There has been some speculation over the years that former San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy would return to the bench for the right team. That opportunity appeared on Monday.
Bochy will be making at least one more appearance. He is set to manage Team France in the World Baseball Classic Qualifying Round, the first manager to confirm for the tournament.
Former San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy suiting up once again
Bochy is a native of France, having been born in in Landes de Bussac in 1955. He is one of just seven major league players to be born in the country, and the only manager who can claim France as his place of birth. That alone made him an obvious choice.
But there is far more to Bochy’s resume than his ancestry. He guided the Giants to three World Series titles, won the NL West six times, and even brought the Padres to the World Series in 1998. His 2003 wins as a manager are the 12th most in MLB history and it is likely a matter of time until he is inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The French National Team is hoping that Bochy can make a difference. They failed to qualify in their attempts in 2013 and 2017, winning just one of their five games. Perhaps Bochy, with his wealth of experience in the majors, can push the right buttons to get France beyond the Qualifying Round.
It is also a chance for Bochy to see if he wants to manage again. He will get a few games on the bench, a brief chance to go through the grind as he looks to bring France to the World Baseball Classic. If nothing else, he will have one final swansong, representing the country where he was born.
Former San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy is returning to the bench one more time. He will manage Team France in the World Baseball Classic.