LOS ANGELES -- The final stops are coming more frequently now for Bruce Bochy, who will retire at the end of the season after a 25-year career as a big league manager.
On Friday night, his farewell tour reached Dodger Stadium, where he’s waged hundreds of battles against the Dodgers while managing the Padres and Giants. The Dodgers took a moment to recognize Bochy during a pregame ceremony, playing a video tribute to their longtime adversary that was narrated by Vin Scully.
“Hold your breath,” Scully said. “He has the most wins by a visiting manager at Dodger Stadium. Bruce Bochy was always teased throughout his career about the fact that he had a size eight hat. I think that’s true. But with all of his victories, all of his great moments, he could never, ever be accused of having a big head. Big heart, yes. And the fact that he has won the most games here at Dodger Stadium is another reason for all of us to wish him a wonderful retirement.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who played under Bochy, concluded the ceremony by presenting his former skipper with a signed Sandy Koufax jersey. As a young man in Florida, Bochy used to visit Dodgertown in Vero Beach to be around Koufax, who was “like a god” in his eyes.
“To Bruce, with the greatest respect for your past. I wish you health and happiness in the future,” Koufax wrote.
“He was one of my favorite players,” Bochy said. “I’ve had a chance to talk to him a couple of times. What a classy man, and what a gentleman. That was a very, very nice gift and gesture by the Dodgers. I really appreciate it.”
Bochy jokingly told Roberts that if former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda were presenting the gift, “he wouldn’t be giving a gift.” Roberts invited Bochy to address the crowd, but Bochy declined.
“Dave wanted me to say something, but I was afraid lightning would hit me,” Bochy said.
Bochy entered Friday with a 218-204 career record against the Dodgers, going 117-118 against them with the Giants and 101-86 with the Padres.
Bochy said his favorite memory at Chavez Ravine came in 1996 with the Padres, who swept the Dodgers in the final three games of the season to clinch their first National League West title since 1984.
“A lot of intense games,” Bochy said. “A lot at stake in so many of those games. Obviously, being in our division. It’s been a lot of fun. A lot of great times.”
Worth noting
• Johnny Cueto (Tommy John surgery) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday and will be evaluated afterward to determine if he’s ready to rejoin the Giants’ rotation. Cueto had been on track to return this weekend, but the Giants decided to pump the brakes after the 33-year-old veteran experienced back stiffness during a side session in St. Louis.
• The Giants claimed right-hander Ricardo Pinto off waivers from the Rays on Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the Giants transferred Trevor Gott (right elbow sprain) to the 60-day injured list, officially ending his season.
Acquired from the Nationals in exchange for cash considerations during Spring Training, Gott emerged as a solid bullpen piece for the Giants this season, posting a 4.44 ERA over 52 2/3 innings before landing on the IL with elbow trouble on Aug. 27. San Francisco lost another key reliever last week after Reyes Moronta suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. The Giants are still in the process of determining whether Moronta will require surgery to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder.
Pinto, 25, spent the bulk of the year at Triple-A Durham, where he recorded a 4.13 ERA over 104 2/3 innings in 24 appearances (four starts). He has an 8.44 ERA over 32 innings in 27 Major League appearances with the Phillies and Rays.
• The Giants recalled left-hander Sam Selman from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, giving them 12 relievers for their series opener against the Dodgers. Selman, 28, debuted with the Giants last month and allowed three runs over four innings in four relief appearances.