I wanted to say fuck in the title but I thought it was a bit aggressive.

After the polarizing move the Tampa Bay Rays made last season, with using an “opener” to start the game, it sent shock waves through the baseball world. Such effects were even felt out in Oakland with the A’s, in Texas with the Rangers, all the way up in Minnesota, and even made their way to the National League Champs the Las Angeles Dodgers.

So yesterday a report came out that in December Giants President of Baseball Operations, Farhan Zaidi, was asked about what the Giants would do about using an opener. His response:

“We have to think a little because of the uncertainty we have from a health standpoint,” Zaidi told the Mercury News. “We’re going to have to explore different forms of pitching staff construction and whether that’s using openers, whether that’s having tandem days where you have two pitchers each throwing three-to-four innings and taking down the majority of the game, I think we’re going to have to develop a plan for the pitching staff that fits the personnel that we have.” 

Thanks ESPN for the quote. Anyways, we, the world, got word that after seeing that comment, ace and scary human Madison Bumgarner went on to text one of his bosses, Bruce Bochy who happens to be his manager, and said “If you use an opener in my game I’m walking right out of the ballpark,” That quote was from Alex Pavlovic on Twitter. Thank you for that.

Fuckin hilarious. That this man would think Madison Bumgarner would come into the game at the start of the second inning. Who does he think he is? Who does he think Madison Bumgarner is? A pussy? Think again loser. Bumgarner will hurt you by just glaring at you. Then you see his beard. Then you see his arms. Then you find out he’s from the moontins in North Carolina and works on his farm in the off-season. Then What? You die.

Unreal that this guy would think a man who has played a huge role into winning three World Series, is a four-time All-Star, and pitched on short rest in-game 7 of the 2014 World Series and earned a save during the job would even CONSIDER not starting something he will rightfully finish. Common sense is hard to come by these days but JESUS. Shout out to JC.

I understand that this Zaidi is trying to think of the future and put his team in the best position to win (I’m going to be a great GM with my cliché answers) but that was as close to disrespect as possible to Bumgarner. It’s funny to me that Bruce Bochy is playing mediator between these two. I wouldn’t let Bumgarner see this dude walkin around the Spring Training complex because I’m sure there will be some words flying around and maybe even some fists. And one body that isn’t Bumgarners. Lesson learned. Don’t say shit or think weird thoughts without consulting your best pitcher. Thank you.