Bruce Bochy, Brian Sabean Have 2012 Options Picked Up by Giants

February 4 2011 Last updated at 04:50 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO -- A World Series title earned the two men at the top of the Giants' on-field operations an extra year on their contracts. The club announced Friday that it had picked up the options for 2012 for general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy.

On the heels of the franchise's first World Series title since 1954, the club made the expected to decision to stay with the men who helped get them there. Owner Bill Neukom said there was no consideration to extending the contracts beyond 2012.

Sabean, 54, is the longest-tenured current GM in the majors. This will be his 15th year at the helm of the Giants. He was lauded as one of the best in game earlier in his Giants career -- not coincidentally when Barry Bonds was on his roster -- and in recent years he was harshly criticized as the team had four consecutive losing seasons from 2005 to 2008.

"The players make you look real smart or look real dumb, and we've been a bit of both over the past couple years," Sabean said. "I really appreciate the vote of confidence and it gives Boch and I a chance, with the bar raised, to see what's next. I hope that's defending the Western Division title and getting to the playoffs and making another run there."

Bochy, 55, has managed the Giants for four years, coming to San Francisco after a 12-year stint leading the San Diego Padres. He said he sensed a new level of appreciation, even from his peers, after winning the World Series.

"I don't think, I know, if you do win the World Series, it probably gives you a little more credibility, to be honest," he said. "It's very difficult to do. A lot has to happen. I think some people look at me a little different."

Bochy said when he talked to managers at the Winter Meetings who had won the World Series, "it seemed like a little different conversation to me. Now you're in a different group."

Jeff Fletcher | Twitter: @JeffFletcherAOL

Jeff covered the A's and the Giants at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat for 11 years and was a sports reporter at the Los Angeles Times. He is a Baseball Hall of Fame voter, Baseball Writers Association of America member, Baseball America contributor and APSE award winner.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/04/bruce-bochy-brian-sabean-have-2012-options-picked-up-by-giants/

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