Arizona Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo 'Exhausted' Every Time Managing Against Texas Rangers' Bruce Bochy

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has a losing record in head-to-head matchups with Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Torey Lovullo.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy belongs in a select group of all-time greats.

That’s not up for debate. Just ask his World Series counterpart.

“Well, first of all, he is a definite Hall-of-Fame manager,” Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Torey Lovullo said. “I always find [it] a very humbling experience to be in the same building as him.

“I’ve said it since the time he was in San Francisco, that after a game, when I’m done managing my team against his team, I’m exhausted. You just can’t miss anything. He is all over everything that you’re trying to do on a moment-to-moment basis. It can be a big challenge.”

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, in his first World Series, is 33-28 lifetime against Texas' Bruce Bochy :: © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Bochy led the San Francisco Giants to three World Series titles before “retiring” after the 2019 season. Lovullo managed against Bochy plenty in the National League West after getting the Arizona job in 2017.

In their three years as division rivals, Lovullo’s D-backs were 30-27 against Bochy’s Giants. Throw in Arizona going 3-1 against Texas this season, and Lovullo is 33-28 lifetime Bochy.

Not that Lovullo feels he’s got any sort of edge on Bochy.

“The beauty of it, too, is that he manages off the scoreboard,” Lovullo said. “I’ve got a card in front of me. I’ve got all sorts of stuff I can look at. And I keep my dugout card.

“He’s just going off of his instincts and what’s going on, on the scoreboard. So to me that’s amazing. He is an unbelievable human being.”

And while both managers are about to share baseball’s biggest stage, they’ve enjoyed special moments together before.

“I remember when I presented his gift to him at home plate when he was stepping away from the Giants, I just said, ‘It’s been an absolute honor to manage against you. I hope you find your way back to doing this one day,’” said Lovullo, in the World Series for the first time as a manager.

“He said, ‘I’m tired right now. If I do it will be an honor to be managing against you as well.’ I couldn’t believe he said that to me. I was just honored to be in his presence. And I will be for these next nine days.”

The World Series opens Friday night at Globe Life Field with Nathan Eovaldi on the mound for the Rangers opposite Zac Gallen. First pitch is scheduled for 7:03 p.m.

World Series First Pitches for First Two Games

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