Curtis Granderson

At 43 years old, Curtis Granderson has this physical status:

Curtis Granderson Jr. (born March 16, 1981) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent.

He has played for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Miami Marlins in Major League Baseball (MLB). Granderson played college baseball at the University of Illinois in Chicago, and was drafted by the Tigers in the 2002 MLB draft.

He made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2004 and signed a contract extension with Detroit in 2008.

He was drafted to the Yankees after the 2009 season.

He has been with the Mets for four years after his deal came to an end following the 2013 season.

In the final season of his contract, the Mets traded him to the Dodgers.

Granderson has signed with the Blue Jays for the 2018 season. Granderson has been a three-time MLB All-Star and has received a Silver Slugger Award in 2011.

Granderson has been praised for his service to the community through outreach and charity work off the track.

Many of his charitable efforts support inner-city children.

He has also worked as an ambassador for MLB overseas.

Granderson has received the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award three times as well as the Roberto Clemente Award in 2016 in recognition of his contributions to the community.

Early years

Granderson grew up in Blue Island, Illinois, and Lynwood, Illinois, Illinois, Chicago's south suburbs. Curtis Sr., his father, was a dean and physical education instructor at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Illinois. Mary, his mother, taught chemistry at Chicago's Curie Metropolitan High School. Monica, Granderson's half-sister, is an English professor at Jackson State University.

Granderson grew up to be a fan of the Atlanta Braves, choosing not to root for the Chicago Cubs because he often rushed home from work to watch Saved by the Bell and was dissatisfied when a Cubs game was on instead. Granderson attended Thornton Fractional South High School (T.F. ). South (Athens) in Lansing, where he competed in baseball and basketball. Granderson was a All-State pick in his senior year during his high school baseball career, hitting.369 with 11 home runs and 88 runs batted in (RBI). At T.F., Granderson wore uniform number 14 (Japan). South decided on it because his father wore it while playing softball in the South. T.F. : To be precise, T.F. is a play. In a December 2011 celebration, South honored Granderson by removing his jersey.

Personal life

Granderson is a huge fan of WWE and attended WrestleMania 23 in Detroit. Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, The Undertaker, Junkyard Dog, and "Macho Man" are his favorite wrestlers. He is also a huge fan of college basketball and the Kansas Jayhawks.

Granderson has been an ambassador for Major League Baseball International off the track. To promote baseball, he has travelled to England, Italy, Italy, the Netherlands, France, South Africa, China, South Africa, China, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan. Commissioner Bud Selig wrote a thank you letter to Granderson, which read in part: "There are so many fine young men playing Major League baseball today, but I can think of no one who is more suited to represent our national pastime than you." He has also served as something of an unofficial baseball ambassador to the African-American community, often leading and starting discussions about the lack of Black players at all levels of the game. He begged Nike, Inc., Louisville Slugger, and Rawlings to give money to his foundation or equipment to inner-city baseball programs rather than pay him.

Grand Kids Foundation, his foundation, has raised funds to improve the education of inner-city children around the country. Granderson wrote All You Can Be: Dream It, Draw It, Become It!, a children's book that was published in August 2009. The book is illustrated by students of the New York City public school system. Granderson appeared at a White House function in February 2010 announcing Let's Move!, a childhood anti-obesity campaign led by First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama's. In 2013, Granderson donated $5 million to UIC to help the organization build a new baseball stadium.

Granderson has been a member of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) since 2006. He has participated in labour talks. Granderson was named as the 2009 Marvin Miller Man of the Year by the MLBPA for his off-field service, an honor he received again in 2016 and 2019.

According to a survey published by Sports Illustrated of 290 players, Granderson was also one of the friendliest players in the Major Leagues in 2011. Granderson wore his socks with confidence during his playing career to honor players from the Negro leagues.

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College career

Granderson was accepted by a variety of college baseball programs, but he chose the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), in part because they allowed him to play basketball in lieu of baseball. However, Granderson halted basketball two weeks into his freshman year in order to concentrate on baseball.

Granderson led the UIC Flames baseball team to seven home runs and 45 walks as a freshman at UIC in 2000. He followed that by hitting.304 as a freshman, leading the team in runs, home runs, and walks. Granderson played in a summer collegiate league for the Mankato Mashers, now known as the MoonDogs in the Northwoods League, where he batted.328 in 44 games, with eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 28 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases.

Granderson was second in the nation to Rickie Weeks during his junior season at UIC. Baseball America and USA Today's Baseball Weekly and a Third-Team Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I All-American honored Granderson as the Second-Team All-American and a Third-Team All-American. He earned his Bachelor's degree in business administration and company marketing. The United States announced Granderson's number 28 on February 6, 2013.

Professional career

In the third round of the 2002 MLB draft, the Detroit Tigers selected Granderson. Granderson was assigned to the Oneonta Tigers, the Tigers' Minor League Baseball affiliate in the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League. Granderson batted.344 in 52 games at Oneonta. Granderson decided to complete his college education though the fall semester began before the minor league season ended, so he decided to start his senior year at UIC via internet courses.

Granderson was assigned by the Tigers to the Lakeland Tigers of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League in 2003 and the Erie SeaWolves of the Class AA Eastern League in 2004. Granderson with the SeaWolves reached.303 with 21 home runs and 93 RBIs. Granderson was named as the Tigers' minor league player of the year and top prospect after the 2004 season, according to Baseball America.

Baseball America rated Granderson as the 57th best prospect in baseball prior to the 2005 season. In 2005 spring training, Granderson competed for the role as the Tigers' starting center fielder, but the club decided he needed more training and sent him to the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class AAA International League. He went.290 with 15 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases in Toledo.

For the first time in September 2004, the Tigers promoted Granderson to the MLB for the first time. He made his MLB debut against the Minnesota Twins on September 13. In July 2005, he saw his second promotion to the majors, and he played in six games. He stayed in the majors for a lifetime after his third promotion to the MLB in August. On September 15, Granderson's first-ever MLB inside-the-park home run against the Chicago White Sox, as a five-hit game on September 18 and a walk-off home run on September 26.

After beating out Nook Logan for the position in spring training, Granderson became the Tigers' starting center fielder for the 2006 season. Granderson started his major league career in 2004 with a 151-game errorless streak, the longest by a position player to begin his career since Dave Roberts went errorless in 205 games. Granderson scored two home runs in the 2006 American League Division Series and one in the 2006 American League Championship Series, but the Cardinals had a rough field day in the 2006 World Series, batting.095.

Granderson finished first among American League (AL) outfielders in triples (14), third in doubles (22), tied for fourth in runs (58), and tied for 10th in homers (11) through June with a.289 batting average in 2007. Although Granderson was not listed on the 2007 All-Star Game ballot, the Tigers' decision to name Gary Sheffield as an outfielder on the ballot, he nevertheless received 376,033 write-in votes, the most write-in votes for any player. Granderson was named AL Player of the Week on July 16, the first time he had been recognized with the honor, as he hit.500 (8 for 16) with two doubles, a triple, and a home run during the week. During Detroit's four-game series against the Seattle Mariners, Granderson slugged.938, drove in two runs, scored seven runs, and had fifteen total bases.

Granderson made history by winning at least 30 doubles, 15 triples, 15 home runs, and ten stolen bases in a single season when he defeated the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on August 7. Charlie Gehringer, the other Tiger to win this feat, was in 1930. On September 7, he became the sixth member of baseball's 20-20-20/20 club, joining George Brett of the Kansas City Royals (1979), Willie Mays of the Cleveland Giants (1941), Dennis Wade of the Cleveland Indians (1941), St. Louis' Jim Bottomley (1911), and Frank Schulte of the Chicago Cubs (1911). Granderson hit his 20th base of the season on September 9, joining Mays and Schulte as the only players in major league history to reach 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs, and 20 stolen bases in a season, an accomplishment that was not replicated by the Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins 21 days later.

Granderson hit.302 with 23 home runs on the season, and was 26 for 27 in stolen base attempts. He also improved his plate discipline by finishing seventh in the AL in strikeouts with 141. He was one of only six batters in the AL to have at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, as well as teammate Gary Sheffield, Ian Kinsler, Alex Rodriguez, Grady Sizemore, and B. J. Upton.

