Curtis Granderson joined the Detroit Tigers as a third-round selection in the 2002 draft out of the University of Illinois Chicago, a high-velocity athlete who possessed a rare blend of speed and power. He made his debut in late 2004 and quickly transitioned into the definitive spark plug of the Tigers' mid-2000s resurgence. By 2006, he had officially seized the starting center field job, clouting 19 home runs and leading the American League with nine triples as a rookie.
In the 2007 campaign, he became the third player in Major League history to join the "20-20-20-20 Club." He demonstrated a specialized ability to spray the ball across the vast gaps of Comerica Park, recording 38 doubles, 23 triples, and 23 home runs while adding 26 stolen bases. He showed the organization that he was a foundational cornerstone, finishing 10th in the MVP voting.
Between 2006 and 2009, Granderson was a constant presence at the top of the order, averaging nearly 100 runs scored per season and maintaining a focused intensity that made him a perennial threat. He reached a peak for offensive versatility in 2007, recording a career-high .302 batting average and proving he was far more than just a speed specialist.
Following the 2009 season, the Tigers sent their franchise centerpiece to the New York Yankees in a deal that brought back Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson. With the Tigers, Granderson compiled 102 home runs, twice led the AL in triples, and achieved the rare 20-20-20-20 season in 2007.
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