San Francisco Giants: Let’s Remember How Awesome Ryan Vogelsong Is

Another San Francisco Giants great is riding off into the sunset — this time in the form of Ryan Vogelsong.

Vogie, Vogelstrong or whatever you want to call him — when it’s all set and done, he’s one hell of a Giant.

We all know his story. Drafted by the Giants, bounces around for a bit, season ending injury. He contemplates retirement, but decides to give it one more chance in Japan. Next thing you know, he’s got two World Series ring and will be forever enshrined in Giants lore.

His story is everything we love about sports. Setbacks and injuries that eventually all pay off, and why not with the team that drafted you? It was almost too good to be true.

In 2012, he was on the hill twice with the season on the line. In Game 3 of the Division series against the Reds, he went 5 innings only giving up one run.

Game 2 of the NLCS is often overlooked, but in my opinion it was crucial. After dropping Game 1 at home, this was a virtual must-win. Vogie did not disappoint, as he turned in 7 innings of one run ball, which led to a Giants victory. Who knows what happens if the Giants had lost that game.

Who could forget Game 6 of the NLCS against the Cardinals? It would’ve been easy to have had a minor hangover from Barry Zito’s game 5 gem, but Vogelsong had his defining moment as a Giant. Seven innings of one run ball yet again. In two starts in that NLCS, he had 14 IP, only giving up 2 runs. That is clutch. Why not cap it off with 5 and 2/3 innings without allowing a run against the Tigers in the World Series.

I remember watching him get drilled at the plate in 2013. It broke his wrist and the Giants lost him for most of the season. But who was injury to stop Ryan Vogelsong?

In Game 4 of the 2014 NLDS against the Nationals, he turned in 5 and 2/3 innings of one run ball. Again, nothing but clutchness. If the Giants lose that game, they go back to Washington for Game 5, which should make all of our collective stomach’s churn.

The NLCS and World Series weren’t as great, as he only went 6 and 2/3 innings combined in his two starts, allowing 8 earned runs.

Nonetheless, he never had a loss in the playoffs as a Giant. And every single game he started, the Giants won.

It’s fitting that a Giant as great as Vogelsong is going to retire a Giant. I’m sure he’ll stay involved in the organization as most past players do. However, let’s send him off right. With fireworks and Cirque de Soleil and … gosh, I just really want to celebrate something this season.

Next: San Francisco Giants: Ryan Vogelsong’s Top Five Moments as a Giant

Ryan Vogelsong is a Great Giant. He was a huge part of two world championships. So as this trusty steed rides off into the sunset, let us bid him a heartfelt farewell.