It sure doesn’t feel like it, but Tuesday was Madison Bumgarner’s first time at Oracle Park in San Francisco as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks with fans in the stands.
The Giants legend was hurt for the D-backs’ first trip to San Francisco in mid-June, and after San Francisco didn’t have fans in during the 2020 season, this was indeed that occasion.
So, as expected, Bumgarner was shown on the video screen and given a standing ovation by fans. Like anyone probably would, Bumgarner looked surprised by it, since it was nearly 20 months after he signed with the D-backs in free agency.
Standing-O for Madison Bumgarner
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 11, 2021
The cheers continued after Bumgarner’s acknowledgment with a wave of the cap, so he hopped the rail of the dugout and gave another to the fans.
A warm welcome for MadBum in the bay
pic.twitter.com/xJ6DzRG3nq
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) August 11, 2021
As Bally Sports Arizona’s Bob Brenly noted on the broadcast, Bumgarner is not one to call for attention, but the veteran surely respects the connection he developed with that fanbase.
Bumgarner pitched his first 11 years in the majors with the Giants, making the All-Star Game four times and winning three World Series championships. That included 2014, the series Bumgarner won MVP for.
The 32-year-old left-hander has had a great couple of outings for the D-backs since coming back from the injured list. Bumgarner has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last five stars, a total of seven earned runs over 32 innings.