On Tuesday night at Globe Life Field, Brandon Crawford made San Francisco Giants history. Crawford made his 1,326th appearance at shortstop as a member of the Giants, passing Hall Of Famer Travis Jackson. As it was time for the Giants to take the field, only one emerged from the dugout. That person was Brandon Crawford. In what surely appeared a surprise to Crawford, his teammates elected to stay in the dugout to allow Crawford to soak in the applause that rippled through the ballpark as his accomplishment was acknowledged on the big board in Arlington. Crawford had this to say following Tuesday night’s 9-4 victory.
“I mean, I think that’s one of the cooler accomplishments of my career. You know, growing up a Giants fan and seeing so many great shortstops come through the organization and then to be able to pass a Hall Of Famer, It’s a very cool accomplishment.”
The California-born shortstop has been a Giant for life, not just a Giant for his 11-year career. Born in Mountain View, Brandon Crawford has been a Giants fan since he could walk. He would regularly attend games with his father, Mike. And, as a child, Brandon Crawford only wanted to be one thing when he grew up. That one thing was the shortstop for the San Francisco Giants. Now, at age 34, Brandon Crawford has not only made his childhood dreams come true, but he has manned the shortstop position as a member of the Giants more times than any other man on earth. Crawford joined current Giant Buster Posey, who is the franchise’s all-time leader in appearances behind the plate.
A Night to Remember
As if becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in appearances at shortstop wasn’t enough, Crawford also had a wonderful day at the plate. Crawford went two for three with two BB and four RBI. And, the two hits for Crawford, a solo blast in the sixth inning followed by a three-run shot in the ninth. This was Brandon Crawford’s fifth career multi-homer game.
A champagne celebration was held for Crawford in the visitor’s clubhouse following Tuesday night’s game. Ron Wotus, the Giants third-base coach, mentioned this accomplishment is just as impressive as anything he has done throughout his career. Wotus has been with Crawford since day one. He witnessed his major league debut grand slam vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, and now, 11 years later, he watched Crawford make history.
The Resurgence of Brandon Crawford
Brandon Crawford was, in most eyes, seen as to be playing his last year as a member of the Giants. The glove has always been great. He was awarded three consecutive Gold Gloves between 2015-2017. Still a plus defender, but his defensive numbers have begun to decline since 2017. A career .250 hitter, and a minimum threat to hit the long ball, the writing appeared on the wall.
Someone must have forgotten to run that by Brandon Crawford. He is off to arguably the hottest start to a season he’s ever had. Crawford is performing at an all-star level on both sides of the ball and currently leads the Giants in homeruns and RBI.
The once inevitable thought that 2021 would be a farewell tour for Brandon Crawford is inevitable no more. Crawford is making a serious case to return to the team he has loved since he was a child. And at the level he has been performing at, the Giants have no choice but to strongly consider keeping the team’s new all-time leader in shortstop appearances in the orange and black.
Players mentioned: Brandon Crawford, Travis Jackson, Buster Posey
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
