Long-time big-league slugger Curtis Granderson announced today in an Instagram post that he is wrapping up his playing career. The 38-year-old appeared in 16 MLB campaigns.
Granderson had hoped to keep playing, but wasn’t finding interest on the open market. He had struggled in what turned out to be his final season in the majors, slashing just .183/.281/.356 last year with the Marlins.
Plenty of great careers have come to a conclusion in similar fashion. What’s more remarkable is that Granderson was still quite a productive hitter in the season prior. He turned in 403 plate appearances of .242/.351/.431 hitting with 13 home runs in 2018 with the Blue Jays and Brewers.
Granderson turned in plenty of strong campaigns along the way. But more than that, he became one of the game’s most respected players, both inside and outside of the clubhouse. (See, for instance, here and here.)
On the field, the gregarious former third-round pick was an evolving but ever-present threat. It’s easy to forget just how good he was at his best. With the Tigers in 2007, his second full season in the bigs, Granderson launched 23 long balls, swiped 26 bags, and turned in other-worldly glovework and overall baserunning to post a 7.9 fWAR campaign.
Granderson was no longer as capable with the glove by the time he landed with the Yankees in a three-team stunner, but he still turned in a 6.9 fWAR effort in 2011. That year, Granderson hit more than forty homers for the first of two consecutive seasons, turned in a personal-best 146 wRC+, and continued to provide big value with his legs (including 25 steals).
When Granderson signed with the Mets in 2014, he was coming off of an injury-marred season. At 33 years of age, his four-year, $60MM contract came with some obvious risks. But Granderson turned in four rather productive seasons under the deal, including a star-level 2015 effort (131 wRC+, 5.3 fWAR), and easily justified the financial outlay.
Granderson enjoyed three fairly lengthy stints to begin his career, authoring productive, 500+ game runs with the Tigers, Yankees, Mets. An August 2017 trade to the Dodgers launched a journeyman stage that eventually took him through Toronto, Milwaukee, and Miami.
Add it all up, and Granderson tallied more than two thousand big-league games with seven organizations. Half of his 16 campaigns ended in postseason runs. Granderson slashed only .224/.317/.424 in 244 playoff plate appearances, but was at his best in the 2015 World Series (3 home runs, 1.060 OPS in 25 plate appearances). He is a lifetime .249/.337/.465 hitter with 344 home runs; he appeared in three All-Star games and accumulated 47.6 fWAR and 47.3 rWAR.
Quite an impressive run, all things considered — all the more when his charitable efforts are added to the equation. It’s not clear precisely what’s next for Granderson, but it seems sure we haven’t seen the last of him. As he notes in his announcement:
“As I close out this wonderful chapter in my life and step away from my days on the field, I know that my role in this game is only just getting started. I look forward to continuing my work helping to diversify the sport, paving the way for young kids to learn and grow.”
MLBTR offers its congratulations and best wishes to Grandy and his family.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
hell of a triples hitter in his heyday
Another first place ribbon!
For sure, the 23 triples and 38 doubles in 2007 was really quite impressive!!!
That’s what happens when you play in comerica park
Especially since that Comerica’s still had the flag pole in play and cavernous power allies..
I always love and respected Grandy man! He’ll always be one of my favorite Tigers. His smile is contagious. Thank you for the wonderful memories Curtis!
Loved him on the Mets. One of the classiest guys the game has seen.
One of the best people in the game. I imagine he’ll still be involved in some capacity.
See you at Cooperstown Curtis!
Nah, unless he’s paying to get in. He would make the Classy Hall of Fame and the Hall of Very Good though.
They aren’t making a guy like Granderson pay to get in. He’ll get to go for free for the rest of his life.
The Hall of Very Good was made for guys like Grandy. Very good, but not an elite level career. Great guy too! Hope to see him coaching someday, great defender in his prime too.
@ Strike4, @kyle above:
Agreed: he’ll hope to get in as a coach.
