Brandon Michael Crawford born January 21, 1987 is a former professional baseball shortstop from the United States. He spent 14 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the San Francisco Giants. Crawford played college baseball at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and was drafted by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2011 and made history by becoming the sixth player ever to hit a grand slam in his first MLB game, as well as the first shortstop to hit a grand slam in a postseason game.
Brandon Crawford Biography 2024
Crawford was a three-time All-Star (2015, 2018, 2021), a four-time Gold Glove Award winner (2015-2017, 2021), a two-time Wilson Defensive Player of the Year (2012 and 2016), and earned the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop in 2015. He holds the record for most games played at shortstop for the Giants and was second among all active players in shortstop games played by the end of the 2022 season. After spending 13 seasons with the Giants, Crawford signed with the St. Louis Cardinals for the 2024 season before announcing his retirement on November 27, 2024.
Brandon Crawford Biography Details
Born: January 21, 1987 (age 37) Mountain View, California, U.S. |
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Batting average | .249 |
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Home runs | 147 |
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Runs batted in | 748 |
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Brandon Crawford Early Life
Brandon Crawford was born on January 21, 1987, in Mountain View, California, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. His family lived in Menlo Park before moving to Pleasanton when he was in elementary school. As a Giants fan, Crawford’s family purchased season tickets and a commemorative brick in Willie Mays Plaza outside AT&T Park when the stadium opened in 2000. Crawford attended Foothill High School in Pleasanton, where he was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball. He was the starting quarterback for the Foothill Falcons and graduated in 2005.
Brandon Crawford Bio
Detail | Information |
Born | January 21, 1987 |
Hometown | Mountain View, California |
High School | Foothill High School, Pleasanton |
High School Sports | Football, Basketball, Baseball |
Family Background | Grew up a San Francisco Giants fan, season ticket holders |
College Career
Detail | Information |
University | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
Major | Physiological Sciences |
Years Active | 2006–2008 |
Team | UCLA Bruins |
Notable Achievement | 2006, 2007 Team MVP |
Professional Career
Season | Key Stats & Highlights |
2011 | MLB debut with San Francisco Giants, hit a grand slam in first MLB game |
2012 | Named opening day shortstop, Wilson Defensive Player of the Year |
2014 | Led Giants in RBIs during postseason, 2nd World Series title |
San Francisco Giants Legacy
Achievement | Description |
Games Played | Most games played at shortstop in Giants history |
World Series Titles | 2 titles (2012, 2014) |
Gold Gloves | 4 Gold Glove Awards (2015-2017, 2021) |
Peak Seasons 2015–2021
Year | Achievements |
2015 | Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, career-high in home runs (21) |
2016 | MLB-record 7 hits in a game, second Gold Glove |
2021 | 1st in NL in RBIs (career-high), fourth Gold Glove, 4th in NL MVP voting |
Transition to St. Louis Cardinals
Detail | Information |
Contract | Signed with St. Louis Cardinals in 2024 |
Performance | Played 28 games, slashed .169/.263/.282 with one home run and four RBI |
Retirement | Announced retirement on November 27, 2024 |
Accomplishments and Honors
Award/Accomplishment | Times Won (Dates) |
MLB All-Star | 3 times (2015, 2018, 2021) |
Gold Glove | 4 times (2015–2017, 2021) |
World Series Titles | 2 titles (2012, 2014) |
Family and Personal Life
Family Member | Relationship and Details |
Spouse | Jalynne Dantzscher, former UCLA gymnast, married in 2011 |
Children | 3 daughters, 2 sons |
Brother-in-law | Gerrit Cole, MLB pitcher (married to his sister) |
Brandon Crawford Net Worth
Brandon Crawford is a professional baseball shortstop who has a net worth of $35 million.
Brandon Crawford Summary
Brandon Crawford’s illustrious career is a testament to his defensive excellence, leadership, and offensive contributions. Known for his unmatched consistency, he became the longest-serving shortstop for the Giants, leading them to two World Series victories. Crawford’s ability to combine Gold Glove-winning defense with offensive power made him one of the most well-rounded players of his generation. Despite facing injuries in later years, his work ethic and love for the game kept him a key figure for both the Giants and briefly for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024. As he retires, Crawford’s legacy will remain deeply ingrained in MLB history.