Curtis Granderson woke up in London on Sunday for the first time in his life, and spent Monday morning being interviewed by representatives of a selection of British publications from Hip-Hop Connection magazine to The Times. Not bad for a 25-year-old who plays a sport that barely registers with most Britons.

When Major League Baseball were looking for an ambassador to help to spread the appeal of the sport to Europe, they chose Granderson, and it is easy to see why. The contrast between the friendly and articulate Detroit Tigers outfielder and a brooding, distant figure such as Barry Bonds, of the San Francisco Giants, or even the tongue-tied millionaires of the Barclays Premiership, is extreme.

"I didn’t expect to be put in a position to be an ambassador," Granderson said. "When you think of that word, you usually think of someone at the top of the game, known worldwide, recognisable, especially outside the United States - but to get a chance to spread the word about the positive sides of baseball, the fun of baseball, the reputation of baseball to those who aren’t familiar with it is a great honour. I definitely take it seriously and I’m doing my best to accomplish it."

He is too modest. Having reached the World Series (in which the Tigers lost to the St Louis Cardinals) at the end of his first full season in the major leagues, Granderson is on the brink of superstardom, and is likely to be one of a new breed of ballplayers who will sweep away the bad memories left by some of the big names of recent years, such as Bonds and Mark McGwire, whose achievements are tainted by the suspicion that steroids fuelled their home-run records.

"We definitely have to let the fans know that they are paying good money to watch an equal playing field," Granderson said.

"The players are all working hard and although talent may make some better, there is no more enhancement. I think we’re doing a good job in drug testing and handing out fines and suspensions. Football has done it, basketball has done it, and now baseball is doing it."

The Tigers’ success last season also demonstrates the health of the sport. "No matter who the favorite is and who the underdog is, on any given day, or week, or a matter of three weeks in the play-offs, you can be the best team and the fact that we have had a different [World Series] champion every year for seven years shows the game is in good shape. No matter how good St Louis are, it will be hard for them to repeat because there are 29 other teams that all want their spot, and it’s great knowing every year that you have a chance."

No team demonstrates that better than the Tigers. In 2003, they lost 119 of 162 games, only one short of the unwanted record held by the 1962 New York Mets. "I was in the minor leagues [in 2003] but we were watching it and talking about it, and I was just hoping that I could perform and help the team out. They were going to turn themselves around, no question about that, and I hoped I could be one of the reasons why they did."

Granderson made his debut the year after, playing in nine games, then played a further 47 in 2005. This year he played in all but three. Although not a first-round draft pick, he rose to become spoken of as the top prospect in the Tigers’ organisation, and lived up to his early promise last season as Jim Leyland, the new manager, inspired the Tigers squad that had been painstakingly built by Dave Dombrowski, the general manager.

Granderson averaged .312 in the first two rounds of the play-offs, driving home seven runs, including three home runs, as the Tigers overcame the heavily-fancied New York Yankees and then swept aside the Oakland Athletics. "Even when we made the play-offs, we couldn’t help but hear the criticism. We were playing the Yankees, traditionally one of the best teams, year in and year out, you guys have no chance. But we advanced to the next round."

But Granderson is more than a talented hitter and athletic outfielder. He graduated in business management and business marketing at the University of Illinois-Chicago, which he describes as his biggest accomplishment outside baseball, and which may help him when he is finally eligible to make big money. Whereas footballers such as Wayne Rooney can make whatever the market will support, baseball regulates the earnings of its youngsters.

"In the first three or four seasons, the team has control and is able to pay you the league minimum," he explained. "If they like what they see during that period they can offer you a long-term contract, which can add a lot of zeroes on. In years four through six you determine your worth compared to other players in your position. At the end of your sixth year is when the big money comes, because you become a free agent and you can put yourself on the market and go for what you like financially."

You get the strong sense that any number of zeroes on the payslip will not turn Granderson’s head. "My mother and father were very influential on my life," he said. "They are both educators themselves, and they showed me that education is important but also diversity in people. I give a lot of credit to them for the fact that I am able to interact with people in all walks of life.

"I like positive role models. There are so many good things that you can do and there’s nothing wrong with doing good things.

You are on TV day in and day out and everything you do is broken down and put under a microscope, whether good or bad.

I’m realising that more and more as I get older and play on a bigger stage. At the same time you can look at it as a positive.

Here’s your chance to let the world know who you are, and how you want them to remember you."

If he and the Tigers progress at the present rate, that could mean a place alongside Ty Cobb among the statues at Comerica Park, the Tigers’ recently built home in downtown Detroit. The Motor City has had some bad press in recent years, but it is typical of Granderson, although not a native, to see the positive side.

"Detroit is not the most appealing area compared to some of the other major cities, but at the same time the people are great and the fans are great, they love sports and they support with a diehard loyalty that is passed on through generations," he said. "They are trying their best to bring Detroit back to being one of the best cities in the US. There are great places to eat and shop, and the music is great there as well.

"I’m enjoying every moment, but at the same time I know it’s not as easy as it appears right now. There are players who have played for 20 years who never had the chance to accomplish what I had a chance to be a part of, so I have to understand that."