Getty Images
Willie Mays has seen a lot more than just the last Giants championship.
It's the Fall Classic nobody saw coming ... unless, of course, you're a Texas Rangers or San Francisco Giants fan, in which case you've known about this all along. Either way, the tale of two Davids successfully taking down their Yankees and Phillies Goliaths is complete and the 2010 World Series is set.
The fun thing about this Giants/Rangers Series is the fact both teams hold the third and fourth spots for longest MLB drought without a Championship, respectively. The Giants last won in 1954 while they were still in New York and the Rangers, who started in MLB as the Washington Senators in 1961, had never won a playoff series until this year. Needless to say, a lot has happened in sports and history in your cities over the past 56 years. So, here's to you, Giants and Rangers, and here's what has gone on since your inception/last title:
NFL
Don't worry, fans in San Francisco and Arlington, as you've had ample reason to celebrate the successes of your non-baseball teams. In fact, the 49ers and Cowboys have each won five Super Bowls since they started handing out the Lombardi Trophy in 1967 -- tied for second, only behind the Pittsburgh Steelers' six titles.
NBA
Okay, so there hasn't been as much success for San Fran or Arlington in this sport. The Golden State Warriors did win one title in 1975, but at that point they had moved to Oakland (close enough, but not by locals' standards). Otherwise, the Los Angeles Lakers have been the toast of California's basketball scene. As for Texas, San Antonio and Houston have had their fair share of Championships but, as geography will tell you, that's not quite Arlington (the Mavs have zero titles). Oh, and, amidst all that, the Boston Celtics won 16 titles ... so there's that for perspective.
NHL
California and Texas don't really have a rich history in hockey, but the states do boast one title each. Arlington has the closer of the two, as the Dallas Stars won the Stanley Cup in 1999. As for Cali, well ... the Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup in 2007, but that might as well be in another state.