In my chance to go back to the minors for my rehab assignment, I was able to play in Grand Rapids, which I found out is the second largest city in Michigan. I missed playing for the West Michigan Whitecaps coming up through the minors, and making my visit for the first time was a lot of fun.
On Friday night in Grand Rapids, we played in front of about 10,000 people (capacity is right around 11,000 in the summer on weekends). All of the fans were loud and excited throughout the entire game. If you haven't had a chance to go to a minor league game, the experience is fun for the entire family.
While I'm out in the outfield warming up between innings, I get a chance to watch the different promotional activities that are going on. My favorite event, which I will never ever do, is the dizzy bat race. You can give me the biggest, fastest, highest ride in the world, and I'll do it, but if it spins around, I won't do it. I love watching the people become dizzy, try to run in a straight line, and then fall down.
Traveling to Toledo was also fun, especially because I played there before and it was fun to head back. The only thing that was difficult was the driving. I drove from Detroit to Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids to Toledo, Toledo to Grand Rapids, and then Grand Rapids to Detroit last night. Each time I then also had to get ready to play a game.
Going back to play with the Mud Hens and my former manager (Larry Parrish) and hitting coach (Leon Durham) was much needed, because these guys know my game and swing and what I needed to get back on track to start playing in the big leagues again.
I enjoyed my time doing my rehab in the minors, but I'm ready to get back to Detroit and start playing soon.
Curtis Granderson
