Bochy heading to manage Giants
By: SHAUN O'NEILL - Staff Writer | ∞
Padres manager Bruce Bochy
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SAN DIEGO ---- Bruce Bochy was a young buck of 27, a pro athlete who was looking to extend his playing career when he came to the Padres in February 1983. He has had several jobs since, but only the one employer.
That is set to change today, when Bochy will be introduced as the San Francisco Giants' new manager, ending his 24-season association with the Padres. He agreed in principle to hop teams late Thursday after a visit with Giants' brass in San Francisco, according to major-league sources.
"Change is inevitable in this game," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "He and I talked about that in the past. I'll cherish the time we had together. We've been through good times and bad times."
Bochy's last 12 years with the Padres were spent as the team's manager, 11 with Towers as the GM. His tenure dwarfs that of any previous Padres manager. His franchise record of 1,926 games managed nearly triples the service of No. 2 Dick Williams (648). He had a won-loss record below .500, 951-975, but won the National League West division title four times and took the Padres to the 1998 World Series, only the second time the franchise played that deep into a season.
The Padres were 88-74 this year and won the division for the second straight season, another franchise first. But Bochy had an uneasy working relationship with CEO Sandy Alderson, who joined the club in May 2005. Bochy, not wanting to enter 2007 on the last year of his contract, accepted the team's green light to pursue other jobs.
A Giants team official confirmed a press conference is scheduled for today, though that official refused to acknowledge that subject matter.
Bochy went into blackout mode as the deal went down, but several things became clear:
> At least two men who interviewed for the Giants' job, only to come up short, are on the Padres' short list. Angels pitching coach Bud Black and Giants bench coach Ron Wotus are valued by Padres executives.
> Black, a Rancho Santa Fe resident, is the front-runner because of his expertise with pitchers and local connections. He pitched at San Diego State before a top-notch big-league playing career.
> Giants general manager Brian Sabean valued Bochy's experience. He was the only candidate interviewed who had previous managing experience.
> Instead of earning $1.9 million in the last year of his Padres contract, Bochy will get a three-year pact from the Giants.
> The long friendship between Towers and Bochy ----- they were teammates at Triple-A Las Vegas in 1988 ----- wasn't enough to smooth over the friction between Bochy and Alderson.
Before he interviewed with the Giants, but after Alderson told him there would be no extension this winter, Bochy said the lack of job security was a message he wasn't wanted in San Diego. Although Alderson explained he never stops an employee from looking elsewhere and Towers could attest to that, having interviewed with the Arizona Diamondbacks the previous year, Bochy was unhappy about being a potential lame duck manager in 2007.
"There's no question that's probably the biggest reason I'm going to explore another opportunity ---- the fact I have only one year left," Bochy said last week. "I think now it's an obligation to myself and my family to listen. You want security for your family."
The Padres have been a second family since Bochy arrived as a backup catcher on a minor-league contract. He put in five big-league years, then coached and managed in the minors before returning to the big leagues in 1993 as the Padres' third-base coach. He succeeded Jim Riggleman as manager after the 1994 season.
In that time, he earned the respect of his peers and gained a reputation as a favorite of players. His fellow managers twice voted him National League Manager of the Year, and Tony La Russa raved about him before a playoff matchup this fall.
"He's as respected as anybody," La Russa said. "He's done a great job here in San Diego. I think he has terrific rapport with his players, which tells you a lot about his personality. He's an outstanding game manager. He does it all, as far as positioning and being creative on offense.
"I think one of the things he has a real special feel for is handling the bullpen. He has talent there with Trevor (Hoffman), but he puts people in the right spot. A bunch of us think he's as good as anybody out there."
La Russa, of course, then led his Cardinals to a four-game victory over the Padres in the National League Division Series. Bochy, who differed with the front office over the release of veteran third baseman Vinny Castilla in the regular season, apparently bristled over questions about his personnel decisions during the postseason.
