Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
NFL star Chris Spielman's wife loses cancer battle
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
Man allegedly paid teens to spit in his face
Angel Food Ministries helps stretch grocery dollars
Poor machine maintenance blamed for fire at Akron business
Retired firefighter who broke color barrier among those being honored
Blogs:
Pets:
Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Night Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your Saturday entertainment …
Akron Zips:
Two blowouts, one night
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Singletary update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Indiana Pacers – Here’s to LBJ and Free Throws
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Bowling season starts today
All Da King's Men:
Headed For Disaster
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Will Health Care Reform Pass?
Akron Law Café:
Federal Judge Declares DOMA Unconstitutional
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Tribe center fielder surprised by award despite just two errors
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Friday, Nov 07, 2008
Grady Sizemore gets more attention for his offense, but American League managers and coaches have selected the Indians' center fielder as a Gold Glove winner for the second year in a row.
''It's a great feeling,'' Sizemore said from his home in suburban Phoenix. ''I don't go into the season thinking something like this.
''I wasn't expecting to win it this year, so it makes me feel that much better. It makes me want to work that much harder to win a third next year.''
Sizemore committed only two errors all season and routinely made spectacular diving catches or saved extra-base hits with his workmanship at various outfield fences.
He is the first Tribe player since shortstop Omar Vizquel to win consecutive Gold Gloves. Vizquel, who won a Gold Glove as a member of the Tribe in 2000 and 2001, is the San Francisco Giants' regular shortstop.
The most recent Indians outfielder to win back-to-back Gold Gloves was Kenny Lofton in 1995-96. Lofton also was a center fielder.
Sizemore started 151 games in center last season and posted a .996 fielding percentage, eighth best among American League outfielders and second best among the league's center fielders. He finished the season with 36 errorless games in a row.
Even though Sizemore's accomplishments ranged from hitting 33 home runs (tying for sixth in the AL) and stealing 38 bases (fifth) to being named to the Sporting News postseason All-Star Team, it was not an altogether satisfying year for him, partly because the team did not live up to expectations.
''It was frustrating,'' Sizemore said. ''I was happy with some things but not with others. That's probably the way it will always be for me. It can be frustrating, because I like to do things at the highest level possible.''
Sizemore has been doing some of his offseason workouts at the Tribe's new spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz., along with Ryan Garko and Josh Barfield.
What will he do with his second Gold Glove trophy?
''The first one is at my folks' house,'' he said. ''I don't really have a display case for it. So I hope they can make some more room.''
Other winners
Carlos Pena raised the Tampa Bay Rays' profile when he became the first player in franchise history to win the Gold Glove for fielding excellence.
''I think this is the first of many for the Tampa Bay Rays,'' he said on a conference call.
The Rays reached the playoffs for the first time since starting play in 1998. They went to the World Series, losing in five games to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Texas Rangers shortstop Michael Young became the first infielder to win a Gold Glove from a team with the worst fielding percentage in the majors. Pena, Young, Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia and Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer were first-time winners.
The outfield was a repeat from last season: Los Angeles Angels' Torii Hunter and Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki each won for the eighth consecutive year.
New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina, coming off his first 20-win season, added to his accolades with his seventh Gold Glove. Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre won for the second consecutive year.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Grady Sizemore gets more attention for his offense, but American League managers and coaches have selected the Indians' center fielder as a Gold Glove winner for the second year in a row.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
