Pablo Sandoval put together quite the career as a third baseman. The man, more commonly known as Kung Fu Panda, hasn't played in the MLB since 2021 but is still getting after it as he's turned to pitching in his next chapter.
For 14 years, Sandoval played the infield as a third baseman. He went on to rack up a resume that featured a pair of All-Star game selections, three World Series wins, and one World Series MVP award. At his peak, he strung together a .315 batting campaign in 2011 and a 90 RBI sophomore season. The second half of his career was filled with ups and downs across various stints in Boston and Atlanta and a second go-around in San Francisco.
In April, the Staten Island FerryHawks announced that they had signed Sandoval. The organization is part of the independent Atlantic League and features hilariously named teams like the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars and the Charleston Dirty Birds.
What an outing by The Panda ?
Pablo Sandoval threw 5.1 scoreless innings for the Staten Island FerryHawks last night.
?"?: @FerryHawks pic.twitter.com/hiLcADSTB6
— MLB (@MLB) September 15, 2024
Sandoval, to no surprise, has been raking as he's second on the team in RBI and third in home runs. Oh, and he's 1-0 with four strikeouts over 7.1 scoreless innings of work.
Pablo Sandoval put together an impressive season with the Staten Island FerryHawks (@FerryHawks)
Yep, you read that right. Sandoval has transformed himself into the independent league various of Shohei Ohtani. Jokes aside, he's fresh off his first-ever start on Sept. 14, in which he tossed 5.1 scoreless innings to record the win over the Lancaster Stormers. He also drove in a run to give himself all of the run support he needed.
Before that start, he had pitched two separate one-inning relief appearances, both of which were scoreless.
While no MLB teams may be knocking down the door to give the 38-year-old ballplayer a shot out of the 'pen, it is impressive to see someone of his tenure step into something new at this point in his career. Where most athletes opt to hang it up altogether or seek something in the media space, Sandoval is recreating himself and having fun while out there pitching.
If you're eager to see his next start, unfortunately, Sandoval's debut as a starting pitcher came in the season's final game.
We can only hope Pablo Sandoval takes the offseason to continue honing his pitching craft and comes back next with a new arsenal of pitches up his sleeve.
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