Just moments after the conclusion of the World Series last night, Jockey announced it had signed Giants P and World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner to an endorsement deal as part of the brand's "Supporting Greatness" campaign. Jockey unveiled its "MadBum" underwear, a play on Bumgarner's nickname, and distributed a limited amount of the product around S.F. last night. It will also give out the underwear during the team's victory parade tomorrow (Jockey). FORBES.com's Darren Heitner reports Bumgarner, who was credited with the save in last night's game after earning two wins earlier in the series, "was being pitched by Jockey before he even accepted the MVP trophy." The company did not decide to use Bumgarner's nickname "in a commercial endeavor without permission and deal with the associated consequences thereafter." This was instead a "well orchestrated plan by a brand that wanted to take advantage of a unique opportunity should Bumgarner enter a pivotal Game 7 ... and continue his greatness to help the Giants win the World Series." Heitner: "Everything went according to plan, Bumgarner was named MVP and Jockey released its advertisement with impeccable timing" (FORBES.com, 10/30).
HEADED TO THE HALL: MLB.com's Mark Newman noted artifacts going to the Baseball HOF from this year's World Series include the caps worn by Bumgarner "in all three of his outings." Also headed to Cooperstown are "Buster Posey's jersey and Pablo Sandoval's bat, both from Game 7; Hunter Pence's Game 4 bat; Bruce Bochy's cap; and the spikes Jeremy Affeldt wore as the winning pitcher" of Game 7 (MLB.com, 10/30).
