Giants Win the Pennant!

Song on my mind... "I Feel Good" by James Brown

Some years back, it was the San Francisco Giants' theme song. Tonight's victory got me thinking back to 1989, the last time the Giants had been to the World Series. That series was nicknamed the Bay Bridge series or Earthquake series, when the 7.1 magnitude Loma Prieta Earthquake struck. The Oakland A's swept the Giants that year.

Today was a rather ordinary day. The weather was fine and I was fine, but it is amazing how a simple baseball game can transform ordinary into exhilarating and memorable. The Giants' victory over the Cardinals was today's moment. San Francisco somehow eliminated St. Louis in five games.

Matt Morris, the Cardinal pitcher, had allowed only one run the entire game, masterfully silencing Giants hitting. The game was tied 1-1 going into the ninth inning and there were two outs. David Bell and Shawon Dunston hit back to back singles. Tony LaRussa, the former A's manager, brought in Steve Kline to face Kenny Lofton. Lofton stroked the first pitch he saw into right field, Bell raced around third and slid headfirst across home plate to win the game! Utterly awesome!!

Though the media had focused on Barry Bonds the entire postseason, it was guys like Rich Aurilia, Benito Santiago (the MVP), J.T. Snow, Felix Rodriguez and Tim Worrell that really caused trouble for Atlanta and St. Louis. It goes to show that the key to a winning team and winning effort is a combination of stars and everyday guys who work hard and work together.

Tickets to the 2002 World Series are going on sale Wednesday morning. Seat prices start at $60 for bleacher seats. I am seriously considering grabbing four seats, just in case it takes the Giants another 13 years to get here again.