Terry Pluto
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Sports columnist for www.cleveland.com and author of more than 30 books, including Curse of Rocky Colavito and Loose Balls.
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Articles by Terry Pluto
Browns fans, don't be afraid to savor this season – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – They did it again. How about that, Browns fans? Your team won again … won again in the fourth quarter. Your team won for the third time with Andre Szmyt hitting a late-game field goal. Your team won for the fifth time coming back from being behind or with the score tied in the fourth quarter. Your team is now 5-2 after beating Tennessee, 27-24. Analytics and perhaps even common sense will indicate this can't last.
Browns come roaring back to take a halftime lead – Terry Pluto's Scribbles
Browns come roaring back to take a halftime lead – Terry Pluto's Scribbles CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns lead Tennessee, 17-14, at the half. 1. Deshaun Watson had a good first half, completing 17-of-22 passing for 202 yards. Quinshon Judkins rushed for a pair of TDs. He had 55 yards on 10 carries. The Browns were down 14-0 and then came back to take the lead at halftime. 2. KC Concepcion had eight catches for 129 yards.
cleveland.com
KC Concepcion caught eight passes for 129 yards.
As Guardians season ends, I'm talking to myself – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Talking to myself about the Guardians: QUESTION: Don't you wish the Guardians were in the World Series? ANSWER: That's a dumb question. Q: Let's quote Guardians manager Stephen Vogt about the 2026 team: "This group felt different. There was a belief they could do it." A: Now, that's interesting. This was a team that came from five games back in September to beat out the White Sox for the AL Central title. In the American League Division Series, they were down 0-2.
An epic collapse, what went wrong for Cavs – Terry Pluto's Scribbles
A lot of things went wrong in the Cavs epic collapse, but the most disturbing is how the Cavs wilted when the Sixers pressed the guards in the second half. It's the same thing that haunted them last year in the playoffs. In the first half, the Cavs had a 69-45 lead. As Cavs Coach Kenny Atkinson said: "We played Cavs basketball." The ball moved. They looked for big men inside. The Sixers looked slow. Revealing stat No. 1: In the first half, Jarrett Allen had 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
My prediction as the 2026-27 Cavs are considered yesterday’s news – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Yawn. That's the general opinion of the Cavs as they open the season Thursday night in Philadelphia. The Cavs went to the Eastern Conference Finals. They had a 52-30 regular-season record. They are a good team, but sort of old news. The Cavs had their number of national TV games reduced. They are not playing on some prime TV spots, such as Christmas or even the opening night – which was Tuesday.
Guardians’ season ends with quiet bats, a dreaded bullpen game – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio — As the Guardians' season ended with a 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay Monday night, I kept thinking about the Guardians' bullpen. The main guys — Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis — had nothing left. Empty. Wiped out. They were pitching for the ninth time in Cleveland's 11 postseason games. In the seventh inning, Smith entered the game. The Guardians were trailing 3-1.
Guardians’ season ends with quiet bats, a dreaded bullpen game – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio — As the Guardians’ season ended with a 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay Monday night, I kept thinking about the Guardians’ bullpen. The main guys — Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis — had nothing left. Empty. Wiped out. They were pitching for the ninth time in Cleveland’s 11 postseason games. In the seventh inning, Smith entered the game. The Guardians were trailing 3-1.
For Guardians, it’s time to hit or go home – Terry Pluto Original
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Do the Guardians have another amazing comeback left? That’s what I was thinking as the Guardians lost 3-1 to Tampa Bay Sunday at Progressive Field. The Guardians have been the Little Team That Could. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue. Small market. Small payroll. An ugly win? Not with the Browns. Not this year! – Terry Pluto Browns offense awful. Tyler Huntley solid for Baltimore – Terry Pluto’s Halftime Scribbles Guardians lose. Tampa's bats boom.
