Grady Sizemore

Grady Sizemore (born August 2, 1982) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians from 2004 through 2011, but did not play in the majors for the following two years after back and knee injuries. He returned in 2014 with the Boston Red Sox and played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 2014 to 2015 before finishing 2015 with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was a three-time MLB All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, and also won a Silver Slugger Award.

Grady Sizemore
Sizemore with the Indians in 2009
Center fielder
Born: (1982-08-02) August 2, 1982
Seattle, Washington
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
July 21, 2004, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 2015, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
Batting average.265
Home runs150
Runs batted in518
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Early life

Sizemore graduated from Cascade High School in Everett, Washington, in 2000. A high school athlete 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. Sizemore graduated from high school with a 3.85 GPA.[1]

Professional career

Draft and minors

The Montreal Expos selected Sizemore in the third round of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft.[2] The team offered him a $2 million signing bonus to lure him away from college, to which Sizemore agreed.

On June 27, 2002, the Expos traded Sizemore, along with Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Lee Stevens, to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Bartolo Colón and Tim Drew.[3]

2004–2007
Sizemore signing autographs in 2006 with the Indians

Sizemore made his Major League debut on July 21, 2004. He finished the rest of the season with a .246 average, 4 home runs, and 26 RBI in 43 games played. In 2005, Sizemore played 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. He was supposed to play in Triple-A, but Juan González' 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 franchise history to record 20 doubles, 10 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season. Sizemore's best month came in June when he hit .377 (40–106) with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 25 games. He finished the season batting .289 with 22 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. Before the start of the 2006 season, Sizemore signed a six-year contract with the Indians worth $23.45 million with a club option for 2012.[4]

In 2006, Sizemore was selected to his first All-Star Game as a reserve outfielder. Overall that season, Sizemore played in all 162 games and batted .290 with 28 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a .907 OPS. His 53 doubles and 134 runs scored led the majors. In addition, he became the second in MLB history to have at least 50 doubles, 10 triples, 25 home runs, and 20 stolen bases in a single season; the first was Chuck Klein in 1932.[5]

Sizemore opened 2007 by hitting four home runs in his first six games. He hit a three-run inside-the-park home run on April 27. The May 14 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".[6]

On July 1, he was named to his second All-Star team. In 2007, he had 24 home runs, and was 33–10 in stolen base attempts. He was one of six 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 two errors and displaying his reputation for great range in center field and acrobatic catches.[7]

2008
Sizemore in the batter's box at Progressive Field.

Sizemore's streak of 382 consecutive games played ended on April 27 due to a sprained ankle sustained the preceding day.[8] On July 2, Sizemore hit his twentieth home run and stole his twentieth base, marking his fourth straight 20–20 year. He was the only AL hitter to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 20 bases each year during 2005–08.

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 11 innings as the game extended into the 15th inning.[9]

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 Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers, becoming the 32nd member of the 30–30 club.[10]

For his efforts in 2008, Sizemore was awarded his second consecutive Gold Glove (his .995 fielding percentage was second among AL center fielders).[11] He was also awarded his first Silver Slugger Award.[12] He led the major leagues in power-speed number (35.3).[13]

2009 season

Sizemore committed to play in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, but pulled out after injuring his left groin early in spring training.[14] On April 16, Sizemore hit the first grand slam home run at the new Yankee Stadium off New York reliever Dámaso Marte. It was his third career grand slam.[15]

On September 9, after struggling through a subpar season, Grady elected to have surgery on his left elbow which had troubled him since spring training.[16] Having the surgery performed one month before season's end allowed for more healing time and preparation for the following year. Cleveland was already eliminated from playoff contention by the time of his decision. One week after the elbow surgery, he also elected to have surgery on his lower abdomen to repair a hernia that was related to the groin injury which forced him from the World Baseball Classic,[17] thus ending his 2009 season one month before the final game.

2010–2013

After playing in 33 games, Sizemore's season ended after microfracture surgery was performed on his left knee.[18]

Sizemore returned to the Cleveland Indians from his microfracture surgery, after rehabilitating with Triple-A Columbus Clippers, on April 17, 2011. Sizemore went 2-for-4 with a double and home run. The Indians won the game 4–2. Sizemore returned to the disabled list in May with a right knee contusion after sliding into a base. In mid-July, Sizemore was again placed on the disabled list following another injury to his right knee; shortly afterwards, he had a second sports hernia surgery, expected to sideline him into September.[19] Through 2011, he had the third-best career fielding percentage of all active major league outfielders (.9935), behind Shane Victorino and Ryan Braun.[20] The Indians declined Sizemore's 2012 contract option.[21]

After meeting with both the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners during the offseason, Sizemore re-signed with Cleveland, signing a one-year, $5 million contract.[22] Sizemore underwent back surgery during Spring training, and began the season on the 60-day disabled list. A series of setbacks in his recovery from back and knee surgeries prevented him from appearing in any games during the season.[23] Sizemore had microfracture surgery on his right knee in September, after a previous arthroscopic procedure in 2011 was unsuccessful in healing his ailing knee.[24] Grady Sizemore remained a free agent through the 2013 MLB season. According to his agent, Joe Urbon, Sizemore did not want to commit to a team until he was ready to play again.[25]

Boston Red Sox

On January 22, 2014, Sizemore signed with the Boston Red Sox. The contract was for one year with a base salary of $750,000, with incentives that would increase the total to up to $6 million. On March 28, Sizemore was named the team's starting center fielder for the season opener after beating out Jackie Bradley, Jr. in spring training. On opening day against the Baltimore Orioles he hit a solo shot just over the right field scoreboard. He also hit a 3-run home run against former teammate CC Sabathia in the game versus the New York Yankees on April 11.[26] On June 17, Sizemore was designated for assignment to make room for top prospect Garin Cecchini.[27] The next day on June 18, the Red Sox officially released Sizemore.[28] For his brief time in Boston, Sizemore made $1.25 million.

