Reticent of spotlight, Madison Bumgarner can’t avoid center of attention at SF Giants’ World Series reunion

SAN FRANCISCO — There is only one place, Madison Bumgarner explained, that he felt comfortable being the center of attention. That was on the pitcher’s mound.

It stands to reason, then, that Saturday didn’t come easy for the 2014 World Series MVP.

Gathering on the infield with three dozen former teammates, coaches and front office members to celebrate the 10th anniversary of that championship run, the 30,000-plus fans on hand saved their loudest cheers for the pitcher who took down 52⅔ innings that postseason and came out of relief on two days rest to clinch Game 7.

“I think it’s important that you’re here,” Duane Kuiper, the master of ceremonies, told Bumgarner. “Because I think it’s important that you hear how important you are to them.”

Interrupting Bumgarner with a standing ovation as soon as he attempted to answer Kuiper’s first question, there was no doubt what he meant to this fanbase or his contributions to their three World Series titles in five years. But it was no sure thing that he would be in attendance.

The last time Bumgarner was at Oracle Park was during the Diamondbacks’ final visit of 2022, and since being released last spring has kept out of the public eye. Even with every eyeball on him Saturday afternoon, he maintained the same posture, keeping his public comments short and avoiding the suite where the other 36 attendees were made available to reporters.

Making a brief appearance on NBC Sports Bay Area in the second inning, Bumgarner told Kuiper and Mike Krukow, “Don’t ask me what I’m doing. Don’t ask me if I’m coming back and don’t ask me what I’m doing.”

Bumgarner hasn’t thrown a professional pitch since his release last spring and, like Brandon Belt, who was also on hand, has not officially announced his retirement. Maybe a few scouts caught his ceremonial first pitch, which he fired to Buster Posey with the velocity and precision of someone once paid millions to do just that.

Bumgarner was the last person introduced and received the largest ovation. He hoisted the championship trophy from its position in front of the third base dugout and placed it with its two companions at the center of the field before taking his seat, where Lou Seal dashed to from behind to surprise him with a hug.

Unable to get a word out, Bumgarner tipped his camouflage cap and acknowledged the crowd.

“I can’t describe how good these fans have been to me. You can’t put words on it,” he later said on the telecast. “This place, it’s unreal. You go home and go into normal life a bit and don’t necessarily forget but you don’t have those feelings.”

While Bumgarner wasn’t interested in discussing current or future plans, he reflected on some of his most memorable moments, including the Opening Day following the 2014 championship, when CEO Larry Baer convinced him to enter on horseback.

“That was something I did not want to do,” Bumgarner said. “I’m not into that stuff. Being the center of attention and all that, I’m not good at it. I argued with Larry for weeks about it. … He made me feel like I had to. I was definitely an iconic, super cool moment. I’m glad I did it.”

Leaving the Giants to sign a five-year, $85 million contract with Arizona before the 2020 season, Bumgarner said he never liked pitching against his former team because “I didn’t leave here with any harsh feelings toward anyone. It felt like where I was supposed to be.”

Almost five years since he last wore a Giants uniform, Bumgarner said he still keeps tabs from his home in North Carolina. “I enjoy watching Webby out there,” he said, adding, “I could’ve used a sinker like that when I was playing.” When Krukow said he sees some of Bumgarner in young left-hander Kyle Harrison, he said, “Not the first time I’ve heard that” and that he hoped to speak with him more.

“I still watch a good bit of games,” Bumgarner said. “I watch these guys play a lot.”

Asked if it was hard to come back, he said, “Yes and no.

“I tend to want to run from all the feelings. Knowing that you’re going to get some of that is hard because I want to avoid it. But no, it was not, really. I looked forward to it. (Jake) Peavy said it best, you get around everybody and it just falls back into place, right as it was.”