Curtis Granderson nearly experienced his own World Series ring ceremony in 2007. Granderson’s Detroit Tigers surprised baseball and the Yankees in the divisional series but lost a five-game series to the St. Louis Cardinals.
That was the closest the center fielder came to a ring ceremony until today. There is just one major exception – he will not be receiving one. That possibility will wait until next year at the least if he can help the Yankees repeat.
“It’s weird,” Granderson said at yesterday’s optional workout at Yankee Stadium. “I haven’t really looked at it that way. It’s kind of hey once I get there – I’ll be ready for it then because I don’t want to think to far ahead.”
Granderson is certainly thinking about his first home game in pinstripes, though, which comes today against the Angels. Andy Pettitte faces the L.A. lineup for the first time since clinching the AL pennant last fall.
“I don’t want it to interrupt what I’m trying to do because I’ve got to get ready to try to pitch a big league ballgame which is the most important thing [today],” Pettitte said. “That’s the unfortunate part of pitching Opening Day because you would love to be able to go out there and just relax.”
Pettitte will receive his fifth World Series ring before the game from Hall of Famers Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford. It will be the first for Joe Girardi as manager. Girardi won rings in 1996, 1998 and 1999 as a catcher under Joe Torre.
“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of excitement and enjoyment as part of this organization,” Girardi said. “I think the true enjoyment will come in handing out the rings to the guys.”
After ring distribution, the Yankees will focus on doing the things it takes to have a ring ceremony in 2011.