An ugly win? Not with the Browns. Not this year! – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – They won. Tell yourself that about the Browns after their 13-10 victory over Baltimore. I know, it was ugly. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue. But this team hasn’t reached the stage where victories are judged like a beauty contest. Browns offense awful. Tyler Huntley solid for Baltimore – Terry Pluto’s Halftime Scribbles Guardians lose. Tampa's bats boom. Time to panic?
An ugly win? Not with the Browns. Not this year! – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – They won. Tell yourself that about the Browns after their 13-10 victory over Baltimore. I know, it was ugly. But this team hasn't reached the stage where victories are judged like a beauty contest. A win is a win is a win is a win ... As in four wins already this season. They not only won, they won because of their defense. Take a bow, Mike Rutenberg, the Browns rookie defensive coordinator. That's because the Browns defense gave up 10 points in the first quarter … and that was it.
Browns offense awful. Tyler Huntley solid for Baltimore – Terry Pluto’s Halftime Scribbles
Browns offense awful. Tyler Huntley solid for Baltimore – Terry Pluto’s Halftime Scribbles CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my halftime notebook as Baltimore led the Browns 10-0 at halftime. 1. Baltimore used the same tactics that the Jets did last week – lots of blitzing. QB Deshaun Watson was sacked three times. He was 3-for-9 passing for 24 yards. 2. Watson seemed to be holding the ball for a long time.
Guardians lose. Tampa's bats boom. Time to panic? Nah – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – With these Guardians, it's never easy. Fans need to remember that, especially after watching Tampa Bay knock off Cleveland 7-3 Saturday night. Now, the best-of-seven American League Championship Series is tied at 2-2. The Rays won 98 games. That's 98 victories in the American League East, the best division in baseball this season. They also wiped out the Yankees three games in a row in the American League Division Series. So now, it's a three-game series.
Guardians lose. Tampa's bats boom. Time to panic? Nah – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – With these Guardians, it's never easy. Fans need to remember that, especially after watching Tampa Bay knock off Cleveland 7-3 Saturday night. Now, the best-of-seven American League Championship Series is tied at 2-2. The Rays won 98 games. That's 98 victories in the American League East, the best division in baseball this season. They also wiped out the Yankees three games in a row in the American League Division Series. So now, it's a three-game series.
MLB mishandled Friday’s playoff rainout & forgot about fans – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – I received this text from a friend who went to Friday's scheduled game between the Guardians and Tampa Bay. "I took my wife, my dad and my 11-year-old. We spent $150 on food and parking (not to mention gas for the hour drive).
How will Browns handle latest ‘construction zone’ as Baltimore comes to town? – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – “It’s a week-to-week league.” That’s one of Todd Monken’s favorite lines. A week ago, Browns fans were thrilled with their team’s 3-1 record to open the season. They were thinking about 4-1, with the next game being against the Jets. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue. Then the Browns lost, 17-12. Now Baltimore comes to town with a 4-1 record. The Browns are dealing with several injuries. Lamar Jackson is out for Baltimore. MLB & a salary cap?
How will Browns handle latest ‘construction zone’ as Baltimore comes to town? – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – "It's a week-to-week league." That's one of Todd Monken's favorite lines. A week ago, Browns fans were thrilled with their team's 3-1 record to open the season. They were thinking about 4-1, with the next game being against the Jets. Then the Browns lost, 17-12. Now Baltimore comes to town with a 4-1 record. The Browns are dealing with several injuries. Lamar Jackson is out for Baltimore. I'm curious to see how the Browns will respond Sunday.
Last phone call, a visit from an angel, a song in the night ... stories of people near death – Terry Pluto’s Faith & You
Terry Pluto Sat, October 17, 2026 at 6:02 AM EDT 7 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Add Yahoo on Google CLEVELAND, Ohio – Last week, I wrote about my friend Gloria Williams and her final day before she passed away from a seizure. I asked readers for stories about being with someone before they died. Waiting for the kids My mother-in-law died last December. My wife and I were in her nursing home the days prior to her death.
