Hillerich & Bradsby, the parent company of Louisville Slugger, today announced the recipients of the American League Silver Slugger Award for 2008.

Cleveland Indians CF GRADY SIZEMORE earned his first career Silver Slugger today in the balloting conducted at the end of the season by AL Managers and Coaches. Sizemore is the first Indian since 2004 (CA Victor Martinez) to garner a Silver Slugger and the first Indians outfielder awarded since OF Juan Gonzalez in 2001. At 26 years of age he is the youngest Indian to win a Silver Slugger since 3B Jim Thome in 1996.

Below are highlights from Sizemore’s 2008 season:

· Joined Joe Carter (1987) as the only two players in club history to hit 30HR and steal 30 bases…Compiled a career-high 33 home runs (T6th in the AL) and 38 steals (5th in the AL)…Named to The Sporting News American League post-season All Star Team with LHP CLIFF LEE…Earned 3rd straight appearance on the AL All-Star Team.

· Won 2nd consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award…First back-to-back winner for the Indians since SS Omar Vizquel in 2000-01… Made 151 starts in CF, making just 2 errors in 386 total chances (.995 fielding % was 8th among AL outfielders and 2nd best among AL CFs)

· First Indian since “Shoeless” Joe Jackson (1911-14) to lead the team in hits in 4 straight seasons (2005-08)…

· Hit his 100th home run (July 5 at MIN) and stole his 100th career base (July 8 @DET) to become just the 2nd player in club history along with Carter to hit 100 career HR and steal 100 career bases as an Indian…

· Only Indian in 108-year history of the franchise to hit 30 doubles, 30HR and steal 30 bases within the same season …His 32 HR as a CF tied Earl Averill (1931-32) and Larry Doby (1952, ’54) for the most in a single season by an Indians CF

· AMONG AL LEADERS- Finished 6th in the league in total bases (318), t2nd in extra base hits (77), 3rd in walks (98)

Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians was elected the American League Cy Young Award winner in balloting by the BBWAA. It marked the second consecutive year and third time overall that a Cleveland pitcher was honored. CC Sabathia won last year. The other Indians winner was Gaylord Perry in 1972.

Lee was named first on 24 and second on the other four of the 28 ballots cast by two writers in each league city for a total of 132 points, based on the 5-3-1 tabulation system. The lefthander, 30, was 22-3 in leading the AL in victories, winning percentage (.880) and ERA (2.54) and adding career-high totals of innings (223 1/3) and strikeouts (170) with four complete games and two shutouts. Lee, the starting pitcher for the AL in the All-Star Game July 15 at Yankee Stadium, was the only pitcher named on all ballots.

The other four first-place votes went to Toronto Blue Jays righthander Roy Halladay, who was the runner-up with 71 points. Halladay, the 2003 winner, had a 20-11 record with a 2.78 ERA and led the major leagues in innings (246) and complete games (9). Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reliever Francisco Rodriguez (2-3, 2.24 ERA), who set a major league record with 62 saves, finished third with 32 points. Four other pitchers received votes.

This was the fifth time two different pitchers from the same team won the AL Cy Young Award in successive years. The others were the New York Yankees’ Sparky Lyle (1977) and Ron Guidry (1978), the Baltimore Orioles’ Mike Flanagan (1979) and Steve Stone (1980), the Milwaukee Brewers’ Rollie Fingers (1981) and Pete Vuckovich (1982) and the Blue Jays’ Pat Hentgen (1996) and Roger Clemens (1997). Only Lyle and Guidry were both left-handed like Lee/Sabathia. It has happened three times in the National League.

The Indians and Team President PAUL DOLAN have issued the following statement regarding the passing of legendary HERB SCORE. The 75-year old Score passed away early this morning at his home in Rocky River, Ohio.

“Today is a sad day for the Cleveland Indians family and for Cleveland Indians fans everywhere. We have lost one of the greatest men in the history of our franchise. Generations of Indians fans owe their love of the Tribe to Herb Score, who was a powerful pitcher and legendary broadcaster. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and the Family.”

Score pitched for the Indians from 1955-59 and won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1955, going 16-10 w/a 2.85 ERA in 32 starts (245SO). He followed up that campaign with an even more impressive season in 1956, going 20-9 w/a 2.53 ERA in 33 starts (263SO) and made the American League All-Star Team in both seasons. He also led the league in strikeouts in those seasons and was 2nd in both wins and ERA. He later pitched for the White Sox from 1960-62 to cap an 8-year Major League career.

