Eduardo Nunez makes heartfelt farewell to the San Francisco Giants

After just 126 games in less than a calendar year, Eduardo Nunez bids farewell to the San Francisco Giants, but not without expressing his love for the organization.

On July 28, 2016, the San Francisco Giants acquired Eduardo Nunez from the Minnesota Twins. Not only did he bring with him his versatility on the field, but he won over the hearts of the Giants and their fans with his infectious smile and personality.

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On July 25, 2017 – within a calendar year of joining the Giants – Nunez was pinch-hit for in the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Shortly after, he went around the dugout hugging his teammates and Ken Rosenthal reported that he had been traded to the Boston Red Sox.

When Nunez came to San Francisco, the Giants were scrambling to maintain their lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Despite the Giants missing out on the pennant, Nunez helped his new team to the Wild Card Game by batting .269 with 13 stolen bases.

The following year, Nunez worked to improve his batting average, which at one point sunk to .241. He finished his time in San Francisco with a .307 batting average by batting .346 since the All-Star break. He also served the Giants well outside of his primary position at third, filling holes in both the infield and outfield.

If that was not enough, Nunez’s energy and passion for the game brought life to a struggling clubhouse. Now 23 games below .500, the Giants are well out of contention and 31.5 games back in the NL West.

Now with the Red Sox, but forever a Giant

Meanwhile, the Red Sox are in the midst of a tight race with the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. While Boston leads the division, the Yankees are only one game back and the Rays are managing to stay 2.5 games out of first place.

"“We all enjoyed having Nuni here and he was great for us and who knows, he might be back,” Madison Bumgarner said, per KNBR. “But right now, he’s going to Boston and best of luck to him and that’s good for him to go and get in another playoff race.”"

Although Nunez shares his teammate’s excitement about joining a contending team, he is equally excited about possibly returning to San Francisco sometime down the road. His contract expires after this season and with plenty of other teams interested in his talent, there is the possibility of seeing Nunez in a Giants uniform in 2018.

"“For sure, I would love to,” Nunez said. “It’s a great organization, great city, great fans. I love the family here, they are my brothers, true brothers. … I’m sad. I leave you guys and thank you for everything. You gave me a lot of support and I know it’s not a great year for the organization, but you guys [have] been amazing.”"

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Whether he reunites with the Giants or returns to AT&T Park in the opposing dugout, Nunez leaves San Francisco with nothing short of appreciation.