Acquired from Detroit in a three-team blockbuster trade this offseason, new Yankee center fielder Curtis Granderson recently spoke with Sporting News’ Stan McNeal about his new team:
When my family and friends start talking about me being a Yankee, I think about what it means. There’s the Lakers in basketball, the Cowboys in football and the Yankees in baseball. No matter where I travel around the world, people know about the Yankees. To now be a part of that franchise is amazing.
I’ll be wearing a new number, 14. The Yankees gave me the option to keep 28, but after last year, when (manager) Joe Girardi wore 27 and they won their 27th championship, I had no problem letting him take 28. Besides, I wore 14 in high school and my dad wore it in his softball league.
I look forward to going to Boston as a Yankee. When you go to Fenway with another team, you can see the confidence of the fans. Like, Hey, we know we’re going to win. When you go in as a Yankee, they’re like, We might win, but this is going to be a battle. That’s the kind of respect this franchise has earned.
I’ve been asked if I’m going to hit 40 home runs. I don’t think that’s what I was acquired for. With the guys who have made this lineup what it is, I look at myself as a small piece of the big puzzle trying to repeat as champions.
This story first appeared in the February 15 edition of Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Acquired from Detroit in a three-team blockbuster trade this offseason, new Yankee center fielder Curtis Granderson recently spoke with Sporting News’ Stan McNeal about his new team:
When my family and friends start talking about me being a Yankee, I think about what it means. There’s the Lakers in basketball, the Cowboys in football and the Yankees in baseball. No matter where I travel around the world, people know about the Yankees. To now be a part of that franchise is amazing.
I’ll be wearing a new number, 14. The Yankees gave me the option to keep 28, but after last year, when (manager) Joe Girardi wore 27 and they won their 27th championship, I had no problem letting him take 28. Besides, I wore 14 in high school and my dad wore it in his softball league.
I look forward to going to Boston as a Yankee. When you go to Fenway with another team, you can see the confidence of the fans. Like, Hey, we know we’re going to win. When you go in as a Yankee, they’re like, We might win, but this is going to be a battle. That’s the kind of respect this franchise has earned.
I’ve been asked if I’m going to hit 40 home runs. I don’t think that’s what I was acquired for. With the guys who have made this lineup what it is, I look at myself as a small piece of the big puzzle trying to repeat as champions.
This story first appeared in the February 15 edition of Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.