MLB 2024 featuring Curtis Granderson

Summary

In the Allison Sports podcast, Curtis Granderson, former MLB outfielder, discusses his post-retirement initiatives. He shares insights on the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy, which introduces underprivileged youth to baseball and education. Granderson also talks about his involvement with the Players Alliance, striving for diversity and inclusion in baseball. He expresses excitement for MLB's 2024 schedule, including the East West Negro League All-Star game and the Rickwood game, emphasizing the importance of these events in honoring baseball's history and expanding the sport's global appeal.

Takeaways

• 😀 Curtis Granderson, a former MLB outfielder, discusses his involvement in the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy at UIC.
• 🏆 Granderson is a Roberto Clemente Award winner and Silver Slugger, emphasizing his baseball achievements.
• 🎓 His parents were educators, and he has strong ties to UIC, where he graduated and now has a stadium named after him.
• 🌱 The Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy aims to use baseball as a context for education, especially for kids aged 8 to 18.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Academy provides opportunities for underprivileged kids to experience college life and access resources to continue playing baseball.
• 💼 Jason Titler, a consultant, discusses the potential for brands to partner with the Academy for marketing and community engagement.
• 🏡 The Academy helps address the high costs of equipment and travel associated with youth baseball, making the sport more accessible.
• 🤝 Curtis Granderson is also the president of the Players Alliance, an organization focused on improving inclusion and diversity in baseball.
• 📈 The Players Alliance was formed in 2020, bringing together current and former MLB players to advocate for change in the sport.
• 📅 Looking ahead to the 2024 MLB season, Granderson highlights the importance of rule changes, such as every team playing each other, to grow the game's popularity.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy (CBEA)?

The primary focus of CBEA is not just on baseball itself but on using baseball as a context for education, providing opportunities for kids aged 8 to 18 from around the Chicagoland area to get onto a college campus and engage in both sports and educational activities.

How did Curtis Granderson's upbringing influence his philanthropic work?

Curtis Granderson's parents were educators who emphasized the importance of giving back to the community. They often invited people over for food and would donate outgrown items to those in need. This instilled in Curtis a sense of community service, which he carries on through his work with the CBEA and other initiatives.

What role does the stadium at UIC play in the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy?

The stadium at UIC serves as a key facility for the CBEA, providing a space for the community to use when not in use by the university's athletic department. This allows for year-round engagement with baseball and educational programs.

What is the significance of the Grand Kids Foundation in Curtis Granderson's philanthropic efforts?

The Grand Kids Foundation plays a significant role by addressing food insecurity in Chicago. It works with food banks and other organizations to provide support to those in need, demonstrating Curtis Granderson's commitment to community welfare beyond just sports.

How does Curtis Granderson view the importance of equipment in youth sports, particularly in baseball?

Curtis Granderson recognizes the financial burden that equipment costs can place on families, especially as children grow and need to replace or upgrade their gear. He emphasizes the importance of making baseball accessible by reducing these costs through initiatives like CBEA, which offers free access to facilities and equipment.

What is the Players Alliance, and how did Curtis Granderson become involved with it?

The Players Alliance is an organization made up of current and former MLB players dedicated to improving inclusion and diversity in baseball. Curtis Granderson became involved during the 2020 pandemic when players came together to discuss how to increase their impact on these issues, leading to the formation of the alliance.

What are some of the challenges that Curtis Granderson sees in maintaining youth involvement in baseball?

Curtis Granderson identifies several challenges, including the high costs of equipment and travel for competitive play, as well as the need for accessible facilities, especially during the winter months. He discusses the importance of providing resources to help young players continue their involvement in baseball.

How does Curtis Granderson's work with the Players Alliance align with his goals for the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy?

Curtis Granderson's work with the Players Alliance aligns with his goals for CBEA by focusing on creating opportunities and improving access to baseball for all youth, regardless of their background. Both initiatives aim to increase diversity and inclusion in the sport and provide resources to support young players.

What are some of the upcoming 'Crown Jewel' events in MLB that Curtis Granderson is excited about?

