2002 World Series
Encyclopedia
The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball
for the 2002 season
. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League
(AL) and National League
(NL), and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels
against the NL champion San Francisco Giants
. The series was played from October 19–27, 2002 at Pacific Bell Park
(now AT&T Park) in San Francisco and Edison International Field of Anaheim
(now Angel Stadium of Anaheim) in Anaheim
. The Angels defeated the Giants four games to three to win the franchise's first championship. They also became the first Major League Baseball team from the Greater Los Angeles Area
to win the World Series since the Los Angeles Dodgers
in .
The previous time two teams from the same state met in the Fall Classic was , when the New York Yankees
played the New York Mets
.
The series was the first time since the inception of the wild card in Major League Baseball that both wild card teams would vie for the title. The Angels finished the regular season in second place in the American League West
, four games behind
the AL West champion Oakland Athletics
. They defeated the New York Yankees
in the best-of-five American League Division Series
(ALDS), and in doing so won their first postseason series in franchise history. They then defeated the Minnesota Twins in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series
(ALCS) to advance to the World Series, another first in franchise history.
The Giants, meanwhile, finished the regular season in second place in the National League West
, games behind the NL West champion (and defending World Series champions) Arizona Diamondbacks
. They defeated the Atlanta Braves
in the National League Division Series
(NLDS) and the St. Louis Cardinals
in the National League Championship Series
(NLCS) to advance to the World Series, the franchise's 20th appearance in the Fall Classic but only its third since moving from New York
to San Francisco in . The series was the fourth World Series played between two teams from California
, after , , and .
Barry Bonds
, Reggie Sanders
, and J. T. Snow
each hit home run
s to help propel the Giants to win Game 1. Game 2 was a high-scoring affair that the Angels ultimately won on Tim Salmon
's eighth-inning home run. The Angels routed the Giants in Game 3, but lost Game 4 on a tie-breaking eighth-inning single by the Giants' David Bell
. The Giants brought the Angels to the brink of elimination by winning Game 5 in a blowout. The Giants were eight outs away from winning the Series in Game 6, but late game home runs by Scott Spiezio
and Darin Erstad
, as well as a two-RBI
double
by Troy Glaus
helped the Angels overcome a five-run, seventh inning deficit to win. A three-run double by Garret Anderson
was the difference in the Angels' Game 7 win to clinch the series. Glaus was named the series MVP. As of 2011, 2002 was the most recent Fall Classic appearance for the Angels. The Giants, meanwhile, returned to the World Series in , and defeated the Texas Rangers
four games to one.
. The 1974 World Series
saw the Oakland Athletics
defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers
; the series saw the Dodgers getting revenge by defeating the Athletics. In the San Francisco Giants
were defeated by the Oakland Athletics
. The managers of the two clubs, Mike Scioscia
of the Angels and Dusty Baker
of the Giants, were teammates on the Dodgers from 1980–1983, and won a World Series in . This was the first World Series to feature opposing managers who had been teammates on a World Championship team as players.
to San Francisco, the Giants franchise and its fans had a long history of futility, frustration, and disappointment. The Giants had won their last World Series crown before the move, in . Since the move, the Giants made it to the Series twice but lost both times. These included a dramatic, down-to-the-wire loss to the New York Yankees
in the seven-game classic 1962 World Series
, and a four-game sweep by their crosstown rival Oakland Athletics
in the 1989 World Series
that was marred by the Loma Prieta Earthquake
. Their most recent postseason appearance was in , when they were defeated by the New York Mets
in the NLDS
.
2002 was Dusty Baker
's tenth season as manager
of the Giants. It was also their third season playing at Pacific Bell Park
(now AT&T Park). The Giants finished the previous season with a record of 90–72, finishing in second place in the NL West, 2 games behind
the Arizona Diamondbacks
. They also finished in second place in the NL wild card standings, 3 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals
. Notable player departures included 2001 midseason acquisition Andrés Galarraga
, who departed as a free agent
, and Shawn Estes
, who was traded to the New York Mets
in exchange for Tsuyoshi Shinjo
and Desi Relaford
. Notable player acquisitions included Reggie Sanders
, a free agent, and David Bell
, who the Giants received from the Seattle Mariners
in exchange for Desi Relaford and cash. During the season the Giants also acquired Kenny Lofton
from the Chicago White Sox
in exchange for two minor leaguers. Sanders, Bell, Shinjo, and Lofton helped bolster a Giants offense led by longtime Giants Barry Bonds
, J. T. Snow
, Rich Aurilia
, and Jeff Kent
, as well as relative newcomer Benito Santiago
. The starting pitching
rotation was led by Kirk Rueter
and Jason Schmidt
, with a bullpen
led by Tim Worrell
and closer Robb Nen
.
During the 2002 regular season, the Giants led the NL West standings for most of April and a few days in May; however, by the end of May they had fallen to third place behind the Los Angeles Dodgers
and Arizona Diamondbacks
. They spent most of the next three months in third place, but on September 9 they took second place for good, while the Dodgers either tied them or fell to third place for the rest of the season. The Giants finished the regular season with a record of 95–66, games behind
the NL West champion Diamondbacks. They won the NL wild card, games ahead of the runner-up Dodgers.
Dusty Baker became the first black manager to participate in a World Series since Cito Gaston
for Toronto
in and .
This was Giants' outfielder Reggie Sanders
' second consecutive World Series appearance with different teams—in he got there with the Arizona Diamondbacks
. This was the first time this happened since Don Baylor did it in three consecutive years with the Boston Red Sox
in , the Minnesota Twins
in , and with the Oakland Athletics
in .
to the Milwaukee Brewers
and in 1986
to the Boston Red Sox
. In both series, the Angels brought their opponents to the brink of elimination, but lost the next three consecutive games to lose the series. The 1986 ALCS was the Angels' last postseason appearance, though they came close in when they lost a one-game tie-breaker
for the AL West championship to the Seattle Mariners
.
2002 was the Angels' third season under manager
Mike Scioscia
. The Angels finished the previous season with a record of 75–87, finishing in third place in the AL West. The most notable personnel change during the offseason was the trade of first baseman
Mo Vaughn
to the New York Mets
in exchange for pitcher
Kevin Appier
. Offensively, the team was led by longtime Angels Garret Anderson
, Darin Erstad
, Troy Glaus
and Tim Salmon
, as well as relative newcomers Adam Kennedy
and David Eckstein
. The starting pitching
rotation was led by Ramón Ortiz
and Jarrod Washburn
, as well as mid-season call-up John Lackey
, while the bullpen was led by setup man Brendan Donnelly
and closer Troy Percival
. The bullpen was bolstered in late September by the addition of 20-year old reliever
prospect Francisco Rodriguez.
