Could Robaire Smith Return to Cleveland?
July 15, 2011On ESPN, Bruce Feldman, Social Media, and Twitter
July 16, 2011While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com
Indians up one on DET this morning – “The Indians first broke through against Orioles starter Jake Arrieta in the second inning, when Matt LaPorta delivered an RBI single that scored Grady Sizemore. One frame later, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera used a two-run homer — his team-high 16th shot of the year — to push the Tribe to a 3-2 advantage.
Sizemore added a two-run blast of his own off Arrieta in the fifth inning, giving the center fielder 10 home runs on the year. Jones’ blast in the home half of the inning knotted the score, but Cleveland quickly answered. In the sixth, rookie Lonnie Chisenhall used a run-scoring single to put the Tribe ahead for good, 6-5.
“Chisenhall came up big,” Acta said, “and pretty much won the ballgame for us.”
The rookie did have a little help.
“You can’t say enough about our bullpen,” Acta said. “They deserve all the credit.”
Following Tomlin’s five-inning effort, the Indians turned to their red-hot relief corps. Chad Durbin and Rafael Perez slammed the door on the Orioles in the sixth. Joe Smith and Vinnie Pestano blanked Baltimore’s bats over the next two innings. Closer Chris Perez then finished things off for his 22nd save of the season.” [Jordan Bastian / MLB.com]
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ESPN eventually says Feldman never was suspended – “ESPN just released a statement about Bruce Feldman, the most-talked about sportswriter on the planet for the last 16 hours. It’s brief: “There was never any suspension or any other form of disciplinary action. We took the time to review his upcoming work assignments in light of the book to which he contributed and will manage any conflicts or other issues as needed. Bruce has resumed his assignments.”
Huh? One of two things happened: 1) Bruce Feldman was suspended by ESPN sometime Thursday, and after the enormous outpouring of support from journalists and readers overnight, ESPN reversed course and said he is not suspended and never was or 2) There never was a suspension, and the ESPN Insider blog post by Feldman (not Leach-related) that is supposed to go up shortly has been in the works for days.
ESPN obviously will be pushing No. 2 to anyone who will listen. Is it spin? Only a handful of people know the truth. The obvious question: If the suspension story broke around 7 pm EST last night, why would ESPN take 16 hours to respond to the rumors?” [The Big Lead]
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Report that NFL Lockout may end next Thursday – “NFL Network’s Albert Breer reported Friday evening that an agreement is expected on a new deal early next week, and there is almost nothing that can stop it now.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke briefly to reporters today and, although he wouldn’t come right out and say it was close, certainly seemed to be pleased with the progress that has been made. Jones is staying in town over the weekend to keep working toward an end to the lockout next week.
All expectations are that the owners will vote to approve a new deal on Thursday in Atlanta.” [Michael David Smith / PFT]
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The Avengers look for extras in Cleveland – “Thousands of people jammed the Interstate 77 exit at Rockside Road, filled the hotel’s vast parking lot and drove up onto the grass of a neighboring Outback Steakhouse hoping to be cast as one of 1,500 extras in the Marvel feature film “The Avengers.” Organizers expected from 5,000 to 7,000 people to show. By 2 p.m., the line snaked at least a mile from the building.
“Where’s the roller coaster?” a 31-year-old grumbled as she trudged to the end of the queue in a wooded enclave behind the hotel. She’d driven in from Medina, where she was supposed to be at work as a marketing agent.
Note to area employers: All those people who called in sick Friday? They’re hoping for their close up, Mr. DeMille. Dressed in a snug pin-stripe skirt and crisp white shirt, she’d clearly gotten the costuming memo asking applicants to “Please come well-groomed and wearing your best business executive outfit.”
Others seemed to have missed that communique and came outfitted for a family reunion in the holler in cut-offs, flip-flops and jorts. More than a few women, in an attempt to approximate “female CEO,” evoked “lap dancer” instead, sporting tube dresses cut to their bikini lines and stilettos high enough to grace the stage at Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club.” [Andrea Simakis / The Plain Dealer]
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I liked this “Lockout Pros” video from the Espy’s – “There was actually a funny moment featuring Blake Griffin and Kevin Love, with a little help from Tyson Chandler and Ron Artest Metta WorldPeace, where they make fun of the NBA (and NFL) Lockout. Blake’s got that bad infomercial acting thing down. And the Artest “Tomorrow” at the end was perfect… because I’m not so sure that part was scripted.” [Crossover Chronicles / VIDEO]