Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford has announced his retirement after 14 remarkable seasons, with nearly all of them dedicated to his beloved San Francisco Giants. Known for his exceptional defensive skills and charismatic presence, Crawford has left an indelible mark on the team and its fans.
The four-time Gold Glove winner and three-time All-Star shared his heartfelt decision in an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday.
“During this time of the year, I am constantly reminded of the things in my life that I am most thankful for. Baseball is one of them,” Crawford reflected. “It has been a significant part of my life, and I will always cherish the opportunities and experiences it has provided. Time is precious. I’m incredibly grateful for all the years I spent playing the game I love, but now it is time for me to focus on the people who mean the most to me. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. It’s been an unbelievable ride.”
Drafted in the fourth round in 2008 from UCLA, Crawford made his major league debut on May 27, 2011. He contributed to the Giants’ World Series victories in 2012 and 2014, marking the final two championships in the team’s impressive every-other-year streak from 2010 to 2014.
The Giants plan to honor Crawford’s illustrious career on April 26 at Oracle Park. Over his career, he maintained a batting average of .249, hitting 147 home runs and driving in 748 runs. However, it is his ability to make crucial defensive plays that will be remembered most fondly by fans and teammates alike.
“Getting to know Brandon as both a friend and teammate has been an honor,” remarked new Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey. “From our first day being drafted in 2008 to our last season together in 2021, it was a privilege to play alongside him. Whether it was the grand slam he hit in the 2014 wild-card game or the franchise-record seven-hit game in Miami, Brandon consistently made his mark in a way few athletes ever do.”
Crawford and his wife, Jalynne, are parents to five young children, and he plans to dedicate his time to family moving forward.
As a child, Crawford was often seen at Candlestick Park, leaning on the railing with his hat turned backward, cheering for the Giants. Little did he know that he would one day become a star player for the team he adored.
When he signed a two-year, $32 million contract in August 2021, wrapping up a $75 million, six-year deal from November 2015, Crawford expressed his gratitude for having spent his career with the Giants.
“Being drafted by my hometown team and spending most of my career with them far surpassed any dream I had as a kid,” he noted in his post. “I pretended to win a World Series in my backyard, but winning two? That was beyond my wildest dreams.”
Crawford holds the record for the most games played at shortstop for the Giants, with a total of 1,617 games.
“Watching Brandon play has been a privilege for not only me but for Giants fans everywhere,” stated President and CEO Larry Baer. “He was an All-Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, a two-time World Series champion, and a recipient of the Lou Gehrig and Willie Mac Awards. He carried himself with class, honor, and respect. The Giants have been incredibly fortunate to have Brandon as part of the franchise for 16 years — from a young fan to a star player. As this chapter closes, his legacy will be celebrated by fans, teammates, and future generations of players who admire the example he set.”
