The writing was on the wall when Hunter Pence was released by the San Francisco Giants. Now, he is officially saying goodbye.
It was inevitable. Hunter Pence had returned to the San Francisco Giants for one last hurrah, a chance to build off of his resurgent 2019 campaign and leave on his terms. However, his struggles, combined with the Giants run to the postseason, led to his being released on August 23rd. It seemed likely that we had seen Pence on the diamond for the final time.
That became official on Saturday. Pence announced his retirement, hanging up the spikes after 14 years in the majors.
Nothing can really prepare you for this part of your career when you have to say: I am retiring from baseball.
— Hunter Pence (@hunterpence) September 26, 2020
Forever thankful and Gr8ful. pic.twitter.com/XoYTsLkOlu
This was certainly not how he wanted to go out. Pence struggled all year, with just five hits in 56 plate appearances. He did hit two homers and a triple while drawing three walks, but any thunder in his bat was gone.
It is an unfortunate final season to what was a solid career. Pence produced a lifetime .279/.334/.461 batting line, hitting 244 homers and 324 doubles while stealing 120 bases. He was a four time All Star and a key part of the Giants’ World Series victories in 2012 and 2014.
Pence had also established himself as a fan favorite virtually everywhere he played. He was high energy at all times, looking as though he was constantly wired with an IV drip of pure caffeine. The Hunter Pence Signs, his resemblance to Marv from Home Alone, and his personality made him a beloved member of any team he was a part of.
In a way, that overshadowed Pence’s career. He was a solid all around outfielder, the type of player that any winning team wants to have on their roster. Pence left everything he had on the diamond, sacrificing himself for the greater glory.
Former San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence has called it a career. We wish him the best of luck going forward.