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Sizemore sets the tone for Indians
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star

With his good looks and wild-abandon approach, center fielder Grady Sizemore has become a fan favorite in Cleveland. BOSTON | It's not much of a stretch, really, to say Cleveland's success all begins with center fielder Grady Sizemore.

He's the leadoff hitter, of course, but it goes far deeper than that. Sizemore, at 25, has come to symbolize these rebuilt Indians, who look to draw even tonight against Boston in the second game of the AL Championship Series.

"If I was going to start a team today," former Royals manager Buddy Bell said more than once, "I'd start with Grady Sizemore. I love the way that kid plays."

Sizemore inspires similar comments from others ― perhaps out of proportion even to his considerable skills. His matinee-idol looks and wild-abandon approach make him a favorite with everyone from teenyboppers to old-school hardliners.

Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro lauds Sizemore as "one of the best players of his generation."

There's more.

Check out the fanaticism of The Grady's Ladies Sisterhood at www.gradysladies.com.

Sizemore tries to keep it all in perspective with a team-first mantra that apparently never slips, which only serves to keep him as popular among his teammates as everywhere else.

"There are a lot of guys in the clubhouse who are excited to be here," he said recently in dodging a question regarding his impact of the Indians' success. "We've all worked together for the last few years, and our core group of guys is a good group to be a part of."

Especially now.

Sizemore was the lynchpin in the benchmark trade that reshaped the Indians from an aging, declining collection that could no longer dominate the American League Central as it did in the late 1990s.

That trade occurred July 27, 2002, when Cleveland sent staff ace Bartolo Colon to the Expos in a six-player deal. Sizemore was just 19 and playing in Class A but already showing sufficient promise that Shapiro insisted on his inclusion.

Sizemore reached the big leagues in 2004 and played well enough the following spring to win a starting job ― except the Indians opted to keep super-tease Juan Gonzalez at the last minute and ship Sizemore to the minors.

It worked out when Gonzalez, almost on cue, immediately broke down with another injury. Back came Sizemore, who batted .289 with 22 homers in 158 games. He's been a durable fixture ever since atop the lineup and in center field.

"You've got to start at the top with Grady (when facing the Indians)," Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett said. "He's the one that gets everything going. Obviously, they've got their thumpers in the middle ― during this time of year not many teams don't have them.

"I think it starts with keeping guys like Grady off base."

Case in point: Sizemore went hitless in five at-bats Friday, including zero for three against Beckett, and the Indians' attack fizzled in a 10-3 loss.

Sizemore played in all 324 games over the last two seasons, and his career averages when projected over a 162-game season are: 117 runs, 24 homers, 80 RBIs, 24 steals and a .369 on-base percentage.

Fine numbers, sure, but his varied constituency insist they amount to only a fraction of Sizemore's impact.

"Grady sets the tone for our team," Shapiro told the Detroit Free-Press earlier this season. "When your most talented player plays with that kind of zeal, energy, and effort, you're pretty fortunate."

The sun was shining down on Cork for the second round of the National League but it was Borrisokane's young ladies who shone brightest of all. With only six athletes making the journey down, the girls had to spread themselves across many different events. Amanda O' Farrell got the day off to a very positive start when she called upon her Multi event skills to take gold in the s


The sun was shining down on Cork for the second round of the National League but it was Borrisokane's young ladies who shone brightest of all. With only six athletes making the journey down, the girls had to spread themselves across many different events. Amanda O' Farrell got the day off to a very positive start when she called upon her Multi event skills to take gold in the shot with 9.92m. It was then on to Amanda's specialised event of Triple Jump where she made yet another massive improvement on her seasons best with 10.64m and claimed a valuble maximum 9 points with the victory. Amanda also finished 2nd in the 100m. Jenny Carroll also had double victories. Jenny stormed home to win the 100m hurdles and after a rocky start in the Hammer, Jenny finally pulled out a massive 30m throw to win. Jenny finished 5th in the Discus. Amanda Nevin jumped a great 4.66m in the long jump for the win and jumped exceptionally well in her specialised event of High Jump clearing 1.55m and finishing 2nd. Amanda also had a superb run in the 200m where she finsihed 2nd. Siobhan O' Doherty continued her great run of form and demolished a great field of athletes in the 1500m.

In the 3000m Siobhan finished 2nd being beat just on the line by a top Irish athlete. Cliona Ryan had another great run over 400m, winning with 59.6 and finished 3rd in a very competive 800m. Lisa Kelly cleared a massive 2.20m to win the Ladies pole vault and had a very strong run in the 400m hurdles to take 2nd. Lisa also had a massive throw of 27m in the Javelin to finish 3rd. The relays once again were the Borrisokane stronghold. The 4x100m team of Amanda Nevin, Amanda O' Farrell, Jenny Carroll and Cliona Ryan took the baton across the line over 50m ahead of the nearest team and a great final leg from Cliona in the 4x400m also saw the girls take victory. The 4x400m team was Amanda O' Farrell, Siobhan O' Doherty, Jenny Carroll and Cliona Ryan. These great performances left the girls with a total of 125 points to win in Cork and with a 246 overall score the girls lead with nearest rivals Ballymena and Antrim on 217. The final takes place on 11th August and we wish the girls the best of Luck. On Saturday Amanda Nevin competed at the final day of the All Irelands. Amanda once again cleared an impressive 1.55m which saw her take bronze in the High Jump.

