(ROCHESTER, MN) – The Northwoods League and the Northwoods League Foundation announced today that they have reached agreement with alumnus Curtis Granderson to be the "face" of its philanthropic and alumni relation efforts for the next two years.

The agreement calls for the Northwoods League and The Northwoods League Foundation to work in conjunction with Granderson to help promote his Grand Kids Foundation while also working to bring awareness to the newly formed Northwoods League Foundation and engaging Northwoods League alums.

"The Northwoods League helped develop me into an All-Star at the highest level of professional baseball. I am honored that they would ask me to assist with promoting the Northwoods League Foundation, but also promote my Grand Kids Foundation, which works to improve inner city education. I look forward to a strong relationship that grows all of these entities," said Granderson.

Granderson will be promoting the Grand Kids Foundation on all Northwoods League web casts the next two seasons and a link will feature the Foundation on the Northwoods League website.

"We could not have a better representative in the baseball world than Curtis and the fact that he is one of our former players only makes this union more beneficial," said Northwoods League President Dick Radatz, Jr.

Granderson, who in 2001 graced Northwoods League ballparks as a member of the Mankato Mashers, was recently traded to the New York Yankees from the Detroit Tigers where he was a member of the American League All-Star team in 2009. In October, the Major League Baseball players bestowed Granderson with their highest honor by voting him as the 2009 Marvin Miller Man of the Year.

The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.