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SanFrancisco Chronicle and SFChronicle.com | Sunday, September 1, 2019 | Section C xxxxx
WALKOFF Bruce Bochy’s Final Season
Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Being Bruce Bochy A day in the life of a manager living a dream
By John Shea Editor’s note night’s game, continue communicat ing about the roster. Bruce Bochy eats his oatmeal with In this fourth in- stallment of a five- The Giants manager is sitting in a blueberries and almond butter in his part series covering leather chair in front of a window China Basin condo Tuesday morn Bruce Bochy’s final overlooking gorgeous views of the ing while texting with his boss season, the Giants manager permitted bay, harbor and ballpark. about a major roster shakeup. a Chronicle reporter The location is extremely conve This day is busier than most be and photographer to nient. When Bochy managed the cause the Giants are making six observe a day in his Padres, he drove 25 miles from the life. transactions, including the promo family home in Poway to Petco tion of Mauricio Dubon, the team’s Park, and now he’s so close to the hotshot infield prospect, and the Giants manager Bruce Bochy yard that he’ll walk across the street release of second baseman Scooter kisses his wife, on offdays to use the workout facil Gennett. The moves won’t be an Kim, in their ities. nounced until 2:30 p.m., and Bochy China Basin condo “This place is perfect,” Bochy says. and president of baseball operations before walking across King Street “I can’t imagine I made that drive Farhan Zaidi, who had discussed to work at Oracle from Poway every day.” them at Oracle Park after Monday Park. Walkoff continues on C8
YANKEES 4, A’S 3 STANFORD 17, NORTHWESTERN 7 Solo homers prove Cardinal win opener, but lose QB
Oakland’s undoing By Rusty Simmons 1 Stanford soaked afternoon on The Farm, beat: Coach Shaw loved the resolve his players Stanford’s David Shaw mostly David Shaw says showed on the sideline and how that By Susan Slusser theme of the game today,” handed out B and C grades to his game plan translated onto the field. Oakland starter Homer Bai position groups after Saturday’s 177, against USC next “One of the things you want as a NEW YORK — Blake Trei ley said. “Solo shots.” seasonopening victory over North weekend won’t coach is: When things are difficult, I nen and Lou Trivino both had Matt Chapman nearly put western, but the No. 25 Cardinal did change if QB K.J. don’t have to turn into Knute Rock better outings on Saturday, a the A’s ahead in the 10th with earn one Aplus from their head Costello can’t ne. I don’t have to do all of the talk welcome development for the a drive to deep right, but the coach. play. C10 ing. The talking should come from A’s. Unfortunately for the A’s, 6foot7 Judge made the grab While nursing a 107 lead for most the players,” Shaw said. “… There DJ LeMahieu hit a walkoff at the top of the wall. “I had of the final 7½ minutes of a sun Stanfordcontinues on C10 homer in the 11th off Trivino, my hopes up,” he said, adding who was in his third inning of of Judge, “It doesn’t help the work. guy is 7 feet tall.” The bigger issue for the A’s The A’s left the bases load CAL 27, UC DAVIS 13 in their 43 loss Saturday was ed in the sixth, seventh and an inability to hit with men in eighth innings, and left two scoring position, which on in the ninth. Oakland went After sloppy half, Bears prevail reared up in four consecutive 1for10 with men in scoring innings even as Aaron Judge position and stranded 15 in tied it in the eighth with a all. By Michael Wagaman 1 Pac-12 downs, both to Kekoa Crawford. Greg shot off Joakim Soria. The “They were running some roundup: True Thomas kicked two field goals, in Yankees beat Oakland for the pretty good pitchers out Christopher Brown Jr.rushed for a freshman cluding a careerbest 47yarder,as the first time in five games this there, too,” A’s manager Bob careerhigh 197 yards and a touch quarterback Bo Bears won their third consecutive season; all of their runs Sat Melvin said. “Youleave 15 on, down in his first start, and host Cal Nix throws a opener under coach Justin Wilcox. urday came on solo homers. it comes back to bite you at overcame a sloppy first half to beat touchdown pass Cal won despite four turnovers, “That was kind of the A’scontinues on C5 UC Davis 2713 in its season opener with nine sec- including a fumble by Ashtyn Davis Saturday. onds left to give on the opening kickoff. That set up a Chase Garbersshrugged off two No. 16 Auburn a short touchdown run by Ulonzo 1 A’s beat: Sean Manaea to start Sunday against Yankees, with turnovers and completed 16 of 28 win over No. 11 Gilliam Jr. and the Aggies went up Oregon. C11 Mike Fiers’ next start moved to Tuesday. C6 passes for 238 yards and two touch Cal continues on C10 C8 | Sunday, September 1, 2019 | SFChronicle.com XXXXX SPORTS
Photos by Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Giants manager Bruce Bochy kicks back in his condo near Oracle Park in the morning before a busy day of transactions and baseball in San Francisco. A day in the life of Giants’ Bochy
