By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

ANTOAN Richardson continues to make Bahamian baseball history and progress in his post playing career at the administrative and coaching level.

Richardson served as first base coach for the San Francisco Giants in their 5-3 win over the NL Central leading Milwaukee Brewers Friday night at Oracle Park to extend their win streak to three games.

San Francisco got three home runs from Pablo Sandoval, Kevin Pillar and Mike Yastrzemski alongside four one-run innings from starter Drew Pomeranz en route to the win.

Regular first-base coach Jose Alguacil was away from the team attending his son's graduation, and the Giants rewarded Richardson with the call up.

"When these guys on my staff have to leave for some reason, [we] try to bring guys up who can help out but also reward them," manager Bruce Bochy said before the game. "Been working hard down there with our kids. Give them a little break."

In February, Richardson re-joined the club where he began his professional career when he was hired as an outfield coordinator for Giants, tasked at overseeing on-field development throughout the organisation.

In December 2018, Richardson was initially hired as an outfield coordinator in the Player Development Department for the Toronto Blue Jays but ultimately decided to take the opportunity to join the Giants.

"There are always multiple feelings that I go through in these moments. The one that stands out here is gratitude. Grateful for God's grace, thankful to the Jays for helping prepare me for what's next and that the Giants choose to entrust me with being a part of this dynamic developmental process," Richardson said when he announced his appointment to the Giants,

"Ultimately, I am a part of a team and the goal is to help each other grow, especially in areas we have identified as growth points. As we do that, we will have an opportunity to elevate each other and ultimately serve the organisation." Since his retirement, Richardson has spent most of his time travelling locally and internationally speaking to and encouraging young people on their life journeys. His heart has been entrenched at home, where he volunteers his time, mentoring youth in the Bahamas through Project Limestone - a non-profit organisation he established.

He spent his entire 12-year professional baseball career as an outfielder throughout several organisations before he retired in March 2017. He followed Andre Rodgers, Wenty Ford, Tony Curry, Wilfred Culmer and Ed Armbrister to become the sixth Bahamian player to advance to the major leagues.

While he continues to progress professionally, Richardson has been cognisant of the growth of the local game at the youth level. "Absolutely beautiful to see the growth of the game. We have to thank the leagues around the country for facilitating a place for young people to be involved in the sport. You see the local minor league baseball players succeeding on the field and making baseball an exciting experience. It's a joy to watch," Richardson said. "Most thrilling for me, is to see the 9-year-old with confidence to dream and sparkle in their eye knowing it's possible to achieve."

After matriculating through Palm Beach Community College and Vanderbilt University, Richardson was drafted four times before he finally signed with the San Francisco Giants in 2005 to begin his professional career. In 2011, he was promoted to the major leagues with the Atlanta Braves. He also played for the New York Yankees in 2014 and concluded his career with the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers in 2016.