Grady Sizemore
Encyclopedia
Gradius "Grady" Sizemore III (born August 2, 1982) is an American professional baseball
outfielder
with the Cleveland Indians
of Major League Baseball
.
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.
selected Sizemore in the third round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
. The team offered him a $2 million signing bonus to lure him away from college, to which Sizemore agreed.
On June 27, 2002, Sizemore was part of a six-player trade between the Indians and the Expos. Montreal dealt Sizemore, along with Cliff Lee
, Brandon Phillips
and Lee Stevens
to Cleveland in exchange for Bartolo Colón
and Tim Drew
.
as the only players in franchise history to record 20 doubles
, 10 triples
, 20 home run
s and 20 stolen base
s in the same season. Sizemore's best month 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 season, Sizemore signed a six-year contract with the Indians worth $23.45 million with a club option for 2012.
as a reserve outfielder
. In the All-Star game, he had two at bat
s and went 0–2. In addition to his offense, he also was a fine center fielder, making some spectacular plays. Overall in 2006, Sizemore batted
.290 with 28 home runs and 76 RBI, playing in all 162 games. He scored 134 runs
to lead the league, 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).
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".
On July 1, 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 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.
Sizemore's streak of 382 consecutive games played ended on April 27 in a 1–0 loss to the Yankees, due to a sprained ankle
sustained the preceding day.
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
.
He was the only AL hitter to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 20 bases each year during 2004–08.
For his efforts in 2008, Sizemore was awarded his second consecutive Gold Glove (his .995 fielding percentage was second among AL center fielders). He was also awarded his first Silver Slugger Award.
, but pulled out after injuring his left groin early in spring training
.
On April 16, Sizemore hit the first grand slam
home run at the new Yankee Stadium
off New York reliever Dámaso Marté
. It was his third career grand slam.
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
. 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, thus ending his 2009 season one month before the final game.
During the offseason, Sizemore's girlfriend, Brittany Binger
, was the victim of an internet hacker. As a result, several photos of Sizemore were stolen from Binger's personal e-mail account. Sizemore was near-nude in most of the photos, including the infamous coffee cup photo. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-5839913-504083.html
was performed on his left knee.
and Ryan Braun
. The Indians declined Sizemore's 2012 contract option. He later re-signed with Cleveland, signing a one-year contract worth $5 million.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Early life
Sizemore was born to a White mother and an African-American father. Sizemore graduated from Cascade High SchoolCascade High School (Everett, Washington)
Cascade High School is a secondary school located in Everett, Washington, United States which caters to grades 9–12 and has an annual enrollment of approximately 1,933 students. Students attending Cascade High School live primarily within the city of Everett, but some live in Mill Creek,...
in Everett
Everett, Washington
Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
, Washington, in 2000. A high school star in football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, Sizemore signed a letter of intent
Letter of intent
A letter of intent is a document outlining an agreement between two or more parties before the agreement is finalized. The concept is similar to a heads of agreement...
to play football and baseball at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. At the time of his high school graduation, Sizemore was Cascade's all-time leader in rushing yards with 3,081.
Professional career
The Montreal ExposMontreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
selected Sizemore in the third round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
2000 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Compensation picks:- Background :The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzalez of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA the first overall selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft...
. The team offered him a $2 million signing bonus to lure him away from college, to which Sizemore agreed.
On June 27, 2002, Sizemore was part of a six-player trade between the Indians and the Expos. Montreal dealt Sizemore, along with Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
, Brandon Phillips
Brandon Phillips
Brandon Emil Phillips is a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. The Raleigh, North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by the former Montreal Expos after signing a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Georgia...
and Lee Stevens
Lee Stevens
DeWain Lee Stevens is a former first baseman and designated hitter drafted by the California Angels out of Lawrence High School in the first round of the 1986 amateur draft in Major League Baseball who played from to and from to for the California Angels, Texas Rangers, Montreal Expos, and...
to Cleveland in exchange for Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2009 and again in 2011...
and Tim Drew
Tim Drew
Timothy Andrew Drew is a former American Major League Baseball player.-Baseball career:The brother of MLB players J. D. Drew and Stephen Drew, Tim was a pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians , Montreal Expos , and Atlanta Braves .He was named the Indians' 1999 Minor League Player of the Year...
.
