Crawford has always proven doubters wrong, may do it again
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. » Whenever Brandon Crawford takes his final at-bat in a San Francisco Giants uniform, it will mark the end of an incredible chapter in the franchise’s history.
Entering the 2021 season, it doesn’t appear as if there are many pages in that chapter left for Crawford to author.
The longtime starting shortstop, 34, is in the final year of his contract and is well aware of the front office’s grand plans for 19-year-old phenom, Marco Luciano, one of the sport’s top prospects who projects as Crawford’s successor.
Crawford knows this spring could be his last in a Giants uniform, but before you begin to bet against him, listen to him.
“I think I’ve always kind of (tried to prove people wrong) throughout my whole career,” Crawford said Friday. “Trying to prove doubters wrong, prove people wrong. And I mean yeah, that’s definitely not going to stop this year.”
Why would it?
The Giants’ 2008 fourth-round draft pick was never expected to be a good enough hitter to cut it as an everyday player. He was never fast enough to be the league’s best fielder. Nearly a decade into Crawford’s career, when manager Gabe Kapler replaced Bruce Bochy, he was told to prepare to platoon.
From the first day of his career, when he hit a grand slam to spark a comeback win over the Brewers in Milwaukee, to his 10th season in the big leagues, Crawford has always shown he’s capable of more.
He’s the only player in MLB history with a sevenhit game and an eight-RBI game, he’s won three Gold Gloves and made two AllStar appearances. And last season, when he was ticketed for a part-time role, Crawford posted the best offensive numbers of his career.
“I always prefer to be the everyday guy whether it’s a righty or lefty on the
mound because I think consistent playing time will keep your swing more consistent,” Crawford said. “The more consistently I face lefties, the better I’m going to hit off of them. I think my numbers throughout my career have backed that up.”
His teammates, including one who remembers cheering for Crawford and the Giants as a high schooler at Capital Christian in Sacramento, continue to marvel at what he’s been able to accomplish.
“It’s crazy having his perspective and being so close to him,” Mauricio Dubón said. “You know he’s a Gold Glover and it’s crazy how he can help. There’s a reason why he is, I mean he puts a lot of work in his craft.”