Cleveland, OH
In Cleveland, every Corey Kluber outing was a spectacle: Meisel
CLEVELAND — It’s a short stroll from the mound to the dugout at Progressive Field, too quick to allow Corey Kluber a chance to escape his pitching trance and acknowledge his surroundings.
He’d walk off the rubber and pace back to the bench in a methodical manner, unaware of every human in the ballpark supplying him with a standing ovation.
When Kluber pitched, there was usually a standing ovation.
For five years, Kluber was as dominant as any pitcher in the sport. Every five days — every four during Cleveland’s October 2016 championship bid — was a spectacle.
But that’s what happens when you’re poker-faced and programmed to rack up strikeouts with perfectly placed fastballs and slurves.
Kluber announced his retirement Friday after a brilliant 13-year career in which he blossomed from non-prospect to award-winning artist.
A Kluber outing was a treat. It was a rare display of precision and efficiency that allowed him to compile gaudy innings totals and gaudier strikeout totals, and not with an overpowering heater or a 12-to-6 curve, but with such command and conviction, hitters could never feel comfortable.
There was no better example of his sorcery than May 13, 2015, one of those mystique-filled days when sports feel scripted.
Anne Feller, the widow of Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, snipped a red ribbon that afternoon to commemorate the grand opening of an exhibit honoring her husband at Progressive Field. Then, from a suite, she watched Kluber match Feller’s franchise record with 18 strikeouts in a nine-inning game.
Kluber carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Cardinals that night when Jhonny Peralta poked a two-out single to center. Kluber watched Cody Allen shut the door in the ninth, preventing him from flirting with more history.
Eight innings. One hit. No walks. Eighteen strikeouts. A special showcase in front of Anne Feller and one of the most prolific pitching performances in the history of a franchise that dates back to 1901.
And with the crowd’s roar inching closer to a crescendo after the top half of each inning, Kluber retreated to the dugout, unfazed, gazing ahead at nothing in particular.
Kluber ranks third in club history in strikeouts, behind only Feller and Sam McDowell, but he blows away everyone in strikeout rate. Those are the only three pitchers in team history with more than two consecutive seasons of 200 innings and 200 strikeouts. Feller and McDowell each accomplished the feat for four straight seasons; Kluber did it for five in a row.
From 2014-18, Kluber ranked alongside the game’s greats, including Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, Jacob deGrom and Chris Sale. He exceeded 200 innings and 220 strikeouts in each of those years. He ranked second in the majors in innings pitched, fourth in ERA (2.85), third in strikeouts and third in fWAR. In 2017, he led the AL with a 2.25 ERA and tallied nearly twice as many strikeouts as hits allowed.
He’s among 22 pitchers in league history to win multiple Cy Young Awards. He captured the hardware in 2014 and 2017, the only Cleveland pitcher to win more than one. He also finished third in the balloting in 2016 and 2018.
After that five-year stretch, Kluber battled injuries and bounced around the American League, to the Rangers, Yankees, Rays, and Red Sox. He recorded a no-hitter with the Yankees in 2021. He made one final playoff appearance with the Rays in 2022, ironically in Cleveland, where he served up a series-ending home run to Oscar Gonzalez. By that point, though, he had exhausted his October powers.
Kluber made a valiant effort to break Cleveland’s World Series hex in 2016. He logged a 0.89 ERA in his first five starts that postseason despite twice pitching on short rest because the club was missing injured starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar. He finally sputtered in Game 7 of the World Series against the Cubs, running on fumes in another short-rest outing. Had the Indians emerged triumphant, they might have erected statues of Kluber and Rajai Davis on E. 9th Street the next day.
No one would have predicted such a rise to prominence for the right-hander.
Stuck in the depths of a rebuild in 2010, the Indians needed to salvage something for the final two months of Jake Westbrook’s contract. They dealt him to the Cardinals in a three-team trade that also included the Padres. Kluber’s strikeout rate caught the attention of Cleveland’s front office, but little else did. His name didn’t surface on any top prospect list. He was 24 and pitching at Double-A San Antonio. Cleveland couldn’t be picky, though.
Kluber called his parents to deliver the news about the trade in his typical, monotone manner. His dad, on the other hand, was ecstatic. Jim Kluber was a Cleveland native. He attended Mayfield High School. The Indians were his childhood team.
But that was Kluber: unfazed, even when those around him celebrated and cheered. During his Cleveland tenure, that was the scene every fifth night.
(Photo: Ron Schwane / Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers might be at the point of doing whatever it takes to contend for a NBA championship next season, even at the expense of some of their young stars.
After their disappointing loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavs need to consider anything and everything when it comes to trading away players to bring in more help for next season.
Obviously, Cleveland would love to retain as many of their stars as possible, especially the likes of Evan Mobley. New details from Koby Altman, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations, gives more insight into how the Cavs view Mobley’s future as of now.
Here’s what Koby Altman shared with the media regarding Evan Mobley.
Koby Altman praises Mobley for what he’s done in Cleveland
“Evan Mobley? Yeah, I mean he’s a part of our future.”
This is what Cavs fans were hoping to hear, especially with the recent talks about potential league altering trades involving Mobley.
“We’re not going to speculate on any players outside these walls. All I can tell you is since Evan’s been here, we’ve had the third best record in the league.
