SAN FRANCISCO — Brandon Crawford is retiring after 14 main league seasons, all however a kind of performed along with his hometown San Francisco Giants as a slick-fielding shortstop and a fan favourite.
A four-time Gold Glove winner and a three-time All-Star, the veteran infielder introduced his resolution in an Instagram publish Wednesday.
“Throughout this time of the yr, I’m always being reminded of the issues in my life that I’m most grateful for. Baseball is considered one of them,” Crawford wrote. “Baseball has been part of my life for so long as I can keep in mind, and for the remainder of my life I’ll be glad about the alternatives and experiences it has given me.
“Time is treasured. I am extremely grateful for all of the years I spent taking part in the sport I really like, however now it’s time for me to spend it with the individuals who I am most grateful for. Thanks to all of you who’ve been there for me all through the years. It has been an unbelievable journey.”
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A fourth-round draft choose in 2008 out of UCLA, Crawford made his debut on Could 27, 2011, and gained World Sequence championships with the Giants in 2012 and ’14 — the ultimate two titles of their every-other-year run from 2010-14.
“Congrats to Craw on his excellent profession,” former Giants supervisor Bruce Bochy, now with Texas, stated by way of textual content message. “Only a fantastic story of a child turning into top-of-the-line shortstops within the historical past of the San Francisco Giants, the crew he grew up with and liked.”
The Giants stated they’ll honor Crawford’s profession April 26 at Oracle Park. He was a profession .249 hitter with 147 dwelling runs and 748 RBIs, however his knack for making the important thing defensive play is what he’ll lengthy be remembered for by many.
“It was an honor to get to know Brandon as a pal and as a teammate,” new Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey stated in an announcement. “From the primary day we had been each drafted in 2008 to our remaining yr taking part in collectively in 2021, it was an honor to play alongside him for 14 years. Whether or not it was the clutch moments just like the grand slam he hit within the 2014 wild-card sport in Pittsburgh, the franchise-record, seven-hit sport he recorded in Miami, or the dazzling defensive performs and acrobatic throws he made over and over, Brandon made his mark in a method few athletes ever do.”
There was some thought Crawford may retire after the 2023 season when his contract expired in San Francisco, however he determined to present it another yr and joined the St. Louis Cardinals on a $2 million, one-year deal. He was launched in August after hitting .169 with a homer and 4 RBI over 80 plate appearances.
Crawford and his spouse, Jalynne, have 5 younger kids, and household will probably be Crawford’s major focus going ahead.
New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is married to Crawford’s sister, Amy, and applauded every part Crawford has finished on and off the sector.
“Brandon is an unbelievable teammate, competitor, and the best Giants shortstop of all-time,” Cole stated in a textual content message. “He has been an incredible brother to me, and an incredible position mannequin for future shortstops and youngsters with championship goals. I used to be fortunate sufficient to share a couple of particular moments with him alongside the way in which, my main league debut, our first All-Star Recreation, and delivering the lineup playing cards in Yankee Stadium. He has made a long-lasting impression on the sport we love, and leaves realizing he has the respect and admiration of all who’ve crossed his path, each on his crew and towards. Love you bro.”
As a boy, Crawford leaned on the railing at Candlestick Park along with his hat on backward supporting his beloved Giants – and ultimately would star for them.
When he signed a two-year, $32 million contract in August 2021 whereas wrapping up a $75 million, six-year deal he had signed in November 2015, Crawford expressed his gratitude for taking part in in a single place for therefore lengthy.
“Being drafted by my hometown crew and spending most of my profession with them far surpassed any dream I had as a child,” Crawford wrote in Wednesday’s publish. “I undoubtedly pretended to win a World Sequence in my yard — however profitable two? That was past my wildest goals.”
He’s the Giants’ profession chief in video games performed at shortstop with 1,617.
“Watching Brandon play was an absolute privilege for not solely me however for Giants’ followers in every single place,” crew president and CEO Larry Baer stated.
“He was an All-Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, a two-time World Sequence champion, and a Lou Gehrig and Willie Mac Award winner, that all the time carried himself with class, honor and respect. The Giants have been extremely blessed to have had Brandon as a part of the franchise for 16 years — actually for his complete 37 years, first as a younger fan, who will ever overlook that indelible photograph of him leaning on the railing at Candlestick Park when there was a chance that his Giants may depart San Francisco — and as this chapter closes on his profession, his legacy within the sport will probably be celebrated by followers, teammates, and future generations of gamers who look as much as him by the instance he set.”
