Brandon Crawford’s future, as of now, is ambiguous. But when the 36-year-old shortstop stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat, everyone in the stands — in orange in black or Dodger blue — recognized something special was happening.
Crawford, who never relishes being the center of attention, paused before entering the batter’s box to soak it in. He tipped his helmet to the crowd and took a breath.
The greatest shortstop in franchise history started the game by catching ceremonial first pitches from each of his four kids. He took ground balls from Ron Wotus with no one else on the field. Like he always does, he signed autographs for adoring fans.
He tried to make a festive day feel normal. But he deserved more than a mundane send-off — if that’s what it ends up being — in his 1,654th game.
The afternoon ended up opening windows both into the Giants’ past and its future, as top prospect Kyle Harrison no-hit the Dodgers for five innings and Casey Schmitt blasted two solo home runs. Not much else went right for the Giants (79-83), who lost 5-2 front of 38,359 fans.
In a year marred by a franchise-record strikeout total, the most errors in MLB, disappointing production from veterans and a September collapse, the Giants’ only choice was to spend the regular season finale honoring Crawford — however subtly they could. Ovations persisted throughout the game, and crescendoed when he made a curtain call in the ninth inning.
After the game, Crawford addressed the crowd.
“On behalf of the team, I just want to thank you guys for this season,” Crawford said. “For showing up through the ups and the downs. We just really appreciate it. And just personally, from the grand slam in Milwaukee, to World Series wins, to today, you guys always showed me love. My family and I appreciate it so much. You guys are the best.”
Crawford didn’t get much action in the field, but two diving catches — one from Michael Conforto and another from Mike Yastrzemski — helped Kyle Harrison keep the Dodgers offense quiet. The rookie southpaw hit three batters, but didn’t surrender any hits.
In fact, the only hit of the game for either team through five innings was Blake Sabol’s single up the middle in the third.
Harrison departed after striking out four in five hitless innings. He threw 94 pitches, a taxing start due to two walks and the three HBPs.
At one point during a stoppage of play, Dodgers star Freddie Freeman gave Crawford a hug. Crawford later revealed Freeman told him that he hopes this isn’t the last time he wears a Giants jersey. The shortstop’s longevity and work in the community — he was presented with the team’s Roberto Clemente Award on Saturday — has earned him respect and admiration across the sport.
The Dodgers’ first hit came off John Brebbia to lead off the sixth inning, when Crawford couldn’t make a diving play in the deep hole. It was the type of difficult stop Crawford has made look smooth countless of times in his career, as evidenced by his career highlight reel that played in the Giants’ clubhouse pregame.
Brebbia ceded to Taylor Rogers, who gave up four consecutive hits — including a three-run homer to Kiké Hernandez — before motioning to trainer Dave Groeschner. Rogers, the $33 million reliever, has had putrid splits against righties this season, which showed as LA took a 5-0 lead.
Casey Schmitt, one of the current Giants in the mix to possibly help replace Crawford, socked his fourth homer of the season. Moments later, Crawford popped out to shallow left; he’d struck out in his first two at-bats.
Still, with every plate appearance, the fans gave Crawford a warm reception. In the seventh inning, they cheered when he battled the sun to secure an infield pop fly. The yellow-tinted sunglasses on his hat brim glistened like the star he became at this ballpark.
After Schmitt’s second homer of the game, Crawford grounded out to shortstop for an 0-for-4 afternoon. As he jogged off the field, the Oracle Park crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Then active manager Kai Correa pulled Crawford from the game to start the ninth inning, allowing the Pleasanton native to hug his teammates on the mound and then in the dugout. He tipped his cap to fans, who chanted his name as a photo of him flashed on the scoreboard.
That’s when he nearly got emotional, Crawford said postgame.
“A little overwhelming,” Crawford said in front of his locker. “Still probably will take some time to process all of it. Just a lot of love, and I appreciate it.”
After Crawford spoke to the crowd, the team stood on the infield grass to watch his career highlights. If this is the end for him, it was a fitting acknowledgement of a legend.
A season that began with great expectations ended with pageantry. When all is left to offer is pomp and circumstance, the Giants at least delivered them.