CURTIS GRANDERSON

Basketball was always my sport. It just took me until my second year of college for me to realize that I was a better baseball player than a basketball player. But basketball was always my number one love. Finally found out I was better at baseball and chose to pursue that route.

I feel like kids in general, not just African-American kids, are influenced by what they see, both positive and negative.

Baseball guys tend to flock towards steaks.

Even on home runs that I hit in the past, guys were like, 'Man, you need to slow down. You've got that one.

Whenever I get a chance, I'm trying to take the extra base and make them make a play on me. I'm not going to stop looking for the extra base unless the scoreboard tells me.

You never hear about good seafood places.

For the most part, I don't think I'm any different than anybody else.

People grow up loving the Yankees and will tell you, and so many people despise the Yankees, and they come from all over the United States.

Any of the the 30 ball clubs have a chance at success, and the fans know that. It keeps everything exciting.

You need something that no one else is using. And something that is clean enough to play around audiences.

I feel like kids in general, not just African-American kids, are influenced by what they see, both positive and negative.

It's funny: I kinda still float under the radar. I'm not tall like a New York Knick; I'm not a heavy, strong New York Giant or New York Jet. I blend in pretty well. A lot of people don't recognize me too many places. More men recognize me than women.

The Rockies and Diamondbacks are both very exciting teams who are fighting for recognition.

Teachers shape so much of what a kid's upbringing can be.

My charity is called 'Grand Kids.' People keep thinking it's 'Grandkids.'

Any of the the 30 ball clubs have a chance at success, and the fans know that. It keeps everything exciting.

You never hear about good seafood places.

Every year we discuss Jackie Robinson Day, which is April 15. We talk about it throughout baseball, promote it throughout baseball.

I love to eat. I'm not the biggest guy, but I love to eat.

I didn't realize people tip for take-out.

Basketball was always my sport. It just took me until my second year of college for me to realize that I was a better baseball player than a basketball player. But basketball was always my number one love. Finally found out I was better at baseball and chose to pursue that route.

I love to play basketball, but I haven't played in awhile. But if I could get back on the court and play, I definitely would.

People grow up loving the Yankees and will tell you, and so many people despise the Yankees, and they come from all over the United States.

Baseball guys tend to flock towards steaks.

No matter what you do, people are gonna try to emulate you. Whether it's a dunk by Michael Jordan or a swing by Ken Griffey Jr., kids are doing the same things.

Left-handed pitchers get paid a lot of money to get left-handed guys out or else they wouldn't be in there. They feel confident going up against lefties. If you look at most lefties' numbers, typically they happen to be better against lefties than against righties. That's all it is.

For the most part, I don't think I'm any different than anybody else.

Whenever I get a chance, I'm trying to take the extra base and make them make a play on me. I'm not going to stop looking for the extra base unless the scoreboard tells me.

Our team goal is pretty simple ... basically prepare ourselves to play for nine innings every day, every series, and against every opponent. For me individually, it's more of just trying to play my role the best I can every day.

Even on home runs that I hit in the past, guys were like, 'Man, you need to slow down. You've got that one.

When you're losing, you see what your team is made of.

You need something that no one else is using. And something that is clean enough to play around audiences.

The simple approach is that if I stay aggressive, I'll hit less often with two strikes in the count. I've been aggressive, but I've missed pitches. If I can put them in play earlier in the count, I eliminate the two-strike approach.