FILE – San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy stands in the dugout before a baseball game between the Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers in San Francisco, Sept. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz was a unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year, and Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was the winner of the National League honor.
The 22-year-old Kurtz batted .290 with 36 homers, 86 RBIs and a 1.002 OPS in 117 games this year. The first baseman became the eighth rookie since 1901 to finish with an OPS over 1.000 while making at least 400 plate appearances.
The 24-year-old Baldwin stepped up for Atlanta after No. 1 catcher Sean Murphy was sidelined by a cracked rib in spring training. Baldwin hit .274 with 19 homers, 80 RBIs and an .810 OPS in 124 games.
Bochy returning
SAN FRANCISCO — Bruce Bochy and the San Francisco Giants are reuniting after all, with the club’s beloved former manager taking on a special adviser role for both the baseball and business sides following 28 seasons on the dugout’s top step.
President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey is turning to his old skipper to help guide a new regime and direction for the club following a fourth straight season without a playoff berth.
Bochy won a World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023.
Posey hired Tennessee coach Tony Vitello for his first job in professional baseball, so Bochy should provide a strong sounding board for the first-time manager.
TURIN, Italy — Jannik Sinner got his title defense at the ATP Finals off to a solid start before his home fans …