PHOENIX, Ariz.–Prior to the Giants’ final road game of the season on Wednesday, pitcher Matt Cain had a message to deliver the team.
Cain called a team meeting at 11:30 Wednesday morning, and 15 minutes later, he told reporters that he called it to tell his teammates that his Saturday start at AT&T Park will be his last. The 13-year veteran plans on retiring.
“To know that I started out in 2002 putting a Giants’ uniform on and getting picked up by the Giants and knowing that that’s the exact same way that I’m going out, it’s with a Giants’ uniform on,” Cain said. “I’ve been able to be lucky enough to be in the same organization and it means so much to me and I can’t picture myself putting a different uniform on.”
The longest tenured Giants’ player, Cain was among the most well respected players in the team’s clubhouse, and one of the leaders Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy turned to on a regular basis. After Wednesday’s game, Bochy reflected on the emotions he experienced when Cain delivered his decision to the team.
“All the guys, it was (emotional) for everybody,” Bochy said. “He (Cain) means a lot to everybody in this clubhouse and he’s so well-respected and thought of and of course, for me, I can’t thank him enough for all he’s done on the field and in the clubhouse. You know, he’s just been great this year. He’s been moved around, pitched out of the pen and he’s never come in this office and complained one time. He wanted to do what was best for the club and it’s something I’ll never forget. Of course, his great pitching and what he did to help us win some championships. I’m sure it was a tough day for Matt and he had a nice little talk for the guys.”
Bochy, catcher Buster Posey and ace Madison Bumgarner all reflected on the time they’ve shared on the field and in the clubhouse with Cain after Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to the Diamondbacks, and all three said Cain’s desire to wear one uniform his entire career was a testament to his loyalty to the Giants’ organization.
“He’s just a complete Giant,” Bochy said. “The way he carries himself and what he did on the field, the way he played, the brand of ball that he played. How he competed out there. That was something that influenced his decision. He didn’t want to put on another uniform and that says a lot about Matt and his love for the Giants, being a Giant and just for the black and orange.”
Posey said that he and Cain discussed the decision over the past several days, and though he preferred to keep the details of their conversation private, he described the emotional scene from the clubhouse when Cain told his teammates he plans to retire.
“We had talked a little bit the last couple of days and he kind of told me what he was thinking and I don’t know, it’s not something that’s easy to do and get up in front of the team and pour your heart out and that’s what he did,” Posey said. “He said exactly what he felt and I think everybody in here could tell it was heartfelt and it’s something everybody’s appreciative of and will remember.”
Bumgarner is the only other pitcher on the Giants’ roster who was also a member of all three of the Giants’ World Series teams, and he called Cain a “special person” and one of his best friends.
“It was definitely an emotional time for him especially and all of us, especially anybody that has spent a decent amount of time around him,” Bumgarner said. “But I mean, I don’t know that at the same time, I’m happy for him. He’s had an unbelievable career and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Cain’s final start will come against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, and though he hasn’t pitched since August 31, he’s thrown several bullpens in recent weeks to prepare for his last outing.