By Justin Cohen
Contributing Writer
In recent years, big-name markets like the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Cardinals and Braves have dominated the October headlines and claimed postseason MLB success. That was not the case this year when the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants played each other in the 2010 World Series. But although there were no big market teams this year, those who were looking forward to the 2010 World Series saw excellent pitching performances and games where every hit mattered.
The Rangers, a team littered with storylines, knocked off the Yankees in the ALCS to reach their first World Series in franchise history thanks to the help of their offensive production and Cliff Lee, viewed by some as the best postseason pitcher in history. The Giants used ace Tim Lincecum and a young and talented lineup to defeat the Phillies, who had what many claimed to be the best rotation in baseball.
As the series began, the Giants lit up Cliff Lee for seven runs and cruised to an early 2-0 series lead. The Giants put up 20 runs in the first two games, despite the fact that most of their other contests in the 2010 postseason were decided by only one or two runs.
The Rangers were able to muster up a win in game three, in which all of their runs came off the long ball. The stars of the team, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young, drove in the runs to cap an 8-3 victory.
The Giants then sent rookie pitcher Madison Bumgarner on the mound for game four. Bumgarner silenced his critics as he threw eight scoreless innings and only allowed three hits for the Giants to easily take the win and be one win away from clinching their first World Series Championship in over 50 years.
Game five gave the fans the pitching matchup they were expecting for Game one as Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum took the mound once again in a battle of aces. The Rangers went into the game knowing the Giants would return to San Francisco as champions if they did not win.
Through the first six innings, both pitchers performed as expected, keeping the game scoreless. But in the seventh inning Cliff Lee gave up a three run home run to Edgar Renteria to give the Giants a 3-0 lead. The Rangers responded with a run in the seventh, but Lincecum finished without any other trouble and reliever Brian Wilson delivered the final blow in the ninth, crowning the Giants the 2010 World Series Champions. Renteria was awarded series MVP for his late game heroics and fans begged him not to retire as he had contemplated doing in the offseason.
The Giants celebrated their victory parade a week ago Wednesday, and the team received a key to the city from Mayor Gavin Newsom. It was the first championship for the city since the 49ers last won the Super Bowl in 1995. While most of the baseball world will be focusing on the free agent market and readjusting their rosters, the Giants can only build on this success and look to continue their winning ways in the seasons to come.