May 16, 2012

Joe Haden to Attend Independence High School Prom

May 9, 2012 By 25 Comments

Joyce Grendel, a Senior at Independence High School took the prom plunge. Joe Haden said “yes.”

In a story written by ESPNCleveland’s Will Burge, Grendel had yet to find a date for her school’s upcoming Senior Prom, asked Haden, via Twitter, if he would be her guest and he immediately obliged.

“I didn’t have a prom date so I decided just to ask (Haden) just to see what he would say,” said Grendel. “So I wrote him (on Twitter) and he replied right away. It’s just really exciting. [...] I knew he was a like a really nice guy but I just thought he would be too busy,” said Joyce. “When he said yes I was like the happiest person on earth.”

Per Burge, when it came time for Haden to attend his Senior Prom in Friendly, Maryland, he could not do so, having committed to the University of Florida and enrolling early to play spring football. He is planning on going to Joyce’s home for pictures and then his security will drive him, Joyce, and another couple to the prom.

[Related: Holmgren goes on media tour promising ‘big jump’ for Browns in 2012]

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MLB News: Casey Blake Announces Retirement

May 9, 2012 By 12 Comments

Having not won a roster spot with the Colorado Rockies this past spring, former Cleveland Indians third baseman Casey Blake has opted to call it a career.

Blake tells the Des Moines Register that, while he has been dragging his feet through most of this year, while he had not announced it yet, he “knew in his heart” that he was done with the game of baseball.

“My wife (Abbie) has been telling people I’m retired, but I’ve kind of been giving her a look,” said Blake. [...] I just decided to shut it down. And I’m okay with the decision.”

Blake, 38, has played parts of 13 seasons in the majors with five teams. Before landing an everyday job with the Indians at age 29, Blake played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins (twice) and the Baltimore Orioles. His best seasons were arguably as a member of the Tribe where he had five straight seasons of at least 17 home runs – including 28 in 2004 – before being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers for current Indians catcher Carlos Santana.

[Related: When it Comes to Credit, Indians Collectively Pass the Buck]

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Ohio State-Linked Sex Offender Arrested in Violation of Parole

May 8, 2012 By 5 Comments

The Twitter-crazy man who had allegedly been the reason for the decommitment of an Ohio State football recruit has been arrested in violation of parole stemming from his registration as a sex offender in the state of Kentucky.

Charles Eric Waugh, 31, met recruit Alex Anzalone and several other recruits following the Ohio State spring game on April 21 where he took several pictures and posted them on his Twitter page that has since been taken down. Anzalone reportedly had no knowledge of Waugh’s background when that photo was taken. After learning he was a registered sex offender, one who had pleaded guilty to five counts of possession of underage sexual content in 2008, Anzalone — with the support of his father — pulled his commitment to the Buckeyes.

Waugh, who also sent many messages to current players and recruits via Twitter, was in violation of Kentucky Revised Statute 17.546, which states sex offenders will not knowingly or intentionally use social networking services to interact with a person who is under the age of 18.

Sal Anzalone, the father of Alex, said while is son is still decommitted from The Ohio State University, the Buckeyes are not totally off the board. He also backed off of his original comments that “something was not right with Ohio State.” Anzalone is presently one of the top linebacking recruits in the country.

[Related: A Disturbing Situation]

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Francisco Lindor Named Minor League Player of the Week

May 8, 2012 By 4 Comments

Lake County Captains shortstop Francisco Lindor has been named Indians Minor League Player of the Week, recognizing last year’s first-round selection for his work at the A-ball level.

The 18-year-old Lindor has hit .379 with two home runs and five stolen bases in his last seven games, posting a 1.040 OPS. On May 2, Lindor went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, a double and a stolen base in a 5-3 win. For the season, he is batting .299 with 22 runs scored, stealing 11 bases in 15 attempts.

In the Midwest League, Lindor ranks first in at-bats, third in hits, fourth in total bases and fifth in runs and stolen bases. He entered the 2012 season as the Indians’ No. 1 prospect as ranked by Baseball America, already boasting a glove that many consider to be major league-ready. The fact that Lindor is hitting the ball as well as he is at age 18 has to be encouraging for the Indians front office.

[Related: Tribe Grit: Indians Take Two From the White Sox and Keep Rolling]

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When it Comes to Credit, Indians Collectively Pass the Buck

May 8, 2012 By 17 Comments

Not long after Shelley Duncan drove a 94-mile-per-hour fastball from the hand of Chicago reliever Matt Thornton to the left field wall in Progressive Field, plating what would ultimately serve to be the game-winning run in a rain-soaked outing with a depleted bench, the Cleveland Indians left-fielder wasted no time in handing the credit to those who came to bat ahead of him. For if not the two hard-fought bloop singles which landed in shallow right field prior to his plate appearance, Duncan’s line drive would have meant little if only to further amplify just how much success he has against those with a southern paw.

[Read more...]

