Scott Garceau: Bumgarner's World Series
I was pulling for the Royals right down to the final pitch of Game 7 in their World Series battle with the Giants, but I knew I was watching something ultra-special and enjoyed every minute of the artwork of Madison Bumgarner. I covered the 1977 World Series and will never forget the Mr. October show Reggie Jackson delivered against the Dodgers.
Reggie became legend hitting 5 home runs in 3 games and 3 homers on 3 consecutive swings in the clinching game 6 at Yankee Stadium. Nearly 40 years later baseball fans will never forget what they saw from the Giants lanky lefty in this World Series.
The Royals may have had the best 25 players in this series but San Francisco had the best 1. Bumgarner's 5 inning save to clinch the Giants third title in 5 years was simply amazing. He gave up a single to his first batter and didn't allow another runner until 2 out in the ninth.
On 2 days rest, he put the Royals to sleep with a brilliant combination of craft and courage. With 2 wins and a save in the World Series, he pitched a record 52 2/3 postseason innings. His World Series ERA of 0.25 is another record. Bumgarner has allowed only one run and 14 hits in five games covering 36 innings, crazy Mad Bum numbers! Here's a look at some other pitchers who turned the World Series into their own highlight reels.
Old, Old-School — In the 1905 World Series the Giants Christy Matheson pitched 3 shutouts in 5 games over 6 days.
Old-School — In the 1957 Series the Milwaukee Braves Lew Burdette beat the Yankees 3 times. He won game two 4-2 and followed with complete game shutouts in games 5 and 7.
Red Bird Special — Bob Gibson dominated the 1967 Series. He pitched the Cardinals to 3 complete game wins over the Red Sox. He gave up a total of 3 runs and hit a home run in game 7.
The Other Mick — Detroit's Mickey Lolich was the star of the 1968 World Series. The portly lefty picked up 2 complete game wins over St. Louis then out pitched Bob Gibson in game 7, allowing his only run in the 9th, for the hat-trick.
There have been other World Series pitching stars like Sandy Koufax in 1965; Randy Johnson who won 3 in with Arizona in 2001 and Curt Schilling with his 11-2 postseason record. Schilling a man of many words used just a few to describe what we witnessed from Madison Bumgarner:
Best post season performance ever #amazing
— Curt Schilling (@gehrig38) October 30, 2014
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