Nod To Ex-Indians Skipper

In just two seasons including last year’s strike-shortened season San Diego Padres manager Bruce Bochy has already won more games than nine of his 14 predecessors.

That’s why Bochy, who led the Padres to postseason play for only the second time in their 28-year history, was selected by his peers as The Sporting News National League Manager of the Year.

In his managerial debut, Bochy guided Spokane to the 1989 Northwest League title and he managed a Class AA winner at Wichita in 1992. He spent the next two seasons as a Padres coach then took over as manager in 1994.

He led a 47-70 club to 70-74 in 1995. This year, the Padres won the N.L. West.

Bochy, 41, won with 8 of 13 votes over Atlanta’s Bobby Cox (2 votes). St. Louis’ Tony La Russa and Montreal’s Felipe Alou had one vote each.