Bob Geren

{{short description|American baseball player, coach, and manager (born 1961)}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Bob Geren

|image=Bob Geren July 16, 2018 (50120693293) (cropped).jpg

|image_size=270

|caption=Geren representing the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2018 MLB All-Star Game

|team=Los Angeles Dodgers

|number=88

|position=Catcher / Manager / Coach

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1961|9|22}}

|birth_place=San Diego, California, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=May 17

|debutyear=1988

|debutteam=New York Yankees

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=July 26

|finalyear=1993

|finalteam=San Diego Padres

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Batting average

|stat1value=.233

|stat2label=Home runs

|stat2value=22

|stat3label=Runs batted in

|stat3value=76

|stat4label=Managerial record

|stat4value=334–376

|stat5label=Winning %

|stat5value=.470

|teams=

;As player

New York Yankees ({{mlby|1988}}–{{mlby|1991}})
San Diego Padres ({{mlby|1993}})

;As manager

Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2011}})

;As coach

Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2006}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2012}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2016}}–present)

|awards =

2× World Series champion ({{wsy|2020}}, {{wsy|2024}})

}}

Robert Peter Geren (born September 22, 1961) is an American former professional baseball catcher and manager, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees ({{baseball year|1988}}–{{baseball year|1991}}) and San Diego Padres ({{baseball year|1993}}). Geren managed the Oakland Athletics from {{baseball year|2007}} through {{baseball year|2011}}. He served in various coaching capacities for the A's and New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He is currently the major league field coordinator for the Dodgers.

Playing career

Geren was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round with the 24th pick of the 1979 draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gerenbo01.shtml|title=Bob Geren Statistics|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=March 20, 2008}} After spending 10 years in the minor leagues, he made his major league debut for the New York Yankees in 1988, playing with New York through 1991.

He spent the first two seasons backing up Don Slaught. In 1990, he had his statistically best season as the starting Yankees' catcher. In 110 games, he had a .213 batting average with 8 home runs and 31 runs batted in.

On July 1 of that year, he was the catcher when Andy Hawkins no-hit the Chicago White Sox but lost 4–0, the White Sox scoring all four runs in the eighth courtesy of three Yankee errors.{{Cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1990/B07010CHA1990.htm|title=Retrosheet Boxscore: Chicago White Sox 4, New York Yankees 0}} (With the change of the definition of a no-hitter the following year, this no-hitter would be taken off the record books.)

After spending 1992 in the minors with the Pawtucket Red Sox,{{cite web|url=http://minors.baseball-reference.com/teams.cgi?yid=1992&lid=INT&tid=PAW|title=1992 Pawtucket Red Sox Statistics and Leaders|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523162736/http://minors.baseball-reference.com/teams.cgi?yid=1992&lid=INT&tid=PAW|archive-date=May 23, 2008|url-status=dead}} he played his final season of baseball in 1993 with the San Diego Padres, the team that originally drafted him.

Coaching career

=Minor League manager=

Geren was hired by then Boston Red Sox director of player development Bob Schaefer to manage in the Red Sox minor league system. He managed for the Red Sox from 1995 to 1998 at the Rookie and Class A levels before leaving to join the Oakland Athletics' organization. Geren managed the Athletics' Single-A affiliate Modesto A's during the 1999 season.

He next was named the first-ever manager of the Oakland Athletics' Triple-A affiliate Sacramento River Cats. Geren managed the River Cats for three seasons (2000–2002). During his managing in the Athletics' minor league system, Geren worked under A's General Manager Billy Beane, a longtime friend and former high school baseball opponent. Under Geren's management, the Rivercats won Pacific Coast League division titles in 2000 and 2001.

During the winter, Geren managed the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Baseball League, winning the league championship in the 2001–2002 season. In February 2002, Geren led Licey to a second-place finish in the 2002 Caribbean Series held in Caracas, Venezuela. The 2002 Dominican Republic team included notable MLB players Vladimir Guerrero, Miguel Tejada, and Odalis Perez. Geren later returned to the Dominican Republic in the winter of 2005 to manage the Leones del Escogido.

Geren was called to the major leagues in 2003 where he first served as the bullpen coach for the Oakland Athletics. Geren was eventually promoted to bench coach, a position he held through 2006.

=Oakland Athletics manager=

File:Bob Geren on June 6, 2011.jpg

On November 17, 2006, Geren was promoted from his previous position as Athletics bench coach to become the 28th manager in Oakland Athletics franchise history.{{Cite web |title=Official Oakland Athletics Website |url=https://www.mlb.com/athletics/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He replaced Ken Macha, who was fired after disagreements with players and general manager Billy Beane. In 2007, Geren led the A's to a 76–86 record. In 2008, the Athletics finished the season with a 75–86 record.

