Bruce Bochy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bruce Bochy
Bochy in 2017
Texas Rangers – No. 15
Catcher / Manager
Born: (1955-04-16) April 16, 1955 (age 70) Landes de Boussac, Bussac-Forêt, France
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
July 19, 1978, for the Houston Astros
Last appearance
October 4, 1987, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics (through September 29, 2024)
Batting average	.239
Home runs	26
Runs batted in	93
Managerial record	2,171–2,185
Winning %	.498
Teams
As player Houston Astros (1978–1980) New York Mets (1982) San Diego Padres (1983–1987) As manager San Diego Padres (1995–2006) San Francisco Giants (2007–2019) Texas Rangers (2023–present) As coach San Diego Padres (1993–1994)
Career highlights and awards
4× World Series champion (2010, 2012, 2014, 2023) NL Manager of the Year (1996)

Bruce Douglas Bochy (born April 16, 1955) is a famous French-American baseball manager. He used to be a catcher (a player who squats behind home plate) in Major League Baseball (MLB). Today, he manages the Texas Rangers.

During his playing days, Bochy caught for the Houston Astros, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres. After he stopped playing, he became a manager. He led the Padres for 12 seasons and the San Francisco Giants for 13 seasons. As a manager, Bochy has won four World Series championships. He won three with the Giants (in 2010, 2012, and 2014). He also led the Texas Rangers to their first World Series win in 2023.

Bruce Bochy is one of only three managers to win a World Series in both the National League and American League. He is also the 11th manager in MLB history to reach 2,000 wins. He was the first manager born in Europe to win the World Series.

Early Life and College

Bruce Bochy was born in France on April 16, 1955. His father was in the U.S. Army and was stationed there. As a kid, Bruce moved around a lot with his family. They lived in places like the Panama Canal Zone, South Carolina, and Virginia. Eventually, they settled in Melbourne, Florida.

Bruce went to Melbourne High School. He also played baseball at Brevard Community College. In 1975, his college team won a state championship.

Playing Career

Becoming a Pro Player

Bruce Bochy was first picked by the Chicago White Sox in the 1975 MLB draft. But he didn't sign with them. Later that year, the Houston Astros drafted him, and he decided to become a professional baseball player.

Playing in the Major Leagues

Bochy played as a catcher for the Houston Astros from 1978 to 1980. He then played for the New York Mets in 1982.

In 1983, he joined the San Diego Padres. He was a backup catcher for the Padres. In 1984, the Padres won their first National League championship. Bruce played in one game of the 1984 World Series.

On July 1, 1985, Bruce hit a special home run. It was a "walk-off" home run against famous pitcher Nolan Ryan. This means it won the game in the last inning. It was the only walk-off home run Ryan ever allowed in his career. Bruce Bochy played his last game as a professional player in 1987. In his career, he hit 26 home runs.

Coaching and Managing Career

Starting in the Minor Leagues

After he stopped playing, Bruce Bochy became a coach. He started managing teams in the minor leagues for the San Diego Padres. He led some of these teams to championships. For example, he won the California League title in 1991.

Managing the San Diego Padres (1995–2006)

In 1995, the San Diego Padres chose Bochy to be their new manager. He was only 39 years old, making him the youngest manager in the National League.

In 1996, his second year, Bochy led the Padres to win their division. He was named the National League Manager of the Year. In 1998, he led the Padres to the 1998 World Series. Even though they lost to the New York Yankees, it was a great achievement for the team.

Bochy led the Padres to win their division again in 2005 and 2006. He is the manager with the most wins and losses in Padres history.

Bochy with the Padres in 2006

Managing the San Francisco Giants (2007–2019)

In 2007, Bruce Bochy became the manager of the San Francisco Giants. On August 8, 2007, he won his 1,000th game as a manager.

In 2010, Bochy led the Giants to win their division. They then went on to win the 2010 World Series! This was the first World Series championship for the city of San Francisco. It was also the first for the Giants team since 1954.

Bochy talks with Willie Mays and President Barack Obama at the White House in 2011

Two years later, in 2012, Bochy managed the Giants to another World Series win. They swept the Detroit Tigers in four games. He became the first National League manager to win two World Series in just three years.

Bochy holding the Commissioner's Trophy after the 2012 World Series

In 2014, Bochy led the Giants to their third World Series championship in five years. They beat the Kansas City Royals in an exciting seven-game series. This made him one of only ten managers in MLB history to win three championships. The other nine are all in the Baseball Hall of Fame!

Bochy presenting President Barack Obama with a baseball jersey in 2015

On September 25, 2017, Bochy won his 900th game as manager of the San Francisco Giants. This made him the first manager in Major League history to win 900 games with two different teams.

In February 2019, Bochy announced he would retire after the 2019 season. On September 18, 2019, he won his 2,000th career game as a Major League manager. He is only the eleventh manager to reach 2,000 wins. All the other ten are in the Hall of Fame.

Bochy managed his final game for the Giants on September 29, 2019. The team and fans held a special ceremony to thank him. He finished his Giants career with three World Series titles.

Managing the Texas Rangers (2023–Present)

After a short retirement, Bruce Bochy decided to manage again. On October 21, 2022, the Texas Rangers hired him as their new manager.

Bochy managing in 2023

In 2023, Bochy led the Texas Rangers to the 2023 World Series. They beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games to win the championship! This was the first World Series title for the Rangers team. It also made Bochy the fifth manager to win a World Series with different teams. He is now one of only six managers in MLB history to win four championships.

President Joe Biden with Bochy and the Texas Rangers in 2024

Managerial Record

Here's a look at Bruce Bochy's record as a manager: As of September 29,  2024 (2024 -09-29)^[update]

Personal Life

Bruce Bochy is the third of four children. His older brother, Joe, also played baseball in the minor leagues.

Bruce met his wife, Kim Seib, in college in 1975. They got married in 1978. They have two sons, Greg and Brett. Both of his sons also played minor league baseball. His younger son, Brett Bochy, even played for the Giants when Bruce was the manager. This made Bruce the seventh manager in MLB history to manage his own son.

Bruce Bochy is known for having a very large hat size, 8 1/8. Because of this, his nickname when he played for the Astros was "Headly."

Bruce has had some heart health issues. He has had procedures to help his heart beat regularly.

In 2011, the baseball field at Brevard Community College was named Bruce Bochy Field in his honor. In 2015, he wrote a book called A Book of Walks. It describes his favorite walks in different baseball cities.

See also

In Spanish: Bruce Bochy para niños

• List of Major League Baseball managers with most career ejections
• List of Major League Baseball managers with most career wins
• List of second-generation Major League Baseball players