Walkoff from page C1 managed his first game in “Hey, what’s going on?” 1989 for the Spokane Indians Bochy asks. On the Embarcadero, many of the Class A Northwest “How are ya?” the kid re hours before every Giants League. sponds. game, Bochy takes the walk They meet for four min he had never anticipated, the 12:21 p.m. utes, a short but upbeat ses walk that was too farfetched After slipping on his uni sion in which Bochy congrat to be a dream. Too unimagin form, Bochy sits behind his ulates Dubon, makes him feel able to be real. desk and reaches for his line at home and lets him know, The walk along Second up card. Longtime clubhouse “Just be ready.” Somewhere Street and across King Street. man Mike Murphy, who’s along the line, Dubon’s nick The walk over two streetcar playing Frank Sinatra tunes name is revealed. And for a tracks in front of statues of on the sound system, emerges reporter, he spells it. Orlando Cepeda and Gaylord from his nearby office. Bochy “DUBI,” he says, pro Perry below a giant promo says, “Murph, you the man. I nouncing it “Doobie.” tional poster of Madison need you to do the lineup.” Bochy says, “Dubi, that’s a Bumgarner. The walk to a Of course, Bochy does it. good name in this city.” place he never expected when Like always. He had come up 3:45 p.m. he got his first minor league with an order the night be It’s a short commute across King Street for Bochy, who often managing gig in 1989. fore, so it’s a formality. goes to the yard on offdays to use the workout facilities. Broadcaster Mike Krukow A bigleague ballpark. A Against righthander Mike walks in, asks Bochy for a manager’s office. And the Leake, Bochy’s inserting five scouting report on Dubon and final stages of a Hall of Fame lefthanded batters, including boasts that the infielder grew career. catcher Stephen Vogt over up a Giants fan. “I didn’t see myself manag struggling Buster Posey. “He knew who I was,” ing in the major leagues,” Bochy writes in Mike Yastr Krukow beamed. Bochy says from the condo in zemski at leadoff even though a King Street tower, accompa the outfielder’s wrist is sensi 3:54 p.m. nied by his wife of 41 years, tive two days after getting Groeschner reappears and Kim. “I would’ve been happy plunked. A change could be gives Bochy the latest medical staying in the minor leagues. made later. update to relay to the media. That’s how much I loved it.” The subject of analytics The MRI exam shows reliever When Kim mentions surfaces, and Bochy calls Trevor Gott has a mildly they’ve accumulated a “ton of Michael Schwartze, baseball strained right flexor tendon stuff” since moving in seven operations analyst, into his and a Grade 1 sprain of his years ago, Bruce says, “We’ll office to explain to a couple of ulnar collateral ligament. He’s look like the Clampetts driv visitors how he provides data to be shut down for two ing home.” to players and coaches that weeks but possibly could A month of regularseason aids their performance and pitch again before season’s games remain for the 64year strategy. Schwartze spends end. Johnny Cueto came out old threetime World Series entire games in a room next Bochy checks in with the team’s analytics staff, one of many of his rehab start fine and champion. When it’s over, the to Bochy’s office crunching meetings before that day’s game. “I’ll miss this,” Bochy said of will make one more before Bochys will return to Poway. the numbers. the ballpark he calls “home, sweet home.” joining the Giants. Yastrzem And then? To be determined. “I’ll be in there sitting with ski’s officially a go. “We don’t know where him next year,” quipped Bo we’ll be living. We don’t have chy, who added, “Players are 4 p.m. any plans,” says Kim, sup intrigued by it. They want to Accompanied by Chisholm, portive, upbeat and accommo know. They’re curious. They Bochy leaves his office, exits dating to her husband’s ca want to get better. Most of the clubhouse, walks down reer. “We didn’t want to have them are all in.” the steps toward the indoor that on our minds. After the Beyond managing the game, batting cage and up more season, we can decide all Bochy fills countless roles steps to the dugout, where 19 that.” throughout the day. It seems media members wait for his For now, there’s a game to everyone needs a piece of his daily pregame briefing. win. time, and he accommodates. The questions focus on Gott’s and Cueto’s conditions, 12:10 p.m. 1 p.m. Gennett’s release and the Bochy kisses Kim, rides the The flood of meetings con plans for Dubon and fellow elevator to the lobby, takes tinues. Bochy consults with newcomer Tyler Rogers. Bo the walk across the street, pitching coaches Curt Yo ung chy has all the answers. enters the ballpark, saunters and Matt Herges to review The Chronicle’s Henry down a long hallway, turns Monday’s game and see who’s Schulman asks whether the right into the home clubhouse available in the bullpen, train Giants are waving the white and makes an immediate left er Dave Groeschner