ARLINGTON, Texas – Johnny Oates has resigned as manager of the Texas Rangers, who are off to their worst start since 1985 despite signing Alex Rodriguez to the richest contract in sports history.
Third-base coach Jerry Narron will coach the Rangers for the rest of the season.
Texas is 11-17 and 11 games behind Seattle in the AL West. While the Rangers are near the lead in every offensive category, their pitching staff is by far the worst in the majors.
Rodriguez signed a $252 million, 10-year contract during the winter. The Rangers also signed other free agents during the offseason, including Andres Galarraga and Ken Caminiti.
Oates’ seven-year tenure included three division titles but a last-place finish in 2000.
Owner Tom Hicks said this week that Oates’ job could be in jeopardy if the team didn’t start playing better.
“I am very concerned, as everyone should be,” Hicks recently told Randy Galloway of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “On the other hand, I really do feel Johnny can still do what is within his control to get the team turned around.”
Oates went 506-476 in Texas through six full seasons and part of this year. He’s the second-winningest manager in franchise history and the only to lead the team into the postseason. He’s under contract through next season.
The Rangers are the second team to change skippers in the first five weeks of the season. Tampa Bay fired Larry Rothschild.