World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner Named 'SI' Sportsman of the Year

San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner earned World Series MVP honors after allowing one earned run in 21 Fall Classic innings, an accomplishment that sparked another prestigious honor Monday, Dec. 8. On Monday, Bumgarner was named "Sports Illustrated's" Sportsman of the Year for his efforts, beating out a crowded field of candidates that included Michael Sam and Kansas City Royals fans. Sam came out as the first publicly gay football player in February. And Bumgarner was the only thing standing between Royals fans enjoying a World Series title they had been waiting 29 years for. He clinched Game 7 of the World Series with five innings of shutdown relief, pitching on just three days's rest. Read More »