TIGERS: CURTIS AND MARY GRANDERSON — Diamonds can’t beat macaroni jewelry
May 13, 2007
Detroit Free Press, MI
BY JON PAUL MOROSI
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
Mary Granderson’s son has become a big success.
He reached the World Series in his first full big-league season, and held two unique distinctions — the Tigers’ starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter — throughout the year. His profile has risen, to the point that he has a $410,000 annual salary and blog at ESPN.com.
There is little doubt that Curtis Granderson can afford a nice Mother’s Day present this year — but it may be hard to top two gifts he gave his mother for free.
Mary received one of her favorites when Curtis was in the second grade.
That year, the students in his class made macaroni bracelets and necklaces for their mothers, and Curtis painted his gift orange. He presented the gift before the family went out for dinner to celebrate Mother’s Day.
He asked her if she would wear the bracelet to dinner. Of course, she told him.
They arrived at the crowded restaurant, and saw they would need to wait for a table. As the family waited near the door, one customer after another came over, to say how much they loved Mary’s jewelry.
Curtis beamed.
“He would say, ‘I made that,’ ” Mary Granderson said. “It was like I was wearing a diamond bracelet. I felt so proud.”
Curtis gave her another memorable Mother’s Day present, when he was 10 years old.
On that year’s Opening Day, Curtis and his teammates participated in a parade through the neighborhood, then played their first game of the season.
Mary walked over to the ball field, in time to see the first home run of her son’s baseball career.
The ball became her Mother’s Day present.
“The next day, he told me that he didn’t have any money to buy the gift,” Mary said. “I treasure it. I still have the ball.”
As for the bracelet?
The macaroni shells became brittle, Mary said, so she can’t wear the jewelry any longer — but she has kept it.
Curtis gave his mother a Coach wallet and keychain last year, but went in a different direction for this Mother’s Day: He plans to take care of her graduate school tuition for one semester.
He may not have made it in art class, but Mary, a high school science teacher, is sure to appreciate the gift.
