Detroit Tigers: The greatest African-Americans in team history

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DETROIT – OCTOBER 22: Curtis Granderson #28 of the Detroit Tigers runs down a ball hit by Preston Wilson #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning during Game Two of 2006 World Series October 22, 2006 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

Curtis Granderson

The fact that Curtis Granderson checks in at number five on this list proves how deep the group is. Granderson spent six years patrolling center field for the Tigers. All told, he hit .272 with 102 home runs and 67 stolen bases in a Tigers uniform. He posted a 114 OPS+ and a 21.2 bWAR, 26th all-time among Tigers position players.

Granderson was drafted by the Tigers in 2002 and made his big league debut in 2004. He did not become a full-time player until 2006. That season, Granderson hit .260 with 19 home runs and eight stolen bases.

2007 is when Granderson really started to shine. He hit 38 doubles, a league-leading 23 triples, 23 home runs and stole 26 bases. He joined Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies in posting a 20-20-20-20 season, a rare feat that has not happened since. Granderson also hit .302 and finished 10th in MVP voting.

Granderson led the league in triples again in 2008 and made his first All-Star team in 2009, when he blasted 30 home runs. He was traded after the 2009 season to the Yankees in a three team trade that netted the Tigers Phil Coke, Daniel Schlereth, Austin Jackson and Max Scherzer.

Granderson has bounced around from the Yankees to the Mets and the Dodgers at the end of last season. He recently signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays to continue his career up north.

Across his 14-year-career, Granderson has smacked 319 home runs and stole 151 bases. He’s hit 92 triples and 307 doubles while also scoring 1,113 runs.

Granderson has been an All-Star three times, won the 2011 Silver Slugger Award and has a career 115 OPS+ and 45.8 bWAR.

A member of the memorable 2006 team that made it to the World Series, Granderson is one of the most likable figures in recent Tigers history. He has been very active in his community, helping underprivileged kids in a variety of different cities, including Detroit.

Next up is the ultimate utility guy and one of the bright spots in an otherwise dark period in Tiger history.

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