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Joe Panik's whirlwind 2014 took another humbling turn on Thursday, as the Giants' second baseman was honored by his old high school in New Jersey.
John Jay High School retired Panik's No. 13 jersey and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro declared December 11 to be Joe Panik Day in Dutchess County, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.
"John Jay gave me the opportunity to play varsity baseball and play against some of the best players in the section," Panik told the Poughkeepsie Journal. "You look at (Roy C.) Ketcham and Arlington (high schools), there were guys going to play Division I (college ball). Playing in Dutchess County, with so many talented kids, you played at a higher level."
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Panik started the year with Triple-A Fresno, but with the Giants in need of a consistent second baseman, the then 23-year-old was summoned to San Francisco midseason and made his debut on June 21.
In 73 games with the Giants, Panik .305 (82-for-269) with 10 doubles, two triples, one home run and 18 RBI.
Panik's breakthrough season concluded with a World Series win over the Royals and a ticker-tape parade down Market Street.
"Once the season ended, I was able to reflect on what went on. That's when you can enjoy it," Panik told the Poughkeepsie Journal. "Now, we're more than a month into the offseason, and you're pretty much getting ready for spring training and the next season. But you really get a chance to appreciate what happened."
