Former Giants manager Bruce Bochy retired after the 2019 season, having won three World Series titles in San Francisco but averaging just 71 wins per year in his last three seasons. It was the end of an era in the Bay Area, with Bochy riding off into the sunset and pitcher Madison Bumgarner riding off into the Arizona rotation.
However, it turns out that we may have to put “retired” in quotes, because Bochy isn’t done managing yet.
Bochy, 67, who turns 68 in April, spent 13 years in San Francisco after spending the previous 12 as manager in San Diego. His Padres teams posted a .494 winning percentage, while his Giants were almost exactly .500 (1,052-1,054).
Before becoming manager, Bochy spent nine seasons as a backup catcher with the Astros, Mets and Padres, amassing just 881 plate appearances in those nine years. However, he found his calling as a manager, leading the Padres to the 1998 World Series and then winning it all in 2010, 2012 and 2014 with San Francisco.
“With a calm and steady presence, he has a remarkable ability to connect and communicate with players, coaches and staff,” Texas general manager Chris Young said, “and his teams have always played their best.”
Bochy was Young’s manager in 2006, Young’s first season pitching in San Diego and Bochy’s final year as manager there. Young spent four more years in San Diego after that, regularly facing the Bochy Giants, so the two have known each other for a long time.
Bochy says the opportunity had to be right to bring him out of retirement.
“If I was going to manage again, it had to be the right situation. I firmly believe that will be the case with the Rangers, and I can’t wait to get started.”
The Rangers could use Bochy’s constant presence after an offseason in which they spent money like drunken sailors, followed by a season in which their severe underperformance cost manager Chris Woodward and team president their jobs. Jon Daniels.
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