ANAHEIM, Calif. - Garret Anderson's three-run double framed by another brilliant team effort carried the Anaheim Angels to a 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants Sunday and their first World Series title in franchise history.

With their thrilling Game Seven victory, the never-say-die Angels ended 42 years of frustration and capped an unlikely storybook season that even team owners Disney would dare not pen.

"Everyone talks about a curse here, demons, 40 years to get to the playoffs. I've only experienced the last three years here and they've been incredible," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia.

"For us to get to this level is very rewarding. It's an incredible lift for our whole community, our fan support has been incredible."

The usual clutch hitting and some sparkling pitching from rookie John Lackey denied the Giants and Barry Bonds the title they had come just six outs from claiming Saturday before falling victim to the Angels and their Rally Monkey in Game Six.

A 24-year-old righthander who had never set foot on a major league mound until July, the nerveless Lackey worked five strong innings to get the victory, becoming the first rookie in 93 years to win a Game Seven of a World Series.

Following Lackey to the hill were relievers Brendan Donnelly, Francisco Rodriguez and closer Troy Percival, adding four more innings of shutout ball to clinch the best-of-seven series 4-3.

DEAFENING NOISE

With each strike the noise inside Edison Field grew more deafening and when Percival ended the suspense by getting Kenny Lofton to fly out to left with two men on, the sellout crowd erupted in celebrations which reached a crescendo when the World Series trophy appeared on the field.

"It wasn't long ago I was in the minor leagues and I just wanted to step up and help these guys out," said Lackey, called up from Triple-A Salt Lake City in June.

"I just really wanted to come out and give a good effort, give the guys a chance to win.

"We have a team that's going to battle for you. I left it all out there, I was putting everything I had into every pitch."

Despite falling behind early, the Angels did not need their Rally Monkey to get the job done this time.

With Edison Field still reverberating from the aftershock of Anaheim's improbable and historic 6-5 comeback victory in Game Six, giddy fans, many with Rally Monkeys hanging from their necks and heads, took their seats wondering if anything could top Saturday's drama.

With the crisp California air crackling with electricity, the Angels stepped on to the field to a thunderous standing ovation from the seething sea of red.

For once it seemed fate was on Anaheim's side, the home team having won the last seven times a World Series had gone seven games.

But once again, the Angels found themselves trailing early when Benito Santiago scored on Reggie Sanders's sacrifice fly with one out in the second inning to ease San Francisco in front 1-0.

PATENTED COMEBACKS

That, however, would be the last time this season the Angels would trail as they immediately launched into one of their patented comebacks.

Bengie Molina lined a double to the wall in center field off Livan Hernandez to bring home Scott Spiezio, who had reached with a two-out walk.

A three-run outburst in the third and the Angels and their long-suffering supporters had the World Series title in their sights.

David Eckstein and Darin Erstad led off the big inning with identical singles to left before Hernandez hit Tim Salmon with a pitch to load the bases.

With the sellout crowd of 44,598 on its feet screaming for more, Anderson dug in at the plate and smashed a curling line drive into the right-field corner.

After issuing an intentional walk to Troy Glaus, who was later named World Series MVP, Hernandez was sent to the showers, the 1997 World Series MVP chased from the game after giving up four runs on four hits.

A 4-1 cushion would be all Lackey would require to become the first rookie since Babe Adams of the Pittsburgh Pirates to win a World Series Game Seven.

The Giants, who suffered one of the biggest collapses in World Series history when they squandered a 5-0 lead in Game Six, attempted several comebacks but could not dent the Angels pitching, repeatedly leaving runners stranded in scoring position.

"The game I'm probably going to remember most is Game Six when we had a 5-0 lead," said Giants manager Dusty Baker, who might not be back with San Francisco next season.

"It's difficult right now. Your heart is heavy, your stomach is empty...your head and your brains feel full right now.

"It's going to be very difficult right now to go back to the hotel and hear people hollering and screaming out there for Anaheim."