SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Even though he was wearing the visiting Rangers uniform Saturday, Hunter Pence remained a Giants fan favorite as he received a rousing standing ovation when he stepped into the batter’s box in the first inning at Scottsdale Stadium.

Pence received such a hero’s welcome that he stepped out and tipped his helmet to quiet the crowd. The fans paid tribute to the former All-Star outfielder who won two World Series championships with the Giants and is now angling to make the Rangers’ Opening Day roster as he approaches his 36th birthday.

“It’s a gift to have played for the San Francisco Giants organization for as long as I did,” Pence said after a 0-0 tie. “The fans are spectacular, and there’s somewhat of a family feel. The whole time throughout my career, they showed up and they brought it. It’s definitely a special group and a special organization.

“There’s no doubt I will always be tied to the Giants. History is written, that’s happened. I’m very grateful to be with the Rangers and absolutely love where I’m at, but I’ll always have history with the Giants.”

If Pence makes the Rangers' roster, he will certainly receive a loud ovation on Opening Day at Globe Life Park, just down the street from where he was a prodigy at Arlington High School and UT-Arlington before the Astros selected him in the second round of the 2004 MLB Draft.

After eight strong seasons with Houston, Philadelphia and San Francisco, Pence’s durability and production declined over his last four years with the Giants. But the adoration between him, fans and the organization was mutual, culminating when Pence penned a gracious farewell letter a week after signing with the Rangers.

Some Scottsdale fans even playfully booed when Pence was called out on strikes against San Francisco starter Derek Holland, his former teammate and collaborator on some goofy, wrestling-style promo videos the Giants produced before the All-Star Game last year.

“I’m happy for him to still be playing, he’s such a great teammate, such an awesome competitor, a good guy to have in that clubhouse,” said Holland, a former Rangers pitcher. “It was awesome to see the ovation he got. He was such an important part to this team, and to have everybody erupt like they did, I think that was huge. … He’s an icon here.”

Rangers manager Chris Woodward has praised Pence’s professionalism and veteran presence among a clubhouse full of young players, but Pence needs to be healthy and productive to ensure a spot on the roster. Right now, he is limited to designated hitter as a sore shoulder has kept him from playing in the outfield, where he spent his entire career as a National Leaguer.

Pence has an “unapologetic relentlessness to everything he does,” Woodward said.

“There’s nothing phony about it … it’s sincere, he just truly believes in what he’s doing, and he wants everybody to be a part of it. There’s a selflessness to it," Woodward said. “You can see he’s taking all our younger guys under his wing and just trying to spread the message as often as he can. It’s a pleasure to watch, a pleasure to be around.”

After Saturday’s 0-for-3 showing, Pence is batting .167 (2-for-12) this spring. He stole his second base of the Cactus League season after being hit by a pitch.