Three time all-star and beloved Yankees and Mets Curtis Granderson announced his retirement from Major League Baseball today.
He spent 16 years in the major leagues, playing for seven teams totally, most notably for the Yankees from 2010-13 and then the Mets immediately after from 2014-17.
It’s been an incredible journey! Thanks for the ride of a lifetime, @MLB @MLB_PLAYERS pic.twitter.com/0AgOgSjWSC
— Curtis Granderson (@cgrand3) January 31, 2020
“As I close out this wonderful chapter in my life and step away from my days on the field, I know that my role in this game is only just getting started,” the 38-year-old Granderson said in a statement posted to Twitter, which also noted the time he spent not just in NYC, but The Bronx and Queens specifically.
Granderson always held his New York years in high regard, he even wrote a thank you letter to Yankees and Mets fan in the Players Tribune during 2017.
Meanwhile, both the Yankees and Mets had nothing but love for their longtime Willie Mays-esque outfielder today.
The only thing better than your on the field accomplishments was the impact that you made off of it. Thank you for everything, @cgrand3!
We can’t wait to see what comes next. pic.twitter.com/Hjt16UEPHm
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 31, 2020
.@cgrand3, we want to wish you well in your next chapter! We’re thankful for your time in pinstripes. 😁💙 pic.twitter.com/d3Ie8tFR9e
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 31, 2020
His best season was with the Yankees was 2011, when he led the major leagues with 136 runs scored and an American League-leading 119 RBIs, both career highs and made his second all star appearance. The Grandy Man posted back-to-back 40 home run seasons, blasting 41 in 2011 and 43 the following season.
Many Yankees fans remember the offensive tear that Granderson had put on during that 2011 postseason along with the following October in 2012.
Granderson signed with the Mets as a free agent after the 2013 season but never achieved the same career success, though many in Flushing hold his lead changing homer in game 3 of the 2015 World Series very fondly at heart — the same goes for Grandy’s wall-colliding catch in the 2016 Wild Card game against San Fransisco.
The following season, he was traded to the Dodgers in August where he concluded the year.
Granderson split is time between Toronto and Milwaukee in 2018 prior to signing and playing out a full season with the Miami Marlins in 2019, his last year in the majors.
He broke into his career with Detroit in 2004 and played there through the 2009 season. In 2007, he hit a career-best .302 and led the major leagues with 23 triples.
Granderson finished his career with a .249 batting average, 344 home runs, 937 RBIs and 95 triples.
-With reporting from Reuters
