Brandon Crawford Announces Retirement After 14-Year MLB Career
San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford has announced his decision to retire from professional baseball, ending a 14-year major league career with the team. Crawford, a four-time Gold Glove winner and three-time All-Star, made the announcement on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for the opportunities and experiences he’s had throughout his career.
Crawford, who was drafted by the Giants in 2008 and made his debut in 2011, won two World Series championships with the team in 2012 and 2014. He is the career leader in games played at shortstop with 1,617 and has a career .249 batting average with 147 home runs and 748 RBIs.
The Giants will honor Crawford’s career on April 26 at Oracle Park, with the team’s president of baseball operations, Buster Posey, praising Crawford’s clutch play and dedication to the game. Crawford’s former teammate, Larry Baer, also spoke highly of him, saying that watching him play was a privilege for the fans everywhere.
Crawford’s decision to retire comes after he spent the 2023 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was released in August after hitting .169 with one home run and four RBIs over 80 plate appearances. The 37-year-old will now focus on his family, with his wife Jalynne and their five young children as his top priority.
In his Instagram post, Crawford thanked the fans, teammates, and organization for their support throughout his career, saying, “I’m incredibly grateful for all the years I spent playing the game I love, but now it is time for me to spend it with the people who I’m most thankful for.”
