In 2024, it will be 10 years since the San Francisco Giants last won a World Series, so the team had a reunion with former players to celebrate the anniversary. The Giants recently brought back players and invited the core four relievers to put them on the Wall of Fame. Saturday’s event was much larger, with other 30 invited persons have an appearance.
In attendance at the celebration were perhaps the two most important figures in this team’s success: manager Bruce Bochy and World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner. Of course, Bochy couldn’t be there because he’s currently coaching the reigning world champion Texas Rangers, but he sent a message.
“When I think of this group, I think of the selflessness with which they played. They didn’t care if they got their way, they just wanted to find a way to get it done. I think of the determination, the resilience and the indomitable spirit with which they played,” Bochy began.
Bochy was the Giants’ manager from 2007 to 2019 and experienced many different phases of history. From Barry Bonds’ final season to the mediocre teams that saw Tim Lincecum win two Cy Young Awards to the three championships he won with the team, the veteran manager has seen a lot. He left San Francisco with the second-most wins as a manager in franchise history behind John McGraw.
He then described the entire postseason run, series by series, thanking each player for their outstanding performance. He mentioned Brandon Crawford for his grand slam in the Wild Card Game and Travis Ishikawa for his walkoff home run in the NLCS, among others. Then he turned to Bumgarner.
“Of course, MadBum coming out of the bullpen to silence the crowd,” he said.
Everyone remembers Bumgarner’s postseason run, especially his performance during the World Series. In the 2014 postseason, widely considered the best playoff performance of all time, Bumgarner pitched 52.2 innings, allowed just six runs and struck out 45 batters. He pitched two complete games and allowed just one run in 21 innings in the World Series.
Bumgarner was introduced to a standing ovation as he carried the World Series trophy to the center of the field, a trophy he carried on his team’s shoulders. As the last player to be brought onto the field, he placed the trophy between the other two he helped win.
“Man, honestly, I haven’t really,” he began, answering a question from Mike Krukow, before being interrupted by a cheer from the crowd and a hug from mascot Lou Seal. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. It never gets old.”
Of course, the man of the hour didn’t have much time to speak on the field. However, after his first pitch to Buster Posey, he spent some time in the locker room where he was able to express his gratitude to the fans.
“I can’t describe how good these fans have been to me. There are no words to describe it, you know, they don’t reach my limits. This place is unreal,” he said on the show.
While Bumgarner didn’t get a chance to speak, former outfielder Hunter Pence certainly got a chance to speak. As he has in the past, he managed to get the crowd to repeat his famous “Yes! Yes! Yes!” chant from past postseasons.
While all of the stars of that team were in attendance, there were also some unknown, lesser-known names in the building. Players like Gary Brown, who only at bat seven times this season. Others like Gregor Blanco, Jean Machi and Michael Morse, who are lesser known but played big roles, also got their shine.
It was, of course, a festive afternoon at Oracle Park.
