I don’t have many friends that love baseball. They love other sports, which means they get the occasional baseball nugget as a result of browsing sports sites or watching ESPN. Whenever these baseball nuggets are big enough or viral enough to penetrate their non-baseball sphere I am the one they turn to. Usually it’s a simple question, “how does the wild card work?” or perhaps they are presenting a talking point, “Bryce Harper’s hair is pretty cool.” Anyone that is the lone “baseball guy” in their circle can probably relate.

Over the years my status as “baseball guy” has left me with a lot of inquiries about my favorite player. The favorite player being Hunter Pence who has made a habit of popping up in viral ways, especially in the post-season when more casual eyes are floating around.

“Oh yea, that’s Hunter Pence. He’s awesome.”

That’s a good guess at what my response is when one of these “who’s that weirdo in right field” type inquiries occurs. I’m always eager to share my love of Hunter Pence because he isn’t the typical sports hero. He’s the perfect mix of weird, good and humble that I think everyone strives for and no one achieves.

As his career with the Giants draws to a close and I watch his final at bats I’m left reminiscing about all the amazing moments and memories that I’ve been asked about over the years courtesy of the strange happenings of Hunter Pence.