MLB WORLD SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS RANGERS

October 26, 2023

Bruce Bochy

Globe Life Field

Texas Rangers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. How much different is it managing now than it was in your first World Series in 1998?

BRUCE BOCHY: It's really not any different. Maybe in the fact the first one -- I mean, those were really nervous times. And you're still amped up now. It's a big moment, exciting moment.

But your first time is always that special memory that you're always going to have. And all of them are, but, really, besides all that, they're all the same, I think. And the excitement, you're anxious to get it going. And you're just proud of your boys. It's a good time.

Q. What about actual managing over the course of the season, it's a lot different managing now with analytics and all the things that you have to take into account than it was back then, isn't it?

BRUCE BOCHY: A little bit. Even back then, we wanted all the information we could get. I don't think that ever changes. It just wasn't as deep as it is now.

But I can go back, when I first started in '95, I mean, we wanted all the information, the analytics, things that we could get. And my time in San Francisco, we used it more than people think.

But still, it's got to be a blend. So it's the same thing now. I think that's what works well for us, with our ops department, our coaching staff, myself. It's important, I think, to use both.

Q. How important has defense been for the Rangers this postseason? How much has great defense or errors turned the momentum of games?

BRUCE BOCHY: I think if you look at both clubs, it's amazing how close we are as far as errors. Both teams play well defensively.

I've always been a big believer, pitching, defense, we talked about it this spring. Every team does, I know that. But that has to show up every day. Hitting and pitching, it's going to come and go, but we need to catch the ball and don't beat ourselves.

And these guys really have done an incredible job of coming out every day and working on the defense, separating their defense from their offense when that's not going well and doing what they can to help the pitcher get outs.

Q. During the playoffs, the Diamondbacks were kind of being motivated by everyone picking against them, wondering how an 84-win team should be there. Did you guys use anything like that for motivation, being the underdog in all three series and struggling in September?

BRUCE BOCHY: We really didn't talk about it. We weren't concerned with what people thought of us. We thought we were good. We thought we belonged and we thought we could win and that's how we looked at it.

Didn't really get concerned with what the outside or the big pundits or experts thought about us. So that's how we approached it.

Q. Following up on the defense question. Watching this team the last however many years, the defense has been significantly better this year. I know that you did research before you took this job. When you came to Spring Training this year, did you have a plan in place to improve the defense? What was your process for --

BRUCE BOCHY: Really, more than anything, just work. We've got work to do. We've got to get better. Just to give you an example, Nate Lowe, that was an area he needed to work on. I don't think we take any credit for it. Nate went out there and worked every day. He was pushed by Marcus, and that's part of the deal, too.

You want each other to hold each other accountable to going out there and doing things right, getting ready and getting better as a player, whether it's at the plate, defensively, wherever it is.

But I can remember my early conversation with Josh Jung. I know the hitting is going to come and go, but we've got to catch the ball down here; that's got to be our focus. And this kid ended up being more advanced than I thought defensively. And he's done a great job.

But everybody. Corey is solid. I knew that. I knew Marcus was solid.

You look behind the plate, Jonah Heim, you could see he was coming into his own. And he really has done a great job handling the staff, throwing, blocking, doing all those things, from a catcher defensively, especially the receiving end.

Q. Quick follow-up on that, especially this year, the rules have changed. There's no shift. How important has your defensive-analytics department been in positioning the guys and making sure they're in a position to succeed with the rules having changed a little bit?

BRUCE BOCHY: They play a critical role in helping us being in the right spot.

I have to mention Ragsdale, Corey, he does a great job of putting these guys in the right position. Will has the outfield. Really, we're all here because we work together well, and that's the reason we're here.

These guys just did a great job being relentless with their preparation and work.

Q. Why did you want Tony Beasley on your staff, and what's he brought to your club?

BRUCE BOCHY: I didn't know Tony, but I heard nothing but great things from mutual friends, what a great baseball guy he is, what a positive influence he is and how popular he was with the team.

So we have a mutual friend in Northern Virginia. He said, don't you do anything with Beasley. So I had to listen to him.

But on the serious side, no, just too many good things said about him. So I was looking forward to meeting him. And we hit it off right away. If you can't hit it off with Beas, you're the problem.

Q. (Indiscernible) on your coaching staff, number, could you describe his presence in your club and his job title is also assistant manager, what does he actually do?

BRUCE BOCHY: I'm sorry, I have bad ears. Will Venable. Will and I have been across the field from each other for a while. Back when he was with San Diego, I was with the Giants. And he was with the Cubs. I've known Will not real well but enough to know what a good man he is, what a good baseball guy he is.

When I came over here, his name was brought up as a possibility. And I was excited about it. I think he's an up-and-coming manager. He's the guy that's helped me keep things organized. So I'm lucky to have him.

Q. Torey Lovullo spoke before the game about his admiration for you as a manager and as a person in such glowing terms. I was wondering, you've managed over 60 games against him since he's gone to the Diamondbacks. What are some of your thoughts about his style of managing and the challenges that presents for you in the other dugout?

BRUCE BOCHY: Well, back at Torey. I think a lot of him. I had a chance to manage quite a few games, as you mentioned. He's on top of everything.

He knows the game. It's not a situation where he's -- even when he first started managing, that you didn't think he was ready. He's done a great job for them.

You look where they've come, similar to us. That's -- Torey's footprint is on the club the way they play the game. They hustle, they're aggressive on the bases, they do the little things. And that's Torey, I think, leading the way there. So, no, I have so much respect for him, too.

Q. Do you have a Game 2 starter, and do you anticipate that the roster will remain the same as it was for the LCS?

BRUCE BOCHY: We'll finalize this roster here soon. We're going to have a workout here -- not that that's got determine it. But after that then we're going to huddle up and we'll come out with a roster. We're not going to name our Game 2 starter yet. I'll name that tomorrow.