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Former Dodger Rafael Furcal Becomes World Series Winner

(CBS) -- He went from being in the middle of one of the biggest messes in sports to a world champion in less than four months, now Rafael Furcal has finally won his first World Series ring.

Since 2000, Furcal never had a more frustrating season, hitting just .197 for the Dodgers in 2010, but it all changed when Los Angeles dealt Furcal to the Cardinals.

The Redbirds caught fire, making an improbable run to the postseason by overcoming a 10 1/2 game deficit in the NL wild-card, then upsetting the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers before stunning the Texas Rangers in seven games.

For Furcal, it must be sweet redemption.

The Dodgers clearly passed the torch from Furcal to Dee Gordon and Furcal was an afterthought during trade rumors.

While the rest of the contenders languished with their deadline deals, the Cardinals thrived, en route to their 11th title.

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