The Granderson Special

Last week, Curtis Granderson became just the third player in MLB history to reach 20 stolen bases, 20 doubles, 20 triples, and 20 home runs in a season. Granderson joined Willie Mays and Frank Schulte in that exclusive club. Any time a player accomplishes something that only two other players in history have accomplished, it certainly is note-worthy. Even more note-worthy is when a player accomplishes something that nobody has accomplished in MLB history. While much of the baseball world was busy being infatuated with “round” numbers in admiring Granderson’s 20 x 4 feat, he has since created his own exclusive club of at least 22 stolen bases, 22 doubles, 22 triples, and 22 home runs. That number could go up to 23 or 24 before the season ends. Chances are you didn’t hear the same sort of countdown for 22 x 4 in the same way there was for the 20 x 4 feat. Granderson joined a club when he reached 20 x 4. He created his own club at 22 x 4. The latter accomplishment is the most historically significant. The former accomplishment simply “looks” the best because “20” looks better than “22” in print. Hopefully the baseball world catches on and Granderson gets hid due.

It is here—and hopefully not here only—that you’ll see Granderson congratulated for a feat that no other player has duplicated in the 100+ years of MLB. It is also here—and here only—that you’ll see this feat brilliantly named, “The Granderson Special.” If you didn’t apply sarcasm to the last sentence, please do so now. Congratulations, Curtis! I’m guessing it’ll only be two or three more years until your numbers aren’t taken for granted by media outside of Detroit. Granderson should finish in the top five of the AL MVP voting but I don’t think that’s going to happen. In fact, I would not be surprised if Grady Sizemore finishes ahead of him in the same way he made the All-Star team ahead of Granderson with inferior numbers and his own manager as the AL All-Star manager. Imagine what those numbers could be if he learns to hit lefties.