In March 2009, the A's and Geren agreed to a contract extension for one year, with an additional options year.[https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4005318 Geren expected to get one-year deal] ESPN, March 22, 2009 During the 2010 season, the A's finished with an even .500 winning percentage (81–81 record). On September 11, 2010, MLB.com announced that Oakland had exercised Geren's option for 2011, assuring him another season in the green and gold.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110916202610/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100911&content_id=14554004&vkey=news_oak&c_id=oak A's exercise Geren's option for 2011] MLB.com, September 11, 2010

In May 2011, Geren's managerial style came under scrutiny by Bay Area press when reliever Brian Fuentes criticized Geren's communication style after he was replaced as the A's closer amid poor performance in the role.{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/05/25/SPH01JKDRE.DTL |title=Geren under spotlight now |author=Shea, John |date=May 25, 2011 |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=May 26, 2011}} Fuentes later apologized to Geren for going public with his comments, and A's owner Lew Wolff endorsed Geren as the A's manager.{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/athletics/detail?entry_id=89753 |title=Lew Wolff endorses Bob Geren |author=Shea, John |date=May 25, 2011 |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=May 26, 2011}} Geren's last game as manager was June 9, 2011; he was subsequently fired and replaced with Bob Melvin.{{cite news |last=Saracevic |first=Al | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/athletics/detail?entry_id=90636 |title=Oakland A's fire Bob Geren, replaces him with Bob Melvin | work=San Francisco Chronicle | date=June 9, 2011 |access-date=January 26, 2016}}

=New York Mets=

File:Bench coach Bob Geren posts the Mets' -WorldSeries Game 1 lineup (22467103997).jpg during the 2015 World Series.]]

On October 14, 2011, the New York Mets hired Geren to be the team's new bench coach replacing former bench coach Ken Oberkfell.{{cite web |url=http://www.metsblog.com/2011/10/14/rubin-riggleman-does-not-get-bench-coach-job/ |title=Mets hire Bob Geren to be the bench coach |author=Cerrone, Matthew |date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=MetsBlog.com |access-date=October 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016151210/http://www.metsblog.com/2011/10/14/rubin-riggleman-does-not-get-bench-coach-job/ |archive-date=October 16, 2011 }} During the 2015 season, the Mets won the National League Championship Series and played in the World Series against the Kansas City Royals. The Royals eventually won the 2015 World Series in five games.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-win-world-series-c156205900|title=Mighty KC! Royals rise in 9th, rule the World |author=DiComo, Anthony |date=November 2, 2015 |work=MLB.com |access-date=December 11, 2016 }} During his time with the Mets, Geren was praised for his "statistical aptitude" and "strong working knowledge of advanced analytics."{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/113105/mets-coaches-all-invited-to-return-bob-geren-to-get-dodgers-interview |title=Mets coaches all invited to return; Bob Geren to get Dodgers interview |author=Rubin, Adam |date=November 4, 2015 |work=ESPN.com |access-date=December 11, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/bob-geren-interviews-for-dodgers-manager-job-1.11075994 |title=Bob Geren interviews for Dodgers' manager job |author=Carig, Marc |date=November 9, 2015 |publisher=Newsday.com |access-date=December 11, 2016 }} Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson also complimented Geren for being "tuned into analytics."{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post/_/id/36902/rumor-central-could-bob-geren-be-the-next-mets-manager|title=Rumor Central: Could Bob Geren be the next Mets manager?|author=Mittler, Doug |date=September 18, 2017 |work=ESPN.com |access-date=September 18, 2017 }}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On December 2, 2015, it was reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers hired Geren to be the team's new bench coach serving under new manager Dave Roberts and replacing former bench coach Tim Wallach.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-dodgers-bob-geren-bench-coach-20151202-story.html |title=Bob Geren will be the Dodgers' next bench coach |last=Hernandez |first=Dylan |date=December 2, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 26, 2016}} Geren said his decision to leave the Mets for Los Angeles was fueled by a desire to be closer to his family in Southern California.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/113523/bob-geren-departure-fueled-by-family-matters|title=Bob Geren departure fueled by family matters|first=Adam|last=Ruben|work=ESPN|date=December 4, 2015|access-date=December 4, 2015}} During the 2016 season, his first with the Dodgers, Geren coached under manager Dave Roberts, who would go on to win the 2016 National League Manager of the Year Award.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-awards-dodgers-dave-roberts-wins-2016-nl-manager-of-the-year-award |title=Dodgers' Dave Roberts wins 2016 NL Manager of the Year award |last=Axisa |first=Mike |date=November 15, 2016 |work=CBS Sports |access-date=December 12, 2016}} In 2017, the Dodgers won the National League Championship Series and played against the Houston Astros in the World Series.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/01/561445201/it-s-winner-take-all-in-game-7-of-the-world-series |title=Houston Astros Defeat Los Angeles Dodgers To Take World Series Crown |last=Gonzales |first=Richard |date=November 1, 2017 |work=NPR |access-date=November 12, 2017}} In 2018, the Dodgers appeared in their second straight World Series and played against the Boston Red Sox.{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25057802/mlb-boston-red-sox-vs-los-angeles-dodgers-historic-world-series-clash |title=Red Sox vs. Dodgers: A World Series clash with historic possibilities |last=Doolittle |first=Bradford |date=October 23, 2013 |work=ESPN |access-date=February 1, 2019}} Geren won his first World Series in the 2020 season, as the Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in six games.{{Cite web|title=Wait is over! Dodgers win 1st WS since '88|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-win-2020-world-series|access-date=November 2, 2020|website=MLB.com|language=en}}

