Madison Bumgarner is such an intense competitor that he was still upset a day later about being pulled from a game earlier than he wanted.
The San Francisco Giants topped the New York Mets 3-2 in 16 innings on Thursday night. Bumgarner started and pitched nine innings for the Giants, allowing one run on five hits and a walk while striking out six. He had only thrown 94 pitches and wanted to pitch the 10th inning but manager Bruce Bochy wouldn’t allow it.
Both men said after the game that was the case.
Bumgarner and Bochy didn’t see eye-to-eye when the ace tried to talk his way into the 10th inning. Bum says he was mad at Bochy after the game.
Bochy related to the media before Friday’s game that Bumgarner stopped by his office a day later about it.
Bochy said Bumgarner stopped by his office again today after not getting the 10th inning last night. He did see Bumgarner’s postgame comments about trade deadline, said “I do have a very deep respect for the man and how he carries himself.”
Bumgarner has an old school competitive attitude and edge to him, which is part of why he’s gotten into it with some young players. That competitiveness is also part of what drives him to greatness.
The San Francisco Giants came alive before the All-Star break and have carried the momentum into the second half of the season, and suddenly they have found themselves in the playoff hunt. While his name has frequently been mentioned in trade rumors, Madison Bumgarner sounds like he wants to see it through.
Bumgarner allowed just five hits and one run in nine innings on Thursday night, and the Giants beat the New York Mets 3-2 in a 16-inning game. The win was San Francisco’s sixth in a row and 12th in their last 14. When asked about the trade rumors after the game, Bumgarner sent a clear message.
Bumgarner on trade deadline: "I don't give a s***. I'm here to win games for this team."
Added: "We're trying to get to the postseason. We're making a push and we're coming."
Bumgarner said the Giants have flipped the switch and added “if we manage to keep this going and sneak in (to the playoffs) I don’t think anybody will want to match up with us.” That was the postgame interview of a man who doesn’t want to get traded.
There have been reports of several contenders being interested in trading for Bumgarner, but the left-hander can block a trade to eight teams. While the Giants are not going to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, they are now just 2.5 games out of a wild card spot. The playoffs are a legitimate possibility.
Bumgarner has spent his entire career in San Francisco and helped the Giants win three championships, so you can understand why he might not want to leave. With the team now creeping back into contention, there will be even tougher decisions to make at the trade deadline.
Madison Bumgarner is having a down year after dominating the National League for the better part of the last decade, but there appears to be plenty of interest in the left-hander with the trade deadline just a few weeks away.
While there has been talk about teams not wanting to give up a big haul for Bumgarner, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Monday that three division-leading teams — the Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves — are among the teams keeping an eye on the Bumgarner situation. The Milwaukee Brewers, who are just a half-game out of first in the NFL central, could also be in the mix.
Bumgarner has a no-trade list that includes eight teams, and the Astros, Braves and Brewers are three of them. However, Rosenthal notes that he might be motivated to approve a deal, as he will be ineligible for a qualifying offer when he becomes a free agent next year if traded. That means any team that signed him would not have to give up a draft pick as compensation, which would improve his market.
It’s no coincidence that contending teams are interested in Bumgarner, as he is one of the best postseason pitchers in MLB history. Even if he is 5-7 with a 4.03 ERA this season, Bumgarner is just 29 and appears to be healthy. He took a line drive off the elbow over the weekend, but he did not suffer a significant injury.
If the last-place Giants commit to moving Bumgarner, they should have no problem finding a suitor. Teams will likely downplay their interest as much as possible, but he still has plenty of value due to his postseason track record.
The San Francisco Giants southpaw underwent X-rays which turned up negative. The team later announced that he had a contusion.
Bumgarner’s status is something teams around the league are watching closely because of the belief the rebuilding Giants may trade him. Bumgarner is 5-7 with a 4.02 ERA this season but has a reputation as being a postseason star. His reported no-trade list was shared in May.
The Minnesota Twins have been one of the best teams in baseball as we approach the midway point in the season, and they are reportedly looking to make a big trade that would help position them for a deep postseason run.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Twins have shown “strong interest” in acquiring starting pitching Madison Bumgarner from the San Francisco Giants. The Twins are not on Bumgarner’s no-trade list, which could make a deal with them less complicated.
The Minnesota #Twins, who aren’t content simply to win the AL Central, are showing strong interest in #SFGiants ace Madison Bumgarner. The #Twins are NOT on Bumgarner’s no trade list enabling the Twins to acquire him without his approval.
Minnesota entered Wednesday with an 8.5-game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. They’re tied for the most wins in the American League with 51, while the Giants are in last in the NL West and may have no choice but to be sellers at the trade deadline next month.
Bumgarner would obviously be one of San Francisco’s most appealing trade pieces, though one contending team is said to be hesitant about paying a huge price to acquire him. The left-hander is having a down year with a 4-7 record and 4.21 ERA, but he’s one of the best postseason pitchers in MLB history. You can understand why a team like the Twins would be high on him.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ music crew came prepared for Thursday’s game against the San Francisco Giants and was very on-theme with their selections.
The Dodgers actually trolled Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner by playing several ocean-themed tunes during his start. When Max Muncy came up to the plate for his at-bat in the first, three water-themed songs were played, according to Giants reporter Andrew Baggarly.
Dodgers organist playlist during the Bumgarner-Muncy at-bat in the first inning: "Under the Sea" (from "The Little Mermaid") followed by "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and "Smoke on the Water." The latter of which was not a tribute to Robb Nen, I think.
What’s the story with the ocean-themed songs? Muncy homered off Bumgarner in the Dodgers’ 1-0 win over the Giants on June 9. Bumgarner was upset with Muncy for admiring the hit and yelled at him, prompting Muncy to tell him to go get the ball out of the ocean. The comment became an instant catchphrase and made it onto a T-shirt. Muncy even wore the T-shirt before Thursday’s game against Bumgarner, prompting Giants manager Bruce Bochy to issue a warning.
The Dodgers knocked Bumgarner out of the game in the fourth, proving they are the kings of the sea for now.
Muncy crushed a “splash hit” home run off Bumgarner in San Francisco that flew out of AT&T Park in right field and into the bay. Bumgarner barked at Muncy not to admire the home run. Muncy explained that he zinged Bumgarner, telling the pitcher to get the ball out of the ocean in response. And like that, a beautiful T-shirt was born.
Fast forward to Thursday, and Muncy dressed for the occasion prior to facing Bumgarner, the Giants’ scheduled starter. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said the Dodgers were tempting fate with the shirt.
Bochy on Dodgers having “get it out of ocean” shirts: “That’s poking the bear. You poke the bear enough, you can’t be upset if he bites back. Some things are best if you let them go.”
