How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 32

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part thirty-two tells us of manager Bruce Bochy.

Bruce Bochy was born on April 16, 1955, in Landes de Boussac, France, as his father was currently stationed with the US Army there. He grew up in Virginia and also Melbourne, Florida, and he graduated from Melbourne High School, having played with Darrell Hammond from Saturday Night Live. For college, Bochy attended Brevard Community College before transferring to Florida State University. In 1975, he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round with the twenty-fourth overall pick of the supplemental draft. From 1978 to 1980, Bochy played catcher with the Astros, but only in a handful of games. He played in 1982 with the New York Mets after missing all of 1981, and then closed out his career with the San Diego Padres from 1983 to 1987. As a hitter, he compiled a career line of a .239 batting average, twenty-six home runs, and ninety-three runs batted in. He started managing with the Spokane Indians in 1989 in the Padres organization, before moving up to the Riverside Red Wave managerial position in their last year. He continued to the High Desert Mavericks as their first manager, and then was promoted to Wichita Wranglers for 1992. In 1995, Bochy made his first managerial job in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres. He was named the National League Manager of the Year in 1996, and led the Padres to the National League pennant in 1998. From 1995 to 2006, Bochy was with San Diego, but when the front office changed prior to the 2007 season, they allowed Bochy to be interviewed by San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean. He ultimately got the job, which he has held ever since. This allowed him to steer the course for the 2010 and 2012 World Series Championships won by the Giants. He is often credited with being one of the better matchup-based managers in the league, and manipulates the team as necessary to get wins. He is known to be in touch with his personnel, especially with members of the bullpen, and is well-liked for a casual-leaning and team-focused clubhouse. These attributes make him popular wherever he is, and behind the scenes, he is a humorous and outgoing person. Bochy is very wise in his managerial style, and because the players buy into his orders, he is able to have many successful teams, as evidenced by his 1454-1444 record.

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