Brandon Crawford’s potential final Giants game ended in the top of the ninth inning Sunday at Oracle Park.
After being grounded in the bottom of the eighth inning, Crawford took his place at shortstop, but before reliever Ross Stripling could throw a pitch in the ninth inning, interim manager Kay Correa walked out to the mound.
Correa wasn’t there to take the ball from Stripling. This was an opportunity to take Crawford out of the game and let him get the applause he deserved.
Crawford hugged his Giants teammates on the mound before walking to the dugout. The fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation for two minutes before he descended the tunnel into the club.
The outcome of the game — a 5-2 Dodgers victory — was unimportant on this day. The Giants’ recent record of 79-83 doesn’t matter. It was all about Crawford, one of the greatest shortstops in Giants franchise history.
In what is expected to be Crawford’s final game with the Giants – 1,654 total – he went 0-for-4 with two hits in the leadoff spot. He finished the 2023 MLB season hitting .194 with 11 doubles, seven homers and 38 RBI.
Crawford received multiple standing ovations throughout Sunday’s season finale, from his first at-bat to his last.
A day that began with Crawford’s four young children throwing out ceremonial first pitches culminated with a short speech on the field after the game.
Crawford said Saturday he’s not sure what the future holds for him. He will talk things over with his wife and make a decision on whether he wants to continue his MLB career or retire as the star of one team – his childhood team.
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