Former San Francisco Giants player Pablo Sandoval greets San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler (19) before the start of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, July 7, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants hosted a familiar face at Oracle Park on Friday.
Pablo Sandoval, the beloved three-time World Series champion, paid a visit to his former team before their series opener against the Rockies. Wearing his weight’s worth in jewelry, a Gucci fanny pack and a white sweatshirt wrapped across his shoulders, Sandoval received a warm reception as soon as he walked into the home clubhouse.
Sandoval’s first visit was to Wilmer Flores, before Joc Pederson summoned him over to the card table. Sandoval gave a playful tug on Pederson’s mop of bleach-blond hair before making his way over to Brandon Crawford’s locker, sharing some words not fit to print.
“I’m glad Pablo’s here, man,” said manager Gabe Kapler, who shared a pregame panda hug outside the dugout.
Sandoval, 36, last played in Major League Baseball with the Braves in 2021. He has continued his career in the Mexican League last year and in the Puerto Rican Winter League after that, but he is currently unaffiliated. Originally signed by the Giants as a 16 year old in 2003, Sandoval went on to play a key role on their three World Series title teams and enjoyed a brief reunion in 2020, batting .285/.337/.457 over 11 seasons in San Francisco.
“Always got memories here,” Sandoval said on the field before the game. “It was special, special things that we did here on this field. We wont three World Series. Those are memories you’re never going to forget.”
Sandoval also got a chance to visit Luis Matos, who grew up admiring Sandoval, a fellow Venezuelan, and wasn’t even a teenager when he won his last World Series title.
“I know who he is,” Sandoval said. “He’s young. I follow him on Instagram. Great talent. Especially from Venezuela as a young player, he’s got special things (coming) in his career.”
For Kapler, one memory of Sandoval stuck out above all else.
“This is a compliment,” Kapler began.
“You could always smell Pablo,” he continued. “Very intentional about his scent. You walked in the dugout and you knew Pablo was there. Smelled good, ready to play baseball. If I remember, there was some strong gasoline tones/notes. It was a very manly scent, very strong. It announces your presence.”
