Sandoval on Pence: ‘My wish came true’
Former San Francisco general manager Bobby Evans stunned fans by welcoming Sandoval back.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. >> Two months after Hunter Pence stood by Pablo Sandoval’s side as Sandoval married his wife Yuli, the longtime teammates are together again.
Against all odds, Pence and Sandoval have lockers next to each other in the clubhouse in Scottsdale Stadium.
“I’m blessed,” Sandoval said. “To have that guy, he was the best man in my wedding and now to have him on the same team with me, my wish came true. To play
one more time with him.”
Like other wedding guests including Bruce Bochy, Dereck Rodríguez and Mike Yastrzemski, Pence stayed for the celebration at the St. Regis Bal Harbour until the early hours of the morning. He and Sandoval have never had an easy time saying goodbye.
Considering all that’s taken place since Pence and Sandoval helped lead the Giants to the franchise’s third World Series title in five years, it’s remarkable the close friends continue finding ways to be welcomed back.
“I’m here to give everything I have,” Pence said. “I have to put on a new hat as you grow or shift into roles and I’m open to put on whatever hat it takes to help us accomplish being the best team we can.”
After the 2014 World Series, Sandoval burned bridges in San Francisco when signed a five-year, $95 million deal with the Red Sox and told multiple reporters he felt disrespected by the Giants. The switchhitting infielder said leaving his old team was “not hard at all,” and he wouldn’t miss any of his old teammates, except Pence.
So when Sandoval was designated for assignment by the Red Sox in 2017 following a miserable, injuryriddled stint, no one expected him to return to the Giants. Former San Francisco general manager Bobby Evans stunned the baseball world by welcoming Sandoval back on a minor league deal, but there were questions as to whether Giants players would embrace his presence.
Two years later, Sandoval hit free agency again after re-establishing himself as one of the most respected and valued leaders in the Giants’ clubhouse.
This time around, Sandoval considered all of his options, but he knew all along where he wanted to end up.
“I don’t want to make the same mistake I made before,” Sandoval said. “I want to stay where I feel comfortable, where my heart feels comfortable. So I think I made the right decision.”
Months after Sandoval waved a teary goodbye to fans at Oracle Park as he prepared for season-ending Tommy John surgery and an uncertain future, he’s back with the organization that signed him as a teenager out of Venezuela in 2002.
Just as Sandoval did the last time he was a free agent, he spent the offseason talking. In December, he crashed a lunch new manager Gabe Kapler held in Miami with Giants pitchers Andrew Suárez and Shaun Anderson and expressed his desire to return to San Francisco.
“It’s me and Shaun,” Suárez said Saturday. “Pablo’s going to take over.”
Shortly after undergoing elbow surgery, Sandoval wasn’t sure when he might be realistically be able to hit effectively or play the field again. But he knew all along where he wanted to make his comeback.
“I came back because I love to be around here,” Sandoval said. “Great energy, great organization, like I said the last day when I had my last at-bat, I want to be here. I want to be a part of this. I love being here.”
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said last week that Sandoval might be able to make a few plate appearances before the end of spring training, but indicated the infielder’s rehab will last beyond Opening Day. Sandoval said Saturday he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery process, he’s swinging pain-free from both sides of the plate and he’s already playing catch.
It’s far-fetched to think Sandoval could break camp with the Giants, but he has a tendency of surprising people and he wants to do it once more.
“I’ve got that as a goal,” Sandoval said. “I want to fight to be in that spot, the 26th man. And to get ready. The most important thing is to be healthy and to help this thing.”
In all likelihood, the minor league free-agent will have to partake in rehab games with Triple-A Sacramento before he gets a shot to wear the Giants uniform again, but his locker is situated next to a player that knows all about proving he’s got more left in the tank.
After Pence’s contract expired in San Francisco at the end of the 2018 season, many thought the outfielder’s next stop was retirement. Instead of giving up the game, Pence overhauled his swing, played winter ball in the Dominican Republic and signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.
“I thought maybe last year they would be interested with the swing change, but I understood the direction and the risk that’s involved with changing my swing,” Pence said. “But my heart is always open to San Francisco. Things worked out.”
This spring, Pence is back in Giants camp on the heels of hitting 18 home runs and being named an American League All-Star. With a locker located next to Sandoval’s, the Giants have two of the most upbeat, positive and vocal leaders in the game back in a familiar setting.
The way they see it, there’s no good reason to give up yet.
“I’ve got one more chance,” Sandoval said.