MORE FROM Jesse Spector

World Series

KC keeps the season alive with a 10-0 blowout of San Francisco at home. The seven previous teams that won in such fashion went 6-1 in Game 7s.

World Series

KC keeps the season alive with a 10-0 blowout of San Francisco at home. The seven previous teams that won in such fashion went 6-1 in Game 7s.

To the end of the road

Driving from San Francisco to Kansas City for Game 6 of the World Series prompts thoughts about how baseball season, long as it is, has a way of just flying by.

To the end of the road

Driving from San Francisco to Kansas City for Game 6 of the World Series prompts thoughts about how baseball season, long as it is, has a way of just flying by.

Perez's impact

Perez's impact

Perez's impact

Perez's impact

Juan Perez comes up big for the Giants and helps them to within one win of another World Series title right after learning of the death of friend Oscar Taveras.

Perez's impact

Juan Perez comes up big for the Giants and helps them to within one win of another World Series title right after learning of the death of friend Oscar Taveras.

AT&T Park atmosphere

The atmosphere around AT&T Park, where the Giants play, is second to none. SN's Jesse Spector's experience so far has been memorable.

AT&T Park atmosphere

The atmosphere around AT&T Park, where the Giants play, is second to none. SN's Jesse Spector's experience so far has been memorable.

Sandoval delivers

Pablo Sandoval's postseason success ended Friday and didn't get off to a good start in Game 4. But he delivered at just the right time.

Sandoval delivers

Pablo Sandoval's postseason success ended Friday and didn't get off to a good start in Game 4. But he delivered at just the right time.

Sandoval delivers

Sandoval delivers

Sandoval delivers

Double trouble

Alcides Escobar's choice to throw home for a forceout rather than start a 6-4-3 double play breathes life into a Giants rally and leads to three runs.

Double trouble

Alcides Escobar's choice to throw home for a forceout rather than start a 6-4-3 double play breathes life into a Giants rally and leads to three runs.

Vogel-gone

The Royals drive Ryan Vogelsong from Game 4 of the World Series with a four-run third inning

Vogel-gone

The Royals drive Ryan Vogelsong from Game 4 of the World Series with a four-run third inning

Bull by the Horned

Bull by the Horned

Bull by the Horned

Bull by the Horned

After pitching with TCU in the College World Series, former Frogs left-hander Brandon Finnegan makes a Royal statement out of the pen in KC's World Series Game 3 victory.

Bull by the Horned

After pitching with TCU in the College World Series, former Frogs left-hander Brandon Finnegan makes a Royal statement out of the pen in KC's World Series Game 3 victory.

Navy pilot: World Series flyover 'more stressful' than combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq

Corey Pritchard explains to SN that he and his fellow Navy pilots don't train regularly for flyovers.

Navy pilot: World Series flyover 'more stressful' than combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq

Corey Pritchard explains to SN that he and his fellow Navy pilots don't train regularly for flyovers.

American flag tears during national anthem before Game 3 of World Series

Not a good look.

American flag tears during national anthem before Game 3 of World Series

Not a good look.

Dodgers ace Kershaw edges Trout for SN Player of the Year

Dodgers ace Kershaw edges Trout for SN Player of the Year

Dodgers ace Kershaw edges Trout for SN Player of the Year

Kansas City's museums celebrate America, tie each other together

Kansas City's museums celebrate America, tie each other together

Kansas City's museums celebrate America, tie each other together

Clayton Kershaw edges Mike Trout for Sporting News Player of the Year

The lefty ace joins a list of legendary Dodgers hurlers who took home the award.

Clayton Kershaw edges Mike Trout for Sporting News Player of the Year

The lefty ace joins a list of legendary Dodgers hurlers who took home the award.

Peavy walks into trouble by issuing free pass to Hosmer

Jake Peavy's streak of short postseason starts continues thanks to a sudden turn of events in the sixth.

Peavy walks into trouble by issuing free pass to Hosmer

Jake Peavy's streak of short postseason starts continues thanks to a sudden turn of events in the sixth.

Timmy's back!?

Timmy's back!?

Timmy's back!?

Timmy's back!?

After nearly a month in virtual exile, the former ace comes in to pitch as the Giants are getting blown out. What happens next depends on his health.

Timmy's back!?

After nearly a month in virtual exile, the former ace comes in to pitch as the Giants are getting blown out. What happens next depends on his health.

Bumgarner, Pence contributions go beyond box score

Bumgarner, Pence contributions go beyond box score

Bumgarner, Pence contributions go beyond box score

World Series 2014: Bumgarner, Pence contributions go beyond box score

Giants ace Madison Bumgarner allowed one run over seven innings while beating the Royals in Kansas City. He can thank his right fielder, Hunter Pence, for helping him produce that line.

