UIC alum Curtis Granderson named Chicago Area Major League Player of the Year

Jan. 3, 2006

Chicago, Ill. - Former University of Illinois at Chicago standout Curtis Granderson, currently an outfielder for Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers, will be honored as the Chicago Area Major League Player of the Year by the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago.

Granderson will be honored at the organization's 60th Annual Baseball Awards Banquet on Sunday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Donald E.Stephens Convention Center Ballroom in Rosemont, Ill.

In his first year of major league action, Granderson batted .272 in 47 games in 2005 with eight home runs and 20 RBI. He also hit six doubles and three triples to go along with 18 runs scored. Granderson was perfect with the glove as a rookie, playing 45 games in the outfield and going errorless in 141 chances.

Granderson, a native of Lynwood, Ill., was named the Tigers Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters' Association this past November.

One of the best players to ever don a UIC uniform, Granderson finished his UIC career as the school's all-time leader in single-season batting average (.483, 2002) single-season hits (100, 2002) single-season runs (76, 2002) and career runs scored (178, 2000-2002). His .483 average in 2002 ranked second in the nation during that season, earning him Horizon League Most Valuable Player honors.

Granderson will be recognized among hundreds of Chicago and national baseball dignitaries at the banquet. Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee and pitcher Carlos Zambrano will be honored, as well as Cubs radio broadcaster Pat Hughes and former White Sox broadcaster John Rooney, among many others. The 2005 Chicago White Sox World Series trophy will be on display so fans can take pictures with the championship hardware.

Tom Shaer and Steve Lyons will serve as Masters of Ceremonies for the event, while legendary White Sox organist Nancy Faust will provide the pre-dinner music. A free autograph table featuring Granderson, Lyons, and many more will also be available.

Tickets for the event are $50 individually or $500 for a table of ten.Tickets can be purchased by calling (847) 781-8039.

Story provided by John Jaramillo, UIC Office of Sports Information