| Matt Cain | |
|---|---|
 Cain with the San Francisco Giants in 2011 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1984-10-01)October 1, 1984 (age 41) Dothan, Alabama, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 29, 2005, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 30, 2017, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 104–118 |
| Earned run average | 3.68 |
| Strikeouts | 1,694 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Matthew Thomas Cain (born October 1, 1984) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher who played his entireMajor League Baseball (MLB) career for theSan Francisco Giants from 2005 to 2017. A three-timeWorld Series champion and a three-timeNational League (NL)All-Star, he is widely regarded as a central figure of the Giants' success in the 2010s for his pitching and leadership.
The Giants drafted Cain out of high school in2002, and he made his MLB debut at age 20 in2005, becoming the youngest player in the NL that year. In 2009, Cain was named to his first career All-Star team and won theWillie Mac Award. During the2010 MLB postseason, he did not allow an earned run in any of the three playoff games he pitched in as the Giants won their firstWorld Series since 1954. In 2012, Cain signed a contract extension that, at the time, gave him the most lucrative contract ever received by a right-handed pitcher in major league history. Cain threw the22nd perfect game in big league history on June 13, 2012. He had a 16–5 record during the 2012 regular season, finishing sixth inNL Cy Young Award voting. During the Giants' playoff run that led to their victory in the2012 World Series, the team won every series-clinching playoff game that Cain started.
Matthew Thomas Cain was born on October 1, 1984, inDothan, Alabama, to Tom and Dolores Cain. He lived inVincent, Alabama, for a year when his mother taught at a school nearby.[1] Cain also spent part of his childhood inGermantown, Tennessee, where he attendedHouston High School.[2] He took lessons on how to pitch fromMauro Gozzo, who lived near the Cains in Tennessee.[3] As a senior at Houston High School, Cainstruck out 83 batters in 62innings pitched while recording a 1.03earned run average (ERA). Cain signed aletter of intent to playcollege baseball for theMemphis Tigers.[4]
Cain was selected by theSan Francisco Giants in the first round (25th overall) in the2002 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft.[5] He began his professional career in 2002 with the rookieArizona League Giants. In eightgames (sevenstarts), he had an 0–1record, a 3.72 ERA, 20 strikeouts, and 11walks in19+1⁄3innings pitched.[6]
He spent 2003 with theHagerstown Suns of theSingle-ASouth Atlantic League. In 14 starts for the Suns, he had a 4–4 record, a 2.55 ERA, 90 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 74 innings pitched.[6]
Prior to 2004, Cain was ranked the number two prospect in the Giants' organization (behindMerkin Valdez) byBaseball America.[7][8] Cain spent 2004 with two teams. He began the season with theSan Jose Giants of the Single-A advancedCalifornia League. In 13 starts, he had a 7–1 record, a 1.86 ERA, 89 strikeouts, and 17 walks in72+2⁄3 innings pitched. In June, he was promoted to theNorwich Navigators of theDouble-AEastern League. In 15 starts, he had a 6–4 record, a 3.35 ERA, 72 strikeouts, and 40 walks in 86 innings pitched.[6] Cain led Giants' minor league prospects in wins, strikeouts, and ERA; he was named the Giants' Organizational Player of the Year.[9]
Baseball America ranked Cain as the 13th-best prospect in baseball in 2005, as well as the Giants' top prospect.[7] Cain attendedspring training in 2005, but he began the season with theFresno Grizzlies of theTriple-APacific Coast League (PCL).[10] In 26 starts, Cain had a 10–5 record and145+2⁄3 innings pitched. He finished fifth (tied withR. A. Dickey andAdam Wainwright) in the PCL in wins and fourth with a 4.39 ERA (behindKevin Jarvis's 3.38,Chris Oxspring's 4.03, andÉdgar González's 4.37). He led the league with 176 strikeouts.[11]
