Rangers manager Jeff Banister gets extension after strong first season

By foxsports
Published

The Texas Rangers have exercised their 2018 option on manager Jeff Banister's contract and added a team option for the 2019 season.

In his first season as a major-league manager in 2015, Banister led the Rangers to a surprising 88-74 record and their first AL West title since 2011. They ultimately were eliminated in the ALDS in five games by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The result of all the success: Banister was voted 2015 AL manager of the year.

Expectations will be even higher this season with the return of ace Yu Darvish from Tommy John surgery and a full season of co-ace Cole Hamels, who was acquired prior to the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline last season.