Nenagh Olympic Athletic Club

Tullamore Harriers were again the hosts for the final two days of the national juvenile athletic championships. Our numbers competing were small with only two individual athletes competing - Alvy Carragher (girls u19 1500m) and Brid Quinn (girls u15 shot putt and javelin). Two relay teams, boys and girls u13 (boys - Tom Hennessy, Patrick Collins, Dan Finnerty and Louis Lavery, girls - Rosanna Hanly, Ellen Finnerty, Kelly Flaherty and Caroline Morgan).

All though we had no medals this time round, all of our athletes performed well. Brid qualified for the final in both throwing events and with a little improvement in technique will continue to feature at this high level of competition. Alvy as usual ran a good 1500m and though a little bit below her best, still managed to come fourth.

The rearranged Munster juvenile individual track and field events will take place on this Saturday the 4th of August at Waterford RTC. Those selected to compete are Karl Williams, Aine Finn, Aisling Keller, Laura Costello, Rachel Hodgins, Laura Moloney, Aisling O'Donnel, Margeret Hayse, Michael Quilligan, Shane Hennessy, Ellen Finnerty, Lindsey O'Grady, Eimear Foley, Killian Fitzpatrick, Liam Finn, William Coffey, Michael Hogan and Adam Flaherty.

Training as usual this week, August break commences after the bank holiday weekend so all our athletes, coaches and parents can have a well earned rest until the first week of September.

Events to watch for: Club Gala day - Events for all ages around mid september.

Local Primary Schools Games - Late September, early October.

The sun was shining down on Cork for the second round of the National League but it was Borrisokane's young ladies who shone brightest of all. With only six athletes making the journey down, the girls had to spread themselves across many different events. Amanda O' Farrell got the day off to a very positive start when she called upon her Multi event skills to take gold in the shot with 9.92m. It was then on to Amanda's specialised event of Triple Jump where she made yet another massive improvement on her seasons best with 10.64m and claimed a valuble maximum 9 points with the victory. Amanda also finished 2nd in the 100m. Jenny Carroll also had double victories. Jenny stormed home to win the 100m hurdles and after a rocky start in the Hammer, Jenny finally pulled out a massive 30m throw to win. Jenny finished 5th in the Discus. Amanda Nevin jumped a great 4.66m in the long jump for the win and jumped exceptionally well in her specialised event of High Jump clearing 1.55m and finishing 2nd. Amanda also had a superb run in the 200m where she finsihed 2nd. Siobhan O' Doherty continued her great run of form and demolished a great field of athletes in the 1500m.

In the 3000m Siobhan finished 2nd being beat just on the line by a top Irish athlete. Cliona Ryan had another great run over 400m, winning with 59.6 and finished 3rd in a very competive 800m. Lisa Kelly cleared a massive 2.20m to win the Ladies pole vault and had a very strong run in the 400m hurdles to take 2nd. Lisa also had a massive throw of 27m in the Javelin to finish 3rd. The relays once again were the Borrisokane stronghold. The 4x100m team of Amanda Nevin, Amanda O' Farrell, Jenny Carroll and Cliona Ryan took the baton across the line over 50m ahead of the nearest team and a great final leg from Cliona in the 4x400m also saw the girls take victory. The 4x400m team was Amanda O' Farrell, Siobhan O' Doherty, Jenny Carroll and Cliona Ryan. These great performances left the girls with a total of 125 points to win in Cork and with a 246 overall score the girls lead with nearest rivals Ballymena and Antrim on 217. The final takes place on 11th August and we wish the girls the best of Luck. On Saturday Amanda Nevin competed at the final day of the All Irelands. Amanda once again cleared an impressive 1.55m which saw her take bronze in the High Jump.

Nenagh Olympic Athletic Club

Tullamore Harriers were again the hosts for the final two days of the national juvenile athletic championships. Our numbers competing were small with only two individual athletes competing - Alvy Carragher (girls u19 1500m) and Brid Quinn (girls u15 shot putt and javelin). Two relay teams, boys and girls u13 (boys - Tom Hennessy, Patrick Collins, Dan Finnerty and Louis Lavery, girls - Rosanna Hanly, Ellen Finnerty, Kelly Flaherty and Caroline Morgan).

All though we had no medals this time round, all of our athletes performed well. Brid qualified for the final in both throwing events and with a little improvement in technique will continue to feature at this high level of competition. Alvy as usual ran a good 1500m and though a little bit below her best, still managed to come fourth.

The rearranged Munster juvenile individual track and field events will take place on this Saturday the 4th of August at Waterford RTC. Those selected to compete are Karl Williams, Aine Finn, Aisling Keller, Laura Costello, Rachel Hodgins, Laura Moloney, Aisling O'Donnel, Margeret Hayse, Michael Quilligan, Shane Hennessy, Ellen Finnerty, Lindsey O'Grady, Eimear Foley, Killian Fitzpatrick, Liam Finn, William Coffey, Michael Hogan and Adam Flaherty.

Training as usual this week, August break commences after the bank holiday weekend so all our athletes, coaches and parents can have a well earned rest until the first week of September.

Events to watch for: Club Gala day - Events for all ages around mid september.

Local Primary Schools Games - Late September, early October.




Welcome to our new online store! Thanks for stoppin' by and taking a look around at our stylin' stuff. You'll notice the ohsosmartly priced items can be traced back to one specific inspiration. That's right, you guessed it, Manny's jersey #. Man, we love that guy.... All monies earned will go to charity of course, so no complaining that things are too expensive. Plus who can put a price on such high-end style?? Poke around and have fun!