SF Examiner: Keys to World Series title no secret for San Francisco Giants

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

The Giants are going to be in the World Series. And then, just as in 2002, they’ll lose to the Los Angeles Angels.

That’s the prediction from Sports Illustrated, which is rarely correct in such a thing, but why be concerned about accuracy, unless it’s with Tim Lincecum’s fastball.

Albert Pujols, the new Angel, is on the front of SI’s baseball issue...

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Tiger, Djokovic, Pujols: Three of a Kind

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – It’s all about fame. Or infamy. All about recognition, for something you accomplished or couldn’t accomplish. All about fans chasing you for an autograph or a photo or no less significantly wishing they could chase you into the next county.

Hero or villain. The roles are virtually inseparable, although from a standpoint of morality and goodwill we would prefer a hero or heroine. Easier to accept. Easier to respect.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports: Pujols Will Make Angels Resonate in Hollywood

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

They've always been the other team, the outsiders, for 50 years, their entire existence. They changed ballparks, changed logos, changed names.

They played in Dodger Stadium, calling it Chavez Ravine, and now they play in the suburbs, calling themselves the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, which is as absurd as saying the New York Yankees of Long Island.

When they weren't anonymous, they were the punch line of jokes...

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011