Cain was called up to the Giants on August 26, 2005, to join their rotation.[12] When he was called up, Cain was the second youngest player in the major leagues (Félix Hernández of theSeattle Mariners was the youngest).[13] On August 29 atSBC Park, Cain made his major league debut against theColorado Rockies at the age of 20. Cain struck outsecond basemanLuis González looking in the top of the first inning for his first major league strikeout. He gave up only threehits and two runs in five innings but ended up losing the game.[13]
On September 4 atBank One Ballpark, in a 3–2 win over theArizona Diamondbacks, Cain allowed one run in seven innings, earning his first major league victory.[14] In his next start on September 9 at home, in a 2–1 win over theChicago Cubs, Cain struck out a season-high eight batters and notched his first major leaguecomplete game, which was also his first major league two-hitter. Leading off the bottom of the seventh inning, Cain hit a 3-2 pitch line drive double to left field off of starting pitcherJerome Williams for his first career major league hit and double.[15]
Cain finished his first season with seven starts over46+1⁄3 innings in which he posted a 2–1 record, 30strikeouts, a 2.33ERA, a 0.928 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), and a minuscule .151opponent batting average.[16][9]
Cain's 2005 performance was impressive enough that managerFelipe Alou named him to the team's 2006 starting rotation beforespring training began. Cain began the season as the team's fourth starter.[17] Entering the season, he was again ranked as the Giants' top prospect byBaseball America, which also named him the 10th-best prospect in baseball.[7]
In 2006, Cain struggled with consistency, but showed signs of dominance in several starts, flirting with ano-hitter on more than one occasion.[18][19]
On April 24 atAT&T Park, in a 6–2 win over theNew York Mets, Cain did not allow a base runner until the sixth inning.[20]
On May 5 atCitizens Bank Park, in the top of the fourth inning, Cain hit a fly ball single to right field off ofPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcherGavin Floyd for his first career major league single. On May 21 atMcAfee Coliseum, in a 6–0 win over theOakland Athletics, Cain pitched his first career major league complete gameshutout and one-hitter.[21]
On June 19 at AT&T Park, in a 2–1 win over theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Cain pitched7+2⁄3 innings of no-hit ball before finally surrendering a single tocenter fielderChone Figgins and struck out a then-season-high 10 batters, his first career major league double-digit strikeout game.[22]
Two starts later on July 1 atPetco Park, in the first game of a doubleheader against theSan Diego Padres, Cain struck out a new season-high 11 batters.
Late in the season, Cain increased his chances forRookie of the Year consideration with a run of remarkable pitching.[23] On August 6 at AT&T Park, in a 6–2 win over theColorado Rockies, Cain struck out a season-high and a then career-high 12 batters. Cain also knocked in his first career major league run batted in. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Cain hit a line drive RBI single on the first pitch he saw off of starting pitcherAaron Cook to center field, scoring first basemanMark Sweeney, moving third basemanPedro Feliz to third base and catcherEliézer Alfonzo to second base, making the score 5–2. From August 17 to September 14, Cain recorded a 5–0 record with an ERA of 0.21. During this streak, he allowed just one earned run in 42 innings—and did not allow an earned run in30+2⁄3 innings.[19] He led allNational League (NL) rookie pitchers with 13 wins, 179 strikeouts, and190+2⁄3 innings pitched in 2006. His 2006 record was 13–12, with a 4.15 ERA.[9] Cain finished in a fifth-place tie withLos Angeles Dodgers rookie outfielderAndre Ethier in theNL Rookie of the Year Award voting.[24]
Cain began 2007 as the Giants' number two starter.[25] In April, he had a 1.54 ERA with 12 hits in 35 innings pitched.[26] On April 22 at AT&T Park, in a 2–1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, he pitched acomplete game allowing one run (in the ninth) and three hits. It was the third complete game of his young career.
