What Do Madison Bumgarner And Eric Church Have In Common?

- Lauren Chiong, KHTK/Sacramento

It might not seem at first glance that the MVP of the 2014 World Series and a country music star have much in common, unless you consider their roots: both celebrities hail from Caldwell County, North Carolina.

In fact, Eric Church is so fond of his home county that he designated it as the title for his 2011 EP, featuring four songs. Now, according to News-Topic.net, Caldwell County Board of Commissioners plan to honor its two most famous former residents with freeway signs announcing the county as their home. All commissioners were in favor, much to the excitement of Madison Bumgarner's mom, who was present to witness the vote. She described the signs going up as a dream come true, "an honor and a blessing."

Commissioner Chris Barlowe expressed gratitude to Bumgarner for helping "put Caldwell County on the map."

According to the Charlotte Observer, Bumgarner and his wife Ali have purchased a farm in the county as their permanent residence. Eric Church got his start in the county at a bar, and he dedicated himself to the gig in high school, according to his Wikipedia page.