MLB WORLD SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS RANGERS

October 27, 2023

Bruce Bochy

Globe Life Field

Texas Rangers

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. C.Y. just told the story about you being in this room right after you got hired and kind of pounding the table about a question whether or not this team could be successful. And you were saying, don't tell me we can't have success with this team. How did you know at that point that this team could be successful, and did you expect this kind of success? What's it been like to see it play out in this way?

BRUCE BOCHY: Well, first of all, it goes back -- I went back and looked at some games. I could see the talent on this team, especially on the position players' side.

The offense that they put up -- they put up runs. And then with C.Y., talking about their vision, their commitment to going out and signing starting pitching. So I said once they get that, this team will win, there's no doubt in my mind.

And Spring Training, when I looked out there, saw that club, I said this team's going to make some noise this year.

You never know that you're going to get to this point. This is a special place. But I could see that this team had the ability, the capability of doing it.

Q. You guys have seen Zac Gallen twice this year. What makes him such a successful pitcher at this level?

BRUCE BOCHY: He's a four-pitch guy with command, good stuff. He's got velocity. He can cut it. He's got the breaking ball along with a good fastball and a change-up. That works up here.

And he holds runners. He does all the little things good pitchers do. And works both sides. So that's why he's had so much success. I've seen him quite a few times. He's gotten better and better.

Q. When you were retired in '20 and '21, did you watch the World Series at all, and where did you watch it from, if you did?

BRUCE BOCHY: I did. I watched it from my house. I just moved to Nashville, just south of Nashville, College Grove. That's where I watched it.

At that time, I'll be honest, with all that was going on with the COVID and the bubbling of the players, wearing a mask, I said my timing was pretty good on this retirement deal. (Laughter). So I had no problem sitting in my home watching it, if I couldn't be there.

Q. A week after you were hired last year, did you watch last year's World Series? And any thoughts in your mind that you could be in it with them a year later?

BRUCE BOCHY: I'll say this, I mean, my thoughts were I'm getting back in this to get back to the postseason and get back to the World Series.

Now, when C.Y. and I sat down, we talked for about seven hours at my house. We both had the same desire, the same vision. His was really strong, and he was determined to get winning baseball back here to the Rangers.

And the same commitment came from Ray Davis. When he came out, we talked for a while.

Sure, that kind of goes through your mind. Hey, I want one more shot, at least, to get back in the World Series.

Now, like I said, who knows what's going to happen when you get to this point -- I'm talking about postseason -- and to get here.

I'm lucky, I'll say that. Very fortunate to be with this great group of guys, these players, the coaching staff, and of course the commitment, as I mentioned, from ownership and front office.

Q. Numerous times you've told us you were coaching T-ball while you were out. What was the name of the team and have you heard from any of the kids?

BRUCE BOCHY: You've got me on the name of the team. I'm trying to remember, I hate to say it, but I think it was the Astros. (Laughter). And that was my son's T-ball team this year.

But anyway, it was just enjoyable for me to be out there. But I kid about it because you don't quite have that focus from those T-ball guys. They want to hit. I'm out there standing by them on defense, guiding where to go. "I don't want to be here; I want to hit."

Well I've got a DH here. They need to go to the bathroom, run out in the woods and things. I'm saying I'm getting back in baseball; it's easier there in the Major Leagues than T ball.

Q. San Diego, you were so close with Kevin Towers, the GM, and Sabean in San Francisco. Does it seem seamless as well with C.Y., even though it's just been one year?

BRUCE BOCHY: It really has been. Of course, our connection back when he pitched for me, who knew at that time he'd be my boss.

But it's similar. They all have an edge. They want to win, but it's really been an easy transition for me, seamless. And with the changes, too. I was out for three years.

But it couldn't have gone better. And I kept saying this. If I got back in, it had to be in the right place. And I kept saying, this just seems like a great fit for me. And it's been more than that. So I've been very thankful.

Q. When Chris Young came to your house last year, with whom in the household did he have a tougher sell, you or your wife?

BRUCE BOCHY: That's a great question. Kim, she came around. I will say, at first she goes what is it you don't like about your life, you're fishing, you're golfing.

But she's really enjoying it now. She's having a great time. We have all the family here. It's brought them back together. From all over from San Diego, from Tennessee, Florida, they're all here. So that's the cool thing about what's happened here being back in the World Series. One of the cool things.

Q. You've been around here long enough to know how starved this fan base is for a championship. What's your sense of what it would mean to these fans to finish the job here?

BRUCE BOCHY: Well, I hate to say I was, I guess, a little part of that. It's really amazing when you look at being in the World Series back-to-back years, that was impressive what they did there. And, of course, the second year you couldn't have a tougher heartbreak than what they had to deal with, talking about the fans and here in Arlington and the whole area.

So you always want to do it for the fans. You have a cause. It could be your players, everybody, but the fans are part of that, trust me, and I think about that. So nothing would make me happier. That's part of the reason we're playing.

Q. I was wondering what your thoughts were from afar of Melvin moving from the Padres to your old job at the Giants?

BRUCE BOCHY: I'll be honest, I've been a little busy. But happy. I know Bob's from the Bay Area. I know he's got to be excited. He was a Giant. So that's good for, I think, the Bay Area.

Q. For the record, the tough question, do you have a Game 2 starter; if so, who and why?

BRUCE BOCHY: Montgomery. He's set to go. Fits in. He's had enough rest. So he's good to go.