Cain's record through August 3 was 3–12. He had limited opponents to a batting average of .238 against him during that stretch. The Giants scored two or fewer runs in 20 of Cain's first 30 starts.[27] Additionally, the bullpen blew four leads behind him.[28]
Cain went 4–1 over his next five starts.[26] This stretch was bolstered in part by a power surge at the plate by Cain himself. He hit his first and second careerhome runs in these starts. On August 8 at AT&T Park, in an 5–0 win over theWashington Nationals, Cain hit first career majorlLeague home run, a line drive solo home run to deep left field off of starting pitcherTim Redding in the bottom of the fifth inning, making the score 3–0. On August 23 at AT&T Park, in an 4–1 win over the Chicago Cubs, Cain hit second home run, a fly ball two-run home run to deep left field off of starting pitcherCarlos Zambrano in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring catcherGuillermo Rodríguez and making the score 4–0.[29][30] In September, he had an 0–3 record.[26]
Cain finished the season with the 10th-lowest ERA in the NL at 3.65. He had a 7–16 record; his 16 losses were second in the league (Kip Wells had 17).[31] The Giants went 9–23 in his starts; the bullpen lost leads in five of his starts and the team scored 2 runs or fewer in 21 of his starts.[32] He had 163 strikeouts and 79 walks in 200 innings pitched; he led the league with 12wild pitches.[16]
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On April 12, 2008, at AT&T Park, Cain took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against theSt. Louis Cardinals before allowing a leadoffdouble to first baseman and that season'sNL MVPAlbert Pujols, allowing two runs in6+2⁄3 innings. In addition, Cain hit a solo home run on the first pitch he saw to deep left field off of starting pitcherTodd Wellemeyer in the bottom of the sixth inning, breaking a scoreless tie and making the score 1–0. Despite his efforts, he received another no-decision as the Giants lost 8–7 in 10 innings.[33]
On May 13 at AT&T Park, in a 4–2 win over theHouston Astros, Cain allowed two runs in eight innings pitched. He hit a solo home run on the first pitch he saw down the deep left field line off of starting pitcherBrandon Backe in the bottom of the fifth inning, making the score 4–1.[34] On June 14 at AT&T Park, Cain struck out a season-high 11Oakland Athletics batters while giving up three runs in seven innings.[35][36] On July 1 at AT&T Park, in a 2–1 win over theChicago Cubs, Cain struck out 10 batters in eight scoreless innings.[37] On July 24 at AT&T Park, in a 1–0 win over theWashington Nationals, Cain threw a complete game shutout while battling the flu.[38]
Cain went 8–14 with a 3.76 ERA. He had 186 strikeouts (tied withRicky Nolasco for eighth in the league) and217+2⁄3 innings (fifth in the league). His 14 losses were tied for fourth in the league withJohnny Cueto, Backe,Braden Looper, andZach Duke (behind teammateBarry Zito's andAaron Harang's 17 andJohn Lannan's 15); he was one of eight NL pitchers to make 34 starts.[39] Cain's season record was deceiving, as he received the lowest run support in the NL.[9]
Cain was the Giants' number three starter in 2009.[9] On May 17 at AT&T Park, in a 2–0 win over theNew York Mets, Cain threw six shutout innings and hit an RBI line drive single off of starting pitcherMike Pelfrey into short left-center field, knocking in center fielderAaron Rowand for the final run to make the score 2–0.[40] In his next start on May 23 atSafeco Field, in a 5–1 win over theSeattle Mariners, Cain threw a complete game, allowing just one run.[41] On June 4 atNationals Park, in the second game of adoubleheader, a 4–1 win over theWashington Nationals, Cain threw a five-inning complete game, allowing one run in the rain-shortened game.[42] On June 14 at AT&T Park, in a 7–1 win over theOakland Athletics, he allowed one run in a complete game and struck out nine batters.[43] From May 7 through June 14, Cain won seven straight decisions.[9] On July 5, Cain was announced as anAll-Star for the first time in his young career.[44] On Cain's final start before the All-Star Game, he was hit by a line drive right below his elbow and was forced to miss pitching for the NL All-Star Team, although he did still attend and was announced as an All-Star.Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcherZach Duke replaced Cain on the NL All-Star team.[45] On September 25 at AT&T Park, before a home game against theChicago Cubs, Cain was named the recipient and 2009Willie Mac Award winner during a pregame ceremony.[46]
