Granderson says youth need to learn about pioneers

ANAHEIM -- Curtis Granderson considered it a fortunate quirk of the schedule that the Mets happened to be in Atlanta last week for the Braves' ceremony honoring Hank Aaron on the 40th anniversary of his record-breaking 715th career home run.

One of three black players on the Mets [including Chris Young, who is currently on the disabled list, and Eric Young Jr.], Granderson bemoaned the fact that he never seemed to hear as much about Aaron growing up as he did Babe Ruth. But Major League Baseball has worked hard in recent years to increase its popularity among black youths, and Tuesday's Jackie Robinson Day -- commemorating the 67th anniversary of Robinson's breaking the color barrier -- is an annual reminder of that.

"I felt I would see Babe Ruth hit base hits, home runs that weren't even record-breakers," Granderson said of his experiences growing up. "It just seemed like I heard Babe Ruth's name a lot more. At the time Hank Aaron was the champ, but for whatever reason he didn't get highlighted as much."

This year, the Mets will be in Arizona for Jackie Robinson Day.