The San Francisco Giants took home their third Major League Baseball World Series Championship in five years on Wednesday October 29, 2014, in Kansas City, Missouri. After battling the Kansas City Royals throughout an intense series, the winner could only be determined by game seven. The Giants barely pulled off the victory during game seven with a 3-2 win over the Royals. Only nine players on the San Francisco roster were fortunate enough to experience three championship battles within five years. Third basemen Pablo Sandoval talked about the accomplishment by saying, “Each team is different, each championship is different. But for the third time in five years, that’s really, really sweet.” The 2014 win marked the San Francisco Giants’ eighth World Series title.

While the Royals fell short of the title, the team still managed to make history and surpass most odds. The team not only made it to the playoffs for the first time in twenty-nine years, but swept their way into the championship series. The Royals beat the Oakland Athletics in the wild card game, then moved on to defeat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the American League Division League, and before the world series, the team crushed the Baltimore Orioles during the American League Championship Series. Even though the underdogs were certainly disappointed about coming so close to the winning the World Series, the team showed their incredible sportsmanship by congratulating the Giants. Manager Ned Yost said, “Congratulations to the Giants, I mean, that was a phenomenal Series. They played great baseball. Madison Bumgarner, man, what can you say about him and their team? That’s a special group of guys over there. They’ve got an outstanding manager, outstanding coaches, and they played the game right. So I just would like to congratulate them on the World Series championship.” Royals starting pitcher James Shields added, “Tough ballclub to beat over there. That’s why they’ve won three championships in five years.”

The end of the 2014 Major League Baseball season proved to be thrilling and captivating, only to keep fans waiting for the return next year, nonetheless, congratulations to both teams for playing quality baseball and sporting their love for the American game.

With three championships under the Giants’ bel, speculations for next year’s season are already beginning. The program just extended a $15.3 million offer for the 2015 season to third baseman Pablo Sandoval. Assistant general manager, Bobby Evans says, “We see him as a premium player.” No hesitations are being made by the San Francisco program to continue their recent results of excellence.