JANIE McCAULEY, AP Baseball Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, who dominated the baseball postseason, is The Associated Press 2014 Male Athlete of the Year.

Bumgarner finished first in a vote by U.S. editors and news directors. He beat out Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw — who won the National League Cy Young and MVP but lost to Bumgarner’s Giants in the playoffs. Retiring New York Yankees star Derek Jeter and golfer Rory McIlroy tied for third place.

The 25-year-old workhorse known as MadBum clinched the award when — on two days’ rest — he pitched five scoreless innings of relief in Game 7 of the World Series as the Giants beat Kansas City 3-2 to win their third championship in five years.