Matt Cain, a three-time All-Star, has announced that Saturday against the San Diego Padres will be the final start of his impressive career.
Cain’s clubhouse presence will be missed (Press Democrat)
While Cain has not been as strong in the past couple of years, it doesn’t take away much from what preceded it. Matt Cain played an integral part of a dynasty in San Francisco. The moment comes bittersweet for Cain. He stated to the press, “This organization has meant so much to me. It’s meant so much to my family. I’m just grateful it’s been a part of my life. I’ve enjoyed it so much”.
Cain has had some injury issues in the last few years and that has been what has slowed him down. Some thought that he would look elsewhere to play if the team did not pick up his contract. He has decided that it was time to hang it up though.
While he he may have struggled, he was easily one of the best pitchers in the league when he was on. During his span of success (2006-2012), he achieved an impressive ERA of 3.30 and ranked sixth among all starters in WAR at 30.1. Cain has left a lasting legacy through many of his achievements during this span.
Three World Series trips
While Cain was injured during the 2014 season and did not pitch in the playoffs for the Giants, he still came up big when it mattered most in 2010 and 2012. In 2012, Cain pitched 21.1 innings in the postseason and did not give up a single run. He also struck out nine in that time and only gave up 13 hits.
In his postseason career, he ended up with a 4-2 record with a stellar 2.10 ERA. Madison Bumgarner gets a lot of credit for his postseason performance, but Cain should not be ignored. His performance along with his clubhouse presence are a large part of this San Francisco dominance from 2010-14.
Cain is one of the most beloved Giants pitchers in recent memory. He spent all 13 years of his career in San Francisco, and had plenty of notable moments.
Perfect Game
Cain’s perfect game may be one of the most impressive of the bunch (ESPN)
In 2010, Matt Cain pitched the only perfect game in Giants history in a 10-0 win against the Houston Astros. It was only the 22nd perfect game ever pitched.
Felix Hernandez pitched another perfect game later that summer, but those were the last two in the past five years. Cain actually tied the record for most strikeouts in a perfect game with 14. That mark tied the great Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax.
The game also was marked by great plays by Melky Cabrera and Gregor Blanco to protect the gem. The 125 pitches thrown that game were also the most in any perfect game ever. In short, it was a memorable one that Giants fans will never forget.
Legacy
Matt Cain was the 25th overall pick for the Giants in 2005. He went to three All Star games in his career, and finished in the top 10 of Cy Young voting twice in his career.
Bruce Bochy described Cain as the type of guy that will do anything for the team. This season when Cain was put in the bullpen, he did not question his position once. It is because he put the team before himself whenever he could.
He is going to finish his career with a 3.69 ERA, which is always an impressive mark for a starting pitcher. Although he has been struggling the last few years, fans will not forget all of the winning memories that he was able to provide.
Matt Cain is 32 years old which is typically somewhat young of an age to retire, especially for a pitcher with as much success as him. He may have not have been the typical ace, but San Francisco will miss him.
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