Sample Player Profile Page

GRANDERSON, CURTIS


Nickname:	N/A	Position:	CF
Home:	Lynwood, Illinois	Team:	YANKEES
Height:	6' 1"	Bats:	L
Weight:	190	Throws:	R
DOB:	3/16/1981	Agent:	Matt Brown
Birth City:	N/A	Draft:	Tigers #3 - 2002 - Out of Univ. of Illinois-Chicago
Uniform #:	N/A		Tigers #3 - 2002 - Out of Univ. of Illinois-Chicago

YR	LEA	TEAM	SAL(K)	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	OBP	SLG	AVG
2002	NYP	ONEONTA		52	212	45	73	15	4	3	34	9		20	35			.344
2003	FSL	LAKELAND		127	476	71	136	29	10	11	51	10		49	91			.286
2004	EL	ERIE		123	462	89	140	19	8	21	93	14		80	95			.303
2004	AL	TIGERS	$300.00	9	25	2	6	1	1	0	0	0		3	8			.240
2005	IL	TOLEDO		111	445	79	129	29	13	15	65	22		48	129			.290
2005	AL	TIGERS	$316.00	47	162	18	44	6	3	8	20	1		10	43			.272
2006	AL	TIGERS	$335.00	159	596	90	155	31	9	19	68	8	5	66	174	.335	.438	.260
2007	AL	TIGERS	$410.00	158	612	122	185	38	23	23	74	26	1	52	141	.361	.552	.302
2008	MWL	WEST MICHIGAN		3	11	1	4	0	2	0	1	0	0	1	2		.727	.364
2008	IL	TOLEDO		2	9	1	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1		.444	.333
2008	AL	TIGERS	$1,000.00	141	553	112	155	26	13	22	66	12	4	71	111	.365	.494	.280
2009	AL	TIGERS	$3,500.00	160	631	91	157	23	8	30	71	20	6	72	141	.327	.453	.249
2010	IL	SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE		5	16	0	4	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	2	.333	.250	.250
2010	AL	YANKEES	$5,500.00	110	377	61	95	15	6	17	48	10	2	39	89	.324	.459	.252
2010	IL	SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE		5	16	0	4	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	2	.333	.250	.250

PERSONAL:
Granderson grew up on Chicago's south side, a half hour from downtown and right next to Chicago Heights. He was a star basketball player before opportunities made him decide to stay in town and pursue a career on the diamond. He grew up a White Sox fan, but not fervently enough that he would root against the Cubs. But Curtis was also a big fan of the Atlanta Braves as a teenager.	Granderson comes from a family of educators: Curtis's mother, Mary, is a high school chemistry teacher in Chicago who went to school at night to get her masters in chemistry; his father, Curtis, is a recently retired elementary school physical education teacher; and his sister, Monica, is an English professor at Jackson State.

When Curtis was growing up, his parents would tape his grades to the refrigerator and not permit him on a baseball field unless he maintained a B average. He later graduated as an honor student and all-conference outfielder from Thornton Fractional South High in Lansing, Ill. He chose to attend the University of Illinois-Chicago because, along with a baseball scholarship, the school offered him a spot on its basketball team, though he wasn't a standout in the sport.	Initially he wasn't all that promising on the diamond, either. "I'd be lying to you if I said I thought he was going to be a major league player," says Mike Dee, Granderson's coach at Illinois-Chicago. "But from Day One I knew he was going to exhaust all possibilities to succeed. He was an incredibly hard worker. And every year he just kept getting better and better." (Albert Chen-Sports Illustrated-9/20/07)

Curtis recalled the best Christmas present he ever received. "The best thing was probably a Walter Payton football jersey�the complete set. I was probably seven or eight when I got it and I was so happy to put the jersey and the pads on, and my friend got the Joe Montana complete set." (Jason Beck-MLB.com 12/24/05)	After Thornton Fractional South High School in Lynwood, Illinois, Curtis took advantage of a 60 percent baseball scholarship from the University of Illinois-Chicago. "College just helped me grow as a person," he said. "It was the first time away from home without parents or guidance, so I had to do all the little things on my own�cook for myself, take care of my laundry, get to classes, be at practice on time. All of those things in college helped me adjust for life in the minor leagues. "Honestly, basketball was my number one love," Granderson said. "Unfortunately, I didn't get that opportunity, but I did get a number of offers to play Division I baseball with a chance to walk on the basketball tam. It took me a while to realize I was a better baseball player."