2005
In , 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, and has stayed there since. 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 AlomarRoberto Alomar
Roberto "Robbie" Alomar Velázquez is a former Major League Baseball player , regarded by many as one of the best second basemen in MLB history. During his career he won more Gold Gloves than any other second baseman in history, and also won the second-most Silver Slugger Awards for a second...
as the only players in franchise history to record 20 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 10 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 20 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 20 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in the same season. Sizemore's best month came in June when he hit .377 (40–106) with 4 HR and 16 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 25 games. He finished the season batting .289 with 22 home runs, 81 RBI, and 22 SB. Before the start of the season, Sizemore signed a six-year contract with the Indians worth $23.45 million with a club option for 2012.
2006
In 2006, Sizemore was selected to his first All-Star GameMajor League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
as a reserve outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. In the All-Star game, he had two at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s and went 0–2. In addition to his offense, he also was a fine center fielder, making some spectacular plays. Overall in 2006, Sizemore batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.290 with 28 home runs and 76 RBI, playing in all 162 games. He scored 134 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
to lead the league, had 190 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 53 doubles, 11 triples and 22 steals. His OBP
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
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).
2007 season
Sizemore opened by hitting four home runs in his first six games. He hit a three-run inside-the-park home runInside-the-park home run
In baseball parlance, an inside-the-park home run, "leg home run", or "quadruple", is a play where a batter hits a home run without hitting the ball out of play.-Discussion:...
on April 27.
The May 14 issue of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
magazine featured Sizemore on the cover. In the cover article, Indians' general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro
-Biography:Shapiro has been in the Cleveland Indians organization since 1991, when he was recommended by former Tribe GM Hank Peters. He officially became the general manager in 2001 when John Hart left....
calls Sizemore "without a doubt one of the greatest players of our generation".
On July 1, 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 six batters in the AL to have at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, along with Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
, Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield
Gary Antonian Sheffield , nicknamed "Sheff", is an American retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for eight major league ball clubs from 1988 to 2009, primarily as an outfielder.-Biography:...
, Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
, B.J. Upton, and Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
.
On November 6, it was announced that Sizemore had earned his first Gold Glove, after he posted a .995 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
with two errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
and displaying his reputation for great range in center field and acrobatic catches.
2008 season
Sprained ankle
A sprained ankle, also known as an ankle sprain, twisted ankle, rolled ankle, ankle injury or ankle ligament injury, is a common medical condition where one or more of the ligaments of the ankle is torn or partially torn.-Cause:...
sustained the preceding day.
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
2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby
The 2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was held on Monday, July 14, 2008, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York City...
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
30-30 club
The 30–30 club is a grouping of Major League Baseball players who have reached the 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases plateaus in the same season....
.
He was the only AL hitter to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 20 bases each year during 2004–08.
For his efforts in 2008, Sizemore was awarded his second consecutive Gold Glove (his .995 fielding percentage was second among AL center fielders). He was also awarded his first Silver Slugger Award.
2009 season
Sizemore committed to play in the 2009 World Baseball ClassicWorld Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and created by Major League Baseball , the Major League Baseball Players Association , and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world...
, but pulled out after injuring his left groin early in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
.
On April 16, Sizemore hit the first grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
home run at the new Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
off New York reliever Dámaso Marté
Dámaso Marté
Dámaso Marté Sabinon is a Dominican Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Chicago White Sox .-Seattle Mariners:...
. It was his third career grand slam.
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
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. 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, thus ending his 2009 season one month before the final game.
During the offseason, Sizemore's girlfriend, Brittany Binger
Brittany Binger
Brittany Binger is an American model who was the Playboy Playmate of the Month for June 2007.-Personal:Binger was born in Bellevue, Ohio. She has dated baseball player Grady Sizemore.-Career:...
, was the victim of an internet hacker. As a result, several photos of Sizemore were stolen from Binger's personal e-mail account. Sizemore was near-nude in most of the photos, including the infamous coffee cup photo. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-5839913-504083.html
2010 season
After playing in 33 games, Sizemore's season ended after microfracture surgeryMicrofracture surgery
Microfracture surgery is one of the articular cartilage repair surgical techniques that works by creating tiny fractures in the underlying bone. This causes new cartilage to develop from a so-called super-clot...
was performed on his left knee.
2011 season
Sizemore returned to the Cleveland Indians from his microfracture surgery, after rehabilitating in AAA, on April 17, 2011. Sizemore went 2 for 4 in 4 at-bats with a double and homerun. 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. Through 2011, he had the third-best career fielding percentage of all major league outfielders (.9935), behind Shane VictorinoShane Victorino
Shane Patrick Victorino is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed.-Career:...
and Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
. The Indians declined Sizemore's 2012 contract option. He later re-signed with Cleveland, signing a one-year contract worth $5 million.