Mankato, MN- The Mankato MoonDogs, a member of the Northwoods League are excited to announce that former MoonDog Brandon Crawford (’05) will be the first MoonDog to play in the World Series. Crawford will be the starting Short Stop for the San Francisco Giants Wednesday night when they play the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif.

Brandon became the youngest player ever to wear a MoonDogs uniform when he came to Mankato in the summer of 2005 before heading to Southern California to play Short Stop for the UCLA Bruins.

In 2008 the Giants selected Crawford in the 4th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He spent less than three years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in May of 2011 where he hit a game winning Grand Slam against the Milwaukee Brewers in his first big league game. As the Giants’ everyday Short Stop in 2012 Crawford hit .248 with 45 RBIs and had a .970 fielding percentage.

Crawford is the second Mankato Northwoods League Alumni to make an appearance in the World Series. Curtis Granderson (’01) played for the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series when they were beaten by the St. Louis Cardinals. That means if the Giants defeat the Tigers Crawford will become the first Mankato alumni to win a World Series Championship.

The 2013 season will start in early June. MoonDogs merchandise is on sale at the MoonDogs baseball office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information visit the MoonDogs website at www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs Office at 507-625-7047.