MLB NOTES: Region products try to rev up careers in minors

Jeff Samardzija of Valparaiso, Curtis Granderson of Lynwood and Lloyd McClendon of Chesterton are household names in the majors. John Mallee of Schererville soon will be as Astros hitting coach.

JOHN DOHERTY: In new season, baseball clings largely to past

New helmets, strong enough to withstand a 100 mph fastball, will be the law of the land in Major League Baseball this season. Supposedly they will prevent concussions.

Granderson visits T.F. South to talk to students about goals, community and even toilets

LANSING | It’s not every day that a professional athlete and the center fielder for the New York Yankees takes the time to talk to high school students about the quality of the toilets they use each day.

Granderson visits T.F. South to talk to students about goals, community and even toilets

New York Yankees center fielder and T.F. South graduate Curtis Granderson talks to students Wednesday at the Lansing school.

Granderson visits T.F. South to talk to students about goals, community and even toilets

New York Yankees center fielder and T.F. South graduate Curtis Granderson poses for a photograph with T.F. South junior Amber Bell at the school in Lansing.

Yankees' slugger Curtis Granderson always had power stroke

CHICAGO | With a myriad of video and on-line aids at his disposal, Curtis Granderson’s will get to know Chris Sale tonight the old-fashioned way – touch and feel.

MLB NOTES: Yanks' Granderson, Ricketts brothers join business venture

Amateur foodie Curtis Granderson has some old T.F. South connections like New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas and former high-school outfield mate Eddie Mahoney as fellow investors in a Chicago restaurant group.

For Granderson, being a role model means just being himself

Last month, I wrote about Curtis Granderson's visit to Lansing, where his high school jersey No.14 was retired at T.F. South High School. It's the same number he now wears as a center fielder for the New York Yankees. For those of you who don't follow baseball and who may not know much about…

Granderson back in town for retirement of jersey number and fundraiser

Last weekend, a Thornton Fractional Township High School graduate was in town for a day of festivities to honor him and to give back to the sports organization that helped teach him the fundamentals of the game that he's made a career out of.

VIDEO: T.F. South retires Curtis Granderson's jersey

Curtis Granderson, centerfielder for the New York Yankees and a 1999 graduate of T.F. South, was honored by his alma mater with a jersey retirement ceremony.

T.F. South retires Curtis Granderson's number

LANSING | For one day, the Yankee resorted back to his days of being a Rebel.

Granderson no longer left out against southpaws

CHICAGO | The New York Yankees traded for Lynwood's Curtis Granderson late in 2009 to play their most storied position -- center field.

AL HAMNIK: Granderson makes it easy to be a Yankees' fan

CHICAGO | Sports fans love to kick around superstars who run afoul of the law, choke in monster games, or lack common sense in public.

Yankees' Granderson pushing himself to be even better

CHICAGO | Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson knows baseball talent. Heck, he once had a candy bar named after him.

Granderson fits Yankees like a glove

CHICAGO | Even the New York Yankees, loaded with All-Stars, future Hall of Famers and perennial champions, have room for even more team leaders.

Bullpen Strikes Again

Fantasy Baseball report

"Were going streaking"