Philadelphia Phillies
Sizemore playing left field with the Phillies in a game on August 22, 2014

On June 24, 2014, Sizemore signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.[29] On July 11, Sizemore was recalled from Lehigh Valley in order to join the Phillies rotation of outfielders. On July 25, Sizemore collected his 1,000th career hit, in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. After a successful start, Phillies general manager Rubén Amaro, Jr. suggested Sizemore could be part of the Phillies longer-term plans if his success continued.[30] He was signed to a one-year contract for the 2015 season on October 23.[31] He collected 4 hits in one game against the Diamondbacks on May 16, 2015. Sizemore was designated for assignment by the Phillies on May 29, 2015.[32] He was released on June 1, 2015.[33]

Tampa Bay Rays

On June 15, 2015, Sizemore signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. He became a free agent at the end of the 2015 season and did not play in 2016.[34]

Post-playing career

In February 2017, the Indians hired Sizemore as an advisor to the team's player development department.[35]

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Grady Sizemore biography". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
  3. AMERICAN LEAGUE; Indians Trade Colon to Expos - The New York Times
  4. "Cleveland locks up another youngster in Sizemore". Espn.com. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  5. Neyer, Rob (February 14, 2007). "Sizemore emerging as a legitimate star". ESPN Insider. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  6. Verducci, Tom (May 8, 2007). "One Sizemore Fits All". Sports Illustrated. Time Warner. Retrieved September 22, 2007.
  7. Castrovince, Anthony (November 6, 2007). "Sizemore earns first Gold Glove Award". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  8. "Indians' Sizemore misses second straight game with sprained right ankle". Espn.com. Associated Press. April 28, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  9. "NL All-Stars 3 Mgr:Clint Hurdle at AL All-Stars 4 Mgr:Terry Francona". Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  10. "Sizemore joins 30–30 club, Indians win again". USA Today. Associated Press. August 26, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  11. Hoynes, Paul (November 6, 2008). "Cleveland Indians centerfielder Grady Sizemore wins second AL Gold Glove". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio: Advance Media. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  12. Beck, Jason (November 13, 2008). "Sizemore adds Silver Slugger to list". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  13. Progressive Leaders &amp Records for Power-Speed # | Baseball-Reference.com
  14. Castrovince, Anthony (February 27, 2009). "Sizemore decides to sit out Classic". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
  15. "Yanks get slammed by Indians in opener of new ballpark". Cbssports.com. CBS Interactive. April 16, 2009. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2009.
  16. Castrovince, Anthony (September 9, 2009). "Sizemore's elbow surgery successful". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
  17. http://www.sizemorefan.com
  18. "Sizemore had microfracture surgery". Espn.com. Associated Press. June 5, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  19. Bastian, Jordan (August 16, 2011). "Sizemore back to baseball activities". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  20. "Active Leaders & Records for Fielding % as OF". Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. Bastian, Jordan; Jason Beck (October 31, 2011). "Indians decline on Sizemore, keep Carmona". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  22. Bastian, Jordan (November 23, 2011). "Sizemore couldn't picture leaving Cleveland". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  23. Hoynes, Paul (August 21, 2012). "Josh Tomlin will have surgery, Grady Sizemore done for year: Cleveland Indians Insider". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio: Advance Media. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  24. Castrovince, Anthony (December 3, 2012). "Knee surgery will delay Sizemore's return to Majors". Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  25. Rosenthal, Ken (January 7, 2013). "Latest on Grady Sizemore". MLB BUZZ. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  26. Lauber, Scott (January 23, 2014). "Grady Sizemore set to battle for CF job". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  27. "Red Sox designate OF Sizemore for assignment". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 17, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  28. Todd, Jeff (June 18, 2014). "Red Sox Release Grady Sizemore". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  29. "Phillies sign OF Sizemore to minor league deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 24, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  30. Zolecki, Todd (August 15, 2014). "Phillies could have interest in retaining Sizemore". phillies.com: News. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  31. "Phillies, Sizemore agree to 1-year, $2M contract". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  32. "Phillies recall Asche, designate Sizemore". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  33. "Rays call up OF Grady Sizemore". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 28, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  34. Chastain, Bill (June 28, 2015). "Sizemore has three hits in Rays' debut". MLB.com. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  35. Bastian, Jordan (February 14, 2017). "Sizemore joins Tribe as front-office advisor". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2017.

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Víctor Martínez		 Indians' Minor League Player of the Year
(the Lou Boudreau Award)
2003		 Succeeded by
Ryan Garko
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