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| | Curtis Granderson Tracker | |
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GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:29 am | |
| 02/27/09 8:28 PM EST Granderson's Classic role could grow Outfielder may see more playing time with Sizemore out of tournament
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Curtis Granderson accepted an invitation to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic expecting an outfield rotation around Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore. Now that Sizemore has pulled out of the Classic with a groin injury, Granderson seemingly takes on a more central role.
Granderson said that he saw the news about Sizemore on Friday afternoon but hadn't heard from anyone at Team USA. Nonetheless, it appears that Sizemore's absence changes the outlook in the outfield.
Team USA put Philadelphia's Shane Victorino back on the roster to take Sizemore's spot. Victorino had been on the provisional roster but was left off the final 28-man roster when it was announced on Tuesday. Victorino, who also plays center field, reportedly was concerned about at-bats before accepting the invitation, but was told by manager Dave Johnson that playing time should not be a problem with just four outfielders on the roster.
Granderson presents a versatile option for the club with his ability to play the corner outfield spots as well as center. Even if he moves around the various outfield spots, though, the likely effect will be an increase in his playing time.
At this point, Granderson is ready for whatever happens. He'll report to Team USA camp next week in Clearwater, Fla., to work out with the club ahead of the opening round of play on March 7 at Toronto's Rogers Centre.
Granderson is one of six Tigers in Major League camp who are slated to take part in the World Baseball Classic. Lefty reliever Fu-Te Ni left on Thursday to join the Chinese Taipei team in preparation for its opening round at the Tokyo Dome on March 6. Armando Galarraga made his first and only start for the Tigers on Friday against the Blue Jays before he joins Team Venezuela, which will work out at the Tigers' facility. Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen will join him.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | |
| | | catbox_9 DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 22295 Age : 37 Location : Paso Robles, California Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Justin Verlander Reputation : 17 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:30 am | |
| | |
| | | laprimamirala Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 14194 Age : 62 Location : SE Michigan Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Magglio........:) Reputation : 11 Registration date : 2007-10-29
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:45 am | |
| geez! Will there be any Tiger regulars left? | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:50 pm | |
| 02/28/09 6:52 PM EST Granderson focused on defenseCenter fielder committed to making improvements to gameBy Jason Beck / MLB.com LAKELAND, Fla. -- Considering the Tigers and Mets combined for nine walks over the first four innings Saturday afternoon, the fans needed some excitement. Curtis Granderson provided a moment of it in the field.Granderson closed on Ramon Martinez's low line drive almost immediately off the bat, charging in towards left-center field before making a diving catch for the second out in the top of the fourth inning as the crowd stood up and cheered. "That's just instinct," manager Jim Leyland said later. "You can't teach that. You can practice it."Granderson does practice it, and he has worked hard to hone those instincts so far this spring. In his mind, he still has room for improvement -- not just for highlight plays, but for his entire defense -- before the Tigers head north to the tricky outfield of Comerica Park. He's working off instinct, but he's also working off memory."If I can put together the arm strength I had in '07 along with being comfortable playing shallow -- which I was in parts of '06 and '07 -- then that'll be, ideally, where I want to be," Granderson said Saturday.That 2007 season was the year that Granderson really started to gain attention for his defense -- not just highlight plays like climbing the fence to take away a home run against the Red Sox, but strong, accurate throws to nab baserunners. His 10 assists ranked fourth among Major League center fielders that year, and his four double plays tied for the big league lead at the position.For that matter, so did his 424 putouts, matching Ichiro Suzuki catch for catch. Ichiro, Torii Hunter and Grady Sizemore won the American League Gold Gloves in the outfield that year, and they all repeated last year. Granderson, meanwhile, statistically slipped in 2008. His assist total fell by half, and both his total chances and putouts dropped. Part of that came with a drop in games played thanks to his season-opening stint on the disabled list, and part came from a pitching staff that gave up a lot more hits. But Granderson said he also felt like he paid for playing deeper in center than past years."It just happened," Granderson said. "I felt like, for some reason, I was getting beat, and I don't know why. And I think that's why my mind's set on trying to get a better jump this year." The Fielding Bible takes into account opportunities for baserunners to advance and extra bases taken away when judging outfielders, along with how many outs the player made compared with how many were expected on balls hit in his area. Granderson's plus-20 rating in 2007 tied for fourth among Major League center fielders. His minus-12 rating last year ranked 29th.That kind of drop is probably exaggerated, but nonetheless, it reflects how Granderson felt while playing deeper. He wants to get that old feeling back.It isn't going to be easy. Comerica Park has become known over the years as a tough place to track line drives and low fly balls, particularly during sunny day games. Playing deeper allowed Granderson more time to judge the flight of drives that would take him towards the fence, even though it might have cost him on balls landing shallow. In the past, outfielders cited a reflection of the sunlight coming off of empty seats. When the stadium sold out games galore the last few years and Granderson still had problems, he came to believe it was depth perception at a park where the seats slope back at a lower angle than many other ballparks."I feel comfortable -- and this is no offense to these guys -- when I see a Torii Hunter, or an Ichiro, or other guys misjudge [a ball in Detroit]," he said. "I remember facing the Mets in '07, when Jose Valentin went to the left and the ball went to the right. It makes me feel like I'm not the only one."He's the one, though, who calls it his home park. And the one surefire way he knows to practice his reads is by tracking the ball during morning batting practice sessions in sun-drenched Florida."If you take enough balls off the bat during BP, you'll see some like that at some point," Leyland