Madison Bumgarner is a household name for any baseball fan. The American professional baseball pitcher is widely known for his remarkable performance on the mound during his 11-year career with the San Francisco Giants, where he earned numerous accolades, including three World Series championships and four All-Star selections.
In December 2019, Bumgarner signed a 5-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and this move sparked some curiosity among baseball enthusiasts regarding his future in the game.
The question arises, does Madison Bumgarner still play baseball? In this blog post, we will explore Bumgarner’s career in baseball, his move to the Arizona Diamondbacks, his performance with the team, and his prospects for the future in the game.
Madison Bumgarner’s Career in Baseball
Madison Bumgarner’s baseball career started when he was drafted in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants. He spent a few years in the minor leagues before making his major league debut in September 2009.
Bumgarner quickly established himself as a dominant pitcher, and in his first full season with the Giants in 2010, he helped the team win their first World Series championship in 56 years.
He was a key player in the playoffs, pitching eight shutout innings in Game 4 of the World Series and earning the nickname “MadBum” for his dominant performance.
Over the next few years, Bumgarner continued to excel, becoming one of the Giants’ top pitchers and helping the team win two more World Series championships in 2012 and 2014. He also earned four All-Star selections during his time with the Giants.
Throughout his career with the Giants, Bumgarner established himself as a reliable and dominant pitcher, with a career ERA of 3.13 and 1,796 strikeouts. He was known for his postseason success, with a career postseason ERA of 2.11 and a record of 8-3 in World Series games.
Bumgarner’s success on the mound, both in the regular season and in the playoffs, made him a fan favorite in San Francisco and one of the most well-respected pitchers in the league.
Madison Bumgarner’s Move to the Arizona Diamondbacks
In December 2019, Madison Bumgarner signed a 5-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks worth $85 million. This move came as a surprise to many fans, as Bumgarner had spent his entire career with the San Francisco Giants up until that point.
The contract made Bumgarner one of the highest-paid pitchers in the league and signaled the Diamondbacks’ commitment to building a competitive team. It was also a significant investment in Bumgarner, who was 30 years old at the time of the signing.
With the Diamondbacks, Bumgarner was expected to be a key contributor to the team’s pitching staff and a leader both on and off the field. The team was hoping that Bumgarner’s experience and success in the postseason would help them make a deep playoff run.
However, Bumgarner’s performance in his first two seasons with the Diamondbacks has been somewhat disappointing.
In his first season with the team, he struggled with injuries and had a 6-7 record with a 6.48 ERA. In his second season, he improved somewhat, finishing with a 7-10 record and a 4.26 ERA.
Despite these struggles, the Diamondbacks are still counting on Bumgarner to be a valuable contributor to the team’s success. His experience and leadership on the mound will be crucial as the team looks to build a competitive roster in the coming years.
Madison Bumgarner’s Performance With the Arizona Diamondbacks
Madison Bumgarner’s performance with the Arizona Diamondbacks in his first two seasons has been somewhat underwhelming compared to his success with the San Francisco Giants.
In his first season with the team, he struggled with injuries and had a 6-7 record with a 6.48 ERA. In his second season, he improved somewhat, finishing with a 7-10 record and a 4.26 ERA.
While these statistics are not terrible, they are below Bumgarner’s career averages and do not reflect his dominant performance with the Giants. Bumgarner has also seen a decline in his strikeout rate and an increase in his home run rate since joining the Diamondbacks.
One possible explanation for Bumgarner’s performance is his age. At 32 years old, he is no longer a young player and may be experiencing some decline in his skills.
Additionally, the move from San Francisco, where he pitched in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, to Arizona, where the ballpark is more hitter-friendly, may be contributing to his struggles.
Despite these challenges, Bumgarner has shown flashes of his former dominance with the Diamondbacks. He pitched a complete game shutout in August 2021, and has had several other strong performances.
The Diamondbacks are hopeful that Bumgarner can continue to improve and be a valuable contributor to the team’s success in the coming seasons.
Madison Bumgarner’s Career Statistics
| Year | Team | W-L Record | ERA | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | SFG | 0-0 | 1.80 | 10 | 0.67 |
| 2010 | SFG | 7-6 | 3.00 | 86 | 1.31 |
| 2011 | SFG | 13-13 | 3.21 | 191 | 1.21 |
| 2012 | SFG | 16-11 | 3.37 | 191 | 1.11 |
| 2013 | SFG | 13-9 | 2.77 | 199 | 1.03 |
| 2014 | SFG | 18-10 | 2.98 | 219 | 1.09 |
| 2015 | SFG | 18-9 | 2.93 | 234 | 1.00 |
| 2016 | SFG | 15-9 | 2.74 | 251 | 1.02 |
| 2017 | SFG | 4-9 | 3.32 | 101 | 1.09 |
| 2018 | SFG | 6-7 | 3.26 | 109 | 1.24 |
| 2019 | SFG | 9-9 | 3.90 | 203 | 1.13 |
| 2020 | ARI | 1-4 | 6.48 | 30 | 1.44 |
| 2021 | ARI | 7-8 | 4.26 | 123 | 1.16 |
Note: W-L record refers to the pitcher’s win-loss record, ERA refers to earned run average, strikeouts refer to the number of batters struck out by the pitcher, and WHIP refers to walks plus hits per inning pitched.
FAQs
Has Madison Bumgarner won any individual awards or accolades during his career?
Yes, Madison Bumgarner has won several individual awards during his career, including four All-Star selections, two Silver Slugger awards (given to the best hitting pitcher in each league), and the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player award in 2014.
What is Madison Bumgarner’s style of pitching?
Madison Bumgarner is known for his strong left-handed pitching and his ability to throw a variety of pitches, including a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. He is also known for his competitive spirit and his ability to pitch well in high-pressure situations.
What is Madison Bumgarner’s nickname, and how did he get it?
Madison Bumgarner’s nickname is “MadBum.” The origin of the nickname is unclear, but it is believed to have originated during Bumgarner’s minor league career.
Does Madison Bumgarner have any hobbies or interests outside of baseball?
Yes, Madison Bumgarner is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time. He also owns a ranch in his home state of North Carolina.
What is Madison Bumgarner’s contract status with the Arizona Diamondbacks?
Madison Bumgarner is currently signed to a 5-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that runs through the 2024 season. The contract is worth $85 million.
Conclusion
Madison Bumgarner’s career in baseball has been marked by his success as a dominant pitcher and his postseason heroics with the San Francisco Giants.
While his move to the Arizona Diamondbacks has not been as successful thus far, he is still regarded as a valuable contributor to the team’s pitching staff and a leader on and off the field.
As Bumgarner enters his 13th season in the league, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if he can continue to improve and return to his former dominance on the mound.
Regardless of his future performance, Bumgarner’s legacy in the league is already secure as one of the most respected and successful pitchers of his generation.
