© Kelley L Cox | 2016 Jun 8
The Giants first full-squad spring training workout took place on Monday morning. Before practice began, Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced that the 2019 season will, in fact, be his last. Following the announcement, current Giants, former Giants, and people around the league expressed their appreciation for Bochy. Tuesday evening, former Giants reliever Javier Lopez joined Tolbert and Lund to discuss his memories of the Giants manager.
Coming to the Giants in 2010 in a trade with the Pirates, Javier Lopez was heavily involved in all three of the Giants’ World Series wins. Before he was a Giant, Lopez recalled his impressions of Bochy from afar.
“First and foremost, he’s an intimidating dude”, Lopez said. “I’m sure he has one of the biggest heads you guys have seen. It’s one of the biggest, most hypnotic melons you’ve ever seen in your life and it’s like ‘that can’t be real’ and he’s also got two different color eyelashes and the whole thing throws you off. That’s what makes him so intimidating because he’s such a big dude and it’s like ’how did this guy catch?’, he’s monstrous.”
Bruce Bochy’s physical traits were intimidating enough for Lopez, but he recalls his managerial style standing out above all else.
“So as an opposing player watching this guy, I always thought he was on point with decision making, lineup construction and pitching changes in the National League, he’s so great for the National League.”
When asked about what makes Bochy so unique, Lopez talked about how he brought out the best in his players and used them in a way that showed he expected a lot out of them.
“I was thinking about the greatest moments I have with the guy, I thought about how he would bring out the best in me as a competitor. I think about some of the bullpens we had with me and (Santiago) Casilla and (Sergio) Romo, and to have us together for so long, it was so rare. Even when we were all doing our work, it was still a competition with Bochy to get us into the games.”
Bochy was not afraid to mix up his bullpen rotations if certain pitchers were not meeting his high standards, something that may not sit well with some other players around the league, but worked on the Giants.
“If I was struggling, Affeldt would be in the game in spots I would normally be in, and vise versa. He would do the same with Romo and Casilla and some of the players would take that and let it fester their competitive drive and emotions, while some guys take it and thrive. He expects a lot out of you, just like your parents do, and when you’re not doing it, he’s going to find someone else to do it.”
Some believe that Bochy (being an old-school manager) is a dying breed in today’s game of baseball. Lopez discussed what the future could hold for Bochy’s replacement following the 2019 season.
“He just wants to win ballgames, and that’s what I’m going to miss. The game is changing and there’s these sort of player-managers that are gonna sit down and have a few drinks with you, while the real managers are upstairs making the lineups. He’s a more in-the-moment kind of guy and those are the kind of things I’m going to miss more than anything.”
Aside from the competitive nature and intimidation Bochy gives off, Lopez really appreciated just how great of a person he is.
“He’s such a character, he’s one of the few guys I would really want people to meet and shake hands with, he’s got big ’ole mitts. He’s a big dude, but he’s got a tremendous heart and it was an honor to play for the guy. I’m gonna enjoy the ride, I’m sure he is too, but I just hope he’s able to step back and soak in the adoration he’s going to get across the league because it’s well deserved.”
Giants players and people around Major League Baseball have and will continue to express their appreciation for Bochy throughout his final year managing. With the success and impact he has had on the league, we should expect to hear stories like Lopez’s as Bochy’s tenure with the Giants comes to an end.
“All good things have to come to an end and I’m sad to see it happen, but man he’s exciting and I just hope that Giants fans realize how lucky they’ve been to have him.”
Listen to the full interview here: