Who's the Manager of the Texas Rangers?
Let's take a little journey through the twists and turns of the Texas Rangers managerial history. It's a tale filled with surprises, unexpected twists, and a whole lot of baseball.
The Early Days: A Manager for Every Year
Back in the early days of the Texas Rangers, it seemed like they couldn't keep a manager around for more than a season. It was a revolving door of skippers, with 11 different managers taking the helm in the first 10 years of the franchise's existence.
The Bob Price Era: A Touch of Stability
In 1974, the Rangers finally found a bit of stability with Bob Price. Price managed the team for four seasons, leading them to their first-ever winning record in 1976. While he wasn't able to guide the Rangers to the postseason, he laid the groundwork for future success.
The Johnny Oates Years: A Golden Age
The 1990s were a golden age for the Texas Rangers, and much of that success can be attributed to manager Johnny Oates. Oates took over the team in 1990 and led them to five consecutive American League West division titles from 1991 to 1995. He also guided the Rangers to their first-ever World Series appearance in 1996, although they ultimately fell short to the New York Yankees.
A Series of Short Stints
After Oates' departure in 1998, the Rangers once again went through a series of short-lived managerial tenures. Skip Johnson, Jerry Narron, and Buck Showalter all had brief stints at the helm before the team finally found another long-term solution.
Ron Washington: A Respected Figure
Ron Washington arrived in Texas in 2007 and quickly established himself as a respected figure in the dugout. Under Washington's leadership, the Rangers reached the postseason five times, including two World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. Although they were unable to win a championship, Washington's tenure is widely regarded as one of the most successful in Rangers history.
Jeff Banister: A Homegrown Manager
Jeff Banister, a former Rangers catcher, took over the team in 2015 and led them to the postseason in his first season. However, he was unable to replicate the success of his predecessor, and was fired after the 2017 season.
Chris Woodward: A New Era
Chris Woodward, a former Major League infielder and bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was hired as the Rangers' manager in 2019. Woodward's tenure has been marked by ups and downs, but he has shown promise as a young manager.
So, Who's the Manager Now?
As of 2023, the manager of the Texas Rangers is Bruce Bochy. Bochy is a highly respected veteran manager who has previously led the San Francisco Giants to three World Series championships. He brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to the Rangers dugout.
The Future of Rangers Management
It's impossible to predict who will be the next manager of the Texas Rangers, but one thing is certain: the franchise's managerial history is filled with both successes and failures. Only time will tell who will be the next skipper to lead the Rangers to glory.