Lynn Henning of the Detroit News gives us a behind the scenes look at Curtis Granderson the person. Everything you’ve already heard about him is true. He a terrific guy, one who’s great with the media and always finds plenty of time to do work in the community for all sorts of charities. And . . . sometimes that’s the problem. He writes:
If it were just a matter of having an off season, the Tigers might have lived with it. But it goes deeper than that. Granderson has been spread too thin in Detroit. In that respect, his charm is also his curse.
He’s involved in everything. He has a difficult time saying no. He loves community work. He’s here for this event, there for that gathering, and almost always available for a kid who needs him at a hospital.
Wonderful, and praiseworthy. And also of likely consequence to his fundamental assignment: playing baseball.
One must be careful about making criticisms here. But this feeling has been deep for a very long time, mostly because Granderson, for all his decency, on too many days appeared to be putting in more of a work shift than concentrating adequately on a game that must be played with consummate passion and attention.
This may sound too personal in nature, and may not be the kind of analysis that many stat oriented internet blogs and readers would want to get into, but it’s a real issue for many players who come to New York. We’ve seen many players have difficulty adjusting to New York for a variety of reasons, from the nightlife to the pressure to the many other off the field distractions this city has to offer. If he found himself distracted in Detroit, you could multiply that 10X over in New York City. We have a far bigger media, a huge charity sector and a zillion opportunities for someone like him to do everything except focus on baseball. The article goes on to say that he’s learned not to spread himself too thin, and cut back on his off-field activities in 2009. He also no longer does his guest pieces for ESPN’s website. But given the sub par 2009 season he had, it clearly wasn’t enough.
Perhaps it will be easier for him to say no in a new town that’s far enough away from one that he doesn’t have so many personal ties to. As a Blue Island, Illinois native, playing near his hometown could have provided issues he won’t face here in New York. When you grew up in an area that’s been hit the hardest by the economic downturn and your Mom calls up to help a needy local cause, I’m sure its tough to say no. But it’s something he’ll have to learn if he is to succeed in New York City.
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8 Responses to Baseball, Curtis. Just Baseball.
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TIQ IQ
Nice article, Steve.
I would add, though, that while he was in Detroit, Granderson was surely among the top handful of sporting icons in the city, and therefore pretty near the top of the list for anyone who wanted to involve sports stars in ‘good works’ outside the lines. This won’t be such an issue in New York. While he will obviously be a draw card, the number of distractions that come his way may in fact be fewer than he is accustomed to.
The other observation I would make is that in our beloved Yankees #2, he will be playing alongside just about the best ‘coach’ he could possibly have in how to strike a balance between playing the game, serving the community, and maintaining a personal life. I’m sure that the Yankees will have the good sense to ask Derek to ‘mentor’ him in this regard.
Cheers
Tim
(Yankee Fan in London)
Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Tim. I wish that I would have thought of the Jeter point myself, I would have included it in the piece.
Why, thank you!
Having only discovered this blog late in the ’09 season I’ve since grown to love it as the best forum around for articulate discussion of our team. Long may it continue!
Tim
I think I’ll take him and his outside “problems” over the guys frequenting strip clubs every night.
I like him even better now.
How can you prefer him concentrating on baseball between games rather than helping others. Baseball is there to entertain, he’s not a brain surgeon. To prevent a guy from helping others while he’s NOT working just so he can be SLIGHTLY better on the field makes absolutely zero sense to me.
There’s plenty of time to do both.He needs to get focused and like many players who come ot NY, he will.
Eventually, yes. But we’ve seen many guys struggle at first. I just wanted to get this out there in advance as a possible explanation. Fans always think ballplayers that are struggling aren’t trying very hard, and sometimes the exact opposite is the case.
The Yankees finally got the “young Kenny Lofton” (with power) that they’ve always craved. Damon was a great pick-up, but, actually turned out to be a sort of Roger Maris type….less arm….more speed….and very smart. But, Granderson is an African-American fly-boy in the mold of Kenny Lofton/Oil Can Boyd/Satchel Paige. Long…..lean….speedy…..and great torque….leading to easy power. (for a thin guy).
It will be fun watching the Yankees slaughter the American league next Summer. Boston might win two games.