge part of 'The Game' is that it is the last game of the regular season for both teams. The SEC got it right when they placed Alabama and Auburn in the same division; the Iron Bowl is still a huge event at the end of the season for both squads. 'The Game' in October would be terrible." - 703Buckeye

View full sizeMarvin Fong | The Plain DealerNot many fans are interested in seeing Jim Tressel lead the Buckeyes onto the field against Michigan in October.

In response to the story Report: Big Ten likely to announce 2011 divisions on Wednesday night, cleveland.com reader 703Buckeye thinks the Big Ten would make a major mistake moving OSU-Michigan. This reader writes,

"I hope that Michigan and OSU stay in the same division. A huge part of 'The Game' is that it is the last game of the regular season for both teams. The SEC got it right when they placed Alabama and Auburn in the same division; the Iron Bowl is still a huge event at the end of the season for both squads. 'The Game' in October would be terrible."