Indians Confidential

Hillerich & Bradsby, the parent company of Louisville Slugger, today announced the recipients of the American League Silver Slugger Award for 2008.

Cleveland Indians CF GRADY SIZEMORE earned his first career Silver Slugger today in the balloting conducted at the end of the season by AL Managers and Coaches. Sizemore is the first Indian since 2004 (CA Victor Martinez) to garner a Silver Slugger and the first Indians outfielder awarded since OF Juan Gonzalez in 2001. At 26 years of age he is the youngest Indian to win a Silver Slugger since 3B Jim Thome in 1996.

Below are highlights from Sizemore’s 2008 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.

· Won 2nd consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award…First back-to-back winner for the Indians since SS Omar Vizquel in 2000-01… 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 CFs)

· 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

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