Jon Daniels says last season’s AL West Championship win was maybe the most fun he’s had as the Rangers’ general manager.
Jon Daniels has had a lot of success as the general manager of the Texas Rangers, but he calls the 2015 season that ended with an AL West championship maybe the most fun he's had as Texas's GM.
It's not because of that title, it's because of where the Rangers had to come from after a disastrous start to the season.
"I had one day in April where we had a rough loss and the bullpen struggled," Daniels remembered. "I walked into (manager Jeff Banister's) office and had a bit of a long face on. There was that danger after what happened in 2014 where it would have been easy to slip into a woe-is-me mentality. But Banny looked at me and said, 'Don't bring that look into my office. Snap out of it. I need you.' And he was right."
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs for fans prior to the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Infielder Prince Fielder #84 of the Texas Rangers reacts during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Patrick Kivlehan #67 of the Texas Rangers in the dugout before the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Outfielder Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers throws a ball during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Manager Jeff Banister #28 of the Texas Rangers watches from the bench during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Starting pitcher Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Outfielder Delino DeShields #3 of the Texas Rangers catches a fly ball during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers on deck during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Shin-Soo Choo #17 of the Texas Rangers during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Ryan Rua #16 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Kansas City Royals during the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Justin Ruggiano #25 of the Texas Rangers on deck during the cactus leauge spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
Yu Darvish is throwing again today. The Rangers ace is coming off Tommy John surgery.
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
Pitchers just walked out onto the field. Rangers say Yu Darvish may get some more work in today.
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
Cole Hamels putting in work too!
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
First practices are underway!
Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 Arlington Reporter
Adrian Beltre getting some batting practice in.
Pat Doney, NBC 5 Sports
Slugger Josh Hamilton on crutches in Surprise, Arizona, Feb. 24, 2016.
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers sits down during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers practices during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers practices during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Manager Jeff Banister of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Bench coach Steve Buechele of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Bench coach Steve Buechele of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers arrives to a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Texas Rangers coaches, pitchers and catchers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers talks with fans during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish (second from right) of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitchers Colby Lewis #48 and Cole Hamels #35 of the Texas Rangers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Bench coach Steve Buechele of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Pitchers Yu Darvish #11 and Martin Perez #33 of the Texas Rangers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Pitchers Cole Hamels #35 and Martin Perez #33 of the Texas Rangers participate in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers participates in a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Starting pitcher Yu Darvish #11 of the Texas Rangers throws during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 04: Prince Fielder #84 of the Texas Rangers makes a play on a ground ball during the fifth against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. Game ended in a 3-3 tie. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 04: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers attempts to turn a double play as Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides into second base during the first inning at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. Game ended in a tie 3-3. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers smiles in the dugout during the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: General view of the spring training game between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Jake Diekman #41 of the Texas Rangers delivers a pitch in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels during the spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Mitch Moreland #18 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Kansas City Royals during the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Prince Fielder #84 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Kansas City Royals during the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 04: Patrick Kivlehan #67 of the Texas Rangers celebrates with teammate Drew Robinson #68 after scoring a run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. Game ended in a 3-3 tie. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers hits a solo home run in the second inning during the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Jurickson Profar #19 of the Texas Rangers makes the force out on Yunel Escobar #6 of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning in the spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 13: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers signs autographs for fans prior to the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 04: Chi Chi Gonzalez #21 of the Texas Rangers delivers a warm up pitch prior to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Delino DeShields #3 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Kansas City Royals during the cactus leauge spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 2, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
It was conversations like that one that showed Daniels made the right move to be Texas's new manager before the 2015 season.
"I'm proud of that," Daniels said. "There were a number of times we all looked around and said 'Yeah, we hired the right guy.'"