Curtis Granderson is excited about events such as the East West Negro League All-Star game and the Rickwood game, which pay homage to the Negro Leagues and their significant contributions to baseball. These events are part of MLB's efforts to celebrate the history and tradition of the sport.

How does Curtis Granderson view the importance of every MLB team playing against each other?

Curtis Granderson sees the importance of every team playing against each other as a way to market and grow the game, allowing fans from all markets to see top players and experience the excitement of the sport, which can help expand the game's global reach.

What are some of the key storylines Curtis Granderson is looking forward to in the 2024 MLB season?

Curtis Granderson is looking forward to the off-season moves and trades that will shape team dynamics and fan excitement. He also anticipates the impact of global players like Shohei Ohtani and the rule changes that will allow every team to play against each other, increasing fan engagement and accessibility to top talent.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Introduction to the Allison Sports Podcast

The podcast begins with host Shane Win introducing the episode and welcoming Shane Armen and Jason Titler, a longtime friend and former colleague in sports marketing. They are joined by Curtis Granderson, a former MLB outfielder with a 16-year career, who is now involved in various activities including consulting, working with food banks, commentating on TBS, and being the president of the Players Alliance. The conversation starts with a focus on Curtis's work with the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy at UIC, which aims to use baseball as a tool for education. Curtis shares his background, including his parents' influence as educators and his own journey from UIC to professional baseball, which has inspired his philanthropic efforts.

05:01

🏟️ The Impact of the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy

The discussion continues with insights into the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy's (CBEA) operations and its impact on the community. Curtis explains how the academy uses the UIC stadium for its programs, allowing children from various communities to experience a college campus. The academy's focus is on providing opportunities for kids aged 8 to 18, introducing them to college life and baseball. Jason Titler emphasizes the importance of marketing and brand partnerships in supporting such initiatives, highlighting the need for equipment and educational resources for the students. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by young athletes, such as the high costs of equipment and travel for competitions, and how the academy aims to alleviate these burdens.

10:02

🤝 The Players Alliance and its Role in Baseball Inclusion

The conversation shifts to the Players Alliance, an organization that Curtis is involved with, which is dedicated to improving inclusion and diversity in baseball. Formed in 2020, the alliance emerged from players' collective desire to do more for the game. With a partnership with Major League Baseball, the alliance works to engage with communities and promote the sport's history, particularly the contributions of the Negro Leagues. Curtis expresses excitement about upcoming events in 2024, such as the East West Negro League All-Star game and the Rickwood game, which will celebrate the legacy of the Negro Leagues and their impact on modern baseball.

15:05

📅 Anticipating the 2024 MLB Season and its Storylines

As the podcast nears its end, the hosts and Curtis look forward to the 2024 MLB season, discussing potential storylines and changes. They mention the new rule requiring every team to play against every other team, which will allow fans to see top players like Otani and MVPs like Mike Trout more frequently. Curtis also reflects on the global impact of baseball, citing the popularity of jerseys and the potential for the sport to grow even further. The conversation concludes with a look at the upcoming season's excitement, including the anticipation of significant trades and the opportunity for fans to see their favorite players in action.

Keywords

💡MLB

MLB stands for Major League Baseball, which is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada. It is a key organization in the sport, governing the rules and regulations of the game. In the script, Curtis Granderson, a former MLB outfielder, discusses his 16-year career in the league, highlighting the significance of MLB in his life and career.

💡Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy

The Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy is an initiative aimed at using baseball as a tool for education and community development. Located at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), it serves as a platform for youth engagement, providing opportunities for young people to learn about baseball and education. The script mentions Curtis Granderson's involvement in establishing this academy, emphasizing his commitment to giving back to the community.

💡Inclusion and Diversity

Inclusion and diversity refer to the principles of ensuring equal opportunities and representation for all individuals, regardless of their background. In the context of the video, Curtis Granderson discusses his role in the Players Alliance, an organization dedicated to improving inclusion and diversity in baseball. The script highlights the importance of these principles in fostering a more equitable and representative sport.

