Since being founded in 1883, the Giants have had a number of great players wear the orange and black over the past 130 years. From the early days of Christy Mathewson, through the careers of Willie Mays and Willie McCovey to the 21st century superstars of Barry Bonds and Will Clark, these great Giants will live on in baseball immortality.
In light of Matt Cain’s decision to retire from baseball and make the final start of his career on Saturday, Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow believes the Horse belongs up with the all-time greats in team history.
“From the Giants’ historical perspective, he’s given as much to this organization as anyone who’s ever played for it,” Krukow said on Murph & Mac Friday morning. “I can’t compliment a guy better than that.”
The Giants drafted Cain straight out of high school as the No. 25 overall selection in 2002. Being a first-round pick set Cain’s bar of success high as he worked his way through the minor leagues.
“I think one of the most difficult things when any high pick gets drafted and comes into professional baseball is to justify the expectation,” Krukow said. “That was sort of the case surrounding Matt Cain when he reached the big leagues. He was a first-round draft pick, the Giants weren’t doing well and we all were looking for someone to make an immediate contribution.”
He pitched his way to a 2.33 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 46.1 innings pitched in 2005, and finished fifth for the Rookie of the Year voting the following year. Although the best was yet to come in his career, he caught Krukow’s attention with his phenomenal start in Boston in 2007.
“It was the first time the Giants went to Boston and the Red Sox had a good club and the Giants didn’t,” Krukow said. “They threw Matt Cain out there and I think he got beat 1-0 or something like that, but he was awesome.”
From there, Cain continued down his road towards the Giants record books, and cemented his name by throwing the first perfect game in franchise history. On June 13, 2012, Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in the major leagues thanks to 14 strikeouts and some key defensive plays.
Cain ranks in the top three in San Francisco franchise history for innings pitched (3rd, 2,080.2), starts (2nd, 331) and strikeouts (3rd, 1,690). He also ranks fifth with 104 career wins, but every Giants fan knows how easily he could’ve won more. His 77 quality starts lost is the most in Giants franchise history.
“Then the final thing, of course, is that every pitch he’s ever thrown at the major league level he’s had ‘Giants’ across his chest or ‘San Francisco’ on the road,” Krukow said. “That to me is such a big part, that just doesn’t happen very much.”
The list of Cain’s achievements goes on and on. He started every clinching game in the 2012 postseason that led to the Giants winning their second of three World Series championships from 2010-2014. Even when he was unable to pitch in 2014 and his career gradually declined, Cain continued to be a leader in the clubhouse, and passed on his knowledge to the youngsters on the pitching staff.
“It’s going to be emotional all weekend because we’re going to be talking about him, about moments and he’s had some big moments. From the perfect game to everything he’s done in the postseason, started the All-Star Game, he’s done it all and he’s done it in a classic form.”
To listen to the full interview check out the podcast below, and skip to 4:50 for Krukow on Cain.