It’s home for Bochy, and Dickerson, too
SAN DIEGO — Bruce Bochy hasn’t managed the Padres since 2006, but fans here still are fond of him.
Before the opener of Bochy’s final series in San Diego, fans stood and cheered the man who piloted the Giants to three World Series titles and is retiring after this season.
Alex Dickerson can relate. The Giants’ outfielder is embracing the farewell more than most of his teammates, having grown up in nearby Poway rooting for the Padres, back when Bochy was their manager.
“I remember the mustache. That’s what really sticks out,” quipped Dickerson, who attended the PadresYankees World Series at Qualcomm Stadium in 1998, when he was 8. “I was in the last seat next to the speakers. I got my ear drums blown out.”
The Padres held a pregame ceremony for Bochy in which former players Steve Finley, Carlos Hernandez, Mark Sweeney and Andy Ashby showered him with gifts. Also, there was a video tribute of Bochy through the years with nearly every image showing him sporting a mustache that apparently left a lasting image on at least one young fan.
“It’s where I made my start,” Bochy said. “Back in 1995, a young general manager named Randy Smith took a chance on me. I’m forever grateful for that. I’ve had some great times here.”
In 12 years, Bochy managed the Padres to 951 wins (more than any other manager in franchise history), four division titles and the 1998 pennant.
“That was the highlight,” he said. “Trevor Hoffman threw that pitch, and a flyball was hit to Steve Finley, and we were in the World Series. We didn’t quite get the (World Series) championship. But a lot of great memories, lot of great players I still have relationships with. A ton of memories here. And in this ballpark. I started at Qualcomm. It’s nice to be part of what was built here.”
Bochy left the Padres after the 2006 season and moved to San Francisco, where he oversaw the Giants’ historic turnaround. If he was emotional during Friday’s ceremony, it’ll be nothing like how he’ll feel in Sunday’s series finale.
“I made this call back in
“He had those great teams, especially the ’98 team. A lot of fond memories. I’m really excited as a former fan getting to see this sendoff.” Alex Dickerson, Giants utility man, on growing up watching Bruce Bochy as the Padres’ manager
spring training,” Bochy said. “I said then I was going to put it behind me and keep the focus here on the field, and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m sure the last day driving here, it’s going to be a drive down Memory Lane.”
Bochy is commuting this weekend from his home in Poway, where Dickerson attended high school with Bochy’s son, Brett, a former Giants reliever.
“He had those great teams, especially the ’98 team,” Dickerson said. “A lot of fond memories. I’m really excited as a former fan getting to see this sendoff.”
The gifts Bochy received before the game were impressive: a custom quiver of five saltwater fishing rods, a lifetime California fishing license, a large commemorative bottle of 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet from Silver Oak Winery, 25 more bottles for the entire roster (all etched with a congratulatory message) and a photo collage of his San Diego days as a catcher, thirdbase coach and manager. Holland traded: The Giants traded pitcher Derek Holland to the Cubs in a Friday deal that involved cash considerations.
Holland opened the season in San Francisco’s rotation and was demoted to the bullpen after posting a 6.75 ERA in seven starts. As a reliever, his ERA was 5.03 in 24 appearances.
Overall, Holland was 24 with a 5.90 ERA in 31 games. He was designated for assignment Sunday.
“I just want to say thanks to the Giants organization for everything they have done for me and helping me in the process,” Holland said in a text to The Chronicle. “It was truly a blessing to get to wear the Giants uniform. Looking forward to being with the Cubs.”
The 32yearold lefty makes $7.5 million this season.
Farhan Zaidi, the Giants’ president of baseball operations, said Sunday he had expected interest in Holland, who held lefties to a .182 batting average compared with .293 for righties.
Holland’s ERA over a recent 10outing stretch was 0.68, but he gave up four runs to the Mets on Saturday and was designated the next day, replaced in the bullpen by Drew Pomeranz.