MLB & a salary cap? Let’s look at some data – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio — I received an email from Mike with a list of the bottom five payrolls in Major League Baseball. Three of them are still in the playoffs: Milwaukee, Cleveland and Tampa Bay. "A great argument against a salary cap," wrote Mike. This season … yes. But I went a little deeper, partly because the NBA has had eight different title winners in the last eight years: everyone from New York to L.A. to OKC to Milwaukee to Denver to Toronto.
Guardians fans, did you hear those PETE-EEE cheers? – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – PETE – EEE … PETE – EEE. It's October baseball. There is a chill in the air. Leaves have turned from green to red, yellow and brown. And 30,101 Cleveland Guardians fans at Progressive Field are chanting PETE – EEE. That's Petey Halpin we're talking about. That's Petey Halpin, who came to the plate in the fifth inning. Patrick Bailey was on first base. Tampa Bay had a 2-1 lead with Griffin Jax on the mound.
Two bad plays, one bad inning, a painful playoff truth for Guardians – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – For the Guardians, Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay was just a bad game. Actually, it was one bad inning, especially when your hitters don't hit. When that happens, one sloppy defensive inning can cost you a playoff game. That's what happened to the Guardians in the fourth inning. Of all people, Jose Ramirez failed to cover third base on a grounder that could have led to an out. On the next play, a ground ball went right through the third baseman's legs for an error.
Two bad plays, one bad inning, a painful playoff truth for Guardians – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – For the Guardians, Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay was just a bad game. Actually, it was one bad inning, especially when your hitters don't hit. When that happens, one sloppy defensive inning can cost you a playoff game. That's what happened to the Guardians in the fourth inning. Of all people, Jose Ramirez failed to cover third base on a grounder that could have led to an out. On the next play, a ground ball went right through the third baseman's legs for an error.
Can you believe it? Guardians did it again! – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – How about some October fun, Guardians fans? How about how your team was down 0-2 in the best-of-five series to the White Sox – then came back to win three games to stay alive in the postseason. Now this. Now the Guardians went to Tampa Bay, where the Rays had the American League's best home record at 55-26. Want more? Tampa Bay had a 98-64 regular-season record, tops in the American League. How about this? So what happened when the Guardians went to Florida?
Can you believe it? Guardians did it again!!! – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – How about some October fun, Guardians fans? How about how your team was down 0-2 in the best-of-5 series to the White Sox – then came back to win three games to stay alive in the postseason. Now this. Now the Guardians went to Tampa Bay, where the Rays had the American League's best home record at 55-26. Want more? Tampa Bay had a 98-64 regular-season record, tops in the American League. How about this? So what happened when the Guardians went to Florida?
How did Browns mess up? Let's count the ways – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns have to stop beating the Browns. That’s one of Coach Todd Monken’s comments this season when his team commits careless penalties or other mental mistakes. Facing the Jets in a relentless Meadowlands rain, the Browns did indeed beat the Browns. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue. The final score was Jets 17, Browns 12. What went wrong in Browns’ loss to the Jets?
Browns' running game woes, mental mistakes and a bad snap in the rain cost them a winnable game against a struggling Jets team
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns have to stop beating the Browns. That's one of Coach Todd Monken's comments this season when his team commits careless penalties or other mental mistakes. Facing the Jets in a relentless Meadowlands rain, the Browns did indeed beat the Browns. The final score was Jets 17, Browns 12. The finger of blame will probably be pointed at Rex Sunahara, the Browns' long snapper who fired the ball over the head of punter Corey Bojorquez in the middle of the fourth quarter.
Game is UGG-LEE, but Browns can still beat the Jets – Terry Pluto’s Halftime Scribbles Original
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook as the Jets lead the Browns 7-6 at halftime. The weather in the Meadowlands is wet and windy. The 1-3 Jets already play ugly football, and this first half was UGG-LEE. The rain is relentless. The ball is sometimes slippery. Guys on offense and defense are falling down. The Browns defense was awful on the first drive. The Jets went 80 yards on eight plays for a TD. QB Geno Smith connected with Garrett Wilson for 32 yards.
