I didn’t think Tim Bogar necessarily deserved to be the Rangers’ next manager. Nonetheless, I thought the job was his.
So, um, what happened?
After Ron Washington’s abrupt resignation Bogar guided the Rangers to a surprising, albeit meaningless, 14-8 run the last month of the season. Given that turnaround, it was a tad jolting when he lost the managerial race to Pirates’ bench coach Jeff Banister.
After a couple rounds of interviews it certainly seemed Bogar retained the inside track to the gig.
But instead, Banister wowed general manager Jon Daniels with his authenticity. Daniels, remember, has a soft spot for anonymous players who toil as bench coaches.
“It’s not a situation of Tim or anybody else losing it,” Daniels said at last week’s press conference. “It’s a situation where Jeff won the job.”
Not sure how much more Bogar could’ve done with his cameo, real-time audition for the gig. But this much seems clear: Daniels thinks he’s hiring a Washington clone with Banister. Aggressive. Optimistic. Savvy on sabermetrics.
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Bogar might still land a gig with the Rangers, but it won’t be as full-time manager. Not yet, anyway.
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.
