MIAMI — Bruce Bochy started to feel ill Sunday night when the Giants arrived in Miami, but he thought he could sleep it off. When the feeling didn’t go away Monday morning, Bochy called head trainer Dave Groeschner.
"I just thought this Miami hospital had a special feel for offense," he cracked Tuesday afternoon. "I wanted to check it out."
Bochy spent a night at the University of Miami hospital because of an irregular heartbeat. He said it is something he has dealt with in the past, and a simple adjustment to his medication got him back on the right track. Bochy wanted to be with the team Monday but he was kept overnight for observation. He checked out Tuesday morning and rejoined a team that won a 14-inning game without its manager.
"I’m all good now — it’s good to be back," he said. "I watched every pitch there. What (Brandon) Crawford did was one of the best performances I’ve seen from a player. Buster (Posey), what a job he did. The level of concentration they maintained for 5 1/2 hours was really impressive."
Bochy credited all his players, singling out the bullpen and acting manager Ron Wotus in addition to Crawford and Posey. He said the hospital bed brought a different perspective, and he enjoyed watching.
"That was some of the best medicine I could have had," he said of the 8-7 win.
There is a more serious side to this, of course. Bochy said the irregular heartbeat isn’t related to an issue that caused two stents to be inserted last spring. Still, this is two heart-related health scares in 18 months for a 61-year-old who seems all-in on every pitch of every game.
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Bochy was asked if the heart problems could lead to him stepping away from the game earlier than expected. He quickly shot down the possibility.
"No, no, not at all," he said. "No. This is what I love to do. Sure there’s stress in a lot of things you do, it could be family or work. You can make it as stressful as you want. Sure I care and I want the club to do well, but I don’t think I get stressed out. I’m doing a better job of putting it behind me. There’s nothing else I want to do than what I’m doing now."
Bochy said doctors have informed him that this ailment won’t bother him going forward. He is cleared to continue the way he always has, and he rejoined a team hoping that Monday provides a launching pad. Several players said Tuesday that they’re hoping the win — sparked by Crawford’s seven-hit performance — ends this second-half swoon. Bochy saw positives from the hospital bed.
"They’re all trying, they’re all trying their best," he said. "It’s not for a lack of effort."