World Series 2014: Bumgarner, Pence contributions go beyond box score

Giants ace Madison Bumgarner allowed one run over seven innings while beating the Royals in Kansas City. He can thank his right fielder, Hunter Pence, for helping him produce that line.

Panik! At Third Base

Giants rookie Joe Panik makes the most of his World Series debut with a triple to help San Francisco finish off a Game 1 win

Panik! At Third Base

Giants rookie Joe Panik makes the most of his World Series debut with a triple to help San Francisco finish off a Game 1 win

Big Game Hunter

Hunter Pence gets the World Series going with a two-run homer against Royals ace James Shields.

Big Game Hunter

Hunter Pence gets the World Series going with a two-run homer against Royals ace James Shields.

Drop-Down Menu

Drop-Down Menu

Drop-Down Menu

Five keys to the World Series for Giants, Royals

Five keys to the World Series for Giants, Royals

Aces no more, three outsiders riding Giants' success

Aces no more, three outsiders riding Giants' success

Aces no more, three outsiders riding Giants' success

Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Tim Hudson found themselves on the outside of San Francisco's pennant celebration Thursday night.

Aces no more, three outsiders riding Giants' success

Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Tim Hudson found themselves on the outside of San Francisco's pennant celebration Thursday night.

Giant contributions

Giant contributions

Giant contributions

San Francisco will play in the Fall Classic for the third time in five years thanks to its NLCS triumph over the Cardinals, and while Madison Bumgarner is now the ace, much is still the same.

Giant contributions

San Francisco will play in the Fall Classic for the third time in five years thanks to its NLCS triumph over the Cardinals, and while Madison Bumgarner is now the ace, much is still the same.

Giant party

They're going crazy in San Francisco after his ninth-inning blast.

Giant party

They're going crazy in San Francisco after his ninth-inning blast.

Homer happy

Unexpected home runs have made Game 5 at AT&T Park feel a little odd.

Homer happy

Unexpected home runs have made Game 5 at AT&T Park feel a little odd.

Big Pity

Big Pity

Petit-force

Petit-force

Petit-force

Yusmeiro Petit comes out of the bullpen to help put the Giants one win from the National League pennant.

Petit-force

Yusmeiro Petit comes out of the bullpen to help put the Giants one win from the National League pennant.

Big Pity

He plays first base because there's no DH in the National League. That bit St. Louis on Wednesday.

Big Pity

He plays first base because there's no DH in the National League. That bit St. Louis on Wednesday.

Wrap it up

SN's Jesse Spector already described the MLB playoffs in terms of flatulence. It's only logical to track that back to burritos.

Wrap it up

SN's Jesse Spector already described the MLB playoffs in terms of flatulence. It's only logical to track that back to burritos.

Mighty pen

San Fran relievers rebound from a rocky Game 2 of the NLCS and keep St. Louis' bats at bay.

Mighty pen

San Fran relievers rebound from a rocky Game 2 of the NLCS and keep St. Louis' bats at bay.

Don't punt the bunt

One Giant failed to get a bunt down, another got one down perfectly. Both led to a win over the Cardinals.

Don't punt the bunt

One Giant failed to get a bunt down, another got one down perfectly. Both led to a win over the Cardinals.

Winds of change

Travis Ishikawa gets some help from the San Francisco wind to drive in three runs with a double in Game 3 of the NLCS

Winds of change

Travis Ishikawa gets some help from the San Francisco wind to drive in three runs with a double in Game 3 of the NLCS

Commissioner's job isn't what it's cracked up to be

Rob Manfred finally gets enough support from owners to succeed Bud Selig. Will the transition make much of a difference within the baseball industry? Sporting News MLB writer Jesse Spector says no. He explains why.

Crazy media day

Super Bowl Media Day isn't about NFL football. There's no time for questions about the Denver Broncos v Seattle Seahawks game. This is an event, a circus, a crazy day full of the unexpected ... like stripper questions, says Sporting News' Jesse Spector.

Best and worst contracts for each MLB National League team

As the new year begins, it is a good time to take stock of where everyone in baseball stands, and Sporting News is doing that by having a look at the best and worst contracts that each team has on the books heading into the new season. Today, it's the National League.

Best and worst contracts for each MLB American League team

As the new year begins, it is a good time to take stock of where everyone in baseball stands, and Sporting News is doing that by having a look at the best and worst contracts that each team has on the books heading into the new season. Today, it's the American League.

How Cardinals, Red Sox got to World Series

The World Series begins on Wednesday night, and for fans of the 28 teams outside Boston and St Louis, a long winter of wondering what went wrong already is underway.