Bruce Bochy looks like the neighborhood bartender, the kind of stand-up guy who would drive his last customer home after a long night. His voice and stubble belong in a 1950s western. Smart money says he is great poker player. He knows what he knows, but he doesn’t let the manager in the other dugout know it.
Bochy isn’t a mastermind like Tony La Russa. Or a master motivator like Tommy Lasorda. Bochy isn’t Columbo. He’s Andy Taylor. It is an over-simplification, but — Bochy gets good ballplayers, treats them well and they win.
The San Francisco Giants won their third World Series championship in five seasons last night with a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, cementing Bochy as the most successful manager in baseball.
He is one of 10 managers who have won three championships. The other nine are in the Hall of Fame. Stengel, McCarthy, Mack, Alston, Torre, McGraw, La Russa, Huggins, Sparky … Bochy.
Bochy knows how to manage a bullpen. In his 12 seasons with the Padres, Bochy’s closer was Trevor Hoffman, who retired as the all-time saves leader. With the Giants, Bochy has deployed a different closer during each World Series run — Brian Wilson in 2010, Sergio Romo in 2012 and Santiago Casilla for most of this October. But Jeremy Affeldt may be the team’s best reliever. The 35-year-old entered last night’s game in the second inning and pitched 2.1 shutout innings, his longest outing in two years. He was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 11.2 innings during this postseason. He has pitched 22 consecutive scoreless innings in the playoffs.
Bochy gets the most out of veteran hitters, too. Phil Nevin, Ryan Klesko and Mark Loretta all had career years with the Padres. Tony Gwynn was a better hitter in his 30s than his 20s. Rickey Henderson scored 110 runs in 1996, when he was 37 years old. In 2010, Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell, both 33, each had impressive seasons.
Bochy made a gutsy call in last night’s Game 7, bringing Madison Bumgarner out of the bullpen on two days’ rest. Bumgarner threw 68 pitches in five shutout innings to save the game and the series. He shut out the Royals in Game 5 on 117 pitches. He gave up one run in seven innings in Game 1. That’s one run in 21 innings for the series. Mathewson, Hubbell, Koufax … Bumgarner.
The Cubs have reportedly hired Joe Maddon as their next manager. Maddon, who opted out of his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays last week, was a coveted free agent. He accepts advanced metrics as fact and maintains a loose clubhouse. He would have been an upgrade for every team in baseball — except for the Giants.
— Kevin Brewer
October 30, 2014
October 11, 2014
2014 National League awards
Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw beat the Diamondbacks on Opening Day in Australia, threw a no-hitter against the Rockies and pitched 41 consecutive scoreless innings. Josh Beckett, Tim Lincecum and Jordan Zimmermann also threw no-hitters.
Babe Ruth Award | Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers. 21-3, 1.77 ERA, 239 Ks, BBs
2. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
3. Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
4. Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers
5. Buster Posey, Giants
Walter Johnson Award | Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers. 21-3, 1.77 ERA, 239 Ks, BBs
Jackie Robinson Award | Jacob deGrom, Mets. 9-6, 2.69 ERA, 144 Ks, 43 BBs
Connie Mack Award | Matt Williams, Nationals. 96-66, .593
2. Don Mattingly, Dodgers
3. Bruce Bochy, Giants
Catcher | Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers. 13 HRs, 69 RBIs, .301 batting, .373 on-base, .465 slugging, 53 doubles. Best hitter | Buster Posey, Giants. Best fielder | Yadier Molina, Cardinals.
2. Buster Posey, Giants
3. Devin Mesoraco, Reds
First base | Anthony Rizzo, Cubs. 32 HRs, 78 RBIs, .286 batting, .386 on-base, .527 slugging, 15 HBPs. Best fielder | Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers.
Second base | Chase Utley, Phillies. 11 HRs, 78 RBIs, .270 batting, .339 on-base, .407 slugging, 13 HBPs. Best fielder | DJ LeMahieu, Rockies.
Third base | Anthony Rendon, Nationals. 21 HRs, 83 RBIs, .287 batting, .351 on-base, .473 slugging, 111 runs. Best fielder | Rendon.
Shortstop | Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals. 21 HRs, 75 RBIs, .263 batting, .336 on-base, .443 slugging. Best hitter | Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies. Best fielder | Andrelton Simmons, Atlanta.
Left field | Matt Holliday, Cardinals. 20 HRs, 90 RBIs, .272 batting, .370 on-base, .441 slugging, 17 HBPs.
Center field | Andrew McCutchen, Pirates. 25 HRs, 83 RBIs, .314 batting, .410 on-base, .542 slugging, 10 HBPs. Best fielder | Juan Lagares, Mets.