Cain finished the 2009 season with a 14–8 record in 33 starts. He had a 2.89 ERA (seventh in the NL), 171 strikeouts, 73 walks, and217+2⁄3 innings pitched (seventh). He was tied for first in complete games thrown (four) with teammateTim Lincecum. He finished ninth in the league with a .636winning percentage.[47] He finished the season with a career-high in wins and winning percentage.[9]
In 2010, Cain was part of a rotation that included 2008 and 2009 NLCy Young Award winner Lincecum, 2002American League Cy Young Award winnerBarry Zito,Jonathan Sánchez, andTodd Wellemeyer[48] (who was replaced midseason byMadison Bumgarner).[49]
On May 28 at AT&T Park, in a 5–0 win over theArizona Diamondbacks, Cain pitched a one-hit complete game shutout. In the top of the second inning, third basemanMark Reynolds hit a fly ball double to deep center-right field, the only hit Cain allowed.[50] In the month of May, Cain pitched into the sixth inning or later in all six of his starts while giving up nine earned runs on 23 hits with 35 strikeouts and 18 walks in44+2⁄3 innings pitched with an overall record of 3–3 and a 1.81 earned run average.[51]
On September 26 atCoors Field, in a 4–2 complete game win over theColorado Rockies, Cain took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before finally allowing a one-out single to left fielderJay Payton and wound up allowing only two runs.[52]
For the season Cain was 13–11 with a 3.14 ERA, 177 strikeouts, and 61 walks. He finished sixth in the league with a 1.08 WHIP and223+1⁄3 innings pitched. He tied for third with four complete games (tied withUbaldo Jiménez andJohan Santana behindRoy Halladay's nine and Wainwright's five), including two shutouts (which made him one of seven players in the NL to throw two or more shutouts).[53] He tied for 12th in NL Cy Young Award voting withBronson Arroyo.[54]
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Cain reached the playoffs for the first time in his career as the Giants won theNational League Western Division to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2003. The Giants would play the "Wild Card" in theNational League Division Series. On October 8 at AT&T Park, inGame 2 of the 2010 National League Division Series against theAtlanta Braves, Cain allowed one unearned run in6+2⁄3 innings in his playoff debut.[55] On October 19 at AT&T Park, in a 3–0 win over thePhiladelphia Phillies inGame 3 of the 2010 National League Championship Series, he threw seven shutout innings.[56] The Giants defeated the Phillies in six games.[57] On October 28 at AT&T Park, in a 9–0 win over theAmerican League ChampionTexas Rangers inGame 2 of the 2010 World Series, Cain capped an impressive postseason performance by pitching7+2⁄3 scoreless innings. He became the fifth pitcher to pitch at least 20 innings in a single postseason without allowing an earned run.[58] His total postseason stats of a 2–0 record, with a 0.00 ERA through 211⁄3 innings pitched helped the Giants win their first championship in San Francisco.[9]
On June 8, 2011, at AT&T Park, in a 3–1 win over theWashington Nationals, Cain threw a complete game, striking out 11, and allowing one run. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Cain hit a line drive RBI double to deep center-right field off of starting pitcherYunesky Maya, scoring catcherEli Whiteside and making the score 1–0.[59] On June 25 at AT&T Park, in a 1–0 win over theCleveland Indians, Cain threw seven shutout innings and at one point retired 14 hitters in a row.[60] In his next start on June 30 atWrigley Field, Cain struck outChicago CubscatcherKoyie Hill looking to start the bottom of the fifth inning for his 1,000th career strikeout, becoming the fifth pitcher in the San Francisco Era to reach the milestone.[61] He again threw seven shutout innings.[62]
He was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2011; however, he did not appear in the All-Star Game because he started the final regular season game prior to the All-Star contest.[63] He had a 2.64 ERA in 14 starts after the All-Star break but earned just four wins in that stretch.[64] On July 27 atCitizens Bank Park, in a 2–1 win over thePhiladelphia Phillies, Cain allowed an unearned run in seven innings.[65] Cain had one strikeout and one walk in the game, ending his Giants' franchise record (since 1900) of 39 consecutive starts with more strikeouts than walks.[9]
