It sure is great having actual regular-season baseball back in our daily routine grind; and it’s even better to see the Yankees start the 2011 campaign off properly with a win against the Detroit Tigers in the home opener. There were several positive storylines from today’s ballgame (and I assure you, each will be addressed all in good time). For now, I just wanted to take a few moments to praise Curtis Granderson who had a great all around day (which ultimately helped me justify taking a half day off from work to catch the game live this afternoon).
Defensively, the Grandyman was exceptional. Right off the bat (no pun intended), he was tested in the first inning. Will Ryhmes scorched a shot off of CC Sabathia to centerfield and Grandy promptly denied a base hit (if not a double or triple) with a defensive-play-of-the-game-caliber diving catch. As many of us watching collectively gasped with concern over Curtis’ health after his recent oblique injury, tension was quickly relieved as he got up immediately with a smile on his face. The very next at bat, Magglio Ordonez hit a solid shot to the outfield forcing Curtis to showcase his range; he managed a nice catch to end the inning. He flashed some more speed in the sixth on a nifty catch he made off of an Alex Avilla liner. Finally in the ninth, Brandon Inge made contact with an 83.5 mph-Mariano cutter sending it deep to center field. Curtis tracked it down and made an excellent over-the-shoulder grab which instantly prompted signs of Kudos from Mark Teixeira and a surprised/relieved expression from Mariano himself.
In terms of offense, Curtis contributed positively as well. Grandy batted one for three on the day. However, his hit couldn’t have come at a better time. With the score tied up at three during the bottom of the seventh, Curtis went yard on former-Yankee reliever, Phil Coke. He connected with a poorly located four-seamer and hit it deep into the confines of the right field bleachers giving the Bombers a 4-3 lead. Basically, he did everything we could have hoped for today.
Unfortunately, as much as we’d like to make bold predictions for Grandy’s 2011 outlook, we can’t just yet. Instead, let’s just sit back with good vibes from game one hope it continues! Feel free to use this thread for any thoughts you had on today’s game!
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3 Responses to Grandyman helps ensure successful season opener
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TIQ IQ
Three tremendous plays in the field and a clutch HR off a lefty if certainly a great way to start off the year for Curtis. I see a really good year coming for Curtis and I think if he stays healthy his minimum is a 25-25 year with the chance at 30-30.
Curtis’ positioning resulted in my loss of breath on that liner he caught over his shoulder, but also enabled him to backup Derek smartly when Victor Martinez’ low liner bounced off his backhand, trickling into left center. This was in the third inning rally, and the following batter forced Curtis back again.
Now this is exciting basaball! Hail, Curtis!
How about that? I’m not accustomed to see Curtis playing such a shallow infield. Usually you see guys like B.J. Upton playing in that territory. Still he pulled it off and sure made some great plays in the process. Today went about as well as it could have for Curtis — beat his former team, went yard off the lefty reliever who was involved in the trade with him, and much looked muc more impressive at the plate than A-Jax. All in a day’s work!