The SF Misfits are Unlikely Champions!

No one thought that they could do it, but the SF did the impossible and won the World Series last night by beating the Texas Rangers. This is the first title for the Giants since 1954 and the first for the San Francisco Giants, since the team relocated to California from New York. Despite the team's great pitching, the squad is more well known for its hair styles and love of marijuana - quite a good fit for its home city.

Although winning was a bit surreal, the players sound as though they are enjoying a high:

• Closer Brian Wilson with his secret power beard felt "stoic" but that he "want[s] to rage, right now." Not sure how the "rage" is going to happen with his stocisim and slow talking, especially, because all he could say about winning was that it was "sweet."
• Barry Zito reflected on the night saying "Holy Crap, this is pretty special."

Keep the high going, because it may be another 50 years before you can recapture the feeling.

Leavin' it to the Youngins

Last night in Game 4 of the 2010 World Series, SF rookie duo, pitcher Madison Bumgarner and catcher Buster Posey, were the first rookie pair to win a World Series game. Bumgarner is only 20 years old - the fourth youngest starter to win a World Series game! His amazing performance last night was mainly due to his incredible ability to throw strikes on his first pitch to each batter (he averaged strikes 50+% of the time in his first pitch during the season, but last night reached 70+%).

Game 5 of the series, which SF now leads 3-1, is tonight in Texas with star pitcher Cliff Lee returning to the stage. Tune in to see whether Cliff Lee can pull it out and keep the Rangers alive.

Big Paycheck worth a few Tough New Yorkers

Tune in tonight for Game 1 of the 2010 World Series where the Texas Rangers will take on the San Francisco Giants. Rangers superstar pitcher Cliff Lee will take the mound for likely his last series as a Ranger.

Lee has been in talks with the New York Yankees since July to be another, uh well sellout. Lee will be a free agent at the end of this year (meaning he is free to sign with another team). If traded to the Yankees, Lee will likely earn a contract between five and seven years for $100-$150 million!

Even after Lee's wife was spit on, heckled at, and taunted by the Yankees fans during the ALCS series agains the Rangers, she is still ready to move to the big city. Mrs. Lee and her hubby have been quick to excuse the Yanks from their disrespectful behavior. Clearly, the paycheck is worth a few spitballs and insults.

Baseball Update - Year of the Underdog?

It looks like it is going to be the year of the underdog in the MLB. The SF Giants have the opportunity to go to the World Series tonight by beating out the Philadelphia Phillies. And on Friday night, the Texas Rangers go home to try to knock out the almighty Yankees.

If these two teams can pull out wins it will be bigger than Jason Wu beating out the Oscar de la Rentas for Michele Obama's inaugural gown and Roberto Benigni beating out Tom Hanks and Nick Nolte for Best Actor at the Oscars for his performance in "Life is Beautiful." (Although Benigni's winning speech will never be topped by any game winning celebration!)

Underdog Rangers

The Texas Rangers just a couple of months ago were in the midst of a tumultuous bankruptcy proceeding where Nolan Ryan beat out Mark Cuban to get control of the team. Well now, the Rangers are just one game away from the World Series!!! And to add to their credit, it is the Yankees that they are about to take down to get there - yes, the Yankees, the team with the highest payroll and stacked line-up.

Tune in tonight to see if the Rangers can make it to the big dance. 3 p.m. est.

Baseball Postseason

Just when you thought baseball season couldn't go on any longer...the playoffs have arrived. If there is any time to tune in, now is it.

The field has been whittled down to eight teams fighting for the title. Here are the match-ups in the first round (which are best of five game series):

American League

New York Yankees v. Minnesota Twins (Wed. 8:30 pm) - The Yanks won the title last year in the first year of a new stadium. This year, the Twins are showing off some new digs - will they have the same luck? The Yankees definitely have the edge in this series, but the Twins' fans will be out in full force trying to bring the win to their new home.

Texas Rangers v. Tampa Bay Rays (Wed. 1:30 pm) - The Rangers made it to the playoffs despite their bankruptcy legal battles. (Nolan Ryan becoming the owner of the team after beating out Mark Cuban with his bid.) Way to go, but despite the heart Ryan gives to his team, the Rays are hungry for the World Series and will be tough to beat.

National League

Cincinnati Reds v. Philadelphia Phillies (Wed. 5:00 pm) - The Phillies are hungry this year and arguably have the best team in baseball. Yet, the Reds will match up really well against the Phillies not only in the same red and white, but also in their pitching and offense. This series will come down to the end with whichever closer can stand out in the matching colors.

Atlanta Braves v. San Francisco Giants (Thurs. 9:30 pm) - The Braves and Giants are hot hot hot, both winning their last regular season game to make the playoffs. The momentum could not come at a better time, but the Braves are going to fall short in the talent department to the Giants.

Now is the time, pick a team and follow them for the next couple weeks. The matchups are sure to be exciting and give you something to root for as a world champion is crowned at the end of the month.