HOUSTON — The San Francisco Giants' new general manager, Pete Putila, enjoyed a homecoming of sorts this week. A Pennsylvania native, Putila spent 12 years with the Astros before signing up this offseason as Farhan Zaidi's second in command, and on Wednesday, he received the fruits of that labor.
Putila was presented with his 2022 World Series ring on the field before Wednesday's series finale, flanked by dozens of his former colleagues in the Astros front office.
"I think this officially ends my chapter in Houston," Putila said. "Looking to get one with an SF on it."
Putila and his wife, Amethyst, visited their favorite local taco spot on Tuesday. Looking out the window of the Giants' team bus, Putila saw the downtown Chipotle near Minute Maid Park that he frequented for lunch. On his way into the ballpark, he got hugs from security guards ("I still don't need my ID around here, for now," he said).
The ring is the second in Putila's collection, but unlike the Astros' 2019 championship, this one wasn't tainted by a cheating scandal.
"Obviously kind of a roller coaster," he said, "but a lot of great experiences here.
"I spent a lot of time here, 12 years," he continued. "Started as an intern, drove my car down from Pennsylvania after packing up all my stuff, and here I am, so it's been quite a dream."
Since being hired in November as the replacement for Scott Harris, who was named president of baseball operations in Detroit, Putila has already made an impression.
"I'm super impressed by Pete's listening skills, number one," said manager Gabe Kapler, who watched from the railing of the visitor's dugout as Putila was presented his new bling. "He has learned so much in such a short period of time about the entire organization. He's very tuned in right now.
"It's really nice because when I've had a chance to sit with him on a regular basis, I'm actually learning from him what's going on in our organization, which is a privilege. I think he cares about the right things. He's very, very efficient. One of the things I appreciate about him is he doesn't spend a lot of time upset about things that we can't control as an organization. It's really about the process, it's really about fixing things and making things better. He just really doesn't spend much time on things that he can't control and that we can't control, which I really appreciate and respect.
Putila's main duties in Houston included player development, playing a key role in drafting and developing the Astros' homegrown core, particularly in their starting rotation. It's a big reason why he appealed to the Giants, who have only had one player (Cole Waites) drafted under the current regime reach the majors.
"That's the goal in San Francisco," he said, "to have a club top to bottom with a lot of depth, a lot of homegrown guys."
All settled in Portrero Hill now (with their German shorthaired pointer, Donut), Putila often rides his bike to Oracle Park.
While the Giants are counting on him to bring the same kind of infusion of young talent to their big-league club, he's happy to leave one thing behind in Houston.
"Now," he said, "I've got some more burrito options in San Francisco."
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