Bull Pennings: Two Bochys better than one in San Francisco
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| Brett Bochy is the spitting image of his father, Bruce. (US Presswire) |
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Look closely in the world champion Giants' clubhouse. Gaze past Tim Lincecum and his new ‘do, past the intensity in Hunter Pence's eyes, past the still-boyish Buster Posey and …
Hey, wait a minute.
That kid has a familiar look. …
“It's awesome,” says pitcher Brett Bochy, son of you-know-who. “It's really special to be here, to get the opportunity to come to big-league camp.”
His old man is through the door, down the hall, in an office of his own. Bruce Bochy has guided the Giants triumphantly to two of the past three World Series titles, and if things keep going this way he's going to be discussed as a potential Hall of Fame manager here real soon.
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But one thing is certain: This spring will be unlike any other in Bruch Bochy's 18-year managerial career.
“This is going to be great to see him,” Bruce says, before deadpanning: “It's a little added stress I don't know if I need.”
A former closer for the University of Kansas Jayhawks, Brett, 25, was chosen by the Giants in the 20th round of the 2010 draft. Coming back from Tommy John surgery two months before the draft, Brett went 7-3 with a 2.53 ERA and 14 saves in 41 games for Double-A Richmond last summer. He worked 51 1/3 innings and pitched himself into the Giants' picture.
Though the Giants are loaded and their bullpen is pretty set, Brett could see major-league action by season's end, or maybe in 2014, if he stays healthy and continues to progress.
For now, with extra players in camp because the Giants are sending so many players to the World Baseball Classic (including five relievers), it made sense to invite Brett to camp with the big leaguers.
“I'm proud of him,” the manager says. “He worked hard to get here. He had a great year last year. It's an honest invitation.
“I look forward to watching him. Our pitching coaches are looking forward to it.”
Bruce, a former catcher, played some catch with Brett during the winter at home in the San Diego area, saying his son “used me to help keep his arm in shape when he was around the house.”
Here at camp, they've each got a job to do.
“It's all business here at the yard,” Brett says. “Outside, he's still dad.
“We're going to enjoy this and try and have some fun with it.”
If things go as planned, Brett likely will open the season at Triple-A Fresno and look to continue his minor-league momentum. In his first season back from the ligament surgery in 2011, Brett went 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA and 10 saves in 35 games for Augusta in the Class A South Atlantic League.
Though he's not overpowering, he's got some deception and he moves the ball around well.
“The last few years have gone really well,” Brett says. “They've got me to this spot, and I couldn't be happier. It's been great to meet all of these guys.”
Says Bruce: “It's going to be good to have him here. I'm proud of what he's accomplished.”
Despite his connections to the manager's office, however, there is one perk that Brett hasn't been able to score: There have been no extra World Series rings lying around his dad's house or office.
“I've got to wait and try and get one of those on my own,” Brett says, chuckling.
Sunblock Day? Eventually, yes, after we got past the early-morning 40 degrees. Temps zoomed into the 70s and beautiful. But a big chill is coming Wednesday -- rain and 50 degrees.
Likes: Bonnie Raitt at Mesa Arts Center on Sunday night. So soulful, and man, she gives that slide guitar a workout. Absolutely fabulous. She long ago turned John Prine's Angel From Montgomery into a classic. Adele is doing I Can't Make You Love Me, but nobody does it better than Bonnie, who kicked off her encore with a show-stopping, beautiful version of it. She played a lot of tunes off of her latest, Slipstream, which deserved the Grammy it won a week ago. … The Ancho Chile rubbed Halibut and shrimp enchiladas at Blue Adobe Grille, Cuisine of New Mexico. … Was a hard movie to watch at times, but Life of Pi stays with you long after you see it.
Dislikes: You know it's a rough start to the day when the Starbucks dude doesn't completely get the lid on and you spill hot coffee in the car, and while you're dealing with that, a Geek Squad van blows by you on the freeway.
Rock ‘n' Roll Lyric of the Day:
"There's flies in the kitchen
"I can hear ‘em there buzzin'
"And I ain't done nothing since I woke up today
"Tell me, how the hell can a person
"Go to work in the morning
"And come home in the evening
"And have nothing to say"
-- Bonnie Raitt (John Prine), Angel From Montgomery
