:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66376484/1172391910.jpg.0.jpg)
In this space yesterday, we covered the amazing story of Mason Saunders, the (formerly) secretive rodeo identity of San Francisco Giants franchise icon Madison Bumgarner.
It didn’t take long for a team within the organization to take notice, and take action. While the Giants can’t really do much with Bumgarner, since he’s under contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, their lower-level affiliates can.
On Tuesday, the high-A San Jose Giants announced that June 5 will be Mason Saunders Night, complete with a shirsey giveaway, some roping competitions, and of course, some good BBQ.
This ain’t our first rodeo!
— San Jose Giants (@SJGiants) February 25, 2020
Saddle up and join us Friday, June 5 as we celebrate #SJGiants alum, Madison Bumgarner, and his rodeo alias Mason Saunders...complete with a shirsey giveaway, roping promotions and special Turkey Mike’s BBQ menu items. ⚾️ https://t.co/XWE9DdgDt1 pic.twitter.com/rdXUXgatfL
Well done. Also, whoever is in charge of graphics for the San Jose social team . . . get that person a raise.
This is an incredible promotion by San Jose, and I hope that those of you in the area consider going to it.
Bumgarner didn’t spend much time with the high-A Giants, but he made a few trips to San Jose. In 2009, still a prospect, Bumgarner made five starts for San Jose, earning an ERA of 1.48 while striking out 23 batters in 24.1 innings.
He returned in 2017 while rehabbing the shoulder he injured in a dirt bike accident, and had not-so-good results, but in a small sample size: An ERA of 8.10 in two starts, with 13 punch-outs in 10 innings.
And then he came back in 2018 on another rehab assignment. He made one start, allowing 1 earned run in 4.2 innings, while striking out 7.