Bogar's Temporary Success Shouldn't Directly Reward Full-Time Job

Interim coaches are like rebound dates. When a relationship – or a season – has long gone in the tank, anything different can be misconstrued as something positive.

In other words, the Rangers should be careful before hiring Tim Bogar just because of the team’s 14-8 finish.

The search to replace Ron Washington will wind through Bogar, Mike Maddux and Steve Buechele. Me? I’d choose Beuchele. He played for the Rangers and he’s coached in their system at three levels over six years. Players at Double-AA Frisco and Triple-AAA Round Rock rave about his teaching and communication.

But I believe the Rangers will hire Bogar, who took over for Washington and managed a bunch of rookies to a surprising finish in meaningless games. Bogar deserves a pat on the back, but what he oversaw was basically a month of extended spring training games where the goal was evaluation over success. Believing that the 14-8 record will somehow carry over into 2015 is ludicrous.

Let’s face it, the Rangers’ season ended on May 27 when Prince Fielder underwent season-ending neck surgery. They were officially eliminated from the postseason on Sept. 4. Bogar took over in the wake of Washington’s abrupt resignation on Sept. 5. You get the picture.

Jason Garrett got the Cowboys’ full-time job based on his team going 5-3 after the firing of Wade Phillips. How’d that work out?

I know, I know. The Rangers were 8-0 in one-run games under Bogar and won four in their final at-bat. But you really think those same rookies will be in uniform when the Ranges open 2015? In the big scheme, it was a band-aid on a amputated leg.

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Bogar may indeed be the best man for the job. I just hope the interview process isn’t weighted in his favor because of a meaningless September dash to an imaginary finish line.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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