Rangers Introduce Texas-Native Banister As Manager
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ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) — The Texas Rangers formally introduced Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister as the 18th manager in club history on Friday.
Banister spent 29 years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as a player, minor league coach, and major league bench coach before beating out a field that included interim manager Tim Bogar.
Banister agreed to a three-year contract with an option for a fourth season.
“What an incredible moment for me and my family,” said Banister. “First, I’d just like to say thank you to the Rangers organization for giving me an opportunity, for believing in me, giving me a chance to lead an organization, but first and foremost be a partner within the organization.”
The 50-year-old baseball lifer lives in the Houston area, where he attended high school and played baseball at Baytown Junior College and the University of Houston.
Banister had seven operations on his ankle and leg for bone cancer and osteomyelitis while in high school in 1980 and was temporarily paralyzed from the neck down in a home plate collision in 1983.
“He’s a winner and a survivor really in every sense,” said Daniels. “When you talk about a grinder, blue collar, really having done a little of everything that this game has to offer, that’s what Jeff has done.”
Along with former Rangers hitting coach and current manager of the Pirates Clint Hurdle, Banister helped transform the Pirates from a perennial NL Central bottom dweller to a perennial postseason team.
MORE: Hurdle Discusses Banister On The Fan
Daniels said the team had no intention of conducting a coaching search this offseason before the sudden resignation of manager Ron Washington last month.
A search group, which included for Ranger Michael Young, trimmed an initial list of 40 candidates down to 8. Bogar was believed to be the favorite, but the organization decided to bring in a new face. Cleveland Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash was announced as the third finalist.
Jon Daniels says new manager Jeff Banister will help re-establish a winning culture with his presence, leadership http://t.co/x51ALMmdjS
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Bill Jones (@CBS11BillJones) October 17, 2014“He’s clearly the right fit for the Texas Rangers organization at this time,” said Daniels.
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