Curtis Granderson is a former American professional baseball player who played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 16 seasons. He was born on March 16, 1981, in Blue Island, Illinois, and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he played college baseball.
Granderson began his professional baseball career in 2002 when he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the third round of the MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2004 and played for them until 2009. During his time with the Tigers, Granderson established himself as a reliable outfielder and a consistent hitter. He was named to the American League All-Star team in 2009 and won a Gold Glove award in the same year.
In 2010, Granderson was traded to the New York Yankees, where he played for four seasons. He had a successful stint with the Yankees, helping them win the American League East division title in 2011 and 2012. He was also named to the All-Star team in 2011 and 2012.
After his time with the Yankees, Granderson played for the New York Mets from 2014 to 2017. He was a key player for the Mets during their run to the World Series in 2015, where they lost to the Kansas City Royals in five games. Granderson hit three home runs during the series, including two in Game 3.
In 2018, Granderson split his time between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Milwaukee Brewers. He played in the playoffs with the Brewers, helping them reach the National League Championship Series, where they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.
Granderson announced his retirement from baseball in January 2020. Over the course of his career, he played in 2,057 games, hit 344 home runs, and had a batting average of .249. He was known for his power hitting, speed on the basepaths, and excellent defense in the outfield.
Off the field, Granderson was also known for his philanthropic work. He established the Grand Kids Foundation in 2007, which aims to improve the lives of children through education, physical fitness, and nutrition. He was also a three-time nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes players who demonstrate outstanding character, community involvement, and philanthropy.
In conclusion, Curtis Granderson had a successful career as a professional baseball player, playing for four different teams over 16 seasons. He was a consistent hitter, a reliable outfielder, and a key player on several playoff teams. He was also known for his philanthropic work off the field, establishing a foundation to help improve the lives of children.
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