💡Negro Leagues

The Negro Leagues were professional baseball leagues in the United States for African-American players, who were excluded from the white-dominated Major Leagues due to racial segregation. The script mentions the East West Negro League All-Star game as a 'Crown Jewel' event in the 2024 MLB schedule, showcasing the historical significance of the Negro Leagues and their impact on the broader baseball community.

💡Equipment Donations

Equipment donations are acts of philanthropy where sports equipment is given to those who cannot afford it, often to support youth sports programs. In the script, the discussion around the high costs of baseball equipment and the barriers it can create for young players is highlighted. Organizations like Good Sports, mentioned in the script, facilitate equipment donations to help make sports more accessible.

💡Players Alliance

The Players Alliance is a group of current and former Major League Baseball players focused on creating a more inclusive and diverse sport. In the script, Curtis Granderson talks about his involvement with the Players Alliance, which works to improve opportunities for players of color and to address issues of diversity within baseball.

💡UIC

UIC stands for the University of Illinois at Chicago, where Curtis Granderson played collegiate baseball before his professional career. In the script, UIC is noted as the location of the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy, indicating the university's role in fostering community engagement and educational opportunities through sports.

💡Food Insecurity

Food insecurity refers to the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. The script mentions Curtis Granderson's work with the Grand Kids Foundation, which addresses food insecurity in Chicago by working with food banks to provide resources to those in need.

💡Baseball Commentary

Baseball commentary involves providing insights, analysis, and descriptions of baseball games, often as part of a broadcast team. In the script, it's mentioned that Curtis Granderson has transitioned into a role as a baseball commentator for TBS, continuing his involvement with the sport in a new capacity.

💡Community Engagement

Community engagement refers to the process of working collaboratively with community members to address issues and create positive change. The script discusses Curtis Granderson's various initiatives, such as the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy and his work with the Players Alliance, which are aimed at engaging with and improving the lives of people in his community.

Highlights

Introduction of Curtis Granderson, a former MLB outfielder with a 16-year career and winner of the Roberto Clemente Award.

Curtis Granderson's deep connections to UIC, his alma mater, and the establishment of the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy.

The Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy's mission to use baseball as a context for education and community involvement.

Curtis Granderson's upbringing by educator parents and their influence on his philanthropic endeavors.

The importance of providing access to sports and education for underprivileged youth through the Academy.

The role of marketing and brand partnerships in supporting the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy.

Curtis Granderson's insights on the challenges of maintaining youth engagement in sports due to financial barriers.

The impact of equipment costs on youth participation in baseball and the efforts to alleviate these burdens.

Curtis Granderson's involvement with the Players Alliance and its focus on improving inclusion and diversity in baseball.

The formation of the Players Alliance during the 2020 pandemic and its rapid growth to over 300 members.

Partnerships between the Players Alliance and Major League Baseball to promote diversity and inclusion.

Curtis Granderson's excitement for the 2024 MLB schedule, including the East West Negro League All-Star game and the Rickwood game.

The significance of the Negro Leagues in the history of baseball and their influence on modern baseball.

Curtis Granderson's commentary on the importance of every team playing each other in the MLB schedule.

Discussion on the global impact of baseball and the potential for further expansion.

Curtis Granderson's anticipation for the 2024 MLB season and the excitement around significant player movements.

The impact of Shohei Ohtani's popularity and his influence on jersey sales, surpassing even soccer stars like Messi and Ronaldo.

Curtis Granderson's reflections on his career and the transition to using baseball for educational and community purposes post-retirement.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