Ever been with someone day before they died? – Terry Pluto's Faith & You
CLEVELAND, Ohio – “I really miss her singing.” When I'm in the Fairlawn Walmart, someone usually says that to me. “Her” is Gloria Williams, who worked for Sam's/Walmart for 20 years. During that time, Roberta and I took turns driving her to work and picking her up. She was like a member of our family. For several years before she died, Gloria was in charge of the shoe and infants departments. Her job was to keep the shelves straight and clean up messes left by customers.
Former Tribe pitcher Sam McDowell: A redemption story – Terry Pluto Original
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The emails came in when word spread that former Tribe pitcher Sam McDowell died on Oct. 5 at the age of 84. Richard wrote: “Sam was THE baseball hero of my youth. Cleveland didn’t have many (any) superstars back then, but Sam was the one. I remember listening to his games on the radio and keeping score. I used to like to count the strikeouts. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue. Baseball in Cleveland has been such an odyssey.
Beating Jets a test for Browns’ credibility: My prediction – Terry Pluto
Beating Jets a test for Browns’ credibility: My prediction – Terry Pluto CLEVELAND, Ohio – Talking to myself as the Browns prepare to play the Jets Sunday: QUESTION: You're not going to do it, are you? ANSWER: Do what? Q: Say this is a big game for the Browns … A: It's a big game for the Browns. Q: Oh, please. It's the Browns and the Jets. Two of the worst teams. A: The Browns are 3-1. The Jets are 1-3. The Jets are awful.
Guardians fans, sing HO-SAY, HO-SAY! – Terry Pluto Original
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Guardians fans, this was your night. Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the White Sox. “One game to decide if we go home or move on,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said before Saturday’s game. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue. One game. For the Guardians, that one game became a 2-0 victory over the White Sox. This was more than a ticket to face Tampa Bay in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series.
Ever been with someone day before they died? – Terry Pluto’s Faith & You Original
CLEVELAND, Ohio – “I really miss her singing.” When I’m in the Fairlawn Walmart, someone usually says that to me. “Her” is Gloria Williams, who worked for Sam’s/Walmart for 20 years. During that time, Roberta and I took turns driving her to work and picking her up. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue. She was like a member of our family. For several years before she died, Gloria was in charge of the shoe and infants departments.
Let’s talk Browns: A Deshaun Watson-free zone – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – A lot of attention has been given to Browns QB Deshaun Watson for his football revival. It's a big part of the Browns' 3-1 start this season. But something else is going on. It's the coaching, and not just Todd Monken. They have rookies in important spots. I'm talking about Monken, defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg and special teams coordinator Byron Storer. None had been in their current positions until hired by Cleveland.
It was crazy. It was agony. It was a Guardians win in their biggest game of the season! – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians won. Let's start with that fact. The Guardians won, and that's all that matters. The Guardians won because they were at their best — at least at bat — when it meant the most. The Guardians won in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, knocking off the White Sox 9-5 Thursday night. The Guardians traveled to Chicago after losing the first two games in this best-of-5 American League Division Series.
Guardians fans, how about some love for Patrick Bailey! – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Patrick Bailey. It started with Patrick Bailey. Keep that in mind as the Guardians take the field for Saturday's Game 5 in the best-of-five American League Division Series against the White Sox at Progressive Field. My theory is there would be no Game 5 unless Patrick Bailey came off the bench as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning of Game 4. It was the top of the fifth inning.
It was crazy. It was agony. It was a Guardians win in their biggest game of the season!!! – Terry Pluto Original
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians won. Let’s start with that fact. The Guardians won, and that’s all that matters. The Guardians won because they were at their best — at least at bat — when it meant the most. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue. The Guardians won in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, knocking off the White Sox 9-5 Thursday night.
