Ben Clemens

So it's truly been amazing, and we're celebrating 10 years this year.

And then the Curtis Granderson Foundation will be celebrating

celebrating 20 years next year so we have a big celebration coming up this september 19th we're doing a brunch fundraiser so for those toronto fans that happen to be in chicago we'd love to have you if you want to learn more about it go to curtis granderson foundation.org you can check it out on social and see all the details that will be coming so excited to be able to do it and this is just a way to continue to say thank you to everybody that has helped me and that has given us an opportunity to be able to help others that are moving towards their goals and dreams

It's so unique where we sit here in 2026.

As you mentioned, I've been a part of a couple labor negotiations.

I joined as a representative in 2006.

That was my first year.

I was a part of, I think, 2011, 2012, and then again in 2016 or 17.

And then I've seen it and watched it from afar as I've become a retired player.

And of course, this year, with a lot of news and talk about it already, it's just constantly in your face.

And fast forward, you know, 20 years ago when I first joined the union to where we sit now, the instantaneous feedback, the responses, wow, the union just sent their proposal across and everybody can see it and learn about it.

Wow, MLB has just counted and here it is and everybody sees it.

Before that would take a little bit of time and sometimes the information may or may not be correct.

So with where it sits now, it's so unique that everything is literally going to play out in front of the public, which I'm actually excited to see because sometimes you don't know the full details about it.

And especially as a fan, you just want to see your team play.

You want to see your favorite players out on the field play.

You don't care how it gets done.

You just want it to be done because I'm looking forward to spending my hard earned cash to go out there and support my team.

And now you're going to have a chance if you want to, to do a deeper dive to understand, okay,

they're asking for this they're asking for that where is it going to ultimately end up and why i think that's the big thing we never seem to know the why everybody is hoping to get what it is they want out of labor negotiations and i think now because you can literally look up so much you can follow people that are in the rooms with these individuals and a lot of these players and owners might actually say some stuff publicly so it's a very unique space to be in this year for this round of bargaining