said. "That's the only way you can practice that. You can't really practice that off the fungo."In center field, a guy takes a huge swing and your first instinct is to back up, and [then] he hits it off the end of the bat. Those are tricky. You see that happen a lot." It's that first instinct -- or technically, the first step off that first instinct -- that Granderson is trying to hone."Just getting that good jump," Granderson said. "Because that's going to be a determination on catching that ball [Saturday] or not catching that ball, or just any ball." He'll get a chance to judge balls in big league parks soon enough thanks to the World Baseball Classic. Team USA will play its opening round games at Toronto's Rogers Centre, then move to Dolphin Stadium in Miami if the Americans advance. A night game in an outdoor park like Miami, Granderson believes, would be a good test. Arm strength and accuracy, he says, are mostly a matter of long tossing, lots of long tossing. He does that most mornings with teammate and good friend Marcus Thames, and outfield coach Andy Van Slyke tests him and other outfielders with a fair number of drills, from hitting the cutoff man to charging on a ball."Technique is fine," Granderson said. "It's just that sometimes I don't get that carry. In '07 I had that, and I have to get that."If he can, he has at least done his part. Outfield defensive statistics are so tied to pitching that Robert Fick once led the Majors in outfield assists because the 2002 Tigers gave up so many hits.Granderson isn't judging himself on statistics, though. He judges himself on feel, and on the team's bottom line. Still, a crowd reaction like he drew with his catch Saturday is a nice bonus. Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Last edited by GoGetEmTigers on Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:52 pm; edited 1 time in total | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:51 pm | |
| Good article, hope Curtis gets that arm strength and accuracy back, it will really help the Tigers! :curtis: | |
| | | laprimamirala Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 14194 Age : 62 Location : SE Michigan Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Magglio........:) Reputation : 11 Registration date : 2007-10-29
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:02 pm | |
| and no breaking the naughty finger! | |
| | | catbox_9 DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 22295 Age : 37 Location : Paso Robles, California Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Justin Verlander Reputation : 17 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:14 pm | |
| Curtis Granderson to pose for Playboy- Spoiler:
From center field to centerfold for Granderson, if mom allows it
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Come on, the photographer said seductively. Come pose for Playboy.
Hold on, the center fielder said cautiously. I've got to, um ...
When Playboy asked Detroit's Curtis Granderson to participate in a photo shoot in preparation for the magazine's 2009 baseball preview, do you suppose Granderson's reply was:
A) Sure, but only if I get to approve of Miss April? B) Yes, but first I wanna party with Hef at the Playboy Mansion? C) I'll do it, but only if my mother approves?
You see a lot of things in a professional baseball clubhouse, some of which are very cool. You hear a ton of things in a professional baseball clubhouse, some of which you wish you could forget immediately.
I'm not sure I'll hear a sweeter story this spring than that of Granderson, Detroit's first-class outfielder, holding off Playboy until he phoned home to make sure that it was OK with his mother. If it offended her, Granderson was set to send the Playboy photographer back to the bunny farm.
"I wouldn't have done it," he said of the shoot.
So?
"He asked, what did I think?" Mary Granderson, a retired Chicago high school science teacher, said during a telephone conversation the other night. "I said I thought it would be good as long as you don't have to take your clothes off. We laughed, I was joking.
"I remember telling him that one of the presidents, I believe it was Jimmy Carter, was interviewed in Playboy magazine and it was done very tastefully. And if yours is done tastefully, then I wouldn't mind."
Now Granderson seeking the advice of his mother and father, Curtis Sr., that's not unusual. Normally, though, it's seeking guidance pertaining to cars, houses, clothes or even food. At 27 and entering his fourth full season in Detroit, Granderson is one of the game's true Renaissance men.
He represents Nike, Louisville Slugger and Rawlings, but lieu of endorsement fees, he's directed each company instead to donate equipment to inner city youth baseball leagues in Illinois and Michigan.
"I don't need the money," said Granderson, who signed a six-year, $30.25 million contract extension last February and posted a career-high .365 on-base percentage with 22 homers and 66 RBI last summer. "And this way it will give kids in the inner city opportunities. One thing I always hear is that it's so expensive to get the equipment."
He moonlights as an ambassador for Major League Baseball International in the offseason and has traveled to South Africa, China, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Switzerland. He took both his father and mother with him to China, and his father to South Africa (his mother was still working at the time).
"I felt the most comfortable in London, because it has a feel similar to Chicago," said Granderson, who graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with degrees in business administration and advertising. "Gray, rainy, a lot of people.
"South Africa was probably the most memorable. Seeing penguins on the beach, going on a safari and seeing any and every kind of animal, without a cage. Chasing and hunting each other.
"China was fun. I love the bigness and the busyness. There are 14, 18 million people. Every place you go is busy. You go to the Great Wall, busy. Tiananmen Square, busy. You leave your hotel, busy."
Italy?
"The food ... eating in Florence. And so many things looked fake in the architecture. Everything popped up on you. You're walking through alleys looking for the Trevi Fountain and you're like, 'Where's it supposed to be?' And then you round a corner and, boom, there it is."
This is a guy who is equally comfortable roaming center field and roaming the globe. He comes from a family of teachers -- his father retired as an elementary physical education teacher in June, 2007, and his sister teaches English at Jackson State University in Mississippi. When he's finished with baseball, he'd like to become an associate athletic director at a university in charge of compliance.
"You come to a university for a couple of reasons," Granderson said. "No. 1 to play a sport, No. 2 to stay eligible and get your education."
Too many times, Granderson said, players disappear into the weeds because they ignore their education.
"Not everyone can be the next scientist or doctor," he said. "But at the same time, all people have things they love to do."
Such as, say, photography.
The Playboy shoot took place at Joker Marchant Stadium here several days ago after the Tigers finished their workout. The photographer told Granderson that, ahem, he was his first male subject in 15 years of shooting.
"I could have been out there topless with you," manager Jim Leyland cackled.
"I only took my hat off," Granderson told all who would listen.
Same thing he assured his mom when he phoned her again after the shoot.
"You've definitely gotta check in with mom if you're in Playboy," Tampa Bay outfielder B.J. Upton agreed admiringly. "At least call her and let her know you're going to be in Playboy. At least, I would."
"I think I would," Minnesota outfielder Michael Cuddyer concurred. "He's a very, very classy guy. He does things right both on and off the field. He's been a great ambassador to other countries.'
"I really am proud of him," Mary Granderson said. "The amazing thing is, he's always been this way. He didn't just become this way. He's been this way since nursery school. In nursery school, grammar school, high school, I had so many teachers and parents of his friends make (nice) comments. ... He was a great kid, and he turned out to be an even greater adult."
Granderson figures he'll have the last laugh on teasing teammates when the issue is published.
"If guys are picking it up looking at Miss April, or whatever issue it is, and then they turn the page and see a big picture of me, I'm sure that's going to switch their minds back to me in a hurry," he said, laughing. "I can't wait for that to happen."
Question is, when the issue is released, will his mother be standing in line down at the local newsstand to purchase a copy?
"I'll probably send my husband out to buy it," she said, laughing.
No doubt, it won't take much badgering to cross that item off the honey-do list.
"I'm sure that will be one of the ones he'll gladly do," Mary said. "That won't be one of those ones where he'll say, 'I'll do it later.' I'm sure he'll do it right away."
| |
| | | bobrob2004 DTF1 MODERATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 10646 Age : 39 Location : Warren, MI Reputation : 12 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:12 am | |
| - catbox_9 wrote:
- Curtis Granderson to pose for Playboy
- Spoiler:
From center field to centerfold for Granderson, if mom allows it
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Come on, the photographer said seductively. Come pose for Playboy.
Hold on, the center fielder said cautiously. I've got to, um ...
When Playboy asked Detroit's Curtis Granderson to participate in a photo shoot in preparation for the magazine's 2009 baseball preview, do you suppose Granderson's reply was:
A) Sure, but only if I get to approve of Miss April? B) Yes, but first I wanna party with Hef at the Playboy Mansion? C) I'll do it, but only if my mother approves?
You see a lot of things in a professional baseball clubhouse, some of which are very cool. You hear a ton of things in a professional baseball clubhouse, some of which you wish you could forget immediately.
I'm not sure I'll hear a sweeter story this spring than that of Granderson, Detroit's first-class outfielder, holding off Playboy until he phoned home to make sure that it was OK with his mother. If it offended her, Granderson was set to send the Playboy photographer back to the bunny farm.
"I wouldn't have done it," he said of the shoot.
So?
"He asked, what did I think?" Mary Granderson, a retired Chicago high school science teacher, said during a telephone conversation the other night. "I said I thought it would be good as long as you don't have to take your clothes off. We laughed, I was joking.
"I remember telling him that one of the presidents, I believe it was Jimmy Carter, was interviewed in Playboy magazine and it was done very tastefully. And if yours is done tastefully, then I wouldn't mind."
Now Granderson seeking the advice of his mother and father, Curtis Sr., that's not unusual. Normally, though, it's seeking guidance pertaining to cars, houses, clothes or even food. At 27 and entering his fourth full season in Detroit, Granderson is one of the game's true Renaissance men.
He represents Nike, Louisville Slugger and Rawlings, but lieu of endorsement fees, he's directed each company instead to donate equipment to inner city youth baseball leagues in Illinois and Michigan.
"I don't need the money," said Granderson, who signed a six-year, $30.25 million contract extension last February and posted a career-high .365 on-base percentage with 22 homers and 66 RBI last summer. "And this way it will give kids in the inner city opportunities. One thing I always hear is that it's so expensive to get the equipment."
He moonlights as an ambassador for Major League Baseball International in the offseason and has traveled to South Africa, China, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Switzerland. He took both his father and mother with him to China, and his father to South Africa (his mother was still working at the time).
"I felt the most comfortable in London, because it has a feel similar to Chicago," said Granderson, who graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with degrees in business administration and advertising. "Gray, rainy, a lot of people.
"South Africa was probably the most memorable. Seeing penguins on the beach, going on a safari and seeing any and every kind of animal, without a cage. Chasing and hunting each other.
"China was fun. I love the bigness and the busyness. There are 14, 18 million people. Every place you go is busy. You go to the Great Wall, busy. Tiananmen Square, busy. You leave your hotel, busy."
Italy?
"The food ... eating in Florence. And so many things looked fake in the architecture. Everything popped up on you. You're walking through alleys looking for the Trevi Fountain and you're like, 'Where's it supposed to be?' And then you round a corner and, boom, there it is."
This is a guy who is equally comfortable roaming center field and roaming the globe. He comes from a family of teachers -- his father retired as an elementary physical education teacher in June, 2007, and his sister teaches English at Jackson State University in Mississippi. When he's finished with baseball, he'd like to become an associate athletic director at a university in charge of compliance.
"You come to a university for a couple of reasons," Granderson said. "No. 1 to play a sport, No. 2 to stay eligible and get your education."
Too many times, Granderson said, players disappear into the weeds because they ignore their education.
"Not everyone can be the next scientist or doctor," he said. "But at the same time, all people have things they love to do."
Such as, say, photography.
The Playboy shoot took place at Joker Marchant Stadium here several days ago after the Tigers finished their workout. The photographer told Granderson that, ahem, he was his first male subject in 15 years of shooting.
"I could have been out there topless with you," manager Jim Leyland cackled.
"I only took my hat off," Granderson told all who would listen.
Same thing he assured his mom when he phoned her again after the shoot.
"You've definitely gotta check in with mom if you're in Playboy," Tampa Bay outfielder B.J. Upton agreed admiringly. "At least call her and let her know you're going to be in Playboy. At least, I would."
"I think I would," Minnesota outfielder Michael Cuddyer concurred. "He's a very, very classy guy. He does things right both on and off the field. He's been a great ambassador to other countries.'
"I really am proud of him," Mary Granderson said. "The amazing thing is, he's always been this way. He didn't just become this way. He's been this way since nursery school. In nursery school, grammar school, high school, I had so many teachers and parents of his friends make (nice) comments. ... He was a great kid, and he turned out to be an even greater adult."
Granderson figures he'll have the last laugh on teasing teammates when the issue is published.
"If guys are picking it up looking at Miss April, or whatever issue it is, and then they turn the page and see a big picture of me, I'm sure that's going to switch their minds back to me in a hurry," he said, laughing. "I can't wait for that to happen."
Question is, when the issue is released, will his mother be standing in line down at the local newsstand to purchase a copy?
"I'll probably send my husband out to buy it," she said, laughing.
No doubt, it won't take much badgering to cross that item off the honey-do list.
"I'm sure that will be one of the ones he'll gladly do," Mary said. "That won't be one of those ones where he'll say, 'I'll do it later.' I'm sure he'll do it right away."
I guess I should pick up that issue... | |
| | | catbox_9 DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 22295 Age : 37 Location : Paso Robles, California Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Justin Verlander Reputation : 17 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:25 am | |
| - bobrob2004 wrote:
- catbox_9 wrote:
- Curtis Granderson to pose for Playboy
- Spoiler:
From center field to centerfold for Granderson, if mom allows it
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Come on, the photographer said seductively. Come pose for Playboy.
Hold on, the center fielder said cautiously. I've got to, um ...
When Playboy asked Detroit's Curtis Granderson to participate in a photo shoot in preparation for the magazine's 2009 baseball preview, do you suppose Granderson's reply was:
A) Sure, but only if I get to approve of Miss April? B) Yes, but first I wanna party with Hef at the Playboy Mansion? C) I'll do it, but only if my mother approves?
You see a lot of things in a professional baseball clubhouse, some of which are very cool. You hear a ton of things in a professional baseball clubhouse, some of which you wish you could forget immediately.
I'm not sure I'll hear a sweeter story this spring than that of Granderson, Detroit's first-class outfielder, holding off Playboy until he phoned home to make sure that it was OK with his mother. If it offended her, Granderson was set to send the Playboy photographer back to the bunny farm.
"I wouldn't have done it," he said of the shoot.
So?
"He asked, what did I think?" Mary Granderson, a retired Chicago high school science teacher, said during a telephone conversation the other night. "I said I thought it would be good as long as you don't have to take your clothes off. We laughed, I was joking.
"I remember telling him that one of the presidents, I believe it was Jimmy Carter, was interviewed in Playboy magazine and it was done very tastefully. And if yours is done tastefully, then I wouldn't mind."
Now Granderson seeking the advice of his mother and father, Curtis Sr., that's not unusual. Normally, though, it's seeking guidance pertaining to cars, houses, clothes or even food. At 27 and entering his fourth full season in Detroit, Granderson is one of the game's true Renaissance men.
He represents Nike, Louisville Slugger and Rawlings, but lieu of endorsement fees, he's directed each company instead to donate equipment to inner city youth baseball leagues in Illinois and Michigan.
"I don't need the money," said Granderson, who signed a six-year, $30.25 million contract extension last February and posted a career-high .365 on-base percentage with 22 homers and 66 RBI last summer. "And this way it will give kids in the inner city opportunities. One thing I always hear is that it's so expensive to get the equipment."
He moonlights as an ambassador for Major League Baseball International in the offseason and has traveled to South Africa, China, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Switzerland. He took both his father and mother with him to China, and his father to South Africa (his mother was still working at the time).
"I felt the most comfortable in London, because it has a feel similar to Chicago," said Granderson, who graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with degrees in business administration and advertising. "Gray, rainy, a lot of people.
"South Africa was probably the most memorable. Seeing penguins on the beach, going on a safari and seeing any and every kind of animal, without a cage. Chasing and hunting each other.
"China was fun. I love the bigness and the busyness. There are 14, 18 million people. Every place you go is busy. You go to the Great Wall, busy. Tiananmen Square, busy. You leave your hotel, busy."
Italy?
"The food ... eating in Florence. And so many things looked fake in the architecture. Everything popped up on you. You're walking through alleys looking for the Trevi Fountain and you're like, 'Where's it supposed to be?' And then you round a corner and, boom, there it is."
This is a guy who is equally comfortable roaming center field and roaming the globe. He comes from a family of teachers -- his father retired as an elementary physical education teacher in June, 2007, and his sister teaches English at Jackson State University in Mississippi. When he's finished with baseball, he'd like to become an associate athletic director at a university in charge of compliance.
"You come to a university for a couple of reasons," Granderson said. "No. 1 to play a sport, No. 2 to stay eligible and get your education."
Too many times, Granderson said, players disappear into the weeds because they ignore their education.
"Not everyone can be the next scientist or doctor," he said. "But at the same time, all people have things they love to do."
Such as, say, photography.
The Playboy shoot took place at Joker Marchant Stadium here several days ago after the Tigers finished their workout. The photographer told Granderson that, ahem, he was his first male subject in 15 years of shooting.
"I could have been out there topless with you," manager Jim Leyland cackled.
"I only took my hat off," Granderson told all who would listen.
Same thing he assured his mom when he phoned her again after the shoot.
"You've definitely gotta check in with mom if you're in Playboy," Tampa Bay outfielder B.J. Upton agreed admiringly. "At least call her and let her know you're going to be in Playboy. At least, I would."
"I think I would," Minnesota outfielder Michael Cuddyer concurred. "He's a very, very classy guy. He does things right both on and off the field. He's been a great ambassador to other countries.'
"I really am proud of him," Mary Granderson said. "The amazing thing is, he's always been this way. He didn't just become this way. He's been this way since nursery school. In nursery school, grammar school, high school, I had so many teachers and parents of his friends make (nice) comments. ... He was a great kid, and he turned out to be an even greater adult."
Granderson figures he'll have the last laugh on teasing teammates when the issue is published.
"If guys are picking it up looking at Miss April, or whatever issue it is, and then they turn the page and see a big picture of me, I'm sure that's going to switch their minds back to me in a hurry," he said, laughing. "I can't wait for that to happen."
Question is, when the issue is released, will his mother be standing in line down at the local newsstand to purchase a copy?
"I'll probably send my husband out to buy it," she said, laughing.
No doubt, it won't take much badgering to cross that item off the honey-do list.
"I'm sure that will be one of the ones he'll gladly do," Mary said. "That won't be one of those ones where he'll say, 'I'll do it later.' I'm sure he'll do it right away."
I guess I should pick up that issue... I got a thing in the mail where you get 12 issues (one year) for $19.95. I think I threw it out. I should have sent it to you since the cover price on an issue is probably at least $5. | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:22 pm | |
| Granderson on Letterman
Curtis Granderson will make an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman Thursday night. He'll be among the members of Team USA reading answers for the Top Ten list that night. I guess they taped it already, and he's somewhere in the middle of the list, for whatever that's worth.
Posted on March 4, 2009 at 4:49 PM - Beck's Blog | |
| | | laprimamirala Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 14194 Age : 62 Location : SE Michigan Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Magglio........:) Reputation : 11 Registration date : 2007-10-29
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:43 am | |
| he's gettin around fo sho! | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:16 am | |
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| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:54 am | |
| Curtis Granderson reacts to playing Tigers teammates in WBC
Posted by JAMES JAHNKE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • March 9, 2009
Here's a transcript of centerfielder Curtis Granderson's interview after his U.S. team beat a Venezuelan team boasting four of his Tigers teammates in the World Baseball Classic on Sunday night. Courtesy of ASAP Sports:
Q. How did it feel playing against four guys off your team?
CURTIS GRANDERSON: Interesting. The big thing battling against Armando Galarraga, getting a chance to see him from that side of the plate. I'm always behind him. I'm always trying to catch everything. But to get a chance to watch other guys go up there and try to battle against him ...
Armando had great stuff again tonight. Just the pitch count, you know, wasn't able to stay in the game as long as I'm sure he wanted to. He had some great stuff again tonight.
The rest of those guys, Miguel (Cabrera), Magglio (Ordonez), Carlos Guillen, again, exciting to get my first out off of Magglio. That was interesting, get a chance to be at first base and talk to Miguel. It wasn't practice, you know. It was a game. And to see Carlos Guillen hit another home run and get his swing back. Definitely excited for these guys. At the same time, still playing for Team USA.
Q. How does it feel with this deep lineup?
CURTIS GRANDERSON: It's amazing. When I was looking at the team, where am I going to fit in, you know. We've got three or four great leadoff guys on the team, so I know I'm not going go there. Two hitters locked in, whether it be Jimmy Rollins or (Dustin) Pedroia or (Derek) Jeter, any one of them are out there.
I'm not going to bat in the middle of the line up, so I got to be somewhere in the bottom. I got no problem batting at the bottom.
Q. When visiting Toronto, what's some of the things you like to do?
CURTIS GRANDERSON: For me, I always want to eat, you know, the specialty. I haven't done that yet. I've been hearing there's a really good seafood place over in this area I'm going to check that out. I know, let me get it right. It's fries with what's on them? I know vinegar and
Q. Oh, from 10, the gravy?
CURTIS GRANDERSON: Gravy, that's what it is. I wanted to say chili, but it's gravy, that's right. I haven't had that yet. So wherever I'm at, I always got to get that. Whether it be Toronto, whether it be Kansas City for ribs, Seattle for seafood, wherever it is, I got to always get whatever the food is known for there.
Q. Did you have any hesitance about coming here and being part of this?
CURTIS GRANDERSON: My big thing is would I be ready, you know. It's March, what's today, 6th, 7th, 8th, and my swing is never usually right at this point. The one thing I am excited about, my legs feel good, my arm feels good. But I usually just don't have my rhythm right. I still feel the same way like I have in every other spring about the same point.
Hopefully it's just a matter of time before I can get right at the plate.
Q. You heard centerfield chanting every player's name. How do you react to that?
CURTIS GRANDERSON: It's amazing here in Canada, and fellow Americans that came out to support, and the nods of the entire team, I mean, it's hard not to know this team with the number of guys and all stars and MVPs you have, but they're into it. They stayed into it. They're here throughout the whole game. It was amazing, and we thank them for their support, for coming out, and cheering us on, especially in another country. | |
| | | gs78 Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 27687 Age : 45 Location : Trashy Park Michigan Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Dontrelle Willis, Brandon Inge, Maggs, Verlander, Granderson, Pudge and Todd Jones Reputation : 9 Registration date : 2007-10-06
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:20 pm | |
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| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:24 pm | |
| Comerica a challenge for Granderson Tigers center fielder hasn't gotten comfortable in outfield
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
04/12/09 1:25 PM ET DETROIT -- Curtis Granderson might win a Gold Glove someday and still never be comfortable playing center field at Comerica Park.
"It's amazing. Even after [playing here since] '04, I still don't have it right," Granderson said.
He's more comfortable playing center on the road. But if Saturday is a sign, he's at least getting more comfortable playing shallow here.
It's the positioning he had two years ago before retreating last year, and he wanted to get back to it when he focused on defensive work early in Spring Training. His time in the World Baseball Classic cut short his work, but he's making progress.
Plays like Saturday's mad dash into the center-field wall, painful as they look, are signs of progress. He's had two this week, the other capping Wednesday's win at Toronto, and both required him to take his eye off the ball for a few steps while he ran back.
That, manager Jim Leyland said, is a key adjustment for him.
"Outfielders, when the ball's hit over their head like that, they have to try to run to the spot where they think the ball's coming down," Leyland said. "You can't try to time it and stutter-step and all that. You won't catch up with it. That's a big difference with any outfielder."
Given Granderson's depth, it's particularly important. He drifted deeper last year, partly so he could better judge deep fly balls like that one. Playing shallow forces him to get a good first jump, but quickly judging where the ball is headed is just as important.
That initial read can be tough here, particularly in day games. Whether it's fans wearing white behind home plate, or tricky winds that are hard to judge by the outfield flags, or the sound of ball meeting bat, or even the low rise of the stands from field level to the main concourse, Granderson still isn't comfortable here compared with other places.
"I still don't know what it is on this field," Granderson said, "but there's some days you see fine, and there's other days where you just can't find the ball."
That, plus all that outfield to cover, leaves Granderson hesitant to creep in that far. He played far deeper in Friday's home opener, he said, than he did Saturday.
"I'm still just a little nervous, just because there's so much behind me," he said. "Other ballparks, I've got no problem coming in. Every other ballpark I feel comfortable doing it, except this one." He tries settling in by tracking fly balls in batting practice, taking flies from outfield coach Andy Van Slyke and talking with corner outfielders Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez. Still, he isn't sure he'll ever feel as comfortable here as elsewhere. His consolation is that few visiting outfielders feel comfortable here, either.
"I've seen Ichiro misjudge a ball here," Granderson said. "I've seen Torii [Hunter] misjudge a ball here."
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:26 pm | |
| So Mike I., it is YOUR DESIGNED ballpark that makes it hard on the center fielders, FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT!!! | |
| | | bobrob2004 DTF1 MODERATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 10646 Age : 39 Location : Warren, MI Reputation : 12 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:51 pm | |
| - GoGetEmTigers wrote:
- So Mike I., it is YOUR DESIGNED ballpark that makes it hard on the center fielders, FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT!!!
Tear it down and build a new one? Good thing he's not playing in Enron Field Minute Maid Park. That hill in centerfield was a stupid design. | |
| | | catbox_9 DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 22295 Age : 37 Location : Paso Robles, California Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Justin Verlander Reputation : 17 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:31 am | |
| - bobrob2004 wrote:
- GoGetEmTigers wrote:
- So Mike I., it is YOUR DESIGNED ballpark that makes it hard on the center fielders, FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT!!!
Tear it down and build a new one?
Good thing he's not playing in Enron Field Minute Maid Park. That hill in centerfield was a stupid design. Tal's Hill is okay. Other ballparks used to have similar features. Look at Crosley Field (tough to tell since it's all grass): Fenway Park (Duffy's Cliff) used to have one, too. There were others, just less famous. | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:19 pm | |
| Granderson tries to get youth involved Outfielder honors Foundation scholars on Robinson Day
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
04/15/09 2:15 PM ET
DETROIT -- Curtis Granderson didn't have the chance to take part in Jackie Robinson Day festivities last year. He was on the disabled list at the time, preparing for a Minor League rehab stint to test out his fractured right hand.
With the Tigers at home for this year's festivities Wednesday, Granderson was a visible participant. Not only did he don Robinson's jersey number 42 once again, as did every player in the Major Leagues, he was one of 13 players around baseball to receive a special set of baseball cleats from Nike to wear for the game. The blue and gray shoes feature Robinson's number 42 on the side in red.
Before the game, Granderson took part in an on-field ceremony to honor four Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars from the University of Michigan, as well as the six winners of the Tigers' 13th annual Jackie Robinson Art, Essay and Poetry contest.
The total effort helps raise awareness of the impact Robinson had not just on baseball, but America. Granderson thinks Major League Baseball's efforts over the past several years have helped.
"I think the awareness of Jackie Robinson and the importance of the day is there," Granderson said. "And I think it's been there -- maybe not necessarily the day, but the fact of who he is and what he's done for not only baseball, but in general."
Another goal for Granderson is to try to continue the legacy and get more African-American kids involved in the game, notably in inner cities. Granderson has been involved in that effort, along with other prominent Major Leaguers such as Jimmy Rollins.
That goal, Granderson said, has been tougher to achieve.
"I think there has been a lot made about acknowledging the decline of African-Americans, not only in Major League Baseball, but baseball in general," Granderson said. "But I haven't seen much working to get it back right. You've seen attempts."
A report released Wednesday, however, indicated the percentage of black players in the Majors increased to 10.2 percent last year, the first rise since the 1995 season.
Granderson's recent success, as well as that of CC Sabathia, and the World Series run by the Phillies behind star players Rollins and Ryan Howard, have all made African-American players more visible in the game. Still, Granderson said, no African-American baseball player has reached the same level of recognition as top superstar players in other sports, such as LeBron James and Kevin Garnett in basketball, or LaDainian Tomlinson in football.
