Baseball, World Series | featured news

It was like seeing Bill Gates standing in the unemployment line or Rush Limbaugh shooting hoops with President Obama. The San Francisco Giants did the unimaginable Wednesday against the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the World Series. They knocked the mystique and aura right out of burgeoning postseason legend Cliff Lee, cruising to an 11-7 victory in front of a frenzied crowd of 43,601 at AT&T Park.

The San Francisco Giants advanced to the World Series by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 on Saturday to clinch the National League Championship Series.

The Texas Rangers reached the World Series for the first time in their 50 years as a franchise by beating the New York Yankees 6-1 on Friday to win the American League Championship Series.

Juan Uribe hit a game-ending sacrifice fly off reliever Roy Oswalt with one out in the ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants moved within one win of the World Series, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 Wednesday night for a 3-1 lead in the NL championship series.

Brian McCann, Scott Rolen or Heath Bell might really appreciate what happened on this July night come October. Charlie Manuel, too. An All-Star win the National League thought was long overdue. And with it, home-field advantage in the World Series.

Mr. Steinbrenner bought a declining Yankees team in 1973, and then, in an often tumultuous reign, placed his stamp on seven World Series championship teams.

Already caught up in a scandal involving a close aide, embattled New York Governor David Paterson was charged on Wednesday by the state's ethics watchdog for unlawfully taking free baseball tickets to the 2009 World Series.

Game Six of the World Series -- when the Yankees won their 27th world championship -- was seen by an estimated 22.3 million viewers, capping the best ratings for a Series since the Boston Red Sox won it in 2004 after an 86-year drought.

The New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 Wednesday for their 27th World Series title. It's the first time since 2000 they've been Series champions.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino says his hand is fine, despite being hit by a pitch during Game 5 on Monday, and he expects to play in Game 6 of the World Series on Wednesday night.