Author Archive

World Series 2010: Edgar Renteria’s Homer Leads San Francisco To Title

In the final game of the 1997 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Florida Marlins, Florida shortstop Edgar Renteria (who was just in his second season) drove in Craig Counsell on a walk-off single to win the championship. 13 years later, Renteria can credit himself with delivering yet another championship.

With a three-run home run in the top of the 7th, Edgar Renteria propelled the San Francisco Giants to their first World Series win since 1954. It is their first since moving to California, having reached the World Series four times, including coming up just short in 2002 against interstate rival Anaheim.

The Giants won the game by a score of 3-1 after an impressive pitching performance by Tim Lincecum, his second start of the series. He dueled against free agency-bound Cliff Lee, who went seven innings and allowed the big shot to Renteria. The Rangers fell into a deficit they could not dig themselves out of, even with a solo-shot by Nelson Crúz (his sixth of the postseason). Giants closer Brian Wilson, who had been rather lights-out all postseason long, sealed the deal by getting the aforementioned Crúz to strikeout swinging.

San Francisco entered the second-half of the season trailing division-rival San Diego, yet managed to power forward towards an NL West title after the latter played poorly down the stretch. They successfully knocked off the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, as Cody Ross (who had been claimed off of waivers earlier in the summer) slugged his way into playoff galore. After conquering the defending NL champion Phillies, San Francisco would go on to lose only once in Game 3 to Texas.

Even with poor ratings predicted (and eventually being sustained), the Giants managed to pull through. In a season filled with unlikelihood, the San Francisco Giants proved that just about anything can happen.

This article can be found on SportsFullCircle!

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


The World Series Baseball Doesn’t Need, But The One It Deserves

The San Francisco Giants have not won a World Series in over 55 years. Their counterparts, the Texas Rangers, have never won period.

Nonetheless, both of these squads have proven themselves worthy of dancing in the Fall Classic. Texas found their way in a six-game upset (if you can call it that) of the powerhouse Yankees, while San Franasco (thank you Tommy Wiseau) marched into Philadelphia and conquered the Phillies.

Great, is it not?

Yet as Giants closer Brian Wilson caught slugger Carlos Beltran (err, Ryan Howard) looking at strike three to end the NLCS, baseball commissioner Bud Selig shared the same look of shock. It was at this moment he realized, the 2010 World Series (just one year after a thrilling New York/Philadelphia stand) would be split between San Francisco and Arlington.

I’ll say that again. San Francisco and Arlington.

It is no secret to people any longer. The game of baseball is dying in the public eye. Even as a lockout looms ahead, the NFL draws huge on weekends. College football is carried on virtually every channel. Ball fields are being torn up and replaced by million-dollar dog parks.

In 2005, Major League Baseball experienced their first major drop-off in World Series ratings. For the first time since total viewer stats were released in 2001, the classic failed to reach 20 million viewers for at least one game of the series. Not even Chicago, a market who had the White Sox searching for their first World Series since 1917, could generate a substantial number of spectators. Since then, only two World Series games have reached that plateau, both of which were series clinchers (’07 and ‘09).

Feel like adding insult to injury? Throw in Game 3 of the 2008 World Series between the Phillies and Rays, which failed to eclipse 10 million viewers. That’s right: people were more interested in spending $10 at a movie theater on a Saturday night than watching a World Series game for free.

Now, we fast-forward to 2010. The Giants will obtain home-field advantage after the National League won the All-Star Game (ironically in the home of the last team San Francisco faced in the World Series), meaning a 4:30 PM local time start for just about every game of the series. With only two of the games taking place on a weekend, that means that a majority of west coasters will likely be in their office for the first pitch. Unless you work for Michael Scott, things don’t look too good for you.

Then, the Arlington argument comes into play. I mentioned earlier that the 2005 World Series brought in dismal ratings. The Houston Astros, a Texas product, were the National League representative. If a city of 2.3 million could not spur some steam, how are we to expect Arlington to do so?