2. Carlos Gomez, Brewers
Right field | Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins. 37 HRs, 105 RBIs, .288 batting, .395 on-base, .555 slugging. Best fielder | Jason Heyward, Atlanta.
2. Jason Heyward, Atlanta
Starting rotation
1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers. 21-3, 1.77 ERA, 239 Ks, 31 BBs
2. Johnny Cueto, Reds. 20-9, 2.25 ERA, 242 Ks, 65 BBs
3. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals. 20-9, 2.38 ERA, 179 Ks, 50 BBs
4. Cole Hamels, Phillies. 9-9, 2.46 ERA, 198 Ks, 59 BBs
5. Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals. 14-5, 2.66 ERA, 182 Ks, 29 BBs
6. Tanner Roark, Nationals
7. Madison Bumgarner, Giants
Closer | Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta. 0-3, 1.61 ERA, 47 saves, 95 Ks
2. Mark Melancon, Pirates
3. Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies
Goodbye | The Greatest Hitter of All Time, 1960-2014
— Kevin Brewer
October 10, 2014
2014 American League awards
Albert Pujols hit his 500th home run against the Nationals. Edwin Encarnacion hit 16 home runs in May. Rangers manager Ron Washington resigned. Derek Jeter had a walk-off single in his final at-bat at Yankee Stadium.
Babe Ruth Award | Mike Trout, Angels. 36 HRs, 111 RBIs, .287/.377/.561, 115 runs
2. Robinson Cano, Mariners
3. Michael Brantley, Cleveland
4. Josh Donaldson, Athletics
5. Jose Altuve, Astros
Walter Johnson Award | Corey Kluber, Cleveland. 18-9, 2.44 ERA, 269 Ks, 51 BBs
Jackie Robinson Award | Jose Abreu, White Sox. 36 HRs, 107 RBIs, .317/.383/.581
Connie Mack Award | Mike Scioscia, Angels. 98-64, .605
2. Buck Showalter, Orioles
3. Lloyd McClendon, Mariners
Catcher | Yan Gomes, Cleveland. 21 HRs, 74 RBIs, .278/.313/.472. Best fielder | Salvador Perez, Royals.
First base | Jose Abreu, White Sox. 36 HRs, 107 RBIs, .317/.383/.581. Best fielder | Chris Davis, Orioles.
2. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers.
Second base | Robinson Cano, Mariners. 14 HRs, 82 RBIs, .314/.382/.454. Best hitter | Jose Altuve, Astros. Best fielder | Ian Kinsler, Tigers.
2. Jose Altuve, Astros
3. Howie Kendrick, Angels
4. Ian Kinsler, Tigers
Third base | Josh Donaldson, Athletics. 29 HRs, 98 RBIs, .255/.342/.456. Best hitter | Adrian Beltre, Rangers. Best fielder | Donaldson
2. Adrian Beltre, Rangers
3. Kyle Seager, Mariners
Shortstop | Erick Aybar, Angels. 7 HRs, 68 RBIs, .278/.321/.379/. Best fielder | J.J. Hardy, Orioles.
Left field | Michael Brantley, Cleveland. 20 HRs, 97 RBIs, .327/.385/.506, 200 hits, 45 doubles. Best fielder | Alex Gordon, Royals.
2. Alex Gordon, Royals
Center field | Mike Trout, Angels. 36 HRs, 111 RBIs, .287/.377/.561, 115 runs. Best fielder | Lorenzo Cain, Royals.
2. Adam Jones, Orioles
Right field | Jose Bautista, Blue Jays. 35 HRs, 103 RBIs, .286/.403/.524, 101 runs, 104 walks. Best fielder | Josh Reddick, Athletics.
Designated hitter | Victor Martinez, Tigers. 32 HRs, 103 RBIs, .335/.409/.565
Starting rotation
1. Corey Kluber, Cleveland. 18-9, 2.44 ERA, 269 Ks, 51 BBs
2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners. 15-6, 2.14 ERA, 248 Ks, 46 BBs
3. Chris Sale, White Sox. 12-4, 2.17 ERA, 208 Ks, 39 BBs
4. Max Scherzer, Tigers. 18-5, 3.15 ERA, 252 Ks, 63 BBs
5. Jon Lester, Red Sox-Athletics. 16-11, 2.46 ERA, 220 Ks, 48 BBs
6. David Price, Rays-Tigers
7. Dallas Keuchel, Astros
Setup man | Wade Davis, Royals. 9-2, 1.00 ERA, 3 saves, 109 Ks
2. Dellin Betances, Yankees.
Closer | Zach Britton, Orioles. 3-2, 1.65 ERA, 37 saves, 62 Ks
2. Greg Holland, Royals.
— Kevin Brewer
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