Already with the best record in Major League Baseball, there wasn’t much else the Los Angeles Dodgers could do to bolster their roster. However, the front office spotted a weakness and aimed to address it by acquiring Curtis Granderson from the New York Mets.
Granderson joined a rather crowded outfield, but the logjam was alleviated in some regard by the Dodgers optioning Joc Pederson to Triple-A Oklahoma City so he could continue to work on adjustments to his swing.
Granderson has started in left field in each of his two games with the Dodgers thus far. He recorded a video message for fans that was shared prior to his debut on Saturday. In it, Granderson expressed his excitement in joining the storied franchise.
Despite only being a few days into his tenure with the Dodgers, Granderson is appreciative of the opportunity and explained on Twitter his tradition of wearing high socks in honor of Jackie Robinson now has extra meaning:
Each game, I wear my socks high in honor of #JackieRobinson. Today I did it in a @dodgers uniform -and it felt really special #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/x9xTWcpldp
— Curtis Granderson (@cgrand3) August 19, 2017
Robinson has long been admired in many different fashions throughout the sport, and rightfully so. Every April 15, all on-field personnel wear Robinson’s iconic No. 42 jersey that otherwise is retired across baseball.
This season, the Dodgers installed a statue at Dodger Stadium depicting Robinson’s infamous steal of home plate, and he’s also been immortalized in the the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Plans are in place for a statue of Robinson to be erected at the Rose Bowl.
Granderson is one of many players who have been impacted by Robinson’s lasting legacy and have attempted to pay their respects. The 36-year-old is now in position to help the franchise Robinson made his mark with win their first World Series since 1988.
Granderson has already made an impact in two games with the Dodgers. He scored a run on Saturday to break up a scoreless game, and broke up Justin Verlander’s no-hitter in the sixth inning with a solo home run on Sunday.
