SF Giants new GM Zack Minasian has known nothing but baseball
KTVU sitdown interview with Giants GM Zack Minasian
KTVU's Bailey Ocarroll sits down one on one with the Giants new General Manager Zack Minasian. Minasian discusses keeping up with the Los Angeles Dodgers, how he and Buster Posey plan to bring a winning product to the field and Minasian's path to his new role.
SAN FRANCISCO - When Zack Minasian was named the San Francisco Giants General Manager, he didn't cry or scream. Instead, Minasian, who said he felt giddy, initiated what he called a "Buster hug" with Buster Posey.
The backstory:
Minasian has been with the Giants since 2019, previously serving as the vice president of professional scouting.
In his life, he's has known nothing but baseball.
His dad, also named Zack, served as the Texas Rangers clubhouse manager for two decades, starting in 1989.
That's where Minasian got his first official job, as a clubhouse attendant.
But before that, at the age of five, he had an unofficial job, also in the clubhouse.

Zack Minasian and his father, Zack Minasian, working for the Texas Rangers.
"I was cleaning shoes and picking up dirty laundry," Minasian said with a smile. "My dad would pay me out of his pocket."
Big picture view:
It’s where he learned about the inner workings of a team, but also, the importance of every person that makes up a team, from players to equipment managers and coaches to medical staff. He has carried that appreciation with him into his new role.
Baseball hooked Minasian.
"In a big moment or late in the game, if we have runners on base and ‘boom’ the ball is hit off the bat, you start to see it go to the gap. You know you're about to take the lead almost everyone, I’d say 99.9-percent of the stadium is looking at the field watching a runner round third," Minasian said. "I like looking at the stands and seeing the reactions of the fans. It think the energy and life in the stadium, it kind of became a little addicting to me."
To bring moments like that to Oracle Park, which is something Minasian hopes to do, you have to win more consistently in the regular season.
That's something the Giants have struggled to do the last few years.
Big picture view:
"It's cliché, but it starts with drafting and developing players," Minasian said. "We look at the championship players there are here. These are all players that were drafted and developed here. It starts here."
Since Minasian took over, the team has signed superstar shortstop Willy Adames and future hall of fame pitcher Justin Verlander.
But, even bringing them into the clubhouse likely won't be enough to compete with rivals, and reigning champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Minasaian said it’s not about competing with the Dodgers, rather staying true to who the Giants are.
"I kind of joke I have three older brothers and I couldn't be any of them if I tried," Minasian said. "Really trying to form our own identity who are…having a clear view of this is who the Giants are. I think that was here for such a long time and there’s no reason it can't be here moving forward."
Local perspective:
Another hurdle Minasian is eager to get over is the story line that players don’t want to sign with the Giants because they don't want to live in San Francisco.
Minasian takes it personally.
He lives in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood.
"I believe in the city, and I love the city. I got married in the city, I had a baby in the city, my wife and I, we raise our son in the city," Minasian said. "I've taken a much more personal approach when we talk to agents and free agents."

Zack Minasian, wife Karina Nova and son, Nico. Photo: Minasian family
Minasian's family :
On top of trying to lure top players to San Francisco, and navigating a new role, Minasian is juggling being a new father.
His son, Nico, is 9 months old.
"I'm not going to lie, it's been challenging," Minasian said. "Poor Nico, a lot of mornings he's getting carried on my shoulder as I am on the phone."
Minasian's eyes light up when he talks about his son, even when sharing small details, like Nico's current teething phase.
"If we can get through this time, everything else is going to be easy," Minasian said while laughing.