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Written by Ozzie González, Latinosportslegends.com

Ocotber 15, 2002 -- At the beginning of the 2001 season, Benito Santiago's baseball career was in such a tailspin that he had to ask Giants manager Dusty Baker for a try out.

Baker decided to give Santiago a tryout and now the 37-year-old native of Ponce, Puerto Rico is one of the main reasons why the Giants are on their way to their first World Series appearance since 1989.

Monday, the Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 and will now go to the World Series to face the Anaheim Angels. Santiago was named the National League Championships Series' Most Valuable Player.

"This is a dream come true and that's what you play for," Santiago said. "It's been a long time behind the plate taking foul tips. It's great but it can be better. Now we have to go all the way."

Santiago hit .300 with two home runs and six RBIs in the NLCS.

He hit a two-run home run in Game 1 to give the Giants a 9-3 lead in the sixth inning and help shock the Cardinals at home. In the critical Game 4 against the Cardinals with the Giants ahead 2-1 in the series, Santiago crushed a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Giants went on to win the game 4-3.

For his clutch play, in the field and batting behind Bonds, Santiago was chosen the series MVP.

"This is unbelievable," said Santiago. "I don't know how to describe it at this point. I dreamed of this, of the World Series. Now we have to go all the way. For the last month and a half, I have thought we could win it all. After we went through Atlanta, I knew we had a chance. And now, here we are."

In 2002, Santiago has had a productive season, hitting .278 in 126 games and driving in 76 runs -- all while hitting behind the best player in baseball -- Barry Bonds. "It's not easy to hit behind the man, but I think I did well" said Santiago of Bonds who is the all-time single season home run leader with 73.

The Giants face the Angels in the 2002 World Series on Saturday 10/19 in Anaheim. Will air on FOX, 7:30pm ET.