Retirement seems inevitable for SF Giants legend after brutal 2024 campaign

The SF Giants let franchise legend Brandon Crawford depart in free agency last offseason after struggles characterized his end in San Francisco. His brutal year with the St. Louis Cardinals makes retirement seem all but inevitable.

Brandon Crawford played 13 years with the Giants and became a franchise legend. Starting his career as a glove-first player, he eventually developed into a legitimate offensive threat. He was a huge part of both the 2012 and 2014 World Series championships. It was made all the more special by the fact that he was a local kid who grew up to be a star shortstop for his favorite team.

SF Giants legend Brandon Crawford seems likely to retire

Sadly, things did not end in the smoothest way possible with the Giants. Even though he had injury-plagued years in 2022 and 2023 after his resurgence in 2021, Crawford desired to stay in San Francisco. He said that he was not wanted by the Giants.

It is understandable why he would feel that way, but Crawford had really reached the end of the line with the Giants. Perhaps they could have kept him on last season as a bench piece who could have served as a mentor figure to younger players, but his performance with the Cardinals made it clear that he did not have much left in the tank.

In just 28 games and 71 at-bats with St. Louis, he slashed a disappointing .169/.263/.282 with one homer and 4 RBI. He ended up being released by the Cardinals on August 20th. 

This proves that the Giants were right not to bring him back. It also proves that Crawford probably should have retired after 2023 when it was already clear that injury issues were holding him back. Now, retirement seems like an inevitability unless some team wants to take a flyer on him and give him an invite to Spring Training to see if he can make the team. If he wants to keep playing, more power to him. We have seen Pablo Sandoval do everything imaginable to keep on playing so maybe Crawford wants to extend his career as long as possible.

Or maybe he sees the writing on the wall and plans to hang it up. If so, he will be remembered and celebrated as a phenomenal Giant and arguably the best shortstop in franchise history. It is a shame he declined in his last few seasons, but that is a natural thing to happen as age catches up with a player. 

Crawford may have played his final game in the big leagues, but he will always be a hero and legend for his time with the Giants.