Bruce Bochy At The Top Of His Profession

Giants fans already know it, and the world has been his stage three out of the last six years. But Bruce Bochy is currently showing why he is baseball’s best manager.

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Tonight’s 7-6 comeback win to the Pittsburgh Pirates was full of examples of ways Bruce Bochy gives the San Francisco Giants an edge.

His ability to push all the right buttons and command respect to his authority should not go without praise.

Jeff Samardzija is a very proud pitcher. Proud pitchers sometimes have an issue with a manager pulling them early in games when they have plenty left in the tank, even if their stuff is lacking a bit.

But everyone respects Bochy’s decisions because, for good or for bad, they are made primarily for the success of the team. And a team player (which is what Bobby Evans and staff specifically target) will always fall in line when they know that there has been sustained success.

Even the minor dust-up with Santiago Casilla was kept minor due to the managerial skills that Bochy possesses. He never throws any player under the bus. Players can’t help but respect that.

Last night, Conor Gillaspie went 4-5 with 4 runs driven in. Tonight, against a tough lefty, Bochy inserted Ramiro Pena who delivered a 2-5 evening with 2 runs batted in, and scoring the tying run in the 6th. And who was it who scored the go-ahead run on Joe Panik‘s double? Pinch-hitter Jarrett Parker, another move Bochy made at the right time.

And now comes the part that really sets him apart.

The Bullpen.

It’s like a field full of landmines right now trying to figure out match ups. An early exit by a starter on this team actually means we get to see a master at his craft. Playing his bullpen and bench like chess pieces, knowing that a move in the sixth can have huge implications in the eighth.

This current roster, even with all the injuries they have had to endure, is thriving. It’s a system built by Larry Baer, Brian Sabean, and Evans. But the driver is the key to this team’s success.

Having six players on the disabled list from your opening day roster (not including the time missed by Angel Pagan and George Kontos), would absolutely cripple most clubs. But the Giants have actually turned it on over the last couple of weeks in the absence of Hunter Pence.

That is no slight on the importance of Pence, he was in the mix for an All-Star spot had he stayed on the pace he was. But it is more of a reflection of the job Bochy does. Putting together line ups that make sense, and putting players and pitchers in a position to succeed.

All Giants fans should be extremely thankful for the chance to watch this man do his work. And for those that manage teams of their own, this is a great opportunity to learn the right way to handle a team.

Next: Gillaspie Shines

Thanks Boch!

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