He then went on to become the legendary “Voice of the Indians” for a 34-year run from 1963-1997, the longest tenured broadcaster in the history of the Cleveland Indians franchise. Herb retired after the 1997 World Series and was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 2006.

DANA POINT, Calif. — Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti have been thinking about it for a while.

Are the Indians a better team with Kelly Shoppach catching and Victor Martinez playing first base or are they better if they trade Shoppach to fill a need and keep Martinez behind the plate?

The Indians feel they have enough depth if they have to trade a catcher for an infielder or closer. They have Chris Giminez, Wyatt Toregas and Carlos Santana, the man who has done nothing but hit since being acquired from the Dodgers for Casey Blake, behind Martinez and Shoppach.

On some days, the Tribe’s general manager feels his best lineup would be Shoppach catching and the versatile Martinez playing first. Then Shapiro thinks about a bullpen without an established closer and an infield one player short.

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GOLDEN GRADY: GRADY SIZEMORE earned his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove today, earning a spot in the outfield on the American League Rawlings Gold Glove team. The voting was conducted at the end of the 2008 season in a poll of American League Managers and Coaches.

The last Indians player to win consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards was SS OMAR VIZQUEL (2000-01) and the last Indians outfielder with consecutive Rawlings Gold Gloves was KENNY LOFTON (1995-96).

Sizemore made 151 starts in CF, making just 2 errors in 386 total chances (.995 fielding % was 8th among AL outfielders and 2nd best among AL centerfielders). He finished the season with a 36-game errorless streak.

Other highlights from Sizemore’s season:

· Joined Joe Carter (1987) as the only two players in club history to hit 30HR and steal 30 bases…Compiled a career-high 33 home runs (T6th in the AL) and 38 steals (5th in the AL)…Named to The Sporting News American League post-season All Star Team with LHP CLIFF LEE…Earned 3rd straight appearance on the AL All-Star Team.

· First Indian since “Shoeless” Joe Jackson (1911-14) to lead the team in hits in 4 straight seasons (2005-08)…

· Hit his 100th home run (July 5 at MIN) and stole his 100th career base (July 8 @DET) to become just the 2nd player in club history along with Carter to hit 100 career HR and steal 100 career bases as an Indian…

· Only Indian in 108-year history of the franchise to hit 30 doubles, 30HR and steal 30 bases within the same season …His 32 HR as a CF tied Earl Averill (1931-32) and Larry Doby (1952, ’54) for the most in a single season by an Indians CF

· AL LEADERS- Finished 6th in the league in total bases (318), t2nd in extra base hits (77), 3rd in walks (98)

HOT HODGES: INF WES HODGES has been hot of late for the Surprise Rafters and has been one of the best hitters of the 2008 Arizona Fall League. He has 10 RBI over his last 5 games and over his last 7 games he is 14 for 33 (.424) with 4 2B, 4HR & 14 RBI. For the year in Arizona he is hitting .371 (26-70) with 6 2B, 6HR & 23 RBI in 16 games. He is 10th in the AFL in average, T2nd in HR, 2nd in RBI, 5th in slugging % (.714) and T2nd in extra base hits (12).

MORE HONORS: In addition to being named California League MVP, catcher CARLOS SANTANA has been named Topps Player of the Year for the California League as well…Santana had a monster season, batting .326 (151-463) with 39 2B, 5 3B, 21HR, 125 runs & 117 RBI in 130 combined games at A Inland Empire, A Kinston & AA Akron…He led all minor leaguers in runs and finished 2nd in RBI, T6th in walks (89), 8th in on-base % (.431) and T9th in extra base hits (65)…Was with Class A Inland Empire of the California League from April 3 until being acquired by the Indians on July 26…He was recently selected the best hitter in all of Class A baseball (High A) by MLB.com.

San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum and Cleveland’s Cliff Lee are Sporting News’ Pitchers of the Year, as selected by a panel of 314 major league players.

In just his second season in the majors, the 24-year-old Lincecum went 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA and led the majors with 265 strikeouts in 227 innings.

“You don’t see many guys his size throwing that hard, but it’s not so much his size and deception. It’s his stuff. He has ‘A’ stuff,” Phillies second baseman Chase Utley told Sporting News.

Lee tied for the major league lead with 22 wins — he finished 22-3 — and his 2.54 ERA was best in the American League. In 223 1/3 innings, the left-hander allowed just 34 walks and struck out 170.

“He’s always had the stuff, but this year he coupled that stuff with the ability to locate and trust his pitches,” Cleveland catcher Kelly Shoppach told SN. “He had zero fear of throwing to either side of the plate, no matter who the hitter was.”

