History of Bruce Bochy in Timeline

Bruce Bochy is an American professional baseball manager and former catcher currently managing the Texas Rangers. He played catcher for the Houston Astros, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres. His managerial career includes 12 seasons with the Padres (1995-2006) and 13 seasons with the San Francisco Giants (2007-2019), before joining the Rangers in 2023. Bochy led the Padres to a World Series appearance in 1998 and the Giants to three World Series titles. Remarkably, he led the Rangers to their first ever World Series championship in his inaugural season with the team. He joins Sparky Anderson and Tony La Russa as one of three managers to win World Series championships in both the American and National Leagues. Bochy is also the 11th manager in MLB history to reach 2,000 career wins.

1954: Giants' First Title Since 1954

The 2010 World Series victory marked the Giants' first title since 1954, when the team was based in New York City.

1954: Giants' Previous World Series Win

The Giants' previous World Series win before 2010 was in 1954.

April 16, 1955: Bruce Bochy Born

Bruce Bochy was born on April 16, 1955.

1969: Bochy's NL Western Division Win Record

Bochy became the all-time NL Western Division win leader in 2014, a division that has existed since 1969.

January 9, 1975: Bochy Drafted by White Sox

Bruce Bochy was drafted by the Chicago White Sox on January 9, 1975, but did not sign.

June 3, 1975: Bochy Drafted by Astros

The Houston Astros drafted Bruce Bochy on June 3, 1975, and he turned professional.

1975: Bochy Meets Wife

Bruce Bochy met his future wife, Kim Seib, while attending Brevard Community College in 1975.

1975: Bochy Wins State Championship

Bruce Bochy won a state championship while at Brevard Community College in 1975.

1976: Bochy Forfeits Designated Hitter

On June 30, 2016, Bruce Bochy became the first manager since 1976 to intentionally forfeit the designated hitter.

1978: Bochy Marries Kim Seib

Bruce Bochy and Kim Seib married in 1978.

1980: Bochy Plays in NLCS

Bruce Bochy played in Game 4 of the 1980 NLCS for the Astros against the Phillies.

February 11, 1981: Bochy Traded to Mets

Bruce Bochy was traded to the New York Mets on February 11, 1981.

1982: Bochy's Helmet Issue

In 1982, upon joining the Mets, Bruce Bochy faced a unique challenge. The team did not have a helmet large enough to fit him, necessitating a special order for helmets from his minor league days. His large head size contributed to his nickname, "Headly", during his time in Houston.

January 21, 1983: Bochy Released by Mets

The New York Mets released Bruce Bochy on January 21, 1983.

February 23, 1983: Bochy Signs with Padres

Bruce Bochy signed with the San Diego Padres on February 23, 1983.

1984: Bochy's First Postseason Appearance

Bruce Bochy participated in his first postseason appearance as a backup catcher for the Padres in 1984.

1984: Padres Win First NL Pennant

The Padres won their first National League pennant in 1984, with Bruce Bochy as a backup catcher.

July 1, 1985: Bochy Hits Walk-Off Home Run off Nolan Ryan

On July 1, 1985, Bruce Bochy hit a walk-off home run against Nolan Ryan. This was the only walk-off home run Ryan allowed in his career.

September 11, 1985: Rose Breaks Hit Record

Bruce Bochy was catching on September 11, 1985, when Pete Rose broke the all-time hit record.

1985: Giants' Worst Season Since 1985

The Giants concluded the 2017 season with a 64-98 record, their worst performance since 1985 and matching Bochy's worst record as a manager.

1986: Bochy Backs Up Kennedy

Bruce Bochy was a backup catcher for Terry Kennedy until 1986.

November 9, 1987: Bochy Granted Free Agency

Bruce Bochy was granted free agency on November 9, 1987.

1987: Bochy Backs Up Santiago

In 1987, Bruce Bochy served as the backup catcher to Benito Santiago.

1988: Bochy's Final Season as Player

Bruce Bochy played his final season as a player-coach in 1988.

1989: Bochy Begins Minor League Managing Career

Bruce Bochy started his managing career in the Padres' minor league system in 1989.

1990: Bochy Manages Red Wave

Bruce Bochy managed the Riverside Red Wave in 1990.

1991: Bochy Manages Mavericks

Bruce Bochy managed the High Desert Mavericks in 1991, leading them to a league title.

1992: Bochy Manages Wranglers

In 1992, Bruce Bochy managed the Wichita Wranglers, leading them to a league title.

