Programming note: The Giants will officially announce the promotions in a press conference Friday at 3:30 p.m. Watch it on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and STREAMING LIVE right here.
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants have made a habit of rewarding key players after World Series runs. On Friday morning, it was time to reward the architects of this dynasty.
Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean signed contract extensions that take them through the 2019 season, with Sabean, the general manager since 1996, being named executive vice president of baseball operations. Assistant general manager Bobby Evans was promoted to general manager and Jeremy Shelley was promoted to assistant GM.
The announcement came before Friday’s annual Play Ball luncheon. In past years, the Giants announced extensions for Buster Posey and Matt Cain before the luncheon.
“Brian and Bruce form the foundation on which all three Championship teams have been built. The strength and stability of Giants baseball is a direct reflection of the strength and stability of the partnership of these two men,” team president and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. “My top priority this off season was to ensure that this partnership and our outstanding baseball organization remain intact for years to come.”
The 58-year-old Sabean was the longest-tenured GM in the game. The Giants have been to the postseason seven times with Sabean in charge, winning three of four times they’ve been in the World Series. Sabean’s Giants have a winning percentage of .534. Bochy, 59, is a surefire Hall of Famer after becoming the 10th manager to win three titles. The previous nine are in the Hall of Fame. Bochy leads all active managers and ranks 18th in MLB history with 1,618 regular season victories.
Both were previously signed through the 2016 season.
“First, I want to thank Larry and the ownership group for their commitment to me and to our entire baseball department. I am thrilled that our group will remain together for the foreseeable future,” Sabean said in a statement. “There is no finer manager in baseball today than Bruce Bochy. His humble leadership style and brilliant strategic mind is the key to our success on the field. He is no doubt on his way to the Hall of Fame and we are fortunate to have him lead our team.”
Said Bochy: “There is no place I’d rather be than right here in San Francisco with the Giants. I couldn’t have a better situation. I am extremely proud to be a part of this great franchise and I look forward to continuing to work with everyone in the organization to build on the success of the last several years.”
Evans is starting his 22nd season in the Giants baseball operations department, and in recent years he has taken on an increased role. He will manage the day-to-day operations of the baseball department. Shelley is also in his 22nd year with the Giants and adds an assistant GM tag to his vice president of pro scouting and player evaluation title.
The changes move the Giants closer to a model that is sweeping MLB front offices. The Cubs, White Sox and Dodgers have all moved high-profile GMs into president roles in recent years and installed others as general manager.
Active Managers (Most Years with Current Team)
Manager Team First Season
Mike Scoscia Angels 2000
Bruce Bochy Giants 2007
Bud Black Padres 2007
Joe Girardi Yankees 2008
Buck Showalter Orioles 2010
Ned Yost Royals 2010
Best Records in National League Since 2007
REC WIN% WS Wins
Cardinals 706-590 .545 1
Phillies 700-596 .540 1
Dodgers 695-600 .537 0
Braves 691-605 .533 0
Giants 667-629 .515 3
Active General Managers (Most Years with Current Team)
Brian Sabean Giants 1996
Billy Beane Athletics 1997
Brian Cashman Yankees 1998
Dave Dombrowski Tigers 2002
Doug Melvin Brewers 2002
Best Records in National League Since 1997
REC WIN% WS Wins
Braves 1651-1263 .567 0
Cardinals 1595-1319 .547 2
Giants 1556-1358 .534 3
Dodgers 1544-1371 .530 0
Phillies 1496-1419 .513 1
Brian Sabean (Managers Hired)
Felipe Alou 2003-2006
Bruce Bochy 2007-present
