Q: Growing up in the south suburbs, what was your biggest thrill in youth baseball?
For me it was playing with and against friends. We would talk about our upcoming games and which team was the best and who would win. After the week or weekend of games, then we would continue to talk at school about the games.

Q: When did you realize that you had a passion for baseball and had a chance to make it your life?
I always enjoyed playing baseball from day one, but didn't think it would be life until I was drafted. Even then I thought I would just play for a few seasons and go get a normal job.

Q: What aspect of the game should a young player learn first?
Throwing and catching. Everyone who plays this game may not be a good hitter, but if you play it, no matter what position (unless you are the DH), you will need to be able to catch and throw.

Q: What comes to mind when you think of the Little League and all-star youth showcases that you played in growing up?
Little League, once again, just being with my friends. All-star Showcases were different, we were trying to see how far we could advance. I made it to my first state tournament at the age of 13, then won state at the age of 16.

Q: When was the first time you remember being nervous in a youth all-star game? How did you overcome it?
Maybe my first all-star game (I don't remember the age), but nervousness will be always be a part of the game, even now at the age of 28, I still get a little nervous. The best way to overcome it for me is to breathe and relax. Think about all the work that I have put in to reach this point and trust that the work will pay off.

Q: Unlike many MLB players, you do your off-season training in a cold weather climate here in the Chicago area. What are the keys to success for indoor baseball winter training?
Just making sure I get my work done. It is my job now, and my job is to work and perfect my skills. So even though I can't get outside, I still have a place to throw, hit, lift, and run at the UIC facility in the city.

Q: It's been a life-changing off-season for you after you were involved in a big three-team trade in early December. You're now the centerfielder for the World Champion New York Yankees. Has it sunk in yet?As soon as the trade happen it started to sink in. The next step will be getting down to spring training and meeting the guys. Then the beginning of the regular season will be the final step in that process.

Q: You're joining a winner, but you also left a contender in Detroit, a club for whom you played in the World Series in 2006. What will be the biggest adjustment about leaving the only organization you've ever played for?
Meeting the new guys. It will be like the first day of school again.

About Curtis:Curtis Granderson grew up in south suburban Lynwood (IL) and attended T.F.South High School. He then went on to a stellar college playing career at Illinois-Chicago, where he was a teammate of Play Ball USA owner Nelson Gord from 2000-02. Curtis also earned a degree in Business Administration from UIC.Curtis was drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 2002 draft and spent his first eight professional seasons in the Tigers organization. He reached the majors in September 2005 and won the centerfielder job in 2006, as the Tigers went all the way to the World Series. Curtis then became the key player in a three team trade between the Tigers, Yankees, and Arizona Diamondbacks in December 2009. Play Ball now has a friend in Yankee pinstripes!