The complete Sporting News’ MLB Awards package will be available in this week’s magazine, which also includes Sporting News’ Player of the Year, Managers of the Year, Comeback Players of the Year, Rookies of the Year and Relievers of the Year as well, as the magazine’s National League and American League all-star teams.

AMATEUR & PROFESSIONAL SCOUTING ADDITIONS

The Cleveland Indians & Director of Scouting BRAD GRANT today announced that PAUL GILLISPIE has been promoted to Assistant Director of Scouting for the club. Paul has been a member of the Indians organization for 2 years, most recently as Area Supervisor for Georgia and South Carolina prior to today’s promotion. In addition to Gillispie, the Indians also internally promoted the following individuals within the organization: CESAR GERONIMO (Latin America Crosschecker); GREG SMITH (Professional Scout), DERRICK ROSS (Upper Midwest Regional Supervisor); BYRON EWING (Area Supervisor for the 4 corners territory - AZ, CO, NM, UT, Las Vegas).

The Indians have also added three individuals into the organization as Area Supervisors, appointing CORTEZE ARMSTRONG as Midwest Area Supervisor (IL, MN, WI, ND, SD) after spending the last two and a half years playing in the minor leagues after signing out of Western Kentucky University in 2006. Also named BRAD TYLER Area Supervisor for Georgia and South Carolina (played professionally for 13 seasons) and JACK UHEY Northwest Area Supervisor (WA, OR, MN, ID, WY, Western Canada). Uhey has been in professional baseball for over 25 years as a pitcher, scout and pitching coach.

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The following players from the Cleveland Indians organization are set to play in Fall and Winter Leagues this off-season. Below is a list of leagues and players set to participate in each venue.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (started on 10/7)

LHP Chuck Lofgren

RHP Eric Stiller

RHP Josh Tomlin

RHP Neil Wagner

INF Wes Hodges

INF Beau Mills

INF Josh Rodriguez

OF Stephen Head (Taxi Squad)

No resolution on OF Michael Brantley’s participation at this time

HAWAIIAN WINTER LEAGUE (started last week)

CA/INF Adam Davis

CA/OF Matt McBride

INF Dustin Realini

INF Ron Rivas

LHP Kaimi Mead

LHP Matt Meyer

LHP Shawn Nottingham

LHP Heath Taylor

VENEZUALAN WINTER LEAGUE (starts Mid-Oct)

RHP Randy Newsom (Caracas)

1B/OF Matt LaPorta (Caracas)

INF Asdrubal Cabrera (Lara)

OF Franklin Gutierrez, Franklin (Caracas)

RHP Edward Mujica (Caribes)

INF Niuman Romero (Caribes)

INF Karexon Sanchez (Caracas)

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE (starts Mid-Oct)

INF Jordan Brown (Aguilas)

CA Chris Gimenez (Aguilas)

RHP Adam Miller (Aguilas)

LHP Scott Lewis (Aguilas)

LHP Tony Sipp (Aguilas)

RHP Fausto Carmona (Aguilas)

INF Andy Marte (Los Toros del Este Romana)

LHP Rafael Perez (Gigantes)

CA Carlos Santana (Escogido)

OF Jose Constanza (Los Toros del Este Romana)

OF Lucas Montero(Gigantes)

CA Alex Castillo(Gigantes)

RHP Joaniel Montero (Escogido)

INF Chris Dela Cruz (Aguilas)

MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE (starts Mid-Oct)

OF Roman Pena

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BASEBALL AMERICA LEAGUE PROSPECT RANKINGS

The following players in the Indians Player Development System have been named as Top 20 prospects in their respective leagues by BASEBALL AMERICA.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

#6 LHP David Huff (11-5, 2.52 ERA between AA Akron and AAA Buffalo this year; 2.52 ERA lowest in organization)

EASTERN LEAGUE

#11 LHP David Huff (see above)

#16 3B Wes Hodges (Led organization and Eastern League in RBI w/97)

CAROLINA LEAGUE

#4 OF Nick Weglarz (Member of Canadian Olympic Team; Scored 68 runs w/.396 on-base % in 106 games)

#5 1B Beau Mills (T1st in HR w/21 & 2nd in RBI w/90 in Carolina League in first full year of pro ball)

#9 RHP Hector Rondon (Futures Game Participant; 4th in the Carolina League in wins-11, 8th in ERA-3.60 & 2nd in SO-145)

#15 SS Carlos Rivero (Hit .282 w/a 27 2B, 8HR & 64 RBI in 108 games at Kinston last year)