Granderson thinks there's starting to be an impact. He has heard people in public talking about the commercials Rollins and Howard did this past offseason. Still, progress has been tough, and Granderson and others have tried to come up with ideas.
"Just talking with guys on this team and other teams, I've been trying to come up with what needs to be done, what can be done," Granderson said. "I think the most difficult thing has been getting kids to think that it's not a boring sport.
"We have big-name guys in baseball. I don't know what it is."
One thing Granderson would like to see is more kids playing baseball longer, along with other sports. He worries that youth and high school athletics have become so encompassing in terms of workouts and practices that kids are sometimes forced to choose one sport too early rather than enjoy more than one.
Granderson grew up with basketball as his first love. He didn't choose baseball over hoops, he said, until his sophomore year in college. Marcus Thames, he pointed out, was a great football player as a kid, as were Ryan Raburn and Brent Clevlen.
"It's part of being a kid and growing up," Granderson said. "And I don't think you should be limited until you, the kid, get to decide."
Granderson and Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon were among the judges for the Art, Essay and Poetry Contest, which received 277 submissions from local middle and high school students. Here were the winners:
Art -- Kendall Dumas, Langston Hughes Middle School, Detroit; Randy Asahak, Mohegan High School, Macomb Essay -- Sanjay Reddy, West Bloomfield Middle School; Andrew Biter, Riverview High School, Detroit Poetry -- Alex Knight, Sarah Banks Middle School, Walled Lake; Raphael Tramble, Loyola High School, Detroit
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | |
| | | gs78 Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 27687 Age : 45 Location : Trashy Park Michigan Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Dontrelle Willis, Brandon Inge, Maggs, Verlander, Granderson, Pudge and Todd Jones Reputation : 9 Registration date : 2007-10-06
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:30 pm | |
| Who were the other 12 players? | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Thu May 07, 2009 5:33 pm | |
| Granderson enjoys coming home Tigers outfielder soaks up finer points of Chicago
By David Just / Special to MLB.com
05/06/09 10:25 PM ET
CHICAGO -- The Tigers' two-game set against the White Sox provides outfielder Curtis Granderson with an abbreviated homecoming of sorts.
The fleet-footed center fielder grew up 25 minutes south of U.S. Cellular Field in Lynwood, Ill., and attended Thornton Fractional South High School. Granderson said his friends and family always are in attendance when he's in town, which makes his visits back to Chicago particularly special.
His career numbers on the South Side might be well below his usual standards, but that hasn't changed his love for the city.
"I love to come home and play here and get a chance to play against the White Sox," Granderson said. "It's my favorite city to visit, but in terms of playing, I got to give it to Anaheim. I love playing there."
Indeed, Granderson is hitting .370 with seven home runs in 73 career at-bats at Angel Stadium.
Statistics aside, Granderson loves Chicago for a host of different reasons, the most obvious being his choice of restaurants. Even though he only will be in town for two days, Granderson will make a point to get a bite to eat in his favorite neighborhood.
"It'll be tough this time, but I'll make sure to get to Greektown and get some Greektown gyros," Granderson said. "If we have some day time or happen to have an off-day, I'll definitely get a pizza, too. Fortunately, many places here are open 24 hours, so I can eat anytime."
Granderson was dismayed that the team will not be in town for the annual Taste of Chicago, which runs for 10 days in late June through the Fourth of July.
"I'd have to school the guys on how to eat there," Granderson said. "Just because you see a turkey leg and you love it, we don't all need a turkey leg. One person gets it, and then we all split it so we can try some other things."
A career in Detroit clearly has done little to affect Granderson's appreciation for the finer points of his hometown.
David Just is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | |
| | | laprimamirala Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 14194 Age : 62 Location : SE Michigan Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Magglio........:) Reputation : 11 Registration date : 2007-10-29
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Thu May 07, 2009 8:58 pm | |
| Does he still co-own that restaurant in Chicago? | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Sun May 10, 2009 1:15 am | |
| Highlight plays and Gold Gloves BECK'S BLOG
To me, one of the factors that adds to the impact of Curtis Granderson's incredible catch Friday night was the player it came against. Grady Sizemore has probably had more highlight catches over the course of his career, certainly more memorable catches at the fence or near the track. In fact, one of his highlight catches last year or two years ago was a diving catch going back in the gap that robbed Granderson in Cleveland.
So when somebody mentioned Sizemore to Granderson, his thoughts went to that catch pretty quickly.
"He's robbed me of a few, too, here in this ballpark," Granderson said after the game. "That's the only place we seem to do it. Our ballpark's so big, you can't play deep enough, and if we do, we can't hit it to center field. He's definitely taken away a lot of balls against our team, and against me in particular. I get the chance to even it out, sure enough. He's probably going to be trying to get me tomorrow."
When you think about the ballpark comments, it's a great point. Most of Granderson's highlight catches in his career have been sliding or diving grabs in front of him. The one memorable grab at the fence from him in my mind is the catch he made to rob then-Red Sox player Wily Mo Pena on July 8, 2007. You can watch the replay here under the top play link and realize how far he had to run to get to the fence.
It raises an intriguing question that has come up before: How big of a role do highlight plays factor in Gold Glove awards? These are the plays coaches around the league see and hear about the next day in their respective clubhouses, and coaches make the vote. Granderson was arguably been underrated as an outfielder, though his stats took a little bit of a dip last year.
Well, already this season you have the incredible throw to the plate Granderson made on the fly last month, and now this. If Granderson can put up the stats -- he put a LOT of emphasis on his defense this spring -- will highlight plays become a factor that gets him serious Gold Glove consideration?
* Posted on May 9, 2009 at 11:20 AM | |
| | | swiss_tiger Erie SeaWolf
Number of posts : 1760 Age : 53 Location : Switzerland Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Inge, Inge, Inge and hhmmm Inge. ;-) Reputation : 2 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Mon May 11, 2009 4:59 am | |
| Enjoy it here. Over and over and over and over again.... CLICK LINK TO SEE:> http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4478819 | |
| | | laprimamirala Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 14194 Age : 62 Location : SE Michigan Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Magglio........:) Reputation : 11 Registration date : 2007-10-29
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Mon May 11, 2009 5:05 am | |
| hey swiss! Yup, we are definitely enjoying it here. Sweeeeeet. | |
| | | laprimamirala Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 14194 Age : 62 Location : SE Michigan Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Magglio........:) Reputation : 11 Registration date : 2007-10-29
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Mon May 11, 2009 5:07 am | |
| It was soooooo perfect! Somebody buy that boy ein beer bitte. | |
| | | swiss_tiger Erie SeaWolf
Number of posts : 1760 Age : 53 Location : Switzerland Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Inge, Inge, Inge and hhmmm Inge. ;-) Reputation : 2 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Tue May 12, 2009 6:12 am | |
| Video is gone. Go to tigers.com to watch it. | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Tue May 12, 2009 8:51 am | |
| I put the link to MLB for Granderson's Superman catch above.... | |
| | | swiss_tiger Erie SeaWolf
Number of posts : 1760 Age : 53 Location : Switzerland Favorite Current Tiger(s) : Inge, Inge, Inge and hhmmm Inge. ;-) Reputation : 2 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Tue May 12, 2009 10:53 am | |
| - GoGetEmTigers wrote:
- I put the link to MLB for Granderson's Superman catch above....
Thanks! | |
| | | GoGetEmTigers DTF1 ADMINISTRATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 57424 Age : 65 Location : Eastern Ohio, near Wheeling WV Favorite Current Tiger(s) : JV, Hunter, Jackson, Porcello, Avila (really ALL of em!) Reputation : 20 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tracker Fri May 29, 2009 8:37 am | |
| Lineup spot changes approach Batting fifth against rookie, Granderson adjusts
By Pete Kerzel / Special to MLB.com
05/28/09 6:37 PM ET
BALTIMORE -- Curtis Granderson didn't pay much attention Thursday afternoon to the grainy video being pumped over a laptop and through one of the Tigers' clubhouse televisions. It was supposed to give Detroit a look at Orioles right-hander David Hernandez, who made his Major League debut against Detroit later that evening.
But Granderson, who was dropped from leadoff to fifth in the Tigers' lineup to provide some additional protection for cleanup hitter Miguel Cabrera, preferred to go about his normal pregame routine minus any extra scouting of Hernandez, a 24-year-old power pitcher who assumed the rotation spot belonging to Japanese import Koji Uehara, who is on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain.
"It seems like once you get to the Major Leagues, everything gets technically advanced, and in the Minor Leagues, you don't have that," explained Granderson. "You just go up there. That's the process that got you here, so I try to revert back to that. Go back to the simple basics: see ball, hit ball, get yourself into a position to hit."
Granderson is hitting .364 (4-for-11) on the current road trip to lift his season average to .247. So far this season, he's been a better hitter on the road -- where he is hitting .293 (27-for-92) -- compared to a .200 average (18-for-90) at Comerica Park.
Against Hernandez, he hopes to benefit from not having to hit first, as he's done 41 times previously this season.
"You talk to guys who have hit before you," Granderson said. "You learn as you go. ... You don't want to go up there and take two pitches -- strike one, strike two -- and then be behind a guy who might have average stuff who all of a sudden turns into a guy with great stuff."
Manager Jim Leyland dropped Granderson in the batting order, in part, to give Hernandez a tougher middle of the lineup to face. Leyland originally had Granderson leading off and designated hitter Jeff Larish batting fifth behind Cabrera. Then he retooled the order, using left fielder Clete Thomas as his leadoff hitter, putting Granderson fifth and moving Larish to the seven hole, behind third baseman Brandon Inge.
"It gives the lineup a little more credibility when you've got a guy like Granderson hitting behind Cabrera. It doesn't put as much pressure on the kid [Larish] to have to hit behind [Cabrera]," Leyland said. "I actually had it the other way to start with, and I changed it."
Larish is hitting only .111 (2-for-18) in his last eight games, with nine strikeouts over that span. Leyland hopes the cozy confines of Camden Yards might result in a resumption of Larish's power stroke. Larish homered in three straight games, May 10-13.
"I put Larish in there tonight and dropped him down a little bit, [trying to] take a little pressure off him," Leyland said. "This is a ballpark where you can hit a home run, and I was hoping he'd maybe run into one. ... Maybe having him behind Cabrera spooked him a little bit."
Granderson has usually benefited from having left-handed-hitting Josh Anderson in the leadoff spot when he's been dropped to fifth. Because Thomas also swings from the left side of the plate, Granderson hopes he can benefit from the lineup construction.
"For the most part, I get a chance to watch another lefty before me and see what the pitcher is doing to him," Granderson said. "When it comes up to finally be my turn to bat, the situation only changes because there might be a guy on base the first at-bat as opposed to there being no runners on base on my first at-bat all the time. In that situation, you treat it however the case comes. On second base with two outs, you try to drive him in or on second base with less than two outs, you try to move him over. The situation will dictate my approach to the plate."
Pete Kerzel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. | |
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