Two of Major League Baseball’s historic franchises meet for the first time in postseason history when the San Francisco Giants take on the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 World Series.
The baseball gods couldn’t have bestowed a more spirited matchup for the Fall Classic.
The Tigers made the splash move of the off-season by signing prized free agent slugger Prince Fielder. Riding the strong arm of reigning American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and the hot bat of Miguel Cabrera, the first AL Triple Crown winner in 45 years, the Tigers reached the World Series for the first time since 1984, despite owning the lowest winning percentage among AL playoff teams. (Go inside the numbers of Cabrera’s Triple Crown season.)
For the Giants, 2012 was the best of times and the worst of times:

• Good: Franchise player Buster Posey rejoined the team after missing most of 2011 due to injury
• Bad: Closing pitcher Brian Wilson suffered a season-ending elbow injury in April
• Good: Matt Cain threw the first perfect game in Giants franchise history
• Bad: All-Star MVP and league-leading hitter Melky Cabrera received a 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs
• Good: The Giants clinched the NL West Division and won six consecutive elimination games to advance to the World Series

Dig into the infographic below for more on the tale of these two remarkable ball clubs before the 2012 World Series begins tonight.