San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner earned some more recognition thanks to his historic World Series performance when he was named AP Male Athlete of the Year on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Bumgarner received 38 votes and dominated the competition as Clayton Kershaw (13), Derek Jeter (7), Rory McIlroy (7), Peyton Manning (5), Tim Howard (4), Lionel Messi (4) and others followed far behind. Kershaw is the reigning National League MVP and Cy Young Award winner.
Bumgarner had one of the best performances in World Series history when he pitched three games (two starts) and compiled a 0.43 ERA. 0.48 WHIP, 17 strikeouts and one save in 21 innings against the Kansas City Royals. His save came in Game 7 when he came on in relief for Tim Hudson and Jeremy Affeldt for five innings, helping the Giants to their third World Series title in five years.
Sports Illustrated ranks the left-hander's World Series performance fifth all-time only behind Bob Gibson of the 1967 St. Louis Cardinals, Stan Coveleski of the 1920 Cleveland Indians, Lew Burdette of the 1957 Atlanta Braves and Christy Mathewson of the 1905 New York Giants.
Fellow teammate and starting pitcher Jake Peavy recalls a moment he had with Bumgarner before Game 7:
"I was sitting in the outfield with Madison and he was asking me how I thought this game was going to play out. I said to him: 'Madison, when you get the ball, you're not coming out of the game. You're the best guy we've got.' ... He said, 'Man, that's exactly what I hoped you would say' and exactly what he wanted. He just needed some confirmation, somebody to believe in him as well. I said, 'Fight for that ball, man,' and what he did will go down in the ages as the best ever."
Bumgarner also had an All-Star campaign in 2014 during which he went 18-10 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 33 starts with the Giants. He notched career bests in wins (18), winning percentage (.643), innings pitched (217 1/3) and strikeouts (219).