#18 RHP Josh Tomlin (9-5 w/a 2.98 ERA in 40G/9GS at Kinston last year w/a .222 avg against; currently pitching in Arizona Fall League)

GULF COAST LEAGUE

#10 3B-Abner Abreu (Led GCL in HR-11 and 2nd in RBI w/37)

NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE

#6 SS Lonnie Chisenhall (1st round pick in 2008; Hit .290 at Mahoning Valley w/20 2B, 5HR & 45 RBI, 6th in the NYPL in RBI)

#16 OF Tim Fedroff (7th round pick in 2008 out of UNC; Hit .319 w/6 2B, 12 RBI in 23 games in MV)

#19 2B Cord Phelps (3rd round pick in 2008 out of Stanford; Hit .312 w/10 2B, 2HR, 21RBI in 35 games at MV after signing)

OTHER LEAGUES

1B/OF Matt La Porta was #4 in the Southern League…Acquired in the CC Sabathia trade & was a member of the US Olympic Team

OF Michael Brantley was #18 in the Southern League… Acquired in the CC Sabathia trade on Oct 3…Spent the entire 2008 season at Class AA Huntsville where he posted an on-base percentage of .395 with 80 runs scored & 28SB

CA Carlos Santana was #2 in the California League…Acquired from LA Dodgers at the end of July…Led all of the minor leaguers in runs scored -125 and was 2nd in the minors w/117RBI

Indians pitcher Scott Lewis has been named the September recipient of the American League Rookie of the Month Award presented by Gillette.

Lewis made four starts in September and went 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 24.0 innings pitched. The 25-year-old left-hander permitted 20 hits with six walks and 15 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .222 batting average. In his Major League debut on September 10th at Baltimore, Scott tossed 8.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball with three strikeouts in the 7-1 victory.

The 8.0 shutout innings by Lewis was the second-longest starting debut since 1956 by an Indians pitcher without allowing a run. Only Luis Tiant’s complete-game shutout in 1965 tops Lewis. The West Covina, California native hurled 6.0 shutout innings in his next start on September 15th against the Minnesota Twins, and allowed just three hits with two walks and five strikeouts in the 3-1 win. The 14.0 scoreless innings streak to begin his career was the longest by an Indians pitcher since 1969.

Lewis, who was selected by the Indians in the third round of the 2004 First-Year Player draft out of The Ohio State University, closed the month with victories against the Detroit Tigers on September 21st and at the Chicago White Sox on September 26th, pitching 5.0 innings in each of the two starts.

Shin-Soo Choo of the Indians has been named the Sharp Presents the American League Player of the Month for September. This marks his first career monthly award.

In 24 games, Choo batted .400 (34-for-85) with five home runs and 24 RBI. The 26-year-old outfielder scored 21 runs and posted a .659 slugging percentage and a .464 on-base percentage. The South Korea native collected 11 extra-base hits, including five doubles and one triple. Choo compiled a nine-game hitting streak from September 17th-27th, batting .359 (14-for-39) during that stretch.

He notched 12 multi-hit games, including five consecutive two-hit games from September 3rd-8th. Choo went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs against the Royals on September 12th. He added his third three-hit game of the month on September 19th vs. Detroit, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, two runs scored and four RBI. Choo finished the season hitting .309 with 14 home runs and 66 RBI in 94 games. His 98 hits on the season were the most ever by a Korean-born player.

Others nominees receiving votes were Texas Rangers infielder Hank Blalock (.348, 10 2B, 8 HR, 23 RBI); Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (.326, 4 2B, 8 HR, 23 RBI); Choo’s Indians teammate, infielder Asdrubal Cabrera (.427, 6 2B, 2 HR, 22 RBI); Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Mark Teixeira (.329, 9 2B, 5 HR, 19 RBI); Kansas City Royals outfielder David DeJesus (.388, 5 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 13 RBI); and Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer (.375, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 17 RBI).

Indians CA KELLY SHOPPACH underwent successful arthroscopic surgery this morning on his right knee.

Indians Head Team Physician Mark Schickendantz performed the 30-minute menisectomy at the Cleveland Clinic to debride cartilage in his right knee.

Kelly will remain in Cleveland this week before reporting to Goodyear, Arizona for further treatment and rehabilitation. He will assume his normal off-season strength and conditioning program in 4 weeks.

Kelly hit .261 (92-352) in 2008 with 27 doubles, 21 homers and 55 RBI in 112 games and led all American League catchers in home runs. He caught the season’s final game yesterday in Chicago.