San Francisco Giants third base coach Tim Flannery resigning

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco Giants third base coach Tim Flannery announced on Tuesday that he's resigning.

He explained it's been a wonderful but grueling ride and he's ready to "step off the highway" and spend time with family.

Flannery was instrumental in fundraising for Bryan Stow, the Giants fan who was severely injured during an attack after a game in Los Angeles in 2011. The third base coach held benefit concerts that raised thousands to help with Stow's medical bills.

Flannery posted a long letter to fans on Facebook, it reads:

"Hey friends.

I thought you should know that today,officially, I have stepped down as the 3rd base coach of the 3 time World Champion San Francisco Giants. I talked to Brian Sabean, and Bruce Bochy this morning ,and shared some tears together.

Without getting into this too deep, I just want you to know my family, and I have been talking,and praying over this for many months. The grueling grind, the schedule, the demands have taken a toll, and I feel it is the time to step off the highway and heal. This baseball life is a blessing, but collateral damage comes with it. After winning our 3rd World Tittle, (and I have no dreams of managing), I just didn't know what else I could give as a 3rd base coach, especially at the level I demand myself to perform at.

With a heavy heart I want to say something. I left everything 9 years ago to chase a dream, I left my home, my family, to follow my leader,and friend Bruce Bochy,to fight another battle, to try and bring a World Championship to San Francisco. When I came there I wasn't going to let anyone in on who I was, I wasn't going to let anyone break my heart by getting too close to who I am. I was going to just do my job and hide.

Well of course that didn't happen, we aren't in charge " Fortunately " as Wiliie Nelson says.

You people don't allow that. You have become part of my soul, and life forever. I will be forever grateful for your support, and love, and how you treated me, and my family.

Before game 7 of the World Series Boch brought the team together , he quoted my favorite line from the movie Gladiator. " What we do in this life, will live on through eternity". History will show I was part of the greatest baseball teams in Giant history, I also was part of the greatest baseball teams in San Diego Padres history.

I feel like the game has honored a humble servant of it, I have been blessed so much from this sacred game. I just now feel it is the time to send myself home safely.

I will of course take this music love of mine to another level in hopes of raising money, awareness, for things dear to my heart. In January we will launch our " Love Harder" project, in hopes to help others in their lives. " What we do in this life, will live on through eternity".

I'm am deeply grateful to the historic organization of the San Francisco Giants that allowed me to be part of this incredible time in Giant history. I already told the best coaching staff in baseball how I feel about them. Enjoy them, they are the last of the breed. To the players, I honored you before you even put a uniform on in collective bargaining issues through my years as a player, to fight for what you have today. I gave you the gifts , the knowledge, that I was given from those before me. There is an old Celtic saying " what is passed down, can't be given back". Please honor the game by doing the same. I love you all. Will miss everything about you. You have become warriors.

This of course is a music site, and a music site it will remain. Please come join us in celebration, and song,through the months, and years ahead. Brian Sabean talked to me about other ways I might be needed in the Giant organization , but those talks will come later, now it's time to patch up the boat, plug up the holes, pull in the sails, and get strong and healthy, and take care of me, and my family.

I will love you forever San Francisco.....in tears, humbly, I thank you. You have changed my life, please know I gave you everything I had, every single moment, of every single day.

History will prove that. Honored to be a Giant. Thank you. Flan."