The Grandy Man Calls It a Career

After 16 big league seasons, Curtis Granderson has concluded the Grandy Man can't.


Granderson, who turns 39 in March, spent the bulk of his career in Detroit and then New York with both the Yankees and the Mets. After brief stops with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers he finished his playing career with the Miami Marlins. In 138 games last season, Granderson batted only .183 with 12 HR and 34 RBI.


A third round draft pick of the Tigers in 2002, Granderson reached the majors in 2004 but wouldn't become an everyday player until 2006 when the Tigers surprisingly won the AL pennant. Granderson led the AL in triples in both 2007 and 2008 with 23 and 13, respectively. He would earn his first AL All-Star selection in 2009.


Following that season, Granderson was involved in a blockbuster trade which sent him to the New York Yankees. The trade also involved the Arizona Diamondbacks who sent Max Scherzer to the Tigers. Granderson had his best season in 2011 when he led the AL in both runs scored (136) and RBI (119) along with 41 HR. He would finish fourth in AL MVP balloting that season. Granderson slugged a career high 43 HR along with 106 RBI in 2012. He would be named to the AL All-Star team both years.


Granderson hit 20 or more HR in each of his four campaigns with the Mets highlighted by his leadership role on the 2015 NL pennant winners.


His one big weakness was strikeouts. In fact, Granderson finished with more strikeouts than hits (1916 to 1800). However, when it came to being a teammate and a goodwill ambassador in the cities in which he played, Granderson made contact each and every time. Granderson earned the Roberto Clemente Award in 2016 and also earned the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award four times. On that count, the Grandy Man always can.