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GLENDALE, Ariz. — After Pablo Sandoval’s first day back at Giants camp this week, he received a text message from the man who was there when it all started. However, Bruce Bochy was just coming full circle after many comings and goings during the offseason.
At the Cactus League’s annual media day, Bochy said he wasn’t at all surprised that Sandoval showed up to Giants camp as a non-roster invitee. While Sandoval was sending workout videos to Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi looking for work, he was doing the same with Bochy.
“I knew he had the drive and the passion to play again, which is good for him,” Bochy said. “He will get an invite to Major League camp and will be able to show what he can do. He looks good from the videos I saw. I haven’t seen him in person yet, but I sent him a text last night congratulating him.
“He worked hard. You know Pablo, he’s always loved the game and I can see that even when he’s done, he should stay in the game as a coach or whatever he wants to do, because the guy plays the game that way.” You love players to play with. “He has joy and enthusiasm.”
Bochy was still in San Diego when Sandoval first appeared in Giants camp nearly two decades ago, but on Monday Sandoval returned to the Giants on a minor league contract. At 37, he’s looking to make an unlikely comeback, and Zaidi was happy to bring that energy back to camp…and stop the barrage of text messages.
“We had to sign Pablo because the training videos he sent me took up all the space on my phone,” Zaidi said Monday.
Bochy finds himself in a familiar situation as he returns to spring training. He’s coming off his fourth World Series title and said Monday that he’s excited for the Giants to pay tribute to the 2014 title team and the Core Four this summer.
Sandoval is the last member of that team still in Giants camp, although two other stars from that era hope to continue digging in the batter’s box this spring. Both Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt have shown interest in playing this season, but both remain free agents.
“I don’t know where they are as far as their desire and appetite and all that, but you look at the remaining free agents and sure, I’m surprised, and certainly with those two,” Bochy said. “I think the world of both of them. Whatever they want, I wish them the best. They did a lot for me and I appreciate it a lot, and I’m pushing for them to get what they want.”
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