Leadoff with Lee 1.30.16 #Manziel #Browns #Indians #NBAAllStarTO

By @cleeverizon

The Cleveland Indians have announced their 2016 Hall of Fame Class of Jim Thome, Frank Robinson, Albert Belle and Charlie Jamieson. 

Thome, a 5-time All-Star is the home run franchise leader with 337. In 1995, Belle had his became the first player to hit 50 home runs and 50 doubles in a single season. Frank Robinson played in Cleveland at the end of his career, 1974-76 and then became the first African-American manager in baseball in 1975-77 for the team. Jamieson was a member of the 1920 World Series championship team that defeated the Brooklyn Robins, who would later become the Dodgers. 

The ceremony will be held before the July 30th game, against the Oakland Athletics.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end, and Cleveland Heights native, Travis Kelce became the NFL's second highest paid tight end Friday after signing a 5-year, $46M extension, with around $20M guaranteed. Kelce will receive a signing bonus just under $10M. The new deal has a max value of $50M including incentives. Along with the new deal, E! Entertainment Television is developing an eight episode reality TV dating series for Kelce, titled "Catching Kelce".

In addition to the $31 million the Panthers will pay Cam Newton this season, he now makes $11 million annually from deals with companies including PepsiCo's Gatorade, Microsoft, General Motors, and Under Armour. “Last Friday, it was $10 million” said his agent, Carlos Fleming of WME/IMG, declining to say which deals include bonuses for reaching the Feb. 7 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, Calif. Newton trails Denver Broncos quarterback -- and Super Bowl opponent -- Peyton Manning.

According to Forbes, Manning earns $12 million from contracts with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., Papa John’s International Inc., DirecTV and others.

In case you missed it, the 2016 NBA All-Star Reserves were announced. While the fans selected the starters for the East and West, the coaches around the league select the reserves.

For the East:

Jimmy Butler
DeMar DeRozan
Paul Millsap
Andre Drummond
Chris Bosh
John Wall
Isaiah Thomas

For the West:

Draymond Green 
James Harden 
Chris Paul 
Klay Thompson 
Anthony Davis
DeMarcus Cousins
LaMarcus Aldridge

Maty Mauk, quarterback of the Missouri Tigers, has been dismissed from the team. His dismissal comes a week after a video appeared on social media of Mauk snorting a white substance, believed to be cocaine. Coach Barry Odom said in a statement "After gathering evidence and speaking with a number of individuals this week, it is clear Maty has failed to live up to those expectations by violating team rules in recent weeks."

This is the third suspension for Mauk since September. The university has said they remain committed to helping him work through his challenges and earn his degree.

Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is being investigated by police in Texas following a disturbance during which he may have assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

Manziel, who has had two tumultuous seasons in the NFL, was identified by Forth Worth, Texas, police after they were called at about 2 a.m. Saturday to investigate a report of a possible assault at an apartment complex. The officers didn't find the person who called, but they spoke to an unidentified 23-year-old woman who said she was "involved in a disturbance with her ex-boyfriend" earlier that night in Dallas. Police later identified him as Manziel. There were no arrests, and it's not clear if Manziel has yet been questioned.

 The police report said the woman was uncooperative with officers, who were unable to locate a crime scene. The woman raised concerns about her ex-boyfriend's well-being. Police tried calling Manziel's cell phone and searching for him before determining he was safe.

Leadoff with Lee 8.3.14

Ohio had a lot going on yesterday especially Cleveland, Akron and Canton. I don't even know where to start but let's go here:

-The NFL Hall of Fame in Canton inducted 7 new members that included 7 time Pro Bowler Micheal Strahan, who was the 2001 NFL Defensive MVP and recorded 22.5 sacks which is a NFL single season record. For the first time a punter made the Hall, and he goes by the name of Ray Guy. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders. He was a 7 time Pro Bowler and 23rd pick of the 1973 NFL draft. The line of the night went to John Madden who said "Punters are football players too. Ray Guy was a football player that punted". Now in my own mind, I was saying "Hell nah I'm just a football player who kicks a ball, makes millions and doesn't get tackled". Even though punters didn't make millions back then,
but y'all get the point.

-Claude Humphrey. This one I don't understand. He is a 6 time Pro Bowler, 2 time first team All-Pro and 1969 Defensive Player of the Year for the Atlanta Falcons. I just don't see the credentials/stats to back it up but NEEEEEXT!

-Arizona Cardinal Aeneas Williams. Now when I look at cornerbacks, I compare them all to Deion Sanders. But he was a 8 time AFC pro bowler and 3 time first team All-Pro. He recorded 55 interceptions and 9 touchdowns in his career with the Cardinals and St. Louis Rams.

-Derrick Brooks was a beast! 11 Pro Bowls, 5 time All-Pro linebacker out of Florida State that played for the Buccaneers of Tampa Bay. Great pass rusher, great speed and excellent hands!

-Offensive linemen Walter Jones got the nod this year. A excellent left tackle, 9 time Pro Bowler and 4 time All-Pro dominated all defensive linemen he faced. Sometimes the best defense is the offense.

