D-Backs GM on MadBum competing in rodeos: He's a 'grown man'
Madison Bumgarner competing in rodeos doesn't seem to bother Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen.
After reading about Bumgarner's participation in rodeos, Hazen told reporters he was unaware the southpaw did that as a hobby and believes Bumgarner hasn't appeared in an event since signing a long-term contract with Arizona.
"Madison is a grown man, and we know that he is committed to helping us achieve our goals as a team," Hazen said, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. "Those have been the conversations that we've had from the time we first talked to him until very recently."
The executive added he doesn't tell his players what they're allowed to do off the field, and he wouldn't disclose any of the details in Bumgarner's contract.
"I'm sure we will have conversations (with Bumgarner) at various points in time," Hazen said. "All sorts of subjects come up. The majority of our conversations have centered around getting ready to pitch."
Bumgarner competed in a team roping event under the alias Mason Saunders at the Rancho Rio Arena in Wickenburg, Arizona on Dec. 3 before signing a five-year, $85-million deal with the Diamondbacks two weeks later.
"I don't have an opinion on peoples' aliases," he said. "Aliases are very common in baseball, mostly associated with hotel rooms. I’ve never needed one, and hope not to."
Bumgarner's former team, the San Francisco Giants, were also apparently unaware of his rodeo career. Longtime Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who recently retired from that job, told Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area that the report was "the first I'm hearing of Mr. Saunders," but admitted to being impressed by the left-hander's skills.
The 30-year-old ace reportedly chose the D-Backs' offer because it gave him the opportunity to be near his horses in Arizona.
Bumgarner, who has taken part in other rodeo events throughout his baseball career, also missed significant time during the 2017 season after injuring himself during a dirt-bike accident.