Giants Win First World Series Since 1954

The San Francisco Giants clinched their first World Series title since 1954 with a 3-1 victory over the Texas Rangers in Game 5 tonight.

Tim Lincecum pitched eight strong innings giving up only one run on three hits. Lincecum struck out ten batters and for the second time in less than a week he beat Rangers ace Cliff Lee.

Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner pitched shutout ball in Games 2 and 4, respectively.

But it was Giants shortstop Edgar Renteria who won the World Series MVP. Renteria hit .412 (7 for 17) with two homeruns and 6 RBI. Renteria's homerun in the top of the 7th off Lee proved to be the game winner. It was familiar territory for Renteria who hit a walk off single to give the Florida Marlins their first World Series title in 1997.

Renteria also played in the 2004 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. That Fall Classic he would rather forget as he made the final out to give the Boston Red Sox their first World Series title since 1918.

The following year Renteria joined the Red Sox and had a miserable year here. Here's a piece I wrote about Renteria during his travails at Fenway.

Renteria actually did not have a good year for the Giants in 2010. He was on the DL thrice and hit only three homeruns in 243 at bats this season. Renteria is a free agent although the Giants do have an option on him for the 2011 season. I am inclined to think that Renteria will retire. He's had a good career - 2,200 plus hits, a .287 lifetime batting average, five All-Star Game selections, a couple of Gold Gloves. The two World Series titles serve as bookends for his career. Why not go out on top?

As for the Giants they win first World Series in San Francisco. I'm sure even Giants fans would rather have a World Series title than have Nancy Pelosi as Speaker or Barbara Boxer in the Senate.

And to think I picked the Giants to win it all in 2009. One year away.