-Buffalo Bills wideout Andre Reed. Jerry Rice got the spotlight when Andre played, but numbers never lie. The Bills star receiver was always a 3rd down threat and Jim Kelly's go to guy. He caught everything thrown his way. This 7 time Pro Bowler ranks 13th in receiving yards and 11th all time in receptions. He helped lead the Bills to 4 straight Super Bowls in the 90s.

-It was Jim Thome Statue Day at Progressive field and the boys on the field did him proud. After pitching a no-hitter in Triple-A Columbus, T.J House was brought up by the Tribe and recorded a 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers. House went 5 innings giving up only 3 hits, with 7 strikeouts. The short outing can be contributed to his 9 inning no hitter. Cody Allen came in to get his 14th save of the season. "Dr. Smooth" Michael Brantley continues to show why he was an All-Star, going 2-4 for the night. Nick "BrOhio" Swisher and Lonnie Chisenhall had the RBI for the good guys. The Indians will wrap the series up at 1:05 today, then start a series at home against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.

-In Akron, it looks like a battle between Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia at the WGC Bridgestone. Garcia is 14 under and Mcilroy is at 11 under. Fan favorite Tiger Woods, who is in desperate need of a win, is plus 1.

-Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor stated yesterday "a Kevin Love trade is likey by August 23 or 24". "I'm saying it's most likely because Kevin has made it pretty clear that that's what he wants to do". So what does Kevin exactly want to do? Come to Cleveland and play with "The King"? I'll be the first to say Welcome to Cleveland, Kevin. This to me is just more concrete evidence that Andrew Wiggins will be included in the trade. His jersey is still labeled discontinued on the Cavs and NBA website.

Leadoff with Lee 8.2.14

-During last night's USA Basketball intrasquad scrimmage game at UNLV, Indiana Pacers star forward Paul George suffered a VERY gruesome broken right leg. While getting back on defense, George went up in the air to defend a James Harden lay up and landed at the base of the basket stanchion. George's leg buckled and snapped, breaking the skin. Teammates reacted immediately, sickened and doubled over with great concern for their fallen friend, teammate and basketball brother. Medics rushed to the fallen George, stabilizing his leg in an air cast before taking him to a Las Vegas hospital where he was accompanied by his family. Needless to say, U.S. coach and Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski announced that out of respect for Paul and his family, the game was over.

Almost two hours after the incident, Paul George tweeted this out:

Thanks everybody for the love and support.. I'll be ok and be back better than ever!!! Love y'all!! #YoungTrece

— Paul George (@Paul_George24) August 2, 2014

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo would not speculate on the severity of the injury and asked the media to be patient and not to ask when Team USA roster cuts would be made. Along with all members of both scrimmage teams, players around the league reacted, sending out their well wishes and prayers to Paul and his family.

George, only 24, has emerged as the leader of the Pacers and one of the best players in the NBA and a two-time All-Star. George signed a 5 year $90M extension with the Pacers last season that was ready to kick in this season.

USA Basketball it announced that he had successful emergency surgery of a right leg open tibia-fibula with no ancillary damage and is expected to remain in a Las Vegas hospital for about 3 days. Recovery time could range anywhere from 6 to 12 months, at minimum. A very sad time for USA Basketball, the NBA, the Indiana Pacers and Paul George and his family.
-Chris Williams, The Raven Report

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-Even though we all know Andrew Wiggins has been involved in the trade talks for Timberwolves big man Kevin Love, I have "may" have further proof of the trade details that were made in principal. After looking at Cavs.com jerseys, Andrew Wiggins' jersey has been labeled discontinued. Could this be a internet error? I for one, don't think so. Remember when LeBron was drafted? His jersey was labeled sold out and wasn't labeled discontinued until he signed with the Heat.

-Josh Gordon's appeal hearing appearantly went longer than I first reported. From the same source I talked to yesterday morning around 10:22 to be exact, called me at 5:45 and told me "That was just a recess at 10:30am. Gordon's appeal hearing will resume Monday afternoon. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will review all the details and I will still say we will hear something Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. In my opinion, sample A was positive and samble B was negative. 1 positive + 1 negative = 0. I was horrible at math but I'm sure that is correct. But according to the NFL CBA, Sample A is the main test and sample B is to confirm the drug was in the system. But I have heard and seen false positive tests.

-Who knew golfers get tested for drugs? Dustin Johnson tested positive for cocaine. He also failed tests for marijuana in 2009, and two more tests for coke in 2012. Johnson has been suspended for 6 months by the PGA. Friday he stated, he will seek treatment for his "personal challenges" I.E his drinking, drug and sex indiscretions.

-The Cleveland Indians romped the Texas Rangers 12-2 on Jim Thome statue day. Danny Salazar pitched 6 innings, giving up one run, 4 hits and 4 strike outs. "Dr. Smooth" Michael Brantley went 3-4 with 2 RBI. Right fielder David Murphy went 4-4, scoring 2 runs and 2 RBI. It was just an all out hit fest as the Indians scored 12 runs on 16 hits. Danny Salazar goes to 4-4 on the season. They will take the field again tonight at 7 PM, with TJ House on the bump.

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