Bochy becomes seventh to manage a son

DENVER -- Brett Bochy occasionally could be a nuisance in the San Diego Padres dugout when he tagged along with his father, Bruce, who happened to manage the ballclub.

"I was running around stealing all the seeds and gum. Now I have to worry about doing a job and getting guys out," said Brett Bochy, whose responsibilities changed Tuesday as the right-hander joined the second round of Giants callups and officially began his Major League career. 

"I was surprised, honored and grateful to have the opportunity to be up here," said Brett, who recorded a 3.83 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 54 innings spanning 35 appearances for Triple-A Fresno this year.

With the Giants striving for a postseason berth, the younger Bochy probably won't pitch often. That matters little to Giants manager Bruce Bochy, 57, and Brett, 27. They get to spend the season's final month together, which is enough of a thrill for them both. Bruce Bochy said he would "cherish the memory" of being the seventh skipper in big league history to manage his son.

Through Brett's high school years, most of Bruce's baseball memories of his son were forged when Brett served as the Padres' bat boy. As Brett grew up and developed as a pitcher, Bruce's big league duties prevented him from watching his son perform. Bruce saw a couple of games while Brett played at the University of Kansas. Bruce also had the privilege of temporarily managing Brett, a non-roster invitee to the Giants' last two Spring Training camps.

Brett still spent as much time with his father as possible as a youth -- accompanying him as often as possible to the ballpark or sitting in his mother's seat on the team's charter flight when she opted not to travel. Being a baseball insider of sorts whetted Brett's appetite to reach the big leagues himself.

"This is what you dream about every day," he said.

Bruce Bochy never regarded Brett as a potential Major Leaguer until after his son's junior year at Kansas. "Brett's for real," a couple of scouts told him.

Brett endured Tommy John elbow surgery the following year. But he healed well, was selected by the Giants in the 20th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft and rose methodically through the organization's Minor League system through four seasons.

Bruce Bochy never hinted to Brett that he might join the team in September.

"You have to be 100 percent [sure] before you say anything," the elder Bochy said.

He separated business from familial pleasure right up to the very end, as Brett got the word from Fresno manager Bob Mariano, not his dad, that the Giants had purchased his contract.

Still, the Bochys had time to reunite and reflect before they joined forces to prepare for Tuesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies.

"What a great day," Bruce Bochy said.