Grady Sizemore, Outfield


Date of Birth: 8/2/1982
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington

Grady Sizemore, outfielder, started his professional baseball career in 2000 in the Cleveland Indians' minor league system. He continued in the minors until he was called up to the Indians for 43 games in 2004.

In 2005, his rookie year in the major leagues, Sizemore batted .289 with 185 hits, 37 doubles, a career high 11 triples, 22 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases in 158 games. The following season, he led the American League in doubles with a career high of 53. He also had career highs in hits with 190, triples with 11, and batting average with .290.

Sizemore showed his defensive talents in 2007 when he won his first Gold Glove award. As a center fielder, he made 399 putouts with a .995 fielding percentage in 160 games. The next season, he won a second Gold Glove, making 382 putouts with a .995 fielding percentage in 151 games.

In 2008, Sizemore won a Silver Slugger award, batting .268 in 157 games. He had 170 hits, 39 doubles, and career highs in home runs with 33, RBIs with 90, and stolen bases with 38.

Starting in 2009, Sizemore suffered serious injuries that limited his playing time. He had elbow surgery in 2009 and played in 106 games that season. The next year, he had knee surgery and played in just 33 games and injuries and surgery limited his playing time in 2011 to 71 games.

After the 2011 season ended, Sizemore signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Indians. Unfortunately for both Sizemore and the Indians, he once again had injuries, this time knee problems and back surgery, and he missed the entire season. In 2013, he was a free agent but no team signed him and he sat out the season.

In January, 2014, Sizemore signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox. He didn't, however, last long with Boston. On June 18, 2014, he was released by the Red Sox. Six days later, he signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and on July 11, 2014, he was called back up to the majors to play with the Phillies. He finished the 2014 season with 81 hits, 19 doubles, and a .233 batting average in 52 games with the Red Sox and 60 games with the Phillies. On October 23, 2014, he signed a one-year contract with the Phillies.

The Phillies released Sizemore on June 1, 2015. He signed a minor league contract with the Rays on June 15th. He finished the 2015 season with 69 hits, 17 doubles, and a .253 batting average in 39 games with the Phillies and 58 games with the Rays. Defensively, he played 32 games in left field and 42 games in right field.

Sizemore hasn't played professional baseball since 2015.

Statistics for Sizemore in five full seasons (2005-2009) in the major leagues include:

  • 4 seasons with over 150 hits, with a high of 190 in 2006
  • 4 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 53 in 2006
  • 4 seasons with over 20 home runs, with a high of 33 in 2008
  • 4 seasons with over 20 stolen bases, with a high of 38 in 2008

Career batting statistics for Sizemore through 2015 include:

  • 1,101 games played
  • 1,098 hits
  • 252 doubles
  • 150 home runs
  • 143 stolen bases
  • 518 RBIs
  • 952 strikeouts to 483 walks
  • .265 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Sizemore as a center fielder through 2015 include:

  • 873 games played
  • 2,162 putouts
  • 14 errors
  • .994 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Grady Sizemore
ESPN - Grady Sizemore