Time for Posey to grab a beer and Giants’ reins

When Bruce Bochy gathered his players in the clubhouse and told them this will be his last season managing the Giants, there were reports that the old skipper got a bit emotional.

I hope Brandon Belt told Bochy, “If you need a beer, grab a beer.” Remember? That’s what Bochy said to Belt eight years ago in a scene captured by a film crew. Bochy summoned the young first baseman to his office and told him he had made the team. Belt was overcome with emotion and he couldn’t go back into the clubhouse right away.

Bochy has never been what you’d call a quote machine, but that was a classic. One other: In 2011, Ryan Vogelsong, a washed-up minorleaguer, was called up as an emergency fill-in for the injured Barry Zito. Vogelsong had a sizzling couple of months, then Zito was ready to come back. In a postgame presser Bochy was asked what would happen to Vogelsong.

“Vogie’s not going anywhere,” Bochy said in his John-Wayne-meets-Sam-Elliott voice.

Bochy will be going somewhere after this season, and the search for his replacement could become a distracting circus. Here’s how to avoid that:

Name Buster Posey the next manager. No need for ongoing speculation, rumors and wild-goose chases. Plus, you give Posey a full season to understudy Bochy and ease into the job.

I have no idea if Buster Ballgame would be interested in becoming the first playermanager since Pete Rose (Reds, 1984-86). But if Posey is, could the Giants find a smarter baseball man, or a more giant Giant?

Posey might not want to manage when he retires as a player. He’s got a lot of money and a nice family. But while he’s still playing? It’s not like he would have to give up video games to do manager stuff.

The double-duty job would be easier in this age of analytics. Farhan Zaidi and his crew will be taking some of the decision-making load off whomever manages the team.

I hope a film crew is there to capture the moment when Bochy says, “Buster, we’d like you to manage the Giants. If you need a beer, grab a beer.”

Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images Buster Posey (right) could benefit from a season as understudy to manager Bruce Bochy.