The Giants' dramatic win over the Phillies Saturday night sends a former Pirate fan favorite, Freddy Sanchez, to the World Series to take on the Rangers. Sanchez had struggled throughout the playoffs before Saturday, posting a .347 OPS in the divisional series against the Braves and a .571 OPS through five games against the Phillies. But he went 3-for-4 in the Giants' clinching game Saturday, and he helped the Giants in the regular season, hitting fairly well in a reasonably healthy year. After last season, in which the Pirates traded Sanchez for pitching prospect Tim Alderson, a fairly healthy 2010 season for Sanchez appeared unlikely - he'd been hobbled in 2009, and second basemen often struggle to stay effective and off the DL as they head into their 30s. Good for him, and good luck to him in the Series.
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