Curtis Granderson tours the world promoting baseball, and this winter takes him to New Zealand.

“I like to show, hey, it’s another sport that you can learn,” Granderson said in a telephone interview. “It’s not as complicated as it seems. Me not being the tallest or biggest or strongest guy in baseball – physically, kids can relate and say, ‘Hey, I can do this. I don’t have to be seven feet tall or 300 pounds like a strong rugby player.’

“Also, I was able to graduate college (Illinois-Chicago) with a double major and pursue my baseball career. I try to illustrate that you can do both and be successful at both of them. You can do both. I hope I can open up some eyes. I’m excited to get a chance to get to see another part of the world and spread the word about baseball.”

Granderson – who has been to England, the Netherlands and Italy in 2006, South Africa in 2007 and Beijing and Shanghai, China, in 2008 for MLB – will conduct clinics and make appearances, including one at a big youth tournament. He will be in New Zealand from Thursday through Jan. 28. He’s eager to check out rugby and cricket.

That’s a cool way to spend your winters.