For fans of the San Francisco Giants, the number 35 is more than just a digit on a jersey; it is a symbol of a golden era of baseball in the Bay Area.
When Brandon Crawford took the field at Oracle Park, that number became synonymous with highlight-reel defensive plays, clutch hits, and two World Series championships.
But have you ever wondered how one of the greatest shortstops in franchise history ended up with that specific number?
Unlike some players who negotiate for a specific number or carry one over from their college days, Crawford’s journey with the number 35 began with a simple assignment and a deep respect for the history of the organization.
This blog post explores the origins, the meaning, and the enduring legacy of Brandon Crawford’s number 35.
The Rookie Debut: A Number Assigned by Tradition
The story of Brandon Crawford and the number 35 began in 2011. When Crawford was called up to make his Major League debut with the San Francisco Giants, he didn’t arrive with a list of demands for his uniform.
Instead, the number was assigned to him by a man who had seen more Giants history than almost anyone else: Mike Murphy.
Mike Murphy, the longtime Giants clubhouse manager, was the gatekeeper of the team’s equipment and traditions. When a rookie like Crawford arrived, Murphy was the one responsible for choosing which jersey they would wear.
In choosing 35 for Crawford, Murphy wasn’t just picking a random available number; he was looking to connect the young rookie to a lineage of excellence at the shortstop position.
The Role of Mike Murphy
Mike Murphy, known affectionately as “Murph,” served the Giants organization for over 60 years. His deep understanding of the team’s culture meant that every number he handed out carried weight.
By giving Crawford the number 35, Murphy was signaling that he saw the potential for Crawford to join the ranks of the great shortstops who had come before him.
Honoring the Shortstop Lineage: Speier and Aurilia
The primary reason Brandon Crawford embraced the number 35 was the legacy of the men who wore it before him. Specifically, the number was chosen to honor former Giants shortstops Chris Speier and Rich Aurilia.
Chris Speier: A Giants Legend
Chris Speier was a cornerstone of the Giants’ infield in the 1970s. Known for his strong arm and consistent play, he set a high bar for what a Giants shortstop should be. By wearing Speier’s number, Crawford was stepping into a role that carried decades of expectations.
Rich Aurilia: The Modern Standard
For fans of the late 90s and early 2000s, Rich Aurilia was the definitive Giants shortstop. Aurilia was a key part of the 2002 World Series team and a player Crawford grew up watching and respecting.
When Crawford was handed the 35, he recognized the significance of wearing the same digits as a player of Aurilia’s caliber.
Crawford didn’t just wear the number; he honored the tradition of the shortstops who preceded him, making the number a staple of his identity on the field.
A Symbol of All-Around Excellence
Over the course of his 13 seasons in San Francisco, the number 35 evolved from a rookie assignment into a symbol of all-around excellence for the shortstop position. Crawford’s performance elevated the number to new heights.
The number became a symbol of excellence. It is important to recognize that this reputation was built through Crawford’s consistent defensive prowess and his ability to deliver in the biggest moments.
For Crawford, wearing 35 was a point of immense pride and honor. Throughout his long career in San Francisco, it became the only number he ever wanted to wear at the Major League level.
The Longevity of the Number 35
In the modern era of professional sports, it is rare for a player to stay with one team for over a decade. Brandon Crawford’s 13-season tenure with the San Francisco Giants allowed the number 35 to become firmly rooted in the franchise’s history.
Crawford’s loyalty to the number mirrored his loyalty to the city and the team. Because he wore it exclusively during his time in San Francisco, the number 35 became an iconic part of his legacy.
Whether he was turning a double play or hitting a grand slam in the postseason, that number was a constant for Giants fans.
Passing the Torch: Justin Verlander and 2025
As Brandon Crawford’s time with the Giants came to a close, the question of what would happen to the number 35 arose.
In a move that highlights Crawford’s character and his respect for the game, he recently gave his blessing for Justin Verlander to wear the number 35 for the Giants in 2025. Justin Verlander has worn 35 for the majority of his Hall of Fame-caliber career.
Crawford’s willingness to pass the number to a legendary pitcher shows that while 35 is iconic to Crawford’s time as a shortstop, he understands the number’s place in the broader context of baseball history. Even as a new player takes the number, it remains a tether to Crawford’s legendary 13 seasons.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Thirty-Five
Why does Brandon Crawford wear 35? What started as a clubhouse assignment from Mike Murphy turned into a career-long tribute to the greats like Chris Speier and Rich Aurilia.
It became a badge of honor for a player who defined the shortstop position for a generation of Giants fans.
Brandon Crawford didn’t just wear a number; he built a legacy around it. From his debut in 2011 to his departure after 13 seasons, the number 35 stood for excellence, tradition, and a deep respect for the San Francisco Giants.
As the number moves to a new wearer in 2025, the impact Brandon Crawford had while wearing those digits will never be forgotten by the fans at Oracle Park.
