Editor's note: Twice a week, NBC Sports Bay Area will look back on biggest "What If?" moments in Bay Area sports history in our "Hindsight 2020" series. The eighth installment: What if the Dusty Baker never gave the game ball to Russ Ortiz in Game 6 of the 2002 World Series?
Rich Aurilia had spent enough time with Dusty Baker to know his mannerisms. He watched Baker stroll out to the mound, the Giants holding a 5-0 lead in Game 6 of the 2002 World Series. They were just eight outs from their first title since moving to San Francisco, and right-hander Russ Ortiz was pitching the game of his life.