The Texas Rangers to Name Jeff Banister New Manager

The Texas Rangers have found their new manager according to sources. Reports indicate that they will name Pittsburgh Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister to that position. 

He comes in replacing Ron Washington who resigned back on September 5th and was in the midst of his worst season at the helm of the Rangers.  Banister, who lives outside of Houston, brings the Rangers a touch of Clint Hurdle, their one-year hitting coach who left an indelible mark on the franchise during its run to a first AL pennant in 2010.

Banister (pictured on the right) beat out interim Rangers manager Tim Bogar for the job along with Cleveland bullpen coach Kevin Cash.   Banister and Cash had second interviews with Rangers officials on Wednesday.  It is uncertain what will happen with Bogar, who was the Rangers bench coach before Ron Washington’s resignation.  Bogar went 14-8 in the three weeks until the season’s end, but the Rangers said they would conduct a thorough search for the new manager.