As winter meetings approach, it is safe to say that the dust has settled from the 2010 World Series, and the celebration and great story that was the San Francisco Giants. The Giants were a team that no one picked at the beginning of the season win their division, in addition, were not mentioned as a possibility to win the whole entire thing. With no real stars, power hitters, or franchise guy, the Giants won the World Series on the old philosophy of great pitching, most notably Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Jonathan Sanchez, Brian Wilson, and the rest of a pitching staff that made a season of stopping opposing lineups. In addition, the Giants roster, filled with castoffs, waiver deals, and designated for assignment players scrapped together to play a form of baseball that was entertaining and unbelievable to watch. While the ratings did not reflect the great story of the San Francsico Giants (don’t forget the FOX/Cablevision fiasco that eliminated games one through three in New York City), the 2010 World Series was a well played, and great series. Here are other tidbits yours truly will remember from the 2010 Major League Baseball season:
- The retirement of Ken Griffey Jr. As much as I will miss that sweet swing from the left side, it was painful to watch the shell of the amazing player he once was trot out there to keep it going. Farewell to “The Kid”.
- Watching pitchers dominate a season by baffling hitters with no-hitters and perfect games. Ubaldo Jimenez, Edwin Jackson, and Matt Garza all with feats that make this game so special.
- Especially the perfect games by Roy Halladay and Dallas Braden.
- …and the other pitcher who was perfect, Armanda Galaragga, but was not. Yet, was perfect in how he handled the mishap.
- And Jim Joyce, a great umpire and man, that forced you to realize – more than ever - that umpires are indeed human.
- The wonders of Ichiro Suzuki, and his amazing hit parade he has put on since arriving in the States, as well as the case that he has made as one of the greatest players ever to play this beautiful game. Seriously.
- How about watching Jose Bautista launch 54 bombs to left and center field?
- The voices that we will no longer hear in Ernie Harwell, and personally, Bob Sheppard. Will always love, “now batting, shortstop, number two, Derek…Jeter, number two.” Priceless.
- The phenomenon that was Stephen Strasburg. His unbelievable debut, his dominance for such a young guy, and his unfortunate injury.
- Not to be forgotten is his soon to be teammate, Bryce Harper, who is creating the same buzz from an offensive side.
- The death of George M. Steinbrenner III. The only owner, besides Mark Cuban, who truly had a connection with his fan base. A man that changed the game of baseball in so many ways.
- The infusion the that my favorite manager as a child, Buck Showalter, gave the once left-for-dead Baltimore Orioles. Here is hoping he gets to stay around to enjoy the rewards of his hard work this time around.
- The last season for three great managers in Lou Pinella, Bobby Cox, Cito Gaston and Joe Torre. I’m sure umps will sleep a bit easier now.
- The mess that was the New York Mets again. And the rock bottom they finally hit this season with continued losing, alarming low attendance, mismanagement, and medical mis-diagnosis.
- Trevor Hoffman’s continued career.
- The little things that Derek Jeter does to help his team, including the oh-so-memorable phantom hit-by-pitch acting he performed down in Tampa Bay.
- 20 game winners with old-school mentalities of going nine-strong in C.C. Sabathia and Roy “Doc” Halladay.
- The future of the league with such great talent that should usher out the older guard, and carry the league into the future. Guys like Buster Posey, Mike Stanton, Carlos Santana, Jason Heyward, Neftali Feliz, and Tommy Hanson.
- Speaking of young guys and Jason Heyward, how about his first at-bat?
- The unbelievable season the Reds, especially that of MVP Candidate – Joey Votto. Also, a brief playoff appearance and healthy season for one of my all-time favorite players, Scott Rolen.
- Watching the created-player-from-a-video-game-like fastball of Aroldis Chapman. 105mph! Seriously.
- Speaking of video-game-like, how about the absolute moon shot that Russell Branyan hit at the New Yankee Stadium. Should be interesting to see if anyone can go upper tank like that again in the new stadium.
- The crazy unwritten and undefined rules of the game, and Dallas Braden deciding to enforce one of them by telling A-Rod to “Get the #$%! off his mound!”
- Albert Pujols, and his absolutely monster numbers year after year, and the big gorilla in the room that is his impending free agency.
- Speaking of consistency, how about Jim Thome, who you know, here at the DP we believe is a Hall of Famer.
- Witnessing day-in and day-out the future face of the New York Yankees – Robinson Cano. And that sweet new Nike commercial with Bo Jackson – Robbie knows BOOM!
- Cody Ross channeling Ted Williams in the playoffs.
- The potential of a new powerhouse in the American League in the Texas Rangers.
- Edgar Renteria’s flair for the dramatic on the game’s biggest stage.
- and finally, a no-hitter by one of my favorite pitchers ever in Roy Halladay in his first post season appearance. The second no hitter in all of post-season history.