Bochy says this season is his last
Giants manager who has won three World Series titles prepares for final season in San Francisco.
Bruce Bochy always has managed with his gut. Those instincts told him it’s nearly time to retire.
Bochy announced Monday this will be his last season managing the San Francisco Giants, his 25th in all as a big league manager.
“I’ve managed with my gut. I came up here in 2007 on my gut. So it’s a gut feeling it’s time,” said Bochy, who turns 64 on April 16. “It’s been an unbelievable ride.”
Bochy spent his first 12 seasons as a manager with the Padres from 1995-2006, guiding San Diego to the National League pennant in 1998. He led the Giants to World Series titles in 2010, ’12 and ’14. Every other manager with three or more titles is in the Hall of Fame.
“His honesty, integrity, passion and brilliance led to the most successful period of Giants baseball in the history of our franchise,” Giants chief executive Larry Baer said in a statement.
Giants Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford considers himself fortunate to have played for the same manager his entire career.
“Part of what’s made him such a good manager over the years is just being able to work with the players he has,” Crawford said, “whether that’s the bullpen or the bench; he always seemed to plug the right pieces at the right times.”
Bochy said he intends to stay in baseball in some capacity.
“I don’t have any cruises planned, trust me, I don’t plan on going up Mount Everest. Baseball, that’s my life,” he said.
Duke back at No. 1
Duke reclaimed the top spot in the Associated Press top 25, the third time this season the Blue Devils have reached No. 1.
Tennessee, which spent four weeks at No. 1, fell to fifth after Saturday’s loss at Kentucky. Gonzaga moved up a spot to No. 2, followed by Virginia and Kentucky.
In the women’s poll, Baylor remained No. 1 and Oregon moved up to second ahead of Connecticut. No. 25 Rice, winner of 15 straight, is ranked for the first time.
Former Arizona coach Lute Olson, 84, is in good condition after a minor stroke . ... Michigan State forward Nick Ward, the No. 10 Spartans’ second-leading scorer, had surgery on his broken left hand and is expected to be out at least a few weeks.
Former Virginia Tech quarterback Josh Jackson is transferring to Maryland after announcing his commitment on Twitter. He passed for 2,991 yards and 20 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman before missing most of last season because of a broken leg.
The Jacksonville Jaguars exercised a $12-million option on Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell . ... The Dallas Cowboys declined an option on receiver Terrance Williams . ... Prosecutors say Cincinnati Bengals running back Mark Walton is facing a marijuana possession charge in Florida.
Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo was sent home for medical evaluation three days after being punched in the face during a fight against the New York Rangers.
Jurgen Klinsmann received a $3.35-million settlement of his contract with the U.S. Soccer Federation, according to its tax filing. His replacement, Bruce Arena, was given a $300,000 settlement last year . ... Former Manchester United winger Nani agreed to a three-year contract with Orlando City . ... American midfielder Christian Pulisic tore a thigh muscle fiber last week playing for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and is expected to miss the German team’s next game Sunday.
Novak Djokovic matched Usain Bolt’s record by winning World Sportsman of the Year for the fourth time at the Laureus World Sports Awards. Simone Biles was named World Sportswoman of the Year, and Tiger Woods, Lindsey Vonn, Chloe Kim and Naomi Osaka also were winners . ... Serena Williams returned to the top 10 in the women’s rankings for the first time since having her first child. Osaka remains No. 1.
Alfa Romeo unveiled the new Formula One car that will be piloted by former champion Kimi Raikkonen this season.