The Windup – Starkville: Texas Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy on Staying in Contention Despite Injuries

Podcast: The Windup: A Show About Baseball
Episode: Starkville | Texas Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy talks about how they are hanging around with so many injuries
Host(s): Jason Stark & Doug Glanville (The Athletic)
Guest: Bruce Bochy, Manager, Texas Rangers
Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a wide-ranging, insightful conversation with Bruce Bochy, the legendary manager of the Texas Rangers. Bochy discusses how the Rangers have managed to remain competitive deep into September, despite suffering a slew of critical injuries. The hosts and Bochy explore leadership during adversity, the importance of depth and culture on a team, adjusting managerial strategy for the postseason, and finding joy in the grind of a baseball season. The episode’s second half includes the show’s signature “Strange but True” baseball oddities and listener questions.

Main Discussion: Managing Through Adversity with Bruce Bochy

[05:18] Guest Introduction – Bruce Bochy joins Starkville

Dealing with Injuries and Staying in the Race

• Stark opens by expressing amazement that Texas is still in the mix for both the wild card and AL West crowns, given the team's recent injury plague.

• Bochy on relying on pitching and depth:

  “I thought with our pitching that... they'd give us a chance to win on a consistent basis... What these kids have done since they come up... it’s just been fun to watch... You never give up... there's nothing you do about [injuries]. Everybody has them. In our game... you move on.”
  (06:15)

• Manager's mission in tough stretches:

  “You deal with adversity, whether it’s skids or injuries... ‘Next guy up’ has to be the mantra. That’s why it’s so important to have depth.”
  (07:28)

Setting the Tone as Manager

• On projecting calm and consistency:

  “I think it’s really important for a manager to project [calm]. There’s enough pressure... especially in September. I try to come in the same. Now, don’t let what you see sometimes belie what’s going on inside... the wheels are turning.”
  (11:05)

  • Memorable anecdote:
    Discusses advice he once received from Ken Caminiti about not being a "yeller":

    "[Caminiti] said, 'I made an error one time and I looked in the dugout and the manager threw the cooler... I couldn’t catch a ball after that.' I said, 'Trust me, it’s not gonna be... there won’t be coolers flying in the dugout.'" (12:10)

• Bochy highlights “staying out of the way” when things are going well but making tactical adjustments and keeping everyone ready to contribute when adversity strikes.

Working with Young Players: Then vs. Now

• Adjusting to modern rookies:

  “I think today’s easier. The spirit of hospitality among the players, the veterans, getting to know [the young guys]... they’re more at ease now with the team when they come up.”
  (12:55)

“Manager of the Year,” Career Reflections, and Best Practices

• Bochy reacts with humility to speculation about Manager of the Year, focusing on the collective effort.

• On career milestones:

  “It just tells me how lucky, how fortunate, blessed I am to have this chance to be around as long as I’ve been around and blessed to have all the great players that I’ve had, these great staffs... When you mention those names [of top managers in wins], I’m going, how did this happen?”
  (15:59)

• Five keys to being a good manager:

  • Treat players how you’d want to be treated
  • Emphasize fundamentals (“dominate the fundamentals”)
  • Preparation in all facets
  • Create an environment for team unity/chemistry
  • “Get the whole story on the player; sometimes you gotta take a deep dive…”
    (17:27)

Creating a Winning Culture

• Building a culture and unity:

  “You talk about it. Whether it’s your opening day message and spring training... try to create that environment to get everybody... to play as one... It’s not something you can mandate, but you can keep pushing and talking about.”
  (21:26)

• On whether he shares stories from past championships:

  “If they ask me, which they do... I try not to go into the past because... you're my focus. But sometimes... we talk about those teams.”
  (22:52)

The Fun and Grind of Managing

• What brings Bochy joy:

  “Walking in that clubhouse... seeing the guys, the staff, the players. That’s where it starts.... When the game starts... just again reminding yourself how blessed you are to be doing something you love and to be doing it this long... There’s nothing like September baseball.”
  (24:02)

• Travel mishaps:
  Shares a travel story but stresses keeping perspective:

  “I try not to get caught up into the little things... I did take [the staff] to the Medal of Honor Museum... you look at what sacrifice is... We’re complaining about little things. So I keep things in perspective.”
  (25:29)

Adapting to the Times – “Bussin’” and Beyond

• On using modern lingo in interviews:

  “Here’s a 70‑year‑old man talking about bussin’... They actually have these hats, I must have 50 of them, says bussin’ on it.”
  (26:48)
  (Bochy takes this in good humor, showing willingness to bond with his players' culture.)

