Curtis Granderson Walk-Off HR vs Dodgers (2015)

Lore & Background

Granderson grew up a fan of the Atlanta Braves, choosing not to root for the hometown Chicago Cubs because he often rushed home from school to watch Saved by the Bell and was disappointed when a Cubs game was on instead. He attended Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing, Illinois, where he wore uniform number 14 because his father wore it while playing softball. Granderson played college baseball at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he graduated with a double major in business administration and business marketing.

Reader's Guide

Granderson is a three-time MLB All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2011. He retired after the 2019 season. Off the field, he is recognized for his commitment to the community through outreach and charity work, many supporting inner-city children. He won the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award four times and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2016.

Did You Know?

• Granderson's father, Curtis Sr., was a dean and physical education teacher at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Illinois.
• His mother, Mary, taught chemistry at Curie Metropolitan High School in Chicago.
• Granderson's half-sister is an English professor at Jackson State University.
• He wore number 28 in college, which UIC retired on February 6, 2013.