Despite Giants P Madison Bumgarner’s recent dirt-biking accident on his day off, which could "change the course of Giants history, Ford pushed a TV commercial over the weekend that focuses on Bumgarner’s off-days," according to Daniel Mano of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. Dirt bikes are "featured heavily, as well as the F-150 truck Ford is actually advertising, in a spot that debuted" in '16. During the spot, a narrator says, "What Madison Bumgarner does on his day off is anyone’s guess." The spot then "cuts to images of some kinda crazy dirt biking, including several riders jumping over an F-150" (
MERCURYNEWS.com, 4/24). In S.F., Mike Moffitt noted upset Giants fans on Twitter "volunteered that they knew only too well what Bumgarner does on his day off -- and were not happy about it" (
SFGATE.com, 4/24).
TAKING OWNERSHIP: Bumgarner said that he "understands that his trail bike adventure probably violated clauses in his contract about things he shouldn’t do away from the baseball field." Bumgarner: "There’s quite a bit of stuff in there but it’s probably not the first time I’ve made a stupid decision. We are human.” In San Jose, Carl Steward notes Bumgarner "doesn’t know if he’ll face punishment by the organization for his actions" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 4/25). Giants President & CEO Larry Baer said, "He owned it. We have a lot of respect for how he's handled everything over the years. I think as an organization, we move on" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/25).
