Hunter Pence has only been a member of the San Francisco Giants for a little bit more than two months. Yet, the former Phillies outfielder already feels a deep connection to his new team.
With the Giants down 2-0 in the National League Divisional Series against the Cincinnati Reds, Pence did all he could to motivate his new mates prior to Game 3. Pence brought his club together in the visitors' dugout and delivered a galvanizing speech.
It must have worked, as the Giants found a way to win in 10 innings, extending their season for at least another day and giving San Fran at least some hope.
That speech has now become a story itself, thanks in large part to Giants third base coach Tim Flannery. He posted the speech as he heard it to his Facebook page.
Here is what was said, according to Flannery, in his own words (and grammar).
"get in here, everyone get in here..look into each other eyes..now! look into each others eyes, I want one more day with you, it's the most fun, the best team I have ever been on said the Reverend Hunter Pence. "and no matter what happens we must not give in, we owe it to each other, play for each other, I need one more day with you guys, I need to see what Theriot (jerry) will wear tomorrow, I want to play defense behind Vogelsong because he's never been to the playoffs..play for each other not yourself, win each moment, win each inning, it's all we have left"…………for me an old coach it moved me like I have never been moved before…purity, real, passion, soul. the last of the holdouts this Pence..no arrows being shot, no hey look at me, no spotlight on me, no dance but "play for each other"…honor the game the game honors you..don't know where and when it ends, but tonight I was proud to be together as a team, in a hostile environment, with just us..brothers that play for the name on the front, not the name on the back.
Who knows what kind of impact this had on the Giants. If being down 2-0 in the series and facing elimination wasn't motivation enough, they probably won't be long for this postseason anyway.
However, Pence's speech can't hurt.
Photo via Facebook/Tim Flannery and Lunatic Fringe
