The San Francisco Giants stand at 18-5 in the penultimate month of the season. Giants CEO Larry Baer’s team has had more than a winning streak this season—a twist that many did not see coming.
What’s more, to achieve these heights, the Giants didn’t get rid of the key players from their World Series run. Instead, these players have been the driving force, pushing the team forward over the last few months.
These veteran players have certainly pulled their weight and led the team’s gallant resurgence. Last week, Brandon Crawford’s two-run double was integral in the Giants win in New York. Similarly, Brandon Belt’s double home run pushed the team to beat the Mets. Add that to the fact that Buster Posey has stayed strong from the offset and the Major League Baseball team has showcased a truly winning formula.
While many Major League Baseball teams subscribe to the ‘tear it down and start again’ mantra, the San Francisco team has taken a different approach. It’s been a fan-winning move. Over the summer, some of the team’s fans wore ‘Let the Old Guys Play’ t-shirts—an undeniable show of support for this tactic. Game on game, the Giants players have shown that they have an unspeakable level of chemistry and drive.
“We as veteran guys still have a lot to offer,” Brandon Crawford previously said. “Not just from a baseball standpoint, but experience. Showing some of the younger guys either the right way to play the game or tips here and there about the game at this level. I think that’s what every team needs. I had it coming up. I think it’s pretty important.”
The powers that be obviously agree that these players have value, having extended Brandon Crawford’s contract earlier this month. It came alongside high praise. President of Baseball Operations, Farhan Zaidi, said that he “never seen a player have more of an impact on a team’s success than what he’s done.”
It doesn’t end there— Buster Posey has a club option for 2022 but is touted to get an extension in the coming months. The move would prevent him from hopping over to the Milwaukee Brewers or Atlanta Braves next year. Along with Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt, he has become a true staple of the 2021 team.
“I think there is a correlation of some kind with our continuity and success,” said Brandon Crawford. The formula is working for the Giants, but only time will tell whether other Major League Baseball teams catch wind of the strategy and give it a go for themselves. Watch this space.
Read more on the SF Giants here: https://www.thesportsbank.net/mlb/larry-baer-sf-giants-nl-west/