News-Journal from Mansfield, Ohio • 34

Thursday. March 30, 2006 4D SPORTS NEWS JOURNAL Spring Training Tribe's Sizemore signs 6-year deal Most guaranteed money ever for player with less than 2 years of MLB experience Grapefruit League: Cleveland 6, Houston 5 IT "We are committed to building and sustaining a championship team and Grady as one of the most talented young players in the game today is the kind of player and person that can help lead us to that goal" general manager Mark Shapiro said. The length of the contract mirrors that of deals the Indians gave to shortstop Jhonny Peralta (five years, $13 million) and catcher Victor Martinez ($15.5 million for five years). "The unprecedented length and financial guarantee of this contract clearly illustrates the Indians' sincere belief in Grady as a player and person," said Sizemore's agent, Joe Urboa The Indians also are trying to sign Cliff Lee, who went 18-5 last season, to a long-term deal. Cleveland already has designated hitter Travis Hafner and left-hander C.C.

Sabathia under contract through 2007 with club options for 2008. "We have a championship-caliber core in place," Dolan said. Cleveland acquired Sizemore in 2002 from Montreal in the deal that sent ace Bartolo Colon to the Expos. Television ratings studies by the team indicated that female viewership of Indians games increased 200 percent in 2005. One female fan even started a Web site www.gradysladies.com.

Sizemore's contract is the longest tendered by the club since signing shortstop Omar Vizquel to a six-year deal in 1995. CLEVELAND (AP) The Cleveland Indians locked up their center field position into the next decade, and made a lot of their female fans happy too. Grady Sizemore signed a $23.45 million, six-year contract Wednesday, the most guaranteed money in a deal for a player with less than two years of Major League Baseball service. "I didn't expect it to happen this fast," Sizemore said. "Last year, I was just trying to make the team." Sizemore's hustle and humility have made him a favorite with teammates and fans.

The Indians' female fan base has taken a particular liking to him. The team sold 200 "Mrs. Sizemore" T-shirts on the first day they were made available at Jacobs Field. His new status as a millionaire shouldn't hurt his popularity. The agreement includes an $8.5 million club option for 2012 with a $500,000 buyout.

If the option is exercised, the deal would total $31.45 million over seven seasons, and the option price could increase to $10.5 million depending on whether Sizemore is an All-Star, Gold Glove or Silver Slugger or does well in MVP voting. If traded, the option becomes Sizemore's decision and the buyout is forfeited if he declines the option. "I'm still going to play the game the same way," Sizemore said. "I Television ratings studies by the team indicated that female viewership of Indians games increased 200 percent in 2005. One female fan even started a Web site www.gradysladies.com.

want to be here for a long time." Previously, the largest deal for a player with less than two years in the majors was the $23.25 million, five-year contract Boston gave to shortstop Nomar Garcia-parra in March 1998. Sizemore has played only one full season in the majors, but the 23-year-old outfielder did enough to impress the Indians. "He plays the game hard. He respects the game. He's a good teammate, and he's pretty good as well," President Paul Dolan said.

Sizemore batted .289 with 22 homers and 81 RBIs in 158 games last season. He also scored 111 runs, had 22 steals and became the second Indians player to record 20 doubles, 10 triples, 20 homers and 20 steals in the same season. He was the only player in the majors to reach those numbers last season. A 7 GAME NOTES I Cleveland's Grady Sizemore singled twice and drove in a run. Eduardo Perez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Houston's Steve Sparks in the eighth.

In-fielder Brandon Phillips hit a leadoff homer in the third inning. I Indians starter Jason Johnson allowed one run through the first five innings but couldn't make it out of the sixth as Houston scored four runs on five hits. I The Indians have set their rotation with C.C. Sabathia starting Sunday in Chicago, followed by Jake Westbrook, Cliff Lee, Paul Byrd and Johnson. West-brook is to make his final start of spring training Thursday against Detroit I Cleveland needs to win two of its three remaining games to tie the 1 996 franchise record for spring-training victories (21 The Associated Press I Box score, page 2D.

I Spring training standings and schedule, page 2D. I Today's Indians game replayed in prime-time. See Sports on the Air, page 2B. Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore signed a six-year contract Wednesday as the Indians continued their pattern of giving young players long-term contract. (AP photo) Fantasy Notebook Grab spring's fast risers if they're available: Phillies first baseman leads the way By Steve Gardner USA TODAY ers in all three categories through Sunday.

His 40-homer potential over a full season is enticing, but he will need to hit lefties better (.148 against them in 2005) to be among the likes of first basemen Albert Pujols, Derrek Lee and Todd Helton. I Edwin Encarnacion: Like Howard, Cincinnati's Encarnacion has worn out Grapefruit League pitchers to the tune of a .418 average. His power (six homers, 20 RBI this spring) is legitimate and another favorable home park will give him ample opportunity to show it off. Unlike Howard, he could still sneak under the radar after David Wright, Aramis Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera are taken. I Conor Jackson: One player to keep an eye on is Arizona rookie Jackson.

When asked early this spring about a battle at first base with veteran Tony Clark, Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin quickly responded, "Oh, there is no battle." The 23-year-old has the job and doesnt intend to give it back. Jackson is hitting well over .400 and has walked nine times. I Curtis Granderson: Any discussion of AL breakouts must start with the Tigers center fielder. This spring, he's done just about everything well from getting on base (.531) to hitting for power (.784 slugging percentage, including five homers) to running the bases (a team-leading 13 runs scored and 7-for-7 in stolen bases). Ill SPEED AT A PREMIUM: Two years ago, it was Scott Podsednik and Alex Sanchez.

Last year, Willy Taveras. If there's one thing fantasy owners can take to the bank from spring stats, it's speed. Managers are more inclined to give the green light during the exhibition season. Taveras wasnt even a sure bet to make the Astros' roster last season but he parlayed his skills into 34 steals and nearly rookie of the year honors. This year, Tampa Bay's Damon Hollins leads the way with eight, but his age (31) and outfield competition are working against him.

Joey Gathright (five steals) could very well be the next demon on the basepaths, especially because he appears to be in line for a starting job. In the NL, spring steals leader Brady Clark (Brewers) is a known commodity after his breakout 2005. However, avoid him if your league penalizes for being caught he was thrown out 13 times last season. Ill CLOSER YOU GET: Don't pay attention to save statistics in March. Teams routinely use their closers in the middle of spring training games to get their work, leaving the late innings for youngsters and setup mea If your league has yet to hold its draft, there's not much left except for a few final tweaks to your strategy, based on impressive spring performances.

On the spring hot list: I Ryan Howard: Chances are, Howard has risen on more than a few draft lists. His seeming homer-a-day pace, combined with the friendly confines of Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park, will make him a popular pick at one of the game's deepest positions. His 364 average, 10 home runs and 19 RBI were among the spring lead CHEVROLET ForiTic: Enter Today for a Chance to Win A NEW GM VEHICLE! Visit your participating Central Ohio GM Goodwrench dealer today and register for a chance to win a NEW GM Vehicle. One lucky winner from 20 finalists will receive their choice from 21 select GM Vehicles valued at up to a $30,515 MSRP. Listen to QFM96 for additional opportunities to win and be sure to listen on April 8 when the grand prize will be awarded LIVE on air.

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