Book it: Grandy's charity set for library dinner

NEW YORK -- Curtis Granderson's charitable achievements, most notably through his Grand Kids Foundation, have been well-documented throughout his career. Last year, baseball recognized those achievements by honoring him with the Roberto Clemente Award.
His foundation will celebrate its 10-year anniversary by hosting a dinner at the New York Public Library on Aug. 7. The library, Granderson said, is an ideal place for the celebration because it stands for many of the pillars that form his foundation's work.
"It all kind of comes together," Granderson said on a sweltering Friday afternoon in midtown Manhattan. "Being fit, being active, understanding the importance of education, it all comes together, and what better place to do it than at the New York Public Library."
Granderson recently rode a CitiBike to the steps of the library to promote the dinner and tout the importance of kids playing multiple sports and staying eligible by performing well in the classroom. Granderson said he's been in this library only once, and the last time he rode a bike through the streets of Manhattan was eight years ago for his charity's first event in New York. He heaped praise on the importance of libraries in fostering education.
"Whether it be nutrition, whether it be baseball, whether it be history or education," Granderson said, "you can learn it all here at the New York Public Library."
Growing up, Granderson's favorite book was Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends," which he frequently checked out of his local library in his hometown of Chicago. He also said he used his library as a resource for research and a place where he could complete his homework.
"Education is key," Granderson said. "It's going to help you get to where you want to."