There is no arguing Altman’s points on Mobley, considering Cleveland has had a winning record and made either the play-in tournament or the playoffs in each of Mobley’s first five seasons.
Their winning percentage ranks amongst the league’s best as well since the 2021-22 season, much thanks to Mobley’s dominance as their big man of the future alongside veteran Jarrett Allen.
Mobley would go on to win the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award during the 2024-25 season, becoming the franchise’s first player to win the award as well as the fifth youngest in league history at just 23 years old.
Altman would go on to say, “all Evan has done is impact winning. He’s been remarkable for us in terms of our ascent. He knows he needs to get better.”
What this means for Evan Mobley going forward
Mobley has most certainly helped Cleveland finish each season near the top of the Eastern Conference and has continued to get better every year. However, fans and media have criticized his aggressiveness as a big man, urging him to be more physical with his size.
Standing at 6 foot 11 inches and weighing 215 pounds, Mobley ranks amongst the league’s tallest centers while showcasing dynamic abilities as both a ball handler and a shooter. His averages this past season include 18.2 points, nine rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game were some of his best stats in his career.
Mobley sits among some of the NBA’s best centers in regard to his defense, as he is one of four players to have at least 300 blocks and 150 steals, next to Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Rudy Gobert. He has continued to build on those impressive stats as he keeps working to get better.
If the Cavs want to bet on Mobley being a true franchise player for the foreseeable future, they’ll need those numbers to increase next season. They’ll also need Mobley to show that defensive presence again that earned him DPOY honors two seasons ago.
In Mobley’s case, his 5-year, $224 million extension two summers ago keeps him in Cleveland through the 2029-30 season. Unfortunately, the NBA is a business, and at the end of the day, teams will do whatever they can to build a championship contending roster.
Based on Altman’s high praise, it would seem like Mobley is safe as a Cavalier. Don’t rule out the possibility of a trade if a team comes calling with an offer Cleveland can’t refuse.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Supreme Court made a ruling Friday in connection with the murder conviction of the driver that killed Cleveland Firefighter Johnny Tetrick.
According to the Ohio Supreme Court, the trial court had sufficient evidence to convict Leander Bissell of felony murder for speeding through an accident scene.
Cleveland Firefighter Tetrick, 51, was killed on Nov. 19, 2022.
Bissell struck Firefighter Tetrick on I-90 East near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and then fled the scene. Bissell was arrested later that evening.
Firefighter Tetrick was assisting with a rollover crash, when he was struck. He was pronounced dead at University Hospitals.
In July 2023, Bissell had a bench trial in front of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Timothy McCormick and was found guilty on all charges, including, murder.
In August 2023, Bissell was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 16 years.
In November 2024, the Eighth District Court of Appeals overturned the murder conviction, finding the State failed to prove that Bissell acted “knowingly.”
The court of appeals found Bissell guilty of involuntary manslaughter, which would impose a sentence of only up to 11 years.
The state then appealed that decision to the Ohio Supreme Court.
“This is a victory for Firefighter Tetrick’s family and Ohio’s first responders. Firefighter Tetrick died while serving the public after Leander Bissell sped through a clearly marked accident scene, traversed the berm striking Tetrick, and fled. As the Ohio Supreme Court states, ‘The Eighth District’s reasoning is wrong.’ Thankfully, their decision today corrected that wrong,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley.
Thousands of people attended Firefighter Tetrick’s funeral on Nov. 26, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
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Ann S. Asher (nee Shaia), age 88, of Orange Village, OH, passed away peacefully in her home on May 28, 2026. Cherished wife of Tony Asher for 65 years; loving and devoted mother of Michelle Asher (Steve Timlin), Edward Asher (Rebecca), Suzanne Broadbent (Daniel), T.J. Asher (Cindy), and Jamey Asher (Wendy); dearest grandmother (Sittee) of Anthony Asher, Riley Asher (Richard Markiewicz), Eddie Asher (Chi), Taylor Lindquist (Ryan), Shelby Broadbent, Noah Broadbent, Zack Asher, Madison Woods (Dave), Tony A. Asher, Michael Asher, Ralph Asher, and Anna Rose Asher; great-grandmother of River, Jasper and Eliza Markiewicz; daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Shaia; sister of Dr. Fred Shaia (Rose), Victor Shaia (Cheryl), and Diane Fistek (Tom); beloved aunt, great-aunt and dear friend of many. Ann was a longtime member of The Immaculate Conception Sodality and the Lebanese Syrian Junior Women’s League.
Known as Mom, Sittee, Aunt Ann, and my Annie, her family was her world—and she was the heart of theirs. She was a faithful parishioner of St. Maron Church and never missed a weekly service. She attended all of her grandkids’ games, performances, and school events, always there with a smile and unwavering love and support. A good day for Ann was being with her husband, family, and friends. Her presence was a constant source of warmth and encouragement, and her absence will be deeply felt. She will remain in our hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Maron Church, 7800 Brookside Rd., Independence, OH 44131.
Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maron Church, 1245 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 11 am. Please meet at the church. Interment private. Family and friends received at The Ripepi Funeral Home, 5762 Pearl Rd (at Snow Rd.) on Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Prayers of Incense at 5 p.m.
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