The customary response from baseball fans has been "Congratulations, San Francisco Giants" with high praise for Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, MVP Edgar Renteria, Brian Wilson, Cody Ross, and the rest of the team. I'll pass. Yeah, I'm a sore loser Yankees fan- eat it.
The bottom line is that the Giants proved themselves to be the best built team to win. They squeaked by the Padres at the end of the season, and their pitchers lived up to their billing, and their players were clutch and overachieved. It's not just luck due to the tournament style of the post-season- the 2010 Giants were legit when it counted.
The Texas Rangers, who frankly easily won the AL West, defeated the Rays-best team in the 2010 regular season, and destroyed the Yankees, were completely outclassed by a total underdog team heading into October. Of course my wife picked the Giants to win going into the series- I passed because my season already ended.
I listened to the Braves-Giants series, and I was shocked how both teams were old school National League- runs came at a premium. With all of the powerhouse teams battling each other, only a high stakes gambler would pick the 2010 World Series winner from the Braves/Giants series- and don't give me any of the 20/20 hindsight bit.
The Giants ranked 17/30 in runs scored in 2010. They hit .257/.321.Their vaunted pitching staff did rank 1st in the majors with a 3.41 ERA. But they pitched AND hit against the Rangers, who looked to be a powerhouse in power, hitting, and pitching heading into the World Series.
Based on what I gather from the internet, most fans jumped on the Giants bandwagon after Game 1, and they liked the California personalities of the Giants. The stat heads are trying to fit the Giants in their stat head Moneyball philosophy, but the truth is famous Giants GM Brian Sabean just got the players he could afford to add to the great pitching (most NL teams have great pitching anyway, due to park factors).
For the baseball fans that watched or listened, they apparently couldn't help but root for the Giants, especially since Cliff Lee (0-2) and the Rangers didn't really show up. Baseball purists are thrilled that a low budget team won the World Series. Bud Selig would be happy too, since it allegedly proves his point that revenue sharing works and baseball's polarity is at an all-time high. However I think he's more concerned about the low FOX ratings. Amazing, huh? Fans were treated to watch pitching aces, a household name like Josh Hamilton, and a future Hall of Famer like Vlad Guerrero, but ratings sucked. Okay.
Take a look at the Giants starting lineup and bench, and it's laughable. It's populated by castaways that like to work cheap, and some solid youngsters who took advantage of their opportunity.
Heck, Bam Bam Meulens finally won a World Series ring. Take that, Don Mattingly.
So that ends the final chapter in the 2010 MLB season. The history books (well, not books- bloggers and MLB articles online) will say it ended on a high note. Yankees fans such as myself have no opinion on the matter- it is what it is.
The Yankees were STACKED all year, but due to nagging injuries and poor pitching in September and October they were embarrassed by the Rays to end the season and to the Rangers in the ALCS. The Twins, who have a reputation of being just as scrappy and clutch as the Giants, were destroyed by the Yankees in the ALDS- that was the only time the real Yankees played in the last two months.
I still have some misgivings about Bud Selig's post season schedule with all of the off-days. I truly believe too much rests screwed up some players on the Yankees and Rangers.
Anyway, I guess it should be interesting how the 2010 Giants simulate in Diamond Mind Baseball and Out of the Park Baseball games; I have a feeling they will be like the 2003 Marlins.
Time for the off-season!
