Grady Sizemore

Infobox MLB player
name = Grady Sizemore


width = 200
caption = Grady Sizemore signing autographs
team = Cleveland Indians
number = 24
position = Center fielder
birthdate = birth date and age|1982|8|2
birthplace = city-state|Seattle|Washington
bats = Left
throws = Left
debutdate = July 21
debutyear = 2004
debutteam = Cleveland Indians
statyear = September 1, 2008
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .281
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 110
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 343
stat4label = Stolen bases
stat4value = 117
teams =
*Cleveland Indians (by|2004–present)
awards =
*3x All-Star selection (by|2006, by|2007, by|2008)
*Gold Glove Award winner (by|2007)
*Led AL in runs in by|2006
*Led AL in doubles in by|2006

Grady Sizemore IIIcite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sizemgr01.shtml|title=Grady Sizemore biography|accessdate=2008-07-13|publisher=baseball-reference.com] (born August 2, 1982 in Seattle, Washington) is a Major League Baseball center fielder who currently plays for the Cleveland Indians. A fan favorite in Cleveland, Sizemore was acquired from the Montreal Expos in mlby|2002 along with Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee, and Lee Stevens in exchange for Bartolo Colón and Tim Drew. Sizemore is regarded as being a "five-tool talent" – possessing the talent to hit for power and average, being an above average defender and above average baserunner, and having above average speed.

Early career

Sizemore graduated from Cascade High School in Everett, Washington, in 2000. A high school star in football, basketball, and baseball, Sizemore signed a letter of intent to play football and baseball at the University of Washington. At the time of his high school graduation, Sizemore was Cascade's all-time leader in rushing yards with 3,081 yards and interceptions with 16.

The college year was not to be, however, as the Expos selected Sizemore in the third round of the mlby|2000 draft. The team offered him a $2 million signing bonus to lure him away from college. Sizemore signed and almost immediately began his rapid ascent to the big leagues. Sizemore was called a superstar by White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillén and has been given the nickname "Superman".cite web
url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_verducci/05/08/sizemore0514/index.html
title = One Sizemore Fits All
accessdate = 2007-09-22
last = Verducci
first = Tom
authorlink = Tom Verducci
date = May 8, 2007
publisher = Sports Illustrated]

On June 27, 2002, Sizemore was part of a six-player trade that sent him from the Montreal Expos to the Cleveland Indians. Sizemore was dealt with Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, and Lee Stevens, in exchange for Bartolo Colón and Tim Drew.

Professional baseball career

2005

In mlby|2005, Sizemore spent his first full season in the majors. He quickly established himself as one of baseball's up and coming stars in center field. He was named the leadoff hitter of the Indians lineup, and has stayed there since. He was supposed to be in Triple-A, but Juan González's injury in the first game of the season secured his spot in the major leagues. He also joined Roberto Alomar as the only players in Cleveland Indians history to record 20 doubles, 10 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season. Sizemore's best month in 2005 came in June when he hit .377 (40-106) with 4 HR and 16 RBI in 25 games. He finished the season batting .289 with 22 home runs, 81 RBI, and 22 SB. Before the start of the mlby|2006 season, Sizemore signed a six-year contract with the Indians worth $23.45 million with a club option for 2012.

2006

In 2006, Sizemore had perhaps his best major league season to date. He was selected to his first All-Star Game as a reserve outfielder. In the All-Star game, he had two at bats and went 0-2. In addition to all of his offense, he also was a very fine center fielder making some spectacular plays in center, left-center, and right-center field. Overall in 2006 Sizemore batted .290 with 28 home runs and 76 RBI. He played in all 162 games the Indians played. He scored 134 runs, had 190 hits, 53 doubles, 11 triples and 22 steals. His OBP was .375, and his SLG was .533.

In addition, he became one of only two players in MLB history to have at least 50 doubles, 10 triples, 25 home runs, and 20 stolen bases in a single season (2006). [cite web
last = Neyer
first = Rob
title = Sizemore emerging as a legitimate star
work = ESPN Insider
pages =
publisher = ESPN
date = February 14, 2007
url = http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2764383
accessdate = 2007-07-24]

2007 season

Sizemore opened the mlby|2007 season on a roll, hitting 4 home runs in his first 6 games. He hit a three-run inside-the-park home run on April 27, 2007.

The May 14, 2007 issue of "Sports Illustrated" magazine featured Sizemore on the cover. In the cover article, Indians' general manager Mark Shapiro calls Sizemore "without a doubt one of the greatest players of our generation".

On July 1, 2007, he was named to his second All-Star team. In 2007, he had 25 home runs, and was 33-10 in stolen base attempts. He was one of only 6 batters in the AL to have at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, along with Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Ian Kinsler, B.J. Upton, and Curtis Granderson.

On November 6, it was announced that Sizemore had earned his first Gold Glove, after he posted a .995 fielding percentage with only 2 errors the whole year and displaying his reputation for great range in center field and acrobatic catches.

2008 season

Sizemore's streak of 382 games played in a row ended due to his sprained ankle on April 27 in a 1-0 loss to the Yankees.

On July 2, Sizemore hit his twentieth home run and stole his twentieth base, marking his fourth straight 20/20 year. He was named to the American League All-Star Team for the third consecutive year, and participated in the 2008 Home Run Derby where he hit six home runs, but did not advance to the second round. Sizemore participated in the 2008 All-Star Game and he played 10 innings after the game went into extra innings.

On August 21, Sizemore hit his 29th home run of the season against the Kansas City Royals, setting a new career high.

On August 25, Sizemore hit his 30th and 31st home run against the Detroit Tigers, becoming the 32nd member of the 30-30 club.

Personal life

Sizemore resides in Scottsdale, Arizona; Cleveland, Ohio; and Mill Creek, Washington.Sizemore is the son of Donna and Grady Sizemore II. Grady has a younger brother named Corey.

Career statistics

small|Roll over stat abbreviations for definitions. Stats through September 12, 2008.cite web| url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sizemgr01.shtml | title=Grady Sizemore Statistics| work=Baseball-Reference| accessdate=2008-09-12]

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball doubles champions
* List of Major League Baseball runs scored champions

References

External links

* [http://www.youngmoney.com/entertainment/personalities/070316 Grady Sizemore cover story: YOUNG MONEY Magazine]
*http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7256