On September 18 atCoors Field, in a 12–5 win over theColorado Rockies, Cain allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings and hit his fifth career home run against starting pitcherEsmil Rogers.[66]
In 33 starts, Cain had a 12–11 record, 179 strikeouts, and 63 walks. His 2.88 ERA was eighth in the league, and his221+2⁄3 innings pitched were seventh in the league.[67] He finished eighth in Cy Young Award voting.[68]
On April 2, 2012, Cain agreed to a five-year contract extension worth a guaranteed $112.5 million through 2017 with an option for 2018. Coupled with $15 million he was already scheduled to be paid, the extension made his total contract worth $127.5 million; at the time, this was the largest contract ever received by a right-handed pitcher.[69] Cain earned a $5 million signing bonus, and earned $20 million each season from 2013 to 2017. His $21 million option for 2018 would vest automatically if he was not on the disabled list to an elbow or shoulder injury in 2017 and if he reached 400 innings in 2016 and 2017 combined. If the option failed to vest, the Giants could either pick up the $21 million option or pay a $7.5 million buyout. Cain was scheduled to become a free agent after the 2012 season.[70]
On April 13, pitching the Giants' home opener, Cain threw a complete game shut out, striking out 11. Facing 28 batters in 9 innings, one over the minimum, he allowed a single baserunner on a hit toPittsburgh Pirates pitcherJames McDonald.[71] It was the third one-hitter of Cain's career.[72] In his next start, on April 18, Cain threw another 9 shutout innings using only 91 pitches, duelingCliff Lee of the Phillies who threw 102 pitches over 10 scoreless innings. The first 9 innings took only 1 hour and 49 minutes. The Giants went on to win in the 11th inning.[73][74][75]
Following a dominant first half, Cain was selected to theAll-Star Game and was chosen by managerTony La Russa to be the NL's starting pitcher. On July 10 atKauffman Stadium, Cain allowed a leadoff single toDerek Jeter before retiring the six remaining hitters he faced; he was the winning pitcher in an 8–0 decision.[76] On July 21, Cain hit his sixth career home run, off of Phillies' pitcherCole Hamels in the third inning of a 10-inning, 6–5 Giants' victory. Later in that inning, Hamels hit his first career home run off of Cain, making this the first time since 2002 when two pitchers have homered off of each other in the same game and the first in major league history to have occurred in the same inning (Kevin Millwood andDenny Stark were the last to do it).[77]
Cain had a 16–5 record in 2012. He tied with six other players for sixth in the NL in wins, finished fourth with a 2.79 ERA (behindClayton Kershaw's 2.53, Dickey's 2.73, and Cueto's 2.78), and finished third with219+1⁄3 innings pitched (behind Dickey's233+2⁄3 and Kershaw's227+2⁄3). He finished eighth with 193 strikeouts, joining teammates Bumgarner and Lincecum among the top 10 in the NL in that category. He was one of seven NL players to throw two or more shutouts.[78] Cain finished sixth in NL Cy Young Award voting.[79]
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Cain reached the playoffs for the second time in his career as the Giants won the NL West after missing the playoffs in 2011. In Game 1 of theNL Division Series against theCincinnati Reds on October 6, he allowed three runs in five innings and took the loss as the Reds defeated the Giants 5–2.[80] In Game 5 on October 11, he began the game with four scoreless innings; Cain would allow three runs over5+2⁄3 innings as the Giants won 6–4 to advance to the next round of the playoffs.[81] In Game 3 of theNLCS against the Cardinals on October 17, Cain allowed three runs in6+2⁄3 innings and was charged with the loss as the Giants lost 3–1.[82] On October 29, in Game 7, Cain threw5+2⁄3 shutout innings and earned the win as the Giants won 9–0, marking the second time in the playoffs that Cain had won a series-clinching game.[83] In Game 4 of the2012 World Series against theAmerican League ChampionDetroit Tigers on October 28, Cain allowed three runs in seven innings, earning a no-decision as the Giants won 4–3 in 10 innings to win the World Series for the second time in three years.[84] During the Giants' playoff run that led to their victory in the 2012 World Series, the team won every series-clinching playoff game that Cain started. In doing so, he became the first and only pitcher in MLB history in a single season to pitch a perfect game and be the winning pitcher in the MLB All-Star Game, LDS, and LCS.
