GameDay: Can Rangers Avoid Giants Fate of 2002?
CBS 5 Sports Director Dennis O'Donnell hosts "Gameday" every Sunday night at 11:30pm and offers his unique sports analysis here.
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) – Saturday, October 26, 2002. The San Francisco Giants appeared destined to win their first World Series Championship, leading the Anaheim Angels 5-0 in the bottom of the 7th inning. You know the rest of the story. The Giants blew it and lost, 6-5.
After the game, I walked into the Giants locker room. Sheets of plastic were hastily pushed aside in an effort to hide the expected champagne celebration. It was Mum in the clubhouse alright, just not the kind the Giants expected. Although it was game six, the attitude and demeanor of the players, particularly the veterans in that clubhouse told me the World Series was over. Sure enough, the Giants went quietly in game 7, 4-1.
I wasn't in the Rangers clubhouse tonight, but I assume the atmosphere was similar. The difference, hopefully for Texas, is the make-up of its team leaders. Did Josh Hamilton step up? Did someone else? Is it necessary? I can tell you it was in the Giants clubhouse nine years ago. We'll find out soon enough.
See you on TV.