hi everyone welcome back to another

episode of the Allison Sports podcast

series I Am Shane win I'm joined by my

colleague Shane Armen how you doing

Shane doing well awesome and Jason

titler who is a longtime friend and

former colleague of ours in the Sports

Marketing space doing a lot of

Consulting and and working specific

specifically with our guest here today

Curtis Granderson hey Jason how you

doing you know Curtis Granderson you're

a former MLB outfielder 16 years in MLB

Tigers Yanks Mets Dodgers Blue Jays

Brewers Marlins I think I got that right

uh Roberto Clemente winner Silver

Slugger uh blue island native right

South just south of Chicago uh both your

parents were educators you got deep

connections to

UIC uh your grad there you've got a

Stadium named after you at UIC uh where

you have created the Chicago baseball

and educational Academy um you also are

had established the grand kids

Foundation uh which does a lot of good

in Chicago uh with food in security uh

working with a few food banks um you're

commentating on TBS your baseball

commentator uh and the president of the

players Alliance which is dedicated to

improving inclusion and diversity in the

sport of baseball most importantly

you're not a Cubs fan but I digress so

hey I wanna I want to start out you know

we we took a good look at what you've

been doing with the Chicago baseball and

educational Academy at

UIC and you know it's it's it's

fascinating to me how focused you are on

not just baseball itself but the use of

baseball in the context of education so

you know let's let's talk about that

how'd you get that off the

ground it's Unique you know I I went to

UIC I got an opportunity to play

professional baseball I'm sorry

collegiate baseball there which then

gave me the opportunity to play

professional baseball but that wasn't

the the main focus or the goal if you

ask my parents they said we were never

trying to raise a professional baseball

player we were trying to raise a good

human being a good young man so part of

that was okay I got to do well in school

you know treat others like you want to

be treated and this giving back

component which I it wasn't like we sat

down and said this is what you do I just

watched and observed my parents doing it

and didn't realize that's was called

they would always invite people over hey

come get something to eat take a plate

home as uh both of them being teachers

as I would go through the school age

grades and outgrow things jackets

backpacks shoes clothes all those things

they would then take it bring it to

school cuz they knew there was somebody

there that could utilize some of those

items again I just thought that's what

you do so I was around all that and saw

it and then when I got to a position

after getting drafted from UIC to play

professional baseball and then making it

to the major leagues it's like all right

I can use my platform now to be able to

help others hopefully accomplish what it

is that they want to accomplish and

totally appreciative of everything UIC

has done and it's why I've been so

heavily connected to them even to this

day and that's where we started the

Chicago baseball and educational Academy

on the heels of building the stadium

there which obviously the University

athletic department gets a chance to

utilize all year long but whenever it's

not in use we get a chance to get 60

communities from around the Chicagoland

area kids ages 8 to 18 A lot of them

onto a college campus for the first time

ever and it's all thanks and parts to

the Chicago baseball educational Academy

cbea that's that's great I mean it seems

to me that like if I'm a kid what are 8

to 18 right that's the the age range uh

for the Academy if I'm if I'm a kid

that's a great way to get an

introduction to college in putting into

the context of baseball so that's got to

be awesome Jason you you do a lot of

work with with Curtis for uh cbea I

would imagine that um organizations like

this always can benefit from marketing

relationships with with Brands right

that's right and thank you for bring

bringing that up um certainly it's uh a

great opportunity for Brands to get

involved in a very worthwhile cause um

both locally but also nationally as

Curtis starts to do work around the

country and there are so many different

aspects of the academy that a brand can

fit in um certainly once we talk about

sports and we talk about education there

are a lot of needs that these students

these young students uh do have and

these young athletes do have from

equipment to all sorts of applies um to

really better understanding uh from an

educational perspective from these

Brands what it means to be in the job

force and I love what Curtis was saying

about his platform um because each

individual participant of the academy uh

will also be able to develop their

platform for giving back once they

become um a person in the workplace and

somebody that can also make sure that

they pass it on to somebody else so it's

um it's an academy that not only gives

while you're in the moment while you're

actually learning uh baseball and

learning more about the educational

environment but it's an academy that