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NFL News: Browns’ Scott Fujita Appeals 3-Game Suspension

May 7, 2012 By 4 Comments

As expected, Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita has appealed a three-game suspension which had been handed down from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as a punishment for the player’s role in the New Orleans Saints bounty program.

Fujita, along with former teammates Johnathan Vilma, Will Smith and Anthony Hargrove, were all given punishments of various lengths roughly one week ago. Via the appeals, the players, their representatives and their union will continue to argue that the decision is not Goodell’s alone despite this exact item being collectively bargained during last season’s work stoppage.

“I disagree wholeheartedly with the discipline imposed,” Fujita said in a statement. “I’ve yet to hear the specifics of any allegation against me nor have I seen any evidence that supports what the NFL alleges. I look forward to the opportunity to confront what evidence they claim to have in an appropriate forum. [...] I have never contributed any money to any so-called ‘bounty’ pool and any statements to the contrary are false.”

Fujita, 33, has amassed 101 total tackles, four sacks and two interceptions over the past two seasons in Cleveland. In the event that the three-game suspension is upheld, it will cost Fujita  $644,118. He can participate in off-season and preseason activities, including games, with the Cleveland Browns.

[Related: Getting to know your new Cleveland Browns: Brad Smelley]

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Grady Sizemore to Start Taking Batting Practice

May 7, 2012 By 11 Comments

Continuing to make progress from his preseason back surgery, Cleveland Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore will being taking batting practice when the team returns from their next road trip.

Sizemore, who sustained a lower back injury fielding ground balls during Spring Training, underwent surgery and was subsequently placed on the 60-day disabled list.  To add to the roster’s depth, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti signed veteran outfielder Johnny Damon; there were talks that Damon could opt out after Sizemore’s return. Indians manager Manny Acta, saying that “Grady is Grady,” insinuated that Damon’s signing would not have any bearing on the long-time Cleveland center fielder’s return from injury.

A three-time All-Star, Sizemore has battled injuries since 2009, having played in 106, 33, and 71 games over the course of the last three seasons. Miraculously, Sizemore has still led the team in jersey sales over the course of the same span.

[Related: Tribe Weekend Wrapup: ActaBall Reigns Supreme]

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NBA Rumors: Phoenix Suns Among Teams Interested in Alonzo Gee

May 7, 2012 By 28 Comments

Multiple reports have circulated regarding the Phoenix Suns’ desire to acquire the services of Cavaliers free agent small forward Alonzo Gee.

Late last week, Fox 8′s John Telich reported that “at least three teams” were interested in Gee with the Suns being joined by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons. Brendan Bowers of Stepien Rules followed this up by reporting that the Suns were in fact in the lead for Gee’s services, set to offer the athletic wing approximately $4 million per year with the length of the deal unknown.

Gee, who saw his game drastically improve between the 2010-11 season and this past year, started in 31 contests and averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. His energyoff of the bench played a large role in the team’s early-season success.

The Suns current general manager is Lance Blanks, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers front office under Danny Ferry. Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant has stated that the team expects to make Gee a part of their future with many in the Cleveland media expecting a multi-year offer with at least a qualifying offer being made. A restricted free agent, the Cavaliers would have the right to match any offer Gee receives in the offseason.

[Related: NBA Lottery Odds Serve As Cruel Reminder of How Unlucky Cavaliers Could End Up]

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While We’re Waiting… Indians’ Lucky Start, Baron Davis’ Knee, and Omar Vizquel’s Record

May 7, 2012 By 4 Comments

While 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.

So Pythagoras isn’t in Cleveland’s corner? “For the second straight year, the Indians are the surprise first-place team in the AL Central in the early going. How have they done it this year? First, it helps to have an easy schedule. In their nine series of the year so far, only two have been against teams with winning records: Toronto and the recently completed weekend series with Texas. Their average opponent record is about .450. Despite that slow start, the Indians still shouldn’t have as good a record as they have. They won their first half-dozen one-run games. That can’t last, and it hasn’t. Thus, they began the year 14-11 despite being outscored, 113-114.” [Chris Jaffe/Hardball Times] [Read more...]

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Indians’ Enthusiasm and Chemistry Irking AL Central Opponents

May 4, 2012 By 38 Comments

The Cleveland Indians are making very few friends among the AL Central. Currently leading the division, the 2012 Wahoos are showing levels of passion that have drawn the ire of their opponents on multiple occasions. And if anyone wants to say or do anything about it, there are countless teammates waiting in the wings to defend.

While the Browns have been known more for not retaliating while their quarterbacks are being decapitated ad nauseum, and the Cavaliers’ lasting visual of the last two seasons is LeBron James heckling the bench (with nary an act of retribution) during his return to Cleveland, this current crop of Indians are showing chemistry and epitomizing “team” every time they take the field.

Thursday night provided a high-leverage situation. After walking Chicago White Sox slugger Paul Konerko, Indians closer Chris Perez, having been rushed on to the mound after reliever Dan Wheeler decided that the evening needed a little added suspense, struck out veteran catcher AJ Pierzynski and induced a ground out from the bat of overpaid outfielder Alex Rios. Both men represented the game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth inning. [Read more...]

