You Can't Argue With The Great Pumpkin

After decades of frustration in which San Francisco Giants fans have waited for a championship like Linus waiting in a pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin, it truly seems like this could be the year. No, not because of the statistical patterns concerning teams that take 2-0 leads in the World Series. I'm talking of the real reasons: the supernatural factors, including the intervention of the Great Pumpkin.

I'm sure Texas is an assembly of decent human beings. For one thing, they are no longer owned by George W. Bush. For another thing, they are no longer owned by Tom Hicks.

But Texas does not have Juan Uribe. He is the second cousin of Jose Uribe, starting shortstop for the Giants when I was a kid, and whose name inspired the "Oooo-reee--bayyy" chant that has now been transferred to Juan. It is a second chance after the Giants lost the 1989 World Series after the world literally shook. Sounds like a mystical connection to me.

In addition, there is the Halloween Factor. Obviously, it has been reported in the media how the Giants' team colors, orange and black, are in sync with Halloween. Plus, the Giants have the scary beard motif, which seems extra appropriate. However, there is a more important Halloween connection that has been overlooked up until now. The most popular animated Halloween TV special is almost certainly "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"; Charles Schulz established a home and an ice rink and a museum in Santa Rosa, the town where I lived until I was nine.

Sure, Charlie Brown is known for getting knocked off the mound on pretty much every single pitch he threw in a baseball game, but before Peanuts came to an end, Charlie Brown hit a home run to win a game. Not even Nolan Ryan can argue with that. Plus, we have Cody Ross, our very own bald hero. Coincidence? I think not.

If you want a more logical rationale, let's look at the numbers. The year is 2010, and 10 is my favorite number. Plus, 20 plus 10 equals 30, which is my age. The Giants are my favorite team, and therefore their fate is clearly linked to attributes of my personality.

Spooky, isn't it?