Pablo Sandoval Named World Series MVP

Pablo Sandoval of Venezuela was named the World Series MVP after the San Francisco Giants swept the Detroit Tigers to win this year’s edition of the Fall Classic.

The infielder nicknamed the “Kung Fu Panda” made World Series history when he became the fourth player to hit three home runs in one game.  His offensive prowess did not end with Game 1, however, as he averaged .500 and hit four RBIs in his sixteen Series at-bats.

“It's just an incredible moment you're never going to forget,” said Sandoval to ESPN after Sunday night’s 4-3 Series clinching victory.  “Have fun, like a little kid, fight for everything, never lose faith. It's important when you have teammates thinking that way, you are that guy,” he added.

Sandoval’s MVP is certainly well deserved though it could have easily gone to any one of his teammates who played spectacularly during the World Series. NLCS MVP Marco Scutaro drove in the championship clinching run in extra innings while Sergio Romo struck out the side in the tenth inning to record his third save in the Series.

While the Giants captured their second crown in three years, the Tigers were left reeling and without a title since 1984. 

"It's very sad, what we're feeling right now, " said Miguel Cabrera to the Detroit Free Press.  "I feel embarrassed. I struck out. I made the last out in the World Series," added the slugger whose bat was largely silent throughout the Series despite becoming the first Triple Crown hitting champion since 1967.

A record twenty-two Latino players participated in this year’s World Series including nine each from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.  In remarks to Fox News Latino, baseball historian Rob Ruck praised the Latino presence in the World Series as well as the emergence of star players from Venezuela:

“I think the World Series reflects the increasing presence of Latinos in baseball…“What we're seeing year after year is how much Latinos have become the heart of baseball proving what I think is the best talent and a lot of the games reverberant energy.”
 

“Venezuelans starring in the World Series should be no surprise. We've had many number of exceptional Venezuelan baseball players come on in the last decade and I think that in general Venezuelan baseball has really over the last 20 years become a much more significant part of the game.”

Latino ballplayers have made a major impact on Major League squads including small market teams. Aroldis “Cuban Missile” Chapman recorded over 38 saves and 122 strikeouts for the Cincinnati Reds, while fellow Cuban Yoenis Cespededes averaged .292 and drove in 82 runs in his rookie season for the Oakland A’s.

Video Source– MLB.comhttp://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=25462635&topic_id=38304104&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_25462635&v=3

Online Sources – MLB.com, ESPN, Detroit Free Press, Huffington Post