In 2002, Granderson was in the running for the NCAA Division I batting title all season, ending up with a .483-9-44 season with 17 stolen bases. He helped lead the University of Illinois-Chicago to a school record for victories and its first-ever conference title. Curtis is believed to be the first Illinois-Chicago product to play in the Major Leagues, and he can thank an old face from school for helping him get here so soon. He partly credits former Major Leaguer Scott Stahoviak, his hitting coach for a year with UIC, for helping him get back to his old swing after a slow start in 2004 with the Erie Seawolves (EL-Tigers).	And before 2006 spring training Stahoviak was still helping Granderson with his hitting. "We have similar hitting styles and approach," Curtis said, "and I'm kind of doing stuff that he already went through from Spring Training through the Minor Leagues to the Major Leagues. He's a good guy to talk to, easy to gain information, just ask questions and not have to worry about overanalyzing."

Curtis earned dual degrees in business management and marketing. Curtis is a hard worker and an intelligent player. He has great makeup and has leadership skills. He is charismatic and articulate. He is polite and mild mannered. Childhood friend in Illinois, Joe Lacy says, "I've never seen him lose his temper." Before 2004 spring training, Baseball America rated Granderson as the 8th-best prospect in the Tigers organization. But during the off-season before 2005 spring camp opened the magazine had Curtis as the #1 prospect in the Detroit system.	During the offseason, Granderson speaks at Chicago city schools to try to set an example not just athletically, but academically. "There's a lot of talent there in everything�basketball, football, baseball, soccer, hockey," Granderson said. "It's just letting kids know that whatever you want to try to excel in, just go for it. And having somebody in that aspect just to try to influence and motivate the kids to continue to do that helps."

After the 2004 season, playing in the Arizona Fall League, Granderson hit .321. Durtis doesn't have many superstitions. About the only ritual he has is chewing sugar-free Bazooka bubble gum. Major League Baseball has seen the value in marketing to an international audience and in November 2006 called Granderson to tab him for a free trip to Europe, as part of the league's longstanding Ambassador Program.	He spent half the day conducting clinics, and the rest of his time as a tourist. His first stop was London. Then he visited national academies in Holland and Italy, where young players, ages 15 to 18, train. Clive Russell, the director of MLB's London office said that Granderson was chosen because he's "one of the dynamic, young stars in the game." Russell said Granderson would conduct interviews with media in each country. In other words: Detroit's humble centerfielder became an international idol.

Granderson is single, with no children to care for in the off-season, which gave him the chance pursue the overseas opportunity. In fact, the 25-year-old still lives with his folks during the offseason�something he openly admits�although he started a meticulous house hunt that might conclude sometime early in 2007. During the offseason before 2008 spring training, Curtis again toured the world for MLB International. Granderson toured Europe with one of his close friends, Joe Lacy. They also toured South Africa together, but Granderson also brought his father along to enjoy the experience. He didn't need much convincing when MLBI approached him with the idea.	"Without hesitation," Granderson said. "I said, 'Of course, let's find the dates and get it going.'" They visited Robben Island Museum, where freedom fighters turned what once was a prison into a symbol of the struggle for equality. Future leaders held there include Nelson Mandela. Granderson and his group spent two more days on a safari before visiting Pretoria for the USSASA Summer Games, conducting clinics and talking to players. Following another day off and a media session in Johannesburg, Granderson appeared at the African Championships to meet with South Africa's national team as well as players for the MLB academy. he was back in the USA just before Christmas.

