Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson has been in the majors since 2004 and played in two World Series. So he learned to let go of the past, not fret over the future and concentrate on the present.
Take Wednesday’s loss in Washington, where the Mets could have gained on two wild-card foes. It hurt. But it’s over. Move on.
“It’s not any more frustrating than any other loss. We had our opportunities,” Granderson said. “We’re still in a great position [for] the postseason. … This team is very positive, very confident. We know we have the pieces we need. We have to get things done one game at a time and not look too far at the future or worry about our past.”
So Granderson focuses on the present, both on and off the field. Away from the game, he engages in charitable work through his Grand Kids Foundation, which has helped him become the Mets’ nominee for the annual Roberto Clemente Award, named for the Pirates great who died in a 1972 plane crash while on a mercy mission.
On Thursday, a Mets off-day, Granderson handed out fresh food and groceries to the needy in The Bronx, part of his “Grand Giving,” a hunger-relief campaign partnered with FreshDirect and the Food Bank For New York City. Support can be made online at FreshDirect.com during the month of November.
“It was really cool,” said Granderson, who was thrilled by “expressions on individuals’ faces, knowing they get a chance to feed their families.”
Granderson has a goal — to provide 1 million meals during November for families in New York and Chicago. The project has raised more than $800,000 to date and provided more than a half-million meals in Chicago, his hometown.
“This will be our first year in New York,” Granderson said. “I remember days of not having a meal, trying to focus in the classroom and to be able to do things I wanted to on the baseball field and basketball court. Imagine if you did not have a meal for a couple days.”
Fans can vote for Granderson on Twitter and Facebook for the Clemente Award using #VoteGrandy.
The Mets will honor Granderson for his nomination before Tuesday’s game with the Braves. On Monday, Granderson will receive the Lou Gehrig Award, given annually to the player who best exemplifies the giving character of Gehrig.
“Just to be nominated,” Granderson said of the Clemente Award, “is really an honor and a privilege.”