1993: Bochy Becomes Padres Third-Base Coach

Bruce Bochy became the Padres' third-base coach in 1993.

1994: Riggleman Departs Padres

Jim Riggleman left his position as Padres manager in 1994.

1995: Bochy Manages the Padres

Bruce Bochy began managing the San Diego Padres in 1995.

1996: Bochy Wins NL Manager of the Year

Bruce Bochy won the National League Manager of the Year award in 1996.

1996: Padres Win NL West

The Padres, managed by Bruce Bochy, won the National League West title in 1996.

1998: Padres Reach World Series

In 1998, Bruce Bochy led the Padres to the World Series, where they lost to the New York Yankees.

2003: Giants Clinch NL West Title

The Giants secured the NL West title in 2010, their first since 2003.

2004: Bochy Manages MLB All-Stars

Bruce Bochy managed the MLB All-Stars in the Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series in 2004.

2005: Padres Win NL West

In 2005, Bruce Bochy led the Padres to the National League West title.

October 27, 2006: Bochy Becomes Giants Manager

Bruce Bochy was appointed as the San Francisco Giants' new manager on October 27, 2006, replacing Felipe Alou. He signed a three-year contract.

2006: Bochy's Last Season with Padres

2006 marked Bruce Bochy's final season managing the San Diego Padres.

2006: Padres Win NL West

Bruce Bochy led the Padres to the National League West title in 2006.

2006: Bochy Leaves Padres for Giants

In 2006, Bruce Bochy concluded his tenure with the San Diego Padres, leaving to manage the San Francisco Giants. He departed with a regular season record of 951-975 and a postseason record of 8-16, holding the record for most games managed in Padres history.

August 8, 2007: Bochy's 1,000th Win

On August 8, 2007, Bruce Bochy achieved his 1,000th win as a manager in a 5-0 victory against the Washington Nationals.

2007: Bochy Starts with the Giants

Bruce Bochy started managing the San Francisco Giants in 2007.

2008: Giants' Struggles

The Giants experienced two consecutive seasons of more than 90 losses in 2007 and 2008.

2009: Sanchez's No-Hitter Under Bochy

Jonathan Sanchez pitched a no-hitter under Bochy's management in 2009.

2009: Giants' Rebound and Bochy's Contract Extension

The Giants improved their performance in 2009, finishing with an 88-74 record. Their pitching staff had the second-lowest ERA in the Majors. Bruce Bochy received a two-year contract extension with an option for 2012.

2010: Brett Bochy Drafted

Bochy's younger son, Brett, was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2010.

2010: Bochy Reminds Team of Champion Blood

During a challenging period in the 2014 season, Bochy invoked the team's "champion blood," referring to their 2010 and 2012 World Series titles, to motivate the players.

2010: Giants Win World Series

In 2010, the San Francisco Giants, led by Bruce Bochy, won the World Series, their first championship since 1954. They defeated the Texas Rangers in five games.

2010: Giants' Postseason Streak Ends

The Giants' 11-game postseason winning streak, which began in 2010, ended with their loss to the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 NLDS. This marked their first postseason series loss under Bochy.

2010: Giants Win First World Series under Bochy

The San Francisco Giants, managed by Bruce Bochy, won their first World Series championship in 2010, defeating the Texas Rangers.

May 2011: Ronald L. Jensen Award

Bruce Bochy received the Ronald L. Jensen Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Positive Coaching Alliance's National Youth Sports Awards in May 2011.

2011: Giants Miss Playoffs, Bochy's Contract Extended

The Giants finished with an 86-76 record in 2011 and missed the playoffs. Bochy's contract was extended through 2013, with an option for 2014.

2012: Giants Exercise Contract Option

Following the 2010 season, the Giants exercised Bochy's contract option for 2012.

2012: Giants Win Second World Series in Three Years

In 2012, the Giants clinched the NL West and went on to win their second World Series title in three years, defeating the Detroit Tigers in a four-game sweep. Bochy described their journey as "never say die".

2012: Bochy References Previous Championships

In 2014, Bochy referenced the Giants' 2010 and 2012 championships to inspire the team.

2012: Cain's Perfect Game Under Bochy

Matt Cain threw a perfect game under Bochy's management in 2012.

July 23, 2013: Bochy Achieves 1500 Wins

Bruce Bochy reached 1500 managerial wins on July 23, 2013.

2013: Bochy's Contract Extended

Bochy's contract was extended through 2013, with an option for 2014.

