Indians' Young Star Lets His Bat Do Talking - Akron Beacon Journal

Sizemore already very good, but going to get better
By Terry Pluto

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Most Indians fans know Grady Sizemore is good, but few realize exactly how good.
That's because Grady Sizemore hates talking about Grady Sizemore. He's polite, respectful and shy.
``It's not an act,'' Tribe General Manager Mark Shapiro said. ``That's his personality.''
It's also why, in Shapiro's words, ``Opposing managers drool over having a guy like Grady.''
It explains why Indians manager Eric Wedge hates to take Sizemore out of the lineup. The center fielder played 158 out of 162 games last season, and Wedge said he has no intention of resting Sizemore unless there is an obvious need such as an injury or a severe slump.
``There are some guys who you just want out there every day,'' Wedge said.
Or as Sizemore said, ``Why would I ever want a day off? I love to play.''
It sounds like Sizemore has been in the majors for 10 years rather than slightly more than a full season. Despite his face that looks like it came from his junior prom picture, there is a certain serenity about Sizemore.
``You look at him in the clubhouse, and you don't know if you won or lost,'' Shapiro said. ``But on the field, he runs out everything. He's a player who has a lot of physical talent, and his attitude matches that.''
If you like numbers, Sizemore will keep your calculator busy. The basics are a .289 average with 22 homers and 81 RBI as a leadoff hitter.
Dig a little deeper and you find 37 doubles, 11 triples and 22 stolen bases. He really can run.
With runners in scoring position, he was a .300 hitter. He could draw a few more walks (only 52) and strike out a little less (132). Keep in mind that he won't be 24 until Aug. 2.
Not only is Sizemore very, very good -- he should get better.
Developing power
When you spend time with Sizemore, you realize that his bat is a lot louder than his voice. It's like he's embarrassed by the attention. He's smarter than he lets on -- a 3.8 grade-point average in high school.
Then again, being bright might be why he doesn't enjoy talking about himself. That also might be why he only looms big on the radar screens of fans who sincerely study the game.
``I don't look at my numbers and stuff like that,'' he said. ``I try to get on base. I try to hit the ball hard. I try to do my job the right way.''
What about power?
Sizemore never had more than 12 homers in a minor-league season until he hit 22 with the Tribe in 2005 -- and 13 came after the All-Star break, seven in September.
``I don't think about home runs,'' he said.
Really?
``Really,'' he said. ``I think about scoring runs. I think about ways to help us win. But I never swing for home runs.''
When the Indians obtained Sizemore from the Montreal Expos as part of the Bartolo Colon deal in June 2002, he was only 19. He was playing for Class A Brevard, hitting a mere .258 with no homers.
``He was still growing into his body,'' Shapiro said. ``We didn't know if he'd hit for power. But we liked his swing. He knew he was a great athlete in high school who was recruited by Washington to play quarterback. We knew he was an outstanding person. All of his coaches loved him. We knew he could run and play center field. And we knew he'd keep improving.''

Not afraid to fail
Even now, the Indians aren't sure what they'll have in Sizemore in a few more years.
Will he still be a leadoff hitter producing as he did in 2005?
Or will his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame continue to fill out. A player who hit 22 homers in the majors at age 22 could easily mature into a 30-home run hitter by his late 20s.
Power usually is the last thing that appears for most hitters.
``I don't want to talk to Grady about doing anything more than he's already done,'' Wedge said. ``He's such a good kid, it's best to let him develop at his own pace. I just love his mental approach to the game.''
Meaning?
``He's so consistent in his temperament, he approaches the game the same way,'' Wedge said.
Or as Shapiro said, ``He doesn't let a bad performance define him as a person. He can separate from that, which helps him come back quicker from a bad day.''
There's something else.
``He's not afraid to fail,'' Wedge said. ``If he swings at a pitch in the dirt, he stays with it. He doesn't get timid and just try to make contact. He'll go after the next pitch if it's something he can hit.''
Sizemore believes in his talent and his ability to become a star. He'll never say that, which is refreshing in a era when so many players talk so much more than they produce.
``I already see Grady becoming a big-game player,'' Wedge said. ``He's young, but he's showing he can handle pressure. He's special.''