What Matt Cain Has Meant to the San Francisco Giants

3 of 7

SAN FRANCISCO – NOVEMBER 03: (L-R) San Francisco Giants pitchers Brian Wilson, Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain speak to fans outside San Francisco city hall during the Giants’ victory parade and celebration on November 3, 2010 in San Francisco, California. Thousands of Giants fans lined the streets of San Francisco to watch the San Francisco Giants celebrate their 2010 World Series victory over the Texas Rangers. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /

What Will the Giants Miss Most About Matt Cain?

Theriot: The Giants will obviously miss his performance on the field, but his presence in the clubhouse will hurt the most.

Nick Antazo of Fresno, CA: Cain and Lincecum were two of the only bright spots on the team for a long time before all the World Series runs.

Sheri M. from Santa Cruz: I’ve heard players comment that he’s approachable and friendly. Giants will definitely miss those qualities

Coppinger: His steady presence. If you plan on building a dynasty in sports, you have to have some continuity, especially with positive chemistry guys. Matt’s been a Giant since 2005. He’s connected to some bad Giants baseball at the beginning (always getting Cained, 2-1), but then he emerged as an indispensable part of a golden age for Giants baseball.

Delfino: No question, his dependability. Before there was Madison Bumgarner, there was Matt Cain. He was the guy who always answered the bell whenever the Giants needed a well pitched game. Who can forget the 2010 playoffs? Cain had one of the great post season runs in history allowing just one unearned run in 21 and a third innings pitched. For about a 5-6 year period, before injuries caught up to him in 2013, Cain was the rock of the pitching staff. A model of consistency who would take the mound game after game and provide just what the Giants needed. Fans, coaches and most importantly his teammates knew when Cain was on the mound, he would deliver a well pitched game.

Fracchia: His quiet leadership, and that prior to his injuries that he went out and did his job well. Matt Cain always gave the Giants a chance to win, and that is all that you can ask for. There are a great deal of things beyond one’s control in baseball, and in life, and Matt did his best when it was his turn in the rotation.

Knudsen: The Giants will miss their quiet leader, their practical joker, their reliable, steady starter.

Nehme: His leadership and his mentorship to the new pitchers.

Rissotto: The Giants will miss the leadership in the clubhouse and #18 being used by another Giant.

Rule: His leadership and longevity. He’s been a Giant since 2005 and went through the rough years when the only thing bringing the fans to AT&T Park was Barry Bonds. He knows what it was like before all the championship seasons. He played for Felipe Alou before Bruce Bochy, so he’s had that too. To me, that makes him a great teacher, mentor, and advisor for all the Giants that have come along since 2010.