Grady Sizemore

Grady Sizemore
Grady Sizemore
Cleveland Indians – No. 24
	Center fielder
	Bats: Left Throws: Left
debut
	July 21, 2004, for the Cleveland Indians
Career statistics ; (through 2006)
Batting average	.286
Runs batted in	184
Home runs	56
Former teams
	Cleveland Indians (2004–present);

Grady Sizemore III (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 2002 along with Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee, and Lee Stevens in exchange for Bartolo Colón and Tim Drew.

Early career

Sizemore graduated from Cascade High School in Everett, Washington, in 2000. A noted 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 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.

2005

In 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 supposed to be in Triple A, but Juan Gonzalez's injury secured his spot on the major league roster. He also became the only player in Cleveland Indians history since Roberto Alomar to record 20 doubles, 10 triples, 20 HR and 20 SB 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 2006 season, Sizemore signed a 6-year contract with the Indians worth $23.45 million with a club option for 2012. Sizemore's contract is the largest ever for a player with less than 2 years service time in Major League Baseball.

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 78 RBI. He played in all 162 games the Indians played. He scored 134 runs, had 190 hits, 52 double, 11 triples and 22 steals. His OBP was .375, and his SLG was .533.

In addtion he became one of only two players in Major League Baseball history to have at least 50 doubles, 10 triples, 25 home runs, and 20 stolen bases in a single season (2006).

2007 Season

Sizemore opened the 2007 season on a roll, hitting 4 home runs in his first 6 games. He hit a three run inside the park homerun Friday, April 27, 2007. In addition, he has made game saving diving catches on multiple occasions.

The May 14, 2007 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine featured Sizemore on the cover, and a feature article noting his background and accomplishments.

Sizemore currently resides in Mill Creek, Washington, and Westlake, Ohio. He is not married.

Career Statistics and Accomplishments

Career Stats:
G: 369
AB: 1455
R: 269
H: 417
2B: 96
3B: 24
HR: 58
RBI: 186
BB: 150
K: 322
SB: 49
CS: 16
AVG: .287
OBP: .361
SLG: .505
OPS: .867
Grand Slam(s): 1
All-Star Selections: 1(2006)

Stats as of April 12, 2007

External links

MLB.com profile
Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
Template:Espn mlb
Minor and major league statistics
SportsIllustrated: "One Sizemore Fits All"
Grady Sizemore cover story: YOUNG MONEY Magazine