| Bob Geren | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Geren representing theLos Angeles Dodgers at the2018 MLB All-Star Game | |
| Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 88 | |
| Catcher /Manager /Coach | |
| Born: (1961-09-22)September 22, 1961 (age 63) San Diego, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 17, 1988, for the New York Yankees | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 26, 1993, for the San Diego Padres | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .233 |
| Home runs | 22 |
| Runs batted in | 76 |
| Managerial record | 334–376 |
| Winning % | .470 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Robert Peter Geren (born September 22, 1961) is an American former professionalbaseballcatcher andmanager, who played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theNew York Yankees (1988–1991) andSan Diego Padres (1993). Geren managed theOakland Athletics from2007 through2011. He served in various coaching capacities for the A's andNew York Mets, andLos Angeles Dodgers. He is currently the major league field coordinator for the Dodgers.
Geren was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round with the 24th pick of the 1979 draft.[1] 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 upDon Slaught. In 1990, he had his statistically best season as the starting Yankees' catcher. In 110 games, he had a .213batting average with 8home runs and 31runs batted in.[1]
On July 1 of that year, he was the catcher whenAndy Hawkinsno-hit theChicago White Sox but lost 4–0, the White Sox scoring all four runs in the eighth courtesy of three Yankee errors.[2] (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 thePawtucket Red Sox,[3] he played his final season of baseball in 1993 with the San Diego Padres, the team that originally drafted him.
Geren was hired by thenBoston Red Sox director of player developmentBob 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 affiliateModesto A's during the 1999 season.
He next was named the first-ever manager of the Oakland Athletics'Triple-A affiliateSacramento 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 ManagerBilly Beane, a longtime friend and former high school baseball opponent. Under Geren's management, the Rivercats wonPacific Coast League division titles in 2000 and 2001.
During the winter, Geren managed theTigres del Licey in theDominican Baseball League, winning the league championship in the 2001–2002 season. In February 2002, Geren led Licey to a second-place finish in the2002 Caribbean Series held inCaracas, Venezuela. The 2002Dominican Republic team included notable MLB playersVladimir Guerrero,Miguel Tejada, andOdalis Perez. Geren later returned to the Dominican Republic in the winter of 2005 to manage theLeones del Escogido.
Geren was called to the major leagues in 2003 where he first served as the bullpen coach for theOakland Athletics. Geren was eventually promoted to bench coach, a position he held through 2006.
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.[4] He replacedKen Macha, who was fired after disagreements with players andgeneral 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.[5] 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.[6]
In May 2011, Geren's managerial style came under scrutiny by Bay Area press when relieverBrian Fuentes criticized Geren's communication style after he was replaced as the A's closer amid poor performance in the role.[7] Fuentes later apologized to Geren for going public with his comments, and A's ownerLew Wolff endorsed Geren as the A's manager.[8] Geren's last game as manager was June 9, 2011; he was subsequently fired and replaced withBob Melvin.[9]
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On October 14, 2011, theNew York Mets hired Geren to be the team's new bench coach replacing former bench coachKen Oberkfell.[10] During the 2015 season, the Mets won theNational League Championship Series and played in the World Series against theKansas City Royals. The Royals eventually won the2015 World Series in five games.[11] During his time with the Mets, Geren was praised for his "statistical aptitude" and "strong working knowledge of advanced analytics."[12][13] Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson also complimented Geren for being "tuned into analytics."[14]
On December 2, 2015, it was reported that theLos Angeles Dodgers hired Geren to be the team's new bench coach serving under new managerDave Roberts and replacing former bench coachTim Wallach.[15] 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.[16] During the 2016 season, his first with the Dodgers, Geren coached under manager Dave Roberts, who would go on to win the 2016 National LeagueManager of the Year Award.[17] In 2017, the Dodgers won the National League Championship Series and played against theHouston Astros in the World Series.[18] In 2018, the Dodgers appeared in their second straight World Series and played against theBoston Red Sox.[19] Geren won his firstWorld Series in the 2020 season, as the Dodgers defeated theTampa Bay Rays in six games.[20]
For the 2023 season, Geren stepped down as bench coach to take on the new position of major league field coordinator.[21]
Geren and his wife, Pam, reside in Southern California.[22] Geren has two sons, Bobby and Brett, who both playedNCAA Division I baseball atPrinceton University.[23]
Geren's personal life has been featured on several episodes ofSpectrum 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 driverMario Andretti before the2019 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.[24] In 2016, Geren, known as an avid cyclist, was interviewed while riding his bicycle to work atDodger Stadium for a Dodgers home game.[25]
While with the Yankees, he appeared on theCBS daytime version ofFamily Feud hosted byRay Combs with other members of his family late in 1988.[26] The Gerens appeared on 5 episodes and won a total of $7,666.
| Team | From | To | Regular season record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | Win % | |||
| Oakland Athletics | 2007 | 2011 | 334 | 376 | .470 |
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Dave Holt | Utica Blue Sox manager 1995 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Gulf Coast League Red Sox manager 1996 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Sarasota Red Sox manager 1998 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Modesto A's manager 1999 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by first manager | Sacramento River Cats manager 2000–2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Oakland Athletics bullpen coach 2003–2005 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Oakland Athletics bench coach 2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | New York Mets bench coach 2012–2015 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Los Angeles Dodgers Bench Coach 2016–2022 | Succeeded by |
