Brandon Crawford
Photo by: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Crawford Announces Retirement After 14 MLB Seasons
November 29, 2024 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES - Two-time World Series champion, four-time Gold Glove award winner, and three-time all-star Brandon Crawford has announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after 14 seasons.
Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the fourth round of the 2008 MLB Draft, Crawford made his MLB debut in 2011. The shortstop hit a grand slam in his first major league game, becoming just the sixth player in MLB history to achieve this feat. This moment foreshadowed the many clutch performances that would define his career, including his memorable grand slam in the 2014 Wild Card game. This pivotal swing led the Giants to victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates and ultimately to their third World Series title in five years.
Crawford's baseball journey began at UCLA, where he played for the Bruins from 2006 to 2008. During his time at UCLA, Crawford was instrumental in leading the team to three consecutive NCAA Regionals, a first in the school's history. His exceptional performance earned him the title of team MVP in 2006 and 2007, and he was named to the All-Pac-10 Conference team in 2007. Crawford's consistent excellence on the field saw him start all 179 games during his collegiate career, making significant contributions with a batting average over .300 each season. He also compiled 44 career doubles, tying for ninth place on the school's career doubles list.
Crawford totaled 13 career triples during his time at UCLA, tying for second place in program history.
Over 14 seasons, 13 with San Francisco, he became known for his outstanding glove and reliable presence in the lineup. Crawford's career includes three All-Star selections (2015, 2018, 2021), four Gold Glove Awards (2015, 2016, 2017, 2021), and a Silver Slugger Award in 2015. He was a key player in the Giants' World Series victories in 2012 and 2014, cementing his legacy as one of the franchise's greats.
Crawford's impact extended beyond his defensive skills. He hit 147 home runs and accumulated 1,404 hits, finishing his career with a .249 batting average. His leadership and consistency were invaluable to his teams, and he holds the record for the most games played at shortstop in Giants' history.
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Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the fourth round of the 2008 MLB Draft, Crawford made his MLB debut in 2011. The shortstop hit a grand slam in his first major league game, becoming just the sixth player in MLB history to achieve this feat. This moment foreshadowed the many clutch performances that would define his career, including his memorable grand slam in the 2014 Wild Card game. This pivotal swing led the Giants to victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates and ultimately to their third World Series title in five years.
Crawford's baseball journey began at UCLA, where he played for the Bruins from 2006 to 2008. During his time at UCLA, Crawford was instrumental in leading the team to three consecutive NCAA Regionals, a first in the school's history. His exceptional performance earned him the title of team MVP in 2006 and 2007, and he was named to the All-Pac-10 Conference team in 2007. Crawford's consistent excellence on the field saw him start all 179 games during his collegiate career, making significant contributions with a batting average over .300 each season. He also compiled 44 career doubles, tying for ninth place on the school's career doubles list.
Crawford totaled 13 career triples during his time at UCLA, tying for second place in program history.
Over 14 seasons, 13 with San Francisco, he became known for his outstanding glove and reliable presence in the lineup. Crawford's career includes three All-Star selections (2015, 2018, 2021), four Gold Glove Awards (2015, 2016, 2017, 2021), and a Silver Slugger Award in 2015. He was a key player in the Giants' World Series victories in 2012 and 2014, cementing his legacy as one of the franchise's greats.
Crawford's impact extended beyond his defensive skills. He hit 147 home runs and accumulated 1,404 hits, finishing his career with a .249 batting average. His leadership and consistency were invaluable to his teams, and he holds the record for the most games played at shortstop in Giants' history.
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