Sizemore's game speaks volumes

Twins ace Johan Santana should have made Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore flinch when the two went head to head earlier this month. Santana is the reigning A.L. Cy Young winner, one of the best lefthanders in the game. Sizemore, who bats lefthanded, is hitting about .240 against lefties.

But Sizemore is 23, in his first full major league season.

Maybe he just doesn't know any better.

Maybe he just doesn't care.

Maybe he's going to be that good.

For whatever reason, he took a healthy cut at a Santana slider.

Gone--377-feet, no-doubt gone.

One batter, one swing, Indians in front, 1-0. Eight innings later, Cleveland had a 4-2 victory and the lead in the A.L. wild-card race--an advantage the Indians still held at the start of the week.

"It is fun to start a game with a homer," Sizemore said. "It feels good just to lead off with a hit."

Actually, Sizemore whispered it. He's a polite young man, quiet and determined not to say anything that would offend anyone.

Sizemore began the week with 20 homers and 77 RBIs, producing most of that from the leadoff spot. He's hitting .291 and leads the team with 11 triples, 21 steals and 100 runs.

He also has been on the field nearly every day, playing in 144 of Cleveland's first 148 games.

Sizemore was shipped to Class AAA Buffalo in the final week of spring training for more seasoning because the Indians planned to start Juan Gonzalez. Then Gonzalez pulled a hamstring, and Sizemore was summoned before the opener.

One major league scout says Sizemore (6-2, 210), who was recruited to play quarterback at Washington, is a "really good athlete" who will develop into a good major league outfielder.

"He has made a big difference on that club because having him in center has allowed Coco Crisp to move to left," the scout says. "Crisp is a better left fielder than center fielder, and he gives them a better bat in left than what they had."--From wire services

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