Madison Bumgarner talks about his first day #Dbacks #SpringTraining2020. pic.twitter.com/cRedWgbAGE
— Brad Gass (@bradgassfox10) February 12, 2020
Madison Bumgarner arrived in Diamondbacks camp with little drama.
There was no further explanation about what happened on the avenues toward his Giants exit. All there was was hope for the future, happiness for the present and to be wearing his new, red jersey.
Bumgarner declined to talk about the finalized divorce, wanting to focus on the road to the new marriage.
“It was fun,” Bumgarner told reporters about free agency upon reporting to Diamondbacks camp. “Lot of ups and downs throughout the whole deal. I was kind of prepared for a lot of different things. In the winter it’s different because you’re home doing other things. Once the season starts, spring training starts, who knows the feelings you might get. Right now I’m just excited to be here, excited to be a starter with the Diamondbacks.”
First look at Madison Bumgarner in a #Dbacks uniform as pitchers & catchers take the field #MadBum #CactusLeague #AZFamily pic.twitter.com/Je7QZ64QzI
— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) February 12, 2020
Bumgarner did not wear Giants colors and did not talk much about the team he led to three World Series. If it is strange for fans, it must be strange for the 30-year-old, in his first days with another team.
“Honestly, baseball’s baseball. Obviously it’s in a different place, with a different team and organization,” Bumgarner said. “When you’re on the field, it’s really all the same. You kind of get into a groove of the baseball stuff. That part of it is not really all that different.”
Neither are Bumgarner’s expectations.
“What do I expect of myself?” he said, being asked that question. “To win a World Series again.”
And take down Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt along the way.
“The free-agency process was pretty interesting to say the least,” Bumgarner said. “Everything worked out, the stars aligned. It’s a place I enjoy.”
Bumgarner said that at time of final at-bat he didn’t necessarily think that was the end with Giants. Here’s his thoughts on free agency: pic.twitter.com/3WxqjUCRPq
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 12, 2020