SAN FRANCISCO — Brandon Crawford can probably count on one hand the number of times he’s seen a tarp come out at Oracle Park during his 13-year MLB career, but as he stood behind the cage on Saturday, the grounds crew scrambled to cover the infield. It rained for a few minutes after the Giants held their practice, but nothing could put a damper on what lies ahead at the shortstop.
Crawford went through a full practice on Saturday and said he is physically ready to come off the IL on Sunday, when he will almost certainly make what is almost certainly his final appearance as a Giant. The organization has a lot planned to celebrate Crawford, and he gave a preview of one moment, saying his four young children will throw out ceremonial first pitches.
“We worked on that a little bit,” Crawford said with a smile. “(They’ve been) inconsistent. That’s what we’ve been working on.”
Crawford is expected to start at shortstop on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and interim manager Kai Correa said the staff has already talked about the right way to let him take it all in. The Giants are coy about their plans, but Crawford said there is nothing clear left on his roster.
The main item was delisted earlier this year when it was finally allowed to participate. When asked about playing all nine positions, he noted that snapping doesn’t sound very fun.
With the Giants eliminated from the MLB playoff race and a managerial decision now in their rearview mirror, they plan to make Sunday all about Crawford, who noted that “being the center of attention is not my favorite thing in the world.”
He will have no choice on Sunday. This would be his day, and then he would return home to Arizona and look for his future. Crawford confirmed Saturday that he has not decided whether he will attempt to play a 14th MLB season next year.
“I’ll get a chance to relax and think about it a little more,” Crawford said. “There’s enough to worry about during the season. When (the media) asks about it, I say, ‘I haven’t really thought about it until you bring it up.’ I’ll take time to relax and think about it a little more and talk to Jalen and see what kind of interest there is and then figure out the right situation and the right answer.” .
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