Granderson is not all about the bling-bling. He was still buying his suits at those warehouse stores, for $250 or less, in 2007. He doesn't have a lot of "self-importance," not thinking too highly of himself, and maintaining humility. "I don't care who's at the table," Curtis Granderson said before the Tigers' welcome-home banquet as the 2007 got underway. "If you're the most important person, or just bought a ticket outside like everyone else, I'm no more important than you. I'm going to try to make everybody feel comfortable. That way, I at least know everybody. Then we'll go from there." (Help from John Morosi-Detroit Free Press-4/02/07)	Curtis is one of the intellectuals in the clubhouse. Asked about that, Granderson said, "There's book knowledge and street knowledge, and sometimes my book knowledge outranks my street knowledge." Curtis maintains a blog on ESPN.com Granderson was 10 years old when his grandmother passed away from breast cancer. He still remembers well, from their visits in Mississippi to her interest in baseball to the caramel cake she would send up to Chicago for him each birthday. His mother has become involved with breast cancer awareness over the years. (Jason Beck, MLB.com, 5/8/07)

On September 7, 2007, Curtis became just the sixth player since 1900 with at least 20 homers, 20 triples and 20 doubles in one season. George Brett, in 1979 for Kansas City, was the last player to pull off the feat and Willie Mays also did it. Curtis has a soothing voice. March 22 2008: About a dozen times a year, according to the Detroit Free Press, Granderson, shares his message with students in Detroit and Chicago, talking about his successes and an embarrassing moment. He fell on slick turf and an out turned into a double during the 2006 World Series in St. Louis. �I tell kids that story, letting them know that whatever happens, you have to walk it off because tomorrow is a new day,� Granderson said. �My slip and fall happened with 180 countries witnessing it.� Granderson might end up going to many of those countries as a baseball ambassador. �Curtis is a first-class ambassador and one of the warmest people you could meet,� said Clive Russell, who accompanied Granderson to Italy, Holland and South Africa. �It is amazing how he instantly connects with people of all ages and background. �People just gravitate to him.� And, Granderson doesn�t seem to push anybody back. He has a hard time saying no when fans approach him, asking for a picture when he�s at a restaurant with family and friends or his signature during spring training. �He signs autographs out there every single day when he leaves until he signs everybody�s autograph and you just don�t find that,� Leyland said. �He probably overtaxes himself trying to please everybody and probably does a little too much. �He can�t dance. That�s how he is human,� said Joe Lacy, who has been close with Granderson since the fourth grade and was his guest in Europe and Africa. �He has no rhythm so if we�re at a club, I tell him to sit down. �But the girls still love him and his personality, just like they did long before he had a $30 million contract.�	Grandersons favorite sport to watch is college basketball. Granderson follows the NCAA tournament in March with a passion each spring. He hosted a bracket contest on his blog one month in 2008, inviting readers to try to out-pick him, with an autographed bat awarded to the winner. In January, he raised money for his Grand Kids Foundation with a charity basketball game. During the 2007 season, Granderson lived in a modest one-bedroom rental in the Royal Oaks neighborhood of Detroit. During the offseason, he stays at his parents' home in Lynwood, Illinois.

