There may come a time when returning to the Puget Sound will be no big deal for Cleveland Indians centerfielder Grady Sizemore. But the former All-Star from Mill Creek still enjoys the experience, even though none of his relatives still live in the state.
“It’s always nice to come home,” said Sizemore, whose parents now live in Arizona.
The next time Sizemore comes around, he’s hoping to be in a better position. For the second year in a row, Sizemore’s Indians are struggling and all but eliminated from playoff contention.
“Obviously, you’re always pushing for the playoffs and to go as far as you can go, but it’s not going to happen every year,” said Sizemore, who turns 27 in September. “We had a good run in ’07.
“… It’s so hard to be a playoff team every year. It’s always frustrating when you don’t make it, but it’s one of those things where it’s not going to happen every year.”
Sizemore is also going through one of the worst seasons, statistically, of his professional career. He’s hitting .227, 52 points below his career average heading into the season. He also missed nearly a month with an elbow injury, marking the first trip to the disabled list of his six-year career.
“It’s frustrating, but everyone has to deal with injuries sooner or later,” said Sizemore, who admits that his elbow is still not 100-percent healed. “It’s been a struggle so far.”
Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said that the Indians might use Sizemore as a designated hitter in some games, while other nights he won’t play at all to help the elbow heal.
“Anytime you’re battling your body, it has to be frustrating,” Wedge said. “And with the season we’re having, that makes it all the more frustrating.”
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