Two years ago, the New York Mets swept the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS.  Each and every Mets player played a part in the Mets reaching that moment, but perhaps none played a bigger role that Curtis Granderson.  As a just reward, the native Chicagoan, who has contributed so much to his hometown, got to celebrate winning a pennant in his hometown.

With the Dodgers winning the NLCS last night, Granderson once again got to celebrate winning a pennant in a hometown.  Coincidentally,  since the inception of the divisional format in 1961, Granderson has celebrated more pennants at Wrigley Field than the entire Cubs franchise.  The one thing the Cubs have that Granderson doesn’t is a World Series title.

Back in 2015, Granderson did all he could do to get that title.  In that World Series, he was the best player on the field for either team.  The three home runs he hit in that series gave the Mets the lead.  Certainly, had things gone differently Granderson would have been named the World Series MVP.  For faults that were not his own, the Mets didn’t win that World Series, and Granderson remains without a World Series title. Arguably, this is World Series is Granderson’s best chance to get that elusive World Series ring.

Certainly, you can argue Granderson deserves that ring because he has been a very good player over his 14 year career.  More than that, Granderson deserves that ring because he his as a good a human being as has ever put on a Major League uniform.  He’s actually the rare athlete where teams question if he’s tiring himself out by spending some much time doing charitable work.  (New York Times).  That’s a rare and admirable trait to see an an individual, let alone a professional athlete.

After his stint with the Dodgers, it seems more likely than ever Granderson is near the end of his career.  He’s been a good player and an even better person.  This may very well be his last and perhaps his best chance to win a World Series.  Here’s hoping he gets it.