Granderson had a higher WAR than Baines. Led the league in something, unlike Baines.
you buying his admission ticket?
A plot of land in Cooperstown wouldn’t be too expensive. We should all chip in and finally setup this hall of very good not too close to the real hall but at least in the same neighborhood so fans can get through both in one weekend.
Then move plaques if the player makes the Hall of Fame. Until then they’d have a home in the Hall of Very Good. This idea has legs.
And put Larry walker, Tim Raines, jim Rice mussina, thome , edgar. Theres more.
I’m not saying Granderson is a stone cold lock for the HoF, or even sure if he should be in at all. To everyone saying, no way, no chance though, look up Jim Rice. How is HoF Jim Rice’s work so dramatically different from Grandy’s? Just saying.
Next step: broadcast booth
…..tickets are $29.95.
Thank you Grandy Man!!!!!
Best wishes Grandy!
grandy’s unfortunately not going to make the hall of fame.
I doubt he even tops the 5% needed votes to move onto the next ballot in his first year eligible. Not a HOF but definitely a very good player overall.
Class act! Great tweet announcing his retirement!
Solid career and a great community guy. Class act.
Always liked CG. Class guy.
The Brewers cheated in 2018
Positivity is a choice.
The Brewers cheated in 2018! Is that positive enough for you, Bob?
You seem to be fixated on this.
Uhh, no
Not really. Learn how to process a joke that is rooted in truth.
He was one of my favorite players on the Yankees and he was stilll one of my favorites even after he left them.
Brilliant mind.
He will do well in his next career no matter what he decides to do.
He’d do well in broadcasting.
Best wishes to a great ballplayer and person!
The kind of player you’d look at and say “Now THERE”S a coach/manager in the making”….
But $110M later in earnings, the allure of bus rides pretty much disappears. Nice career, pretty classy everywhere he went.
Blocked me on Twitter, good riddance
Cry a river. Build a bridge. Get over it. I’m sure you’ve got more important things to worry or care about in life than him blocking you on Twitter.
It’s what twits do these days.
I’m trying to figure out which is worse: managing to get blocked by one of the most genuine athletes in modern sports, or not recognizing the message it sends to the rest of us by broadcasting that fact.
Given this reaction, I’m 100% sure you deserved it.
Anyone who has anything bad to say about Mr. Granderson, let alone be blocked by him, must be one sorry excuse of a human being…..
Stay alone on your island like the guy who didn’t give Jeter his HOF vote…..
Jeter was a poor defensive shortstop so someone didn’t want him to get 100%. He wasn’t the all time best at the position like Mo so no 100%. Simple. Someone did us a favor by withholding that vote.
Agreed, Jeter is overrated. My point wasn’t to say that Jeter should have been unanimous, just saying that if that knucklehead was one of 397 people to vote on Granderson being a great guy then he’d be the only one with a no vote.
ESPN Sunday night booth. Drop A-Rod.
A bit corny sometimes but I think ARod does a pretty good job in the booth with his analysis and knowledge of the game.
Agreed, A-Rod is awesome in the booth; his knowledge of the game and how quick he is with his wit made me a fan. He is still a cheat but i like him with the mic just like Pete Rose.
Class act. Very good player. Wishing him all
the best
Good ball player. Great character. Too bad al ball players don’t have his class.
One of my all-time favorite players, just an absolute joy to watch play. The game’s gonna miss him.
Congrats on a great career, Grandy Man!
Great career; I’d say it was underrated even. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was managing somewhere within the next few seasons. Also I found it interesting that in 2007 if you look at WAR he would’ve been the runner up (he placed 10th) in AL MVP voting behind A-Rod.
Chicago area guy, should have spent time patrolling the Wrigley outfield. Never meant to be.
Completely forgot he played on the Mets. Great career! Wish him the best in retirement
Do you even follow baseball? He played regularly for the Mets for 4 years. I could see forgetting he was a Dodger or a Brewer or a Blue Jay, but he played more games for the Mets than he did with the Yankees.
