ESPN.com: Granderson

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The first and most devastating thing is the loss of Joel Zumaya. I don't know the details completely, but he could be out for some time to try and heal up. Our pitching staff has done a great job of picking up the loss of Kenny Rogers, and I am confident that they will do just as good a job of picking us up in the bullpen, too. I think the biggest thing we lose with Joel is his intimidation factor when they announce him at Comerica Park. You hear his music, you ee the fireball on the screen, and you hear the fans get loud, so it's got to be tough as an opposing hitter to step in and have to face him.

Another thing that had people talking was a play that happened in the second game against the Royals. Personally, I thought it was just a normal play, but a lot of Tigers fans are talking about it. Emil Brown hit a shot off the left-center field wall. I was able to pick up the ball, throw it to second, and Placido Polanco was able to tag him out. To me, if a guy hits a ball as hard as Emil did, I feel that I have a play at second unless the guy is about to make it there with ease. On this particular play, I didn't see him around the base and I pretty much threw to an empty base, and Placido did a great job of getting the ball and making a great tag. I was surprised by how many reporters came up to me the next day to talk about the play.

I think more people would have come up that night to talk about it, but the whole team was trying to leave the ballpark as soon as we could to catch the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight. The toughest thing about the pay-per-view fights in certain cities is that most sports bars or places with TVs usually don't carry those fights. But Nate Robertson did a great job of finding a sports bar in the Town Center Plaza. The place was packed, but the managers set up a few tables with five or so TVs.

We had almost our entire team watching the fight, and we were almost split: 60 percent for Mayweather, 40 percent for De La Hoya. I liked how Mayweather came out with 50 Cent and the Mexican colors and sombrero. I think he was trying to show respect for Cinco de Mayo, perhaps stealing a few fans before the fight started. There were times throughout the fight where we were really loud. I don't think either fighter really was hurt during this fight. It was a good fight for those who are boxing fans. For those looking for a slugfest, they didn't get one. When the fight was over and the results were announced, the first judge had it in favor of De La Hoya, so we all thought it would be a draw, forcing a rematch. But a bunch of us thought that Mayweather had won, and sure enough the next two judges gave him the fight.

My mom's birthday is Tuesday, and I haven't got her a present yet. So if anyone has any ideas, let me know … please. Thanks! Also, don't forget Mother's Day on May 13.