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Getting to know your new Cleveland Browns: Brad Smelley

May 3, 2012 By 11 Comments

With this edition of “Getting to Know,” we turn to Chris Brown of Smart Football fame. Chris covers football at all levels — history, philosophy, Xs and Os — and was the author of several poignant Alabama-related pieces over at Grantland. Today, we are pleased to provide his take on the Browns’ seventh-round pick, Brad Smelley.

How would you characterize Brad’s college career?

He was a team first guy at Alabama and carved out a very important role on a star-studded offense. As I wrote in January, even if he’s not a crushing blocker or a Aaron Hernandez vertical threat as a receiver, he’s extremely versatile and, having originally committed to Alabama as a quarterback, very smart and understands the game.

What are the Browns getting with Smelley?

I do think Brad’s game translates to the NFL, which is why the Browns picked up a guy who maybe doesn’t jump off the charts athletically. If nothing else, he’s a good team guy and should contribute on special teams right away. He’s an interesting project. I didn’t analyze enough to know whether he’d be picked, but was happy to see that he was.

Brad isn’t a true-to-mold fullback, nor is he of the Jimmy Graham, pass-catching ilk. Nick Saban isn’t walking through that door. Essentially, where can dp you see Smelley fitting in with the Browns’ West Coast style of offense? [Read more...]

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WFNY Fantasy Challenge: Beat Me and Win!

May 3, 2012 By 1 Comment

With last week’s WFNY Fantasy Baseball Challenge drawing such excellent interest over at FanDuel, we have opted to throw a bit of a curve ball to you for this week’s edition.

[Read more...]

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Grossi: Brad McCoy Comments Sealed Son Colt’s Fate

May 3, 2012 By 90 Comments

It appears that comments by Colt McCoy’s father, Brad, have sealed the fate of his son with regard to the player’s future with the Cleveland Browns.

Though the Browns had hoped to land quarterback Brandon Weeden with the 37th-overall pick, the team was in fact ready to replace Colt McCoy, writes ESPNCleveland’s Tony Grossi, after McCoy’s father went to the media following his son’s concussion against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 8, 2011.

“I’ve been told that McCoy’s fate as a former starter was sealed when his father sounded off about the club’s handling of his concussion,” writes Grossi. “The comments did not drive the pursuit of a new quarterback, but I believe they contributed to McCoy’s demise.”

In 2011, McCoy regressed mightily from his rookie campaign, completing only 57 percent of his passes at 5.9 yards per attempt. He would miss the final three games of the season following the concussion, sustained within a game wherein he would ultimately return to the playing field, leading to a whirlwind of criticism and league attention.

Grossi’s report also confirms WFNY’s intial belief that the Browns were targeting Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright with the 22nd-overall selection in the recent draft, but opted to go with Weeden following the selection of Wright by the Tennessee Titans at No. 20.

[Related: Browns Backing in to Wide Receiver Improvement]

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BET Approves Daniel Gibson’s Reality Series

May 2, 2012 By 2 Comments

The BET television network has reportedly agreed to air the new docu-reality series starting Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson and his wife, singer/song-writer Keyshia Cole.

Cole, star of the 2006 BET unscripted show Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, will now star in what will be called Keyshia Cole: Family First. A six-part series, the focus will be on Cole as an R&B songstress, a wife to an NBA player, mother to her 2-year old son, daughter, sister, musician and businesswoman. The series, which will premiere in the fall, is executive produced by James DuBose of DuBose Entertainment as well as Michele Barnwell, Cole and Gibson.

“It’s about me playing basketball, her singing and us raising a son at the same time,” Gibson said of the reality show earlier this season. “It’s very special. It’s real unique to see our situation and see where we both have come from, how far we’ve come and where we’re trying to go. It’s beautiful.”

[Related: Instead of Fixing Tanking, NBA Should Remove the Lottery]

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NFL News: Browns LB Scott Fujita Suspended Three Games

May 2, 2012 By 14 Comments

For his role in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita has been handed a three-game suspension from the National Football League.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated‘s Peter King, Fujita, a known philanthropist and well-respected veteran, said that while he contributed money for teammate performance and “big plays,” it was never in attempt to injure the opposition.

Fujita’s former teammate Johnathan Vilma has been suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season. Anthony Hargrove and Will Smith were suspended for eight games and four games, respectively. Usama Young, another former member of the New Orleans Saints, was not punished for his association.

Through two injury-plagued seasons with the Browns, Fujita, 33, has amassed 101 total tackles, four sacks and two interceptions. Having one of the worst run-stopping defenses in the NFL while employing a relatively older linebacking corps, the Browns used multiple 2012 NFL Draft selections on linebackers, James-Michael Johnson out of Nevada and Texas’ Emmanuel Acho.

Though suspended without pay for three games (costing him $644,118), Fujita can participate in offseason and preseason activities, including games, with the Cleveland Browns. The player is expected to appeal.

[Related: A few additional Browns post-draft thoughts]

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