I remember when my Tigers traded you, it hurt that day, one of the classiest Tigers to ever wear the English D. Solid Career Grandy, wish you would have gotten a ring!
Best trade the Tigers ever made. Thank you Grandy!
A better player at 38 than most prospects in their 20’s….loved his demeanor…great competitor, always gracious to fans.
Very nice career. Watching him hit triples early in his career was exciting. He’s the reason why I lean toward making ballpark fence dimensions longer/bigger to bring back the triple.
Does anyone remember when the Yankees were facing the A’s and were down 9-1 and ended up coming back to make history by hitting 3 Grand slams, Cano, Martin and Granderson? Would like to see him back with the Yankees in some capacity.
Who can take a sunrise
(Who can take a sunrise)
Sprinkle it with dew
(Sprinkle it with dew)
Cover it in chocolate
And a miracle or two
The Grandy man
(The Grandy man)
The Grandy man can
(The Grandy man can)
The Grandy man can cause he
Mixes it with love and
Makes the world taste good
One of my favorite players before, during and after his stint with the Yanks. Just a really, really good spokesman for the sport, for minorities, etc. I hope the Yanks offer him something with the team. Great guy to mentor kids, He would bring class to any organization. Not close to a HOF with the numbers but if statesman ship mattered he would be a 1st ballot guy.
Very respectable human being and career
Me & my Dad had a lot of fun and good times watching you play for the Tigers back in the day. Thanks for that, enjoy your well-deserved retirement.
He was a beast on the field. But even a better human being. I’ve never heard or read anything negative about curtis. I think that’s more impressive then his impressive resume.
One of the most well-spoken players in the game. He’s great on TV and I hope to see him in the broadcasting booth and MLB analyst moving forward.
I remember seeing him in the postseason booth when he was still playing with Detroit and wholeheartedly agree. Very smart and articulate.
Good luck on your life after baseball! It was a pleasure watching you play the game you loved.
Nice career!
With hiring former players with no experience being all the rage, Grandy has got to be cut out for it as much as any of them. I could see him writing the book on connecting with players if he chooses to go that route.
If i had a hof vote he would get a hell yes from me. True ambassador of the game.
Call me crazy, but Granderson is one of my favorite all time players. Best of luck in retirement!
Not crazy at all. One’s favorite player(s) doesn’t have to be the best or one of the best. He is one of your favorites for one or many of your reasons.
It was so easy to root for him. He was pure class, and he had a damn good career playing to boot. He would be an asset on all 30 teams in an FO/coaching capacity. Thanks for the memories, Grandy Man!
The way that the writer is now vote for the Hall of Fame I wouldn’t be surprised if they think this guy is a Hall of Famer
Based on?
There has been many players in the majors, many have better statistics but for class, humility and that infectious smile i doubt many will be as beloved as Grandy. Was a pleasure to watch you play, a greater pleasure to listen to you and your love of the game came across in both in abundance. if every organisation had a personalitylike youin the clubhouse baseball would be a better place.
Great guy all the way around. He grew up a White Sox fan, a shame the two couldn’t get together
Congrats on a great career for the Grandyman. I would not get surprised to see him coaching one day.
His days as a Yankee turned him into a “slugger”. Before the short porch, he wasn’t known for hitting homers. I did always love him when he played here.
I didn’t realize he had 23 triples one season. Damn.
Very respectable career. I doubt he makes the Hall of Fame, but he should end up with a few votes at the bottom of the results.
I was completely ecstatic when the Yankees traded for Grandy and sad to see him leave for the Mets as he couldn’t hit lefties and declined defensively. Awesome human being and career. Happy retirement!
Good guy, good player in his heyday, and enjoyed watching him play. Congratulations, Curtis!
I love going back to read about the three team deal he was involved in just to read sentences like these.
“The Yankees managed to pull off the Granderson acquisition without giving up Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, or Mike Dunn.”
Reading abut Scherzer becoming a lot better than expected is fun and all, but it’s a lot more fun reading about the hyped guys that didn’t turn out as expected.
Well, actually the best part is seeing that the D-Backs gave up Max Scherzer for Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy.
The F’ing Granndy Man Can!!!
I am a Fanderson of Granderson the Manderson.
Class act on and off the field.
I really appreciated Grandy when he was with the Mets. A great team/player and leader, and he had some huge hits despite the fact that his best statistical seasons seasons were elsewhere. I met him at spring training a few years ago and he was just as classy as he came across on TV. He had an excellent career and I expect that he’ll continue to be generous with his time and money off the field as well.
This is just a personal hunch, but I could see Granderson as MLBPA director someday given his very strong reputation in the game and his active role with the union during his career.
344 career homers, 153 SB, 95 triples, 1200+ RS, not to mention he was a solid outfield — dude had a helluva career! One of the good guys — he will be missed.
344 homers, 153 SB, 95 triples, 1200+ RS, not to mention he was a solid outfielder — dude had a helluva career! One of the good guys — he will be missed.
Just a terrific, fun player, Well-liked everywhere he went, always worked hard. You’d have to be made of stone not to like Granderson,
Completely agree. If you ever heard his name on the news during the season, it was because of a great game he had.
I always hoped the Cubs would sign him. Even if it was for one year.
‘Curtis, are you dead?”
Yeah, that’s right…sometimes I quote cheesy 80s movies.
If you’re talking about cool runnings that was 1993 and was a great movie
It may have came out in 1993, but it was definitely an 80s movie.
Always had a soft spot for Granderson going back to his days with the Tigers. Hard not to love this player and what a guy. He will be missed on the field. Hope he shows up elsewhere in the booth, as a coach, or as a manager. Into his 70’s. He’s more than smart enough for the analytics and to keep up with the game, and he has a great personality and way of communicating to get along and have a real presence in any group of people. Now that he’s called it a career, look forward to the next step. Hope it lands in the game.
After their primes, I started confusing him for Cameron Maybin and Austin Jackson. Oddly enough, I never mixed up Maybin and Jackson with each other though
A few years ago, just after the Mets traded Granderson, I was listening to a local Mets broadcast that was picked up nationally for MLB Radio. The announcers described how Granderson, when it became apparent that he would be moved at the deadline, went around to every office at Citi Field and thanked all the staff for the work they did to support him and his teammates. I was so impressed – as the old saying goes, you can tell a person’s character not so much by how they treat the CEO, but by how they treat the least powerful people in the organization. By all accounts, the Grandy Man treated everyone with dignity and respect.
Congrats, UIC Flame!
Thanks for your class and for playing the game right.
Granderson has career earnings of just over $107M. Be smart, be safe, Curtis. Enjoy that retirement.
Granderson will end up in a front office. I could see him as a GM. I’d be surprised if he would take a minor league coaching gig and start the long slog to big league manager. He definitely could do radio/tv. I could definitely see him behind the MLB studio desk. A future Tim McCarver kind of announcer.
My bet? Front office. Start as an asst. to the GM. Move up from there. Al Avila would be wise to consider him in Detroit.
Yanks coulda used a lefty bat.
Definition of a solid player.
How time flys. Seems like just yesterday. A poster on the old Mlb Tigers forum stating “ just wait till Granderson hits the bigs, he’ll light things up”. He always respected & promoted the game. Enjoy the next chapter of your life!
Love this guy. His batting stance and almost OCD-like timing of the pitch was one of the most memorable in baseball in recent years. As soon as he made contact he would run all out. The guy always looked like he played hard. Happy retirement Grandy!
One of my favorite Tigers, ever !!
A wonderful humanitarian and individual
I really enjoyed watching this guy play the game. Happy Retirement to you! Thanks for the memories!
Grandy had a knack of making everything look so easy. He always looked like a kid playing Little League.
He left on his own terms, and I wish him all the best in whatever comes next.