Why Madison Bumgarner Was Left Off Dodgers-Jays World Series Graphic

On Monday night, a Fox Sports graphic popped up during an epic 18-inning World Series clash. It instantly ignited debate among baseball fans—especially those loyal to the San Francisco Giants.

The broadcast highlighted “Heroic Relief Appearances” but left out Madison Bumgarner. His 2014 World Series Game 7 dominance is still, for many, the most legendary relief outing in MLB history.

The Spark Behind the Outrage

The moment came late in the marathon showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and their opponent. After nearly seven hours of baseball, Fox Sports displayed a comparison between Nathan Eovaldi’s 2018 World Series relief performance for the Boston Red Sox and Dodgers reliever Will Klein’s effort from Monday’s game.

Giants fans immediately noticed that Bumgarner’s iconic five scoreless innings on two days’ rest in Game 7 of 2014—securing San Francisco’s championship—were missing from the list. That outing wasn’t just historic; it redefined what postseason greatness looks like.

Why Bumgarner’s Performance Still Resonates

Bumgarner’s Game 7 dominance is often heralded as the gold standard for relief pitching under pressure. Facing the Kansas City Royals, he silenced their bats and carried the Giants to their third World Series title in five years.

That moment elevated Bumgarner from star pitcher to immortal postseason legend. For Bay Area fans, leaving him off any “great relief performance” list feels like baseball blasphemy.

The Context Behind Fox’s Decision

The omission wasn’t just a careless mistake. The Fox Sports segment had a very specific focus—it highlighted relief appearances in the only two 18-inning games in World Series history.

Bumgarner’s legendary 2014 outing came in a nine-inning Game 7, so it didn’t fit the theme of the broadcast. The segment aimed to compare marathon relief stints specifically tied to the rare 18-inning World Series games.

How Social Media Fueled the Confusion

The misunderstanding exploded when screenshots of the graphic showed up online without the broadcast’s explanation. Stripped of context, it looked like an inexplicable snub of one of baseball’s most decorated postseason heroes.

Fans, already emotionally invested in Bumgarner’s legacy, assumed the worst. That reaction shows just how deeply Giants supporters connect to his achievements—and how quickly things can spiral once they hit social media.

Legacy vs. The Moment

Fox’s production crew, probably battling fatigue after covering seven hours of grueling baseball, didn’t intentionally slight Bumgarner. Their focus was narrow, their comparisons deliberate.

For Giants fans, any conversation about “heroic relief” feels incomplete without him.

The Takeaway for Baseball Storytelling

This episode reminds sports media that context matters. But honestly, presentation can matter just as much.

In today’s world of instant sharing, a single graphic often gets separated from its explanation. Fans reshape it, emotions flare up, and suddenly, there’s a controversy on your hands.

If you’ve followed baseball for years, you’ve probably seen this before. The game’s history and modern storytelling keep colliding, sometimes in ways that just feel awkward.

Bumgarner’s legacy? Still untouchable.

No themed broadcast omission can erase the memory of him calmly shutting down the Royals in that pressure-cooker game. That moment’s going to live on in baseball lore, whether it’s on a Fox Sports graphic or not.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Why MadBum wasn’t in Dodgers-Jays ‘heroic relief’ World Series graphic