San Francisco Giants

The 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants.

Such a nice ring to it, wouldn't you agree?

The Major League Baseball title drought is over in The City, and the champagne showers that quenched the thirst have passed—but the euphoria is still thick. So thick, in fact, that the reality of the Commissioner's Trophy hasn't set in for many who joined the roller-coaster bandwagon in time to ride out a few of its many valleys.

As for yours truly, I strapped in sometime during the 1988 season.

After defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers on opening day, the New York Giants lost three of their next four games. Their only win came against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn's home opener.

On April 20, Johnny Antonelli, who had lost his first start as a Giant to the Philadelphia Phillies and Murray Dickson, 2-0 in a rain-shortened game, made his second start against the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates had won the series opener, 7-5, before a crowd of only 6,865 fans at the Polo Grounds.

After winning their first World Series since moving to San Francisco, the Giants took their first step in the offseason by giving their first baseman Aubrey Huff a two-year, $22 million extension. The deal also includes a $10 million club option for 2013. This is a great deal for the 33-year-old first baseman. 

The Giants won in Texas, 4-0, ending a three game home park advantage in the series. More importantly, with this win, they go up 3-1 in the best of seven and only need to win one of the remaining three games to win the World Series.

Aubrey Huff's two-run shot off Tommy Hunter in the third inning put the Giants ahead to stay early in the game, and Andres Torres (double) and Buster Posey (homer) accounted for the other runs.

Meanwhile, the Rangers bullpen returned to its previous-to-game-3 form as two of the three relievers gave up runs.

After two thrilling wins in San Francisco, the World Series shifted to Arlington, Texas, on Saturday night. The Rangers finally showed some signs of life and won game three in front of their home crowd. Tonight, the Rangers will look to even the series with Tommy Hunter on the mound. The Giants will send Madison Bumgarner to the bump and are seeking a commanding three games to one lead.

The big pregame news is Giants outfielder Pat Burrell isn't starting. Instead, Nate Schierholtz will start in his place.

Down two games to none in the World Series, the Texas Rangers desperately needed some home cookin’, and more importantly needed a win in Game 3. The guy they relied on for a big performance was Colby Lewis and like in his three postseason games prior, Lewis delivered.

The baseball world got their wish: the New York Yankees are not in the World Series and parity played its part.

The San Francisco Giants with their 11th ranked payroll ($96,277,833), play host to the 25th ranked Texas Rangers ($64,810,570). 

It is great to see new blood in the playoffs; however the ratings do not support that fact.  Game 1 pulled in a rating of 8.9 (approx 15 million viewers).   

Game three of the World Series is tonight on Fox. The San Francisco Giants and Jonathan Sanchez will look to bounce up three games to none against the Texas Rangers and Colby Lewis.

It was the same feeling I had as a little kid on the night before Christmas, where no matter how hard you try to sleep, it is physically impossible because you are anticipating the next day’s excitement.

As a kid, I was excited to see what Santa left under the tree, but last week I couldn't wait to attend my first ever World Series.

I called my buddy, let's call him Michael, after Game 2 of the World Series. I figured he would be in a bar in San Francisco watching the Giants game. 

Upon calling, a random stranger picked up the phone. I heard screaming, I heard joy, and far in the distance, I heard Michael screaming "Ya! Go Giants!"

That epitomized what the first two games in San Francisco have been for Giants fans: a big party.