San Francisco – Almost a year ago, Madison Bumgarner pitched his final game at Oracle Park. In just a few days, he will return to the mound. The Arizona Diamondbacks begin their three-game series this weekend against the Giants, and this time, Bumgarner will be pitching against his former team.
“I’m a pretty easygoing guy. People have been asking me if it’s weird being on the other side and all that,” Bumgarner said. “It’s really not. It’s nice to be back and see a lot of the guys I knew, played with, and worked with. There are a lot of new faces for sure. It’s pretty much completely different, it looks like. I was excited to come back here and see the city.”
After a 10-year career with the Giants, Bumgarner felt he didn’t receive the best contract offer and chose to move on to the Diamondbacks, who signed him to a five-year deal worth $85 million. With former manager Bruce Bochy retiring the year before, it marked the end of an era of great baseball for the Giants. Over five years, the team celebrated three World Series championships.
“I spent the last 10 years here. You don’t just forget about it,” said Bumgarner. “I think about it, when I see the guys play, watching different ballgames or when we’re playing the Giants, you can’t help but reminisce a little bit.”
Madison Bumgarner is coming off the injured list after dealing with back spasms that sidelined him in early August. Since signing his deal with Arizona, Bumgarner has not been the same dominant pitcher he was during his time with the Giants. In this shortened season due to the coronavirus, Bumgarner has struggled, posting a 0-4 record in four starts with a 7.52 ERA.
“Feel pretty good. The back stuff’s gone. We got that taken care of pretty quick.,” Bumgarner said. “Then just kind of slowly building back up and making sure we’re ready to come back here and be ready.”
Bumgarner is scheduled to face off against Trevor Cahill this Saturday.
