Between the Seams: Sizemore makes major impact - Akron Beacon Journal June 29, 2005

By Tom Reed

Long-haired and laid-back Johnny Damon answered three questions about Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore last week before curiosity forced him to ask one of his own.

The Boston Red Sox center fielder inquired about Sizemore's age. Damon was told he's 22.

"That kid has got it together," Damon said.

It certainly appears that way.

We have been waiting for Sizemore, from Cascade High in Everett, to start playing like a rookie.

That hasn't happened. Cleveland fans should consider themselves blessed.

There are any number of things to appreciate about Sizemore, Cleveland's best all-around player. Poise and consistency are the co-leaders in the clubhouse.

Ballplayers in their first full big-league seasons are often erratic — starting, stopping, popping the clutch like 16-year-olds learning to drive a stick shift. Not Sizemore. He has done everything asked by manager Eric Wedge.

Play center field. Bat leadoff. Ignite a struggling offense. If he tended to their needs any better, coaches would be calling him Jeeves.

"His approach is what separates him from other players," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "We knew Grady had the talent, but what we couldn't know is the maturity, focus and poise he would bring so soon."

Shapiro had a good idea of what the Indians were getting in the 2002 trade that sent Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew to the Montreal Expos for Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee, Lee Stevens and Sizemore.

Tony Lacava, a former Indians cross-checker (someone who offers a second opinion on a player) had previously worked in the Expos' organization and was familiar with Sizemore. He knew of the player's solid mental makeup and hard wiring.

That kind of insider trading got Martha Stewart sent to prison. It landed Lacava a front-office gig with the Toronto Blue Jays as director of player personnel. The Indians remain indebted to Lacava and other scouts who recommended Sizemore.

Still, none could have anticipated such a promising beginning.

Sizemore is batting .307, ninth in the American League — with eight home runs and 35 runs batted in. He leads Cleveland in numerous offensive categories, and has committed just two errors in 154 chances.

Oh, yeah, he's also the 24th-highest paid player ($318,300) on a team with the league's 26th-highest payroll. Memo to Paul Dolan: That clicking sound you hear is Sizemore's agent trying to get through on call-waiting.

Since earning a roster spot thanks to Juan Gonzalez's first pulled hamstring, Sizemore has done little but improve. He hustles on every play. He studies the game. He asks astute questions.

Wedge's decision to move him to the leadoff spot kick-started the Indians' offense and rallied them back into playoff contention.

How many first-year players could handle such responsibility?

Some worried that his penchant for striking out — Sizemore leads the team with 57 whiffs — would make him an unlikely fit. He has responded by hitting .455 and scoring 25 runs in June.

"The game isn't too fast for him," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He's going to be a good player."

Francona checked his swing. "He already is a good player," the manager added.

Sizemore merits All-Star Game consideration, but unheralded young outfielders not making Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park their home lack a legitimate shot.

That's OK with Sizemore. Nothing seems to faze him. If he collects three hits or strikes out twice, it doesn't affect his mood or approach. Poised. Collected. Consistent. Sizemore is LeBron James without the sizzle, or the fear that Larry Brown could show up at his doorstep unannounced.

Copyright © 2005 The Seattle Times Company