SAN FRANCISCO -- A dozen years ago, Bruce Bochy helped keep the Texas Rangers from a championship. Now he'll try to help them win one.
After three seasons away from the game, Bochy on Friday was named the new manager of a Rangers organization that has been aggressive the last couple of offseasons in trying to get back to contention. Bochy, 67, was given a three-year deal, the Rangers announced.
Bochy announced his retirement before the 2019 season, but he was always uncomfortable with a season-long farewell tour. In the years since, he has told friends that he would like to get back into the dugout if the right opportunity presented itself.
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In the Rangers, he found a great fit.
Their general manager, Chris Young, pitched for Bochy in San Diego and the two have been friends ever since. Young traveled to Nashville recently to meet with Bochy and there was a perception within the game that the job was his if he wanted it.
In a statement to announce the move, Young said Bochy's "passion and excitement about returning to the dugout was very evident."
"It became clear he was the ideal individual to lead our club as we continue to build a championship culture here in Arlington," Young said.
San Francisco Giants
In the Rangers, Bochy joins a group that just went 68-94 but should be on the rise. The Rangers spent about half a billion dollars last offseason to bring in Corey Seager and Marcus Semien and they're expected to make similar splashes this winter to upgrade their pitching staff.
A three-time World Series champion, Bochy is the first Rangers manager to join the club after previously winning a title.
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"I am incredibly excited to be joining the Texas Rangers," Bochy said in a statement. "Over the last several days, I've had extensive conversations with Chris Young and other individuals in the organization, and I had the chance to meet with (owner) Ray Davis. Their vision and commitment to putting together a club that can contend and win year in and year out is impressive, and I became convinced I wanted to be a part of that.
"If I was going to return to managing, it had to be the right situation. I strongly believe that to be the case with the Rangers, and I can't wait to get started."
Bochy had served as a special advisor for the Giants since 2019. When he's next at Oracle Park, it will be in blue. The Rangers visit in August.