The roster of the Cleveland Indians continued to shuffle this week, but no big new names were added into the deck as the team continues to prepare for the 2016 season. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns saw their own season come to another disappointing conclusion and the search for new leadership begins again in its two-year cycle of terror.

The signing of Mike Napoli became official early in the week, leading to reliever Kirby Yates being designated for assignment and later being dealt to the New York Yankees in a cash exchange. The Indians also inked reliever Zach McAllister to a one-year, $1.3 million deal, avoiding arbitration.

Here’s what else you might have missed as life returned to normalcy following the holidays and end of the year festivities.

Stories You May Have Missed:
1/4/16 – Indians Do More Winning, Yet Browns Get Majority of Cleveland’s Sports Love (Craig Gifford)
1/5/16 – Second Hall of Fame Class in 1937 Had Cleveland Feel to it (Vince Guerrieri)
1/6/16 – Buckeyes Have Work Cut Out Against Grays as World Series Dawns (Vince)
1/6/16 – Shared Pasts United Blyleven and Alomar Long Before Cooperstown (Bob)
1/7/16 – Countdown to Indians’ Opening Day – 88 (Bob)
1/8/16 – Baseball Talk on Cleveland Radio is Dying (Bob)
1/9/16 – Busy Friday News Day Affects Trio of Tribe Relievers (Bob)
1/10/16 – The Tribe Has Options for Players to be Honored at Progressive Field (David Freier)

Podcasts You May Have Missed:
Do You Wahoo? – Episode 6

Last Week in Tribe History (Bob):
January 4, 1890
January 5, 2011
January 6, 1920
January 7, 1978
January 8, 1991
January 9, 1971
January 10, 1926

1948 Cleveland Indians weekly rewind

The East Coast trip has not gone as planned for the Wahoo Warriors of 1948 as the rebuilt pitching staff is tired and overworked after excessive use. Mainstays like Bob Lemon and Bob Feller are failing to perform at the level needed by skipper shortstop Lou Boudreau, and the team is just clinging to their lead in the American League.

What’s worse, what was previously a two-team race between the Philadelphia Athletics and the Cleveland Indians has grown into a four-headed monster, with the always dangerous New York Yankees hanging around within striking distance, and the red hot Boston Red Sox hard charging right back into the race.

Paige Signing with Eye Toward Pennant, Not Publicity (Vince)
Feller Fails to Finish First as Philly Defeats Cleveland; Athletics 10, Indians 5 (Bob)
Mitchell Quietly Igniting the Indians Offense (Bob)
Coleman Quiets Cleveland Bats in Shutout; Athletics 5, Indians 0 (Bob)
Tribe Survives Late Washington Rally; Indians 2, Senators 1 (Mike Brandyberry)
Tribe Holds Off Another Rally, Win in 12 and Gain a Game; Indians 6, Senators 4 (Mike)
Tribe Wins Thriller in 11 Innings; Indians 7, Senators 6 (Mike)
Tribe in Need of a Streak (MIke)
Tribe Loses Finale in Washington in Nail Biter; Senators 2, Indians 1 (Mike)
Clark Endures Changes as Big League Career Begins (Mike)
Four Yanks Homers Too Much for Tribe to Overcome; Yankees 7, Indians 3 (Mike)
Hegan Slam Caps Late Inning Rally for Twin Bill Split; Indians 12, Yankees 8 (Mike)
Can Tribe Pitching Staff Hang on in Second Half? (Mike)
DiMaggio Slam Too Much for Tribe to Overcome; Yankees 6, Indians 5 (Mike)

***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***
1948 American League standings (as of the end of day, July 22nd)

***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***

Photo: Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer