Curtis Granderson

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:35 am

...and Vance and 'Nando can join them...

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:41 am

_________________
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 Apr 07, 2008 1:44 am

Granderson improving, gets closer to return
X-rays show 'sufficient healing' in injured outfielder's broken hand; he's making Boston trip.
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Curtis Granderson drew closer to rejoining the Tigers lineup Sunday night when X-rays showed "sufficient healing" in his broken right hand, which has kept him out of uniform since March 22.

Granderson will fly with the team to Boston today for the start of a six-game road trip. His rehabilitation will begin Tuesday with "baby steps," as he described it following Sunday night's 13-2 Tigers massacre at the hands of the White Sox at Comerica Park.

Granderson broke his hand when hit by a pitch in a Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Tuesday's "baby steps" will consist of Granderson making throws, gripping a bat, and if he can hold a bat minus pain, hitting off a tee.

"We'll see how it is," said Granderson, who isn't making any guesses on when he will return to the Tigers lineup.

All for one Jim Leyland 's wounded words said everything about Sunday night's debacle at Comerica Park.

Justin Verlander had his own take on an 0-6 start that has left a manager, as well as his players, in a bizarre state of clubhouse shock.

"Right now, what we need is team camaraderie, and we have that," said Verlander. "It's not one guy scuffling. It's the entire team.

"I'm not making excuses. It's just the way it's going right now.

Polanco scratched A horrific first week at the plate (.087 batting average) wasn't the only thing bothering second baseman Placido Polanco on Sunday.
A stiff lower back spurred Leyland to sit Polanco. Ramon Santiago played second.

Leyland does not expect Polanco's back problems to keep him out of the Boston series that begins Tuesday at Fenway Park.

Sheffield back Gary Sheffield was back in the lineup after missing two games because of a torn tendon in his left ring finger.

Sheffield will wear a splint on the finger for six weeks. He can remove the splint only when he swings a bat. Although the finger is taped, Sheffield says he can swing freely.

"It felt weird," Sheffield said of a Saturday batting practice session that showed him, and the Tigers staff, he could hit with an injured finger that is not directly involved in his batting grip.

Controlling Willis Leyland said he was "not concerned at all" with Tigers starter Dontrelle Willis , who gave up seven walks in Saturday's game against the White Sox.

There were brief worries during spring camp and again in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the White Sox that Willis, who has a habit of shaking his pitching arm, might be hurt. Leyland dismissed that.

"No issues whatsoever with him," said Leyland, who conceded that Willis' control is, and could remain, less than ideal.

Willis gave up more than four walks per nine innings during the 2006 and 2007 seasons with Florida.

"He's throwing the ball fine," Leyland said. "Just not accurate. He's just got to back to where he throws strikes."
_________________
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 Apr 07, 2008 4:53 am

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:54 am

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:55 am

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:58 am

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:26 am

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 Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:38 pm

The latest Curtis ESPN blog entry!

Hold tight, Tiger fans
posted: Wednesday, April 9, 2008

First off, congrats to the NCAA men's Division I basketball champs, the Kansas Jayhawks. I also want to congratulate James Murray from La Porte, Texas, on winning my NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge here on ESPN.com. James will win a signed bat by me.

Once arriving here in Boston on Monday, my main objective was to find somewhere to watch the game and also get something to eat. It seemed as if everyone in the city of Boston was getting ready for the home opener and the ring ceremony at Fenway Park, so no one really knew where to go watch the game.

I finally found a quiet place with a great view of the TV. I have to say that regardless of the outcome of the game, it was an instant classic. The fact that Kansas won only made it a little bit better.

I was able to carry over the excitement of the Kansas win into Monday where I began to throw and try to swing a bat again for the first time since I cracked the bone in my finger. I was nervous and excited about actually getting a chance to work with it, because I had no clue how the finger was going to feel. I didn't really push it too much, but I was able to throw, shag fly balls, and also hit off the batting tee for a few swings, so hopefully each day will get better and I can get back to playing ASAP.

As for our 0-7 start, I know it's tough from the outside looking at it, and it is starting to look ugly. We as a team know we are a lot better than we are playing right now, and we feel we will begin to play to our capability sooner rather than later. The good thing is this is going to test us as a team and see how we can handle adversity. All teams this year are going to go through a slump, and we unfortunately are going through one now at the beginning of the season.

I know the city of Detroit and the fans are getting upset with us, and rightfully so, but I ask you to continue to believe and keep following us, and we will get this thing turned back around soon.
_________________
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 Apr 11, 2008 3:42 am

I love his blog!!!!!

pray

I know they will get it together, but hurry up already!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:58 am

I just have this sinking feeling that things won't happen until he's back!
_________________
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 Apr 15, 2008 5:30 am

Prayers

and positive thoughts thumbs up

for Curtis's first batting practice today!!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:06 am

always!
_________________
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 Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:24 am

Wahoo Curtis is on the mend and Tigers will make winning a trend....

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:33 am

I am going to see Curtis Saturday and Sunday!!! He will be here in Toledo!
Beers, Baseball and Curtis!

This will definitely make up for the concert (Def Leppard, Styx and REO) getting cancelled.

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:12 am

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:25 am

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard has pneumonia or some kind of Respiratory Infection.

No Worries, its rescheduled already for August 23rd.

Now I can see Curtis in Toledo and see the concert!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:10 am

Def Leppard Metal

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:42 am

I'm gonna check with DH about tomorrow night. That would be fun to be at a Mud Hens game!
_________________
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 Apr 30, 2008 7:00 pm

04/30/2008 8:50 PM ET
Granderson to play more against lefties
Speedy center fielder doesn't start Wednesday vs. Yankees
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- After six games in seven days, Curtis Granderson had a day off against Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte on Wednesday. That doesn't mean the Tigers will be taking an entirely right-handed approach with him.

Manager Jim Leyland talked in Spring Training about giving Granderson more games against lefty starters, and that's still part of his plans. With Granderson back for barely a week, and with his legs still bothering him at times late in games, Leyland played it cautious on Wednesday.

"He's going to start playing against those guys, too," Leyland said Wednesday. "I think it's not so much [about] not playing him, but getting guys in [who need at-bats]."

In Wednesday's case, it was Brandon Inge, who's backing up at two different positions. Leyland set up his plans to get Inge back-to-back starts; he'll catch on Thursday to give Ivan Rodriguez a day's rest.

"It's a good time to get him an extra four at-bats," Leyland said.

For now, he can get those. Eventually, look for Granderson to play a little more with a southpaw on the mound, depending on the matchups. Considering Granderson is 0-for-7 in his career against Pettitte, Wednesday wasn't a good one for him.

Granderson actually had a decent amount of his at-bats against left-handed pitching during his Minor League rehab stint. He has said in the past that left-handed pitching helps him with his timing at the plate, and he still believes that, because he has to watch the ball into the plate, instead of pulling off.

He has been patient, but the rewards against lefties haven't been there yet in his career. He batted .160 (19-for-119) against southpaws last year with 40 strikeouts in 133 plate appearances, compared to .337 off righties. He hit .218 off lefties two years ago. However, he had his share of at-bats against lefties in Spring Training, where his approach yielded some quality at-bats.

"I think he'll be fine," Leyland said. "I think he'll be an everyday player. But if you play him everyday against lefties, his numbers won't be as good."

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:03 pm

Grandy did get to play Wed near the end of the game. He got a double off of Ramirez.

2B: Granderson (3, Ramirez).

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:12 pm

04/30/2008 8:50 PM ET
Granderson Wins Nobel Prize
Speedy center fielder does it all
By Stanley Howard/ nobelprize.com

STOCKHOLM -- After establishing himself as the best there is, Curtis Granderson is about ready to win his first Nobel prize. While he hasn't technically won the Nobel Prize yet, the guy is just so good at everything that he'll be winning one quite soon. Whether it's for inventing a device to more rapidly distribute money at strip clubs, or for doing something else, Granderson is poised to win the prestigious award soon.

Stanley Howard is a reporter for nobelprize.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Alfred Nobel.
_________________
Coming soon: A better signature!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:00 pm

GO CURTIS GO!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:09 pm

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:53 pm

_________________
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 May 20, 2008 8:15 am

Oh yeah,

they made a big deal out of how Babe Ruth could out-homer entire teams (Cobb did that, too!) but last season Curtis Granderson had 23 triples. SIX teams managed no more than 23 all season:
The Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Anaheim Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals all had no more than 23 triples.
_________________
Coming soon: A better signature!

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:41 pm

06/21/2008 10:28 PM ET
Granderson getting well vs. lefties
Tigers' better play coincides with outfielder playing better
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- Curtis Granderson began playing more often against left-handed pitchers three weeks ago in an effort to improve his timing against righties. So far, the timing couldn't have been better.

The Tigers' resurgence over the last few weeks has coincided with a comeback for Granderson. While a nine-game hitting streak through Friday has bumped his batting average for the season nearly 25 points over the past couple of weeks, putting him a more palatable .259 clip and .775 OPS entering Saturday, it's more than just the numbers. He's centering his bat on pitches instead of pulling everything, and the results are the kind of offensive variety that made him such a valuable leadoff hitter last year.

"Every season I've played, lefties can tend to get [me] back on track," said Granderson, who extended his hit streak to 10 games with a leadoff double Saturday. "And so far, hopefully, that's been what's happening. When you face a lefty that's had success, you just have to do everything right. There's no way you can have success and pull off the ball against a lefty, or else you're going to get a weak ground ball to the first baseman."

Friday's three hits off of future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux provided a good example. Granderson led off the game with a 428-foot home run just to the right of straightaway-center field, grounded a ball through the middle his next time up leading off the third, then fought of a steady diet of cutters to bounce up the middle to center in the fifth. Even his lone out, a flyout to center off Heath Bell in the eighth, wasn't exactly a pull shot.

If it were one game against one style of pitcher, it could be dismissed. But his previous games included a flyout to the warning track in left-center field and a double down the right-field line against Giants lefty Barry Zito, an opposite-field single off hard-throwing southpaw Jonathan Sanchez, and a similar liner to left off a fastball from fireballing Giants closer Brian Wilson on Monday.

"It's hard to say," Granderson said of a pattern, "because that lefty that day might've been great and knocked you in. And then the next day, you get another righty that can easily get you out of that. Each day's always different. You just have to continue to keep grinding. Hopefully, just having the same approach against a lefty and against a righty can get you back to where you want to be."

It's still a work in progress, but for the Tigers -- who sorely missed that leadoff presence early in the year -- the importance is that the progress is there.

"It looks like he's seeing the ball real good now," manager Jim Leyland said after Friday's game. "He gives us a lot of energy. He gets us going."

Granderson's at-bats against lefties haven't been bad since the uptick. He's a .205 career hitter against lefties and .240 this season, but he's 4-for-16 with a double and home run off southpaws in June while striking out just once.

At this point, Leyland actually sees some better at-bats against left-handed pitchers than some against right-handers.

"He's actually staying on the ball better against lefties than he does righties," Leyland said. "But I think against righties, he might get a little more long-ball conscious. And when you get that way, you usually pull off. And against lefties, I think he's just trying to stay on the ball, maybe hit it the other way."

The Tigers face one more lefty starter this road trip with Randy Wolf taking the mound for the Padres on Sunday.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:35 pm

07/27/2008 1:36 PM ET
Leyland showing faith in Granderson
Center fielder to bat leadoff against left-handed starters as well
By Scott McNeish / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Manager Jim Leyland has removed his center fielder's training wheels.

If the Tigers rebound from their slow start and make the postseason, it will materialize with Curtis Granderson leading the charge from the leadoff spot -- regardless of the opposing pitcher.

"I think we can etch that in stone," Leyland said. "I've looked at it [and] I've thought about it. ... He's our catalyst. I'm leading him off. He's one of our premier players. You may suffer once in a great while, but he's our guy, and he has to be our guy. If he's going to be the player we know he is and will be, it's time."

The left-handed-hitting Granderson has primarily batted leadoff against right-handers since becoming a full-time Major Leaguer in 2006, but Leyland has employed different tactics against southpaws.

Last season, Granderson became the third player in Major League history to collect 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season. However, amid all the achievement, Granderson hit just .160 against left-handers.

Leyland has put him near the bottom of the lineup in the eighth or ninth spot when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. In some cases, Leyland would sit Granderson.

No more.

Not after his strong performance this season. And not after the Tigers signed him to five-year, $30.25 million contract during the offseason.

"You try to do things watching real close the first year or two, but this is one of our premier players," Leyland said. "He's signed for a while, and rightfully so. There comes a time when you push the envelope, and that's what I'm going to do with him. I'm not going to sit him against lefties anymore. He may suffer once in a while, but the only way it's going to pay dividends is if he's in."

One reason for Granderson's promotion is his improved efforts against lefties. This season he's actually been hitting better against lefties (.303) than righties (.294) entering Sunday's game against Chicago.

What's more, his 20 hits off southpaws this season top last season's total of 19.

"In the first few years, most people don't understand that you [take players out] to keep them going," Leyland said. "Where his numbers stay good, his confidence stays up. Eventually, you turn the page and move forward with it, and that's what I'm doing."

Scott McNeish is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:02 am

08/05/2008 9:27 PM ET
Granderson draws a crowd in Chicago
Outfielder's friends and family gather at U.S. Cellular field
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- The ticket total for Curtis Granderson was up to 30. That's nothing new for the Windy City native. When he comes home, friends and family come to his office.

The new part in recent years is how he's learned to approach it, and how friends and family have helped him handle it.

He still remembers being a nervous September callup when he made his first trip here with the Tigers near the end of the 2004 season. He had his first Major League hit here on Sept. 17, 2004, then added his second the next day before about 60 friends and family. He'll never forget the nerves he had to battle.

"That was the best and roughest time ever for me," Granderson said.

He has settled in since then. His .262 career average at U.S. Cellular Field entering Tuesday's series opener was 23 points below his overall average, but he improved dramatically last season. He went 11-for-34 (.324) here with two home runs, three doubles, six RBIs and 12 runs scored, including three hits in last season's final game to finish above .300 for the year.

Granderson picked up where he left off Tuesday, his first game in Chicago this season after missing the Tigers' April series while on the disabled list. Granderson had a two-run homer Tuesday along with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored.

The fact that he can do that in front of family and friends is obviously a big deal for him. Yet the fact that family and friends have started seeing him in Detroit and other cities helps make it less overwhelming.

"It's always exciting to get a chance to see people, especially with an off-day here," Granderson said. "There's friends and family that I always stay in touch with. But my friends and family do a great job, and I appreciate it, of coming to Detroit a lot, too. So it's not like when I come here, that I haven't seen people in a long time."

It's more than simply Detroit. This season alone, Granderson said, he has had friends and family see him play at Kansas City, Arizona, Cleveland and Baltimore. That makes a difference.

"When I talk to other guys on the team, they say when they have friends and family in town and they're playing in front of them, there's so much pressure to perform," Granderson said. "And the good thing is, considering this isn't the only game they're going to see me, that they've had a chance to see me five, 10, 15, sometimes 20 games. One of those games, I've done something. And at the end of the day, it doesn't matter if it's 0-for-4 or 4-for-4. They're just happy to get a chance to come to the game and see me."

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Subject: Re: Curtis Granderson Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:49 pm

09/04/2008 1:41 PM ET
Granderson takes RBI ability in stride
Leadoff hitter not making big deal of Leyland's praise
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Curtis Granderson saw the remarks of his manager, Jim Leyland, proclaiming him a good enough hitter in RBI situations to bat in the middle of the order. But the Tigers' leadoff man isn't going to make too much of it at this point. To him, he still has a long way to go as a hitter, wherever he's batting in the order.

"I don't know if it's necessarily taking it as a compliment or anything," Granderson said Thursday morning, "because there's still lots of parts of the hitting side of the game that I have to continue to improve upon to consistently be in a position where I can be down in the lineup.

"I've become comfortable at the top of the lineup, but if there were to happen to be a move, whether it be this season or Spring Training or the next few years, I'll just try to adapt to it. Batting ninth, batting eighth this year, I just adapt to whatever number happens to be next to my name and try not to do too much in the slot just because I'm batting in a different part of the lineup."

Part of his progress, Granderson said, comes from his work with hitting coach Lloyd McClendon -- not mechanically, but mentally. As a leadoff man, part of Granderson's job has always been to try to see enough pitches to give his teammates batting behind him an idea of what the opposing pitcher has on that particular day. What Granderson has been doing lately is watching the pitcher so that he can get an idea himself.

Together, they're building a focus based on not only watching the pitcher, but observing him in certain situations to anticipate what the pitcher will do when Granderson steps to the plate. That comes in play more often in RBI situations than leadoff ones.

"When you get runners on, the big thing is I want to get the hit, I want to get the run in right away," Granderson said. "But you also have to realize that the opposing pitcher understands that, too, and he's trying to get you out. Now, the game that McClendon has tried to help me understand is how are they going to try to get you out. Trying to figure that out in the first couple pitches of an at-bat or the previous at-bat, whoever batted before me, has helped me out a little bit in terms of the approach.

"Trying to log that into the memory bank before I go up there has helped me out a little bit, and taking the first two pitches of the at-bat has helped me out, too -- not actually taking them, but logging them in."

Those are matters that can help him wherever he's hitting in the lineup. Considering his Indians leadoff counterpart, Grady Sizemore, entered Thursday with 84 RBIs, there are chances to drive in runs atop the order. The key, Granderson said, is to take advantage of them.

"You've got at least one at-bat a game where you're batting with no one on base," Granderson said. "So you take away that at-bat, plus now you need the rest of the lineup to go ahead and get on while you come up in the order. And then you also have to drive them in. So the fact that he's approaching the hundred mark, considering over the course of the season he's going to look at 150-160 at-bats coming up with no one on base, it's definitely good. What he's done has been great.

"Again, I'm trying to do things like what he's been able to do, and it's amazing to watch what he's done this season."

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.