The Tigers traded Curtis Granderson to the Yankees. I always liked Curtis Granderson. However I liked him because he played hard, and he offered a dimension that is rare in baseball - hustle. There are certain ball players that I just like no matter what team they are on, because they are "ball players". Nick Punto, Kevin Youkulis, Mark Teixiera, Granderson etc. These are the guys you build teams around for the most part. These are the guys I enjoy watching.
There's been an uproar in Motown about trading away Granderson. The talk about how he was such a good person off the field, how likeable he was, how good he was for the community. WHO CARES! I don't care! I'm supposed to like this guy because he does charity events, and represents "baseball" on ambassador tours around the world? Please! Spare me. This guy should be working on the hole in his swing, instead of traveling to Africa visiting school children there promoting baseball. How does he help my team by going to Africa? He doesnt.
Sure there's an element to judging the character of an athlete when off the field they conduct themselves in a good manner. Yet if this guy acted like a jerk like his ex-teammater Cabera it would'nt bother me one bit assuming he performed on the field. You see that's the problem, I think Cabrera is an underachiever bum, and Granderson didnt perform even with the hustly. So how they act off the field means nothing to me, good or bad. Should it? Alex I'll take 10 Jack Tatums please.
Anyways I'm sad to see him go, but the fact is he wasnt great. He was good. I always thought he should bat eighth and play left field anyways. Nonetheless, he's going to rock in the Big Apple with that lineup around him - Arod, Jeter, Posada, Teixiera. I don't know if it's a good trade or not...I'm not one for prospects..but we'll see. But enough of the role model junk. Role models don't win ball games. They might fill seats, but then again so does winning. Do you want a bunch of nice players or a winning ball club?
Give me Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Jack Tatum, Night Train Lane. You can keep your Mike Sweeneys, Curtis Grandersons, Brandon Inges, and your other Lady Bing types.
