Brandon Crawford, Three-Time All-Star Shortstop, Announces Retirement
Brandon Crawford, the veteran shortstop and three-time All-Star, announced his retirement on Wednesday via his Instagram account. Crawford, 37, spent 13 of his 14 major league seasons with the San Francisco Giants, earning two World Series championships in 2012 and 2014. Over the course of his career, he also claimed four Gold Glove Awards and established himself as one of the greatest shortstops in Giants’ history.
Crawford’s standout season came in 2021, when he finished fourth in National League MVP voting after hitting .298 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs in 138 games. His defensive prowess and consistency at the plate made him a fixture for the Giants, where he set a franchise record for most games played at shortstop (1,617), surpassing the previous mark held by Hall of Famer Travis Jackson.
“Growing up in the Bay Area and going to games at Candlestick, I always dreamed of playing for the San Francisco Giants,” Crawford wrote in his retirement announcement. “Being drafted by my hometown team and spending most of my career with them far surpassed any dream I had as a kid. I definitely pretended to win a World Series in my backyard—but winning two? That was beyond my wildest dreams.”
Crawford made his MLB debut in 2011 and was a key contributor to the Giants’ championship teams in 2012 and 2014. His exceptional play earned him All-Star honors in 2015, 2018, and 2021.
Giants CEO Larry Baer praised Crawford’s legacy, stating, “Watching Brandon play was an absolute privilege for not only me but for Giants fans everywhere. He was an All-Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, a two-time World Series champion who always carried himself with class, honor, and respect.”
Crawford’s final season in 2024 saw him play just 28 games with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he struggled offensively, batting .169 with one home run and four RBIs before being released in August.
“It’s been an unforgettable journey,” Crawford reflected. “Thank you, Giants, for allowing me to live out my dream and be a part of so much throughout my career in San Francisco.”
Despite his brief time with St. Louis, Crawford will always be remembered for his incredible contributions to the Giants and his storied career as one of the finest shortstops of his generation.