• Favorite road spots & keeping things fresh:
  Bochy shares favorite cities and the joys of exploring, from fishing in Seattle to visiting D.C. with young players. (28:16)

The Impact of Brett Boone as Hitting Coach

• On Brett Boone:

  “He’s so relatable... brings a more simple approach at times... I think he’s brought a lot of confidence to these hitters, simplified a lot of it... He’s a little bit of a psychologist...”
  (29:50)

Handling the Clubhouse Dynamic and Postseason Philosophy

• On “cheerleaders” in the dugout:

  “It’s funny how one player... can have the type of personality or enthusiasm that can get infectious.”
  (31:16)

• Managing in the postseason:

  “I can’t say I have the secret sauce. The secret sauce is having really good players and staff... things go right during the playoffs... But you have to have the right guys that can perform under pressure...”
  (32:40)

• On adjusting bullpen and strategy in October:

  “Sometimes you hear, ‘keep doing what you did during the season.’ I’ve never believed that... You gotta do what you can to win every game now. Worry about tomorrow.”
  (33:56)

• Reflecting on lessons learned: trusting gut vs. over-relying on data, the value of experience, and that failure drives improvement.

The Future

• Bochy, on managing beyond this season:

  “I’ll keep with what I’ve been saying since day one — Cy and I will get together after the season... Right now, [that’s] the last thing I can be thinking about... But I love it. I feel good. I enjoy it. But we’ll see.”
  (37:51)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Calm Leadership:

  “There won’t be coolers flying in the dugout.” (12:10)

• On Modern Baseball Culture:

  “Here’s a 70‑year‑old man talking about bussin’.” (26:48)

• On Postseason Managing:

  “Sometimes you hear, ‘just do what you did in the season.’ I’ve never believed that... You gotta do what you can to win every game now.” (33:56)

• On Perspective:

  “I did take [the staff] to the Medal of Honor Museum... you look at some of the things we deal with and go, ‘Come on man, we’re complaining about little things.’” (25:29)

[41:54] Strange but True: The Eight-Minute Home Run Trot

• Segment Highlight: Recap of a bench-clearing incident after a Rafael Devers home run, resulting in an 8 minute and 52 second trot—possibly the longest ever.

• Memorable banter:
  Stark: “I’m declaring that the longest home run trot of all time. Doug, tell me I’m wrong.”
  (45:24)

• Lighthearted jokes about ride-shares, alternate history home run trots, and the magic of baseball oddities.

[50:19] Listener Voicemail & Trivia

Rare Baseball Plays

• Listener “Sean Collins” calls in about a rare play: pitcher gets an assist on his own strikeout on a ball in the dirt.
  Stats guru Katie Sharp finds 130 such plays in history, six just this season — more common than thought!
• Stark to Doug:
  “I did ask Katie to check to make sure you never got thrown out on one of those. You want to guess how many times?”
  Doug: “I would never allow that. So I’m going to say zero.”
  (54:26)

Trivia Time

• Caller Bobby asks: Who was the first rookie to strike out 50 batters in his first five starts?

  • Guesses include Kerry Wood and Clayton Kershaw, but the answer is: Herb Score.
  • They joke about their ongoing streak of missing trivia questions.

• Starkville Hotline: The hosts encourage listeners to call 267‑227‑9867. Doug’s mnemonic:

  “If you can’t remember the number, just remember: Bap Bop Zump.”
  (61:07)

Episode Takeaways

• Leadership in Adversity: Bochy’s steady hand, focus on fundamentals, and willingness to let his team’s depth shine are clear factors in the Rangers' resilience.
• Clubhouse Culture: The importance of player buy-in, a sense of belonging for young players, and the right blend of veteran presence and rookie enthusiasm.
• Adaptability: Whether embracing modern lingo, employing new tactics, or knowing when to trust his gut, Bochy models continuous growth—even after decades in the game.
• Joy and Perspective: Despite the grind, Bochy’s joy for the game, his appreciation for little things (and the humor in them), and keeping things in perspective are infectious.
• Baseball is Weird: The “Strange but True” segment underscores why fans love the unpredictable, odd, and memorable quirks of the sport.
• Audience Engagement: The hosts’ witty banter, love for listener participation, and humility (even when missing trivia) make for a personable, community-driven baseball show.

This summary captures the episode’s major themes, insightful discussion, best quotes, and the quirky fun that defines Starkville. Ideal for fans who missed the episode or want a deeper look at Bruce Bochy’s approach to managing a team through September adversity.