Padres Honor Former Manager Bruce Bochy Before Final Series in San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- Bruce Bochy didn't expect the emotions to hit until Sunday, when he drives into Petco Park for the final time as a manager. But the Padres made sure their former manager felt the love right from the start of this series. 

Bochy, the manager here for a dozen years, was honored during a pregame ceremony led by Padres chairman Ron Fowler and former players Steve Finley, Carlos Hernandez, Mark Sweeney and Andy Ashby. He was presented with fishing poles, a custom bottle of wine and a frame full of photos from his time in San Diego. 

Bochy knew there was a ceremony in the works, but still appeared to get choked up when he received a standing ovation. 

"I appreciate that, I really do," he said before batting practice. "It's not what I was looking for in my last year but it means something to me."

Bochy spent five seasons playing for the Padres and took over as manager in 1995. He won 951 games in San Diego and four division titles, and in 1998 the Padres went to the World Series, where they lost to the Yankees. On Friday, Bochy thanked the organization and former GM Randy Smith for giving him a chance and said he fondly remembers being part of the group that brought Petco Park to the city. 

"We had some division titles here," he said. "I didn't quite get the championship, but we had some great memories with a lot of great players."

With a bit of a strange schedule, the Giants won't return to San Diego after Sunday's game. But Bochy said he had not given much thought to what this all meant. He actually stayed in San Francisco on Wednesday night, electing not to come down early as he often does. 

"I really haven't thought about it a lot today," Bochy said. "Maybe the last day I'll start doing more reflecting. I made this call back in spring training and said that I would try to put it behind me and keep the focus on the field."

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