Longtime Giants coach Ron Wotus is stepping down as a full-time coach after the season is over, as per a team announcement. Wotus first joined the team’s coaching staff in 1998 as a third base coach, and served as bench coach for the next 19 seasons before returning to third base duties prior to the 2018 season. Wotus could remain with the organization, as he and the Giants are currently talking about a role in the baseball operations department going forward.
In a statement, Wotus said, “It’s been the privilege of my life to work 34 years for the greatest organization in baseball. I never imagined I’d have the career I’ve had — coaching in four World Series, coaching homegrown players like Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt and so many others, and watching them develop into the best players they can be. They are why you coach.
“It’s time for a bit more balance in my life. My wife, Laurie, and my family have been there for me through all the ups and downs, all the travel and long hours, and now I want to be there for them.”
Wotus’ tenure in the San Francisco organization dates back to 1988, when he spent his last two seasons as a player suiting up with the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate. (Wotus’ career as a big league player consisted of 32 games with the Pirates in 1983-84.) From there, Wotus moved on to become a manager in the Giants farm system, working his way up the ladder from 1991-97 and managing at the Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A levels.
From there, Wotus was promoted to the staff of then-manager Dusty Baker, starting what became the longest run of any coach in Giants franchise history. Wotus worked under four different managers during his time on San Francisco’s coaching staff, best known as Bruce Bochy’s chief advisor on the Giants’ World Series championship teams in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
As one might expect, Wotus received some managerial consideration himself over the years. A mystery team (rumored to be the Rockies) checked in on Wotus following the 2016 season, and the Giants interviewed him for their own managerial vacancy before Gabe Kapler was hired during the 2019-20 offseason. That same winter also saw Wotus become a candidate for the Mets’ bench coach job.
Though this outstanding coaching stint may yet have some more memorable postseason moments remaining, we at MLB Trade Rumors congratulate Wotus on his tremendous career, and wish him the best on his next endeavors.
Whoa, no more Wo? Say it ain’t so.
For all we know, the Giants maybe don’t win those 3 championships – absent his influence and assistance – the steady coaching of Ron Wotus.
It’s nice to know that he’ll remain in the organization.
Geez, who cares.
Obviously somebody does. Simply because you don’t, why you gotta be a DB?
To Tony:As someone, who, is on occasion, sarcastic,I dislike your comment! We are talking about someone who dedicated themselves to something in life that was worthwhile. BE NICE!
@TGwynn, now that you’ve given up on trolling all the posts about the Giants players, I assume due to the fact that your team is 14.5 back, you now need to comment like such an a** on a cool piece about Ron Wotus. What did Wotus ever do to you?
Hey TonyGwynnSD19, how’s that playoff push coming?
New material ! Good job, Tony.
Go eat a bag of diques SD19!
More people likely care about Wotus retiring than the Padres at this point.
Damn shame, a huge fan of wo, listening to him talk baseball dude has so much class and respect it’ll be tough to replace a figure like that within the organization. That being said I wish you nothing but the best Wo, Flan has a beer waiting for ya! Enjoy your retirement you’ve earned it my friend!
I remember Wotus as far back as his brief stint as a Pirates infielder. He’s been coaching a good long time, and by all accounts I’ve ever seen doing it very well.
I know what you mean – I used to watch him on hawaii in minor league ball….
On wonder how much Giant staff (on field, stadium and front office) are still around from the Candlestick days?
* I wonder. I hate auto correct that makes no sense.
I must read in autocorrect as I read it as ‘I wonder’.
a lot in the front office, wotus was the last on field presence
Hunter pence new 3B base coach? hahaha just kidding folks!
That would be interesting
His crazy eyes would confuse runner way too much!
@5, did you see him last night on the broadcast of the game sitting with Larry Baer? His eyes were bugging out as he was gabbing away with such passion for the game. Cool to see him there. I welcome any/all further Pence involvement with the Giants in any capacity that he is psyched for!!!
yeah but if you could only deploy him at 3rd when the opponent is playing…..
Waving his arms like a crazy man with those eyes and his tongue sticking out would probably make the runners run the other way hahaha.
In all seriousness Hunter Pence is awesome! He was so awesome to watch play, so much tenacity and passion! And it passed on to a few players and brought more out of them I thought.
Hunter Pence is the GOAT!
Wo rocks!
Ron Wotus was a minor league player the last time the Dodgers won a legitimate World Series tittle.
2020 was legit
60 game regular season throws a pretty big shadow. Who would have made the post season 60 games into this year?
The Nats in 2019?
If my team spent 7 billion over 31 years and couldn’t win a title I guess I would be saying a 60 game exhibition with half the stars in the league opting out is legit too.
I remember Ron Wotus the player. Back in the early 80’s he was a member of the Hagerstown Suns. I actually met him during his time there. He was a good player and good people. Enjoy your retirement Ron Wotus.
WOTUS > CURRENT POTUS
Wotus will be missed. Wish he had gotten an opportunity to be a manager, but was great to have him in a Giants uniform for so long.
So you’re saying he’s going to be the Padres’ next manager then?
Bruce Bochy will be managing the Padres next season…you can put lock on that!! It’s a shame but he will help them next season be legitimate WS Contenders. He will get rid on the malcontents on that team and there will be discipline……who’s going to ?? a future HOF manager on his style?
What a great career as a coach. So beloved by the fans, you even see people in his jersey at Giants games
Wotus should be the Giants manager right now
No, he should not. Gabe is doing a great job.
He earned his retirement! Good Luck and god Bless you and your family!
Probably will go down as the greatest coach in SF Giants history. Great career.
Been a Giants fan since 1984. What did this guy coach?
Since 1984, but not much of a Giants, if you have to ask that. Didi you not read the article?
Ron reads like a bit of a legend. Thanks Ron.
I’ll be interested to see what they come with as the replacement. Curious to see if the youthful theme continues.
Wotus will be missed. I heard a stat the other day that the Giants have the most outs from shifts than any other team. Wotus is the one that does the defensive placement of the players. Of course, he’s making those decisions based on the data he gets from the analytics dept., but that is exactly what you want from a coach or manager, making the right decisions based on input. He would have been a very good manager.