Bob Melvin Head Coach of San Francisco Giants Just Announced His Departure Due To…..
“Talk about full circle” was Bob Melvin’s introduction as the new manager of the San Francisco Giants.
Gabe Kapler is replaced by another former Oakland Athletics manager, as Kapler was fired with three games remaining in the regular season. After a fantastic start to the season and a 9–18 September record, the Giants faded away at the end of the campaign. They were still in the running for the playoffs.
After Kapler was sacked, bench coach Kai Correa took over as interim manager; Melvin will succeed him.
Since taking over as manager of the Seattle Mariners in 2003, the Palo Alto native and longtime Menlo Park resident has managed in the major leagues. Prior to taking over as Oakland’s manager for ten years starting in 2011, he was also the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. With 853 victories, Melvin ranked second in A’s team history and trained Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack.
Melvin described himself as “an absolute crazy Bay Area sports fan” growing up and described his rise to the Giants’ manager position as “surreal” during a press conference on Wednesday.
“I was walking over here today, thinking, talk about full circle,” Melvin replied. And to be honest, I never could have imagined doing this as a child. Being able to go to Cal, manage the A’s, and play here as well. You don’t even fantasize about it. Thus, eventually, this will become clear.”
On October 25, 2023, Bob Melvin dons a Giants jersey upon his introduction as manager. He is accompanied by chairman Greg Johnson and president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi (L).KPI
Melvin guided San Diego to the National League Championship Series in his debut season as manager of the Padres last year. Nevertheless, the Padres had a difficult season in 2023 despite being one of the favorites to win the World Series; they ended with an 82-80 record and were eliminated from the postseason.
Melvin was a perfect fit for the Giants, according to Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations.
“We just view Bob as the perfect manager and perfect leader for this team and this organization right now,” stated Zaidi. “You know, hearing players express their fervor for playing for him, their appreciation for his leadership, and his concern for them. It meant a lot to us in this process because so many of the players who played for Bob still claim to this day that he was the best manager they have ever worked for.”
In the past 20 years, Melvin, 62, is the second Padres manager to be hired away by the Giants. Bruce Bochy, a San Diego native, was signed by the Giants in 2006 and went on to win three World Series titles for the team.
“I thank the San Diego Padres for being accommodating and letting us pursue the perfect candidate and for giving Bob the opportunity to come home,” Zaidi said.
Melvin has a 16–23 postseason record, a lifetime 51.6% winning percentage, and a reputation for getting the most out of his squads.
Giants chairman Greg Johnson said during the team’s news conference on Wednesday that Zaidi’s contract would also be extended until 2026 “in principle,” in addition to Melvin’s 2026 expiration date.
The conditions of Zaidi’s and Melvin’s contracts were not made public.