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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.
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