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ByJanieMcCauley APBaseballWriter SAN FRANCISCO Madison Bumgarner sat in the outfield alongside Jake Peavy before Game 7 of the World Series and told his teammate exactly what needed to happen: Tim Hudson would work a few innings and get the ball to Bumgarner, who would hand it off to the bullpen to finish the championship. Peavy quickly offered his own prediction that Bumgarner would end it himself. That's exactly what MadBum did, following up a pair of World Series wins with a save at Kansas City to close out San Francisco's third title in five years and cap a brilliant postseason that made him a household name — or, at the very least, a household nick- name. He is the 2014 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. "I was sitting in the outfield with Madison and he was ask- ing me how I thought this game was going to play out," Peavy recalled this month. "I said to him: 'Madison, when you get the ball, you're not coming out of the game. You're the best guy we've got.' ... He said, 'Man, that's exactly what I hoped you would say' and exactly what he wanted. He just needed some confirma- tion, somebody to believe in him as well. I said, 'Fight for that ball, man,' and what he did will go down in the ages as the best ever." The shaggy-haired left-hander who takes as much pride in his AP MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Bumgarner,Giants addtophonortotitle San Francisco's shaggy-haired, le -handed star pitcher finishes first in vote by editors DAVIDJ.PHILLIP—THEASSOCIATEDPRESSFILE The San Francisco Giants' Madison Bumgarner (right) and catcher Buster Posey celebrate a er Game 7of baseball's World Series against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Kansas City, Mo. Bumgarner is the 2014Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. DAVID J. PHILLIP — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws during the fi h inning of Game 7of baseball's World Series against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo on Wednesday, Oct. 29. By Janie McCauley AP Sports Writer SANTA CLARA The San Fran- cisco 49ers expect to be right back competing for a Super Bowl with a new coach following the frustration of a lost year that saw coach Jim Harbaugh depart for Michigan. General manager Trent Baalke believes there are plenty of op- tions to replace Harbaugh and ensure the Niners are contend- ers again. CEO Jed York won't ac- cept anything less. "It's up to us to make sure we compete for and win Super Bowls. That's our only goal," York said. "We don't raise divi- sion championships banners. We don't raise NFC championship banners. We raise Super Bowl banners." Under Harbaugh, they came darn close, losing 34-31 to his big brother, John, and the Baltimore Ravens after the 2012 season. Now, there's the daunting task of finding another coach who can produce similar, immediate success. "This organization has had to replace some awfully suc- cessful head coaches in the past, and Jim is no different — a very successful coach," Baalke said. "Are we confident that we can replace him? You always go NFL 49ersfacedecisionsformissingplayoffs General manager Baalke, CEO York expect San Francisco to compete for title next year TONY AVELAR — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis (le ) and tight end Kyle Nelson shake hands as they clean out their lockers at the team's facilities on Monday in Santa Clara. By Josh Dubow The Associated Press ALAMEDA The Oakland Raid- ers head into another long off- season with questions about who will coach the team and who will pick the players for next season. One question that has been answered for now is who will start at quarterback. With Derek Carr set to build off a promising rookie season, the Raiders head into their 12th straight offseason following a playoff-free year with more optimism than usual. They appear set at the most im- portant position after more than a decade of revolving-door quar- terbacks that played a big role in the team's recent struggles. Carr was the 18th quarterback to start for Oakland since the beginning of 2003, but became the first to go all 16 games since Rich Gannon did it in 2002 — when the Raid- ers made the Super Bowl. "I learned that I could play in this league," Carr said. "You never know until you do it. I know I can play and I know I can play at a high level, and so now it's just about the consistency." Carr had good and bad mo- ments for the Raiders (3-13). He became the seventh rookie quar- terback to throw for at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes in a season and looked comfortable in the pocket. He also struggled at times against the blitz and was unable to get the ball downfield consis- tently, in part because of the lack of a game-breaking receiver. But as a whole, the Raiders be- lieve the playing time will only help Carr. NFL Raiders can build around QB Carr now Oakland has to decide who next coach will be JACK DEMPSEY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Raiders' Derek Carr (4) throws under pressure from Denver's Von Miller (58) on Sunday in Denver. Staff Reports REDDING Both the Mercy boys and girls basketball teams suf- fered losses Monday during the opening round of the Liberty Christian Classic. Trinity beat the Lady Warriors 56-26. Trinity led 27-13 at halftime and then used a 19-2 third quar- ter to put the game out of reach. Marissa Starman led Mercy with 14 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Cheyanne Johnson had six points. Mary Dimmagio added three points and Daphne Nandino had two. Quincy beat the Mercy boys 76- 38. Both Mercy teams were sched- uled to play again at the Clas- sic on Tuesday. The tournament wraps up today. PREP BASKETBALL Both Mercy boys, girls teams lose at Liberty Classic The first proof of the fate of AirAsia Flight 8501emerged Tuesday from the shallow waters of the Java Sea, con- firming that the plane crashed with 162people aboard where it dropped off radar screens. AIRASIA FLIGHT 8501 WreckageinJavaSea confirms lost jet's fate FULLSTORYONPAGEB5 U.S. Baseball Academy and Foothill High School are holding a six-week camp for players in the first through 12th grades beginning Jan. 18. For more information visit usbaseballacademy.com. YOUTH BASEBALL U.S. Baseball Academy camp in Redding The Los Molinos and Mercy boys and girls basketball teams wrap up play today in Redding at the Liberty Chris- tian Classic. BASKETBALL Los Molinos, Mercy at Liberty tournament More Monarch butterflies appear to have made the long flight from the U.S. and Canada to their winter nesting ground in western Mexico, raising hopes a er their num- ber dropped to a record low. HEALTHY POPULATIONS More Monarchs return to Mexico, face cold FULL STORY ON PAGE B8 ATHLETE PAGE 2 49ERS PAGE 2 RAIDERS PAGE 2 SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Wednesday, December 31, 2014 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1