Tonight, it's time for the Oscars. The picks:

Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler": Type of story, both offscreen and on that Oscar likes.

Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight": Even if he hadn't died, he'd be a shoo-in.

Kate Winslet in "The Reader": Did I mention she's naked in this? I think Anne Hathaway should get it, but I'm not voting.

Penelope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona": Haven't seen it, as it comes to PPV this Thursday. If the Woodman can get Mira Sorvino an Oscar, he can certainly do the same for Cruz.

"Slumdog Millionaire": Just a different sort of movie that makes for a worthwhile time at the movies.

Here's this year's "Best Picture Profanity Reel":



Meal of Links

Emmitt Smith is out at ESPN. My highlight was when he called the Browns coach, "Romeo Cornell".

Cannabis is a good thing. Safer than aspirin, they say.

Classic arcade sounds. A trip down memory lane. "Dig Dug"! "Frogger"! "Galaga!" "Q*Bert"!

Exercise Yard

OK, now that the Indians start again in six weeks or so, I have to come to grips with my annual inner debate over Grady Sizemore. For years, we have been reading how Sizemore is one of the best young talents in the game. This year, he is 26 and it's time he has the breakout season I think he should have had already. It's the difference between someone who is really, really good and someone who is great.






















For point of reference, other players have had major success at this age already. Dustin Pedroia has a Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first two seasons. Ryan Howard was MVP at 26. Albert Pujols has two MVPs, his first at 25 and last year at 28.

What do I like about Sizemore? Speed, desire, knack of making the spectacular play with the glove should all be rated superior. His ability to steal bases is high, 38 of 43 last year. Slugs close to .500. Rips lots of doubles and has surprising pop for a leadoff guy, hitting 30 homers last year. And scores over 100 runs every year.

What do I not like about Sizemore? Hasn't really carried the team for any stretch of time. Yes, I think he's a major cog, but he has never been dominant. For the last two years, Sizemore has knocked in 168, but even Ryan Garko has 151 during the same time. I realize Sizemore has done that from the leadoff spot. But he's not even the prototypical leadoff hitter. His strikeout rate is still too high. Not Shoppach-like, but still way too high for his hype. Last two seasons, he has walked more, but I'd like to see those BB/K numbers be even closer. And if he is one of the best young talents in the game, why has his batting average declined each of the last 3 years? Now he's lingering in the .260s. Defensively, his arm is decent, at best.

In Sizemore's defense, I maintain he plays too many innings. I wish Eric Wedge would be a little more creative and give this guy some more time off. If you don't want to cheat the home fans on a Sunday, give him a Tuesday off after a Monday off day. I'd like to see what Sizemore can do if he gets some rest and plays, say 150 games, instead of the 158/162/162/157 game schedule we've seen the last 4 seasons. I think Wedge's grinder mentality is wearing this poor guy out. Even Cal Ripken had to forgo his insane innings played streak (8,243!) during his overall games played streak, because it was too much to handle.

But let's say I lose this argument and he is, in fact, one of the game's best. Then why is Michael Brantley considered the Tribe's de facto centerfielder within 2 years, when Sizemore will undoubtedly have to be moved to leftfield and dropped to a lower position in the lineup? Shouldn't you be able to protect your position if you are an elite player in your prime?

Or am I nuts? Am I applying Steroids Era standards to a non-Steroids Era player? Is it blasphemy to still consider Kenny Lofton a better player, at this time, than Grady Sizemore? What type of season would Sizemore have to have to put this argument to rest?

Here's the 2009 season I think Sizemore should have:

Is it too much to ask him to hit .300? Seriously, is that too much to ask?

He should slug over .500.

He should steal 45 bases.

He should walk more than 100 times.

He should strike out less than 100 times.

He should score 100 runs.

He should have power stats of 40 doubles, 10 triples and 30 home runs.

He should knock in 100 runs.

I don't think that's too much to ask from one of the "best young talents in the game".

Visitor

None, it's Oscar Sunday.