Marysville Appeal-Democrat

Aubrey Huff barred from Giants 2010 World Series reunion

- By Kerry Crowley The Mercury News (TNS)

When the San Francisco Giants hold the 10-year reunion for the 2010 World Series champions this year, the leading home run hitter from the team won’t be at Oracle Park on Aug. 16.

Aubrey Huff was told he won’t receive an invitation.

Huff, who has alienated fans with controvers­ial posts on social media, was on the field after the 2019 regular season finale as the Giants honored manager Bruce Bochy. That appearance could be Huff’s last at China Basin in an official capacity as the Giants issued a statement explaining the decision.

“Earlier this month, we reached out to Aubrey Huff to let him know that he will not be included in the upcoming 2010 World Series Championsh­ip reunion,” the Giants said in a statement. “Aubrey has made multiple comments on social media that are unacceptab­le and run counter to the values of our organizati­on. While we appreciate the many contributi­ons that Aubrey made to the 2010 championsh­ip season, we stand by our decision.”

The Athletic first reported the news of the Giants’ decision and in an interview with the former player, Huff said he was “shocked,” and “disgusted.” He also said: “If it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t be having a reunion.”

Multiple sources have indicated that Huff’s political posts that include fierce support for President Donald Trump did not influence the team’s decision to keep the former first base

man away from the reunion. Instead, the Giants perceived many of Huff’s posts as misogynist­ic, derogatory and offensive and concluded that those views are in opposition to what the organizati­on stands for.

The decision was not made based on a specific controvers­ial post by Huff, but instead after the former first baseman displayed a consistent pattern of vulgarity. At the Winter Meetings in December,

Former San Francisco Giants’ Pat Burrell, left, and Aubrey Huff walk on the field during a postgame ceremony honoring Giants manager Bruce Bochy at Oracle Park in San Francisco in September 2019.

sources told the Bay Area News Group the team was considerin­g banning Huff from future reunions honoring the 2010 team and it appeared there may be little Huff could do to change the organizati­on’s decision.

Huff hit .290 with a .891 OPS and a team-high 26 home runs in 2010 as he also led the Giants with a 5.7 WAR. He was a catalyst in the clubhouse and on the field, but over the last decade, Huff’s public image and perception within the Giants fan base has changed dramatical­ly.

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States