Champions of the World

The Giants made easy work of the Texas Rangers, and yesterday won San Fransisco's first World Series, ever. If you read back, I wrote pitching would win the World Series, and it most certainly did. The Rangers were shut out twice, once at home, and could only muster one run in the knock out game. Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathon Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner proved formidable, and Brian Wilson's beard scared away the Rangers.

Twice the Giants proved me wrong. I picked them before the season to make the playoffs, but to lose to the Phillies, and lose to the Rangers. The Phillies and Rangers have stacked lineups with household names like Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth; Vladimir Guerrero, Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton. The Giants have a team of misfits, a solid combination of rookies and veterans, but outside of their rotation, no big, scary names.

Their lack of any hitters needing to be pitched around is why I picked against them. Their pitching, I thought, was similar to Philly and Texas, so after that, both of those teams had a better lineup. I was clearly wrong about the Giants' pitching, which is exactly what Ron Washington's mistake was. He underestimated the excellence of the Giants' pitching. This team could be quite a dynasty if their young guys stay around. The pitching staff is scary good, led by Timmy Lincecum, two-time Cy Young winner.

Pitching is what this year was about, and it is why Cliff Lee will be a Yankee next year. Their biggest need is pitching and they possess the fattest wallet. There is no guarantee Andy Pettitte will continue for another season, AJ Burnett needs a pitching intervention, and Phil Hughes needs to step his game up. Cliff Lee needs to be their only focus, and not acquiring him would result in a failed offseason, and possibly Brian Cashman's job. Lee claimed he would love to stay in Texas, but if the Yankees offer a considerably larger contract, Lee will take it.

For now though, congratulations San Fransisco Giants. You ended an unfortunate drought of championship rings. Celebrate and be merry, Spring Training is only 4 months away!