Remembering Ray

Ray Durham spent five and a half uneven years in a Giants uniform. He was acquired after the 2002 season to be a dynamic leadoff man, but injuries quickly claimed his speed. With all the injuries, it's easy to forget just how productive Durham was. With the exception of his terrible 2007 season, he never had an OPS lower than .785 for the Giants, an solid number for a second basemen. Ray was such a good Giant, he asked that the trade not be finalized until after the Giants wrapped up their series with the Brewers, so that he wouldn't have to play against his former teammates in front of the San Francisco crowd. Here are some of my favorite moments from Durham's time with the Giants.

• March 31, 2003 - In his first at-bat as a Giant, Durham hits a leadoff home run on opening day off San Diego's Brian Lawrence, leading the Giants to 5-2 victory over the Padres. Durham would be limited to just 110 games in 2003.
• June 24, 2006 - With the Giants trailing the A's 7-5 in the ninth, Durham hits a three-run walk-off home run off closer Huston Street. Durham had a career year in 2006, posting career highs in homers (26), RBIs (93), and slugging percentage (.538).
• September 9, 2007 - Durham hits a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning off the Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton, putting the Giants ahead 4-2. Durham had by far the worst year of his career in 2006, batting just .218 and losing the second base job in September.