Crawford to be recognized as 'Greatest Diamond-Era Flying Squirrel'

RICHMOND, Va. – Former shortstop Brandon Crawford will be recognized by the Richmond Flying Squirrels as the “Greatest Diamond-Era Flying Squirrel” in a pregame ceremony at CarMax Park on Saturday evening.

Crawford’s time in Richmond began at the very start of the franchise. After playing with Norwich for part of the 2009 season, he returned to Double-A for the 2010 season with the brand-new Flying Squirrels in their first season.

Baseball America ranked Crawford as the No. 9 Giants prospect that year, touting his strong defensive skills at shortstop.

He was the Flying Squirrels’ Opening Day shortstop in their first-ever game on April 8, 2010 at Bowie.

While the Flying Squirrels struggled on the road to begin their inaugural season, Crawford did not. The team lost six-of-seven games to open the year, but Crawford, with a season of Double-A experience already under his belt, batted .381 in that stretch.

With a 1-6 record entering their first home opener, the Flying Squirrels began their time at The Diamond with a 3-0 win over the Reading Phillies on April 15, 2010. The visitors threatened to come back late, loading the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, but Crawford made a diving catch on an infield line drive by Michael Spidale to escape the jam.

Through the first months of the season, Crawford shined defensively on the middle infield alongside second baseman Nick Noonan.

That summer, WRIC in Richmond a story on Crawford, showcasing trick plays during an afternoon workout. Clips from that report still pop up frequently from engagement farming social media accounts.

Crawford’s defense drew the most attention, but he had some big moments at the plate as well.

On May 20, Crawford hit his fourth homer of the season, an inside-the-park, three-run homer to help fuel a 5-1 Flying Squirrels win over the SeaWolves. Four days later, he hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth in a 3-2 Flying Squirrels win at Binghamton.

On July 1, he hit his second inside-the-park homer of the season and capped a 2-1 Flying Squirrels win over the SeaWolves with a walk-off double in the 12th inning.

Crawford’s time in Richmond came to a sudden end after he suffered a broken hand after being hit by a line drive during batting practice in early July, which essentially ended his season.

He was named an Eastern League All-Star but was unable to participate in the game in Harrisburg because of the injury. Crawford returned to the field on a rehab assignment in High-A in September and helped the San Jose Giants win the California League title.

Crawford missed the start of the season in 2011 with a broken finger and eventually reported to back to San Jose to start his season in May. Two weeks later, he was called up to the majors for the first time.

On May 27, 2011, Crawford made his major league debut for the Giants in Milwaukee. Trailing, 2-1, in the seventh inning, Crawford drove a go-ahead grand slam for his first MLB hit and the Giants went on to win, 5-4.

Crawford went on to play 14 years in the majors, including 13 with the Giants.

After being part of the first Flying Squirrels team to take the field, Crawford became the first Flying Squirrels alum to become a major league All-Star, the first to win a Gold Glove Award and is still the only former Flying Squirrel to win a Silver Slugger Award.

Crawford is the most decorated alum the Flying Squirrels have sent to the majors to date. He won two World Series titles with the Giants in 2012 and 2014. He was selected as a National League All-Star in 2015, 2018 and 2021. He won four Gold Glove Awards as the National League’s top defensive shortstop, taking three straight from 2015-2017 and winning another in 2021.

Crawford returned to Richmond in 2017 while on a rehab assignment from the Giants. He picked up four hits in two games in his return to The Diamond.

After 13 years in San Francisco, Crawford finished his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024.

We’re paying homage to one of the greatest Squirrels to ever do it on Saturday, April 25 for Brandon Crawford Night at CarMax Park!

The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive one of these limited edition Brandon Crawford pins courtesy of @Flack4RIC, plus B-Craw himself will… pic.twitter.com/KWuRC1lDWf

— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 15, 2026

Crawford will return to Richmond on Saturday, April 25. Prior to the game, he will be presented with a plaque recognizing him as the “Greatest Diamond-Era Flying Squirrel” and throw a ceremonial first pitch. The first 2,500 fans of all ages will receive a Brandon Crawford Player Pin.