On June 13, 2012, at AT&T Park, in a 10–0 win over theHouston Astros, Cain threw the 22ndperfect game inMLB history and struck out a career-high 14 batters, tyingSandy Koufax for the most strikeouts in a perfect game. It was the first perfect game for the Giants franchise (first in San Francisco), the ninth in NL history, the fifth no-hitter thrown by MLB pitchers in 2012, and the second of three perfect games of the season, a major league record, afterChicago White Sox pitcherPhilip Humber threw one on April 21. Cain threw 125 pitches, the most by a pitcher in a perfect game, and received the second-most run support ever for a pitcher throwing a perfect game. Cain also singled againstRhiner Cruz and scored in the fifth inning.[85] San Francisco MayorEd Lee, in recognition of the perfect game, presented Cain with the key to the city and made a proclamation that June 13 every year will be known as "Matt Cain Day".[86] In addition, Cain set a franchise record for a single-game score at 101 and is currently the first and only Giants pitcher to break the 100 barrier.
Cain started onOpening Day for the Giants in 2013. He pitched six shutout innings before being removed due to a high pitch count; however, Kershaw threw a shutout, and the Dodgers beat the Giants 4–0.[87] On April 7, Cain threw two no-hit innings before giving up nine runs in the third inning and getting removed from the game, becoming the first Giants to allow nine runs in an inning sinceErnie Shore in 1912. The Cardinals beat the Giants 14–3.[88]
On August 23 against the Pirates, Cain was hit byGaby Sánchez's line drive in the pitching arm,[89] and was placed on the 15-daydisabled list for the first time in his career.[90]
Cain would finish the season with a record of 8–10 in 30 starts. For the first time since 2006, Cain's ERA sat in the 4's, finishing with an exact 4.00 ERA.
On July 4 atPetco Park, Cain struck outSan Diego Padresfirst basemanTommy Medica looking to end the bottom of the fourth inning for his 1,500th career strikeout, becoming the eighth pitcher in franchise history and the fourth pitcher in the San Francisco Era afterJuan Marichal,Gaylord Perry, andTim Lincecum to reach the milestone.[91]
Cain struggled for the remainder of the season before being sidelined due to elbow difficulties in July, pitching his last game of the season on July 9, 2014. He ended the season with a 2–7 record and a 4.18 ERA. Before undergoing surgery on his right elbow to remove bone chips on August 11,[92] Cain revealed that he had pitched through bone chips for ten years, but that they had never been an issue until then.[93] In late September, Cain underwent surgery on his right ankle to remove a bone spur.[94] The Giants acquiredJake Peavy a few days before the trade deadline to fill in as a starting pitcher[95] and went on to win the2014 World Series in seven games over theAmerican League ChampionKansas City Royals.
After recovering from elbow surgery, Cain gained more range of motion in his pitching arm, saying, "I feel like I'm 18 again."[96][97] Before he could make his first regular-season start, Cain was placed on the disabled list with a flexor tendon strain in his right forearm.[98]
In only 13 appearances (11 starts) in 2015, Cain went 2–4 and posted a career-worst 5.79 ERA. He also posted his lowest K/9 of his career while allowing more hits than innings pitched.[9]
After starting the season 1–5, Cain was placed on the disabled list on May 28 with a hamstring injury.[99] After missing almost two months due to a hamstring injury, the Giants activated Cain off the disabled list on July 20.[100] On July 31 atAT&T Park, in a 3–1 win over theWashington Nationals, Cain won his 100th career game by tossing five no-hit innings on 93 pitches, making him the sixth pitcher in the San Francisco Era and the 23rd pitcher in Giants franchise history to win at least 100 games. Cain is the second Giant on the2016 season to earn his 100th career victory after teammateJohnny Cueto won his on April 26.[101]
For the second straight season, Cain's ERA hovered in the high 5 range, finishing with a 5.64 ERA while starting 17 games for the Giants. Cain was left off the Giants 2016 postseason roster.[102]
