Playing for a Dream

At yesterday’s press conference, Giants manager Bruce Bochy talked about how as a kid, he would dream about being in the World Series. That moment is today, now.

“You picture yourself being in the World Series, then as you get older, you realize how big this stage is,” Bochy says. “I’ll never forget the first time I was in the World Series (with the 1984 Padres), you realize this is your dream. This is what you play for. This is what the game’s about and this means a lot to me.”

Sure, this isn’t the first time that Bochy has managed a team into the Fall Classic. He did in 1998 when he piloted the San Diego Padres to an overmatched contest against the New York Yankees, who quickly dispensed with the Padres in four games. Bochy hopes to see better results with this year’s Giants, who are more evenly matched with the Texas Rangers.

His so-called group of “misfits” just might have what it takes to be the best in baseball. They may not have a fearsome batting order as did past World Series winners—the Yankees, Phillies and Red Sox. And without a big bat like Barry Bonds, who anchored the fourth spot during their last World Series run, the Giants’ lineup isn’t going to scare any pitcher off the mound. But what the men in orange and black do have is a great mix and chemistry of young, upstart pitchers and established veterans. The clubhouse atmosphere is vastly different from 2002, where most of the attention was focused on Bonds. This season, everyone shared in the spotlight—from the journeyman outfielder who overcame attention-deficit disorder to become the team’s best leadoff hitter since Darren Lewis (Andres Torres) to the veteran first baseman who was out of a job this winter (Aubrey Huff) to the phenom catcher who came up mid-season and plays far beyond his years (Buster Posey) to the castoff outfielder who became the National League Championship MVP (Cody Ross). Every single player on the team contributed in some way—big and small—to create the best team in the National League. And, all they while, they had fun doing it.

And the fans are having fun, too. Panda hats, fake beards and rally thongs. How can you not have fun supporting Huff Daddy, Big Time Timmy Jim and Ross the Boss?

The magnitude of what it means to be playing baseball at the end of October is not lost on the fans or Bochy.

“You realize how hard it is to get here. It’s not easy. You got to get to the postseason. You have to get through two tough teams to get here. It’s a tough road. When you get here, you need to step back and realize how hard it is, appreciate it and enjoy the moment,” he says.

As the Giants’ slogan goes, it has been a truly magical season. Let’s hope it continues and that Bochy’s dream goes beyond his imagination as he and his team bring San Francisco their first-ever World Series crown.

Go Giants!