San Francisco Giants:One Hit Blunders (Part One)
Apr 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins owner Jeffery Loria (right) talks with Florida Marlins former player
Jeff Conine(left) prior to a game against the Colorado Rockies at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jose Cruz Jr
This selection is based almost solely on one actual play, but not entirely. Jose Cruz Jr was a decent hitter before he came to the Giants in 2003. He never hit for much of an average (career .250 hitter, which is exactly what he hit with the Giants). But his peak power days were fading, and he hit 20 home runs with the team, after hitting 34 and 31 just a couple years before.
He was known for his glove and, during the regular season, he showed that he was well above average. He was chosen as a Gold Glove winner, and had 18 assists out there with a league-leading 7 double plays.
But then the postseason arrived, and the Giants were playing the Florida Marlins in the NLDS. Cruz Jr. went 0-11 in the series, and made a crucial error in the bottom of the 11th inning after the Giants had just taken the lead 3-2. It was on a lazy pop up to right off the bat of Jeff Conine. He came in on it, and it clanked off the heel of his glove.
That was the opening the Marlins needed as they would go on to win the game on Ivan Rodriguez‘s two-run single to right.
Unfortunately, when your calling card is defense, and that is where a blunder occurs, it is amplified. (As was the 0-11 at the plate, as mentioned before.)