Chris O'Meara/Associated Press After nearly four seasons as manager, Jeff Banister was fired by the Texas Rangers on Friday in the midst of a 64-88 campaign. According to Rangers Executive Vice President of Communications John Blake, Banister's dismissal is effective immediately, and he will be replaced by bench coach Don Wakamatsu on an interim basis for the final 10 games of the season. During his time in Texas, the 54-year-old went 325-313 and led the Rangers to the playoffs on two occasions. The Rangers struggled to compete in the competitive American League West this season, in part because of injuries suffered by a number of key players. Texas is last in the AL West, 31.0 games behind the division-leading Houston Astros and 10.5 games behind the fourth-place Los Angeles Angels. Second baseman Rougned Odor, shortstop Elvis Andrus, third baseman Adrian Beltre and outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. all spent time on the disabled list this season. Texas also pieced together a veteran-laden starting rotation that opposing teams hit too easily over the course of the season. Banister's tenure with the Rangers started off promisingly, as he won the AL West and qualified for the playoffs in each of his first two seasons. Video Play Button Videos you might like After going 88-74 in 2015, Texas fell in five games to the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series. The Rangers then went 95-57 in 2016, but they were swept out of the ALDS by Toronto. Texas dropped to 78-84 in 2017, and things continued to get worse for the team in 2018. Despite their issues over the past two seasons, the Rangers have been one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball since 2010. They reached the playoffs in three straight seasons from 2010-2012, including two trips to the World Series. After a two-year hiatus, the Rangers made the playoffs in 2015 and 2016 as well. Texas was never able to seal the deal and win a World Series during its string of success, and it appears far away from competing for a championship considering how stacked the American League is. A new voice in the clubhouse may be beneficial to the Rangers, but given how poorly the team has played, a rebuild may be in order.<doc-sep>After two consecutive losing seasons, including a last-place finish this year, the Texas Rangers fired Jeff Banister as manager, the club announced Friday. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season, beginning with tonight’s game against the Seattle Mariners. “This was not an easy decision and comes after a long period of evaluation," said Rangers president of baseball operations and general manager Jon Daniels. "However, we feel that a change in the leadership of our Major League club is necessary as we move forward. Once this conclusion was reached, I felt it was appropriate to make the move now. On behalf of the entire organization, I wish Jeff and his family the best.” Banister was hired before the 2015 season and led the club to back-to-back first place finishes in the American League West. Neither trip to the postseason, however, resulted in a series win. The lost to the Toronto Blue Jays each time in the AL Division Series. The Rangers finished a disappointing third place last season and currently sit in last place in the division at 64-88. In four seasons with the Rangers, Banister posted a record of 325-313. He is one of three Rangers managers, along with Johnny Oates (1996) and Buck Showalter (2004), to be named AL Manager of the Year, when he won the accolade in 2015. Banister, who had one more year remaining on his contract, is due $950,000 for 2019. “I want to thank Rangers ownership and Jon Daniels for giving me this opportunity," Banister said in a statement. "We had some great times here, but it doesn’t last forever. I also want to thank the coaches, field staff, and especially the players who made it an honor for me to wear the Rangers uniform. And to the fans, I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated your support and kind words over the last four years. I certainly regret that we were not able to make a deeper playoff run for you in 2015 and 2016. “Certainly I am disappointed that I was not able to finish the job. But this has been the experience of a lifetime. Thank you”<doc-sep>Bench coach Don Wakamatsu will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season. ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have fired manager Jeff Banister before the end of what will be the team’s first consecutive losing seasons in 10 years. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season, starting with Friday night’s game against Seattle that starts the final home series of the season. The Rangers announced Bannister’s dismissal earlier in the day. Banister, hired after the 2014 season, had a 325-313 record in his first managerial job. The Rangers won the AL West title in each of his first two seasons, losing to Toronto in the AL Division Series both times. The Rangers had a 64-88 record going into Friday night’s game. They were 78-84 last year.<doc-sep>
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM/AP) – The Texas Rangers announced Friday that Jeff Banister has been dismissed as the team’s manager. The move comes just before the end of what will be the team’s first consecutive losing seasons in 10 years. “This was not an easy decision and comes after a long period of evaluation. However, we feel that a change in the leadership of our Major League club is necessary as we move forward,” said Rangers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Jon Daniels. “Once this conclusion was reached, I felt it was appropriate to make the move now. On behalf of the entire organization, I wish Jeff and his family the best.” Bench coach Don Wakamatsu will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season, starting with Friday night’s game against Seattle that starts the final home series of the season. The Rangers announced Bannister’s dismissal earlier in the day. The fired manager released a statement late Friday afternoon on his departure: “I want to thank Rangers ownership and Jon Daniels for giving me this opportunity. We had some great times here, but it doesn’t last forever. I also want to thank the coaches, field staff, and especially the players who made it an honor for me to wear the Rangers uniform. And to the fans, I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated your support and kind words over the last four years. I certainly regret that we were not able to make a deeper playoff run for you in 2015 and 2016. READ MORE: Family Of Denton Crash Victim Jordan Dodson Says She Leaves Behind Life-Saving Gifts “Certainly I am disappointed that I was not able to finish the job. But this has been the experience of a lifetime. Thank you” Banister, hired after the 2014 season, had a 325-313 record in his first managerial job. The Rangers won the AL West title in each of his first two seasons, losing to Toronto in the AL Division Series both times. The Rangers had a 64-88 record going into Friday night’s game. They were 78-84 last year. (© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)