Published: Saturday, July 19, 2008
Sizemore frustrated team isn't doing better
SEATTLE -- The signs of affirmation that Grady Sizemore has made the big time are presenting themselves on a daily basis.
On Monday, Sizemore competed against some of the game's best sluggers in the annual Home Run Derby. On Tuesday, he stood among some of the greatest players in the history of the game during a tribute to Hall of Famers before the All-Star Game.
And on Friday, as his Cleveland Indians prepared to play the Mariners at Safeco Field, the Mill Creek native and Cascade High alum was given superstar treatment by holding a pre-game press conference in the visitor's dugout.
The Indians' star centerfielder is leading the American League with 23 home runs and has 22 stolen bases. Sizemore is on pace to be the game's next 40-40 player.
So what's it like to be on top of the baseball world?
"It's been frustrating," he said, "because the team hasn't been as successful as we would like."
Sizemore is one of the few bright spots for the last-place Indians (41-53). He's having the best year of his young career, but can't put his finger on why.
"I'm more comfortable up there, taking good swings on the ball," he said. "But I still don't feel like I'm anywhere near where I could be."
Despite his power surge -- the 26-year-old Sizemore has never hit more than 28 homers in a single season -- Sizemore does not plan on moving out of the leadoff spot anytime soon.
"I like to bat No. 1. I've been there my whole career," he said. "I'm comfortable with it. I talked to (manager Eric Wedge) about it, and I'm not going anywhere."
Not now, anyway.
"It's going to take somebody proving they can hit leadoff to knock him out of there," Wedge said before Friday's game. "We'll see how it plays out, but he's where he needs to be."
On Monday, Sizemore competed against some of the game's best sluggers in the annual Home Run Derby. On Tuesday, he stood among some of the greatest players in the history of the game during a tribute to Hall of Famers before the All-Star Game.
And on Friday, as his Cleveland Indians prepared to play the Mariners at Safeco Field, the Mill Creek native and Cascade High alum was given superstar treatment by holding a pre-game press conference in the visitor's dugout.
The Indians' star centerfielder is leading the American League with 23 home runs and has 22 stolen bases. Sizemore is on pace to be the game's next 40-40 player.
So what's it like to be on top of the baseball world?
"It's been frustrating," he said, "because the team hasn't been as successful as we would like."
Sizemore is one of the few bright spots for the last-place Indians (41-53). He's having the best year of his young career, but can't put his finger on why.
"I'm more comfortable up there, taking good swings on the ball," he said. "But I still don't feel like I'm anywhere near where I could be."
Despite his power surge -- the 26-year-old Sizemore has never hit more than 28 homers in a single season -- Sizemore does not plan on moving out of the leadoff spot anytime soon.
"I like to bat No. 1. I've been there my whole career," he said. "I'm comfortable with it. I talked to (manager Eric Wedge) about it, and I'm not going anywhere."
Not now, anyway.
"It's going to take somebody proving they can hit leadoff to knock him out of there," Wedge said before Friday's game. "We'll see how it plays out, but he's where he needs to be."
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