WJMorris3 Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 SAN FRANCISCO -- Bruce Bochy had no intention of leaving a winning situation with the San Diego Padres -- until the division rival Giants came calling.On Friday, Bochy concluded a whirlwind week with his introduction as San Francisco's manager. After guiding the Padres to consecutive division titles, his task now is to turn the Giants into a contender after two "off track" seasons by his assessment."Oh, what a great day," Bochy said when introduced at San Francisco's waterfront ballpark. "I look forward to this challenge. I think this is a situation that is just going to get better. ... I've been managing in this division for 12 years. I know it."Bochy agreed to a three-year contract worth roughly $6 million to replace Felipe Alou after working out details late Thursday. Fittingly, Bochy's opening-day opponent in April will be the Padres, his employer the past 24 years.Normally, Major League Baseball frowns upon such announcements during the World Series, but the Giants were excused because Bochy is set to leave Monday for Japan with an All-Star team.Bochy was the only candidate to replace Alou who has previous major league managerial experience, something general manager Brian Sabean said he preferred.Bochy had one year left on his contract in San Diego but was told he would not receive an extension now, and was allowed to explore other options. He and Sabean already had an informal conversation about the job after the GM spoke extensively to Padres general manager Kevin Towers about the possibility of hiring Bochy away."As he became available and expressed his sincere interest in coming to San Francisco as a priority, we accelerated those talks," Sabean said. "We're thrilled to get him in uniform after a long process we believe was very thorough. ... This is a solid move for the organization and the right move at this point in time."Bochy beamed as he held up his new No. 15 San Francisco jersey. After addressing the media, he was whisked away for a lunch reception with Giants' staff. The stadium's main center-field scoreboard screamed, "A Giant Welcome to Bruce Bochy!" and the skipper did a photo shoot on the field."It's nice to get this done with an outstanding manager," Giants owner Peter Magowan said.San Francisco received permission from the Padres on Wednesday to talk to Bochy, who traveled to the Bay Area on Thursday to meet with Sabean and other team officials. They negotiated into the night before reaching a deal -- and the Padres will not receive any compensation from San Francisco.The Giants had only a seven-day window in which to come to an agreement with Bochy because he was employed by another team."There will be some competitive juices flowing on opening day," Towers said.The 51-year-old Bochy, who just finished his 12th season as the Padres' manager, led San Diego to back-to-back NL West titles and is the winningest manager in franchise history. He spent the last 24 years in the organization, dating to his playing days as a catcher.It wasn't an easy decision to leave a team he helped build into a contender."We won 88 games -- or they won 88 games, as I should say now," Bochy said. "I wasn't planning on listening until the San Francisco Giants called."Bochy was due to make $1.9 million in guaranteed money in 2007 from the Padres, so his new deal is a raise."It was unique," Sabean said of dealing with a division rival. "I can't pretend to understand what their business at hand is down there."Giants first baseman Mark Sweeney, who played for Bochy in San Diego, attended the news conference and had said Bochy would be a good fit."He's a players' manager and he goes out and communicates," Sweeney said. "People know where he stands. He brings stability and has a track record for winning. He's a really good communicator and he's going to attract some free agents."San Francisco, which has 11 potential free agents including Barry Bonds, did not renew the 71-year-old Alou's contract after finished its second straight losing season and third in a row out of the playoffs. Sabean and Bochy already have begun to discuss personnel -- and the Giants believe Bochy will do plenty to attract players to the Bay Area, too."Not only will he help with our players, he will help in the market," Sabean said. "He's got a baseball name."The Giants interviewed New York Mets third-base coach Manny Acta on Monday. Giants bench coach Ron Wotus and Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Bud Black also interviewed.Sabean spoke to Wotus and the other candidates late Thursday and noted the conversation with Wotus -- in the organization the last 19 years -- was tough. Sabean said Wotus will be allowed to pursue other jobs if he chooses.A call to Wotus was not immediately returned Friday.Sabean said he didn't intend to hire away any of Bochy's former staff in San Diego. Bochy, who was headed to Arizona for a workout with the U.S. all-star squad, hoped to have his coaches in place soon."There is a sense of urgency," he said. "Those decisions need to be made pretty soon."Alright, alright, let's see. The guy's still under contract, and he goes to a division rival? That sounds even more Selfish than I thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grish Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Nothing selfish about it. Contract or not, he had a year left if the Padres wanted him they could have locked him up long term. Pro Sports is not a normal occupation. I never blame people for going for security if they are honest about desire previous to do it. Just don't pull an Arod and say it is about winning then go the highest bidder.Blame the Padres not Bochy on this one. "Try not to have a good time ... This is supposed to be educational."- Charles Schulz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korkie Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 The Padres gave him permission to interview w/ SF. How is that selfish? "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."Dr. Kelso: My son is a big baseball fan. Not so much playing it, but more the designing and sewing of uniforms.Tyler: That's neat.Dr. Kelso: No, it's not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 The Padres gave him permission to interview w/ SF. How is that selfish?It's true. More puzzling than anything else, if you ask me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STL FANATIC Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 No, I agree with Will.This is a little too reminiscent of Bill Selfish's jump to Kansas. JUSTIN STRIEBEL | PORTFOLIO | RESUME | CONTACT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTank Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Did the Padres get compensation? I dont like when this happens either, unless theres a compensation deal. www.sportsecyclopedia.com For the best in sports history go to the Sports E-Cyclopedia at http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Do you really think that Bochy would make a difference as manager in the Giants? It's great to be young and a Giant! - Larry Doyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee. Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 The Padres told him they wouldn't offer him an extension, and that he was free to interview elsewhere.Selfish? Nope, given that ...San Francisco received permission from the Padres on Wednesday to talk to Bochy, who traveled to the Bay Area on Thursday to meet with Sabean and other team officials. They negotiated into the night before reaching a deal -- and the Padres will not receive any compensation from San Francisco.Cut and dried, welcome to the Giants, Bruce. Welcome to DrunjFlix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tp49 Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Not selfish at all. The Padres would not give him a contract extension and allowed him to pursue other options. From what the Padres did it also seems that they were probably not going to offer Bochy a new contract and allowing him to walk then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiddySicks Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Do you really think that Bochy would make a difference as manager in the Giants?Hell no. If you ask me that was a pretty dog stupid move by San Francisco. Seriously, what has this guy ever done? On 11/19/2012 at 7:23 PM, oldschoolvikings said: She’s still half convinced “Chris Creamer” is a porn site.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJ Sands Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Do you really think that Bochy would make a difference as manager in the Giants?Hell no. If you ask me that was a pretty dog stupid move by San Francisco. Seriously, what has this guy ever done?Four division championships and the 1998 NL pennant...Yeah, nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiddySicks Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Do you really think that Bochy would make a difference as manager in the Giants?Hell no. If you ask me that was a pretty dog stupid move by San Francisco. Seriously, what has this guy ever done?Four division championships and the 1998 NL pennant...Yeah, nothing.So? He won the weak ass NL West four times and got dominated in the World Series almost a decade ago. Giants management has been backpeadeling since the final out of the 02 World Series and this shows it. Id love it if theyd try to pick up a young vibrant manager rather than recycle old washed up hacks. Same goes with players. There were too many ther better candidates out there to waste their time and money on bruce Bochy. But hell, maybe they feel having a manager who is so familiar with other NL West opponents is sufficient. Im sure this conversation is gonna come back to bite me in the ass sometime soon. On 11/19/2012 at 7:23 PM, oldschoolvikings said: She’s still half convinced “Chris Creamer” is a porn site.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-kj Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 So? He won the weak ass NL West four times...Isn't that the same division the Giants are in? Unless the Giants won all the division titles that his team didn't, I say he's done pretty well in comparison to who the Giants have previously employed. Buy some t-shirts and stuff at KJ Shop! KJ Branded | Behance portfolio POTD 2013-08-22 On 7/14/2012 at 2:20 AM, tajmccall said: When it comes to style, ya'll really should listen to Kev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Do you really think that Bochy would make a difference as manager in the Giants?Hell no. If you ask me that was a pretty dog stupid move by San Francisco. Seriously, what has this guy ever done?Four division championships and the 1998 NL pennant...Yeah, nothing.So? He won the weak ass NL West four times and got dominated in the World Series almost a decade ago. Giants management has been backpeadeling since the final out of the 02 World Series and this shows it. Id love it if theyd try to pick up a young vibrant manager rather than recycle old washed up hacks. Same goes with players. There were too many ther better candidates out there to waste their time and money on bruce Bochy. But hell, maybe they feel having a manager who is so familiar with other NL West opponents is sufficient. Im sure this conversation is gonna come back to bite me in the ass sometime soon.I think the same thing than bucfan56.Bochy made those accomplishments guiding the Padres but given the long history of the Giants, it's not enough trying to win some division titles and one pennant for the Jints.Until manager Bill Terry, the Giants had a pretty history winning with some regularity, but since him, the Giants are very sporadic... a handful of pennants and a sole World Series (when they were playing in Polo Grounds!!!).The Giants must change all the system, not simply changing the manager.That's why I believe that Bochy will not make some difference being the Jints' skipper. It's great to be young and a Giant! - Larry Doyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dahatman Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 Do you really think that Bochy would make a difference as manager in the Giants?Hell no. If you ask me that was a pretty dog stupid move by San Francisco. Seriously, what has this guy ever done? Actually, it was a very smart move. Bochy was through two rebuilding phases in San Diego and knows how to work with and treat younger players. The Giants need to look to the future of the ballclub. I believe that they were close to having the oldest average age roster in MLB. Magowan and Sabean decided, and rightfully so, to break it down and start again. Also, given the weakness of the division, they could be contenders within a year or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 You may be right but I'm still thinking that the whole system there is rotten. The Giants must give more attention to the minors. If Bochy and the general manager will encourage the minors, for me that's OK. It's great to be young and a Giant! - Larry Doyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.