Bumgarner’s extension keeps Giants trio intact
Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a new five-year contract through the 2017 season, locking up the left-handed pitcher through his arbitration years.
The deal announced Monday has options for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The move keeps San Francisco’s top three starters — Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Bumgarner — under contract at least through next season.
Bumgarner, squeezed between Lincecum and Cain in the rotation, helped form the core pitching trio that propelled the Giants to the 2010 World Series title. He is 21-20 with a 3.12 ERA in about two seasons of work with the team since joining it in 2009.
Bumgarner, 22, finished 11th in the National League last year with a 3.21 ERA and reached the 200inning mark for the first time.
Giant singers:
Giants pitchers Barry Zito and Cain accepted the mic from Train lead singer Patrick Monahan on Sunday at The Fillmore as a couple of thousand fans cheered and sang along. The rock band was performing its sixth and final date in San Francisco.
Zito joined Monahan and Co. late in their set for the group’s popular song Save Me San Francisco, playing the guitar and singing. Then, Monahan invited Cain to join Zito for one more song as they led everyone in Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’.
Smoltz’s number:
The Atlanta Braves are retiring John Smoltz’s No. 29.
The team announced Monday that Smoltz would be inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame at Turner Field, with the ceremony June 8.
Smoltz is the only pitcher with at least 200 wins and 150 saves. He spent 20 years with the Braves before splitting his final season in 2009 between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.
Smoltz will be the ninth Braves player to have his number retired by the team, joining two other pitchers who helped Atlanta win a record 14 consecutive division titles in the 1990s and 2000s — Greg Maddux (31) and Tom Glavine (47).
Jeter honored:
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will receive an honorary doctorate from Siena College during its May 13 commencement.
The honorary degree will be Jeter’s first. His foundation works to promote healthy lifestyles among children.
The Yankees are at home against the Seattle Mariners on May 13, so Jeter is planning to have a video message played at the ceremony. His sister, Sharlee Jeter, president of the Turn 2 Foundation, will accept on his behalf.