The San Francisco Giants won their 107th game in this magnificent, improbable season and seized the Western Division title from their long-time rivals the Los Angeles Dodgers. I had a feeling that the Dodgers would "win out" and that the Giants would have to take care of business on their own. They did, in epic fashion, winning eight of their final nine games to clinch it.
After today The Big Book of Giants Lore will have a new entry under Webb, Logan. It will say "Game 162, October 3rd, 2021." It was an outstanding performance by the 24-year old. He not only dominated the Padres for seven innings, he led the offense with two hits, two RBI, and three runs scored. He got it going in the 2nd inning and led the way from then on. I thought all along the veterans would have to step up today, and they did, but it was the youngster who provided the inspiration. What a performance! Another thing I kept expecting was a big homer, and I was sure we'd get one from a veteran hitter. But it turned out that the pitcher carried the Big Stick and got that cathartic blast. What a finish to the season!
The Giants were great in April (16-10), May (18-10), June (16-9), July (15-10), August (19-9), September (21-6), and, as it turned out the most important month of all, in October (2-1). The Giants go 13-5 in their final 18 games, the 9th-inning of the season. If you've forgotten how awesome this team has been here's a reminder:
and they finish 13-5 for a final 107-55 (.660), the greatest season in Giants history.
I want to send a 'thank you' to the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are the defending champions and they played magnificently, especially down the stretch, and finished with 106 wins, tied for the most in their long history. They inspired the Giants to new heights.
This 2021 Giants team is the most interesting team I have ever followed. This division championship is the most satisfying ever. The Dodgers have had a stranglehold on the West for much too long--the last time another team won was in 2012 (the Giants, of course)! Taking the title and forcing the Dodgers to play a Wild Card game is the best outcome possible.
This has been a terrible summer what with drought conditions, wildfires, and extreme heat, but the Giants have pulled off a miracle, and it is a wonderful, beautiful thing. I hope you are enjoying the moment!!
The next Giants game will be Friday, October 8th. They will play either the St. Louis Cardinals or the Los Angeles Dodgers in a five-game series, hosting the first two at Oracle Park.
The best thing we fans can do is savor this remarkable and memorable season. I can't think of a Giants club that so embodied the notion of "team" than this group. EVERY SINGLE PLAYER MATTERED!!
Congratulations to the 2021 San Francisco Giants, champions of the NL West.
--M.C.
10 comments:
Posey got his 1500th career hit.
I must say that the Padres really pissed me off. But that's good--they played hard and tried to win every match-up. Unlike the Brewers who laid down like dogs and let the Dodgers run all over them. San Diego made the Giants play good baseball and the Giants responded with a resounding win.
I would add one note. Kepler started the ride with SF with a somewhat tepid welcome from some corners. He also followed a pretty upstanding coach into the ranks of Giants. Whatever he and his coaching staff have instituted, lessons are to be had by other managers. Nobody wins that many games without understanding the mental components of getting the best of players. The Giants have a deep roster of sharing and supporting each other. A rare and good thing to behold.
No question. I agree wholeheartedly. It's a fascinating lesson in communication, group dynamics, human development, etc. Kap and his staff brought a lot of new things but the main thing is that the "old guys" bought in to the new system and led the way. They gave it credibility, not just with their performances but with their professionalism. Like I said, this is the most interesting team I've ever followed!
I have to mention that without Mike Tauchman's robbery of an Albert Pujols walk off home run, the final outcome would have been reversed. Of course there were many great plays, great hits, etc. but If I had to pick one play that made the difference and changed the year it would be the Mike Tauchman catch. It may seem inappropriate to give extra kudos to one play by one player, as this was clearly a team effort, and it just shows you that A guy who has been in Sacramento the last few months, made a key play that probably altered the outcome of the N.L. West. It seems that Sherfy, who pitched for both the giants and the dodgers was going to get a N.L. West championship reward either way.
I just noted I typed e instead of a on Kap. I hate cell phone writing. Sorry Kap!
The Tauchman play was pivotal. And he couldn't stay on the roster! Just goes to show how deep this club is.
In the bottom of the 3rd yesterday the score was 0-0. Webb singled with one out--the Giants first hit--and Flores singled with two outs to bring up Buster Posey. Webb had retired the first nine Padres, five by strikeout. He was dominating, and the lineup needed to get the scoring started and take care of business.
Buster took strike one and then broke the spell with a line-drive single and two runs scored. The Giants never looked back. The whole lineup came to life and busted the game open the very next inning.
That single by Posey has to be the clutch hit of the year, don't you think? That's saying a lot. There were a hell of a lot of clutch hits this season. All of them mattered because the Giants finished the season just one game ahead!
I'm saying it was Buster's hit. That's the biggest hit of the year.
When Posey hits with runners in scoring position the Giants are a much better team.
Padres fired Jayce Tingler. That's three managers in seven years.
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