This weekend's series between the Rangers and Astros features two of the most successful managers in Major League history -- Dusty Baker of the Astros and Bruce Bochy of the Rangers. Baker's 2,099 wins entering Saturday's game are the ninth-most in Major League history, and Bochy's 2,011 wins are 11th. Bochy won three World Series titles with the Giants (2010, '12, '14), while Baker won his first last year with the Astros.
"We go way back -- back when he was in San Diego, and I was in San Francisco," Baker said. "I left [the Giants] and he took my place after Felipe Alou and we hooked up many, many times after that. You always know you have to do your homework and be ready because Bruce's teams are going to be ready. He's been a formidable foe for a long time."
Saturday's game will make the 193rd time Bochy, 67, and Baker, 73, had faced off in the regular season, with Bochy's 110 losses against Baker-led teams the most among any manager he's faced. Baker is 110-82 all-time against Bochy in the regular season.
"He had some really good teams," Bochy said. "We had a tough time against the Giants for a while there when I was in San Diego. It's good to see him… It's like old days here. We'll be battling now that we're back in the same division."
Baker said he and Bochy have many mutual friends, including former pitcher Rick Sutcliffe and singer Huey Lewis. Baker has even leaned on Bochy for tips on some fishing spots in Florida and Montana, while sharing an affinity for wine.
"Over time, you just learn to respect the guy and what he does and how he's doing," Baker said.
Bochy has bragging rights in the postseason over Baker. In 2012, Baker's 97-win Reds blew a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five NLDS and lost in five games to the Giants, who went on to win the World Series.
"Despite being rivals for years, I have so much respect for the man and for what he's done," Bochy said. "He's a tremendous player, manager, coach. He's accomplished so much in this game. He's good for the game. I've always enjoyed my time with him."
