From a Parent's Perspective: Kevin Bumgarner

I must admit that Kevin was hesitant about doing this. He is fearful that what he is about to say may come across the wrong way or that he's bragging. For those that know Kevin understand that his makeup would not allow him to do that. In fact, the only reason he is doing this is because he owes me a favor and I have "special" pictures.

What were you doing on the day of the June Draft (Madison's)? Where were you?

Everybody in the family (Madison's extended family: Step Mom, Tracy, Stepbrother, Nick, Stepbrother, Mitch, Stepsister, Teresa, Myself, and my Mother, Mary) gathered around the TV, with Pizza. As the draft was approaching the anticipation was building. We all had our own ideas of how it was going to play out, where he would go, what would we do if he were selected 1,2,3,55,199. As you can imagine the decision would get the further down he would go. Me personally, I thought that from the discussions we had with the scouts in the (in home visits). I really felt that Madison would go to Kansas City 2nd, Milwaukee 8, Cleveland 13. I knew that Madison's adviser had been in pre-draft talks with a few clubs, but we didn't know which teams or how much the signing bonus might be at that "slot."
Now as for Madison, he was at graduation practice at South. He did however get to go into the office just before San Francisco went on the clock. His adviser felt that Madison would be secure with one of the clubs that he had talked with that picked LATE in the first round, and would have a estimated signing bonus of 3 million. He felt that would happen if "we can get past the number 10 pick." I guess you know that he did not. The funny thing is that of the 30 MLB teams 3 of them did not do an in home visit, which is something that is pretty standard if they believe you to be a top pick, the Giants DID NOT do an in home visit.

So actually the short answer is that we were watching it live on ESPN and it was on the TV in the office at the school (Mandy Parham, had it available so Madison did actually get to hear his name and hear Peter Gammons discuss his abilities. Pretty cool.

What were your thoughts when you saw that your son was the 10th pick of the draft?

Actually I had a lot of mixed emotions. I was extremely proud that my son was picked in the top ten picks of the first round, but I was caught off guard with the Giants, because we had virtually no contact with them prior to that day. I know that it is very exciting to have your son drafted, and able to secure his retirement at 17, but it has taken a lot of adjustment to make plans to see him pitch on the left coast.

Was there ever a time that you got frustrated during the contract negotiations?

Contract negotiations are very frustrating in and of themselves. Thank goodness for his (adviser) who later became his agent. The best part was that we really had nothing to do, just wait, wait, wait, and let his agent work. At the same time the agent is working, we had to follow up and continue making plans to attend College.

What were your thoughts when Madison came back to Hickory to play for the 1st time as a professional?

OH MY GOD what an evening. Tears come to my eyes just thinking about it enough to answer your question. I have NEVER in my life been more proud of the attention and fans that came out to support Madison. Honestly I really don't remember a lot about the game itself. However, I can tell you the attendance, the crowd that wanted autographs after the game, the hospitality that Charlie Downs and the Crawdads showed, the support that Madison had that night and every time he toes the rubber is so incredible. It is so very awesome and beyond my vocabulary to explain the way that touches my heart. As far as for the game itself, I am very proud that Madison gave the fans a good game.

In short I HAVE NEVER HAD A MORE HUMBLING EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE. The outpouring of love and support will be with me as long as I live.

 

Describe your emotions when Madison called you to tell you that he was "going to the Show"

Well about a million different things go through your mind in about 2 seconds. We knew that he had been called up right after the game in Connecticut, but could not tell ANYBODY, we didn't even tell the kids. The club wanted to keep it out of the Media, until they announced it. We had no idea why, but later we found that they did not want to admit that Timmy had been having some back trouble.

Got to tell you the funniest part of the story. After the game in Norwich, the Manager told Madison to take his glove, and cleats and go with the hitting coach, right away. He walked out and asked "where are we going?" the coach said YOU ARE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO, I AM TAKING YOU TO THE AIRPORT, WE HAVE TO GO NOW. Madison wanted to go by his apartment to get some things, he actually was wearing jeans, t shirt, boots, CARRYING HIS GLOVE, AND CLEATS. but there was not enough time. The coach said that San Francisco would provide him with everything that he needs when he gets there. Now here we go to the airport without luggage. Madison needed a bag to carry all of his stuff in, so the coach gave him a plastic Walmart shopping bag. Madison put his glove, and cleats in the bag, and that was his carry on bag. (NO XRAY REQUIRED, JUST LOOK THROUGH THE PLASTIC) So now I know that Walmart does have good luggage.

Where did you watch the game?