to get the Bochy writes out a lineup card in his Oracle Park office before flag on the season by replac into his office. first of several medical up a game, something he has done more than 2,000 times since he ing a veteran second baseman It’s only six minutes door dates, and media relations became the manager of the Giants in 2007. with an untested prospect. to door but a lifetime of director Matt Chisholm to go Without hesitation, Bochy achievements to get there. He over the manager’s schedule, says it’s actually “the oppo turns on the lights, and it including any interview re eligibility. Losing in Baseball, Business, site,” suggesting it could be an begins. quests. Through it all, Bochy finds and Life.” He’ll sign more of upgrade and reminding that “Home, sweet home,” Bochy Bochy also phones Gennett, 20 minutes to ride a station the books authored by Kevin Gennett missed much of the says 6½ hours before Tuesday who had left the clubhouse ary bike and eat lunch — and Jackie Freiberg later, 160 season and wasn’t exactly night’s game against the Dia Monday night before the clam chowder, for starters, in all. That’s how many the raking. Dubon will gettime at mondbacks. “I’ll miss this.” brass could talk with him. prepared by a team chef. Commonwealth Club pur second and short. “This” is his office. But also Bochy explains it was a mat chased for his soldout Sept. his job. His career. His jour ter of pivoting to a younger 3:10 p.m. 14 appearance. 4:10 p.m. ney. His players. His coaches. mix of Dubon and Donovan Chisholm is in Bochy’s The news conference ends. His successes. Even his fail Solano and giving Gennett a office having him sign dozens 3:30 p.m. Most of the beat writers with ures. He’ll miss it all because chance to join a team before of copies of “Bochy Ball! The Dubon peeks his head into draw to post updates on their it’s all he has known since he Sunday’sdeadline for playoff Chemistry of Winning and the office. popular Twitter accounts. XXXXX SFChronicle.com | Sunday, September 1, 2019 | C9
Photos by Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Giants manager Bruce Bochy draws a crowd of reporters before and after every game. Now 64, he’s managed more than 4,000 games in the major leagues.
Two of Bochy’s favorites, Janie calls his son Brett to wish husband across the street. It McCauley of the Associated him a happy birthday and could be hours, especially Press and Manolo Hernandez makes final preparations for with latenight meetings. Or it Douen of beisbolporgotas. his 4,002nd game in which could be a bit quicker, like blogspot.com, prefer to chew he’s aiming for his 1,992nd Tuesday. the fat with him in offthe win. Either way, it’s still hard for record dialogue that includes Because of the grind of a her husband to get over a plenty of teasing and chuck baseball season, Bochy had loss, and no one knows better ling. Some of the beat writers’ little time to watch his boys, than Kim. most memorable times with both pitchers, play ball — that “I hope he gets a lot of it Bochy come after the cameras was Kim’s duty, and she car out in there,” she says, glanc are turned off and he shares ried it out faithfully. He saw ing at the clubhouse door. stories on various subjects, them play a handful of times “I’ve learned to just let him personal, professional or oth in Little League, rarely in process it all, let him do his erwise. high school and never in col thing. He did make a con lege. scious decision before this 4:14 p.m. Both pitched professionally, season that he would not let Bochy goes to his next sta but not until Brett joined the things get to him. tion at the far end of the dug Giants in late 2014 and 2015 Bochy fistbumps catcher Stephen Vogt before the Giants’ 32 “He was going to enjoy this out with NBC Sports Bay did Bruce get a chance to see loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. “You take year, win, lose or whatever, Area’s Alex Pavlovic, who him on a regular basis, and losses even harder as a manager than a player,” he said. and I do think he’s done a lot pulls out old baseball cards of he never was more nervous as better in that department. It Bochy and asks him to remi a manager. was really hard in those early nisce on camera. Brett, 32, is a realestate months, but he still handled it Probed about his 1980s agent in San Diego, and Greg, really, really well, I have to mustache featured on many 40, whose birthday was a day say.” cards, Bochy wisecracks that before Brett’s, is a San Fran Bruce emerges from the he’s not ruling out growing it cisco firefighter. clubhouse, and Kim greets back later in the year. Pavlovic “A bove all the accomplish him with a smile. The two flips around one card and ments he’s had with his job, I walk the long hallway to the notes Bochy had his only think the thing I’m most exit. stolen base with the 1986 proud of is we were able to “Good night, Mr. Bochy,” a Padres. raise our boys in a happy stadium employee says. An “Highlight of my career,” home even surrounded with other chimes in, “Good game.” says Bochy, adding