will give for the lifetime of the

individual that's

participating yeah and Jason you

mentioned even like the equipment needs

and I'm just thinking about the the the

whole ecosystem of of sports and you

know one client that we work with is

good sports are a national nonprofit and

they facilitate equipment donations um

at scale by by forging Partnerships with

um equipment manufacturers and I'm just

thinking about like just this this

really deep need um of there's a lot of

stats out there that say less and less

kids are are getting interested in

playing sports and staying active and so

Curtis I don't have have you seen that

and like how how does that play into

some of the work that you're doing is is

it about bringing more of the youth into

that Sports ecosystem no matter what

they end up doing versus you know

playing sports or going into Sports

Marketing for instance it's so unique

because there are a lot of kids that get

introduced to whatever the sport is at a

very early age mom and dad say hey

you're signing up we're taking you to

this they get into it and then there's a

lot of things as they start to go

through the process that start to get

them out of it either they dislike it

there's other things that are of

Interest or as you mentioned with the

equipment the cost starts to become a

barrier to get in for example with

baseball I know we've talked about

equipment but let's just take example

travel baseball is a very popular thing

and once you hit a certain age range now

that is one of the only ways you can

continue to play and I have some family

friends right now that are debating is

it financially better for them to

purchase a RV or continue trying to fly

and go to all these different

tournaments and showcases across the

country having to make that

decision on if I just want to play

baseball or not is a challenge that we

we have to think about so one of the

things that we've been trying our best

to do with cbea is say we have so much

talent in this great City of Chicago the

third largest city two sports teams you

mentioned the Cubs and the white socks a

lot of these kids are fans of both of

those teams once we get them in and get

them started playing in their local

house leagues their Community leagues

and if they want to continue to keep

progressing and playing part of the

issues come on is availability

especially in the winter time when it is

snowing I need to find a way to practice

play and train and we do have the

stadium outside but we also have indoor

facility at UIC that we offer up free to

the community again when the university

is not using it so these teams can

continue to practice it's not eating

into their budget it's not coming out of

Mom and Dad's pocket saying okay I got

to pay for gym time I got to pay for

cage time I got to pay for field time

just anything to try to keep that burden

low so if you do want to play it you can

hopefully continue to stay in the game

because as you mentioned the equipment

prices gets high the bats change the

specs change the models change you get

bigger you outgrow you need more than

one you need more than two and it starts

to add up really quick so anyway we can

try to help soften that that's one of

the big things that we're trying to do

with

cbaa makes sense so in addition to all

all this that you do with UIC and in in

city of Chicago you also have a very

prominent role with the players Alliance

uh which is made up of current and

former um MLB players and I I know the

um the the the goal of that organization

on inclusion and and increasing

diversity in sport of baseball is an

awesome is an awesome goal um let's talk

about that for a minute and how you got

how you got involved in that so it's

2020

we I know you all four of us right now

are are doing a video chat but prior to

2020 very rare did that happen as

consistently as it did so CO's happening

there's no baseball happening we're all

sitting at home we all find out how to

do this we can get on we know how to

mute we know how to turn horizontal and

vertical do all that stuff so we have

players that are coming together saying

we got to do more in this game that we

have all been talking about already we

have a lot of these locker room

conversations the generations before us

the Dave winfields the Willie Horton the

Dave Stewarts they've all talked about

just trying to provide more

opportunities for players of color in

and throughout this game now we're

collectively together throughout that

year of 2020 Edwin Jackson one of our

Founders who holds the Guinness record

for most teams ever played for including

both Chicago teams he knows everybody so

he's reaching out and contacting

everybody let's get on this Zoom let's

get on these videos chats and all of a

sudden we got two 300 players that range

anywhere between the age of nine all the

way up to players that have been retired

for 10 20 years and we're conversating

and we're communicating and talking

about things that we like things we'd

love to change things we'd love to see

and then the players alliances formed

and now fast forward we have a

partnership with Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball Players

