Bruce Bochy, two former SF Giants pitchers win World Series with Rangers

The Texas Rangers are the 2023 MLB World Series champions, so manager Bruce Bochy and several other former SF Giants have added a ring to their resumes.

The Texas Rangers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday, securing Texas' first World Series victory in franchise history. At the helm of the Rangers, former SF Giants manager Bruce Bochy secured his fourth career World Series championship as a manager, and first not in a Giants uniform. Former Giants hitting coach Donnie Ecker alongside former Giants pitchers Will Smith and Chris Stratton will also be celebrating the championship for years to come.

Bochy, of course, managed the Giants through their dynastic run from 2010-2014, which included three World Series championships. However, Bochy decided to step away from managing the Giants after the 2019 season before returning to manage the Rangers last offseason. In his first season back in the dugout, Bochy led the Rangers to a 90-72 record in the regular season and a championship postseason run.

Bochy has worked in professional baseball for nearly 50 years since he was drafted by the Astros back in 1975. Bochy made his MLB debut in 1978 and eventually had a nine-year MLB career as a backup catcher. He played for the Astros, Mets, and Padres and recorded a .239/.298/.388 triple-slash in 358 games with 26 homers.

Bochy retired as a player in 1988 and began his coaching career the next season as a minor-league manager with the Padres. He climbed the minor league ranks and became San Diego's manager in 1995. He led the Padres to four division titles during his tenure, including the only pennant in franchise history.

Ecker was the Giants hitting coach under Gabe Kapler from 2020-2021 before he was hired by the Rangers to be the bench coach and offensive coordinator for former manager Chris Woodward. While Woodward was fired and replaced by Bochy, Ecker remained on the staff and appeared to play a pivotal role in their title run.

Smith, an 11-year MLB veteran, has spent more time with the Giants than any other organization over his career. San Francisco had acquired him from the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2016 MLB trade deadline for Phil Bickford and Andrew Susac. Smith was a solid setup option to finish the 2016 season, but missed all of 2017 after undergoing UCL surgery. Upon his return, from 2018-2019, Smith was an excellent closer for the Giants and recorded a 2.66 ERA (2.71 FIP) with 48 saves, 167 strikeouts, and 36 walks in 118.1 innings pitched before he departed in free agency.

Smith has been unable to match his effectiveness with the Giants since leaving, but he started the season as the Rangers closer after signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract with them last offseason. While Smith was eventually displaced from the closer role, he finished the season with 22 saves and a 4.40 ERA (3.36 FIP) in 60 appearances (57.1 innings pitched). After playing with Atlanta in 2021 and Houston in 2022, Smith has now been on the World Series winning team in each of the past three seasons.

Stratton was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Mississippi State. He made his big-league debut with the Giants in 2016, but was never able to live up to the lofty expectations that came with his draft status. Unable to solidify a spot in the Giants rotation, Stratton was traded to the Angels for Williams Jerez.

Stratton was soon designated for assignment by the Angels and claimed off waivers by the Pirates, who permanently moved him into a bullpen role. As a traditional one-inning reliever, Stratton thrived in the middle of the Pirates bullpen. Last season, the Cardinals acquired Stratton at the deadline to solidify their pen for a postseason run. This year, with St. Louis out of contention, they traded him to the Rangers. Stratton made 22 appearances with Texas, posting a 3.41 ERA (4.46 FIP) in 29 innings.

The SF Giants hope to return to a World Series soon and hoist a championship trophy of their own. After hiring Bob Melvin away from the Padres, like they did with Bochy roughly 15 years ago, they hope another dynasty awaits. For now, though, they will have to live vicariously through former members of the organization who found their way to Arlington.