Brandon Crawford Announces Retirement After 14 Seasons of Professional Play

A Remarkable Journey

Baseball player Brandon Crawford has officially announced his retirement after 14 seasons in Major League Baseball , all with his hometown team, the San Francisco Giants . Known as a great athlete and one of the most beloved players , Crawford leaves behind a legacy of excellence and dedication.

Career Highlights

Brandon Crawford has won four Gold Glove awards and has been selected as an All-Star three times . He announced his retirement in an Instagram post on Wednesday, expressing gratitude : “ At this time of year, I’m constantly reminded of the things in life I’m most thankful for. Baseball is one of them.” Crawford emphasized that baseball has been an essential part of his life since he was a child:
“ Time is precious . I’m incredibly grateful for all the years I’ve spent playing the game I love, but now it’s time to spend that time with the people I’m most thankful for.” He extended his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported him along the way.

Career Start

Crawford was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of UCLA and made his debut on May 27, 2011. He played a key role in helping the Giants win the World Series in 2012 and 2014 during his heyday from 2010 to 2014.

Congratulatory Messages

Former Giants manager Bruce Bochy , now with the Texas Rangers , shared his admiration for Crawford: “What a remarkable story of a local kid becoming one of the greatest shortstops in San Francisco Giants history .” The Giants announced plans to honor Crawford on April 26 at Oracle Park . During his career, Crawford had a .249 batting average , with 147 home runs and 748 RBIs . However, it was his defense and great play that made him unforgettable.

Family Comes First

Crawford and his wife, Jalynne , are the parents of five young children , and family will now be the top priority in his life. New York Yankees ‘ Gerrit Cole , who is married to Crawford’s sister, paid tribute: “Brandon is a teammate, a respected competitor, and the best shortstop in Giants history .”

A Legendary Legacy

As a child, Crawford leaned over the fence at Candlestick Park to cheer on the Giants. He signed a two-year, $32 million contract in August 2021 , after signing a six-year, $75 million deal in November 2015. Looking back on his career, Crawford said, “To be drafted by my hometown team and spend the majority of my career with them has exceeded every dream I had as a kid.” With 1,617 games played as a shortstop , Crawford leaves a legacy for the Giants and is an inspiration to future generations of players.

Final Thoughts

Giants CEO and president Larry Baer echoed those sentiments:”Watching Brandon play has been an absolute honor not just for me but for Giants fans everywhere.”As this chapter of Crawford’s career comes to a close, his legacy will forever be celebrated by fans, teammates, and generations of players to come. Crawford’s dedication to baseball and the community will always be an integral part of the history of the San Francisco Giants.