Stars-dom came early

Bruce Bochy played Triple-a ball with the then-las Vegas Stars in their inaugural season of 1983, as well as in 1984 and his final minor league season of 1988.

A catcher nicknamed “Bucket Head” by his teammates for his size-8¼ batting helmet, Bochy hit .303 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIS in 42 games in 1983 before being called up by the San Diego Padres. In 1984, he batted .264 with seven homers and 22 RBIS in 34 games before being recalled by the Padres.

In 1988, at age 33, Bochy served in a player-coach role, batting .231 with five homers and 13 RBIS in 53 games.