Texas Rangers go with experience in hiring former SF Giants manager

Bruce Bochy is back in baseball! Well, he never really left. He remained with the SF Giants in an advisory role after his stint as manager ended in 2019. The Texas Rangers have hired the longtime manager as they go with experience to help turn the organization around.

Texas Rangers go with experience in hiring former SF Giants manager

Bochy reportedly met with Rangers general manager Chris Young last week to discuss the Rangers' managerial vacancy. Given his experience and résumé, there really was not a better candidate for Texas.

In a surprising reorganization, the Rangers parted ways with manager Chris Woodward midway through his fourth season with the club. However, that was not the only change that was made as Jon Daniels was let go from his position as team president of baseball operations. Daniels had worked in the Rangers' front office since 2005.

Chris Young and Bochy previously crossed paths in their respective baseball journeys. The 13-year veteran pitched with the San Diego Padres earlier in his career while Bochy was the manager. The familiarity likely helped in the recruiting process.

Bochy began managing the Padres in 1995. He became the Giants' manager in 2007, which was the start of the championship run. With the Giants, he won 1,052 games in 13 seasons including three World Series championships.

He managed the Giants during a time when the offense was often inconsistent but they were excellent situational hitters. The pitching, defense, and fundamentals are what stood out during his tenure as Giants manager and those were often the reasons they won games. The margins were always slim but he was typically at his best during those times.

By the time his Giants tenure ended in 2019, Bochy was one of 11 managers in baseball history to reach the 2,000-win threshold. Dusty Baker has since joined him during his time with the Houston Astros.

Even if he manages through a couple of subpar seasons with the Rangers, Bochy will likely surpass Leo Derocher (2,008 wins), Walter Alston (2,040 wins), and Joe McCarthy (2,125 wins) on the all-time wins list.

He takes over a team that won just 68 games in 2022, so the Rangers will need to have patience with Bochy in turning the organization around. However, Texas' ownership invested a total of $500 million combined in shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien last winter, so they will be motivated to return to winning sooner rather than later.

While much of baseball has favored analytics when choosing a manager, it is refreshing to see a team like Texas go with experience. Certain traits can be quantified, but the instincts that come with 25 years of managerial experience cannot be easily quantified or replaced.