It was only fitting that Madison Bumgarner coaxed Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez to pop out to third baseman Pablo Sandoval to end Game 7 of the World Series and clinch the San Francisco Giants third World Series title in five years.
Sandoval and Bumgarner -- along with outfielder Hunter Pence -- were the driving force behind San Francisco's magical run from an underdog wild-card team to World Series champions.
Bumgarner deservedly took home the World Series MVP Award due to his unbelievable heroics throughout the Fall Classic, but amid the champagne baths of championship celebrations, the play of Sandoval can't be overlooked.
With his double off of Kansas City Royals reliever Wade Davis in the top of the eighth inning Wednesday night, Sandoval set the record for most hits in a single postseason with 26.
The hit, which came in his final at-bat of the Giants 3-2 Game 7 victory over the Royals, was a fitting capper to an October where the Kung Fu Panda came through time and time again for San Francisco.
Bumgarner's 0.43 ERA and five scoreless innings pitched on two days rest in Game 7 were deserving of MVP honors, but Sandoval's production can't be overlooked even if he won't have hardware to take home.
Throughout the series, Sandoval continued his penchant for clutch October hitting, finishing the World Series with a .429 (12-for-28) batting average with three doubles and four RBI.
Sandoval led all Giants hitters with a .366 batting average this postseason and though he didn't hit any homers, he knocked in five RBI and tied for the team lead with 12 runs scored.
Ever the selfless player, Sandoval wasn't ready to take all of the credit as the Giants celebrated another championship.
"If not for them, my teammates, we wouldn't be here," Sandoval told Yahoo Sports. "We've put in a lot of work together."
The celebration in the clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City was the third of Sandoval's career as he's one of the few players that have been with the Giants for their World Series victories in 2010 and 2012. Sandoval improved his batting average to .426 through the three World Series with three homers and eight RBI.
The celebration also may have been a last hurrah for Sandoval as he gets ready to hit the free agent market this offseason, but the door appears open for a return to the Giants.
For now, that thought will be in the back of the Kung Fu Panda's mind because for the third time in his career and third time in the last five years, the Giants are the champions of Major League Baseball.
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