Former Bruin Brandon Crawford Looks For Second World Series Ring

Former UCLA infielder Brandon Crawford is set to play in his second career MLB World Series, which kicks off on Tuesday, October 21 between the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals. As a member of the 2012 Giants, Crawford earned a World Series ring in just his second year in the big leagues when they defeated the Detroit Tigers in four-straight games.

The Foothill High School alumnus has started all 10 games at shortstop this postseason for the Giants, totaling three extra-base hits and five runs batted in. Crawford also etched his name into the record books, in the National League Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he launched a fourth inning grand slam that marked the first ever grand slam hit by a shortstop in MLB postseason history. The home run, his first of his postseason career, jumpstarted the Giants run all the way to the 2014 MLB World Series.

“We are very excited for Brandon and his opportunity in another World Series,” said UCLA head coach John Savage. “He is one of the best shortstops in the big leagues."

This season for San Francisco, Crawford hit .246 with 10 home runs and 69 runs batted in while playing 153 of a possible 162 games. The Pleasanton, Calif. native also finished the year fourth in the National League in assists (428).

In the 2012 World Series, Crawford racked up three hits, a run batted in and a stolen base while starting all four games at short.

In his three seasons with the Bruins (2006-08), Crawford started all 179 games, leading UCLA to the NCAA Tournament in each season. The Pleasanton, Calif. native hit over .300 in each season compiling 44 doubles and 13 triples along the way. In 2008, he was selected in the fourth round of the MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants, making his MLB debut on May 27, 2011.