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News and Notes

by Ryan on Sep 25, 2006 11:01 PM EDT in News

The Indians have revealed their plans for the new Indians Hall of Fame. The facility will be called Heritage Park, and it will reside beyond the center field wall, where the present picnic area stands. The monument will recognize the Indians Hall of Fame, a collection of memorable moments, and also the 100 Greatest Indians (selected in 2001). The top tier will house monuments to the 15 Indians who are also in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

What's nice about the design is that fans will be able to visit the park during the game; previously, that area was off-limits because it served as the batter's eye. And it's also nice that the rich tradition of the franchise will be brought out into public view.

Speaking of history, Grady Sizemore joined some elite company on Sunday. By hitting his 25th home run, he joined Lou Gehrig, Chuck Klein and Joe Medwick (all Hall of Famers) as the only players to hit 50 doubles, 10 triples, and 25 home runs in a season. Triples are a lot harder to come by due to modern park configurations, so it's been almost seventy years since anyone else has done it (Medwick in 1937).

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Re: News and Notes

Great article on Buster Olney's blog today about Grady and his enthusiasm for the game. I remember last year discussing with a friend on who would succede Barry Bonds, and I was emphatic that it was going to be Grady. When I see his Basball Prospectus comp to Duke Snider it about brings a tear to my eye. Bar injury(knock on wood), I think we're watching everyday the future best player in baseball. And I look forward to seeing him up on that shrine one day.

by Ghostof WillHartley on Sep 26, 2006 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Re: News and Notes

Grady is the kind of player that every kid should want to play like. It doesn't matter about what the score is or what our god awful record is, he plays all out. My sons and I were watching him making a diving catch on the track last week and we all were on our feet in our living room. Unfortunately we were losing like 9-2 at the time, BUT WHO CARES.....Grady has been a great bright spot in a lousy season. Let's just hope he doesn't kill himself out there.

by rick57 on Sep 26, 2006 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

Re: News and Notes

FWIW, my cousin lives in Cleveland, and his hobby is collecting autographs. He goes to countless games, lunches, and God knows what else to get different players to sign stuff for him. He's become friends with some ex-Indians in the past (Thome and Rocker are the two I think he knows best), and he has met almost all of the current players. Here's what he told me about Grady: "Sizemore is a good ball player but a ego manic in my dealings with him."

I guess if I was 24, good looking, a fantastic ballplayer, and a millionaire, I'd be cocky as hell, too. Still, I'd at least keep this in mind if you think he's a saint. Frankly, I could care less. He's one of my favorite players, and he's a guy I've kept a very close eye on since the minute we picked him up. It's been fun to watch him grow into a star, so I don't really care that he has a bit of an ego.

by Kos @ Let's Go Tribe! on Sep 26, 2006 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

Re: News and Notes

Things look rosy for Grady and the tribe now, but his first two years are very similar to Darin Erstad's (Grady has shown a bit more power). Their all-out styles are similar also. Erstad is such a wreck now, it is hard to remember he was a young stud once.

I don't think that will be Sizemore's future, but there are more busts out there than one expects.

by oxforddave on Sep 26, 2006 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

Re: News and Notes

That comparison isn't really accurate.

Why can't we just celebrate a remarkable performance in an otherwise awful season, anyway?

by mkwng @ Let's Go Tribe! on Sep 26, 2006 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

We're Cleveland fans and it's patently obvious the universe hates us?

by buckeyeskeeve on Sep 26, 2006 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

correct

Wait 'til next year... or something like that

by Brad D on Sep 26, 2006 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

I am so tired of that.

by mkwng @ Let's Go Tribe! on Sep 26, 2006 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

should have put in a [/sarc] sorry.

Wait 'til next year... or something like that

by Brad D on Sep 26, 2006 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

No, you are correct. It is not accurate. But it is a possibility. Sizemore will end up somewhere between Bonds and Erstad. The whole range is possible.

by oxforddave on Sep 26, 2006 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

I wasn't referring to the accuracy of the projection but the accuracy of the actual comparison of Grady = Erstad + a little power:

Erstad age 22: .284/.333/.375 81 OPS+ 1.1 WARP3 (rookie year, 208 AB)
Grady age 22: .289/.348/.484 125 OPS+ 7.7 WARP3 (first full year)

Erstad age 23: .299/.360/.466 114 OPS+ 4.5 WARP3
Grady age 23: .290/.376/.534 ??? OPS+ 10.2 WARP3

You know who has a line almost identical to that age 23 Erstad season this year? Mark DeRosa.

Grady could fall off a cliff. But I bet he doesn't.

by mkwng @ Let's Go Tribe! on Sep 27, 2006 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

You compared "age" years, while I compared 1st two full years in the majors. But "age" years are only usually listed as integers, as they are arbitrarily divided at July 1 (I think, maybe it is Aug 1). The birthdates are actually, Erstad: 6/4/74; Grady: 8/2/82. So calling July 1 as the zero point in years you get putting the ages in decimals.

first full years
Erstad age 23.1 (97): .299/.360/.466
Grady age 22.9 (05): .289/.348/.484

second full years
Erstad age 24.1 (98): .296/.353/.486
Grady age 23.9 (06): .290/.376/.534

Grady is better, but you need to compare the correct years. I do completely agree with your last line.

Finally, doing this research I found a bigger difference between the two. Man, that Erstad is one ugly dude.

by oxforddave on Sep 27, 2006 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

Ah, while I'm at it, here is another left hand hitting, defensively adept, young centerfielder.

Bonds 22.9 (87): .261/.329/.492 - 32 SB
Bonds 23.9 (88): .283/.368/.491 - 17 SB

It is interesting that both Bonds and Erstad had disappointing age 25 years (I am rounding), before bouncing back with superb age 26 years. After that, their paths diverge greatly.

I remember long ago that Bill James did similarity studies, and found that race played a huge role in long-term future performance, with blacks well outperforming whites even after they started with similar stats. This is borne out in this specific (Bonds/Erstad) case, take from it what you will. As for Grady, he splits the difference on this.

by oxforddave on Sep 27, 2006 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

FYI, Grady's OPS+ will come in right around 120 for the season. League offense is up, average OPS is 777, probably around 762 for Indians players after park adjustments.

You know who has a line almost identical to that age 23 Erstad season this year? Mark DeRosa.

Sure, at age 31!

by Jay on Sep 27, 2006 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: News and Notes

Grady is one of the few reasons I've been able to tune in to STO most of this season.

He's "Saint Grady" for what he does on the field, right?

For an incomplete blog offering an incomplete take on the sports world, visit http://turftoe.blogspot.com/

by emd2k3 on Sep 26, 2006 8:49 PM EDT reply actions

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