So Mr. Selig, things may not look so great for you. Because of two pesky teams spurring on with a “no-quit” attitude, you miss out on a repeat of a fairly marketable rematch.

However, perhaps this is not exactly a bad thing. While the 2010 World Series may be a ratings-bruiser, the battle of the Rangers and Giants could also restore credibility to a game which could use a boost in that particular field.

The Texas Rangers are the epitome of front office perfection. With new ownership at the helm (not to mention the greatest pitcher of all-time at the helm of the helm), Texas soared past the AL West-laggers, at one point controlling the best record in baseball. They brought in an aging slugger to be their designated hitter, a retiring catcher to call games, a pissed-off outfielder to gun out runners and a southpaw who has established himself to be one of the best clutch-performers of all-time. Throw in an MVP superstar and a manager looking for redemption, and that proves to be a pretty effective formula.

As for the Giants, they are the captains of charisma. Having accomplished a remarkable comeback to capture the NL West, their youth and heart has driven them to greatness. They traded a retiring catcher (quite possibly the same one mentioned above) to bring in a rookie star. Their manager, a World Series-alumnus himself, worked through a blown $126 million investment and a torn pitching staff to reach the pinnacle of the baseball world. Also, be sure not to forget an NLCS MVP who was claimed on waivers a few months back.

While the 2010 World Series may not prove to be the most efficient for the sport of baseball, this type of story has been in the making for a long, long time. Both squads have upset the odds, and are incredibly hungry for a taste of champagne (or even ginger ale). It may be true the series may not be watched by many, but for those who do, it will undoubtedly be enjoyable.

Oh, perhaps I forgot to mention something. The last time the Giants were in the Fall Classic was also the last time a World Series game eclipsed 30 million views.

In the words of Wilson, this championship match-up may be quite “delicious” for the real fans of baseball.

This article can be found on SportsFullCircle!

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


Roy Halladay No-Hits Cincinnati Reds, Etches Name in Sports History

There is something that always seems mystical about October baseball. Be it the crisp autumn air or the rejuvenated crowd, incredible things tend to happen.

October 6, 2010 was no different. Yet at the same time, it undoubtedly was. Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay successfully tossed a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NLDS, becoming the first person to do so during postseason play since Don Larsen pitched a perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.

Halladay also became one of a handful of players to throw two no-hitters in the same season, as he tossed a perfect game against the Marlins earlier in the year.

After just one fifth-inning walk to Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, Halladay settled down and defeated a team that had not been in the playoffs since 1995. Roy kept his composure throughout, knocking out eight batters en route to his historic outing. The Phillies won the game 4-0 after RBI from Shane Victorino, Chase Utley, and even Halladay himself.

Edinson Vólquez began the contest for the Reds, but quickly exited after just 1.2 innings. He was relieved by Travis Wood.

The final play of the game occurred when second baseman Brandon Phillips lightly knocked a ball in front of catcher Carlos Ruíz, who quickly fielded the ball from his knees and fired it over to Ryan Howard for the out.

Sometimes baseball never fails to amaze. Tonight is no different.

This article can also be found on SportsFullCircle!

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


Deadline Tid-Bits: Matt Capps On His Way to Minnesota

In a day that has already seen Roy Oswalt head east and Miguel Tejada head west, Nationals closer Matt Capps is now on his way to Minnesota, according to several sources.

Scott Miller of CBS Sports is reporting that the Nationals will receive catcher Wilson Ramos alongside southpaw Joe Testa in return for the pitcher, who has pitched his way to success (and an All-Star Game appearance) this year en route to 26 saves and 38 strikeouts.

If the deal is in fact confirmed, it is very possible Twins manager Ron Gardenhire could move current closer Jon Rauch to set-up man, leaving Capps with the all-important role of finishing the games, especially in such a close American League Central.

For more information on the Capps deal as the night progresses, check out SportsFullCircle !

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


Copyright © 1996-2010 Kuzul. All rights reserved.
iDream theme by Templates Next | Powered by WordPress