Things are winding down this season. I've started to see a lot of already-answered questions recently, so make sure you check before sending your question. I may have already answered it. Otherwise, keep them coming! Send your questions to me at grandy@fullathletemarketing.com.
Q: If you could have dinner with four people, living or deceased, from any area of life (family, politics, music, sports), who would you pick and why?
-- Miheer, Princeton, N.J.
CG: 1.
Jackie Robinson -- Talk to him about what it was like playing during his time, the good and the bad times.
2.
Michael Jordan -- Talk about his basketball career and his life as one of the most popular athletes and an icon throughout the world.
3.
Chris Tucker -- To provide entertainment throughout dinner.
4.
Martin Luther King Jr. -- To see what his thoughts were for what he did and why he did it.
Q: Who is the best and who is the worst dresser on the Tigers?
-- Jennifer, Edwardsville, Ill.
CG: I would have to say that
Sean Casey or
Mike Rabelo are the worst dressed. Casey makes designer T-shirts look bad and loves to wear old Nike gym shoes that he got for free. Rabelo loves to wear shirts from fishing stores. It almost looks like he goes to stores, fills out a credit-card application and gets a free shirt. As far as best dressed, I would have to say
Marcus Thames. When he wears the free stuff from Nike he matches it up from head to toe, from the wind suit to the shoes to match.
Q: I was at the game against the Yankees last Friday that ended at 3:30 a.m. I'm wondering what everyone was doing during the four-hour rain delay and how your routine changed in preparation for the next evening's game.
-- Shannon, Clinton Township, Mich.
CG: A lot of guys were playing cards and watching The Weather Channel to see what the chances were that we would play. Guys were eating again, because normally we eat right after batting practice, but it was between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. and we were hungry. I had to be careful because I wanted to eat a lot, but I had to keep it light just in case we were going to start the game soon. As soon as I thought we may not start, I went and ate some ice cream, and five minutes later we got a call that we were going to start the game in 40 minutes. Luckily, I ate only one bowl of strawberry shortcake ice cream.
Q: My favorite player is Gary Sheffield, who recently wrote a book. When are you going to write a book?
-- Jake, Owasso, Okla.
CG: I doubt I'll write a book anytime soon. If I do happen to write a book, it would be to help high school kids and college kids during the MLB draft process. I think there are so many kids who get drafted and don't realize how much of a business professional sports can be.
Q: How does it feel to be the first Tigers player to hit 20 triples in one season since Ty Cobb did it in 1917?
-- Cherokee, Tampa, Fla.
CG: I had no clue I was the first Tiger to do that since Cobb, and when I heard it, all I could think was "wow." I knew Cobb had a lot of hits throughout his career, but I didn't realize he hit that many triples in a season. So it is a good feeling to know that he was the last to do it and did it so long ago.
Q: I've noticed you guys chew huge pieces of gum. Who can fit the most pieces in his mouth?
-- Angie, Toledo, Ohio
CG: I would have to say
Nate Robertson can fit the most gum in his mouth, by far. When he would get excited during a rally in the late innings of a game, he would grab an entire pack of gum and get it in his mouth, and somehow still be able to talk a little bit.
Q: Is there a proper name for the celebratory booty bump you execute after a win with the corner outfielders? Do you have any tips for its proper execution?
-- Ahmed, parts unknown
CG: It started back in 2005 when
Nook Logan was on our team and we would win a game and start doing it. People just didn't see it or respond to it as much as they do now. We pretty much try to get up as high as possible and bump hips in the air, and there are some modifications.
Marcus Thames and I do it almost like
Walter Payton and
Willie Gault when they went to the Super Bowl back in 1985. Since 2005,
Magglio Ordonez,
Craig Monroe,
Cameron Maybin,
Ryan Raburn,
Alexis Gomez,
Timo Perez and
Brent Clevlen, to name a few, have all been a part of the celebration.
Q: I noticed that many major leaguers shave their arms. Why is this, and do you do this for any reason?
