Indians Confidential

GOLDEN GRADY: GRADY SIZEMORE earned his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove today, earning a spot in the outfield on the American League Rawlings Gold Glove team. The voting was conducted at the end of the 2008 season in a poll of American League Managers and Coaches.

The last Indians player to win consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards was SS OMAR VIZQUEL (2000-01) and the last Indians outfielder with consecutive Rawlings Gold Gloves was KENNY LOFTON (1995-96).

Sizemore made 151 starts in CF, making just 2 errors in 386 total chances (.995 fielding % was 8th among AL outfielders and 2nd best among AL centerfielders). He finished the season with a 36-game errorless streak.

Other highlights from Sizemore’s season:

· Joined Joe Carter (1987) as the only two players in club history to hit 30HR and steal 30 bases…Compiled a career-high 33 home runs (T6th in the AL) and 38 steals (5th in the AL)…Named to The Sporting News American League post-season All Star Team with LHP CLIFF LEE…Earned 3rd straight appearance on the AL All-Star Team.

· First Indian since “Shoeless” Joe Jackson (1911-14) to lead the team in hits in 4 straight seasons (2005-08)…

· Hit his 100th home run (July 5 at MIN) and stole his 100th career base (July 8 @DET) to become just the 2nd player in club history along with Carter to hit 100 career HR and steal 100 career bases as an Indian…

· Only Indian in 108-year history of the franchise to hit 30 doubles, 30HR and steal 30 bases within the same season …His 32 HR as a CF tied Earl Averill (1931-32) and Larry Doby (1952, ’54) for the most in a single season by an Indians CF

· AL LEADERS- Finished 6th in the league in total bases (318), t2nd in extra base hits (77), 3rd in walks (98)

HOT HODGES: INF WES HODGES has been hot of late for the Surprise Rafters and has been one of the best hitters of the 2008 Arizona Fall League. He has 10 RBI over his last 5 games and over his last 7 games he is 14 for 33 (.424) with 4 2B, 4HR & 14 RBI. For the year in Arizona he is hitting .371 (26-70) with 6 2B, 6HR & 23 RBI in 16 games. He is 10th in the AFL in average, T2nd in HR, 2nd in RBI, 5th in slugging % (.714) and T2nd in extra base hits (12).

MORE HONORS: In addition to being named California League MVP, catcher CARLOS SANTANA has been named Topps Player of the Year for the California League as well…Santana had a monster season, batting .326 (151-463) with 39 2B, 5 3B, 21HR, 125 runs & 117 RBI in 130 combined games at A Inland Empire, A Kinston & AA Akron…He led all minor leaguers in runs and finished 2nd in RBI, T6th in walks (89), 8th in on-base % (.431) and T9th in extra base hits (65)…Was with Class A Inland Empire of the California League from April 3 until being acquired by the Indians on July 26…He was recently selected the best hitter in all of Class A baseball (High A) by MLB.com.