Finally, the Guardians look like the Guardians. What a relief! – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Finally … That's what I kept thinking while watching the Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox, 9-3, Wednesday. Finally, the Guardians got a hit with a runner in scoring position. That was when Steven Kwan singled in Travis Bazzana from second base. Cleveland was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the first two games of the series. Finally, the Guardians delivered a huge hit with the bases loaded.
Are the Guardians playing more than just the White Sox? – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Oh, boy. The Guardians are behind 2-0 to the White Sox in the best-of-five American League Division Series. In their two losses, they have scored three runs. They had seven hits and 21 strikeouts in 18 innings. I'm not going to make any excuses for the Guardians after their 4-3 loss Monday night at Progressive Field. This team has been playing tight and looking overmatched. Yes, Cleveland has a young roster. But the same is true of the White Sox.
Are the Guardians playing more than just the White Sox? – Terry Pluto Original
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Oh, boy. The Guardians are behind 2-0 to the White Sox in the best-of-five American League Division Series. In their two losses, they have scored three runs. They had seven hits and 21 strikeouts in 18 innings. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue. I’m not going to make any excuses for the Guardians after their 4-3 loss Monday night at Progressive Field.
Here’s why Todd Monken is off to a fast start as Browns coach – Terry Pluto Original
CLEVELAND, Ohio – I was working out when a friend came over and said, “I like Todd Monken.” I then received this email from Shawn: “Maybe I am off base, but Monken reminds me of Marty Schottenheimer. I was younger when he was coach, so I could be wrong. Marty was a heck of a coach.” While he’s not in the Hall of Fame, I believe Schottenheimer was a Hall of Fame-caliber coach.
For Guardians, it's only one game but what a bummer – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio –It's only one game. The Guardians can tell themselves that. One game in a best-of-five American League Division Series. One game, a 3-0 loss to the White Sox. One game … In a best-of-five series, the team that wins the first game ends up taking the series 75% of the time. Ouch. Yes, it's one game … but what a bummer for Guardians fans. Progressive Field was jammed with 34,287 fans, most of them wearing Guardians red, white and blue. They were waving red and blue rally towels.
Battling cancer, watching the Guardians – Terry Pluto's Faith & You Original
CLEVELAND, Ohio – I have a friend dealing with stage 4 cancer in several parts of his body. “I can’t wait until tonight,” he said. “Do you think they’ll do it?” My friend was talking about last Saturday night when the Guardians were playing in Kansas City. If they won the game and the Chicago White Sox lost to Colorado – then Cleveland would win the Central Division title. My friend is older. He lives in another state. We visited him about six weeks ago. The cancer situation is serious.
How Steven Kwan helped save the Guardians’ season – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – I was listening to Steven Kwan's press conference as the Guardians prepared to face the White Sox in the best-of-five American League Division Series. I thought back to 2022 when Kwan was nervously awaiting word if he'd make the Opening Day roster. He had batted .469 (15-for-32) that spring. He was coming off a 2021 season where he hit .328 (.934 OPS) between Class AA and AAA.
Browns are 3-1. Don’t forget to thank Andre Szmyt – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Somewhere, Phil Dawson is smiling. I kept thinking about it as Andre Szmyt boomed a game-winning field goal from 56 yards to give the Browns a 27-24 victory over Pittsburgh. The kick came with 10 seconds left. It was a game saver and yes – a spirit saver – for the Browns and their fans. Cleveland had dominated Pittsburgh for most of this Thursday evening on national TV. A subscription is required to read this story. Subscribe now to continue.
Browns are 3-1. Don’t forget to thank Andre Szmyt – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Somewhere, Phil Dawson is smiling. I kept thinking about it as Andre Szmyt boomed a game-winning field goal from 56 yards to give the Browns a 27-24 victory over Pittsburgh. The kick came with 10 seconds left. It was a game saver and yes – a spirit saver – for the Browns and their fans. Cleveland had dominated Pittsburgh for most of this Thursday evening on national TV. Dawson is the best kicker to wear an orange helmet since the Browns returned in 1999.
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