Reflections of a New Yankee: Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson shares his thoughts on what it has been like to be a Yankee. The pregame media session was held today as he faced his former team, the Detroit Tigers, in a spring training game: (So nice, doesn't even bash the Tigers...gentleman!)

Question: What are some comments you’ve heard from the fans during batting practice?
A: "You’re still my Tiger."

Q: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about the Yankees that maybe surprises you?
A: The fans. They want to win right now. That started as soon as I got down in February, with no games on the schedule. There was already talk about repeating. Rightfully so. And the amount of people coming out to watch us practice -- not even a game.

Q: What players have you gotten to know?
A: Derek Jeter gave me a ride home from Bradenton (after an exhibition game with the Pirates). Alex Rodriguez was in the car, too.

Q: Was there a point during that ride where you said, "What’s going on?"
A: At first glance, you think, "Do I call home and tell my friends who I got a ride with?"
Derek drove. We were trying to find out how to get home. His GPS was showing up a little different than my iPhone. We were a little confused, and then we made it back.

Q: How much are you following the Tigers?
A: On my iPhone, one of my bookmarks is still the Tigers’ Web site. There’s no reason for me to delete it. I always want to see what’s going on with some of the guys because of the relationship I’ve had with them.

Q: You’re such an optimistic, forward-looking person. By the time the Tigers were going after Johnny Damon, did you give any thought to, "If they want Damon, why was I traded?"
A: I hadn’t thought about it. I knew he was a free agent. Getting Johnny Damon to any team is going to be an added help. He gets on base; he steals bases; he hits home runs; and he hits for average. So any team would have wanted to get him. The fact that Detroit wanted to get him didn’t roll into my head. I was just waiting to see where he signed.

(Courtesy: Detroit Free Press)