Home » Home » Record-Setting MLB Manager and Former Eastern Florida State Baseball Player Bruce Bochy Honored with NJCAA Merit Award

Record-Setting MLB Manager and Former Eastern Florida State Baseball Player Bruce Bochy Honored with NJCAA Merit Award

By  //  April 17, 2026

Bochy is one of three managers to win a World Series championship in both leagues

Record-setting Major League Baseball manager and former Eastern Florida State College baseball player Bruce Bochy was honored during the NJCAA Annual Awards Dinner in Kansas City, Missouri, with the NJCAA Merit Award at the NJCAA Convention on Wednesday evening.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Record-setting Major League Baseball manager and former Eastern Florida State College baseball player Bruce Bochy was honored during the NJCAA Annual Awards Dinner in Kansas City, Missouri, with the NJCAA Merit Award at the NJCAA Convention on Wednesday evening.

The Melbourne High graduate joined Brevard Community College, now Eastern Florida State College, in 1974, helped the team win a state championship in 1975, and was named an All-American that season.

The baseball field on the Melbourne campus of Eastern Florida State College was named after the catcher in 2011.

“The NJCAA played an incredible role in my journey both personally and professionally, and I am truly grateful to be recognized in this way,” Bochy said.

“The lessons in dedication, service, and striving for excellence that I learned through the NJCAA have stayed with me every step of the way. It’s a privilege to be a part of this community, and I am deeply thankful for this award.”

Bochy was drafted in the first round by the Houston Astros in the 1975 Supplemental Draft. He made his Major League Baseball debut on July 19, 1978, for the Astros and played for nine seasons.

In 802 career at-bats, he hit .239 with 26 home runs.

Bruce Bochy reached the big leagues in 1978 as a catcher, and during a nine-year playing career with Houston, the New York Mets, and the San Diego Padres, Bochy won over coaches and team officials with his ability to call pitches and manage games.

Bochy became a manager in 1995 with the San Diego Padres and led them to a World Series appearance in 1998.

He joined the San Francisco Giants in 2007 for 13 seasons with the team, winning three World Series championships – the first one in 2010, and then in 2012 and 2014.

He joined the San Francisco Giants in 2007 and played 13 seasons with the team, winning three World Series championships. The first one was in 2010, and then in 2012 and 2014.

Bochy was with the Texas Rangers for three seasons beginning in 2023 and won the franchise’s first World Series championship in 2023.

He is one of three managers to win a World Series championship in both leagues and is now serving as a special assistant to the San Francisco Giants’ baseball operations department.

“We could not be more proud of Bruce Bochy for his extraordinary contributions to the game of baseball and to Eastern Florida State College,” said College President Dr. Jim Richey.

“We could not be more proud of Bruce Bochy for his extraordinary contributions to the game of baseball and to Eastern Florida State College,” said College President Dr. Jim Richey.

“From leading our baseball program to a state championship to helping establish Bruce Bochy Field as one of the premier baseball complexes in the state of Florida, his legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of our college. We are honored to see Bruce recognized by the NJCAA for a career that exemplifies excellence and lasting impact.”

The NJCAA Merit Award is a prestigious honor established in 1990 to recognize former NJCAA student-athletes who have achieved national distinction in their professional careers.