For the 2023 season, Geren stepped down as bench coach to take on the new position of major league field coordinator.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2023/2/1/23511663/dodgers-coaching-staff-staff-2023-danny-lehmann-aaron-bates|title=Dodgers promote Danny Lehmann to bench coach|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=February 1, 2023|accessdate=February 1, 2023}}

Personal life

Geren and his wife, Pam, reside in Southern California.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100301210726/http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=oak&coachorstaffid=114712 Athletics Manager Bio] Geren has two sons, Bobby and Brett, who both played NCAA Division I baseball at Princeton University.{{Cite web |url=http://princeton.sidearmsports.com/news/2006/6/22/301008.aspx |title=Princeton Baseball in the Pros |access-date=December 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220215951/http://princeton.sidearmsports.com/news/2006/6/22/301008.aspx |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Geren's personal life has been featured on several episodes of Spectrum SportsNet LA's television show "Backstage: Dodgers." In 2019, the program featured Geren's longtime hobby of racing cars and included footage of Geren's ride along with former racing driver Mario Andretti before the 2019 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.{{Cite web |title=Geren Goes Racing {{!}} 10/04/2019 |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/video/geren-goes-racing |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} In 2016, Geren, known as an avid cyclist, was interviewed while riding his bicycle to work at Dodger Stadium for a Dodgers home game.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-geren-erskine-20160907-snap-story.html |title=The long-distance Dodger: 'I feel great when I get here' |author=Erskine, Chris|date=September 6, 2011 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 24, 2019}}

While with the Yankees, he appeared on the CBS daytime version of Family Feud hosted by Ray Combs with other members of his family late in 1988.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iASrrGehfgY |title=Family Feud (1988): Robinson/Geren |date=2015-05-21 |last=The Unedited Fun & Games Channel |access-date=2024-05-17 |via=YouTube}} The Gerens appeared on 5 episodes and won a total of $7,666.

Managerial record

class="wikitable" Style="text-align: center"
rowspan="2" \| Team ! rowspan="2" \| From ! rowspan="2" \| To ! colspan="3" \| Regular season record
{{Tooltip\|W\|Games won}} ! {{Tooltip\|L\|Games lost}} ! {{Tooltip\|Win %\|Winning percentage}}
Oakland Athletics \| 2007 \| 2011 \| {{WinLossPct\|334\|376}}

class="wikitable" Style="text-align: center"

rowspan="2" | Team

! rowspan="2" | From

! rowspan="2" | To

! colspan="3" | Regular season record

! {{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

! {{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}

Oakland Athletics

| 2007

| 2011

| {{WinLossPct|334|376}}

References

External links

{{baseballstats|mlb=114712|espn=2045|br=g/gerenbo01|fangraphs=1004628|brm=geren-001rob|retro=G/Pgereb001}}

[https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=gerenbo01 Bob Geren] at Baseball Almanac

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sports}}}}

{{succession box | title=Utica Blue Sox manager |before=Dave Holt|years=1995|after=Steve McFarland}}

{{succession box | title=Gulf Coast League Red Sox manager |before=Félix Maldonado|years=1996|after=Luis Aguayo}}

{{succession box | title=Sarasota Red Sox manager |before=Rob Derksen|years=1998|after=Butch Hobson}}

{{succession box | title=Modesto A's manager |before=Juan Navarette|years=1999|after=Greg Sparks}}

{{succession box | title=Sacramento River Cats manager |before=first manager|years=2000–2002|after=Tony DeFrancesco}}

{{succession box | title=Oakland Athletics bullpen coach |before=Brad Fischer|years=2003–2005|after=Brad Fischer}}

{{succession box | title=Oakland Athletics bench coach |before=Rene Lachemann|years=2006|after=Bob Schaefer}}

{{succession box | title=New York Mets bench coach |before=Ken Oberkfell|years=2012–2015|after=Dick Scott}}

{{succession box | title=Los Angeles Dodgers Bench Coach | before=Tim Wallach | years={{baseball year|2016}}–{{baseball year|2022}}| after=Danny Lehmann}}