Giants’ longest-tenured coach will step away after 2021
SAN FRANCISCO — The longest-tenured coach in San Francisco Giants history is stepping away from the field at the end of the 2021 season.
Ron Wotus, who became the Giants’ third base coach under Dusty Baker in 1998, will transition to a new role within the organization next year as the club announced the 2021 season will be Wotus’ last a fulltime coach.
Wotus has worked under Baker, Felipe Alou, Bruce Bochy and now Gabe Kapler and is universally respected inside the organization by ownership, front office executives and especially Giants players.
“It’s been the privilege of my life to work 34 years for the greatest organization in baseball,” Wotus said in a press release. “I never imagined I’d have the career I’ve had – coaching in four World Series, coaching homegrown players like Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt and so many others, and watching them develop into the best players they can be. They are why you coach”.
Prior to coaching at the major league level, Wotus was a minor league manager in the Giants organization from 1991-1997 as he led Single-a San Jose, Double-a Shreveport and Triple-a Phoenix before joining Baker’s staff.
After debuting on Baker’s staff as a third base coach, Wotus transitioned to the role of bench coach in 1999 and held that position through the end of the 2017 season.
Wotus was the only member of Bochy’s last coaching staff in San Francisco to remain on staff under Kapler, who was hired in November 2019 to succeed the three-time World Series champion manager. Wotus, who interviewed for the manager job, and Giants catcher Buster Posey both attended Kapler’s introductory press conference at Oracle Park.
“We are all very grateful for Ron’s contributions to the Giants – both on and off the field,” said Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi said in a press release. “Ron has made a lasting impact on a countless number of players during his 34 years and his dedication to his craft is second to none.”