U know youve made it, when you get your own line of underwear. Heard Madison Bumgarner, a.k.a. Mad Bum, on Mike and Mike Monday morning. I dont follow baseball too much anymore. The game that was my life as a child, has become way too slow and boring for me today. The games are ridiculously long. But what Bumgarner just accomplished in the World Series, is so outlandish, its almost beyond comprehension and true appreciation. He may have turned in the greatest performance of any pitcher, heck, any player for that matter, in the history of the fall classic. This dude came as close to winning that series by himself, as any player ever will. He was simply unhittable… and the Royals knew they couldnt touch him. Hes now won 3 World Series rings in the last five years, and his ERA of 0.25, is by far the lowest of any pitcher in series history, whos thrown a minimum of 25 innings. The Dodgers Clayton Kershaw is generally recognized as the best pitcher in baseball. But what does it matter that Kershaw is the man during the regular season. Theres a reason hes now known as Peyton Kershaw, or Clayton Manning. Hes got all world numbers during the regular season… but hes clearly not the same pitcher once the post season begins. If you were starting a ballclub, who would you take? Mad Bum or Kershaw? To me its a silly question… because only one thing really matters in sports. Are you clutch? And right now, Mad Bum, whos only pitched 4 full seasons in the Bigs, has already established himself, at the age of 25, as one of the greatest pressure performers not just in baseball history, but in sports history. And that leads us to the greatest question in all of sport. Why are some athletes at their best when their best is most needed…while others who are good when things matter least, completely fall apart when things matter most? Its a fascinating topic to me, easily the most compelling element of any type of activity involving highly trained & gifted competitors. Is that clutch gene in someones DNA? Does it stem from how they were raised? We will never know the answer, but any knowledgeable sports fan can tell whos got it and who doesnt. I know Joe Montana and Michael Jordan had it. Jack Nicklaus had it and Tiger Woods once did. And Mad Bum has it in spades…maybe more of it than any 25-year-old athlete ever has. Those who thrive under the brightest lights, end up as legends, with statues in front of stadiums. Those who shrink from those situations, will never be able to rid themselves of the rap. Just ask Scott Norwood or Scott Hoch, or Bill Buckner...if you can find them. Fine athletes, whose entire careers, indeed their whole lives, became utterly defined by one bad moment. Thats what makes Mad Bums World Series brilliance all the more intriguing. He either doesnt know or doesnt care what failure in those situations represents. How can any man be that fearless? Think about it…Mad Bum…You Duh man!
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 09:06:04 +0000
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