For a few precious moments Friday morning, the 49ers came across as a genuine, compassionate organization with perspective. It wasn’t the work of Jed York or Trent Baalke, whose absence became a blessing as the Aldon Smith news conference unfolded. Jim Tomsula took care of this job all by himself.

We don’t know much about Tomsula as an NFL head coach, or how he will handle the inevitable consequences of a dismantled roster, but we learned something about him as a man. The message he delivered Friday, and the command he held over his audience, was something rarely seen among his peers in any sport.

“Although (Smith) won’t be playing football for the San Francisco 49ers, he will be supported and helped and he will not have to walk this path alone,” Tomsula said.

Aware of his position in the spotlight of the national media, Tomsula then reached out to others who might be going through similar issues.

“If one person out there reads this, and you’re struggling, get help. Go get it. You’re worth it. There’s value in every human being. Get the help. You don’t have to walk alone. Find it, it’s there. And although Aldon will not be playing football here, we will be supporting him. He will not be alone.”

He spoke from the soul, eyes growing a bit misty at times. He came across as that one family member who can keep things together during a multilayered crisis. Maybe he doesn’t come from the genius school of coaching — that remains to be seen — but he comes from real life. He spoke directly, and with great purpose. He would have recoiled at the notion of reading some prepared statement, for he needed no help.

Eventually there will be a season, and other news conferences, and Tomsula will struggle with that annoying prerequisite of NFL coaching — misleading people, if not outright lying. That speaks to his character, as well. Here’s what we know for sure: With the 49ers’ culture once again in crisis, the playing field a mess and an owner so often overmatched, Jim Tomsula has given this organization a beating heart.

Panda hats for sale

Multiple sources are reporting that the Red Sox would love to be free of Pablo Sandoval’s contract ($75 million over the next four years) and will try to work out a waiver deal this month. He’s one of several names around the majors rumored to be in that category, along with Coco Crisp, Carlos Gonzalez, Jose Reyes, James Shields and Sandoval teammate Hanley Ramirez ... Even if you’re totally behind the A’s new philosophy, the disturbing truth is that the American League West is blossoming into an elite division without them. The Angels have Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and a brand of excellence that will skyrocket if they hire Dave Dombrowski, a Brian Sabean-caliber general manager who recently left the Tigers after a clash with management. The Houston Astros, who will move on to AT&T Park (Tuesday and Wednesday) after their series in Oakland, have developed a stable of young talent led by the fabulous Carlos Correa, who might already be the best all-around shortstop in baseball. Texas will come out of the gate next year with Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish anchoring the rotation and Josh Hamilton (ideally) at ease once again. Hard to see the A’s competing with all that — or Seattle, if the once-promising Mariners ever show up for real ... What a treat, though, to watch Aaron Brooks’ first two starts for Oakland. He’s the definition of a “downhill” pitcher: straight over the top and everything kept low, plus a terrific changeup and strong mound presence. Looks like a real find ... ESPN came up with the A’s 162-game record since the Yoenis Céspedes trade: 69-93 ... A man can change his mind, but Céspedes has told reporters he savors the New York atmosphere and would love to stay with the Mets. They’ll need to act quickly, though, on a long-term deal. Under the terms of his contract, an unsigned Céspedes must be released outright five days after the World Series ends — and if that occurs, the Mets couldn’t re-sign him until May ... The St. Louis fans like the acquisition of Brandon Moss, but he won’t be able to get away with a .200-level average much longer. The Cards gave up an excellent pitching prospect, Rob Kaminsky, to get Moss from Cleveland, a deal that struck many as terribly shortsighted.

The next time the Giants go into an extended offensive slump, you’ll hear talk-show callers ripping Hensley Meulens — and they will be certifiably nuts. The Giants’ hitting philosophy is the talk of baseball, and you can trace that down to all the hitting coaches in the minor-league system. Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Andrew Susac, Joe Panik, Matt Duffy, possibly Kelby Tomlinson (more evidence needed there) — it seems that everyone hits smartly to all fields, even making a specialty of off-field hitting, and Hunter Pence is an established master. If your kids fancy playing the game, tell them to watch Duffy, who has dead-pull ability but uses right field about as well as any line-drive hitter since Bill Madlock ... Note to CSN Bay Area: A Giants pitching change is not “brought to you by” a broadcast sponsor. (“Yo, Ring Central — OK if I bring in Affeldt?”) It’s just another inappropriate time to sneak in a commercial word ... Nice to see the Giants leave Atlanta, the city that doesn’t matter. If it did, something would be done (years ago) about the incomprehensibly offensive Tomahawk Chop. Nothing like thousands of people who really don’t get it. Reminds me of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and Strother Martin’s classic line: “Morons. I’ve got morons on my team.” ... Such a curiosity: Every time somebody takes a blow to the head in the major sports, concussion issues come immediately and properly into play. Meanwhile, in the vile and unwatchable world of MMA, UFC or any other such nonsense (you watch Ronda Rousey or Robbie Lawler; I’ll be taking out the trash), it’s a great day when somebody gets the living crap beaten out of them. Whoa, there’s a vicious knee to the chin! Hey, 17 straight wicked blows to the head! Cool! Dementia can be cool!

Bruce Jenkins is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. E-mail: bjenkins@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Bruce_Jenkins1