It’s never too late to chase your dreams. Or in Brandon Crawford’s case, it’s never too late to prove that one of the hardest things to do in sports is just a walk in the park.
Crawford spent his entire 12-year major league career at shortstop until Sunday, when he took the mound to close out a lopsided Giants win against the Cubs—and didn’t allow a single run. After the game, Crawford took a fun shot at his pitching counterparts.
“I always give pitchers a hard time about it not being that hard,” said Crawford, who touched 90 mph with his fastball. “I think I proved today that it’s not. They probably don’t love that I have a 0.00 ERA, because I’ll continue to give them a hard time about it.”
Giants pitchers should be mad Brandon Crawford has a 0.00 ERA 😂
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 12, 2023
“I always give pitchers a hard time about it not being that hard. I think I proved today that it's not." pic.twitter.com/tgGxuATXNN
The 36-year-old was sent to the mound in the top of the ninth inning with his team up 13–3 and proceeded to close out the win after allowing just one walk and one single.
Here is every Brandon Crawford pitch in his first pitching appearance pic.twitter.com/8Wz8eODyA2
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 11, 2023
When asked if he’d retire with a 0.00 ERA, Crawford didn’t commit to anything.
“We’ll see,” he told reporters. “I don’t know. I’ve been told my pitch is actually pretty good on their charts and everything. We’ll see.”
“It’s always something I’ve wanted to do.”
— John Dickinson (@JDJohnDickinson) June 12, 2023
Brandon Crawford on pitching a scoreless inning.
Asked what he was thinking when he couldn’t find the zone initially?
“I started getting a little nervous there.” pic.twitter.com/vkuOzOItqL