"the shot heard around the world"

Dodgers. Giants.

It is no secret I am a Los Angeles Dodgers fan-atic. Over the past half-decade I have fallen more and more into the trance of dodger blue and claim LA as my team. Making it very difficult to watch the world series...thanks in part to the San Francisco Giants. Our biggest rivalry. The Dodger/Giants rivalry is said to be one of the greatest, most competitive and longest standing rivalry in American baseball. Yankees. Red Sox. All great stuff but this rivalry is in a league of its own. This dates clear back to the 19th century when both teams originated in New York. The Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants (playing in Manhattan). The first game played between these two strong willed teams was on April 8, 1883. They have played each other 2,373 times, more than any other rivalry team. Each winning 6 world series. In 1957 O' Malley moved the Dodgers to LA (for financial reasons) and convinced Giants manager, Stoneham, to move to the bay as well- in attempt to keep the competition going. LA and San Fran have always been at each others throats due to political and economic rivalry's so it only seemed fit to move the two most competitive teams in baseball to this area. 

Back in 1951 the race for the pennant was one that will never be forgotten. The Dodgers held a 13.5 game lead against the Giants mid-August. However, the Giants accepted the challenge and ended up tying the Dodgers for the playoffs. Game 1-Giants. Game 2-Dodgers. Tie-breaker went to the Giants with a dramatic homer in the ninth inning known as "the shot heard around the world." This was then and will always be known as the greatest home run in the history of baseball. 

As much as it pain me to say the Giants have a way of holding on to the end. Especially this year. With a stacked team and a "freak" for a pitcher it seems as if this team could be unstoppable this post season. Point proven in game 7 of the race to the world series. With a 9-0 win the Giants bring the pennant back to the bay. S/O to Pitcher Matt Cain who showed elusive strength with his 5 2/3 shutout innings (meaning no runs). Its hard to give credit to a team I despise. But I guess that is baseball. It requires skill and discipline. You can't B.S your way through this game. Credit is given when credit is earned. And the Giants earned it. 

Tonight is game 1 of the World Series. Giants. Tigers. Be there.