he re all this craziness we live in,” Once outside, Bochy is turned to the dugout and got Kim says at the ballpark. spotted by a guy who always yelled at by manager Dick “That’s a big accomplish seems to be around. Williams, who was unaware ment.” “How ya doin’, Bruce,” he that thirdbase coach Harry Bruce figures to see his says. “I got Tyler Rogers’ Dunlop had flashed the steal family more in retirement. He autograph.” sign. “I didn’t rat out my has two grandkids and a third The Giants manager chats with umpires after presenting them “Hey, Wild Bill,” Bochy thirdbase coach.” on the way. with his lineup card before Tuesday’s game. The lineup was, says. “I let you down tonight, more or less, decided the previous night. Bill.” 4:21 p.m. 6:40 p.m. “It’s all right, we’ll beat San Bochy walks onto the field Bochy brings his lineup Diego. See you Thursday. and, as his custom, greets card to home plate and makes Enjoy tomorrow’s off day.” fans gathered in a ropedoff small talk with four umpires The Bochys walk across the area near the backstop. He and Jerry Narron, Arizona’s street toward the condo, and tells stories, poses for pictures bench coach who’s handing Bruce stops on the other side and signs autographs. over the Diamondbacks’ line to reflect. up. “You’ve got to remind your 4:30 p.m. self your sense of significance Jon Miller approaches for 6:45 p.m. can’t be with wins and loss Bochy’s daily pregame radio His arms over the rail at es,” he said. “You want to show. On the grass in foul the near corner of the dugout, win, but you can’t wear it too territory, Miller asks about Bochy watches Jeff Samardzija long. Family is the most im the moves and about whether throw the evening’s first pitch portant thing, family and getting younger means the to Jarrod Dyson, a cutter friends. These (losses) aren’t Giants are turning away from away for a ball. Dyson flies to easy. After the game, sure, it’s the wildcard race. Yastrzemski. Samardzija tough. Yo u go through the Bochy assures Miller he’s pitches five solid innings and game and say, ‘Well, what “going with the hotter hitter Rogers makes his debut with could I have done different to out there right now.” a wonderful 11pitch eighth Bochy and his wife, Kim, head home after a onerun loss to make a difference?’ After that After 6 minutes and 24 inning. But the bats are mea Arizona. The couple has been married for 41 years. … hey, it’s my son’s birthday. seconds, Miller wraps it up: ger once again. Five hits. There’s too much to be thank “GiantsD’backs on the radio The offense shows life in house. The first question is ing 95, and here he is throw ful for.” is next, and that’s today’s the eighth until a linedrive why the Giants have played ing 83, 84 from down there, At that point, Kim reminds Bochy.” double play ends the inning. the Diamondbacks so well in and he’s getting outs. That’s Bruce she has a banana cream Bochy throws up both arms. Arizona (73) yet so poorly at what it’s about.” pie for him, and what could 4:38 p.m. The Giants lose 32. Every home (27). be better? Bochy makes his way be one on the dugout rail retreats “We have not played at 9:46 p.m. “You’re going to have these hind the cage, where he to get his gear and head to the home as well as we should,” Bochy walks from the podi tough losses,” Bruce contin stands alongside hitting coach clubhouse. Except Bochy. He Bochy says. “I’ve said this so um to the clubhouse for some ues. “What’s important is how Alonzo Powell, broadcaster lingers a few extra moments, many times. Yo u try to ex rare down time. In a quiet you deal with them. The guys Duane Kuiper and exGiants mourning his 2,011th loss. He plain it, but you really can’t. moment, he says, “You take have done a good job of outfielder Randy Winn, finally disappears from view It’s really hard to make sense losses even harder as a man bouncing back. We’re off to among others, and watches once Brandon Crawford, of it. It’s baseball.” ager than a player.” As a play morrow, then we gotta bounce the end of batting practice. whose bouncer to second Bochy cracks a teeny smile er, his responsibility was to back.” Bochy later slips into the in ended the game, comes off the when asked about Rogers, a himself. As a manager, it’s to With that, the Bochys get in door cage to speak with Pow field. submarine pitcher who spent 25 players, the coaches and the elevator and call it a day. ell about particular hitters, three years in TripleA and the staff. including Posey. 9:41 p.m. whose twin brother, Taylor, Kim is in the family lounge John Shea is The San Francisco Bochy, after a coolingoff pitches for the Twins. outside the clubhouse, which Chronicle’s national baseball 5 p.m. period, again meets the me “I’m glad this kid’s getting a isn’t unusual. It’s a quick writer. Email: jshea@ Bochy reenters the club dia, this time in the interview chance,” Bochy said. “You walk home, but she likes to sfchronicle.com Twitter: house, where he eats dinner, room adjacent to the club normally look at guys throw wait it out and walk with her @JohnSheaHey