Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bruce Bochy

How Bruce Bochy built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Bruce Bochy is a highly successful MLB manager and former catcher. He played for the Astros, Mets, and Padres before transitioning to management. Bochy managed the Padres for 12 seasons and the Giants for 13, leading the Giants to three World Series championships. He then managed the Texas Rangers, leading them to their first franchise World Series championship in 2023. Bochy is one of three managers to win a World Series in both leagues, and one of only 11 managers in MLB history to win 2,000 games.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1969: NL Western Division leader

In 2014, Bochy became the all-time NL Western Division leader in managerial wins, passing Tommy Lasorda, since the installment of division play in 1969.

1976: Forfeiting the Designated Hitter

On June 30, 2016, Bruce Bochy became the first manager since 1976 to intentionally forfeit the designated hitter, allowing Madison Bumgarner to bat for himself against the Oakland Athletics.

2009: Jonathan Sánchez's no-hitter

On June 10, 2015, Bochy recorded his 700th win as Giants manager. The milestone came on the same night that Chris Heston threw a no-hitter for the Giants, the fifth no-hitter by the Giants under Bochy (Jonathan Sánchez in 2009; Matt Cain's perfect game in 2012; and Tim Lincecum in 2013 and 2014).

2010: Referencing the Giants' 2010 Championship

During a low point of the 2014 regular season, Bochy told his players they had "champion blood", referring to the Giants' 2010 championship.

2010: Brett Bochy drafted by the Giants

In 2010, Bruce Bochy's younger son, Brett Bochy, was drafted by the Giants.

2010: Giants' Postseason Series Win Streak

With an 87-75 record, the Giants made the 2016 postseason as the second wild-card team. The Giants defeated the New York Mets 3–0 in the NL Wild Card Game, their 11th straight postseason series win, dating back to 2010.

2012: Referencing the Giants' 2012 Championship

During a low point of the 2014 regular season, Bochy told his players they had "champion blood", referring to the Giants' 2012 championship.

2012: Matt Cain's perfect game

2013: Tim Lincecum's no-hitter

September 2, 2014: Brett Bochy called up to the majors

On September 2, 2014, Brett Bochy, Bruce Bochy's younger son, was called up to the majors, making Bruce the seventh manager in MLB history to manage his own son.

September 13, 2014: Bruce Bochy manages his son

On September 13, 2014, Bruce Bochy became the first manager to give the ball to his son coming out of the bullpen.

2014: Giants win 2014 World Series

In 2014, Bruce Bochy led the Giants to an 88-74 record, securing a spot in the postseason as the second wild-card team. The Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Wild Card Game, then beat the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NL pennant. They went on to defeat the Kansas City Royals in seven games to win the 2014 World Series. Bochy became the first NL manager to win three World Series championships in five years and the tenth manager in MLB history to win three championships.

2014: Tim Lincecum's no-hitter

April 3, 2015: Bochy Signs Contract Extension with the Giants

On April 3, 2015, the Giants announced that Bruce Bochy had signed a contract extension through the 2019 season.

June 10, 2015: Bochy Records 700th Win as Giants Manager

On June 10, 2015, Bruce Bochy recorded his 700th win as Giants manager, making him the fourth in history to win at least 700 games for two different teams. Chris Heston also threw a no-hitter for the Giants the same night.

September 27, 2015: Bochy Records 1,700 Wins

On September 27, 2015, Bruce Bochy became the 16th manager to record 1,700 wins.

2015: Bochy Releases A Book of Walks

In 2015, Bruce Bochy released A Book of Walks, describing his favorite walks around San Francisco and other major league cities.

A Book of Walks

Check it on Amazon

June 26, 2016: Bochy Records 800th Win as Giants Manager

On June 26, 2016, Bruce Bochy recorded his 800th win as Giants manager.

April 9, 2017: Bochy ties Dusty Baker for most wins in West Coast Giants history

On April 9, 2017, Bruce Bochy won his 840th game as Giants manager, tying Dusty Baker for the most wins in the West Coast portion of Giants history.

May 3, 2017: Bochy Reaches 1,800 Wins

On May 3, 2017, Bruce Bochy became the 15th manager to reach 1,800 wins.

July 29, 2018: Bochy Surpasses Casey Stengel on MLB Career Wins List

On July 29, 2018, Bruce Bochy recorded his 1,906th career victory as manager, surpassing Casey Stengel into 11th place on MLB's career wins list.

August 25, 2019: Bochy manages his 4,000th career game

On August 25, 2019, Bruce Bochy managed his 4,000th career game, becoming only the eighth manager to reach this milestone.

September 18, 2019: Bochy wins his 2,000th career game

On September 18, 2019, at Fenway Park, Bruce Bochy won his 2,000th career game as a Major League manager, becoming the eleventh manager to reach this milestone.

2019: Contract Extension Through 2019

On April 3, 2015, the Giants announced that Bruce Bochy had signed a contract extension through the 2019 season.

2019: Longest-Tenured Manager

With Mike Scioscia stepping down, Bruce Bochy entered the 2019 season as the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball.

October 21, 2022: Bochy Hired as Texas Rangers Manager

On October 21, 2022, Bruce Bochy was hired by the Texas Rangers as their new manager after coming out of retirement.

June 4, 2023: Bochy Surpasses Walter Alston on All-Time Managerial Wins List

On June 4, 2023, Bruce Bochy won his 2,041st career game, surpassing Walter Alston for 10th place on the all-time managerial wins list.

October 23, 2023: Bochy Leads Rangers to the World Series

On October 23, 2023, Bruce Bochy led the Texas Rangers past the Houston Astros to win Game 7 of the American League Championship series, clinching the franchise's third trip to the World Series. This also became the third different MLB franchise Bochy has led to the World Series.