HUNTER PENCE WAS A BELOVED GIANT — AND FATE DETERMINED HE WOULD BE AGAIN!
With Pence’s return to a Giants uniform, it’s hard to imagine a more beloved player coming back to a place that appreciates and embodies his offbeat charm more.
anyone lucky enough to have stolen a few minutes with Hunter Pence knows it’s a captivating whirlwind. As he makes direct and unwavering eye contact with you, he is part motivational speaker and part nerdy buddy. He’s not shy, he’s not in your face, but he’s definitely caffeinated. He makes you feel like you’re the only person that matters, he gives you every ounce of his attention, and you find yourself wondering … is Hunter Pence my best friend?
From the moment he arrived in San Francisco from Philadelphia in 2012, it was apparent Pence was different. He wooed the fans with his quirkiness and intense passion that launched the “Yes! Yes! Yes!” movement. He inspired his teammates with intense pregame speeches that earned him the title of “The Reverend.”
And he even played good enough baseball — choppy swing, chicken wing arm and all — to secure a long-term contract with the Giants with a full no-trade
clause to keep him in San Francisco for five years.
In 2013 he played all 162 games to earn himself the coveted Willie Mac Award. His acceptance speech was quintessentially Hunter Pence — he credited everyone else for his success, it tugged at the heartstrings, and he told Buster Posey he loved him.
“Buster, I know you don’t like it when I say I love you … you think it’s soft. But I actually think it’s the strongest thing we got,” Hunter declared to the sound of laughter and the thunderous applause of 40,000 in orange and black.
Giants fans are always happy to share their love for Pence and all those moments would probably top the list. But it doesn’t quite get to the root of why No. 8 returned to the city he’ll probably retire in.
It doesn’t give the full story of how Hunter Pence came home or articulate the unique bond he has created with the fanbase — including with a special youngster who proudly wears his Hunter Pence costume to the ballpark at every opportunity.
••••••••
Leaving the Giants was difficult for Pence, especially not knowing where he would land next. While uncertainty loomed, he immersed himself into a total rehaul of his swing and approach — one that had worked for him for so long because he was a good athlete, but needed to evolve into more if he wanted to remain in the big leagues.
With that fire, he earned himself a pivotal role with the Rangers. He built strong relationships within the organization. He played for his childhood team and earned the love and support of a new fanbase. He was an All-star.
If this were a breakup, you would say Pence had come out on top and left the Giants to struggle through yet another tough season. And yet, wherever he went, the Giants fans never stopped coming to support him.
“It didn’t matter where I was, someone had a Giants jersey on,” he said
When Pence and his wife, Alexis, left San Francisco, packing up the high-rise apartment they lived in for over five years, they probably didn’t expect they’d ever be back. They found a renter for their condo and left for the Dominican Republic so Hunter could play winter ball.
A little over a year later, the Pences were set to return home to the Bay Area without the comforts of the only home they’ve ever known in the city. But to their surprise, their renter reached out and offered to break the lease on the apartment so they could come home — the home of so many of their best memories.
“It means so much to us. This is where we got married, where we had so many special things happen,” says Alexis. “San Francisco is special. It’s truly a place that embraces individuality and following your heart.”
••••••••
In 2014 when Pence’s beloved scooter went missing, the city banded together to find the culprits and retrieve the stolen goods. Businesses all over San Francisco were offering a year
of free ramen, steaks or cash rewards to find Pence's ride.
Eventually when the scooter was returned to its rightful owner, Pence had it auctioned off to raise money for Make-a-wish Greater Bay Area.
That reciprocal relationship between a baseball player and a city is something Pence does not take for granted: “What's important to me is the human connection and being committed to each other in the community. Give love whether it's given back or not.”
That brings us to a little boy named Charlie Teague. Charlie was 2 years old and at UCSF Medical Center for a series of surgeries to help correct a condition he was born with known as congenital melanocytic nevus. Pence discovered what Charlie was going through via Twitter and reached out to the parents. Within a few hours, Hunter and Alexis were at the hospital, playing catch with
Charlie from his hospital bed.
“Hunter does things out of the goodness of his heart, not out of self-promotion or anything like that. He's just a good person. He cares,” said Stephanie Teague, Charlie's mom.
For the last few years, Charlie (who is now 7) has visited Pence at the ballpark, even after Hunter joined the Rangers. He is affectionately
“What’s important to me is the human connection and being committed to each other in the community. Give love whether it’s given back or not.” Hunter Pence
known as Mini-pence to the fans and members of the media for dressing up like his idol, mini beard and all.
After one of his visits, Pence noticed that Charlie was still wearing the much-too-big batting gloves he had given him on his first visit to the hospital. Within a few weeks, he delivered Charlie his own custom gloves and mitt that fit him with “Charlie” inscribed in the leather.
“I just wanted to give him something to make him smile,” Pence said.
Kelly Teague, Charlie's father, tears up while sharing how much their friendship has meant to their family: “Charlie had really big scars after his surgery and I guess I was always afraid he was going to get bullied. But something about having Hunter in his corner has made Charlie a super confident kid. It means so much to us, as parents.”
Charlie is certainly not the only fan relieved to see Pence back in the Bay Area. Wherever Pence goes, the shouts of “Welcome home” rain down. But Charlie does know how to crystalize the way Hunter Pence makes many people around here feel.
“I love him so much,” Charlie said. “And I think he's actually one of my best best best best best friends.”