Almost four years ago to the day, Hunter Pence played his last game with the Phillies and, subsequently, first game with the Giants. It was one of the bigger deals of the 2012 trade deadline, if not the biggest. The Giants and Dodgers were in a tight race for the division and both teams looked for moves to give them an edge over their rival. The Dodgers acquired outfielder Shane Victorino from Philadelphia, and as the deadline approached, the Giants front office countered by landing Pence, a two-time All-Star. Since the trade, Pence has made himself a staple in San Francisco, riding his scooter to the park and building a unique and lasting relationship with the fans any player would admire.
Now it’s 2016, Pence has won two World Series with the team and established himself as a premier outfielder that has mastered AT&T Park’s tricky right field. But as injuries have limited Pence’s role the past two seasons, this year feels different. When Pence first went down with the hamstring injury in early June, there was no way to know how long he would be out and how his replacements would fill the void. Even with Pence gone, the platoon of Mac Williamson and Jarrett Parker helped the Giants avoid a “June swoon” and the team headed into the All-Star break with a 6.5 game lead over the Dodgers.
San Francisco soon saw its lead nearly disappear, going 2-11 in the first 13 games back and the need for Pence’s bat in the lineup was becoming more apparent than ever. The offense was stagnant, consistently failing to get hits with runners in scoring position and runs were hard to come by. It was obvious the team needed a jolt, but with Pence’s return from the DL, the Giants displayed a newfound energy they were missing in the second half. Pence didn’t do anything monumental like hit a walk-off home run or make a diving catch to save the game, but he brought back life the Giants offense.
Pence has always been an energetic player, dating back to his time with the Astros and Phillies. During the Giants’ 2012 playoff run, his pregame speeches were the stuff of legend and propelled the Giants to a World Series after going down 2-0 against Cincinnati and then again 3-1 to St. Louis.
“It’s no secret he’s our emotional, spiritual, whatever-you-want-to-go-with leader,” Posey said after Saturday’s win. “Definitely a big boost.”
Pence was chomping at the bit during his rehab assignment, hitting .417 with three home runs to prove he was ready to return. In his first at bat back, Pence rocketed a double off the left field wall and scrambled out of the box after losing his balance like only Pence would do and revitalized an anxious crowd at AT&T Park. With all the rumors surrounding the trade deadline and the concerns over whether the Giants should shop for an extra bat or look to add depth to the bullpen, Pence’s return from the DL almost felt like a trade. He was welcomed to right field with cheering fans and received a loud standing ovation when announced before his at bat, just like a new Giant would be greeted.
Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow talked on KNBR about Pence’s return and the type of energy he brings to a team on field. Krukow said, “There is not a phony bone in his body. Who plays as hard as he plays? Who runs out everything as hard as he runs out everything?”
Pence’s energy is unparalleled when he is on the ball field, but what is even more special about the right fielder is the way he goes about his business in the clubhouse and how he interacts with his teammates off the field.
“Everybody feels like this guy is their friend,” Krukow addeds. “He is energy everyday. He is like the official greeter when new guys come into the clubhouse. He pumps these guys up.”
The attitude Pence brings back to the team is something no trade acquisition or call up could inject into a clubhouse. His return to the lineup is better than any reasonable trade the team could make. The Giants are the only team to pick up at All Star outfielder at the trade deadline without giving up anything in return, and as he gets ready to play back in Philadelphia four years later, Pence’s return is a reminder of what he means to this team, and organization.