Madison Bumgarner says he once dated a girl named Madison Bumgarner

Madison Bumgarner had an incredible 2014 season, producing some unbelievable statistics and record-breaking accomplishments.

For instance: Bumgarner's dominating October lowered his career playoff ERA to an all-time best 0.25, he set a record for most playoff innings pitched, and he was awarded the win in Game 7 after throwing on two days rest.

Not bad for a 6-foot-5 left-hander who wakes up each morning at daybreak to feed 20 horses and 60 cattle on his rural farm in North Carolina.

But after the San Francisco Giants ace won this year's Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, columnist Tom Verducci uncovered the best anecdote of all:

Madison Bumgarner once dated a girl who had the exact same name as him. Seriously.

From SI:

It's all true. That he was so good so young that he started playing coach-pitch baseball at age four against seven-year-olds, and is so adept with either hand that he shoots a bow, bats, writes and ropes righthanded, but throws from the left side. That his father, Kevin, wouldn't let him throw a curveball until he had a driver's license. That before he dated Ali, he dated a girl named Madison Bumgarner ("No relation, I'm sure of it"). That he was married in a white, open-collar shirt and blue jeans while carrying a pocket-knife. That he bought Ali a cow just before their wedding (though not specifically as a wedding present), and she loved it. That he still calls Paw-Paw just about every day during the season, as he did the day of Game 7.

The legend of Madison Bumgarner - the player - just grew, if that's even possible.