TOP 5 MEMORIES OF BUMGARNER
Tuesday was a crushing day for Giants fans everywhere. They probably watched and listened as Madison Bumgarner sat in front of reporters and cameras and talked about how excited he was to be a new Arizona Diamonback. Signing a five-year contract for $85million will do that to a fellow.
But now that Bumgarner is officially gone, let’s pause and look back and marvel at some of the most memorable moments the big left-hander had during his illustrious Giants career.
1. Game 7 of 2014 World Series: Legend is born (Oct. 29, 2014)
They’re still talking about what Bumgarner did in the 2014World Series. And for generations they’ll be discussing how he came out of the bullpen in Game 7against the Royals to throw five shutout innings and close out the Giants’ third championship. Bumgarner, who started and won two games previously in the Series, including a shutout, allowed just one run in 21innings against the Royals for a 0.43ERA. But it was his five-inning save on top of all that which will entrench himself among the best World Series pitchers of all-time. In fact, his credentials include the lowest Series ERA in history at 0.25(one run in 36 innings in the Fall Classic).
2. World Series debut for the ages at 21 (Oct. 31, 2010)
Even at 21years old, Madison Bumgarner showed folks no stage or moment was too big for him to handle. In a precursor of things to come, Bumgarner proves nearly untouchable in his World Series debut. In Game 4of the 2010 Series, he goes eight shutout innings while giving up three hits and striking out six to lead the Giants to a 4-0victory in Texas. Bumgarner and his teammates would make history the following night by winning the Giants’ first world title in 56years.
3. Cowboy rides high on Opening Day (April 13, 2015)
Bumgarner wanted to deliver another World Series title to San Francisco and, like a true cowboy, he wanted to do it himself. So, after winning the Series MVP the previous fall as he led the Giants past the Royals, Bumgarner had something special in store on Opening Day in 2015. He hoped on a horse, rode onto the field and personally delivered the third World Series banner to Oracle Park.
4. Bumgarner vs. Puig, baseball meets WWE (May 9, 2014 )
Yasiel Puig’s disrespectful bat flip in 2014after hitting a homer off Bumgarner in Los Angeles ignited one of baseball’s most intriguing rivalries. They’ve nearly come to blows a couple of times after a bat flip, a beaning, a ground out or just a sideways glance, with Bumgarner initiating most of the extracurricular entertainment over the years. Maybe one day there will be a detente. Come to think of it, maybe the Diamondbacks will go after Puig now that he’s a free agent?
5. A staredown to remember (Sept. 24, 2015)
After being incensed by umpire Joe West’s strike zone, Bumgarner and “Country Joe” engaged in a staredown the likes of which would have made the wild west proud. As our Andy Baggarly pointed out that night, the only things missing from this cowboy standoff were the holsters and tumbleweeds. Bumgarner’s no-nonsense approach was on display as he and West stood with eyes fixated on one another for 20seconds without saying a word. The country boys survived and both went about their business in the game. As is his nature, Bumgarner dismissed the confrontation afterward while one-upping West, saying “Joe was behind the plate? I don’t pay attention to the umpires. I didn’t even realize he was back there.”