2021 MLB Season: 21 blessings

Things to be thankful for: 13 – 15

13. The San Francisco Giants are Back!

It had been five years since the Giants made it to the postseason. In that time, the team finished each season with a sub-500 record as they worked to rebuild.

This season, not only did the team appear in the postseason, but they also won 107 games. This is the first time since 2013 that they won 100 or more games, and the most games they have won in the history of the franchise. By doing this, they surpassed the 1904 New York Giants, who won 106 games.

14. Daniel Camanera’s Grand Slam!

This season included a couple of signature moments from Minor League lifers. First came reliever Daniel Camarena, who after spending 10 years in the Minors was called up to the majors this past summer.

In only his second major league game ever, he stepped up to the plate against three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and hit a grand slam. It’s the first time that a relief pitcher hit a grand slam since Don Robinson in 1985. This helped the Padres overcome an 8-0 deficit to beat the Washington Nationals 9-8.

15. Manny Barreda’s First Career Win

Then came Manny Barreda, who after 15 years in the Minor Leagues was called up by the Baltimore Orioles. In his first big league appearance, he came in to perform what should have been “mop up” duty. Instead, trailing the Kansas City Royals 5-0 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the O’s scored nine runs to come back and win the game.

At the age of 32, Barreda walked away with the victory with his wife and daughter watching from the stands.