As many know, baseball is America's National Pastime. Baseball is a game whose fan base is considered to be middle-aged men, and I am here to represent the youthful fans of the game. For many children just like me, we think that home runs and hits are interesting; however, we like to hear about a player’s life. MLB players are just as amazing when the uniform is off than when on. I got to sit down with New York Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson and learn about his daily life.

Granderson is a Chicago native and enjoys eating and doing many normal things because, overall, he is just one of the guys. The Mets left fielder has hit 242 career homeruns with 685 RBIs in his twelve years as a professional. Now that you know Granderson's statistcs, it is time to sit back kick your feet up and learn about the Chicago native.

Curtis Granderson was born on March 16, 1981. He was born into a family that is very heavily focused on education. Curtis has a sister named Monica who is older. As a Major League ball player, Granderson has accomplished many different things. He has had his share of great seasons on and off the field has and been an Ambassador for Major League Baseball. 

Granderson has represented MLB as an Ambassador, traveling to England, Italy, China and New Zealand. During his travels representing MLB, he has shared his love of baseball. Granderson has been to many countries, but there are a few places he would like to go. Curtis said that he wants to go to Japan, South Africa, and Australia. While his efforts on the field are amazing, these are just some of the things he has done off the field that really showed me that he is a role model as well.

At the time of my interview, he was one of thirty nine active MLB players to graduate from college. He went to the University of Illinois.  As a student at the university, he played baseball as an outfielder. In addition, Granderson played basketball, but he stopped in his first season in order to focus on baseball. College is only one of Granderson’s many accomplishments.  

Another off-the-field accomplishment that impressed me is that he is a published author and created his own foundation -- The Grand Kids. Granderson’s book is called "All You Can Be." The book is targeted for kids of all ages. The book teaches kids many lessons, including having fun, choosing the right friends, playing with passion, being a leader, valuing family, being oneself, listening and learning, thinking positively and never being satisfied.

As a child entering my teen years, I find the choosing of friends the most interesting chapter. In this chapter, Granderson talks about one of his friends losing a brother and how as a friend he supported him. He also talks about making sure friends don’t lead you into making bad decisions, and if they do, how to make new ones. As he says in the book, “Be careful whom you pick as friends.”  

To purchase  a copy of Granderson's book, visit

http://www.amazon.com/All-You-Can-Be-Learning/dp/160078626X

The Grand Kids Foundation was set up “to aid positive youth development via education, physical fitness and nutrition - providing tools and resources for educational and societal advancement.” Granderson also serves as a Baseball, National Ambassador of the White House’s anti-obesity campaign as well as a spokesperson for the Partnership for a Healthier America’s Drink Up water initiative. - See more at: http://www.thegrandkidsfoundation.org/

One of the things Granderson and I talked a lot about was superstition. It turns out he has many rituals. I was telling him when I watched him play on both the Yankees and Mets that I noticed he goes to the plate and taps the bat from left to right then to the top. He explained to me, “There is no reason; I guess it's just a habit." The one ritual that he did mention was that he likes to chew only sugar-free bubble gum, and he made sure I had a pocketful when we finished the interview on my way out of the dugout.

Now was time to ask him the hard-hitting questions that might create a little controversy. 

Since he is a Chicago native but has played in New York and Detroit, I could not help but ask where his favorite pizza joint was and if he liked New York style or deep-dish pizza better. It turns out it depends on if he is hungry or not. If he is hungry, he likes deep dish, and when he is at home in Chicago, he goes to Lou Malnati’s, Giordanos, or Gino’s. When he is not so hungry and in New York, Granderson likes Dominos thin crust, and he enjoys it because its crunchy or Artichoke Basille.

Now this led me to my other question. Since he played in Detroit, I had to ask about hotdogs. I wondered which was preferred: Detroit style Coney Island dogs or New York’s famous Nathans dogs. Granderson says Coney Island dogs. All this food talk made me wonder what his favorite meal was. “Thanksgiving dinner because you can eat everything and not feel bad for eating as much as you want.”

Overall, Curtis Granderson is a normal person who enjoys the average day just like us all. 

Stay posted and make sure to keep looking for more articles on behind the scenes baseball player’s lives.