The Angels spent much of the season trailing the first-place Seattle Mariners
and on occasion the Oakland Athletics
in the AL West standings. However, the A's and Angels both mounted late-season comebacks that, coupled with a poor August record for the Mariners, knocked the Mariners down to third place. The Angels finished the season in second place with a 99–63 record, four games behind
the A's, but won the AL wild card, six games ahead of the Boston Red Sox
.
in Anaheim, California
San Francisco won 4–3 at Edison International Field of Anaheim (now Angel Stadium of Anaheim
) to take a 1–0 lead. As he strode into the batter's box to open the second inning, Barry Bonds
was finally making his first (and only) World Series appearance. And in his first at bat on a 2–0 pitch from Angels starter Jarrod Washburn
, Barry smoked a line drive for a home run to right field giving his club a quick lead. Reggie Sanders
then followed that up with an opposite field homer later in the inning. With the Giants leading 2–1 in the fifth, former Angel J.T. Snow hit a two-run shot over the center field wall to give San Francisco a three-run advantage. Eventual Series MVP Troy Glaus
would hit two home runs for the Angels in this game. One in the second and another in the sixth off Giants starter Jason Schmidt
. Adam Kennedy drove in a run with a base hit in the sixth as well to trim the deficit to 4–3. However, Schmidt was very effective otherwise, along with reliever Felix Rodriguez
and closer Rob Nen as they held off the Halos the rest of the way.
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim won 11–10 at home in a game where the lead kept fluctuating between the two teams, tying up the series. Bonds again hit a mammoth homer with two outs in the ninth inning, off of Troy Percival
. The biggest home run of the night, however, was hit by Tim Salmon
, a longtime Angel, with two outs and one on in the bottom of the eighth. The dramatic blast won the game for the Angels.
in San Francisco, California
Anaheim won 10–4 in the first World Series game at Pacific Bell Park (now AT&T Park
). The Angels batted around twice without a home run in either of their four-run innings. Barry Bonds hit another home run, becoming the
first player to homer in his first three World Series games.
Giants public address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon
is recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame as the first female announcer of a championship game in any professional sport for her role in the 2002 World Series. Her scorecard from Game 3 is on display in the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown.
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco scored a 4–3 victory to tie the series. NLCS
MVP Benito Santiago
tied the game with a single in the fifth inning after the Angels walked Barry Bonds with a runner on second and two outs. David Bell put the Giants ahead with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. The run was unearned due to Anaheim catcher Bengie Molina
's passed ball during the previous at-bat, allowing J.T. Snow to move to second.
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco took a 16–4 blowout win in a game in which the Angels never led. The most well-known moment in this game occurred when Giants
first baseman J.T. Snow scored off a Kenny Lofton
triple. Three-year-old batboy
Darren Baker, son of Giants manager Dusty Baker
, ran to home plate to collect Lofton's
bat before the play was completed and was quickly lifted by the jacket by Snow as he crossed the plate, with David Bell
close on his heels. Had Snow not acted quickly, Darren could have been seriously injured.
in Anaheim, California
The turning point in the Series came in Game 6. Leading 5–0 with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, eight outs away from the Giants' first World Series title in San Francisco, Giants manager Dusty Baker
pulled starting pitcher Russ Ortiz
for setup man Félix Rodríguez
after Ortiz gave up consecutive singles to third baseman Troy Glaus
and designated hitter Brad Fullmer
. In a widely publicized move, Baker gave Ortiz the game ball as he sent him back to the dugout. During the pitching change the Rally Monkey
came on the JumboTron
, sending 45,037 Angels fans into a frenzy.
Angels first baseman Scott Spiezio
came to the plate and fouled off pitch after pitch before finally hitting a three-run home run that barely cleared the wall in right field. The rally continued in the eighth inning, as Angel center fielder Darin Erstad
hit a leadoff line-drive home run, followed by consecutive singles by Tim Salmon
and Garret Anderson
. (Chone Figgins
pinch ran for Salmon.) When Bonds misplayed Anderson's shallow left field bloop single, Figgins and Anderson took third and second respectively. With no outs, two runners in scoring position and now only a 5–4 lead, Baker brought in closer Robb Nen
to pitch to Glaus, hoping that Nen could induce a strikeout that might yet preserve the Giants' slim lead. However, Glaus slugged a double to the left-center field gap over Bonds' head to drive in the tying and winning runs.
In the ninth inning, Angels closer Troy Percival
struck out Rich Aurilia
to preserve the 6–5 victory in front of the jubilant home crowd. The comeback from a five-run deficit was the largest in World Series history for an elimination game.
in Anaheim, California
Game 7 proved to be somewhat anticlimactic after the drama of Game 6. The Giants scored the first run on a sacrifice, but the Angels responded with a run-scoring double from catcher Bengie Molina
and a three-run double to right field from left fielder Garret Anderson
to open a 4–1 lead. Rookie starting pitcher John Lackey
maintained that lead. In the ninth inning, closer Troy Percival
provided some tense moments as he opened the inning by putting two Giants on base, with only one out. But Tsuyoshi Shinjo
—the first Japanese player in a World Series game—struck out swinging, and Kenny Lofton
, also representing the tying run, flied out to Darin Erstad
in right-center field to end the Series. The Angels won Game 7, 4–1, to claim their franchise's first and so far only World Series Championship. John Lackey became the first rookie pitcher to win a World Series Game 7 since 1909. In Game 7, three rookie pitchers (John Lackey
, Brendan Donnelly
, and Francisco Rodríguez) combined to throw eight innings while only giving up one run combined.
The Angels won the Series despite scoring fewer runs (41) than the Giants (44). The Angels lost the first game in all three rounds of the playoffs (Division Series
, League Championship Series
, and World Series
), yet rebounded to win each time. They were the first, and to date only, team to do this since the new postseason format was created in 1994. The Angels were also the first American League Wild Card winner to win the World Series.
(A.L.) over San Francisco Giants
(N.L.)
and 2009
, but lost those series respectively to the Chicago White Sox
and New York Yankees
, each while en route to their own World Series championship. The Angels are the most recent team to win the championship in its first World Series appearance; all teams that reached their first World Series since had lost—the Houston Astros
in , Colorado Rockies
in , Tampa Bay Rays
in , and Texas Rangers
in ).
With their win coming four months after the metropolitan area's Los Angeles Lakers
victory in the 2002 NBA Finals
, the event furthermore added to the success of Los Angeles metropolitan area
professional sports teams
, notably in 2002. In addition to the aforementioned championship, the Lakers had won titles in and , completing a historic "three-peat".. For baseball in the metro area (and to a greater extent in Southern California
), it was the first World Series title in 14 years. The last time this occurred was in , when Los Angeles Dodgers
defeated the Oakland Athletics
four games to one in the World Series. It also marked the second occurrence that a city/metropolitan area won both NBA and MLB championships in the same calendar year (Co-incidentally, the Lakers won the NBA Finals four months prior
to the Dodgers' World Series win). In relation to sports of smaller leagues, the Los Angeles Sparks
won the WNBA Finals
merely two months earlier; the Los Angeles Galaxy
won the MLS Cup exactly one week prior to the Angels' World Series victory. The successes of Los Angeles area teams led Sporting News magazine to declare Anaheim/Los Angeles as "Best Sports City" in 2003.
to the Florida Marlins
while they were en route to a World Series championship. After a second place finish in 2004, the Giants had losing seasons for the next four years. After losing 90 games in 2008, the Giants won 88 games for a surprising third place finish in 2009. Building on their 2009 season, the Giants made the playoffs again in 2010, defeating the Braves in the NLDS
, and the Phillies in the NLCS
en route to the World Series, where they defeated the Rangers in five games.
This was the last World Series where home-field advantage alternated between the National and American Leagues each year. As a result of the tie in the 2002 All-Star Game
, beginning in home-field advantage in the World Series was granted to the league that won the All-Star Game.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the 2002 season
2002 Major League Baseball season
The Major League Baseball season finished with the Anaheim Angels defeating the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.-Major league baseball final standings:...
. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
(AL) and National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
(NL), and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
against the NL champion San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. The series was played from October 19–27, 2002 at Pacific Bell Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
(now AT&T Park) in San Francisco and Edison International Field of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
(now Angel Stadium of Anaheim) in Anaheim
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
. The Angels defeated the Giants four games to three to win the franchise's first championship. They also became the first Major League Baseball team from the Greater Los Angeles Area
Sports in Los Angeles
The media market of Los Angeles, California consists of many sports teams. The city proper has won 21 championships. The metropolitan area, which includes the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, increases the championship total to 23...
to win the World Series since the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in .
The previous time two teams from the same state met in the Fall Classic was , when the New York Yankees
2000 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 2000 season was the 98th season for the Yankees in New York, and their 100th overall going back to their origins in Baltimore. New York was managed by Joe Torre. The team finished 1st in the AL East with a record of 87–74, 2.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox, after...
played the New York Mets
2002 New York Mets season
The New York Mets' 2002 season was the 41st regular season for the Mets. They went 75-86 and finished 5th in the NL East. They were managed by Bobby Valentine...
.
The series was the first time since the inception of the wild card in Major League Baseball that both wild card teams would vie for the title. The Angels finished the regular season in second place in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
, four games behind
Games behind
In sports, the phrase games behind or games back , is a common way to reflect the gap between a leading team and another team in a sports league, conference, or division...
the AL West champion Oakland Athletics
2002 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 2002 season involved the A's finishing 1st in the American League West with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, despite losing three key players to larger market teams: 2000 AL MVP Jason Giambi to the New York Yankees, outfielder Johnny Damon to the Boston Red Sox, and closer...
. They defeated the New York Yankees
2002 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 2002 season was the 100th season for the Yankees in New York, and their 102nd overall going back to their origins in Baltimore. The team finished with a record of 103-58 finishing 10.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Joe Torre. The Yankees played at...
in the best-of-five American League Division Series
2002 American League Division Series
-Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins:-Game 1, October 1:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe game went back and forth with the Angels taking a 5–4 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning. Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia brought in Scott Schoeneweis to pitch to Jason Giambi, who tied the game...
(ALDS), and in doing so won their first postseason series in franchise history. They then defeated the Minnesota Twins in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series
2002 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaJoe Mays outdueled Kevin Appier as the Twins won Game 1. A.J. Pierzynski hit a sac fly to put the Twins out in front first, but the Angels tied it the next inning on an error by Cristian Guzmán. The Twins...
(ALCS) to advance to the World Series, another first in franchise history.
The Giants, meanwhile, finished the regular season in second place in the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
, games behind the NL West champion (and defending World Series champions) Arizona Diamondbacks
2002 Arizona Diamondbacks season
The 2002 Arizona Diamondbacks looked to repeat as World Series champions. They looked to contend in what was once again a strong National League West Division. They finished the season with a record of 98-64, good enough for the division title...
. They defeated the Atlanta Braves
2002 Atlanta Braves season
-Offseason:*October 26, 2001: Aaron Small was signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves.*December 4, 2001: John Smoltz was signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves.*December 17, 2001: Julio Franco was signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves....
in the National League Division Series
2002 National League Division Series
-Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals:-Atlanta vs. San Francisco:The Atlanta Braves had won their eleventh straight division title. The San Francisco Giants were making their third appearance in the postseason since 1997...
(NLDS) and the St. Louis Cardinals
2002 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals 2002 season was the team's 121st season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 111th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 97-65 during the season and won the National League Central division by 13 games over the Houston Astros...
in the National League Championship Series
2002 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 9, 2002 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri-Game 2:Thursday, October 10, 2002 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri-Game 3:Saturday, October 12, 2002 at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California-Game 4:...
(NLCS) to advance to the World Series, the franchise's 20th appearance in the Fall Classic but only its third since moving from New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to San Francisco in . The series was the fourth World Series played between two teams from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, after , , and .
Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
, Reggie Sanders
Reggie Sanders
Reginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds...
, and J. T. Snow
J. T. Snow
Jack Thomas "J. T." Snow, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. He played all but two games in his career as a first baseman, and played nine of his 13½ seasons with the San Francisco Giants...
each hit home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s to help propel the Giants to win Game 1. Game 2 was a high-scoring affair that the Angels ultimately won on Tim Salmon
Tim Salmon
Timothy James Salmon is a former Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter who played his entire career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
's eighth-inning home run. The Angels routed the Giants in Game 3, but lost Game 4 on a tie-breaking eighth-inning single by the Giants' David Bell
David Bell (baseball)
David Michael Bell is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently the manager of the Triple-A Louisville Bats...
. The Giants brought the Angels to the brink of elimination by winning Game 5 in a blowout. The Giants were eight outs away from winning the Series in Game 6, but late game home runs by Scott Spiezio
Scott Spiezio
Scott Edward Spiezio is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He is currently an infielder for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League . He is well known for his time as a member of the Anaheim Angels, when he hit a 3-run home run in Game Six of the 2002 World Series against the...
and Darin Erstad
Darin Erstad
Darin Charles Erstad is the Head Coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team and a former Major League Baseball outfielder/first baseman. Prior to , he had played with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise before signing with the Chicago White Sox in 2007...
, as well as a two-RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
by Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
helped the Angels overcome a five-run, seventh inning deficit to win. A three-run double by Garret Anderson
Garret Anderson
Garret Joseph Anderson is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played most of his career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
was the difference in the Angels' Game 7 win to clinch the series. Glaus was named the series MVP. As of 2011, 2002 was the most recent Fall Classic appearance for the Angels. The Giants, meanwhile, returned to the World Series in , and defeated the Texas Rangers
2010 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2010 season was the 50th in franchise history. The team, managed by Ron Washington, won their first division title since 1999 and reached the World Series for the first time in only their fourth playoff appearance. Washington would become only the second manager in franchise...
four games to one.
Background
This was the fourth World Series played between two teams from CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The 1974 World Series
1974 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 12, 1974 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaReggie Jackson put the A's on the board first with a solo homer in the top of the second off 20-game winner Andy Messersmith...
saw the Oakland Athletics
1974 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning their fourth consecutive American League West title with a record of 90 wins and 72 losses...
defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League West by four games over the Cincinnati Reds, then beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1974 National League Championship Series before losing to the Oakland Athletics in the 1974 World Series.- Offseason :...
; the series saw the Dodgers getting revenge by defeating the Athletics. In the San Francisco Giants
1989 San Francisco Giants season
The 1989 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in first place in the National League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses. It was their second division title in three years. The Giants defeated the Chicago Cubs in five games in the National League Championship Series...
were defeated by the Oakland Athletics
1989 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season saw the A's finish in first place in the American League West division, with a record of 99 wins and 63 losses, seven games in front of the Kansas City Royals. It was their second consecutive AL West title, as well as the second straight year in which they finished...
. The managers of the two clubs, Mike Scioscia
Mike Scioscia
Michael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball....
of the Angels and Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
of the Giants, were teammates on the Dodgers from 1980–1983, and won a World Series in . This was the first World Series to feature opposing managers who had been teammates on a World Championship team as players.
San Francisco Giants
Since their move from New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to San Francisco, the Giants franchise and its fans had a long history of futility, frustration, and disappointment. The Giants had won their last World Series crown before the move, in . Since the move, the Giants made it to the Series twice but lost both times. These included a dramatic, down-to-the-wire loss to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the seven-game classic 1962 World Series
1962 World Series
The 1962 World Series matched the defending American League and World Series champions New York Yankees against the National League champion San Francisco Giants, who had won their first NL pennant since 1954 and first since moving from New York in 1958, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a...
, and a four-game sweep by their crosstown rival Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in the 1989 World Series
1989 World Series
†: Game 3 was originally slated for October 17 at 5:35 pm; however, it was postponed when an earthquake occurred at 5:04 pm.-Game 1:Saturday, October 14, 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California...
that was marred by the Loma Prieta Earthquake
Loma Prieta earthquake
The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Earthquake, was a major earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area of California on October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m. local time...
. Their most recent postseason appearance was in , when they were defeated by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the NLDS
2000 National League Division Series
-St. Louis Cardinals vs. Atlanta Braves:-Game 1, October 4:Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, CaliforniaGiants Pitcher Liván Hernández allowed one run and five hits over a inning effort, backed by a three-run home run by Ellis Burks as the Giants cruised to an easy 5–1 victory.-Game 2, October...
.
2002 was Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
's tenth season as manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Giants. It was also their third season playing at Pacific Bell Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
(now AT&T Park). The Giants finished the previous season with a record of 90–72, finishing in second place in the NL West, 2 games behind
Games behind
In sports, the phrase games behind or games back , is a common way to reflect the gap between a leading team and another team in a sports league, conference, or division...
the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. They also finished in second place in the NL wild card standings, 3 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. Notable player departures included 2001 midseason acquisition Andrés Galarraga
Andrés Galarraga
Andrés José Padovani Galarraga is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Colorado Rockies , Atlanta Braves , Texas Rangers , San Francisco Giants and Anaheim Angels...
, who departed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, and Shawn Estes
Shawn Estes
Aaron Shawn Estes is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. After he attended Douglas High School in Minden, Nevada, he was offered a scholarship by Stanford University...
, who was traded to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in exchange for Tsuyoshi Shinjo
Tsuyoshi Shinjo
is a former Japanese professional baseball outfielder.-Career:Born in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan and raised in Minami-ku, Fukuoka, he played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan from until , then for Major League Baseball's New York Mets and San Francisco Giants...
and Desi Relaford
Desi Relaford
Desmond Lamont "Desi" Relaford is an American former professional baseball infielder. He has played for the Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies.Known more for his defense than his bat, his versatility was...
. Notable player acquisitions included Reggie Sanders
Reggie Sanders
Reginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds...
, a free agent, and David Bell
David Bell (baseball)
David Michael Bell is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently the manager of the Triple-A Louisville Bats...
, who the Giants received from the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in exchange for Desi Relaford and cash. During the season the Giants also acquired Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
from the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in exchange for two minor leaguers. Sanders, Bell, Shinjo, and Lofton helped bolster a Giants offense led by longtime Giants Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
, J. T. Snow
J. T. Snow
Jack Thomas "J. T." Snow, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. He played all but two games in his career as a first baseman, and played nine of his 13½ seasons with the San Francisco Giants...
