Underdog, Unsung and Unselfish San Francisco Giants Win World Series

By C. MacDonald

DETROIT--A baseball team that refused to die, overcame the loss of its closer and best hitter to go on and reach the playoffs, where it beat the St. Louis Cardinals, the defending World Champs, then the Cincinnati Reds, who were supposed to win, and finally, last night (4-3 in 10 innings), the much heralded hitting/pitching champs of the American League, the Detroit Tigers, that most thought would be crowned World Series Champions.

The amazing San Francisco Giants were never psyched out by the powerful, talented teams they played. They never were psyched out by the oddsmakers, the media or what anyone else said about them. They believed in their TEAM. They were a TEAM in every sense of the word; a TEAM that overcame adversity night in and night out; a TEAM that had different players step up and make incredible defensive plays--bare-handling balls, diving to make catches, making impossible throws to get runners out, laying bunts to get on base, and hitting improbable home runs when needed.

"They had a great attitude, great enthusiasm and always did what was best for the team," said Manager Bruce Bochy, who deserves much credit for putting the right pitcher, hitter and defensive player in at just the right time. "We put our players in different roles and they never complained. They got the job done for the team."

This was a team that lost key players--Closer Brian Wilson was injured and lost for the season, All Star Melky Cabrera was suspended in August and didn't play again--yet General Manager Brian Sabean made trades to pick up Second Baseman Marco Scutaro, who became a much-needed hitting machine during nearly the entire time he played, even earning the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award, and Slugger Hunter Pence, who struggled at first, then fired up the team with motivational pep talks which really helped them believe in themselves and he even contributed some key hits and defensive plays in the World Series.

Then there was Pablo Sandoval, the Panda third baseman, not known for homeruns but he exploded, hitting three in one World Series game, putting him in the company of Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson, and further putting belief in the Giants TEAM that they could win no matter what the situation.

But hitting and fielding were only part of what made the Giants champions. The incredible, focused pitching from starters like Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong, Barry Zito and the rest was absolutely unbelievable. How about Tim Lincecum, the two-time Cy Young Award Winner, who became a bullpen ace? In fact, the bullpen did a phenomenal job every time they were called upon by the level-headed, always thinking Bochy. Closer Sergio Romo showed so much heart sealing the end of each pressure-packed game; the powerful fire thrower Santiago Casilla and the marksman, Jeremy Affeldt got the job done. (My hat goes off to the fantastic Giants pitching coach, Dave Righetti, who used to throw at my high school, Pioneer, before going on to the New York Yankees and becoming the first player to pitch a no hitter and lead the league in saves. He was the one, along with Bochy, who made sure just the right pitcher went into the game at just the right time to ensure victory. He and Bochy also performed their magic two years ago, when the Giants won their first World Series since they moved to San Francisco in 1958.)

Yes, it was a team of exciting, always hustling lads, like Angel Pagan, Gregor Blanco, Brandon Crawford and young NL Batting Champ Buster Posey, who made history happen again for San Francisco. This was the TEAM that made it happen, that had players who wanted to win now, that helped and encouraged each other, that will never be forgotten. This is how baseball is supposed to be played; textbook execution, inspirational, role model performance. This World Series showed it's not about the money (the richest teams with the highest priced players did not win it all), it's about the game and nobody in the history of hardball ever showed more passion, more excellence, more team spirit than this year's San Francisco Giants. Congratulations to each and every player. We all can learn from your unselfish teamwork. You truly are Giant Champions that America can be proud of!

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