SAN FRANCISCO — Madison Bumgarner explained there's only one place he feels comfortable being the center of attention: on the pitcher's mound.
With that in mind, it's no surprise that Saturday wasn't an easy one for the 2014 World Series MVP.
More than 30,000 fans, along with more than 30 former teammates, coaches and front office members, gathered on the infield to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the championship, and the fans in attendance gave their loudest cheers to the pitcher who won Game 7 in relief after pitching 52⅔ innings in the postseason and coming on two days of rest.
“I think it's important that you're here,” host Duane Kuiper told Bumgarner, “because I think it's important for them to hear how much you mean to them.”
A standing ovation cut Bumgarner off as he was about to answer Kiper's first question. There was no doubt about how much he meant to the fans and how he helped the team win three World Series championships in five years. But there was no certainty that he would play in the game.
Bumgarner last visited Oracle Park on the Diamondbacks' final visit of 2022 and hasn't made a public appearance since being released last spring. With all eyes on him Saturday afternoon, he maintained the same stance, keeping his public comments short and avoiding the suite where the 36 other attendees dealt with reporters.
“Don't ask me what I'm doing. Don't ask me if I'm coming back. Don't ask me what I'm doing,” Bumgarner told Kiper and Mike Krukow during a brief appearance on NBC Sports Bay Area in the second inning.
Bumgarner hasn't pitched professionally since he was released last spring and, like fellow attendee Brandon Belt, has never officially announced his retirement. A few scouts probably caught him tossing the ceremonial first pitch to Buster Posey with speed and accuracy on par with that of someone who was once paid millions.
Bumgarner was introduced last and received the loudest applause. He lifted the trophy from its position in front of the third-base dugout and placed it in the center of the field with the other two trophies before taking his seat. Lou Seale came running up behind him and surprised him with a hug.
Bumgarner was speechless and instead tipped his camouflage hat as he greeted the crowd.
“I can't put into words how good the fans have been to me,” he said later on TV. “It's surreal out here. When I go home and life gets a little more normal, I don't necessarily forget, but I don't have those feelings.”
Bumgarner wasn't interested in talking about current or future plans, but he did look back on some of his most memorable moments, including when CEO Larry Baer convinced him to ride a horse and show up on opening day after the 2014 championship.
“I didn't want to do it,” Bumgarner said. “I don't like that kind of stuff. I don't like being the center of attention or anything like that. Larry and I argued about it for weeks. … He made me feel like I had to do it. I think it was definitely iconic and a really cool moment. I'm glad I did it.”
Bumgarner, who left the Giants before the 2020 season to sign a five-year, $85 million contract with Arizona, said he never liked pitching against his former team. “I didn't leave here with any hard feelings toward anybody. I just felt like this was where I was meant to be.”
Bumgarner said it's been nearly five years since he last put on a Giants uniform, but he still watches games from his home in North Carolina. “Watching Webby play is fun,” Bumgarner said, adding, “I wish I had a sinker like that when I was playing.” When Krukow said he saw some resemblance to Bumgarner in young left-hander Kyle Harrison, Bumgarner said, “That's not the first time I've heard that,” and said he'd like to talk to Harrison more.
“I still watch a lot of games,” Bumgarner said, “and watch the guys play.”
When asked if it was difficult to come back, he replied, “Yes and no.”
“I have a tendency to want to run away from all the emotions. I want to avoid some of those feelings and it's painful to go through them, but that wasn't the case. I was looking forward to it. As (Jake) Peavy said so well, being with everyone makes it all right.”
First published: August 10, 2024, 2:16 PM