, Rich Aurilia
Rich Aurilia
Richard Santo Aurilia is a former Major League Baseball player, mainly as a shortstop. He bats and throws right-handed.The 24th round pick of the Texas Rangers in the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft, Aurilia worked in the Rangers minor league system before being traded with first baseman Desi...
, and Jeff Kent
Jeff Kent
Jeffrey Franklin Kent is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman. Kent won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2000 with the San Francisco Giants, and is the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen...
, as well as relative newcomer Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago Rivera is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball player. He played for twenty seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the San Diego Padres...
. The starting pitching
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
rotation was led by Kirk Rueter
Kirk Rueter
Kirk Wesley Rueter is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, and is the winningest left-hander in San Francisco Giants history. Rueter played for the Montreal Expos and the Giants and made most of his career appearances as a starter. Rueter attended and played for Murray State...
and Jason Schmidt
Jason Schmidt
Jason David Schmidt , is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher.Schmidt was born in Lewiston, Idaho. In his career he has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves , by whom he had been drafted in the eighth round, 206th overall, of...
, with a bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
led by Tim Worrell
Tim Worrell
Timothy Howard Worrell is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. During his fourteen-year Major League career, Worrell has pitched for nine teams, including the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, San...
and closer Robb Nen
Robb Nen
Robert Allen Nen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He spent most of his career as a closer. He is the son of former major league first baseman Dick Nen. He currently works in the Giants' front office as a special assistant to General Manager Brian Sabean.Nen is best...
.
During the 2002 regular season, the Giants led the NL West standings for most of April and a few days in May; however, by the end of May they had fallen to third place behind the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. They spent most of the next three months in third place, but on September 9 they took second place for good, while the Dodgers either tied them or fell to third place for the rest of the season. The Giants finished the regular season with a record of 95–66, games behind
Games behind
In sports, the phrase games behind or games back , is a common way to reflect the gap between a leading team and another team in a sports league, conference, or division...
the NL West champion Diamondbacks. They won the NL wild card, games ahead of the runner-up Dodgers.
Dusty Baker became the first black manager to participate in a World Series since Cito Gaston
Cito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves...
for Toronto
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in and .
This was Giants' outfielder Reggie Sanders
Reggie Sanders
Reginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds...
' second consecutive World Series appearance with different teams—in he got there with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. This was the first time this happened since Don Baylor did it in three consecutive years with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in , the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in , and with the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in .
Anaheim Angels
Like the Giants, the Angels and their fans carried a long history of futility and disappointment. Enfranchised in , the Angels had never before played in the World Series. They came close several times, including heartbreaking ALCS losses in 19821982 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 5, 1982 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, CaliforniaThe Angels jumped to a 1–0 lead in the first when Brian Downing scored an unearned run on a sacrifice fly by Don Baylor. Milwaukee came back to take a 3–1 lead with a two-run homer by Gorman Thomas in the second and a run...
to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and in 1986
1986 American League Championship Series
The 1986 American League Championship Series was a back-and-forth battle between the Boston Red Sox and the California Angels for the right to advance to the 1986 World Series to face the winner of the 1986 National League Championship Series...
to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. In both series, the Angels brought their opponents to the brink of elimination, but lost the next three consecutive games to lose the series. The 1986 ALCS was the Angels' last postseason appearance, though they came close in when they lost a one-game tie-breaker
1995 American League West tie-breaker game
The 1995 American League West tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's AL West division championship, played on October 2, between the California Angels and Seattle Mariners at the Kingdome in Seattle. The game was necessitated due to both teams finishing the...
for the AL West championship to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
2002 was the Angels' third season under manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Mike Scioscia
Mike Scioscia
Michael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball....
. The Angels finished the previous season with a record of 75–87, finishing in third place in the AL West. The most notable personnel change during the offseason was the trade of first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Mo Vaughn
Mo Vaughn
Maurice Samuel 'Mo' Vaughn , nicknamed "The Hit Dog", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played from 1991 to 2003...
to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in exchange for pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Kevin Appier
Kevin Appier
Robert Kevin Appier is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and Anaheim Angels.-Kansas City Royals:...
. Offensively, the team was led by longtime Angels Garret Anderson
Garret Anderson
Garret Joseph Anderson is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played most of his career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
, Darin Erstad
Darin Erstad
Darin Charles Erstad is the Head Coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team and a former Major League Baseball outfielder/first baseman. Prior to , he had played with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise before signing with the Chicago White Sox in 2007...
, Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
and Tim Salmon
Tim Salmon
Timothy James Salmon is a former Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter who played his entire career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
, as well as relative newcomers Adam Kennedy
Adam Kennedy
Adam Thomas Kennedy is an American Major League Baseball second baseman who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He previously played for the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners and had two stints with the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early years:Kennedy...
and David Eckstein
David Eckstein
David Mark Eckstein is a former American professional baseball player who was an infielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons. He played college baseball for the University of Florida, and has played professionally for the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona...
. The starting pitching
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
rotation was led by Ramón Ortiz
Ramón Ortiz
Ramón Diógenes Ortiz is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has previously pitched in Major League Baseball for the Anaheim Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs as well as the Orix...
and Jarrod Washburn
Jarrod Washburn
Jarrod Michael Washburn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and currently resides in his hometown of Webster, Wisconsin.-High school / college:...
, as well as mid-season call-up John Lackey
John Lackey
John Derran Lackey is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Lackey was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 1999 and helped the franchise win its first World Series title in 2002, which was his first season in the major leagues...
, while the bullpen was led by setup man Brendan Donnelly
Brendan Donnelly
Brendan Kevin Donnelly is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:Donnelly was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 27th round of the 1992 amateur draft...
and closer Troy Percival
Troy Percival
Troy Eugene Percival is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He gained fame as a closer. During a 14-year baseball career, he pitched from 1995-2009 for four different teams, pitching primarily with the California/Anaheim Angels...
. The bullpen was bolstered in late September by the addition of 20-year old reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
prospect Francisco Rodriguez.