It is his loyalty to established players such as Castilla that made him popular among veterans. But Alderson's regime does not reward dogmatic approaches. Still, Giants first baseman/outfielder Mark Sweeney, who played for Bochy in San Diego, said Bochy's reputation will work in the Giants' favor.
"The one thing it's going to do ---- and it's good for our organization ---- is if there are potential free agents looking for a manager to play for, Bochy's that guy." Sweeney told the Associated Press. "It would definitely benefit us in getting some free agents who might go elsewhere. I just think that goes a long way in deciding a team. It adds to it that you get a guy who has that credibility and experience."
Come 2007, the Padres might have a far-less experience skipper going head to head in 19 matchups with Bochy and the Giants.
"We've played together, coached together and spent the last 11 years together," Towers said. "One thing that's always been there in our friendship is competition ---- if we were bowling, playing cards, whatever. If he's in the opposite dughout next year, this will take that competition to a whole new level."
PADRES NOTES ---- The Padres signed RHP Scott Strickland to a one-year contract and placed him on the big-league roster. Strickland, a relief pitcher who got plenty of time with the Expos and Mets from 1999-2003 before undergoing elbow reconstruction surgery. His only major-league time since was a four-inning stint with the Astros in 2005. This year, he went 5-2 with a 2.09 ERA in 53 games with Triple-A Indianapolis, a Pirates affiliate. Strickland seemed to regain his solid-90s fastball, striking out 70 in 73 1/3 innings.
Contact staff writer Shaun O'Neill at (760) 740-3546 or soneill@nctimes.com.
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RCH wrote on Oct 27, 2006 5:41 AM:I guess no one honors their word any more. Poor Bochy only one more year for $1,900,000, and "No Security"? That is more than most people make in 20 years, so don't use that lame security excuse. Poor baby, He "Didn't FEEL Wanted" Oh Waaa. I wonder if when he takes out a loan to buy something, then because he doesn't want it anymore he backs out of his agreement to pay for it, after all it's only HIS WORD!!!
True Pads Fan wrote on Oct 27, 2006 6:36 AM:Boch was not the reason the Padres didn't go deep into the postseason this year. John Moores is the reason because he doesn't want to reach deep into his pockets and put a competitive team on the field. Boch did a great job with the players he had. Bochy had players that couldn't hit when runners were on scoring position. If John Moores would have given Kevin Towers a little bit more money, he could have brought a real guy who could have helped in the lineup. Todd Walker and Russell Branyan were not the answer. John Moores said it was crucial to pass Prop. C. for the Padres to remain competitive in the free agent market. It has been three years now at Petco Park and no marquee players on the field. That is why we saw Petco Park empty during the summer because there wasn’t a player that could attract fans to come out to the games. That and the view at Petco from the seats are terrible. We were fine at Qualcomm Stadium. The new manager will have the same problem if John Moores doesn’t loosen his wallet.
Marty wrote on Oct 27, 2006 7:44 AM:Well Sandy Alderson got his way, Coach Boch is out of SD but then again he'll still be coaching in the NL West. John Moores hired Alderson and has now abdicated all the power to him. We now know who to blame if the Padres do anything less than "threepeat" as the NL West champs next year. Moores should have fired Alderson and kept Bochy. More money than brains.
Keep my tickets wrote on Oct 27, 2006 7:53 AM:Well Sandy, you can keep my season tickets. After all these years, my wife and I finally decided to buy season tickets for next year. We never did before because the Padres could never consistently field a contender. With back to back division wins, Towers and Bochy fielding teams with subpar payrolls, and a corps of young starters who can perform, this team could be at the top of the division for the next few years. Now with Bochy gone, I'm sure Towers will be next so Sandy can have "his" team. Until we all see how this plays out, my wife and I will keep our money in our pockets. Good luck Boch.
