Rangers manager Bruce Bochy lauds team after surviving tense ALCS clash: "As much heart as any club I've had"
The Texas Rangers, helmed by Bruce Bochy, are in the World Series. They're looking to get the first ever title in franchise history after a tense ALCS victory that required all seven games. Following the game, Bochy complimented his squad and compared them to other teams he's coached.
He said:
"I tell you, I've had some good clubs and this club has played with as much heart as any club I've had. They just kept getting up, getting up, to come in here and win four games. We were going against the odds to come in here and play like this. They have bounced back all year, they did it again. I couldn't be prouder of this group."
That is an extremely big compliment, considering that Bochy led three World Series-wining teams. He was the man behind the San Francisco Giants dynasty that won in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
To say this Rangers team is similar in any way to those teams after they beat the Houston Astros in seven games is extremely impressive.
Bruce Bochy brings Rangers to cusp of first World Series
Bruce Bochy was hired during the offseason and after the full American League playoffs, he is the only AL manager standing. The Rangers spent a lot over the last two offseasons, bringing in players like Nathan Eovaldi, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.
It paid off, but the implementation of Bochy as leader helped, too. The team wasn't good last year even after adding Semien and Seager. This year, they won 90 games and are in the World Series.
There's a real chance they can win their first one ever. They await either the Arizona Diamondbacks or Philadelphia Phillies, depending on who wins the NLCS Game 7 matchup.
Either way, it's been an impressive first year in Texas for Bochy, who was out of baseball for a bit after leaving the Giants behind. His return shows he's still got some left in the tank, and perhaps they are regretting moving on from him.