San Francisco Giants: Jake Peavy's Top Five Moments as a Giant
The San Francisco Giants traded for Jake Peavy at the 2014 trade deadline and his impact was immediate. After an injury to Matt Cain, Peavy stepped in and essentially replaced Cain in the rotation and allowed the Giants to continue to build momentum towards another World Series championship.
He brought the same drive and intensity he had in when he played for manager Bruce Bochy when they were both in San Diego and it rubbed off on his teammates. Peavy instantly became one of the team’s vocal leaders in the clubhouse and on the mound.
Peavy had won his first championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2013, and he wasn’t ready to stop winning rings. He was one of the team’s best pitchers down the stretch and helped lead them into October.
Fans will remember Peavy’s fire and his strong outings, but it might be his work off the field that is the most memorable and will ultimately be the longest lasting in San Francisco.
But for our list, we will limit the moments to what Peavy did between the lines.
Apr 18, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jake Peavy (22) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder David Peralta (6) in the first inning of the MLB baseball game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Peavy Moment Number 5: Peavy “Makes” a Basket Catch
Jake Peavy always let everyone know how he was feeling, and when he didn’t get a strike call on a check swing he made sure the umpire at third base knew it. Buster Posey didn’t notice that Peavy was still arguing with the third base ump and lobbed the ball back to the mound. As it turned out, Posey isn’t the only Bay Area sharpshooter as he lobbed the ball right into Peavy’s glove. What could have been a scary moment turned out to be a hilarious memory.
Next: Jake Peavy Homers & Strikes Out 8
Jul 9, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jake Peavy (22) singles on a line drive to left field against the the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Peavy Moment Number 4: Peavy’s Big Fly and Big Night
Jake Peavy is legally blind and needs his catchers to color code their fingers just to see which pitch to throw. So the idea that Peavy could hit a major league fastball at the plate might seem impossible or at least improbable. That didn’t stop Jake on this night as he crushed a ball to left center to give the Giants a 4-0 lead in a game he would also win, striking out eight over six plus innings in a 5-3 win.
Next: Jake Peavy Goes 7 2/3 For the Win
Sep 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jake Peavy (22) pitches in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Peavy Moment Number 3: Peavy’s goes 7 2/3 for a 2-1 Win
Jake Peavy had some big outings in 2014 and this might have been his best. Over 7 2/3 innings, he allowed one run and earned his fourth straight win. It was a huge win as the Giants were pushing for a playoff spot in late September. It was exactly why the Giants brought Peavy to San Francisco and on this night, he was at his best.
Next: Jake Peavy Wins Game 1 of the NLDS
Oct 21, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Jake Peavy is interviewed before game one of the 2014 World Series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Peavy Moment Number 2: Peavy’s First Post-Season Win
Jake Peavy was brought in to help the Giants win the World Series again and his performance in the National League Division Series was exactly what they had in mind. Peavy only allowed 2 hits over 5 2/3 shutout innings. The Giants would go onto win the game and the series. It was the signature performance from Peavy that post-season and it got the Giants off to the start they desperately needed against the powerful Washington Nationals.
Next: Jake Peavy No Hitter Through 7 with a Little Help
May 29, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) dives but is unable to catch a ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jon Jay (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. San Francisco defeated St. Louis 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Peavy Moment Number 1: 7 No Hit Innings Thanks to Brandon Crawford
Jake Peavy had some memorable nights at AT&T Park, but none were quite as memorable as his near no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. Facing his old team, Peavy heading into the seventh inning with the No-No still in tact. With a runner on first base and one out, shortstop Brandon Crawford made a sensational diving stop of a ground ball up the middle. He immediately flipped the ball to Joe Panik, mirroring the play the two made in Kansas City during the World Series. Panik immediately fired the ball to Travis Ishikawa at first and the double play kept the hitless performance going. For Peavy, it was his best start as a Giant. He would lose the no hit bid the following inning, and leave the game to a standing ovation from the sellout crowd.
No player will ever match the fire and intensity that Jake Peavy had or the passion and desire he showed. He was a one of a kind personality that will be remembered in San Francisco for years to come.
Don’t forget to check out our top five moments of other free agents the San Francisco Giants have said goodbye to this off-season.
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