Jay wrote on Oct 27, 2006 8:44 AM:Am I the only Padres fan that isn't shedding a tear over Bochy's leaving? This is the same manager that would do whatever he could to make sure veteran (i.e. - old or washed-up) players found their way into the line-up while letting younger, potentially more talented players sit on the bench. Keep in mind that Adrian Gonzales was ticketed to the minor leagues in spring training because Bochy was committed to having Ryan Klesko play first base - it was only after Klesko admitted his shoulder had not healed that Bochy was forced to hand the position to Gonzales. Do any of you think that it was Bochy's idea to hand Jesse Barfield the second base job? Mark Loretta would still be there, a year older, with Barfield having to spend another year at Portland or being used for trade bait. Brian Giles played more games than any other Padre this year despite his mid-200 batting average and RBI total more suitable for a #8 hitter, yet Bochy let Ben Johnson play a game a week rather than have Giles sit for a while. Many fans will want to point to the fact that he had less talent than most during his stay here, but when did Bochy ever make adjustments in how he managed a game to meet the talents of his players by bunting over runners and playing for a run at a time? The answer is: he never did. Have fun in SF Bruce, dealing with an aging team full of holes and with Barry Bonds when he tells you he doesn't feel like playing or he walks to the dugout rather than running out a ball hit to the infield.
RJM wrote on Oct 27, 2006 8:59 AM:I hope Bruce and Barry will be the best of friends. Bochy for Mayor of San Francisco!!!
Padre Fan wrote on Oct 27, 2006 11:45 AM:I am so sorry to see Bochy go! I have to agree with True Pad Fan, the next manager will have the same problems if the don't sign some marquee players. Guess next year I will watch more San Fransisco Games. They always talk about wanting loyal fans, wheres our loyalty?
scott wrote on Oct 27, 2006 12:06 PM:I am sad to see the Boch go. I wish it was Schotty leaving the Chargers, that would be good news. (Sorry, I had to) I think Bochy has the main reasons the Pads have been doing so well in the past years (decades). Sad to see him go to one of our worst enemy's as well. I can't even wish him the best because that would mean the Giants get better. Lots of bad news for San Diego sports fans in the last week.
sam wrote on Oct 27, 2006 12:19 PM:That's SCOTT Strickland, not Steve!
Valley Center Guy wrote on Oct 27, 2006 1:57 PM:You shouldn't be all that suprised to find the "Gints" making a strong come back next year, and the years after. Boch meens just as much to winning as the players. And look at how well the Pads did without the support of the upper management. I give the new manager almost a full year before his support collapes. Bud: rent don't buy. Boo
JIMI-O'SIDE wrote on Oct 27, 2006 9:18 PM:I HAVE BEEN A PADRE FAN SINCE BIRTH. THROUGH THE, SELDOM, GOOD AND MAJORITY BAD. IT'S SAD FOR ME TO SAY THAT IT SEEMS THE ONLY CONSISTENT TRADITION MY PADRES HAVE IS ONE OF LETTING WINNERS GO: WINFIELD, SMITH, SHEFFIELD, McGRIFF, CARTER, ALOMAR, FINLEY, ECT. ALL OF WHOM MENTIONED HAVE WORLD SERIES RINGS. KINDA MAKES YOU WONDER. BOCHY WASN'T JUST A GUY WHO SAT IN THE DOUGOUT, FILLING OUT THE LINE-UP CARD. HE WAS A MAGICIAN BECUASE HE DID SOME MAGICAL THINGS WITH SOME EXTREMELY MEAGER TEAMS. AND THAT IS PUTTING IT POLITELY! ON TOP OF BEING ONE OF THE BEST MANAGERS IN BASEBALL HE WAS ALSO A PERSON OF QUALITY & CHARACTER. IN SHORT; A PROVEN WINNER. THE BASEBALL GODS MUST TRULY HATE US IN SAN DIEGO. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER SAD DAY IN OUR HISTORY OF MANY. SURE HOPE THE OWNERS OF THE PADS, WITH THAT NEW STADIUM & EVERYTHING, PLAN ON OPENING THEIR POCKET BOOKS SUPER-EXTRA WIDE TO HELP EASE THE PAIN OF THIS ONE.
Chris W. wrote on Oct 27, 2006 9:24 PM:Bochy will be missed. He did a great job even when Moores would not give money to get a true 3b
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