NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Former Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson quickly endeared himself to Mets fans during his introductory press conference Tuesday with the money quote "true New Yorkers" root for the Amazin's.
To be fair, it wasn't entirely his thought. He just said he's heard people say it.
Got all that?
Still, it got under the skin of the Yankees fan base. And Granderson didn't back off the remark afterward during an on-camera interview with Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.
"It was consistently around from my first day arriving in New York," said Granderson, whose four-year, $60 million deal with the Mets was finalized Monday. "I had so many people say that, like, 'Yeah, there's a lot of Yankee fans but true New Yorkers are Mets fans.' So that had always been something that stuck in my mind from Day 1 of coming to New York. So now getting a chance to play on that other side, I'm excited to see those true New Yorkers come out."
The three-time All-Star admitted his return to Yankee Stadium for next season's Subway Series will be "interesting."
"Regardless, there's going to be another team that (Yankees fans) want to go ahead and see beat, but at the same time, hopefully there will be a lot of respect across the board," Granderson said. "And whether it's cheers or boos, I'm looking forward to it."
"There's a lot of Mets fans out there," he told host Mike Francesa. "I see the hats all over the city and throughout the U.S. So I'm excited to get them back into the ballpark."
Curtis Granderson
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira said Wednesday on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio that the Mets "actually got a steal" with Granderson, who hit over 40 home runs in 2011 and 2012. He was limited to seven homers in an injury-filled 2013 season.
"If Curtis Granderson is healthy last year he gets a $100 million contract," Teixeira said.
Mets' Granderson Doesn't Back Off Comment On 'True New Yorkers'
/ CBS New York
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Former Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson quickly endeared himself to Mets fans during his introductory press conference Tuesday with the money quote "true New Yorkers" root for the Amazin's.
To be fair, it wasn't entirely his thought. He just said he's heard people say it.
Got all that?
Still, it got under the skin of the Yankees fan base. And Granderson didn't back off the remark afterward during an on-camera interview with Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.
"It was consistently around from my first day arriving in New York," said Granderson, whose four-year, $60 million deal with the Mets was finalized Monday. "I had so many people say that, like, 'Yeah, there's a lot of Yankee fans but true New Yorkers are Mets fans.' So that had always been something that stuck in my mind from Day 1 of coming to New York. So now getting a chance to play on that other side, I'm excited to see those true New Yorkers come out."
The three-time All-Star admitted his return to Yankee Stadium for next season's Subway Series will be "interesting."
"Regardless, there's going to be another team that (Yankees fans) want to go ahead and see beat, but at the same time, hopefully there will be a lot of respect across the board," Granderson said. "And whether it's cheers or boos, I'm looking forward to it."
On WFAN radio Tuesday, Granderson said he felt "wanted and needed" by the Yankees' crosstown rivals.
"There's a lot of Mets fans out there," he told host Mike Francesa. "I see the hats all over the city and throughout the U.S. So I'm excited to get them back into the ballpark."
Curtis Granderson
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira said Wednesday on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio that the Mets "actually got a steal" with Granderson, who hit over 40 home runs in 2011 and 2012. He was limited to seven homers in an injury-filled 2013 season.
"If Curtis Granderson is healthy last year he gets a $100 million contract," Teixeira said.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
In:
Featured Local Savings
CBS News New York
NYC marks 100 days until FIFA World Cup 2026
Johan Rojas reportedly faces 80-game suspension for failed PED test
Phillies' Andrew Painter shines in first spring training start
Oakland's Grand Lake theater celebrating 100 years, will have day of free movie showings
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani responds to Sid Rosenberg's hateful remarks
Rosemount boys hockey team returning to state for 1st time in 34 years
Timberwolves bring back Kyle Anderson after his release by the Grizzlies
Cashier at San Francisco grocery store sparks moments of community with daily question