SAN FRANCISCO: The Giants celebrated their sixth Major League Baseball title in franchise history Wednesday with a ticker-tape parade through the streets of San Francisco. Tens of thousands of baseball fans crammed the downtown streets to toast the 2010 World Series champions and get a glimpse of their American baseball heroes. The Giants captured their first MLB championship since 1954 with a 3-1 victory over the Texas Rangers Monday. The franchise claimed five World Series titles in New York before the club relocated to the US western seaboard in 1958. Pitcher Tim Lincecum was superb in the clinching game, allowing just one solo home run among three hits while striking out 10 batters. “I am also not a man of many words. All I can say is thank you,” Lincecum told the crowd. Under a sunny sky, the parade began on Montgomery Street and headed south to Market Street before moving west on Market to the Civic Center Plaza. San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom presented the players with a key to the city on the steps of City Hall as an estimated one million people watched. “What a feeling. What a ride today,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “We felt your presence in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and here in San Francisco. This belongs to you.” Baseball fans saluted the Giants by crowding the sidewalks and climbing trees and streetlights to get a better view of the players - many of which have been described as misfits and castoffs that other clubs didn't want. “The triumph of this team allows us to flash back and connect to our past, to experience the beauty of our memories and shared experiences with unbridled joy,” Giants president Larry Baer said. “This day is a blessed reminder of a dream fulfilled for all of us.” Life long Giant supporters showed up before dawn to stake out prime viewing areas ahead of the revellry. Some skipped work while others pulled their children out of school for a once-in-lifetime opportunity. Street lamps were decorated with the team colors (orange and black) and confetti rained down on the players as they navigated the route in flash convertibles and historic cable street cars. “I've never seen anything like this is my life,” centre-fielder Andres Torres said as he greeted fans. “The parade has been amazing.” – Agence France
