When news came down on Wednesday afternoon of the Texas Rangers firing hitting coach Thad Bosley not even halfway into his first season with the club, the immediate reaction from players was one of relief. No one came to his defense. Not even really Ron Washington, who was Bosley's advocate for bringing him in in the off-season after Clint Hurdle left to take the managerial job in Pittsburgh after one season as the Rangers hitting coach.
But a quick look at the numbers by the average obsever might raise an eyebrow as to why Bosley was let go.
The Rangers are tied with Toronto for fourth in all of Major League Baseball with a team batting average of .265.
The most shocking number, however, is the amount of strikeouts the Rangers have this season.
Long known for their free-swinging ways after the far-too-long Rudy Jaramillo days as hitting coach, the Rangers have never been a shining example of plate approach.
But this season, the Rangers have the fewest strikeouts in all of baseball with 359.
Numerous reports emerged Wednesday of clubhouse strife and a lack of communication between Bosley and his players, and one specifically about a blow-up between Bosley and catcher Yorvit Torrealba seemed to put things over the edge.
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But one thing's clear, the dismissal wasn't for on-the-field performance. Give Jon Daniels credit though, he's always been quick to sweep clubhouse issues out of the back door. Remember Sidney Ponson? Or Vicente Padilla? He doesn't put up with childish stuff.
