ARLINGTON, Texas - In a career that has seen former Delta State University All-American catcher Eli Whiteside clawing for a shot in the big leagues with the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins, the New Albany native finally found a home in San Francisco.  On Monday, Whiteside became the second Statesman to win a World Series title, as the Giants defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1 at The Ballpark in Arlington to clinch the series 4-1.

Whiteside joins another former Statesman catcher, Barry Lyons, who played for the New York Mets and was a part of their 1986 World Series victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Whiteside began his journey to San Francisco as a fourth round draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2001.  After climbing his way up the minor league ranks, Whiteside made his debut in 2005 against the New York Yankees.  Things didn't work out quite the way he wanted them to with the Orioles and the move to Minnesota took place in 2008. 

It was a short stay in the Twins organization before Whiteside found himself in the Giants organization.  After a brief stint in the Giants farm system, Whiteside found himself as the backup catcher to Benji Molina.  In 2009, Whiteside became just the fourth Giant in history to hit a grand slam for his first home run and made San Francisco history by catching Jonathon Sanchez's no-hitter on July 10, 2009 versus San Diego. 

This season, Whiteside again claimed the backup role for the Giants after a tough spring training battle between Molina, Whiteside and rookie standout Buster Posey.  A mid-season trade sent Molina to the Rangers and brought Posey, a former first round draft pick, to the Major League roster. 

The duo of Posey and Whiteside carefully managed the Giants pitching staff through the rest of the reason and past the heavily favored Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS and NLCS. 

Whiteside finished the season batting .238 with six doubles, one triple, four home runs and 10 RBIs.  He caught 56 games for the Giants in 2010, including 32 starts. 

The city of San Francisco will honor the Giants with a parade and World Series championship celebration on Wednesday.  GoStatesmen.com will offer coverage of Whiteside and the Giants as they celebrate the first World Series title for the organization since 1954.