The Angels spent much of the season trailing the first-place Seattle Mariners
2002 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners 2002 season was their 26th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 3rd in the American League West, finishing with a record of 93-69.-Offseason:...
and on occasion the Oakland Athletics
2002 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 2002 season involved the A's finishing 1st in the American League West with a record of 103 wins and 59 losses, despite losing three key players to larger market teams: 2000 AL MVP Jason Giambi to the New York Yankees, outfielder Johnny Damon to the Boston Red Sox, and closer...
in the AL West standings. However, the A's and Angels both mounted late-season comebacks that, coupled with a poor August record for the Mariners, knocked the Mariners down to third place. The Angels finished the season in second place with a 99–63 record, four games behind
Games behind
In sports, the phrase games behind or games back , is a common way to reflect the gap between a leading team and another team in a sports league, conference, or division...
the A's, but won the AL wild card, six games ahead of the Boston Red Sox
2002 Boston Red Sox season
The 2002 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 93 wins and 69 losses.-Offseason:* October 9, 2001: Craig Grebeck was released by the Boston Red Sox....
.
Summary
Game 1
Saturday, October 19, 2002 at Edison International Field of AnaheimAngel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
San Francisco won 4–3 at Edison International Field of Anaheim (now Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
) to take a 1–0 lead. As he strode into the batter's box to open the second inning, Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
was finally making his first (and only) World Series appearance. And in his first at bat on a 2–0 pitch from Angels starter Jarrod Washburn
Jarrod Washburn
Jarrod Michael Washburn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and currently resides in his hometown of Webster, Wisconsin.-High school / college:...
, Barry smoked a line drive for a home run to right field giving his club a quick lead. Reggie Sanders
Reggie Sanders
Reginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds...
then followed that up with an opposite field homer later in the inning. With the Giants leading 2–1 in the fifth, former Angel J.T. Snow hit a two-run shot over the center field wall to give San Francisco a three-run advantage. Eventual Series MVP Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
would hit two home runs for the Angels in this game. One in the second and another in the sixth off Giants starter Jason Schmidt
Jason Schmidt
Jason David Schmidt , is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher.Schmidt was born in Lewiston, Idaho. In his career he has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves , by whom he had been drafted in the eighth round, 206th overall, of...
. Adam Kennedy drove in a run with a base hit in the sixth as well to trim the deficit to 4–3. However, Schmidt was very effective otherwise, along with reliever Felix Rodriguez
Félix Rodríguez (baseball)
Félix Antonio Rodríguez is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Camden Riversharks....
and closer Rob Nen as they held off the Halos the rest of the way.
Game 2
Sunday, October 20, 2002 at Edison International Field of AnaheimAngel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
Anaheim won 11–10 at home in a game where the lead kept fluctuating between the two teams, tying up the series. Bonds again hit a mammoth homer with two outs in the ninth inning, off of Troy Percival
Troy Percival
Troy Eugene Percival is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He gained fame as a closer. During a 14-year baseball career, he pitched from 1995-2009 for four different teams, pitching primarily with the California/Anaheim Angels...
. The biggest home run of the night, however, was hit by Tim Salmon
Tim Salmon
Timothy James Salmon is a former Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter who played his entire career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
, a longtime Angel, with two outs and one on in the bottom of the eighth. The dramatic blast won the game for the Angels.
Game 3
Tuesday, October 22, 2002 at Pacific Bell ParkAT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
Anaheim won 10–4 in the first World Series game at Pacific Bell Park (now AT&T Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
). The Angels batted around twice without a home run in either of their four-run innings. Barry Bonds hit another home run, becoming the
first player to homer in his first three World Series games.
Giants public address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon
Renel Brooks-Moon
Renel Brooks-Moon is the public address announcer for the San Francisco Giants, as well as a local radio personality. She is known for her booming voice and ability to announce each Giants player with a unique spin on their name....
is recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame as the first female announcer of a championship game in any professional sport for her role in the 2002 World Series. Her scorecard from Game 3 is on display in the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown.
Game 4
Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at Pacific Bell ParkAT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
San Francisco scored a 4–3 victory to tie the series. NLCS
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
MVP Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago Rivera is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball player. He played for twenty seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the San Diego Padres...
tied the game with a single in the fifth inning after the Angels walked Barry Bonds with a runner on second and two outs. David Bell put the Giants ahead with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. The run was unearned due to Anaheim catcher Bengie Molina
Bengie Molina
Benjamin José "Bengie" Molina , nicknamed "Big Money", is a former Major League Baseball catcher.He is the older brother of major league catchers José Molina and Yadier Molina....
's passed ball during the previous at-bat, allowing J.T. Snow to move to second.
Game 5
Thursday, October 24, 2002 at Pacific Bell ParkAT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
San Francisco took a 16–4 blowout win in a game in which the Angels never led. The most well-known moment in this game occurred when Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
first baseman J.T. Snow scored off a Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
triple. Three-year-old batboy
Batboy
A batboy is an individual who carries the baseball bats around to a baseball team. A batboy may also lay out the equipment and mud the baseballs to be used in the game.Mascots and batboys had both been part of baseball since the 1880s....
Darren Baker, son of Giants manager Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, ran to home plate to collect Lofton's
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
bat before the play was completed and was quickly lifted by the jacket by Snow as he crossed the plate, with David Bell
David Bell (baseball)
David Michael Bell is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently the manager of the Triple-A Louisville Bats...
close on his heels. Had Snow not acted quickly, Darren could have been seriously injured.
Game 6
Saturday, October 26, 2002 at Edison International Field of AnaheimAngel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
The turning point in the Series came in Game 6. Leading 5–0 with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, eight outs away from the Giants' first World Series title in San Francisco, Giants manager Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
pulled starting pitcher Russ Ortiz
Russ Ortiz
Russell Reid Ortiz is a retired Major League baseball pitcher. Ortiz played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers...
for setup man Félix Rodríguez
Félix Rodríguez (baseball)
Félix Antonio Rodríguez is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Camden Riversharks....
after Ortiz gave up consecutive singles to third baseman Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
and designated hitter Brad Fullmer
Brad Fullmer
Bradley Ryan Fullmer is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and designated hitter. In an eight year career, he played for the Montreal Expos , Toronto Blue Jays , Anaheim Angels , and the Texas Rangers .He hit a home run in his first major league at bat on September 2, 1997...
. In a widely publicized move, Baker gave Ortiz the game ball as he sent him back to the dugout. During the pitching change the Rally Monkey
Rally Monkey
The Rally Monkey is a mascot for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League Baseball team.-Introduction:The character debuted on June 6, 2000, when the Angels were trailing the San Francisco Giants 5–4 in the bottom of the ninth inning...
came on the JumboTron
Jumbotron
A JumboTron is a large-screen television using technology developed by Sony, typically used in sports stadiums and concert venues to show close-up shots of the event. Although JumboTron is a registered trademark owned by the Sony Corporation, the word jumbotron is often used by the public as a...
