OAKLAND -- Going through his 28th season as a player or coach in the Major Leagues, A¡¯s manager Mark Kotsay thought he had pretty much gotten all of his ¡°firsts¡± out of the way. This month, however, he will get to partake in another one.
As the manager for the American League in the 2024 All-Star Game after leading the Texas Rangers to a World Series championship last season, Bruce Bochy had the option of adding a fellow skipper to his coaching staff for the July 16 Midsummer Classic. Last week, Kotsay was revealed as Bochy¡¯s selection.
The relationship between the two spans more than two decades. It began when Kotsay was traded from the Marlins to the Padres and played for Bochy in San Diego from 2001-03. Kotsay was traded to Oakland before the 2004 season, but his connection with Bochy only grew stronger as the years went on.
Since being named A's manager on Dec. 21, 2021, Kotsay has often referred to Bochy as a mentor and someone he admires. Now, the two will get to work side by side in the same dugout. For Kotsay, All-Star Week at Globe Life Field in Arlington will represent his first All-Star experience.
¡°I¡¯ve been in the game for 28 years, so there¡¯s not a lot of firsts left,¡± Kotsay said. ¡°This will be a first. I¡¯m excited about that. I¡¯m excited about representing the A¡¯s in the dugout. I¡¯m not sure how many more seasons Boch is going to do this. To be able to be on his staff and watch him work, it¡¯s going to be great.¡±
The announcement came last Tuesday, but Bochy personally invited Kotsay to join the AL coaching staff after the A's and Rangers played a four-game series in Oakland from May 6-8.
¡°I told him I had to make sure I checked with my wife,¡± Kotsay said. "I was pretty positive we had something planned.¡±
Once Kotsay got the OK, he was fully on board.
¡°It¡¯s something I¡¯ve never done,¡± Kotsay said. ¡°Nothing better than to be able to be a part of his staff. It¡¯s an honor, really, just to be invited and get to enjoy the Midsummer Classic.¡±