Curtis Granderson

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:13 pm

Here, have a granderson fix to help get through the winter.... 8)

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:23 pm

awwwwww, Curtis YAY!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:29 pm

That was simply Grand.....erson!!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:10 pm

Granderson goes on ESPN: Doesn't matter if Cabrera's big or small, as long as he hits

December 6, 2007

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:23 pm

Speaking of Granderson, his flight for South Africa left today.

Here's wishing for a safe, exciting trip!
_________________
Coming soon: A better signature!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:40 pm

Thanks!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:48 pm

You're welcome?

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:25 am

From JohnFuller at
http://www.motownsports.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-55080.html

About a month ago, Curtis taped for a TV show called Sports Action
Team, which is kind of a spoof on SportsCenter. It has a feel like
NBC's The Office. Well, they just emailed and gave me it's first air
date:

Curtis's episode that we shot with him last month is airing this Friday on HD Net at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

If you DO NOT have HD Net, no worries. This will air on NBC in numerous
markets, but not until February. For more info on Sports Action Team,
visit www.sportsactionteam.com (http://www.sportsactionteam.com).

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:53 pm

GO CURTIS! Curtis

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:20 am

Curtis could score 150 runs this year!!

THE TICKER
Basketball is Grand for Tigers centerfielder

December 22, 2007

Tigers centerfielder and noted hoops aficionado Curtis Granderson will host the inaugural Curtis Granderson/Grand Kids Foundation Celebrity Basketball Game on Jan. 26 at Auburn Hills Avondale High School.

Tip-off is at 6 p.m. Tickets ($15 for adults, $10 for kids 10 and younger) can be purchased at grandkidsfoundation.org. Proceeds will be donated to the Grand Kids Foundation and split between the cities of Detroit and Flint.

"I am not only excited for this event because I finally get to showcase my basketball skills, but I am excited because I believe this game will begin to provide us with the financial resources to make a large impact in the inner cities, specifically Detroit and Flint," Granderson said in a released statement.

The theme of the game is Detroit All-Stars vs. Flint All-Stars. Among the big names committed to play: former NFL players Tyrone Wheatley (Inkster), Andre Weathers (Flint) and Courtney Hawkins (Flint), former NBA player Jeff Grayer (Flint), pro boxer Anthony Dirrell (Flint) and "The Ultimate Fighter Season 2" champion, Rashad Evans, a Michigan State alum.

Granderson will not play because spring training looms, but he will compete in a three-point shoot-out at halftime against Tigers teammate Nate Robertson.

Robertson will coach the Flint All-Stars while Granderson leads the Detroit team in the game.

----------------------------------------------------

From: http://motownsports.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=55340

OK everyone, we are still waiting on a couple of commitments, but we needed to get this announced to get tickets pre-sold. This gym only seats around 3,000, so get them quick! It should be a fun event.

www.grandkidsfoundation.org/CelebrityBB_08.html

Tigers' Granderson hosting celebrity basketball game to benefit inner city schools

December 21, 2007 - Detroit Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson routinely tells inner city youth that his first passion was basketball.

On January 26, 2008, Granderson will have the opportunity to show just how good he could have been in basketball when he hosts the 1 st Annual Curtis Granderson/Grand Kids Foundation Celebrity Basketball Game at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills, Mich. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and the opening tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.

Adult admission is $15 and admission for children 10 and under is $10. Following the game, Granderson and some of the game's participants will autograph photos, baseballs and take pictures with fans for an additional $10. All proceeds from the game and autograph session will be donated to the Grand Kids Foundation and split evenly between the cities of Detroit and Flint.

Tickets can be purchased at www.GrandKidsFoundation.org.

"I am not only excited for this event because I finally get to showcase my basketball skills, but I am excited because I believe this game will begin to provide us with the financial resources to make a large impact in the inner cities, specifically Detroit and Flint," Granderson said.

"The importance of education is something I cannot stress enough to our nation's youth, and I want to help find ways to ease the burden within some of these inner city schools while also striving to make learning more fun. Facilities and supplies are old and worn, classrooms are overcrowded and scholarship programs are limited. This celebrity basketball game can help to change that."

The theme of the game is Detroit All-Stars vs. Flint All-Stars. While more celebrities are expected to commit as the game draws closer, some big names have already agreed to play.

Those who have committed include former Univ. of Michigan and NFL stars Tyrone Wheatley (Inkster, Mich.) and Andre Weathers (Flint, Mich.), former Michigan State Univ. and NFL star Courtney Hawkins (Flint, Mich.), former NBA star Jeff Grayer (Flint, Mich.), professional boxer with as 12-0 record Anthony Dirrell (Flint, Mich.) and UFC star and The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 champion Rashad Evans, a graduate of Michigan State Univ.

"The caliber of athletes that have committed so far is tremendous. It also shows their dedication and commitment to making a difference within their communities. Fans can see a pro boxer, a UFC star, an NBA player and a bunch of football players coming together for one cause," Granderson added.

With the game so close to baseball's Spring Training, Granderson will not play in the actual game. However, he will compete in a three-point shootout at halftime against his Detroit Tigers teammate, Nate Robertson. Each player will represent a raffle ticket buyer, and the winner's buyer will get to have lunch with Granderson and join him for a private batting practice session at Comerica Park.

Other great prizes will also be raffled off.

Granderson will serve as the coach of the Detroit All-Stars while Robertson will coach the Flint All-Stars.

ABOUT GRAND KIDS FOUNDATION:
Founded in December, 2006 by Curtis Granderson, the Grand Kids Foundation aims to enrich the educational experiences for children within the inner cities. Curtis' passion for education comes through his family, as both of his parents worked as educators in Chicago while his sister is a professor at Jackson State University. Curtis himself is one of a limited number of Major League Baseball players with a college degree, graduating from the Univ. of Illinois-Chicago in 2003 with degrees in Business Marketing and Business Management.

This past school year, the Grand Kids Foundation held a major art and essay contest with the entire Detroit Public Schools system. Grand Prize winners (8 in all) received school visits from him. Curtis then invited another 70 children and one guest to a Detroit Tigers game. The funds will be dispersed to specific schools and programs as approved by the Grand Kids Foundation.

Some of the goals of the foundation are as follows:

• Provide educational resources for schools in need (books, computers, new classrooms/equipment, etc...)
• Provide educational resources for students in need
• Establish scholarship programs in both Detroit and Flint for those students that excel, but are in need of financial assistance
• Help fund inner city athletics programs with new equipment
• Establish district-wide programs to enhance the experience of education, and make it more fun for students
• Pay for school visits/free clinics for inner city children by other athletes and celebrities

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:27 am

Nate's gonna have the Kurt Rambis look if he wears those glasses on the court!!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:33 am

It impresses me that Curtis thought enough of himself to finish what he started and graduated from college before starting his baseball career.

GO Curtis

GO

!!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:26 pm

We got tickets to go to the Grandkids Foundation basketball game. I am really excited about it, except that it is in Auburn Hills. Maybe Nate will let us ride out with him???????

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:29 pm

I would ask! Smile

_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:28 pm

I'm just having a chuckle picturing Nate in those Buddy Holly glasses with the gymshorts and sneakers......

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:31 pm

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:15 pm

Especially Nate...... LMAO

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:21 pm

oh, no! here we go again! Smile

_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:13 pm

Dontrelle Willis playing for charity with Curtis Granderson and Marcus Thames

January 5, 2008
FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES

New Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis will be a guest referee for Curtis Granderson's celebrity basketball game, slated for Jan. 26 at Auburn Hills Avondale High School.

Tigers outfielder Marcus Thames is also scheduled to be a guest official.

The Detroit All-Stars team will include former NBA sharpshooter Willie Burton and Birmingham Detroit Country Day's Jonas Gray, who will play football at Notre Dame next season.

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:23 pm

Dontrelle had best jump right in!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:44 pm

He is a Tiger NOW, sure not wasting any time helping out!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:45 pm

Go Marcus! Glad to see his name still. I was worried he might be gone as well!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:52 pm

02/04/2008 10:14 PM ET
Tigers, Granderson agree to deal
Center fielder will stay in Detroit through 2012 season
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

Curtis Granderson was already a special player. Now that takes on a whole new level.

The Detroit Tigers have been anything but shy the last two years in signing players to lucrative long-term contracts -- Carlos Guillen, Jeremy Bonderman, Brandon Inge, Gary Sheffield and Nate Robertson, to name a handful. However, they never did it with young players who hadn't yet reached arbitration. It went against president/general manager Dave Dombrowski's philosophy.

Granderson entered this winter one year away from arbitration, but he became a special case. With Monday's announcement of a new contract, he became a Tiger for potentially the next six years.

"It's something we've been open-minded to," Dombrowski said upon announcing the deal, "but you also have the right situation as far as the player, the makeup, and I think in this case, I felt we had both. And in Curtis' case, he had the desire to stay here."

The five-year contract is guaranteed at $30.25 million. It includes a $13 million team option for 2013, or a $2 million buyout. It allows the Tigers to retain control of their center fielder two years past what would've been his free-agent year, and it allows Granderson to still potentially hit the open market at age 32, the same age Torii Hunter is now after signing his free-agent deal with the Angels.

"In Curtis' situation, I just feel it's a win-win," said his agent, Matt Brown.

The idea of signing Granderson long-term gained momentum early this offseason, when both sides expressed initial interest. Dombrowski said the framework of the deal came together over the last two weeks.

Granderson's salary will more than double, going from $410,000 last season to $1 million this year. He'll be paid $3.5 million in 2009, $5.5 million in 2010, and $8.25 million in 2011. Essentially, the Tigers bought out Granderson's first free-agent season for a $10 million salary in 2012, and his 2013 option could rise to $15 million if he hits his performance bonuses.

How that contract ranks among the game's great center fielders in a few years remains to be seen. But as Granderson awaits his 27th birthday next month, he's in a position of long-term security that's hard for even him to fathom.

"To think about where I've come from to what I've got and now where I could potentially be, to start throwing the word 'million' after it, it's an amazing sentence to complete," Granderson said. "It's funny. I can't even put it into words. At the same time, I don't feel any different. It's going to be funny how everybody else views it, but I'm still going to be the same person."

Exhibit A in that regard was right next to him as he talked on the phone for the conference call -- an Extra Value Meal from McDonald's and a double cheeseburger off the Dollar Menu, of which he is admittedly a big fan.

"I'm going to get what I enjoy, and if it happens to be something like McDonald's, that's what I'm going to get," he said. "I don't really see it changing too much in terms of being flashy."

It's a very grounded outlook for someone whose statistics rivaled the most glamorous players in the game last year. After an up-and-down performance in his first full Major League season, Granderson became the first player since Willie Mays to post at least 20 home runs, 20 doubles, 20 triples and 20 stolen bases in the same year.

Add a .302 average, 122 runs scored and a 26-for-27 success rate stealing bases, and Granderson became one of the American League's top leadoff men, setting up one of baseball's highest scoring lineups. After adding Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria and Jacque Jones to the lineup this offseason, the potential for even loftier stats from Granderson is striking.

One reason behind that is Granderson's workmanlike attitude to his money is the same as his attitude towards the game.

"There's always something to improve upon," he said. "You never can be happy with it. Right now, of course, it's going to be addressing pitchers, being more consistent like I have been in the past, continue to cut down the strikeouts, being more consistent in the outfield."

The near-constant effort to learn is the same approach with which he approached this deal. With his arbitration year approaching, Granderson researched the arbitration process as well as free agency. In the end, he liked the idea of security.

"I was going to be ready to play either way," he said. "I was going to be just as excited to go out there and continue to win, and that's the most important thing. If you don't go out there and win, we wouldn't be in the situation like we are right now for them to go ahead and make the opportunity."

That's what the Tigers have been banking on with their dealings since season's end. What once ranked among the bottom half of payrolls has now reached into big-market territory behind the Red Sox and Yankees.

"It's amazing from where we were a few years ago to where we are now in that regard," Dombrowski said. "I think it's also amazing when you look at the organization, from [drawing] 1.3 million people to being in a position of over three million last year and we're headed that way again this year. It all ties together, because you have an owner that gives you support and wants to win, and you're in a position where the fan support allows you, by their attendance and the way they come out here and support us, it allows you to increase your expenditures for player payroll. It all ties together, and all of a sudden, we're in the spot we're able to do this and put together this type of club and the type of payroll we have. Now, we have to take care of business on the field."

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:19 pm

isn't that GRAND! Smile

_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:05 am

I am with you GS, how can you choose just one? They are all great... Smile

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tue Feb 12, 2008 6:21 pm

According to http://www.motownsports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56611

John Fuller, Grandy's
Publicist, said:

"We have reached an agreement with ESPN.com for Curtis to once again blog on the World Wide Leader!

His blog posts will begin this Thursday. Then, beginning with the
following Tuesday, Curtis will post twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays)
throughout Spring Training and the season."

His blog is at:
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=granderson_curtis

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:11 pm

As always, Curtis

ROCKS!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:45 pm

Curtis Granderson says he wants to reach Magglio Ordonez level of hitting

February 13, 2008

By JOHN LOWE

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

LAKELAND, Fla. — Curtis Granderson’s 20-20-20-20 season isn’t his only impressive feat of the last year.

In Africa, he saw the Big Five.

“They said we were extremely lucky to see all of them,” Granderson said. “The Big Five are the lion, elephant, rhino, leopard — that’s the hardest one to see — and buffalo.

“They said people spent 15 or 20 years trying to see the leopard, and they never see it. We saw it in two of our four days.”

That was in the first two days of a four-day safari six hours north of Johannesburg, South Africa. Granderson went to South Africa this offseason on a goodwill trip for major-league baseball.

It was part of a typically busy offseason for Granderson, one he could still be immersed in it if he chose. He and other Tigers outfielders and the Tigers infielders aren’t asked to start spring training until early next week.

But Granderson has been in camp for almost a week.

“I can get a lot of baseball work done at home (Chicago),” Granderson said Wednesday. “But at the end of the day, I go hang out with these friends or that family, or go to this meeting or that lunch, speak at this school — all of which is great, and I love doing it.

“At the same time, I’ve got to focus now on my job, as funny as that is to say.”

Granderson — who signed a five-year, $30.million contract this month — didn’t mention that he showed up several days early to camp last year, and the season turned out pretty well. In his second full year in the big leagues, Granderson had 38 doubles, 23 triples, 23 homers and 26 stolen bases.

Only two previous big leaguers had mounted such a 20-20-20-20 season: the Giants’ famous Willie Mays in 1957 and the Cubs’ not-so-famous Wildfire Schulte in 1911. (On the final day of last season, the Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins became the fourth member of the 20-20-20-20 club.)

Granderson’s attitude about this season can be summed up by that perennial New Yorker magazine headline: “Onward and Upward with the Arts.”

“I want to continue to get consistent day-in and day-out,” Granderson said. “I want to get to the point that Magglio (Ordonez) was last year. That includes hitting lefties, hitting with runners in scoring position, strikeouts, walks, hitting for power. All of that wrapped in one.”

The lefty-swinging Granderson hit .302 overall last season, but .160 against lefties. He hit about .260 with runners in scoring position. Granderson had 89 more strikeouts than walks. Ordonez had three more strikeouts than walks.

As you know from 20-20-20-20, Granderson has home-run power. Perhaps he will show it more often this season.

Last spring, Granderson talked about the hustle he’d seen the year before from his centerfield counterpart in Cleveland, Grady Sizemore. He talked about how Sizemore led the American League in doubles in part because he sprinted all the way to second on what appeared to be singles.

That desire for more doubles might have created many of Granderson’s triples. In the opinion of Tigers third-base coach Gene Lamont, many of them stemmed from how swiftly Granderson got out of the batter’s box.

Some observers declared that Granderson last season had surpassed Sizemore, who didn’t approach his extra-base production of ’06. But as ’08 arrives, Sizemore still presents a multifaceted example for Granderson to aspire to.

The lefthand-hitting Sizemore plays against most left-handers. The lefty-swinging Granderson hasn’t yet earned the privilege. Sizemore played in every game last season, starting all but four. Granderson didn’t start 22 times.

Sizemore made his second All-Star team last season. Granderson is shooting for his first. Sizemore last season won his first Gold Glove. Granderson might be getting close to his, as shown by his steadiness and his diving grabs in the gap and his leaping catches above the fence.

“I still have room to grow to get completely where Grady is,” Granderson said.

“He’s got the Gold Glove; he’s got the All-Stars; he’s got the consecutive games played (358 and counting). I want to be that everyday guy. If I can consistently hit no matter who is pitching, I can do that.”

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:19 pm

WHAT A NICE BOY~
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971