The Yankees reportedly are planning to send center fielder Curtis Granderson to an eye specialist this offseason over concerns that his vision may have worsened.
The New York Daily News says Granderson learned he had 20/30 vision — slightly worse than the standard 20/20 vision — after being traded to the Yankees in 2010. He began wearing contact lenses that season, though it is unclear if he has worn them since.
The Yankees reportedly gives all its players physicals in the spring — including vision exams — but they failed to recheck Granderson during the season. The Daily News reports that some within the organization believe that Granderson’s vision has worsened, leading to his struggles at the plate.
Granderson hit a career-worst .232 this season and struck out a career-high 195 times. He did, however, slug a career-best 42 home runs, so one could argue that he sacrificed contact for an increase in power.
After going 3-for-30 (.100) in the postseason with 16 strikeouts, and getting a bad read on balls in center, the Yanks suspect his vision may have worsened.
As someone who began having vision problems as a youth, I can tell you that my eyesight worsened each year and I had to get new prescriptions lenses annually. It was particularly hard to see the ball at night when I played — both out of the pitcher’s hand, and off the bat. I wouldn’t be surprised if Granderson’s vision has gotten worse, and it’s probably a good idea to have his eyes checked again.
