Sizemore now the top dog
CLEVELAND -- Nobody is talking about who will bat leadoff for the Indians anymore, because manager Eric Wedge has settled on his candidate: Grady Sizemore.Wedge has wrestled with that spot for most of the season. But he turned to Sizemore out of almost desperation as much as anything else.
"We tried multiple people in that area," Wedge said. "It wasn't just the leadoff [hitter]; the whole dynamic of our lineup really wasn't functioning the way we wanted it to.
"Once Grady went up there, we had some consistency up top, and that's where it starts. That was big for us."
It's was big indeed, because the Indians have played solid baseball with the 22-year-old Sizemore and his speed at the top of the batting order. The recent road trip speaks to Sizemore's ability, because he was 20-for-49 (.408) with one homer, seven RBIs and 13 runs scored.
"We felt that Grady was gonna be a leadoff guy or a middle-of-the-lineup guy," Wedge said. "Obviously, he's taken advantage of [leading off] and it's his.
"Now, it's just a testament to his ability and his toughness."
In San Francisco, Sizemore was sizzling. He went 7-for-12 (.583) with two walks, which are the kind of on-base numbers that a manager longs for. Nobody else who has been in that spot has jump-started the offense the way Sizemore has.
"He's a clutch player," Wedge said. "He likes to be in important situations."
Sign of the times: Right-hander Jason Davis has this green hat on a hook inside his locker. He's proud of the hat.
"It came in the mail the other day," said Davis, taking the hat down to show it off. "My owner's edition John Deere cap."
He then laughed, before adding: "You do know what a John Deere is, don't you?"
Here's the question: On April 8, 1975, the Indians opened their season against the Yankees. Who led off the game for the Tribe that day? Check out the answer below.
Quotable: "It isn't the high price of stars that is expensive; it's the high price of mediocrity." -- Former Indians owner Bill Veeck
Did you know? Jose Hernandez, picked up as a free agent last offseason, is in his 19th season of professional baseball. He spent the 2004 campaign with the Dodgers, where he played four positions: second base, shortstop, left field and third base. In 2001, the versatile Hernandez hit a career-high 25 homers for the Brewers.
Signed, sealed: The Indians agreed to terms with right-hander James Deters (seventh-round pick), right-hander Jason Schutt (10th round), infielder Nick Petrucci (11th round), infielder Andrew Lytle (25th round), left-hander Thomas Cowley (26th round) and right-hander Matthew Loberg (31st round).
Deters went 7-1 with a 2.79 ERA in nine starts for Calvin College in Michigan this spring. He also tossed five complete games and limited hitters to a .218 batting average.
Kevin Millwood / P
Born: 12/24/74
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 220 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
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This and that: Right-hander Kevin Millwood will come of the disabled list Thursday and start against the Rockies, Wedge said. The skipper did not, however, announce whose roster spot Millwood will take. ... The Indians are 7-2 in Interleague Play and are 77-71 against National League teams since 1997. ... The Indians have won 14 of their last 21 games. ... Aaron Boone is 10 for his last 29 (.345). ... The Indians are 6-9 against left-handers.
Tribe tidbits: Tribe fans can buy tickets for home games at The Jake through the Internet at www.indians.com, at the Jacobs Field box office, at the seven Cleveland Indians Team Shops in Northeast Ohio and through the Ticketmaster.com phone center (1-866-48-TRIBE). ... The Indians, the Cleveland Clinic and the American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive from 1-8 p.m. ET on June 16 at Jacobs Field. The location inside the ballpark will be the Carnegie Driveway in front of the Club Lounge. The Indians are inviting all front office staff and families, game day employees and the local media to participate in the drive. ... For the first time since Jacobs Field opened in 1994, fans will have the opportunity to watch the Indians take batting practice before Tuesday night games. The Market Pavilion opens at 4:30 p.m. ET, and it will be open for all night games through Aug. 31. Fans will be able to watch the Tribe take their cuts while they eat dinner in the Market Pavilion or socialize at the new Batter's Eye Bar.
The great one: Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky will be in Jacobs Field for Saturday night's game against the Diamondbacks at 7:05 ET. Gretzky will be appearing on all of the broadcasts on behalf of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The foundation is conducting the "Home Run Challenge," a program that is designed to create awareness about prostate cancer while also raising money to support the PCF. MLB Charities has committed $50,000 to the foundation.
And here's the answer: With manager/DH Frank Robinson batting behind him, left fielder Oscar Gamble hit leadoff for the Indians in a game they won, 5-3. Buddy Bell, Boog Powell and Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry were also in the lineup in that Opening Day game.
On deck: The Indians meet the Rockies on Wednesday for the second game of their three-game series. C.C. Sabathia will start for the Tribe, while Colorado will start left-hander Joe Kennedy.
Source: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/
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