GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) -All ballplayers have a statistical offensive ceiling, the intersection where potential collides with talent. Grady Sizemore may not have touched his limits.
Just 26 years old, Cleveland’s supremely gifted All-Star center fielder has hit at least 20 homers and stolen 20 bases in each of his four full seasons in the majors. Last year, he hit 33 homers and stole 38 bases, becoming just the second Indians player and 10th in AL history in the 30-30 club.
Only four players – Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano – have ever recorded 40 homers and 40 steals in the same season.
The 40-40 fraternity is baseball’s most select brotherhood.
Can Sizemore join it?
“Oh yeah,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “Anything is possible with Grady.”
emore embodies everything the Indians want in a player.
“He’s unlike any I’ve ever been around,” said Wedge, now in his seventh season with Cleveland. “For me, you have to compare him to the great ones.”
Grady the Great.
His numbers might be impressive to outsiders, but Sizemore isn’t satisfied. And it’s that quest for perfection that makes him so good. While other players might be content to hit, say, .275 with 30 doubles and 20 homers, Sizemore wants more.
“I try to improve on every aspect of my game every year,” he said earlier this week following a post-practice weightlifting session. “You try to build on what success you’ve had and you try to minimize your weaknesses, improve as much as you can on those and go from there. For me, it’s everything from defensive work to base running to hitting.”
A workout fiend, Sizemore has been fine-tuning his game for months. The Indians’ new state-of-the-art training complex is less than an hour’s drive from his home in Scottsdale, and Sizemore has taken advantage of the proximity since November. His days in the desert this spring are numbered.
the WBC, but didn’t want to pass up the chance to represent his country.
Like all teams, the Indians have their concerns about having one of their stars participate in the international tournament. There’s always the risk of injury, but with Sizemore, that’s always the case. A former high school football standout who was recruited by Washington, Sizemore plays with a fearlessness that never subsides.
During a routine popup drill at camp a few days ago, Sizemore went full bore after a ball in right-center and collided with right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Guess who got the worst of it? Choo limped away to the trainer’s room with a bruised right knee. Sizemore jogged back to his spot in center.
“I guess he didn’t know I was a linebacker,” Sizemore cracked.
It’s Sizemore’s all-or-nothing attitude and hustle that makes him so endearing.
“It doesn’t matter where he’s playing. It could be a pickup game on a Little League field or in the World Series,” Wedge said. “He’s going to play the game the same way.”
And if it was up to Sizemore, he would play every day.
He played in 382 straight games before his streak was snapped last April by a sprained ankle. Since 2005, Sizemore has played in at least 157 games every season. Wedge felt Sizemore wore down in the second half last season, so he’d like to give his Gold Glove winner a few more off days in 2009.
nly to have Sizemore respond with an incredulous, you’re-not-serious look.
Sizemore can’t handle arriving in the clubhouse, checking the lineup card and not seeing his name written in the leadoff spot.
“As long as I’m not hurt I want to be out there,” said Sizemore, a horrible bench warmer. “I pace in the dugout a lot. There’s a lot of up-and-down movement. I change seats. It’s not a comfortable feeling. It’s tough when you’re watching your boys play and you’re not out there.
“It’s also good for the body to take a day off, but that doesn’t mean I’ll ever accept it.”
Sizemore has improved every aspect of his game since breaking in with the Indians in 2004. His power numbers, walks and stolen base totals have risen. His arm has gotten stronger. He has become selective at the plate and a smarter base runner. His batting average dipped from a high of .290 in 2006 to .268 last season, but the slight slide hasn’t sounded any alarms for Wedge.
“It (batting average) is somewhat of an overrated stat,” he said. “There are so many other numbers that are more important to a team winning a ballgame. It doesn’t worry me.”
During individual meetings this spring, Wedge spoke with his players about areas where they can improve. His meeting with Sizemore didn’t take long.
No, Sizemore isn’t flawless. But to the Indians, he’s close.
“Usually you have an idea of how good somebody can be,” Wedge said. “I just don’t know with Grady.”
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