During long drives in his car, Granderson says, "If I'm not on the phone, I'll listen to XM Radio, the stations with soul, top 40, hip-hop, and oldies. If I turn past all them, I'm into the jazz station, and I'll stick around for that for a little bit." Curtis is a superb ambassador for Major League Baseball. He embodies the hopes of a community and a fan base, a team and a sport. "I'd put my grandkids in his hands," said Willie Horton, the former Tiger. "That's the trust I have in him. He sets not only a good example for the game. He sets it for people in general." When Granderson signed a $30.25-million contract extension with the Tigers last February, he also changed future endorsement contracts with Nike, Rawlings and Louisville Slugger. He no longer gets a retainer from the companies. Instead, he asks that they donate equipment to inner-city youth baseball teams across the state.	In October 2009, Granderson won an award for his community work. Members of the MLB Players Association voted Detroit center fielder Curtis Granderson as the 2009 winner of the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award for on- and off-field performance. The award, as voted on by Major League players in September, goes annually to the player whose passion to give back to the community inspires others. It includes a donation of $50,000 to the charity of the player's choice. Granderson gave the funds for work that furthers the educational experience of kids in Michigan's inner cities. Granderson showed up with contact lenses for 2010 spring training. A routine eye exam the previous December showed 20/30 vision, which wouldn't affect most of us, but for a baseball player, having 20/20 vision could allow for marginal improvement.

Curtis Granderson will get the 2009 Marvin Miller Man of the Year award, which was voted by the players association to honor a member who combines ability on the field with community service. He was presented with the award Saturday, April 17, 2010. "You almost think this guy is too good to be true, but he's as genuine as the day is long," says Sean Casey, the MLB Network analyst who played with Granderson in Detroit. "He is for real; he's humble pie." TRANSACTION REPORT June 2002: The Tigers chose Curtis in the third round, out of University of Illinois at Chicago. Jerome Cochran is the Tigers scout who signed Granderson for a bonus of $469,000.	February 4, 2008: Curtis and the Tigers agreed on a 5-year, $30.25 million contract. December 9, 2009: The Yankees acquired Jackson in a 3-team blockbuster trade in which Curtis went to the Yankees, Tigers right-hander Edwin Jackson and Yankees right-hander Ian Kennedy went to Arizona, and D-backs pitchers Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth�along with Yankees prospect Austin Jackson and lefty Phil Coke�going to Detroit.

BATTING:
Curtis's bat is his only outstanding tool. He is a solid contact hitter for average, and he has some power, too. His bat is rather quick because of his strong and fast hands. He has a short, line-drive stroke and hits the ball to all fields, with power to the gaps. He could hit 20 home runs a year in the Majors. (Editor's note: True.) Granderson's nice lefthanded swing reminds baseball people of Michael Tucker. "You just don�t find that many lefthanded hitters with a short, nice swing like his," Tigers scouting director Greg Smith said before 2003 spring training. "He�s a dangerous hitter. He isn�t hitting with that much power yet, but the power will come. He is capable of turning on the ball and juicing it."	He has excellent knowledge of the strike zone and will put the ball in play. He hits to all fields He is not afraid to hit deep in counts. Curtis rarely walks because it is so easy for him to make good contact that he doesn't always wait for the best pitch for him to hit. Curtis is developing into a very good leadoff hitter. And he likes the role, though he didn't at first. "In 2005 in Toledo, I really didn't like it too much," he admitted was his first view of the leadoff spot. "I kind of thought myself out of it just because of the number of strikeouts I was starting to get and the opportunity of getting the extra at-bat. It was a lack of confidence, but once I started getting into the role and stopped thinking about having to be a leadoff hitter, I started to realize it was just another spot in the lineup to hit."

