How the West Was Won: 2001

The 2001 Giants lacked the pitching of the previous year's squad. The staff allowed 748 runs, 9th in the league, posting an ERA+ of 96. The Braves led the way with a 124 ERA+ (643 RA, 1st), the D-Backs just behind at 120 (677 RA, 2nd). The Snakes won the West by two games (92-70), underperforming their 95-67 Pythagorean record. With 818 RS, they were 3rd best, ahead of the Giants who were 5th with 799. The Bay City Boys finished 4 games better than their Pythagorean percentage (86-76), and missed out on the Wild Card by three games to the 93-69 Cardinals. The Giants did draw 3,311,958 fans, best in the league. This guy hit a lot of homers, and you know how fans like that sort of thing.