Bruce Bochy makes curious choice to join him on All-Star Game coaching staff

With the Rangers winning the American League pennant in 2023, and of course going on to win the World Series, Bruce Bochy has been given the opportunity to manage in the All-Star Game, an honor that is bestowed upon him for the fifth time in his legendary managerial career.

The event is coming up fast, and Bochy is assembling his coaching staff for the Midsummer Classic. But fans might be surprised by who Bochy recently selected to sit alongside him in the American League dugout.

Three years ago, the Oakland Athletics shipped off most of their star players including Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Sean Manaea, and Chris Bassitt. They were completely remodeling the roster of the future.

Along with that came a change at the very front, with Mark Kotsay inking a deal to manage these new-look Oakland A's.

It was no secret that Kotsay was just a placeholder as Oakland began its transition to Las Vegas and was essentially trying to lose. In the first two years of his managing career, Kotsay accumulated a record of just 110-214 and resulted in an ugly scene, with players being immediately traded at first flash of success, fans completely boycotting the team, and all of the relocation hoopla.

Now in his third season as the manager in Oakland, Kotsay, while still not getting the results he would like from his team, has been given a great opportunity. He has been asked to help coach the American League All-Star team. From 2001-2003, Kotsay played for the San Diego Padres under Bochy, who was manager at the time. So even though these two are division rivals the last couple years, Bochy obviously values Kotsay's insight and input.

Kotsay mentioned he loved his time playing for the four-time World Series champion manager. So as soon as Bochy had the chance, he scooped up his former player to help him bring home a victory in the Midsummer Classic. Just don't give him too much info, Skip. We don't want the A's on our tail as the season goes on. That would be bad.