He had an easier time at that once he realized the same about two-strike counts. Instead of formulating a specialized two-strike approach and outthinking himself by expanding his strike zone, he has tried to adopt a more aggressive mentality with two strikes along with an adjustment to his mechanics. He would protect for an offspeed pitch sometimes, only to miss out on a hittable fastball. "Sometimes the thought process takes over too much vs. still realizing he has to make a pitch," Granderson said near the end of the 2005 season. "You still have a 50-50 chance of putting a bat on the ball. It's not something to overanalyze. If you look at a lot of strikeouts, you'll see balls hit the dirt and we'll swing at them because you're trying to cover everything. You don't try to do that earlier in the count. You have to keep that same approach from the first pitch to the last pitch."	Granderson may be a 30-30 guy some year. (Editor's note: Not yet, as of 2010.) Curtis keeps putting up higher power numbers every season, but has sacrificed some selectivity at the plate for that pop. Granderson tries hard not to make hitting harder than it is. He had the words: DON'T THINK, HAVE FUN written underneath the bill of his baseball cap during the 2007 season. "When I'm being analytical at the plate, that's when I start getting into trouble," he says. "I've always been that way, breaking everything down. Now I need to trust my instincts, relax and just go with them," Curtis said. During the offseason before 2010 spring training, Granderson worked with Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long, working to learn how to hit lefthanded pitching. Before '10, they would throw Grandy's timing off. Long watched video and identified two flaws: First, Curtis was standing too far from the plate, which Granderson later said he found interesting because he always thought he stood too close. Second, his upper body tended to lean over the plate as he swung, affecting his balance and causing him to reach for outside pitches. According to the Inside Edge scouting service, Granderson swung and missed on 41 percent of breaking pitches thrown by left-handers in '09. The league average was 29 percent.

Early in 2010 spring training, Curtis worked with Yankee hitting coach Kevin Long, tweaking his swing against lefthanded pitchers. BREAKDOWN VS. LEFTIES AND RIGHTIES One knock on the lefty hitting Graderson is that he doesn't hit lefty pitchers well. In 2006, Granderson batted only .218 with 4 home runs in 147 at-bats vs. lefthanded pitching. But he hit .274 with 15 home runs in 449 at-bats against righthanders. In 2007, Curtis only managed a .160 average with 3 home runs in 119 at-bats vs. lefthanders, but nailed righthanded pitching for a .337 average and 20 home runs in 493 at-bats. In 2008, Granderson hit .259 with 5 home runs in 147 at-bats vs. lefthanded pitchers, and .288 with 17 home runs in 406 at-bats vs. righthanded pitchers.	In 2009, Curtis only managed a .183 average with 2 home runs in 180 at-bats vs. lefthanders. And .275 with 28 home runs in 451 at-bats vs. righthanders. As of the start of the 2010 season, Granderson had a career batting average of .280 with 102 home runs and 299 RBI in 2,579 at-bats. August 2010: Granderson asked hitting coach, Kevin Long, to help rebuild his swing in the middle of the season. The goal was simple: to eliminate unnecessary movement. When Granderson swung, his hands were moving forward, then back and forward again in what Long described as �a big crazy loop.� Because Granderson was so far on his back leg when he started his swing, he actually strode twice, Long said, opening his stance and lengthening his swing. Long moved Granderson�s hands back, then aligned the rest of his body so it was squared, in perfect position for hitting: his legs were flexed, and his feet, knees, hips and shoulders were properly aligned. Since making the change, Granderson is batting .282 (11 for 39) with three home runs, a stretch that raised his season batting average from .239 to .244.

FIELDING:
Granderson probably has enough arm for right field. He is not real athletic. He lacks the speed to be a regular center fielder, but can play there for sure. Curtis has learned to get a good jump on the ball. He reads the ball well off the bat, taking the proper route to get to it. He has a strong, accurate arm. And he is an intelligent player, throwing to the right base. In May 2006, Granderson set an all-time Detroit Tigers record for errorless games at the beginning of his Major League career by starting out with 89. Danny Bautista had 88. Curtis often makes his first fielding reaction off of a batter's swing instead of waiting for visual on the ball.

RUNNING:
Granderson is an average, or slightly better, runner. But he gets a real quick jump and always runs hard. When he leaves the batter's box, he is already at full speed.

CAREER INJURY REPORT:
March 22, 2008: Granderson suffered a non-displaced fracture of the metacarpal at the base of his right middle finger in an exhibition game for the Tigers. He was struck in the hand by a fastball from Phillies LHP Travis Blackley. The break was right behind the knuckle. May 1-28, 2010: Granderson was on the D.L. with a strained groin, suffered while running the bases vs. the White Sox.