From Indians.com:
Sizemore inherits games streak
Tribe outfielder active leader after LA's Pierre doesn't play
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- Grady Sizemore is now the Sultan of Streak, though his reign might not last through the season.
When Juan Pierre did not start for the Dodgers on Monday, it ended his streak of 434 consecutive games played and gave Sizemore, who was set to play his 361st straight Thursday afternoon, the longest active streak in the Majors.
Sizemore's streak -- which began on Aug. 25, 2005 -- is the longest by an Indians player since Toby Harrah played in 473 straight games from 1979-83.
But Tribe manager Eric Wedge isn't interested in prolonging Sizemore's streak just for the sake of prolonging it. Four times last season, Wedge left Sizemore out of the starting lineup. Each time, however, the center fielder was called upon in the late innings.
"There will be days we give him the day off, and if we don't need him, he won't play," Wedge said. "If we need him, he'll play."
Sizemore is never happy when he's out of the lineup, and Wedge likes that quality. Wedge also said Sizemore would never insist upon being placed in a game he didn't start if it was a blowout.
"It's not about the streak for him," Wedge said. "It's about wanting to help his team win."
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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~*Michele*~ |
