Chapman wins the 2024 Willie Mac Award, capping the Giants' first season

Chapman wins 2024 Willie Mac Award at conclusion of Giants' first season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Matt Chapman's epic month continued Friday night.

Chapman won the Willie Mac Award, given annually to the team's most inspirational player and voted on by teammates, coaches, staff and fans. The prestigious award capped a great first season in San Francisco for Chapman, who signed a six-year contract extension earlier this month and became a father last week.

“It was the icing on the cake of a great month,” Chapman said. “Of course it would be better if we went to the playoffs – that's my goal and I'll work on that this offseason to make it possible next year, but other than that, I didn't make it to the playoffs “It's been a great month for me.” Daughter and the contract and this award, I just feel blessed.

Chapman was the team's best player and ranks sixth in the National League in Wins Above Replacement. He has an OPS of .787 and has a great chance to win his fifth Gold Glove at third base. With 27 home runs, Chapman enters the Finals with a chance to become the first Giant to hit 30 home runs since Barry Bonds in 2004.

Chapman has played in 151 of the first 159 games this season, giving coach Bob Melvin a consistent presence on both sides of the ball in a season that saw a lot of rotation in the lineup. He missed two games in June with a hamstring injury, but otherwise only missed time for the birth of his daughter and the medical exam for the $151 million extension.

Chapman didn't sign with the Giants until spring training had already begun, but it wasn't long before he became the team's leader. Longtime team employees say Chapman is as good in the clubhouse as any veteran they've had in recent years, and he was instrumental in helping the Giants celebrate victories by creating a ceremony at which the third baseman dressed in a referee's outfit.

The Giants have committed to Chapman long-term because of defense and strength, but also because they plan for him and Logan Webb to run their clubhouse for the rest of the decade.

“I just feel like I can be myself,” Chapman said. “I think people understand that I really care and I really want to win and I'm willing to put other people first, put my teammates first and I think that it's just in my nature. “I’ll do everything I can to win,” I guess. It's hard to say exactly.

“I never came in and demanded to be a leader, I demanded that, I just come in and try to motivate my teammates and be the best teammate I can be. I think the way I do business and interact with teammates is like this. Everything is geared towards getting the best out of everyone and I will continue to try to do that.”

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