, sending 45,037 Angels fans into a frenzy.
Angels first baseman Scott Spiezio
Scott Spiezio
Scott Edward Spiezio is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He is currently an infielder for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League . He is well known for his time as a member of the Anaheim Angels, when he hit a 3-run home run in Game Six of the 2002 World Series against the...
came to the plate and fouled off pitch after pitch before finally hitting a three-run home run that barely cleared the wall in right field. The rally continued in the eighth inning, as Angel center fielder Darin Erstad
Darin Erstad
Darin Charles Erstad is the Head Coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team and a former Major League Baseball outfielder/first baseman. Prior to , he had played with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise before signing with the Chicago White Sox in 2007...
hit a leadoff line-drive home run, followed by consecutive singles by Tim Salmon
Tim Salmon
Timothy James Salmon is a former Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter who played his entire career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
and Garret Anderson
Garret Anderson
Garret Joseph Anderson is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played most of his career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
. (Chone Figgins
Chone Figgins
Desmond DeChone "Chone" Figgins is an American Major League Baseball third baseman for the Seattle Mariners. Figgins is a utility player, playing all positions except catcher, pitcher, and first base.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
pinch ran for Salmon.) When Bonds misplayed Anderson's shallow left field bloop single, Figgins and Anderson took third and second respectively. With no outs, two runners in scoring position and now only a 5–4 lead, Baker brought in closer Robb Nen
Robb Nen
Robert Allen Nen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He spent most of his career as a closer. He is the son of former major league first baseman Dick Nen. He currently works in the Giants' front office as a special assistant to General Manager Brian Sabean.Nen is best...
to pitch to Glaus, hoping that Nen could induce a strikeout that might yet preserve the Giants' slim lead. However, Glaus slugged a double to the left-center field gap over Bonds' head to drive in the tying and winning runs.
In the ninth inning, Angels closer Troy Percival
Troy Percival
Troy Eugene Percival is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He gained fame as a closer. During a 14-year baseball career, he pitched from 1995-2009 for four different teams, pitching primarily with the California/Anaheim Angels...
struck out Rich Aurilia
Rich Aurilia
Richard Santo Aurilia is a former Major League Baseball player, mainly as a shortstop. He bats and throws right-handed.The 24th round pick of the Texas Rangers in the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft, Aurilia worked in the Rangers minor league system before being traded with first baseman Desi...
to preserve the 6–5 victory in front of the jubilant home crowd. The comeback from a five-run deficit was the largest in World Series history for an elimination game.
Game 7
Sunday, October 27, 2002 at Edison International Field of AnaheimAngel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
Game 7 proved to be somewhat anticlimactic after the drama of Game 6. The Giants scored the first run on a sacrifice, but the Angels responded with a run-scoring double from catcher Bengie Molina
Bengie Molina
Benjamin José "Bengie" Molina , nicknamed "Big Money", is a former Major League Baseball catcher.He is the older brother of major league catchers José Molina and Yadier Molina....
and a three-run double to right field from left fielder Garret Anderson
Garret Anderson
Garret Joseph Anderson is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played most of his career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
to open a 4–1 lead. Rookie starting pitcher John Lackey
John Lackey
John Derran Lackey is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Lackey was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 1999 and helped the franchise win its first World Series title in 2002, which was his first season in the major leagues...
maintained that lead. In the ninth inning, closer Troy Percival
Troy Percival
Troy Eugene Percival is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He gained fame as a closer. During a 14-year baseball career, he pitched from 1995-2009 for four different teams, pitching primarily with the California/Anaheim Angels...
provided some tense moments as he opened the inning by putting two Giants on base, with only one out. But Tsuyoshi Shinjo
Tsuyoshi Shinjo
is a former Japanese professional baseball outfielder.-Career:Born in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan and raised in Minami-ku, Fukuoka, he played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan from until , then for Major League Baseball's New York Mets and San Francisco Giants...
—the first Japanese player in a World Series game—struck out swinging, and Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
, also representing the tying run, flied out to Darin Erstad
Darin Erstad
Darin Charles Erstad is the Head Coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team and a former Major League Baseball outfielder/first baseman. Prior to , he had played with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise before signing with the Chicago White Sox in 2007...
in right-center field to end the Series. The Angels won Game 7, 4–1, to claim their franchise's first and so far only World Series Championship. John Lackey became the first rookie pitcher to win a World Series Game 7 since 1909. In Game 7, three rookie pitchers (John Lackey
John Lackey
John Derran Lackey is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Lackey was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 1999 and helped the franchise win its first World Series title in 2002, which was his first season in the major leagues...
, Brendan Donnelly
Brendan Donnelly
Brendan Kevin Donnelly is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:Donnelly was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 27th round of the 1992 amateur draft...
, and Francisco Rodríguez) combined to throw eight innings while only giving up one run combined.
The Angels won the Series despite scoring fewer runs (41) than the Giants (44). The Angels lost the first game in all three rounds of the playoffs (Division Series
Division Series
In baseball, the Division Series is the official name for the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Currently, a total of four series are played in this opening round, two each for both the American League and the National League.-1981 season:...
, League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
, and World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
), yet rebounded to win each time. They were the first, and to date only, team to do this since the new postseason format was created in 1994. The Angels were also the first American League Wild Card winner to win the World Series.
Composite box
2002 World Series (4–3): Anaheim AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(A.L.) over San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(N.L.)
Impact and aftermath
Angels
The 2002 World Series win began the most successful era in Angels franchise history, making six postseason appearances from –. Before 2002 they had been to the postseason three times in franchise history. They advanced to the ALCS in 20052005 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, IllinoisIn the series opener, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won 3–2 in their third game in as many nights and as many cities. The Angels took the lead in the second inning on a Garret Anderson home run. The Angels added two...
and 2009
2009 American League Championship Series
The American League Championship Series , the second round of the 2009 American League playoffs, was a best-of-seven game series matching the two winners of the 2009 American League Division Series...
, but lost those series respectively to the Chicago White Sox
2005 Chicago White Sox season
The 2005 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 105th season. They finished with a 99-63 record in the regular season and won first-place the American League Central division by six games over the Cleveland Indians...
and New York Yankees
2009 New York Yankees season
The 2009 New York Yankees season was the 107th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees opened their new Yankee Stadium on April 3, 2009, when they hosted an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs...
