The Giants of San Francisco: 2014

       Two months have passed since the San Francisco Giants did the improbable by winning the World Series, 4 games to 3, over the Kansas City Royals.
       For the Giants, who backed into the playoff berth by coming in second in the Western Div. of the national league and securing a wild card slot.  This is the 1 game do or die contest.  Madison Bumgarner won that game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Pittsburgh.
     Then it was the Washington Nationals.  The pundits favored the Nationals who had the best record by far.   The Giants handles them easily 3 games to 1.
     After that, on to St. Louis, to face the well -seasoned Cardinals, with many veterans and  great hitters.  They handles the Redbirds 4 games to 1.
     Now it was the Fall Classic.  The Giants had won twice before in the last 4 years: in 2010, and in 2012.  Could they do it again?  The Royals had not been in the Series since 1985 when GM George Brett was in the lineup.
      This Series would feature an amazing display of pitching, hitting, strategy, luck-good and bad.
In the end, it was the Giants who prevailed, with the arm of 25 year old Madison Bumgarner of Hickory, North Carolina, a winner of 2 games and a save in the final 7th game.
     Madison Bumgarner was voted Most valuable Player of the Series and recently, Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year for 2014.   It was a most memorable Series, with 1 game extending 18 innings before the Giants won that game.   The Giants Pablo Sandoval set a major league record with 26 post season hits.  Sadly, he became a free agent, entered the draft, and signed with the Boston Red Sox.  Good for him, and good for them.
     Congratulations to Bruce Bochy and his boys.  That's 3 world Series Titles for Bochy which almost guarantees him a spot in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
     The Mayor had a unique experience: watching the games, delayed by 2-3 seconds on his iphone at 2 am in Tuscany.   Lost lots of sleep, but worth it.