Bruce Bochy put on a new jersey Monday morning, an image that may inspire some catharsis in the Bay Area.
Bochy, 67, got named the next manager of the Texas Rangers last week. The former Giants skipped signed a three-year pact with Texas after spending the previous three years as a special advisor in San Francisco.
“Some have asked ‘why?’ The simple answer is I miss this game,” Bochy said. “There’s so many things about the game I miss. In the dugout, the competition, being on the team. But beside that, I said if I’m going to jump back into the fire, it had to be the right fit. After our many conversations that (Chris Young) and I had, that was pretty evident.”
Bochy led the Giants to three World Series championship — in 2010, 2012 and 2014. San Francisco defeated the Rangers in the fall classic for that first ring in 2010.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to help bring a championship here to Texas,” Bochy said. “And I know we have some work to do, but I can tell you I’m all-in.”
Bochy said he was blown away by the recently built Globe Life Field — “You can’t have a better place to create this winning culture — and lauded Texas’ core group of players and farm system.
“I see tons of potential for next year and years beyond,” Bochy said.
The Rangers signed infielders Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to massive contracts last winter, but struggled 68-94 and fourth in the American League West.
“I think it was the perfect hire,” Semien said.
Rangers general manager Chris Young — who played for Bochy for one season in San Diego — explained that once Texas decided it needed a new voice in the dugout, it drew up a short list of potential candidates. Bochy, Young said, was the Rangers’ top choice.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Young said. “Boch is just the right person for our organization. Believes in our vision, he’s done this before, he’s lived this. He’s got a great leadership style, a special way with people. Our fans are going to love him.”