-- Chad, Ohio
CG: I'm not too sure why guys do it. I know
Joel Zumaya does it because he has so many tattoos on his arm, and he wants them to be visible. I think some guys do it because they just have too much arm hair. I remember when I was younger, guys in the minor leagues would do it, and they said they got the idea from volleyball and basketball players from the West Coast.
Q: What is the most memorable play that you have made in your career so far?
-- Matt, Saginaw, Mich.
CG: My first hit in Chicago in 2004. All my family and friends were able to be a part of it live, and I think that one will always stick out throughout my career.
Q: Will you be disappointed if you do not receive the Gold Glove this year?
--Ty, Crofton, Md.
CG: No, because I have too many throwing errors this year, plus one fielding error. Throwing errors can happen for many reasons, but I shouldn't have made the fielding error.
Q: If you had a choice between winning the game with a great defensive play or a walk-off hit, which would you choose?
--Drew, Clemson, S.C.
CG: I think there is more celebration on a game-winning hit, because the crowd is waiting for it to happen, along with your teammates. So with all the celebration that comes from it, I would have to say a hit.
Q: Why do some major league players wear their sunglasses upside down on the bill of their hats?
--Rachael, Dearborn, Mich.
CG: When the sun is behind the clouds, they put them on the top of their hat so they can see better. When the sun comes back out, they just have to reach up top and put them on. I know
Edgar Renteria puts his glasses behind his head, that way if he goes to field a ground ball, there is no chance that they fall in front of his eyes to mess up his vision.
Q: Who is the coolest person you have met because of the fame that comes with being a professional athlete?
--Regina, Livonia, Mich.
CG: King Booker from the WWE. I've always been a big fan of his back when he was in WCW and also now that he's in the WWE.
Q: Our friends named their son Drew Granderson Lubben. The Granderson is named after you. What are your thoughts on having people name their kids after you?
--Jen, Atlanta
CG: It's kind of interesting since I haven't met the people who did it and I feel I really have no spot in the naming of a child. But I guess I'm honored. It puts a little more pressure on me to play well, so that kid ends up having a good middle name.
Q: As a high school teacher and baseball coach, what do you feel is the most important thing I can provide to my student-athletes?
--Brad, Walled Lake, Mich.
CG: Keep the game fun and always remember the importance of academics and also being eligible to play because of academics. It amazes me when a team is supposed to be one of the top teams and there are players on the team who are ineligible because of poor grades.
Q: What are some of your favorite movies?
--Kristen, parts unknown
CG: "A Christmas Story" is my favorite movie of all time. "Friday," "Rush Hour," and "Money Talks" happen to be some of my funny favorites, as well.
Q: In competing with a friend for a roster spot, does it make it difficult knowing you both want a spot, and you both know it most likely will come down to you or him?
--Greg, Philadelphia
CG: Not really. We are both trying to make it in the big leagues, and if we feel that we can both make it, there are 30 teams we have the chance to play with. When we are looking to play together, and we don't get a chance to, that's when it gets difficult.
Q: What do you do to stay in shape when you're not playing baseball?
--Sarah, Sterling Heights, Mich.
CG: During the offseason when I start my training, it normally consists of 3-5 times per week of upper body, lower body and core workouts. My eating is just to eat as much as possible, and my endurance training comes with running about a month before spring training.
Q: Of all the players on the Tigers, who is the most competitive?
--Alex, parts unknown
CG: I would have to say
Nate Robertson is the most competitive out of all of us, especially through his on-field jests.
Q: You said you can't control when Jim Leyland lets you steal, but do you think he would be opposed to you attempting to swipe home or would he support you making a good baseball decision if the chance were there?
--Steve, Royal Oak, Mich.
CG: The only chance I could steal home was if it were called, and in terms of a good baseball decision, most of those come once the ball is in play. When the ball is in play there is no sign given to me except for third base coach
Gene Lamont waving me to the next base or stopping me. Before the pitch is delivered to the plate, either I can steal or not, and again that sign will come from Leyland.
Curtis Granderson
