Though Tim Bogar may have once seemed the favorite to be the Texas Rangers’ new manager, the team decided to make a wholesale change in their dugout. On Thursday, Texas named Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister as its new skipper. The hiring was first reported by Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Bogar served as the Rangers’ interim manager following Ron Washington’s resignation on Sept. 5. Prior to that, he was the club’s bench coach. Bogar had interviewed for the regular manager position and was one of three finalists for the job, along with Banister and Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash.
The Rangers hiring Banister wasn’t a complete surprise to baseball insiders, however.
No surprise Rangers hired Jeff Banister. Astros did detailed search and came down to Hinch, banister, Lovullo
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) October 16, 2014
Banister has been the bench coach on Clint Hurdle’s staff in Pittsburgh for the past four years. He’s been with the Pirates organization for 29 years, having been drafted by the team in 1986 and playing seven minor league seasons. Additionally, Banister served as the club’s field coordinator in the minor and major leagues for a combined 12 years. He’s also managed at several levels throughout Pittsburgh’s minor league system, including its Arizona Fall League club in 2009.
For more of Banister’s story, check out Tyler Kepner’s 2013 profile in the New York Times. Ben Lindbergh’s piece for Grantland on the Pirates’ sabermetric approach may also hint as to what the Rangers expect from Banister.
