A fastball from Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Travis Blackley broke Curtis Granderson’s middle finger a week before opening day, but a two-week stint on the disabled list won’t do much to slow down the Tigers’ 27-year old centerfielder. Curtis is coming off a breakout year that saw him hit career highs in home runs, runs batted in, triples, doubles, batting average and on-base percentage. Detroit may have flashier hitters, but Granderson provides the Tigers with a dangerous lead-off man to set the table for their potent line-up.
The team believed in his ability and character enough to give him a five-year, $30.25 million extension over the off-season. Granderson wasn’t scheduled for free agency until 2011, but team President Dave Dombrowski believed in rewarding a player that had come up through the Tigers’ organization and whose ability has improved every year – from the minor leagues to the majors.
Before Granderson was injured, Michigan FrontPage got a chance to talk to him in Lakeland, FL, about the Tigers’ busy off season, what he hopes to improve on this year and more.
FP – Going into the off season two years removed from the World Series and consecutive 90-win seasons, did you think that Detroit would be so aggressive going after players?
CG - I really don’t understand how everything works out business wise. There’s a lot of things that go into previous off seasons what could have happened. For example, Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller were supposedly not going to be traded but they were. I don’t pay attention; people tell me before I know about it.
FP – What was your initial reaction then when you did hear that Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis were coming to Detroit?
CG - Same thing. I just thought the two guys we just traded weren’t supposed to be traded. At the same time the two guys we ended up getting will help us win now. I’ve stayed in contact with Maybin. He’s happy and excited as well.
FP – You look at the roster this year, with all the moves the Tigers’ made, how does that affect team chemistry? Does it take a while for the new guys to get acclimated?
CG - Just being around each other, everyone is pretty much enjoying themselves and fitting in. For the most part it’s been OK. We still got to go out there and play day-in and day-out, one through nine.
FP – You’ve always said going into the off-season you want to take a look at your game and improve one or two specific things. What was your focus this year?
CG - Being a little more consistent at the plate. I understand that certain categories, for example, hitting against left-handed pitching and my strikeout numbers, are still up there. At the same time, those two categories I can’t really work on with drills in the off season. It’s more of a mental thing when I get here that I can focus on, drill wise.
FP – With so many premier hitters on this team – Gary Sheffield, Maggilo Ordonez and Placido Polanco, to name a few – do you talk to those guys about their approach against left-handed pitchers or improving your patience at the plate?
CG - I just end up watching them, not talking to them too much about it. It’s one of those things where I look at what they’re doing with two strikes, not getting to two strikes, how they stay confident and comfortable with two strikes. I try to take bits and pieces through the course of the game.
FP – Last year you accomplished an extremely rare feat with over 20 doubles, triples, stolen bases and home runs. Having accomplished that so early in your career, do you worry at all about not being able to improve on those numbers this season?
CG - The only stats I really focus on are strikeout numbers. There’s not necessarily a number I want to get it to, I just want to cut them down. Also, on-base percentage. Every other category is not a concern, if I have this many doubles in a season, it’s just one of those things. If I can focus on those two the rest will work itself out.
FP – Is there a pitcher that has consistently got the best of you or that you have had a hard time getting a hit off of?
CG - Bobby Jenks. I’m like 0-9, with eight strikeouts.
FP – Is it something you think about when you face him?
CG - I don’t think it, I just know it. After facing him I remember watching tape and it just so happened the stat popped up on the bottom line.
FP – Does Jenks do something differently that creates problems for you?
CG - Something deceiving with his delivery to the plate, I think. It has taken me a little bit of time to understand why he’s been able to get me out, plus I don’t see him day-in and day-out. I think what makes him effective is he has a really good off-speed pitch. Hopefully, I’m not in there facing him consistently because that means he has a lead. If I get a chance to face him again I’ll have a chance to hit him and get on base.
FP – With opening day, what’s one thing that stands out about the most exciting day of the year for you?
CG - At least for that one day you have a sell-out, no matter at home or another park, that’s the biggest thing for me.
FP – Thank you for taking the time to talk and good luck this season.