We actually had no idea that Madison would pitch so soon. His fiancee flew to San Francisco on Tuesday morning, but really just to help him get settled in. I was on the internet looking for a flight on Friday, believing that Saturday would be the first opportunity to start when I got the text saying that tonight is the night (sounds like a Rod Stewart song) so there was actually NO time to get a ticket, heck I couldn't have chartered a jet and made it in time. I really feel badly about not being there for his FIRST START, you only make ONE of those, and the control of that was not in my hands at all. My wife got on the ball like a TRUE CHAMP and ordered the MLB Extra Innings package from the cable company, so we were able to watch it on TV and I have a friend that lives in the Bay area, and was at the game. He called me when Bochy went to get Madison so I could hear the crowd

What was it like watching your son pitch his first Big League game?

I was nervous... very nervous. Seeing him walk onto the field, throwing his first pitch in the big leagues for a strike. Seeing him give up his FIRST big league hit, his FIRST big league Home Run, and his FIRST blemish of his big league era..... all with ONE pitch (we will have a lot of fun with that this winter), but most importantly seeing the next pitch go in for a strike. The wonderful reception from the fans, and the standing ovation from some of the best fans in baseball was incredible. This is the beginning of a giant milestone in Madison's life plans. I say milestone, because it is not a destination, it is a way point.

I have to tell you about a very proud moment. When Madison was 14 he filled out a questionnaire and four questions were:

- What are your short term goals as a player? (to win a high school state championship)
- and long term goals as a player? (to be in the hall of fame) (that is why it is just a stop in the road and not a destination)
- What are your short term goals as a person? To witness to someone about Jesus
- What are your long term goals as a person? To live his life so that people see Jesus in his day to day living.,..Not bad for a 14 year old kid I guess.

 

Did Madison call you after the game or wait until the next morning? What did he say?

We text after the game, I told him that it was a great job, except for a couple of pitches that he would have to learn to keep them down in the zone, and that I was sorry that I was not there. He thanked me, told me that it was OK that I could not get there, that he understood, and that he had (just) figured out the mistakes travel a lot further in the big leagues.

For those that have further questions for Kevin he has agreed to answer anything someone asks.....I reminded him that I still have those pic's

 

This is cool!!!!

Madison's 1st pitch and his tipping of his hat to a standing ovation!

 

This is the perfect dream!!

It is going to be fun following one of our local boys major league career. I hope we can have a TBR day where we all can go watch Madison play against the Braves. Congratulations Kevin.

 

A Quick Story...

that defines Kevin. As most here did, we had a travel team that played USSSA, AAU, etc at 13,14 and 15. We would have Kevin as an ump quite frequently and was able to get to know him through our games well enough that when he missed the occasional (it was more than occasionally!) call at first he'd walk over to me between innings and say"I missed that call last inning didnt I". Well, another Dad & I took our sons to UNC's camp one Fall and it was freezing the first morning so they started everyone in the fieldhouse. We walk in and there is Kevin. We talk for 10 minutes having no idea why he's there because he never even mentioned having a son better yet one that was being recruited by every college team on the planet. He just says his son is there attending the camp, but again nothing about how great a player he is. Fast forward to that afternoon and we are at the field now watching the pitchers throw from the mound and Madison steps up for his turn. When he was done the other dad and I just looked at each other and said WOW! We couldnt believe Kevin never even mentioned how good Madison was and was really there because Carolina wanted him in Carolina blue.

Kevin, good luck to Madison and your family as you enjoy the ride!

 

Wonderful

Man, that is great stuff, good luck and thanks for sharing that. There are many dads that would love to experience all that you have been through and the emotions that go with it. Myself included in that group.

 

Kevin Bumgarner

We too were priviledged to have Mr. Bumgarner call many of our sons games over the years. One time in particular though he went so far above and beyond. Our son was playing on a team that needed some extra players for a weekend and he was free - we have all been there. Well as it turns out the team was really struggling and it ended up being a very frustrating tournament. Kevin noticed how down my son was as we were walking to our car late Saturday evening and knew we would not be back Sunday. He called my son over to his car to chat. It had been one of those miserable 100+ degree days and Kevin had probably been at the field since early morning but he spent the next hour encouraging my son to keep working hard. Madison was probably only a sophomore at the time but the writing was already on the wall. Kevin told him that when his friends were going to fish/hunt/hang out he needed to keep working on baseball. Go running, do drills, study the game, whatever he could do each day to get better. Well it made such an impression and of course now the validation of all that hard work is right in front of us all! Congratulations to the entire family!

 

I have been on TBR for a while but this is the all time best thread...

 

this is just awesomely cool stuff!