Granderson made 23 triples in 2007-1998, the highest in baseball. Sam Crawford, the all-time triples champion and the Detroit Tigers, has a record of 26 triples, a record set in 1914. Granderson is the first player to manage at least 23 people in a single season since 1949. Despite the fact that Comerica Park has seen more triples since it opened in 2000 than at any other ballpark in baseball, only ten of his triples were at home. Granderson has been a member of the 20-20-30-20/20 club, with more than 20 triples, 20 home runs, 30 doubles, and 20 stolen bases. Wildfire Schulte, 1911, was the last player to complete the feat. Granderson's 23 triples were the equivalent of six complete teams managed in 2007; the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Seattle Mariners, and St. Louis Cardinals all had no more than 23 players.

Granderson has been signed by the Tigers to a five-year, US$30.25 million contract, with a club option for 2013. Granderson continued to hit well throughout the 2008 regular season, posting a.280 batting average, 13 triples, and 22 home runs. He continued to improve his plate discipline, hitting out only 111 times (versus 141 in 2007 and 174 in 2006), while taking a career-best 71 walks. During a game against the Texas Rangers in August, he scored six triples, two in a row.

With the Tigers' inability to make the playoffs in 2007 and 2008, TBS employed Granderson as a commentator alongside Cal Ripken Jr., Dennis Eckersley, and Frank Thomas for its coverage of the 2007 and 2008 postseasons.

Granderson was selected to appear in the 2009 MLB All-Star Game. It was his first appearance in All Stars. He hit a triple in the top of the 8th inning and scored the winning run.

The Tigers began moving Granderson to other franchises in an attempt to lower their payroll after the 2009 season. On December 9, the Yankees acquired Granderson in a three-team trade. The Yankees got Granderson from Granderson in exchange for the trade, while Detroit sent Phil Coke and centerfielder Austin Jackson. In addition, the Arizona Diamondbacks received Yankee pitcher Ian Kennedy and Tigers pitcher Edwin Jackson in return for young pitchers Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth, both of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Granderson hit a home run in his first Yankee at bat on April 4, 2010, becoming the twelfth player to do so. Despite missing some games due to a strained groin, Granderson finished the season with 136 games played, a.247 batting average, and 24 home runs. Granderson, who suffered with left-handed pitching throughout his career, also gave up subpar numbers against right-handed pitchers, causing Granderson to retool his swing with the help of hitting coach Kevin Long in August 2010.

Granderson's work with Long was cited as a reason for his 2011 campaign. The 2011 MLB All-Star Game earned over 6.6 million votes. In August 2011, Granderson and Mark Teixeira became the first Yankees teammates to reach 30 home runs in 115 games since Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in 1961. Granderson had two home runs against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 10, totaling a career-high 31 home runs. In a game against the Oakland Athletics on August 25, granderson, Robinson Canó, and Russell Martin all scored grand slams, the first time a team had three grand slams in a single game. Granderson was voted Player of the Month for August 2011, a record-breaking.423 on-base percentage, slugged 29 runs, and scored 29 runs, and had the most pitches per plate appearance in the major leagues (4.44). In one season, he became the first MLB player to record 40 home runs, ten triples, and 25 stolen bases. In voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award, Granderson came in fourth place.

Curtis scored his 1,000th hit against the Kansas City Royals on May 6, 2012. Granderson played his 200th home run against the Cleveland Indians on August 26, 2012. He finished the 2012 season with a.232 batting average, 43 home runs, 106 RBI, and a new Yankees season record by striking out 195 times.

The Yankees tried Granderson's club option for 2013. Since placing fourth in the MVP voting in 2011, it became a $15 million option. Granderson was hit by a pitch from J. on his first appearance against the Toronto Blue Jays in March. A. Happ fractured his right forearm. To start the 2013 season, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list. On May 14, he returned to the Yankees. Granderson made his first appearance at right field on May 18, 2013. Granderson's left pinkie finger was broken in the knuckle of his left pinkie finger after being struck by Cesar Ramos of Tampa Bay in the 5th inning. He was again placed on the 15-day disabled list. Granderson underwent surgery on May 29, 2013 in which a pin was stitched to the knuckle to help prevent the fracture from settling. Granderson was able to be activated from the disabled list on August 2, 2013. Granderson was limited to only 61 games in 2013 batting.229 with 7 home runs and 15 RBI. After the season, he became a free agent for the first time in his career.

