Leadoff with Lee 7.31.14

-Corey Kluber needed just 85 pitches in his complete game shutout of the Seattle Mariners and lead the Tribe with a 2-0 win yesterday in Cleveland. Kluber improved to 11-6 on the season while recording 8 strikeouts and giving up only 3 hits. The Indians only had 4 hits on the night, with the biggest hit coming from catcher Yan Gomes with his 2 run single in the bottom of the 6th inning. The 3 game series comes to a end tonight, as Zack Mcallister getting the start for the Tribe and Chris Young for the Mariners.

-Justin Masterson was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfield prospect James Ramsey yesterday. The trade deadline is over today at 4 PM. The Indians dodged a bullet by not signing Masterson to a $43 million dollar extension prior to the beginning of 2014 season, and did get a top prospect in return. Masterson will become a free agent at the end of the season. Masterson will join his new team on Friday and is scheduled to make his first start on Saturday. The right hander was 4-6 on the season with a 5.51 era in 19 starts with the Indians this year. James Ramsey is a former first round draft choice and will report to Triple-A Columbus. Ramsey, 24, was considered one of the top prospects in the Cardinals organization. Ramsey was the 23rd pick in 2012 draft out of Florida State. He is hitting .300 with 13 homeruns and 36 RBI.

-Trade talks are heating up between the Timberwolves and Cavs in a deal that would send Kevin Love to Cleveland. The Cavs have emerged as the front runner to land Love as Chicago has backed out of trying to acquire Love. As it stands, it looks like the Cavs will need to part ways with lasts years first round pick Anthony Bennett, this years number one overall pick Andrew Wiggins and a first round pick in 2015. A third team, possibly the Philadelphia 76ers, may also be apart of the deal to make this trade more appealing and to make all the salaries meet NBA requirements for trades. Neither Minnesota or Cleveland can comment on any trade until August 23rd when Andrew Wiggins' 30 day no trade clause expires for signed NBA rookies. Wiggins was signed last Thursday and may not don a wine and gold jersey when the regular season starts. Anthony Bennett was pulled from Team Canada by his agent fearing he may get injured and to protect his client from any trade that maybe in the pipeline.

-74 year old NBA official Dick Bavetta will be retiring. Bavetta's first game as an NBA ref was December 2, 1975 at Madison Square Garden in a game between the Knicks and Celtics. In April 2014, Bavetta worked his 2,633rd consecutive regular season game. By comparison, legendary Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken's "ironman streak" was 2,632 straight games.

-The Browns had a much needed day off yesterday and resume training camp today in Berea. All the live action will begin as the Browns will actually be tackling. 

Leadoff with Lee 6.3.14

-Yesterday, the Browns added some depth and competition at cornerback by signing Aaron Berry. He played for Mike Pettine in 2012 when Pettine was defensive coordinator for the New York Jets. Berry, 25, comes with a little baggage. He was arrested in July 2012 for aiming a gun at 3 bystanders in Pennsylvania. He's also been arrested for assult and driving under the influence after he hit two parked cars and fled the scene on foot. The Detroit Lions cut him after the assult and DUI charges the next day in 2012. When he signed with the Jets after being cut, he served a 3 game suspension and played in 7 games that season. Last year he tore his ACL in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve for the year.

Now this story brings me back to Josh Gordon. Josh Gordon never pulled a gun on anyone, assaulted anybody, nor been arrested for anything. This tells me the new regime is willing to give players with checkered pasts a chance. With Gordon still playing under his rookie contract, the Browns have a star receiver for a very low price. One of two things will happen to the Browns and Josh Gordon. Either he is suspended for a year and the Browns don't have to pay him. Or he wins his appeal or suspension is reduced, therefore his salary will be pro-rated and the Browns have a rising star. This is why I don't think the Browns will make any moves with Gordon.

-The NBA released their first and second team All-NBA Defensive teams yesterday.
First team
Center: Joakim Noah, Chicago (leading vote getter)
Forwards: Paul George, Indiana; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City; Andre Iguodala Guard/Forward, Golden State
Guard: Chris Paul, LA Clippers

Second Team
Forwards: Lebron James, Miami; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
Guards: Patrick Beverly, Houston; Jimmy Butler, Chicago
Center: Roy Hibbert, Indiana

-Justin Masterson broke the Boston Red Sox 7 game win streak and the Indians have a four game win streak. The Tribe defeated the Red Sox 3-2, as Masterson struck out 10 and improved his record to 3-4 for the season. Rightfielder David Murphy went 3-3 and Michael Bourn went 2-3, scoring 2 runs off of his efforts. Former Indian Grady Sizemore went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts for Boston. But yesterday, it was all about the Justin Masterson show. He pitched 7 innings, gave up 3 hits, 0 earned runs and only 4 walks. Relief pitcher Bryan Shaw came on in the 8th and gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and seen only 2 batters on the night before he was replaced by Marc Rzepczynski. Cody Allen sealed the deal for the Tribe in the 9th to record his 4th save on the season. The Indians will battle the Red Sox again today and Browns running back Ben Tate will throw out the first pitch.

-In Women's College World Series action, the Florida Gators defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 5-0 in the first game of three. Florida pitcher Hannah Rogers had a perfect game going and a one hitter going into the bottom of the seventh. Jackie Traina for Alabama went 6 1/3 innings and gave up 5 runs. Traina has only allowed one earned run in her first three games of the World Series. Interesting story between Hannah Rogers and Jackie Traina. These two have known each other since little league softball. They battled each other throughout high school, knocking each other out of high school playoff games. And the battle has continued throughout college. Florida is now one win away from winning the College Softball National Championship.

Leadoff with Lee 4.13.14

-The Browns and Alex Mack has agreed to a 5 year $42 million dollar contract, which will make him the highest paid center in the NFL. The agreement locks Mack up for at least 2 years, worth $18 million. If Mack exercises his third year option, that will increase his deal to $26 million over 3 years. The Browns can not franchise or transition tag him due to Mack's option year. He can become a free agent after the 2016 season.

-The Indians won yesterday afternoon, despite Justin Masterson giving up 6 runs in 4 2/3 innings. The final score against the Chicago White Sox was 12-6 Tribe.