On May 15 atAT&T Park, in an 8–4 win over theLos Angeles Dodgers, Cain surpassed 2,000 career innings pitched. Cain became the 12th pitcher in franchise history and joins Hall of FamersJuan Marichal andGaylord Perry as the only three pitchers in the San Francisco era to reach the milestone.[103] Cain made several appearances in relief during the second half of the 2017 season and recorded his first major leaguehold in August against the Milwaukee Brewers.[104]
Cain faced elbow and hamstring troubles in the latter years of his career.[105] On September 27, Cain announced that he would retire at the end of the season, making him just the fourth player in the San Francisco Era to spend his entire career with the Giants (minimum of 10 seasons), joiningJim Davenport (1958–1970),Scott Garrelts (1982–1991), andRobby Thompson (1986–1996).[106] On September 30 at AT&T Park, Cain pitched five shutout innings against the San Diego Padres in his final career start and game.[107]
Cain finished his Giants career second all-time among Giants pitchers in the San Francisco era with 331 starts (behindJuan Marichal), third in innings pitched with 2,0852⁄3 (behind Marichal andGaylord Perry), and third in strikeouts with 1,694 (behind Marichal andTim Lincecum).[108][109][110]
| Category | Years | WAR | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | IBB | SO | HBP | ERA+ | FIP | WHIP | H9 | SO9 | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 13 | 29.2 | 104 | 118 | 3.68 | 342 | 331 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 2,085+2⁄3 | 1,849 | 910 | 853 | 211 | 712 | 42 | 1,694 | 62 | 108 | 3.92 | 1.228 | 8.0 | 7.3 | [16] |
Cain's wrote an autobiographical article published on October 3, 2017 onThe Players' Tribune.[111]
On July 28, 2018 outside AT&T Park, Cain and former teammatesRyan Vogelsong andBrian Wilson were inducted onto theSan Francisco Giants Wall of Fame.
Cain featured a mix of mostly four pitches: afour-seam fastball (90–93 mph), aslider (84–87), acurveball (76–79), and achangeup (83–86). Increasingly, he also threw atwo-seam fastball at 89–91 mph. Cain led with his four-seamer, throwing it over half the time in his career. His changeup was his secondary pitch to left-handed hitters, while he threw cutters as a secondary pitch to right-handed hitters. Cain threw curveballs in roughly equal proportions to righties and lefties. Early in his career, Cain was a power pitcher whose fastball ranged from 94 to 98 mph. Due to arm injuries and age he had to adapt his pitching style to be more of a control pitcher.[112]
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| Award / Honor | Time(s) | Date(s) | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Series champion | 3 | 2010, 2012, 2014 | |
| NL All-Star | 3 | 2009,2011,2012 | |
| Major League Baseball Player of the Week Award | 1 | June 11–17, 2012 | |
| Willie Mac Award | 1 | 2009 |
Cain met his wife Chelsea Williams during spring training while she was a student atArizona State University majoring insociology. At the time, Chelsea was waitressing at a local steakhouse.[113] The two married in fall 2009 and have two daughters.[114] They have homes in Arizona, Tennessee, andOrinda, California.[9][113] As a hobby, Cain enjoys hunting.[17] In addition, he supportsProject Open Hand,[9] and has expressed his support for same-sex marriage by appearing in the "No H8" photo campaign opposing California'sProposition 8.[115]
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Cain is an avid golfer. Prior tohis perfect game, Cain and professional golferDustin Johnson hit golf balls from home plate intoMcCovey Cove.[116]
On December 10, 2013, Cain and his wife Chelsea pledged to donate $50,000 to theMake-A-Wish Foundation.[117] He was inspired by the success of the organization's Greater Bay Area work with five-year-old Miles Scott dressing up asBatman and becoming "Batkid" for the day and saving San Francisco. Scott made his rescue through AT&T Park.[118] On April 8, 2014, at AT&T Park, in the Giants home opener, Batkid rode in from left field in his Batmobile and threw the ceremonial first pitch to Cain.[119][120][121][122][123][124]
Footnotes
Bibliography
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Perfect game pitcher June 13, 2012 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | No-hitter pitcher June 13, 2012 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | National LeagueAll-Star Game Starting Pitcher 2012 | Succeeded by |