On December 6, 2013, Granderson decided to terms with the New York Mets for a four-year deal worth $60 million. Granderson's earnings peaked at $13 million in 2014, $16 million in 2015 and 2016, and $16 million in 2017, plus $15 million in 2017. Granderson returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time since he signed with the Mets, going 2 for 5 with a home run on May 12. Granderson was the Mets' right fielder. With 130 in right field, he started 148 games. He batted.227 and had the most pitches per plate appearance in the major leagues (4.37). Granderson appeared in a total of 205 games between May 15, 2013 and September 16, 2014, during which time he did not ground into a double play, a record that still exists as of 2020.

He was the team's primary leadoff hitter in 2015 and became the team's primary leadoff hitter. He continued to lead the team in games played, runs scored, robbed bases, walks, on-base percentage, and total bases en route to a National League East division championship. Granderson hit five RBI in the third game of the National League Division Series, beating Carlos Delgado in the 2006 National League Championship Series, Edgardo Alfonzo in the 1999 National League Championship Series, Rusty Staub in the 1973 World Series. The Mets swept the Chicago Cubs in four games in the NLCS, advancing to their first World Series since 2000 after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

During the Mets' World Series run in 2015, Granderson and Daniel Murphy were the two most consistent hitters in the Mets lineup. Although Murphy cooled down in the World Series against the Kansas City Royals, Granderson remained a consistent threat to the Mets out of the leadoff position, throwing three home runs and five RBIs in the World Series. Granderson made a good leaping catch off the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 1, offsetting Mets closer Jeurys Familia, preventing the Royals from winning the game despite the fact that no one was out in the game at the time, although the Royals would continue to win the game in Game 1 on a sacrifice fly by Eric Hosmer.

Granderson's walkoff home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 27, 2016. He was the first batter up in the 9th inning's bottom. Granderson had 17 leadoff home runs since joining the Mets in 2014, a franchise record. Granderson scored two home runs against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field on September 17, which was his first home runs against them. The first and second inning tied the ballgame in the 11th inning, while the second won the game in the bottom of the 12th inning. He was only the eighth player in Major League history to reach multiple home runs in extra innings of the same game. Granderson made an incredible catch against the San Francisco Giants on October 5, stopping several runs from scoring late in the close game.

In a Mets win over the Chicago Cubs on June 14, 2017, Granderson scored his 300th home run in his 300th home run. In 2017, he batted.228 for the Mets, and had the most pitches per plate appearance in the major leagues this season (4.52).

The Mets traded Granderson to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player named later, Jacob Rhame. On August 20, the Dodgers' Justin Verlander scored his first home run against the Tigers' Justin Verlander. In his last at-bat for the Mets on August 17, he hit a grand slam home run for the first time in MLB history and became the first player to win grand slams for two opposing teams in the same week. He stole his 150th base in his career on the following day, becoming the 36th player in MLB history with over 300 home runs and 150 or more thefts. In 112 at bats, he batted.161/.366 for the Dodgers. In the first two rounds of the playoffs, he was 1-for-15 with eight strikeouts, and the Dodgers kept him off the World Series roster.

Granderson signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on January 23, 2018. Granderson's ninth grand slam victory came on April 18, when he was facing the Kansas City Royals. Granderson won the Boston Red Sox's 10th inning win on April 24, his first walkoff home run since 2016. Granderson returned to Citi Field for the first time since being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 18, 2017 and went 1 for 4 with a single on May 15. Granderson scored for a career high six RBIs against the Baltimore Orioles on June 10, including a home run, two doubles, a single, and a walk. Granderson thrashed the Jays on June 25, his eighth and ninth home runs of the season, as he was playing with former teammate Justin Verlander.

The Blue Jays traded Granderson to the Milwaukee Brewers for Demi Orimoloye on August 31, 2018. The Brewers got a.220 on him. Grandson was a member of the 2018 playoff team.

Granderson signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins that included an invitation to spring practice and guaranteed him a $1.75 million salary if he made the big league roster, which he did, batting.189 in the first half of the season.

He batted.183/.386 in 317 at bats, with his on base percentage and slugging percentages both at lows for the 2019 season. He was the sixth-oldest player in the National League.

On January 31, 2020, Granderson announced his retirement from baseball. As of 2021, he is president of the Players Alliance, an association of young and former Major League players aimed at increasing black players' participation in professional baseball. Granderson, the 2022 host of MLB on TBS, is a host for MLB on TBS.

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