SURPRISE, Ariz. — Bruce Bochy was 20 years old when he experienced his first big league spring training with the Houston Astros.
The Texas Rangers manager was the 23rd and final player selected in the first round of the June secondary phase of the 1975 MLB draft out of Eastern Florida State College.
Of the three catchers selected in that June secondary phase first round, he's the only one to make it to the majors. Bochy made his MLB Astros debut in 1978.
Since he was a catcher, however, Bochy was in big league camp as a 20-year-old in 1976. The Astros staff at the time had some legendary pitchers, including J.R. Richard, Larry Dierker, Joaquín Andújar, Ken Forsch, and knuckleballer Joe Niekro.
"I don't think I've ever been more nervous in my life, to be honest," Bochy said. "I was in big league camp after my first year because I was a catcher. That's the only reason I was there.
Bochy's Rangers open their Cactus League schedule at 1 p.m. Friday against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium.
Bochy, 68, vividly remembers when Astros manager Bill Virdon put him in his first spring training game that year.
"I was really nervous, which I know some of these kids are going to be in their first camp," he said. "That's why I tried to tell them to enjoy it. Take it in and not worry whether I'm going to make the club."
Bochy even remembers that he didn't get a hit in that game, but "I did hit it hard."
Bochy never caught Niekro in that first camp, but he did catch Richard. The intimidating, hard-throwing right-hander left a mark on Bochy's memory and probably his left palm.
"He's still the toughest pitcher I've ever had to catch," Bochy said. "I think [Alan] Ashby would tell you the same thing. He had such great stuff. He threw 99 to 100-102, topped 100, and with that hard slider. That was a great staff."
More must-reads: