CLEVELAND -- Grady Sizemore's return season in the majors reached a familiar spot on Monday as he made his return to Progressive Field.
Sizemore was with the Indians for eight seasons before a series of injuries derailed his career. He signed with the Red Sox as a free agent in January and defied the odds by making the roster after being a non-roster invitee on a minor-league contract.
"It still feels like home. I started here and it's still a piece of me. It feels weird being back," he said before the game. "I had a lot of great teammates and guys all around the organization there. I have a lot of family here and it is good to be back."
Sizemore wasn't sure what kind of reaction he would receive before the game. For the first at-bat it seemed as if most Indians fans forgot that Sizemore was back as there was a smattering of applause. He received more when he came up for his second at-bat.
From 2006-08 there wasn't a better center fielder in the game than Sizemore. He made the all-star team all three seasons and averaged 28 home runs, 81 RBI and 31 stolen bases. He also won a couple Gold Gloves for playing without fear in the outfield. From 2005-08 he missed only nine games.
Then came a series of injuries, surgeries to both knees, micro-fracture surgery on the right knee and missing the last two seasons while rehabbing.
"Watching Grady from the other side, it was hard not to be a fan. It looked like he really enjoyed being a great young player," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "It's quite an accomplishment that he is playing again."
At 32, Sizemore isn't nearly the player he once was but his comeback did beat the odds which is why he said he was happy just to be playing again.
Through all the injuries, Sizemore also said the Indians training staff did as much as they could to try and get him playing again.
"They went above and beyond. If anything they were as frustrated as I was. They gave me every opportunity," he said. "This last year of rehabbing they were with me every step of the way."
Sizemore, who batted seventh and played right field, went 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts as the Indians beat the Red Sox 3-2. He is batting .226 with two home runs and 14 RBI. Over his past 10 games, he is 10 for 40 and has a pair of stolen bases.
As the weather gets warmer, Sizemore feels like he is starting to move better along with just getting back into baseball shape after missing the past two seasons.
"I'm surprised with how I've been able to hold up after being off for so long. During the spring I was not having any major issues or setbacks," he said.
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