SF Giants legend Madison Bumgarner finally gets much-deserved sendoff at 2014 World Series reunion

SF Giants legend Madison Bumgarner returned to Oracle Park on Saturday to celebrate the 2014 World Series title. While it was an opportunity to celebrate the team as a whole, it felt extra special with Bumgarner in attendance to finally give him the sendoff he deserves.

SF Giants legend Madison Bumgarner finally gets much-deserved sendoff at 2014 World Series reunion

It was a bit of a surprise to see Bumgarner listed as among the guests in the first place. He did not often attend public events when he wore a Giants uniform and he is a relatively private person much in the same way Tim Lincecum is.

That said, you just cannot write the story of Giants baseball without Bumgarner in it. He was an anchor during three World Series runs and cemented his legacy as one of the best postseason pitchers in baseball history with his performance in October of 2014.

For someone who means as much as Bumgarner does to the Giants organization, he did not truly get the proper fan sendoff he deserves. His final game in a Giants uniform coincided with Bruce Bochy's final game as Giants manager. That day was all about Bochy, but Bumgarner did sneak in one more at-bat. He did tip his helmet to recognize the fans in attendance that day.

It was an understated way and he may have preferred that. Though, there was something going on behind the scenes as well. Bumgarner was scheduled to pitch in the final weekend of the season but opted out of that final start in a Giants uniform. He had a 3.90 ERA in 34 starts and there was a belief that he wanted to preserve that sub-4 ERA as he went into free agency.

For years, Bumgarner was one of the best bargains in baseball on a contract that he signed early in his career. The southpaw pitcher entered free agency with the hopes of landing a contract that was commensurate with a player who had earned four NL All-Star nods and three World Series rings while being a workhorse pitcher.

Of course, he departed in free agency after signing a five-year, $85 million pact with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 15-year veteran did not truly get that moment of fan appreciation after signing the deal due in part to the depressed attendance following the COVID-19 pandemic. He was always warmly received when he visited Oracle Park in a Diamondbacks uniform. Though, by the time fans had fully returned to the ballpark, it had already been a couple of years since the veteran pitcher signed with Arizona. He never got that hero's welcome he deserves.

However, Saturday had a different and full-circle feel to it. Bumgarner received the loudest ovation when he walked onto the field on Saturday because that World Series would not have been possible without his contributions.

The positive emotions continued when he got to throw out the first pitch to longtime batterymate Buster Posey. Finally, during an interview with Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper, Bumgarner showed a rare side of emotion as he reflected on the reception he received from the fan base who was happy he was back in orange and black for a day.

Many Giants players from the championship either got that final moment in the sun or will get it when their career comes to an end. Bumgarner has been one of the few exceptions here, but that changed on Saturday.

While the day was intended to celebrate the 2014 title, it was also an opportunity to thank Bumgarner for his contributions to the organization and welcome him back. It was a perfect celebration for a team and to recognize someone who means so much to Giants history.