UIC alum Curtis Granderson tabbed as Tigers' starting center fielder

March 30, 2006

Lakeland, Fla.- As the Detroit Tigers prepare to exit spring training and enter the 2006 season, former UIC standout Curtis Granderson continues to make a name for himself and saw his hard work pay off on Wednesday as he was officially named the Opening Day starting centerfielder for the Tigers.

Granderson will be the first UIC alum to ever start an Opening Day game in the big leagues when the Tigers face the Royals in Kansas City, Mo., on Monday afternoon.

Through Wednesday Granderson was hitting a scorching .379 (22-for-58) with five homers and 11 RBI. His five round-trippers are tied for the team lead.

Granderson has a team-high 42 total bases and has proven to be a stellar table setter at the leadoff spot, posting an on-base percentage of .500 and drawing a squad-leading 12 walks.

Entering his first full season in the major leagues, Granderson was received plenty of national coverage as spring training closes out. He has been featured in the last two issues of Sports Illustrated, including this week's baseball preview issue, and was projected as the starting centerfielder by both SI and The Sporting News, among others, before he received the official word.

The Lynwood, Ill., native was named Tigers Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association and received the Chicago Area Major League Player of the Year award from the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago after a 2005 campaign in which he hit .272 with eight home runs and 20 RBI in 47 major league games.

One of the best players in UIC history, 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 Player of the Year honors.

Story provided by UIC Office of Sports Information