, each while en route to their own World Series championship. The Angels are the most recent team to win the championship in its first World Series appearance; all teams that reached their first World Series since had lost—the Houston Astros
2005 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 2005 season was a season in which the Houston Astros qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season. The Astros overcame a sluggish 15-30 start to claim the wild card playoff spot, and would go on to win the National League pennant to advance to the World Series...
in , Colorado Rockies
2007 Colorado Rockies season
The Colorado Rockies' 2007 season started off with the team trying to improve on their 2006 record . They finished with a franchise record of 90 wins in 163 games and earned a playoff berth as the National League Wild Card team. The Rockies swept their first seven playoff games en route to winning...
in , Tampa Bay Rays
2008 Tampa Bay Rays season
The Tampa Bay Rays' 2008 season, the 11th season in franchise history, marked the change of the team's name from the "Tampa Bay Devil Rays" to the "Tampa Bay Rays", as revealed on November 8, 2007. The change in name also came with a change in logo and uniforms, with new team colors of Columbia...
in , and Texas Rangers
2010 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2010 season was the 50th in franchise history. The team, managed by Ron Washington, won their first division title since 1999 and reached the World Series for the first time in only their fourth playoff appearance. Washington would become only the second manager in franchise...
in ).
With their win coming four months after the metropolitan area's Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
victory in the 2002 NBA Finals
2002 NBA Finals
The 2002 NBA Finals was the National Basketball Association championship series for the 2001–02 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Los Angeles Lakers, champions of the Western Conference and two-time defending NBA champions, and the New Jersey Nets, champions of the...
, the event furthermore added to the success of Los Angeles metropolitan area
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
The Los Angeles metropolitan area, also known as Metropolitan Los Angeles or the Southland, is the 13th largest metropolitan area in the world and the second-largest metropolitan area in the United States....
professional sports teams
Sports in Los Angeles
The media market of Los Angeles, California consists of many sports teams. The city proper has won 21 championships. The metropolitan area, which includes the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, increases the championship total to 23...
, notably in 2002. In addition to the aforementioned championship, the Lakers had won titles in and , completing a historic "three-peat".. For baseball in the metro area (and to a greater extent in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
), it was the first World Series title in 14 years. The last time this occurred was in , when Los Angeles Dodgers
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 1988 season was a memorable one for the Dodgers as a squad that was picked to finish fourth wound up winning the World Series, beating the heavily favored New York Mets and Oakland Athletics on the way. Kirk Gibson carried the Dodger offense, winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award...
defeated the Oakland Athletics
1988 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1988 season involved the A's winning their first American League West title since , with a record of 104 wins and 58 losses. In 1988, the elephant was restored as the symbol of the Athletics and currently adorns the left sleeve of home and road uniforms. The elephant was...
four games to one in the World Series. It also marked the second occurrence that a city/metropolitan area won both NBA and MLB championships in the same calendar year (Co-incidentally, the Lakers won the NBA Finals four months prior
1988 NBA Finals
The 1988 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1987–88 NBA season.One of Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley's most famous moments came when he promised the crowd a repeat championship during the Lakers' 1986-87 championship parade in downtown Los Angeles...
to the Dodgers' World Series win). In relation to sports of smaller leagues, the Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began...
won the WNBA Finals
2002 WNBA Finals
The 2002 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2002 WNBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Los Angeles Sparks, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the New York Liberty, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, two games to none in a...
merely two months earlier; the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
won the MLS Cup exactly one week prior to the Angels' World Series victory. The successes of Los Angeles area teams led Sporting News magazine to declare Anaheim/Los Angeles as "Best Sports City" in 2003.
Giants
The Giants would return to the postseason the following season, but lost the NLDS2003 National League Division Series
-San Francisco Giants vs. Florida Marlins:-Game 1, September 30:Turner Field in Atlanta, GeorgiaIn Game 1, Kerry Wood faced Russ Ortiz. Both pitchers were on their game and in the bottom of the third the Braves struck first when Marcus Giles homered to make it 1–0 Braves. The score remained 1–0...
to the Florida Marlins
2003 Florida Marlins season
The 2003 Florida Marlins season was a season in American baseball. The Marlins were the National League Wild Card Winners, the National League Champions, and the World Series Champions.-Offseason:...
while they were en route to a World Series championship. After a second place finish in 2004, the Giants had losing seasons for the next four years. After losing 90 games in 2008, the Giants won 88 games for a surprising third place finish in 2009. Building on their 2009 season, the Giants made the playoffs again in 2010, defeating the Braves in the NLDS
2010 National League Division Series
The 2010 National League Division Series were two best-of-five game series to determine the participating teams in the 2010 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners and a fourth team—a "Wild Card"—played in two series from October 6 to 11...
, and the Phillies in the NLCS
2010 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 2010 — 7:30 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaIn one of the most touted postseason pitching matchups in recent history, two former Cy Young Award winners faced off: Roy Halladay for the Phillies and Tim Lincecum for the Giants...
en route to the World Series, where they defeated the Rangers in five games.
This was the last World Series where home-field advantage alternated between the National and American Leagues each year. As a result of the tie in the 2002 All-Star Game
2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 73rd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues that make up Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 2002 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the home of...
, beginning in home-field advantage in the World Series was granted to the league that won the All-Star Game.
Radio and television
- FoxFox Broadcasting CompanyFox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
's telecast of this World Series marked the first time the World Series was telecast in high-definitionHigh-definition televisionHigh-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
. - Jon MillerJon MillerJon Wallace Miller is an American sportscaster, known primarily for his broadcasts of Major League Baseball. He is currently employed as a play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco Giants. He was also a baseball announcer on ESPN until the network chose not to renew his contract following the...
, who called this World Series for ESPN RadioESPN RadioESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
, has been play-by-play man for the San Francisco Giants since 19971997 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians ; Liván Hernández, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marquis Grissom**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Liván Hernández...
. Coincidentally, KNBRKNBRKNBR, The Sports Leader, is the on-air branding used by two AM radio stations in the San Francisco, California, area broadcasting a sports radio format, owned by Cumulus Media....
, the Giants' longtime flagship station, is also San Francisco's ESPN Radio affiliate.