Q&A With Tigers' Curtis Granderson

By Matt Himelfarb
Posted Friday, June 8, 2007

Editor's Note: With the upcoming series between the Mets and Tigers, FU.com thought fans would like to hear about the series from the other side, and Tigers' outfielder Curtis Granderson was kind enough to sit down with our own Matt Himelfarb to talk about the series, playing in New York and the 2006 season, which many felt should have ended with a showdown between the Mets and the Tigers.

1. I always like to get into the minds of ballplayers, so I'm curious, what's like when you play in New York when facing the Yankees? Is it something you would want to do on an everyday basis, or would you like to leave it as a special once a year trip?
CG: I like that we only come once or twice a year, because the build-up to each trip is exciting. I enjoyed playing there and look forward to it each year now, especially that I get a chance to play in Yankee Stadium in its last few years. Being a Yankee would be a totally different thing because you have to win there, period.

2. We all know that Shea Stadium can be a tough outfield to play. Do you have any type of pre-game routine to learn the routes of the outfield, or do you just do a lot of studying beforehand?
CG: Most of my studying will come during batting practice, when I can actually go out and take a lot of fly balls and ground balls. I look at the flags, the cut of the grass, how soft or hard the walls are, and if there are any interesting ground rules I have to find out. It still is a tough thing to get a 100% judge during batting practice because the game will be at night and then the lights are another adjustment.

3. How would you describe your approach at the plate? Is there anything in particular you have done to aid any improvement?
CG: My approach will come while I'm on deck, because the situation will happen before I step into the batters box. The final approach will come, if there is something Leyland wants me to do (bunt, hit and run, squeeze, etc). Once I step into the box, I check to see where the infielders are (in, back, or shaded to one side or the infield or the other) and make one final adjustment. Then just relax and try not to do too much.

4. Are you excited about the chance of facing Tom Glavine?
CG: I will be if I'm in the lineup that day. I was a big Braves fan growing up and watched Tom Glavine a lot, so if I'm in there I'll be excited until I step into the box, then I have to focus and get down to business.

5. Did you ever feel overlooked by playing baseball in Illinois?
CG: Not overlooked, but the knock on us from Illinois is that we don't play as much as the players from Florida, Texas, or California because of the weather. I will say that there are more players that come out of those states because of being able to play all year, but if a player is good then he is good. It doesn't matter where he is from.

6. Do you find interleague play to be a little of a drag, and do you feel frustrated when you lose to a very tough team in the National League, while your division rivals might be beating up on a weaker team?
CG: I really like interleague play, because you get to play teams you normally don't see, play in ballparks you may not have before, and players you may not have played against before. A loss to anyone is always tough, and you can't make excuses on who the opponent is. You have to be able to be ready to play anyone, because anyone can win any day. Even the teams with the worst records in baseball had 40 wins, so they beat someone.

7. As Mets fans, we obviously were aware of the playful atmosphere in our clubhouse with guys like Jose Reyes and Ramon Castro, and a lot of us noticed that same attitude with you guys last year. What do you guys rely more upon? A relaxed, humorous atmosphere or a more focused one?
CG: In our preparation, it's really focused from spring training to the start of each game. Also during spring training, each game, flights, and before games, we are very loose, relaxed and humorous. I think we can relax because we know we put in a lot of work to be ready to play that day. Our team really gets along with each other pretty well, and there is a lot of joking around going on almost everyday.

8. Do you think that when facing guys with unorthodox windups, such as Joe Smith or Orlando Hernandez, you need to see them more often to get a good feel for them?
CG: Some guys who have different windups you struggle against and facing them more really isn't going to help at all. Some guys, even with their different windups, you are able to pick something up off them. I'm not really sure what it is, but some guys may hit Orlando Hernandez and struggle off Jose Contreras (spelling) who is very similar.

9. What are some of the adjustments you've made on the base paths this season? (6-0 in SB this season after 8-5 total last season.)
CG: Nothing too major, just knowing times to go a little bit better than last year. Some of the caught stealings last year were from hit and runs or in 3-2 counts where I can't get the best jump. Hopefully I can get some more this year and get my total up there.

10. Last but not least, how was playing in the World Series last year, and are we looking at a Mets-Tigers match up this year?
CG: Playing in the World Series was an exciting time. My parents were able to be there and outside of the outcome and the weather I really enjoyed the whole thing. As for this year's match up, I really have no clue and the way the media talks about a team's fast and slow starts, you never know who could make it. People are already writing the Yankees off and we have just reached the pne-third mark of our season. Remember last year the Twins were 11 games back in the AL Central for most of the season and ended up winning the Central on the last day of the season. So anything can happen.

Curtis Granderson's official MySpace page can be found here.