Association and we've been able to get

out into a lot of different communities

across the country and internationally

into the

so it's been really neat and unique to

see how everything is unfolding still a

lot of work to do still a lot of things

to continue to keep doing but it's

definitely great that we've been able to

come together like we've been talking

about for decades and now we have it and

we can keep this thing going so Curtis

you mentioned that partnership with

Major League Baseball clearly Major

League Baseball um has taken notice um

if you look ahead to the 2024 schedule a

number of Crown Jewel events on the

calendar including um the East West um

Negro League allstar game as well as the

rickwood game so maybe talk a little bit

about um you know how you see that

Evolution coming to life and your

excitement for that in

2024 it's so cool you know MLB has has

connected some of these duel events such

as the Little League game that's tied

around the Little League World Series

and you know that's a lot of people's

first introduction into the game that's

how I started I played t-ball and was in

little league and got a chance to go

there and actually a little tidbit my my

first professional minor league game was

actually in Williamsport against the

Williamsport I think they're called the

cut Cross Cutters um it was a pirates

organization but that's where I started

my professional career so I got a chance

to see it but I haven't been a part of

that side of it and then MLB did the uh

Field of Dreams game which was awesome

Tim Anderson hits a home run and the

scoreboard looks like it's going to

explode in the cornfield and you keep

adding it on it because all these things

have just such history and Nostalgia to

them and based on fans love that side of

it tradition history understanding it

the trivia side of it and we can't

forget the Negro Leagues and what black

baseball brought and is still bringing

to the game you know for example night

games exist now because the first night

game was played in a Negro Leagues game

so the fact that we're going to be at

rickwood field and we're going to do the

East West game all paying homage to the

Negro Leagues and and what that

organization and those players that came

from it did for a major league BAS

baseball for what it is today is really

cool because you're going to have those

touch points those connection points and

there's going to be some fans and some

people at these games that are going to

learn about a lot of this stuff for the

first time so I'm really excited to see

it and be a part of it so really looking

forward to it um Curtis before we go I

wantan to I want you to put your TBS hat

on for a moment here we are couple

months away now from MLB

2024 like what what are the main

storylines what should we be paying

attention to

wow the fact that it's 2024 already I

think that that's the first thing and

the one of the things I I've really been

looking forward to and we had some of it

this year is once the season finishes

and we get into the winter meetings we

get into the off season what are those

big moves that happen that make the fan

base for that team you know blow up make

baseball blow up all those different

things and what's cool is I got a chance

to be a part of one of those I was a

part of a big trade that happened three

team trade and move Max Scherzer myself

Edwin Jackson who I talked about players

that still play 10 years after that

trade but it was one of those big things

that happened and it's just so many

eyeballs and people talking about it and

there's no game being played so it's

that type of stuff that's happening that

I get so excited about of course

starting at the top with SH Otani and

whether we love the contract amount how

it sugar we hate all those different

things about it case in point I'm not

sure if you've all seen it I think

Fanatics posted that it they had the

number one selling jersey in the first

48 hours and what was iconic about that

is this wasn't just baseball jerseys he

out sold Messi he out so Ronaldo and we

know how popular those sports are so

those types of things I get really

excited about because the game is global

it has a chance to be even more Global

more more impactful players now one of

the best rule changes I saw happen that

not a lot of people talked about is

every team plays everybody so now when a

player like Otani or an MVP like mukie

bets or a World Series champion like the

Texas Rangers are on the schedule you're

going to see them this year you don't

have to wait year after year after year

for example the New York Yankees played

the Milwaukee Brewers I know you have

your Brewers hat on here the Brewers

tweeted this last 2022 Aaron judges MVP

year it was the first time in six years

that the Yankees had been to Milwaukee

so imagine you're a Brewers fan we have

one right here and you don't see Aaron

judge come to your home Ballpark and

have a record-breaking

season those little things that don't

change anything to the rules are easy

ways in my opinion to market the game to

grow the game to expand the game being

from Chicago we all wanted to be like

Mike Michael Jordan imagine if Michael

Jordan didn't go to your town and you

didn't get a chance to see them play so

those things I'm super excited about

that all these markets are going to see

one of the best players in the game and

showy and some of the best players in

the game across the board but it's going

to be fun right well as a Cubs fan I can

I can verify that there's a lot of

electricity and excitement about the uh

the upcoming season and uh and I've got

my uh game two of the Dodgers series in

April I got my tickets to that one so

fingers crossed at Otani is uh is

showing up for that game um Kurtis thank

you so much for spending some time with

us um congratulations on all the work

that you're doing in the community uh

with UIC uh with with the academy um

it's just it's really impressive to see

somebody dedicate so much of their time

uh after an MLB career that was as

amazing as yours has been you know to

continuing to use the sport of baseball

uh to further in this case uh education

which is outstanding so uh have a great

time in the 2024 season and uh we'll be

seeing all of you soon thank you so much

for joining us today thank

you he