Bochy says he hasn’t tired of winning yet
Bruce Bochy hears from other managers. Mutual respect is common in his fraternity, especially among those who managed a long time. Big-league jobs are tough to land, and longevity is reserved for a distinguished few.
Invariably, the subject surfaces to the end of the line. As in, when is the right time to shut it down?
“They all say you’ll know,” Bochy said. “You’ll know when it’s time. It’ll hit you. It’ll hit you on the mental side or even the physical side. Something’s going to hit you.”
Nothing’s hitting Bochy any time soon. He’s 61 and isn’t close to losing his “A” game, the bullpen meltdown in Game 4 of the Division Series notwithstanding.
Sunday night in Arizona, Bochy will open his 23rd season as a big-league manager, 11th with the Giants. Only one other manager in Giants history had a longer run, and, no, Bochy’s not
catching John McGraw, who lasted 31 years.
He’ll have passed Bill Terry and Dusty Baker, both of whom ran the Giants for 10 years. Next on the list are Leo Durocher and Roger Craig, who lasted eight.
For Bochy, it’s not about climbing the list of games managed or sticking around because he needs more money or fame or securing a spot in the Hall of Fame, which already is a lock.
Bochy’s motivation for managing comes down to one factor: winning.
“Without question, it’s probably the major variable you look at,” Bochy said. “Do I have that chance to win? That’s the priority. When I go to spring training, do I have a legitimate chance to win?
“That’s what’s going to drive you. If that’s not the case, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t. I’d let someone else step in. I’m hungry to win again. I want to get back. I want to win another championship. That’s what drives me.”
Bochy’s 2017 Giants are similar to last season’s except for a reshuffled bullpen featuring new closer Mark Melancon and a new left-field combination of Jarrett Parker and Chris Marrero. Angel Pagan is gone, as are relievers Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez.
Will Smith will miss the season after Tommy John surgery, and there are concerns about Matt Cain as the No. 5 starter as well as right fielder Hunter Pence, who struggled in spring training and is hoping for his first healthy season since 2014.
Overall, Bochy likes his team, and why not? Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey and Co.
have a winning pedigree, and the National League West should be a two-team race between the Giants and Dodgers, with the runner-up shooting for a wild card.
“The great thing about being here is it’s just incredible how you get the resources,” said Bochy, citing ownership, management, the front office and his staff and players. “You go to spring training, and everybody knows we have the talent to win.”
The Giants had no closer, so they committed $62 million to Melancon for four seasons. Last year they needed starters, so they invested $220 million in Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija. Plus $31 million on center fielder Denard Span.
Bochy isn’t doing too badly, either, as one of the highest paid managers. He’s in the first year of a three-year extension he signed in April 2015, so he’ll be under contract through the 2019 season, at which time he’ll be 64 with three (or more) World Series titles to his name.
It wasn’t always this way. Remember, Bochy managed the Padres and came to San Francisco 24 games below .500 (951975). Amid the front-office inconsistencies and payroll slashing in San Diego, Bochy
evolved into a guru in handling pitching staffs, and he took his expertise to a higher level with the Giants.
“I know how blessed I am, doing it as long as I’ve been doing it here in San Francisco and being part of what’s happened here,” Bochy said. “I am fortunate, no question about it. I feel blessed being part of this storied franchise that’s become more storied.”
Retirement apparently isn’t coming soon, though Bochy said, “Sometimes (the bosses) retire you. They get sick and tired of looking at you.”
That’s not happening. Barring something drastic, Bochy will go out on his own terms. He’s earned it, and the Giants wouldn’t dare fire the man behind all those rings and parades.
Among the longtime managers who told Bochy he’ll know when it’s time are Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland, both of whom retired on their terms, La Russa at 66 and Leyland at 68. That’s Bochy’s destiny.
For now, there’s more to accomplish. More games to win.