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Thanks to the following people/things (Please don't hesitate to tell me if I missed anyone):
Jeremy Affeldt
Madison Bumgarner
Matt Cain (2010 MVP)
Santiago Casilla
Tim Lincecum
Javier Lopez
Guillermo Mota
Ramon Ramirez
Sergio Romo
Jonathan Sanchez
Brian Wilson (2010 MVP)
Buster Posey (2010 MVP)
Eli Whiteside
Mike Fontenot
Aubrey Huff (2010 MVP)
Travis Ishikawa
Edgar Renteria
Freddy Sanchez
Pablo Sandoval
Juan Uribe
Pat Burrell
Cody Ross
Aaron Rowand
Nate Schierholtz
Andres Torres (2010 MVP)
Brooks Conrad
Brian McCann
The Padres' ten-game losing streak
Todd Wellemeyer's DFA
Denny Bautista's DFA
Jose Guillen's neck injury/HGH controversy
Billy Wagner's strained oblique muscle
Troy Tulowitzki's broken left wrist
Bengie Molina
All of the coaching staff (including Dave Righetti, Bruce Bochy, Roberto Kelly, Tim Flannery, Ron Wotus, Hensley Meulens...)
Cliff Lee's World Series ERA of 6.94
Yes, I have the power to bestow team MVP honors to five separate players. They all deserve it.
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A Rentember to Remember...
Edgar Renteria...his tenure with the Giants has been the subject of endless criticism; he's had three DL stints this season (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong). He has accumulated a total of eight home runs and ten stolen bases in 196 regular season games (not that he's supposed to be a home run or stolen base threat). His defense has been nothing special. He's batted .259 over this two-year period, once again, nothing awe-inspiring. But when it mattered most, when the Giants were on the big stage for the first time since 2002; when they were within reach of their first World Series title in over 50 years, and their first World Series title as the Giants of San Francisco, his bat awoke. He was 7 for 17 with six RBIs and six runs scored. As long as I live, I will never forget Edgar Enrique Renteria. He helped end years of frustration for Giants fans. There is something to be said for a man who can hit in the World Series.
It poses an interesting question: Was this worth 2yr/$18MM? I'll have to answer that with another question...WHO CARES? 2010 WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Anyway...Pat Burrell has one career hit in 27 World Series at-bats.
I never thought I would say this, but if the Giants were to offer the same contract to Edgar Renteria or Pat Burrell for 2011 (say, 1yr/$3MM), I would rather bring ol' Rent back. What has the world come to?
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In all the excitement, it's easy to forget about Lincecum's outing; but what a truly impressive game he pitched. Eight innings, three hits, one earned run, two walks, and ten strikeouts. Against one of the best offenses in the majors. In their home park, a hitters park. The Freaky Franchise (aka the Freak, aka Big Time Timmy Jim) beat "one of the best postseason pitchers of all time" in the World Series twice. He won't be adding to his Cy Young collection this year. I'm sure he'll enjoy this World Series ring a little bit more, though.
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| Let me reiterate. Jim Caple is awesome. |
I honestly can't believe the San Francisco Giants had so many doubters. Their pitching is historically great. They absolutely shut down one of the best hitting teams in the majors, for example. Seriously. The Rangers have scored five runs over their last four games. We're talking about a team with the AL MVP, Josh Hamilton, a probable hall-of-famer in Vladimir Guerrero, an all-star shortstop in Elvis Andrus, a perennial all-star in Michael Young, a 2009 all-star in Nelson Cruz, and even the bottom of the lineup is substantial. Mitch Moreland had a good series, and Bengie Molina had a great postseason in general. For the Giants to shut them down, even on Texas' home turf -- which is a hitters park, is just incredible.
Since September 1, the Giants have allowed 2.31 runs per game.
Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner, Javier Lopez, Brian Wilson, Sergio Romo. No matter which way you slice it, that is a great collection of pitchers. The definition of young talent.
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At this point, I am at a loss for words. I, among all other true SF Giants fans, will remember this day for the rest of my life. November 1st, 2010. It's been a long, torturous, magical, fearthebeardful ride, and I wouldn't hesitate to go through it again.
To sum up the torture:
15-pitch at-bat to Kaz Matsui
Walk-off homer by David Eckstein
Every single loss to the Padres
Todd Wellemeyer
Pablo Sandoval's year-long sophomore slump
Tim Lincecum's horrendous August
Rick Ankiel's home run
Eric Hinske's home run
and many many more...I just can't even remember at this point.
There has been so much magic though. It truly was magic inside:
Seven walk-off hits
Destroying great pitchers (Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, among others...)
Darren Ford running around the bases against the Rockies to defeat Ubaldo Jimenez
Buster Posey's existence
Cody Ross, THE BOSS
and many many more...I just can't even remember at this point.
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No need to look at where this team will stand next year. Just enjoy the moment. This is a moment that will be inscribed in the everlasting memories of each and every San Francisco Giants fan. Enjoy it, because these things take immense efforts. Years of heartbreak have made this day even sweeter.
Bob Lemon once said, "I don't care how long you've been around, you'll never see it all."
The 2010 San Francisco Giants certainly confirmed the validity of that statement.
When Edgar Renteria comes to town...
Best part of tonight? When Huff said to Rent, after Renteria had won his MVP award, "Atta boy, you old man. You dinosaur..." Brilliant.
