Grady Sizemore Biography
Cleveland Indians Gold Glove Centerfielder a Perennial All-Star
Grady Sizemore is the All-Star centerfielder for the Cleveland Indians, looking to help the team capture its first World Series title since 1948.
Grady Sizemore is one of the most exciting players in Major League Baseball, roaming center field for the Cleveland Indians since his debut in 2004, and his first full season in 2005. With his outstanding play in the field, continuously sacrificing his body to make a number of highlight reel catches, he was given the Gold Glove Award in 2007. Born August 2, 1982, in Seattle, Washington, Sizemore was a tremendous talent in high school. He had originally signed a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Washington, but was lured into professional baseball by the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals) with a $2 million signing bonus.
Sizemore made the All-Star Game in 2006 and 2007, and has a legitimate chance to once again reach that goal in 2008. He manages to be near the top of numerous offensive categories in the American League each year, and built upon a hugely successful 2006 with an even more impressive 2007; for instance, he amassed a single season career-high in stolen bases (33 in 43 attempts, 77%), on-base percentage (.390), and walks (101).
The Tribe Acquires All-Star Talent in 2002
In 2002, the Cleveland Indians were going through one of the dreaded “rebuilding” years, and it would become evident that the team was never going to be able to re-sign pitcher Bartolo Colon. Therefore, as the Indians were unloading talent, the Expos were looking to make one of their final playoff pushes in Montreal. Sizemore, Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee, and Lee Stevens were traded to the Indians for Colon and Tim Drew. As it turns out, the deal worked wonders for the Indians in more than one way; Cliff Lee has become a valuable pitcher in the team’s rotation.
Grady Sizemore made his debut with the team on July 21, 2004, appearing in 43 games that season. His first full season came in 2005, but only because of a career-ending hamstring injury to Juan Gonzalez. Making the most of this opportunity, Sizemore made his case to stay with the Indians for good, finishing the year hitting .289 with 22 home runs, 81 runs batted in, and 22 stolen bases. The 2006 season was his best offensively, as he hit a career-high 28 home runs, 53 doubles, 11 triples (tied with 2005), scored 134 runs, and accumulated his highest batting average yet at .290, earning him his first spot on the American League's All-Star roster.
The Future for Grady Sizemore and the Cleveland Indians
Sizemore is currently in the middle of a six-year deal worth $23.45 million with a club option for 2012. If he maintains this type of production, one can undoubtedly assume that his option will be picked up. As he matures as a player both at the plate and in the field, seeming to improve on different aspects each year (especially his strikeout-to-walk ratio, which still remains one area of concern), he will continue to be the sparkplug for the Indians’ offense, entrenched at the top of the batting order.
The Tribe’s centerfielder is easily the team’s most marketable talent, and has quickly become one of the most exciting names in baseball. However, his quiet demeanor and the small market that is the city of Cleveland keeps him from becoming a true household name. Rather than making a scene with statements or by calling out his teammates, Sizemore prefers to lead by example, and for the Indians, looking to return to the ALCS (and hopefully, beyond) for the second straight year, that is fine by them.
