Bob Melvin’s tenure as Giants manager didn’t live up to expectations, to say the least, which is a primary reason why he was let go last fall. Melvin went 161-163 across just two seasons in charge despite having a talented roster on paper, particularly in 2025.

After being hired this week by the Athletics — another team he formerly managed — as a special assistant to baseball operations, Melvin spoke to John Shea of The San Francisco Standard about his underwhelming stint with his hometown team in San Francisco.

“The way we started out, we really had high hopes, and then once we brought in [Rafael Devers], it was like, this is next level,” Melvin told The Standard. “But we were way too streaky, like other teams who went through significant streaks, and didn’t play very well for a period of time up until the trade deadline, and if you’re looking to kind of indict me, that’s the period of time you look at.

“I don’t feel great about that. I came there for a reason. Leaving San Diego and wanting to come back home and manage the Giants, it was disappointing for me that we did not do better, especially last year. Of all the places I’ve been, that’s probably the most disappointing.”

Bob Melvin opens up: A Giants firing, an A’s hiring, and what comes next — I went on a trip to check in with the former manager on quite a few topics: https://t.co/kRmXA6HOUS

— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) February 21, 2026

Melvin has been a very successful manager throughout his 22 years in the role across five teams; he’s a three-time Manager of the Year winner and his 1,678 wins ranks 20th all-time in MLB. It’s also the third-most wins by a manager without leading a team to the World Series.

But it’s safe to assume Melvin’s particular connection to the Giants adds to that disappointment. Not only did he grow up in Menlo Park and play college baseball at Cal, but he also spent three seasons as a catcher for San Francisco from 1986-88 during his playing career.

Still, Melvin clearly appreciates the opportunity he received to manage both Bay Area teams.

“Look, to be able to put a Giant uniform on and go into that ballpark every day, at some point in time, I’m going to be able to reflect on managing the A’s and Giants — not in my wildest dreams did I ever think that would happen,” Melvin said. “I was very lucky and fortunate.”

Now 64 years old, it’s unclear whether or not Melvin will manage an MLB team again, and his Bay Area legacy certainly is a bit more complicated now compared to a few years ago. Nevertheless, it’s a heartening baseball altogether, just one that Melvin, the Giants and their fans all wish had a better ending.

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