2013: Lincecum's No-Hitter Under Bochy

Tim Lincecum pitched a no-hitter under Bochy's management in 2013.

September 2, 2014: Brett Bochy's MLB Debut

Brett Bochy made his Major League debut, making Bruce the seventh manager in MLB history to manage his own son.

September 13, 2014: Bochy Manages Son

Bruce Bochy became the first MLB manager to have his son, Brett, pitch to him in a game.

2014: Bochy's Contract Option

Bochy's contract included an option for the 2014 season.

2014: Giants Win Third World Series under Bochy

Bruce Bochy led the San Francisco Giants to their third World Series victory in 2014, defeating the Kansas City Royals.

2014: Bochy Achieves Milestones

In 2014, Bruce Bochy became the all-time NL Western Division leader in managerial wins, surpassing Tommy Lasorda. He also became the 19th manager to reach 1,600 wins.

2014: Lincecum's No-Hitter Under Bochy

Tim Lincecum pitched a no-hitter under Bochy's management in 2014.

February 19, 2015: Angioplasty

On February 19, 2015, Bruce Bochy underwent angioplasty to address a 90% blockage in a blood vessel.

April 3, 2015: Bochy's Contract Extended through 2019

On April 3, 2015, Bochy's contract was extended through the 2019 season.

June 10, 2015: Bochy's 700th Win with Giants and Heston's No-Hitter

Bochy achieved his 700th win as Giants manager on June 10, 2015, becoming the fourth manager in history to win at least 700 games for two different teams. Coincidentally, Chris Heston pitched a no-hitter for the Giants on the same night.

September 27, 2015: Bochy Reaches 1,700 Wins

On September 27, 2015, Bruce Bochy recorded his 1,700th managerial win.

2015: A Book of Walks

In 2015, Bochy published "A Book of Walks", which describes his favorite walks around San Francisco and other major league cities.

June 26, 2016: Bochy's 800th Win with Giants

Bruce Bochy achieved his 800th win as manager of the San Francisco Giants on June 26, 2016.

August 8, 2016: Irregular Heartbeat

Bruce Bochy experienced an irregular heartbeat and underwent a cardioversion procedure on August 8, 2016, causing him to miss a game.

2016: Bochy's Contract Extended

Bochy's contract was extended through 2016.

April 9, 2017: Bochy Ties Baker for Most Wins in Giants West Coast History

Bochy tied Dusty Baker for most wins as a Giants manager in their West Coast history on April 9, 2017.

April 10, 2017: Bochy Sets Giants West Coast Win Record

On April 10, 2017, Bruce Bochy became the Giants' all-time winningest manager in games played on the West Coast.

April 18, 2017: Heart Ablation

Bochy underwent a minor heart ablation procedure on April 18, 2017, to alleviate discomfort related to atrial flutter.

May 3, 2017: Bochy Reaches 1,800 Wins

Bochy achieved his 1,800th managerial victory on May 3, 2017.

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

Bochy earned his 1,906th career victory on July 29, 2018, moving past Casey Stengel into 11th place on MLB's all-time wins list.

February 18, 2019: Bochy Announces Retirement

On February 18, 2019, Bruce Bochy announced his plan to retire at the end of the 2019 season.

August 25, 2019: Bochy Manages 4,000th Game

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

September 18, 2019: Bochy Reaches 2,000 Wins

Bruce Bochy reached 2,000 career wins as a manager on September 18, 2019, becoming the 11th manager to reach this milestone. At the time, the other 10 managers with 2,000 career wins were all in the Hall of Fame.

December 9, 2019: Manager of France National Baseball Team

On December 9, 2019, Bruce Bochy was appointed as the manager of the France national baseball team.

2019: Bochy Becomes Longest-Tenured MLB Manager

Bochy began the 2019 season as the longest-tenured active manager in Major League Baseball.

2019: Bochy Retires from Giants

Bruce Bochy retired from managing the San Francisco Giants in 2019.

2019: Bochy's Contract Extended through 2019

Bruce Bochy's contract was extended through the 2019 season.

October 21, 2022: Texas Rangers Hire Bochy

On October 21, 2022, Bruce Bochy came out of retirement to become the Texas Rangers' new manager, the 29th in the franchise's history.

June 4, 2023: Bochy's 2,041st Win

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

October 23, 2023: Rangers Win ALCS

On October 23, 2023, Bochy led the Texas Rangers to victory in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, securing the franchise's third World Series appearance. This marked the third different MLB franchise Bochy has taken to a World Series.