OT congrats to the SF Giants

[itjclarke]

Well the boys just keep plugging away.

After this year's postseason performance, I can't imagine a better big game pitcher in baseball than Bumgarner. Kershaw has all the awards and regular season, 20 win pedigree, but Bum is just amazing when it counts most. It all started in 2010 as a 21 year old rookie when he went 8 shutout in the WS in Arlington, and has continued until now.

All respect to the Royals, but also think their 8-0 run may have been a bit of a curse similar to that 34-0 NCAA basketball team that gets bounced in the tourney. Feel like a little loss/disappointment is a good thing.. need to remember how to lose, and more important how to bounce back. I was happy Bum gave up that HR just before exiting, just to end that scoreless streak. Anyway, I know the series is far far from over, and the Royals have plenty of magic left, but definitely happy to take the 1st one on the road.

Go Giants!

[Jantz]

Its a good thing Jeter retired this year. Now Yankees fans have something to talk about in October.

Got my Barry Bonds jersey off the hanger and will be wearing it all week.

Go Giants!!

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by itjclarke

Well the boys just keep plugging away.

After this year's postseason performance, I can't imagine a better big game pitcher in baseball than Bumgarner. Kershaw has all the awards and regular season, 20 win pedigree, but Bum is just amazing when it counts most. It all started in 2010 as a 21 year old rookie when he went 8 shutout in the WS in Arlington, and has continued until now.

All respect to the Royals, but also think their 8-0 run may have been a bit of a curse similar to that 34-0 NCAA basketball team that gets bounced in the tourney. Feel like a little loss/disappointment is a good thing.. need to remember how to lose, and more important how to bounce back. I was happy Bum gave up that HR just before exiting, just to end that scoreless streak. Anyway, I know the series is far far from over, and the Royals have plenty of magic left, but definitely happy to take the 1st one on the road.

Go Giants!

+1. Bumgarner really is a worldbeater, and he is a pleasure to watch.

[Section103]

I absolutely love Romo and Timmy with all of my heart, but that Topps poster should have Panik and Castillo on it instead. Both are huge contributors.

[h2oya311]

Wow, what a game! Congrats to the SF Giants! Incredible pitching on both sides...

[icollectDCsports]

Bumgarner's WS is one for the ages. The Royals had a special chemistry this postseason, but the Giants also have a great team chemistry and the type of grit that is necessary to win in the playoffs and WS. Congrats to the Giants. 3 in 5 years. Sabean and Bochy have done a great job. Bochy now a lock for HOF.

[Kenny Cole]

Wow. Bumgarner is just about the biggest stud I have ever seen. What a post-season player!!!! His performance is one for the ages. Totally impressed and cannot really say more because I am simply out of words.

[Orioles1954]

Thank you Giants! Now the 1979 Baltimore Orioles have been avenged

[Rickyy]

Brian Sabean to 25 year old Madison Bumgarner after the National League Championship Series... “What the hell are you going to do when you grow up?”

Congrats El Gigantes! 3 in 5!

Ricky Y

[barrysloate]

Congratulations to the Giants for their kangaroo straight dynasty! What an organization they are, from top to bottom.

Bumgarner's accomplishment will be the gold standard for all future World Series performances. How do you pitch like that on two days rest? And if you're a Giants fan, didn't the hit and two base error with two outs in the ninth give you a near heart attack?

I too am a Giants fan since 1962, and after 48 lean years, including the train wreck sixth game of 2002, I never imagined I would ever get to see even one championship team. To now have three is the unthinkable.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by Rickyy

Brian Sabean to 25 year old Madison Bumgarner after the National League Championship Series... “What the hell are you going to do when you grow up?”

And the ownership partners to Sabean- "you've got this guy for five more years at $10M a year!" What an unreal postseason performance by Bum, definitely one for the ages.

I mentioned in another thread, win or lose in game 7, I think this year was also Bochy's most impressive as Giants manager. This team had to adapt several times this year, deal with major injuries, but still managed to get in and to win at the most important times. Again, they exemplify true team (virtually everyone is a key contributor) and the power of playing feerless, confident, clean baseball. I can't wait to cheer them on this Friday.

Congrats Giants!! (and tip of the cap to the Royals)

[barrysloate]

The Giants had a ten game lead in June when their record was 42-21, then proceeded to play so badly for so long it looked like they might not even make the playoffs. It was a very difficult season for them, and this championship certainly wasn't expected as the regular season wound down.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

The Giants had a ten game lead in June when their record was 42-21, then proceeded to play so badly for so long it looked like they might not even make the playoffs. It was a very difficult season for them, and this championship certainly wasn't expected as the regular season wound down.

Yes 2014 was a crazy season indeed. That early season 42-21 team was also winning largely by power (Morse, Belt, Hicks, etc) albeit unexpected, while their defense and starting pitching was playing at a subpar level. It's been a nearly complete reversal since, and following a couple terrible stretches, they still got in, then got it done.

Each run has seemed totally unique, as opposed to being a continuation of the previous. 2010 was probably still the most surprising, and 2012 saw them overcome 2x major series deficits... But this year may be the strangest (and very satisfying) combination of injuries, stop gaps, patch work, unexpected contributors, and in the end heart... And another championship.